Month: June 2023

Stormzy’s Best Rap Collaborations: Headie One, Dave & More

by

Stormzy is officially back with his latest single, “Toxic Trait.” The song features London rapper Fredo and is produced by Dave. “Toxic Trait” is Stormzy’s first release since his last album, 2022’s This Is What I Mean. The project was a reflective opus that saw Stormzy singing for a large portion of the tracklist. Although he still rapped on many songs, the rapping on This Is What I Mean was very personal and meditative compared to the explosive bangers on Gang Signs & Prayer and Heavy Is the Head. Stormzy sang on his previous albums but fully leaned into singing on This Is What I Mean. Besides a few bars from Ms. Banks, Stormzy’s last album did not feature any rappers. Therefore, “Toxic Trait” is Stormzy’s first rap collaboration in a while. It is the first time he and Fredo have collaborated, and it marks his second song with Dave. 

The UK icon has worked with rap and grime legends throughout his career, allowing new artists to shine on his albums. Songs like “Bad Boys” with Ghetts and J Hus or “Audacity” with Headie One are perfect examples. Stormzy’s competitive spirit has allowed him to shine on songs with other skilled lyricists, like “Dead Body Part 2+3” with Little Simz and Kano or “Energy” with Avelino and Skepta. This new single with Fredo is representative of how Stormzy encourages other rappers to step up their game while they bring the best out of him. Take a look at the list of Stormzy’s Top 5 best rap collabs below, ranked from least to greatest.

5. Headie One feat. AJ Tracey & Stormzy – “Ain’t It Different” (2020)

Headie One’s debut album, 2020’s EDNA, was a star-studded event full of the UK’s biggest stars and rising names to look out for. One of the album’s significant highlights and biggest singles was “Ain’t It Different.” The song departed from Headie’s typical drill sound and samples songs from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, M-Dubs, and Lady Saw. The three approach the track with unique flows. Headie keeps his drill flow and raps about how prison has affected him, and AJ Tracey spits about his successes. Stormzy raps from a more mature perspective, reminiscing on when he first got into rapping while continuing to flex. “Ain’t It Different” saw three of the biggest names in the UK from different parts of London and is a career highlight for not just Stormzy but for Headie One and AJ Tracey as well.

4. Stormzy feat. Aitch – “Pop Boy” (2019)

Stormzy may be a lyricist who raps about personal and comments on important societal issues, but many of his most enjoyable songs are when he stunts on his peers. “Pop Boy” is an explosive banger from Heavy is the Head featuring Aitch, who was just starting to reach mainstream recognition at the time. On “Pop Boy,” Stormzy revels in his success while acknowledging criticisms that he went pop and sold out. He stands firm at the top of the UK scene and embraces his mainstream status. Aitch, now a household name in the UK, impresses with his verse as he slides over the beat with ease.

3. Ghetts feat. Stormzy – “Skengman” (2021)

“Skengman” was the second time that Ghetts and Stormzy had collaborated. Much like “Bad Boys” from 2017, the grime legend and the rap superstar brought the best out of each other on this song. The track’s instrumental sounds like a mysterious James Bond theme, creating a sinister atmosphere for Ghetts and Stormzy to spit some of their toughest bars.

The two sound calm and collected even when they rap menacing lyrics. Ghetts starts the song with a nimble rhyme pattern and ends the song with a choppy and aggressive delivery. Stormzy’s appearance in the song is its own cinematic moment as the production shifts around his verse. Ghetts and Stormzy complement each other, making for one of Ghetts’s best songs and one of Stormzy’s best rap collabs.

2. Chip & Stormzy – “Hear Dis” (2015)

Chip and Stormzy teamed up for “Hear Dis” in 2015, the year after grime had its cultural reset and propelled the genre to new heights. “Hear Dis” was a big moment for both Chip and Stormzy at the time. Chip led grime’s second generation before signing to T.I.’s Grand Hustle label and moving stateside. He then left the U.S. and set out to reconquer the grime scene. Chip did just that, reinventing himself and engaging in some of the genre’s biggest beefs. In 2015, Stormzy was just a rising name, gaining recognition with freestyles and viral hits. 

A collaboration between the two helped establish Chip as an elder statesman in grime, and his co-sign helped Stormzy gain respect in the scene. The song itself is phenomenal as Chip and Stormzy trade bars back and forth over a traditional grime instrumental from the late DJ Scholar. The two showed immaculate chemistry on the song, which unfortunately may never happen again as Chip and Stormzy beefed many years later.

