Logic is a conceptual dude. His second album, The Incredible True Story, was about a group of friends flying around the universe in spaceship. His third album, Everybody, was about a man who died and was subsequently reincarnated in different bodies. The Maryland rapper has kept it simple since he came out of retirement. His latest project, however, has restored some of his ambition. Ultra 85, the upcoming Logic album, will coincide with the release of a novel of the same name.
Logic confirmed the existence of the novel via Instagram on April 24. He not treated fans to what the cover art looked like, but provided some context for the novel (and presumably, the album). “In the year 2115, when the Earth is no longer inhabitable, the remainder of humanity lives in Babel, a giant space station,” he wrote in the caption. “Two pilots, Quentin and Kai, must find the planet Paradise, where only the most promising citizens are allowed to live.” The rapper explained that his main characters will be forced to confront the fact that “Paradise” is not all it’s cracked up to be.
The plot details for Ultra 85 confirms that it will be a sequel to The Incredible True Story and Everybody. It will mark the completion of the titular story, nearly a decade later. Ultra85 will also be the second time Logic pairs an album up with a companion novel. He released the novel Supermarket in 2017, which came with a titular album in which Logic explored the rock and punk genres. The latter was panned by most critics, but the novel was actually given positive notices.
Ultra 85 is currently available for pre-order on Simon & Schuster. It will be released on September 17. Fans have flocked to the comment section to speculate whether the accompanying album will drop on the same day. Both the Supermarket album and novel dropped on March 26, 2019, so it stands to reason the rapper would trot out a similar rollout for Ultra 85. Logic previously claimed that Ultra 85 would be his last album, but he’s since clarified his statement. He told a Reddit user during a Q&A that he will always make music, but that Ultra 85 will be his last album under the “Logic” moniker. The rapper first teased Ultra 85 back in 2018, though it has gone through several iterations since.
The second single from the album, “44ever,” was released April 19.
Hip-hop fans are used to their favorite rappers delivering their wisdom. While that usually comes though the music they release, others have stepped into various other mediums. Rap culture has been leaking into movies and television for decades now and some artists have even tried their hand at crafting books. The newest of which is Big Sean, who just announced he has a new book coming out soon. But it isn’t a work of fiction or even an auto-biography, but a self-help book.
The book is called Go Higher: Five Practices For Purpose, Success, And Inner Peace and fans will be able to get their hands on it in early October. The announcement came from a video Sean shared to his Instagram where he explained how he arrived at writing a self-help book. “Anyone who’s known me since I signed my record deal knows if you look at my old YouTubes I’ve always been about speaking from the heart, following your intuition, and checking in with yourself mentally. Because that’s how I was raised. That’s the upbringing that was surrounding me with my family. It was a lot of elevated thinkers. They’d give me gems and these books that I eventually read. If it wasn’t for them methods that I applied to my life, I for sure wouldn’t be here today, period,” he explains. Check out the full announcement video he posted below.
Fans are hoping that the book isn’t the only thing Sean drops this year. Back in February he revealed that he’s working on a new album. When he does drop a new album it’ll be his first since 2020’s Detroit 2. Last month he dropped his new single “Precision” which has already racked up more than 2.6 million streams on Spotify.
Big Sean also recently performed on one of the most recognizable stages in all of music. He teamed up with NPR for a special performance at their Tiny Desk that dropped last week. What do you think of Big Sean writing a self-help book? Do you plan on reading the book when it drops later this year? Let us know in the comment section below.
Drake has wild reflexes (well, sometimes…) that have him feeling “not human” as of late. Moreover, he recently reposted an old viral clip from his It’s All A Blur tour with 21 S*vage in which he quickly catches a book that a fan threw at him. In fact, it was one of the 6ix God’s own books, Titles Ruin Everything, which was his poetry collection that kicked off the rollout for For All The Dogs. “Never forget I’m not human,” he wrote as the video’s caption on his recent Instagram Story post. Given that Drizzy was also catching bras, posters, and so much more onstage, we’re sure that he had plenty of opportunities to hone his quick reaction times.
