Exclusives

Today In Hip Hop History: Gangstarr’s Guru Dropped His ‘Jazzamatazz: Vol. 1’ 30 Years Ago

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30 years ago, on this day, the almighty Baldhead Slick, more commonly known as the “Guru” of Gangstarr, dropped his first solo project, Jazzamatazz, on Chrysalis Records. The album featured a slew of artists in and outside of the ciphers of Hip Hop, as this album was the first of its kind, with “Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal” fusing the sounds of Jazz with Hip Hop’s boom bap to create a groundbreaking album.

Jazzamatazz, which was executive produced by Guru, featured Jazz legends such as Roy Ayers, Branford Marsalis, Donald Byrd, and N’Dea Davenport of the Brand New Heavies. Guru also introduced Hip Hop in the states to the international community, recruiting MC Solaar of France(not to be confused with the controversial producer Solar with whom Guru was connected before his passing).

Salute to the Gangstarr Foundation, DJ Premier, MC Solaar, jazz icons, and everyone who was a part of this trailblazing project! RIP Guru!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Gangstarr’s Guru Dropped His ‘Jazzamatazz: Vol. 1’ 30 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Exclusive: Tamika Mallory Talks Calling Out Panini America’s Lack of Black Leadership in Company

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Tamika Mallory Talks Calling Out Panini America's Lack of Black Leadership in Company

Tamika D. Mallory, co-founder of Until Freedom, and Reverend Michael McBride, co-founder of the Black Church Political Action Committee, have criticized sports and entertainment collectibles company Panini for lacking diversity in its leadership team. They addressed a letter to Panini America CEO Mark Warsop, highlighting the fact that despite black and brown athletes contributing 75% of the company’s revenue, its executive team does not reflect this diverse athlete base.

Mallory and McBride argue that the situation is even more problematic considering Panini’s significant profits from black and brown players. They pointed out that out of the 800 employees listed on LinkedIn, only three are black, indicating a severe lack of black representation throughout the company.

The activists issued an ultimatum to Panini, demanding immediate action to rectify its hiring practices by appointing black leadership in crucial positions. Failure to do so would result in a joint effort to encourage Panini’s athletes and partners, including the English Premier League, NBA, NFL, NBA Players Association, and FIFA, to boycott the company.

In an interview with The Source, Tamika Mallory highlights the changes needed to be made by Panini, the need to address Black leadership, and more.

What prompted you to write this letter to Panini, and why do you feel it’s important to address the lack of black leadership within the organization?

It came to our attention that Panini America, a sports card and memorabilia trading company, has zero Black leadership. However, 75% of the athletes whose imagery they use for their products are Black and Brown. We think that’s unacceptable and must be remedied immediately. We will not accept another company profiting off of Black people and black talent without Black people in the company’s leadership. It’s nothing more than exploitation. 

Can you elaborate on the significance of Panini’s reliance on black and brown athletes for their business, and how the absence of diverse leadership contradicts that?

Panini America’s roster is close to 75% Black and Brown athletes from the NFL, MLB, UFC, NBA, and FIFA. It’s ludicrous that any company profits off of majority Black and Brown athletes but employs no Black People in executive leadership. According to one website, Zippia, that connects people to job opportunities and rigorously analyses publicly available data about companies – Panini America only has 10% African or African American employees but none hold positions of leadership in contrast to 75% of Athletes on their sports cards and memorabilia who are significantly Black and where the profit lies. 

What specific changes or reforms are you demanding from Panini regarding their hiring practices and the inclusion of black leadership?

Panini needs to hire an outside firm to review its hiring practices, promotion processes, and recruitment strategies. We are confident that talented Black candidates are inside and outside the company. We want Panini to address any limits to their current policies and commit to do better and ensure fair and equitable hiring and opportunities to excel in the company for all people, regardless of race. 

How do you think Panini’s lack of black leadership reflects broader systemic issues of racial inequality within the sports and entertainment industry?

