Biggie

Biggie Disses Himself & Bad Boy On AI “Hit Em Up” Cover

by

The world of AI has shook up the rap world as we hear Drake cover Kanye songs and now, Biggie cover Tupac records. Last week, Yedits, a Reddit group dedicated to “mixing and editing of a wide variety of artists’ music,” shared a minute-long snippet of an AI cover of Tupac’s “Hit’ Em Up” with The Notorious B.I.G’s vocals. The astounding preview landed online last week but over the past few days, it’s gained significant traction on social media and YouTube. 

The AI cover is something you wouldn’t expect to hear, especially when considering that Biggie is dissing himself and Bad Boy as a whole. The technology used created an uncanny resemblance to Biggie Smalls’ actual voice. However, it makes us wonder how this could impact further posthumous releases from his estate. Meta already hosted a Notorious B.I.G. VR concert including a “true-to-life, hyperrealistic” avatar of the late rapper as he performed his hit records. Perhaps, as AI technology evolves, there might be some sort of way to recreate his voice to produce new records.

AI Biggie Strikes, Again

The cover of “Hit Em Up” came right before Timbaland debuted his own collab with the late Biggie Smalls via AI. Earlier this week, the Virginia legend debuted a new song that utilized AI to recreate Biggie’s vocals. On the song, Biggie references Young Dolph, Nipsey Hussle, and Pop Smoke over Timbo’s futuristic production. However, Timbaland did acknowledge some of the issues surrounding AI technology, promising that he’s “got a solution” that he’s working on. “It’s gon’ be beneficial to everybody,” Tim said.

Artificial intelligence has undoubtedly spurred concerns already, especially as the “Godfather of AI” apologized and expressed regrets over these advancements. Prior to this, Universal Music Group called for streaming platforms like Spotify to take action against uploading AI covers as it takes away money from the artist and the label. We’ll ultimately have to see how this pans out in the future. Check out Biggie’s AI Cover of “Hit ‘Em Up” above and sound off in the comments with your thoughts on the future of artificial intelligence. 

[Via]

Timbaland Creates Dream Collab With AI Biggie

by

The use of AI in the music industry has already raised concerns but for producers and songwriters, it’s become an incredible tool for their craft. Timbaland, for example, never had the opportunity to work with the late Biggie Smalls. However, with the help of AI, he created a dream collaboration with the late Brooklyn artist. “We know that it’s a lot of talk about AI and we know how the feelings of violating certain things,” he said. “But let me tell you something: I got a solution, I’m working on it. It’s gon’ be beneficial to everybody.”

“I gotta share something I’ve been working on because I always wanted to do this and I never got a chance to. I always wanted to work with Big and I never got a chance to,” he added before playing the record. Timbaland pairs AI Biggie with his signature futuristic style of production as the late rapper’s voice shouts out Young Dolph, Nipsey Hussle, and Pop Smoke. Although it’s a cool experiment, it still raises red flags surrounding how AI can easily replicate an artist’s voice without their consent or approval.

Timbaland & AI Biggie Collab

The comment section of Timbaland’s post was met with mixed reception. Some people, like Offset, called the AI collab “hard” but there were still plenty of others who felt a type of way. A few people went as far as calling it disrespectful. Still, Timbaland appeared to be excited about what he created. “This rite here @creatrgod @youngguru763 I had too,” he wrote, tagging Jay-Z’s engineer who has been strongly against the use of AI to replicate artist’s voices. 

At this point, it’s unclear what Timbaland’s solution for AI but it seems like something the music industry might need now more than ever. In the past month, Universal Music Group took action against the rise of AI songs, specifically those using the voices of artists like Drake and The Weeknd. Drake has grown frustrated with the technology after they used his voice to cover Ice Spice’s “Munch.” However, UMG called on Spotify and other streaming companies to take action and block AI-generated songs. Check out Timbaland’s post above. 

Snoop Dogg Has Mixed Feelings Towards Biggie & 2Pac AI Album

by

Snoop Dogg has never been shy about speaking his mind. While Snoop may be one to experiment with new sounds, he draws the line at a 2pac & Biggie AI (Artificial Intelligence) album. In an interview with Baller Alert, they asked about the proposed joint collaboration between the two late rap legends. Although Tha Doggfather wasn’t fully opposed to a collaboration album. He doesn’t fancy the idea of an AI-generated album featuring his late friend and the original King of New York. However, Uncle Snoop feels it would be best to find old tracks with their vocals and put together a collab tape that way as opposed to the former.

