NY crime rhyme vet David Styles, better known to the Hip Hop world as Styles P, turns 50 years young today.
The L.O.X.(Living Off Experience) co-founder along with Sheek Louch and Jadakiss began their careers with platinum honors, appearing on Puff’s No Way Out album and selling a million copies of their debut LP Money, Power and Respect. Styles has put out seven full length solo projects along with a host of mixtapes and callabos throughout his career, establishing himself as one of the top lyricists in the rap game. “The Ghost” has also made a proactive contribution in keping the hood healthy by opening all natural juice bars in NYC as well as his natural supplement and vitamin company built along with his wife Adjua Styles called Farmacy For Life.
From everyone here at The Source, we send a “Super Gangster And A Gentleman” salute to Styles on his born day and we hope that he enjoys today and many more!
Cornell Haynes Jr., aka Nelly, was born on this date in 1974. Today, the Country Grammar rapper turns 50.
Nelly has put out timeless hits such as “Country Grammar” and “Ride Wit Me,” which became radio darlings, cementing his rightful place on the charts. Not to mention, the STL native’s technical influence is also massively underrated. He is one of the first artists to bring the sing-rapping technique into the mainstream (yes, Bone Thugs did too), which helped influence newer artists after him. It’s possible that 808s-era Kanye West and peak-T-Pain would sound different without Nelly doing the singing sound before them. Drake, Ty Dolla $ign, Kid Cudi share these same attributes as they all come from the sound the “Hot In Herre” rapper helped establish.
Nelly managed to help establish a sound and had a massive cross-over appeal. The fact that he collaborated with peak-NSYNC made him a household name. Sooner than later, kids would sport cartoon band-aids on cheeks right below the eye, imitating the St. Louis legend. When it came to fashion, he was THE guy. Apple Bottoms became a popular brand in the early 2000s, started by the rapper, and later expanded to include women’s and girls’ clothing, perfume, and accessories. The brand was also name-dropped in several popular songs, some of which included: Twista’s “Overnight Celebrity,” MC Jin’s “36-24-36,”, T-Pain’s hook on Flo-Rida’s “Low,” DaCav5’s “Tetris,” and Eminem’s “Shake That.”
The man-made us want gold grills and convinced us through representation that country music was cool. Outside of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, the Midwest was not making sounds in mainstream rap. Although Kanye West arrived on the scene four years later, Nelly first helped bring light to an area full of potential. Artists like Chingy benefited greatly from Nelly’s success. Chingy opened up shows for Nelly at the beginning of his career, eventually putting him in front of Ludacris to sign up for DTP. St. Lunatic’s own, Murphy Lee, was also the only member of the group to earn a Gold album and single due to Nelly’s popularity.
His popularity is key to his success. With a classic album under his belt in Country Grammar, the project was certified Diamond. Nellyville went 6x multi-Platinum worldwide, the Sweat and Suit albums went Platinum and 3x multi-Platinum, respectively, and the Sweatsuit compilation went Gold.
On July 18 of this year, newlyweds Nelly and his wife Ashanti welcomed their first child, Kareem Kencaide.
Born on this date in 1974, Bedford-Stuyvesant native Lil’ Kim has certainly paved the way for female rappers to gain traction in a highly male-dominated world of hip-hop. Making her name, sound, and style notorious (no pun intended) in her appearance on Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s debut album, Conspiracy.
Backed by hardcore lyrics filled with provocative and liberating content, Kim’s attitude and determination broke down gender barriers (which female rappers currently still face) that excelled her respect in the game.
Kim’s resume includes many Hip Hop greats, timeless tracks, fashion moments, and jaw-dropping lyrics. As the musical heiress of the Notorious B.I.G. legacy, Kim has continued to rep the memory of “the greatest rapper of all time”, even naming her sophomore 2000 release Notorious K.I.M.
Morphing from a femcee from Bed Stuy into the iconic figure she is today is a trail that has only been traced by the likes of Cardi B, Megan The Stallion and today’s entire female rap roster. They all have to salute the Queen B.
The Source Magazine sends a supreme 50th born day shout to the Queen on her Birthday!!
In a heartfelt display of love and remembrance, the Hip Hop community joined forces on Wednesday to pay tribute to the late Detroit legend, J Dilla. It would have been his 50th birthday. The influential producer and MC left an indelible mark on the genre before his untimely passing in 2006 at the age of 32. Due to cardiac arrest. Busta Rhymes took to Instagram to express his admiration for the iconic figure, declaring J Dilla as “the greatest to ever do it.”
