Twitter co-founder/CEO Jack Dorsey and Hip Hop legend Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s names have publicly intersected over the last year. In May, Dorsey donated $10 million to the Reform Alliance, the nonprofit that includes Carter as a Founding Partner.
Then Jay-Z namedropped the technology executive on Pharrell Williams’s “Entrepreneur” single that came out in August. Hov rapped on the song, “Lies told to you, through YouTubes and Hulus. Shows with no hues that look like you do. Black Twitter, what’s that? When Jack gets paid, do you?”
Those bars questioned the idea of white-owned social media platforms using Black-generated content without compensating the creators. According to Bloomberg, Dorsey’s Square, Inc financial services company is looking to purchase the Black-owned Tidal streaming service from Jay-Z and other artist-owners like Beyoncé and Rihanna.
Carter purchased Tidal in 2015 for $56 million. Two years later, Sprint bought 33% of the company for a reported $200 million. After its relaunch under Jay-Z’s Project Panther Bidco, Tidal dealt with turnover at high-level positions and significant negative press which Jay claimed to be part of a “smear campaign” against the brand.
In 2015, 71% of top music executives believed the streamer would fail within its first year under Carter’s ownership while only 12% of those polled thought it would be a long-lasting service. Tidal reportedly had around 3 million paying subscribers in 2016. The platform’s official customer numbers are not made public.
Meek Mill and the DreamChasers are giving back to families that have been affected by the criminal justice system. Thirty-five families in Philadelphia were gifted items this holiday season.
The rap star teamed with REFORM Alliance, PUMA, GoPuff, and DocuVault to have trucks deliver MacBook Air laptops, iPads, Amazon Fire HD 8 tablets, baby clothes, Xbox Series X gaming consoles, gift cards, and toys for the children.
As the deliveries arrived at the homes of the recipients in a COVID-compliant manner, Meek personally FaceTimed some of the families to learn more about their stories and offer words of encouragement.
“It’s been a tough year for all of us, but through all the ups and downs, I’ll always do my part to support and give back to the Philly community that raised me,” said Meek.
The Reform Alliance Co-Chair added, “I remember not having much growing up, so it’s important to use my platform to give back, especially to the families trying to provide for their kids while also dealing with the criminal justice system.”
In addition, Meek made a separate $30,000 donation to the Philadelphia chapter of Twelve Days of Christmas. The volunteer organization aims to equip families in need with supplies to enjoy the holidays.
The $30K contribution helped purchase presents for 30 families in North Philadelphia. Students from Meek’s old school, James G. Blaine Elementary School, as well as William D. Kelley School and Paul Robeson High School, were the recipients.
Over a week ago, Swae Lee started asking his fans for help. The Rae Sremmurd member apparently lost his duffle bag containing a hard drive in Los Angeles International Airport, and he was offering a $20,000 reward to get it back.
Then the situation got strange when a person in a Guy Fawkes mask – which is typically associated with the hacktivist collective known as Anonymous – showed up on Instagram with Swae Lee’s missing items. The two men even spoke publicly during an IG Live session.
According to Swae Lee, the hard drive with his unreleased music is “on its way back” to its rightful owner. The “Sunflower” hitmaker talked about the ordeal while being interviewed by GQ.
“It’s like a movie, bro,” said Swae Lee about the viral hard drive caper. “But I’m not really stressing. I’ve dealt with worse s### than this.”
Durk “Lil Durk” Banks has been teasing his new body of work for a while. On Thursday morning, The Voice finally arrived.
The album cover features a photo of Durk and the late King Von with the words, “Long Live Grandson.” Von (born Dayvon Daquan Bennett) was killed on November 6 outside an Atlanta nightspot.
For The Voice, Lil Durk recruited 6LACK, Young Thug, YNW Melly, and Booka600 as collaborators. Plus, King Von appears on the track titled “Still Trappin’.”
Durk is also offering his fans exclusive The Voice merchandise. The Chicago-bred, Atlanta-based rapper is selling hoodies, t-shirts, and beanies on his website otfgear.com.
Auto manufacturer GM could be forced to pay out a huge amount of money, all because of some Hip-Hop music.
A guy named Antonio Brown filed the lawsuit against GM, over claims he was terminated for protesting the rap music other employees played at work
Brown, who suffers from anxiety and bipolar disorder, says he was earning about $50,000 a year working for GM on the auto manufacturer’s “seal line.”