Furthermore, a lot of folks are excited to see him continue this run with another special guest to energize the trek. For those unaware, Drake and J. Cole are embarking on an “expansion” of the previous concert series: the Big As The What?tour. Not only that, but following increased fan demand and more visibility, the team added more dates on the journey for die-hards to cop tickets for. We’re sure that the Toronto star will want to display his inhumanness even more during these shows, and he’s going to have even steeper competition to live up to alongside the Dreamville MC.
Of course, most fans would rather he display his alien nature through the quality of his music rather than his athleticism. Fortunately for them, Drake did this quite a bit in 2023– and these example weren’t even all from his solo material. He had a couple of amazing features this year, all of which took on a pretty unique tone, voice, angle, and intent. As one of the most versatile artists working today, we’d expect nothing less from the 37-year-old.
Meanwhile, next year should be a very interesting one for him. Amid Aubrey’s claims that he’s taking a break from music, plus some speculation that he’s beefing with Metro Boomin, eve off-years seem like anticipated moments for him. We’ll see what it holds, and whether we’ll doubt his humanity again. For more news and the latest updates on Drake, come back to HNHH.
Ice-T says that he “could potentially act forever” with the use of artificial intelligence. He discussed his stance on the technology being used to create a future version of himself while hosting a book launch for Mark Minevich’s Our Planet Powered By AI.
“I wouldn’t care. I think to say ‘no’ would be selfish. A future AI version of me would be better than me,” Ice-T said before joking, “I’d worry if it could f*ck.” From there, he explained that the technology is inevitable. “I believe it’s coming and we need to just address it as it comes,” he said. “There is nothing you can do. One of my favorite quotes from [famed producer] Quincy Jones is, ‘if you want to lose a fight, fight the future.’ If you can’t beat them, join them. I am trying to read as much [as I can] to be involved as it grows.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 14: Mark Minevich, Ice-T and Noel Ashman attend Ice-T and Noel Ashman host Mark Minevich’s book “Our Planet Powered by AI at Private Residence on December 14, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
He added: “I think people are freaking because they think they are going to lose their jobs — but people can lose their jobs at any time. I don’t think people will lose jobs, they will have different jobs, we will become more computer-ish type people. When you imagine the future, you don’t imagine manual tasks, you imagine future sh*t.”
Not everyone has been so understanding of A.I. Ice Cube once labeled it “demonic” during a back and forth on Twitter. “Samples are approved or denied by the song owners,” Ice Cube said back in May. “Totally different than taking a dead artist and making a new song they never approved and saying things they may not agree with. That’s evil and demonic to me.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Ice-T and A.I. technology on HotNewHipHop.
International music sensation J Balvin is joining the chorus of praise for Britney Spears. He’s celebrating her newfound success following the release of her highly-anticipated memoir, The Woman In Me. The book has skyrocketed in popularity and is receiving overwhelming acclaim. Balvin believes Britney wholeheartedly deserves the recognition and adoration she’s currently receiving. During a recent encounter in Tarzana, a TMZ correspondent caught up with the reggaeton and Latin pop superstar. When asked about his thoughts on Britney’s memoir, J Balvin didn’t hold back his admiration.
In the brief exchange, Balvin expressed his profound pride for Britney Spears. “I’m really proud of her, I think she’s amazing and I think she’s deserve the best,” he said. “She inspired the whole world at her peak.” He emphasized her significance as a global pop culture icon. He commended her for inspiring countless people around the world with her journey, resilience, and artistry. J Balvin went on to express his happiness in witnessing her triumphant return to the limelight. The memoir encompasses personal reflections and stories from the pop icon’s tumultuous, frequently scrutinized, yet honestly misunderstood life.
Britney’s memoir, The Woman In Me, has struck a chord with fans and readers alike. The book offers an intimate and honest glimpse into the life of the beloved pop star, shedding light on her struggles and triumphs. Britney’s openness in discussing her experiences, both in and out of the entertainment industry, has garnered immense support from her followers. J Balvin’s heartfelt praise for Britney Spears adds to the outpouring of love and support she has received from fans, fellow artists, and celebrities worldwide. As the “Toxic” and “Gimme More” singer continues to bask in the success of her memoir, it’s evident that her impact on the entertainment industry and her enduring influence on her fans remain as strong as ever.
