Kendrick Lamar’s “XXX”: A Sonic Manifesto Of Modern Turmoil

Kendrick Lamar’s song “XXX” (pronounced X-Rated) from his critically acclaimed album DAMN. is a sonic journey that delves deeper into the themes found across his fourth studio album, specifically those surrounding politics and religion. With a feature from the legendary Irish rock band U2, this track is a standout moment in the album, one that doesn’t necessarily receive the credit it deserves. Although the collaboration may have looked odd on paper, Kendrick Lamar and U2 delivered a poignant message that arrived towards the latter half of DAMN.

Produced by Mike WiLL Made-It and DJ Dahi, “XXX” boasts a unique and unconventional sound that mirrors the chaotic and uncertain times of 2017. The song opens with Bēkon’s hauntingly somber vocals (Bēkon later re-purposed this intro on “America) that reflect on the realities of the American Dream. However, it’s the minimalistic production that leads Kendrick Lamar’s first verse that allows each word to pierce through. He parallels biblical stories to the experiences he faced growing up in Compton as a child, specifically as it pertains to surviving the often volatile environment U2’s Bono lends his distinctive voice to the bridge, adding an unexpected but powerful layer to the track, crooning, “It’s not a place, this country  is to me a sound / Of drum and bass, you close your eyes to look around.”

Read More: A Track-By-Track Analysis Of Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN.”

Kendrick Lamar & U2’s Powerful Thesis To DAMN.

The significance of “XXX” lies in its lyrical content, which delves into themes of social injustice, racial tension, and political disillusionment. Kendrick Lamar, known for his thought-provoking and socially conscious lyrics, paints a vivid picture of the divisive state of the United States and the effects it has on its citizens. The song explores the idea of “wickedness or weakness,” suggesting that individuals are constantly tested by their environment and must decide whether to fight against corruption and inequality or succumb to it.

One of the most striking elements of “XXX” is its abrupt shift in the middle, where Kendrick’s flow changes, and he discusses his own struggle with violence and revenge, reflecting the inner turmoil faced by many people living in dangerous environments. This change of pace adds depth to the song, showcasing Kendrick’s storytelling prowess.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN.” (Review)

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Kendrick Lamar’s “XXX” from DAMN. is a groundbreaking track that poignantly highlights the profound exploration of societal issues. Its unconventional sound, poignant lyrics, and collaboration with U2 create a powerful and thought-provoking experience.

The post Kendrick Lamar’s “XXX”: A Sonic Manifesto Of Modern Turmoil appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Partners With Swarovski For Exclusive, Shiny Collection

Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS brand continues to grow, expand, and establish itself as a leading voice in fashion. Moreover, the company’s latest collab is with none other than Swarovski, melding together their shape-wear with the jewels that their partner is so well-known for. If you’re interested in copping a piece or two, it goes live on November 7 at 9AM EST on the SKIMS website and in select Swarovski stores. In an Instagram post, the reality TV star and socialite shared some words on this latest venture. “a first of its kind collaboration that fuses @Swarovski’s iconic glamour with @SKIMS innovative silhouettes, resulting in a unique crystallized collection,” she wrote.

Furthermore, this comes just days after SKIMS’ announced partnership with the NBA, which is not the end of Kim Kardashian’s fashion empire. In fact, she recently expressed a desire to also assume ownership of her ex-husband Kanye West’s Yeezy brand one day. But that’s irrelevant right now; what matters is that the 43-year-old is very proud of this particular Swarovski collab. “I feel like it really embodies who I am, in being really simplistic, but then I have this full glitzy feminine side,” she told The New York Times about the team-up.

Read More: Kim Kardashian Rakes In Millions With SKIMS MENS Line

Kim Kardashian Unveils SKIMS X Swarovski Collection

Of course, that aforementioned gossip about Kim Kardashian’s family and relationship life tends to unfairly overshadow these business moves, at least when it comes to news headlines. While that’s an understandable phenomenon, it’s also a great way to market brand moves these days. For example, this Swarovski collaboration comes amid comments about Ye’s humble lifestyle that premiered on The Kardashian‘s recently. Well, humble in the comparative sense, because we all know there’s no way that word could ever describe the Chicago rapper accurately.

