If you love everything about hip-hop and its culture, you most likely follow Rob Markman. The dude has been deep inside the confines of the genre for years both as a journalist and rapper. He’s mostly known for the former though, working with publications closely related to this side of the music industry. From The Source to VIBE, Complex and now Genius, he’s simply been all over the place. Not to mention Rob has interviews with countless rap icons such as Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Drake. Despite all of these ties to hip-hop and for amount of time he’s lent to it, No Jumper‘s Poetik Flakko apparently feels that he’s not all he’s made up to be.
That’s at least in comparison to Kick streamer Adin Ross, who by many fans of hip-hop is viewed as a culture vulture. Sure, he’s played a big role in connecting the music to streaming and expanding its reach. However, he just doesn’t have the same cache as Rob Markman, respectfully. But that’s not what Poetik Flakko thinks to an extent, as a tweet of his is currently making the rounds. To be exact, here’s what he had to say, “Can someone explain to me how Rob Markman is more HipHop than Adin Ross?? This isn’t hate, it’s general curiosity. I don’t dislike that man I’m just wondering. Without context this sounds like two white boys comparing who hang out with more cool black folks.”
Can someone explain to me how Rob Markman is more HipHop than Adin Ross?? This isn’t hate, it’s general curiosity. I don’t dislike that man I’m just wondering. Without context this sounds like two white boys comparing who hang out with more cool black folks https://t.co/ujCHXYL7RK
Is this a real question? How is a veteran hip hop journalist whose the head of artist relations at genius more hip hop than a white boy streamer who vultures the culture for attention and glory? pic.twitter.com/CJvS5G0qRa
The YouTuber and producer at Adam22’s company sent this out in response to Markman’s recent issue with Adin Ross’ comments about how rap is dead. The streamer posited the controversial thought to Drake during their “Drizzmas Giveaway” the day after Christmas. If you remember, Drizzy didn’t really want to entertain that idea and mentioned how it was a “weird NBA season.” Markman was a little bothered by Adin being the one to make that sort of claim since he isn’t necessarily a true cog in the hip-hop culture system. He also wrote Adin’s opinion off a bit as he is a big Drake fan and was supporting him during the Kendrick Lamar beef.
Poetik Flakko Is All Alone With This Take
Negro said “more HipHop than Adin Ross”
Adin uses Rap to bob his head to; he is not educated in Rap history or influential in Rap. Its is background music to him and other youths.
But as for Poetik’s take, he’s pretty much alone on this one. Practically every response to his tweet is questioning his own validity and knowledge. “All this question proves is that YOU, also shouldn’t be talking hip hop lol,” one user claps back. “Rob’s connection to hip hop goes beyond just association; he’s been a part of the culture through his journalism, storytelling, and even music. His work highlights hiphops history, voices, and nuances, another adds. “It’s not about who ‘hangs out’ with whom but about the depth of involvement in amplifying and preserving hip hop’s essence.” Now that we have this discussion, it would be spectacular to see Rob’s thoughts on this.
In many ways, Kendrick Lamar is comparable to a volcano. For years, he will lay dormant but the threat of destruction is always there. Although he may not be close to an eruption, those who understand his power live in fear knowing what could happen if things go South. The residents of Pompeii knew that Mount Vesuvius was a threat to their way of life. However, they never could have expected to wake up one day knowing it would be their last. When Mount Vesuvius erupted, the city of Pompeii was covered in volcanic ash that left the residents frozen in whatever position they were in at the time of contact.
Overall, the tragedy in Pompeii can be seen as a metaphor for what Kendrick Lamar did to Drake in their rap battle. Drake knew that Kendrick was a formidable MC, but he underestimated him at the most crucial moment and got burned. Now, his career is in limbo. Frozen in place, if you will. The Toronto megastar has dropped numerous songs and nothing has hit. Meanwhile, Kendrick has continued his path of destruction. He has secured the Super Bowl Halftime Show and even dropped a chart-topping album called GNX. Moreover, the Pulitzer Prize winner has earned more Grammy Nominations, and he is also going on tour with SZA, starting next year.
