It looks like Joe Budden is going to go at his enemies one more time.
Last week, the poet laureate took his talents to diss Drake and, to a lesser degree, Meek Mill. The only thing is, nobody responded.
Now a recent Instagram post suggests he will return more fire to Drake, who he has accused of sending subliminal shade to him in song. Check out the post below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHbbz2VBXg1/
On Twitter, he offered even more saying, “
I guess this is what I gotta do to make y’all rap.” and “My Condolences.”
I guess this is what I gotta do to make y’all rap.
Meanwhile, Drake’s new album looms at the top of the chart for a 9th week, an impressive feat for these times. Also, French Montana allegedly intervened when Drake was about to respond. Nobody knows for certain.
(AllHipHop News) Get ready Wiz Khalifa fans, the TGOD boss is planning on releasing an album soon.
Yesterday (July 3), the Pittsburgh rapper tweeted that he’s been spending a lot of his time lately mixing music and working on artwork that will drop next week.
Although Wiz wasn’t specific on exactly what he’s working on in the lab, he did announce that his next album is almost finished.
Happy Sunday. Getting new music mixed and artwork done to drop this week.
— Taylor Gang World Leader (@wizkhalifa) July 3, 2016
Also finishing up the album. A bosses work is never done.
— Taylor Gang World Leader (@wizkhalifa) July 3, 2016
It’s that fireworks and barbecue time of the year again. No doubt, among your friends and loved ones it can be wiled away debating who makes the best potato salad and who is most likely to almost go to the hospital over the fireworks. But maybe you want to debate something different this year.
To that end, we’ve decided to compile a list of the best and most under appreciated places to spend the 4th of July in and around the 50 states with a premium on encountering like minded Hip Hop people with whom to enjoy it. Don’t read that as a singles/hookup deal, but as it’s often been said, the Lord helps those who help themselves. So take that with a grain of salt and a roll of the dice.
Atlanta, Georgia. As always, Atlanta is a great city when it comes to partying it up with the people. This year, the Centennial Olympic Park is where it’s at when it comes to the 4th and enjoying free music and many forms of live entertainment suitable for the whole family. It also doesn’t hurt that the fireworks won’t be skimpy as Atlanta boats the biggest fireworks display in the Southeast.
Manhattan, New York – Though it has been reported that some inclement weather might be rolling into NYC in the form of high winds and a Tornado watch, despite the weather Manhattan always over performs when it comes to fireworks and the legendary Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular Show. A 25 minute show that brags some of the best and most “spectacular” fireworks are set off to much pomp and circumstance over the East River every year. To get an even closer look, many opt to try one of the July 4th fireworks cruises offered by the New York Classic Harbor Line. But be warned to check the weather forecast first this year.
Long Beach, California – When it comes to Long Beach, much like Manhattan, it’s all about the water on July 4th, but the vessel tends to be the Queen Mary. The RMS Queen Mary is Long Beach’s as a permanently moored 1936 ocean liner that has been refurbished as a swank floating hotel offering luxe staterooms, swanky restaurants and its own day spa, tearoom and amazing sundeck. For many years it has been the place to enjoy an All American themed July 4th with live entertainment and stunning views of one of the best fireworks displays in Los Angeles. While it must be noted that the live music isn’t exactly Hip Hop at The Queen Mary, the views and the celebration go far in placating those who wish they were blasting something with a little more soul. If the Queen Mary experience isn’t quite the thing, there is always the July 4th BBQ hosted by The Aquarium Of The Pacific, The Bluff Heights Block Party, and for those looking for something that feels a bit more expensive, the historic 4th of July party in the Sky Room at the very top of the Breakers building. Surely you won’t be bored.
Oahu, Hawaii. As Oahu was the site of Pearl Harbor and remains the site of the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, the 4th of July never ceases to be a big deal. With the Ala Moana Center and Beach Park annually hosting one of the biggest fireworks displays in the nation, it’s a must see if the spectacle of big exploding lights in a tropical setting equals your penultimate idea of fun for the 4th. Tours of Pearl Harbor are always a big thing for the island, and there is also the Da Hui 38th annual paddle board race, as well as the Kailua Fourth of July Parade and Airshow to get your 4th of July celebrations going.