Regardless of all that, it’s very clear that SKIMS is by no means suffering as a result. After all, it’s all tied to Kim’s name at the end of the day, and that alone is bound to nab some attention. It helps that the clothing brand is emerging with its own shadow outside of that, something that the money proves is much larger than any one person. For more news and updates on Kim Kardashian and SKIMS, check back in with HNHH.

Read More: Kim Kardashian’s Faux Nipple SKIMS Bra Breaks The Internet

The post Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Partners With Swarovski For Exclusive, Shiny Collection appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

PinkPantheress Details How She Almost Landed On A Kendrick Lamar Track: “Oh F***, I Can’t Even Think About It”

PinkPantheress is one of the more intriguing and new female artists to pop off in the hip-hop and R&B scene. While she is not directly within those two genres, the Bath, England singer is bringing some funky and quirky vibes that are shaking things up. So far, it is continuing to bring her loads of success in a very short time frame. In fact, it was around the middle of 2021 that PinkPantheress started to release some tracks to streaming. Additionally, she put out her first-ever project that year with to hell with it. That contains some of her most popular songs “Pain” and “Break It Off – Bonus.”

Of course, we cannot forget about what she and Ice Spice did together on “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2.” The irresistibly cute instrumental along with the sad and honest lyrics about boys being toxic won so many people over. It has already racked up over 700 million streams since its release at the beginning of February. While grabbing Ice Spice for that song was a big deal, she could have caught an even bigger fish.

Read More: Kanye West Has It All Figured Out: Kim Kardashian Details His Humble Lifestyle

PinkPantheress Cannot Think About It Anymore

In a recent interview with i-D, she brutally recalled a time when she could have landed a placement on a Kendrick song. NFR Podcast tweeted an excerpt from the story and it is honestly gut-wrenching. “Oh f***, I can’t even think about it. I was watching Nightcrawler with this guy.” You might be wondering why she did not pick up and put a pause on the date for King Kendrick. Well, PinkPanthress’s date asked her to put her phone on silent. We do not know if she was expecting the call or not. However, that guy hopefully feels real awful about it.

What are your initial thoughts on PinkPantheress revealing that she almost featured on a Kendrick Lamar song? Would this have been a great collaboration? Do you think she will ever get a call back from him? 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 thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around PinkPantheress, as well as everything else going on around the music world.

Read More: Joe Budden Remains Composed After Cesar Pina’s Brother Pulls Up On Him: Watch

[Via]

The post PinkPantheress Details How She Almost Landed On A Kendrick Lamar Track: “Oh F***, I Can’t Even Think About It” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

GloRilla Poses With J. Cole In The Studio Prompting Collaboration Rumors

GloRilla appears to have a collaboration with J. Cole in the works after posing for a picture with the Fayetteville rapper in the studio. The post comes as GloRilla continues to work on her highly-anticipated debut album. She’s been teasing the project for months, even predicting that it will top the charts upon release, back in August.

As for her photo opportunity with J. Cole, fans had a lot to say about the idea of a collaboration on social media. “They look…. Idk [crying emoji] like besties or siblings that argue a lot. This cute for some odd reason,” one user commented on a post from Hollywood Unlocked. Another wrote: “If Drake can do a song with sexy red then it’s hope for Glo and Cole lmao.”

Read More: GloRilla Uploads Picture Of Her Engaging In Sexual Acts On Her Social Media

GloRilla Performs At Coachella

INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16: GloRilla performs at the Coachella Stage during the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 16, 2023 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)

GloRilla’s debut studio album will be her first project since her 2022 EP, Anyways, Life’s Great. Several big singles supported the success of that effort including “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” with Hitkidd, “Blessed”, and “Tomorrow 2” with Cardi B. Check out her picture with J. Cole below.

