(AllHipHop News) Tragic rapper Juice Wrld is poised for a chart return with the release of his first posthumous album this Friday.
The “Lucid Dreams” MC passed away from an accidental overdose in December and on Monday, label bosses at Grade A Productions and Interscope Records revealed fans would soon get to hear some of the hip-hop star’s final recordings on his upcoming project, Legends Never Die.
They also unveiled the single “Life Is a Mess,” which features Juice reunited with pop star Halsey, with whom he had worked on the remix to her Without Me hit last year.
Officials had previously shared the posthumous songs “Righteous” and “Tell Me U Luv Me.”
Meanwhile, label executives are celebrating the launch of Legends Never Die with a special merchandise line, in collaboration with bosses at gaming firm FaZe Clan, to remember Juice’s passion for video games and paintballing.
The rapper’s manager, Peter Jideonwo, tells Billboard: “Juice really loved gaming and loved the FaZe guys. They did an amazing job on this merch line and we are so glad to see this collaboration is coming out in honor of Legends Never Die.
(AllHipHop News) It is hard to dispute that Black Thought is not one of the Top 10 emcees of all time.
Known for his incredible gift of rhyme, the rapper can hop on any track with any other rapper and slaughter the jawn.
And while many are acquainted with this work with the legendary The Roots Crew, as a solo artist, he has produced some of the most innovative pieces of work the culture has bore witness to.
He is back again with a project that will not only lyrically blow your mind, but will renew that love you had for Hip-Hop. In the latest installation of his Streams of Thought, Vol. series, he offers his third, Cane and Abel.
Available on all digital platforms on July 31st, Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane and Abel is bound to join the critically acclaimed conversation that lifts Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 as superior works.
Produced entirely by Sean C (JayZ, Diddy, Pusha T, Joey Badass), the 15 track project has features with Hip-Hop notables like Swizz Beats, Pusha T, and ScHoolboy Q. Also making powerful appearances on the EP are Portugal The Man, The Last Artful and Dodgr.
Like always, Tariq Trotter, gives his fans a full experience, engaging not just your heart with carefully constructed rhymes, but he taps you in with visuals with the same ability to evoke emotion.
The cover art for Streams of Thought, Vol. 3 is done by Black visual artist, Khari Turner. Turner created a portrait of Black Thought that has been described as “stunning.”
Streams Of Thought, Vol. 3 –Track List:
1. I’m Not Crazy (First Contact)
2. State Prisoner
3. Good Morning Ft. Swizz Beats, Pusha T, and Killer Mike 4. Magnificent
5. Experience (Interlude)
6. Quiet Trip Ft. Portugal The Man And The Last Artful, Dodgr 7. Nature Of The Beast Ft. Portugal The Man And The Last Artful, Dodgr 8. We Should Be Good Ft. CS Armstrong
9. Steak Um Ft. ScHoolboy Q
10. Thought Vs. Everybody
11. Ghetto Boyz & Girls Ft. CS Armstrong
12. Fuel Ft. Portugal The Man And The Last Artful, Dodgr
Upcoming phenomenon “Kendro” has made himself, the number one rap contender in Southern Georgia. Kendro, short for Kendrick, has effectively become one of the illest acts in Morven, Georgia.
He is one of the newest, most innovative, outspoken and influential artists, making a buzz coming out of Valdosta, GA.
Valdosta – a city that has the most unbeatable high school teams in the nation – a city known as “Winnerville.” Kendro wants to keep that same winning energy. He is ten years into the game and you’re going to hear more from this rapper.
Kendro is looking to build on his reputation utilizing branding, structuring, and creating longevity made from Trap music, with tracks like his latest banger, “Big Tyme.”
“I want to make music you can lay down with your girl with, or race on the highway to. My goal is to elevate myself in the rap game, and learn the business, and most importantly spread a message to the black youth in America”, Kendro explained.
Kendro is using that Trap energy as one of the ways to uplift his community. Versatile, authentic, original, is the energy that Kendro keeps 24/7 and not just in the studio.
High energy, good vibes, and smooth sailing is the kind of spirit you find on Kendro’s instrumentals. With the re-release of his underground banger, “My Own Lane” Kendro has regained his strength and is claiming the throne as a dominant force to be reckoned with in Valdosta.
