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If You Could Harness Hip-Hop’s Power, What Would You Change?

By Cornell Dews

I’d like to start this editorial by stating some specifics about me.  First and foremost, I greatly appreciate everyone who takes the time to read anything that I post on AllHipHop.  I don’t take it for granted.  It’s a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to share my personal thoughts with you.  Thank you.  Secondly, I’d like to share from which perspective I write about Hip Hop.  I am a 47 year old Black man from Baltimore City.  I’ve spent my whole professional adult life educating and serving young people throughout the city of Baltimore.  And I am an avid fan of Hip Hop.  I’ve always understood that Hip Hop was the language spoken by the youth.  Therefore, to be an effective communicator with our children it’s imperative that I understand their language.  So I listen.  I value.  Then I speak.  In that order.  Ultimately my goal is to help and influence our youth to do better to improve their life, which will impact the life of their home and community as a whole.  The way I see it, if my job is properly done, society will reap the reward.

Last week, I published an editorial on AllHipHop posing the question, “Is Rapping The Most Dangerous Job?”  I used research data to support the argument that it is.  We could all rattle off at least 5 names of individuals from Hip Hop that were killed.  Probably within a matter of seconds.  It’s reminiscent to me of RIP tee shirts that were popularized in the 2000’s.  I just had that visual as I was naming rap artists whose life succumbed to bullets fired from guns of individuals who more than likely looked like them.  

By no means am I an antagonist of the culture.  Instead, I am a champion of the culture.  I am just perplexed with understanding the direction that we’re moving in.  Plus I understand our power and see the potential that we have to do something far greater than just make music.  We could change the trajectory of Hip Hop ourselves.  Which would change the trajectory of our community.  Right now Hip Hop is the leading vehicle used to sell everything.  There isn’t a product or service moving above ground or under ground that isn’t being steered by our music, our culture.  That’s great.  But who are the major benefactors?  And aside from the corporate and monetary gains experienced by those using Black culture to sell their products to all cultures without fair and equal compensation to the creators; whose life is more susceptible to the negative imperil derived from the music?

A couple of days ago, I texted Brother Chuck Creekmur (co-founder of AHH) the following:  If we could harness and direct the spirit of Hip Hop, what would you use it to change or create?  He said, “kill poverty or create wealth for future generations.”  It may sound farfetched to some, too lofty of an idea, but I believe that Hip Hop can be used to do those things and even more.  Hip Hop has evolved to something greater than we ever envisioned.  It’s the catalyst to the world.  My only concerns are that we’re being duped to believe that it’s only a genre of music and that our authoritative state of the culture has been subjugated allowing others to reap the greatest reward from our being.  FROM OUR BEING.  Not just our creation, but our ESSENCE.

Though there are many financial benefactors to our music, you and I both know there’s none more impacted by the music than the black and brown community.  And sadly, we don’t control it.  So lets have a “hypothetical” conversation.  If we could harness and direct the spirit of Hip-Hop, what would you use it to change or create?      

Benzino And Daughter Coi Leray Are Beefing!

GOOD LORD!

Benzino and his daughter Coi Leray are beefing! HOW!?! Something has to be sacred in this life of sin. ALAS, nothing is! Ever since Zino and Royce were beefing and Coi’s name got into it…I felt something would go awry. Well, it has. Benzino got called out in a song and it set off a toxic chain of events.

Here are the song bars from “No More Parties”:

I’m too busy getting this money
Counting this cheddar
My daddy let me down
But I promise you I won’t let up
I wanna say f##k that man
But this sh#t won’t make me better
Me and my brother still beefin’ right now
‘Cause he ain’t get that letter

Danny Brown Wtf GIF by DANNY'S HOUSE - Find & Share on GIPHY

Benzino still a man and a dad. She put that in a song? You know Zino was not going to let that slide!  Here is a summation of his clap-back and then you can check out more vids below. Here is what I found online.

