Hip-Hip has always has a distinct and unique internal war between the forces of dope and the forces of wack, but the discussion has been increasing in furor in the advent of social media interaction.
Very few know the idea as well as Sway Calloway, one of the most respected Hip-Hop heads in the game. The executive/host/reporter has leaped into a very special Hip-Hop competition called “One Shot,” where some of the competition is fresh and others are not-so-fresh. The topic has been a firebrand among Hip-Hop aficionados of all ages and underscored by friction between OG’s like Pete Rock and Young Dolph.
Sway says this is not all that unique.
“In the 90’s there were as many wack rappers as there are in the new millennium,” Sway told AllHipHop.com exclusively. “Its always been that. Not everybody was dope in the Golden Era…who we fooling?”
Sway has joined forces with recording executive Mike Smith, Kxng Crooked, and King Tech to create the Hip-Hop competition of Hip-Hop competitions – “One Stop.” The weekly show goes to some of Hip-Hop’s biggest hubs like New York,Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Plus, celebrity judges include DJ Khaled, RZA, T.I. and others.
Sway says Hip-Hop’s many moving parts presents a bit of a dilemma for “One Shot,” as some of the performers are lyrical, personable and infectious.
“Even going into it, we have to remind ourselves…I don’t think its a problem for King Tech,because King Tech has always listened to music with an unbiased ear. He does have his favorite style of rapper, but…it doesn’t prevent him from recognizing the guy that may not be as lyrical. He can see the star power in that person. I have to deal with that on “Sway In The Morning” and I have for five years. I had to adjust. You have to sustain in these times and ages without losing yourself.”
Sway compared an artist like MC Hammer, who sold well over 10 million albums, with a revered lyricist like Kool G Rap. Although both are talented, there are times when lesser lyrical rappers have a certain je ne sais quoi that makes them megastars.
“You have to be able to recognized that magic, unbiased magic,” he said.
That magic will lead to a record deal and $100,000 of cold cash.
Rapper Nas is about to turn 43 and he’s already partying it up in Las Vegas, with his crew, family and friends. He also gave a full-length concert at Drai’s Nightclub.
The rap god went through his classic hits like “If I Ruled the World,” “The World is Yours” and more. He even performed his new collaboration with DJ Khaled, “Nas Album Done.”
Nas, who loves that Henny, received a cake in the form of a giant bottle of his favorite drink, while fans serenaded him with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
Nas At Drai’s Night Club – Photos: Courtesy of Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
Nas At Drai’s Night Club – Photos: Courtesy of Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
Nas At Drai’s Night Club – Photos: Courtesy of Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
Nas At Drai’s Night Club – Photos: Courtesy of Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
Nas At Drai’s Night Club – Photos: Courtesy of Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
Nas At Drai’s Night Club – Photos: Courtesy of Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
Nas At Drai’s Night Club – Photos: Courtesy of Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
Nas At Drai’s Night Club – Photos: Courtesy of Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
Nas At Drai’s Night Club – Photos: Courtesy of Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
Cymphonique Miller, Master P., Romeo Miller, and two other sons, Credit: WENN
Master P’s nasty divorce war with his wife Sonya continues to wind through the courts. In the latest skirmish, P’s wife Sonya has denied allegations that she’s a drug addict and believes the mogul turned their kids against her, to protect his bottom line. Master P. currently has custody of his three kids, but the new filing claims Master P put them up to writing letters to the court supporting their famous father, while preferring to live with him. Sonya claims Master P. has a networth of $350 million and he’s lying when he says he only earns $2,441 per month. In November of 2015, a judge recently ordered Master P. to shell out $27,000 a month in child and spousal support.
Cam’ron Ezike Giles seen at BBC studios in London Credit: WENN.com
It looks like Rich Homie Quan and Ralo’s beef almost came to a head in, Raleigh North Carolina.
The two Atlanta rappers have been at odds since Ralo called out Rich Homie during an interview on ThisIs50.com, for allegedly stealing some early tracks he had paid for, removing his verses and then putting his own lyrics on the tracks, as Ralo was coming up.
Rich Homie has already denied the charges in a phone conversation that leaked on YouTube.com but Ralo already aired him out.
Last night, it looks like they finally ran across each other, and Ralo’s camp claims Rich Homie called the cops on him and his crew.
