1990s Southern hip-hop star Juvenile had one of the hottest records in the latter part of that decade. 400 Degreezis his most popular offering of his career and is an essential tape from that era. It is currently four times platinum by the RIAA and has some of the New Orleans native’s biggest hits. “Back That Azz Up,” “Ha,” and the title track are the most popular in terms of streaming as of now. However, the latter of them, “400 Degreez,” has just received the music video treatment over two decades later.
According to HipHopNMore, Juvenile decided to make this move to help celebrate the song and record’s 25th anniversary. Furthermore, the rapper is going to be dropping a deluxe edition digitally and physically. The streaming version will hit platforms this Friday, March 29. However, vinyl fans will have a little while longer.
It is a double LP with orange-colored discs and that will release on April 26. However, neither listener will be left out in terms of the bonus content. Each version will include new records “Party” and “We Be Blowing Money.” To pre-order the physical copy for Juvenile’s 400 Degreez, you can click the link right here.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new music video for “400 Degreez” by Juvenile? Do you think this a trend that needs to continue when it comes to older hit songs, why or why not? What is your favorite part of the video? Are you still bumping 400 Degreez? If so what songs and why? Are you going to buy the deluxe vinyl when it drops? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Juvenile. Finally, stay with us for everything the most informative music video posts throughout the week.
The Weeknd has so many classic tracks in his discography, that almost goes without saying. Whether its radio hits, bangers, or just well-crafted records, he really does have something for everyone. On top of having incredible tracks, he also has unforgettable albums. One of those is his 2020 contemporary R&B/80s pop offering After Hours. This was the LP that began his second trilogy in his discography and was continued in 2022 with Dawn FM. Today, on After Hours fourth anniversary, we wanted to reminisce about the captivating self-titled track to see how well it has held up.
“After Hours” was produced by The Weeknd as well as R&B legend Mario Winans, and frequent collaborators Illangelo and DaHeala. The Canadian R&B megastar made the song about a familiar topic in his canon. He is on his knees, apologizing to someone he used to be with as he looks to repair the relationship and himself. However, his old, promiscuous tendencies have come back up after being separated from her, making his vows to change less believable. It is a beautifully dark and sad tale that is executed perhaps the best on this song.
The third promotional single for “After Hours” did not see the same mainstream success as a “Blinding Lights,” for example. However, it still had a respectable number 77 placement in its first week on the Hot 100 chart. It went on to eventually peak at number 20, but this record is more than the numbers. The Weeknd really went all into creating a progressive experience with incredible beat switches, especially when the second verse comes in. We see this as an essential Weeknd track and it may be his greatest performance ever.
What were your thoughts on “After Hours” by The Weeknd when it dropped? Do you consider this his strongest track in his discography, why or why not? Or, is it just the best song on After Hours? Is this The Weeknd’s best album, why or why not? Is he the Michael Jackson of this era? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding The Weeknd. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
My darkest hours Girl, I felt so alone inside of this crowded room Different girls on the floor, distractin’ my thoughts of you I turned into the man I used to be, to be Put myself to sleep Just so I can get closer to you inside my dreams
On March 18th of this year, More Life by Drake clocked seven years since its release. This project wasn’t quite the typical album however; Drake himself preferred that it be called a “playlist,” and even marketed it with the subtitle, “A Playlist By October Firm” on its cover, below the picture of his father Dennis Graham. Other publications would choose to refer to it as a mixtape, while some would still stick to “album.” No matter the term, More Life is a project representative of Drake’s love for his artistic license. However, there’s more to it than that, and this defining release was unique in many more ways.
On October 23 2016, Drake himself announced More Life on a very special edition of OVO Sound Radio (Episode 32). Right before the episode officially kicked off, he made the announcement. He also teased songs from the album right then, probably as an early gift ahead of his 30th birthday. Three singles were released as teasers. These were, “Fake Love,” “Sneakin” (featuring 21 Savage), and “Two Birds, One Stone.” He also teased his collaboration with UK rap artist Dave on “Wanna Know (Remix).”
