30th Anniversary Archives - New Hip Hop News

Nas Celebrates 30th Anniversary of his Iconic ‘Illmatic’ LP With Limited-Edition Collaboration with Umbro & Nicholas Daley

November 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

GRAMMY-Award winning rap legend Nas , celebrates the 30th anniversary of his revolutionary album, Illmatic, while on tour in London. Known as a pivotal release in hip-hop history, Illmatic is more than an album; it’s a cultural milestone, reflecting the grit, soul, and resilience of New York City. To commemorate this major milestone, Nas has joined forces with UK- based brands Umbro and Nicholas Delay on a limited-edition soccer jersey celebrating Nas’ impact on music and style over the three decades.

The limited-edition design combines Umbro’s deep-rooted connection to sport culture with Daley’s distinctive approach to heritage-inspired fashion. Paying homage to the spirit of Nas’ NYC upbringing and the influence of Illmatic, the design is imposed with Nas iconography resulting in a truly unique piece. Together this design blends British craftsmanship with streetwear sensibilities celebrating Nas’s multi-decade influence and seamlessly bridges sport, music, and fashion.

“Nas and Illmatic represent a transformative moment not only for music but for culture as a whole. Collaborating with Nicholas Daley to capture that essence in an Umbro shirt allows us to celebrate Nas’ legacy with a piece of sportswear that speaks to fans worldwide,” states Umbro.

The Nas x Umbro x Nicholas Daley football Jersey is more than a fashion piece; it’s a wearable homage to an artist who has redefined storytelling in hip-hop and a testament to the lasting impact of Illmatic on global culture.

“Curating this exclusive NAS 30th anniversary Illmatic style in collaboration with Umbro has been a true honour for one of Hip Hop’s legendary icons. Illmatic is one my favourite albums off all time and the impact it has had both musically and culturally is so evident today. The collaboration is celebration of hip-hop and the legacy of Illmatic, whilst incorporating the heritage of Umbro in a collection which I wanted to feel both classic and forward-looking,” states Nicholas Daley, designer and founder of Nicholas Daley.

Matt Young, President of Bravado, states, “This unique collaboration has been a true melding between Umbro and Nicholas Daley shining light on one of the most revolutionary hip-hop albums, Illmatic, and Nas’ impact musically and globally. We’re excited for this limited-edition design to reach music, fashion and sport enthusiasts alike.”

This limited-edition piece is now available on nicholasdaley.net, making it a coveted addition to the wardrobes of music, fashion, and sports enthusiasts alike.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Method Man’s Debut Album ‘Tical’ Turns 30 Years Old!

November 15, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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On this day in Hip-Hop history, Method Man released his debut solo LP Tical. Sticking to RZA’s plan on industry domination, Method was the first to roll out his solo LP after the ridiculous success group debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). In the early years of the Wu, Method Man had grown become the public face of the group. His larger than life persona and a multitude of styles won over the hearts and ears of fans after the groups first single “Protect Ya Neck” had “Method Man” on it’s B-side.

Tical delves deeper into the sinister villainous style previewed on 36 Chambers. Method Man creates a dark anti-hero on this album who hungers for the career of wack rappers and perpetrators. It was truly a violent introduction to one of the most outrageous members of the Wu, second only to ODB in theatrical personality.

Considered a “two-man show” by critics, the album was almost entirely produced by RZA. As the Wu’s architect, RZA created specific sounds for each member. Method unique sonic was the most film inspired. Meth continued to build a character likened to the many crime bosses and master villains that starred in his beloved Kung-Fu flicks. Aside from the image, lyrically the album is on another level. Method Man flawlessly juggles synonyms and metaphors with a flow that weaves in and out of the beat to create a hardcore symphony of Shaolin style.

Commercially, the album was a hit and only added on to the cipher of success revolving around the Wu-Tang Clan. The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart selling a million copies within a year of its release. It kick-started a wave of successful solo albums and keep afloat RZA’s five-year plan to becoming the greatest rap group in history.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: Scarface’s Third Album ‘The Diary’ Turns 30 Years Old!

October 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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30 years ago today rapper Brad “Scarface” Jordan dropped his third studio album The Diary. The album was released on October 18th, 1994 by Rap-A-Lot Records. With singles like “Hand of the Dead Body” released on September 27, 1994, and “I Seen A Man Die” on November 1, 1994, The Diary was certified platinum by the RIAA on December 5th, 1994.