Busta, who referred to Dilla as his favorite producer and one of his preferred MCs, pledged to carry on the legacy through his own work. The post reflects not only a professional acknowledgment but a personal connection to the enduring influence of J Dilla’s musical prowess. Common, another luminary deeply impacted by J Dilla’s artistry, shared a poignant tribute on his Instagram. The rapper, who not only collaborated frequently with Dilla but also shared living quarters with him in Los Angeles, hailed him as “the greatest.”
Common expressed that every day, his life is moved and touched by the profound impact Dilla had on him. He extended gratitude to his “great brother” for blessing both him and the world with his gifts, artistry, and genius. In his Instagram post, Common conveyed, “You are The Greatest! We celebrate your born day on the planet. Happy Birthday Jay Dilla. Love You! Love.” The words paint a vivid picture of the enduring bond between these two artists and the immense influence Dilla continues to have on the Hip Hop landscape.
Moreover, the tributes from Busta Rhymes and Common serve as a reminder that J Dilla’s legacy goes beyond his groundbreaking contributions to music; it resonates as a source of inspiration, shaping the lives and careers of those fortunate enough to collaborate with him. As the Hip Hop community collectively commemorates what would have been J Dilla’s milestone 50th birthday, the messages underscore the enduring impact of a true musical innovator.
In a heartwarming celebration of friendship and musical legacy, Questlove, the frontman of The Roots, recently marked the 50th birthday of his longtime friend and colleague, Black Thought. The iconic musician took to Instagram on Wednesday, October 4, to share a cherished moment from their past. He posted a “first-ever” photo they snapped together. Questlove’s Instagram post offered a touching glimpse into their deep bond that has endured over decades.
In the caption accompanying the nostalgic image, he shared the sentimentality of the moment. He revealed “Took forever finding this photo we took back in high school in 1988. Our first ever photo. I’m not even sure if we were Radioactivity yet. I wish I could let these two know the journey that lay ahead for them.” As Questlove commemorated Black Thought’s 50th birthday, his Instagram post resonated with fans. The photo offered a small insight into the enduring friendship and artistic journey shared by these two influential figures. The “first-ever” photo serves as a symbol of their camaraderie and their ability to inspire countless others through their music and friendship.
The photograph captures a significant moment from the duo’s high school days. It highlights a time before they achieved fame and recognition as musicians. It serves as a reminder of their humble beginnings and the remarkable journey they embarked on together. For those less familiar with Questlove and Black Thought’s musical careers, they are at the helm of The Roots, a renowned hip-hop band that has transcended musical boundaries. The group is celebrated not only for their groundbreaking music but also for their role as the in-house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Black Thought, whose real name is Tariq Trotter, is renowned for his lyrical prowess and is often regarded as one of the most influential lyricists in hip-hop history. His contributions to The Roots have played an integral role in shaping the landscape of modern hip-hop. Meanwhile, Questlove, born Ahmir Khalib Thompson, is a multi-talented musician, producer, and author who has left an indelible mark on the music industry. His commitment to preserving the cultural roots of music while pushing artistic boundaries has earned him widespread acclaim. Most recently Questlove was responsible for curating the Hip-Hop 50 tribute performance for the 2023 Grammys. Stay tuned to HNHH for more music news.
Nas’ 50th Birthday Bash: A Night of Legends, Love, and Hip-Hop
New York City recently witnessed a legendary celebration as hip-hop icon Nas marked his milestone 50th birthday. The Big Apple’s skyline was lit up with star power, as a who’s who of the music and entertainment industry turned out to honor the Queensbridge legend.
The guest list read like a who’s who of hip-hop royalty: Chris Rock, Fat Joe, Mary J. Blige, Q-Tip, Diddy, Havoc, Kendrick Lamar, Styles P, Sheek Louch, AZ, Robert De Niro, Slick Rick, Steve Stoute, Sizzla, N.O.R.E, Questlove and many more. It was a night to remember as Nas was embraced by his peers, with Hit-Boy, Jadakiss, DJ Premier, Ralph McDaniels, and others showing their love and admiration.
In a heartwarming flick, Diddy, Fat Joe, Raekwon, and Cormega shared a nostalgic moment, highlighting the camaraderie and respect that Nas has earned throughout his illustrious career.
But the outpouring of love didn’t stop with those in attendance. Even those who couldn’t make it to the celebration made sure to send their love to the Magic III emcee through Mass Appeal. Cordae, DJ Khaled, Snoop Dogg, Swizz Beatz, and Tobe Nwigwe all took a moment to express their affection for Nas.
