Raleigh, North Carolina’s annual three-day Hopscotch Music Festival returns this week with acts like King Krule, Pavement, Margo Price, Denzel Curry, Dinosaur Jr., and Japanese Breakfast playing on the main outdoor stages and shows Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at seven other venues around the downtown area. You can find the set times for the main stages below.
The lineup runs the gamut from folk and rock to EDM and hip-hop (and everything in between), kicking off Thursday at 3:30 pm. The two main stages are located at City Plaza and Moore Square, one of Raleigh’s two surviving original parks. Meanwhile, shows at Kings, Lincoln Theater, Nash Hall, Neptunes, The Pour House (best bar name ever), Slims, Transfer Co., and Wicked Witch begin at either 9 or 9:30 pm each night so festival-goers can keep the party going after enjoying the main stage acts.
Thursday, September 7
Moore Square
5:00pm — Sam Evian
6:30pm — Mild High Club
8:30pm — King Krule
City Plaza
4:20pm — Truth Club
5:45pm — Palm
7:30pm — Alvvays
9:20pm — Pavement
Friday, September 8
Moore Square
3:45pm — Sunny War
5:00pm — Neon Union
6:30pm — Cut Worms
8:30pm — Margo Price
Earthgang‘s new song, “Die Today,” offers a scathing look at the ephemeral nature of fake love, so it’s only right that their video similarly lampoons the way rappers often become much more famous after they die. With hilarious bookends featuring a dazed Denzel Curry delivering an unhinged eulogy and an equally funny plot twist toward the end, the video is stuffed with clips from real-life news shows — from Fox News to SNL‘s Weekend Updates — with their deaths as the lead graphic.
There’s also some funny and insightful stuff about the performative nature of social media, as the news sends the Atlanta duo’s follower count skyrocketing and attracts messages from the likes of former President Obama, Elon Musk, Kris Jenner, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. This is all especially funny when you consider that Earthgang only has one Billboard Hot 100 charting single (with J. Cole and JID, no less), and has yet to crack the top 40 on the Billboard 200 (their first album, Mirrorland, landed at No. 40, while their last album, Ghetto Gods, came in at No. 114).
But as Vince Staples once pointed out, there is no better album promo than death, and Earthgang’s new video allows them to enjoy its spoils without experiencing its obvious drawbacks. “Die Today” will appear on Earthgang’s upcoming album Earthgang Vs. The Algorithm, alongside the Adam Sandler-approved “Bobby Boucher.” The album is due soon via Dreamville.
Heads are still spinning from Denzel Curry’s “Blood On My Nikez,” his single that began as a two-minute solo flex before receiving a Juicy J feature for the full version last week. Curry just increased the spin rate with “Ice Cold Zel Freestyle” featuring IceColdBishop.
The Florida-bred rapper only needs 99 seconds to confidently illustrate a visceral picture, juxtaposing his tangible rewards (“I got a motherf*ckin’ choppa like Olajuwon”) with the dire realities he had to overcome (“I was like six in the kitchen / My uncle and cousin was mixin’, they servin’ up rock”). Curry and IceColdBishop swap bars atop an unrelenting beat — seamlessly complementing each other’s stream of consciousness.
Curry teased “Ice Cold Zel Freestyle” with a Ken-like photo (nobody is immune to the Barbie craze), and the single arrives as he appears to be leading up to the release of Blood In Blood Out Reloaded (stylized as 13LOOD 1N 13LOOD OUT RELOADED), which he vaguely tweeted about in April.
Denzel Curry has delighted fans with the release of his latest single, “BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ,” featuring a collaboration with the legendary Juicy J. The song was highly anticipated, especially after Denzel had teased his verse in the Omar Jones-directed music video released last week.
This summer has been eventful for Denzel, with performances at various festivals, including Outbreak Festival in the UK, Capitol Hill Block Party in the US, and Germany’s SPLASH! Festival. Fans had already caught a glimpse of “BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ” during his Australian tour earlier this year.
The single marks Denzel’s first original release of 2023, following his successful Live At Electric Lady EP in May. With “BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ,” Denzel takes a nostalgic journey back to his roots, reminiscent of his fan-favorite projects like Nostalgic 64 and Imperial, while skillfully blending in the pop sensibilities he has developed over his career.
Denzel Curry’s unique blend of styles and thoughtful concepts has earned him critical acclaim, making “BLOOD ON MY NIKEZ” a highly anticipated addition to his discography. Fans can enjoy the single now and eagerly await more exciting music from Denzel in the future.
