Once upon a time, back before we all had supercomputers in our pockets but after video killed the radio star, the place to go to learn more about the then-nascent music and culture of hip-hop was Yo! MTV Raps (at least for those of us outside the New York tri-state area). Airing in the US from 1988 to 1995, the two-hour video block was the first of its kind on the network, airing rap videos, interviews with rappers, and in-studio performances. It was the first time many folks outside of urban America got to see the exciting new art form as it gained in popularity and power.
With the exception of a few anniversary shows, the block has been off the air for over 25 years. However, that’s soon to change thanks to the new streaming service Paramount+, which is relaunching the show with battle rapper/MTV fixture Conceited as the host alongside DJ Diamond Kuts. Like its predecessor, the show revival is set to feature interviews, performances, and, perhaps inspired by the original show’s legendary final episode, live ciphers from some of hip-hop’s hottest rising stars.
The show will premiere on May 24 with Freddie Gibbs and will air weekly, with future takeovers from Latto, Saba, JID, Shenseea, Tee Grizzley, IDK, and Trina. According to Complex, more stars including Baby Tate, Just Blaze, and Maino will appear throughout the season. In addition, Paramount+ will feature archived episodes from the show’s original run alongside past episodes of VH1’s Behind The Music and another pivotal MTV staple, Unplugged.
Check out the trailer for the return of Yo! MTV Raps above.
This month’s slate of Artists To Watch is especially eclectic and positively fire. Follow along as we jump from dynamic British afrobeats and the next rapper about to take over, to an indie band on repeat, real Brazilian sh*t, and more. These are the artists to watch for in May. And this is On The Up.
Obongjayar
The Nigerian-born, London rapper came firmly into focus last year on Little Simz’s track “Point And Kill.” But it was on the first single from his upcoming album, “Message In A Hammer,” (with one of the best videos of last year) where we get to witness the menacing, raspy-tongued rapper establishing his piercing singular vision. A dynamic MC, he fuses British rap and afrobeats with a silky vocal delivery that touches newfound forms of R&B. On “Try,” the whole range of his voice — from a fine-grain sandpaper flow to his sweet coo over atmospheric production — is on full display. His debut, Some Nights I Dream of Doors, is due out on May 13th.
Momma
While Momma’s third LP (and first since signing with Polyvinyl Records), Household Name, isn’t out until July 1st, the singles that the Brooklyn alt-indie band has released leading up to it oughta be living on repeat in your speakers. Led by Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten, Momma has heavy vibes of The Breeders, with the vocalist pair complementing each other a la Kim and Kelley Deal. They supported Wet Leg on their sold-out tour earlier this year and will be joining Snail Mail for theirs in August. But we can’t say enough about how sticky Momma’s first three singles are. They channel ’90s nostalgia in a decidedly of-the-moment package, like on “Speeding 72” when they sing, “You can catch us around, Listening to “Gold Soundz”. Keep me in your car,” before a harmonic guitar riff takes the melody into space.
Domi & JD Beck
The future is here. Domi & JD Beck are two jazz prodigies signed to Anderson .Paak’s Apeshit label, who are starting to build some serious buzz. They backed Thundercat and Ariana Grande’s version of “Them Changes” at the 2020 Adult Swim Festival, sat in with the legendary Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl last year, co-wrote Silk Sonic’s “Skate,” and their debut album is due out later this year on Apeshit and Blue Note Records. The 21-year-old Domi plays keys, is French, and sports blonde pigtails that flap in unison with her hypnotic fingers tickling the ivories. At 18, the shaggy-haired JD Beck plays drums like he’s possessed by Gregory Coleman, and puts down some of the most dizzying snare work you’ve ever heard. They just dropped their debut single, “Smile,” which features .Paak, Thundercat, and Mac DeMarco in the hilarious video. The visual is a prime example of how they infuse child-like fun into complete and utter mastery of their instruments and it’s them who will surely continue to spread the gospel of real next-level jazz music to future generations.
Sessa
In 2019, Brazilian singer and multi-instrumentalist emerged as a unique talent in the shape of the bossanova and tropicalia greats like Caetano Veloso, João Gilberto, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. His debut album, Grandeza, presented gorgeously-woven poetic expressions of love that only Brazilians are capable of articulating. Now he’s signed to Mexican Summer for the June 24th release of Estrela Acessa and the lead single, ”Gostar Do Mundo,” is a globally-minded declaration of otherworldly desire. Alongside a gentle guitar, Brazilian percussion, and female backing singers, he swoons, “Chega mais pra cá, moço lindo desse lugar. Vem me namorar, sabe o mundo vai acabar”. (translation: “Come closer, good looking man from this place. Come nestle up against me, because the world is ending you know.”) This is the stuff right here.