In this time of Britney’s resurgence, it’s clear that her story has touched many lives, and she has earned the admiration and respect of those who appreciate her contribution to the world of music and her unwavering spirit. J Balvin’s words are a testament to Britney Spears’ enduring legacy, and her memoir serves as a powerful testament to the strength and resilience that defines her remarkable journey. Will you be copping Britney’s memoir?
Common has formally announced the release of his latest book, titled And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self. A story of health and wellness, the rap legend’s latest written work will be released on January 23, 2024. “I felt that this was my way of giving back to people,” Common told People Magazine about his latest book, published by HarperOne. Inspired by “the tough times we all experienced together a few years ago,” the Chicago MC is sharing his wisdom with others. As we await the release of his upcoming book, here is what we know so far about Common’s And Then We Rise.
Per PEOPLE, And Then We Rise was “inspired by moments in recent years when health was the main focus across the globe.” The book reflects on what Common learned during the pandemic. “I was really focusing on just putting out good energy because the world was experiencing so much and health was in the forefront of people’s thoughts and in their hearts,” he recalls.
Throughout 2020, Common often posted on his Instagram account, sharing healthy meal recipes and workout routines. He has maintained both pescatarian and vegan diets for many years. As Common continued to share aspects of his healthy lifestyle, people reached out to him for advice, sparking the idea to document his self-care journey. “I decided to put it all in a book to spread some good energy and love, especially in my communities,” he writes in his announcement post.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 25: The musician Common performs at George Floyd Square on May 25, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. One year has passed since George Floyd was killed while in the custody of Minneapolis Police last May. His death led to worldwide protests and calls for police reform or abolition. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Common’s latest book, And Then We Rise serves as a guide to “personal well-being, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.” The 51-year-old rapper chronicles his own health journey, including diet changes and workouts. He relies on his own nutritionist, chef, physical trainer, and therapist for wisdom. Common’s upcoming book is split into four different sections of life lessons: The Food, The Body, The Mind, and The Soul. Each section delves into specific aspects of self-care, ranging from nutrition and fitness to mental health and spiritual well-being.
And Then We Rise is not Common’s first book. He published his first book in 2011, One Day It’ll All Make Sense, joining a long list of rappers with autobiographies. The memoir, which shares a title with his 1997 album of the same name, became a New York Times bestseller. That book explored topics including his early upbringing and his relationship with his mother.
In 2019, Common published Let Love Have The Last Word, reflecting on later parts of his life, especially his relationship with his daughter. He released his twelfth studio album, titled Let Love that same year. And Then We Rise is Common’s third book overall and first self-help offering, sharing his story in a unique way compared to his two memoirs and his albums.
With a new book on the way, Common has been busy in many facets of media. He currently stars in Silo on Apple TV+ and is currently working on a collaborative album with Pete Rock. His latest full-length release was 2021’s A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 2. For now, that is all we know about Common’s upcoming book, And Then We Rise. Check back in with HotNewHipHop for the latest updates.
Jada Pinkett Smith’s been making headlines recently for the countless revelations she’s made about her relationship with Will Smith. She’s shared that the two of them have been separated for the past six years, though they’ve decided that an official divorce just wasn’t “right” for them. She also revealed that she was “shocked” that he referred to her as his “wife” post-Oscars slap.
All of this has been revealed amid promotion for her new memoirWorthy, which she released earlier this month. While some are shocked at how many fascinating details Jada’s uncovered, she says there are even more on the way. “I know it seems like it’s a lot of life because it is a lot of life in the book, but it’s very streamlined. There’s like layers and layers and layers and layers. There’s no way I could have put it all in one book,” she said on Sway In The Morning.
Actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive at the Los Angeles World Premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures ‘Focus’ at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 24, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
“So there’s definitely other books to come,” she continued. “I mean, even Will and I are thinking about writing a book,” Jada revealed. “We were talking about this last night, writing a book called Don’t Try This at Home, where he and I kind of sit down and talk about our specific journey together.” Based on the reception of the details she’s unveiled about their relationship so far, the book would surely be a hit among readers.
What do you think of Jada Pinkett Smith revealing that she and Will are considering writing a book together? Would you be interested in reading their book? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith.
