Remember the days when you would see the whole A$AP team freestyling in some random house when they first came out? Well A$AP Rocky shows he’s still got it and drops a freestyle on stage while Tyler, The Creator’s “Yonkers” plays in the overhead speakers of a live show in San Francisco. The fellas are on tour together and you can tell the crowd was feeling it, so this one came off pretty dope. Shout outs to Based God and Golf Wang were in order as well, press play below and see for yourself!
Twenty-one years ago two lyricists from Southwest Atlanta burst onto the national Hip Hop radar with Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. Since the arrival of OutKast’s debut album in 1994, Atlanta Hip Hop has undergone several transformations.
A 22-year-old A-Town rhymer is now tapping back into that funky soul well of music promoted by Andre 3000 and Big Boi. Moments into Jonah Cruzz’s latest project, Cruzz Control, listeners are hit with a distinct Southern soundbed layered with an engaging flow. Jonah’s homage to the Golden Era and hat tip to his hometown comes into full play by track two. A song aptly titled “1994.”
“I wanted people to understand where I was from. It’s a reason I’m saying, ‘Who that n*gga swagging like he out in California?’ So many people hear my music and think I’m from Cali. Even when they meet me, they ask if I’m from Cali,” Cruzz relays to AllHipHop.com. “I wanted to let people know I’m from Atlanta. Don’t get it twisted. I might rock the Vans. I might swag like this. But y’all are going to know I’m from the ATL. I’m from that red dirt. I wanted people to respect where I’m from.”
Cruzz has a great appreciation for all things 90’s. His mother put him onto the rap music of the time, and he recalls older relatives telling him about learning of the tragic death of Tupac Shakur.
He even has his own memories of the infamous “Bite Fight” between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in 1997. But the decade’s tunes are Cruzz’s favored products to emerge from the last ten years of the 20th Century.
“I’m in love with that whole 90’s era of music. I listen to everything from that era. Even R&B music from that era,” says Cruzz. “I carry myself like I’m in the 90’s. It’s 2015, but that’s what I like.”
Jonah was just seven years old when the calendar turned to the new millennium. While he is now a buzzing entertainer, his life before the million SoundCloud plays was a difficult one. Many of his childhood days were spent in hotel rooms as his family moved around frequently.
The difficulty of the constant displacement did open Jonah up to discovering more about himself. He identified his ability to sing as a pre-teen. Soon after his mother learned of her son’s talent, she passed the information to Jonah’s preacher father. The parents then had the young performer join the church choir.
That spiritual base is also part of the music Cruzz makes today. “Windows” – a cut off of his previous mixtape Ordinary N*gga – questions the value of worshiping in the house of the Lord and discusses how the Creator responds to the choices people make to survive.
“I’m not a bible thumper. I can’t tell you nothing about the Quran. I can’t tell you nothing about any other religion. I can only tell you about my personal relationship with God,” Cruzz proclaims. “In my heart, I feel like I’m taking the right steps, and as long as I’m doing the right thing I should reap the benefits.”
The Ordinari Music Group representative continues, “Everybody makes mistakes, but we do have free will. At the same time, you can’t let that stop you from being yourself. However you want to live your life is fine. I’m not telling no one to do wrong. I’m telling people what’s really going on in the world. The truth needs to be exposed.”
Cruzz’s personal truth includes enjoying the pleasures of marijuana and sex – two vices that may be frowned upon by strict religious devotees. That still does not prevent the Henry County native from exploring those concepts in his art.
In October, Jonah released a video for “Diana.” The metaphoric song – partially inspired by Lil Wayne’s “I Feel Like Dying” and Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” – tells the story of how addiction love can be pleasurable and destructive at the same time.
“It wasn’t inspired by real drugs. I’ve smoked weed and I’ve tried lean. But I’ve never done anything passed that,” states Cruzz. “When I made the song, I wanted to make people feel like they were on drugs. Even if you didn’t do drugs, I wanted to put people in a mind state of being addicted to something. Anything can be your Diana.”
The rest of Ordinary N*gga includes further displays of the regular guy archetype. Unlike other rapper’s tendency to sell an über-exceptional persona, remaining relatable to the audience is the goal for Jonah.
