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Happy 56th Birthday To West Coast Legend The D.O.C.!

June 11, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history, Dallas-bred West Coast rapper The D.O.C. was born.Known for his work with N.W.A. and as a huge influence to the G-Funk era as a writer for a number of artists, The D.O.C. is one of the West Coast’s unsung heroes.

Before embarking on a solo career, The D.O.C. was a member of the Texas trio The Fila Fresh Crew consisting of The D.O.C. (then known as Doc-T), Fresh K, and Dr. Rock. The group got their break appearing on NWA’s N.W.A. and the Posse compilation album. Following the album’s success, the group was able to sign a deal with Macola Records and release three studio albums before disbanding in 1988. Shortly after the split, Eazy-E recruited The D.O.C. to work with him on his solo project Eazy-Duz-It on the track “Nobody Move.”

In 1989, The D.O.C. released his debut solo album No One Can Do It Better which spent 2 weeks in the Top 20 on the Billboard 200 chart and claimed the top spot on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart. Following his freshman success, West Coast rappers began to reach out to The D.O.C. to work with him on their own projects.

The D.O.C. has made appearances on Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, and N.W.A.’s 100 Miles and Runnin’ and Niggaz4life. He has also released two addition studio albums Helter Skelter and Deuce which have both appeared on the Billboard 200 chart. It is reported that The D.O.C. is currently working on a fourth and final album with Dr. Dre titled Voices through Hot Vessels who’s released date is still to be determined.

Aside from music, The D.O.C. can be recognized from his song appearances in the popular video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Tony Hawk Underground 2, Madden 2005, and NBA Live 2005, his guest spot in the film “We From Dallas”, or his past relationship with neo-soul songstress Erykah Badu. The two share a daughter named Puma who was born July 5th, 2004.

Regardless of how you may know or have heard of The D.O.C. , his influence on West Coast Hip Hip culture is one that would have definitely been missed. From everyone here at the Source Magazine, Happy Birthday D.O.C. may you see many more years of success.

The post Happy 56th Birthday To West Coast Legend The D.O.C.! first appeared on The Source.

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Goodie Mob’s Ceelo Green Turns 49 Years Old!

May 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Recognized for his eclectic style and distinguishable voice, the Goodie Mob’s Ceelo Green will definitely be getting his “Soul Food” on today as he celebrates his 49th trip around the sun.

Ceelo was born Thomas DeCarlo Callaway-Burton in Atlanta, Georgia to two firefighter parents, both of whom he’s lost by the time he was 18. Green’s love for music started in the church, however, he rose to international fame shortly after embarking on a solo career. Green released two solo efforts before dropping his St. Elsewhere album with Danger Mouse in 2006 after forming the group Gnarls Barkly with the New York-based DJ/producer. ‘Crazy” aided in gaining both Green and Danger Mouse international fame, topping the pole position in the UK and Rolling Stone calling it the “greatest song of the decade.”

Green was one of ten guest musicians who contributed to the 1999 Santana album Supernatural. Lauryn Hill wrote “Do You Like the Way”, and she and Green both provided lead vocals. Green also contributed to the track “We’re All Gonna Die” on the 2000 album Eat at Whitey’s by Everlast, and the song “Reverse” on the 2000 album Forever by Puff Daddy.

The post Goodie Mob’s Ceelo Green Turns 49 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

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Happy 49th Birthday To The One And Only Jadakiss!

May 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

MTA Enlists Jadakiss to Voice COVID 19 Announcements for NYC Subways and Buses

On this date in 1975, the Yonkers rapper Jason Phillips, who is best known under his unique Moniker Jadakiss, was born. Al Qaeda Jada is just one degree short of a half century thsi year.

Known for his longstanding tenure in the game alongside his partners Sheek Louch and Styles P under the Bad Boy umbrella, Jadahas made a distinct mark of his own in Hip Hop which began with his first solo album. 2001’s Kiss The Game Goodbye became an instant hit, led by the party anthem “Knock Yourself Out” and the come up slogan for the hood, “We Gonna Make it”.

Jada was probably crowned the de facto King of New York after his stellar performance in Madison Square Garden in The L.O.X.’s VERZUZ win over Dipset.

Suprem born day shout out to Jada! Enjoy today and many more hereafter!!

The post Happy 49th Birthday To The One And Only Jadakiss! first appeared on The Source.

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Happy 49th Birthday To Outkast’s Own Andre 3000!

May 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Rapper/actor and member of the legendary Hip-Hop duo Outkast, Mr. Andre 3000 turns 49 today!

Andre Benjamin is known for his eclectic style and flows, from his start with the Dungeon Family to his movie roles in films like Idlewild and Jimi: All Is by My Side. He has become a household name as a solo artist as well as part of a legendary group and he continues to evolve with the times. Happy Birthday Mr. 3000 from TheSource.com!

