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Red Bull Launches “Red Bull 1520” Featuring Original Hip Hop Series

March 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

This month, Red Bull officially debuted Red Bull 1520, a new YouTube channel dedicated to hip-hop programming from the world of Red Bull, featuring beats, bars and live performances from rap’s next movement. Ensuring fans never miss a beat, Red Bull 1520 will showcase exclusive content from Red Bull’s various music events across the U.S. as well as original series featuring content you won’t find anywhere else.

Informed by the artists and movements born from the last 50 years of hip-hop but focused on the future of the genre, Red Bull 1520 pays homage to the culture through talent-driven and engaging programming, starting with the debut of two new monthly hip-hop music series: Red Bull Spiral and Red Bull Rap IQ.

Based on the popular Japanese format, Red Bull Rasen, Red Bull Spiral invites 3-4 MCs to Red Bull’s LA recording studio to collaborate on a one-of-a-kind cypher. Filmed in one continuous take, Red Bull Spiral challenges even the most seasoned artists to stay cool under pressure and deliver perfect bars as the camera spins through the studio, capturing every movement. Watch LA crew Coast Contra kick off the series with their debut episode here, and look out for upcoming drops featuring KenThe Man, Kalan.FrFr, Baby Tate, LaRussell, Buddy, Nana, and more.

“We definitely had to take our time and approach this like a show,” says Coast Contra’s Ras Austin. “It’s a challenge but we wanted to make it as fun of an experience for the viewers as we could. When Taj gets in a certain pocket and everybody starts a rotation in sync with his flow. Super dope moment!”

The post Red Bull Launches “Red Bull 1520” Featuring Original Hip Hop Series appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Run-D.M.C. Dropped Their Self Titled Debut Album 39 Years Ago

March 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On this date in 1984, the Kings from Queens released their first self-titled album on Def Jam Recordings under Rush Management.

This monumental album put Daryl McDaniels (DMC), Joseph Simmons (DJ Run), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay) on the map, and launched one of the most successful careers Hip-Hop has ever seen.

With songs like “Sucker MCs,” “It’s Like That,” “Hard Times” and “Rock Box,” the record was an accurate reflection of the lives of three ambitious kids from Hollis, Queens in New York City in a time before the crack epidemic.

Simmons and McDaniels used to hang around Two-Fifths Park in Hollis in late 1980, hoping to rap for the local DJs who performed and competed there. The most popular one just happened to be Mizell, then known as “Jazzy Jase” because of his flashy wardrobe and b-boy attitude. Eventually, Simmons and McDaniels rapped in front of Mizell at the park, and the rest is history.

As a group, they soon strapped on a pair of Adidas, threw on a rope chain and topped it off with a Kangol hat. Little did they know, they were crafting a signature style, one that has stood the test of time and is widely recognized around the world.

Run-D.M.C. went on to release six more albums, including 1985’s King of Rock and 1986’s Raising Hell. Tragically, Mizell was gunned down on October 30, 2002, at his recording studio in Queens. Countless fans left Adidas sneakers, albums and flowers for the legendary DJ outside of the studio, where the murder occurred. The homicide has yet to be solved.

Run-D.M.C. was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, making them one of only two Hip Hop acts given that honor at the time.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Run-D.M.C. Dropped Their Self Titled Debut Album 39 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: The Notorious B.I.G. Dropped His Posthumous ‘Life After Death’ LP 26 Years Ago

March 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Notorious B.I.G. released his second album, Life After Death. The double LP was released posthumously by Bad Boy Records. Biggie, who was killed two weeks prior to its release, was nominated for three Grammy’s for this project: Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance for “Hypnotize” and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Mo Money Mo Problems.”

Featuring artists like 112, Jay-Z, Lil’ Kim, Ma$e, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Too $hort and R. Kelly, along with tracks like “Kick In The Door,” “What’s Beef,” “Notorious Thugs,” “Ten Crack Commandments” and “Sky’s The Limit,” it can be said that Life After Death is one of the greatest rap albums of all time. The album hit #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the US Top R&B/Hip Hop chart. It went diamond (that’s 10,000,000 copies sold) in the United States alone, double platinum in Canada, and platinum in the UK. Life After Death has also made appearances on top music charts across the globe. The album has been ranked by countless publications as one of the top rap and Hip-Hop albums of all time (The Source ranked it as #8 in 2005).

Salute to Diddy and the rest of the Bad Bot family for this timeless piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: The Notorious B.I.G. Dropped His Posthumous ‘Life After Death’ LP 26 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: The Diplomats’ Debut Album ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ Turns 20 Years Old!

March 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On this date two decades ago, Cam’ron’s crew from Harlem, The Diplomats, dropped their debut album Diplomatic Immunity on the Roc A Fella Records/Def Jam imprint during the pivotal time when Dame Dash appointed Cam’ron as the President of Roc-A-Fella Records.

Coming on the heels of the release of Cam’s Come Home With Me LP, Diplomatic Immunity introduced the entire Dipset squad, including Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Freekey Zeekey, Un Kasa, and Hell Rell. With production from the likes of Heatmakerz, DR Period, and a then virtually unknown Kanye West, the trailblazing sound of old soul samples pushed Dipset to the forefront of the creative curve of Hip Hop, which offered the Blood-affiliated crew from Uptown an almost cult-like following. Rell was incarcerated by the time the album was available for purchase.

The album was saturated with longstanding hits such as “I Really Mean It,” the infectious “Dipset Anthem,” the female-friendly “Hey Ma,” and the Master P assisted “Bout It Bout It…Part I “. Commercially, the album was considered average, debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200 and selling 92,000 copies in its first week, but the album was certified Gold by the RIAA in 2005.