Kendrick Lamar has been on a generational run in 2024, and it is why we have decided to crown him HotNewHipHop’s MVP of 2024. With that being said, it’s important to look back and explain how we came to this conclusion.
On the morning of Friday, March 22nd, hip-hop fans woke up to a treat. At the time, everyone knew that Future and Metro Boomin were dropping their album We Don’t Trust You. However, we didn’t know the features, and we certainly didn’t know that this would set off a nuclear reaction that would create a hip-hop civil war. Of course, we are alluding to Kendrick Lamar’s verse on the song “Like That.” Even without Kendrick’s verse, this would be the best song on the album. From the sensational production to Future’s catchy hook, the song is a powerhouse. Although, it is Kendrick’s verse that really takes it to legendary heights.
In his feature, Lamar takes aim at Drake and J. Cole for teaming up on the track “First Person Shooter,” a song that Kendrick was rumored to have been approached for. He takes direct aim at the concept of the “big three” and claims he is the only one sitting atop the throne. It was an energetic verse that featured some of K. Dot’s signature vocal embellishments, and some double-entendres to boot. Moreover, it forced Drake and J. Cole’s hand, with both artists dropping responses, albeit to varying degrees of success.
Following “Like That,” J. Cole opened fire with “7 Minute Drill,” the final song off of his surprise album Might Delete Later. Unfortunately, this diss track fell flat and it left fans disappointed. To make matters worse, Cole went on stage at Dreamville Festival and apologized to Kendrick. Subsequently, he pulled the song from the album which led to choruses of digital boos and hilarious nicknames like “J. Fold.”
With Cole bowing out of the battle, the only challenger left standing was Drake. At first, he put up a great fight. We got “Push Ups,” a catchy and formidable diss record that poked fun at Kendrick’s height and the financials of his record deal with TDE. The song also planted the seeds of infidelity allegations towards Whitney Alford, Lamar’s long-time fiance. From there, Drake kept his foot on the gas with the AI Tupac and Snoop Dogg-assisted “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which proved to be in poor taste. Although one could argue he got the reaction he wanted.
This all fueled Kendrick to drop perhaps one of the best lyrical showcases of the decade so far, “Euphoria.” This sprawling 6-minute track was the most direct we have heard Kendrick since the “Control” verse in 2013. Overall, he took aim at Drake’s upbringing, his parenting skills, his fashion sense, and even his Toronto accent. It was a song that immediately put Kendrick back in the lead, and in many ways, it predicted exactly how the rest of this beef would go.
Kendrick Lamar Claims Victory With “Meet The Grahams” & “Not Like Us”
A few days after the release of “Euphoria,” Kendrick Lamar taunted Drizzy with the Instagram-exclusive track “6:16 In LA.” This song was more of a warning sign than an actual diss. It was a prophetic declaration that Kendrick knew how Drake was going to respond and that when the response came, he would be ready for it. On schedule, Drake dropped “Family Matters” on the night of Friday, May 3rd, only for Lamar to stomp all over it 45 minutes later.
With the help of one of the most sinister Alchemist beats you will ever hear, Kendrick took Drake to a therapy session. In “Meet The Grahams,” Kendrick addresses Drake’s family members one by one. He explains to them how Aubrey is falling short and even levels some pretty hefty allegations. However, perhaps the most genius part of the song is how Kendrick attempts to isolate Drake from everyone he loves. It’s a masterclass of manipulation that tugs on the heartstrings of the listener and everyone who is addressed by name.
For instance, naming Steph Curry and LeBron James was very intentional. Both men have young daughters, and by taking the “protect the children” angle, Lamar forces Drake’s real-life friends to reconsider their associations. He does the same when addressing the women fans who have propped up Drake his whole career. Because without the women fans, how else does Drake become the megastar he is today?
The very next day, Kendrick gave us a surprise drop with “Not Like Us.” What else is there to say about this record? From the Mustard beat to the catchy flows and shocking lyrics, this was the biggest song of the entire year. It will go down in history as a Top 5 diss record of all time, and in the eyes of some, it is already Number 1. Additionally, it’s a song that topped the Billboard charts and has received numerous Grammy nominations. Drake’s response record “The Heart Pt. VI” was pitiful, and a winner was ultimately declared.