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. As our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean have never been known for not bringing some flair to a party, if you spend your 4th of July in St. John, not only will you see red, white and blue, but many other colors to compliment a rich and joyous tradition of parade floats, street parties and 4th of July themed carnival. In particular, there is a group of Afro Caribbean Indians who sport purple feathers when they come out and celebrate in all of their July 4th finery. As an added bonus, the celebrating starts on July 3rd, with Emancipation Day, in celebration of the date that the Danish colonizers set the slaves on the island free in 1848. The following day, in keeping with St. John’s status as a U.S. Territory since 1917, the party extends into a full bodied celebration of the 4th of July.
Liberia. The Republic of Liberia, a country in West Africa that began as a settlement of the American Colonization Society, is an unlikely but interesting place to celebrate independence twice. As Liberia declared it’s independence from America as it’s own country on July 26, 1847, Liberians have been known to celebrate July 4th but really save the celebrations and parades for July 26th. So, while it might not be hopping on July 4th it’s potentially a great place to do a redo of the whole independence thing West African style come the 26th.
Ninety-six percent of the time, Nasir Jones is my favorite MC to ever touch a microphone. While many, including me, hail his landmark debut Illmatic as the greatest rap album of all-time and thus, his best work, his follow-up is my favorite of his legendary catalogue for a bevy of reasons. Released 20 years ago, It Was Written, propelled him to superstardom and cemented his now revered career.
It established him as a New York King in a time where platinum-selling, Bed-Stuy bred Notorious B.I.G. and an up an coming rapper from Marcy Projects, better known as Jay Z were all fighting for the top spot in the Mecca of Hip-Hop. It Was Written did what Illmatic couldn’t do- sell records with a mainstream sound while also keeping the streets and underground happy. It’s the balance that most rappers desperately covet, but so many fail to achieve. It showcased Nas’ polished lyrical skills and supreme ability to tell stories from various perspectives. The album also introduced Nas Escobar, a character in which he used to embody and advance a predominant theme of mid-90s hip-hop, Mafioso rap. Further, as compared to albums such as Raekwon’s Only Built For Cuban Linx, Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt, and AZ’s Doe or Die, Nas’ second LP would not only outsell these album’s but also stand as one of the greatest albums ever recorded in rap music.
The year 1996 saw the greatest summer in rap history. With classic albums from the likes of The Fugees, 2Pac, Jay Z and OutKast, Lil Kim and more, Nas had no choice but to come correct on his next project or instead forever be known as the Terrence Trent D’arby of Hip-Hop. To erase any possibility of a sophomore slump, Nas hooked up with perhaps the most underrated team of producers in music history, the Trackmasters. Comprised of Poke (Jean-Claude Olivier) and Tone (Samuel Barnes), the duo had been responsible for pretty much all of the big commercial hip-hop records of the 90’s. Though at the time they were more known for their work on R&B and Pop records such as Mary J. Blige’s My Life and LL Cool J’s Mr. Smith album, the duo had never been known to produce a complete rap record. With their heavy sample-filled records, it was unforeseen if they could translate their successful formula to the underground until Nas’ former Steve Stoute brought them into the fold. While they ultimately produced only half of the album, they were responsible for It Was Written brightest spots.
When the album released on July 2, 1996, it debuted at #1 and would remain at that spot for four consecutive weeks. While the album would ultimately go on to sell 4 million copies in the U.S. (4x Platinum), the success of the album was led by its main single, “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)”, featuring his Columbia records label-mate, Lauryn Hill. Hill, who was undeniably music’s brightest star at the time, was still reeling from the massive success of her group, The Fugees’ sophomore effort, The Score. Most importantly, Hill, a rapper and singer who was just as revered on the mic as she was on wax, provided Nas the right balance he needed to appease his fans. The Whodini and Kurtis Blow-sampling record, held the essence of early 80’s hip-hop while pushing it’s sound forward to match the climate of mid-90’s radio. With a catchy hook, Nas was able to bring his street dreams and aspirations to the forefront.
The album’s opener, “The Message”, proved to be a competitive declaration from the Queensbridge MC. Produced by the Trackmasters, the song samples Sting’s “Shape of My Heart.” Caught up in the East coast-West coast rivalry, the Queens MC found himself at odds with 2Pac over the song’s opening lines.
“Fake thug, no love, you get the slug, CB4 Gusto/Your luck low, I didn’t know til I was drunk though”, he raps.
Known for his boisterous, Thug Life mantra, Pac felt slighted and would in turn, go on to diss him on his next album shortly before he was murdered. Pac wasn’t the only one offended by the song. With references to the car Jay Z flaunted in his video for the song, “Dead Presidents” (a song that also samples Nas’ “The World Is Yours”), the beginnings of their beef that would take place in the new millennium would begin to commence here. With that said, the Notorious B.I.G. was the real target of the album’s opening song.