  1. First of all, he maintains he made all the money and fully financially supported Coi, her brothers and their Mom even when his ex got remarried.
    2. Doesn’t believe he should be called out in “No More Parties” as he did the best he could.
    3. Coi is his only daughter.
    4. Doesn’t like how shes trying to paint the situation and make him a bad guy.
    5. He made a lot of enemies during his career.
    6. He didn’t want her to drop out of school and smoke weed…admits he was wild too though lol the nerve
    7. Gives his family background. He was raised in the streets. Says he would never disrespect his parents and these kids today have no respect for their elders.
    8. Says he blames her mother…bahaha!
    9. Says Coi says she doesn’t need him but she always brings his name up. He says Angela Yee hates him and made Coi say bad stuff about him. His issue with Angela Yee is from her talking ish about him. He says he won’t let her get away with talking about him.
    10. Says Coi is a kid. She is 23.
    11. Says he wasn’t an absent father and he tries to call Coi and talk about it but she wants to be the victim…hmmm
    12. Says his sons adore him and would never treat him like Coi.
    13. Calls her a clout chaser…says she should’ve kept it private.

Benzino seems genuinely hurt by the song.

She went at her pops:

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And pops went back at his daughter:

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Lil Durk’s OTF Label Announces Release Date For ‘Loyal Bros’ Compilation Album

Only The Family, the record label founded by Chicago-raised recording artist Lil Durk, confirmed a compilation titled Loyal Bros will be hitting DSPs on March 5. The crew’s verified Instagram page posted an announcement about the upcoming project.

“Smurk x Von x Booka x Memo Midnight!! Loyal Bros Album Friday #otf #llkv #jump,” read the IG caption that accompanied the cover art for the forthcoming single “Jump” with Durk, Booka600, Memo600, and the late King Von.

Loyal Bros will follow 2018’s Only the Family Involved, Vol.1 and Only the Family Involved, Vol.2 as well as Family over Everything from 2019. The latter compilation included contributions by NLE Choppa, Polo G, G Herbo, Lil Tjay, and more.

OTF also teased the Loyal Bros tracklist on Instagram, but the names of the songs and guest features in the image were blurred out. Lil Durk is in the middle of an impressive run as one of the top rappers at the moment. His The Voice album is still in the Top 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and his “Back In Blood” collaboration with Pooh Shiesty is a Top 20 hit.

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LisaRaye Discusses Draya Michele Or Joseline Hernandez Playing Diamond In A ‘Player’s Club’ Remake

Legendary rapper O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson made his directorial debut with The Player’s Club which starred LisaRaye McCoy as exotic dancer Diana “Diamond” Armstrong. The  1998 drama became a Hip Hop cult classic and some fans want to see the story remade with contemporary performers.

Ex-stripper Draya Michele expressed interest in playing Diamond in a possible remake of The Player’s Club. Draya posted a photo of the movie’s cast to her Instagram Story with a caption that read, “This could be me in a reboot but y’all playing @icecube.”

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Then Love & Hip Hop alumna Joseline Hernandez shared that she believed Draya was not the best woman for the role. Hernandez commented, “Except that she’s not #joselinescabaret everyone will agree that I’m the perfect girl to play that role @icecube.”

Now LisaRaye has offered her thoughts on the Draya Michele versus Joseline Hernandez debate. While on Fox Soul’s Cocktails With Queens, the actress spoke about the discussion over who should be cast as Diamond if filmmakers ever greenlit a new The Player’s Club.

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“I do have a problem with some of the sequels. Sometimes when they’re done so well, it’s as if the first time you see it, it’s like, let Diamond be Diamond. Maybe somebody can play Cubic Zirconia,” joked LisaRaye. “Diamond was done so well so she’s still Diamond, you know what I mean? I don’t know what to say.”

The former First Lady of Turks and Caicos added, “I’ll tell you that I don’t see Joseline in that role though… Honey, she got body-ody-ody-ody for real. And I think Draya can absolutely [play Diamond]. Draya did it for Halloween, and she did it very well. She hit me, ‘Look, I’m a little you,’ And I’ve actually acted in some things with her as well.”

While she co-signed the idea of Draya stepping into her high heels shoes for another Player’s Club, LisaRaye did have another preference for the part. She stated, “I think that they would do what Cube did in the first place, he would get a ‘no-name’ because a ‘no-name’ gives you an opportunity not to compare her to anything and anybody else.”