“I don’t really know about that, with the AI,” Snoop said. “Because that’s like computerized voices. You know?” he continued. While Snoop Dogg may have his late friend’s best interest at heart, however, some feel otherwise. Former Outlawz member Napoleon had some choice words regarding Snoop’s comments. He claims Snoop Dogg’s relationship with ‘Pac was steeped in jealousy. According to Napoleon, Snoop was jealous of 2Pac, who took all his shine when he joined Death Row.

Snoop Dogg Sounds Off On AI-Generated Albums

Napoleon believes that Snoop is trying to take the shine away from 2Pac, and that’s why he said what he said during the interview with Baller Alert. In the interview with The Art of Dialogue he spoke on where the jealousy came from. “Imagine you’re the biggest star on Death Row and ‘Pac take all your shine, you understand?” he said. “And 25 years later, ‘Pac died and every time you do an interview that name is brought up,” he concluded. However, Napoleon didn’t stop there. He slammed the Doggystyle rapper for his remarks towards 2Pac’s infamous “Hit ‘Em Up” record after his passing, recommending the now grandfather remember his friend in a more positive light.

Although Snoop is open to a collaboration between the two Hip Hop icons, he’s still skeptical about AI-generated albums. Nothing wrong with appreciating authentic artistry. However, with AI infiltrating every industry, this won’t be the last time we see a proposed AI-generated album. Do you think an AI-generated Biggie and 2pac album would be fire? Let us know in the comments below!

[Via]

Suge Knight’s Biopic, “Welcome To Death Row” Gets Greenlit By BLK Prime

by

Suge Knight

Former Death Row Records label executive, Suge Knight will tell his story with a new series picked up by streaming network BLK Prime. Expected to delve inside Knight’s hip-hop career, the new series, Welcome To Death Row will air in the fall of 2023. Updated By: Kendall Parks (4/10/23 at 5:19 pm) Suge Knight’s biopic […]

The post Suge Knight’s Biopic, “Welcome To Death Row” Gets Greenlit By BLK Prime appeared first on SOHH.com.

Donald Trump’s Attorney Compares Him To Tupac & Biggie

by

Things aren’t looking great for Donald Trump these days. The former president of the United States faces several investigations but only recently did allegations of fraud manifest into an actual indictment. He’s expected to turn himself in on Tuesday for his arraignment on charges reportedly related to fraud. The investigation surrounds the alleged hush money he paid adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of his presidential campaign. However, he and his allies feel like this is an attack orchestrated by the Democrats.

The former president already left Florida to head back to New York City for his arraignment on Tuesday. Though he won’t be put in cuffs, he’ll have to be photographed and fingerprinted. Moreover, the grand jury will ultimately reveal what laws he broke. However, a few publications have asked the judge to make the indictment public. According to reports, Trump is facing roughly 30 charges including at least one felony related to the Stormy Daniels controversy.

Donald Trump Is Tupac & Biggie, His Attorney Argues

Trump’s attorney Alina Habbais recently sat down with Benny Johnson on The Benny Show where she made one of the weirdest comparisons of his political career. While discussing the arraignment, Johnson pointed out how some politicians and pundits have said Trump would become a figure like Johnny Cash or Tupac. “Donald Trump is Tupac. Donald Trump is Biggie Smalls,” Habbais said. “But no, Donald Trump is his own brand. He is everything. This is just going to boost him. We have seen it in the polls. This is not a question. This is a fact.”

Habbais encouraged members of the GOP to get behind Trump ahead of his upcoming bid for president instead of running against him. Though there’s been a huge divide within the Republican party, Trump will have a few supporters in NYC tomorrow including Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said she’d be protesting the indictment. Furthermore, on Truth Social, Trump said that he wouldn’t be able to get a fair trial. “The Corrupt D.A. has no case,” he said via Truth Social. “What he does have is a venue where it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to get a Fair Trial (it must be changed!), and a Trump Hating Judge, hand selected by the Soros backed D.A. (he must be changed!” We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates. 

