Complex recently announced that Travis Scott will have a much larger role for their ComplexCon in Las Vegas on November 16 and 17 than we originally thought. They already announced him and his Cactus Jack collective as headliners for Sunday (November 17), preceded by his good friendsPlayboi Carti, Opium, and Metro Boomin on Saturday (November 16). However, it turns out that La Flame is now the Artistic Director for the event as a whole, per a press release that details the moves below. He will curate the music, art, and streetwear extravaganza with his Cactus Jack brand, which will also bring exclusive merch designs and, more likely than not, sneaker drops and other collabs.
Not only that, but Travis Scott will bring “CactusCon” to life for Complex‘s event even when folks visiting the festival are chilling in their hotel. The Resort World will transform into “Cactus Jack Hotel,” and ComplexCon will also seemingly immerse itself into his universe. What’s more is that the Houston superstar has more accolades and achievements on the way. BET will honor him with the “I Am Hip-Hop” award at the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards, which will air very soon this month.
Travis Scott At The VETEMENTS Paris Womenswear Spring-Summer 2025 Show
“Travis Scott is a visionary artist who continues to push the boundaries of music, culture, and live performance,” BET‘s Executive Vice President of specials, music programming, and music strategy, Connie Orlando, shared in a statement. “With his unmatched creativity and relentless passion, he has redefined what it means to be a captivating, inspiring entertainer within the hip hop genre. We look forward to celebrating him at BET Hip-Hop Awards 2024.” With all this in mind, it seems like Travis will close out another great year with a festival following his and Complex‘s vision, which is a fitting celebration.
Meanwhile, Travis Scott is also expanding his already huge resumé thanks to a modeling gig at a VETEMENTS fashion show for Paris Fashion Week. We wonder whether or not we will see him on the runway again in the future. Either way, there’s a lot coming up for Cactus Jack fans to celebrate and enjoy.
Blue Ivy Carter is getting her due flowers for her growing portfolio, especially with one of her biggest projects yet on the way. Moreover, you probably already heard that Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter will make her acting debut in Mufasa: The Lion King this December. While many folks out there might assume that this was the result of some nepo baby shenanigans, the movie’s director Barry Jenkins reiterated that it’s about much more than that. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight published on August 12, he elaborated on why they picked her for the role of Kiara (Nala and Simba’s daughter).
“She did a wonderful job bringing this character Kiara to life,” Barry Jenkins remarked concerning Blue Ivy. “I’m really proud of her, really proud of the work she did. As we were thinking of who could play this character, I thought, ‘Oh, this is it. She’s the right age, the right vibe. Let’s test it out.’ She was just tremendous. There are some things she does in this film that are really emotional. She’s a thespian. [And the casting] had nothing to do with mom and dad. She was the right young woman for the job.”
Furthermore, it’s easy to see why Blue Ivy has been so successful in her media endeavors so far, as her mother Beyoncé also gave her much advice on dealing with public scrutiny and focusing beyond the haters. “One of [Blue Ivy’s] friends came back and showed her some negative comments and it was a great life lesson,” Tina Knowles recalled. “Because her mom basically said, ‘Listen, if you let this get you down, then they won. So you should go and work harder. And, you know, just work harder and get your skills together and go out there and blast it.’
“So it actually worked in [Blue Ivy’s] favor because she was only supposed to do it one time,” Tina Knowles continued. “But now her mom was, that mama bear was on to it. It was like, she was like, ‘You go out there and kill it,’ and she did. She just grew so much from that experience.”
Right before social media and streaming platforms became a thing, Hype Williams was the maestro of experimental filmmaking in music, leaving an indelible mark in the industry since the 1990s. From his groundbreaking video in 1994 with Wu-Tang Clan’s “Can It Be All So Simple” to Kanye West’s mesmerizing “Gold Digger” and Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love,” Hype Williams has set the bar high for what a truly impressive music video should be.
Old and contemporary hip-hop fans will always remember how he shaped hip-hop over time with his limitless creativity and unmatchable originality. Let’s explore eleven Hype Williams videos that remain evergreen, regardless of how long they’ve been on our screens.
11. Busta Rhymes – “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” (1997)
Busta Rhyme’s “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” remains one of the most iconic and innovative Hype Williams videos ever. In an interview with XXL, Busta Rhyme expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of color and originality in the music videos of that time. So, he teamed up with Hype Williams to create this masterpiece, incorporating all the elements he thought music videos lacked.