Eddie Murphy Teases “Coming 2 America” Stand-Up Comedy Tour

The long-awaited second installment in the Coming to America film series, Coming 2 America, is scheduled to premiere March 5 on Amazon Prime Video. The movie, set in the fictional country of Zamunda, is the sequel to the classic 1988 Eddie Murphy-led comedy.

Murphy, along with friend/co-star Arsenio Hall, appeared on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live this week to talk about Coming 2 America. The interview also included a conversation about the comedians from the cast possibly going on the road together after the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“It’s so many comics in the movie. You’ve got myself, Arsenio, Jermaine Fowler, Trevor Noah, Michael Blackson, Lunelle, Leslie Jones, Rodney Perry, Tracy Morgan,” said Murphy. “There’s a lot of comics so we could actually do a Coming 2 America tour. We could do the whole country. We could call the tour ‘Coming All Over America.'”

Besides that list of comedians, Coming 2 America also stars Shari Headley, KiKi Layne, Wesley Snipes, Teyana Taylor, James Earl Jones, Nomzamo Mbatha, Rick Ross, and Rotimi. The motion picture was directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Dolemite Is My Name) and written by Kenya Barris, Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, and Justin Kanew.

Soulja Boy Beefs With Female WWE Wrestler Alexa Bliss

The rap/wrestling crossover that has become somewhat of a regular Twitter interaction in recent months added another chapter this week. Early yesterday morning, Soulja Boy got into an online exchange with former WWE champion Randy Orton.

Following that digital conflict, which trended on the platform for several hours, Soulja then got into a Twitter feud with Lexi Kaufman, aka WWE star Alexa Bliss, yesterday afternoon. Bliss threw the first punch at the 30-year-old former Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood cast member.

“What’s a ‘Soulja Boy’? Well, whatever it is… Randy is not happy with it. #watchmeyuuuuuu,” tweeted Bliss. SB fired back by posting a gif of the female wrestler doing his famous “Crank That” dance. He added, “Hey Lexi, it’s this dance you’re doing.”

 

“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt’s on-screen accomplice responded, in character, by tweeting, “Yowie wowie! That’s your dance!? I was doing that to mock Asuka. (a bad ass champ. FYI)… But… I mean hey, lemme know if u need help choreographing your next video… I also throw temper tantrums in pigtails if u wanna use that too.”

Soulja Boy simply quote-tweeted Bliss’s response with a gif of his viral 2019 moment on The Breakfast Club when he stood up from the table and yelled “Drake” at the hosts for suggesting the OVO leader was the biggest rapper in the world.

Professional wrestling has jumped back into the mainstream public’s consciousness since the start of 2021. Other celebrities – like Snoop Dogg, Cardi B, Bow Wow, and Bad Bunny – have been involved with sports entertainment promotions in some capacity. Additionally, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is set to wrestle in a tag team match tonight (March 3) on AEW’s Dynamite television show.

Big Sean Opens Up About Wanting To Take His Own Life On Several Occasions

Veteran Hip Hop recording artist Big Sean is very open about dealing with depression and anxiety. He has spoken publicly about his mental health struggles over the last several years.

The Detroit 2 album creator even admitted that he considered taking his own life. Sean again addressed his inner battles while appearing on Michael Eric Dyson’s One Question One Mike series on Facebook Watch.

“I, for sure, contemplated suicide a lot of times, having guns in my hand, feeling it for real,” said Big Sean. “Not even trying to be dramatic, but I definitely was even planning it out to the point where [I thought], ‘Hey, if I do kill myself, at least my family will get this amount of money. I did this already.'”

The 32-year-old emcee went on to explain what he was feeling at the time. Sean told Dyson, “I was just stressed out and not happy. I realized that: Okay, I need to stop everything I’m doing and figure this out or I’m going to self-destruct.”

Big Sean also discussed how meditation helped him deal with his depression. He compared the technique to taking a shower in order to clean his spirit and his energy. The full episode of One Question One Mike will premiere March 3 at 5 pm ET/2 pm PT on Facebook Watch.

 

Bun B Blasts Texas Governor Greg Abbott For Lifting COVID-19 Restrictions

Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to lift the Texas mask mandate and allow businesses to open at 100% capacity is facing a lot of criticism. Some health experts believe relaxing restrictions could lead to another surge of COVID-19 cases.

