Jay Electronica is not the only American rapper who left the good ole U.S. of A for the comforts of London. According to Essence, the pitbull in a skirt, also known as Eve, has decided to relocate across the pond. Check out what she said about the move in a recent interview below:
“Well, I’ve relocated to London, so right now, it’s London. I walk everywhere when I’m there. It’s so eclectic. It’s New York on steroids. There are so many cultures and sounds, and people and fashion. Chicks are so fly. I live in a neighborhood where there’s a lot of West Indian culture, so it’s nice. I have to always come back because my mother would kill me if I didn’t, but right now that’s where I’m at.”
With a new album on deck for September and a North American tour ready to begin in October, Reach Records’ Lecrae isn’t showing a single sign of slowing down, which is a good thing since all eyes are seemingly on him in 2012.
Lecrae invited a few media outlets and industry friends to preview his new studio album Gravity at The Cutting Room last week, and they got a chance to hear the man himself speak on his state of mind now that he has been given an even bigger push from the mainstream than any other faith-based rapper has.
It’s not a label he boasts, still the inspirational overtones to his music are unmistakeable. And from outside his typical set, he’s receiving co-signs from people like Bun B and more.
Gravity begins with an influx of instruments like violin, drums, guitars, as Lecrae rapidly spits lines like “I’ve seen more trials than Cochran,” that immediately grabs your attention. This was a good sign of what was to come from the rest of Gravity’s material, and it surely did not disappoint.
“I want to walk with Jesus but my legs too heavy,” Lecrae raps on “Walk With Me” which also features Novel. “They say change coming but it’s feeling like forever.”
“Confessions” played and told the common story about money not always making people happy. “They don’t believe in karma/ they just believe in commas,” he raps. Lecrae’s song for the ladies, “Buttons,” was next and was followed by one of the hardest sounding beats on the album, “I Know.”
For Gravity Lecrae worked with both the Heat Academy and The Watchmen among others; however, his relationship with these two producing teams has resulted in some of his most powerful songs, so it was great to hear their presence on the new album. Although not one to let his long-standing producers have all the fun, Lecrae made sure that other producers were heard and felt as well, and that’s where DJ Khalil comes in.
Khalil produced “Mayday,” one of the album’s standout records, which also features Big K.R.I.T. The song was easily one of the most organic sounding tracks on Gravity, and featured a beautiful melody and hook sung by Ashton Jones from “American Idol”.
“Violence” was a personal favorite, and also one of the most energetic songs that was played. The caribbean-esque record was produced by Tyshan, and finds Lecrae spitting one of his most powerful lines: “Grew up under Tupac, bible verse and two glocks.”
Overall, it appears that Lecrae is ready to offer one of his most broad and, dare-we-say, mainstream albums in terms of sound; yet, it still manages to capture the trueness of what he has always stood for and rapped about. If anything, Gravity is a giant step forward for his expanding career, and it will surely be a welcome addition to many “Top 10” lists when 2012 comes to a close.
Following the listening session, Lecrae spoke to AllHipHop.com about the direction he went in with Gravity, as well as the overall sound of the album and the balance he finds between “preaching” and “rapping.” He also spoke on the continuing support of his fans, and how they’ve reacted to having more eyes on him. Lastly, Lecrae spoke on one of his idols, Tupac, and his relationship with Mississippi native Big K.R.I.T., who appears on Gravity.
Check out our exclusive interview with Lecrae below:
Gravity will be in stores on September 4 via Reach Records
AllHipHop.com has teamed up with Move Forward Music to give away a pair of tickets to see Slick Rick and Biz Markie at Gramercy Theatre in New York City on Sat, Jul 28 at 7:30PM.
All New York City area fans only, please go to our Twitter page at @AllHipHopcom, and tweet “I want to see Slick Rick and @BizMarkie via @AllHipHopcom” to have a chance to win your free tickets to see Slick Rick and Biz Markie at Gramercy Theatre.
So get on Twitter and tweet for your tickets NOW. The deadline is Thursday, July 26 at 4PM EST.
With so many amazing new artists sprouting up everywhere in 2012, it can be hard to pick a favorite. From Meek Mill in Philly, to Danny Brown in Detroit, all the way to Canada for Reema Major and JD Era – these are some of the new artists whose music is peaking the interest of celebrities and fellow artists alike.
AllHipHop.com spoke with Jadakiss, Kevin Hart, Raekwon, Jazzy Pha, and more to learn all about who their favorite new artists are.
Check out the video below to find out who said that Danny Brown gives them “the chills,” who is vouching for Don Trip, and who is proclaiming Reema Major as the new “it girl” in Hip-Hop.
Master P & No Limit Forever Records are BACK IN THESE STREETS with a gang of New Talent. With over 30+ New Street Singles in this Special Extended Compilation Mixtape Featuring Artist Like Master P, Meek Mill, Drumma Boy, Bengie B, TEC, Miss Chee, T-Bo and More.
(AllHipHop News) DJ Mick Boogie has teamed up with Hypetrakto release an 18-track mixtape titled Represent the Stripes as an homage to Adidas’ #represent campaign and to help build some musical awareness and anticipation for the 2012 Summer Olympic games which begin this Friday (July 27) in London.
Represent the Stripesfeatures new music and appearances from the likes of Slum Village, Big Pooh, Action Bronson, Kids These Days, King L, Troy Ave, OnCue, STS, Chip Tha Ripper, and many more.
Production on the tape is provided by Chi Duly, Mell and D, Party Supplies, Block, DJ Uneek, Fly Union, , and more.
Hypetrak said of the mixtape, “Mick Boogie was so impressed with the upcoming Adidas #represent campaign that he decided to make a mixtape paying homage to it: “Represent The Stripes.” The project ties in the ideals of the Adidas campaign with the patriotism of the Olympics going on this month…hence the double entendre of “Represent The Stripes.” More of an exclusive, awesome compilation than a mixtape, this project features a who’s who of dope new rappers and some legends as well!”
Rapper Lupe Fiasco was never one to bite his tongue, so why start now? Lupe was recently interviewed on the Jenny Boom Boom Show on Hot 93.7 and kept it all the way real regarding his thoughts on 2Chainz ft. Kanye West’s new song, “Birthday Song.” Check out what Lupe said about the track below:
“For me, Hip-Hop, we were saying this earlier, I wanna hear stuff that I haven’t heard before so like 99 percent of the Hip-Hop that I hear these days is just the same,” said Fiasco. “And it just kinda gets like, ‘What am I listening to it for?’ And for me that’s keeping it 100. It is what it is. It might be good, the beat is dope, lyrics might be whatever on a technical thing, but at the end of the day it’s like, ‘Why am I listening to this?’”
I thought Lupe and Yeezy were cool? Sheesh. Do you think Lupe’s single “B*tch Bad” is better than “Birthday Song”? Check out the two tracks below and speak on it.
I am feeling that “B*tch Bad”. I can appreciate his lyrics. And here’s 2Chainz and Kanye’s “Birthday Song”.
Which one do you like better? Either way, I hope Lupe is coming with some heat for his new album, Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1, which is set to drop on September 25. Check out Lupe’s full interview with Jenny Boom Boom below.