Drake’s currently making his away around the U.S. and Canada on his “It’s All A Blur” tour with 21 Savage. So far, he’s already been the target of various phones, vapes, and especially bras. It’s even become a trend for fans to toss the largest bra they can find at the rapper onstage. This all started after one well-endowed audience member captured Drake’s attention earlier in the tour. Recently, however, things appear to have gotten out of hand. Someone in his crowd decided to throw a pair of boxers at him during a show earlier this week, which he thought was “foul.”
“This was disgusting by the way,” he added of the unwanted undergarment. Now, a new clip has surfaced of a fan throwing something at him that could have caused some serious damage. In the clip, Drake is seen onstage talking to the crowd, when someone decides to hurls a book at him. The book was inches away from hitting the Canadian-born performer right in the head. Luckily, however, he caught it just in the nick of time.
As one would expect, Drake appears to be pretty annoyed that he almost got nailed in the head with a flying object. “You lucky I’m quick,” he told the book-thrower. He was also sure to let them know that if he hadn’t caught it, he would have had no choice but to “beat [their] a**.” Fortunately for the both of them, Drake’s impressive catch seems to have allowed the performer to finish the show unscathed.
He and 21 Savage will continue to perform around California for the next few days before making stops in Seattle and Vancouver. In September, they’re set to head to Vegas, Glendale, and Denver, performing in the south for the remainder of the month. The “It’s All A Blur Tour” is scheduled to wrap at the beginning of October. Stay tuned to HNHH for more updates on Drake and his “It’s All A Blur” tour.
Jeezy recently discussed the title of his new book, Adversity For Sale, explaining that he hopes the memoir serves as inspiration for his audience to achieve their dreams. He spoke about the book during a new sit-down with Good Morning America.
“I think people always tell you about their success stories, but one thing that I’ve learned about life is that in every failure there’s a lesson,” Jeezy said. “And every time I ever failed it set me up for my next task. I think to share your failures with your community and your peers and people that love you. They’ll just start to understand that it’s never too late, and that they can always push through, because sometimes you get in situations where you think it’s the end when it’s really the beginning.”
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 25: Young Jeezy performs at Jeezy Presents TM101: 10 Year Anniversary at The Fox Theatre on July 25, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
He continued: “This book is for people who want to do better today than they did yesterday because, especially being a Black man in America, coming up we always had to fight to get our voice heard, and I think this book can help anybody who has to fight to get to where they’re trying to be. Because you have to start from the bottom to get to the top. But once you get to the top you gotta know how to stay there. Success is about you.” Check out Jeezy’s full comments below.
Jeezy Discusses “Adversity For Sale” On “Good Morning America”
Jeezy has been promoting the book in interviews for weeks. Speaking with PEOPLE, he reflected on a difficult stretch in his life when he contemplated suicide. The “brief moment” lasted while he was attending a Youth Challenge program in Fort Stewart, Georgia. In other interviews, he’s discussed how he transitioned from being a drug dealer to a full-time rapper. Adversity For Sale is available now.
The ability to write a quality rap song is quite remarkable and requires its very own set of skills. Since hip hop’s inception, rappers have been able to tell their life stories through rap songs. Rap music is often very autobiographical, but many notable rappers have penned memoirs to tell their stories in a way that is completely separate from music.
Rapper memoirs are becoming increasingly popular, with Black Thought recently announcing his book for a November release date. JAY-Z, Raekwon, Common, U-God, 50 Cent, and Fat Joe have all told their stories from childhood to success as adults in their books. Some rappers have also taken unique approaches to write non-autobiographical books, such as Russ’s It’s All In Your Head, which inspires readers to follow one’s passions through reflective chapters of motivational material. Wretch 32’s Rapthology: Lessons in Life and Lyrics book takes a unique approach as well, as he takes a look back at his career through particular songs and lyrics. Hip hop musicians like DJ Khaled, Timbaland, and Questlove have also written books, especially the latter, who has also published other non-music related books.