This album was a lot different from his first two releases, Mr. Scarface Is Back and The World Is Yours. On The Diary, Producers N.O., Joe, Mike Dean, Uncle Eddie, and Scarface himself chose a different route when it came to sounds. They were influenced by live instruments, southern blues, and the relaxed pace of that California G-Funk. This became a Rap-A-Lot trademark.

Classic tracks from this album include the haunting “Hand Of A Dead Body”, which features Ice Cube and Devin The Dude, the action-packed storyline of “Goin’ Down” and the epic “I Seen A Man Die”, which was followed by the unforgettable visual.

Salute to J. Prince, Uncle Face, Mike Dean, N.O. Joe, Uncle Eddie, the entire crew at Rap-A-Lot for this timeless classic!

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Today in Hip Hop History: Digable Planets’ Sophomore ‘Blowout Comb’ Album Turns 30 Years Old!

October 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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Today in Hip-Hop history, Brooklyn trio Digable Planets released their sophomore LP Blowout Comb. Serving as a more politically charged follow-up to their jazzy debut, Reachin’: A New Refutation of Time and Space, this album showed the group’s stance on Black nationalism and inner-city living in the mid-’90s.

On this album, the trio abandoned their radio-friendly style to focus on a more militant agenda. Fundamentally, the group metamorphosed, leaving behind their once-coveted insect-centered imagery. As a group, they felt misunderstood. Their original intention with relating their cause to insects was to focus on the fact that bugs, although small, have a “nature to stick together and work for mutually beneficial causes,” according to frontman Ishmael Butler. While working on Blowout Comb, the group completely shed their insect facade and emerged anew with a new focus and new identities. The former “Butterfly” changed his moniker to “Ish,” “Ladybug” became “Mecca,” and “Dooblebug” was now “C-Know”.

Lyrically, this album was something straight out of the Black Power Movement. With references to The Nation of Islam, The Black Panther Party, Allah’s 5% Nation, and the racial and class struggles of the impoverished minorities of the United States, it is no secret what statement Digable Planets was trying to make. They did not want their Afrocentrism to be overshadowed by crossover appeal as it did on their debut. As a result, this LP did not receive much backing from their label, Pendulum/EMI. Despite its lack of internal support, the album still peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200 and #13 on the Top R&B chart.

Unfortunately, following this album, Digable Planets disbanded. The cause of the split is said to be creative differences and dissatisfaction with the music industry. Luckily for the fans, the trio delivered a masterpiece of conscious rap before fading into the pages of Hip Hop history. Take some time today to appreciate one of rap’s most slept-on albums.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: Craig Mack’s Debut Album ‘Project: Funk Da World’ Turns 30 Years Old!

September 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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On this day in Hip-Hop history, Craig Mack released Bad Boy’s second LP as a label Project: Funk Da World. This successful debut introduced Craig Mack as one of Bad Boy’s original artists alongside The Notorious B.I.G., 112, Faith Evans and Total.

Unlike like Bad Boy’s debut, Biggie’s Ready to Die, Project: Funk Da World concentrated less on the hardcore street aspect of Hip Hop and focused more on getting its listeners moving on the dance floor. Similar to the West Coast’s G-Funk movement, this LP was smooth and effortlessly funky. It created a vibe that every time it was spun, did exactly what it’s title intended. The album featured Craig Mack’s smash hit single “Flava in Ya Ear”. The version of the is single featuring Biggie Smalls was actually Bad Boy’s first release and the duo’s only collaboration.

The album was certified gold within the year of its release although partially overshadowed by the quadruple platinum Ready to Die.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Craig Mack’s Debut Album ‘Project: Funk Da World’ Turns 30 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

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Today in Hip Hop History: Notorious B.I.G.’s Debut LP ‘Ready To Die’ Turns 30 Years Old!

September 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On September 13, 1994, Notorious B.I.G., alongside producers Easy Mo Bee, DJ Premier, Poke of the Trackmasters, and none other than “Puffy” (as Diddy was called then) as the executive producer, released the Hip Hop masterpiece known as Ready To Die.

