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The Next Big Thing? Eminem’s Artist EZ Mil Talks Working With Dr. Dre & Looking Up To Kendrick

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Exclusives
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Ezekiel Miller has taken the world of rap by storm like a proverbial super cyclone. The Philippines native embraces the roles of a Filipino-American vocalist, composer, instrumental virtuoso, dancer and record producer affiliated with FFP Records. His musical palette spans an array of genres, encompassing pop, soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, rock and beyond. He skillfully wields a diverse array of instruments including the guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards/piano. Notably, he secured a groundbreaking achievement as the first Filipino to ink a deal with Virgin Music Hollywood | UMG.

Beyond his musical prowess, Ez Mil radiates profound affection for his family and friends. His humility and generosity are evident as he lends a receptive ear not only to music but also to the narratives of his loved ones. His distinctive style has garnered him the moniker of “the next big thing” among these content creators, who have recognized the fusion of his Hip-Hop compositions with influences drawn from genres like R&B, pop, and innovative sounds. His lyrical tapestry is intricately woven from themes of resilience, love, remorse, life, aspirations and the depth of human emotions.

AllHipHop: First of all, how you doing?

Ez Mil: Good, sir. Just chilling. Woke up like an hour ago.

AllHipHop: Oh, where are you now?

Ez Mil: I live in Vegas.

AllHipHop: Vegas. Oh, you just woke up? Oh man, you’re living a real rap star life now. Were you out or were you working or what were you up to?

Ez Mil: Yeah, kind of on some stuff like songs and just relaying to some people. Yeah, just something like that so far.

AllHipHop: Got you. How long have you been in Vegas?

Ez Mil: About five years.

AllHipHop: Really?

Ez Mil: Yes, sir.

AllHipHop: What made you go there?

Ez Mil: Prices, to be honest. Because L.A. [was expensive]. I entered through Seattle to the States [from The Philippines] and then stayed in L.A. for a year. And then it got a little too hectic in terms of prices over there, man.

AllHipHop: OK. No, I completely understand that. That’s what’s up. So you have to tell me, first of all, AllHipHop is one of the long-running, premiere Hip-Hop sites. And if I’m not mistaken, we were founded the year you were born, which is kind of funny to me.

Ez Mil: That’s crazy.

AllHipHop: I’m cracking up to think about that. But that was actually a really, really, really dope year for hip hop. ’98, right?

Ez Mil:I would say so, because I don’t know what came out that, I wouldn’t be able to tell. But I feel like around when I was growing up as super, super small, Hip-Hop was everywhere.

AllHipHop: I can tell you, though, people like DMX were first coming out. Eminem was actually really starting to roll around that time. He was really beginning to pop off. Jay-Z really found his stride in ’98, he was out before that, but he really started to blow up with his label and everything. So that’s the second coming of Hip-Hop’s greatness, because after Biggie Smalls died and …

Ez Mil: 2Pac?

AllHipHop: 2Pac, yeah, that’s when Hip-Hop started to really come back. So, it’s kind of cool. So how is it for you? Eminem! Let’s just get right into it, I’ll never forget passing on my opportunity to meet Eminem. I was in college at the time and literally there was a thing going on on campus and my friend, my best friend was like, “No, I’m going meet Eminem in Philly.” And I was like, “Nah, I’m good. I’m going to stay at this party.” And that was the last time I really came in his orbit, in a way to meet him. So how was it for you? This is a dream come true for most people.

Ez Mil: Yeah, man, to me it is. For real. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it because before, I just listened to the man, for real, on headphones and then YouTube. And it wouldn’t be too much of that because a lot of the time growing up, your parents, they ain’t going to let you, but it’s the Philippines, so whatever. I listened to him a lot. Him, Kendrick, and A$AP Rocky, and it was just on the media like this. I just see it on whenever we go to computer shops for some internet and to play some games. Sometimes I wouldn’t even be playing games, I’d be on YouTube watching music videos and learning about different stuff.

AllHipHop: Yeah. No, that’s what’s up. Your song, “Realest,” really put you on the map. I mean, you were out there before, but that song really put you on the map. How did that song come about? Did you guys work together on it or were tracks being emailed or what?

Ez Mil: Yes, sir. So in the gist of it, yeah, we ended up working on it together because before even knowing that it was them that we were going to meet, I had already made the beat. So I just came to them and straight off just showed them the heat.

AllHipHop: Now, I saw one of your interviews and you mentioned this has been under your hat, so to speak. A secret, basically. How long have you had to keep it a secret?

Ez Mil: Roughly four months.

AllHipHop: OK, OK. That’s not too long. I think after six …

Ez Mil: Not too long?

AllHipHop: Well, that is kind of forever. That type of secret, yeah, definitely, definitely. Who’s the first person you told? Was it your family? You had to tell somebody.

Ez Mil: Family, because it’s a family business. So just family first and then just implementing. We would be, probably in terms of gatekeeping, before when it comes to the songs and not letting anybody hear it first before it comes out. This was different, man. It was information that, come here, we got to tell you something. It was something. And him being the mogul pioneer that he is, I’m just happy to be under his wing.

AllHipHop: Right, right. And you’re with Dre too. Dr. Dre as well. That’s such a crazy one too. Nobody since 50 Cent has been signed to both of them. That’s literally history. How do you get along with Dre? I mean, you’ve had to have hung around him a little bit, right?