Suge Knight’s Forthcoming Biopic Series, “Welcome To Death Row” + Controversies That Could Be Addressed

by

Suge Knight

Suge Knight is on the verge of having his own biopic series called Welcome To Death Row which will be based around Knight’s life. SOHH, here’s a list of events fans are curious about and dying to see portrayed in the show. While still serving his 28-year prison sentence, Death Row’s former CEO Suge Knight […]

The post Suge Knight’s Forthcoming Biopic Series, “Welcome To Death Row” + Controversies That Could Be Addressed appeared first on SOHH.com.

Jadakiss Reveals Biggie’s Strict Rule About Compliments

by

Though we’ve received a documentary and a biopic about Biggie Smalls, much of the information surrounding his actual character relies on word-of-mouth stories from those who were close to him. During a recent interview with The Starting Five podcast, Jadakiss recalled Biggie’s humility during recording sessions. Apparently, the late Brooklyn legend refused to allow anyone to compliment him on his craft. “We had this thing where we couldn’t talk about each other’s craft or we couldn’t say how dope we were to each other,” Jadakiss explained.

The Yonkers wordsmith explained Biggie didn’t really even want to talk about rap on most occasions. Despite being the Greatest Rapper, B.I.G didn’t necessarily want to divulge their crafts outside of the booth. “[Biggie was] like, ‘Let’s talk about anything else except that.’ He was super down to earth. I mean, unbelievably down to earth,” he said. From there, Jadakiss detailed the vibe in the studio, which often led to Biggie offering a drink to whoever entered the space.

Jadakiss Recalls Biggie’ The Bartender’s Humility

Naturally, alcohol would flow through the studio sessions but Jadakiss explained that Biggie was usually the one to try and play bartender. “You could come into his session, he always wanted to make you a drink, he thought he was a bartender. ‘Playboy, you drinking?’ He wanted to make your drink for you, not like tell somebody, ‘Cease, make him a drink!’” Jadakiss recalled. “He’d get the ice, get the stirrers, all that. He’d wanna make you a Malibu, so he was just extra golden.”

Jadakiss went into more detail about his interactions with Biggie including the intel and advice he provided the LOX before they inked a deal with Bad Boy. Though he acknowledged that Puff had a tendency to be persistent, he told Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch that the Bad Boy founder knew how to turn them into household names. “He gave us a lot of knowledge on Puff [Daddy], like, ‘He’s gonna get on your nerves, but he’s gonna make you a star,” Jadakiss recalled. “He’s gonna make you do some stuff you don’t want, but you gon’ be good at the end. Just trust me.’” Check the full episode out above. 

[Via]

DJ Premier Recounts Biggie Declaring Himself “The Greatest”

by

Though Biggie died before his sophomore album came out, he already knew he was the greatest to ever do it, according to DJ Premier. On the latest episode of Yo Wassup? where Premier dives into his hip-hop history, he provided an oral history behind “10 Crack Commandments.” Though the iconic countdown at the beginning of the record leads to Biggie’s breakdown of the cardinal rules of selling dope, Premier explained that he produced the record for Angie Martinez’s “The Hot Five At Nine” show on Hot 97.

“Angie was so hot. She still is hot, but during that time of her new come-up, everybody that’s anybody were doing promos that sounded like records, including us. Jeru was so hot during that era of Hip Hop, and he was also runnin’ Hot 97 just as well amongst Wu Tang Clan and so many others, including Biggie,” DJ Premier said. “But here’s the catch. This beat from ‘Ten Crack Commandments’ was created for Angie Martinez because she did a show called ‘The Hot Five at Nine.’”

DJ Premier Reflects On Biggie Declaring Himself As The Greatest

DJ Premier went on to detail the recording session where he, Lil Cease, C-Gutta and Biggie cooked up “10 Crack Commandments.” The session took place around the time Biggie and Cease got into a car accident together, which Big later referenced in “Long Kiss Goodnight.” “I remember Big sent Cease to McDonalds to get some food and on his way out, he says, ‘Yo man, I hope somebody robs you, Cease.’ And I was like, ‘Why would you want somebody to rob Cease?’ ‘Cause he crippled me,’” DJ Premier recalls Biggie telling him.

DJ Premier continued, “He said it jokingly. Obviously, he loves Cease so, so, so much, and he still does, even from up above, so it was a fun session. And the crazy thing is, after that song was done, he goes ‘Preme, I did it! I’m the greatest!’ Though many rappers have claimed to be the greatest, Biggie Smalls evidently proved so when Life After Death dropped in its entirety. Check out Premier’s recent episode of Yo Wassup above and sound off in the comments with your thoughts.