Exclusives

Today In Hip Hop History: Fat Joe Released His Debut Album ‘Represent’ 29 Years Ago

by
tumblr 2be8bc62766157eb78a585396f43ebc7 4a6478c4 1280

On this date in 1993, legendary DITC delegate Fat Joe dropped his debut full-length studio album Represent on the Relativity/Violator imprint.

In 2020, Fat Joe is recognized as one of the icons of NYC Hip Hop, however, back in 1993, Joe was knee-deep in the streets and having only appeared on Diggin’ In The Crates founder Diamond D’s Stunts, Blunts And Hip Hop album was fairly a newcomer to the rap game. With assistance from his DITC crew members Diamond, Lord Finesse, and Showbiz behind the boars, Joe formulated one of the most integral audible time capsules of the era. Tracks like the Beatnuts-powered “Shit Iz Real”, “You Must Be Out Of You Fuckin’ Mind” featuring the late Apache of the Flavor Unit and Kool G Rap and the premiere single “Flow Joe” were all foundational examples of the “Fat Joe Da Gangsta” persona that is now respected and celebrated in 2020.

Salute to the late Chris Lighty, Fat Joe, Diamond D, Lord Finesse, Showbiz, and the entire DITC for this timeless piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Fat Joe Released His Debut Album ‘Represent’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Eric B. And Rakim’s Sophomore LP ‘Follow The Leader’ Dropped 34 Years Ago

by
tumblr 5599e7df26ccfc9d78371ade2a25d962 42dabeca 1280

On this day in Hip Hop history in 1988, one of the culture’s most prolific duo’s Eric B. & Rakim released their sophomore LP Follow the Leader. Coming shortly after their game-changing debut Paid in Full, their second album showed that not only did the two find a formula of success but that they had yet to hit a ceiling. The refinement of both Rakim’s lyrical prowess and Eric B’s beat-making ability is evident in large part on this album. Follow the Leader had everything one could ask of an album from the Golden Era of Hip Hop.

Selling 500,000 within the year of its release, the album received gold certification as well as the #22 spot on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. Two of the four singles from the project, “Follow the Leader” and “Microphone Fiend” also made appearances on multiple Billboard music charts. Critically, this album received praise across the board being praised as more consistent and cohesive than the duo’s debut. Critics from numerous publications noted the growth of Eric B and Rakim as both rappers and pop icons. Although it may not have sold as many copies or made as much noise, Follow the Leader is in more ways than one a more polished project than Paid in Full and is in large part the reason for the duo’s longevity and status.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Eric B. And Rakim’s Sophomore LP ‘Follow The Leader’ Dropped 34 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Main Source Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Breaking Atoms’ 31 Years Ago

by
Screen Shot 2022 07 23 at 4.39.30 PM

On this date in Hip Hop history, Main Source, which included DJs Sir Scratch, K-Cut, and rhyming extraordinaire and production master Large Professor, dropped their debut album Breaking Atoms in 1991 on Wild Pitch Records. It was also the final album of the original trio with the two Toronto DJs and the Corona. Queens emcee.

Breaking Atoms was also the first project where then Queensbridge Projects lyrical prodigy Nasir Jones aka Nas, who appeared on the ever-classic “Live At The BBQ”. Other classic cuts from that album include the break-up story “Looking At The Front Door”, the never-ending issue of police brutality on “Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball” and the visually-driven “Just Hangin’ Out”. Originally given a four and a half mic rating, Breaking Atoms received the coveted Five Mics in The Source Magazine‘s commemorative 150th issue.

Salute to Extra P, Pete Rock, K-Cut and Sir Scratch for making this album an undisputed Hip Hop classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Main Source Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Breaking Atoms’ 31 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: MC Eiht Dropped His Debut Album ‘We Come Strapped’ 28 Years Ago

by
Screen Shot 2022 07 19 at 8.31.06 AM

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’ 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Missy Elliott’s Debut LP ‘Supa Dupa Fly’ Turns 25 Years Old!

by
tumblr 21582e091c8417ddaf43dfec5a128df2 abe0ae74 1280

On this day in Hip Hop history, rap queen Missy Elliott released her debut LP, Supa Dupa Fly.