1. Dave feat. Stormzy – “Clash” (2021)

“Clash” is a collaboration between two of the UK’s biggest stars in their most impeccable form. Over a drill instrumental, Dave and Stormzy rap at the highest level, approaching the song differently. Dave’s delivery is relaxed, while Stormzy’s lively verse brings nuance to the song. In addition to how they complement each other, the beat switch during Stormzy’s verse excites the listener. The sudden switch leads to the two trading verses. The song is also quite catchy, making for one of the biggest hits of both of their careers and one of the best UK rap collabs.

[via]

The post Stormzy’s Best Rap Collaborations: Headie One, Dave & More appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Jess Hilarious Says Lil Meech Isn’t Her Type, Claims He’s “Reaching”

by

During a recent radio appearance, Jess Hilarious discussed ongoing drama surrounding allegations that Lil Meech was cheating on Summer Walker. She shared her thoughts, insisting that the allegations are true and advising him to “keep cheating” on Walker so fans can get some good music out of it. She further went on to claim that Lil Meech is “smelly,” leading the couple to respond.

The pair clearly didn’t appreciate her comments, firing back back by posting DMs Lil Meech had previously received from the comedian. “How I stink but this unstable creature @jesshilarious_official in my DMs trying to get chose?” Lil Meech responded. He added, “I see why U mad now,” alongside laughing emojis. “This is a crazy world we live in.” He then claimed that Jess Hilarious must “like smelly n****s.” Meech’s girlfriend, Summer Walker, also chimed in to defend him. “Thirsty a*s girl must have caught amnesia,” she explained, “worried about my DMs & forgot about these.“

Read More: Blueface’s Mom Blasts Jess Hilarious For Messaging Lil Meech & Dissing Her

Jess Hilarious Explains The DMs

In a recent interview with The Shade Room, Jess Hilarious discussed the drama. “It was a lot,” she reveals. She went on to claim that she was never trying to get with Lil Meech, insisting that he’s not her type. She explained that she was having a birthday party in Baltimore that she wanted him to attend, which explains why she asked him if he was in town. “I know he was stinking even more reaching that far,” she says about the accusations. “I think that he’s dope doing his dad’s role,” she adds, “I was complimenting [him].”

Recently, Walker shared another message about the situation on social media, where she calls Jess Hilarious “a really weird a*s b*tch.” “What Black woman hopes another Black woman keeps getting cheated on?” she wrote in an Instagram Story, “That’s dark.” She went in on the comedian, telling her “You’d think being so ugly you’d try to be sweeter.“

Read More: Summer Walker Calls Jess Hilarious “Ugly,” Claps Back After Lil Meech Comments

[Via]

The post Jess Hilarious Says Lil Meech Isn’t Her Type, Claims He’s “Reaching” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Wack 100 Calls Gunna A “Bozo,” Responds To Diss

by

Wack 100 recently appeared on the No Jumper podcast, where he discussed Gunna’s apparent diss. Allegedly, Gunna calls Wack 100 out on his song “i was just thinking,” which is part of the new album he released earlier this month, a Gift & a Curse. On the song, Gunna appears to reference him with the lyrics, “You wack n***as can’t get with this, I’m one hundred for sure.” “What he should have said,” he explains, is “Wack 100 never be a Gunna.” He then described his new line as “bars.” When the host asked him how he felt about Gunna calling him out in the song, he responded, “Good looking out, Gunna. Bozo.”

“You took the motherf*cking bait,” he explains, “you took the cake.” He then went on to call Gunna a “bozo” several more times. “Learn how to sit down and shut the f*ck up,” he tells Gunna, “and not do what we want you to do.” “That’s why your a*s is a little bitty a*s boy,” he says, “thanks for the clout.” Wack 100 continued, describing clout as “the new cocaine.”

Read More: Wack 100 Defends YNW Melly After Alleged Interrogation Footage Surfaces

Wack 100 Thanks Gunna For The Clout

Wack 100 had previously shared his thoughts on allegations that Gunna “snitched” on Young Thug amid the YSL RICO trial. He discussed thinking Gunna is guilty of “snitching” following the release of a Gift & a Curse. “He told,” he said during a Clubhouse discussion. “Listen… you’re not pleading guilty to a RICO, and they’re freeing you. He did something.” 

Gucci Mane also recently dissed him on his new song with Lil Baby, “Bluffin.” In the song, he raps “I ain’t arguin’ on no internet, I’m not Wack100.” He later took to social media to respond. “You dissed me huh,” he wrote, “I heard dat sh*t.” He added, “Diss track response coming in 2 days ‘KNOCK OFF GUCCI’ IM REALY THE MANE! Sit down nay sayers we’re family Go stream dat sh*t NOW.”