Brown says he was severely traumatized by his fellow employees on December 7th, 2018, after they played explicit rap songs while working the day away.
“Mr. Brown was forced to endure the hostile work environment created by the loud playing of ‘Rap’ music which contained vulgar and sexually explicit language that some of the employees had chosen to listen to,” according to Brown’s complaint.
“Although Mr. Brown protested the use of this music at work to his management, the supervisors failed to address the offensive situation in anyway,” which led him to have a mental breakdown.
GM sued over “traumatizing rap music”
GM sued over “traumatizing rap music”
GM sued over “traumatizing rap music”
Brown says he also conveyed the issue to his union leader, who also failed to address the situation, leading to a verbal and physical confrontation that ended in the police being called.
Brown says he filed for sick leave on December 10th, 2018, and had to seek out group therapy over the raunchy rap music and the altercation with management.
When he returned to work on May 10th, 2019 and attempted to punch in, Brown says he was whisked away and sent to the personal department. He was fired on the spot over the earlier fight with his bosses.
Antonio Brown is suing GM for age discrimination, creating a hostile work environment, and retaliation. He is seeking compensatory damages of at least $75,000, and punitive damages to be determined by a jury.
“Frenemies” is the second single off the critically acclaimed EP “Pain & Champagne,” produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Tone The Beat Bully.
The hard hitting single delivers a story of pain and betrayal in which the “Dreams & Nightmares” producer captured sonically, while the video’s director Housevisionz shot a cryptic vision for the banging single.
GK and Tone The Beat Bully are a force to be reckoned with in Hip-Hop. And 2021 looks bright for the duo as they lead up to the newest project N.O.G.K. executive produced by Grammy Award-winning producer and Judgemental Records labelmate N.O. Nlightened One.
Delaware has a statement to make in Hip-Hop and the indie imprint JudgementalRecords is the diamond in the rough delivering the gems, proving that Delaware is called the “Diamond State” for reason. “Pain & Champagne” streaming on all major platforms now.
Mystikal was recently cleared of rape charges, and he can thank technology for his freedom.
In November of 2017, the rap star was charged with first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping over claims he and an associate sexually assaulted a woman inside of a New Orleans? casino in October of 2016.
Earlier this week, a grand jury cleared the rapper of the heinous crime, thanks to new evidence that came to light.
Mystikal’s attorney told KTAL NBC 6 said surveillance cameras and a toxicology report proved the rap star was innocent of the crime.
Verity Gentry Said he studied the toxicology report and sent it to an expert who found a variety of inconsistencies with the date rape drug the victim claimed Mystical used to assault her.
“I am thankful that there was irrefutable evidence of innocence in this case. Lots of people aren’t so lucky,” his lawyer Verity Gentry explained.
Still, Mystikal paid a huge price due to the allegations, due to a prior conviction over a previous rape claim.
The rap star was locked up for 18 months, had to raise 3 million in order to post bond, and was forced to wear an ankle bracelet for almost a year.
“Mystikal paid a high price for this case,” Gentry said.
In more positive news, the rap star’s career is already taking off again.
His song “Feel Right” with Mark Ronson is prominently featured in the promotional trailer for Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall’s highly anticipated movie, “Coming2America.”
“My wife just gave me a 7lb 1 oz baby boy his name ICE DAVIS 12/23/20 thank you MrsDavis ❤️🏹🥶 he’s here!!!!!!!” an elated Gucci Mane wrote, while his wife added “OMG he is soooooo darn CUTE & PERFECT.”
In November, Gucci and Keyshia confirmed they were expecting a boy when they posted pictures from their epic gender reveal party, for which the rapper, 40, and his partner, 35.
It’s the first child for the couple, who wed in 2017. Keyshia is the mother of a son and two daughters, while I Get the Bag star Gucci has a son from a previous relationship.
Rappers from DaBaby, to 2Chainz flooded the Atlanta rap legend’s feed with congratulatory messages.
“Congrats cuhh Baby Ice,” 2 Chainz wrote while Quavo simply replied “Hard.”
Hollye Monro is giving up titilating visuals for her twerk song and latest video, “Sushi.”But don’t get it chopped! She’s not just another pretty face. Hollye is a true spitter, from her IG freestyles to her album tracks, Hollye Monro’s delivery displays incredible verbal acrobatics and a skillful, aggressive delivery strong enough to crush a rap battle!For her sex appeal and the video’s oriental theme, a Sushi roll has been named after her, The Hollye Monroll! More info can be found on her IG. Check out her new album, “The Other Side of Through” on Spotify.