“I want to release an EP, by the end of 2020 called ‘Elevation’ says Kendro,” whose music can be currently found on iTunes, Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, and more platforms.
Kendro wants the South, North, East, and West to know that he’s coming, bringing that originality to the game. Painting pictures, illustrating, creating a sketch for your third eye.
Enter: Kendro.
This is all brought to you by Big Block the CEO of BLOCK ENT. The same company that introduced the world to Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Ciara, Jacquees, Boyz in the Hood, Yung Joc, & Gorilla Zoe, all whom have enjoyed top Billboard success.
Look for Big Block Entertainment to stay consistent with their ability to find talent & turn them into superstars.
(AllHipHop Rumors) Just because T.I. challenges 50 Cent to a battle doesn’t mean 50 Cent has to except the battle. On 50 Cent‘s birthday, he was celebrating like a normal human being but T.I. took it upon himself to challenge him to a versus battle. As you already know Verzuz battles are the battles that are set up by Timberland and Swizz Beats and started during the coronavirus lockdown. Well T.I. said, “ for your birthday, I offered you a challenge, sir. Pull your ass up with 20 of your records, sit across from me, and get this work, man.” LOL!
In typical 50 Cent fashion, he responded in a way that suggested that T.I. was on drugs. He did not have much else to say after that and really left it out there after T.I. had done so very much to challenge him to a rap battle. I guess 50 is not willing to let the king of the south coerce him forcibly into a rap battle. But let’s talk about this thing for a second. 50 Cent has a lot of songs particularly at the beginning of his career but not limited to just his album Get Rich or Die Tryin‘. He actually has a lot of songs before that and sporadically songs after that.
T.I. has been consistent throughout his entire career but has not reached those meteoric SALES heights that 50 Cent has had. Tip may be the better pure spitter than Fif too…keep it real. The other thing is let’s be clear, this is also regional preference. So if you’re from New York City, you are going to likely prefer 50 Cent. And if you are from the Big South, Atlanta to be more specific, you are definitely going to prefer T.I. Both guys are kings in their respective manners. It all comes down to who you prefer. But I do think this would be great for Hip Hop and great for Swizz and Timbaland.
(AllHipHop News) Bad Boy artist, MGK (also known as Machine Gun Kelly) lost his father and took to social media to announce his transition.
Sunday was supposed to be a celebratory day as it was the one year anniversary of his fourth studio album, Hotel Diablo, but the rap star shared that he had to shift his plans because of this tragic occurrence.
He captioned: “i had plans for the one year anniversary of Hotel Diablo today. that album was everything i wanted to say and i know it’s close to my fans… but my father took his last breath this morning, and ive never felt a pain this deep in my life. i’m setting my phone down. love you.”
i had plans for the one year anniversary of Hotel Diablo today.
that album was everything i wanted to say and i know it’s close to my fans…
but my father took his last breath this morning, and ive never felt a pain this deep in my life.
A few weeks prior, MGK shared with his fans that his father had been sick, but did not disclose what the illness was nor how bad it was.
MGK has been open about being a problem child in his youth and his desire to have been a better son.
In a Twitter post last December he expressed that he “should’ve told him that I loved him years ago.”
“Flew out to see my dad today. broke down in my daughters arms when i saw him. I should’ve told him that I loved him years ago. breaks my f—in heart that we wasted all this time…”
flew out to see my dad today. broke down in my daughters arms when i saw him. I should’ve told him that I loved him years ago. breaks my f##### heart that we wasted all this time…
(AllHipHop News) Rappers Remy Ma and Papoose are expecting their second child together.
Papoose shared the news on Fox Soul’s “Out Loud With Claudia Jordan” on Monday as he reflected on life at home, explaining: “I love being with my family. I get to spend so much time with my amazing wife and my amazing daughter. I’m just making the best out of it, and we’re moving forward.”
Of the coronavirus lockdown, he added that “some good things are coming out of this. We’re going to have a new child real soon.”
Remy and Papoose are already parents to 18-month-old daughter Reminisce together, while both have children from previous relationships.