Panini America is but only one of many companies that has fallen short of practicing true diversity, equity, and inclusion. Across major corporations, Black senior executive leadership is lacking, especially for Black women. We know this is a systemic issue, and we choose to call companies like Panini America to a higher moral ground where they acknowledge their deficiencies and commit to a process to make their company a more diverse and equitable space that values Black leadership and representation amongst their ranks and not just of their profits. 

Is there anything else you would like to add or any message you’d like to convey to Panini, its partners, athletes, and the public regarding this issue?

Panini America is not the first company and won’t be our last. We hope Panini takes our concerns and requests seriously and sets an example for other corporations in similar situations moving forward. 

The post Exclusive: Tamika Mallory Talks Calling Out Panini America’s Lack of Black Leadership in Company appeared first on The Source.

Jack Harlow Says He Caught Acting ‘Bug’ While Filming ‘White Men Can’t Jump’

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Jack Harlow Says He Caught Acting 'Bug' While Filming 'White Men Can't Jump'

Jack Harlow has already amassed a flourishing career as a rapper. Now he has his sites set on taking over the acting world. With his rendition of White Men Can’t Jump ready to be viewed by fans, Harlow is looking to sink deeper into the acting world.

Speaking during a Q&A session for the film, PEOPLE notes Harlow confirmed his journey into acting is serious.

“Through this film, I was able to gain my confidence as an actor, and to me, this shit is not a side quest,” Harlow said. “This isn’t a side mission that I’m tacking on just to keep the entertainer thing going and make some extra money.”

He added, “I really got the bug and fell in love with this, and I’m developing a deep passion for the craft of this the same way I had in music.”

READ MORE: Jack Harlow Thanks Fans and Peers for ‘Jackman’ Support: ‘Never Felt So Connected to the People Listening to My Music’

First released back in 1992, White Men Can’t Jump starred Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson as streetball hustlers, joining forces as a black and white man taking over the basketball courts in hopes of taking home a bag. Written by Ron Shelton, the comedy did outstanding numbers at the box office, standing to this day as one of the top go-to basketball movies within pop culture.

Harlow plays the role of Jeremy, a former star of the game whose injuries stalled his career. His co-star Sinqua Walls plays Kamal, who also had the potential to make it to the big leagues, but his temperament kept him stagnant. Other notable names include Teyana Taylor who plays Sinqua’s wife, Vince Staples, who plays Sinqua’s teammate and friend, and a cameo from Blake Griffin, who also executive produced the film.

READ MORE: Jack Harlow Announces The Jack Harlow Foundation Benefitting His Hometown of Louisville, KY

At the LA premiere, Lil Nas X briefly walked the red carpet in a Jack Harlow tee-shirt, before running off. This mimics Harlow’s support of Lil Nas X, who previously rocked a shirt with Nas on it for last year’s BET Awards. The support was real, as this served as Jack Harlow’s first big-screen debut as an actor. 

Shirley Ju contributed to this report.

The post Jack Harlow Says He Caught Acting ‘Bug’ While Filming ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Ice Cube Dropped His First Solo LP ‘Amerikkka’s Most Wanted’ 33 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip Hop history, 33 years ago, Ice Cube released his debut solo album Amerikkka’s Most Wanted. Following the tragic breakup of N.W.A., this album’s unexpected commercial and critical success set the tone for Ice Cube’s solo career and was also a launching pad toward success.

Being able to peak at #19 on the Billboard 200 and be certified platinum in the year if it’s released, all while staying true to the hardcore gangsta sound that is prevalent in all of his other work shows, since the beginning, Ice Cube has been a force to be reckoned with. His lyrical style and choice of subject matter force the commercial music world to be comfortable with a narrative uncommon to most of those who would consider themselves fans of the work. With this album, Ice Cube can paint a vivid and accurate picture of his particular experiences as an artist in making it out of Compton yet still thriving as a product of the said environment.

