Another tradition, per the fan account WordOnRd, has been Drake ending the show on a different song each night. The results have been varied; while they’ve been fan favorites, there are also plenty he hasn’t played in years, so there’s now a running joke that he never remembers the lyrics. Like most jokes about Drake, he isn’t taking it too seriously, joining in making fun of himself on August 23 in LA. Here are all the special closing songs so far:
In Philadelphia on August 1, he performed “Teenage Fever” from his 2017 mixtape More Life.
https://twitter.com/WordOnRd/status/1686475768296038400?s=20 (“Teenage Fever” was Philly 8/1)
In Milwaukee on August 4, he gave fans a rendition of the Nothing Was The Same favorite “Connect.”
As summer comes to an end, music fans everywhere have one question on their mind: What was the song of summer? In 2023, the song of summer can be defined using all sorts of criteria: What was popular on streaming apps? What went viral on TikTok? What was inescapable on the radio?
Today (September 5), Billboard dropped their Top Songs Of The Summer 2023 list, which factors in all of this data (specifically, chart data from June 10 to September 9).
At No. 10 is Gunna, who made a return to music this year after being released from jail on racketeering charges. His latest single, “F*kumean” has proven to be a hit, as his return has proven polarizing.
Occupying spots 9 and 8 are SZA, with her hit singles, “Kill Bill” and “Snooze,” respectively. Also taking two consecutive spots is Taylor Swift. At No. 7, Swift pops in with her remix of “Karma,” which features Ice Spice. At No. 6 is “Cruel Summer,” which was originally released in 2019 on Swift’s seventh studio album, Lover.
Lil Durk and J. Cole came in at No. 5, with their collaboration, “All My Life.”
“Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, which was released this past January, continues to be an anthem for the summertime. This one came in at No. 4. Rema‘s remix of “Calm Down,” which features Selena Gomez, earned the No. 3 spot.
This summer proved to be a country music summer, as Luke Combs‘ cover of Tracy Chapman‘s “Fast Car” made its way over to No. 2. And at the top spot is Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night.”
Being a parent in the public eye is difficult but Cardi B and Offset seem to be doing alright. Pictures and videos hit the internet yesterday showing off the pair of rap stars going on a family trip to Disneyland. According to TMZ the occasion they were celebrating was the 2nd birthday of their son Wave. They brought him, along with 5-year-old daughter Kulture to the happiest place on earth to ride some rides and celebrate his big day. Check out one of the videos of the couple and their children having fun at the park below.
Cardi B and Offset are coming off yet another big collaborative single. In late July the pair teamed up for a new track called “JEALOUSY” that played into some of the public fascination into their relationship. The track resonated with fans immediately. It shot up to number 55 on the Hot 100 in its first week and has already racked up over 20 million streams on Spotify. It’s expected to land on an album that Offset is slated to release later this year.
Cardi B And Offset Take A Family Trip To Disneyland
Cardi B also has another big collaboration on the way. She made a major announcement yesterday, letting fans know that her new song “BONGOS” with Megan Thee Stallion is dropping later this week. It’s the pair’s second collaboration following their smash hit 2020 team-up “WAP.” It’s also Cardi’s first new single of her own this year after appearing on a trio of features.
The announcement of a new song from Cardi and Megan comes just a few days after a major win in the courts for both artists. A lawsuit that claimed they had stolen the lyrics for “WAP” from another artist was thrown out by the judge hearing it. It’s unclear if that had anything to do with the timing of their announcement of a follow-up. What do you think of Cardi B and Offset taking their family to Disneyland for Wave’s second birthday? Let us know in the comment section below.
J Dilla, renowned producer and rapper, lived a short life but is remembered forever in the hearts of many Hip Hop fans. Despite his untimely death, he made his mark, and many often take solace in that. His legacy will remain, and his music will live forever, thanks to incredible bodies of work like The Shining. August 22, 2023 marked 17 years since the posthumous album was released to widespread acclaim. The masterfully written and produced album was the first of many J Dilla projects to comfort fans after his passing.