Doechii
Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) has been notoriously insular in thrusting forward the career of artists from Kendrick Lamar to SZA. But when the venerable hip-hop label announced a new partnership with Capitol Records last month, Doechii was at the center of it. The Tampa rapper is here to usher in the next movement of the TDE roster and she’s come out with a serious bang. The absolutely bonkers (and NSFW) video for “Crazy” feels like it’s floating fiercely over an OG Timbaland beat (it’s actually produced by Kal Banx.) On “Persuasive,” she flashes a silkier side of herself, one that’s indulgent and coyly extravagant. No word yet on an album release, but don’t be sleeping on Doechii.
Doechii is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music.
Pusha T took to Instagram this past Sunday evening to celebrate as his latest album, It’s Almost Dry, earned the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Over audio of the track “Let The Smokers Shine The Coupes,” the 44-year-old posted a moving graphic displaying the album’s accomplishments with various photos of himself in the background. In the caption, he started, “We all can’t be number 1 at the same time, this week it’s mine… [sunglasses emoji].”
He also thanked and tagged executive producers Pharrell and Kanye West; manager Steven Victor and his staff; Tunji Balogun and the entire Def Jam label; featured artists such as Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Lil Uzi Vert, and many more who played a part in his fourth solo album. Pusha also shouted out his wife Virginia Thornton, son Nigel Brixx Thornton, and paid homage to his late parents.
This marks the Virginia rapper’s first No. 1 album after over twenty years in the game, starting as one half of the duo Clipse alongside Malice (formerly known as No Malice, also featured on It’s Almost Dry) before going solo. It’s Almost Dry debuted with 55,000 album units sold, 45,500 of which are streaming equivalent album units in addition to 9,000 pure sales.
Prior to It’s Almost Dry, his 2018 LP Daytona earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album, and Pusha was also featured on West’s “Mercy,” nominated for Best Rap Song in 2013.
Lil Uzi Vert is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The father of Madlib and his younger brother Oh No, Otis Jackson, Sr., has passed away, members of Stones Throw Records confirmed on Sunday. While Madlib hasn’t commented on the news publically, Oh No reposted a tribute from Egon, who served as general manager of the record label from 2000 until 2011.
“I knew him nearly as long as I’ve known Madlib and Oh No, and any that know the brothers, and so many of their compatriots, know that they got their start in music because of Otis’s, and his wife Sinesca’s, belief in their musical excellence,” Egon wrote in his post. “He should be one to know – he was a soul singer of high regard, the kind of singer who even impressed the great David Axelrod, who, in our first meeting, was effusive in his praise for Madlib’s dad.”
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
The tribute includes a picture of Jackson, Sr. in front of Rappcats, in 2018.
Jackson, Sr. was a musician in his own right, working as a soul singer who collaborated with legends such as Tina Turner, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and Johnnie Taylor.
Rapper Wildchild, who is a member of Lootpack with Madlib and DJ Romes, also honored Jackson, Sr. with a lengthy post on social media.
“RIP Mr Jackson!” Wildchild wrote on Instagram. “This Gentleman here was the 1st meaning of support for me! He was my (Equalizer) ‘This ain’t yo house, Get yo feet off my couch Jack, but make yourself at home but realize this ain’t your home so respect my shit!’ Lol I didn’t get that til later in life.”
“He wasn’t my father but gave guidance as a father figure would do,” he continued. “He was there when Lootpack was first formed. He was our first manager as our crew CDP was developing. He and Mrs Jackson (RIP) were both there when I decided to propose to my wife @cyndeebrown . I witnessed how he supported his sons @ohnothedisrupt & @madlib as we jumped into HIPHOP. For that I will always be thankful. May you rest in Heaven Mr Jackson.”
Check out the tributes to Madlib and Oh No’s father below.
On Sunday, May 1st, Ziwe shared a clip from her chat with Char on her Twitter page, captioning it, “I asked Charlamagne about his beefs with Black women,” setting the scene for what was about to unfold in front of our eyes.
Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images
If you’ve tuned into any of the South Carolina-born radio host’s shows before, you may know that he has a history of arguing with some of the guests – and even his own co-host, Angela Yee – from time to time.
“So, you’ve had beefs with Lil Mama, Mo’Nique, Cassie, Azelia Banks, your own co-host Angela Yee, the list goes on and on and on and on,” Ziwe began, with the camera cutting to Char every so often to show his reaction. “Beefs is a strong word,” he replied.
“You’ve maligned Black women,” Ziwe shot back. “So, why do you hate Black women, exactly?” she asked the 43-year-old.
