Exclusives Archives - Page 243 of 274

Happy 53rd Birthday To Hip Hop Legend Redman!

April 18, 2023 by newhiphopnews

A very big Happy Birthday shout out goes out to Hip-Hop legend and actor Redman. The Newark, NJ bred veteran turns a half-century today and is showing no signs of slowing down; his progress of constantly going strong is evident in the Hip Hop and film world.

Redman has been able to bless his fans with an impressive album catalog over the span of three decades including Whut? Thee Album, Muddy Waters, Doc’s Da Name and Malpractice. Hits such as “Let’s Get Dirty”, “Smash Sumthin”, and his classic collabo with partner-in-crime Method Man on the Blackout album has helped his fans realize that Reggie Noble has understood the complex formula for success and longevity.

Besides crushing the rap game, Redman was able to show off his thespian abilities and an underrated comedian on the big screen as well. His cameos on successful movies such as How High, Scary Movie 3 and Backstage have opened the eyes of new fans from different demographics worldwide, proving that Hip Hop can’t always be serious and that some of the best in the game can be one of the funniest individuals in entertainment. The good folks at TheSource.com would like to wish Redman a Happy 50th Birthday and many more in the future!

The post Happy 53rd Birthday To Hip Hop Legend Redman! appeared first on The Source.

Happy 68th Birthday To Hip Hop Founding Father DJ Kool Herc!

April 17, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On this day in 1955, DJ Kool Herc was born Clive Campbell in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to the Bronx when he was 12 years old and took on the name “Kool Herc” when he became a member of the graffiti crew the “Ex-Vandals”. The name is short for ‘Hercules’ because of his 6′ 4″ stature. He began DJing parties that he and his sister Cindy threw in their building, which was on 1520 Sedgewick Avenue(Sedgewick & Cedar) in the South Bronx.

Herc pioneered extending the breakbeat on records by playing the same record on two turntables and cueing the “break” in the record, which he noticed had the greatest effect on the dancers at the parties. This was emulated all over the NYC area during the 1970s, thus spawning the culture of Hip Hop. He coined the terms “B-Boys” and “B-Girls” for the dancers who were “breaking”, which Herc says was street slang for “acting energetically” or “causing a disturbance”.

Kool Herc has influenced other founding pioneers of Hip Hop culture including Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, and the Sugarhill Gang.

The Source would like to give Kool Herc his proper salute because without him and his contributions, none of us would have the opportunity to experience this global phenomenon known as Hip Hop!

The post Happy 68th Birthday To Hip Hop Founding Father DJ Kool Herc! appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep’s Debut Album ‘Juvenile Hell’ Turns 30 Years Old!

April 13, 2023 by newhiphopnews

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Juvenile Hell was the first album by duo Mobb Deep that paved the path for many other East Coast rappers of their genre, which only a few know preceded their most revered LP, The Infamous.

Dubbed as one of the most acclaimed East Coast rap duos of all time, MCs Havoc and Prodigy came together to release their first album, Juvenile Hell on this day, April 13, 1993. Hailing from Queensbridge Housing projects in New York City, Mobb Deep was rather young when they released their first album, at the early age of 19.

At the time of its’ release, Juvenile Hell wasn’t received on groundbreaking levels. The new sound of the duo was too hardcore for some, very street-oriented, and the album provided one major single entitled “Hit it from the Back”; which peaked at 18 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart that same year. It wouldn’t be until later that Mobb Deep would become a Hip Hop classic and household name. In time they have gained longevity with their sound inspiring practically all other east coast rappers of their caliber. Had it not been for their first album, and their street poetry over tracks produced by the likes of DJ Premier and Large Professor, the map would never have been drawn for much of the major East Coast sound.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep’s Debut Album ‘Juvenile Hell’ Turns 30 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for ‘Friday’ Dropped 28 Years Ago

April 11, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history, the cult classic comedy Friday soundtrack was released by 550 Music and Epic Records. The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, where it stood for two weeks, and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart, where it stood for six weeks. The album was just as commercially successful as the film and was certified double platinum only two months later.