Read More: Gucci Mane Shades Wack 100 On “Bluffin” Collab With Lil Baby

[Via]

The post Wack 100 Calls Gunna A “Bozo,” Responds To Diss appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Nicki Minaj Posts Racy Behind The Scenes Picture From “Barbie World”

by

Nicki Minaj recently made an Instagram announcement about the release of her song “Barbie World,” which serves as a promotional track for the new Barbie film and features Ice Spice. Accompanied by a promotional image of herself and Ice, Nicki shared the news in a caption stating, “It’s BARBIE B!CH If you still in DOUBT. #BarbieWorld JUNE 23rd… PRE-SAVE NOW!!!!” This announcement comes shortly after Minaj revealed that her upcoming album will be released on October 10. Additionally, Minaj shared a snippet from the end of the Barbie trailer, which featured the original Aqua song, hinting at its inclusion in her own release. Subsequent snippets confirmed this assumption.

The collaboration between Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice marks their second joint project in recent months. They previously collaborated on the remix of Ice’s song “Princess Diana,” which gained significant popularity, especially for Ice Spice. The remix reached #4 on the Billboard 100 and topped the Billboard Rap charts. Currently, it has spent seven weeks on the charts and currently holds the #48 position, generating substantial interest in Ice Spice from the general public. With their new single, the duo aims to replicate the success they achieved with their previous collaboration.

Nicki Looks Like A Real-Life Barbie In New Behind The Scenes Photo

Yesterday, Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice dropped their second collaboration, “Barbie World.” Fans have been eating it up. Both Nicki and Ice have also dropped some behind the scenes looks at the creation of the video. Nicki took to Twitter to post a photo of herself in front of a blue screen filming the video. The picture features Nicki in a barely-there swimsuit with pink hair and oversized sunglasses. It looks like the pair had quite a bit of fun filming the Barbie-themed video.

In the song “Barbie World,” Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice demonstrate their undeniable chemistry. The track creatively samples Aqua’s “Barbie Girl,” incorporating a modern Brooklyn drill sound produced by RiotUSA. This update gives the song a fresh and contemporary vibe. Both Minaj and Ice showcase their impressive rap skills, delivering intense verses that complement each other’s passionate energy. The chorus includes lyrics like “I’m bad like the Barbie / I’m a doll but I still wanna party” and “Pink ‘Vette like I’m ready to bend / I’m a ten, so I pull in a Ken.” This collaboration signifies Minaj’s mentorship of Ice Spice, suggesting that we can anticipate great things from Ice Spice in the near future.

The post Nicki Minaj Posts Racy Behind The Scenes Picture From “Barbie World” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Usher Crowd-Surfing During Las Vegas Concert

by

Fans probably knew what to expect going into Usher’s residency in Las Vegas, or so they thought. Yesterday a video surfaced on Twitter of Usher jumping into the audience and crowd-surfing in the middle of a song. While crowd-surfing isn’t anything unusual at a show Usher probably isn’t the first name you’d think of doing it. Usher is in the middle of a residency at the MGM in Las Vegas playing a number of shows in June and July. He’s also scheduled to return to the stage later this year for a further residency in October.

Earlier this month Usher performed at The Roots’ Picnic festival in Philly. Before his Sunday night set fans caught videos of him just walking around the festival. Fans went crazy around the singer as he made his way through the crowd during someone else’s set, much to his amusement. Alongside Usher, the festival roster included GloRilla, Lauryn Hill, Ari Lennox, City Girls, and more.

Usher Dives Into The Crowd

Last month Usher was asked about what his dream collaboration was and the answer was pretty surprising. His choice was the legendary film director and king of mobster movies Martin Scorsese. While he’s been in a handful of movies before his dream job would be collaborating with the Goodfellas director. In the same interview, he made sure not to get fans’ hopes up after a recent rumor. The singer confirmed that there was no plan to release a sequel to his classic 2004 album Confessions. Instead, he’s trying to look forward and come up with new ideas to pursue.

Usher’s last album came out back in 2016. Hard II Love was his 8th album and it debuted at number 5 on the Hot 100. He followed it up with a short collaborative project with Zaytoven called in 2018 called A. He dropped “GLU” his first new single of 2023 so far and his most recent new material back in March. What do you think of Usher crowd-surfing during his residency in Las Vegas? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: What Is Megastar Usher’s Net Worth In 2023?

[Via]

The post Usher Crowd-Surfing During Las Vegas Concert appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Photos Surface In Nicki Minaj Damaged Jewelry Lawsuit

by

Nicki Minaj is currently facing a lawsuit from a jewelry store. They have accused her of causing damage to the items they had loaned to her. Recently, photos of the jewelry pieces in question have emerged. The pictures are considered evidence, and they are being presented in court as such. Apparently, one of the photographs shows a diamond ring with two missing pieces. A written contract backs the agreement of Nicki Minaj and the store. It includes the signature of her stylist, Brett Alan Nelson. The invoice shows that the transaction was final. As such, there was no option for refunds or exchanges.