Ez Mil: It’s good. It’s good. I would say it’s generally very good. Because I would say, in terms of the light of the moment as well, of course, it was Em who found me through my “Up Down (Step & Walk)” song, through the music video. And he was the one who brought that to Dre. So just at that moment, initially, hearing anything that Dre has had to say about me, he was curious too about a lot of the things but we just didn’t have much time. We ended up just listening to some songs. And he’s serious about this, bro. At the moment you saw the N.W.A kick in out of him talking to some of my people, and I was like, yeah, tell him. But it’s all cool.

AllHipHop: Yeah, that’s what’s up. You are like a multi threat. I’ve gone down the rabbit hole and I’m like, yo, this guy is so talented. Even down to the death metal, I was like, OK, let me find out. I am a little bit of a secret closeted metalhead myself.

Ez Mil: OK.

AllHipHop: I’m not playing. Obviously all the groups that I like are way before your time, but no, I’m serious. When I need to get out some aggression or I want to lift extra weight when I’m pumping weight, I don’t put on Hip Hop. Or if I do, it’s really hardcore.

Ez Mil: Has to be screaming. Not on some 6ix9ine, the ones who did it better.

AllHipHop: So talk about that, you can play instruments, you come from a musical family. I mean, I honestly can say I see you doing multiple things, not just rapping. What do you see your career path being?

Ez Mil: To be completely honest, if I specify what I would see myself doing further, because of all the things that, like you said, that I’ve done and gotten myself into in terms of the musical variety, I want to hone all of that. This is just looking further, further down the road. Probably to create a genre.

AllHipHop: OK. Create a whole new genre. That’s ambitious.

Ez Mil: I’m not the blip in the category where these new artists, because I relate to them if they go on DistroKid and start putting some stuff out there, and that would be one of the categories, one of those genres. Like, Hop, Blue Grass, and then it’s there. That’s the goal.

AllHipHop: You don’t have a name for it yet, do you?

Ez Mil: Not yet. Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait. I actually do, but I’m still in the drafts of it right now. Yeah.

AllHipHop: I’m a Grammy voting member, by the way, so we’re going to have to be able to vote when it does happen.

Ez Mil: Hey, the good looks, man.

AllHipHop: What is it about Kendrick that you gravitate to?

Ez Mil: Man too much, bro. Too much. Because at this frame of time when I was growing up, like in high school, it was really about also the rebellion state. I wasn’t doing too good in school and he’d just be my rotation. And A$AP Rocky. Specifically why Kendrick? Because of his subject matter and the topics he discusses. It’s literally paralleled what me and my cousins and friends were going through growing up in Olongapo City at that time. Where even my older cousin at the time, she said, “Yo, if you perform ‘Money Trees’ and do a cover, I feel like that. Gold.”

Yeah, yeah, we was really in whatever we was in growing up. So it was just this place of escape for us, to be able to listen to someone who was saying a lot of the things we was doing as well. Because we was really damaged kids, just growing up parentless. I wouldn’t say guardianless, but parentless, yeah.

AllHipHop: Yeah. What about A$AP? He’s very different.

Ez Mil: A$AP Rocky would have to be, I would say the get up and do it and make sure you look the best you can at that time. The fashion sense, like the swag? That’s swag, swag. We was bumping all out through the hood in the skate parks, bro. That was loud, out there. How real is this? I knew them whole people going to be feeling this. That was us, bro.

AllHipHop: There’s bars, there’s rhymes, but there’s also dances, there’s swagger. Is that your ultimate goal? Superstardom? What you aspire to be?

Ez Mil: I guess it’s part of it. I feel like it’ll help the greater cause as to what I’m trying to achieve for not just me and the immediate people around me, but the people. Because Asian American representation in terms of that light and, I don’t know, just what 50 said, maneuvering and … What’s the word that he said? Navigation, how you navigate yourself through the game is a big part of it and I just want to lead it right. And hopefully people learn from my mistakes going across the game. And having probably too much of hope that everybody would just be on your side, but that’s further from the truth. Being able to sift through people right then and there and not work with him and be able to say no.

AllHipHop: Yeah, no is a complete sentence they say. That’s what they say. Have you gotten advice from 50? 50’s really smart. He’s extremely smart.

Ez Mil: No, no, I haven’t. I haven’t. I’d love to. Just interviews.

AllHipHop: Yeah, yeah. OK, I see. No, I’m sure you will though. Now, being from The Philippines I would imagine … I just did a look, and I know Manny Pacquiao of course, but I think you’re rapidly rising as one of the most famous people to come out of The Philippines. A lot of them are politicians and stuff like that, but as far as Hip-Hop, not too much. I think you might be the most famous rapper out of the Philippines. What does that mean for you? And have you felt that type of love, being that representative on the global stage, basically?

Ez Mil: Yeah, definitely, sir. I would say I’m even still overwhelmed in terms of the warmth, in terms of the receiving of me in certain places. Because there was even this one instance where we was just in this party, in a skate rink, and there was this lady that was a family friend of our family friend. And she walked up to me and she was like, “I don’t even deserve to talk to you, sir.” Wow. Still like that, but I’m ready for it, but that’s beautiful to see for me. That’s what it means.

AllHipHop: You rap in multiple languages, your native language. How is it received over there in The Philippines? I literally am just curious. Some places it’s not well received or maybe it’s very, very rebellious. Whereas now, Hip-Hop in America is kind of like pop music.