On Father’s Day earlier this year, Remy shared a heartfelt tribute to her other half as she reflected on his skills as a dad, writing on Instagram: “”I’ve never in my life saw a man so happy to be a father. The entire pregnancy you were smiling from ear to ear and documenting EVERYTHING! BOTH, I and @ReminisceMacKenzie are in love with you LOL. Thank you for being a great father to our baby and all our grown kids as well. We love you Daddy.”
The rappers originally wed in 2008 while Remy was serving six years behind bars for assault, weapons possession and attempted coercion.
(AllHipHop News) Charlamagne Tha God (born Lenard McKelvey) has been a fixture on television for a decade. After finding success as a radio personality, he hosted Charlamagne& Friends and Uncommon Sense on the MTV networks. CTG was even set to lead his own HBO show before things went south with that situation.
Vulture is reporting that Charlamagne will soon be in front of the TV cameras once again. The 42-year-old talking head from South Carolina is said to be getting his own weekly, half-hour talk show on Comedy Central. A premiere date has not been announced, but there are plans to have it ready to go by the national election in November.
“I love John Oliver every week, I love Bill Maher every week. There’s something to be said about sitting back and being able to observe everything that happened in a week, and then come in say, ‘You know what? This is what I want to touch on,'” Charlamagne told Vulture.
He added, “But I’m not going to be on here trying to rehash the whole week. Like, no. That’s not what I’m here for. I want to talk about the things that can actually impact somebody’s life, in a real way — the things that can actually help move the culture forward.”
Much like with his current gig as one of the hosts of the nationally syndicated radio show The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne Tha God is expected to have guests on his Comedy Central program. The established media figure promises the interviews conducted on his new show will include “tough questions” for the subjects.
Charlamagne’s YouTube channel also features one-on-one Q&As with celebrities, politicians, and thought leaders. Plus, he teams with comedian Andrew Schulz for The Brilliant Idiots podcast. McKelvey is also the author of two books: Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It and Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me.
(AllHipHop News) A new audience was exposed to Hamilton after a filmed version of the production was added to Disney+ this weekend. According to reports, the streamer’s app saw a 75% increase in downloads in the United States from July 3 through July 5.
While facing some criticism for historical inaccuracies, Hamilton was a huge commercial and critical success. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multicultural re-imagining of 18th-century American politician Alexander Hamilton and the founding of America incorporated elements of Hip Hop into the show.
Apple Music’s Zane Lowe spoke to Miranda about his Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical being presented as a movie. The social distancing and self-quarantining caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic played a role in Hamilton making its way to Disney+.
“We all just got the news that there’s really not going to be any theater in the U.S. for the rest of the year, and it just felt like we’re sitting on a big love letter to live theater. If Hamilton is nothing else, it is a love letter to Hip Hop and it’s a love letter to musical theater,” declared Miranda during the interview.
The 40-year-old New York City native added, “[Director Thomas Kail’s] film of it is what it felt like in that room during that magic year when we got to do the show. And so at a time when none of us can gather, the fact that we have this love letter to gathering and hearing a story is really cool.”
Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Choreography. Miranda’s magnum opus also took home a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
The Hamilton mixtape featured contributions from The Roots, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Dave East, Usher, Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Jill Scott, Wiz Khalifa, John Legend, Common, Chance The Rapper, and more. That project debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2016.
(AllHipHop News) Last year, Kodak Black found himself in the crosshairs of many Hip Hop fans. The Florida-raised rapper made some libido-driven comments directed at Lauren London not long after her boyfriend, Nipsey Hussle, was murdered.
Kodak was roundly criticized for suggesting he could romanticly pursue London since Hussle had passed away. Other Hip Hop representatives, such as The Game and T.I., took issue with what the “Tunnel Vision” rhymer said about the grieving mother of two.
Overnight, the Kodak Black verified Instagram page uploaded a photo of Nipsey Hussle along with a caption that offered an apology to the late emcee. Lauren London’s IG account was also tagged in the message.