“Regulate wit my Dunn’s, 17 rocks gleam from one ring/ Yo let me let y’all n##### know one thing /There’s one life, one love, so there can only be one King” he raps.
Profiled and heralded as the King of New York in an infamous The Source magazine issue in 1995, B.I.G. had now become rap’s biggest star with songs all over the radio and Billboard charts. Though Illmatic was critically acclaimed when it released in 1994, it was Biggie’s debut Ready to Die that was the real commercial success. Thus, Nas’ hunger and desire to avenge this permeated throughout the album.
On “Street Dreams”, Nas elaborates on life post Illmatic. Nas was no longer the kid looking out his project window or loungin’ on park benches, he was now a target with money and success. He also had one foot still in the streets and would use his platform to speak for his boys that were still hustling.
“Though I’m innocent, til proven guilty/ I’ma try to filthy, purchase a club and start up realty/ For real G, I’ma fullfill my dream/If I conceal my scheme/then precisely I’ll build my cream” he raps.
Perhaps the greatest facet of the album is Nas’ ability to write from various perspectives and storytelling ability. With albums like B.I.G’s Ready to Die and Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt, the main knock on Nas, in terms of content, was that he never actually lived a drug dealer’s life but rather tended to use his environment as his muses. With that said, Nas was able to capture unique point of views because of this fact. For example, on “I Gave You Power”, Nas teamed up with arguably the greater producer in rap history, DJ Premier. Nasty Nas and Premo had teamed up prior to make some of the best records on Illmatic such as “Memory Lane” and “New York State of Mind.” On this song, Nas channeled the experiences and thoughts of what it would be like to be a gun in mid 90’s rap culture.
“I seen some cold nights and bloody days/They grab and me bullets spray/They use me wrong so I sing this song ’til this day/My body is cold steel for real/ I was made to kill, that’s why they keep me concealed/Under car seats they sneak me in clubs/Been in the hands of mad thugs/They feed me when they load me with mad slugs/Seventeen precisely, one in my head/ They call me Desert Eagle, semi-auto with lead.”
On “Watch Dem N#####”, Nas raps about betrayal and the paranoia that surrounded him post Illmatic. Featuring a young Foxy Brown, who would go on to be his group member in The Firm, the song captures the state of mind Nas was in at the time of the album’s release.
“Watch dem n##### that be close to you/And make sure they do what they supposed to do/Cause you know they be thinking about smoking you/ Never personal, nowadays, it’s the ways” he recites on the song’s chorus.
The song would prove to be prophetic as the East Coast-West Coast rivalry would result in 2PAC and B.I.G. being murdered in September of ‘96 and March of ’97. Speaking to this point, Nas decided to maintain his neutrality in the rivalry and work with former 2Pac producer and legendary West Coast artist, Dr. Dre on album cut, “Nas Is Coming.”
On other cuts like “The Set Up”, “Suspects” and “Shootouts”, Nas continued similar themes of the streets expressed on Illmatic. On “Black Girl Lost”, my favorite song from the album, Nas showcases his master storytelling ability once again, depicting a young girl who succumbs to drugs, alcohol and prostitution of the streets and another who continues to get hurt by dominating men. One of the girls Nas is describing has lost her way in life and prioritizes material things and goes to any length to get it. Featuring JoJo of Jodeci, the song encapsulates a common theme in the world of rap; money hungry women who use their looks and physical features for financial gain.
“Growin up seein it, it should remind you, you bein lied to/Everything that move be inside you/Sacred as you are, left with these wannabes to guide you/I watched you, hard to knock you, I tried not to/They spot you out dancin topless in your drawers/Damn look, there goes a black girl lost” he raps.
It Was Written is a classic for various reasons. Not only did it bring Nas success and cement his legacy, it transcended all of the potentially career-ending storylines that lied during that era in hip-hop. It also established The Trackmasters as a legendary producing team and proved that they could produce success street records in addition to their Pop and R&B appeal. The album also paved the way for Steve Stoute and proved his marketing and managing ability. Today, Stoute now runs Translation Inc. and has been involved in some of hip-hop’s biggest business deals. While it can be argued that It Was Written is the greatest sophomore album in the history of rap music, it’s ultimate legacy is that it showed that you could have commercial success while also maintaining street support. While Nas has always embodied the skills of Rakim and Kool G. Rap, his career ultimately transcended theirs in large part due to the success of It Was Written. Escobar was the first messiah of Hip-Hop. The fact that the album has aged well sonically all these years later serve as evidence for his place in rap lure. Thus, I guess it’s true, it truly was written.