The jewelry store, Roseark, claims that Minaj and her team failed to return 66 items within the agreed timeframe. The items were allegedly defective when they were eventually returned. Roseark sent Minaj a bill for $26,239.50 plus interest. Reportedly, Nicki has not paid the bill. Minaj’s attorney, Jordan Siev, has responded to the situation. According to Siev, no one has presented evidence indicating that Minaj caused damage to the jewelry. Furthermore, he believes that the lawsuit is merely an attempt by the jeweler to gain publicity and obtain an undeserved payment. Additionally, Siev has vowed to vigorously defend Minaj against the lawsuit.

Nicki Minaj And Ice Spice Release “Barbie World”

Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice really are a match made in heaven. In the song “Barbie World,” Ice’s producer RiotUSA creatively samples Aqua’s “Barbie Girl.” However, he updates it and infuses it with a modern Brooklyn drill sound. This update gives the track a fresh and contemporary feel. Furthermore, both Minaj and Ice showcase their impressive rap skills. They both deliver intense verses that complement each other’s passionate energy. It’s definitely a repeat of the energy they had on “Princess Diana.”

“I’m bad like the Barbie / I’m a doll but I still wanna party,” the pair rap on the chorus. “Pink ‘Vette like I’m ready to bend / I’m a ten, so I pull in a Ken.” With this being the second collaboration between Nicki and Ice, it’s clear the former has taken the latter under her wing. That means we can likely expect very big things from Ice Spice in the near future. What do you think of the pair’s second collaboration? Let us know in the comments below!

[Via]

The post Photos Surface In Nicki Minaj Damaged Jewelry Lawsuit appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Äyanna: R&B Songbird & Star In The Making

by

Emerging from the bustling streets of East London, 23-year-old Äyanna steps onto the music scene with a radiant smile, an enchanting voice, and dreams of becoming the next powerhouse vocalist in the R&B scene. Her life unfolds with the vibrancy and daring spirit echoed in the music she writes and performs.

The Making Of A Songstress: Roots & Early Life

Äyanna was immersed in a culturally rich neighborhood and nourished by her English and Jamaican parents’ musical leanings. She drew her inspiration from diverse genres often including Reggae, R&B, and Soul. Fond memories of flipping through her father’s CD collection and helping select tunes for their car rides paint a nostalgic picture of her early exposure to music.

However, her mother first detected Äyanna’s exceptional vocal control. Returning home from school one day, Äyanna rendered a refined rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” The performance left her mother pleasantly surprised. Soon after, the singer’s mom assumed the role of her first vocal coach. This direction guided Äyanna to perfect renditions of the Gospel song “Joyful Joyful” and Etta James’ iconic “At Last.”

Defying Norms: Pursuit Of The Musical Dream

Music wasn’t Äyanna’s first life goal. She embarked on a conventional path studying law and Spanish at the University of Bristol. However, Äyanna found herself yearning for a more creative life. Rejecting her father’s vision of a traditional career, she abandoned her studies to secretly chase her musical dreams.

Her pursuit led her to discover her knack for songwriting. Her 2019 single “Party Tricks” was one of her initial songwriting efforts. Yet, the haunting melody and poignant reflection on heartbreak suggested the prowess of an experienced songwriter. The song not only marked her entry on BBC’s Music Introducing but also caught the attention of music industry heavyweights at Love Renaissance (LVRN). “It’s the sole reason that I’m where I am right now,” she asserts.

Ascending New Heights: Äyanna’s Recent Ventures

Armed with notable songwriting credits, Äyanna now aims to introduce herself to a broader audience as a singer and performer. Collaborating with SPINALL and DJ Snake, she showcased her songwriting and singing aptitude on “Power (Remember Who You Are),” crafted for the Flipper’s Skate Heist short film. This infectious dance track ingeniously samples portions from Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman” and also features R&B sensation Summer Walker.

In 2023, Äyanna made a significant leap, signing with LVRN, home to acclaimed artists such as 6LACK, Summer Walker, DVSN, Davido, Spinall, Baby Tate, and others. She recently unveiled her debut track with the label, “Girlfriend,” combining elements of Pop, R&B, Soul, and more. Surely, Äyanna is on a path to establish herself firmly as next in line.

The post Äyanna: R&B Songbird & Star In The Making appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

T.I. Disapproves of Comparisons Between His Film “Da Partments” & Ice Cube’s “Friday”

by

TI

T.I. has disapproved of comparisons between his upcoming film Da Partments and the iconic 1995 comedy film Friday starring Ice Cube. The Atlanta rapper and trap music pioneer took to social media to announce his film and responded to a fan’s post drawing a parallel between the two movies. T.I. emphasized that his film stands […]

The post T.I. Disapproves of Comparisons Between His Film “Da Partments” & Ice Cube’s “Friday” appeared first on SOHH.com.