Ez Mil: Yeah. I would say the Philippines, because the way it’s structured in terms of how people consume the music when it comes to the language barrier and whatnot… I feel like it’s important for artists like me and other ones from other countries, to really use their language that they grew up with in the records as well. Because it’s a way to teach younger generations who don’t even really listen in school. It’s why I feel like, damn I got chills, the influencer effect. Like the Kendrick Lamar and A$AP in that position, I guess. Some of these kids are going to listen to you more than their own teachers and their own parents.

And I feel that in a sense where I feel like, not subject matter so far. And right now, still. Even probably in the near future I want to go about, in terms of the message, because a lot of the raps that I rap is real rap. And I just tend to be just transparent. But other than that, I feel like English is just … The Philippines is very open with the English language because a lot of these kids, when they grow up in the Philippines too, you’d be surprised that a lot of them is English speaking, man. I could even say for myself, because I grew up with the both. I got a little English side by side.

Stay tuned for more interviews and videos from AllHipHop. (EZ Mil photo credit: Jayar Tolentino.)

Kendrick Lamar Reportedly Set To Buy $9 Million Brooklyn Condo

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Kendrick Lamar is reportedly in the process of getting himself a property in Brooklyn. According to the New York Post, the Pulitzer Prize-winning MC is moving his family, high school sweetheart/fiancée, Whitney Alford, and their two children to the buzzing borough. The couple is currently finalizing contracts on a penthouse at The Pierhouse near Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The Compton native will have to drop a pretty penny on the new abode. The spot in The Pierhouse had an asking price of $8.99 million. So, what’s he getting for such a hefty price?

The 17x-Grammy winner’s home is a three-story condominium that includes four bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, 18-foot ceilings in the living room, a den and nearly 2,000 square feet of outdoor space spread across two levels. It also encompasses a private rooftop that provides scenic views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

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Kendrick Lamar should have no problem fitting in at the property as it is a popular spot for many celebrities. Ed Sheeran is rumored to also live in The Pierhouse, as noted by Curbed.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are purportedly buying a home there at some point, too. The Pierhouse has a super tight team that respects the privacy of their residents (or potential residents).

When 6sqft was snooping around at the time to see if the famous couple was moving there, a PR rep said, “I wish that I could confirm that Jay-Z and Beyoncé had bought at Pierhouse, but I cannot confirm that. You can publish it as a rumor.”

Meek Mill Challenges Reed Dollaz To Rap Battle: “U Know Ima Call/Dm Away”

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Meek Mill recently acknowledged his battle rap days and how he was split between two worlds. In a video posted by Reed Dollaz, Meek talks about commercial success being at the tip of his fingers, while the street culture of battle emceeing was scratching at his ego.

“I’m living at the top of Beverly Hills,” he said. “I got every car you can imagine. My girlfriend at the time is a pop star. I’m looking at and I’m getting confused like ‘What the f##k … I’m losing?’ Alright yeah, this battle rapping s##t is getting kind of bad right now … but don’t put no losing [on my name], what the hell?”

As Meek continued, he showed love to battle platforms such as Headshot and the Philly battle icon Young Bob, who spearheaded the movement. He also noted he was locked into the DVD age that helped propel battle rap into its current stratosphere (i.e., Headshot and SMACK DVD). He also mentioned the hazel-eyed emcee who at one point proved to be his nemesis. According to Meek, living in Beverly Hills didn’t stop him from being a target.

“I come from Philadelphia,” he continued. “If you know me, if you follow me from like Headshot days and like Young Bob and all the rap DVD’s, we were going through a Reed Dollaz. I’m talking about he was just dropping s##t on us. I’m in the house with my own homies they like ‘Man, this is killing you right now.’ And I’m screaming to my homies is ‘Now y’all d##k riding this man. He coming at all of us.’”

Reed got wind of the conversation and captioned, “DRAAAKE! (Soulja voice) Steal sharpens steal. #phillyniggas salute #meekmill  #reeddollaz (side bar) s/o to shawty in the crowed like “reed .. THATS MY BOO.”

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Another clip, which was deleted but captured by Battle Rap Trap, had a similar vibe.

“Bro was in gladiator school with us!” Reed Dollaz said. “@meekmill . Killas respect killas! You can hate or love it but it can not be erased!! #philly #whileyouryoung #newsinglealert @linkinbio.”

Meek replied, “We might neeed to battle again verse for verse … I don’t know how to do the new style battling … I just do best verse for verse … always will put it on the line rap so boring.”

Reed followed up with “@meekmill nah foreal tho, they tried to crucify me when I came back lol but I adapted and still kept it Philly and reed! Let’s turn the culture back UP! That idea we talked about is major! Streets need broski! U know ima call/dm away!”

T.I. Names The Mount Rushmore Of Trap Music

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Trap Muzik by T.I. celebrates its 20-year anniversary in 2023. The Hustle Gang leader has been reflecting on his classic sophomore album and his impact on the Trap subgenre.

T.I. spoke to AllHipHop.com for an interview. At one point, the Atlanta-raised entertainer born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. shared his personal Mount Rushmore of Trap music stars.

“There were always three figureheads in Trap music – myself, Jeezy, and Gucci,” stated Tip. “That was always like unanimous, and nobody could even question or you can’t add or remove anybody from that. Over time, there have been conversations about who else should be allotted.”