(AllHipHop News) Eazy-E and Suge Knight were not on good terms at the time of his passing in the mid-1990’s. Their turbulent interactions were chronicled in the hit movie “Straight Outta Compton,” a movie that told the story of N.W.A.
Heller, the group’s former manager, says the late Compton pioneer would be please at Suge Knight’s present incarcerated status.
“Instant Karma. This is like OJ, I think its payback time. I think that Eric is looking down and smiling,” Heller said in a brief interview with TMZ.
Knight stands accused of a hit-and-run that has resulted in a murder case.
A lawsuit Heller has levied against “Straight Outta Compton” will continue after a judge ruled the movie could have defamed the businessman.
Rising rappers The Local Group decided to release a politically charged track titled “U.S.” as America celebrates its independence.
The song, which was produced by Peakinggg, was recorded during a particularly violent Summer, in 2015.
The Local Group consists of group members Ayun Bassa, 25, and Darian Steward, who is 25 years-old as well.
The duo was formerly known as BLKWHL, a group that released the 2011 project BLK FUEGO.
“I just wanted to capture the essence of what Ayun was saying with the hook and then lighten it up a bit with the second verse,” said group member Darian Steward. “Usually I’m the one with the deep emotional verse so I wanted to switch it up and have a lighter, more direct approach.”
The video for “U.S.” was lensed by CoupDeLa. Take a look:
Kanye West’s status in popuar culture has been taken to many areas, and lately it’s been in game shows. Recently, Mike Dean was watching the show Jeopardy, and manage to hear The Life Of Pablo as an answer for one of the questions. All of the contestants were stumped on the question involving Yeezy’s latest LP, however. The funnier thing is that they all stood in silence, stunned that out of all of the questions on the show, this one rap album ends up getting a question.
South Holland rapper Ben Heights has the drawn the attention of several major labels, including Roc Nation, Warner Music and Pharrell’s label I Am Other.
As a youngster growing up in Europe, Ben Heights drew inspiration from artists like The Rolling Stones, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.
Ben Heights impressed several major label executives during the most recent New Skool Rules international Hip-Hop conference.
‘Ben Heights mixes live instruments, with vocal samples and then throws a super raspy vocal on
top. The hooks are super catchy but the songs have real topic matters, he impressed a lot of high level music execs at our conference,” said Henca Maduro, C.E.O., of New Skool Rules. “At New Skool Rules Ben Heights blew away several American A&R’s, who invited him to come to the States.”
Ben Heights 2nd EP will drop on top of 2017. His first single “Forever” of the release will be available worldwide for purchase digitally on July 11th.
40 is the new 30 and…so on. Well, Fergie has crafted a new anthem for all the sexy moms that permeate in the entertainment industry these days. “M.I.L.F $” is here and it knocks, if you are into rap with a pop twist. The video is as colorful as a candy store with guest appearances from Ciara, Devon Aoki, model and wife of John Legend Chrissy Teigen and others. Kim Kardashian ever gets jabbed as well. Check it out.
(AllHipHop News) Not too long ago, Turk was suing Cash Money, but now the former Hot Boy has signed his former legal adversary, Birdman.
Turk made the announcement on social media, to the glee of his followers.
“Yeah, y’all know what it is. A real n**a just re-signed with Cash Money.,” Turk said. “Y’all just stop trying to figurer the sht out, man, and accept it for what it is. Cash Money Records. I’m back, b***h.”
Previously, Turk settled a $1.3 million lawsuit with his former label, now his current label, over unpaid royalties. The exact details of that settlement have not been disclosed.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Kanye West was the subject of scorn and even ridicule, when he dropped his controversial video “Famous” in late June.
The video features 12 naked celebrities laying in bed side-by-side naked, in a bed with ruffled sheets.
Celebrities like Rihanna, Ray J., Taylor Swift, Bill Cosby, Donald Trump, Caitlyn Jenner and George W. Bush are featured in the video, which caused outrage when Kanye premiered it at the Los Angeles Forum on June 23.
But Kanye’s critics are missing the point and don’t understand high art, according to Vincent Desiderio, the man who painted the 24-foot wide original piece of art “Sleep,” that Kanye’s video for “Famous” is based on.
In a new interview with NPR, Vincent Desiderio praised Kanye and likened him to the famous artistic genius, Andy Warhol.
