Jim Jones & Ron Browz Reunite On “I Started This”

It’s been roughly 10 years since Ron Browz released his debut album but even before that moment, he had racked up some legendary production credits. And while he may have produced one of the best diss tracks with “Ether,” the club bangers he’s released have continued to resonate to this day. On top of his production, his hook game has proven to be equally hard.

“Pop Champagne” with Jim Jones and Juelz Santana was just a glimpse into Browz’ chemistry with Dipset. On Friday, he slid through with a brand new record alongside Jim Jones titled, “I Started This.” Claiming their rightful credit, the two artists share boastful bars over heavy trap production for an anthem that will probably be on rotation at your local hookah bar.

Quotable Lyrics
Tell them n***as that I started this shit
My watch got that WAP, new Carti on the wrist
The whole fuckin’ summer, we up in Harlem drinkin’ rich

Air Jordan 1 “Patent Bred” Coming Later This Year: Best Look Yet

Over the years, the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Bred” has lived in infamy as the Banned Jordan shoe. Of course, this shoe was never actually banned and, in fact, the “banned” moniker was only used as a way to market the shoe. Regardless, this tactic worked as the black and red Air Jordan 1 model became a huge hit that is still highly-coveted to this day.

Later this year, Jumpman is set to release the “Bred Reimagined” colorway, otherwise known as “Patent Bred.” We have seen numerous teasers for this shoe and so far, it is clear that Jordan Brand is staying true to the OG colorway, except this time around, we get those flashy patent leather aesthetics. Thanks to @ryivibes on Instagram, we have the clearest look at these so far, and as you can tell from the post below, these are going to be amazing when they finally drop.

This brand new Air Jordan 1 model is set to drop in October of this year although an official release date has yet to be set. Keep it locked to HNHH as we will be sure to bring you all of the latest news and updates surrounding these. In the meantime, let us know what you think, in the comments below.

Ghostface Killah, Crimeapple & Jim Jones Team Up On Peter Rosenberg’s “Snake Eyes”

Peter Rosenberg’s late night show on Sundays on Hot 97 has been a pillar for underground hip-hop. Some of the brightest talent to emerge in hip-hop have found themselves getting highlighted on Real Late well before they blow up. So, when it came time to dropping an album, it was inevitable that the best in underground rap — both new and old — would come together for Rosenberg’s debut album.

On “Snake Eyes,” Rosenberg delivers a cut-throat record with the assistance of Ghostface Killah, CRIMEAPPLE, and Jim Jones. Creeping through the crevices of New York alleyways, the three rappers offer vivid portrayals of drug trafficking over chilling production from Disco Vietnam.

“If you love Ghostface, you really might f*** with Crimeapple. And Crimeapple fans may be younger and have not really realized how ill Ghostface is or they don’t realize how good to work Jim Jones is doing right now,” Rosenberg explained of the collaboration during an interview with HNHH. “I think the album works in a way where you really can get in different hip-hop fans, different generations, different interests, and hopefully, do something really positive for all of them.”

Quotable Lyrics
Flyin’ in the Swiss Alps, bullet-proof North Face
Chefs that do Jiu-Jitsu, Wu-Tang rituals
Bricks being broken on the scale bring shipped to you
Hairy-chest BeeGee music, you can sniff it to
Scatter and fat-nosed Larry, they can sniff Peru

Sleepy Hallow Keeps The Summer Hot On “Murda She Wrote”

The sounds of Brooklyn drill have traveled across America, and the world, for that matter. Plenty of artists deserve credit for bringing the sound to the masses, and an artist like Sleepy Hallow is helping carry it forward. On Friday, the rising Brooklyn artist delivered his debut album, Still Sleepy? which offers an all-encompassing glimpse into his talents. The gravelly, hard-hitting drill bars are alive and well but when he leans closer to the R&B influences, he strikes gold.

Such is the case on track 12, “Murda She Wrote.” Gentle guitar strings strum with heavenly vocals carrying through the song as Sleepy Hallow offers an honest glimpse into the trauma he’s experienced. “It’s like I never get no peace/ This anxiety makes it hard for me to speak,” he raps on the record.

Peep the song below. 

Quotable Lyrics
This anxiety make it hard for me to sleep
Fightin’ demons, you know, I barely even sleep
Your dogs pussy, they ain’t barkin’ up no trees
Nobody understand so I just talk to me

French Montana Spotted On Set Of “National Champions” Film

French Montana is one of many members of the hip-hop community who have dabbled into the world of acting. Cardi B landed her first major leading role in Paramount’s upcoming comedy film Assisted Living, while Joey Badass recently appeared in the Oscar-winning short film Two Distant Strangers. 

