On this date in Hip-Hop history, Harlem icon Ma$e released his debut album Harlem World on the Bad Boy/Arista imprint.
A millennial piece of uptown Hip Hop history post the shooting death of rap giant Big L, Harlem World helped usher in a new era of Hip Hop in Harlem. Prior to this release, Harlem had given birth to Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, Kurtis Blow, and Rob Base, but had yet to see an artist with the level of conceited charm coupled with chart-topping hits to back it up that a Bad Boy-backed Ma$e had on this album.
Paving the way for groups like The Diplomats and A$AP Mob, this album was chock full of the opulent content expected from a true Harlem World representative. Along with its luxurious themes, the LP is laced with high energy production and a star-studded cast of guest appearances from some of New York’s finest, including labelmates The LOX, DMX, Lil’ Kim, Jay-Z, Total, 112, and Busta Rhymes.
After the untimely passing of the Notorious B.I.G., this album was set up to be the debut of Diddy’s “new protege and although it obviously fell short of the acclaim brought by Ready to Die, commercially, this album hit the same level of success as every other Bad Boy debut. Harlem World reached the pole position across music charts, sold over 2,000,000 copies to date, and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 41st Grammy Awards.
Salute to Ma$e, Diddy and the Bad Boy fam for this piece of Hip-Hop history!
Some talk about it, others are about it! In collaboration with The Source and HERSource (media), Burger King has launched the “Rule Models” content series, a new initiative highlighting inspiring individuals from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By now, most have heard the phase” “You Rule” !!! The series plays on the phrase “Rule Models” instead of “Role Models,” emphasizing that these featured figures aren’t just traditional leaders but trailblazers making and rewriting the rules in their respective fields. Through this campaign, Burger King reaffirms its commitment to promoting diversity and supporting HBCUs, spotlighting those making meaningful contributions to their communities and industries.
The Rule Models series celebrates outstanding HBCU alumni and students breaking barriers and leading by example. These individuals reflect the values of leadership, innovation, and resilience—qualities that HBCUs cultivate. In a society where representation is crucial, these stories of success inspire future generations. By sharing these stories, Burger King, along with The Source and HERSource,” aligns its brand with leadership and community impact, reinforcing its dedication to uplifting voices that often go unheard while motivating others to aspire to greatness.
Hip-hop has long influenced global culture, but it has evolved into a space that fosters entrepreneurship, activism, and social change in recent years. As the genre continues to shape young people’s lives, the need for positive role models is more evident than ever. Rule Models captures this moment by highlighting figures who embody the spirit of hip-hop’s success and leadership, particularly those with ties to HBCUs. These individuals excel in their careers and shape the future for the next generation of leaders.
Heather Lowery, CEO of Femme It Forward and partner at Live Nation, is one of the featured Rule Models. As a graduate of Spelman College, Lowery’s experience at the esteemed HBCU allowed her to explore her identity, build confidence, and embrace boldness. Her journey has made her a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, where she continues to break barriers and empower women. Lowery’s commitment to creating space for others, especially within the Black community, makes her a true leader who inspires future generations of HBCU students.
Heather Lowery crowns August Howellbey
August Howellbey, a nursing student at Howard University, is another inspiring individual highlighted in the series. A recipient of the Burger King Foundation scholarship, Howellbey represents the next generation of healthcare professionals. His dedication to his studies and passion for helping others exemplify the spirit of giving back to the community. Howellbey’s story shows how financial support and mentorship can uplift students from HBCUs who are determined to make a difference in the world, especially in healthcare.
“It is truly special when well known brands close to the community show up and support its loyal consumers. Burger King is a trusted brand and it was a pleasure having them work with The Source and HERSource to celebrate the trailblazing work of Heather Lowery while mentoring Howard University’s August Howellbeyn — they RULE!” says owner and publisher, L. Londell McMillan.
Burger King’s sponsorship of the Rule Models series reflects its larger mission to support diversity and inclusion through scholarships, partnerships with HBCUs, and educational initiatives. The company is committed to amplifying the stories of exceptional individuals from HBCUs, ensuring their contributions are recognized and celebrated nationally.