Inspired by the movie Coming to America, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” is full of color, creativity, and Africanness, making it forever timeless. The video made its debut on MTV in mid-August 1997, gaining widespread attention on both MTV and BET networks. Even now, 27 years later, the video still gets much attention on YouTube, with over 45 million views and viewers applauding its timeless creativity.
Jay-Z and Hype Williams collaborated multiple times to great effect. Hence, it is no wonder why Jay-Z is always effusive in his praise for Williams. The duo combined for a great music video for Jay-Z’s hit song, “Big Pimpin” ft. UGK. “Big Pimpin” was released as the third and final single from Jay-Z’s fourth studio album Vol.3… Life and Times of S. Carter (1999). Although the track was already a hit, Hype Williams took it to a whole new level by visually bringing the lyrics to life with his creativity. According to Williams, the song instantly transported the listener to Carnival, and he wanted the world to experience that visual with him. The video was shot in Trinidad during Carnival, though only Jay and Bun B appeared together. Apparently, Pimp C didn’t want to fly out, so he filmed his portion of the video in Miami Beach.
“She’s a Bitch” stands tall as proof of the limitless creativity that exists between these two titans in the industry — Hype Williams and Missy Elliott. The Williams-directed video officially dropped on May 1, 1999. He adopted various cutting-edge special effects and stunning customs and set to make the video truly unique. This collaboration raised the bar for other videos with its electroluminescent stage designs and innovative backdrops.
8. Beyoncé – “Drunk In Love” (2013)
Filmed at the most exclusive Golden Beach, Florida, this outstanding video features Beyoncé dancing sensually on the sandy shores while waves crash around her. Jay-Z appears, rapping beside her and holding a glass of D’usse. This captivating scene, directed by Hype Williams, received awards for Video of the Year and clinched the Best Collaboration award at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.
7. The Notorious B.I.G – “Mo Money, Mo Problems” (1997)
“Mo Money, Mo Problems” featured Mase and Combs in locations designed by Ron Norsworthy. Some of the video’s incredible aspects were the fluorescent lamps and stark white chamber. The video is quite popular for the red shiny jackets worn by Combs and Mase, which helped usher the “Shiny Suit Era” in hip-hop.
6. Kanye West – “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” (2005)
In “Diamonds From Sierra Leone,” Hype Williams uses a powerful visual commentary to tackle the issue of “conflict diamonds.” The video juxtaposed scenes of wealth and funfair with images of poverty and suffering, highlighting the contrast between the luxury often associated with diamonds and the harsh reality of their origins. In the video, Kanye delivered his lyrics intensely and convincingly. The video’s dark, moody aesthetic adds to its impact, captivating viewers and emphasizing the video’s theme. Overall, the “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” music video is a thought-provoking and visually striking piece that effectively displays Kanye’s message and Hype William’s creative prowess.
Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” is one of his most massive hits ever, revealing his vibrant personality and groove. The song featured catchy instrumentals and told the tale of a woman who valued him only for his material possessions. Hence, a music video for such a song should be an interesting watch, and Hype Williams ensured that was the case. The video was Kanye’s first attempt to feature signees to his record label — G.O.O.D MUSIC. It received great reviews and is widely considered one of Kanye’s best music videos.
“So Sick” is one of Ne-Yo’s biggest hits due to its regular rotations on BET and MTV. The song’s music video was shot in the snow and a mansion. To capture the song’s emotions more, Hype Williams directed Ne-Yo to sing his heart out, creating heart-wrenching scenes. The video topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. charts and currently has over 355 million views on YouTube.
3. Missy Elliot – “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” (1997)
Undoubtedly one of the Greatest Hip-Hop Music Videos of All Time, Missy Elliott delivered the incredibly iconic music video for “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” in 1997. The most famous aspect of the video is the patent leather blow-u suit, which resembles a bloated trash bag. The 1990s videos often featured scantily dressed women, but Missy Elliot took a different turn with her hilariously inflated trashy-like outfit.
2. Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur – “California Love” (1995)
Jada Pinkett Smith, Shakur’s long-term friend, initially created the video concept for “California Love.” Her concept was inspired by the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Although Jada was supposed to direct the video, she excused herself from the production, allowing Hype Williams to take over. He did so to great effect. The music video dropped in 1995 and won the 1996 MOBO Award for Best Video.
1. TLC – “No Scrubs” (1999)
“No Scrubs” was one of TLC’s hardest-hitting songs and remains a classic tune to this day. The music video is similar to Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson’s music video “Scream” and ranked No. 1 on the Rhythmic Top 40 for 15 weeks. This is one of Hype Williams’ videos revealing an Afro-Futuristic, millennium outlook, with the performers wearing silver and blue metallic outfits to mimic the iconic “Scream” video.