Salute to Cam, Juelz on the inside, Jim Jones, Freekey, and Hell Rell for this 20 year old classic piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Diplomats’ Debut Album ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ Turns 20 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Did Wendy Williams Cancel Rumored Podcast Plans?

March 24, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Back in December, former talk show veteran Wendy Williams showed up on Instagram to sell her podcast merchandise and shared she’s ‘just happy to be here’. For months, Wendy has been teasing fans about her upcoming podcast leaving fans to wonder if she was indeed ready to return to the public eye.

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A post shared by The Wendy Experience (@thewendyexperiencepodcast)

Now insiders are claiming that Wendy’s podcast is no longer in discussion.

OK! reports:

Wendy Williams reportedly spilled to friends that “The Wendy Experience Podcast” has been canceled following months of hyping up the long-awaited project.

The ailing former television host first announced the podcast last July and even dropped merchandise online for the then-upcoming show.

She followed up the announcement in November 2022 by insisting the podcast would debut within the “next few weeks.” However, as of now, her website’s link to the section that previously detailed the podcast no longer works.

“It’s strange, because she is saying there is no podcast, but is also telling people she’s going to return to TV,” a source dished on Williams’ increasingly bizarre behavior concerning her stalled career. “It’s hard to figure out what is based in reality.”
Do you think Wendy can regain her crown as ‘Queen of all media’?

Watch throwback Wendy below!

The post Did Wendy Williams Cancel Rumored Podcast Plans? appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] DJ Envy Starts Debate For Saying 50 Cent Would Beat Lil Wayne In Verzuz Battle

March 24, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On the most recent episode of Apple Music’s Rap Life Review featuring Lowkey, Nadaska, and Eddie Francis, two of the three said that Lil Wayne would have to sequence his songs in the right order in a Verzuz battle in order to beat 50 Cent.

Lowkey said, “Wayne don’t have a Get Rich Or Die Tryin.’” I ain’t sayin’ 50 gonna wash Wayne but if Wayne’s not sequenced right, and it’s not positioned correctly, that could be a very long f***ing night.”

Envy and Charlamagne added on to the convo on The Breakfast Club with Charlamagne agreeing with Lowkey, saying, “Yes, Lil Wayne doesn’t have a Get Rich but Lil Wayne has massive, massive amounts of hits… One album cannot win you a Verzuz.” Envy cut him off by adding, “He is right… Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is a classic album but you can’t sit there and act like Lil Wayne doesn’t have classic bodies of work.”

Charlamagne said Fif “would need something more than just Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ to go against one of the top five, potentially top 3, greatest rappers alive.” DJ Envy ended the debate by saying that “50 Cent would win that battle.”

See the debate below.

The post [WATCH] DJ Envy Starts Debate For Saying 50 Cent Would Beat Lil Wayne In Verzuz Battle appeared first on The Source.

Taxstone Found Guilty of Manslaughter in 2016 Irving Plaza Shooting

March 24, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Hip-Hop podcaster and personality Taxstone has been found guilty of manslaughter in a shooting that led to the death of Ronald McPhatter, known as Banga, in Irving Plaza in New York City.

According to ABC-NY, Taxstone, legally known as Darryl Campbell, will be sentenced next month. District Attorney Alvin Bragg referred to the incident as a “tragic and deadly confrontation in a packed New York City music venue.”

Last week, rapper Troy Ave took the stand at Taxstone’s murder trial to testify about the events that caused a fatal shootout at a 2016 concert at Irving Plaza in New York City.

According to the New York Post, Troy Ave had his day in court on Monday (March 13), testifying that he shot simply out of a fight or flight response after Taxstone allegedly shot at him first.

He said there were about 100 people in the greenroom when he heard Tax yell, “What’s popping?” in what he perceived to be a “threatening” way.

“Banga turns around to me and says, ‘I’m gonna rock him,’ which means, ‘I’m gonna hit him,’” he testified. “And then I wink at him — I tell him, ‘Do your thing.’”

He alleges that’s when Tax reached for his gun, and the melee began.

Detailing the gripping situation, he said, “When the shot goes off, I see the light from the spark, and I hear the shot. This is all happening fast. I get up and start fighting Taxstone, trying to take him, grab the gun, and another shot goes off. I put my leg up to kind of block the shot from hitting me in the face or chest.”

According to Troy, that’s when Tax shot him in both legs.

“If it’s fight or flight, I’m always going to fight because at that point you could die,” Ave reportedly told the Manhattan Supreme Court. “I’d rather die fighting. People die from leg shots. I’d rather die fighting than laying on the ground.”

Troy Ave said he was then able to wrestle the gun out of Tax’s hands – but it then misfired and that’s when he noticed his bodyguard laying face down on the ground.

Ronald “Banga” McPhatter was pronounced dead in the aftermath. Two bystanders were also wounded.

Troy Ave was initially charged with attempted murder and gun possession for his role in the incident. While the Brooklyn-bred rapper was put behind bars at first, his legal team negotiated a one-year sentence — instead of the 15 years he could have faced — in exchange for his testimony at Tax’s trial.

Taxstone and Troy Ave had a history of beef that came to a head over when they ran into each other backstage at T.I.’s show. Troy— who said he wasn’t supposed to be there —was set to be an opening act. Tax was charged in January 2017 after police said they found his DNA on the gun used in the shooting.

Courtneyb contributed to this story

The post Taxstone Found Guilty of Manslaughter in 2016 Irving Plaza Shooting appeared first on The Source.