80s rap

Beastie Boys: Where Are They Now?

by

Beastie Boys, a pioneering Hip Hop group formed in New York in 1981, left a lasting mark on the music industry with their innovative blend of rap, punk, and funk. Comprising members Ad-Rock, MCA, and Mike D, the Beastie Boys achieved critical acclaim and commercial success. However, after the passing of MCA in 2012, the group disbanded. Since then, fans have been curious about the whereabouts and activities of the group’s members. Here’s what the members of Beastie Boys have been up to.

Beastie Boys: A Seamless Leap Into Hip Hop

Beastie Boys was formed in 1981 out of the members of the hardcore punk band The Young Aborigines. The group was created with members Diamond (Mike D), Kate Schellenbach, MCA, and John Berry, but when Berry left shortly after, he was replaced by Ad-Rock. Although the group started as a hardcore punk band, they later transitioned into Hip Hop. Subsequently, they became one of the first successful white rap groups. The group gained prominence in 1983 with their first Hip Hop single “Cooky Puss” which was a great success. 

Throughout their career, the Beastie Boys released several critically acclaimed albums including Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head, and License To Ill, among others. They experimented with sampling, live instrumentation, and socially conscious lyrics, earning praise for their musical innovation and cultural impact. ​The group won three Grammys and four VMAs throughout their active years. Beastie Boys was subsequently announced as an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for the 2012 ceremony.

Members Mike D and Ad-Rock eventually released a memoir in 2018 titled Beastie Boys Book. It specifically recounts the events that occurred throughout the group’s history. The book was later adapted into a documentary two years later. While the Beastie Boys, as a performing and recording entity, have ended, their legacy lives on. This is particularly evident through their groundbreaking contributions to Hip Hop.  

Read More: What Is The Beastie Boys Best-Selling Album?

Ad-Rock

ad-rock of beastie boys
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 15: Adam Horowitz of the Beastie Boys is interviewed live on stage during the 2019 SXSW Conference and Festival at the Austin Convention Center on March 15, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jim Bennett/WireImage)

Adam Keefe Horovitz, popularly known as Ad-Rock, joined the band in the early 1980s. He significantly contributed to the group’s transformation from a punk band to a pioneering force in Hip Hop. Known for his energetic and often humorous lyrical style, he helped shape the Beastie Boys’ eclectic fusion. Beyond his work with the group, however, Ad-Rock has been involved in many other musical and creative projects. 

He has helped remix various tracks for other artists under the alias, 41 Small Stars. Furthermore, he has also explored acting, with roles in films such as Lost Angels, A Kiss Before Dying, and Golden Exits. In the aftermath of Adam Yauch’s (MCA) death, Ad-Rock went on to star as himself in the documentaries Bad Reputation and Beastie Boys Story. He married Kathleen Hanna in 2006, and the pair are still going strong.   

Mike D

mike d beastie boys
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 04: Mike D of the Beastie Boys attend the 2014 Pioneer Works Village Fete Fundraiser at Dustin Yellin’s Pioneer Works on May 4, 2014 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage)

Michael Louis Diamond, also known as Mike D was a founding member of the Beastie Boys. He has since released remixed music, and also began working with the rock band, Portugal. He also hosted the Apple Music podcast The Echo Chamber from 2016 to 2022. In 1993, Diamond tied the knot with Tamra Davis, a director involved in film, television, and music videos. However, they have since undergone a legal separation. The couple shares two children, Davis Diamond and Skyler Diamond, who later collaborated to form the musical group known as Very Nice Person.

Read More: Beastie Boys “Ill Communication” Turns 29

MCA

mca beastie boys
NEW YORK – MAY 02: Filmmaker and recording artist Adam Yauch speaks onstage at the Apple Soho store on May 2, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

Adam Yauch, better known as MCA, was an American rapper, bassist, filmmaker, and founding member of the Beastie Boys. In addition to his musical endeavors, MCA established Oscilloscope Laboratories, an independent film production and distribution company in 2002. Under the company, he produced Bad Brains’ album, Build a Nation, and distributed Kelly Reichardt’s Wendy and Lucy as well as Lynne Ramsey’s We Need To Talk About Kevin. When the Beastie Boys were being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, MCA was sadly too sick to attend. However, his bandmates paid tribute to him and read a letter from him to the audience. 