The Rule Models series inspires and reminds readers of the importance of representation and leadership within the Black community. By showcasing the accomplishments of HBCU alumni and students, Burger King and The Source provide a platform for these individuals to share their journeys. Readers are encouraged to follow the series, share the content, and support HBCUs as these institutions cultivate tomorrow’s leaders.
On this date in 1985, Hip-Hop bigwig Russell Simmons along with film producer Michael Schultz unveiled the Hip-Hop glory days fairy tale about the early days of Def Jam in the Warner Brothers distributed Krush Groove.
This cinematic, quasi-musical was told in a very unique manner, with almost all of the artists playing themselves as the story is being told; The Fat Boys, Run-D.M.C., Kurtis Blow, Jeckyl and Hyde, the Beastie Boys and Sheila E. all starred as themselves, while being managed by Russell(ironically, played by Blair Underwood) and a young Rick Rubin before they became the icons that they are recognized as today. The flick even gives a quick peek into how Def Jam’s rookie and first solo artist L.L. Cool J was recruited in Def Jam’s NYU dorm “office”.
The movie’s soundtrack boasts more than a few hits, such as The Fat Boys’ “All You Can Eat”. LL’s “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”, the original “If I Ruled The World” by Kurtis Blow, which was famously remixed by Nas and Lauryn Hill a decade after the movie’s release and the title track by The Krush Groove All Stars.
Shout out to all of the legends who were quarterbacked by Hip-Hop’s Barack Russell Simmons in making this Def Jam biopic forever a Hip Hop classic!
This weekend, the Harris for President Campaign partners with BET and the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) to launch a dynamic voter engagement effort at Atlanta’s ONE Music Fest. With the general election fast approaching, this activation aims to connect with attendees, offering resources to empower them to make a voting plan while experiencing top-tier performances. The event marks another bold initiative in the Harris campaign’s outreach to Black voters through popular cultural events.
The campaign’s presence at ONE Music Fest includes a branded activation space, a mainstage address by a campaign surrogate, and a range of voter engagement resources. The activation area will feature a photo booth where attendees can capture moments while scanning QR codes directly linking to voter planning tools. In addition, digital push notifications will prompt festival-goers to visit the booth and collect information on voting.
“Vice President Harris has been very clear, we are not taking a single voter for granted,” said DNC National Political Director Brencia Berry. “Which is why we have been consistent and creative in the ways in which we are strategically engaging with Black voters to underscore the stakes of this election for our community. One Music Fest is the perfect setting to make clear that none of us can afford to sit this election out.
“Vice President Harris has not only delivered on the issues we care about most, like job creation and closing the racial wealth gap — but she is also charting a new way forward that includes protecting our healthcare and hard fought for rights. Donald Trump on the other hand couldn’t care less about our community or our culture. “
This engagement builds on the campaign’s presence at other high-profile events, from Essence Fest to the BET Hip-Hop Awards. Such initiatives aim to spark meaningful connections with Black voters nationwide. By combining voter resources with culturally resonant settings, the Harris campaign is making its message clear: voting this election cycle is essential.
As part of its outreach, the campaign has also enlisted influential voices like Quavo, Kerry Washington, and John Legend to support voter awareness. At ONE Music Fest, the campaign will continue to build momentum through artist collaborations, a media tent setup, and ads broadcast across festival stages.
On this date in 1995, Queens legends Onyx released their second full-length album All We Got Iz Us under Rush Associated Labels and the JMJ Records imprint.
It is reported that Def Jam Records’ Lyor Cohen offered Fredro Starr $1 million in 1994 to record Onyx’s second album while he was on the set of the movie Dangerous Minds. Fredro agreed, prompting him, Sonee Seeza and Sticky FIngaz to record 25 tracks for the new album, with only 15 of the songs making the final cut under the late Jam Master Jay’s directive. Two of the albums’ tracks, “Live Niguz” and “Last Dayz”, made it to 89 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 17 on the Hot Rap Singles, respectively. Onyx also created their own label, Armee Records, to which they signed the rap collective All City and Queens rapper Panama P.I., who also appeared on All We Got Iz Us.