“Removing state mandates does not end personal responsibility and caring for your family members, friends, and others in your community,” said Abbott. “People and businesses don’t need the state telling them how to operate.”

Not only is Abbott getting pushback from the medical community and local elected officials, but he is also getting blasted by one of his most famous constituents. Houston resident Bun B addressed the governor on Instagram.

“This is bat s### crazy @govabbott and you know it. As if you didn’t already have enough blood on your hands. SMFH,” wrote Bun B on IG. The Hip Hop veteran was also likely referring to the recent winter storm in Texas that led to dozens of deaths.

The number of new COVID-19 positive tests has declined nationally over the last few weeks, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still warning states not to ease restrictions. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky recently said, “Please hear me clearly: At this level of cases with variants spreading, we stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground we have gained.”

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Real-Time Sessions Launches First-Ever Livestream Virtual Studio Session Series Connecting Artists From Around the Globe

As many countries now find themselves slowly coming out of lockdown to some extent, the vulnerabilities that full-time musicians face have never been clearer. 

The future of the music community lies within remote collaboration. Though with the abundance of technology at our disposal, there’s still a void in real-time experiences when it comes to the creative and collaborative process of music-making.

In steps Real-Time Sessions, a virtual writing camp series created by the music community as a solution to strained collaborations during quarantine.  

The online studio, founded by industry professionals Johanna Pirila and Sarah Harrison, enables creators to conduct sessions from remote locations using a cloud-based, digital audio workstation via the platform Soundtrap by Spotify.  

Similar to the IRL process, a producer could work on a beat while a guitarist plays their solo and a songwriter records their vocal, all on the same canvas, complete with built-in communication tools, including video calling.

“This is the future of connecting music makers around the world in a remote recording studio experience; the virtual writing camp, live-streamed for the fans of this generation,” said Real-Time Sessions Co-Founder, Sarah Harrison.

The first-of-its-kind daily broadcasted series kicked off day-one one of its livestream sessions on Monday, March 1st connecting LA-based songwriter Edwin Arzu and UK-bred producer Dwy with Swedish

songwriter/musician Zikai

Accessible tune-in via Twitch TV throughout the two-week-long schedule of sessions from 4 pm EST daily, viewers can watch live, interact with session collaborators and even join in the fun while gaining a deeper insight into the business. 

Participants are a global selection of artists, songwriters, producers, and instrumentalists from a wide array of backgrounds hailing from the USA, UK, Ghana, Jamaica, Sweden, and Italy. The inaugural group includes Edwin Arzu , Runkus, IQ, Sampsonbeatz, De’Jour, Saba Abraha, Che Earle, Gifted, Alex Wiley, 4VR, PuSh, 7Minutes2LA, BLVK HERO, Agbeshie, Zikai, Johnny, Jamila Falak, and more. 

Ongoing collaborators and scheduling will be announced via @realtimesessions social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Twitch) with further details on a chance for other aspiring musicians to get involved. 

Rueben Wood Takes Over Radio With SOM Talk Live!

Photo credit: Cam Kirk Studios

One of the hottest podcasts talk shows coming out of Atlanta Georgia, by the media personality Rueben Wood is SOM Talk Live.

Interviewing the likes of Lil Baby, Keri Hilson, B5, Coolio, Yung La, Trap Beckham, & more!

SOM Talk Live has been the hub for entertainers, celebs, music artists, entrepreneurs, and more making the platform a solid way to market what the guests have going on.

SOM Talk Live got its first full concept when the host, Rueben Wood, began his journey into media in 2016.

What took over a year to create started in 2017 when the SOM family released its first broadcasted episode on iHeart Radio.

The SOM Talk Live podcast/radio show focuses on the entertainment industry. The show also has a strong focus on the happenings in local communities and enriching the next generation with the importance of opportunities for continued education.

Rueben continues to expand his reach to FM radio and online with recently being added to NYC’s Fubu Radio every Saturday from 1pm – 3pm.

Watch new interviews HERE.

 

 

DJ Rosegold- ‘Rosegold University’

DJ Rosegold is a DJ, producer and creative curator from Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario.

Her DJ catalog includes spinning for the likes of President Barack Obama, Cardi B, Da Baby, Roddy Ricch, and more.