As for Montana, his latest on-camera gig features him starring as none other than French Montana. The New York rapper is set to play a fictionalized version of himself in an upcoming college sports drama called National Champions. 


Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

According to reports, the rapper was spotted on set Friday (June 4) at the Hyatt hotel in New Orleans filming for the movie. The sports drama boasts an all-star cast and is due sometime next year. 

Andrew Bachleor, also known as King Bach, will also be one of several famous faces in the movie. J.K. Simmons, Stephan James, Timothy Olyphant, and others will also appear alongside Montana and King Bach. 

Sources from the film’s production team tell TMZ that hotel guests who happened to be around while cameras were rolling were taken aback to see French in acting mode. 

His upcoming appearance in the film is not the first time the Morrocan-born rapper has hit the big screen. He’s appeared on Fox’s musical-drama Empire, ad he’s also starred as himself in the films The Perfect Match, The After Party, and All-Star Weekend. 

There’s no word yet on when National Champions will be out, but in the meantime, check out Montana’s acting skills in some of his other films. 

[via]

Nike Dunk High “Villanova” Coming Soon: First Look

With the Nike Dunk High and Low making a huge comeback, Nike is making sure to come out with a plethora of great colorways and retros. We have seen various Dunks from the 80s make a comeback as of late, and now, it appears as though yet another will be dropping in the not-so-distant future. The sneaker in question is the Nike Dunk High “Villanova” which first dropped back in 1986.

This shoe boasts the color scheme of the infamous University, as the base of the sneaker is mostly white while the overlays are all navy blue. The color scheme might be simple, but it is certainly effective and there is no denying that fans of the basketball team will want to cop these for their collections. Overall, these stay true to the original and there is no denying that the Nike Dunk resurgence is in full swing and ready for another multi-year run.

These kicks are going to be coming out in the summer time, although no concrete release date has been given. Stay tuned to HNHH as we will be sure to bring you the latest updates on these. In the meantime, let us know what you think, in the comments below.

Nike
Image via brandon1an
Nike
Image via brandon1an
Nike
Image via brandon1an

R&B Recruit Young Rog Drops Moody “Destiny”

R&B’s new kid on the block Young Rog is back with a new release after breaking out this year. The new track “Destiny” comes after the up-and-coming singer scored a massive collaboration in February with fellow Love Renaissance member Summer Walker on “Bullshit.” Young Rog brings that same energy on this new release, though now proving he can easily hold his own.

“Destiny” is very moody at its core. With gently pulsing pads and a simple yet gradually expanding drum pattern, the track presents itself as a standout in airy R&B. The rising and falling bells that appear intermittently are also a very nice atmospheric touch.

When the beat eventually drops, a catchy melody with powerful vocal harmonies shows that the singer is right there with it. Young Rog’s voice is loud and intimate in the mix, allowing his soothing riffs and lyrics to take the stage. Paired with the atmospheric production, the lyrics — which find the singer reaching out for his lover and wanting intimacy — establish the song as a perfect moody slow jam for summer nights. 

With his new partnership at Love Renaissance with acts like and 6lack, there is sure to be more music on the way.

Check out the song below as well as our R&B SEASON playlist on Spotify!

Quotable Lyrics:

Shorty all I need is your love, Shorty all I need
Is your touch
Wrapped around me, trapped around me
Said she can’t go nowhere no one else
Makes her feel like this well, come destiny
Girl I got what you need, yea

Solange Debuts Her Short Film, ‘Passage,’ With Help From Dionne Warwick, KeiyaA, And More

Solange is a woman of many talents, so it’s only right that she was asked to put together a video that shined a light on the finalists for the 2021 International Woolmark Prize. According to the award’s website, The International Woolmark Prize “celebrates outstanding fashion talents from around the globe who showcase the beauty and versatility of Australian Merino wool. It is the world’s most prestigious award for rising fashion stars.” The 2021 finalists for the award include Bethany Williams, Kenneth Ize, LECAVALIER, Matty Bovan, Thebe Magugu, and Casablanca.