This project received mixed reviews from the media. Still, it reached its level of success with tracks debuting in several silver screen classics, including Martin Lawrence and Will Smith’s Bad Boys as well as Eminem’s 8 Mile and Hip Hop documentary The Show.
Salute to Sticky Fingaz, Sonee Seeza, Fredro, All City, and JMJ for making this album a part of Hip Hop history!
On this day in Hip-Hop History, New York-based supergroup The Firm released the sole studio album, The Album. As a collaborative effort made by Nas, Aftermath label-head Dr. Dre and marketing genius Steve Stoute, The Album was designed to boost the commercial and mainstream appeal of four of New York’s most prolific emcees: Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Cormega (unfortunately Cormega and the rest of those involved never saw eye-to-eye and he was swiftly replaced by Queensbridge Nature prior to finishing The Album).
Around the time of the group’s formation, its future members were at a pivotal moment in their careers. Nas, who had recently released his prolific debut Illmatic, was not receiving his due respect as one of the greatest active rappers of the time. Of course, he was in great standing with the actual rap community (he was the first non-Wu Tang member to appear on a Wu-Tang track), his fame among the public was disproportional. This disparity forced Nas to hire Stoute as his manager in an attempt to change his commercial approach.
Ironically, this was the second collaborative project of East Coast and West Coast artists involved in the coastal beef of that era. The first being the late Tupac Shakur and the Boot Camp Clik’s 1996 One Nation project.
Simultaneously, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Cormega were all experience a momentous rise in success. Foxy Brown’s work from 1995 with Jay-Z’s hit “Ain’t No Nig*a” in 1996 lead to her becoming one of the most coveted female emcees in New York. Her popularity in the industry led to a bidding war for her contract, won by Def Jam Recordings. AZ was coming off the success of his 1995 debut LP Doe or Die and Cormega was just released from serving a bid in prison. It would seem that the stars had aligned so that this project could take place.
This first time the quartet appeared on a single was Nas’ “Affirmative Action” on his sophomore LP It Was Written. The group’s chemistry and the single’s critical and commercial success made coming together as a supergroup a no-brainer for all involved.
Both the group’s name and the title of the album are an illustration of the 1991 John Grisham legal-thriller novel The Firm.
Commercially, the endeavor as a whole was a mass success. The Album debuted at #1 on both the Billboard 200 chart and Top R&B/Hip Hop chart. It sold 147,000 copies in its first week and went on to sell 925,000 in the United States. The record also had international success charting in Canada (where it sold 50,000 units), France, and the Netherlands.
In 1991, Dres and Mr. Lawnge, collectiveluy known as Black Sheep, released their only album as a duo on this date.
On October 22, 1991, Black Sheep dropped their debut LP A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing on Mercury Records. As one the last acts to be inducted as members of the legendary Native Tongues collective, Dres and his partner in Rhyme/DJ Mr. Lawnge broke the stereotype that rappers had to be born and raised in NYC in order to make respectable Hip Hop. Hailing from Smalltown, North Carolina, the BX transplants turned their geographical diversity into a joke while making one of the most memorable albums and movements to come out of the Native Tongues’ camp.
The album features some very impressionable tracks including the video favorite “Strobelite Honey”, the incomparable “Flavor Of The Month” and the timeless club anthem “The Choice Is Yours”.
Shout out to Dres, Lawnge, Chi Ali, Q-Tip, the Native Tongues family, and everyone involved with this dope album! Salute!
On this day in Hip Hop history, we celebrate the birth of one of Hip Hop and pop culture’s most recognizable icons, Snoop Doggy Dogg. Uncle Snoop was born Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr. in Long Beach, California in 1971. Since then he has risen to become a household name in Hip Hop. His image and style are synonymous with the West Coast and his name will forever stand among the Pantheon of legends who helped shape Hip Hop culture.