The expansive event will unfold across eight stages, plus The Palace Of Wonder, and everything will kick off on Friday at 8:30 a.m. local time. Plenty of acts will warm up the crowd for Caesar (7 p.m.), Curry (8 p.m.), Yeah Yeah Yeahs (8:10 p.m.), The Strokes (9:10 p.m.), and NxWorries (10 p.m.).
On Saturday, July 29, Benee will take the Green Stage at 1 p.m., followed by Morissette (5 p.m.), Ellegarden (7 p.m.), and Foo Fighters (9:10 p.m.). The White Stage will host the likes of Dermot Kennedy (2:20 p.m.), Caroline Polachek (6 p.m.), and Louis Cole (10 p.m.). Attendees can also catch D4vd (2 p.m.) or Weyes Blood (4 p.m.) on the Red Marque stage.
The final day, July 30, will still pack plenty of punch. The Green Stage will finish out with Gryffin (3 p.m.), Yuki (5 p.m.), Bad Hop (7 p.m.), and Lizzo (9:10 p.m.). Weezer will close out the White Stage beginning at 10 p.m., and several acts are scheduled to play into the early hours of Monday morning, July 31.
See the full Fuji Rock schedule and festival map below, and find more information here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Denzel Curry is doing some very interesting promo. Known as one of hip-hop’s most unique voices, he continues to push boundaries with his latest offering. Earlier this month, Curry released the Live At Electric Lady EP. It is recording of a live performance at the iconic New York studio established by Jimi Hendrix. The EP showcases cuts from his previous album. However, they are accompanied by a soulful jazz band that adds a new dimension to the tracks. Tracks like “Lonely Man,” “Troubles,” and the hit single “Walkin” highlight the electric, jazzy, and soulful elements. All of these things come together to make for a captivating listening experience.
Most notably, the EP includes a reimagined version of “Troubles” featuring T-Pain. On it, Denzel Curry adds a fresh verse to the upbeat track infused with soulful instrumentation and impressive bars. Additionally, Denzel delivers an amazing cover of Erykah Badu’s timeless classic “Didn’t Cha Know,” featuring Bilal. Now, Curry has stopped by The Eric Andre Show for some promotion, and it went just about as you might expect.
Earlier today, Denzel Curry posted a clip of his appearance on The Eric Andre Show. Andre is known for his zany antics and almost nonsensical, absurd form of comedy. It appears that Curry’s guest spot on the show will be no different. In the clip, which is linked above, the rapper tries to perform while having dental work done. Eric Andre watches on as he does so. Eventually, he asks Denzel Curry if he would like to ear some curry. Of course, he doesn’t really wait for an answer. He simply walks over and puts some in the rapper’s mouth.
Fans took to the comment section of the Instagram post to joke about the appearance. “Man here getting tortured ,” one said, followed by some laughing emojis. “Look at this man go, what can’t he do?” said another comment. It’s true that getting dental work done while eating curry and rapping at the same time must be pretty difficult. Other fans seemed very excited about Denzel Curry working with Eric Andre. “The best collab since peanut butter and jelly,” one said. One thing is for certain, the segment will be extremely entertaining. What do you think of the clip? Let us know in the comment section!
Rap lyrics about video games have been appearing in the genre for years. When rappers drop brand names, we likely only know of them because we’ve heard them mentioned many times. Relating to them depends on how we spend our money. This fits the lifestyle many speak of – either we can relate to it or can’t. However, video games are much more accessible to many listeners.
If they don’t play anymore, these bars can be nostalgic for them. If they’re currently a gamer, they can appreciate the relevancy of the reference the rapper made. These days rap and video games go hand in hand, with many artists regularly streaming and appearing at events for the gaming world. We’ve gathered a list of rappers who have said a thing or two about video games in their music.
At this point, we’re well aware of one of Lil Wayne’s go-to topics in rap. But, he found time to veer from that to drop these rap lyrics about the classic video game series Mortal Kombat. “The Commission or Wu-Tang n****/ Tryna tell u I can kick it like Liu Kang n****/ Got that Sub-Zero flow, how u want me ma/ N**** get over here like Scorpion.”
Even people who have never played the game know its brutal reputation. With it being a 30-year-old franchise, several generations have been exposed to it. Wayne dropped these bars in 2006, and the latest entry in the series was announced on this month. He mentioned three of the game’s most popular characters. Liu Kang, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero are go-to characters for many players. Additionally, “Get over here” is Scorpion’s catchphrase. Wayne seems to be a big fan and is proud of it.