Hype Williams: A Legend Yesterday, Today, and Forever
It’s impossible to mention legendary music video producers without Hype Williams. From his debut video to his most recent music video, Williams keeps setting the pace for contemporary music video directors. His creativity and ability to bring the most astounding music videos to life remain unmatched, regardless of how long he has been on the scene. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, these Hype Williams videos give us an insight into his unrivaled creative prowess in hip-hop and the music industry at large.
In the realm of music video direction, few names evoke as much admiration and respect as Benny Boom. With a career spanning over two decades, Boom has left an indelible mark on the industry. As audiences continue to appreciate the visual storytelling he brings to life, many wonder about the financial fruits of his labor. So, what exactly is Benny Boom’s net worth in 2024, and what factors have contributed to it?
Benny Boom, born as Benny Douglas, embarked on his journey in the entertainment industry with a fervent passion for visual storytelling. His early years were marked by determination and a relentless pursuit of his craft. Boom’s breakthrough came when he directed music videos for renowned artists such as Busta Rhymes and 50 Cent, showcasing his innate talent for capturing the essence of music through visuals.
As his reputation soared, so did his opportunities. Benny Boom’s ability to translate music into captivating narratives caught the attention of industry heavyweights, propelling him into the upper echelons of music video direction. His collaborations with artists like Nicki Minaj, Nas, and Meek Mill solidified his status as a visionary director with an unparalleled ability to elevate the art form.
Major Milestones & Achievements
Throughout his illustrious career, Benny Boom has amassed an impressive array of milestones and accolades. His work has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, earning him a plethora of awards and nominations. Notably, Boom’s direction of iconic music videos such as Nicki Minaj’s “Beez In The Trap” and Nelly & Kelly Rowland’s “Dilemma” has cemented his legacy as one of the most influential figures in the industry.
In addition to his work in music videos, Benny Boom has also ventured into film direction, further diversifying his portfolio. His directorial debut in the feature film Next Day Air demonstrated his versatility and keen eye for storytelling beyond the confines of music. In 2017, he directed the Tupac Shakur biopic, All Eyez On Me. With each project, Boom continues to push the boundaries of creativity, leaving an indelible imprint on popular culture.
As of 2024, Benny Boom’s estimated net worth stands at a commendable $10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This substantial wealth is a testament to his unwavering dedication and unparalleled talent. Several factors have contributed to Boom’s impressive net worth, including his prolific body of work, lucrative collaborations with top-tier artists, and ventures into film direction.
Furthermore, Benny Boom’s entrepreneurial spirit has played a pivotal role in augmenting his financial success. Beyond his directorial endeavors, he has ventured into producing, further solidifying his position as a multifaceted mogul within the entertainment industry. His ability to navigate various facets of the business landscape has undoubtedly bolstered his net worth over the years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Benny Boom’s net worth in 2024 reflects not only his artistic prowess but also his shrewd business acumen. From humble beginnings to becoming a household name in music video direction, Boom’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring creatives everywhere. As he continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, one thing remains certain: Benny Boom’s impact on the industry is immeasurable, both creatively and financially.
Jay-Z shook the rap world when he released a collaboration with D’Angelo this year, but perhaps he’s not done. Moreover, director Hidji World -– who’s worked with A$AP Rocky, Metro Boomin, Future, and many more rap superstars -– recently teased a shoot he directed on Sunday (January 28) for a 2024 album from Hov. Of course, this is just speculative and largely based on the hopes of fans, as the New York legend himself hasn’t said anything. However, with a visual project on the cards labeled as a shoot for a project this year, we wouldn’t expect this to result in anything less than a ballistic listenership.
Furthermore, Jay-Z hasn’t dropped a full-length project since 2017’s excellent 4:44. Back when Gayle King interviewed him for CBS, he didn’t close the door on another album, but he did remark how it would have to be something really special for him to craft it and sink the necessary time into it. As such, perhaps the 54-year-old finally found that reason… or this is all just a troll to send folks wild online. These days, we can’t rule that out, and with a catalog and career as revered and successful as his, he doesn’t have anything else he owes us other than some social media spectacle.