(AllHipHop News) Young Thug has fin ally opened up about the controversy he recently caused by donning an extravagant gown on the cover of his latest mixtape release, No My Name Is Jeffrey.
His statements are likely to turn more heads.
“When I seen that dress, I felt like God gave it to me.” Thugger said when reflecting on the first time he laid eyes on the threads.
In the artist’s interview with Billboard, he also gave a little insight as to the origin of his g############ choices of fashion.
“When I was 12, my feet were so small I wore my sisters’ glitter shoes,” he explained.
The rapper then continued, “My dad would whoop me: ‘You’re not going to school now, you’ll embarrass us!’ But I never gave a f— what people think.”
Thugger came close to breaking the internet when the cover of his project was released, as fans went into a frenzy, cooking up hilarious memes, while his Hip-Hop peers chastised his actions.
Despite all of the backlash, Young Thug still managed to land in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 charts for the second time with the August 26 release.
(AllHipHop News) West coast super producer DJ Mustard has finally unveiled the star studded tracklist for his upcoming album Cold Summer, due for release later this month.
The new project is slated to include features from frequent collaborators YG and Ty Dolla $ign, along with Rick Ross, Nipsey Hussle, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill and many more.
The producer recently gave a preview of the entire project at a pop-up shop at Wild Style in L.A highlighting Cold Summer merchandise.
The second day of the event will be held at the Wild Style clothing store located at 7703 Melrose Ave this Sunday from 12-8 p.m.
In addition to his upcoming Cold Summer release, the producer recently announced that he and YG would be linking up again on a joint project entitled 400 Summers.
See the artwork and tracklist for Cold Summer below, as well as some details about the pop-up shop. The soon to be released project does not have an official release date as of yet.
September 11, 2001 will always live in the history of America as the date of an incomparable tragedy. The day that two planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and later a third crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The tragedy of the September 11th attacks cost the lives of 2,996 people, injured over 6,000 others, and caused over 10 billion dollars in property damage. It also launched a war causing even more loss of life and from which this country has yet to extricate itself. For all of the tragedy that shrouds this day in American history, prior to 8:46 am on September 11, 2001…this day was the day of the release of the highly-anticipated sixth studio album from Jay Z.
The Blueprint was the album that would redefine Jay. His last solo album, Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter (1999) was a commercial success largely fueled by the single “Big Pimpin’” (feat. UGK). However, the triple-platinum sales were nowhere near the monster success of the five times platinum Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life (1998) which was the album that made him a star. The release of The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (2000) was another turning point for the rapper and spawned his biggest single, “I Just Wanna Love You,” but the album’s intent was to showcase his Roc-A-Fella label signees.
By 2001, Jay Z was vulnerable. He had sustained lyrical assaults from Jadakiss, Prodigy, and was knee-deep in an epic battle with Nas. Jigga was also facing two criminal trials, one for gun possession and the other for assault. At the same time, there was also the continuing pressure from the West Coast where Dr. Dre, Snoop, et al, were selling millions of copies, creating an entire offshoot that included Eminem. Critics and fans alike were wondering if New York Hip Hop was even relevant anymore.
It had been a long, hot summer. Lyrical barbs had been thrown back and forth between Jay and Nas for years, their disdain for one another was one of Hip-Hop’s worst kept secrets, with jabs and subliminals abound. The beef was truly legitimized in June during Jay’s legendary appearance at the June 2001 Summer Jam in New York when he brought out Michael Jackson, posted Prodigy’s childhood photos, and debuted the first 32 bars of “Takeover,” telling the audience: “Ask Nas, he don’t want it with Hov. No!” Nas responded with the freestyle, “Stillmatic (H to the Omo)” which meant the war was officially on and the stakes were high.
In August, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” was the first single, but the second song released from The Blueprint. The first song released was the completed version of “Takeover.” The song featured a sample from three legendary songs, The Doors “Five to One,” KRS One’s “Sound of da Police,” and “Fame,” by David Bowie. Produced by Kanye West, the driving beat was made for neck-breaking headnods. It was “Takeover” that fueled the anticipation for The Blueprint.
Every bar was classic. Lyrical boxing full of jabs and gut punches.
