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Kanye West’s “Graduation” Reaches 5 Billion Total Spotify Streams

December 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

By almost any metric, Kanye West is one of the biggest artists in the history of rap music. He has an extensive list of accolades both critically and commercially that speak to his massive popularity and influence. His last album to hit streaming platforms was 2021’s Donda and the project performed quite well. The album currently sits with 6 different tracks sporting over 100 million streams. It’s led by smash hits “Praise God” and “Hurricane” which have surpassed 400 and 300 million streams respectively.

But even the rapper’s older material does massive numbers on streaming. His 2007 sophomore album Graduation is one of his highest-selling projects. Despite coming out before most Spotify users were even on the platform, the project now sports over 5 billion total streams. Four different songs on the record have surpassed 500 million streams including “I Wonder” and “Homecoming” with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. His anthem about the trappings of fame “Flashing Lights” has surpassed 800 million streams. While the album’s biggest hit, the Daft Punk-sampling “Stronger” has racked up more than 1.3 billion plays all on its own.

Kanye West’s Newest Spotify Milestone

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Kanye West is currently gearing up to release a new collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign called Vultures. The project was originally supposed to drop earlier this month, but was never released. The actual release date was then moved to New Year’s Day, before being moved again to January 12th. Despite the project not being released officially yet, a version of the album has already leaked and many fans are digesting it already.

West recently returned to the US after an extended stay in various European countries. But shortly after coming back he announced plans to take to an entirely different part of the world. He revealed his intentions to build an entire city of his own in the Middle East and asked for various builders, contractors, and designers to join his team. What do you think of Kanye West’s Graduation surpassing 5 billion total streams across all of its songs? Is it your favorite of West’s albums? Let us know in the comment section below.

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North West’s Early Halloween Costume Drew Inspiration From Her Father, Kanye West’s Famous ‘Graduation’ Bear

October 28, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Kanye West North West 2019 — Getty Image

On Friday, October 27, Kanye West‘s daughter North took to her official joint TikTok page (shared with her mother, Kim Kardashian) to reveal her Halloween costume to the world. In a series of videos, she be seen cheerfully dancing in a replica of her father’s famous Dropout Bear (more commonly referred to by fans as the Graduation era bear), to the strains her father’s 2007 songs “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” featuring Jeezy and “I Wonder” off his album Graduation, as well as Estelle’s 2008 song “American Boy,” in which West is featured.

From the leatherman jacket, blinged-out Jesus piece, and a luxury gold watch, North nailed the nostalgic look.

@kimandnorth

♬ Can’t Tell Me Nothing – Kanye West

@kimandnorth

♬ I Wonder – Kanye West

@kimandnorth

♬ american boy – senia ❦

Kanye West’s love for fashion pre-dates his Adidas or Gap collaborations. However, once he found success following his breakthrough single, “Through The Wire,” he ushered several trends into hip-hop, including preppy chic. The Dropout bear is a symbol from that era.

During an interview with Fake Shore Drive in 2021, the symbol’s creator, Sam Hansen, spoke about the mascot’s inspiration. “I’m a Polo head, and I knew Kanye was also, so I was like, yo, we could flip this bear on some Polo sh*t but make it a little more sporty,” said Hansen. “And so I have this sketch. I remember just kind of, like, on a piece of paper, putting sad eyes and sketching out and making it look more collegiate and putting a thick stroke around it, and that’s what we did. … We took the head off the picture of the cover and turned that [into the logo].”

North West’s Halloween Costume Epically Pays Homage To Ye’s “Graduation” Era

October 28, 2023 by newhiphopnews

As Charlamagne Tha God recently observed, Ye’s musical fan base has been notably dwindling in recent years. The 46-year-old has undergone no shortage of creative changes throughout his career, including a shift from experimental hip-hop to gospel music. Thankfully, through it all, the embattled artist knows he can always count on the support of his biggest fan – North West. As the eldest daughter of Kanye and Kim Kardashian, the young nepo baby has obviously had the most time to build a strong bond with her parents, as well as dive into her family patriarch’s discography.

We’ve already seen North pay homage to her dad with fashion choices in the past. Despite going her separate ways from West, Kardashian has made a point to hold onto the rapper’s old clothing for their four children to take inspiration from, and eventually one day wear. Rather than just trying to channel Ye’s signature swagger for Halloween, North proved that she’s done her homework by donning the bear costume previously made famous in his Graduation era.