Unlike his previous NWA cuts, Ice Cube can get a little more theatrical with the delivery of his message while remaining just as straightforward. From the project’s title to the outro, it is prominent that Ice Cube had no intention of sugar-coating what he had to say. The violently righteous theme of this album shook the rap world showing a more militant side to the consciousness movement going on in the early 1990s. Cube even worked with Public Enemy’s production team, The Bomb Squad, to harness the high-energy sound paired perfectly with his flow.

Critically, this album is held on a pedestal with some of the best-selling and most respected projects in Hip Hop. It has been ranked on a plethora of “Best of All Time” and “Best of the 1990s” lists by publications in the US, Canada, and Europe. The album has been awarded 5 out of 5 ratings from The Source, Rolling Stone, Allmusic, and The Austin Chronicle.

Following this album, Ice Cube grew to be the mega-star he is today. He released eight solo studio albums and has no plans on stopping anytime soon. He also took his talent to the screen as an actor, writer, and director.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Ice Cube Dropped His First Solo LP ‘Amerikkka’s Most Wanted’ 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More

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Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More

In a captivating interview with Patrick Adams, the music industry luminary, and visionary producer, he unveils his insightful take on the transformative power of his latest release, “If I Ruled the World,” and more about the artistry that makes him one of the must-hear multi-hyphenate talents out today.

In conversation with The Source, Adams delves into the inspiration behind the track, shedding light on his artistic process and the profound message he hopes to convey. Adams brings a wealth of experience and musical expertise to the table, making this interview a must-read for music enthusiasts and admirers of his work, and new fans that will join the journey.

How did you get your start in music, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

I had some relatives that were musicians, and they actually still are. So they’re all a little bit older than me. I was the little cousin that was always hanging around, watching everybody rehearse. And then the house next door to me was filled with musicians and they had a band. And so, during this time period, there were a lot of bands that were out and playing in Minneapolis. I was the little young pup that would hang around, and I got to hear it all the time. And so I just was like, you know what? I think that’s something that I want to do. I would watch and listen to them, and then I’d go into my own space and my own time to grab my little ice cream buckets and make me a little drum set. And that’s how I got started.

Can you describe what your creative process is and how do you go about writing and producing your music? Cause I know you do everything in-house.

The process has evolved over time. It got to the point where you’re just experimenting, and you just turn the mic on, like you do a beat, or you get on the piano or the keyboard, and you come up with something. You’re then writing in real-time without even using a pen. And so experimenting with that lately has been fun. It gives you this opportunity to be free and create on the spot. I love it.

You span different types of genres. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they impacted each era of music that you’re creating?

For sure, family members and then Herby Hancock as a child really sparked my interest. A couple of the albums that he had back in the day were major influences. Also, the Ohio Players, The Stylistics, and The Chi-Lites. Even listening to songwriters like Crosby, Stills and Nash, and James Taylor. And then evolving into Prince and Earth, Wind and Fire, and Stevie Wonder. Sly Stone, Babyface, Teddy Riley. And then, moving forward to current artists like Drake and how he would create his songs. That is parallel for me when I look at how Prince would write a lot of his music, they carry melodies.

Anybody could sing some of these melodies. A good example for Prince, even when he did the song, “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night,” the way that he sang it, which he did a lot of songs this way, anybody could sing that melody. And with Drake, they make it listener friendly where anybody can feel like “I can do that.” So just listening to and studying how they do that craft is a major for me. You listen to people like Charlie Wilson, and it’s like, nah, I could never do that. Stokely, you can’t, no, I could never do that. It’s some people who are just so ridiculous with their vocals.

What do you think sets your music apart from other creators?

I don’t really approach music thinking of genre. Whatever God gives me in that moment, I accept it. I can sit down and accept whatever is coming out, and I take that and let it go to where it’s going to go. I don’t sit down and say, you know what? I’m gonna write a song like this, or I’m gonna try to fit into this. It’s just being free and being able to create in a free space. Letting it happen organically.

