The Mind Squad would like to send a supreme posthumous born day salute to Albert “Prodigy” Johnson, the lyrical half of the “Infamous” Mobb Deep. In 2017, the Hip-Hop community lost Prodigy in what is recognized as a freak hospital accident, with reports stating that P passed after choking on an egg while hospitalized for his sickle cell condition.
Prodigy will forever be remembered as one of NYC’s powerhouses of the rap game, repping the Rotten Apple in feuds within the five boroughs (Jay-Z, Tru Life) as well as cross country (Tupac, Crooked I). With his QB partner Havoc, the Hempstead, Long Island native inherited the crown as the king of NYC crime rhyme from his elder Queens comrade Kool G. Rap and upheld his position for more than two decades. P’s solo career was stellar in its own right, with his H.N.I.C. trilogy serving as one of the best solo efforts from an NYC artist that came from a group since Busta Rhymes.
Salute to Prodigy on his what would’ve been his 48th born day and his contributions through his art and music will maintain his relevance in Hip-Hop forever. R.I.P.!
On this day in Hip Hop history, we celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest MC’s of all time, Eminem. Aside from being one the most prolific pure lyricists in Hip Hop, Eminem was a pioneer for diversity in rap culture. As the first white rapper to gain international acclaim, Eminem forever changed rap and proved that Hip Hop did not exist in a ethnic vacuum. Eminem brought with him a dark and angry demeanor like nothing Hip Hop had seen in the past. Although horrorcore, the rap sub-genre riddled with violence and destruction, had already been popularized by groups like Three 6 Mafia and NWA, Eminem added an introspective twist. His lyrics dealt more with internal conflicts caused by life experience rather than the external struggle of gang culture. In honor of his bornday, we have compiled a list of Eminem’s ten greatest singles that represent all sides of his ridiculously successful career.
#10 “When I’m Gone” – Curtain Call: The Hits
Serving as what was supposed to be Eminem’s farewell to Hip Hop, “When I’m Gone” was the previously unreleased outro to Eminem’s greatest hits album Curtain Call:The Hits. Peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it was obvious that it he were true to his word, Eminem would have truly been missed. Thankfully for most, he made his return to rap in 2009 with the release of his sixth studio album Relapse.
#9 “Mockingbird” – Encore
Dedicated to his daughter, Hailie, “Mockingbird” is a very personal single going into depth about Eminem’s love for and relationship with her. The track touches on themes and events in Eminem’s life regarding being a father along with his infamous relationship with ex-wife Kim. This single peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 2004 Grammy’s.
#8 The Way I Am – The Marshall Mathers LP
It’s no secret that Eminem is one of Hip Hop’s most controversial figures. At the beginning of his career, his constant use of profanity and reliance on shock value built up a long list of enemies. Eminem was under constant threat of lawsuit during the early 2000’s and this particular single was a response to some of those instances specifically. As a whole, this single was Eminem’s rebuttal to Interscope Records requesting he tone down his controversial image and fold more into the pop-rapper role they wanted him to play.
#7 Just Lose It – Encore
Along with being a serious lyricist, Eminem is known for some rap music’s most comedic song/video combos. “Just Lose It” is no short of that trend. Featuring a spoof of Bad Santa, botched Michael Jackson, MC Hammer, and Madonna impersonations, and Slim Shady streaking, this may be one of his most outrageous videos. This single was one of Eminem’s international hits, peaking at #1 on the Hot singles charts of seven different countries while only peaking at# 6 in the US).
#6 Cleanin’ Out My Closet – The Eminem Show
What makes Eminem so likable is how fearlessly personal he gets with his music. It’s common Marshall Mathers didn’t have the most pleasant growing up experience nor does he have the best relationship with his mother; and, in “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” Eminem goes into detail about some of the events of his life that led to him being the man he is today. “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” was Eminem’s second Top 10 single, peaking at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (along with being a top 10 hit around the world).
#5 My Name Is – The Slim Shady LP
Serving as Eminem’s introduction to the mainstream, “My Name Is” is one of Eminem’s most important singles. Not only is it the first to win him a Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance in 2000, but it was his first released under Dr. Dre‘s new label Aftermath. This song can also be credited as one of Eminem’s most grotesque. This was the first time in Hip Hop artist used this tactic of shocking vulgarity to grab the attention of the masses. Since, rappers Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt have found a immense level of success from utilizing similar tactics.
#4 Stan – The Marshall Mathers LP
Although it may have only hit the 51st spot on the Billboard Hot 100, “Stan” is one of the most creative rap songs ever written. The song describes the relationship of Eminem and one of his supporters from the perspective of a crazed obsessive fan. Featuring and altered version of Dido‘s “Thank You”, the songs somber melodic tone creates a theatrical experience for the listener. The song was another international hit for Eminem, claiming the#1 spot in twelve countries and won Best International Artist Video at the MuchMusic Video Awards.