The IG caption reads:
Willin To Accept When I’m Wrong & Stand Firm When I’m Right. The Whole World Know Your Example Was A Guiding Light. I Pray Your Fam Light & Accept This Humble Apology In My Kite. You Remind Me Of Icecube, Bunchy Carter & Huey P. A Hustler & Owner The Second Coming Of Easy E. What Happened To You Could’ve Happened To Me! Im a Young Philanthropist Like You. Even Tho We From Two Different Worlds, I Saw Your Vision But I Notice That My Words Are Often Misinterpreted. Sometimes A Man Say Things He Doesn’t Really Mean But On Some Z Sh*t I Never Meant To Disrespect Your Queen, Homie I Was Really Respecting Your Scene. #FLYHIGH Ima Keep The Marathon Going #KINGKAHAN @nipseyhussle @laurenlondon
At the moment, Kodak Black is incarcerated on federal gun charges at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Kentucky. The 23-year-old born Dieuson Octave (later changed to Bill K. Kapri) was arrested twice, in two different states, just weeks after his controversial public courtship of London.
(AllHipHop News) Tip “T.I.” Harris wants to go head-to-head with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in a competition/celebration of the two rap legends’ music discography. T.I. posted a video where he calls out the G-Unit leader to step into the Verzuz ring.
“Pull your ass up with twenty of your records, sit across from me, and get this work. But I understand if you don’t want to answer to that challenge because last time you got challenged Kanye West dusted your ass off,” said the Hustle Gang boss on Monday.
T.I. continued, “Guess who ain’t scared of your motherf*cking ass, 50? Pull on up. Bring your ass on outside, 50. Bring your hit records with you. You and Dr. Dre and Eminem and G-Unit – y’all bring y’all ass on out. Come on to see the king.”
50 Cent obviously got word of T.I.’s summons to the Verzuz arena. In response, the Dr. Dre/Eminem protégé simply tweeted, “Yo somebody passed T.I. the weed they gave Smokey in Friday. LOL .”
It did not take long before T.I. returned to Instagram to offer a counter to 50’s Twitter message. He also had some words for people in his IG comment section that are already crowning Curtis the champion in a potential matchup between the two Grammy winners.
“I see the birthday boy got my message, so he knows. He didn’t accept that challenge though. He ain’t’ said nothing about, ‘let’s go,'” stated Tip. “And all you other folks all in the comments talking about, ‘Oh man, 50 gonna…’ Y’all scared of that n*gga, not me.”
The actor/reality show star added, “Don’t tell me what 50 gonna gotdamn do. Shut your scary ass up, get the f*ck out the way, and let me handle this n*gga. If you want some, then he can watch me handle you.”
An official hits-for-hitsclash involving T.I. and 50 Cent has not been booked yet. However, Verzuz co-founder Swizz Beatz did leave a bunch of ” ” emojis under the Trouble Man’s second Instagram video. Tip responded, “Maaaaan what’s taking so long?”
(AllHipHop News) Recently, news broke that Kanye West agreed to a ten-year deal with Gap for his Yeezy apparel line. It seems the corporate retailer is not the only entity that recently provided funds for the billionaire entertainer/entrepreneur.
The Treasury Department’s Small Business Administration released information about companies that received low-interest loans above $150,000 as part of the Paycheck Protection Program. According to reports, West’s Yeezy fashion company received between $2 million and $5 million through PPP.
The PPP was created as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act to help assist struggling small businesses to keep employees on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. Yeezy is said to be worth around $1.3 billion. West’s personal net worth is also estimated to be $1.3 billion.
This revelation about Yeezy’s PPP loan comes after West announced he plans to run for President of the United States in 2020. Previously, he was an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump and the conservative Make America Great Again movement.
Companies associated with Trump’s family and members of the Trump Administration scored PPP money as well. Political organizations and private companies formed by Republican and Democratic politicians received loans too. Businesses such as P.F. Chang’s, TGI Fridays, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and Forbes Media were also listed in the SBA’s spreadsheet.
(AllHipHop News) DaBaby was one of the contenders for Hip Hop rookie of the year in 2019. For 2020, it looks like the North Carolina native is going for the MVP honor.
Billboard‘s latest Hot 100 chart features DaBaby sitting at #1 and #2, simultaneously. His single “Rockstar” featuring Roddy Ricch tops the rankings for the fourth nonconsecutive week.
DaBaby also appears on the #2 song in the country. The Blame It on Baby album creator contributed to Jack Harlow’s “Whats Poppin” remix which climbed to the runner-up position.
Plus, “Whats Poppin” helped Tory Lanez earn his first Top 10 record. Thanks to that collaboration, Lil Wayne joined an exclusive list of 12 acts that have scored at least 25 Hot 100 Top 10 entries.
