Today In Hip Hop History: Das EFX’s Debut Album ‘Dead Serious’ Turns 30 Years Old!

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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.

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[WATCH] Barack Obama Praises President Biden After Embarrassing Video Surfaces On Twitter

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Former President Barack Obama returned to the White House for the first time since leaving office in 2017 and received a welcoming ovation.

Obama was received by White House friends and guests after he discussed his Affordable Care Act at Biden’s health care event on Tuesday. Video surfaced on Twitter showing Obama surrounded by guests while Biden stands nearby. Vice President Kamala Harris introduced Obama to guests while Biden looked on.

“This is so sad,” the Republican National Committee captioned a video on Twitter.

“Literally no one wants to talk to Joe Biden,” the RNC captioned another short video clip that shows the president shrugging and glancing around the room as if searching for someone.

The two videos garnered thousands of comments. Many of the commenters expressed sadness for the current president.

In response to the viral video, Obama took to Twitter to praise his former vice president.

“Always great catching up with @POTUS. Thanks for all you’re doing to help even more Americans get access to quality, affordable health care,” he tweeted on Wednesday.
Do you think people miss former president Obama?

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[WATCH] Warren G Speaks On Being Pressed By Suge Knight For Telling Snoop Not To Sign Death Row Contract

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West Coast/G-Funk legend Warren G sat down with Talib Kweli for his ‘Peoples Party’ podcast, where the production pioneer talked about being affiliated with Death Row Records, but not actually signing to the label.

Warren explained how things got heated when Suge found out that Warren warned the label’s premiere artist Snoop Dogg not to sign the Death Row contract without getting it reviewed by an attorney.

He said, “I told Snoop ‘No, don’t sign that. You don’t know what you’re signing. You gotta get a lawyer to look at that stuff.’ And I was a young buck saying this!”

Warren said when Suge came for him, “He was like, ‘Aye, blood! Where Warren G at?!’ And I was like, ‘Sh*t, what’s up?’ He said, ‘Aye, blood. You told them not to sign that contract?!’ I took off! But the only way you could get down was the elevator, so I’m at the elevator like [hurriedly pressing the button]. He grabbed me and pushed me up against the wall and was like, ‘You told them not to sign that contract, blood?!’” 

See the video below.

The post [WATCH] Warren G Speaks On Being Pressed By Suge Knight For Telling Snoop Not To Sign Death Row Contract appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Warren G Speaks On Being Pressed By Suge Knight For Telling Snoop Not To Sign Death Row Contract

Screen Shot 2022 04 06 at 8.58.28 AM

West Coast/G-Funk legend Warren G sat down with Talib Kweli for his ‘Peoples Party’ podcast, where the production pioneer talked about being affiliated with Death Row Records, but not actually signing to the label.

Warren explained how things got heated when Suge found out that Warren warned the label’s premiere artist Snoop Dogg not to sign the Death Row contract without getting it reviewed by an attorney.

He said, “I told Snoop ‘No, don’t sign that. You don’t know what you’re signing. You gotta get a lawyer to look at that stuff.’ And I was a young buck saying this!”

Warren said when Suge came for him, “He was like, ‘Aye, blood! Where Warren G at?!’ And I was like, ‘Sh*t, what’s up?’ He said, ‘Aye, blood. You told them not to sign that contract?!’ I took off! But the only way you could get down was the elevator, so I’m at the elevator like [hurriedly pressing the button]. He grabbed me and pushed me up against the wall and was like, ‘You told them not to sign that contract, blood?!’” 

See the video below.

The post [WATCH] Warren G Speaks On Being Pressed By Suge Knight For Telling Snoop Not To Sign Death Row Contract appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Slain DC Rapper Goonew’s Body Propped Up On Stage For Nightclub Funeral

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DC rap mainstay Goonew was shot and killed a few weeks ago, but over the weekend, the 24-year-old late rapper’s body was propped up on stage at a DC nightclub for a memorial service, much to the disgust of some critics and attendees.

Complete with an iced-out watch, hoodie and crow, Goonew’s embalmed body was on display at Bliss Nightclub, with many calling the viewing disrespectful, while others say that this is the way Goonew, whose real name is Markelle Marrow, to go out.

The nightclub apologized, saying that they were aware of the memorial service, but had no idea that an actual corpse would be on the stage.

The post [WATCH] Slain DC Rapper Goonew’s Body Propped Up On Stage For Nightclub Funeral appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Slain DC Rapper Goonew’s Body Propped Up On Stage For Nightclub Funeral

Screen Shot 2022 04 06 at 8.33.18 AM

DC rap mainstay Goonew was shot and killed a few weeks ago, but over the weekend, the 24-year-old late rapper’s body was propped up on stage at a DC nightclub for a memorial service, much to the disgust of some critics and attendees.

Complete with an iced-out watch, hoodie and crow, Goonew’s embalmed body was on display at Bliss Nightclub, with many calling the viewing disrespectful, while others say that this is the way Goonew, whose real name is Markelle Marrow, to go out.

