brooklyn rap

Lola Brooke: The Rise Of A Formidable Force In Rap

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Lola Brooke is still in the beginning stage chapters of her career, and some big things have already happened in it. The New York rapper has already released several viral songs, appeared at music festivals, and is one of the 2023 XXL Freshmen. Lola’s distinct vocal delivery helps set her apart from her contemporaries, but she has also worked with many of them. Her music’s energy and aggression are what draw many listeners in. She has only released singles but listeners eagerly await a full project ‌from her. With her being selected as an XXL Freshman this year, anyone still unfamiliar will find out exactly what she can do in the cypher and freestyle segments from the publication.

Lola Brooke’s Influences: From Family & Rap Legends

Lola Brooke started in Brooklyn, where she was born in the late ’90s. Her mother became a widow after she was born. Her musical origins connect directly to her cousin, Jah, whom she made music with on Pro Tools. These sessions happened at her Aunt’s house, but enjoying music and dancing were a constant among all her family members.

Her musical influences are artists from the late 2000s and beyond, such as Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Meek Mill. However, she also admired legendary women in the rap game, such as Foxy Brown and Missy Elliott. In terms of writing music, she spoke with Flaunt about how it birthed from her diary and journal entries. Music was a form of expression for her where she could share thoughts she wasn’t comfortable having conversations about. Her stage name is a combination of the Looney Tunes character Lola Bunny and her hometown.

Lola Brooke Has Released Multiple Singles

Lola dropped her first music video for a song called “2017 Flow” in 2017. Next, she released “Not The Same” and “Sh*ttin’ Me.” However, she skyrocketed in popularity with her single “Don’t Play With It,” which featured Billy B, in 2021. In 2023, she released a remix that featured two other chart-topping names in the rap game: Latto and Yung Miami.

In 2022 she released “Here I Come,” and in 2023, she appeared on “Conceited” with Flo Milli and fellow New York artist Maiya The Don. Her singles from 2023 include “So DISRESPECTFUL,” which loosely connects to the 50 Cent song of the same name. Additionally, “Just Relax” samples and interlopes the iconic “The Choice is Yours (Revisited)” by the New York duo Black Sheep. Lola stated that her debut project’s name is Lil Big Momma, but she has not shared a release date yet. 

Lola Brooke Has Already Met Rap & Culture Titans

Lola Brooke has already made multiple festival and concert appearances. These include being brought out during Future’s concert at the Barclays Center and by Pharrell at his Something in the Water Festival. She’s also had her own sets at Rolling Loud NYC and other festivals. She most recently appeared on a few tour dates with A Boogie Wit da Hoodie.

These co-signs extend even further as she’s received them from other New York figures like DJ Envy and Jadakiss. Lola shared that her Mom and aunties were big fans of Jadakiss, too, making their meeting even more memorable. She also appeared among legends when she was on the ABC documentary Hip-Hop at 50: Rhythms, Rhymes and Reflections. Hosted by Angie Martinez, she sat with MC Lyte, fashion designer June Ambrose, host Melissa Ford, and Roc Nation President Shari Bryant.

Lola Brooke’s Elevation Continues

lola brooke
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 17: Rapper Lola Brooke performs onstage during 2023 HOT 107.9’s Birthday Bash at State Farm Arena on June 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

The chapters in Lola Brooke’s music journey continue to expand every day. She’s done interviews that showcase her character outside of the music and is active on social media with her listeners. In June, she was announced as a member of the 2023 XXL Freshman class. With her constantly elevating in popularity, this was no surprise to her listeners. Once a group that featured only men, Lola holds her own amongst the men and stands with fellow women TiaCorine and GloRilla. Lola getting her chance to shine here will bring even more eyes to her career, and she’ll bring them with her when she releases her debut project, Lil Big Momma, in the near future.

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Lil Kim Then & Now: Her Transformation Into An Icon

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Kimberly Denise Jones, famously known as Lil Kim, has undergone numerous noticeable transformations throughout her musical career. She has allegedly undergone surgery, and fans claimed it could be true because of how she changed. Despite all the rumors, the “No Matter What They Say” hitmaker still exudes unwavering confidence in all aspects of her entertainment career and personal life.

The rapper burst onto the scene during Hip Hop’s Golden Era and amassed great success. She has also demonstrated some notable transformations throughout her career. Clearly, her music and fashion style successes have superseded her controversial physical appearance. A noteworthy fact is that Lil Kim’s fashion has just been as iconic as her music. She is known for her daring and revealing outfits, often featuring sequins, fur, and feathers. Her fashion choices inspire generations of women in rap and help to redefine hip-hop.