The rest of the Hot 100’s current Top 5 includes The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” (#3), Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” featuring Beyoncé (#4), and SAINt JHN’s “Roses” (#5). Additionally, Lil Baby earned his fourth Top Tenner and 42 Dugg earned his first with “We Paid” jumping to #10.
(AllHipHop Music) With a loyal fan base akin to a viral star, DB Omerta’s upward trajectory hasn’t phased him.
Maintaining his personable demeanor helps to keep him grounded though he is on the brink of stardom.
Though he would rather not be categorized by his hometown, DB galvanized a strong following in his native Atlanta by dropping up-tempo street singles at a rapid pace over modern production. A tireless workhorse, it’s no surprise that DB’s charismatic southern drawl has been able to transcend regional soundscapes.
As he gears up to release a project before the year’s end, DB Omerta has opted to bless his fans and new listeners with an 11-track mixtape ‘TheOneTheyDoubted.’
Though it’s a precursor to his forthcoming project, the mixtape is loaded with A-List production from the likes of Hitmaka, jetsonmade, YoungKio, and more. At its core, ‘TheOneTheyDoubted’ embodies the unapologetic street sensibility of a rising star putting on for his city. The release is accompanied by an official visual for “How I’m Feeling.”
Watch the video here and check out ‘TheOneTheyDoubted,’ which is available on all streaming platforms.
(AllHipHop Music) New Orleans rapper Lil Sporty D’s “Certified” is a gritty trap-influenced banger littered with pounding kick drums, erratic snares and mesmerizing bells.
Featuring Magnolia Chop and Jay Jones, the track is anchored by an infectiously melodic chorus that brims with confidence and swagger.
“Certified” is a story of redemption, and tells of Lil Sporty D’s rise from poverty as he strives to create a better life for himself. Having recently started his own label – Mentality Music Entertainment – the rapper is determined to disprove his doubters and perfect his craft. Five years deep into the game, and Lil Sporty D is showing no signs of letting up.
(AllHipHop Music) Rapper, songwriter, poet, and Newark native King Braize released a new single adequately titled “Inspire Yourself.”
Anyone seeking motivation will be pulled in by the smoothness of the guitar loop and quick-paced snare, and even further captivated by Braize’s wordplay and delivery.
King Braize has been rapping since he was 12-years-old and has since released 8 projects: 5 mixtapes, an EP, and 2 albums.
The tenacity Braize has exemplified throughout his career seems to culminate into “Inspire Yourself”, where he lyrically breaks down the concept of having a dream all the while managing any hardships that could potentially stand in the way…if one allows them to.
King Braize’s accompanying visual details the process of making his own studio – a dream he had since he was a kid that came into fruition in 2018.
Anyone watching this video will quickly understand Braize’s manifestation process as well as get a sense of how to incorporate that same drive into their own life.
This song and video are for those who just need the last push to get to their goal. If you are looking for a sign, here it is. Check out the video for “Inspire Yourself” below.
(AllHipHop News) Popular radio personality Rickey Smiley is dealing with a family tragedy.
His daughter Aaryn was shot in Houston, Texas over the weekend. Rickey Smiley broke down the tragic incident on his show earlier this morning (July 6th).
According to Ricky, his baby girl was simply waiting at a red light when gunfire broke out nearby between two men, who were arguing during a road rage incident.
Aaryn was struck three times in the body during crossfire between two rivals blasting away on a public street.
“Parents shouldn’t have to go through this,” Rickey Smiley said through his tears. “We got to stop gun violence. Parents shouldn’t have to go through this. My daughter isn’t in no gang, she aint did nothing wrong, she don’t bother nobody,” Smiley said.
Thankfully, Aaryn’s surgery went great and she is now in stable condition and recovering.
(AllHipHop Rumors) T.I. is not playing around with 50 Cent! The KANG has issued an undiluted challenge to 50 Cent…he wants his Verzuz battle! The last time we saw a battle was with Fabolous and Jadakiss. It was cool, but it was also a duel of two native New Yorkers! I am extremely interested in this T.I. 50 Cent battle. Are you?