#3 The Real Slim Shady – The Marshall Mathers LP
As the first single for Eminem’s third album, “The Real Slim Shady” set the record straight as who the number one white rapper in the game was. Naturally as a byproduct of his success, Eminem had to deal with both imitators and impostors sullying his name. There had been both a rise in white rap in the Midwest and a surge of young white american’s taking Eminem’s violent message literally. With this record, Eminem again defined who he was as both a persona and an artists given listeners an authentic picture of who and what Slim Shady actually is. The song peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Euro Hot 100, #1 in Canada, and #1 in the UK. The track also won the Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance in 2001.
#2 Without Me – The Eminem Show
During the height of his career, it was hard to picture the rap game without his influence. His videos were clouded the airwaves, his singles bombarded the radio, and his image began to concentrate the streets as fans began to bleach their hair and wear baggy white tees at every occasion. “Without Me” quickly became an international anthem of the Hip Hop white boy. The song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was his highest ranking single to date. The single was also nominated for Record of the Year at the 2003 Grammy’s and claimed the #1 spot on the music charts of 16 countries.
#1 Lose Yourself – 8 Mile
With the #1 spot in 21 countries, two Grammy’s (Best Rap Song and Best Solo Rap Performance), an Academy Award (Best Original Song), and over 15 million copies sold, it is obvious that “Lose Yourself” is Eminem’s biggest single. As the theme song to his pseudo-bio pic 8 Mile (which made 242.9 million in box office), “Lose Yourself” tells the story of someone with a goal in mind that they will do anything to achieve. As one of his more motivational tracks it is easy to see it’s appeal. The song has been used in countless add campaigns, television shows, and even films other than 8 Mile.
From everyone here at The Source Magazine and TheSource.com, Happy Birthday Eminem. May you see many more years of ridiculous success.
One celebrity birthday is already a lot, but two of them under the same roof means that fans have to really test their vocal chops when they sing their congratulations. Moreover, this just happened at Usher’s recent Las Vegas show on Saturday (October 14), which called for a special occasion with a fellow R&B superstar of his. The now-45-year-old was born on October 14, whereas Ashanti– who was in attendance that night- turned 43 the previous Friday (October 13). As such, they just had to take advantage of the occasion and wish each other well on their special 24 hours. While onstage, both singers sang “Happy Birthday” to each other, and the crowd made sure to give it their all for the two.
Of course, it’s not like the party stopped there, as the DJ immediately started laying some beats down for everyone to turn up. Overall, it seems like it was all just a massive party, and Usher and Ashanti certainly deserve such extravagant birthday celebrations. They aren’t just musical contemporaries, but also kindred spirits in terms of what they represent for R&B and what how they impacted the culture as a whole. As such, it’s great to see them celebrate and give each other their flowers for all the success and camaraderie they share.
However, don’t get it twisted; even though they came up during a similar time and seem close, they never became romantically involved. Instead, Ashanti dated Nelly, and the two recently rekindled their romance after a lot of speculation. They seem happier than ever these days, and a birthday tribute from the rapper to the 43-year-old showcased a lot of their treasured memories together. “”One time for the birthday girl…” he expressed in the Instagram post’s caption. “@ashanti Enjoy your day Ma you look awesome!!!! Happy Birthday Love ya!!!!”
Meanwhile, the Confessions singer is having a heck of a year himself, what with the Vegas residency, new singles, an album on the way, and of course, the announcement of his Super Bowl halftime show next year. What are you looking forward to the most from these two superstars? Let us know in the comments down below. Also, for more news and the latest updates on Usher and Ashanti, stick around on HNHH.
Even though Tory Lanez has limited contact and resources from behind bars, he can apparently still make a phone call to one of his streaming buddies. Moreover, Adin Ross recently claimed that he received a prison phone call from the Canadian artist on Wednesday (October 11), which was his birthday. Considering that the two go way back, it’s no surprise that they’re still in touch with each other, and it’s at least heartening to see that Lanez has the chance to reach out. However, even though we don’t have any audio or footage of the call, but it would be an odd thing to clout-chase through.
“Thanks bro, it was my birthday,” Adin Ross was telling a friend. “It was my birthday on October 11. Tory Lanez called me in jail and wished me a happy birthday, that was kinda cr*zy. Yeah, it’s kinda cr*zy. He called me and he was like, ‘Yo bro, you think I would forget?’ I was like, ‘Oh, s**t.’ It was *nsane. W Tory, Free Tory, bro, he literally called me on my birthday. That’s *nsane.”