GloRilla Poses With J. Cole In The Studio

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by HOLLYWOOD UNLOCKED (@hollywoodunlocked)

J. Cole is also preparing for the release of his own album, The Fall Off. He teased the project while appearing on Summer Walker’s EP, CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE, back in May. “I’m thinkin’ about ya/I heard you just had you another lil’ baby, congratulations/I hope you got through it with no complications/I find it amazing the way that you juggle your kids, the biz, the fame/The b*tches that’s hatin’, they sit around waitin’ for you to fall off, like the album I’m makin’,” he rapped on the interlude, “To Summer, From Cole.” Be on the lookout for further updates on J. Cole and GloRilla’s next albums on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Kai Cenat Does Not Approve Of GloRilla’s New Song: Watch

[Via]

The post GloRilla Poses With J. Cole In The Studio Prompting Collaboration Rumors appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Lil Yachty Divulges On Potential Drake Collab Album

Lil Yachty and Drake have been working with one another quite a bit as of late. Overall, these two are a dynamic duo that have a great friendship, as well. Recently, the two shared a track on For All The Dogs, called “Another Late Night.” Furthermore, it has been reported that Yachty had a lot to do with the project, Her Loss. Needless to say, these two have a deep musical connection. This has subsequently led to fans speculating that they could one day drop a collab album together.

Recently, Lil Yachty was in an OGM Vlog that was posted to YouTube. During the video, he actually spoke about the possibility of doing an album with Drizzy. However, fans should not be expecting such a project to happen anytime soon. After all, Drake has made it clear that he wants to take some time for himself. That said, Yachty does seem at least a little bit optimistic that it could happen somewhere down the line.

Read More: Lucki & Lil Yachty Discuss Lean Cost, Claim Young Thug Paid $5K Due To “Tax”

Lil Yachty x Drake?

“We’ve talked about it before… It would be nice, right?” Yachty asked. “I think he [Drake] gon take a little second to breathe [first]. Ima take next year to figure out my situation… And you know, we’ll look into it in the future.” By the time Drake is out of his musical hiatus, no one really knows what he will be looking for musically. By that point, he might be looking to hop on a new wave entirely. This is especially true when you consider how he will either be 40 years old or at least very close to it.

If a Lil Yachty and Drake project were to drop, what would your expectations be for it? Is it even something that you would want? Let us know in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always keep you informed on all of your favorite artists.

Read More: Lil Yachty Concert Shut Down After Five Songs Over Safety Concerns

The post Lil Yachty Divulges On Potential Drake Collab Album appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

ASAP Rocky Earns Creative Director Title For PUMA’S F1 Collaboration

One of the most influential and creative people in the hip-hop world is New Yorker ASAP Rocky. Ever since he came into the rap game in the early 2010s decade, he has always had a sense of fashion and mystique around him. Part of the reason he has become a fashion mogul is due to a lot of his inspirations and the greats that have come before him. Influencing figures like the late great Virgil Abloh and Pharrell Williams forged the path for Rocky. Now, he continues to make his own legacy with his latest collaboration.

Just yesterday, October 23, A$AP revealed that he was going to be teaming up with streetwear and athletic brand PUMA. He is following in his significant other’s footsteps, Rihanna. The company is working with the rising league that is F1, or Formula 1 racing. Down below, Rocky displayed some of the slick items that are a part of this partnership. While we know this already, there is another major headline.

Read More: Latto & Sexyy Red True Religion Feud Rumours Fly Over Subliminal IG Posts

ASAP Rocky Speaks About His Excitement To Work With PUMA And F1

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by A$AP ROCKY (@asaprocky)

HipHopDX reports that PUMA’s website made this official yesterday as well. Rocky shared his enthusiasm for the project’s potential. “Working with brands as iconic as PUMA, and as innovative as F1, has been truly inspiring. When the world sees what we’re doing, I believe a shift will happen with how brands approach taking risks and working with diverse creatives.” This is yet another feather in the cap for him. Congratulations to ASAP Rocky!

