Belly

Belly Speaks Up For His Homeland On “96 Miles From Bethlehem”

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“I got a lot more to say..” That is what Belly had to say on Instagram one day ago while announcing his surprise new album 96 Miles From Bethlehem. The rapper and singer is of Palestinian descent, as he was born in Jenin, which is in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Fittingly, the name of the album is actually how far his hometown is from Bethlehem. Belly has been one of the leading voices, musically speaking, during this heartbreaking war. Now, he is here to further his message on this concise nine-song offering.

Unbeknownst to us, Belly dropped off the lead single, “Patience vs. Patients”, on Wednesday. It was a short one minute and change effort to call out the government for its blatant lies against aiding the Palestinians. During that aforementioned reveal of 96 Miles From Bethlehem, Belly made it known to his fans that all of the money made from this project would go towards aiding his people. That includes profits from the merchandise sold as well.

Read More: Normani Dons The Villain Role On “Candy Paint”

Listen To 96 Miles From Bethlehem By Belly

Throughout the 19 minutes of runtime, Belly leaves it all out there, both from a vocal and instrumental perspective. This listen is not meant for bangers, it is meant to be slightly uncomfortable and eye-opening. 96 Miles From Bethlehem is certainly that, as the beats and tones of each track are dark and gloomy. Belly recruits his Palestinian brothers and sisters Saint Levant, Ibrahim Maalouf, Eylanna, and MC Abdul to deliver some powerful moments. All in all, Belly succeeds here on his official fourth album.

What are your thoughts on 96 Miles From Bethlehem by Belly? Is this one of his best albums of his career, why or why not? What song do you view as the best in terms of its message? 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 Belly. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

96 Miles From Bethlehem Tracklist:

  1. Metal Birds
  2. Blue Bags
  3. Patience vs. Patients
  4. Jenin’s Song
  5. Crucifix
  6. Baroudeh with Saint Levant
  7. Carry Me with Ibrahim Maalouf
  8. Maktub with MC Abdul
  9. The Gift, The Curse, and The Fate

Read More: Sean Kingston Arrested After The Raid: A Break Down Of The Charges

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Belly Releases Highly Anticipated Album ’96 Miles From Bethlehem’ Dedicated to Palestine

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Belly Releases Highly Anticipated Album '96 Miles From Bethlehem' Dedicated to Palestine

Acclaimed rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Belly has just released his highly anticipated album, 96 Miles From Bethlehem, through Universal Arabic Music (UAM).

The deeply personal project, executive produced by Belly, Daheala, and Dannyboystyles, serves as an ode to Palestine. It captures the essence of Belly’s roots and the ongoing struggles faced by his homeland. All profits from the album will support various Palestinian relief efforts.

“THEN YOU WONDER WHY
 WE’RE LOSING PATIENCE…
WE’RE LOSING PATIENCE,
 WE’RE LOSING PATIENTS.”

– Belly

The album’s title reflects Belly’s birthplace, Jenin, 96 miles from Bethlehem. This project, a culmination of Belly’s personal and musical experiences, honestly tells his people’s story. Known for his clever and powerful lyrics, Belly delivers emotionally charged performances throughout the album. Featuring Palestinian artists Elyanna, Saint Levant, Ibrahim Maalouf, and MC Abdul, the album interlaces production from DaHeala (The Weeknd) with traditional instrumentalists, creating a profound and heartfelt narrative.

BELLY DROPS ALBUM FOR PALESTINE
BELLY DROPS ALBUM FOR PALESTINE

The album’s release follows a teaser on Belly’s Instagram, where he shared the powerful visual for the track “Patience vs. Patients.” In the video, Belly addresses themes of resilience and perseverance against a dystopian backdrop of war’s aftermath, including crumbling city ruins, barbed wire-adorned jails, and barren landscapes. Each frame vividly depicts the devastating effects of conflict and injustice.

96 Miles From Bethlehem is a sonically charged soundtrack detailing the gift, curse, and fate of being Palestinian. The final track, “The Gift, The Curse, and The Faith,” poetically captures the plight of Palestinians, emphasizing their struggles and resilience. Belly’s raw and visual storytelling calls listeners to action, making this a rare and impactful album with no curse words throughout.

You can hear the album below.

The post Belly Releases Highly Anticipated Album ’96 Miles From Bethlehem’ Dedicated to Palestine first appeared on The Source.

The post Belly Releases Highly Anticipated Album ’96 Miles From Bethlehem’ Dedicated to Palestine appeared first on The Source.