As a creative curator, Rosegold has launched two personal brands, The Hungry Gyal and The House of Milo where she utilizes her rich network and creativity to enhance her own internal brand and beyond.

Recognized as a boss, leader, trendsetter & culture whisperer, Rosegold knows how to engage with her audience to create impactful content that leads to positive influence and is recognized within both her community and internationally.

On her latest EP, ‘Rosegold University,’ the Canadian native is turning it up a notch.

Boasting production on records from the likes of NLE Choppa, 24hrs, and Da Baby, she is unapologetically representing for the ladies and letting the industry know to make room for her queendom.

 

50 Cent Could Be Planning A Move To Texas After The State Reopens Businesses

Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to re-open the state of Texas despite 2.6 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state, has drawn sharp criticism.

Almost 44,000 people have died since the start of the pandemic, but Governor Abbott decided to use Texas’ independence day to announce that a mask mandate has been dropped, and businesses are being encouraged to open as if nothing is going on.

Former U.S. representative and one-time presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke called the decision a “death warrant” for Texans.

And while 50 Cent doesn’t live in Texas, he frequently pops up in the state to promote his liquor brand, Branson Cognac.

Fif, who also threatened to leave New York and vote for Trump due to the Dem’s plans to raise taxes, implied he was ready to head out to the Lone Star state when the restrictions are lifted on March 10th.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CL7y-L-HtMw/

“i’m headed to Texas f### this 🏃‍♂️💨LOL,” 50 Cent wrote on his Instagram, celebrating Governor Abbott’s announcement.

50 Cent might be joking, but he could be serious too, since the cost of living in New York is 94% higher than residing in a city like Houston, Texas, in addition to a much more favorable tax rate on wealthy folk like the rap star.

Now, local residents fear the thousands of tourists who will probably descend on the state, just in time for Spring Break.

 

 

 

 

Mega-Star Will Smith Seriously Considering Political Career

Will Smith is open to a political career.

The 52-year-old actor – who has joked about stepping into politics in the past – would absolutely “consider” a run for office in the future, although he’s not sure whether his role should remain “artistic.”

Speaking to Jon Favreau on Crooked Media’s Pod Save America podcast, he said: “I think for now I’ll let that office get cleaned up a little bit, and then I’ll consider that at some point down the line.

“I don’t know, it’s like, I absolutely have an opinion, I’m optimistic, I’m hopeful, I believe in understanding between people and I believe in the possibility of harmony…

“So, I will certainly do my part, whether it remains artistic or, or, at some point ventures into the political arena.”

His comments come after fellow Hollywood star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson admitted he’s open to the idea of running for the US Presidency.

Last month, the “Jumanji” star said: “I would consider a presidential run in the future if that’s what the people wanted. Truly I mean that, and I’m not flippant in any way with my answer. That would be up to the people … So I would wait, and I would listen.”

Dwayne previously suggested he could challenge Donald Trump for the US Presidency in 2020.

Facebook Takes Aim At Hip-Hop With BARS App

TikTok should not be the only people cashing in on user-generated entertainment. At least, that is what Facebook believes.

With that in mind, it should not be a surprise to anyone that the largest social media platform wants to introduce a new application that will further push the creative muses of their roughly 2.6 billion users.

It’s called BARS and if you thought that technology was making room for the average person to blow up bigger than those who really go hard in the paint for emceeing … you ain’t seen nothing yet.

BARS, like Vine, Musical.ly, and TikTok, will allow rappers (or wannabe emcees) to record 60-second-ling clips to share with the world.

Currently, in its beta stage, you can only download it from the iPhone App store.

One of the attractions to the application is that it has a large database of hundreds of tracks made by professional and amateur producers that are sure to make an emerging emcee sound like he needs to be on the radio … at least that is the hope.

Features like autotune and auto-suggestion of rhymes are attractive, but what has a lot of people hyped is the “Challenge” mode.

The “Challenge” mode is like a game that gives word cues for users to freestyle ala the prolific Supernatural.

The application also offers customized audio and visual filters for artists. With all these tips and tricks, who needs a studio? Facebook rappers are coming, whether you like it or not.