Here is part of what T.I. said:
“For your birthday, I offer you a challenge, sir. Pull your a$$ up with 20 of your records, sit across from me, and get this work, man. But, I understand if you don’t want to answer to that challenge, because last time you got challenged Kanye West dusted your ass off. … And I f##k with you 50. It ain’t you this time. It’s your catalog that gots some trouble. Your motherf##king catalog is in trouble.”
Here is his second rant, where he included Kevin Hart!
I am not sure Kevin Hart wanted to be included in all of that, since it is also his own birthday.
Detailing his experience with the show during an Apple Music interview, the “Glory” singer gushed: “What I love about them (Verzuz episodes) is they’ve really been teaching people about the history of our culture and the music, knowing particularly because so many producers and writers have been a part of it, not just front artists, lead artists, but people who have been behind the scenes, making tracks for people for years. It’s good to see their whole body of work all in one setting, and give them the credit and the flowers that they’re due, for the great work that they’ve done.”
John is inspired to see music producers new and old, like the legendary Babyface, be featured in Verzuz competitions.
“When you see someone like Babyface, who was behind so many great, great songs, not just the ones that he fronted, but the ones he wrote for Whitney (Houston) or Toni (Braxton), or so many other artists, Boyz II Men, seeing him get his due respect and honor because of the great work he’s done, it’s just been great for the culture,” he said. “And it’s been entertaining. Even when things go wrong, it’s been entertaining. It’s just that good.”
Previous Verzuz sessions have featured artists like 112 and Jagged Edge, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, Nelly and Ludacris, and Fabolous and Jadakiss.
The pioneer says that this NOME is just another day at work, another stage to desecrate and another win to take home to the Midwest. The only reason why he is outside anyway is because someone dared him to come out. And more than money or clout, if you want Aye Verb to move —throw a rock at his armor, attack his legacy or call his bluff— and that will motivate the Island God to leave his tropical bliss.
Newcomer Geechi Gotti should have known better, but youth oftentimes clouds one’s judgment.
He has taken a slingshot and banged at battle rap’s Goliath … daring to disturb the rap giant.
The two-time champion of the year is on it, seeing this fight that he has picked as some sort of David and Goliath squabble.
But in this cannon, the little guy might not win. After all, the Goliath from St. Louis has already stood before two gods and still lives to tell. He re-writes sacred narratives often with this rambunctious spirit of disruption and his brilliant ability to kill the fan’s heroes, bringing down their champions. If there is a villain in battle rap, Aye Verb might just be it.
Perhaps, “villain” is not the word for him. Could it just be that he has the audacity to play the game of battle rap with the dice that he brings to the board, his own deck of cards?
“I am in my own world and I make my own rules,” Verb states. “I am my own government. So in my mind, I am the Island God and I run my own world. I wake up and do what I want. I say what I want to say and I live by my rules. I don’t conform. I don’t follow. I lead.”
“And when you come and deal with me over here, I come up off the island. I show you what time it is and then I swim back in the water. It is kind of like a Black Aquaman type thing. I am like a protector.”
As a protector, Aye Verb wants the world to be clear that he is not some guardian of the culture, an old head trying to stop the new guys from coming in. That would be noble. He is a warrior out to protect HIS honor and the honor of his city.
“I don’t care about the culture, or them over there, I only care about me and my people, my city, my region. I don’t care about nothing else. I care about protecting this line that I set. I don’t care about the new faces. I care about St. Louis first, the region, the South. That is what I stand for. More than anything I just want to defend my people, St. Louis people. Because we didn’t come from having respect. I am going to defend that every single time.”
Everything is about having a warrior mentality for Verb. That is what happens when you feel as though you have not gotten your just due. And unlike so many that come into the game with chips on their shoulders, no one may have more of a right to feel this way than he and the region that he so vehemently protects.
At the dawn of this new era of battle rap culture, Aye Verb was catching wreck all throughout the Midwest. The world has seen the videos where he and his folk came out to Harlem, which at that time was considered the Mecca for battle rap, to contest against their reigning kings. The St. Louis vs. Lion’s Den card was supposed to be epic, but the venue was not secured by Loaded Lux, the promoter and the cats from the Gateway to the West were basically assed out. They were out there and just wanted to rap — the Island God had already come out with his lyrical machete exposed and ready to rhyme.