“It was time to really express who I am as a person. I didn’t want to lie to the people. I didn’t want to say I’m whipping this, I’m wearing that, and I’m doing all these extraordinary things. I don’t do none of that and don’t relate to none of that. So I wanted to tell people the truth of who I am and tell my whole story,” explained Cruzz.
The themes presented on Ordinary N*gga are deciphered even further on Cruzz Control with a twist of Hip Hop nostalgia. The love interest from the Fugees’ “Nappy Heads” returns on the soulful and sensual “Mona Lisa.” Jonah gives his fans vintage Snoop-esque vibes on the weed ode “Smoke Party.” The social issues probed on the reflective “Stoop Kid” harken back to the ripped from the headlines motif of OutKast’s “Toilet Tisha.” The collection closes out with “Multiply” which features the same rise from poverty ambitions of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy.”
“Your album might be a bible to somebody. Your album might be something that somebody really lives by. So I try to watch what I say, but be as honest as possible,” says Jonah about Cruzz Control. “When I’m long gone and dead, my music is still going to be here and could still spark a brain.”
Jonah’s inspirational message is also an updated version of a quote shared by another cultural icon from the 1990’s. 2Pac once declared, “I guarantee I will spark the brain that will change the world.” Cruzz is now proudly standing on the shoulders of the legendary emcee/actor/activist as Pac’s mission continues to manifest in a new generation.
“The thing I want to achieve in my life is to inspire people. I want to change the world. I want to make the world a better place,” insists Cruzz. “I know I can’t do that alone, but I know I can inspire other people. My biggest thing is to hit people in their hearts, to really impact people, and say something that will get them to do better for themselves.”
Once again another artist is claiming that ‘Empire’ is biting them. ‘Empire’ used to be the hottest thing on television, but lately the show has seen a continuous dip in ratings. Regardless, the show still has a following and everyone under the son claims the show is about their life and artistry. Everyone wants a piece of the ‘Empire’ publicity pie. Here’s the latest claim. Singer Justine Skye seems to feel like Empire ripped her off for Alicia Key’s new guest role on the show. Alicia Key’s character’s name is Skye Summers, and like Justine, Skye Summers has purple hair. Justine Skye posted a photo of Alicia on set with the caption,
A woman who will be appearing on the WeTV reality series Selling It In the ATL claims that Dr. Dre fathered her 20-year-old son, TMZ reports. Gwen Boyd Moss, who is a real estate broker, is set to appear in an upcoming episode where she says that the Doctor is her 20-year-old autistic son’s father.
Dre doesn’t deny having relations with Moss, and when she first told him he had a son, named Justin Young, he began paying child support. But when a new lawyer encouraged him to get a paternity test in 1997, it was shown that he was not the father and he stopped paying child support.
Moss reportedly does not believe the results and still claims that Dre is her son’s father. In the episode, the network bleeps out when she name drops Dr. Dre for legal reasons.
Selling It In the ATL airs every Thursday at 10:00 p.m EST.
Six months after Chinx’s murder, the case remains unsolved, FOX 5 reports. NYPD reportedly has no new leads or information regarding the murder. The Coke Boys rep was gunned down in his hometown of Queens on May 17th after leaving Club Red Wolf in Brooklyn.
“The police department probably has no new information or evidence to go forward with the case,” said former NYPD detective Derrick Parker about why the case remains unsolved. “It has probably hit a wall.”
Chinx’s friend Antar Alziadi, who was riding with him the night he was killed, was initially helping with the investigation but has stopped cooperating.
Chinx’s wife and mother of his three children, Janelli, said she is trying to remain hopeful.
“I don’t want to think negative,” she told FOX. “I don’t want to think of the situation as a possible brush under the rug.”
Parker says the only way for this case to proceed is with “witness cooperation.”
Chinx’s debut album, Welcome to JFK, dropped on Aug. 14th, 2015.
Wale is known to be a pretty expressive guy. He recently ruffled some feathers with his message for black women about fake body parts….fake butts to be exact. Wale posted a meme with an Instagram model that said,
“Dear black women this has to stop. This is not attractive. As black men we apologize for misleading you to believe this is the quintessential black woman. Sorry for not cultivating, protecting, and loving your mind, soul, spirit, dreams and ambition.”