Azealia Banks Dumps Fiance For Being Too Insecure

Azealia Banks’ engagement is off – the outspoken rapper has bumped her fiance, Ryder Ripps, just a week after going public with his proposal.

The 29-year-old announced her engagement news last month and hinted she was converting to Judaism before the wedding to the graphic artist.

But following a weekend break in Palm Springs, California, Banks has decided Ripps is not her soulmate.

But she’s planning to keep the ring he gave her.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the rap star told fans Ryder is “too insecure for the wildly creative she-wolf” in her.

Azealia said Ryder Ripps told her to work on not being such a hater, so she wrote out a listing of all the people she loves, including Donald Trump, Candace Owens, Dave Chappelle, DMX, Chaka Khan and others.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CL6Mq-GAvRZ/

Tekashi 69’s Safety Could Be In Jeopardy Over Unpaid Security Bill

Rapper Tekashi 69 has landed in another legal mess over an alleged unpaid security bill.

The star, who is being sued over an alleged bottle attack at a strip club in Miami, Florida last month, has also been hit with legal action from lawyers representing the bosses at Metropolitan Patrol, who claim he owes them for their services in late 2019.

According to legal documents, Tekashi, real name Daniel Hernandez, still hasn’t paid for multiple round-the-clock guards and security vehicles he ordered for a 10-day upgrade during a trip to Los Angeles.

The security chiefs claim they were asked to protect the rap star and provide “a visible deterrent for property crimes and a crime against the client” at a cost of over $75,000, but he has yet to pay the bill.

At one point Tekashi requested four armed guards as he shot a music video, according to an invoice, attached to the lawsuit.

Metropolitan Patrol bosses are suing for breach of contract, the money they claim they are owed, and a late fee, amounting to a total of almost $89,000.

New on Roc Nation’s, Equity Distribution’s Roster, Meet Syce Wavy

Difficult Beginnings

From its genesis, hip hop has always been linked to fearless innovation, raw ambition and pure artistry. The hip hop genre not only revolutionized the musical industry but youth and popular culture as well – an avant-garde movement that continues to resonate with disaffected and disenfranchised men and women learning to navigate life on their own terms and forge their own paths for themselves.

There’s no two ways about it – life is difficult. And for those who understand the injustices and inequalities that continue to run rampant throughout our society the reality can be too frustrating or painful to bear. It’s the price for being woke, perhaps. But in the midst of this chaos, hip hop offers an unfiltered and unapologetic platform through which the experiences, perspectives and insights of an entire generation can be heard. Throughout the years, luminaries such as Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls and Easy E have inspired and captivated – the forerunners of a phenomena that has swept across the globe and forever transformed the cultural landscape.

Syce Wavy is no exception, and through the lyrical combination of musical talent and the spoken word he expresses a message that is as daring in its simplicity as it is in its inclusivity. Hip hop is so much more than a musical genre, it is a culture and a way of life which is constantly evolving, redefining boundaries and challenging the status quo. Syce Wavy’s ascent to success wasn’t an easy one, and it is with his drive and passion that he not only overcame but shattered the barriers that threatened to hold him back – as they had done his whole life.

His music is at once painfully raw and poetically crafted – a message of resilience and determination which is a call to action for the discontented and restless youth of our times. He channels the collective rage and frustrations of an entire generation and delivers it in the form of a powerful message that cannot be ignored – if no-one is going to do anything about these barriers then they’re going to have to do it themselves.

 

Syce Wavy is the definition of an artistic entrepreneur who has transformed what others would see as obstacles into a catalyst for transformation and change. After years of striving to emerge onto the hip hop scene, he had been rewarded for his efforts with nothing but refusals and rejections. With every step of his journey he just seemed to encounter another obstacle that would have defeated anyone with less drive. But he fought for his dreams – even when all hope seemed to be lost, even during those weeks when he was homeless.

He didn’t give up. Ever. Even when he was told that a rapper hailing from Woodbridge has no hope of making it in music industry. And did he prove them wrong.

Grasping Opportunity

At the same time as Virginia-based artists like Pharrell Williams and Pusha T were becoming international sensations, Wavy was a young man who was struggling to forge a path for himself in life and have his voice heard in a system that would prefer him to be silenced.