Over his 22 (and counting) album career, Snoop has always played close attention to visuals. With every album, Snoop has put together a theatrical representation of his G-Funk sound. In honor of his born day, we have compiled a list of the ten best videos from his 26-year career.
#10 “Vato” feat. B-Real – Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
In the streets of Los Angeles, African-Americans and Latinos have never really seen eye-to-eye. Due to the immense gang culture of this southern California metropolitan area, the two races have been at odds. With this video, Snoop and Chicano gangsta rapper B-Real come together to try and ease some of that racial tension. The video was directed by Phillip G. Atwell and premiered on BET on August 30, 2006. An animated version was also released in the following month.
#9 “Faden Away” as 7 Days of Funk – 7 Days of Funk
In 2013, Snoop Dogg amused the pseudonym Snoopzilla, teamed up with LA-based producer DāM-FunK, and became a part of the prolific synth-heavy G-Funk group 7 Days of Funk. The video for “Faden Away” has a very retro feel, reminiscent of the years when funk monopolized the airwaves. Directed by Henry DeMaio, the visuals serve as a funkadelic time machine taking viewers back to a good old fashion house party and is a part of a series.
#8 “Drop It Like It’s Hot” feat. Pharrell Williams – R&G (Rhythm and Gangsta): The Masterpiece
Possible Snoop’s most popular song of the decade, “Drop It Like It’s Hot”‘s simplistic black and white color scheme that perfectly complements the track’s crisp production and smooth lyrics. Directed by Paul Hunter, the video consists of cameos from Terry Kennedy, Lauren London, Neptunes producer Chad Hugo, and Pusha T. In 2005 the video won a MOBO Award for Best Video.
#7 “High Wit Me” as 7 Days of Funk – 7 Days of Funk
As another release from 7 Days of Funk, “High With Me” takes a unique twist on the conventional music video. Instead of just directing a single video and releasing it per usual, the duo decided to hold a contest and let the fans decide visual would represent the track. The winner was a green screen psychedelic adventure featuring the group’s two members. The runner-up is also posted below.
#6 “Sexual Eruption” – Ego Trippin’
As the first single off of Snoop’s ninth album, “Sexual Eruption” (or the censored “Sexual Seduction”) introduced the world to a Snoop Dogg catered to the grown and sexy. This groovy soul-inspired came with a video straight out of the Blaxploitation era. Directed by Melina and Steven Johnson, the video features Snoop in a Bootsy Collins-ish glam rock outfit holding a keytar while using a voice box, pure nostalgia.
#5 “Peaches N Cream” featuring Charlie Wilson – Bush
As the first single of his thirteenth album, Snoop again revisits his soulful funky roots and brings together another hit with former label-mate Uncle Charlie Wilson. Directed by Aramis Isreal and Hannah Lux Davis, the visuals are an evolution of his past retro style 70’s inspired videos. Using more CGI and green screen effects allows this video to be both a walk down memory lane and an example of what technology is capable of. Prior to the actual video release, there was a computer-animated lyric video directed by Wolf & Crow.
#4 “Who Am I (What’s My Name)”– Doggystyle
As Snoop Doggy Dogg’s debut single, “Who Am I” is simply a perfect introduction to one of the game’s most promising rising stars at the time. Directed by Fab Five Freddy, this video was one of the earliest to utilize CGI as the main plot point. In the video, Snoop and his cohorts have the ability to anamorph in a pack of dogs (with Snoop being a Doberman of course) running amok around Long Beach.
#3 “Beautiful” featuring Pharrell Williams and Charlie Wilson – Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$
Shot on location in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Directed by Chris Robinson and produced by Renata Chuquer, the video loosely tells the story of Snoop Dogg falling for a local woman while away on a vacation. This video could double as a travel video, showcasing some of Brazil’s most beautiful tourist attractions including the Escadaria Selarón in the gorgeous Lapa district, a 1920’s mansion in Parque Lage, and the Copacabana.