Belly Calls Out The Government Lies On Pro-Palestinian Track “Patience Vs. Patients”

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A few weeks ago, Macklemore shed some much-needed light on the awful circumstances that are taking place between Israel and Palestine. Thousands upon thousands of natives from the latter are being murdered, misplaced, and etc. This tragedy is something that the Seattle rapper felt is not discussed enough amongst his peers, so he dropped “Hind’s Hall”. Macklemore has been in plenty of difficult situations in the past when talking about social issues in his career. But he decided to speak his mind unapologetically and he got a lot of well-deserved praise for talking about something he cannot directly relate to. Now, Belly, a native Palestinian, is joining him in the protest against the U.S. government on “Patience vs. Patients”.

In “Hind’s Hall”, Macklemore directly called out President Joe Biden for being a supporter of Israel’s attacks. “The blood is on your hands, Biden, we can see it all“. The former collaborator of Ryan Lewis also called out the media for consistently covering the brutal Drake Kendrick Lamar feud more than the ongoing bloody war in real life. However, Belly is not getting as direct on “Patience vs. Patients”. The track is much shorter, only clocking in at 1:20. Still, his words are just as important.

Read More: Diddy Allegedly At Risk Of Indictment As Grand Jury Is Formed In New York

Listen To “Patience Vs. Patients” By Belly

Belly’s overarching message is that will the government is showing hardly any signs of urgency, countless lives are continuing to be lost. He also highlights the number of lies being told by certain political parties. Finally, Belly also mentions that the Palestinians are still painted as the bad guys. “Kill us in broad day, then they blame the deceased / There was no change, even when we came with receipts / Cause we gave ’em to a nation of sheep“. Be sure to support “Patience vs. Patients” with the link above.

What are your thoughts on “Patience vs. Patients” by Belly? Is this the best pro-Palestinian track that has been released, why or why not? Is he still a criminally underrated rapper, or is he properly rated? What is your favorite aspect of it? 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 Belly. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

Quotable Lyrics:

False prophets, imposters, spreading gossip
Criminals that win Oscars, Kevin Costner’s
Drones, helicopters, killing our doctors
Turned the hospital to a hospice
While you watched it
Then you wonder why we’re losing

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Taral Hicks Net Worth 2024: What Is The Actress-Singer Worth?

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Taral Hicks is an American actress and singer. She has established a net worth of $400,000 as of 2024, according to CelebrityNetWorth. Hicks is best known for her role as Jane Williams in the classic 1993 crime drama A Bronx Tale and her singing career. The latter was highlighted by her 1997 debut album This Time. Her contributions to music and film industries reflect a versatile talent capable of crossing creative boundaries with grace and proficiency.

Hicks made her film debut in A Bronx Tale, directed by Robert De Niro. Her performance was widely praised for its depth and realism. This role launched her into the spotlight and opened up opportunities in both acting and music. Her early success in acting paved the way for her transition into the R&B music scene, where she signed with Motown Records. She later released her debut album, which was well-received and noted for its soulful sound and mature vocal performances.

Career In Film & Television

Taral Hicks
PARSIPPANY, NJ – OCTOBER 27: Taral Hicks and Vincent Curatola attend the Chiller. Theatre Expo Fall 2019 at Parsippany Hilton on October 27, 2019, also in Parsippany, New Jersey. (Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images)

Following her impactful debut in A Bronx Tale, Taral Hicks continued to develop her acting portfolio with roles in films such as Just Cause with Sean Connery and Laurence Fishburne, and The Preacher’s Wife with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington. Each role allowed her to hone her acting skills and further her reputation as a capable and charismatic actress. Additionally, Hicks has made several television appearances. She played roles in popular TV shows, including The Education of Max Bickford and Soul Food. These roles also showcased her versatility and ability to adapt to different characters and settings. Her television roles have sustained her career in the entertainment industry and expanded her range as an actress.

Musical Endeavors

Taral Hicks
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 19: DJ Spinderella and actress Taral Hicks are seen during Liberation Rising. Juneteenth Block Party outside the African American Museum on June 19, 2023, also in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)

Taral Hicks’s musical career, though more brief than her acting career, showcased her talents as a singer. Her album This Time featured a mix of R&B and soul tracks, highlighting her vocal ability and artistic sensibility. Singles like “Ooh, Ooh Baby” and the cover of Deniece Williams’s “Silly” allowed her to establish a presence in the music industry. However, her musical output has been limited since her debut. Further, Hicks’s contributions to the genre are noted for their quality and depth. Her musical talents complement her acting skills, providing a multi-dimensional approach to her overall artistry.

