Hip-Hop History Archives - New Hip Hop News

The Timeless Impact Of “Illmatic”: Hip-Hop’s Love Of Nas’s Debut Album 30 Years Later

April 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Hip-hop’s history books contain millions of enduring statements, infinite ideas, and indelible expressions penned by hundreds of thousands of students of the game. Thousands of them got their brilliance delivered to mass audiences, hundreds reached the peak highs of their time and style, and dozens have transcended the genre into a status of cultural ubiquity. But out of all of these writers who shaped the philosophies, language, and communication of rap music, there is a strong case that, along with The God MC Rakim, none have been more influential or definitive than Nas. We took it upon ourselves to accept that challenge and see just how pivotal Esco’s pen has been to the community.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of his classic album Illmatic yesterday (Friday, April 19), we listed out seven of the most quoted lyrics, motifs, or refrains from this magnum opus across hip-hop’s history, along with just a few of many examples. As arguably the greatest LP the genre has to offer, a status that only a handful of rap records can claim, there is obviously so much more to say, and many more lines that you’ll hear in songs released since ’94. But these are among the bars on the project that most closely evoke its narratives in your head when you hear them in another song or everyday conversation. We’d love to know your picks, as we certainly missed a lot, so join us in celebrating this masterpiece and thanking Nas for his craft and creations down in the comments section below.

I Never Sleep, ‘Cause Sleep Is The Cousin Of Death (“N.Y. State Of Mind”)

While this phrase obviously existed before Illmatic‘s release, no rapper spits it today without evoking Nas’ “N.Y. State Of Mind.” It’s a phrase that perfectly fits within the vivid description of Queens’ street life and placed the album into a special era; a coming-of-age tale that inspired countless others put their unique spin on. Over the years, we’ve heard the greats reference this specific bar including J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Denzel Curry, and The Game.

Furthermore, the most famous of these is likely Lil Wayne’s “6 Foot 7 Foot,” which actually references another Illmatic bar we’ll get into later. “Life is a b***h, and death is her sister / Sleep is the cousin, what a f***ing family picture,” Weezy raps on the cut. Another notable modern example is $UICIDEBOY$’ 2016 cut “AM/PM,” on which Ruby raps: “If sleep is the cousin of death, I guess me and $lick counting sheep ’til we out of breath.” From ’90s East Coast hardcore to 2010s New Orleans horrorcore-adjacent trap; who would’ve thought?

The World Is Yours / I’m Out For Dead Presidents To Represent Me (“The World Is Yours”)

Here’s a two-parter, mainly because the mere title of “The World Is Yours” and the “It’s mine, it’s mine, it’s mine, whose world is this?” refrain lives on in a lot of rap media: bars, interviews, promo material, movies… you name it. J. Cole has an early song titled “Who’s World Is This?” and there’s also Blu’s classic album with Exile, Below The Heavens, with the track “The World Is.” Out of the many enduring Nas bars on this song, one of them is the money-focused, “I’m out for dead presidents to represent me.” Joey Bada$$, a student of Nasir Jones who references him very often, spits this bar on 1999‘s “Hardknock,” and 2016’s “AMERIKKKAN IDOL.” Logic does the same on 2012’s “All Sinatra Everything,” and of course, there’s Jay-Z’s use of it for his “Dead Presidents” series. That definitely didn’t backfire at all…

*Life’s A B***h And Then You Die…* (“Life’s A B***h”)

Next is AZ’s iconic hook on “Life’s A B***h”: “Life’s a b***h and then you die, that’s why we get high / ‘Cause you never know when you’re gonna go.” Other than being one of the most cutting and reality-affirming moments on Illmatic, Nas’ words here transcended even the hip-hop genre. One of the most curious homages we found in our research was a live version of metal band Deftones’ “Teething” from 2001, in which they added this chorus to the track to a pretty hype effect. Just goes to show that these lyrics have etched themselves in musical and cultural history, not just within hip-hop. Back to that, though, some quick examples: Kendrick Lamar’s “FEAR.,” A$AP Rocky’s “Phoenix,” Tyler, The Creator’s “Lone,” and “Headstone” by Flatbush Zombies, which actually references dozens of rap classic throughout its runtime.

Somehow, The Rap Game Reminds Me Of The Crack Game (“Represent”)

Here’s what Nas had to say about this bar from “Represent”: “It’s all about getting a dollar, don’t trust nobody, keep your eyes open, don’t play with nobody, focus on what you’re supposed to get out of it. This s**t is dangerous, it’ll take you down… What’s the difference?” Once again, Jay-Z echoed this sentiment in his 1997 track “Rap Game / Crack Game,” and Biggie Smalls references the rhyme scheme on Ready To Die‘s “Things Done Changed” that same year. “If I wasn’t in the rap game, I’d probably have a ki, knee-deep in the crack game.” Cam’ron also echoes the bar on “Sports, Drugs & Entertainment,” and Benny The Butcher, 38 Spesh, and Elcamino develop the metaphor on 2021’s “Blue Money.” “Crack game like the rap game but ain’t as safe / If we got the same plug we like label-mates,” Spesh spits.

