Having an innate appreciation of manipulating and massaging waxed words, Rapsody, explains which five MCs that she considers to be Hip-Hop’s best. Within this AllHipHop exclusive, the Beauty and the Beast wordsmith gives a thorough explanation as to why this list composed of Golden Era titans have earned her respect.
A student of the game, the Jamla Records signee, reveals how her perspective as an MC was significantly shaped by each of these artists. Press play to discover which MC that she credits with making “the greatest Hip-Hop album of all time.”
Four years after his Top Ent. Dawg debut, Follow Me Home, Jay Rock will be dropping his long-awaited sophomore album. The Black Hippy rep took to Twitter and Instagram to reveal that he will be reppin’ for his city with the album title. The project is set to be called 90059, the zip code for his native of Watts, CA and other surrounding Los Angeles areas.
No word on when 90059 will drop, but Rock has already released three singles, “Money Trees Deuce,” “Gumbo” and the title track “90059,” which means the album’s release is right around the corner.
Last Kings Presents the visual for King Trell “Manchester Park Freestyle” directed by Teddy Knock. Song off his forthcoming Manchester Park Mixtape hosted by Adrian Swish.
(AllHipHop News) The Meek Mill-Drake battle was different from other highly publicized rap feuds in a lot of ways. It was the first one to fully incorporate social media with Meek calling out Drake on Twitter and Drake using internet memes to make fun of Meek.
The back-and-forth was also unique because the two rappers’ respective labelmates did not jump into the conflict. Unlike Nas vs Jay Z or 50 Cent vs Ja Rule, Maybach Music Group and Young Money stayed on the sidelines for Meek Mill vs Drake. MMG artist Gunplay was asked why Meek’s team chose not to send lyrical shots toward Drizzy and his camp.
“We’re a different kind of breed. We’re a different kind of label. We’re not gonna rap that sh*t. We’re gonna come see you,” Gunplay told The Breakfast Club. “Y’all know me. I ain’t finna sit there and tongue wrestle with no motherf*cker. I’m finna come see about you.”
Gunplay also expressed the Meek/Drake situation does not involve him, and he plans to stay out of it as long as no one says his name. The Carol City, Florida native has had his own public disputes during his career. Gunplay was brought into 50 Cent and Rick Ross’ beef when he was involved in a physical altercation with G-Unit at the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards.
America’s most loved beagle, Snoopy, is celebrating his birthday today, and he looks GREAT for a 253 year old (in dog years)! In the past years, Snoopy has had a major influence on Hip Hop from rappers incorporating his antics into their lyrics to being the IT cartoon in Hip Hop fashion, Snoopy is one down dog! Here are the top 5 Snoopy references in Hip Hop we feel you should know about.
5. “In this b*tch all drinks on the house like Snoopy” – “Lord Knows” by Drake
Drake’s been known to drop some rhymes and lyrics not EVERYONE can do as seen when he mentions Snoopy in “Lord Knows.” He makes it known he has no problem picking up the tab for his squad in this line.
4. FACT: Snoop Dogg is named after Snoopy!
His stage name was inspired by, his childhood nickname, Snoopy. As a boy, his parents nicknamed him “Snoopy” because of his appearance, but they usually addressed him as Calvin at home.
3. Iceberg Snoopy. This sweater and other Iceberg designs, became a mainstay in the Hip Hop world so much that it was part of rappers wardrobe and lyrics by Jay Z.
“I got em Iceberg sh*t they thought I knew Snoopy” – Snoopy Track by Jay-Z
Raekwon seen here rocking the Snoopy Iceberg sweater in the “John Blaze” video.
2. That time Snoop was down with the “Bro Code”
Snoopy is abiding by the ever-so-powerful “Bro Code,” the sacred code held between bros. “To break code with one of your Bros is a blasphemous, sacrilegious, and high Bro treason,” according to the Urban Dictionary.
1. Artist Mark Drew’s exhibition mixes Charlie Brown and the gang with classic ’90s Hip Hop lyrics.
Snoopy and the full PEANUTS gang can be seen November 6th in THE PEANUTS MOVIE. True Hip Hop Snoopy fans can also #DrawSnoopy with tips from The Peanuts Movie Director, Steve Martino, and share on social media for a repost from @PeanutsMovie.
DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia teams with Chicago rapper Brewski in this new visual for the “Superman RMX”, which also features lyrcist Brody Price. The original version of this Louis Lando-produced track appears on Brewski’s The Confidence LP, which is available now on all digital outlets.
(AllHipHop News) Killer Mike has been one of the most vocal Hip Hop representatives on police brutality and social injustice. His passionate on-stage speech about a Missouri grand jury’s decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson for the murder of Michael Brown went viral.
The Atlanta rapper and groupmate El-P recently spoke with BBC about the outcome of the events in Ferguson. According to Mike, the citizens choosing to riot in the wake of the killing of Brown was ultimately effective.
“Riots work, and I’ve never said that in that way before. I’m an American because of a riot,” stated Mike. “The Boston Tea Party is sold to us from the time we are kindergartners to the time we graduate high school. We’re told Americans and patriots got so fed up with paying taxes to the crown that they decided to burn some sh*t to the ground.”
The co-creator of the critically acclaimed albums Run The Jewels and Run The Jewels 2 went on to explain why he feels the rioters in Ferguson actually helped solve the racial problems in that local community.
“So, when people say, ‘riots don’t work’ – but Ferguson was over 60% as a black community. They had less than 60% representation in politics,” said Mike. “Post-riots, they have two new black city council members. They have actual advocates in the community now. The police chief retired. So, if it was argued that riots worked in Ferguson, abso-f*cking-lutely they did.”
PJ (creator of “Nae Nae” dance) and Hasani (creator of “Whip” dance) of rap duo and Bangladesh Records members, Famous 2 Most, sit down with DJ Smallz and weigh in on Silento’s “Watch Me” single, which sings about doing both of their dances.
(AllHipHop News) Jay Electronica was feeling some type of way yesterday, and the Roc Nation emcee decided to share his thoughts on the rap game via several Twitter posts. The New Orleans native used his timeline to blast “so-called thugs” that commit violent acts against their own community. The rant also included Jay calling out “gangsta” rappers for being cowards and coons.
This is not the first time J.E. has used the social media platform to lash out at people he takes issue with. Late last year, Electronica criticized the media, gun manufacturers, and President Barack Obama.
UPDATE:
Jay Electronica has since deleted most of the tweets. You can still read quotes from the tweets above.
After getting his own day in Houston, emcee Sun is doing just that on todays offering, “I Do.” The PL12 (Beanie Sigel, Nappy Roots, Jon Connor etc.) produced track comes from Sun’s long anticipated project. “The Cause and the Cure.” To hear Sun tell it, the song is Kind of a verbal expression of the fruits of my labor being pretty ripe. Poised to annouce a pretty big tour on foreign shores in the not too distant future amongst other things, Sun is indeed enjoying the fruits. Via Nancy B.
Brooklyn native Phresher has been turning heads in NYC with his “So Barklay” brand and today, joined by his DGYGZ crew, they give East New York Brooklyn a west coast facelift in the new visual for “On The Low.” Featuring Desiigner, the clip is abundant in slick rides, chucks and a groovy bounce.
Your Boy For Life is a Hip-Hop artist from Queens, NY who has garnered a respectable fan base with his entertaining and very often humorous punchlines, metaphors and multisyllabic rhymes. Today he releases a single called “High Life” which was produced by Vin Envy and is available for free download. “High Life” is the 1st single off his upcoming mixtape, “Man, the Destroyer”, which will be available for download on tomorrow on August 11.
(AllHipHop News) Music legend Prince has always been very outspoken about his disdain for the record industry. He famously wrote the word “slave” on his face in protest to his label Warner Bros Records. The Purple One has now expounded on those thoughts on why the music business is often unfair to artists.
According to NPR, Prince recently spoke with a group of journalists, and the creator of the classic album Purple Rain relayed to the writers he wants artists to have more control over their careers. He suggested record labels are no longer necessary.
“Record contracts are just like — I’m gonna say the word – slavery,” said Prince. “I would tell any young artist … don’t sign.”