T.I. also added, “Right now, we had the three. And us having the opportunity to also collect more data and conversation and input from the people who are the most passionate about the culture of Trap music, it’s like, ‘Who should be the fourth figurehead?'”

The Grand Hustle Records founder apparently conducted a poll to determine the final rapper to join him, Jeezy, and Gucci Mane in the pantheon of Trap music greats. T.I. revealed, “We finally came to the conclusion from the people that the fourth figurehead is Future.”

T.I. & Other Trap Music Stars Found Commerical & Critical Success

Jeezy let loose the Trap or Die mixtape in 2005. Gucci Mane declared himself a Trap God with a 2012 mixtape of the same name which followed 2005’s Trap House album. Future’s catalog consists of Trap-influenced projects like 2014’s Monster and 2015’s DS2.

Trap Muzik dropped on August 19, 2003. The Atlantic Records-backed project hosts the singles “24’s,” “Rubber Band Man,” and “Let’s Get Away” featuring Jazze Pha. The RIAA certified Trap Muzik as Platinum.

T.I. went on to release the Billboard 200 chart-toppers King in 2006, T.I. vs. T.I.P. in 2007 and Paper Trail in 2008. In addition, the 42-year-old rap veteran scored four No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Beyond helping to introduce Trap music to the world, T.I. also memorialized the acts that contributed to the sound’s success by opening the Trap Music Museum in Atlanta. Future received the museum’s Trapper Of The Year honor for 2023.

Fyre Festival II Is Happening According To Embattled Founder Billy McFarland

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Fyre Festival is coming back. Convicted felon Billy McFarland announced the return of the snakebitten event originally co-created by Hip-Hop recording artist Ja Rule.

The original 2017 Fyre Festival became a disaster for attendees, vendors and laborers. Set to take place on the Bahamian island of Great Exuma, Billy McFarland and Ja Rule’s “luxury” event ultimately became a legal nightmare as well.

McFarland pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in March 2018. A judge sentenced him to six years in federal prison. The Fyre app founder received an early release on March 30, 2022. He also faced multiple lawsuits over the canceled festival.

Billy McFarland Claims To Have A 50-Page Plan For The Event

Fyre Festival II is scheduled to take place on December 6 in the Caribbean. Ticket prices for the upcoming showcase range from $499 to $7,999. According to the Fyre Festival website, the first 100 tickets have sold out.

“This is a big day because as of right now, Fyre Festival II tickets are officially on sale,” Billy McFarland states in a YouTube video. “It has been the absolute wildest journey to get here and it really all started during the seventh-month stint in solitary confinement.”

McFarland continues, “I wrote out this 50-page plan of how I would take this overall interest and demand and fire and how I would take my ability to bring people from around the world together to make the impossible happen.”

A Breakout Star From Netflix’s Fyre Festival Doc Is Back Too

Two different documentaries covered the Fyre Festival debacle – Hulu’s Fyre Fraud and Netflix’s Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened. Andy King of Netflix fame became an internet meme. The event planner displayed loyalty to Billy McFarland by admitting he was willing to perform oral sex to secure water bottles for the concert.

Apparently, Andy King will reconnect with McFarland. He told Yahoo, “I look forward to working with Billy and our partners to share Fyre with the world. I’m so grateful to have support to help us execute the ultimate redemption.”

LeBron James Reacts To WNBA Player A’ja Wilson Scoring 53 Points

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson tied a WNBA record by putting up 53 points in a game. Wilson’s outstanding performance received recognition from NBA superstar LeBron James.

On Tuesday (August 22), A’ja Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces to a 112-100 victory over the Atlanta Dream. The two-time WNBA MVP’s 53 points in that game match Dallas Wings center Liz Cambage’s 53 points in 2018.

“She runs like a deer, jumps like a cat and catches as if she were Spider-Man,” said Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon about Wilson. “She is just special. Her real gift is in her humility and grace and how she handles herself and her teammates. She is a phenomenal superstar.”

Footwear enthusiast Nick DePaula highlighted A’ja Wilson’s 53-point game on the X social media platform by pointing out that the former University of South Carolina player wore a pair of Nike LeBron 20 sneakers for her record-tying output.

LeBron James quoted DePaula’s X post. He added, “Must be the 👟!!! Nah it’s definitely her game the whole way!! They do look good on her though! GO THE HELL OFF THEN SIS!!!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾.”

As a 19-time NBA All-Star, LeBron James has also set records throughout his two-decade career. Most famously, the Cleveland-raised athlete became the league’s all-time leading scorer in February of this year.

Additionally, James and his oldest son recently made an appearance at Drake’s “It’s All A Blur Tour” in Los Angeles. The L.A. Lakers forward and USC freshman Bronny James escorted Drake to the Crypto.com Arena stage.

Gillie Da King Challenges Joe Budden To A Celebrity Boxing Match

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Fans of two of the most popular Hip Hop-centered podcasts got to see a cross-over interview. Joe Budden of The Joe Budden Podcast recently sat down with Million Dollaz Worth of Game‘s Gillie Da King and Wallo267.

The 94-minute conversation between Joe Budden, Gillie Da King and Wallo267 covered various topics. At one point, Gillie laid down a challenge to Budden to meet him in a boxing ring.

“Let’s do a celebrity boxing match, me and you,” Gillie told Budden. The former Slaughterhouse member responded, “How much?” All three men then discussed possible payouts for the sporting event.