You bringing them boys to men, how them boys gonna win?
This is grown man B.I., get you rolled into triage, bi-atch
We bring knife to fistfight, kill your drama
We kill you motherfu**ing ants with a sledgehammer
So yeah, I sampled your voice, you was using it wrong You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song
And the streets responded. The Blueprint was set to be released on September 18, 2001. The date was pushed up a week to fight the anxious bootleggers (Remember those?). While it was a diss song that was truly fueling the album momentum, the good news was that the entire album was classic. 13 amazing songs with flawless lyrics and amazing production. It was perfection.
“Girls, Girls, Girls,” (p###. Just Blaze) was full of quotable lines and memorable characters. Plus the vocal features of Slick Rick and Q-Tip just added to the Just Blaze’s track richness.
“Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)” (p###. Kanye West) was the anti-diss track where instead of directly attacking his opponents, Jay makes himself a protagonist and a new hip-hop hero deserving of the love and respect of New York rappers.
“Song Cry” (p###. Just Blaze) became a sing-along staple in Hip-Hop. The song is a breakup anthem, Jay’s version of a ballad. Written about three different relationships, the song was a moment of vulnerability on an album that was full of braggadocio.
The Blueprint pulled in an admirable 420,000 copies in the first week. The album was Jay Z’s fourth consecutive album to reach number one on the Billboard 200. The album redeemed Jay Z and reestablished him as The King of New York, and while Stillmatic would come out a few months later spawning its own classic tracks “Ether,” “Got Ur Self A…” and “One Mic.” Somehow The Blueprint seemed to rise above the beef and stand on its own in a way that Stillmatic didn’t.
By 2003, the Jay Z/Nas rivalry which had lasted over ten years would draw to a close. There had been too much tragedy. Aaliyah’s death, 9/11 and the beginnings of war. And these were men who had known Biggie and Pac. In 2002, Nas’ mother, Ann Jones passed away inspiring the introspective God’s Son released in December of that year. The feud was reduced to minor shots on occasional tracks (like the title track from The Blueprint 2.) Jay released The Black Album in 2003, retired from rap and later took over the presidency of Def Jam. In 2005, the two titans would publicly squash their beef at a comeback concert ironically dubbed “I Declare War.” In 2006, Nas would signed to the Jay Z helmed Def Jam. An epic moment in hip-hop history was over.
Jay Z went on to become the entity that we now know, businessman extraordinaire, philanthropist, lyrical legend, husband to Beyoncé. And Nas is one of the greatest rappers of all time, a venture capitalist and investor, television and film producer. They are extraordinary men.
But it was on September 11, 2001, a clear day in New York City at 8:46 am when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the north tower of The World Trade Center. At 9:03 am United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into WTC 2, the south tower. American life changed forever. But before we knew that, it was just a Tuesday, a great day in hip-hop history-the date of the release of a classic hip-hop album. The Blueprint.
Author’s Note: September 11, 2001 was also the release of Ghetto Fabolous-the debut album from Brooklyn’s own Fabolous. Ghetto Fabolous is also an amazing hip-hop album and classic moment from a classic emcee. Much, much love and Happy 15th Anniversary to Fab.
(AllHipHop News) Earlier this summer, Big K.R.I.T. announced he is no longer signed to Def Jam Recordings. The Mississippi rapper/producer is now ready to release his first official project since parting ways with the label.
K.R.I.T. revealed Might Not Be OK with Kenneth Whalum will arrive on September 16. The two collaborators previously worked together on “Away” from Week Of K.R.I.T. and the It’s Better This Way track “King Pt. 4.”
The Multi Alumni artist’s discography includes the studio albums Live From The Underground and Cadillactica. Big K.R.I.T. is also known for the critically acclaimed mixtapes Return of 4Eva and 4eva N a Day.
A series of K.R.I.T. freestyles were also collected as a mixtape titled 12 For 12. He released a new song every hour from noon to midnight on July 5, and the freestyles eventually became the tracklist for the tape.
(AllHipHop News) Tech N9ne has announced on Twitter that his upcoming album The Storm will be released December 9.
The album will be broken down into three sections with each symbolizing an aspect of Tech N9ne’s personality.