The Minneapolis born performer also used the setting to put his full support behind the Jay Z fronted Tidal streaming service. He sees the artist-owned platform as a way for musicians to get as much revenue from their content as possible.
“Once we have our own resources, we can provide what we need for ourselves,” added Prince. “Jay Z spent $100 million of his own money to build his own service. We have to show support for artists who are trying to own things for themselves.”
Jay addressed the disparity in revenue sharing between the streaming services like Pandora and Spotify, the major labels, and the artists. The Roc Nation boss spoke to NYU students in April about why he and other entertainers like Beyoncé, Madonna, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Usher, and J. Cole joined together for Tidal.
“You guys may have seen some of the stats like, Aloe Blacc had a song that was streamed 168 million times and he got paid $4,000,” said Jay. “For us, it’s not us standing here saying we’re poor musicians. If you provide a service, you should be compensated for it. And not just artists — just think about the writers and the producers.”
Tidal reportedly pays out close to ten times Spotify’s free tier service. The company also provides unsigned/rising artists opportunities to be highlighted on the platform via its “Tidal Discovery” program.
Prince is set to release his next 3rdEyeGirl full length album HITNRUN exclusively on Tidal. He previously debuted his video for the song “Baltimore” on the platform.
Calling all the ladies! Lil Breeze and Puff want to know what’s up. Two members of Chicago’s own SMG Squad have put the spotlight on the ladies with “Make Me A Believer”. Incorporating horns, an old school sample and a mellow tempo, this one will put you in the mood to prove yourself. With a chill beat, ladies you may want to wind your body to this one, or let him see your slow twerk. Either way-show him that you are ready and willing to give him a night that he won’t forget. No stallin’ and no regrets!!! Let’s get it!
You can request “Make Me A Believer” on Chicago’s Power 92, Hip Hop Nation on Siriux XM, and Power 105.1 NY. Follow Lil Breeze & Puff on Twitter. You can also catch the duo in a city near you performing this track on the Chris Brown Tour. You can purchase the single on iTunes or Google Play.
Check out SMG Squad’s recent interview with DJ Smallz below:
They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer – makes you think. After releasing headbanger, “Slave Ship” featuring Turn Up King, Waka Flocka last month, 36BRICKHOUSE artist, Azizi Gibson mellows out with his newest release, “Enemies” produced by New Zealand producer Kamandi is about losing a friend more than it is about attacking an enemy. “Enemies” is available on most streaming platforms and will be available on iTunes Friday, August 7. Azizi’s upcoming album, “preHISTORIC till death” drops this Fall.
(AllHipHop News) Aaliyah fans may have reason to rejoice. According to the late R&B singer’s longtime producer Timbaland, new music from Baby Girl could be released in the new future. Timbo made the announcement on his Instagram page.
Attention!!!!! People ask me all the time do I have any babegirl music we haven’t heard !!!!!well the answer is YES!!!!!!!! TIMBO x BABEGIRL !!!!! Sneak peak coming !!!!!!!
Aaliyah worked with the Virginia native on the platinum selling albums One In A Million and Aaliyah. Timbaland also produced two of her biggest hits – “Are You That Somebody?” from the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack and “Try Again” from the Romeo Must Die soundtrack.
(AllHipHop News) The Hip Hop world lost a great representative of the culture this weekend. Heltah Skeletah member Sean Price passed away in his sleep on August 8. The Tidal streaming service has collected some of Ruck’s most memorable music moments for a 34-track playlist. Listen to the Duck Down Records emcee’s songs at Tidal.com.
(AllHipHop News) One of Meek Mill’s lieutenants has fired back at his boss’ rival. After Ar-Ab dissed Meek over Drake’s “Back To Back” beat, Omelly has now hopped on the track to defend the Dreamchasers crew.
Warren G drops off the summer friendly joint featuring 213 compadre Nate D-O-Double G. Gotta love that his music is still alive today, nobody could do it better than Nate Dogg. While Warren G can be a bit quiet at times, he has the whole hood behind him in this video and he shines. Regulate… G Funk Era II can be streamed via SoundCloud!