Gillie Da King and Joe Budden have been exchanging shots online for years. Another round in the lighthearted podcast battle took place in May when Budden made fun of Gillie’s home.

“I don’t want to hear none of the money talk from you n####. Your headboard is covering a very small window in your primary bedroom,” said Budden on his show. Then the dispute spilled onto social media.

On the latest Million Dollaz Worth of Game episode with Joe Budden as a guest, Gillie Da King shot back, “You talked about a window in my bedroom, n####. We’re doing a celebrity boxing match!”

In case there was any confusion about his intent, Gillie went on to say he was “dead f###### serious” about setting up the fight. The Philadelphia native suggested Gillie Da King vs Joe Budden could co-main event an upcoming Jake Paul pay-per-view.

“I’m gonna go train, I’m gonna spar for two months, I’m gonna beat the f###### leather off of you,” Gillie told Budden. The New Jersey-bred MC replied, “I’m gonna fold you up.”

Lauryn Hill Announces ‘The Miseducation’ Anniversary Tour With The Fugees

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel, and Ms. Lauryn Hill will reunite once again this fall. The trio, collectively known as the Fugees, are set for a 17-date global trek.

Hill announced “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour” to commemorate her 1998 debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The Fugees will also co-headline the North American shows.

“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is and was a love song to my parents, my family, my people, my musical and cultural forebears, my teachers, my loves, my Creator,” explains Hill. “I wrote love songs and protest songs— (still love songs) about the subjects and interests that inspired and moved me.”

She continues, “I was confident that what inspired me would resonate with an audience that had been led to believe that songs of that kind could only live in the past. I loved music, I loved people, I truly felt grateful to God for my life, and genuinely blessed to have a platform where I could share wisdom and perspective through music.”

Lauryn Hill Created A Timeless Classic With The Miseducation

“I felt a charge to challenge the idea that certain kinds of expression and/or certain kinds of people didn’t belong in certain places. I loved showing what could work or happen provided there was imagination, creativity and LOVE leading the way,” adds Lauryn Hill.

Many Hip-Hop historians consider The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as one of the culture’s greatest bodies of work. The RIAA certified the project as Diamond (10 million units). The Miseducation also became the first Hip-Hop album to win Album Of The Year at the Grammy Awards.

In addition, the Fugees released Blunted on Reality in 1994 and The Score in 1996. That latter studio LP earned 7x-Platinum certification and took home the Grammy for Best Rap Album in 1997. Both Wyclef and Pras also released solo efforts.

Burna Boy Facing Backlash For Claiming Afrobeats Lacks Substance

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Nigerian superstar singer/songwriter Burna Boy is facing criticism for comments he made in a recent interview about Afrobeats. 

According to the “Last Last” hitmaker, Afrobeats is devoid of any substance because the artists popularizing the genre lack life experience.  

“Half of them … 90% of them, have almost no real-life experiences that they can understand,” he explained in a new interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe.   

Burna Boy also characterized the wildly popular genre as music about “nothing,” that fails to portray the realities of life and the “essence” of the artist.  

“That’s why you hear most Nigerian music, African Music, or Afrobeats, as people call it, is mostly about nothing, literally nothing. There is no substance to it, like nobody is talking about anything. It’s just a great time, an amazing time. But at the end of the day, life isn’t an amazing time,” he stated. 

Burna Boy believes “Music should be the essence of the artist,” and their music “should be a window for you to see some of that essence.” Check out the clip below.

His comments garnered a varied response online, with fans divided by the Grammy-Award winner claims.  

Burna boy needs to apologize to Africans for talking down on Afrobeats,” wrote one X (formerly Twitter) user. 

“This is very bad,” wrote another. “In as much as we love your crafts and what you do, we won’t let you down talk AfroBeats just like that.” 

One person advised Burna Boy to “curb your selfish motives and hubris, and speak with nuance or not speak at all.” 

However, other supporters agreed with Burna Boy’s claims that Afrobeats lacked substance. 

Watch the interview below and check out some more reactions at the end of the page.  

https://twitter.com/KhaleedSZN/status/1694118239821771042?s=20

Black Thought Credits A$AP Rocky With Transforming Fabric Of New York Hip-Hop 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Black Thought is giving A$AP Rocky his flowers, crediting him with changing the landscape of NYC Hip-Hop with his “genre-transcendent” debut album.  

The Roots co-founder showed love to the “Praise the Lord” hitmaker during a discussion with Pitchfork about influential Hip-Hop albums of the last 50 years. According to Black Thought, A$AP Rocky’s seminal project is one of his favorites.  

“This album ushered in a new era of New York Hip-Hop,” he said of 2013’s LongLiveA$AP.  

“It’s so braggadocious, it’s so macho, it’s so Harlem. But it’s also genre-transcendent. He was able to blur the line between the New York hip-hop aesthetic—which was trending less at the time—and the aesthetic that was beginning to trend more: classic UGK, 8Ball and MJG. He was the bridge between dope and trill in a way that was very necessary.” 

Black Thought praised A$AP Rocky for inspiring other artists to think outside the box. “New Yorkers who had creative blinders on and weren’t able to see beyond two feet in front of them began to adopt a different perspective in their process. Rocky represents the beginning of that for me,” he added. 

Black Thought Sees Himself In A$AP Rocky

After the iconic rapper met Rocky and the rest of the A$AP Mob, who he calls “just good dudes,” he discovered they share some canny similarities, including the day they were born.  