Tragically, he passed away on May 4, 2012, at the age of 47 from parotid cancer. His death marked the end of an era for the Beastie Boys. Moreover, his contributions to both the music industry and social activism are remembered and celebrated by fans worldwide. In memory of MCA, his bandmates and friends organized events like the annual Beastie Boys Book events. This has since celebrated the legacy of the group, and their impact on the culture.

[via]

The post Beastie Boys: Where Are They Now? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kid ‘N Play: Where Are They Now?

by

The iconic Hip Hop duo Kid ‘n Play broke into the music scene in the late 1980s. Comprising Christopher “Kid” Reid, and Christopher “Play” Martin, this dynamic pair captured the hearts of fans with their infectious energy. Moreover, their distinct musical style set them apart. Known for hits like “Rollin With Kid ‘N Play,” and “Funhouse,” the duo enjoyed widespread success. These songs showcased their unique blend of catchy beats and playful lyrics. Kid ‘N Play influenced many witty lyricists after them. 

However, it wasn’t just their distinct musical prowess that kept their names alive. In the ‘90s, the duo seamlessly transitioned into the world of cinema, headlining the beloved House Party film series. Since then, as the years unfolded, the landscape of Hip Hop and entertainment have evolved. Kid ‘N Play seems to have fallen under the radar, leaving fans wondering what the duo has been up to. Their fans would be pleased to know that both Kid and Play have stayed active in the entertainment industry over the years.

Read More: Kid ‘N Play Were Teased By Ice Cube For Cleaning Up Lyrics On N.W.A. Tour

The Evolution Of Kid ‘N Play

Formed in 1986, the duo initially went by the name Fresh Force Crew before changing to Kid ‘n Play in 1987. Although they released music in 1985 and 1986, their first official single as Kid ‘n Play was 1987’s “Last Night.” It also served as the lead single of their debut album 2 Hype which was later released on October 26, 1988. Subsequently, they followed up with their sophomore album Funhouse in 1990, and a year later, released Face The Nation. 

Additionally, as a group, they made their acting debut in 1990 with House Party. Between 1991 and 1994, they starred in four additional movies: House Party 2 (1991), Class Act (1992), Bodyguards (1993), and House Party 3 (1994). Kid ‘N Play also appeared on the soundtrack albums for Class Act and each of the three House Party films. 

There were no further album releases or film appearances from the duo in the ‘90s. As a matter of fact, since 1991’s Face The Nation, Kid ‘N Play has not released a new album. However, in 2013, they appeared in House Party: Tonight’s The Night. Subsequently, in 2023, they appeared in House Party, a reboot of the original 1990 film. 

Although the duo has not released any new material in about three decades, they have not disbanded. Despite their ventures, they have stayed together as Kid ‘n Play over the years, making appearances here and there. For example, in 2010, they appeared on The Mo’Nique Show, and Lopez Tonight. Also, in 2014, Kid ‘n Play made a cameo appearance in the RadioShack Super Bowl XLVII commercial. 

Christopher “Kid” Reid

Christopher “Kid” Reid has been busy since Kid ‘N Play’s last album dropped. However, his work since then has not been in the music industry. Surprisingly, Kid has focused on his acting career instead, appearing in several movies and shows over the years. Some of these include Sister, Sister (1996 – 1997), War Of The Worlds 2: The Next Wave (2008), and the animated TV series Apple & Onion (2021).

Read More: Kid Believes Rappers Today Are Alike, Says Artists Used To Have Distinctive Sounds

Christopher “Play” Martin

While Christopher “Play” Martin has not racked up acting credits like Kid, he has also been active in the film industry. Martin is the founder and CEO of HP4 Digital, a multimedia company. In addition, he is an Artist in Resident at North Carolina Central University, where he teaches a course titled Hip Hop iI Context 101. Although he could have pursued a solo musical career, the rapper chose not to. Now 61 years old, Play is a father of one, and a born-again Christian.