Saying this rap lyric about video games is dated is not an insult. In fact, “dated” may not be the right word. “Nostalgic” definitely fits better. Denzel rapped “Bills on me blue, Sly Cooper.” He has been open about his love of anime, games, and other connected worlds. This bar is from a song full of references to multiple things he enjoys. However, the bar we’re discussing is truly special for listeners. Sly Cooper was a video game series for the Nintendo GameCube. The title character was a raccoon that wore a blue outfit. This bar takes a typical subject and brings a specific reference to it because we all know rappers love their blue faces—one hundred dollar bills.
This is a rap lyric about video games that shows the age of the artist. It’s also a reference to Biggie’s entry on this list. “Grandma said she loved me, I told her I loved her more/ She always got me things, that we couldn’t afford/ The new Js and Tommy Hill in my drawers/Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, see GoldenEye was away at war,” rapped ScHoolboy Q.
He mentions a Nintendo 64, an entire generation after the Super Nintendo. Goldeneye 007 was a popular game. The song finds him talking about several moments in his past, but this one highlights one of the lighter moments. Fast forward a few years, and he’s a character in the PGA Tour game series. Seeing rappers whose topics aren’t always the brightest be interested in gaming is interesting. It’s further proof we don’t know who they are outside the booth until they tell us.
“PTSD” – City Morgue (2018)
This rap lyric about video games references a character through a double entendre. Doing things in a coupe is something we’ve heard many rappers mention. However, City Morgue talks of doing something truly reckless in it – which is on brand for their music. “Imma crash in the coupe, do the Crash Bandicoot,“ declared City Morgue member SosMula.
Bandicoot is a video game character known for his off-the-wall personality and behavior. One of his signature moves is when he spins in a circle, destroying anything in his path and moving forward faster. While his self-titled series of games are primarily platformers, he’s got a kart racing game too. This one is titled Crash Team Racing. SosMula’s bar could refer to both.
“Juicy” – The Notorious B.I.G (1994)
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include this rap lyric about video games in this list. When rap fans think of the “oldest” rap lyric about video games, their mind usually goes to these classic bars. Biggie says, “Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis/ When I was dead broke, man I couldn’t picture this.” Of course, other songs have more niche references, but this is one even non-rap fans get. Biggie references two game consoles in this bar. It references his past and how he’s elevated since then.
For many people, games are something they had a lot more time for when they were younger. Of course, nowadays, adults get paid to play games which is just another example of how things are constantly changing as time progresses. However, these bars are timeless for a classic song and legendary artist.
“Corduroy” – BONES (2014)
These rap lyrics about video games are the most specific ones on our list. That’s because it’s not just about a video game – it’s a cheat code for a video game.“R2, R2, L1, R2, Up, Down, Left, Right, then I get to bangin’,” BONES rapped in his trademark lower register. BONES is a rapper whose music has referenced computer lingo, games, and movies multiple times. However, this bar takes things to a new level. He names specific button inputs which players know are on a PlayStation controller. The code is for Grand Theft Auto III for the PlayStation 2. When players use it, they will have all the weapons from the game equipped for their character to use. Listeners can infer BONES knows from experience.
Rap lyrics about video games can sometimes appear across generations. Mortal Kombat was mentioned at the beginning of our list.“Black shades, Johnny Cage, diamonds go parade/ Motorola in the kitchen, whippin’ Sonya/ My plug look like Pacquiao, his daughter is Kitana” rapped Quavo and Takeoff. Johnny Cage is a classic character from the Mortal Kombat series. His character is a movie star and often keeps his sunglasses on as he fights. Sonya Blade ends up in a relationship with him. Migos are referring to her as “white girl,” much like their hit “Hannah Montana” spoke of. They managed to seamlessly reference their lifestyle and these characters and connect the two. It sounds like they had a controller in their hands when they weren’t in the trap.
What are some of your favorite bars about video games? Let us know in the comments section.
Denzel Curry is one of the biggest underground rappers from Florida. Although, his “underground” status has been debated since his song became a part of one of social media’s biggest trends years ago. Since jumping onto the scene, he has released multiple albums, EPs, and singles that all have their own unique sound. His features are even more varied as he has worked with up-and-coming artists like Armani White and redveil. He’s also worked with well-established acts like Glass Animals and even covered Rage Against The Machine and, most recently, Erykah Badu. Naturally, his style (in music and hair) has transformed over the years. Most people associate Denzel with high-energy music. His discography has shown he has expanded beyond those days but can still return to it if needed.
Denzel Curry’s Origins
Denzel’s origins in the music world go back to the Florida-based collective Raider Klan (often stylized as RVDXIR KLVN). Music from these acts took heavy inspiration from the moody, dark piano chords and pitched-down vocals of Three 6 Mafia and other acts from the early 2000s in Memphis. While in Raider Klan, he released Strictly for My R.V.I.D.X.R.S. and other mixtapes whose titles had direct connections to the imagery, style, and branding of the collective.