During the 90s, it seemed that every soundtrack was a hit and the Friday soundtrack followed suit. With tracks from Ice Cube, Scarface, Dr. Dre, Cypress Hill, and 2 Live Crew, the album stacked up to be an amazing compilation of original tracks and poppin’ radio singles. At the same time, the addition of a few throwbacks from The Isley Brothers, Bootsy Collins, and Rick James gave the album surprising depth and a sense of nostalgia. Dr. Dre’s original single for the film, “Keep Their Head Ringing,” was able to see great success due to this soundtrack. It ranked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. It was certified gold by the RIAA in May 1995.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for ‘Friday’ Dropped 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Public Enemy’s ‘Fear Of A Black Planet’ Was Released 33 Years Ago

April 10, 2023 by newhiphopnews

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April 10, 1990 was the release date of a cornerstone in hip hop music: Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet. Still known as one of the most empowering albums of its time, the album was written during a pivotal era both in America and music: the Golden Age of Hip Hop.

Preceding the time where samples required clearance and approval to be used in sample-based music, the album is layered heavily with elements providing space and depth to levels of complexity previously unheard. Fear of a Black Planet‘s production team, The Bomb Squad, worked tirelessly to bring their signature sound to the album. As Rolling Stone’s Christopher Weingarten said in an interview late last year with leading Public Enemy MC Chuck D, it was one of the…

“most sonically adventurous and politically stirring records of all time.”

FightThePower_Sampled_Tracks — Examples of some of the known samples, these from the 20th track on the album “Fight The Power”. Bomb Squad producer Hank Shocklee claimed in an interview this year there are still many more samples he’s never spoken of.

Within the first week of release, the album sold more than a million copies, coming in at number 10 on Billboard’s Top Pop Albums chart. Commenting on several racially and politically engaging topics was the goal of the album, and the track that said it best was “Fight The Power.” The deep rhymes and intense verbage used by Chuck in revolutionary poetry made the track not only what the group became known for, but also their critically acclaimed anthem.

Used by director Spike Lee for his film Do The Right Thing, who also filmed this music video, this track alone could be used to describe this legendary album. Fear of a Black Planet was later listed as Rolling Stone’s 300th greatest record of all time.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Public Enemy’s ‘Fear Of A Black Planet’ Was Released 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Dr. Dre Released “Deep Cover” Single, Introduced Snoop Doggy Dogg 31 Years Ago

April 9, 2023 by newhiphopnews

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On this date in 1992, Dr. Dre took the first step in his successful solo journey and released this single 31 years ago today

On April 9th, 1992, the premiere single from the silver screen blockbuster Deep Cover was released and it featured the former producer from “the world’s most dangerous group” and a fresh 21-year-old Crip from Long Beach known then only as “Snoop”.

After the very public and messy break up of N.W.A., Dr. Dre and his behind the boards prowess were invited to create the musical score of the dirty cop flick starring Larry Fishburne. He brought along one of his little brother Warren G’s homies and the rest was history. The song became a hit and the track continues to be recognized as one of the best-crafted tracks in Hip Hop history. Fat Joe and the late Big Pun even created a classic remix of the joint that featured Dre and Snoop in the video entitled “Twinz”(Deep Cover ’98).

Salute to Dre and Snoop for this timeless gem and look forward to another one from them in another 29 years! Peace!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Dr. Dre Released “Deep Cover” Single, Introduced Snoop Doggy Dogg 31 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Happy Heavenly Birthday To “The Human Orchestra” Biz Markie! (R.I.P.)

April 8, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history, Biz Markie (real name Marcel Theo Hall), one of the most respected and successful DJs in Hip Hop, was born. Growing up in Harlem, New York, The Biz has been moving the crowd with his unique style of rhyming since he was 14. From his earliest gig as Roxanne Shante‘s beat boxer to a headliner at Grammy Awards after parties, he’s done it all. Whether it be on screen, on the mic, or on the 1s and 2s, The Biz has remained a consistent brand in entertainment booking, averaging 175 shows a year across the globe.