The post Kid ‘N Play: Where Are They Now? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Geto Boys: Where Are They Now?

by

Geto Boys, also known as Ghetto Boys, one of the pioneering and influential groups in the history of Southern Hip Hop, emerged from the gritty streets of Houston, Texas, in the late 1980s. The group garnered attention for their raw and unapologetic lyrics. They also achieved notoriety for their disturbing music videos, horrorcore rap, and dark lyrics. While they faced controversy and several lineup changes throughout their career, their impact on the rap scene remains significant. Here, we’ll explore where the individual members of Geto Boys are now and provide an update on the group’s collective journey. 

Geto Boys: Lineup After Lineup

Geto Boys was formed with the initial lineup of Raheem, The Sire Jukebox, and Sir Rap-A-Lot. After Raheem and Sir Rap-A-Lot departed, the group welcomed DJ Ready Red, Prince Johnny C, and Little Billy, the dancer who later became known as Bushwick Bill. The group made their debut in 1986 with the single “Car Crash,” and released their first album Making Trouble two years later. Unfortunately, their releases received very little attention, leading them to break up. 

Soon after, a reconfigured lineup featuring Bushwick Bill, Scarface, and Willie D was assembled. The trio collaborated on the 1989 album Grip It! On That Other Level. In the early ’90s, the newfound Geto Boys gained significant attention when a shooting resulted in Bushwick Bill losing an eye. However, the ghastly incident contributed to the increased sales of their 1991 album, We Can’t Be Stopped. 

The Resurrection, Hiatus, & The Foundation

Following Willie D’s departure from the group, Scarface and Bushwick Bill pressed on and welcomed Big Mike into the fold. He made his debut appearance on the group’s 1993 album Till Death Do Us Part. After that, Big Mike left, and Willie D returned for the critically acclaimed album The Resurrection. Following the project’s success, Geto Boys released one more album before embarking on a three-year hiatus in 1999. They returned in 2002 to produce their seventh album, The Foundation, which hit the shelves in 2005. 

After this, the band rarely released any albums or performed as a group. They, however, reunited for a special performance at the 2009 Cypress Hill’s SmokeOut Festival in California. Not much was heard from the group until early 2019, when Bushwick Bill was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The group then announced a farewell tour named “The Beginning of a Long Goodbye, The Final Farewell.” A portion of the tour proceeds was to be donated to pancreatic cancer awareness. Unfortunately, this tour was called off right before its scheduled commencement.

Scarface

Brad Terrence Jordan, popularly known as Scarface, maintained a prominent presence in the Hip Hop scene since the Geto Boys’ heyday. After the group’s early disbandment, Scarface pursued a successful solo career. He released critically acclaimed albums such as Mr. Scarface Is Back, The Diary, and The Last of a Dying Breed. Over the course of his career, Scarface quickly gained respect as one of the hardest MCs in the game. 

Beyond music, Scarface delved into the business side of the industry. He served as the president of Def Jam South from 2000 to 2005. Through this appointment, he became an influential figure in shaping the careers of emerging artists, particularly Ludacris. Scarface was infamously arrested in 2015 after the BET Awards for failure to pay child support. He’s been long since out of prison, however, and fans got a taste of some of his old-school lyrical magic after he appeared on NPR’s series in December 2023. 

Willie D

William James Dennis, aka Willie D, also ventured into solo endeavors after Geto Boys disbanded the first time. He released several solo albums, including Controversy, Play Witcha Mama, and Unbreakable. However, Willie D also ventured far out of the industry and pursued a career in boxing, which he had initially wanted to pursue before music. He famously knocked out Melle Mel in 1992, and enjoyed a series of wins and losses until he quit in 2000. 

Throughout the years, Willie D has been involved in various legal troubles, including aggravated robbery and wire fraud. In 2010, he was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges. Two years later, he released “Hoodiez,” a track featuring Scarface, D-Boi, and Propain. The song quickly gained traction and became a viral sensation on the internet. He’s been a bit lowkey since but made headlines in 2023 after blasting the Grammys for excluding the Geto Boys in their Hip Hop tribute.