Current Projects & Legacy

Taral Hicks
PARSIPPANY, NJ – OCTOBER 27: (L-R) Christopher Serrone, Taral Hicks, Joseph D’Onofrio attend the Chiller Theatre Expo Fall 2019 at Parsippany Hilton on October 27, 2019 in Parsippany, New Jersey. (Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images)

Today, Taral Hicks continues to act in various film and television projects, maintaining her role in the entertainment industry. Her work, both past and present, has earned her a loyal fan base that appreciates her contributions to film and music.

Hicks’s career is a testament to her diverse talents and her ability to navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry successfully. As she continues to engage in new projects, her legacy as an actress and singer is characterized by her persistence and skill in both areas.

The post Taral Hicks Net Worth 2024: What Is The Actress-Singer Worth? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Latto “Belly” Reference In “Sunday Service” Music Video Debated By Fans

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A moment in the music video for Latto’s new track “Sunday Service” that references an iconic moment from the 1998 film Belly has sparked fan debate online. Latto appears bathed in neon blue light with glowing iridescent irises. While it is a striking shot, not everyone online is impressed. Some fans argued that Latto shouldn’t be praised for a reference that has been done countless times before. JT has previously made the same reference to much less acclaim. Meanwhile, other fans argued that Latto was too light-skinned to really make use of the effect as seen in the original film.

However, of course, her diehard fanbase was there to defend the impressive shot. Along with calling it “iconic”, they argued that no one person has a monopoly on film references. Furthermore, something as iconic as Belly is going to receive countless homages, especially in hip-hop culture. Things inevitably got heated online over the issue. How do you feel about the reference? Let us know in the comments.

Read More: Latto’s “Sunday Service” Visual Takes Us On A Trip Through The Bronx

Latto Performs On SNL

Meanwhile, amid her new music and seemingly unintentional beef with Ice Spice, Latto has also been making the rounds on late-night TV. She made a surprise appearance on SNL last weekend, appearing alongside musical guest Jennifer Lopez. The Columbus rapper came out to perform her remix of “Can’t Get Enough” and remained on hand to join Lopez and Redman in performing “This Is Me…Now”. The track is the lead single from Lopez’s upcoming semi-biographical film of the same name.

However, the whole thing ended with a slightly awkward moment as the cast (including a cameo from GOP candidate Nikki Haley, who had appeared during the cold open) came out for the goodbyes. Episode host Ayo Edebiri appeared to turn to Lopez and then Latto, appeared to look for a hug from both Lopez and Latto only to receive none. The rap trend continues as 21 Savage was also announced as this week’s musical guest.

Read More: Latto Denies That Her New Song “Sunday Service” Is A Diss Track

[via]

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Jay-Z Commends Nas For “Belly,” Claims He Wasn’t Cut Out For Acting

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During a recent interview with Complex, Jay-Z addressed rumors that he was originally set to appear in Hype Williams’ 1998 film, Belly. According to him, the rumors aren’t true. He further explained why the speculation doesn’t make sense, claiming that he was too “guarded” at the time for a venture on the big screen.

“That’s a rumor. Because of how guarded I was, I hated acting,” he admitted. “This is why I don’t act, because I would get in my way. I would be thinking, ‘No, I don’t wanna do something that I ain’t gonna look cool.’” Jay-Z continued, “But you know, I was young and immature. Or I was young mentally. You know, if you see our own movies, I was in for like 30 seconds and I wasn’t even speaking.”

Read More: JAY-Z Praises Hype Williams & Says He Made “Can’t Knock the Hustle” Feel “Like Cinema”

Jay-Z Shuts Down Rumors He Was Supposed To Be In Belly

Nas.jpg” alt=”Jay-Z Commends Nas For “Belly,” Claims He Wasn’t Cut Out For Acting” class=”wp-image-725972″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jay-Z-and-Nas.jpg 1024w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jay-Z-and-Nas-300×225.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jay-Z-and-Nas-768×576.jpg 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />
Jay-Z (L) performs with Nas during Jay-Z’s Concert at The Apollo on November 13, 2007 in New York. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)

Though the Roc Nation founder wasn’t willing to dip his toe in the world of cinema, Nas was. Jay-Z went on to praise the artist for being able to pull it off. “I had no idea how Nas did that because I felt like he was in the same place as me. But he did it and he made it work,” he explained. “But I never was meant to be in Belly. I don’t even know where that came from.”