Wale added,
“I can speak for most of us…. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like you need to ruin what God gave you. I find it difficult to believe one would alter they body this significantly for themselves.”
Of course someone tagged the “a*ss” model in the photo, and she decided to clap back. She said,
“Tell Wale I only listen to Future.”
No matter what she listens to, it doesn’t change the fact that this is disgusting. The trend is terrible as well in my opinion. Does Wale have a point, or is this exactly what black men want these days?
When 50 Cent joined the Frigo underwear team as a brand ambassador in 2013, Derek Jeter reportedly felt some type of way and jumped ship. Now, Frigo is suing the former NY Yankees player for $4.7 million for the monies lost when he abruptly left, TMZ reports.
Jeter agreed to serve as the president of the Swedish company for three years in 2011. In 2013, Jeter didn’t want his affiliation with the company to be made public when they were trying to launch in the U.S. So, Frigo tapped 50 as the brand ambassador to assist with the move, which didn’t sit well with Jeter. He decided to then part ways because he reportedly felt that Fif being associated with the brand would make it too “urban.”
Some people want another sequel to the classic film ‘Friday,’ others feel it may be overkill. Some fans really want to see Smokey & Craig on screen together again. Chris Tucker spoke out last year stating that he’s open to the idea of yet another ‘Friday’ movie, but he say’s his character would have to evolve. Tucker also stated that his character would have to reflect the man he is today. After Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s. impressive portrayal of his father in ‘Straight Outta Compton’, some fans have suggested that O’Shea and comedian DC Young Fly star in the new sequel as replacements for Ice Cube and Tucker. O’Shea said people have been hitting him up about it, but he doesn’t know where Cube’s head is with it. Would you be interested in seeing this?
Rihanna is turning her love for the ganga into a business. RiRi will be launching a line of marijuana, called “MaRihanna,” according to reports. It will go on sale in 2016 in Colorado.
“MaRihanna by Rihanna is truly the first mainstream cannabis brand in the world and proud to be a pioneer,” the Bajan singer said at the Cannabis Cup in Negril, Jamaica. “MaRihanna is blazing a trail for the industry.”
MaRihanna will offer marijuana flowers that include flavors of Karibbean Kush, Haitian Haze and Jamaican High Grade. The line also has edibles and concentrates.
The “AmeRIHcan Oxygen” singer is also still hard at work at her eighth album, ANTI, which still does not have a definite release date.
Brooklyn producer/composer Harry Fraud (Wiz Khalifa, The Weeknd, French Montana) is officially co-signing New York hip-hop collective Loaf Muzik with their new single “Camo Assassin.” Premiering their atmospheric new track today, the group will release Camo Assassin, their two-song digital single out via Red Bull Sound Select on November 27th.
Having shared stages with Danny Brown, D’Angelo, Mos Def and Theophilus London, Loaf Muzik will open for Vince Staples on November 24th at the El Rey as part of Red Bull Sound Select Presents: 30 Days in LA. Look out for these guys. We have a feeling that they have a real chance to make some noise.
Rick Ross has been hitting us left and right with content from both his Black Dollar album and the Black Market mixtape. He’s also thrown in a little drama with his new fiancé and his ongoing beef with 50. Are you not entertained?
Chrisette Michele’s latest release comes as a surprise in the midst of the hype of her new title fiancé. “STEADY” speaks of the 10 year run in the music industry with labels Def Jam and Motown, and now her very own imprint, Rich Hipster signed to Capitol/Caroline records.
With the new found freedom of running her own record label, Chrisette releases her first Trap Soul record. She makes reference to the Porsche she’s seen driving off the set of her reality TV show “R&B Divas LA” and the re-kindled relationship between herself and Four Kings CEO Doug “Biggs” Ellison. The track is produced by Blckie Blaze of Four Kings Productions.
“I’m ready to play. I miss being a choreographer. I miss my leather pants. I miss being excited. I love my ballads and there will be some in this new album, ‘Milestone’, but it’s time to let my hair down and step outside of the box. I can’t wait to share.”