If you are working in one genre and creative energy pushes you into another. How do you manage mentally? How do you make that shift or know when it’s time to go back?

For example, I could be working on songs for my gospel project, and then I may go down, and I get in the studio, then my keyboard and hands take me somewhere else to a different melody. I just let that take me where it’s going to go. Depending on how far I go in that moment, it could take me all the way through the arrangement, or it could take me through part of the arrangement, and then I just save it and table it for later and then get back into what I was initially working on.

Right now, what’s buzzing for you heavily is “If I Ruled the World.” You mentioned just having that energy that takes you away to places of creation. Do you recall what specifically was in your heart, mind, spirit, or musical energy when you started to work on that?

I’m from Minneapolis, and the neighborhood I grew up in was over where the situation happened with George Floyd and the riots. That was my neighborhood. And my kids grew up in that neighborhood as well. So, that incident and many other situations that have happened not only in our country but around the world was the motivation. The tipping point for me was the invasion of Ukraine, and that led me to enough is enough. I can’t take this anymore. And so I just started playing, and then those words started coming out.

We all just need to look in the mirror, and we can’t keep pointing the finger here and pointing the finger there. We all just have to look in the mirror and figure out what we can do to make this space better. And so with the creative process musically for it, that’s where that derived from. I wanted to go back into that neighborhood and grab some of the pillars in the community and others that grew up in that neighborhood and be a part of the video. We took over the square, and it actually was minus two out there. So we were hurrying up trying to get those scenes done.

You had the experience of seeing your graphic on display on a billboard in Times Square. How did that feel for you?

It was a humbling experience, and it was crazy cuz I got the phone call the night before the release of the single and the video, and I was asked how I would like this particular ad for that song to be displayed in Times Square. The release comes out, and someone sent me a clip of the ad being played in Times Square. I called this individual up and said, ” man, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. So long story short, I was out there that following Friday and actually got to see it in person. God is good. That’s all I can say.

You are currently working on your R&B album. What energy do you want to bring with that release?

It’s a mixture of uptempo and dance songs. Some ballads, some mid-tempo. It touches on a couple of different areas. As far as musically, it’s some stuff that reminds you of back in the seventies and some stuff that might be like in the eighties. We just wanted to touch on these different areas musically. I think it’s a fun project. I’m out here in LA, mixing one of the dance songs right now. It’s coming out really nice, man. I’m excited about it.

What challenges have you had as an artist, and how do you set out to overcome them?

The main challenge for me is creative control, which is probably a challenge for almost every artist out here unless you’re doing your stuff independently. The freedom to be able to release your own stuff and have the avenues to make it work is an unbelievable thing. I’m excited about that, and the challenges are staying on it from the advertising and marketing side. I’m not a huge social media guy, but it pushes you to do it a lot more. So right now, that’s the biggest challenge.

The post Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More appeared first on The Source.

Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More

by
Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More

In a captivating interview with Patrick Adams, the music industry luminary, and visionary producer, he unveils his insightful take on the transformative power of his latest release, “If I Ruled the World,” and more about the artistry that makes him one of the must-hear multi-hyphenate talents out today.

In conversation with The Source, Adams delves into the inspiration behind the track, shedding light on his artistic process and the profound message he hopes to convey. Adams brings a wealth of experience and musical expertise to the table, making this interview a must-read for music enthusiasts and admirers of his work, and new fans that will join the journey.

How did you get your start in music, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

I had some relatives that were musicians, and they actually still are. So they’re all a little bit older than me. I was the little cousin that was always hanging around, watching everybody rehearse. And then the house next door to me was filled with musicians and they had a band. And so, during this time period, there were a lot of bands that were out and playing in Minneapolis. I was the little young pup that would hang around, and I got to hear it all the time. And so I just was like, you know what? I think that’s something that I want to do. I would watch and listen to them, and then I’d go into my own space and my own time to grab my little ice cream buckets and make me a little drum set. And that’s how I got started.