Drake dropped another teaser for More Life, at the Paper Soho Club in London on February 17, of the following year. Nonetheless, it was six long months of waiting before he officially announced on March 11 that the release date would be March 18. Much like its announcement, the album was first aired on the 39th episode of OVO Sound Radio.
Importantly, the playlist was not Drake’s first time using the term “More Life.” Earlier that year, he had written a letter in response to the shooting of Alton Sterling by law enforcement officers. “It’s impossible to ignore that the relationship between Black and Brown communities and law enforcement remains as strained as it was decades ago. No one begins their life as a hashtag. Yet the trend of being reduced to one continues,” Drake wrote. He then signed it off with “More Life,” a popular Jamaican phrase, popularized by dancehall artist Vybz Kartel. Drake has often referred to Vybz as one of his “biggest inspirations,” particularly for the dancehall elements in his own music. The mixtape was 90 minutes long, with a tracklist of 22 songs, although it did not include the previously released singles.
More Life, And Drake’s Overall Discography
The mixtape arrived on the heels of Views in 2016. Views famously awarded Drake with his first No. 1 single, “One Dance.” Today, he’s the artist with the most singles to debut atop the same chart. The album had been hyped since 2014, as the peak result of Drake’s creativity and artistry, even long before the dust settled on his other wins. He had his mixtape, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, his Future collab What a Time to Be Alive, and the viral hit, “Hotline Bling.”
In contrast, More Life arrived with a quieter, understated approach. The release date was announced merely a week before its drop, and it abandoned the customary Friday morning release by debuting on a Saturday night. Also, no physical copies of the album were sold. It goes unsaid that More Life was Drake’s way of enjoying his artistic experiments while freeing himself from the burdensome commercialization of the industry. He didn’t stress himself with the tasks of having a theme, general sound, or other rudimentary definitions of what makes a good album. With More Life, he played around with his many musical passions, across genres, sounds, and cultures.
“Passionfruit,” a relaxed, romantic dance number, was a staple on More Life. While it was a surprising offering from Drake, it undoubtedly yielded exceptional results commercially. “Passionfruit” spent seven weeks in the UK’s top 10, peaking at number 3. On the Hot 100, it hit the eighth spot. Moreover, it went double platinum and ended up being covered by John Mayer, Paramore, and Mabel. The tropical house-inspired banger soon became a fan-favorite. Years later, and fans would realize the pipeline from the track toHonestly, Nevermind, Drake’s seventh album. On “Get It Together,” also from More Life, Drake featured Jorja Smith and South African producer Black Coffee. The underrated song had a similar, unhurried housey style. After More Life, Black Coffee, real name Nkosinathi Maphumulo, subsequently worked on multiple songs on Honestly, Nevermind, proving Drake’s intentionality with the dance genre.
The dance album famously caught fans off guard with its sudden June 2022 release. At the time, Certified Lover Boy, his sixth official LP, was still just nine months old. Moreover, the Dark Lane Demo Tapes were barely a year old. Nonetheless, it was unique in the way that throughout his career, Drake had hinted at his affinity for dance music. Specifically, Drake had laid out a clear trajectory, from “Take Care,” to “One Dance,” and of course, More Life’s “Passionfruit.”
A Subtle U.K. Love Letter
Drake’s More Life, also heavily embraced the sounds of the U.K. music scene. His interest in UK culture was likely facilitated by his close bond with Skepta, who even joined Drake during parts of his 2017 Boy Meets World tour across Europe. However, before Skepta, Drake had also collaborated with London producer Jamie xx on his second album, TakeCare. He also collaborated with soulful, crooning south Londoner, Sampha in 2013.
Around the same period, Drake began delving deeper into British food and media. As a result, the U.K.’s influence began to appear in his music. He fanboyed for grime pioneer Wiley and quoted Tottenham MC Skepta on a track with Lil Wayne. He also transformed his Instagram into a hub for grime rap battles, at least for a while. Furthermore, More Life featured UK rapper Giggs, on not one, but two tracks that played off both their strengths — “KMT” and “No Long Talk.”