In the immediate aftermath of the battle, Kendrick Lamar announced “The Pop Out,” an Amazon Music concert held at the Forum in Los Angeles. This was Kendrick’s first real victory lap and it was also a celebration of West Coast culture. DJ Hed’s set included performances from Tommy The Clown, AzChike and Rucci, Remble, JasonMartin, and many more. Meanwhile, Mustard brought the house down with Steve Lacy, Tyler, the Creator, Roddy Ricch, and of course, YG.
Meanwhile, Kendrick started off his set with “Euphoria” and eventually delved into his greatest hits, all while reuniting with Black Hippy. Moreover, he performed alongside Dr. Dre, who introduced the very first live performance of “Not Like Us,” which was played five times in a row. It was a spectacular show, and it was a huge moment for Los Angeles and California as a whole. The entire West Coast was united that night, a theme that would be re-established on Lamar’s latest album, GNX.
Following the Drake beef, Kendrick laid dormant yet again. Perhaps the most impressive part about this beef was the fact that Kendrick wasn’t even saying anything on social media. No interviews, no antics, just YouTube links with no preamble. It was an efficient display that proved the artist to be a master of strategy. Had Drake taken a similar approach, perhaps he would have had a chance.
Having said that, Kendrick broke his silence on September 8th when he revealed that he would be performing at the Super Bowl 59 Halftime Show in New Orleans. This was a controversial decision as some felt like the hometown hero, Lil Wayne should have gotten the nod. However, Kendrick is a phenomenal performer and after his win against Drake, there is no doubt that the honor was well-deserved. Ultimately, the announcement served as another point in K. Dot’s favor for being named MVP of hip-hop for 2024.
Once again, Kendrick decided to surprise, this time on the morning of November 22nd. He did so by dropping his new album GNX, a 12-track appetizer that seeks to hold fans over until his Super Bowl Halftime Show performance in February. Overall, this is the type of project that fans have been hoping for from Kendrick. It’s not beholden to a concept or a deeper overall meaning. While individual songs like “Reincarnated,” “Man At The Garden,” and “Gloria” are deeply conceptual, the rest of the album is filled with bangers and R&B slow jams.
“Squabble Up,” “tv off,” “peekaboo,” and “hey now” are tracks that have huge Super Bowl potential. Meanwhile, “luther” is easily the biggest crossover hit on the record, as SZA delivers stunning vocals and harmonization alongside Kendrick. Given the duo have two collaborations on GNX, it only makes sense that they would team up for the Grand National stadium tour which begins in April 2025.
Everything that we have outlined here demonstrates why Kendrick Lamar has had the best year of any rapper in 2024. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone else who even came close to this kind of domination. 2025 is going to be interesting, but if there is one thing for certain, it’s that it will be difficult for any other artist to match this kind of year.
Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg’s new album Missionary is finally here, and it’s been great to see the duo use this opportunity to reflect on their legendary careers. But it’s also been curious to hear such icons talk about the creative process, whether it regards their own artistry or that of their peers and successors. Moreover, they recently graced the cover of Complex‘s latest issue, and at one point during their conversation, the producer in particular commented on the state of hip-hop today. However, he made it clear that his point of view doesn’t come from a place of disrespect.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful to anybody right now, but I’m not really inspired by what’s happening with hip-hop these days,” Dr. Dre commented to the outlet. “It’s not for me. I’ve always said I’m not going to disrespect it or anything like that, but I haven’t heard anything that makes me go, ‘F**k, why didn’t I do that?’ I haven’t heard that in a long time, which makes my job easy, to be honest.” It’s unclear what exactly he’s referring to, but the “Another Part Of Me” artist maybe just doesn’t connect with the genre’s contemporary output despite his musical inclinations.
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Dr. Dre performs during the halftime show for Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images
Still, this is an interesting comment from Dr. Dre considering his other remarks around music, time, and artistry during this Complex interview. For example, he also revealed that he doesn’t like listening to his older material, admitting that he tells his family members not to play it around him. Rather, the Compton native expressed that finds the most joy in the recording process itself, basking in his craft for a period of time before moving on to what’s next.