For the sake of Jay-Z fans (and the ears of any person who likes music), we hope we’re wrong about this probably being misdirection. Still, it begs the question: so what is Hidji World doing related to him that prompted him to tease this on his Instagram Story on Sunday? The “Can I Live” MC is busy collaborating with Moncler; what time does a billionaire have to make a new album, music video, or whatever else this is? We’ll probably find out in due time (after all, this has a 2024 expiration date), and when we do, even the smallest of career moves will surely excite fans.
Meanwhile, the rift between him and Dame Dash over Roc-A-Fella is still a raging battle, albeit a one-sided one. Jay’s got much more pressing problems to handle, and also a whole lot more success to find across his fields. But we can’t help but dream about a new album this year, as it’s what most people love him the most for. With that in mind, keep checking in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Jay-Z.
Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion’s feud is parting the celebrity world into two: the Hotties and the Barbz. Moreover, the latest person to get roped into the battle by these fanbases and viewers is Vogue director Sergio Kletnoy, who books celebrities for the magazine and is a main point of contact for them. As such, many folks questioned his comments during Minaj’s Instagram livestream on Friday (January 26), including a series of foot emojis. “Not ‘fragment foot’ lol not even a whole foot?” Kletnoy wrote during the session, referencing her “bullet fragment foot b***h” comment against the Houston rapper.
However, Kletnoy issued an apology on Saturday the 27th for Megan Thee Stallion and the fanbase following what seemed like explicit support for Nicki Minaj. “I am a huge music lover and support many artists (especially female artists),” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “Everyone who knows me knows I love Nicki, Megan and so many other musicians. I joined a livestream from one of my fave artists and was excited to hear there’s a new song from her. I made comments that unfortunately were taken the wrong way, I never meant to mock or insult anyone and have always been a fan of both women. My apologies if my comments offended or hurt anyone. Xo, S.”
Vogue Director Shades Megan Thee Stallion During Nicki Minaj’s Instagram Live
Still, some fans called out how comments like Sergio Kletnoy’s are harmful because of his editorial role in Vogue. If these biases play a part, assuming he did initially mean to mock Megan Thee Stallion, then it could shut out or discourage her from participation in the publication. Regardless, given the vague nature of Kletnoy’s remarks, perhaps he really didn’t intend for his comments to shade Meg. His love of Nicki Minaj was already apparent, though, as she did a cover for Vogue just a couple of months ago.
Sergio Kletnoy’s Apology
Meanwhile, with a response track on the way from the Trinidadian MC, it looks like this beef will only ramp up. Who do you think will come out on top in a lyrical exchange? Drop your thoughts on all this down in the comments section below. Also, come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates on Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion.
Two musical legends in their respective genres will seemingly team up soon for an absolute opus of a song. Moreover, The Book Of Clarence‘s director Jeymes Samuel recently sat down with Elliott Wilson and none other than Jay-Z for a conversation. Hov produced this film, which centers around a man named Clarence who tries to replicate the adoration of Jesus Christ in 33 A.D. and claims to be another Messiah. During their talk, the London-born filmmaker revealed that a very exciting collaboration will appear on this movie’s soundtrack, which is expected to come out when it drops at all applicable theaters in the United States on Friday, January 12.
“It’s so deep,” Jeymes Samuel remarked to the crowd, who went wild with cheers after this next line. “We got D’Angelo and Jay-Z on the same track. Like, 9 minutes and 32 seconds of absolute, soulful, biblical bliss.” Of course, this is an incredibly exciting prospect, especially considering how rare it is for the soul icon to drop music these days. Furthermore, this also follows the Roc-A-Fella mogul’s recent remarks on whether or not he will drop more music in the future. As such, we really need to treasure this moment if it manifests, because we don’t know when something of this magnitude will happen again.
Jeymes Samuel Announces Jay-Z & D’Angelo Collab: Watch
Whether Jay-Z or D’Angelo will drop another album is a mystery, but with what they’ve already done, they can coast off their craft as long as they live. When it comes to the fields of hip-hop and soul (and beyond) respectively, you’d be hard-pressed to find more acclaimed, respected, and accomplished artists. What’s more is that the Richmond native has always had a strong tie to the rap game that makes this feel very natural. For example, he brought out Method Man and Redman (two former collaborators), plus more special guests for his Verzuz appearance.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn MC’s birthday might become a national holiday if the NYC Council gets its way. Titans like Big Daddy Kane expressed their support for the initiative, so we’ll see if it receives approval in public office. For our money, we’d throw the Voodoo creative into that ring, too. For more news and the latest updates on Jay-Z and D’Angelo, check back in with HNHH.