The posthumous release can be quite controversial among music fans. The question of whether an album is a cash grab often arises following the announcement that an incoming release is underway. However, The Shining was widely anticipated before its drop, owing to the fact that J Dilla was almost done with the album. Fellow Detroit native and longtime friend, producer Karriem Riggins helped handle the rest of the production.
J Dilla developed an early interest in music, particularly Hip Hop. He began making beats when he was a teenager and soon became quite proficient at it. He gained a reputation for his unique production style, which featured intricate drum patterns. Throughout his career, J Dilla was highly sought-after due to his irreplicable production style. He collaborated with numerous Hip Hop and R&B artists as a result. Before albums like The Shining were released, he had already etched his name in the genre’s history books.
J Dilla was a founding member of the Hip Hop group, Slum Village, formed in 1996. The group comprised three members: himself, and two of his classmates from high school, Baatin and T3. He played a significant role in shaping their sound, largely due to his peculiar musical ideas, and sharpened production skills. The group dropped two albums together before Dilla left to pursue a solo career in 2001. J Dilla was also a founding member of the musical collective, The Soulquaries, which was formed in the late ‘90s. The collective consisted of experimental Black music artists, as well as pioneers of genres like neo-soul and jazz fusion.
After leaving Slum Village, J Dilla released his debut solo album Welcome 2 Detroit in 2001. It was characterized by his keen ear for finding obscure and soulful samples, and his innovative interpretations of them. Subsequently, the rapper’s sophomore solo studio album, Donuts, was released on his 32nd birthday in February 2006. The album is widely regarded as Dilla’s magnum opus, and a remarkable instrumental Hip Hop album.
Donuts was also his last album released during his lifetime. He passed away three days after the album dropped. Throughout his career, Dilla battled various health issues, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and lupus, but he continued to create music despite the challenges. Donuts was almost entirely recorded in Dilla’s hospital room during his extended stay at a medical center in 2005. The rapper sadly passed away, due to complications from the rare blood disorder, and lupus.
The Shining was J Dilla’s first posthumous album, released in August 2006 soon after his passing. The album was completed and released with the help of friends and collaborators. As usual, J Dilla handled the majority of the production on the album himself. Evidently, his signature production style is on display throughout the project. It also vividly showcased his ability to blend various genres seamlessly.
J Dilla’s choices for the album’s guest features also exemplify his virtuosity at melding different styles. The album features a notable lineup of guest artists including Common, D’Angelo, and Busta Rhymes, among others. The Shining also highlighted his lyrical prowess, as he delivered stellar verses on the project.
On the final track, “Won’t Do,” J Dilla sings, raps, and showcases his storytelling abilities. He also continued to deliver emotionally stirring instrumentals. “Love Jones” and “Over the Breaks” are testaments to his attention to detail. Furthermore, the instrumental, “Body Movin’,” with assists from J Rocc and Karriem Riggins, is reminiscent of classic 90’s Hip Hop beats.
Like many of his projects, the album received critical acclaim. The Shining was praised for its innovation, musicality, and themes. Two of the standout features on the album are “Love,” featuring Pharoahe Monch, and “So Far to Go,” featuring Common and D’Angelo. Critics praised the production quality and the emotional depth they convey.
Furthermore, J Dilla used the album to demonstrate his sample-elevating qualities. The Shining featured a wide range of musical samples. He borrowed elements from R&B legends, like The Isley Brothers, Hip Hop icons, such as Run-DMC and Public Enemy, and even dance music champion, Giorgio Moroder. However, J Dilla’s classical music knowledge also surfaced on The Shining, with a sample from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 making an appearance on the album.
J Dilla’s impact on Hip Hop is immeasurable. He is also often regarded as one of the greatest producers in the genre’s history. Importantly, J Dilla is one of the most prolific acts out of the Detroit music scene. The Shining is a poignant and powerful album that serves as a fitting tribute to the late icon. It encapsulates his musical genius, production prowess, and lyrical talent. Consequently, this makes it a significant and enduring piece of work in the lineup of posthumous Hip Hop releases.
Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce are both seasoned pros when it comes to the art of performing. They reminded us of just that during the latter’s birthday concert in Los Angeles on Monday (September 4) night. Throughout the weekend, Queen B took over the stage at SoFi Stadium with a seriously impressive roster of guest openers. Among them were Doechii, Lil Wayne, and 2 Chainz. For her final show in California, the mother of three brought Compton native Kendrick Lamar out to body their “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM (Remix),” though they were unfortunately met with some technical difficulties.
As XXL Mag reports, when it was the DAMN. hitmaker’s turn to rap his verse, his microphone appeared to cut out. Issues like this have been happening frequently for artists. Most recently we’ve been reporting on 50 Cent’s ongoing mic-throwing lawsuit. The synchronicity is likely due to the ongoing Mercury Retrograde, which is known to cause issues with communication. It’s unclear if Lamar wasn’t aware that his sound wasn’t coming through, or if he continued performing anyway to avoid ruining the moment. Still, the video below shows him hitting every word while Bey dances beside him.
If the birthday girl took note of Lamar’s audio issues (which were resolved by the latter half of his verse), then she certainly did her part to keep us entertained. In her iconic bee costume, the “Halo” singer dropped it low and even slipped in some Vogueing moves. Overall it appears as though she had a memorable time celebrating her special day with friends and fans. The Grammy Award winner will be taking a few days to rest before she heads up north to Canada to take over BC Place on September 11.
Elsewhere in the world of Kung-Fu Kenny, he sat down with Tems for InterviewMagazine to discuss some burning topics ahead of her album’s arrival. While the Nigerian starlet dished on some of her earliest musical inspirations, Kendrick Lamar got candid about some of the best wisdom he’s picked up from 50 Cent. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Stephen A. Smith is someone who has spoken on a lot of situations over the years. Additionally, he has made some claims about people that have not always held up to scrutiny. If Smith tells a story about someone, it is very likely that the person in the story will be asked if Smith was being accurate. More often than not, Stephen A.’s stories are disputed. This subsequently leads to a response from the First Take host, who is typically offended by being put into question. It’s a vicious cycle that has recently played out, yet again.
While speaking on Podcast P with Paul George, Stephen A. recalled a time in which he told Rich Paul to “get the f*ck” out of his face. In the story, Smith made it seem like he was actually annoyed with Paul and said it in a particularly rude way. However, on Gil’s Arena, Rich Paul refuted the story. He noted that while Smith did express a similar sentiment, it was simply done in jest. The energy that Smith displayed on Podcast P was far from the truth. Of course, this led to a response on First Take today.
As you can see above, Smith said that he was upset with Gilbert Arenas and Rich Paul for the segment on the podcast. Smith acknowledges that he is still friends with both. However, he felt like the conversation was unnecessary and simply done for clicks. Smith, however, did go on to clarify that, yes, the conversation with Paul was mostly in jest. Needless to say, Smith seemingly admitted to embellishing while speaking to Paul George. However, he did so without making a true admission.
Stephen A. Smith has never played about his name, and this is yet another example of that. Needless to say, other podcasts must beware, moving forward. Let us know your thoughts on this situation, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world.
Many online have continued to watch and share a particularly hilarious video of Saucy Santana. The clip shows the start of an altercation that ultimately led to Erica Mena’s arrest and Saucy didn’t want anything to do with it. The speed with which he leaves the entire club had fans cracking up and memes of the video began to emerge quickly. Even City Girls rapper Yung Miami got in on the fun making her own jokes and observations about the video.
Now Saucy Santana is speaking up about the clip, claiming that he’s still scary despite what happened. “Ain’t no day a b*tch think they will smack me in my face,” he said in response to a reported threat from the night the video was recorded. In a repost of the video, fans seem to largely agree with him. “Santana actually has a career that could’ve been jeopardized so it made sense he gotta up outta there,” one of the top comments on the post reads. “We understand when you got something to lose you can’t be involved with foolishness,” another agrees. Check out the entire video below.
Saucy Santana has also found himself caught up in recent Blueface drama, though that one wasn’t by accident. Last week Saucy cosigned Jaidyn Alexis’ new single “Workout.” The shoutout further proved that Jaidyn’s music is succeeding much more than many thought it would. Saucy’s acknowledgment of the song ended up getting reposted by Blueface himself.