The post Happy 49th Birthday To Outkast’s Own Andre 3000! first appeared on The Source.

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Happy Heavenly Born Day to ‘The Overweight Lover’ Heavy D!

May 24, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history, “The Overweight Lover” Heavy D was born in Mandeville, Jamaica, in 1967. If he were alive today, he’d be 56 years old.

Heavy D, born Dwight Errington Myers, moved to Mount Vernon, New York, in the late 1970s. In the mid-1980s, Heavy D, DJ Eddie F, and dancers T-Roy and G-Wiz signed with Uptown Records and began their journey to fame and adoration as Heavy D & The Boyz. The group’s debut Living Large was released in 1987 and was a marginal success selling 300,000 copies.

The group began to rise in popularity, helping Heavy D to become a pop sensation. The success of the group’s second and third albums, Big Tyme and Peaceful Journey, allowed Heavy D to collaborate with artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, B.B. King, and more. Through the start of the 1990s, Heavy D began making more and more appearances in music videos and on TV, and in films.

In the mid-1990s, Heavy D became the first rapper to run a record label when he became president of Uptown Records. Before becoming president, Heavy D was instrumental in hiring Sean Combs as an intern. He also convinced Andre Harrel to sign Jodeci. As president, Heavy D worked with and developed the boy band Soul for Real and was the executive producer and principal writer for the majority of their debut album. His success as an executive led to him becoming senior vice president of Universal Music.

Heavy D passed away on November 8, 2011, from complications caused by a blood clot in his leg. His final performance at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards was his first televised performance in 15 years. Heavy D’s legacy will live on forever in the work he created and the mark he left on the Hip Hop industry as a whole.

The post Happy Heavenly Born Day to ‘The Overweight Lover’ Heavy D! first appeared on The Source.

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Happy 57th Birthday To Compton Legend MC Eiht!

May 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Today (May 22) marks the 57th birthday of Compton-born gangster rapper MC Eiht. Known for his role in the 1993 cult classic film, Menace II Society, MC Eiht created an entire body of work out of his experiences growing up in Compton.

His name was inspired by the numeral element in KRS-One’s moniker, but he chose the number “8” because of its significance in “hood culture,” including 8-balls, Olde English 800, and .38 caliber handguns.

As the de facto leader of West Coast Hip Hop group Compton’s Most Wanted(CMW), he helped introduce the world to fellow Compton-based rappers Boom Bam, Tha Chill, DJ Mike T, DJ Slip, and Ant Capone.

He’s released an astonishing 16 albums, culminating with the yet-to-be-released Which Way Iz West. Often mentioned in the same breath as DJ Quik, the two previously had problems, but have since worked them out.

Happy Birthday to the Straight Up Menace!

The post Happy 57th Birthday To Compton Legend MC Eiht! first appeared on The Source.

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Happy Heavenly Birthday Notorious B.I.G.! 10 Memorable Biggie Verses

May 21, 2024 by newhiphopnews

HappyBirthdayNotoriousB.I.G.!(R.I.P.)MemorableBiggieVerses

Today, “the greatest rapper of all time” was born; Brooklyn’s own Christopher Wallace, better known as the Notorious B.I.G. Smalls had the game on lock before an unknown suspect gunned him down on March 9, 1997. His music, however, lives on.

From his debut single, “Juicy,” to charted success through his collaborations with protégé group, Junior Mafia to the infamous East Coast/West Coast beef, and his individual feud with West Coast rapper, Tupac, Smalls’ triumph is legendary and continues to resonate with fans.

The rap slayer had numerous hits in his catalog and even more memorable lines. There were several times, however, Smalls was ruthless and aggressive, although as fans we may have been unaware if there was an underlying issue or a diss record target, but we definitely rapped along with his merciless storytelling lyrics. In honor of the Notorious’ 46^th birthday, here are 10 most cutthroat Biggie Smalls lyrics.

Dead Wrong

“Relax and take notes, while I take tokes of the marijuana smoke. Throw you in a choke – gun smoke, gun smoke. Biggie Smalls for mayor, the rap slayer, the hooker layer – motherf*cker say your prayers. Hail Mary full of grace; smack the b*tch in the face, take her Gucci bag and the North Face off her back. Jab her if she act funny with the money, oh you got me mistaken honey.”

Machine Gun Funk

“Sticks and stones break bones, but the gat’ll kill you quick, especially when I’m drunk off the liquor.”

Respect

“Now I’m thirteen, smokin’ blunts, makin’ cream, on the drug scene, f*ck a football team. Riskin’ ruptured spleens by the age of sixteen. Hhearing ‘ the coach scream at my lifetime dream, I mean I wanna blow up, stack my dough up. So school I didn’t show up, it f*cked my flow up.”

