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Today In Hip-Hop History: The Source Magazine Remembers Def Squad Member and Erick Sermon’s BM Hurricane G Two Years After Her Passing

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Screenshot 2024 11 06 at 9.28.41 AM

“Yo yo Redman! What the fuck, man? Get the fuck off that punk shit! Get with that rough shit! You know how we do..” -Hurricane G on Redman’s “Tonight’s Da Night”

For many Hip-Hop fans, the above intro was the first time they heard Gloria “Hurricane G” Rodriguez on wax. Even though it was three decades ago, that unforgettable voice making that arduous demand will forever be a part of the Def Squad legacy and Hip-Hop history.

On this date in 2022, Hurricane G passed away in a hospice after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 52 years old.

G’s 1997 debut album All Woman, along with its lead single “Somebody Else” (which samples The Jones Girls’ 1979 hit “You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else”) reached the top 10 of the Hot Rap Singles chart. The album also featured an appearance by fellow Hit Squad alums Das EFX. The Brooklyn native also worked with artists such as Diddy, Smif-N-Wessun, Thirstin Howl III, Tony Tocuh and the father of her daughter, EPMD’s Erick Sermon.

Sermon shared his memories at the time of her passing on social media, saying, “My heart is hardened today. One of my good friends…. my oldest daughter’s mother passed away today #HURRICANEGLORIA was also a legend in her own right in the Hiphop community,” Sermon wrote on Instagram. “One of the first puertorican female rappers She rapped with me. @redmangilla she paved the way.”

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Today In Hip Hop History: The Artifacts’ TAME ONE Passed Away Two Years Ago

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On this date in 2022, Rahem Brown aka TAME ONE of the 90s backpack rap group The Artifacts passed away. He was 52 years old.

The Artifacts, who also includes partner El Da Sensai, are best known for their 1994 hit “Wrong Side Of Da Tracks” from their debut album Between a Rock and a Hard Place, which pays homage to the graffiti culture of which TAME was an active participant as a member of the NJ-based graffiti collective BOOM SKWAD.

The Artifacts split after the release of their second album That’s Them, but both TAME and El respectively continued their solo careers until they reunited to perform at the Rock Steady Reunion in August 2009.

The duo recently signed with Redefinition Records and the first new Artifacts material in over 10 years was debuted on Redefinition Records’ official SoundCloud.

According to the reports, TAME’s cause of death was heart failure.

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Today In Hip-Hop History: Jay-Z Dropped His ‘American Gangster’ Soundtrack 17 Years Ago

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tumblr 4b41fd4a2a74b9905959ebd21c3ee691 aa7cf1c2 640

On this date in 2007, Jay-Z released his American Gangster album, which also served as the soundtrack to the movie of the same name with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.

It was a conceptual album that was inspired by the film of the same name. The album spawned hits like “I Know”, “Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)”, and “Blue Magic”. Guest features include Idris Elba, Lil Wayne, Beanie Sigel, and Nas. The album features production from Diddy, The Neptunes, Just Blaze, and The Hitmen.

American Gangster debuted at number one on Billboard 200, selling 425,861 copies in the first week. This album tied Jigga with Elvis Presley for second-most number one albums. It was a commercial success and viewed as a good follow-up from Hov’s 2006 album Kingdom Come.

What was your favorite song from the album?

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Today In Hip Hop History: Tupac Shakur’s First Posthumous Album ‘Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory’ Was Released 28 Years Ago

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Makaveli front cover

Makaveli front cover

On this date in 1996, Tupac Amaru Shakur posthumously released the final album of his illustrious career.

26 years ago today, just two months after the untimely murder of Tupac on the Las Vegas strip alongside Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight, the fifth and final album, Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, was released. Recognized as ‘Pac’s most influential body of work, the Killuminati album was not only his most controversial, but its concept still has many of his fans believing that ‘Pac is still alive. Besides his beef with Nas, Jay-Z, B.I.G., and almost any relevant New York rapper you can think of, the album hinges on the life of Makaveli, a play on the name of Italian writer and philosopher Nicollo Machiavelli, who is believed to have staged his own death.

The album was originally set to be dropped in March of 1997, but after Shakur was killed, Death Row boss Suge Knight released the album four months later. Ironically, Brooklyn rap rival Notorious B.I.G. was shot down in Los Angeles, California on March 9, 1997.

The album, recorded in 12 days in August 1996, hosted a list of timeless, classic singles including “Hail Mary”, “Me And My Girlfriend” and “Against All Odds”; all of which were remade by premiere artists after Shakur’s death. The 5X platinum album has been listed as one of the top-selling Hip Hop albums of all time.

