Exclusives

Today In Hip Hop History: MC Eiht Dropped His Debut Album ‘We Come Strapped’ 29 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip Hop history, West Coast legend MC Eiht released his debut LP, We Come Strapped. Featuring his group Compton’s Most Wanted, this gangsta rap classic is one of California’s pre-G Funk hits. Riding the popularity that came from his breakthrough single “Straight Up Menace” featured in the film Menace II Society, this album took the rap game by storm creating a new star on the West Coast.

Coming off group success, MC Eiht was no rookie and knew exactly what putting out a good album entailed. We Come Strapped followed a simple yet effective formula resulting in its success. This project is straight and to the point; no drawn out skits, no filler, and no big name features. Aside from a cameo from Spice-1, Redman, and his fellow Compton’s Most Wanted members, the album is entirely MC Eiht spiting cold gangsta rhymes over DJ Slip’s jazzy, keyboard heavy production.

Commercially the project was quite a success, peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart. The album was certified gold shortly after its release and continues to sell copies today. This album serves as MC Eiht’s most successful project to date.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: MC Eiht Dropped His Debut Album ‘We Come Strapped’ 29 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

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Chlöe Announces New Dates for ‘The In Pieces Tour’

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Chlöe Announces New Dates for 'The In Pieces Tour'

R&B singer/songwriter/producer Chlöe is expanding her first-ever live shows supporting her debut album, In Pieces.

The talented artist will kick off the second leg of The In Pieces tour on August 20th in Sacramento, joined by special guest Rosegold. The tour will stop in Anaheim, Toronto, and other cities before concluding in Ft. Lauderdale on September 10th. Fans can now purchase tickets for the shows, which promise to celebrate Chlöe’s impressive album.

In Pieces, a project two years in the making, features Chlöe’s writing, arranging, and production skills. The album includes the previously released hit “Body Do” as well as the new single “How Does It Feel” featuring Chris Brown. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Chlöe’s official website at chloebailey.net.

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Today In Hip Hop History: BDP’s ‘Edutainment’ LP Dropped 33 Years Ago

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Produced primarily by the Blastmaster KRS himself along with the Human 808 D-Nice, Edutainment is arguably one of BDP’s best albums before KRS began to venture into solo projects. The title was definitive of its contents; education through the entertainment of Hip-Hop music. This album was also the most populated in terms of members of Boogie Down Productions, with appearances from Ms. Melodie, her sister Harmony, Jamal Ski, D-Nice, Willie Dee, Mc Boo, and Kris’ brother Kenny Parker. Prior to this, BDP only consisted of D-Nice, KRS, and the late DJ Scott La Rock.

The 21 song track listing included songs and skits, which were called “Exhibits”, where The Teacha and Black Power icon Kwame Ture spoke to cheering crowds about various subjects pertaining to Black people. Joints like the premier single “Love Is Gonna Getcha”, “Breath Control II”, and “Blackman In Effect” not only showed Kris’ cultural and political knowledge, but magnified his lyrical ability to adapt to any subject. “100 Guns”, which was remade by Ja Rule and Fat Joe during their beef with 50 Cent, further solidified the album’s street cred. From “Beef”(healthy eating) to “30 Cops Or More”(police brutality), Edutainment carried the appropriate title for what was in store for its listeners.

Supreme salute to KRS, the whole BDP crew from that era, and the entire BX. Peace!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: BDP’s ‘Edutainment’ LP Dropped 33 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

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N.O.R.E. Celebrates 25 Year Anniversary of Debut Album: ‘I’m So Thankful’

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Over the weekend, N.O.R.E. celebrated 25 years in the game as it was the anniversary of his debut album.

“I got to celebrate 25 years of my first album !!!” N.O.R.E. wrote on Instagram. “I cried in the bathroom didn’t want anyone to see !!! I’m so thankful and greatful and humble !!! If u a cnn fan, a Nore fan or drinkchamps fan I LOVE U AND THANK U!!!”

Noreaga of famed duo Capone-N-Noreaga (CNN) released his debut solo studio album titled N.O.R.E. on Penalty Records and Tommy Boy Entertainment.

The certified gold, No.1 charting, 19-track album featured a star-studded array of feature artists on the mic including Nas, Busta Rhymes, the legendary Kool G Rap, Big Pun, Styles P, Cam’ron, Nature and Jadakiss all on the classic posse cut track “Banned From T.V.”. Not to be outdone, the executively produced by Capone album featured production from Marley Marl, Trackmasters, The Neptunes, Swizz Beatz and DJ Clue amongst others.

Singles that made this album a Hip Hop classic include the sentimental “I Love My Life” featuring Carl Thomas, the action-filled “Body In The Trunk” with Queensbridge cohort Nas and the Neptune-produced hit “Superthug”.

The post N.O.R.E. Celebrates 25 Year Anniversary of Debut Album: ‘I’m So Thankful’ first appeared on The Source.

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City Girls’ JT Drops New Single “No Bars”

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City Girls' JT Drops New Single "No Bars" | THe Source

City Girls’ JT has returned triumphantly with her new solo release, “No Bars.” This marks JT’s first solo release as part of City Girls since her 2019 track “JT First Day Out,” which she dropped following her release from a year-long prison sentence and subsequent house arrest. “No Bars” will also be featured on the upcoming City Girls album.

Beyond her music, JT uses her voice and platform to positively impact incarcerated women. She has launched NoBarsReform.com, a website that assists women nearing release or recently released from prison with resources such as therapy, job placement, social services, and housing. This cause holds personal significance for JT, and she is committed to supporting women who may not have access to the necessary resources for a successful transition back into society. With her new music and philanthropic efforts, JT continues to demonstrate her passion for both her craft and making a difference in the lives of others.