Can you describe what your creative process is and how do you go about writing and producing your music? Cause I know you do everything in-house.

The process has evolved over time. It got to the point where you’re just experimenting, and you just turn the mic on, like you do a beat, or you get on the piano or the keyboard, and you come up with something. You’re then writing in real-time without even using a pen. And so experimenting with that lately has been fun. It gives you this opportunity to be free and create on the spot. I love it.

You span different types of genres. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they impacted each era of music that you’re creating?

For sure, family members and then Herby Hancock as a child really sparked my interest. A couple of the albums that he had back in the day were major influences. Also, the Ohio Players, The Stylistics, and The Chi-Lites. Even listening to songwriters like Crosby, Stills and Nash, and James Taylor. And then evolving into Prince and Earth, Wind and Fire, and Stevie Wonder. Sly Stone, Babyface, Teddy Riley. And then, moving forward to current artists like Drake and how he would create his songs. That is parallel for me when I look at how Prince would write a lot of his music, they carry melodies.

Anybody could sing some of these melodies. A good example for Prince, even when he did the song, “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night,” the way that he sang it, which he did a lot of songs this way, anybody could sing that melody. And with Drake, they make it listener friendly where anybody can feel like “I can do that.” So just listening to and studying how they do that craft is a major for me. You listen to people like Charlie Wilson, and it’s like, nah, I could never do that. Stokely, you can’t, no, I could never do that. It’s some people who are just so ridiculous with their vocals.

What do you think sets your music apart from other creators?

I don’t really approach music thinking of genre. Whatever God gives me in that moment, I accept it. I can sit down and accept whatever is coming out, and I take that and let it go to where it’s going to go. I don’t sit down and say, you know what? I’m gonna write a song like this, or I’m gonna try to fit into this. It’s just being free and being able to create in a free space. Letting it happen organically.

If you are working in one genre and creative energy pushes you into another. How do you manage mentally? How do you make that shift or know when it’s time to go back?

For example, I could be working on songs for my gospel project, and then I may go down, and I get in the studio, then my keyboard and hands take me somewhere else to a different melody. I just let that take me where it’s going to go. Depending on how far I go in that moment, it could take me all the way through the arrangement, or it could take me through part of the arrangement, and then I just save it and table it for later and then get back into what I was initially working on.

Right now, what’s buzzing for you heavily is “If I Ruled the World.” You mentioned just having that energy that takes you away to places of creation. Do you recall what specifically was in your heart, mind, spirit, or musical energy when you started to work on that?

I’m from Minneapolis, and the neighborhood I grew up in was over where the situation happened with George Floyd and the riots. That was my neighborhood. And my kids grew up in that neighborhood as well. So, that incident and many other situations that have happened not only in our country but around the world was the motivation. The tipping point for me was the invasion of Ukraine, and that led me to enough is enough. I can’t take this anymore. And so I just started playing, and then those words started coming out.

We all just need to look in the mirror, and we can’t keep pointing the finger here and pointing the finger there. We all just have to look in the mirror and figure out what we can do to make this space better. And so with the creative process musically for it, that’s where that derived from. I wanted to go back into that neighborhood and grab some of the pillars in the community and others that grew up in that neighborhood and be a part of the video. We took over the square, and it actually was minus two out there. So we were hurrying up trying to get those scenes done.

You had the experience of seeing your graphic on display on a billboard in Times Square. How did that feel for you?

It was a humbling experience, and it was crazy cuz I got the phone call the night before the release of the single and the video, and I was asked how I would like this particular ad for that song to be displayed in Times Square. The release comes out, and someone sent me a clip of the ad being played in Times Square. I called this individual up and said, ” man, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. So long story short, I was out there that following Friday and actually got to see it in person. God is good. That’s all I can say.