North West Misses the Old Kanye Too

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On the joint TikTok page she shares with her mom, the 10-year-old posted some videos showing off her outfit while singing along to some of West’s biggest hits. Among songs she’s already learning the lyrics to are “American Boy” with Estelle and “I Wonder,” both of which are taking us back in time thanks to her heartwarming posts. Even if Ye is currently spending some of his time in Europe with Bianca Censori and his closest collaborators, it’s clear North is doing what she can to still feel close to him at this time.

As he continues to work on his latest musical endeavours, Kanye West has been keeping a relatively low profile lately. However, the father of four was the subject of an expose in the New York Times earlier this week, specifically reflecting on more of his troubling anti-Semitic behaviour. Read more about that at the link below, and tell us your thoughts on North West’s tribute to her dad in the comments.

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B.G. Celebrates Graduation From Prison Rehabilitation Program

September 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

B.G. hit up Instagram to celebrate the latest step in his post-prison life. The rapper posted images from his graduation from a program run by Hope for Prisoners. “Yesterday I crossed another hurdle on this field of life…it feels good to grow,evolve,and be a better man now then I was before I went to jail..since I came home I noticed a lot of people are the same people I left,but I’m not the same dude that left..for all my haters keep hating and for all my supporters ima make y’all proud…thank you to my kids,my team,friends,and fans for traveling this journey with me and pushing me to be GREAT…y’all ain’t seen nothing yet..real n-ggas back in style… #RNS Heart of The Streets 3 #ComingSoon,” B.G. captioned a highlight reel from the event.

B.G. was recently released from prison after 11 years behind bars. While originally scheduled to be released in 2024, B.G. had nearly a year removed from his sentence with his September 2023 release. Furthermore, B.G. has returned to Cash Money Records to pursue music now he’s a free man. “For the record, I just want n-ggas to know that my n-gga official Cash Money — ain’t no cap in that,” Birdman said during an appearance on The 85 South Show on September 8. “Ya heard me? Ain’t nobody he can ever sign with beside this shit. I’m bringing all this shit together. B.G. signed to Cash Money so y’all don’t got to hear it from nowhere else.”

B.G.’s Prison Release Explained

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While he might be back in the studio and has a handful of projects on the go, B.G. is still subject to some pretty strict release conditions. The rapper must attend substance dependency treatment programs. Furthermore, he must “actively pursue a GED or vocational training equivalent in order to better set him up for future employment.” Additionally, he must complete 400 hours of unpaid community service and is barred from possessing a firearm. It will be interesting how his immediate post-release life shakes out.

However, the rapper has also been shown plenty of love since getting out. The Game, Bun B, Boosie, and Mack Maine were just some of the figures texting or FaceTiming the rapper. Additionally, B.G. has also confirmed that he has new music on the way, showing that he plans on wasting absolutely no time after finally getting his freedom. Follow all the latest music news here at HotNewHipHop. Are you excited about new music from B.G.? Let us know in the comments.

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Kanye West’s “Graduation” Turns 16

September 19, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On Graduation, Kanye West delivered an undeniable Hip Hop classic. It’s no wonder that 16 years later, the album is still being lauded as a timeless body of work. Throughout his career, West has consistently evolved his musical style, embracing several different genres, and molding them to take whatever shape he chooses. By whatever measure, the artistic visionary has always found ways to top his previous works. In 2007, he reassured the world of his groundbreaking talents, offering an album that truly exemplified his genius and rounded out a flawless trilogy. Kanye West may have ventured into other artistic directions, but Graduation remains one of Hip Hop’s most innovative projects of all time.

Background And Release

kanye west graduation — LAS VEGAS – SEPTEMBER 09: Rappers Kanye West (L) and 50 Cent present the “Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration” award on stage during the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards held at The Palms Hotel and Casino on September 9, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Released on September 11, 2007, and was a monumental success upon release. Better yet, Graduation was a remarkable moment in hip-hop history, as Kanye West and 50 Cent were neck and neck for the best first-week sales that week. While the latter’s Curtis debuted in the second spot, West claimed the throne, with 957,000 copies sold. By the time Graduation was released, Kanye West had already established himself as a noteworthy producer and rapper. His debut album, The College Dropout, introduced a more conscious and soulful style to Hip Hop’s commercial appeal. Additionally, his sophomore project, Late Registration, leaned into a more orchestral direction. However, Graduation introduced a more electronic-inspired sound to mainstream rap.