“An image like that is a mirror of the ridiculous cult of celebrity,” Desiderio said. “I think Kanye, who I believe is very much like Andy Warhol in that he does not let his guard down about who he is, presents a mirror to people rather than he telling them how to think.
Vincent Desiderio was impressed with Kanye’s knowledge of art, and in particular, the deeper meaning behind his own painting.
While the original painting “Sleep” featured anonymous people, Kanye was able to channel the original painting’s meaning into the same kind of critique on pop culture.
“What I like about it is, it’s not a reproduction of my painting: It’s a conversation with my painting,” said Vincent Desiderio. “The discursive element of that is far more important than the simple idea of he stole the idea, he co-opted the idea, he did this to the idea. He quoted the idea and then brought something different to it, embedded in the strange thinking that went on in my head as I worked on the picture.”
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Jay Electronica returned to Twitter last night (July 2), and dropped some information that his fans have been waiting for.
The rapper cryptically revealed a message detailing the plans for the follow-up to his 2007 album, Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge).
Apparently, Jay Electronica took some inspiration from the movie “The Prestige,” a film about two dueling magicians.
“Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts,” Jay Electronica Tweeted referencing the 2006 movie.
“The first part is called #ThePledge.The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a M A N,” Jay E wrote. “He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course..it probably isn’t.”
The rapper then tweeted: “The 2nd Act is called #TheTurn. This is where #TheMagician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something EXTRAORDINARY.”
The tweet had lead many to believe that Jay Electronica’s highly anticipated second album Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn), will be released soon.
Although there was no release date attached, Jay Electronica’s confirmed whatever he is planning will come through Jay Z’s streaming music platform, Tidal.
This is not the first time Jay Electronica has teased fans with the release of The Turn. In 2012, the New Orleans rapper hinted at a pending release for the album and again in 2014.
In a Periscope rant in February in which Jay E threatened to slap 50 Cent’s “f##kin eye balls loose,” he also claimed that he recorded 25 different versions of The Turn.
This time the rapper, who signed with Roc Nation in 2010, delivered a final message to fans that seemed to leave no doubt that Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn) is finally on the way.
“To all those who have been patient with me and supported me over the years, thank you. And get #Tidal #AreYouWatchingClosely?”
(AllHipHop News) Something went down over the weekend between Chance the Rapper and the management of Chicago-based bowling alley, Whirley Ball.
The Coloring Book rapper went to Twitter to speak out about how the establishment’s staff treated him unfairly when he made a recent visit.
Chance claimed that Whirley Ball used to be a family-friendly place, but with “new management,” the company has gone a different route with a strict age limit, armed security, and a confusing dress code.
Whirley Ball hasn’t responded to the Chance’s recent statements about the bowling alley through either social media or their website.
However, the rapper did throw shade at their recent tweet claiming that they loved having him.
Crazy how I was just treated at @whirlyball Been coming here for awhile, this new management doesn't know how to treat customers.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) July 2, 2016
Don't go to @WhirlyBall it's very inaccessible if you're black or friends with black people, they've clearly outlined in their dress code
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) July 2, 2016
Don't bother trying to speak with the MGMT @WhirlyBall the new armed security will make sure you can't, per managements request.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) July 2, 2016
It seems like Frank Ocean is gearing up to drop again. Do “we” care? I know the ladies are dripping with anticipation even though homie is really not about y’all. The album, Boys Don’t Cry, will apparently be dropping later this month. That’s the word, at least. According to an image, posted by Frank himself, in the form of a library card due sheet, the album is coming this month. Apparently, the lead single is called “Late.” I thought the homie had retired and went on to be a doctor or something. It has been that long, folks. The other key date is November so that could be the date. The album was originally set for a July 2015 release. Don’t get your hopes up too high, folks.
(AllHipHop News) Azealia Banks has admitted to lightening her skin and now states that what she has done is no different than other ways non-whites adopt Euro-centric features.
“What’s the difference between getting a nose job and changing your skin color? What’s the difference between getting a hair weave or changing your skin color? Nobody was upset when I was wearing 30-inch weaves and tearing out my edges. You guys loved it, but what is the difference? I don’t understand what the difference is,” Banks said in a video posted on Twitter.
In the video, she says her changes in hue have not negated her bold stances on the state of Blackness as it relates to race relations in America.
Street Fam and The Roc getting together? What is about to happen is not clear, but it would seem that Fab and Jay Z are doing something. Based on the headline under the pic, it would seem that they are working on something hat related. Most people that are “talking” are saying its merchandise related, but they all hope it is music related.