The nightclub apologized, saying that they were aware of the memorial service, but had no idea that an actual corpse would be on the stage.

The post [WATCH] Slain DC Rapper Goonew’s Body Propped Up On Stage For Nightclub Funeral appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Lawyer Says Eyewitness Saw 2 Men, 1 Female Attacking Megan, Woman May Be Shooter

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One of the most impactful legal voices to weigh in on legal and criminal cases in Hip Hop is Moe Gangat, who has given his POV on cases such as NBA YoungBoy and Casanova 2X, but Gangat has some integral speculations about the Megan Thee Stallion/Tory Lanez case that many may find shocking.

According to Gangat’s IG post, “Two extremely interesting facts that came out about the Tory Lanez case”. “First, the police have admitted into evidence, they’ve testified, that the other woman who was involved here, they tested her hand for gunpowder shot residue, and she had gun powder residue on it, suggesting that she may have been the shooter. Number two, there was an eyewitness, somebody who was a third party who saw the whole thing and he said, ‘I saw two men and another woman beating on Meg.’ As for who pulled the trigger? He said, ‘I don’t know but I did see the muzzle flash go off and the other woman was the one closest to the muzzle flash.’”

During yesterday’s hearing, Lanez was cited for violating the no contact order with Megan Thee Stallion handed down by the judge. He was taken into custody and forced to pay a $350 bail in order to be released.

The case will resume on September 14.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Nas Released His Third LP ‘I Am’ 23 Years Ago

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Released by Columbia Records, Nas’ third album, I Am, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album sold 470,000 copies in its first week and went on to be certified double platinum in the United States. The album was nominated in 2000 for Best Rap Album at the 43rd Grammy Awards.

Originally intended to be a double album titled I Am…The Autobiography, the album was arguably Nas’ most honest and poetic project at the time. Although the additional tracks were scrapped due to bootlegging of the original sessions, the intention for the theme and tone of the project can still be felt on the single-disc LP that was released.

Nas’ cover art has always been an iconic staple of his work. Usually consisting of his face superimposed over his native Queens, each cover has served as a visual representation of Nas as an artist. This particular cover was shot by famed portrait photographer Danny Hastings. In order to create the image of Nas’ face in the Pharaoh mask in a pre-Photoshop world, Hastings created a clay mold for Nas’ face (which in fact almost killed him when clay got lodged in his nostrils, nearly suffocating him).

This album wasn’t only popular in the United States. I Am… made appearances on music charts in Australia, Canada, Norway, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The two official singles from this project claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Nas Is Like..” peaked at #86 and “Hate Me Now” climbed a little higher to take the #62 spot.

After the release of this album, Nas went on to release seven more solo albums and two collaborative projects. Nas continues to perform and is known as one of the most prolific rappers of his or any generation. Take some time today to listen to this album appreciate the career of a living legend.

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Tory Lanez Hit With $350K Bail At Megan Thee Stallion Court Hearing

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According to a recent report from Rolling Stone, Tory Lanez was detained in a Los Angeles courtroom for violating a no contact order in Megan Thee Stallion’s felony assault case and will not be released until posting the $350K bail handed down by the judge.

Rolling Stone‘s Nancy Dillon reported that Lanez left the courtroom in handcuffs and was detained until he posts his new bail requirements. The judge added that Lanez could not refer to Thee Stallion in any way on social media until the case was over.

Even though the prosecutors suggested that his baile be set at a whopping $5 million, Judge David Herriford found the singer’s social media activity to be targeting Tina Snow with “clear messages” sent through subliminal tweets was in clear violation and settled on $350K..

The tweet that caused Lanez the most damage in court was one sent February 23 where Lanez referred to Meg as “U” and spoke about how he was “fucking two best friends.”

“Good D*ick had me fucking 2 best friends … and I got caught … that’s what I apologized for … it’s sick how u Spun it tho,” he said.

The case will resume on September 14.

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The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” And “Starboy” Certified Diamond By RIAA

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Today, The Weekend released the music video for “Out Of Time”, the latest single from his critically acclaimed album DAWN FM. The video was directed by Cliqua and features appearances from Jim Carrey, who is also on the song, as well as South Korean model and actress HoYeon Jung. The Weeknd also saw his previous singles “Blinding Lights” and “Starboy” became certified by the RIAA. With these certifications, The Weeknd becomes only the sixth solo artist to reach 3 diamond digital single awards.

 Additionally, the recently announced After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour will feature special guest Doja Cat and kick off up north in The Weeknd’s hometown of Toronto on Friday, July 8th at the Rogers Centre with other stops at iconic U.S. stadiums including Metlife in New York City, Soldier Field in Chicago, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and more, before wrapping Friday, September 2nd at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The tour is produced by Live Nation. This is the first leg of The Weeknd’s massive world tour, with additional dates in Mexico, South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa & Middle East to be announced soonS

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