As for more modern hip-hop, Dr. Dre did mention the last albums that really inspired him, and unsurprisingly, he’s featured on both of them, and they both come from one of his protégés. But he would probably fawn Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d. city and To Pimp A Butterfly just like the rest of us if he was just a stranger tuning in. Elsewhere during this Complex interview, Dre and Snoop Dogg also spoke on bringing a “brotherhood” together with Eminem and 50 Cent on their Missionary cut, “Gunz N Smoke.”
It’s been a lush 2024 for hip-hop thanks to a plethora of storylines. Rap beefs mostly consumed them, as well as one particular mogul’s drastic downfall. But the emergence of dozens upon dozens of artists has been a welcome distraction from all of the drama and animosity. Don’t get us wrong, though. Being in the thick of all of the noise is always exciting. But more than that, being able to put the spotlight on great music and acts that deserve to be heard is what we strive to bring you all.
The mainstream had a great return to form, with Kendrick Lamar, Future, Metro Boomin, and Tyler, The Creator among just a few of them making the most indelible marks. But as we mentioned earlier, the breakout stars were plentiful, and of course, a major key to the genre’s success this year. Around this time in 2023, we highlighted five names who we felt everyone should be watching out for coming into 2024. We targeted ones we felt were slept on and had quietly strong runs. This time though, we are changing things up a bit. Instead, our staff decided that there were five rappers who blew people’s expectations out of the water. So much so, that they are pretty much stars already and are on the cusp of reaching that next level. With that said, here are the five talents that we expect to take that superstar leap next year or sometime soon.
Texas’ hip-hop scene could have a new face in the near future, and his name is BigXthaPlug. The 26-year-old from Dallas really began to grab everyone’s attention in 2023, including XXL, who promptly granted him a spot in this year’s Freshman Class. He was able to build some buzz off of tracks like “Mmhmm,” “Back On My BS,” and “Levels”. His instantly recognizable voice, which sounds like it has its own surround sound already built in, makes him a commanding presence on the mic. He couples that with his straightforward writing and personal storytelling. His sophomore record, Take Care, quickly gained steady interest from fans and critics thanks to the thematic switch-up. Instead of street bangers, it’s all about bettering yourself, taking care of your loved ones, adjusting to success, and weeding out the negativity. It’s also shown he’s got a great ear for soulful and hard-hitting beats, as he’s been developing some chemistry with Tennessee producer, BandPlay. If he can continue to show that artistic growth from his 2023 tapes to Take Care, then BigXthaPlug is going to be around for a while.
BossMan Dlow
Song:“Mr Pot Scraper”
Meet one of hip-hop’s newest hitmakers, BossMan Dlow. His most recent tape, Mr Beat The Road, is chockful of them. “Come Here,” “Get In With Me,” “Mr Pot Scraper,”“Lil Bastard,” and “Talk My S***,” is just the start. He’s made a name for himself for some hilarious punch lines, braggy lyrics, and big ego. His willingness to deviate from his norms is his biggest drawback right now. He sounds great over the skittering Florida hip-hop beats thanks to his unique flow. But BossMan can only keep repeating that formula so many times before it grows old. However, he’s been showing some growth in both of those departments. His most recent single, “The Biggest Pt. 2,” showcases that. He’s got the ability to write catchy trap party tracks, but the variation in their packaging will be what either holds him back or propels him forward.
Doechii
Song:“NISSAN ALTIMA”
Doechii completely floored us in August with the release of her third project and mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. We did see signs of potential greatness with her house-inspired loosie “Alter Ego” featuring JT. Moreover, we knew she could write some radio-friendly tunes with “What It Is (Block Boy)” ft. Kodak Black back in 2023. But her “Swamp Sessions” on YouTube are what gained the most traction with us. Sure, they were short, with some barely cracking a minute. But the proficiency, charisma, and energy in which she rapped with over some nasty and creative boom bap instrumentals confirmed she was the real deal. From super blunt to serious, to melodic and goofy, she really excels in any tonal setting. She’s quickly turned herself into TDE’s next face of the label and with her recently confirming her debut album for next year, the limitations are pretty much non-existent at this point.