The 20-year-old singer and entertainer has revealed she regularly battles periods of poor mental health and locks herself away in a “cocoon” whenever life overwhelms her.
Speaking to her mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, and grandmother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, in the family’s latest episode of “Red Table Talk,” she said: “Four days ago, I was having extreme anxiety. I couldn’t talk, I had to just cocoon and like be with myself for a moment.
“That was so important because it would have been so much more intense if I had been looking to you to be like, ‘Help me!’
“And then, when I was ready, I opened the cocoon.”
In the episode, which aired on Tuesday (December 22nd), Willow, Jada, and Adrienne talk to suicide attempt survivors, who speak out about their experiences and what helped them make it through, and the “Whip My Hair” hitmaker also revealed she understands the difficulty of dealing with an emotional crisis, and how lonely it can be to struggle with anxiety and other mental health issues.
She added, “There’s shame, there’s guilt, there’s sadness and confusion. And then you don’t even want to talk about it because you’re like, ‘I feel crazy, and I don’t want them to think I’m crazy so I’m just not gonna say anything’.”
The Hip-Hop world lost a pioneer of the genre today.
Legendary Whodini group John “Ecstasy” Fletcher died at the age of 56.
A cause of death has not been revealed, but close associates say Ecstasy’s passing came suddenly, and unexpectedly.
Ecstasy along with Whodini group members Jalil Hutchins and Drew “Grandmaster Dee” Carter formed in Brooklyn in the early 80’s and, by 1982 they already had a record deal with Jive.
Their debut single in 1982 was called “Magic’s Wand,” which was co-produced by synth pioneer Thomas Dolby. From there, Whodini – managed by a young mogul named Russell Simmons – produced an amazing string of hit singles.
“Ecstasy, as a member of Whodini was one of the most influential rap groups of all time. Period. They were a bit different from Run-D.M.C in that they didn’t incorporate rock into their music but they did blend hip-hop and R&B seamlessly. The impact of that is still being felt today. They were classic hip-hop in every form and Ecstasy was a standout because he would wear a leather wide-brimmed hat. That always made him stand out,” AllHipHop co-founder Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur told Yahoo! News.
“He was a handsome dude that the ladies loved and the guys wanted to be like. But he wasn’t like a macho man like LL, he was a smooth gentleman that showed a more mature side of a really youth-based genre. But hip-hop loved and adored Ecstasy and Jalil and Grandmaster Dee because they told real-life stories with a really funky beat,” Creekmur continued.
In 1984, the group hit big with their classic single “Friends,” along with their best-known single “Freaks Come Out At Night.”
In total, Whodini released six studio albums, four of which were certified platinum. Their impact on Hip-Hop music cannot be overstated. Their songs have been sampled by everyone from Tupac to Nas.
Jermaine Dupri famously got his start in the music business as a dancer on the Fresh Fest Tour, which featured Whodini as headliners. JD ended up signing the group to his So So Def imprint in 1996 and released their final album Six.
“My God, this one hurts me so bad, I can’t even believe I’m posting this, Ex you know I love you…thank you for every word, every conversation every good time, may your soul Rest In Power,” JD said.
In 2012, Whodini was featured on TV One’s series “Unsung,” and the same year they were inducted into the Long Island Hall of Fame.
Many rappers took to social media to pay their respects to Ecstasy. “Thank you Ecstasy for showing us how to do it. RIP,” said rap star Ice Cube.
A TREMENDOUS LOSS OF OUR HEROES… NO ONE DID IT LIKE THIS… THE VOICE, THE ZORRO STYLE HAT, THE ICONIC HIP HOP THAT WHODINI BRINGS TO HIP HOP… [R.I.P. Ecstasy]🙏🏾👑🕊 SALUTE JALIL AND GRANDMASTER DEE… LOVE TO THE FLETCHER FAMILY… pic.twitter.com/vdhDYwR7rw
Former FLOTUS Michelle Obama is calling on the Hip-Hop community to help Democrats win an extraordinary run-off race for Senate seats in the state of Georgia.
Rap stars Rick Ross, Jack Harlow, Pastor Troy, and DJ Drama are teaming with Michelle Obama to help raise awareness about the Senate run-off special election happening in the state on January 5th, 2021.