As Big’s debut album, this highly anticipated release shows the lyrical prowess of the Bed-Stuy big man, and besides Method Man’s assistance on the epic “The What?” track, Mr. Wallace made it happen all by himself. Other than Nas’ Illmatic, no other solo emcee accomplished that feat on the East Coast during that era. Recognized as “The King Of New York” and as seen on a vintage 1995 Source Magazine cover, Big’s legacy was etched in stone with this LP.

Timeless classics from that four-and-a-half mic-er include the DJ Premier-produced “Unbelievable,” the back-and-forth storytelling adventures of “Warning” and “Gimme The Loot,” and the eerie title track itself were just a few of the highlights of this legendary project. That’s not to forget the mainstream success of singles such as “One More Chance,” the Brooklynplayalistic sound of “Big Poppa,” and, of course, the hood inspirational, Mtume-based “Juicy.”

We only had the chance to get one more album(prophetically named Life After Death) out of one of the game’s greatest lyricists before he was prematurely killed in Los Angeles in 1997. Still, this album will always remind us that B.I.G. was “Ready to Die” because his talent was and will always be larger than life.

Salute to Big (RIP), Premier, Easy, Poke, Lord Finesse, Diddy, Lil’ Kim, and the entire Wallace family for this classic masterpiece!

The post Today in Hip Hop History: Notorious B.I.G.’s Debut LP ‘Ready To Die’ Turns 30 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

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The Notorious B.I.G.’s Estate Preps For 30th Anniversary Reissue Of “Ready To Die” With “For The Respect” EP

September 6, 2024 by newhiphopnews

There’s no doubt that The Notorious B.I.G. made one of the most lauded and beloved hip-hop albums of all time with Ready to Die. It’s a pure masterclass in East Coast hip-hop, flows, and production choices. Even though it was released back in 1994, it still sounds quite timeless, which is just another reason why its regarded as a true classic. You could poo-poo this fact, but the album has also been quite successful during the streaming era. It’s got well over a few billion streams overall with iconic tracks such as “Gimme the Loot”, “Juicy”, “Warning”, “Big Poppa”, all over 100 million plays. Over the years, Ready to Die has received a handful of remasters both in 2005 and 2015, respectively. Interestingly, though, his debut project has never received a unique anniversary edition. Life After Death received one for its 25th back in 2022, but now it’s Ready to Die‘s time.

Back in July, multiple reports, including one from Yahoo!, revealed that a special 30th anniversary copy would be released on the 13th of September, the drop date for the original back in ’94. It will be a “limited-edition 2-LP reissue” and “will feature a reimagined cover art featuring a photo of Biggie Smalls, the late Brooklyn rapper’s G subway stop and the Brooklyn Bridge”. There will be a black vinyl available on Rhino which is Biggie’s website. Additionally, “Barnes & Noble will also have a color vinyl edition for sale on the same day”. But before that happens, his estate has released an EP called Ready To Die: For The Respect, which features six tracks from the original.

Ready To Die: For The Respect – The Notorious B.I.G.

Ready To Die: For The Respect Tracklist:

Intro
Suicidal Thoughts
Ready to Die
Things Done Changed
Respect
Who Shot Ya

[Via] [Via] [Via]

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Today In Hip Hop History: UGK’s Second LP ‘Super Tight…’ Turns 30 Years Old!

August 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Houston’s own UGK released their second studio LP Super Tight… As the duo’s first project to make an appearance on the Billboard 200 chart, this album marked their transition from underground superstars to legitimate Hip Hop legends in the making.

With this album, it is obvious that the group had begun to refine its engineering abilities. Their usual rough around the edges sounds quality has been revamped allowing for cleaner vocals and crisper production. With the new quality also came a new fan base. Rap fans across the country were beginning to acknowledge Hip Hop coming from the south as the new sound. The smooth southern style of Pimp C and Bun B was a pleasant change from the growing hardcore scene that was growing on the East Coast and pistol gripping gun-slinging gangster rap that came from the West.

Commercially, the album was a breakthrough. Peaking at #95 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 370,000 copies nationwide, Super Tight… was UGK’s most popular album to date and set up their rise to power as the Kings of Texas rap.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: UGK’s Second LP ‘Super Tight…’ Turns 30 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

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Smif-N-Wessun Announce “Still Shinin’ Tour” To Commemorate Their 30 Years In Hip Hop

July 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Just ahead of the 30th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, Dah Shinin’, Smif-N-Wessun announce the launch of “Still Shinin’,” a tour that takes them from Brooklyn to Borlänge, Sweden.