Arguably the most influential release by a female rapper in history, this project birthed one of rap’s most important icons, male or female. The Hip Hop/R&B experimental masterpiece not only delivered a fresh sound to a period in between dominant trends, it also set the tone for what would be considered a radio hit at the turn of the millennium.

supadupafly

The sound and success of this project are due in equal part to Missy and fellow Virginian super-producer Timbaland. In the new age, digital R&B style production pioneered a sound that became the standard of any Top 40 crossover hit of the era. His technical ability as a beatmaker personally complimented Missy’s unorthodox, almost broken-up, flow and smooth, soulful vocals. Missy’s ability as an innovative songwriter allowed for the mind-boggling production to not be wasted. The subjects that were touched on came with a new perspective and the way she rode each beat added such emphasis, giving the project a strong theatrical quality.

Commercially, it performed quite well peaking at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album claimed the #1 spot on the R&B/Hip Hop chart and made appearances on music charts in New Zealand and the Netherlands.  The album was certified platinum in the United States and silver in the United Kingdom, both in the year of its release. Critics across the board praised both Timbaland and Missy Elliot for their work on this album, calling it “a key prophecy of the dominant 21st-century Black pop” and “everything the Hip Hop doctor ordered; a woman who could flip between aggression and romance, sex and nonsense, materialism and imagination, without batting one outrageously spidery eyelash.”

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Missy Elliott’s Debut LP ‘Supa Dupa Fly’ Turns 25 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Too $hort’s Fourth LP ‘Shorty The Pimp’ Turns 30 Years Old!

by
Screen Shot 2022 07 14 at 4.37.09 AM

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Oakland rapper Too $hort released his fourth studio LP, Shorty The Pimp. 

Inspired by a 1973 blaxploitation film of the same name, the album’s sexually braggadocio lyrics and funk-inspired production held true to the style Too $hort had established for himself over his past six projects. And although Too $hort rarely strayed away from his proven formula, his progression as an artist is evident on this project.

too short

Commercially, this album had great national reception and was Too $hort’s most popular album to date selling 82,000 copies in its first week. The project debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 chart, where it peaked, and #11 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart.

Although Too $hort was never hailed as the greatest lyricist of his era, the production and instrumentation of his projects brought him such acclaim. On this project particularly, the instrumentation and composition from Shorty B alongside production from Ant Banks and Too $hort himself is strong enough to stand solo and still be considered a satisfying pseudo-funk album. Check out “In The Trunk” as an exemplary track from the album below.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Too $hort’s Fourth LP ‘Shorty The Pimp’ Turns 30 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Gangstarr Dropped ‘Full Clip: Decade Of Gangstarr’ 23 Years Ago

by
tumblr 4117c79411cf3bff07f86ff2ad5c59f7 b91bb9f4 1280

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. The sheer volume and quality of this project 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 making appearances 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’ 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: ‘Hustle & Flow’ Soundtrack Was Released 17 Years Ago

by
Screen Shot 2022 07 12 at 12.14.24 PM

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!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: ‘Hustle & Flow’ Soundtrack Was Released 17 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

World’s Largest Breaking Competition Announces 2022 USA Regional Schedule And All Star Tour

by
Screen Shot 2022 07 12 at 11.42.39 AM

Today, prestigious one-on-one breaking competition, Red Bull BC One, reveals the U.S. line-up for its highly-anticipated regional qualifiers and the return of the Red Bull BC One All Star Tour. Regional qualifiers, or cyphers, will take place across the country, summoning the best b-boys and b-girls for battles, community building, and mentorship. 

The competition kicks off on July 23 in Philadelphia followed by regional cyphers in Austin, Orlando, Boston, and Seattle. Regional cyphers bring together 16 of the region’s top b-boys and b-girls to battle 1v1 in a knockout bracket format. A panel of respected breakers from each region determines which competitors will advance to the Red Bull BC One National Final in Los Angeles. 