The rap stars and their celebrity friends are hosting the Celebrate Georgia! Drive-in Concert Experience to ensuring young people turn out to vote in the runoff as Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue face Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff for control of critical seats in the Senate.
Michelle’s organization When We All Vote is putting on the event in conjunction with the New Georgia Project, Live and Nation Urban, which will also include other activations across the entire state.
BET and ONE Musicfest are Among the partners helping to organize the massive voter drive.
Influencers Kenny Burns and Su Solo will serve as hosts of the event, whose ambassadors include Jeezy, Common, Jidenna, and others.
The concert will take place on January 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta, GA.
And in a hearing which took place on the phone on Tuesday (December 22nd), Judge Harry Leinenweber set the new trial date for September 13th, 2021, although he stressed that it was still subject to change.
When it comes to hip-hop in New Orleans, Louisiana, you immediately think of the greats from back in the day: including the best rapper alive Lil Wayne and the Hot Boys.
Insert Nykobandz, who’s here to bring a whole new level and sound to what’s considered hip-hop. Fusing the genres of rap, trap, R&B, rock, and everything in between, the versatile recording artist prides himself in his universal sound — while putting in the work necessary to make it to the big leagues.
Originally in fashion school attending The Art Institute in Atlanta, Nyko eventually found himself in the studio through one of his peers studying audio engineering. Taking a stab at freestyling over a Future beat, the song accumulated over 50K plays on SoundCloud organically — giving Nyko the confidence to pursue music altogether.
Most recently, the Swim Cozy Records founder unleashed the official music video for “Yessir,” a banger that showcases his ability to both sing and rap.
AllHipHop: Which Future song did you spit over in 2016, that jumpstarted your career?
Nykobandz: It was a freestyle over Future’s “F*ck Up The Commas,” it went up crazy around that time in 2016. Then I released another song called “Goyard,” that got the city to know who I was. It was my third song too.
AllHipHop: Favorite Future song?
Nykobandz: “Codeine Crazy.” I f### with Future.
AllHipHop: Everything picked up organically?
Nykobandz: Yeah, it picked up super organically. I’m not having a lot of songs at the time, but I’m having a lot of lit performances. I’d ended up leaving Atlanta, leaving school at The Art Institute to go back home for a little while. Doing shows, that’s when I became a real rapper.
AllHipHop: Why’s your nickname Lil Swim?
Nykobandz: Swim in bandz and Nykobandz means swimming in the money. It all goes together with my name, so Lil Swim’s an abbreviation for swimming in bandz. It’s my other side, you know people be having two sides. That’s my saucy, wavy side. That’s me, I get in that mood. I first started performing right around 2016, everything’s going crazy. Every show, I threw water. I threw water on everybody. People would say “oh that boy’s show be lit!” I used to be throwing a lot of water everytime I perform, going crazy and raging.
AllHipHop: What’s the reality of this independent grind?
Nykobandz: You gotta put your time and invest for real. If you really want to succeed and you really want it to happen, invest. You can’t wait on someone to give you a handout, you gotta get it on your own independently. I like it. I got its ups and downs, but it got its ups mainly. Until a label like put in time for real.
AllHipHop: Where’d you shoot the Yessir” video?
Nykobandz: We shot the “Yessir” video in New Orleans in these new, fire ass cribs. It was a little house party type vibe so really, I called bro. It’s a video type of vibe, “let’s shoot real quick.” We ended up shooting it and it went crazy. It’s moving at a good pace, people are watching. Probably hit 100K soon, after that hopefully hit a million.
AllHipHop: How’d it feel to get the PnB Rock cosign?
Nykobandz: That happened a couple months ago. He hit me and wrote me out of the blue: “you’re tough kid. You’re hard as f###, you’re next up.” I said fasho. Other people hit me up too, I don’t be trying to post it or put it out there. That s### be happening. That felt like alright, that’s somebody up there doing his thing. He told me it’s looking like I’m on the right track.
AllHipHop: Talk about linking with NoCap on “99,” how’d that happen?
Nykobandz: I won’t cap, it was some people we knew. He was doing features. My team, my people hit him up. Bam, they said “pull up in Mobile.” We linked up. It’s not too far from New Orleans, like an hour and 20 minutes. We pulled up, we went out there for that a year and a half ago. Ever since then, we got hella songs. Me and Cap the first time we linked up, he’s like “oh yeah you hard, we gotta tap in.” Cap one of the realist. I met a lot of people from being with Cap, he linked me with a lot of people in the game right now. He’s real for sure.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
Nykobandz: I need some gas for sure, some Hennessy, and really some fire beats. With them 2, I’m straight. It doesn’t matter how many people in the studio, none of that, I just be needing cause if I had some gas, some henny, and a beat, it be good. I don’t really be needing much. I know a lot of people be needing vibes, I like vibes too but I be cool if I’m by myself too.