The singer’s short film, titled Passage, features a cast of celebrities who wear clothing designed by the finalists for the International Woolmark Prize. Dionne Warwick rocks clothing created by Magugu while Dominique Jackson from FX’s Pose is found in work by Kenneth Ize. Rapper SahBabii and singer KeiyaA also appear in the visual directed by Wu Tsang. In a lengthy statement, Solange spoke about Passage and her inspiration behind the film.

In continuing Saint Heron’s world-making practice, Passage further explores my interest in theatrical production through the translation of identity, spirit, philosophy and creation. Whether it be through album artwork, stage design, or filmmaking, I’ve always sought to create new visual languages that encompass the expressions my other works cannot communicate. I’m inspired to expand these processes through the Saint Heron Agency with a wider scope of collaborations and projects. To reflect on and honor the creative process with the 2021 International Woolmark Prize finalists, Passage aligns with Saint Heron’s mission to reverence creation as life, from abstraction to being. I’ve been a longtime fan of Wu Tsang’s work and to be able to work alongside her, the Saint Heron team, and all of the incredible artists and designers in the film, really fortifies the ethos of collaboration and communal creative exchange that we wish to continue to embody.

You can watch the film in the video above.

Dionne Warwick is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Internet Thinks Ray J Started The Beef Between Biggie & Tupac

Recently, social media has recognized Ray J as an often-forgotten pioneer of many of the culture’s most adored aspects. Vince Staples even once boldly claimed, “Everything we love is directly related to Ray J.” While a tongue-in-cheek dramatization, the younger brother of Brandy has managed to influence some of the most obscure situations. 

In a viral social media thread, conspiracy theorists now believe that the TV personality may be responsible for igniting the infamous East Coast vs. West Coast beef between Tupac and Biggie. In a recent interview, Ray J spoke candidly about his experiences growing up around many Hip Hop legends as the cousin of Snoop Dogg, including a time he walked in on Faith Evans, who had a relationship with Biggie, sitting on Tupac’s lap. 


Amy Sussman/Getty Images

“25 years ago today, Tupac drops Hit Em Up,” explained the tweet, referring to the track Pac debuted where he suggested he and Faith had sexual relations. “Faith says nothing happened Snoop’s cousin is running around Death Row He’s only 15 He says he saw Faith sitting on Tupac’s lap in the studio Wait a minute ain’t that…,” finished the tweet, attaching a photo of a young Brandy and Ray J. 

Although Faith denied the allegations in her memoir, Ray J seemingly confirmed the rumors of Pac and Faith’s intimate relationship. “We walked in one day and Faith was sitting on Pac’s lap while Pac was writing a verse. It was like, ‘What the f–k is going on?” said Ray J in a previous interview with Rhapsody. 

He added, “That was one of the craziest sights, dog. Faith was in Pac’s lap. I was like, ‘What the f–k? I know I’m not? Is that? It can’t?’ Three weeks later, ‘Hit Em Up’ came out.”

In response to the viral conspiracy thread, one user posed, “So you’re telling me. If Ray J didn’t exist, Tupac, biggie would still be alive and Kardashian clan would be no more? Looks like it’s my mission to convince someone’s momma to swallow.” 

Another user joked, “Bruh… Ray J May not have started the Pac/B.I.G beef but he brought the kerosene.” What are your thoughts on the convincing argument? 

[via]

TOBi Radiates Summer Energy On “Don’t Touch!”

TOBi’s 2020 full release ELEMENTS Vol. 1 struck a chord with vibes R&B fans, and the 28-year-old Nigerian and Canadian singer is riding off that success in 2021. Following a few collaborations and remixes of tracks off his last album, TOBi is back with “Don’t Touch!” This bouncy new track is sure to make it on to at least one of your Summer playlists, especially with KAYTRANADA and BADBADNOTGOOD’s hand in the production.

The track is pure energy from the beat to the vocals. A relentless kick drives the song all the way throughout with a complimentary snare and light hi-hat pulsing in and out of the track. Lush distorted chords flood the song every four beats accompanied by faint bells that provide an instrumental foundation while keeping TOBi’s voice the star of the song. Finally, an incredibly groovy bass line leads the verses and becomes more prominent in the chorus. 

TOBi’s vocals and melodies are simultaneously hypnotic and exciting. His rasp carries him seamlessly through heavily repeated lines and fast-paced verses so that there is never a dull moment.

The song stands to surely be another stand-out from the young singer. Check it out below and let us know what you think!

Quotable Lyrics

Who’s that, who’s that?
Real demolition man
My influencer’s ain’t got likes on their Instagram
But the moves they make just might break the Richter, man
Might fix your instrument