The post City Girls’ JT Drops New Single “No Bars” first appeared on The Source.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Gangstarr Dropped ‘Full Clip: Decade Of Gangstarr’ 24 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip Hop history, famed rap duo Gang Starr released their first compilation album, Full Clip: Decade of Gang Starr.

Dropping a year after the duo’s most popular album, Moment of Truth, this compilation album contained some of the group’s biggest singles stemming from their prolific 10-year career.

It’s common knowledge Gang Starr had one of the longest successful careers in Hip Hop, and this double LP greatest hits compilation is proof of their longevity. Only after the passing of 2Pac had there been a greatest hits compilation spanning two discs. This project’s sheer volume and quality perfectly describe the ability of one of rap’s most underrated tandems. Commercially, the project did fairly well, peaking at #33 on the Billboard 200 chart and appearing on music charts in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Sweden. The album was certified gold in the year of its release and continues to sell copies across the globe. Following this release, the group went on to take a four-year hiatus before putting out their final LP The Ownerz in 2003.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Gangstarr Dropped ‘Full Clip: Decade Of Gangstarr’ 24 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Gangstarr Dropped ‘Full Clip: Decade Of Gangstarr’ 24 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: ‘Hustle & Flow’ Soundtrack Was Released 18 Years Ago

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On this date in 2005, T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records dropped the soundtrack to the pimp juice-infused flick Hustle & Flow. The featured song, “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp,” which was produced by Three 6 Mafia, would get the Memphis crew an unprecedented Oscar for Best Original Song at the 78th Academy Awards.

Legendary stand out singles from this classic soundtrack include Webbie’s “Bad Bitch”, featuring the Diamond Princess herself Trina, the Lil Jon-powered “I’m a King” (Remix) featuring T.I. and Lil Scrappy, and of course the movie tracks featuring Terrence Howard, who raps as “Djay” on songs like “Whoop That Trick” and the title track. The two above singles actually reached the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Billboard Hot 100 R&B/hip-hop songs respectively.

Salute to the Grand Hustle imprint, Three 6 Mafia, Lil Boosie and Webbie, and all of the other Dirty South artists who made this soundtrack a piece of Hip Hop history!

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Happy 49th Birthday To The “Queen Bee” Lil Kim!

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Born on this date in 1974, Bedford-Stuyvesant native Lil’ Kim has certainly paved the way for female rappers to gain traction in a highly male-dominated world of hip-hop. Making her name, sound, and style notorious (no pun intended) in her appearance on Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s debut album, Conspiracy.

Backed by hardcore lyrics filled with provocative and liberating content, Kim’s attitude and determination broke down gender barriers (which female rappers currently still face) that excelled her respect in the game.

Kim’s resume includes many Hip Hop greats, timeless tracks, fashion moments, and jaw-dropping lyrics. As the musical heiress of the Notorious B.I.G. legacy, Kim has continued to rep the memory of “the greatest rapper of all time”, even naming her sophomore 2000 release Notorious K.I.M.

Morphing from a femcee from Bed Stuy into the iconic figure she is today is a trail that has only been traced by the likes of Cardi B, Megan The Stallion and today’s entire female rap roster. They all have to salute the Queen B.

The Source Magazine sends a supreme born day shout to the Queen on her Birthday!!

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Happy 47th Birthday To Brooklyn’s Own Trigger Tha Gambler!

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In the half century of Hip Hop that is being celebrated this year, there are countless unsung artists who caught wreck during their respective era, but the 90s in NYC was a special time and not many rappers had the streets on tilt like the Brooklyn duo Smooth Da Hustler and Trigger Da Gambler. Today, Tyvone Smith aka Trigger, the younger of the brothers from Brownsville, celebrates his 47th born day.

If you was outside in NYC , you remember how crazy the clubs like The Tunnel or Nells would go when “Broken Language” was played, with the video in the heart of the ‘Ville reflective of that same energy. Trigger was signed to Def Jam in 1996 and dropped his only solo LP Life’s A 50-50 Gamble.

Super shout out to Trigger on his born day! More life and salute for bringing a different chapter to the book of Hip Hop!

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Today In Hip Hop History: Intelligent Hoodlum Dropped His Self Titled Debut Album 33 Years Ago

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On this day in 1990, original Juice Crew member and Queensbridge Projects native Percy Chapman aka the Intelligent Hoodlum, released his debut album, also entitled Intelligent Hoodlum, on the A&M Records label.

Produced primarily by the QB behind the boards legend Marley Marl and Large Professor, this album was one of the most socio-political projects of its time, which could be easily categorized among the ranks of the Poor Righteous Teachers and Brand Nubian with its Islamic/5% Nation overtones. With the reception of The Juice Crew’s “The Symphony” as one of the best Hip Hop tracks of all time, it was very easy to overlook the members of the crew that didn’t appear on the song. As the youngest member of the crew, this album was necessary for Tragedy to prove himself as artist in his own right.

Some of the most memorable track from this project include the James Brown-powered “Black And Proud”, the George H.W. Bush-inspired “Arrest The President” and the Soul II Soul-sampled “Back To Reality”. Almost three decades ago, albums were more exclusive, so a 12-track album was an unspoken maximum for the number of songs on a full length project.

Salute to the Intelligent Hoodlum(Tragedy Khadafi) Marley Marl, Large Professot and everyone at A&M Records that helped make this album a Hip Hop classic!

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