Over the past four decades, Biz Markie has established himself as one of the most prolific rappers/DJs in music. Since his 1988 debut Goin’ Off (which peaked at #90 on the Billboard 200), he has grabbed hold of the hearts and ears of Hip Hop lovers everywhere. His second album, 1989’s The Biz Never Sleeps, contains his timeless hit “Just a Friend,” which has made a permanent impact on pop culture.

During the ’90s, The Biz retained his place as an icon. His third LP, I Need A Haircut, unintentionallychanged the scope of Hip Hop forever. The closing track from the album, “Alone Again,” contains a sample of the song “Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O’Sullivan, which had not been cleared by Warner Bros. Records. In turn, Warner Bros. sued The Biz for his unlawful use of the sample, causing the courts to rule all samples must be cleared by the owning party before reuse from then on. The lawsuit prompted the title of Markie’s fourth LP All Samples Cleared!.

As the new millennium approached, Markie never saw much of a decline in popularity. In 2002, he made his first major motion picture appearance in Men in Black 2. From then, he continued to make a plethora of television and big screen appearances. From Nick Cannon’s Wild N Out to Grand Theft Auto, The Biz is seen and heard throughout visual media.

During this decade, he also started his endeavors as a child educator through the children’s program Yo Gabba Gabba. Through entertainment, Markie has helped educate young children on music and artistic expression on the Nick Jr. hit show.

Biz lost his battle with diabetes in the summer of 202. He was 57 years old. Even though he is gone physically, the music and legacy of the human orchestra will live on forever!

The post Happy Heavenly Birthday To “The Human Orchestra” Biz Markie! (R.I.P.) appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince’s Debut Album ‘Rock The House’ Turns 35 Years Old!

April 7, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On this date in 1987, Philly’s most celebrated Hip Hop duo released their first album.

Famed rapper and actor Will Smith, also known as “The Fresh Prince” and his hilarious on-and-off-screen partner Jeff Townes aka DJ Jazzy Jeff, dropped their first project on the Jive/RCA imprint.

As two of the pioneers of Philly Hip Hop, Dj Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince were the first artists from the “City of Brotherly Love” to perform at the coveted Union Square, which prompted the live title track. They were there during a time when if you were wack, not only did you get booed, but the Brooklyn kids would end up leaving the Square with something you came there with. “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” was a storytelling anthem that was only rivaled by the likes of the great Slick Rick. This ten-track LP was just the tip of the iceberg of what this dynamic duo had in store for them in their future.

Salute to Jazzy Jeff, Will Smith and Ready Rock C for this classic piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince’s Debut Album ‘Rock The House’ Turns 35 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Das EFX Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Dead Serious’ 31 Years Ago

April 7, 2023 by newhiphopnews

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A couple of dreadheaded backpackers made stuttering rhymes chic when Krayz Drayz and Skoob came together and dropped their Dead Serious album April 7, 1992.

Released on the East/West imprint and recorded in both the famed Firehouse Studios in Brooklyn and North Shore Soundworks in Long Island, Dead Serious became a platinum selling album in just two years, revering it as one of the most influential LPs of the “Golden Era”.

The hit singles “They Want Efx” and “Mic Checka” were both forces to be reckoned with on the Billboard charts, while the virtually production of Chris Charity and Derek Lynch aka “Solid Scheme” ensured the consistent output of quality music for Das EFX until Charity’s untimely passing in 2000.

The Brooklyn, NY/Teaneck, NJ duo met in college at Virginia State University and became a part of EPMD‘s “Hit Squad” collective in just two years after their initial meeting with EPMD and never looked back. Salute to Drayz, Skoob, and the entire former Hit Squad family for bringing us such an historic classic.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Das EFX Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Dead Serious’ 31 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.