While he didn’t appear in Belly, Jay-Z did work alongside Williams for various music videos. According to Jay, getting any kind of performance out of him was a pretty significant feat. “I don’t know if I was coachable as far as a performance at that time,” he revealed. I don’t know if anyone could coach me, you know, because I was so guarded.” He adds, “I think about the early videos that I have and I listen to myself talking and it’s kind of hard for me to watch. That’s not even how I speak.” What do you think of Jay-Z praising Nas for his Belly performance? Are you surprised that he hated acting? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Jay-Z.

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[Via]

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Belly Hosts New Paranormal Podcast Series ‘Hip-Hop Horror Stories’

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Belly Hosts New Paranormal Podcast Series 'Hip-Hop Horror Stories'

Get ready for Halloween with a unique blend of hip hop and horror, as Audio Up and Light Sonic Division announce the release of Hip Hop Horror Stories, a groundbreaking 10-episode podcast series. Hosted by the award-winning and Oscar-nominated artist Belly, the series features spine-tingling narratives from some of the biggest names in hip-hop, R&B, and the NBA.

In Hip Hop Horror Stories, these game legends step away from the mic to recount their real-life encounters with the supernatural. The series promises tales of hauntings, demons, satanic possession, and even a phantom stripper, all set to a mesmerizing hip-hop beat with immersive sound design.

“Working in studios, I always heard stories from my peers about ghosts and encounters they’ve had with the paranormal,” Belly said. “This podcast retells some of these experiences from people we know  and love, and also gives us a different perspective on their background and how they grew up.”

Listeners can look forward to never-before-heard stories from French Montana and other notable figures. Each episode will provide a pulse-pounding experience, fusing storytelling and music against a backdrop of hypnotic hip-hop beats.

“We’re tapping into two cultures—hip-hop and the supernatural—to unearth stories that are not only terrifying but deeply human,” says Audio Up Chief Creative Officer Jimmy Jellinek. “These aren’t your average campfire ghost stories; they’re raw, intimate accounts that happen to feature some of the most celebrated names in hip-hop. Prepare to be captivated, startled, and above all,  entertained. Trust me, you won’t be able to stop at just one episode. “

“Audio Up is renowned for merging the worlds of music and storytelling into something entirely new,” says Audio Up founder and CEO Jared Gutstadt. “With a world-class recording artist and storyteller like Belly we have the perfect vessel to create a new form of IP. First the podcast, then we release the original music and finally the next great television series. There’s no limit here.” 

This unique podcast was created and executive produced by Belly, drawing from the many supernatural encounters he heard from friends in the studio. Hip Hop Horror Stories is set to premiere on Oct. 3, 2023, exclusively on the iHeartRadio App and various podcast platforms. The first episode will feature eerie tales from French Montana and NBA star and hip-hop producer JaVale McGee, making it a must-listen for Halloween enthusiasts.

You can hear the podcast below.

The post Belly Hosts New Paranormal Podcast Series ‘Hip-Hop Horror Stories’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Belly Hosts New Paranormal Podcast Series ‘Hip-Hop Horror Stories’ appeared first on The Source.

Criterion Channel Is Celebrating Hip-Hop 50 By Streaming Classic Films Like ‘Belly’ And ‘Wild Style’

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The Hip-Hop 50 celebrations continue. The Criterion Channel throws its hat into the ring, announcing that it’ll start streaming a “mixtape” of pivotal hip-hop films in August to highlight the culture’s rich film history and influence on cinema. Included in the collection will be documentaries like Style Wars and Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest, early features such as Wild Style and Krush Groove, and of course, what hip-hop film collection would be complete without Hype Williams’ hood classic feature debut, Belly?

It looks like the collection will be released onto the platform in roughly chronological order, mirroring hip-hop’s growth from a local youth movement with films like Beat Street and Krush Groove coming in August, while September will see entries from the late ’80s and early ’90s when hip-hop began to burst onto the national scene. Those will include Boyz n the Hood, Do the Right Thing, and Poetic Justice. Then, in November, you can watch the triumph of the platinum era, Belly, as well as its sequel Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club (which suggests that maybe Criterion couldn’t secure rights to quite as many of hip-hop’s most important feature films as perhaps it would’ve liked).

For a list of more hip-hop films — specifically documentaries — worth checking out, here’s a list we wrote a few years ago.