“I really rocked with their movement,” Black Thought revealed before adding, “I see elements of myself in A$AP Rocky. 

He continued, “Later on I’d find out we share a birthday. He’s named after Rakim, who’s a huge influence of mine. He’s mellow. But he’s also one of those people I admire for his ability to continue to innovate.” 

Black Thought highlighted Rocky’s LongLiveA$AP alongside several classic albums from different eras. Among them are Big Daddy Kane’s Long Live the Kane, A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders, Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak and Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn. 

In other A$AP Rocky news, the Harlem-bred hitmaker recently welcomed his second child with partner Rihanna.

Tony Yayo Says He Doesn’t Get Enough Credit For Starting BBL Trend: “Give Me My Props” 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Tony Yayo wants recognition for popularizing the BBL trend, claiming he kicked off the movement back in 2005. 

According to the G-Unit rapper, he made it cool for thick women to appear in Hip-Hop videos, pioneering a phenomenon of women opting to undergo Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery. 

The question of who ushered in the era came up during a recent episode of the Danza Project podcast featuring Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, with the latter crediting the late DJ Kay Slay.  

According to Murda, “Kay Slay was the godfather of [that],” and credited the NYC radio icon with sparking the trend. “He damn near brought that to the game with them magazines,” he added. 

However, Tony Yayo interjected, stating that while music video directors were casting “bad Dominicans” and “bad Puerto Ricans” in Hip-Hop visuals, he set a precedent with his choice of video vixens.  

“I’m like, ‘I might want some chocolate with the fatty in my s###!’ So it came to a point where I’m like, ‘Listen, man. I gotta have this in my video.’ That’s why in ‘So Seductive’ I had Buffie the Body. She was the first BBL you seen in your life,” Yayo claimed.  

“So when you think about it, I started the BBL movement!’ he continued. “Give me my props! I started the BBL movement. I did! Not me personally, but I started the movement … That was ’04, ’05, ’06.” 

Tony Yayo gave DJ Kay Slay his flowers for “rocking hard” but insisted, “I put that s### on the forefront with the video ‘So Seductive.’” Nonetheless, he also showed love to the curvaceous star of the visuals. “That was the fattest ass you seen. Shout out to Buffie,” he declared. Check out the podcast clip below and watch the “So Seductive” video at the end of the page.. 

Elsewhere during the episode, Tony Yayo revealed J. Cole nearly signed to G-Unit. Read about it here on AllHipHop.com.  

Watch Kim Kardashian Jump Rope With North West’s Oversized Double Dutch Braids 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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North West is having fun on her adventures with her famous mother Kim Kardashian, donning a set of braids so long they’re more than twice her own height. 

On Tuesday (August 22) the SKIMS mogul shared a video from Japan of her little girl wearing a kimono, showing off her oversized braids. North walks into the frame with her long locks trailing behind her before pulling a martial arts pose. “Look at these braids,” Kim said to her daughter who looked over the moon with her new hairstyle. 

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A post shared by Kim Kardashian (@kimkardashian)

The mom-and-daughter duo has been sharing videos from their trip to Japan on their joint TikTok account. In one cute clip, Kim Kardashian jumped rope with North West’s braids. The ten-year-old held on tightly to one end while her friend held the other. Kim whoops with delight as she jumps barefoot, turning with each leap. 

“Rapunzel rapunzel jump through my hair,” West wrote on the video.  

@kimandnorth

When your hair could be used as a jump rope

♬ original sound – Kim and North

In another, little North and her friend hold up her extra-long braids as they walk through the streets of Tokyo.  

Before jetting off to Japan, Kim Kardashian treated North and her basketball team to a fancy dinner at celebrity hotspot Katsuya in Los Angeles to sample the country’s cuisine.  

The girls appeared to have come straight from a game and were dressed in their team uniforms. After sampling the high-end dishes on offer, the girls indulged in some ice cream and frozen yogurt for dessert. 

50 Cent Complains Fans Don’t Treat Him Like Drake: “They Throw Him Bras” 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Despite selling out venues all over the world with hundreds of thousands of fans pulling up to his Final Lap Tour, 50 Cent isn’t happy, telling staff to give him the Drake treatment. 

On Tuesday night (August 22) the G-Unit founder shared a video from behind the scenes of his tour. In the clip, he jokingly berates his staff for not treating him like the Canadian rap star and complains that fans aren’t throwing their bras at him. 

“They don’t treat Drake like this,” 50 Cent began. Drake, they throw him bras. What do I get?” Fiddy then asked a staffer, “please go get me some Drake fans,” before bemoaning, “S### just don’t feel right, I need to feel special around here. I need them to treat me like I’m Drake,” 

He continued, “Drake get bras every night, I used to get bras in the beginning of my career.” Check out the clip below. 

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A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

After a string of artists were hit with flying objects during their live performances, Drake asked fans to only throw bras at him, and they eagerly obliged. 

One woman received a lucrative offer from Playboy after tossing her massive bra at Champagne Papi onstage. When Drake picked up Veronica Correia’s 36G bra, he declared, “locate this woman immediately.” He didn’t track her down, but Playboy did and reached out to the woman to appear on their online platform. 

UHHM Block Party Celebrates 50 Years Of Hip-Hop With Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Melle Mel And More

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Features
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All Photos Courtesy Of Robert Adam Mayer AKA PHOTO ROB (@photorobnyc)

The looming Universal Hip-Hop Museum commemorated the 50th anniversary of the culture on its very birthday, August 11.