AllHipHop: How much gas you smoking?
Nykobandz: I be smoking. I really started smoking 2 years ago. I wasn’t even smoking like that, I was the one who wasn’t smoking. At first I didn’t want to, but that’s over now.
AllHipHop: What’s your relationship with NLE Choppa?
Nykobandz: That’s a cool dude. That was early too, we were on the way to Houston. My manager and Choppa on the phone and doing a feature came up so we went to Memphis. Come to find out my produce Ac and Choppa is real cool they grew up together. We did the song and video right then and there too. That’s when a n*gga was getting a lot of s### done. That went crazy, got a lot of numbers. It’s up right now, almost 400K views. It was a cool experience. He up there too, we be chopping it up.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next?
Nykobandz: I got another single coming out. I’m going to do another feature too, haven’t decided on who yet. I got 2 videos about to drop. I’m about to put my foot on the gas. My foot already on the gas but January, that first quarter, let it all go. Dropping dropping dropping nonstop.
Beyonce’s Beygood charity is donating $500,000 to individuals and families facing eviction due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The “Lemonade’ star’s philanthropic organization announced the generous initiative on Tuesday (December 22nd), with 100 $5,000 gifts going out to help those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This holiday season while many are stressed with what they will do next regarding their housing, we are proud to share some GOOD news. Beyonce is giving $5k grants to individuals and families facing foreclosures or evictions,” BeyGOOD said in a press release. “When we were faced with the pandemic caused by COVID-19, BeyGOOD created a plan to make a difference. We assisted organizations across the country that were providing people with basic needs like food, water, household supplies, and COVID testing. We also provided mental health support. We then launched our BeyGOOD Small Business Impact fund (alongside NAACP, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and to date over 250 small businesses have received $10k grants.
“Beyonce is continuing her heart of support and helping where needed most. Phase Two of the BeyGOOD Impact Fund will now help those impacted by the housing crisis. The housing moratorium is set to end on December 26th, resulting in mortgage foreclosures and rental evictions. Many families are impacted, due to the pandemic that resulted in job loss, sickness, and overall economy downturn.”
Online applications for the BeyGOOD financial assistance open on January 7th with applicants asked to provide the necessary documentation to NAACP.
Successful applicants will be notified in late January, with a second round of funding available in February.
Big Sean is the newest member of The Detroit Pistons’ roster. The Detroit native has joined the team as the organization’s Creative Director of Innovation.
Big Sean’s new corporate responsibilities include providing the team with strategic guidance on off-the-court programs, in-game experiences, merchandise design, social responsibility campaigns, and more.
Big Sean will also curate music for the half-time shows, and select music playlists for DJ’s to play throughout the games.
“It’s a dream come true and a real honor to get to work with the iconic Detroit Pistons,” Big Sean said in a statement. “I grew up in the city, which naturally made me a fan of the Bad Boys. I would later have a Grant Hill poster on my wall and then, against all odds, would watch the ’04 Pistons go on to win the Championship, inspiring the whole city of Detroit. I look forward to creatively finding new ways to contribute to their legacy and continue their dedication to the community through sports, art, and, of course, music.”
Big Sean’s Sean Anderson Foundation will also work with the Pistons to engage local residents through a variety of yet-to-be-announced community initiatives.
“Sean is an accomplished artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Having spent time with him and his family I know how deeply he cares about the city of Detroit,” said Pistons Owner Tom Gores. “We share a common desire to use the power of sports and entertainment to improve our community and make a positive impact on people’s lives. I’m excited to see what we can do working together.”
The first order of business for the rap star was to put his “Don Life” logo on the Pistons’ practice jerseys.
Flip Major is back after a long hiatus with a brand new 10 track album suitably titled “Hardly Ever Sober.” With intuitive flows and well-structured lyricism Flip displays the hit-making ability he built and expanded during his absence in the last couple of years.
The album is an all-around treat with guest appearances from Compton royalty A.D. and Azjah, as well as Hi-Tone, K.Y., Trizz, Rucci, Audio King, Steelz, BeatBoy, Dnyc3, Contraband, Nabeyin, and YeloHill. The working title was captured from lyrics to the track “RAIN MAN”. Living in Hollywood, Flip at full tilt found himself in the mix of absolute revelry, never really home, and Hardly Ever Sober.