Skilla Baby
Song:“Plate”
No matter how popular, you may have seen Skilla Baby pop up on your favorite MC’s project or single. The Detroit, Michigan native has seemingly been everywhere imaginable in 2024. Maxo Kream, G Herbo, DaBaby, Coi Leray, Doe Boy, and Yung Miami’s newest material includes him in some capacity. However, this high number of collaborations doesn’t stop outside of his feature catalog. His 2024 project, The Coldest, as well as its subsequent deluxe, were packed to the brim with big guests. BossMan Dlow, Rob49, Moneybagg Yo, Flo Milli, and Jeremih, just scratch the surface. Despite his rough and street mentality, he’s shown to tone things down on songs like “Bae,” for example. He’s probably got the most work to do on this list, but the industry clearly sees something in Skilla Baby already.
That Mexican OT
Song:“02.02.99”
Last, but certainly not least, is the second Texan in this grouping, That Mexican OT. You may have heard his song “Johnny Dang” with one of Southern hip-hop’s pioneers, Paul Wall. It was the blip on everyone’s radar that he needed to capitalize on, and he did just that at the top of 2024. “02.02.99,” opened up his run on a very strong note, and it showed that his hitmaking ability was no fluke. Outside of Doechii, he may be the most expressive rapper here. His comedic one liners like, “I ain’t f***ed your sister, b****, I’m just a motherf***er,” and the way he’s able to roll any letter in the alphabet are some of his most endearing qualities. But like BigXthaPlug, he’s also showing high respect to the South and Texas by working with and learning from the legends (Z-Ro, Propain, Slim Thug). That support system is going to go a long way and will help completely shed any sort of doubts left.
Doechii shared a lengthy statement on social media, Wednesday night, discussing the importance of hip-hop and the evolution of the genre. It comes as she’s been blowing up in popularity throughout 2024, following the release of her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. On social media in recent days, some users have been criticizing her music for being too deep.
“Our music has always been deep,” she began. “It’s always been complex and it’s always been soulful/spiritual. We use hip hop to evolve. To protest. To celebrate. Etc. Art/music plays a role in why a lot of us are proud to be black today. Our culture is all through these genres. Don’t let these people brainwash you into disconnecting from the soul of hip hop by convincing you it isn’t cool or it’s ‘too deep.’ It’s always been that deep for us and it should stay that way. We created it! Once we lose the soul we’ve lost the genre.”
Doechii Performs During “Alligator Bites Never Heal” Tour
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 13: Recording artist Doechii performs during her “Alligator Bites Never Heal” tour at Center Stage Theater on November 13, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
She continued: “Nobody should be redefining our art form but us. Anybody talking sh*t about hip hop that makes you think or makes you feel something— should immediately be recognized as a opp. Ask yourself what they gain from us watering down our music, taking the soul out, only discussing surface level topics and becoming less conscious. Only a specific group of people benefit from us not being introspective. Tighten up.”
Doechii Discusses The Importance Of Hip-Hop
The statement comes after Doechii announced plans to drop her major label debut album, next year, during an interview with Variety. She also recently made headlines for performing on NPR’s Tiny Desk. Check out Doechii’s full post on X below.
Doechii shares her thoughts on the importance of hip-hop:
“Nobody should be redefining our art form but us. Anybody talking sh*t about hip hop that makes you think or makes you feel something— should immediately be recognized as a opp” pic.twitter.com/zviGmScwJ0
LL Cool J recently chatted with SiriusXM host D-Stroy on SiriusXM’s “CTRL, ALT, D-Stroy” on Shade 45. During the interview, LL Cool J talks about hip hop culture at the Paris Olympics and hopes they bring back breaking for the 2028 games.
When asked about this year’s Olympics in Paris and its inclusion of breaking(breakdancing) as an Olympic sport, Ladies Love responded, “The boombox. I saw judges with Kangols which I felt, I did feel like I was part of it. Whenever I see the boombox radio obviously. Yeah that kind of and my first album radio right? Boombox. So it personifies that. So it’s like when I see that I always think about you know my music and my contribution to hip hop, so it was amazing man.“
He added,” Like look I’m so happy about hip hop culture. I hope that they reconsider bringing back breaking for the 2028 games. I do know that the breakers will be even better in the 2028 games. There were a lot of great ones out there, don’t get me wrong, but I think that it will only get better and stronger. You just have to give it some time and I feel good about it man. I love this culture. I love hip hop, man. I love it.”