Of course, after streaming together and the content creator defending Tory Lanez amid his shooting case with Megan Thee Stallion, their friendship is understandably tight. Adin Ross also has his own controversies to handle, which make them a pretty criticized duo on the Internet. In addition, he’s gotten a lot of flack from fans online for continuing to blast Megan and defend Tory’s alleged innocence. Even though the court case itself is over and done with, it seems like Ross isn’t ready to live it down.
“I’ma talk on the situation, real quick,” he remarked about commenting on Megan Thee Stallion’s post with a “Free Tory” message. Throughout this statement, he claimed there to be “no evidence” against the rapper. “This is all I’m gonna say: I’m not apologizing for s**t. It’s still free Tory. Free him. He’s innocent. Alright? I don’t care! I’ve been canceled for way worse. This is not even bad, what I’m saying. I hate this s**t, bro.” For more news and updates on Tory Lanez and Adin Ross, stick around on HNHH.
Born on this day in 1970, Lana Michelle Moorer has been a pillar of feminism and respect for women in Hip Hop since her 1986 debut. After her first single, “I Cram to Understand U” sent shock waves through the growing New York Hip Hop scene, Lyte was awarded a record deal from First Priority Music and given the ability to take her message to the street.
MC Lyte was the first woman to tackle any issue of feminism in Hip Hop and was in no way quiet about it. Her debut album, Lyte as a Rock, was a middle finger to Hip Hop’s male standard, serving as the first full-length album from a female rapper. Here stood a young woman lyrically holding her own in a sea of some of the most hungry and prolific MC’s in the genre’s history while simultaneously checking the whole industry on their lack of respect for the fairer sex. Her ability commanded a positive response and made her a new force to be reckoned with.
Her follow up album only did more for her career, creating her image as Hip Hop’s female kingpin, demanding respecting and delivering nothing but fire. This album, titled Eyes on This, also housed Lyte’s first hit single “Cha Cha Cha” which spent 18 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart proving that MC Lyte was here to stay.
Today we celebrate the 66th birthday of Hip Hop pioneer Russell Simmons!
Since the founding of Def Jam Recordings in 1983, Russell Simmons has been an instrumental part in the advancement of Hip Hop culture. Over his illustrious career Russell has launched the careers of multi-platinum artists (LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and Public Enemy to name a few), co-founded top-selling clothing lines Baby Phat and Phat Farm, created financial institutions with the Rush Card, and award-winning television shows Def Poetry Jam and Run’s House. It is nearly impossible to say what the state of rap music and Hip Hop culture would be today with the Russell Simmons influence.
Lately, Uncle Rush has even begun taking large strides outside of the entertainment and financial industries, becoming Hip Hop’s new-age spiritual guru. Since 2010, Simmons has released self-help books sharing his views on religion, spirituality, and even health. Through his Hindu and vegan lifestyles, Uncle Rush has assumed the role of mentor to a vast majority of today’s top recording artists.
Over the years, Hip Hop empires have risen to power and fallen from the mountaintop. Russell Simmons, however, has always been able to brave the tide and stand strong as one of the most impregnable forces of marketing and branding expertise. Since his first project, Run D.M.C., it has been obvious that no one truly understands Hip Hop the way that Russell Simmons does. His Midas touch continues to transform the culture into something new (and more profitable) with every idea he brings to fruition. He is truly a rap genius.
Born on this date in 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, Black Thought, the lead emcee of the legendary Hip Hop band The Roots, has created his key to success with simply one word; longevity.
Thought has always been regarded as one of the most lyrical post-Golden Era emcees, yet received very little recognition for his prowess outside of his work with the entire Roots band, that is now a staple of ‘The Tonight Show’. This summer’s Streams Of Thought: Vol. 1 just further proves his “staying power” in any circles where rhymes being spit.
Growing up in a Nation Of Islam household, Trotter’s family life was very cultured, which led him to seek knowledge among the Five Percent Nation in his high school days. There is where he met The Roots’ co-founder Amhir Thompson, where they originally named the group The Square Roots.
Throughout the two-decade span of his illustrious career since the Roots debut in 1993, Thought has managed to earn a Grammy win, appear in two blockbuster films(Bamboozled, Brooklyn Babylon) and appeared on several groundbreaking albums.
On this day, The Source Magazine would like to salute Mr. Trotter on his Birthday wishing him an enjoyable day and many more to come!
Today, we celebrate the 41st birthday of Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., also known as Lil Wayne. The premiere CMB artist has broken barriers as a rapper, songwriter, record executive, entrepreneur, and father.
His career began in 1995, at the age of 12, when he was discovered by Birdman and joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo The B.G.’z, alongside fellow New Orleans-based rapper B.G.