Read More: What Is Kanye West’s Net Worth?

Production And Musical Style

Kanye West significantly shifted his overall sound while working on Graduation. As previously mentioned, the album embraced electronic and pop elements, delivering a more progressive rap style for listeners. Throughout the album, synthesizers are prominently used. Most famously, he samples Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” on “Stronger.”The now-Diamond-certified hit was a bold move by the rapper. However, it paid off tremendously, merging tinges of electronic music with hip-hop’s ethos, and influencing other artists after him to do the same. Moreover, Graduation was predominantly produced by Kanye West himself, with assistance from veteran producer Mike Dean.

Read More: Kanye West’s Albums, Ranked

Singles And Guest Appearances

Graduation had five singles released out of 13 tracks. “Stronger” was the most successful of them all, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The other four were “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” “Good Life,” “Flashing Lights,” and “Homecoming,” all of which had varying successes on the charts. T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Amos Def, Dwele, and Chris Martin all have guest appearances on the album.

While proving to be a commercial hit, the leap of faith Kanye took on Graduation is noteworthy. The album garnered praised for its successful musical experimentation, cohesiveness, and West’s introspective lyricism. So far, it has been certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. To this day, Graduation is still widely regarded as one of the best albums of 2007.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

This iconic album had a profound cultural impact. Ye’s ability to push the boundaries, once again, undoubtedly influenced the sound of Hip Hop and pop music at large in the mid-2000s. Kanye helped further bridge the gap between Hip Hop and electro sounds, while simultaneously boosting Daft Punk’s presence in the United States.

Even now, 16 years after its release, the album has yet to lose its magic. Furthermore, it continues to blow the minds of music enthusiasts, old and new. As far as influential albums go, Kanye West masterfully shone on Graduation, becoming a continued proof of his musical genius. Moreover, his ability to keep evolving artistically cements him as one of the genre’s greatest talents.

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50 Cent’s “Curtis” Turns 16: A Pivot In A Rap Giant’s Career

September 19, 2023 by newhiphopnews

50 Cent released his third album, Curtis, on September 11, 2007. Although he was already a household name by that point, the album couldn’t have come at a better time. As his music career was still at its peak, Curtis was a continuation of commercial glory for 50 Cent. The beloved body of work turned 16 this year and has been a notable vessel in his lauded discography.

Despite his troubled rise, 50 Cent was clearly destined for fame. After releasing his debut album in 2003, his career experienced a meteoric rise in Hip Hop’s stratosphere. 50 Cent has since evolved into a multifaceted entertainment mogul. Furthermore, his influence now extends far beyond music. However, his stellar career as a rap giant cannot be swept aside, especially with albums like Curtis under his belt.

The Rise Of Curtis

50 cent curtis — LAS VEGAS – SEPTEMBER 09: Rapper Kanye West and Rapper 50-Cent during the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards at The Palms Hotel and Casino on September 9, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Squires/WireImage)

50 Cent already had two multi-platinum albums in his roster before releasing the eponymous Curtis. Naturally, due to his incredible success with Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and The Massacre, Curtis was highly anticipated. Moreover, the buzz surrounding the album was elevated due to it being released on the same day as Kanye West’s third album, Graduation. Hip Hop fans had a field day, as the media greatly raised attention to the friendly rivalry over album sales. Upon its release, Curtis debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, behind Graduation.

50 Cent Explores New Themes On Curtis

50 Cent enlisted major producers, including Dr. Dre and Timbaland to work on Curtis. The production style on the album eventually became a fusion of diverse musical elements. It incorporated samples, synthesizers, and live instrumentation to create a rich sonic landscape that complemented 50 Cent’s lyrical themes. On the album, he covered topics such as love, his rise to fame, and his street credibility. Furthermore, the album did not have a single all-encompassing theme, which, in hindsight, probably led to its mixed reception. Curtis is a mesh of different themes that all come together, with pop elements that were missing from his previous works.