You are currently working on your R&B album. What energy do you want to bring with that release?

It’s a mixture of uptempo and dance songs. Some ballads, some mid-tempo. It touches on a couple of different areas. As far as musically, it’s some stuff that reminds you of back in the seventies and some stuff that might be like in the eighties. We just wanted to touch on these different areas musically. I think it’s a fun project. I’m out here in LA, mixing one of the dance songs right now. It’s coming out really nice, man. I’m excited about it.

What challenges have you had as an artist, and how do you set out to overcome them?

The main challenge for me is creative control, which is probably a challenge for almost every artist out here unless you’re doing your stuff independently. The freedom to be able to release your own stuff and have the avenues to make it work is an unbelievable thing. I’m excited about that, and the challenges are staying on it from the advertising and marketing side. I’m not a huge social media guy, but it pushes you to do it a lot more. So right now, that’s the biggest challenge.

The post Singer-Songwriter Patrick Adams Shares His Creative Process, Details of His Forthcoming Album & More appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Devin Haney Talks His Preparation Ahead of Super Fight with Vasiliy Lomachenko

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George Kambosos Jr v Devin Haney

A big year in boxing roars on as Devin Haney will take on Vasiliy Lomachenko over 12 rounds for Haney’s undisputed lightweight champion. Entering undefeated at 29-0 with 15 knockouts, Haney has one mission, dominate Lomachenko.

Speaking with The Source, Haney is poised and knows he fully controls the situation. In conversation, Haney spoke about taking on Lomachenko, what Loma is the right opponent right now, his training, faith, and more.

You got a big fight coming. A super fight with you and Lomachenko. With all of the media appearances and faceoffs, how do you lock in on your focus and not get lost in the chaos of what’s happening?

Devin Haney: I’ve been locked in for a while now. This is a fight I’ve been wanting for years. So it’s easy for me to focus and lock in. I really want to showcase my skillset and everything I bring to the table and go in there and dominate him. I’m coming to show how great I really am.

As the champ, you have the target on you. What’s the difference in being or competing as a challenger and somebody who wants the belts as opposed to someone who’s the actual title holder and on top of the mountain?

I look at it no differently. I still feel like a hunter. I’m still hunting. I still want to fight the top guys. I’m lining them up one by one, and I’m going to keep beating who is in front of me. There is no difference.

You mentioned wanting this fight for a while. You once mentioned there wasn’t a chance Lomachenko would beat you. Then he lost to Lopez months after. What let you know there was value in this fight for you?

Because at one point, the world had him as number one pound for pound. He’s still Loma. He’s not, you know, a slouch. He’s somebody you cannot look past and has crazy experiences. So he brings value to the table. So I want to go in there and make it look easy.

You bring a great deal of respect for each boxer into every fight. Is there a moment where you step back, either before or after, and realize the gravity of who you’re actually fighting?

Every fight, it’s a challenge on paper, but it’s my job to go in there and make it as easy as possible. So, whatever he brings to the table, it won’t matter. When he steps into the ring with me, I’m a different animal.

We mentioned his loss to Lopez, and he’s on a redemption streak now, winning three in a row. You saw the win against Jamaine Ortiz, what did you see that you kept in mind for this one?

That wasn’t a real fight that I really tried to gauge because it wasn’t his best performance. I tried to look at his best performances and gauge Loma from that and study those.

What have you focused on that you wanted to bring specifically into this fight? When you’re training, what have you decided to hone in on?

I’m really just sharpening my tools all around. I want just to sharpen everything and go into the fight as strong and fast as possible.

You moved to Las Vegas as a teen. Now, years later, you headline one of the biggest fights the city has ever seen. What does that feel like for you?

Oh, it’s a blessing. I thank Allah for putting me in this position, it’s something that I’ve always dreamed of. Now, I’m here and cannot thank him enough. I continue to thank him daily for it. I’m definitely one of the chosen ones. I’m excited to go in there and really have fun and showcase my skills.