Kick In Ya Door

“So, Jesus, get off the Notorious penis, before I squeeze and bust. If the beef between us, we can settle it with the chrome and metal sh*t. I make it hot, like a kettle get, you’re delicate, you better get, who sent ya?”

Party and Bullsh*t

“But all we wanna know is “Where the party at?” And can i bring my gat? If not, I hope I don’t get shot. But I throw my vest on my chest ’cause n*ggas is a mess. It don’t take nothin’ but frontin’ for me to start somethin’.”

10 Crack Commandments

“Number nine, shoulda been number one to me: if you ain’t getting bagged stay the f*ck from the police. If n*ggas think you snitchin they aint tryna listen. They be sitting in your kitchen, waiting to start hitting.”

Suicidal Thoughts

“When I die, f*ck it I wanna go to hell. Cause I’m a piece of sh*t, it ain’t hard to f*ckin’ tell. It don’t make sense, goin’ to heaven wit the goodie-goodies. Dressed in white, I like black timbs and black hoodies. God will probably have me on some real strict shit. No sleepin’ all day, no gettin my d*ck licked.”

Notorious Thugs

“Armed and dangerous, ain’t too many can bang with us. Straight up weed, no angel dust, label us Notorious. Thug ass n*ggas that love to bust, it’s strange to us. Y’all n*ggas be scramblin, gambling. Up in restaurants with mandolins, and violins. We just sittin here tryin to win, tryin not to sin. High off weed and lots of gin. So much smoke need oxygen, steadily counting them Benjamins.”

Who Shot Ya?

“Who shot ya? Separate the weak from the obsolete. Hard to creep them Brooklyn streets. It’s on, n*gga, f*ck all that bickering beef. I can hear sweat trickling down your cheek. Your heartbeat sound like Sasquatch feet. Thundering, shaking the concrete….

I burn, baby, burn like Disco Inferno. Burn slow like blunts with yayo. Peel more skins than Idaho potato. N*ggas know, the lyrical molestin’ is takin’ place. F*ckin’ with B.I.G. it ain’t safe.”

Freestlye at MSG

“I got 7 Mac-11’s. About eight 38s. Nine 9s. 10 Mac Tens. The shit never ends. You can’t touch my riches. Even if you had MC Hammer and them 357 b*tches…..Oh my God I’m dropping shit like a pigeon. I hope your listening. Smacking babies at their christening.”

The post Happy Heavenly Birthday Notorious B.I.G.! 10 Memorable Biggie Verses first appeared on The Source.

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Happy Heavenly Birthday To Michael Brown!

May 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Michael Orlandus Darrion Brown, the 18-year-old victim of police brutality in Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, would’ve celebrated his 28th birthday today had his life not been cut short by Officer Darren Wilson on August 9, 2014.

There was a confrontation between Officer Wilson, a 29-year-old white male, and Brown, a 18-year-old Black male who’d graduated from Normandy High School just eight days before his death, which ended with Brown being shot six times, all in the front of his body. All confirmed reports and video surveillance footage show that Brown was killed with his hands in the air.

To say that the investigation into Brown’s homicide was insubordinate is an understatement, with the St. Louis County Police Department taking over an hour to arrive to the crime scene, but they claim that the gunfire from the surrounding and growing crowd kept them from the scene of the crime. The FBI launched an investigation into Brown’s death just two days after he was killed but in March 2015, cleared Wilson of violating Michael Brown’s civil rights, in the shooting. The investigation concluded there was no evidence upon which prosecutors could rely to disprove Wilson’s asserted belief that he feared for his safety, that witnesses who contradicted Wilson were not credible, that forensic evidence and credible witnesses corroborated Wilson’s account, and that the facts did not support the filing of criminal charges against Wilson.

The grand jury took 25 days, over the span of three months to hear the lengthy testimony from 60 witnesses and then deliberate on whether or not to indict Wilson. Most grand juries complete their work in a matter of days. On the night of November 24, Prosecutor Robert P. McCulloch reported in a 20-minute press conference that the grand jury had reached a decision in the case and would not indict Wilson.

There was even a review of his case by St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell in 2020, but after five months of seeing if Wilson could possibly be charged with manslaughter for the death of the teenager, aid he didn’t “have the evidence to ethically bring a charge against Darren Wilson.”

The Ferguson riots became a center of resistance within the United States after the killing of Michael Brown, with the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” slogan becoming just as common as the last words of the late Eric Garner, “I Can’t Breathe”. In December 2014, Ismaaiyl Brinsley shot and killed two NYPD police officers and claimed that it was revenge for the police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Brinsley committed suicide before he was apprehended. In March 2015, two officers were shot and wounded when a 20-year-old Black male opened fire on the Ferguson Police headquarters.