Bushwick Bill

Born Richard William Stephen Shaw, Bushwick Bill was an iconic and distinctive member of the Geto Boys. He was fondly remembered for his charismatic presence. Tragically, Bushwick Bill passed away in June 2019 from pancreatic cancer. His death marked the end of an era for the Geto Boys. As a solo artist, Bushwick Bill released several albums, including Little Big Man, Phantom of the Rapra, Universal Small Soulja, and My Testimony of Redemption. 

Big Mike

Michael Barnett, better known as Big Mike, was known for his deep, resonant voice and lyrical prowess. Before his association with Geto Boys, Big Mike was also a member of the Convicts, a rap duo alongside Houston-based rapper 3-2. He began his solo career in 1994 with the album Something Serious. Since then, Big Mike has continued to remain relevant in the scene. His most recent album, Finish The Job, was released in 2020. 

Prince Johnny C

Jonathan Carmichael, aka Prince Johnny C, played a significant role in producing Geto Boys’ early albums. He also pursued a solo career in 1992 with the album It’s Been a Long Rhyme Coming. However, the album failed to make significant waves. Nonetheless, while he may not have achieved the same level of individual fame as some of the Geto Boys members, his production contributions are indelible.

DJ Ready Red

DJ Ready Red, whose real name is Collins Leysath, was another one of the group’s DJs and producers. He was part of the second lineup for the group, along with Raheem and Sir Rap-A-Lot. After the other two left the group, he continued contributing to Geto Boys’s evolving sound. While he played a crucial role in the group’s early success, he eventually parted ways with the group. Sadly, DJ Ready Red passed away in August 2018 from a heart attack.

Raheem

Oscar Ceres, widely recognized as Raheem in the music scene, hails from Houston, Texas. He departed from the group early on to embark on a solo journey. Under Rap-A-Lot Records, he dropped two albums: The Vigilante in 1988 and The Invincible in 1992. Although he staged a comeback in 2000 with the release of The Tight IV Life Training Camp, he hasn’t unveiled any fresh musical content since then. In addition to this, Raheem has been living under the radar for two decades now.

Sir Rap-A-Lot & Sire Jukebox

Thelton Polk, formerly known as Sir Rap-A-Lot, and Keith Rogers, also known as Sire Jukebox, were both part of the original lineup for Geto Boys. Rap-A-Lot became known as K-9, with production credits on the songs “Car Freak” and Zoo Crew’s “Migrate Adapt or Die.” Sire Jukebox, on the other hand, has kept a very low profile since his days in Geto Boys. 

[via]

The post Geto Boys: Where Are They Now? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

De La Soul’s 1989 Single “The Magic Number” Debuts On DSPs

by

While never before heard music is always exciting, there’s nothing quite like being able to revisit an old favourite with the touch of a button. Thankfully, De La Soul is moving their full catalogue onto streaming platforms later this year. To get us excited for the impending arrival, they’ve also begun sharing singles.

Firstly, the trio made their 1989 hit “The Magic Number” available across DSPs earlier this weekend. It previously made its debut on their 3 Feet High And Rising project over three decades ago. As NME notes, it rose in popularity after landing on the Spider-Man: No Way Home film last year.

Kelvin Mercer, David Jude Jolicoeur, Vincent Mason, De La Soul, Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland, 04/04/1989. (Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images)

Presently, De La Soul’s three most recent albums are the only ones on streamers. The oldest of those is 2004’s The Grind Date, which was followed in 2012 by First Serve. In 2016 the trio was back with more, delivering And The Anonymous Nobody… to their fans.

Projects that will land on DSPs on March 3 include 1991’s De La Soul Is Dead as well as 1993’s Buhloone Mindstate. Additionally, the group will share Stakes Is High (1996), Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000), and Art Official Intelligence: Bionix (2001).

The reason for many of these efforts’ absence from streamers is the group’s dispute with Warner Records. The label allegedly said that samples across the tracks had clearance for physical media distribution only.

Stream De La Soul’s “The Magic Number” on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, tell us which of the group’s songs you’re most excited to have on DSPs later this year in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics:

Parents let go, ’cause there’s magic in the air
Criticizing rap shows you’re out of order
Stop, look and listen to the phrase Fred Astaires
And don’t get offended while Mase do-si-do’s your daughter

[Via]