“G-Zone,” will represent the rapper’s gangster personal, “Clown Music,” will feature the darker side of his personality, while “Kingdom” will focus on his narcissistic side.
Also, three songs from the album have been released from The Storm.
“Erbody But Me” with Bizzy for “Kingdom,” “What If It Was Me,” from “G-Zone”, and “I Get It Now,” from “Clown Town” hit the net earlier this week.
The Storm follows Tech N9ne’s previous release from last year Special Effects, which debuted as the #2 Rap album and the #3 Indie album and featured artists such as Eminem.
The MCis also currently on his The Calm Before The Storm 2016 Tour.
Give the three tracks from the album, the video announcing the release and the tweet with the pre-order of the album a look below.
For someone worried about getting typecast in political suit roles due to his work on “House Of Cards,” this September actor Mahershala Ali is all about showcasing his darker more violent inner hoodlum.
As Harlem nightclub owner Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes in Netflix’s highly anticipated Marvel Comics series “Luke Cage,” Ali unveils a nasty bit of work come September 30th.
However, for those looking for a gangster preview of Ali’s more urban chops, this weekend he does a star turn in the Focus Features indie drama “Kicks.” “Kicks,” which opens in theaters on September 9, 2016 is the gritty tale of what happens when youngsters in the hood make the mistake of connecting shoes to manhood. In “Kicks,” Ali plays the vicious Oakland based old G, Marlon.
We asked him about this role and more in our exclusive one on one interview:
AllHipHop: You are the biggest most recognizable name in this film. Why did you decide to do it?
Mahershala Ali: I decided to do it because it was a part that was so different from anything I’ve been offered up to this point. I was actually surprised they approached me about it. I felt like I needed to do it because it was just an opportunity to stretch. When you get on a series and you start working on those for a couple of years, six or seven months out of the year, you are kind of doing one thing. Just the opportunity to go and work on somebody who was so different and be challenged – to see if I could make this person human and really work to do a good job with it was a challenge that I was really excited about and surprised about getting offered. Because they knew me from “House Of Cards” which is a character that is obviously the polar opposite of this guy. So, that in a nutshell. Also I just thought the script was really good. And it was something that was being shot in the Bay Area – a story that was so authentic to so many people’s experience from my point of view growing up there.
The world of “Kicks” is a very specific one. Being from the Bay Area was it familiar for you or a departure?
Well it’s interesting. I grew up in Hayward, which is five miles from Oakland. Even though that’s not a huge difference in terms of geography, the mentality is just different and the opportunities are a little bit different. I grew up in what was very much a working class, kind of blue collar suburb in the day. But the element in Oakland, especially when I was growing up – it’s very gentrified now – Oakland, had very real dangerous elements in it so you had to be really careful. I’d go into these side shows and there was always a sense that something could pop off at any moment. Just having family and friends in that life to some degree, still kind of paying the price for that now – it was something that on the page you just knew, or at least for myself (I knew) it felt real. It took the Bay area to encapsulate that.
You said that you were surprised that they offered you this role, but I’m surprised to hear you say that. Your character in “Kicks” is dangerous, but he is someone that people identify with as a leader. In “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Parts 1 & 2” you also played a leader in a deadly, albeit futuristic environment. So why the shock?
I was surprised because for lack of a better word, he’s an urban character and I’m more known for being in a suit. With being known for “House Of Cards,” especially in Hollywood, fairly quickly, once you become known for something – like I’ve been offered several other things that were just a different version of Remy ( Ali’s character in “House Of Cards”) in a different setting…. So what I’m saying is a true – it’s a real thing. Even really intelligent people they kind of develop an opinion about you on what they’ve seen you do. So getting an offer on a character that was just so different surprised me because I don’t even get those scripts not even the offers. I just don’t get the scripts to read and dig through that would be in a more urban environment. I rarely get those. So that’s why I was really surprised.
Speaking about intelligent people forming set opinions based on one dimensional perceptions, as a Muslim and a Black Man in America with a public platform, how do you feel about how many Muslims and people of color are being portrayed in politics and popular culture these days?