The duo, composed of Tek and General Steele, first appeared on Black Moon’s album, Enta Da Stage, and they’ve been consciously commanding the stage ever since. Within a year, they were on a remix of May J. Blige’s “I Love You” from her chart-topping sophomore release, My Life, then released their own album reaching the Top 5 of Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop chart!

Featuring production from Da Beatminerz, cover art inspired by Roy Ayers, and the debut of the Boot Camp Clik super group, Dah Shinin’ would eventually be named one of The Source magazine’s 100 Best Rap albums and yielded such classics as “Bucktown,” “Let’s Git It On,” “Wontime,” “Wrekonize,” “Sound Bwoy Bureill,” and “Stand Strong.”

It wasn’t all smooth –– jazz funk and riddims –– for the Bucktown pair, however. After a cease and desist from gun company, Smith & Wesson, Tek and Steele temporarily released under the moniker Cocoa Brovaz with 1998’s The Rude Awakening, but the culture never let Smif-N-Wessun fade. In 2005, they released Smif-N-Wessun: Reloaded and Smif-N-Wessun: The Album.

In the following years, they delivered concentrated works with two more of hip hop’s most respected producers, Pete Rock for Monumental (2011), and 9th Wonder and his Soul Council for The All (2019), spawning collabs ranging from Styles P, to Bun B, Musiq Soulchild and Rick Ross.

In 2013, they pushed boundaries and the West Indian undertones laced throughout their music won diaspora-spanning respect and their first EP, Born And Raised, featuring reggae favorites, Jahdan Blakkamore, Junior Kelly and Junior Reid. It was entirely produced by Beatnick & K-Salaam. In 2018, a European tour showcased their stockpile of anthems and energetic flow with Champion Sound (Live From Prague).

Perhaps most known for their Timberlands and hook, “I shine, you shine, shine,” Smif-N-Wessun’s overall M.O. has acquired them a catalog and audience as loyal to them as they are to hip hop.

“When we on tour, we see generations that come to our shows,” says Tek. “At some shows, we have kids that are 9, 11, 13 years old with their dads, and their dads had their dad, and they all rocking, and they know the words too.”

For them –– and fans –– it still feels like 30 years ago. Coming off the 50th anniversary of hip hop and music industry-wide shake ups from lawsuits to rap beef, we can look forward to seeing Smif-N-Wessun enter the stage once again with some “super friends” for this “Still Shinin’ Tour.” “It’s Hip Hop, it’s going to be exciting,” says Steele. “I don’t want to say, ‘throwback’ but it’s going to have a feeling of just coming to a show and having fun.”

The post Smif-N-Wessun Announce “Still Shinin’ Tour” To Commemorate Their 30 Years In Hip Hop first appeared on The Source.

The post Smif-N-Wessun Announce “Still Shinin’ Tour” To Commemorate Their 30 Years In Hip Hop appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: MC Eiht’s Debut Album ‘We Come Strapped’ Turns 30 Years Old!

July 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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On this day in Hip Hop history, West Coast legend MC Eiht released his debut LP, We Come Strapped. Featuring his group Compton’s Most Wanted, this gangsta rap classic is one of California’s pre-G Funk hits. Riding the popularity that came from his breakthrough single “Straight Up Menace” featured in the film Menace II Society, this album took the rap game by storm creating a new star on the West Coast.

Coming off group success, MC Eiht was no rookie and knew exactly what putting out a good album entailed. We Come Strapped followed a simple yet effective formula resulting in its success. This project is straight and to the point; no drawn out skits, no filler, and no big name features. Aside from a cameo from Spice-1, Redman, and his fellow Compton’s Most Wanted members, the album is entirely MC Eiht spiting cold gangsta rhymes over DJ Slip’s jazzy, keyboard heavy production.

Commercially the project was quite a success, peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart. The album was certified gold shortly after its release and continues to sell copies today. This album serves as MC Eiht’s most successful project to date.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: MC Eiht’s Debut Album ‘We Come Strapped’ Turns 30 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: MC Eiht’s Debut Album ‘We Come Strapped’ Turns 30 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.