The block party took place a short distance from 1520 Sedgwick Ave., the historical birthplace of the Hip-Hop in 1973. Several of the original MCs, instrumental in the genesis of the genre, partook in the celebratory event, evincing palpable contentment for their involvement.

The block party served as a platform to accentuate several pivotal elements in Hip-Hop history. A myriad of performers graced the stage as part of Van Silk’s Rapmania showcase. Notable luminaries included Chuck D, Melle Mel, Scorpio, MC Shan, Milk Dee and Flavor Flav lent their artistry to the event.

Also in the the park, graffiti artists in the Thrive Collective pseudo bombed their surroundings with murals commemorating the anniversary.

Furthermore, globally recognized breakdancers delivered their performances, including Alfred “Pollo” Perez. Remarkably, took place next to the forthcoming home of Hip-Hop’s historical narrative, the Universal Museum of Hip-Hop, slated for inauguration in 2024.

Flavor Flav is for the kids

Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Scorpio and Melle Mel of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5

Fashion designer and pioneer, April Walker of Walker Wear

Melle Mel spitting hard raps

MC Shan showing The Bridge is not over.

MC Sha Rock, the first female rapper of Hip-Hop

Milk Dee of the Audio Two

Coke La Rock who some consider the first emcee ever. He rocked the mic with DJ Kool Herc.

Pioneering rapper Busy Bee

Chill Rob G, rapper from New Jersey

Jaz-O and DJ Eclipse

Rocky Bucano, Executive Director of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, and his sons

Here’s how you can support the UHHM.

Support The Museum

Blac Youngsta Brother’s Murder Update: Crystal Clear Image Of Person Of Interest Surfaces

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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Memphis Police are actively seeking a person of interest in the fatal shooting of Tomanuel Benson, the younger brother of renowned rapper Blac Youngsta.

On August 18, 2023, Benson met his tragic end at a Valero BP gas station in South Memphis. Eyewitnesses reported that an assailant from a passing vehicle was responsible for the attack.

As the investigation unfolds, a clear image of a person of interest was released to the public, a strategic move aimed at accelerating the case’s resolution.

The specific motive and the shooter’s identity remain undisclosed by the authorities. However, the incident is, unfortunately, a familiar pain for Blac Youngsta.

Blac Youngsta Brothers Murder Person of Interest (1)

He had previously lost two siblings to street violence. In 2016, another brother was killed, and in 2019, HeavyChampTD, yet another sibling, was also killed due to street violence.

Expressing his anguish on Instagram, Blac Youngsta wrote, “I love [you] baby brother,” vowing, “I’m gone make the world pay. I swear to God. Nobody [is] safe.” He further emphasized his determination to face the consequences of his words.

With the image of the person of interest now in the public domain, there’s a palpable tension on social media. Some users expressed concerns for the individual’s safety, fearing that the man might not remain unharmed after such a widespread broadcast.

“Them Folks know wat they doing that’s y they put him on blast they know he might not make it through the night,” one user noted on MPD’s official social media account, while another ominously wrote, “he won’t make it even if he turn himself in they gon handle him behind bars.”

The Memphis Police Department encourages anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 528-CASH, assuring complete anonymity for informants.

Rick Ross Becomes Focus Of Law School Course

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Georgia State University launched a new course called “The Legal Life of Rick Ross” for the fall 2023 semester. Professor Mo Ivory created the class, which explores Rozay’s career and legal dealings.

“As a lover of rap music, Hip-Hop culture and in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, I could not think of a better time to study the career of a visionary like Rick Ross,” Ivory said. “When I began my research on Ross, I realized early on that my students would learn about a businessman who turned his love of music into an empire that includes massive real estate holdings, food and beverage franchises, investments in the car and bike industry, literary works and corporate equity ownership.”

Law students will examine various contracts from Rick Ross’ career and learn from the lawyers who worked on the deals. Rozay endorsed the class, which is part of the curriculum for the Georgia State College of Law’s Entertainment, Sports & Media Law Initiative.

“The ‘Biggest’ meets the classroom,” Rick Ross said. “I’ve always been a student of the game, and I look forward to being able to teach the next generation how to keep hustling.”

Georgia State Law’s “Legal Life of…” courses began in 2019. The previous versions of the class covered Ludacris, Steve Harvey and Kandi Burruss.

Kanye West Puts One Lawsuit To Rest By Settling Dispute Over Miami Studio

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Kanye West reached a settlement with Surface Media, which sued him for not paying roughly $150,000 in rent for a Miami art studio. According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, Surface Media dropped its lawsuit against Ye.

“The Plaintiff and the Defendant hereby stipulate that the Plaintiff’s claims in the above-styled action be dismissed with prejudice with the parties to bear their own costs and attorneys’ fees,” Surface Media said in a filing. “The Court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce the terms of the Settlement Agreement, which is not currently filed as a record with the Court.”

Surface Media spent several months trying to track down Kanye West to serve him with legal documents. Its lawsuit accused him of bailing on the rent after the Miami art studio underwent a dramatic transformation per his instructions.

“My client pulled off what was essentially an overnight transformation of its art studio into a recording studio for Ye and accompanying artists,” Surface Media’s lawyer Jonathan Smulevich said. “In doing so, no request was too big or too small—Ye asked, and they delivered—and my client incurred significant costs and expenses to deliver. My client is simply asking for the payment they were promised by Ye for their hard work in customizing and renting this unique space to Ye.”