It’s not anything that I’m not used to. I think I’ve grown up – look, I’m 42 years old. I’ve been around a bit. I’ve grown up being thought of in a certain way just as an African American man so I think what Muslims have been going through in this country has been more so as a result of 911, so it’s been like the last 15 years. So to be Muslim and to be an African American man… the type of discrimination or the way in which people pigeon hole or the way that the negative aspects of people who want to represent any culture – those always tend to come to the forefront. The people who are really trying to do good in the black community and in the Muslim community (those) that are real peacekeepers, people who are trying to do really positive things in the culture, they don’t really get handed the microphone. I think what sells tickets is violence and sometimes a lot of negativity is what gets the headlines. And then often people say, ‘well why aren’t these Muslims speaking up?’ I’ve been to those events. I know people who are doing things and they just don’t…its not as interesting. So they just don’t get the platform in the same way. Hopefully that will change. I really hope that changes. But the only thing I can do is be the best person that I can be and represent my own unique self in the best way I can. I just happen to be an African American who is Muslim, just trying to live right and live the best I can. I hope that my contribution in some way has a positive affect on how African Americans and how Muslims are seen. But it’s just not something I lead with. I’m an actor and I have to transform. I have to make these characters real.
That may be true, but you still ought to be commended on your choices. With your upcoming film “Hidden Figures” you’re involved in a movie that retells the true story of a team of African American women who worked as mathematicians to help NASA’s space programs Project Mercury and Apollo 11 in the 1960s. So one could infer from these choices that you are actively attempting to take roles in projects that mean something in that they consistently portray a diverse array of characters in scenarios that aren’t regularly seen. Would you say that that is correct?
I think I try to pick roles that resonate with me. Stories that I feel have a purpose. And also too – and a lot of people don’t see this – there’s a real balancing act that actors have to do. Look, my real taste is that I would do art house movies all day if I could. But I could probably make more money doing theater than I could doing Art House projects. You just don’t make enough money to really have a decent living off of doing that. So really I’m looking to strike a balance between really good commercial projects that have an opportunity to resonate (with) people that are not going to look as hard and are not going to search as hard to find a great story. Those have real value, but also (I’m looking to) find those (projects) that are kind of in the middle that are a combination of an Art House and a commercial project and then also the ones that are purely about an inspired story. If the movie makes $5 it makes $5. If it makes 20 million then great. But I think my taste is pretty broad. And I just try to do what I respond to. I’ve got to feel like I can do something with the character – selfishly. First and foremost. I’ve got to feel like I’ve got something to give it, give him, and see if he had something to offer me – and then hope that the larger story is good as well. So we’ll see. But it’s a balance.
Let’s switch gears. Kicks – are they a big thing for you?
MA: Shoes? Yeah, but I’m not a big tennis shoe guy. But I love shoes. I’ve always loved shoes, collected in my own way. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten more specific in what I’ll buy and what I do get. But yeah, I’ve always appreciated shoes. I’ve always appreciated clothes in general and how they speak for you in a certain way. It always kind of starts with the shoes for some reason. At least to me.
So what shoes are you buying? You’ve said you’ve gotten more specific.
I mean, I’m not committed to any one brand, it’s just more so if I see something that speaks to me. If I do get like an adidas, something like that, I’m going to try and find something that’s a little bit unique something that really resonates with me. The last pair of shoes I got, I was working on this job and I loved them and they ordered them for me. These Stan Smiths. Not the regular Stan Smiths, they were these ones called the neo stock…they just look different enough where they are really dope and I haven’t really seen anybody with them. I really love those. There’s a friend who makes these handmade moccasins out of Oakland that are really dope – different kind of colors and what not, called 23 tribes moccasins. I wear Wolverine boots. It just depends on what speaks to me. So I’m not one that is necessarily married to any one brand per se.
There’s a lot of great hip hop music in “Kicks”. Is there anybody who is in your personal playlist that we ought to know about?
I would have to go through to the end to see who all was in there because you know it’s funny – the chapters that they put in there in the script were different from what made it into the movie… Originally there was Biggie, who I think did make it. I don’t know if the actual music made it or if they were just quoting his words. There was Biggie and I think everybody was talking about Souls Of Mischief, a little snippet by Nas, Wutang. So I definitely resonate with all of those. It was like for sure because I’m a hip hop head. I just really grew up on “The Wake Up Show” in the Bay Area and just kind of going to these shows and kind of being a real fan of underground hip hop…and then there’s the more commercial hip hop. Yeah, I’m a real hip hop music fan.