#2 “Gin and Juice” – Doggystyle
Probably Snoop Dogg’s most popular singles, “Gin and Juice”‘s music video perfectly embodies what it was like to party on the West Coast in the early ’90s. Directed by Dr. Dre, Calvin Caday, and Anita Sisaath (the producers of 2Pac’s “Dear Mama”), the video features a teenage Snoop throwing a wild party “cuz [his] mama ain’t home”. The video features Ricky Harris, Dr. Dre, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Eddie Griffin, and a six-year-old Bow Wow.
#1 “Murder Was the Case” feat Daz Dillinger – Doggystyle
Since the beginning of his career, Snoop Dogg has been deeply interested in the dark supernatural world. He has starred in and produced multiple horror films and has always kept a tone of evil quietly brewing beneath the majority of his work. The start of that trend came with the release of “Murder was the Case” in 1994. The song and video both spin the tale of Snoop Dogg being shot down in a drive-by and coming back to life after making a deal with the devil. As a part of this bargain, Snoop becomes a famous rapper but eventually turns his back on Satan, landing him in prison for not holding his end of the promise. The single also inspired a short film directed by Dr. Dre and Fab Five Freddy going into full detail about the story narrated in the single.
From everyone here at The Source Magazine and TheSource.com, Happy C-Day Uncle Snoop. May you see many more years of ridiculous success, fame, and fortune.
On this day in Hip Hop history,Eazy-E released his second solo EP It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa. Released one year after his first EP and a long five years after his debut album Eazy-Duz-It, this album was a response to Dr. Dre’s prolific debut The Chronic. Tensions became high between the two NWA heavyweights and after the group’s 1991 split, the beef became public.
The West Coast was in a state of civil war. After NWA’s explosive breakup, its ex-members spared no time to air out their grievances on every other record they released. With Ice Cube attacking the Ruthless Records infrastructure and Dr. Dre siding with the enemy (Suge Knight and Death Row) to bring down all Eazy had built, there was no choice but for Eazy-E to respond as he did. He used the bulk of this album to state his opinion on Dr. Dre and his street authenticity, with each of the eight tracks on the EP attacking Dre’s image, originality, past, and current status in the rap game.
Aside from the disrespect that served as the core of this project, Eazy-E truly flexed his musical muscles with every track. Whether the inspiration surged from his emotional reaction to what was going with his ex-bandmates or simply from him being a seasoned veteran of gangsta rap is uncertain. What can be seen and heard however is that Eazy-E ate his Wheaties before hopping on the microphone to lay down this EP. With this project, we hear Eazy more comfortable with his own flow and who knows exactly where his lane is and how to be the fastest in it. As his final completed work in life, it is a great depiction of his growth and maturity as an artist.
Commercially, the album was a success. Peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200 and claiming the #1 spot on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart, It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa sold 110,600 copies in it’s first week and was certified double platinum in 1994.
On this date in 1993, Buckshot Shorty, the 5 Foot MC amd DJ Evil Dee released their first full-length album, Enta Da Stage, in 1993 on Nervous Records. This is undoubtedly one of the most pivotal albums to the sub-genre now coined as “backpack rap”.
With total in-house production from Evil Dee and The Beatminerz’ Mr. Walt, Enta Da Stage tells the narrative of the gritty streets of Crown Heights, Brooklyn from the perspective of young, Black teenagers submerged in that environment. With a very cinematic feel, the album captures the essence of the unforgiving streets while maintaining its conceptual focus of using the music to magnify the environment. The album also introduced fans to the poetic, weed-puffing duo Smif N Wessun and Heltah Skeltah, the origin of the late, great Sean Price.
Recorded entirely in the world-renowned and now-defunct D&D Studios, tracks that propelled the project include songs like “I Got Cha Opin”, “How Many MCs”, which was powered by a KRS-One sample, and the lead single, “Who Got The Props?”, the track that would forever etch Black Moon in Hip Hop history.
Salute to Buck, Evil Dee, 5Ft., Mr. Walt, Dru Ha, and the rest of the Duck Down/Boot Camp Clik family for this timeless classic!