Saucy doubled down with another retweet a few days later. Blueface himself made a tweet explaining how much he missed Jaidyn when he’s drunk. Saucy put his support behind the statement with a quote tweet that simply read “Period!” The interaction was in a lot of people’s minds as Chrisean Rock gave birth to her baby over the weekend. What do you think of Saucy Santana clarifying things about his viral video? Let us know in the comment section below.
Every artist has a distinct career-defining moment that propels them to a wider audience. For Chance the Rapper, that was Acid Rap. The classic 14-track mixtape helped cement Chance as a rising force in Hip Hop. Acid Rap notably marked its 10th anniversary on April 30th, 2023. Despite the modern age of rapid musical evolution, the mixtape has remarkably aged like fine wine. From its now-iconic artwork, to standout tracks like “Acid Rain,” there’s no shortage of important moments that helped shoot Chance the Rapper to the stars.
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 19: Chancelor Bennett Aka Chance The Rapper visits the SiriusXM Studios on June 19, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Eisman/Getty Images)
Chance the Rapper kicked off his musical interests, thanks to Michael Jackson. However, a pivot to rap soon followed. He has cited Kanye West as one of his earliest Hip Hop influences and stated that he was inspired by West, a fellow native of Chicago, to start rapping. In 2012, at the age of 19, Chance released his debut mixtape 10Day. The project also marked his introduction to the public as a rapper and was the starting point of Chance the Rapper’s rise to stardom.
Following his early buzz, Chance the Rapper hit the ground running with his second mixtape, Acid Rap. The mixtape catapulted the rapper to international fame. Furthermore, it received critical acclaim for its innovative blend of Hip Hop, Gospel, R&B, and Soul. Acid Rap also made a significant impact on the Hip Hop scene, garnering praise for its eclectic and genre-blurring style.
His fusion of elements from several different genres of music has become a hallmark of Chance’s artistry. Following the album’s instant success, many were keen to understand the rapper’s creative process. This was also due to Acid Rap’s trippy, psychedelic sound, unique artwork, and title. In an interview with MTV, Chance revealed he did in fact indulge in some LSD while making the project.
“[There] was a lot of acid involved in Acid Rap,” he said. “I mean, it wasn’t too much– I’d say it was about 30 to 40 percent acid… more so 30 percent acid.” He also admitted the reason for his indulgence. “It was something that I was really interested in for a long time during the making of the tape, but it’s not necessarily a huge faction at all,” he said. “It was more so just a booster, a bit of fuel. It’s an allegory to acid, more so than just a tape about acid.”
Chance’s lyrics on Acid Rap are marked by their introspection, vulnerability, and vivid storytelling. He explores personal struggles, relationships, drug use, and the challenges faced by young people in Chicago. The quality of the mixtape is hoisted even higher by its diverse and rich production, featuring contributions from several producers. Notable guest features include: Twista, Childish Gambino, Ab-Soul, and Action Bronson, among others. Consequently, these features elevate the respective tracks they appear on, allowing for a balanced and well-rounded project.
Acid Rap is an influential project in the Hip Hop sphere. Its impact and significance are undeniable, and felt even now, 10 years after its initial release. It continues to be celebrated as a classic marking Chance’s career-defining moment. A 10th Anniversary Complete Edition of the mixtape was released in 2023. Also, in his native Chicago, Chance is largely revered as one of the rappers pushing the new school wave of Hip Hop.
Importantly, the love is reciprocated. Chance moved back to Chicago after spending a couple of years in Hollywood. He told Ebro Darden on Apple Music 1 that while he may not be labeled an “OG” in Chicago, he’s definitely garnered a ton of respect. He also took the time to praise the Chicago natives who assisted him in the manifestation of Acid Rap. “I look at this as my Chicago project,” he said. “This was through and through from the juke and footwork influence to the use of all these different Kanye or Common interpolations, the samples, all of it, the features. It was a community project. It was like everybody was coming in working with me.”
JAY-Z and his REFORM Alliance are slated to host a celebrity blackjack tournament in Atlantic City with guests such as Travis Scott, DJ Khaled and more.
: @A_Espinosa2 pic.twitter.com/5bEx0g55qH