His story is one of a young black man in 90s America – lost, alienated and misunderstood. Marginalized and overlooked within society, he searched desperately for a sense of belonging and a way of pushing back against a system that seemed to be structured to hold men such as himself back. It was within music that he would take solace, embrace his potential and write personal lyrics reflecting his own life and experiences. Through his music he processed his emotions, channeling them into a movement that would transform not only his life but the lives of others like him.

In life opportunities appear for those who are searching for them. His uncle Kay, who happened to be a music producer and a music industry insider, once invited him to a thanksgiving gathering. It was only a matter of time before he heard Syce Wavy freestyling, and he was impressed enough to decide to produce the music and acquire the funding to bring him into a professional studio. His uncle promised him that within a year the album would be completed, and from that moment on the trajectory of Syce Wavy’s life changed course forever.

Hop hop is defined by its fluidity – it is a musical genre unburdened by the weight of commercial sponsors, vested investors or lucrative networks. Every traditional barrier is broken down until there is only the artist, their platform of choice, and the people. Long before social media even existed, the influence of hip hop was omnipresent – so powerful that its presence could be felt and its message could be heard anywhere and everywhere.

It is the music of the people. Made by the people. For the people.

The relation between hip hop and social media is unparalleled. Viral is a term that is usually applied to a social media sensation, but the truth is that hip hop was a viral sensation decades before the word was even a definition in the dictionary. At present, there is no artistic gene that has been more prepared for the explosion of the digital age than hip hop. Through social media platforms such as TikTok, artists have not only found a way to promote their work but also to explore their artistic potential and creative ambition and connect with audiences in a way that was never possible before.

703 – Avant Garde and Experimental

Syce Wavy is adept at navigating the digital era, and his success has been fueled by his internet savvy, virtuoso marketing as well as his gifted musical expression. His TikTok album is a masterful tribute to the legacy of hip hop and the future of popular culture. Containing five songs which are each sixty seconds in length, this album provides the perfect framework for TikTok challenges.

Selecting music for social media content can be complex and time-consuming, especially because the right sound makes all the difference between a piece of content becoming viral or disappearing into obscurity. Experienced and upcoming influencers alike can create quality content for any TikTok challenge with Syce Wavy’s latest album. Each of his songs contain a story and a message that is at once captivating as well as simple enough that audiences will be able to instantly grasp the context and vision.

Whether he is channeling Too Short’s characteristic style in ‘Shitz’, or showcasing his rapping skills in the catchy track ‘My Side Piece’ – each of his songs have a story to tell and a distinctive feel. The haunting melody of ‘Tatted Up’ creates the perfect scene for an unexpected encounter with a problematic lover, whilst ‘Go Go’ is an incredible demonstration of the melodic power of his voice whilst in ‘Wait’ Wavy promises us that ‘I ain’t finished yet’.

It is the music which TikTok loves – vibrant, catchy and instantly upgrading the content it accompanies. Every creator wants to stand out from the crowd make an impact on their audiences, and the youthful energy and daring experimentation of Sync Wavy’s songs are bound to create a memorable sensory experience, elevating any content to another level.

Relatively speaking, Syce Wavy may be a recent emergence within the hip hop scene – but through his pioneering music and original vision he has engineered shock-waves which are already reverberating throughout the realm of social media. He is a storyteller who draws from his experiences as a youth in order to create narratives that are intensely personal, emotive and introspective.

Syce Wavy embodies the unapologetic message and unfiltered emotion which defines hip hop. With his provocative lyrics and experimental sounds he has caught the realms of music and social media off guard – with the kind of avant-garde daring that would make the forerunners of the hip hip movement proud. Since his emergence onto this scene, he has rapidly developed a following of devoted fans affectionately known as ‘Bridgeheads.’ Signed to Roc Nation’s indie distribution company ‘Equity’, he is debuting his latest album “703”.

From the outset of his musical career, Syce Wavy had vowed to inspire any kid growing up in Woodbridge that they can accomplish anything. He’s stayed true to that promise – 703 is an ambitious and unflinching shove-it-in-your face album about the 703 (northern VA) and Woodbridge.

Wavy knows what it means to be overlooked, underestimated and marginalized by society, and the reason his music is so powerful is because he validates the frustrations and grievances of a generation that continues to struggle and strive for a better life – creating a platform for their voices to be heard and their stories to be told at last.