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Boosie Badazz is Set to Become a Father Again

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Boosie Badazz on Strong Distate for Snitching: ‘It Happened to My Family for Since the ‘80s'

Boosie Badazz has another baby on the way. Hitting Instagram over the weekend, Boosie wrote: “BABY OTW DANCE!! [fire emoji]. IM ABOUT TO BE A DADDY AGAIN.”

Boosie kept the details short on the mother but has been romantically linked to Rajel Nelson. You can see the message from Boosie below.

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LL COOL J, The Weeknd, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson & Dozens More Celebrate the Life of Quincy Jones

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Following the early Monday morning (Nov. 4) news of the death of Quincy Jones, numerous tributes have poured in across social media.

Hip-Hop legend LL COOL J wrote: “You were a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example. Mentor. Role model. King.”

Actor Colman Domingo recalled connecting over Uptown Theater in Philadelphia:

Isaac Hayes III:

The Weeknd:

Morgan Freeman:

Ice T:

Nile Rodgers:

Ledisi:

Jennifer Hudson:

Juicy J:

Wyclef Jean:

Sheryl Lee Ralph:

Queen Latifah:

Quincy Jones has passed away at the age of 91. According to his publicist, Arnold Robinson, the music and entertainment icon died Sunday night at his Bel-Air home surrounded by his family.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” a statement from the family said. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Jones infused his genius into jazz, pop, film, and television, leaving an indelible mark on modern music and culture. Born in Chicago on March 14, 1933, Quincy Delight Jones Jr. rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most prolific and respected producers, composers, and arrangers in music history. As a young man, Jones attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston but left early to pursue his dreams. He began his career as a jazz trumpeter, working with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, before transitioning into arranging and conducting, which would become his true calling.

Jones was instrumental in crafting the sounds of numerous artists and producing some of the most influential albums of the 20th century. His work with Michael Jackson remains legendary, especially their collaborations on Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987), albums that redefined pop music and made Jackson a global superstar. Thriller became the best-selling album of all time, solidifying Jones’ reputation as a producer with an unparalleled ear for hits.

Beyond his work in pop, Jones was an accomplished film and television composer, scoring notable films such as The Color Purple (1985) and In the Heat of the Night (1967) and the TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His groundbreaking arrangements and compositions earned him 28 Grammy Awards from 80 nominations, making him one of the most decorated artists in Grammy history.

Jones was also a pioneering advocate for social change, using his platform to support civil rights and champion diversity in the entertainment industry. His influence transcended music; he was a mentor, a cultural ambassador, and a visionary who brought together artists from all walks of life. In 1993, he was awarded the Grammy Legend Award, a fitting tribute to his status as one of the most transformative figures in music.

Rest in peace to Quincy Jones.

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Happy 50th Birthday To St. Louis Rap Legend Nelly!

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Nelly's Rape Case is Still Under Investigation Although Accuser Refuses to Testify

Cornell Haynes Jr., aka Nelly, was born on this date in 1974. Today, the Country Grammar rapper turns 50.

Nelly has put out timeless hits such as “Country Grammar” and “Ride Wit Me,” which became radio darlings, cementing his rightful place on the charts. Not to mention, the STL native’s technical influence is also massively underrated. He is one of the first artists to bring the sing-rapping technique into the mainstream (yes, Bone Thugs did too), which helped influence newer artists after him. It’s possible that 808s-era Kanye West and peak-T-Pain would sound different without Nelly doing the singing sound before them. Drake, Ty Dolla $ign, Kid Cudi share these same attributes as they all come from the sound the “Hot In Herre” rapper helped establish.

Nelly managed to help establish a sound and had a massive cross-over appeal. The fact that he collaborated with peak-NSYNC made him a household name. Sooner than later, kids would sport cartoon band-aids on cheeks right below the eye, imitating the St. Louis legend. When it came to fashion, he was THE guy. Apple Bottoms became a popular brand in the early 2000s, started by the rapper, and later expanded to include women’s and girls’ clothing, perfume, and accessories. The brand was also name-dropped in several popular songs, some of which included: Twista’s “Overnight Celebrity,” MC Jin’s “36-24-36,”, T-Pain’s hook on Flo-Rida’s “Low,” DaCav5’s “Tetris,” and Eminem’s “Shake That.”

The man-made us want gold grills and convinced us through representation that country music was cool. Outside of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, the Midwest was not making sounds in mainstream rap. Although Kanye West arrived on the scene four years later, Nelly first helped bring light to an area full of potential. Artists like Chingy benefited greatly from Nelly’s success. Chingy opened up shows for Nelly at the beginning of his career, eventually putting him in front of Ludacris to sign up for DTP. St. Lunatic’s own, Murphy Lee, was also the only member of the group to earn a Gold album and single due to Nelly’s popularity.