As real hip hop head, who are you listening to now that you think deserves a little more shine?
Definitely number one is this brother named Ka. He’s out of Brownsville, Brooklyn. This brother is a brilliant lyricist. He does his own production, he shoots his own videos, but he popped up on a Jizza album a few years ago. He works a lot with Roc Marciano, who is really dope. But he just released this album called “Honor Killed The Samurai.” But Ka, he’s brilliant. He’s got about four or five albums. Also he has another album under the name Dr. Yen Lo….I really love Roc Marciano who is also another New York dude living in LA.. But yeah I’m into anything that doesn’t really reach the surface.
“Kicks” starring Jahking Guillory, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Kofi Siriboe, Christopher Meyer and Mahershala Ali opens in theaters in limited release on September 9, 2016.
(AllHipHop News) Kanye West’s partner Adidas has decided to take a step back from the artist’s Yeezy stilleto boots, after Yeezy Season 4’s poor showing at New York Fashion Week on September 7.
“These particular boots are actually not a part of the Adidas collaboration,” stated a spokesperson of the Adidas brand in response to the showing.
Women’s Wear Daily indicates that models were left stumbling down the runway on multiple occasions as the heels of the boots folded under pressure.
However, West’s team has indicated the boots will undergo rigorous quality control before being released to the masses.
“As is the case with many fashion shows, the designs presented on the runway are often times still in the sample, prototype stage,” West’s camp said in a statement.
This is not the only issue that West was faced with in the showcase of his Yeezy Season 4 collection, as the show got off to a late start and even had one model faint as a result of the unbearable temperatures.
Take a look at a video of the fashion mishaps below.
Most friendships that start in the first grade rarely last two decades later. When it comes to Philadelphia’s own OCD: Moosh & Twist, though, this rare occurrence is what has kept the duo going year after year.
As a testament to what their music, fan base, and movement has done for them, they have rocked the main stage before Hip-Hop legends like De La Soul, Rakim, The Roots and more.
After a string of sold-out tours around the country and numerous festival appearances, the fact of the matter is that Moosh & Twist know how to energize a crowd, whether it be full of die-hard fans or people seeing them for the first time.
AllHipHop.com spent a few minutes with the group to talk about their come-up, built-to-last friendship, their music, crazy fans, and the difficulties they face being an interracial group.
Check out our exclusive interview with OCD: Moosh & Twist below:
Nas is a unicorn. The guy doesn’t seem to get old, his skills on the mic don’t degrade and he’s doing big business. In the new video, “Nas Album Done,” DJ Khaled and Nas flaunt all of their talents in the form of a mini-movie that features the legendary OX from “Belly.” The other co-star is the lovely island of Jamaica. Check it out.
Future bombs on Ciara “How It Feel,” where he shades the hell out of Ciara. The issues with his ex have continually made headlines, but he’s really putting it all out there now.
(AllHipHop News) Brooklyn rapper Desiigner has caught a major break in a case that could have put him away for years.
The felony gun charge he was recently charged with has been dropped.
He was arrested on Thursday after a road rage incident, where another driver accused the entertainer of waving a gun at him. The District Attorney didn’t find sufficient evidence to charge him on the gun charge.
Desiigner still must contend with the drug charges he faces. Police say they found Oxycontin, methadone and steroids.Oxycontin, methadone and steroids in plane view in the console of Desiigner’s Range Rover.
The 19-year old rapper remains charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and menacing as he heads in for arraignment.
We never thought Lil Wayne was going anywhere and now he has proven why. The Young Money leader drops “Grateful” on fans that thought his woes with Baby and Cash Money would overtake him. The song features Gudda Gudda and Wayne starts some stuff off. “Tell the press I’m not depressed/I just had to press reset,” Wayne. Check it out before.
The Atlanta stop of the ‘Bad Boy Family Reunion’ tour was certainly one for the books. The show proved to be more than just a concert; it was an epic experience celebrating over 20 years of musical excellence.
Sean “Diddy” Combs revealed early on in the show that ATL was his second hometown, and because the great city was so special to him he had some pretty big surprises up his sleeve.