The 2022 season saw an expansion of the program with the inception of open prequalifying city cyphers, which took place throughout the country this spring and ensured breakers of all levels had an opportunity to secure a spot in the elite competition. Regional qualifiers include invitees chosen for their elite breaking ability as well as champions and runners up from the open city cyphers.

Emerging b-girl Jeyna Ponce took the win at the Las Vegas city cypher before deciding to also participate in San Diego where she claimed runner up. “Since I’m new to battling, the open cypher tested my competition skills. I’m not often around an abundance of female breakers and these events showed me the potential of my own break technique while introducing me to a community of individuals I can learn from.” 

Born and raised in Las Vegas, 21-year old Ponce grew up surrounded by family and peers in prominent dance crews such as Super Cr3w, Jabbawockeez, and Full Force. With a decade of training in everything from jazz to choreo, Ponce found her way to break while studying at Alchemy Breaking Academy in Summer 2020 and never looked back. Ponce is set to compete at the regional qualifier in Austin, TX.  

Coinciding with the cyphers, the Red Bull BC One All Star Tour returns in 2022 with multi-city stops featuring the world class Red Bull BC One All Stars, an elite breaking crew, including Logistx (USA), Lilou (FR), Ronnie (USA), RoxRite (USA), Phil Wizard (CANADA), Lil Zoo (Austria), Victor (USA), and Neguin (USA/BRAZIL). Commencing August 4th, the Red Bull BC One All Star tour will stop in Austin, New York City, Philadelphia, Orlando, Boston, Chicago, and Seattle. Cultivating a platform for mentorship, while ushering in the next generation of breakers, each stop on the tour will host workshops, community jams, panels, and exhibition battles led by Red Bull BC One All Stars. 

“I’m excited to get back on the road and reconnect with the b-boys and b-girls bringing break to new heights. With breaking making its way to the 2024 Paris Games, mentorship takes on an important role. As the community expands and competition levels rise, this is the moment to inspire the next generation while ensuring the strong foundation of heritage,” says Red Bull BC One All Star Ronnie. 

The 2022 Red Bull BC One cypher season celebrates the art and athleticism of breaking, those who have pioneered the sport, and the communities who shape what it looks like today. With the Red Bull BC One World Final returning to New York, the birthplace of break, for the first time in 13 years, the competition aims to pay tribute to the sport’s heritage and invites the international community to celebrate breaking’s roots while looking to its future. 

RED BULL BC ONE U.S. CYPHER SCHEDULE

  • East Cypher [Philadelphia, PA]: Saturday, July 23, Cherry Street Pier 
  • South Cypher [Austin, TX]:  Saturday, August 6, ACL Live
  • Southeast Cypher [Orlando, FL]: Saturday, August 13, Celine Orlando
  • Northeast Cypher [Boston, MA]: Saturday, August 20, The Sinclair
  • Northwest Cypher [Seattle, WA]: Friday, August 26, Showbox SODO
  • National Final [Los Angeles, CA]: Saturday, September 17, Eden Hollywood
  • Camp [New York, NY]: Wednesday, November 10 – Saturday, November 12, Capitale
  • World Final [New York, NY] November 12, Hammerstein Ballroom

RED BULL BC ONE ALL STAR TOUR SCHEDULE

  • Austin, TX: August 6 – 7 
  • New York City: August 10 – 11
  • Philadelphia, PA August 12 – 13
  • Orlando, FL: August 12 – 13 
  • Northeast/Collegiate All Star Tour Stops: August 18 – 20 
  • Chicago, IL: August 23
  • Seattle, WA s: August 25 -26

For more information about individual cyphers, exhibitions, workshops, and tickets check out the Red Bull BC One website and be sure to follow @RedBullBCOne on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter.

The post World’s Largest Breaking Competition Announces 2022 USA Regional Schedule And All Star Tour appeared first on The Source.

Happy Birthday To The “Queen Bee” Lil Kim!

by
Lil Kim Unveils Pretty Little Thing Collection

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!!

The post Happy Birthday To The “Queen Bee” Lil Kim! appeared first on The Source.