Michael B. Jordan will once again be stepping into the director’s chair for the next installment in the Creed franchise. Producer Irwin Winkler confirmed the news during Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles event on Saturday, praising Jordan for doing a “great job” on the last film. In addition to directing, Jordan will still star in the movie.
“We are planning to do Creed IV right now,” Winkler said onstage during a panel for Creed III. “We have a really good story [and] a really good plot. We got a little delayed because of the strikes, but about a year from now we’re going into pre-production.”
Jordan made his directorial debut with Creed III. While he’s opted to do so again with the next film, Jordan did previously admit that it was a difficult task. While speaking with Collider, last year, he described it as “torture.” “It’s torture, but at the same time, it’s so much fun. It was the challenge of accomplishing it all, with the multitasking nature of developing the story, trying to stay in shape, and giving all the departments what they individually needed, to go do their job,” he told the outlet.
He continued: “It’s really hard to put into words. Every day was a struggle, but honestly, it was the team of people that I had around me that got me through it. You’ve really gotta surround yourself with the right help, so that you can focus on the things you need to focus on. Sometimes that’s doing two things at one time, or three things at one time. It’s just part of the job. Once you step behind the camera, the undertaking that it is, from the outside looking in, it’s tough.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Michael B. Jordan and Creed IV on HotNewHipHop.
JAY-Z heaped praise on Hype Williams during a rare interview with Complex published on Wednesday. The legendary rapper says Williams’ influence was responsible for 50 percent of the success of the music at the height of his career. The topic began with JAY-Z reflecting on the making of “Can’t Knock The Hustle.”
“‘Can’t Knock The Hustle’ felt like cinema,” JAY-Z told the outlet. “We also have to talk about Malik [Haseen Sayeed], the cinematographer Hype worked with. The cinematography was just so beautiful and the way it was shot it just elevated it to another level. We weren’t spending that sort of money then to finish the pyrotechnics. So when the limousine blows up it’s really janky, you know. But the vision and the cinematography was just beautiful and his eye was just different. The combination between Hype and June [Ambrose] elevated our look and feel. I remember people talking about how great a video it was.”
JAY-Z continued: “I would say that Hype could take credit for 50 percent of the success of the music at that time. If not 55 percent. We gave people an audio experience that they imagined in their mind and when he put those visuals to it, it took it to a whole new level. I remember hearing [Busta Rhymes’] ‘Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See’ on Hot 97 and thinking this song is crazy. We played it a thousand times that night. But when I saw the visual, I was like, oh, this is a rock n’ roll record. This is way bigger than a nice club song. This is a cultural moment for us.”
Hype Williams has directed music videos for many of the biggest artists in hip-hop over the years including Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Boyz II Men, Wu-Tang Clan, 2Pac, Busta Rhymes, and many more. He also directed the cult classic 1998 film, Belly, which starred Nas and DMX.
Diddy and Teyana Taylor have teamed up to work on the music video for “Closer To God,” off of Diddy’s The Love Album: Off The Grid. In addition to performing on the song and appearing in the video, Taylor served as the director for the piece. In a statement from Diddy along with the video’s release, he described Taylor as an “incredible artist.”
“Teyana is not just an incredible artist, she’s my sister.” Diddy said. “She has this undeniable force and raw emotion she brings to every project. When we began conceptualizing ‘Closer To God,’ her name was at the forefront of my mind. I had to convince her to come out of retirement, but I knew she would perfectly capture the spiritual essence and depth of the song. Collaborating with her on both the song and its visual was like harmonizing with a kindred spirit. Together, we’ve created something truly special.”
“Working on ‘Closer To God’ was a spiritual journey in itself,” said Teyana Taylor. “The song’s message of love and divine connection resonated deeply with me, and visually representing that was a beautiful challenge. I believe we’ve created something that will touch people’s souls.” “The video captures the profound sentiment of feeling divinely connected when in the presence of true love. It paints a picture of raw emotion, vulnerability, and the magic of finding someone who brings you closer to the divine.”
Diddy released The Love Album: Off The Grid back on September 15, 2023. In addition to Teyana Taylor, the album features a wide range of guests including Busta Rhymes, Jacquees, Fabolous, Swae Lee, Summer Walker, the Weeknd, French Montana, 21 Savage, Justin Bieber, and several more. Diddy even dropped an extended version with Bryson Tiller, PartyNextDoor, and Metro Boomin. Check out the video for “Closer To God” above and be on the lookout for further updates on new music from Diddy on HotNewHipHop.