Flip Major is back after a long hiatus with a brand new 10 track album suitably titled “Hardly Ever Sober.” With intuitive flows and well-structured lyricism Flip displays the hit-making ability he built and expanded during his absence in the last couple of years.
The album is an all-around treat with guest appearances from Compton royalty A.D. and Azjah, as well as Hi-Tone, K.Y., Trizz, Rucci, Audio King, Steelz, BeatBoy, Dnyc3, Contraband, Nabeyin, and YeloHill. The working title was captured from lyrics to the track “RAIN MAN”. Living in Hollywood, Flip at full tilt found himself in the mix of absolute revelry, never really home, and Hardly Ever Sober.
Hip-Hop newcomer DaBaby is already looking ahead to his rap retirement, insisting he wants to be working solely behind the scenes in just five years.
The “Rockstar” hitmaker, real name Jonathan Kirk, only began experiencing mainstream success last year, before blowing up in 2020, but he already knows he doesn’t want to be holding the mic for very long.
Instead, DaBaby wants to focus on the next generation of artists, via his own record label, Billion Dollar Baby Entertainment.
He currently has five artists on his roster – rappers Stunna 4 Vegas, KayyKilo, Wisdom, and Rich Dunk, as well as DJ K.i.D, and DaBaby is confident there are big things to come for the firm in the near future.
His prediction could very well come true if his proteges mirror his work ethic, after recording track after track prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, which allowed him to keep releasing new music and stay relevant even while he wasn’t able to tour.
Travis Scott and the Cactus Jack Foundation partnered with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to launch the organization’s first Holiday Toy Drive. The giveaway was held as a drive-up event in order to adhere to COVID-19 precautions.
Taking place at Houston’s Sunnyside Park, Scott presented 2000 toys from Mattel and other brands to 1000 students from three local Houston elementary schools. Additionally, the Cactus Jack Foundation distributed Christmas trees, comforters, clothing, personal protective equipment (PPE), and more to the attendees.
Families were also provided with fresh and canned produce. Turkey Leg Hut Food Truck was on site as well. Besides Mayor Turner, US Congressman Al Green, US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, City Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, and City Council Member Edward Pollard attended the toy drive.
Last month, Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Foundation announced a multi-year partnership with the City of Houston. The newly formed nonprofit also launched the HBCU Waymon Webster Scholarship program which was named after the “Sicko Mode” rapper’s grandfather.
The relationship between the Grammys and Hip Hop has been a rocky one from the start. The first Best Rap Performance award was marred in controversy when the eventual winners boycotted the ceremony because the category was not aired on television like other genres.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince won that 1989 Best Rap Performance trophy for “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” The other nominees that year were J.J. Fad’s “Supersonic,” Kool Moe Dee’s “Wild Wild West,” LL Cool J’s “Going Back to Cali,” and Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It.”
Fast forward 31 years later, the Recording Academy has now named Salt-N-Pepa as one of the music organization’s 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award honorees. The all-female group was one of the earliest Hip Hop acts to crossover into the mainstream with records such as “Push It,” “Expression,” and “Do You Want Me.”
Hip Hop pioneers Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five will also be recognized with a 2021 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The South Bronx, New York City collective played a pivotal role in Hip Hop culture growing from a localized party scene in the 1970s to a global phenomenon by the turn of the millennium.
Salt-N-Pepa’s Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper were the first female rappers to win a Grammy Award for “None of Your Business” in 1995 (Queen Latifah won a Grammy that same year). Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five became the first Hip Hop inductees in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Lionel Hampton, Marilyn Horne, Selena, and Talking Heads are the Record Academy’s other 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. Ed Cherney, Benny Golson, and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds will receive the Trustees Award. Daniel Weiss is being presented with the Technical Grammy Award. All of the Special Merit awardees will be recognized at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards on January 31, 2021.
“As we welcome the new class of Special Merit Award honorees, it gives us a chance to reward and recognize the influence they’ve had in the music community regardless of genre,” stated Harvey Mason Jr., Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy, in a press release.
Mason continued, As a music creator and music lover, I am grateful that we are able to look back at our influences and see the impact that they have made on our community. In a year where music has helped keep us together, I look forward to honoring this iconic group of music creators.”