Despite “KMT”’s popularity as a moshpit anthem in the UK, it faced criticism from American Hip Hop influencers like DJ Akademiks. AK described the track as an imposition of foreign musical culture on American Hip Hop. Some also noted Drake’s flow on “KMT” was a little too close to XXXTentacion’s on “Look At Me.” Regardless, the playlist featured a host of British artists including Nana Rogues.
As we would later find out, Drake’s relationship with Grime music and the UK Rap scene did not end with More Life. For example in 2020, Drake worked with Headie One for the “Only You (Freestyle).” He also made a second attempt at recreating U.K. drill with “War” that same year. Thanks to his influence, other American rappers have begun to collaborate with drill and grime. For example, Future collaborated with Drill rapper DigDat in 2019. Also, A$AP Rocky collaborated with Skepta on “Praise The Lord.”
For most artists, their debut album is one of the most important projects they will ever release. It sets the stage for the rest of their career and determines how their subsequent projects will be received. In 2014, YG successfully introduced his music to the world with My Krazy Life, his debut album. While he had released a handful of mixtapes between 2009 and 2013, it was My Krazy Life that firmly put the rapper’s name on the map. Since the album dropped, YG has released several excellent projects. However, even 10 years after its release, fans still always come back to My Krazy Life. Without a doubt, it is one of the most important works in YG’s entire catalog.
Before making it big and properly entering the mainstream market, YG built a loyal fan base on MySpace. The rapper’s music began getting heavy play on the platform while he was in jail on resident burglary charges. When he was finally released in 2009, he was immediately sought out by labels who wanted to sign him. Subsequently, he signed to Def Jam where he soon started releasing his mixtapes. In 2012, the rapper first announced his debut album, titled I’m 4rm Bompton at the time. However, in 2013, YG subsequently changed the title to My Krazy Life. After completing the album, YG released My Krazy Life on March 18, 2014.
The Subject Matter Of The Album
YG has spoken extensively about what My Krazy Life means to him. By all means, the album is a very personal piece of work to the rapper, and sees him being open and vulnerable in a peculiar way. While speaking to HipHopDX about the album in 2013, YG shared, “My album is catered to my life, my culture and the West Coast. It’s like a day in the life of YG from the morning until the night.”
In another 2013 interview with Vice, he further elaborated on the subject matter of the album. “It’s a lot of crazy shit. My album is catered to my life, you feel me? Shit that was really going on in my lifestyle, coming from where I come from, the West Coast, the culture out there. Gang banging, drugs, parties, and, just like every other culture, the same shit. It’s a lot of gang-banging going on, it’s shooting going on, it’s robbing going on. It’s fucking bitches. All that shit,” he said. As promised, My Krazy Life is littered with songs that see YG spitting bars about different aspects of his life. Admittedly, the harsh realities addressed in the project would turn some listeners away. However, many others continue to appreciate the grittiness and raw honesty YG showcased on My Krazy Life.
Many heads and hands came together to assist YG in creating this body of work. DJ Mustard handled the majority of the production with further contributions made by Metro Boomin, Ty Dolla Sign, Mike Free, B Wheezy, C. Ballin, Terrace Martin, and Chordz. Altogether, they built the soundscape of My Krazy Life, giving YG room to go as hard as he wanted on each track. The 17-track album also includes guest appearances from several artists. All four singles released from My Krazy Life have guest features. These songs are “My N***a” ft. Jeezy & Rich Homie Quan, “Left, Right” ft. DJ Mustard, “Who Do You Love” ft. Drake, and “Do It to Ya” ft. TeeFlii. Undeniably, these four tracks are among the album’s best songs. Other standout tracks are “Sorry Momma” ft. Ty Dolla Sign, “Bompton”, and “Really Be” ft. Kendrick Lamar.