Even though L was excited over the breaking/Hip Hop inclusion in this year’s Olympics, fans and critics alike were perplexed after the performance of a b-girl from Brazil named “Raygun”, whose “dance” moves were ridiculed and made into some of the funniest memes to date.
The Olympic Committee decided to eliminate breakdancing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Kendrick Lamar’s Juneteenth celebration at the Kia Forum, “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends” served as a victory lap for two things.
Kendrick’s dominance in his rap beef with Drake, which gave the world “Not Like Us,” one of the most infectious Kendrick rap tracks… really ever.
A celebration of Los Angeles itself, as Kendrick rallied several LA artists together on stage, including Ty Dolla $ign, Dom Kennedy, Steve Lacy, Roddy Ricch, YG, Tyler the Creator, Mustard (the producer of “Not Like Us”), and “The Bigger Picture” co-star DJ Hed.
With alleged gang members, artists, and ball players all joining the stage, Kendrick dubbed the night “unity at its finest.” It’s something we haven’t seen in hip-hop in a while, especially as regional borders erode with the way the internet has fundamentally transformed the genre.
And none other than Dr. Dre — arguably the most important architect of West Coast Hip Hop — introduced Kendrick’s five-in-a-row performance of “Not Like Us.”
To solidify the LA-ness of the event, a cheesier artist would’ve brought out a Tupac hologram to sing California Love (let’s face it… Drake probably would’ve done this) but that’s not Kendrick’s style, and the show is better for it. But that’s not to say Kendrick didn’t pay tribute to Pac’s influence, he just did it in a nuanced way that only jumped out to the heads that noticed.
Kendrick Lamar’s outfit reference for ‘The Pop Out’
Rocking a red hoodie, jeans, a pair of Nike SHOX, and a giant Ben Baller diamond cross, Kendrick’s fit served as an echo of Pac’s 1994 Source Awards look. The outfit isn’t a 1:1 replica but it’s a clear nod to an iconic look of Tupac’s.
Pac’s outfit is a bit different, rather than a hoodie he wore a red crew neck Georgia Bulldogs sweater, blue jeans, a pair of Filas, a backward cap, and a much more modest (in comparison) diamond-encrusted cross necklace.
The two outfits might have the same vibe, but each is very of its era and that’s what helps this subtle tribute to not look like Kendrick is straight-up cosplaying.
Aside from the diamond-encrusted necklaces, both fits aren’t flashy or boisterous, they’re very attainable and I think that speaks to Kendrick and Tupac’s temperament.
If you did, however, want to capture some of the magic of Kendrick’s look, buy yourself a pair of Nike Shox R4 Retro in “Comet Red,” from StockX or GOAT, but be warned, the reprice has doubled since Kendrick’s performance.
StockX
Pair that with your favorite jeans and hoodie, and you’ve pretty much got the look, but we’d advise you find some way to make it your own.
As for the Ben Baller diamond cross, good luck with all of that! Famed LA jeweler Ben Baller confirmed that Kendrick’s cross was worth a jaw-dropping $600K. If you like the look, you probably don’t need quite as many diamonds, but hey, no judgement if you’ve got that kind of money to spend.
Wild Style is arguably the very first movie and one of the very few that shows the true essence of what Hip Hop is about. When Hip-Hop was being passed off as a fad that wouldn’t last beyond “Rapper’s Delight,” a vivid reenactment of the introduction of this artistic culture to the world was made. In 1983, film director and cultural artist Charlie Ahearn premiered the flick in Times Square, breaking records by selling out at all screenings for the three weeks it played.