In 2013, Denzel released a single titled “Threatz,” which featured fellow clan members Yung Simmie. Robb Bank$, and producer Ronny J. This track brought him attention in the underground world as the video began circulating because of its unique look. This song came from his debut studio album Nostalgic 64 which brought him even more attention.
Denzel’s Popularity Continued To Rise
In 2015, Denzel Curry dropped “ULTIMATE” which brought him even more attention and success. One year later, a snippet from the song began circulating. People used it for the social media trend, the “Bottle Flip Challenge.” Participants would edit the video so the song’s beat would drop when they successfully flipped their bottles. This song came from Curry’s double EP 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms.
A remix version of this song was also released, which featured a verse from Juicy J. This version was released at the height of the song’s newfound popularity. In 2016, they inducted Denzel into the XXL Freshman Class of that year. His group’s cypher video also went viral. Many pointed out he was a clear standout and noticed his hairstyle solidified his authenticity as a Florida native.
Denzel Curry was preparing to show the world his new concept album since he had even more eyes on him. But, before that, he still had some high energy left in him and this was shared in his EP 13 which was released in 2017. This five-track project appealed to fans that gravitated towards him for songs like “ULTIMATE.” Almost every song has distorted bass and high-energy vocals from Denzel. Curry’s lyrical ability did not falter on this project and it still served its purpose as a high-energy holdover project for his listeners.
All Of Denzel Curry’s Projects Have A Purpose
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 27: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Denzel Curry visits SiriusXM at SiriusXM Studios on February 27, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images)
Denzel Curry did something unique for his 2018 album TABOO (officially stylized as “TA13OO”). He released the album in three parts. Each part was called an “Act” and was subtitled “Light,” “Grey,” and “Dark,” respectively. The acts were released on different days with different covers from July 25 to 27, 2018. Each part had four to five tracks. This tied into the various themes across the album, and each act’s theme signified the tone and production style of the music in it. On July 27, the album was released as a whole, with all 13 tracks arriving together. Act 2: GREY contained the single “CLOUT COBAIN,” which shared Denzel’s commentary on the music industry. This caught many people’s eyes – even those outside of the rap world. There’s a unique look to the song titles in the track list on streaming services too.
Denzel’s 2019 album ZUU paid homage to the rapper’s home state of Florida – specifically Carol City, Miami. Denzel wears a Florida Marlins jersey on the album’s cover, and the color scheme of the album’s logo is the same as the one for the University of Miami. The album’s lead single, “RICKY,” pays homage to his father and mother in its lyrics and features his father on the cover art. Features on this album included fellow Miami natives Ice Billion Berg, Sam Sneak, and Rick Ross. Denzel performed a medley of “RICKY” and “WISH” for his debut television appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. This performance brought even more eyes to him, and he brought those eyes to his hometown.
Denzel Brings His Outside Interests Into His Music
Denzel Curry released a project with Kenny Beats titled UNLOCKED in 2020 and a remix version in 2021 called UNLOCKED1.5. They paired it with a 24-minute short film that combined music videos for all eight songs on the EP. Each of these videos had a different animation style which tied in with the comic book-like cover art for the project. Denzel has referenced comic book and anime characters throughout his career, making this project a full-circle moment. The track titles look like file names on streaming services which was a stylistic decision made by Curry and Kenny Beats.
Denzel Has Reached A New Level In His Music
Denzel Curry’s most recent full-length album, Melt My Eyez, See Your Future, was released in 2022, and its extended edition was released the same year. This album finds Denzel at his most mature yet. He covers more vulnerable topics, and his song arrangement is more strategic, layered, and varied. He cited inspiration from films for this project, and the music videos for the songs showcase this.
Perhaps the biggest standout moment from this album is the T-Pain feature. Denzel has spoken highly of how honored he was to have him on the album. The extended edition includes his live performance of the album, which was live-streamed on YouTube. He performs with The Cold Blooded Soul Band, which creates jazzy, cinematic versions of the songs on the album. Denzel easily adjusts to the new but familiar soundscape and praises the band for their efforts throughout the album.
Denzel’s Authenticity Draws In His Listeners
Denzel Curry is a multilayered artist. He goes into every album with a specific vision in mind and executes it to the best of his ability. After sporting locs, having those locs literally save his life, then cutting them off and growing them out again, he truly has been transforming his entire career. Listeners never know what to expect from him musically, but they know he will remain his authentic self throughout it all. He may not be a household name, but his listeners will show up and show out for him, and that’s all that matters.