The Lasting Success Of My Krazy Life
In the years since its release, this album has solidified itself as a modern-day classic. When YG dropped My Krazy Life in 2014, there was no telling how successful it would become. However, the album is undeniably one of the most beloved projects he has ever released. It remains his best-selling album for a reason. It is also still his highest-charting album on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at number two. In its own way, this album has left an indelible mark on the Hip Hop landscape, and will surely still be remembered for years to come. YG now has multiple stellar albums to his name, but he certainly set the bar high with My Krazy Life in 2014.
In 1999, Harlem World burst into the Hip Hop scene with their debut album The Movement. While it remains the sole album the Ma$e-led group ever released, they certainly left their mark on the music world with the body of work. March 9, 2024 marked 25 years since Harlem World released The Movement. Admittedly, many new Hip Hop heads will be unfamiliar with the group since they peaked in 1999. However, back then, for a brief moment, Harlem World was one of the most exciting new Hip Hop groups. Despite their disbandment, their legacy has lived on through The Movement, and the album has aged well enough.
Harlem World was formed by Mase, a prominent figure in the rap scene and the current host of It Is What Is Is, and featured a collective of talented artists. All seven of the group’s members hailed from the popular neighborhood in New York City where they started rapping. After being formed in 1995, they began working on their then-untitled debut album. Subsequently, on March 9, 1999, Harlem World released The Movement through So So Def Recordings/Columbia Records.
At the time of its release, Harlem was experiencing a resurgence of cultural and artistic vitality. This era of creativity and expression provided the perfect backdrop for the group to channel their experiences, aspirations, and struggles into their music. Before The Movement, Harlem World did not release any non-album singles, and neither were they featured by another artist. Their debut album was their official introduction to the world.
Words And Sounds Of The Movement
One of this album’s most defining features is its eclectic mix of musical styles. It blends Hip Hop, R&B, and soul with effortless finesse, creating a rich and immersive soundscape. Being that it features an impressive lineup of producers, the sonic excellence of The Movement is not surprising. Some of the sound alchemists credited on the project are The Neptunes, Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Jermaine Dupri, among others. Evidently, Harlem World and Mase were determined to create an amazing project. Songwriting was handled by members of the group, with additional help from some renowned songwriters. These include Skip Scarborough, Melvin Smalls, as well as the aforementioned Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams, among others.
Throughout the 17-track album, several artists make guest appearances. For example, Carl Thomas and Nas are featured on “You Made Me,” Nauty on “Minute Man,” and Rashad on “Not The Kids.” Additionally, Mase, who is also an executive producer on the album, appears on four tracks. These are, “Crew Of The Year,” “Across The Border,” “One Big Fiesta,” and “I Really Like It,” which also features Kelly Price. Drag-On, The Teamsters, Rashad, Jermaine Dupri, and Boys Choir of Harlem round off the featured acts on The Movement.
Harlem World only released two tracks from The Movement as singles, “I Really Like It” and “Cali Chronic.” Without a doubt, those are two of the album’s standout tracks, as well as its most successful. They appeared on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart, peaking at numbers 61 and 87 respectively. Some other strong entries on the album are “Not The Kids” and “One Big Fiesta” ft. Mase.
The Legacy Of Harlem World
After Harlem World dropped The Movement in 1999, the album received not-so-favorable reviews from critics. However, other listeners seemed to love the project, and it was a commercial success. It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA just a month after its release. Unfortunately, Harlem World disbanded later in 1999 despite the success of The Movement. Nevertheless, their work was already done as The Movement was already out in the world. 25 years after its release, the album continues to carry the legacy of the short-lived Hip Hop group.
Lil Uzi Vert had fans begging and pleading for a new album after his hit-filled record Luv Is Rage 2 dropped in late 2017. The Philly affiliate is one of the hardest rappers to trust when it comes to his promises of new music. But the wait was well worth it for fans as well as his bank account. When Eternal Atakefinally hit streaming in March of 2020, it cleaned house with sales. Fans scooped up 288,000 copies, easily enough for a number one spot on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. One of the reasons why it was so successful was because of Lil Uzi Vert’s cut “Silly Watch.”