Out on a cold street, there is a conversation captured between him and the Bronx rapper, Goodz da Animal. Verb ready for war steps to the slick-talking Goodz asking for the rap fade, but Goodz dubbed him. He dubbed him to check a shorty. From then on, it is clear to Verb that there is a bias against him because he is not from the Northeast (who back then were considered at the top of the totem pole of Hip-Hop across the board). But there is no denying now that he is at the top of the food chain in this culture.
Part of the reason why he is still here and has risen continuously is because Verb nurtures his mind, body, and spirit in spaces of darkness.
“I read. I like to store different types of information in my head. I like to think about things and if it is bullsh*t, I cast it aside. Right now, I am reading the book, 48 Laws of Power, again. It teaches you how to deal with every human being in a different way. You may say to yourself, ‘I know that this is the smartest way of dealing with this.’ It makes you cold and numb to people. Nothing can bother you because you have this information in your head.”
“I like to be numb. If you show no emotion, they don’t know how to get you. I got that way because of my city.”
When you think of the concrete jungles of the country, you often think about the cities in the Northeast. But every city has one and the level of impoverished mentality that goes along with these cities could not only turn someone’s heart cold but kill their spirit of survival. St. Louis, according to Verb, is no exception.
“Daylyt came to do a movie in my city and he called me and he told me that he doesn’t know how I could exist in this situation. He said, ‘the whole city feels like an abandoned building.’ So it makes you numb. You can’t trust nobody. My city makes you feel like if we are going to have a problem, either we squash it or we just going to go there.”
Verb contends that the city is this way by design. He breaks down how the actual St. Louis was a slave owner and the oppressive energy that he represents is “still floating around.” While he loves his city, he is clear on the negative energy that pulsates through it and refuses to abandon it. While the world sees him as a villain, where he is from, he is a champion.
“The thing about my city is once we have a champion, we ride with him. There are a lot of us who are worthy of our city. But we become numb because there is a lack of opportunity. What burns me up about a lot of East Coast people is that y’all have everything y’all need to make it and y’all can’t. That doesn’t make sense. We don’t have the same opportunities. We are not going to just run into someone that can change your life. I look at them and I say, ‘what are y’all doing wrong with y’all lives that y’all can’t pull this off?’ Our city shuts down at 1:30 am. St. Louis clubs are closed and everything is over. So we can’t even network or nothing. We are not outside.”
In fact, if you look at the current civil unrest that the nation is experiencing, this is nothing new. And feeds more into why he is not only a champion but has to be on this mythological island on his own. There is a war going on outside and he has to stay ready for combat —not just to win a battle but to survive.
“The lights are on the problems, but it doesn’t change them. We deal with this every single day, but if you are just walking around blind with your eyes closed then of course you are going to be sensitive to me and mine. We have been dealing with this every day and the only difference is that it is on TV now. Once they put it on TV and put it in the media, it is programming the people to have fear.”
“I am fearless. The fearless comes inside. My mother is fearless, that is a genetic thing. I am actually more logical than anything. I don’t make decisions out of emotion. I also don’t like to do more than one thing at a time. I don’t multitask. I lock-in. If you are multitasking that means something is not getting 100%. Like so when I have to go on stage, I don’t have sex, I don’t do none of that. I need to keep my head straight. I don’t like to be distracted.”
And so much can distract him if he is not careful, which is why he chooses to isolate himself. It is also the reason why he doesn’t watch the new battlers when they come up.
“I don’t watch them.
For good reason. He doesn’t watch them because they have to earn the look just like he did. No one gave him anything. This is why this NOME X is just another walk in the park for him. There is nothing that he has not seen or done. But while Verb doesn’t watch them, he respects what they do.
“I have to respect what they do. It’s not easy to get up there and do what we do on the stage. A lot of people don’t realize that.”
“This is different from what Eminem and them were doing. They are not doing what we are doing. We have to deal with great people every night.”
An example of those greats will be on display at NOME X. Among them is Geechi Gotti.
“Yeah, Geechi is one of them. He demanded the look. The battle came into play because Geechi said that all of the vets were afraid of him. I was like ‘who you talking to?’”
The Island God already told you that there is no fear. He is awakened. Moved to swim off his island and at NOME X, we will see if he will go back to his pink sands unscathed.