Travis’ Rodeo was one of the hottest album over the past year. With Kanye’s help and a with the help of a few hot singles Mr. Scott has launched himself into Hip-Hop stardom. Check out his newest single thats likely to be a fan favorite. Fans can check Travis on tour with The Weeknd’s The Madness Tour.
Very few top SP the Ghost when it comes to those things we call bars. From the Lox to his solo work, Styles P is a legend in the game so every one of his songs is worth that good listen.
Rich the kid preps for his November 24th release Trap Talk. We know Rich The Kid from all his work with the Migos, not the homie is stepping out on his own with a straight hitter featured Gary, Indiana bred lyricist Freddie Gibbs.
Centric & The Grammy Foundation partnered over Soul Train Awards Weekend to bring A Grammy Career Day to Andre Agassi High School. Grammy Career day is a national outreach program that provides insight to high school students about careers that are available in the music industry and direction on how to prepare for them. Grammy Career Day provides an opportunity for students to interact with professionals representing a wide range of careers. Top music professionals, drawn from members of The Recording Academy and the industry participate in the program. Grammy Career Day reaches more than 3,000 students annually.
For the latest installment, The Grammy Foundation partnered with Soul Train and Centric to produce a Career Day in Las Vegas, the host city of the 2015 Soul Train Awards. The Soul Train- Grammy Foundation entertainment panel featured guest speakers Wanda Coriano ( VP Music Video Promotion at Capitol Music Group), Richard Gay (Executive VP, Strategy and Operations BET Networks), Vivian Green (Recording Artist), and Kwame Holland (President/ CEO-Make Noise LLC). Each of the panelist chronicled their career journeys and explained to the students that the road to success may not always be an easy one but it will be worth it. They also shared anecdotes about some of their trials and tribulations as well as some of their most rewarding career moments, encouraging the students to never give up on the pursuit of their dreams!
With his new Atlanta based label CKMG and partnership with A1 Promotions, Coalition’s own DJ Shawtyrock creates a new stripper anthem “On My Mind” with assistance from TK N Cash & Que. This melodic and catchy record will have you singing along after the first verse. DJ Shawtyrock along with several other Coalition DJ’s have been responsible for breaking some of your favorite rappers including: Future, Ca$h Out, Migos, 2 Chainz, K Camp and several other Atlanta recording artists. Take a listen below!
After being premiered yesterday on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 Radio Show, Watch The Duck share new single “Stretch 2-3-4” featuring and produced by Pharrell Williams, from their forthcoming EP, The Trojan Horse, due outNovember 20th. Pre-order now on iTunes!
With Drag-On’s latest track John Gotti featuring Joe Young still gaining alot of buzz and being spun on the radio, the two waste no time dropping some more FIRE! They decided to drop a 2 track project “The Package” as well as a new freestyle over Meek Mill’s“Check”. Also Drag just got through releasing part 13 of his Freestyle Cyphers adressing his relationship with DMX. Drag-On & Joe Young has been raising eyebrows with their collaborative efforts which lead to the assumption that there is more in the works.
Yet another publication has come under fire for one of it’s “Greatest Of All Time” lists. It seems like publications and television programs such as VH1’s “Greatest” lists fall short and receive much backlash sometimes. Hip Hop fans have been letting the two authors of Billboard’s “10 Greatest Rappers Of All Time” article, Steven J. Horowitz and Alex Gale, have it. These lists are all subjective, and there are plenty of rappers that were omitted from this list. It’s debatable about which ones should’ve made the cut. The snub that has outraged rap fans the most is the omission of Tupac Shakur. To be honest, it would’ve been disrespectful to have him at No. 10, but to leave him off the list completely is absurd! This leads me to believe that Billboard may have done this on purpose to spark controversy and get those hits up. Surely they did most of this list to get people talking. Who would you add and remove from Billboard’s list?
10. Lil Wayne
9. Kendrick Lamar
8. Ghostface Killah
7. Lauryn Hill
6. Andre 3000
5. Nas
4. Rakim
3. Eminem
2. Jay Z
1. The Notorious B.I.G.