The banger about his obsession with watches also catapulted Eternal Ataketo having the fourth largest streaming week ever. “Silly Watch” is quintessential Uzi as he lives up to his stage name rapping at the fire rate of the SMG. The Supah Mario beat is also very addicting with its piano-led melody. Hardcore fans of his will know that this track had a different name.
According to Genius, the record was going to be referred to as “40 Glock.” However, Supah Mario cleared things up on Twitter saying that it does not exist. When the tracklist was revealed that is when fans figured out that “Silly Watch” would be the new moniker. It has since become one of the most popular tracks on the sophomore LP and for good reason. Of course, it would go on to receive its deluxe, LUV vs. The World 2, a week later with more features.
What are were your thoughts on “” by Lil Uzi Vert? Is this one of his strongest tracks of from Eternal Atake, why or why not? What is your favorite element of the song and why? Is this project still in your rotation? Do you prefer this version, or its deluxe, LUV vs. The World 2? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Lil Uzi Vert. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
Got a Richard Mille, this not a silly watch All this money make me wan’ hit my Diddy Bop Tell the teller at the bank, um, just give me lots At the dealer, I can’t pull this s*** off the lot Me and my boys, you know that we sharin’ thots I got n****s that be movin’ the tan rock
Kanye West is stirring up controversy nowadays, especially over the past year. While he has always been an outspoken individual for or better or worse, we cannot deny his creative vision. But right now, some are having a hard time separating the music from the person. Just ask “the internet’s busiest music nerd” Anthony Fantano. However, before we really got to see the slow downward mental spiral of Ye, many people saw him as a hard-working rapper/producer. From 2003-2004, the Georgia-born talent was working on creating his debut The College Dropout. That means the project is now 20 years old, as well as its creative ideas.
To help remember this incredible record, Kanye’s ex, Alexis Phifer, shared some drawings of the famous bear mascot, according to HipHopDX. The first of the school-themed trio celebrated its 20th anniversary on Saturday, February 10. If you look at the artwork on The College Dropout, Late Registration,andGraduation, you will notice the mammal in some shape or form. Phifer shared that the inspiration for the bear comes from the luxury clothing brand Ralph Lauren.
Phifer wrote a long paragraph explaining how this all came to fruition and how she still has them to this day. “With the record label asking him for the ideas he had in mind, Kanye started to sketch out his vision that evening at my house. First, he started with the heads, then the body, then the belt. After he was done and pleased with what he had, he faxed the sketches the next day to the record label.” She continues, “After faxing his final idea, he was about to throw the sketches away! That’s when I asked if I could keep the artwork instead.” Even though they split in 2008, she still shows Kanye and the LP its respect. “[It] is a hip hop classic. It was the beginning of what would mark one of the most influential rapper’s life and legacy.”
What are your thoughts on the original sketches for Kanye West’s The College Dropout bear mascot? Is this his greatest album still, why or why not? Do you still go back to it, and if so what tracks? Is this the most iconic artwork for any hip-hop album? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to tell us in the comments below. Additionally, keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Kanye West. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
Drake really put his haters and doubters on notice with his 2015 mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. The Canadian was known for his softer R&B side after dropping projects like Take Care and So Far Gone. So, when If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late came out, we got to see the darker, leaner, and meaner side. It was a great change of pace to bring more minimal beats to allow for the lyrics to be the focal point. One of the prime examples of this working to perfection for Drake is on “Know Yourself.”
Everyone knows the iconic beat switch halfway through after the extremely quotable line, “I was runnin’ through the 6 with my woes.” That line itself was debated online at the time because fans thought Drake meant he was battling issues while making a name for himself living in Canada. Noah “40” Shebib, one of Drake’s closest collaborators cleared that up. “It’s a South slang word woadie meaning my friend or my n****.”
While some people still view Take Care or Nothing Was The Same as his best albums, there is a conversation to be had for IYRTITL. “Know Yourself” is a major reason reason why. It is so well-produced and structured while giving you confidence when it comes on. The conviction in which Drake raps is bone-chilling and it helps carry the momentum through the rest of the tracklist.