Lil Kim’s Transformation Journey

Lil’ Kim (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Kim has been in the music business for over two decades and is known for her provocative outfits and aggressive music style. Over the years, she has undergone a significant transformation in her appearance and style. In the 90s, she established her iconic stature by working with high-profile peers like Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z, and Missy Elliott. She was also rumored to have an affair with Tupac Shakur, but she denied these claims.

Notorious B.I.G.’s Influence

Rapper Notorious B.I.G. AKA Biggie Smalls (Christopher Wallace) joined by Sean (Puffy) Combs and Lil’ Kim receives Billboard Music Award on December 6, 1995 at The Coliseum in New York City, New York. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

In 1993, Kim met the Notorious B.I.G. at a rap battle. The two became close and began a romantic relationship. Biggie took Lil Kim under his wing and introduced her to Junior M.A.F.I.A., a rap group he was part of. Soon, Kim joined the group, boosting her iconic music career to the next level. Gaining momentum, Kim’s big break came in 1996 when she released her debut album, Hard Core. The album was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies and reaching No. 11 on the Billboard 200. It featured production from some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Sean “Puffy” Combs, Jermaine Dupri, and The Trackmasters.

Lil Kim’s Iconic Prominence

The 2000s saw an experienced Kim continue to solidify her status as a hip-hop icon. Her music continued to evolve, and she released several successful albums, including The Notorious K.I.M. and La Bella Mafia. She also collaborated with other big names in the industry, such as 50 Cent, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliott. However, despite facing some setbacks, such as a brief stint in prison in 2005, Lil Kim’s music remained popular and influential.

Like most music icons, Lil Kim’s fashion sense continued to turn heads. She was known for her daring and provocative outfits, often pushing boundaries with bold choices. Although she faced some criticism for her fashion choices, Lil Kim remained unapologetic and true to herself. This signature “gangster” attitude only added to her appeal.

Additionally, her personal life has not been without its controversies. In 2005, she was convicted of perjury and sentenced to a year and a day in prison for lying to a grand jury about a shooting that involved her friends. Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown was a six-part docuseries released in 2006 that chronicled the rapper’s final weeks before her prison stint.

Dominating The Rap Game

NEW YORK, NY – JULY 11: Lil Kim performs onstage during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens at David Geffen Hall on July 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1)

In 2011, Lil Kim released her mixtape Black Friday, which reportedly contained diss tracks directed at Nicki Minaj. She also announced that she would release an album entitled Hard Core 2K13, but it ultimately never materialized. In 2013, Kim purportedly underwent a series of plastic surgeries that drastically changed her appearance. This led to much speculation and criticism. She denied having any major procedures and attributed her new look to makeup and weight loss.

More recently, Kim’s looks have continued to evolve, and she has maintained her status as a style icon. Furthermore, the rapper sparked debates about her outfit at the 2019 BET Awards. Her stunning makeup perfectly complemented her outfits, and her fans couldn’t get enough. Her performance was also well received.

Praise & Controversy

Lil’ Kim (Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Over the years, Lil Kim’s fashion style has continued to be a standout feature. In 2019, Cardi B paid homage to Lil Kim’s iconic 1999 MTV Video Music Awards outfit by wearing a similar purple jumpsuit to the event. Other celebrities have commented on Lil Kim’s legacy in the music industry. Missy Elliott praised Lil Kim as a “pioneer” and “icon” in a 2019 tweet. Fellow rapper Trina has cited Lil Kim as one of her biggest influences.

Kim has also faced controversies in recent years. The most famed one was the beef she had with Nicki Minaj. In the rap game, respect and appreciation are highly coveted by pioneers. However, Kim did not take lightly the disrespect she felt she received from Nicki. In an interview on Real 92.3 in 2018, she bashed Nicki for being selfish and not recognizing her contributions to her influence.

Lil Kim, The Legend

Lil’ Kim during No Way Out Tour in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)

Many celebrities have taken to social media to express their thoughts on Lil Kim’s transformation. In a tweet from October 2022, singer Lizzo wrote, “Lil Kim has been an icon for years. Her music, her style, her confidence – she’s everything. I love seeing her still slayin’ in 2022.” Similarly, actress Halle Berry tweeted in June 2022, “Lil Kim’s transformation over the years has been nothing short of amazing. She’s still got it, and I’m here for it!” In another tweet, rapper Trina wrote, “I can’t wait to see the legendary Lil Kim. She’s a trendsetter and a true icon in the game.” Lil Kim is still slayin’ in 2023, and we can’t wait to see what she brings next.