While Atlanta didn’t have the pleasure of being treated to the likes of Jay Z, Nas, DMX, Swizz Beats, or Kanye, the musical mecca of the south certainly got an opportunity to experience some southern musical treasures as the concert saw surprise performances from 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, Boyz N Da Hood, Jeezy (solo also), Gorilla Zoe, Yung Joc, and Jodeci. Black Rob, Tyrese, and Kelly Price were other surprise guests as well.
The Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour line up consists of Bad Boy legends Diddy, Ma$e, Lil’ Kim, The Lox, Faith Evans, 112, Carl Thomas, and Total.
From the moment Diddy took the stage, he let it be known that he did not come to play at the concert he labeled his “homecoming” show. He cited Atlanta as the city that brought Bad Boy much success, and credited it for being his home away from New York City.
For nearly four hours Sean “Puffy’ Combs brought out the acts he helped to become famous on what became a seemingly endless show and an epic experience full of Bad Boy hits from the golden era. The show was filled with classics, beautiful ballads, party anthems, dance tracks, and even historic musical moments in trap music.
The night turned into an arena-sized party that Diddy often referred to as the “extended show.” Set after set reminded fans in attendance of the insane amount of hits Bad Boy records has been responsible for for over two decades!
Diddy and Ma$e warmed up the crowd immediately with hits like “Been Around The World” (and the remix), “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” and “Feels So Good.”
Total took it back to the Bad Boy ’98: Kima, Keisha, and Pam days with their hit single “Trippin'”. They also rocked the stage with their hits “Can’t You See,” and “Kissing You.” It was certainly “Puff & Pam” with the dance moves on “Can’t You See.”
112 reminded fans that they have hits on hits with their upbeat dance tracks and lush ballads. 112 performed everything from “Peaches & Cream” and “Anywhere” to “Cupid” and “Only You.” Tyrese made a surprise appearance singing “Only You” with the R&B quartet.
Carl Thomas made the women “Emotional” by serenading them with “Summer Rain”, “Emotional,” and “I Wish.”
The First Lady Of Bad Boy, Faith Evans, rocked the house with her hit “Love Like This” before slowing it down for the fan-favorite, “Soon As I Get Home.”
Diddy switched gears in the show when he turned the concert into the Bad Boy South segment.
Yung Joc and his internet-famous hairstyle had the entire arena doing his signature motorcycle dance as he performed his hit, “It’s Going Down.”
Gorilla Zoe took the stage to perform “Hood N*gga”. True ATLiens in attendance went crazy as Boys N Da Hood reunited to perform their hit “Dem Boys.” Former member Young Jeezy even treated fans to a solo performance of “Bottom Of The Map.”
Diddy and French Montana sported matching white minks as French performed everything from “Aint Worriend About Nothin'” to “Pop That.” Puff brought out 2 Chainz to perform “Watch Out,” and then transitioned into Lil’ Kim’s epic set.
Lil’ Kim performed her verse on the classic, “Quiet Storm” remix as well as her classic verse on Junior Mafia’s “Get Money.” Diddy joined Lil’ Kim on stage to perform “No Time,” before Kim surprised fans in attendance by bringing out Gucci Mane to perform their “Freaky Girl” remix.
Two highlights, among many, in the show were Diddy, The LOX, and Lil’ Kim’s performance of “All About The Benjamins” as well as Black Rob’s performance of “Whoa.”
Throughout the evening Puff Daddy dedicated the male R&B segments to the ladies. With this said, Puff brought out the legendary and iconic bad boys of R&B, Jodeci. All in attendance stood to their feet to sing Jodeci’s classic hits “Forever My Lady,” “Come & Talk To Me, “Freek N U,” and “Stay.”
Diddy stated that if it wasn’t for Jodeci there would be no Diddy, referencing his work with the group during his Uptown Records days.
The evening ended with an epic performance of “I’ll Be Missing You.” Diddy, Faith Evans, and 112 were backed by a choir, the rest of the Bad Boy Family, Tyrese, and Kelly Price as they paid tribute to the late Notorious B.I.G.
From intern to the Forbes list, Diddy showed fans last night that his work ethic, musical Midas touch, and being all in the video, and all on the records gave him over 20 years of hits!