Charlamagne quickly clarified that he loves Black women, although he admitted, “I guess I can see where people would say that, if you want to take those three or four times and put them together in a montage.”
We then cut to a so-called “incriminating montage” of clips from TBC that find Tha God going head to head with some of the Black women that Ziwe had just named, further proving her point. Afterwards, the host asked Char if he would consider donating 100% of his salary to “Black women’s reparations” to which he said, “I will pledge that I will help Black women make a lot of money,” going on to list his wife and four daughters as people he can assist.
“Brave,” Ziwe sarcastically responded, dubbing Charlamagne a “feminist icon” with editing on-screen – check out the full clip above, and let us know what your thoughts are in the comment section.
Joel Embiid is currently out of the Philadelphia 76ers lineup as he is dealing with an orbital fracture over his left eye. This injury stems from an incident in Game 6 against the Toronto Raptors where Embiid fell to the ground and hit his eye. Embiid was left in the game while up by 29 points with just five minutes to go. At that point, Embiid should have been removed from the game, but Doc Rivers didn’t seem to care to do so. Having said that, it is going to cost the Sixers dearly against the Miami Heat.
Embiid is expected to miss the first few games of the second round as the Sixers take on the Heat. These are crucial games for the 76ers, and without Embiid, it is going to be very difficult to win. Recently, Danny Green went in-depth about the injury on his podcast. As you will see, Embiid was visibly shaken up, although like the Warrior he is, he still wanted to play.
Cole Burston/Getty Images
“We saw him on the plane after the game and he was holding his head – it seemed pretty severe,” Green said. “We didn’t know (how bad it was), there were no stitches, I saw a little scratch. But when it happened, he kind of wanted to go back in the game. We’re like, ‘Joel, you can’t go back in the game. We subbed you out and challenged the replay.’ Mind you, we probably should’ve pulled the plug a little earlier. But I mean, it is what it is.
“We were waiting for Nick (Nurse) to throw his subs in first. It is what it is, like I said. He came out, it seemed like the adrenaline, he still wanted to play. But once I think it set in and after the game, you could see in the locker room he was holding his head a lot. He was kind of a little leery, his body seemed a little weary. On the plane, he was under the covers – usually they play cards. On the bus, he kind of just laid down, covered his face, I think the lights were getting to him.”
It remains to be seen when Embiid will get back, however, if one thing is for sure, it’s that the Sixers would like to see him back on the floor as quickly as humanly possible.
With that said, stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news and updates from the NBA world.
Busta Rhymes and Dave Chappelle are teaming up for a new tour blending both comedy and music aptly titled the Dave & Busta Tour. The duo performed together at Netflix Is A Joke Festival at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend. Swizz Beatz, Usher, Ludacris, and Affion Crockett watched on from backstage.
Afterward, the two were spotted together at an afterparty with Thundercat, Affion Crockett, Deon Cole, Tiffany Haddish and Nicole Sherzinger.
Mike Coppola / Getty Images
Chappelle announced the joint tour during a recent stand-up set with Chris Rock, which was shared on Instagram by Busta.
“There is nobody better than Busta Rhymes,” Rock says in the clip.
Chappelle adds, “Oh, I gotta tell you. Me and Busta are gonna start doing a tour together. It’s not even a show — it’s more like a party. It’s called Dave & Busta’s.”
“@davechappelle x The Dragon #DAVE&BUSTATOUR Stay tuned for dates comin’ soon!! The Blessing ain’t stoppin’!!!” Busta wrote in the caption of the Instagram post.
This won’t be the first time the legendary comedian has teamed up with the rapper. Back in 2014, Busta was one of the guests featured for Chappelle’s string of shows at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Other artists included Kanye West, Nas and Erykah Badu.
The full schedule for Busta and Chappelle’s tour together has yet to be announced.
Check out some highlights from social media below.
He also tagged the “Levitating” singer in his Instagram video, leading some fans to believe that the two have a collaboration in the works.
This is not the first time Jack has shared his love for the pop star. “I like Dua Lipa,” he told “Extra” when asked who he was excited to see at last month’s Grammys. They also recently started following each other on Instagram.
It’s possible that Dua is featured on Jack’s new album Come Home the Kids Miss You, which drops Friday. The project has already spawned the Fergie-sampled hit “First Class,” which became his first solo No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“My new shit is much more serious,” he told Rolling Stone of the follow-up to his 2020 debut Thats What They All Say. “Right now, my message is letting muh’fu**ers know I love hip-hop, and I’m one of the best in my generation. You can’t do that with nonchalant, like, ‘Eeey, I got the bitches,’ in clever ways over and over again. I got to dig deeper this time.”