Singles And Guest Appearances

Curtis is a star-studded 17-track album, with 50 Cent having a hoard of artists from a plethora of genres. Notable features on the album range from Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, who appeared on the successful single, “Ayo Technology,” to Akon on “I’ll Still Kill.” Other features include Eminem on “Peep Show,” Robin Thicke on “Follow My Lead,” and Mary J. Blige on “All of Me,” among others. Two of the album’s singles, “I Get Money” and “Ayo Technology” peaked within the top 20 of the Hot 100 chart. “Straight to the Bank” and “I’ll Still Kill” peaked at numbers 32 and 95 respectively. “Amusement Park,” the first single released out of the five, did not make an appearance on the Hot 100 chart, however.

Reception And Commercial Success

Curtis received mixed reviews from critics largely pointing out 50 Cent’s tested formula and and failure to evolve. Nonetheless, the reception towards the album’s production was stellar. Moreover, fans lauded the album, leading to its massive commercial triumph. Despite its lukewarm reception, Curtis peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, with 691,000 copies sold in its first week.

Legacy

While Curtis did not achieve the same level of commercial success as his previous albums, it still contributed to cementing his status as a prominent figure in the rap industry. 16 years after its initial release date, the album is just as enjoyable now as it was when it first dropped. Curtis is still widely regarded as a staple album in the rapper’s large catalog. Since Curtis, 50 Cent has released two more solo studio albums, and a hoard of mixtapes.

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“Graduation” Turns 16: Revisit The Old Kanye West On “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”

September 11, 2023 by newhiphopnews

A lot has changed for Kanye West in the past 16 years. Still, his third studio album, Graduation, has remained an indisputable classic amongst hip-hop heads. The years since 2007 have seen the multi-talent marry and divorce Kim Kardashian, who he shares four young children with. He’s also been cancelled more times than we can count but somehow manages to (mostly) make his way back into the public’s good graces each time. Through all the ups and downs, the Yeezy founder’s carefree attitude has remained the same, as reflected on “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.”

The track was selected to preview Graduation as a single. As Genius notes, it earned a sleeper reputation after being outshone by the LP’s most popular title, “Stronger.” Though he was a much younger man at the time, Ye’s confidence is evident in both his lyrics and delivery. He’s previously stated that “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” remains a favourite in his discography, and we can clearly see why.

“Can’t Tell Me Nothing” is a Graduation Standout

“I had a dream I could buy my way to Heaven / When I awoke, I spent that on a necklace,” The Life of Pablo artist begins. Over production by himself and DJ Toomp, West continues to reflect on the comments he hears from his haters, as well as the struggles that come with a life of fame and fortune. No one else actually rhymes on the single, but Jeezy’s adlibs do bring a certain something to the throwback hit.

Revisit the visual for Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” above, or find the full album to stream on Spotify/Apple Music. Which Graduation track is your all-time favourite? Let us know in the comments, and find more HNHH release recommendations on our Fire Emoji playlist at the link below.

Quotable Lyrics:

To whom much is given, much is tested
Get arrested, guess until he get the message
I feel the pressure, under more scrutiny
And what I do? Act more stupidly

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Busta Rhymes Chose A Show With Chris Brown Over His Son’s Graduation

August 12, 2023 by newhiphopnews

During a recent interview, Busta Rhymes reflected on his achievements. He also opened up about some of the guilt that he deals with due to his “shortcomings” along the way. The artist reveals that missing out of some major milestones in his kids’ lives has made an impact on him. “Living with that for a long time is hard,” he explains. “Because it’s like when and how can I fix it? And you never get an answer to that.“

“When me and Chris Brown performed ‘Look At Me Now’ at BET when Lil Wayne did not do it with us, I missed my son’s high school graduation, my oldest son’s,” he began. “I came home from that and he was upset, and Greenhouse was still open. I threw a party for him at Greenhouse and I had Jim Jones perform, and Ace Hood perform, and I performed. He was happy about the party but he still wasn’t happy about me missing his high school graduation.”

Busta Rhymes Has Lived To Regret It

“I lived with that sh*t for a long time,” Busta Rhymes then shares. “It didn’t matter how much I wanted to say sorry, I knew that it wouldn’t be enough.” He continues, revealing that he hopes his children can forgive him for ways he hasn’t lived up to their expectations. “You hope that one day they understand that the sacrifice that was made was the lesser of the two evils,” he says.