LL Cool J – I Make My Own Rules (1997)
As one of hip hop’s first superstars, it was only right for LL Cool J to be one of the first rappers to write a memoir. I Make My Own Rules was published in 1997 and was written alongside Karen Hunter. The book takes the reader through his life, from struggles during childhood to success as a hip hop star. He details his journey from the creation of his name to his successful albums.
It does not get more autobiographical than E.A.R.L. as DMX vividly paints a picture of some of the darkest times in his life growing up. With the help of Smokey D Fontaine, DMX wrote a captivating memoir that depicts his rough upbringing, how he fell in love with rhyme, and what made him want to pursue music.
RZA – The Tao of Wu (2009)
The Tao of Wu was not RZA’s first book. 2004’s The Wu-Tang Manual provided the ultimate guide for all things Wu-Tang Clan. The Tao of Wu, on the other hand, is RZA’s own personal story. The book starts with a depiction of his childhood and how his method of thinking eventually evolved into the wisdom he has as the leader of hip hop’s most iconic group. The book includes stories of the Wu-Tang Clan’s inception and the personal hardships he endured along the way.
Prodigy – My Infamous Life (2011)
Prodigy had so many stories to tell, which is what makes My Infamous Life an essential read for any hip hop fan. The book consists of Prodigy’s time in the streets as a kid, how he developed his relationship with Havoc to create Mobb Deep, as well as his battle with sickle-cell anemia. The book was released following Prodigy’s time in prison and tells first-hand accounts of the rap legend’s ups and downs, including hit songs and rap beefs.
Lecrae – Unashamed (2016)
The first of two books that Lecrae has written, Unashamed is his memoir that tells his story. In the book, Lecrae details his childhood and hardships as a young adult that led him to religion. The book is an in-depth look into Lecrae’s life and dedication to Christianity. He channeled his faith into music and became the biggest name in the Christian rap community.
Gucci Mane – The Autobiography of Gucci Mane (2018)
With the help of Neil Martinez-Belkin, Gucci Mane reveals a lot about himself in his autobiography, which is not what listeners normally get from his music. He details his life as a kid and how he was raised, his deep criminal history, and how music was an outlet to express himself. Gucci Mane’s autobiography is also a story of transformation from one of the South’s most notorious gangsta rappers to a reformed man fresh out of prison.
Rick Ross – Hurricanes: A Memoir (2019)
Much like Gucci Mane’s autobiography, Rick Ross’s memoir, Hurricanes also sees him more transparent than ever. Coincidentally, the book was also co-written by Neil Martinez-Belkin. Rick Ross touches upon growing up in Miami and wanting a more affluent lifestyle. He gets into his criminal past, addresses his past controversies, and tells the story behind every single album. Ross also gets into his most significant collaborations and famous success stories.
Rakim – Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius (2019)
With a long career and profound influence on hip hop, Rakim’s memoir was long overdue. His 2019 book sees the hip hop pioneer breaking down his writing process. He looks at music from a unique perspective while providing personal anecdotes. It is a first-hand account of Rakim’s influence that still permeates hip hop culture today.
Talib Kweli – Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story (2020)
Vibrate Higher is a story about Talib Kweli as a rapper and person. Throughout the book, he discusses his Brooklyn roots, how his parents raised him, and what got him into hip hop. The Brooklyn legend started his career at such a pivotal time in hip hop, witnessing history in real-time, which he talks about in his memoir. Kweli writes about his albums, collaborations, and relationships in the book and addresses his most controversial views.
Action Bronson – F*ck It, I’ll Start Tomorrow: A True Story (2021)
Action Bronson has written books about his love for food and weed, but F*ck It, I’ll Start Tomorrow is about him. Most rapper memoirs focus on the span of the artist’s entire life but Bronson’s book hones in on his recent weight loss journey. He provides stories about his upbringing and his deep connection to food. Bronson goes into what made him want to start living a healthier lifestyle and how he has accepted himself no matter his appearance.
Logic – This Bright Future: A Memoir (2021)
By the time he had published his memoir, Logic was already a New York Times best-selling author for his novel, Supermarket. Logic has chronicled his childhood trauma and turbulent relationship with his parents in music and interviews, but this book is Logic at his most revealing. Published under his government name, This Bright Future tells Logic’s success story, breaking the cycle of poverty and dealing with the struggles of fame.