What are your initial thoughts on ASAP Rocky being the creative director for PUMA’s F1 partnering? Does this solidify him as the greatest fashion designer in rap history? Do you think this means DON’T BE DUMB is going to be coming out even later now? 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 thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around ASAP Rocky, as well as everything else going on in the pop culture world.

Read More: Victor Wembanyama Towers Over Drake In Latest Picture Together

[Via]

The post ASAP Rocky Earns Creative Director Title For PUMA’S F1 Collaboration appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

City Girls And Kim Petras Announce “Flashy” Upcoming Collab

City Girls recently took to social media to announce an exciting new collaboration they have on the way with Kim Petras. In a clip, the iconic duo is seen seated beside the pop singer, as they all mouth the words to Petras’ catchy part on the song. For obvious reasons, listeners can’t wait to hear the full cross-over, and are sounding off in the comments section.

The new track, titled “Flashy,” will be featured on the pair’s new album RAW, which drops on October 20. The LP will follow their 2020 album City on Lock. After more than three years, fans are looking forward to what they have to offer on this latest project.

Read More: City Girls Share Fierce Album Cover For “RAW”

City Girls Team Up With Kim Petras For RAW Track

Only Petras’ vocals can be heard in the newly-unveiled snippet, however, some fans suspect that Yung Miami might sing on the track as well. Either way, the dreamy track is sure to be a fan favorite. This isn’t the first time Kim Petras has crossed over into the world of hip hop, however. Back in April, she also joined forces with Nicki Minaj to drop “Alone.” The song samples Alice Deejay’s Euro-pop staple “Better Off Alone,” which Petras said made the collab nostalgic for her.

“I was born and raised in Germany, and that song is a classic in clubs all over Europe, so I grew up to it,” she told Apple Music. “I had a lot of amazing moments, some bad moments… So many club moments in general to that song. So, that song is just in me, and I feel like it inspired me to make music. I’m just so honored that Alice Deejay let us do this sh*t because it’s epic.” Are you looking forward to City Girls’ upcoming collaboration with Kim Petras? How do you think it’s sounding so far? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: City Girls Announce New Album And Share A Teaser Trailer

[Via]

The post City Girls And Kim Petras Announce “Flashy” Upcoming Collab appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Gordo Discusses Drake’s Process: “He’s A Mad Man”

Producer Gordo says that Drake’s a “mad man” and “doesn’t sleep.” He spoke about his friendship with the Toronto rapper and his recording process with Complex following the release of For All The Dogs.

When asked about Drake’s process for his latest albums, Gordo responded: “He’s a mad man. He’s insane. He doesn’t sleep. He just works, works, works, works. He’ll call me at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. in the morning. I’m like, bro, ‘go to bed. You’re insane.’ So that’s what I learned.”

Read More: Drake Reacts To HNHH Comments On Original “Take Care” Review

Drake At The Billboard Music Awards

US rapper Drake poses in the press room during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bridget BENNETT / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRIDGET BENNETT/AFP via Getty Images)

Gordo also discussed how he met Drake. After joking about it coming through the dating app Christian Mingle, he admitted it actually happened at a Lil Wayne concert. “I met this guy so long ago through one of my homies,” he said. “It was like a Lil Wayne show. There’s a photo out there somewhere of when we first met him. We’ve always had a lot of mutual friends. So we always stayed connected here and there. And then in 2017 [or] 2016, we started getting closer and closer. Then there was a long time that we didn’t talk. But as of recently, we became really close musically. We never talked about music until last year and we’ve been friends for years. I think that’s the coolest part of it, is it was never about music. We were just homies, we have the same brain. We always say that if we were in high school, we would have been best friends.”