The duo then joined the southern hip hop group Hot Boys, with Cash Money label-mates Juvenile and Turk in 1997 and released their debut album Get It How U Live! that same year. The group blew up following the release of the platinum-selling album Guerrilla Warfare and the insanely popular single “Bling Bling”. Lil Wayne held it down for Cash Money Records before ending his long-tenured deal with the company in June 2018.
With hit after hit after, Lil Wayne dominated the charts and remains one of the most undefeated rapper/CEO’s to date.
Salute to Wayne on his day today and many more hereafter!
Lil Wayne is in album mode. With Lil Wayne currently prepping Tha Carter VI, he told fans about a project before the album, titled Tha Fix Before Tha VI. The project has a pre-save link but not a hard date for release, as the supporting website reads coming soon.
Last month, Lil Wayne opened the 2023 VMAs. With the show hitting the screen, Weezy stood as an instrumental of “Back That Azz Up” played before erupting into a performance of “Uproar.” The Best Rapper Alive would finish off his set with a performance of the new single, “Kat Food.”
Happy born day to Mr.Clifford Harris Jr. aka T.I.!
Throughout the years, T.I. has become one of the most relevant forces in hip-hop. Besides his music career, T.I. is an actor, spokesperson for the AKOO clothing, and the leader of Hustle Gang, which includes Iggy Azealia, B.O.B, Young Dro, and more.
Today, we celebrate Tip’s 43rd birthday by showcasing jams that highlights his growth as an artist.
Fuck Da City Up Feat. Young Jeezy If T.I. wanted to, his mixtape game would be a lot more extensive. The title track of his first mixtape Fuck Da City Up was finally able to breathe, even if it was an online release. But since the tapes are beneath him, you got to appreciate when he makes a collabo with Young Jeezy pop off.
U Don’t Know Me Mr. Harris kept his head in the game. Though there were a few signature hits to come off Urban Legendz, “You Don’t Know Me” went hard and made room for tracks like “ASAP” and “Motivation” to gain heavy momentum amongst the masses.
What You Know The Kang of the South put himself on hip-hop’s pedestal with his smash single “What You Know.” The Southern anthem highlighted his King album and was on repeat in every major hip-hip radio station in the country.
Big Shit Poppin (Do It) T.I. wanted to showcase his battle against himself for his fifth album T.I. vs. TIP. “Big Shit Poppin (Do It)” hit the Billboard Top 100 chart at #9, eventually obtaining certified gold.
Live Your Life Feat. Rihanna Paper Trails put T.I. at a plateau with the success of the hit single “Live Your Life” with Roc Nation’s Rihanna. The memorable O-Zone sample created an international buzz that had new fans copping the album just the hear the Tip and RiRi collaboration.
Today marks the 50th birthday of one of hip-hop’s most treasured lyricists, Nas.
By many, Nasir Jones is number one on their top, 10, 5, and 3 lists of the greatest emcees to ever touch the mic in Hip-Hop history. Marbled as the prodigal, deep, and lyrically intellectual spitter, Nas’ coming into Hip-Hop owned multidimensional potency. Not only was he a dexterous battle rapper, but the Queensbridge emcee was also gifted with a melodic touch for wax.
His 1991 debut on Main Source’s “Live At the BBQ” was an impressive display of the young Nas’ lyrical dexterity, on a collective track with ridiculous blows.
“Verbal assassin, my architect pleases/When I was twelve, I went to hell for snuffing Jesus,” Nas easily launched the most compelling debut of a Hip-Hop emcee.
The mesmerizing drop eventually leads to a deal with Columbia Records, where he goes on cement a legacy.
Over the course of two years, Nas huddled some of the culture’s best producers of the time, Large Professor, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, and Pete Rock to mold the echo of his debut album, Illmatic. The 1994 gem gained the likes of Hip-Hop purists and the young black youth. Drawing up the panoramic narrative as the young black boy from Queensbridge on the quest for survival, the 10-track piece is considered to be the greatest Hip-Hop album of all time.
The lyrical finesse of Escobar season continued to sizzle throughout Hip-Hop’s most prominent’s eras with profiled classics such as his certified sophomore debut, 1996’s It Was Written followed by I Am…(1999), Nastradamus (1999), Stillmatic (2001), God’s Son (2002), up to 2018’s NASIR.
Nas has truly made his way into the prestigious lines of Hip-Hop heights. As of 2018, Nasty Nas is certainly heralded as rap royalty, respectfully. His influential reach stands beyond his lyrical supremacy, but his unmatched spirit which is true to the art form of rap.
Happy Birthday to one of the greatest lyricists in Hip-Hop history, Nas.