What were your thoughts on “Know Yourself” by Drake from If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late? Is this the best track from the album, why or why not? Where does this song rank in his discography? What is your overall opinion on the album right now and why? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to tell us in the comments below. Additionally, keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Drake. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
This is that nasty flow Top boy in this s***, I’m so international Reps up is in here Got P Reign and Chubby and TJ and Winnie and woah Yeah, and you know how that shit go I might declare it a holiday as soon as Baka get back on the road
Three years ago today (January 8), Jazmine Sullivan released her acclaimed and enduringly compelling album Heaux Tales. Moreover, it has a lot of smooth, emotive, soulful, and musically proficient highlights, plus some notable collaborations with the likes of H.E.R. and Ari Lennox. However, perhaps none rank greater than her link-up with the one and only Anderson .Paak on “Price Tags,” which is one of the more thematically consistent cuts on the record. On it, the 36-year-old talks about wealth, material success, sexual empowerment, and relationship dynamics. It’s a pretty versatile song when looking at these themes, but most importantly, it’s an infectiously groovy jam with a lot of lush instrumentation and catchy melodies.
Furthermore, Jairus “J-Mo” Mozee put together a pretty impressive production from behind the board, highlighting both featured artists’ talents. The crisp and simple drum beat is consistently nasty, and offers some funky and stark contrast from the traditionally lavish backing elements. These include an ear-worm, high-pitch key sample, vocal harmonies, light guitar strums, and cavernous bass. Jazmine Sullivan shines with a dynamic performance, and the “Stand Up” singer shows off her range from soaring cries to sultry temptations. On his end, Anderson .Paak proves himself as one of the most charismatic vocalists working today with a sassy and impassioned verse.
Jazmine Sullivan’s “Price Tags” With Anderson .Paak: Stream
Meanwhile, this follows a successful but sometimes turbulent 2023 for the Philly native, who had her set canceled at the Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival due to a stampede. Hopefully 2024 brings Jazmine Sullivan more luck, and finally brings the return of NxWorries that Anderson .Paak’s been teasing for so long. As we look forward to what these stars will do this year, we have this throwback to remind us of their talent and skill. If you’ve never heard “Price Tags” before, find it and the rest of Heaux Tales on your preferred streaming service and peep some notable lines down below. Also, as always, log back into HNHH for more great music recommendations, new or old, around the clock.
Quotable Lyrics Lookin’ at your exes, all of ’em ballplayers, (All ballplayers) 2012 Lexus, it still ain’t paid off yet, (Still ain’t paid off yet) Pullin’ out my wallet, no credit cards in it, If I let you play, you gon’ have a ball with it (Fallin’, fallin’, fallin’, fallin’)
Beyonce is easily one of the most influential artists, period, over the last 20 years or so. The Houston native has been topping the charts and winning people’s hearts for her confident, boss-babe mentality in her music and the same goes for her personality. She is a global icon and deserves her flowers for influencing this generation. One of the ways she was able to do that was because of her 2013 self-titled record.
Ironically, it is the album’s 10-year anniversary today, and she is celebrating the record in a big way. Around the rollout of the LP, there was an accompanying music video for each track, as well as three extra ones. “Grown Woman” got the nod for the visuals, but the actual audio was not included on the initial release. Today, that changed as it is now available on streaming.
According to Uproxx, the song was teased in a Pepsi commercial back in April of 2013. The message it has is a powerful one, as it sees Beyonce talking about growing into her own. That is especially true about her life. Now that she is grown, she feels that can go out and conquer any objective. Go stream the song above.
What are your initial thoughts on this “brand-new” single, “Grown Woman,” by Beyonce? If this landed on the original version of BEYONCÉ, would it be the best song on the album? What is your favorite element of the track? Are you surprised she waited this long to officially release it? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Beyonce. Furthermore, stay with us for all of the best song drops throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
I was spending all my nights and days (Ooh) Laid back day dreamin’ (Ooh, day dreamin’, dreamin’, day dreamin’) Look at me, I’m a big girl now Said I’m gon’ do somethin’ (Ooh) Told the world I would paint this town Now betcha I run this (Ah)