Kanye West’s settlement ended one legal battle, but he still faces several lawsuits. His pending civil cases include disputes with former Donda Academy employees, who sued him for wrongful termination.

J. Cole Went From 50 Cent’s Basement To Rap Royalty Without A Chain, Tony Yayo Says

By: Devon Jefferson Updated Category: Rumors
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J. Cole recently popped out during 50 Cent’s concert at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center, where he compared him to Michael Jackson—but according to Tony Yayo, their relationship runs deeper than just their bond as rap peers.

During an appearance on The Danza Project Podcast, Yayo followed up his bold claim that he’s the innovator behind popularizing BBL culture by revealing J. Cole nearly signed to G-Unit. While remarking on Fif’s Barclay’s Center show, Yayo broke down how he got a front row seat to watch J. Cole maintain his indenting throughout each stage of his career because the Dreamville lyricist was locked in with 50 Cent early on. In the process, Yayo made the case that part of the reason J. Cole is so cool is because he has never had to wear jewelry.

“Y’all don’t think rappers like J. Cole is cool?” Yayo questioned. “Like nobody wants to be them? They don’t gotta wear no jewelry. Like, J. Cole came out to the Barclay’s—It’s funny because he gave me mad props and I remember him being at 50 Cent house in the basement.“

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A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

Yayo continued, “We was going to sign J. Cole and he was like, ‘Yo, you seen it you seen it,’—J. Cole I need a verse. And to me, J. Cole is one of the dopest MCs, he’s loved by everybody. He don’t gotta wear jewelry—muthaf###a is in Manhattan riding bikes. You know, stop at the ball court, playing ball at the ball court in Manhattan. I mean, that’s the life man.”

Yayo is definitely not cappin’ when it comes to the J. Cole nearly signing to G-Unit scenario because 50 Cent even spoke about it. Apparently, back in the early 2000s when he was in his prime, 50 Cent was skeptical of signing conscious rappers. Not because he didn’t believe they were dope, but because the only examples he had to follow were the semi-obscure careers of artists such as Mos Def (Yasiin Bey). Can you imagine what J. Cole’s Born Sinner era would’ve been like under the guidance of 50 Cent? Or if he would’ve replaced The Game on the roster!?

Anyway, check out the clip below for more context on J. Cole and G-Unit’s woulda-coulda-shoulda story.

Yung Bleu Accused Of Kicking T-Rell Off Tour For Supporting Boosie

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Kansas rapper T-Rell got caught in the middle of Yung Bleu’s issues with Boosie Badazz. T-Rell said he was removed from Yung Bleu’s tour for being friendly with Boosie.

“Yung Bleu kicked me off tour cause Boosie posted me on IG,” T-Rell wrote on Instagram. “If you know me I ALWAYS show love to boosie he the Man who gave me a shot and put me on! Bleu knew I was cool with boosie when he asked me on tour so to kick me off tour all cause boosie posted me Is CRAZY .. I don’t play sides I’m NEUTRAL I done paid travel fees Ect smh! S### wild I don’t got NOTHING to do with they issues and if you knew I’m cool with boosie why even ask me on tour S### Goofy af @bleuvandross.”

Boosie reacted to the tour drama in his own Instagram post. The Baton Rouge native admonished Yung Bleu amid their ongoing dispute over money.

“[Don’t] F### UP THIS DUDE @trell_785 MONEY HE AINT GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS S###,” Boosie wrote. “ME N HIM HAD SONGS 6 YEARS AGO TOGETHER! SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS TO ANY OF THESE CITIES ON THE TOUR SO I CAN GET YALL THESE SHIRTS. ANYBODY SUPPORTS THAT TOUR IS SMH I AINT EVEN KNOW HE WAS ON YOUR TOUR THATS THE COLD PART! DUDE JUST SHOWING LOVE TO THE ALBUM.”

Boosie previously called out EMPIRE for failing to properly compensate him for the label’s deal with Yung Bleu, who was once signed to Boosie’s Bad Azz Music Syndicate. The opinionated rapper claimed someone forged his signature to orchestrate the deal.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwOuSayg-Yn/

Diddy Says He’s On The Edge As He Announces First Album In Over 15 Years

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Diddy announced a new project titled The Love Album: Off The Grid on Tuesday (August 22). The Bad Boy Records founder explained why he’s returning to music in a trailer for the album.

“Why am I doing this?” he said. “Especially with the success that I’ve had, especially where my life is, how stressful and treacherous this music business is. Why would I just come back in here and have to do something that I don’t have to do? My heart has been broken. I still got that question of like, ‘Am I gonna love again?’”

Diddy added, “I wanna make music. Music is my foundation, it’s my hustle, it’s my vibration.”

The teaser featured clips of Diddy working with 21 Savage, Mary J. Blige, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Swae Lee, Babyface and more. The video also showed the Hip-Hop mogul in moments of frustration as he revealed why he needed to go off the grid to record the album.

“I was so addicted to my phone, so addicted to my work, so addicted to the b#######,” he griped. “Right now, I’m on the edge and it’s just too much going on that’s unnecessary. I just can’t do it all and make this music and stay locked in.”

Diddy said he made the record like he was given a “second chance at life.” He vowed to not leave until “the world is changed.”

The Love Album: Off The Grid is scheduled to drop on September 15.

Watch the trailer below.