Killah Priest Unleashes “Ragnarok” Remix Album

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Already, Killah Priest is off to a prolific start in 2023 with his newest album, Ragnarok Remixes. As the title implies, the project consists of remixes of his 2021 album with Shaka Amazulu The 7th, Ragnarok. In fact, this remix album features Killah Priest’s recently formed supergroup, The HRSMN. Moreover, he joined Kurupt, Canibus, and Ras Kass to form their lyrical troop. While the verses and core tracks keep their essence on this remix album, the beats really come alive. Furthermore, some of its architects are B.S.O.M., Anthai, 4th Disciple, DJ Dave, and many more.

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 17: Killah Priest performs onstage during the Meadows Music and Arts Festival – Day 3 at Citi Field on September 17, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Wu-Tang Legacy

However, last we heard from Killah Priest in the headlines came from some controversial comments from N.O.R.E.. The media personality referred to many rappers, including Priest, as Wu-Tang “flunkies.” Also, he reached out to Priest after his comments caught heat in order to make amends. For example, Shyheim, one of the dissed rappers, aimed shots at Noreaga after his assessment. “N***as get drunk and run they mouth, and don’t know what you talkin’ about,” he wrote on his IG page. “I ain’t ever been nobody’s flunky or nonexistent. I am the true and living god. I’m in present time, n***a. F**k outta here.” 

Still, what did you think of Killah Priest’s latest album, the instrumentally dense Ragnarok Remixes? However you feel, let us know in the comments and check out the tracklist down below. Also, if you haven’t heard the project yet, you can find the remix collection on your preferred streaming service. Furthermore, check back in with HNHH for the best new mixtapes, singles, and everything in between each week.

Tracklist
1. The Ark Before Noah (B.S.O.M. Remix ft. Shaka Amazulu The 7th)
2. B.4.R.C.O.D.3. (Anthai Remix)
3. Day of the Dead (Krohme’s Reprise ft. Blind Orbits)
4. Mind Detect Mind (Cotardz Remix ft. Hus KingPin & Planet Asia)
5. T.E.A. (Willie Maestro Remix ft. Mega-Powers, Pro the Leader, Shaka Amazulu The 7th, Solomon Childs & The Holocaust)
6. Dark Planets (Si Abuelita Remix ft. Thea Van Seijen)
7. Double Couple (Bronze Nazareth Remix)
8. Ragnoros Hammer (DJ Dave Remix)
9. Black Market Rustlers (B.S.O.M. Remix ft. Hell Razah & Timbo King)
10. The Darkness (4th Disciple Remix)
11. “I” (Yodi Remix)
12. M.D.M. (Iron Shiek Hrsmn Remix ft. Hus KingPin, Kurupt, Planet Asia, Ras Kass & HRSMN)

CJ Fly Shares New Song, “TOP”

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Seasoned Brooklyn MC CJ Fly is back with a new single, “TOP.” After this year’s EP, The PhaRaOh’s Return, it seems Fly continued honing that boom-bap sound. In particular, this track is one of the rapper’s most boastful, confident, and self-referential in regards to the rap game. On this song, CJ is hungry, focused on getting his proper flowers for his talent, and displaying it in full.

SANTA ANA, CA – APRIL 20: Rapper CJ Fly performs onstage during the Smokers Club 420 event at The Observatory on April 20, 2017 in Santa Ana, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

Instrumentally, the song is some mid-tempo boom-bap with dramatic but distant piano passages. However, the beat itself is very crisp, with a lot of rhythmic variation and a clean acoustic sound. Moreover, the live drums on the song really accentuate its raw nature. Still, it doesn’t get too muddled to the point where CJ becomes unintelligible.

On the bar-for-bar level, the Brooklyn native spits some impressive lines throughout the song. Specifically, he gets competitive, name-dropping some of the best in the rap game. So there’s a lot of talk of his influences as well, such as Biggie, Jay, Nas, and Kendrick. However, CJ rapped proudly of how far he’s come since then. Later in the song, he says he improves with every album and details the other places he draws inspiration from. 

All in all, this new single from CJ Fly is a really smooth performance over a really smooth beat, and it does show his skill well. His delivery is understated but clear, and the song’s direct lyrical nature reinforces the simple instrumental. With whatever he does next, it’s sure to be forward momentum from the Brooklyn MC.

What did you think of CJ Fly’s boastful new track, “TOP”? Let us know in the comments and check out some notable lyrics down below. Still, if you haven’t listened, be sure to check the boom-bap excursion on your preferred streaming service. Also, as always, stay locked in to HNHH for the best new music in the rap game every week.

Quotable Lyrics

Competitive, I’m coming for the whole industry,
Dreamville, all of Griselda, the whole TDE,
Drake, Jack, Tyler, Keem, Cordae, Pusha T,
You can’t talk about your top ten and not mention me,
Name your favorite rapper, I’ll put ’em out of their misery