Listen to tracks from his latest release “703” Click here

 

Follow him on Ig and Tiktok:

@sycewavy

@eqdistro

@quetheking

 

Lil Wayne Announces New Young Money Compilation Album Is In The Works

Over the last several months, Lil Wayne has been in news headlines more for his endorsement of former President Donald Trump than his music. It looks like Weezy is trying to get the public to once again focus on his mic skills and not his political leanings.

Wayne recently appeared on Fox Sports Radio’s Up On Game podcast to talk about sports culture and more. While on the show, the New Orleans native revealed a new Young Money Entertainment music project is in the works.

“We about to put the compilation together with all the artists together on one album,” Wayne told the former NFL players that were hosting the show. “That sets up everything for everybody so they could start coming out with their solo projects as well.”

Lil Wayne’s Young Money introduced the world to Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, and other modern rap stars. 2009’s Gold-certified We Are Young Money compilation hosted the posse cuts “Every Girl in the World,” “BedRock,” and “Roger That.”

Two years later, YM dropped Young Money: Rise of an Empire which featured Nicki Minaj’s “Lookin Ass” and Drake’s “Trophies.” Young Money also teamed up with its parent company, Cash Money Records, to create 2013’s Rich Gang album.

Last year, Wayne released Funeral, his most recent solo studio album. In July, Cash Money co-founder Bryan “Birdman” Williams hinted that he and Weezy could reunite for a second Like Father, Like Son album. On 2020’s No Ceilings 3 mixtape, Wayne also teased coming back with I Am Not a Human Being III by the end of 2021.

Watch Common’s Spoken Word Performance For ‘Soul Of A Nation’ Series

Emmy-winning actor Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us) will serve as the special guest host for Soul of a Nation. The ABC network’s primetime newsmagazine series will cover issues such as Black Lives Matter, policing, reparations, and discrimination in the entertainment industry.

Brown will be joined on Soul Of A Nation by ABC News’ Adrienne Bankert, Sunny Hostin, Byron Pitts, and Pierre Thomas. Actor/activist Danny Glover, EGOT winner John Legend, political analyst Angela Rye, and U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn will be featured as well.

Oscar/Grammy winner Lonnie Rashid “Common” Lynn contributed to Soul Of A Nation by crafting a spoken word piece for the program. Common presented the 1-minute poem on his verified Twitter account and Instagram page. The video’s caption reads, in part, “America, we need to talk. It’s time.”

R&B singer/songwriter John Legend is also scheduled to give a special musical performance on the show’s premiere. The six-episode Soul Of A Nation series will debut March 2 at 10 pm ET on ABC. Episodes can also be viewed the following day via On-Demand and Hulu.

T.I. Will Not Be Brought Back For ‘Ant-Man 3’ Amid Sexual Misconduct Accusations

Clifford “T.I.” Harris starred in both 2015’s Ant-Man and 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp. According to multiple reports, the rapper/actor will not be in the upcoming third installment of the Ant-Man franchise.

There were questions about whether T.I.’s absence from Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was connected to the recent sexual abuse accusations leveled against the Atlanta resident and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris. The Harrises have denied any wrongdoing in the matter.

Variety reports sources associated with the Ant-Man production claim T.I. was never slated to be in the cast. The Marvel Cinematic Universe movie is still in development with Paul Rudd returning as Scott Lang/Ant-Man and Evangeline Lilly returning as Hope van Dyne/The Wasp.

T.I. played a character named Dave, a member of Lang’s crew, in the first two Ant-Man films. His filmography also includes ATL, American Gangster, Takers, Dolemite Is My Name, Cut Throat City, and other motion pictures.

VH1 reportedly suspended the 40-year-old entertainer’s T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle reality show following the sexual misconduct allegations surfacing in January. There have been calls for criminal investigations into the accusations against T.I. and Tiny.

“Clifford and Tameka Harris deny in the strongest possible terms these unsubstantiated and baseless allegations. We are confident that if these claims are thoroughly and fairly investigated, no charges will be forthcoming,” reads a statement from Steve Sadow, the couple’s lawyer Steve Sadow.

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