He later went on to weigh the pros and cons of his career, or falling back to be with family. “You’re damned if you do, you’re damned if you don’t,” he explains. He claims that though it’s difficult to grapple with the guilt of missing moments in his family’s life, he’s got to do what he’s got to do. Busta Rhymes says that he does what he can to make sure they’re taken care of, and all he can do is just hope that one day they get it.

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Travis Scott, Tristan Thompson, & The Kardashians Attend Pre-K Graduation Party

June 8, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Travis Scott, Tristan Thompson, and the Kardashians all have a lot in common with one another. Overall, Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner have two children together. Moreover, Tristan Thompson has a couple of kids with Khloe Kardashian. Bringing the love triangle together is Blac Chyna, who now goes by Angela White. She has a child with Rob Kardashian by the name of Dream. Although none of these couples are together anymore, they are still engaged in co-parenting, which is great to see.

According to TMZ, all of these famous folks were in the same vicinity on Wednesday. This is because Stormi, True, and Dream all graduated pre-school. For some, this may be surprising news. After all, it feels like they were all born just yesterday. However, they are all growing up fast, and will soon be going to elementary school. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Kardashians hosted a huge party in Los Angeles. Below, you can see some footage from the event.

Travis Scott & Kylie Jenner In The Same Vicinity

For the most part, of all the exes, Tristan Thompson and Khloe Kardashian were the two that continued to talk to one another. Although, as TMZ reports, Kylie and Travis didn’t have much to say. As for Angela White and Rob Kardashian, there isn’t much to report there either. That said, the party seemed to be quite fun as everyone was excited about these new accomplishments. No matter what, it’s always good seeing a family get together for the common good.

As for Travis Scott, he has a busy month ahead. It is believed that he will be dropping UTOPIA in a few weeks from now. However, none of that has officially been confirmed. Either way, it is going to be interesting to see how his rollout plays out. UTOPIA is one of the most hyped-up projects of the entire year. Overall, it has been five years since the release of Astroworld, and fans are starting to get antsy. That said, this promises to be a special project as Travis has been working on it for a very long time. Let us know your expectations for the album, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news from around the music world.

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DJ Khaled Goes Wild At Son’s Graduation Ceremony

June 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

DJ Khaled recently shared a post on social media in celebration of his 6-year-old son Asahd’s graduation. In the clip, viewers can hear the DJ going nuts in the audience. “Let’s go!” he shouted at the young boy, adding, “I see you!” He captioned his post, “Mommy and daddy so proud of you! @asahdkhaled! We love you so much !!!!!!!!! Happy graduation day ! My son !” The artist also told him, “Young world the world is yours !!!!!!!!!” His post also features footage of Asahd and his classmates performing school-appropriate versions of some of DJ Khaled’s hits.

Fans rushed to the comments section to dote on the sweet post. One user writes, “I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Dj Khaled is an amazing father!!!”
Someone else added, “If Asahd knows nothing else, he knows his daddy loves him!” Another user says, “I love the way this man loves his family!” One viewer took the opportunity to poke fun at the father, writing, “Bro stop embarrassing him,” alongside several laughing emojis.

DJ Khaled Celebrates His Son

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The internet is no stranger to DJ Khaled and his antics. Last month, he shared a video of himself cruising on a jet ski, letting fellow artist Future know he was on his way to him. Future responded to the DJ’s message, telling him “I’m not home, turn around,” alongside laughing-crying faces. He also got cooked by various followers and peers for a post that went viral recently, containing a clip of a look-alike of the DJ twerking. Wack 100 responded to the jarring footage, writing, “WTF DID I JUST SEE. NAW MAN THE WORLD IS CHANGING. THIS ISNT WHAT WE DO … JUST ASK THE COMMUNITY.” Waka Flocka Flame apparently didn’t like what he saw either, commenting “Unfollowing buddy right now.”

DJ also got some attention earlier this year for a Tweet that went viral calling him “fat.” The Tweet read, “Drake is retiring, Migos broken, DJ Khaled is fat, Rap game is in shambles rn.” The caption was accompanied by a meme from Peaky Blinders, showing Cillian Murphy holding a gun to his head. One user wrote, “what did DJ Khaled do to u,” adding laughing emojis. Another commenter shared it, writing, “wait.. DJ Khaled trending cos someone said he was fat? bruh, whole time he.. you know what.. nevermind.”

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