Snoop Dogg, in his signature style, welcomed Nas to the “fifth floor” of life, an eloquent nod to the rapper’s 50th birthday. DJ Khaled marveled at the synchronicity of Nas and hip-hop both turning 50 in the same year, showering him with blessings and gratitude. Swizz Beatz, paying homage to Nas‘ significance in the rap game, wished him many more blessings and declared him the “best of the best.”
Nas‘ 50th birthday celebration wasn’t just a party; it was a testament to his enduring influence on the world of music and culture. As the hip-hop community came together to celebrate this milestone, it was a reminder that Nas’ legacy is not just about music; it’s about the love and respect he’s earned from his peers and fans over three decades of greatness. Happy birthday, Nas—here’s to many more years of inspiring us all.
Pharrell is officially 50 years old today. At this point, it is hard to imagine that he is actually that age. Overall, he looks incredible for someone who has surpassed the middle-age mark. Typically, this is the time in which wrinkles take over and you lose the mojo you once had. However, Pharrell seems to be doing just fine. He is moisturized and thriving as he has been for the last 25 years. He remains at the top of his game, and fans are always excited to hear what he might come out with next.
That said, now is as good a time as ever for him to reflect on what he has accomplished in life. After all, it is not every single day that you get to celebrate 50 years on planet Earth. It is an opportunity that comes just once in your life, and there is no doubt that Pharrell has been spending the day with family. Moreover, he also seems to be getting a lot of love from his peers. The producer has made a lot of great music with some of hip-hop’s finest, and you can be sure they celebrated with some social media posts.
Pharrell Is Looking Good
Pharrell Williams attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) via Getty
For instance, Busta Rhymes was one of the first to wish Pharrell a happy birthday. “There is no amount of words that can describe what this man has done to continue to inspire me, push me forward and keep me the most positive and productive space through out the 25 plus yrs we have known each other!!” Busta Rhymes wrote. Other massive names like Diddy, Tyler, The Creator, and DJ Premier also joined the fun. From there, Snoop Dogg made a post where he said “Happy. C. Day. @pharrell thankful to have u as a producer friend and brother welcome to the 5th floor.”
At this point, it is more than clear that Pharrell is one of the most beloved artists to ever do it. Considering all that he has contributed to music, it is easy to see why. Let us know your favorite Pharrell track, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from the music world.
Biggie’s golden anniversary is this upcoming Saturday. The Notorious B.I.G., who would have turned 50-years-old on May 21, is receiving a number of tributes in New York City.
On Friday, there will be a ceremony in partnership with Bad Boy/Atlantic and Rhino Records at the Empire State Building with family members, friends and collaborators of the legendary rapper, Christopher Wallace.
While Brooklyn’s Barclays Center will feature a video montage of him on the mega oculus display above the venue’s entrance.
New York City is going B.I.G. for Biggies 50th birthday.
On Saturday, the landmark skyscraper will be changing its lights to red and white, with a crown spinning on its mast.
In addition, the MTA is releasing a special MetroCard edition featuring the Brooklyn-born Hip-Hop icon and there will be a free orchestral tribute at the Lincoln Center on June 10.
Biggie’s golden anniversary is this upcoming Saturday. The Notorious B.I.G., who would have turned 50-years-old on May 21, is receiving a number of tributes in New York City.
On Friday, there will be a ceremony in partnership with Bad Boy/Atlantic and Rhino Records at the Empire State Building with family members, friends and collaborators of the legendary rapper, Christopher Wallace.
While Brooklyn’s Barclays Center will feature a video montage of him on the mega oculus display above the venue’s entrance.
New York City is going B.I.G. for Biggies 50th birthday.
On Saturday, the landmark skyscraper will be changing its lights to red and white, with a crown spinning on its mast.
In addition, the MTA is releasing a special MetroCard edition featuring the Brooklyn-born Hip-Hop icon and there will be a free orchestral tribute at the Lincoln Center on June 10.
This Friday evening at 4 p.m., the Empire State Building (ESB) will host a lighting ceremony to honor the 50th birthday of the Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie), in partnership with Bad Boy / Atlantic / Rhino Records and the Christopher Wallace Estate.
The Empire State Building Observatory Experience will feature a life-size photorealistic avatar of Biggie for guest viewing and photographs on Friday, May 20, and Saturday, May 21, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also, on Friday and Saturday, fans can purchase exclusive Biggie x ESB hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts, sold only at the Observatory. Biggie’s 11x platinum album Life After Death will be available to purchase on cassette, along with the preorder for the 8-LP Deluxe.
Fifteen minutes after sunset on Saturday, May 21 – what would have been Biggie’s 50th birthday – the Empire State Building will light up in dynamic red and white with a rotating crown and the number “50” in the mast.