Gordo, who was formerly known as Carnage, has credits on numerous Drake songs in recent years. For Honestly, Nevermind, he produced “Sticky,” while he’s credited on “Rich Baby Daddy” and “Gently” off For All The Dogs. Be on the lookout for further updates on Drake and Gordo on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Drake’s “For All The Dogs” Elicits Praise & Hilarious Reactions

[Via]

The post Gordo Discusses Drake’s Process: “He’s A Mad Man” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Teezo Touchdown Thanks Drake For “For All The Dogs” Collaboration

Teezo Touchdown gave a shout-out to Drake on Instagram, Friday, for welcoming him on the tracklist to his new album, For All The Dogs. Sharing the cover art on Instagram, he noted his appreciation for the Toronto rapper’s “hospitality” and “professionalism.”

“For all the dogs that’s driving around in Beaumont,” Teezo began. “Congratulations @champagnepapi thank u for ur hospitality, professionalism and love for what u do.” He shared a thank you message for God as well. Chance The Rapper reacted in the comments section, remarking that Teezo “went crazy” on the album.

Read More: Drake And Teezo Touchdown Talk About Love And Loyalty On “Amen”

Teezo Touchdown Performs At Austin City Limits Festival

AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 14: Teezo Touchdown performs onstage during weekend two, day one of Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park on October 14, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage)

Prior to tapping him for an appearance on For All The Dogs, Drake praised Teezo on Instagram back in August. In doing so, he labeled the rapper’s then-unreleased debut album, How Do You Sleep at Night?, some of the “best music” he had ever heard.” “Usually it’s a cut throat cryptic caption for the ones that turned on the gang members but tonight I just heard some of the best music ever so I am happy and I will spare you little birdies thanks to @teezotouchdown,” Drake wrote at the time. Check out Teezo’s message for Drake below.

Teezo Touchdown Shouts Out Drake On Instagram

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by TONY TOUCHDOWN⚓ (@teezotouchdown)

In addition to Teezo Touchdown, Drake worked with 21 Savage, J. Cole, Yeat, SZA, PartyNextDoor, Chief Keef, Bad Bunny, Sexyy Red, and Lil Yachty on the tracklist for For All The Dogs. He dropped the project on Friday after a brief delay. Following the release of the album, Drake has said that he’ll be taking a break from music to focus on his health. He’s currently finishing up the It’s All A Blur tour. Be on the lookout for further updates on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Teezo Touchdown Gets Brutally Honest About Drake’s Co-Sign

[Via]

The post Teezo Touchdown Thanks Drake For “For All The Dogs” Collaboration appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Sukihana Divulges On Desire To Work With Drake

Sukihana is someone who has exploded in popularity over the last few months. Overall, it has been fun to watch her rise to fame. Although some people don’t like her behavior, others love that she is unapologetically her authentic self. Her authenticity is what has ultimately allowed her to get so far. In a world where people try to manufacture their persona, Suki is doing what she wants, when she wants. It is something that we should all probably be aspiring to, regardless of what you may think.

If you pay attention to Sukihana, you know that she has made some music. Overall, her music is incredibly raunchy and serves as a pretty good litmus test of whether or not you’re going to like her personality. That said, she has been making moves, and big artists are looking to collaborate. In a recent interview with The FanBus, Suki revealed exactly who she would be down to collaborate with. As you’re going to hear, the list is pretty extensive.

Read More: Sukihana And Summer Walker’s New Photos Prove They’re “Pretty Mothers”

Sukihana Reveals Who She Wants To Work With

The artist says that she would love to work with massive stars like Adele and even Cardi B. However, her real dream is to someday work with Drake. As she explains, she feels like a song with Drake would be a massive banger, and would also prove to be extremely viral. It is hard to really disagree with this assessment, all things considered. Drizzy knows how to craft a hit, and with Suki’s energy, you can just imagine what the final result would end up being.

At this point, fans will have to wait a while for such a collab to take place. For now, Drake is focused on finishing up his new album, For All The Dogs. It is a project that fans have been very excited about, and we can only imagine what kind of tracks we will get. As for Sukihana, the grind continues. Let us know if you want this collab to happen, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always keep you informed.

Read More: Bobbi Althoff & Sukihana’s Strip Club Adventure Looked Unsurprisingly Awkward

The post Sukihana Divulges On Desire To Work With Drake appeared first on HotNewHipHop.