On August 9, 2015, 18-year-old Tyrone Harris, a friend of Brown, was shot by police in Ferguson and that same day, the Columbia (Missouri) Police Officers’ Association (CPOA) proclaimed August 9 “Darren Wilson Day”, calling Wilson an “innocent, but persecuted, officer” and insisted his ethnicity had nothing to do with their support of him.”

Even though Brown prematurely lost his life and justice was never served, his death served as a catalyst in the struggle for racial equality and civil rights in the Unites States, a human rights battle that has been fought by Black people as long as they’ve been in this country. The same month Brown was shot dead, American rappers The Game, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Diddy, Fabolous, Wale, DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz, Yo Gotti, Curren$y, Problem, King Pharoah and recording group TGT released the song “Don’t Shoot” as a tribute to Brown

The post Happy Heavenly Birthday To Michael Brown! first appeared on The Source.

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Happy 52nd Birthday To “The Dragon” Busta Rhymes!

May 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip-Hop History, we celebrate the birth of one of the most flamboyant and ostentatious personalities in Hip Hop. Today in 1972, the legend Busta Rhymes was born in Brooklyn, New York.

The 11-Time Grammy nominee and Flipmode Squad frontman have served as an unsung hero for the culture. This is not to say that he has at all gone unnoticed (“11 time Grammy Nominee” speaks for itself), but his influence on Hip Hop since its earliest stages of commercial success and role in the foundation of the New York Hip Hop scene is ever-present if you pay attention.

Busta Bust’s career began with his involvement with Leaders of the New School. Alongside Charlie Brown, Dinco D, and Cut Monitor Milo, but Busta got his break opening up for Public Enemy in the late 80s. It was actually Chuck D himself who gave Busta Rhymes his stage name, after NFL receiver George “Buster” Rhymes. With Leaders of the New School, Rhymes released two albums: A Future Without a Past… and T.I.M.E.

While a part of the group, Busta’s unique style made it possible for him to be featured on major tracks with artists such as: Big Daddy Kane, The Notorious B.I.G., TLC, A Tribe Called Quest, and KRS-One. He also made his first appearances on screen in films such as Higher Learning and Strapped prior to ever releasing any solo music.

In 1995, Busta Rhymes released his debut solo LP The Coming which is hailed as a masterpiece of Hip Hop featuring his smash hit single “Woo Hah!“, his first solo single. The commercial successes of this album allowed Busta Rhymes to finally get the respect he deserved (and for the most part already had in the artist community) as a solo artists. Busta’s follow up albums When Disaster Strikes and Extinction Level Event (Final World Front) were just as if not more successful than the first.

Through the 2000s, Busta continued to be a powerhouse. With the release of his greatest hits album Total Devastation: The Best of Busta Rhymes and new original album Genesis Busta was once again among the top of the charts with this smash hit “Pass the Courvoisier Part II” feat Pharrell and P. Diddy. Throughout the early 2000s Busta’s music could be heard in clubs across the globe and his influence of the culture could be seen, heard, and felt.

His seventh studio album The Big Bang was exactly what the title describes being that it was his first #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. Selling 209,000 copies in the first week alone, this LP showed that time was not a factor when it came to Busta’s popularity and appeal and that his high energy style could remain on top regardless of how the game changed around it. This album spawned what is probably Busta Rhymes most famous song, “Touch It” who’s remixes sky rocketed Bust to the top of every radio chart as far as airplay was concerned.

In the 2010s however, Busta has yet to reach the same level of success as he did in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s but has been able to remain on tour and is still leaving his mark on the industry. In 2012, he was part of the Grammy-nominated single “Look At Now” which was a summertime hit, again proving that no matter the decade, Busta Rhymes can still turn the party up.

From everyone here at the Source Magazine, happy born day Busta. Thank you so much for what you have done for Hip Hop and may you see many more golden years of success.

The post Happy 52nd Birthday To “The Dragon” Busta Rhymes! first appeared on The Source.

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Happy Heavenly Birthday To Grandmaster DJ Roc Raida!(R.I.P.)

May 17, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Source Magazine remembers DJ Roc Raida , who would’ve celebrated his 52nd birthday today.

Known for his amazing turntable wizardry around the globe, Roc won the 1995 DMC World DJ Championship and was inducted into the DMC Hall Of Fame in 1999.

Raida released three albums with his Xecutioners crew and has produced tracks for artists such as Smif N’ Wessun, Big Pun, and even served as Busta Rhymes’ DJ.

In 2009, famed Xecutioners DJ Rock Raida aka Anthony Williams passed away from injuries acquired from a mixed martial arts accident almost a month prior. He will forever be a part of Hip Hop’s legacy and will be missed by the entire Hip Hop community.

The post Happy Heavenly Birthday To Grandmaster DJ Roc Raida!(R.I.P.) first appeared on The Source.

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