You mentioned your faith. I saw that you made that trip to Mecca. What was that like for you?

It was a dream come true. It was so surreal. It was crazy, and I can’t even put into words how it felt.

For us here, at the The Source, of course, we are rooted in Hip-Hop. In this 50th year of Hip-Hop, is there an artist or song that you get into during training and preparation?

I listen to everybody. EST Gee, Future, and Lil Baby are my top three right now. I be all over the place. It depends on how I’m feeling that day.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Devin Haney Talks His Preparation Ahead of Super Fight with Vasiliy Lomachenko appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Run-D.M.C. Dropped Their Third LP ‘Raising Hell’ 37 Years Ago

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37 years ago, amidst the explosion of crack cocaine in the inner cities, one of the hottest albums from the Hollis Crew came out and further solidified their status of royalty in the world of Hip Hop. Today Run-D.M.C.’s third album celebrates its born day.

Raising Hell was the album that exposed Run, D, and Jam Master Jay to mainstream America and made them household names. Songs like “It’s Tricky” and the monumental “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith were heard on both urban and top 40 stations around the country and the globe. As trendsetters, they made Adidas with fat laces and even no laces a worldwide fashion statement with the song “My Adidas”. This recognition earned the trio a multimillion-dollar deal with Adidas, which was unprecedented for musicians of any kind at the time.

TheSource.com salutes Run-D.M.C. for this piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Run-D.M.C. Dropped Their Third LP ‘Raising Hell’ 37 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Happy 54th Birthday To Parrish Smith Of EPMD!

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Happy 54th Birthday Parrish J. Smith, better known as “PMD”, one half of EPMD

EPMD, the famous duo from Brentwood, Long Island, New York, is an acronym that stands for “Erick and Parrish Making Dollars”. The group has been together for more than three decades from the infamous breakup in the mid 1990s. They are one of the most prominent acts to grace the culture of Hip Hop.

After the very public split of the group because of various reasons, PMD continued to navigate the careers of Hip Hop icons Das EFX, who he was responsible for finding, before eventually making amends with Erick Sermon to make another classic EPMD album at the turn of the millennium.

Parrish Smith continues to be a recognizable force within the structure of Hip Hop’s movers and shakers and his contributions will be forever etched in stone.

Salute to PMD on his born day as we here at The Source wish him a happy one and many more!

The post Happy 54th Birthday To Parrish Smith Of EPMD! appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: DMX’s Debut Album ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’ Turns 25 Years Old!

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On this day in Hip Hop history DMX released his debut album It‘s Dark and Hell Is Hot. This is DMX’s most popular project to date, with Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood serving as a close second. Within the first week of its release selling 251,000 copies debuting at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The LP went on to become certified quadruple platinum on December 18th, 2000.

This project came during a turbulent time in Hip Hop. The genre was coming off of the loss of two titans, Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G., and was facing a change in what was hot. With the rise of high energy production melded with dark and oft-violent lyricism coming from camps like No Limit, Cash Money, and Three 6 Mafia, DMX’s sound allowed him to find his place perfectly within the current trend while add his own twist.

DMX’s melancholic realism spoke to the generation. This project was able to simultaneously turn the party up and cause its listeners to think introspectively about the concept of good and evil and existence as a whole. This album touched on the struggle and pain that came being DMX. As most rappers would glamorize the finer side of the industry life, DMX reveals through this debut that even early on in his career he had been wrestling with the demons that come with wealth and fame.

The stand out hit of the album, “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem”, has been deemed as a classic squad anthem. Produced by Swizz Beatz, the single peaked at #93 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #79 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

Following this album, DMX went on to release six other studio albums and rise to be one of the most popular and influential artists of the early 2000s. Shortly following the release of this album DMX made his film debut in the hit film Belly with fellow New York rapper, Nas.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: DMX’s Debut Album ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’ Turns 25 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.