A member of the collective artist group Collaborative Projects, Ahearn was initially exposed to Hip Hop in the late 70s through graffiti when he went to film the youth in the projects in Manhattan’s Lower East Side that studied martial arts. He was soon approached by Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Braithwaite about making a movie encompassing all elements of Hip-Hop (emceeing, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti). Fab 5 Freddy brought legendary graff artist Lee Quinones to meet Ahearn to discuss further the approach of filming graffiti and introducing it as a legitimate art form. Ahearn found out that Lee was the same graf king whose work he admired while filming in LES. With Ahearn as producer and director, the three began embarking on a journey to gather the individuals who would be the faces of this landmark film.
Developing its name from an abstract letter design made famous in the graffiti world by graff king Tracy 168, Wild Style featured some of the most prolific pioneers from all aspects of Hip-Hop. The Cold Crush Brothers, Rock Steady Crew, and Grandmaster Flash were just a few of Hip-Hop’s trailblazers that debuted on Wild Style’s silver screen. The Furious Five could not appear alongside Flash and had to be cut from the film because of prior obligations to another more mainstream motion picture depicting the development of Hip Hop that came out later called Beat Street. This is why Afrika Bambaataa, the New York City Breakers, The Treacherous Three, or female pioneer MC Sha Rock were not seen in the film. Other notable legends included Busy Bee Starski, graff legends Dondi, Zephyr, and Revolt, who designed the Wild Style logo and the Fantastic Freaks.
Lee Quinones played the main character “Zoro,” the anonymous graf phenom introduced to the art world by his pal and fellow graffiti writer “Faze,” played by Fab 5 Freddy. Faze introduces Zoro to Virginia, a journalist portrayed by cultural icon Patti Astor, who later shows Zoro to art’s world stage of galleries and museums. The story is an accurate historical account of how Hip-Hop, in general, was introduced to mainstream America and, later, the rest of the world. It also showed the poverty and despair that existed in the South Bronx, out of which the culture of Hip Hop emerged.
Over 30 years later, Wild Style is still an American pop culture icon. The players that participated and performed in the movie have made themselves legends in their own right. However, most will recognize their appearance in the film as the catapult of their career. The movie has been sampled on various classic Hip Hop albums, including ATCQ’s Midnight Marauders, Common’s Ressurection, and the Five Mic classic, Nas’ Illmatic. Wild Style was voted one of the top ten rock n’ roll movies of all time by the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame, and VH1’s Hip Hop Honors acknowledged the film’s influence in Hip Hop with a tribute in 2007.
As we celebrate 50 years of Hip-Hop, we always remember to pay homage to the GOATs that came before us. This includes Pete Rock, who recently shared his sentiments on the current state of Hip-Hop as a whole.
Sharing to his one million followers on Instagram, Pete Rock posted a clip of Erick Sermon addressing how the genre of Hip-Hop has become unrecognizable, even suggesting changing the name.
Pete Rock added his two cents in the caption: “They should change the music too WTF tryna create a narrative that aint working. Pile driving the culture straight in the ground. We created real history! idk what da hell they creating today but it damn sure aint history or hip hop thats a fact.”
Of course, Pete Rock is valid in saying he created real history, is revered as one of the greatest producers of all-time.
He continues, “We lost our integrity chasing the money. The bag as they say has become the problem and the focus point in the culture. Makes it corny when yall make it about money smh Everyone extra sensitive about opinions smh. Soon as you have an opinion your a hater automatically lol. Clown shit we all out here working to make better music. Why dont try and do the same thing ”
The clip derives from an interview Erick Sermon did with Say Word! Podcast back in November of last year.
Marlon Wayans wants Hip-Hop to return to the positivity, appearing on Sway’s Universe. Wayans is calling for the beef to stop and not escalate. “We too old to be that dumb, and kids, stop with this stupidity,” Wayans said. “Life is so precious. I’m so grateful to be able to be 51, right. To be able to have lived a long life, my parents would have wanted that.”
(@BENBALLER) 
tryna create a narrative that aint working. Pile driving the culture straight in the ground. We created real history! idk what da hell they creating today but it damn sure aint history or hip hop thats a fact.”
Everyone extra sensitive about opinions smh. Soon as you have an opinion your a hater automatically lol. Clown shit 
we all out here working to make better music. Why dont try and do the same thing 