His popularity is key to his success. With a classic album under his belt in Country Grammar, the project was certified Diamond. Nellyville went 6x multi-Platinum worldwide, the Sweat and Suit albums went Platinum and 3x multi-Platinum, respectively, and the Sweatsuit compilation went Gold.

On July 18 of this year, newlyweds Nelly and his wife Ashanti welcomed their first child, Kareem Kencaide.

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Today in Hip Hop History: Rakim Released Solo Debut Album ‘The 18th Letter’ 27 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip-Hop history, veteran MC Rakim released his debut solo LP, The 18th Letter. Coming off of the infamous split of Eric B. and Rakim and a five-year hiatus, this album was surprisingly thorough and left no room to doubt Rakim’s resilience in the ever-changing Hip-Hop world.

Although far removed from his heyday, Rakim delivered an LP that debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 and stayed true to the technique that made him rich. Tapping-producing legends DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Clark Kent(RIP), and Father Shaheed(RIP), Rakim produced a solid Golden Era album at a time when mafioso rap was taking New York by storm. Peaking only one spot beneath one of New York’s newest brightest stars, Jay-Z, this album proves that Rakim ages like wine regarding his lyrical mastery and microphone prowess.

The album also came with a second disc, The Book of Life, which was an Eric B & Rakim greatest hits album.

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Today In Hip-Hop History: Hood Classic Flick ‘Belly’ Released in Theaters 26 Years Ago

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On this day in film history, Hype Williams’ 1998 masterpiece Belly was released in theaters. Starring New York legends Nas and DMX, Belly follows the life and times of Tommy Bunds (DMX) and Sincere (Nas). The two get by as run-of-the-mill professional criminals ducking and dodging their way to their idea of a better life. While DMX’s character is fine with continuing to stick-and-move and stack as much money as possible until it catches up with him, Nas’ role is looking to better himself and move his family ‘back to Africa’.

The film’s star-studded cast included Taral Hicks, T-Boz of TLC, Method Man, AZ, the late Louis Rankin, and Oliver “Power” Grant with cameos from Ghostface Killah and Sean Paul.

Although the movie may have been poorly received by critics across the board, this movie helped shape a generation. Hype Williams’ portrayal of this side of rap culture electrified not only those who were experiencing the themes of the film; but, it reached the millennials who were soon to take the reigns of pop culture. Films like Belly created an image that was directly emulated by the next generation of rappers. Without its influence and appeal the lifestyle led by artists like Jay-Z, Dip Set, and even A$AP Mob might have not have been as glamorized.

The film also spawned one of the greatest Hip Hop movie soundtracks of all time, featuring tracks from D’Angelo, Mya, Raekwon, N.O.R.E., Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Wu-Tang Clan, and the film’s stars. The soundtrack peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 and #2 Top R&B/Hip Hop chart making it one of the highest-charting Hip-Hop film soundtracks to date. The album’s sole single “Grand Finale” featuring Nas, DMX, Method Man, and Ja Rule peaked at #63 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop singles chart.

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Today in Hip Hop History: Jay-Z Released ‘In My Lifetime, Vol. 1’ LP 27 Years Ago

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tumblr 3ada02a4840b536a056147af590168f7 89748562 2048

On this day in Hip Hop history, Brooklyn’s own living legend Jay-Z released his sophomore album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200 and selling over a million copies within a year of it’s release, this album marked the beginning of the Roc La Familia Dynasty.

With this album, Jay-Z began to move away from the popular theme of mafioso rap that had taken New York by storm. He and his Roc-a-Fella cohorts brought in a new trend altogether, ushering in the Jiggy Era. With Jay-Z’s artistic maturity came a more seasoned swagger. Musically, Jay-Z operated with the demeanor of a kingpin. His deliver had an air of authority behind it and every bar laid down was extravagant yet rarely exaggerated. If Reasonable Doubt was a taste of his ability, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 is a true introduction to the MC the world would come to know and love.

Commercially, the album was quite a success. It boasts an extensive lineup of guest features including Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Babyface, Blackstreet, Teddy Riley, Too $hort, and Puff Daddy to name a few. The production of the project was also a step up from his debut. Instead of sticking to the traditional New York one-rapper-one-DJ model, Hov outsourced the bulk of the production to Bad Boy‘s Hitmen, with DJ Premier and Ski still getting a few placements. By incorporating Puffy’s beat-making dream team, Jay was able to stay true to New York with his sound and take advantage of the Bad Boy hype without actually joining the team.

With the recent passing of both 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G., the battle for the top spot became a free-for-all with no clear leader. This project, however, made Jay-Z the front runner for the Hip Hop crown. It could be said that before this album their had yet to be a release on par with (or even close to)  Life After Death and All Eyez on Me. This album game the rap game hope in a new messiah, Je-HOVA.

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