Half Man, Half Amazing (“It Ain’t Hard To Tell”)

Also, we wanted to shout out Nas’ reference to the Five-Percent Nation on this “Human Nature”-sampling cut, “It Ain’t Hard To Tell”: “Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half man, half amazing.” The second half of that bar is the namesake of the third track (featuring Method Man) on Pete Rock’s 1998 album Soul Survivor, and also that of cuts from Blocboy JB and more. As for lyrical mentions, Mac Miller does so on the Faces cut “Friends” featuring ScHoolboy Q, Joe Budden gives a nod on “NBA,” and 50 Cent used it to belittle Ja Rule on the diss track “Your Life’s On The Line.” Safe to say, this last example proves that these aren’t always very favorable references, at least when it comes to who the bars might be intended for, if it’s not just an homage to the Queens legend.

One Time For Your Mind (Various)

Finally, we have a repeated phrase throughout Illmatic that is the title of one of its songs, and also appears on the outro of “Represent.” “One time for your mind” comes from Grand Wizard, who provides the aloof hook on the first example before Nas gets into the chill cut. This is such a versatile phrase that can be used as an ad-lib, a filler bar, a historical reference, as part of a complex rhyme scheme, or as a reminder to keep the mental focus up and live for the singular moment. It appears in pop hits like “Pon De Replay” by Rihanna, lyrical onslaughts like Lil Wayne’s “Dreams & Nightmares,” Lupe Fiasco’s “Paris, Tokyo,” Ab-Soul’s “Double Standards,” Das EFX’s “Real Hip-Hop,” The Roots’ “No Alibi,” and so many more. Despite the variety of uses for this bar and many others, every hip-hop head knows its origins well.

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R.I.P. Rico Wade: A Pivotal Bridge In Hip-Hop’s 50-Year History

April 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

“I just think timing is everything,” Rico Wade opens up the first song on Killer Mike’s Grammy Award-winning 2023 album, MICHAEL. “Like, n***a, this it. This, this one right here… That ain’t easy. Stay motivated, stay inspired. I owe it to myself, stay down on it. And it ain’t been hard throughout the journey: it’s been a journey.” On April 12, 2024, Wade passed away at the age of 52, and Mike offered a touching tribute. “I am Praying for your wife and Children, I am praying for the Wade family, I am praying for us all. I deeply appreciate your acceptance into The Dungeon Family, mentorship, Friendship and Brotherhood. Idk where I would be without ya’ll.”

Much like the Run The Jewels MC, countless hip-hop artists, legends, and fans have much to thank Rico Wade for. From Outkast to Future, from Goodie Mob to Janelle Monáe, and even acts outside of their Dungeon Family collective like TLC, Ludacris, and more, it’s clear that the East Point native is among the key reasons why the South (and Atlanta, in particular) has such an omnipresence right now. Not just hip-hop, but music and pop culture at large. He lives on in many ways: as a host, a talent judge, a gifted producer alongside Sleepy Brown and Ray Murray as Organized Noize, a curator, a liaison, an organizer… But perhaps most importantly, Rico is a bridge. He is the crux through which 50 years of hip-hop history can be examined, as one of his greatest achievements was honoring the old and shaping the new.

The Growth Of The Southern MC In Rap’s Ecosystem

While Houston already created a blueprint for Southern rap through acts like the Geto Boys, the talent that Rico Wade introduced to the “Dungeon” (the studio in his mom’s house’s basement) proved instrumental in furthering the identity of the Southern MC as opposed to their East Coast and West Coast counterparts. They were not simply backpack rappers, cold-blooded lyrical killers, or hot-headed gangsters. They could be a little of everything with unique self-awareness, diverse melodic sensibilities, and palpable passions for soul and cultivating the mind. “It was street without the crime,” Rap Pages editor Allen S. Gordon said of their content. “How do we live, how do we survive? How do we encourage each other, how do we kick it, how do we have fun? None of it is degrading.”

For examples of this, look no further than André 3000, who as early as Outkast’s first single “Player’s Ball” (on which Rico Wade provides the intro), previewed his eventual space in GOAT conversations alongside legendary lyricists like Nas, Ice Cube, and Scarface. On the flip side, look at one of the Dungeon Family’s late-era bloomers: Meathead, or as he’s better known today, Future. While he may not have the same weight behind his pen, he’s easily one of the most influential artists in music period working today thanks to his auto-tuned crooning and other aesthetic innovations, his earworm flows, and that same woozy, soulful, bass-heavy, and ATL-drenched idiosyncrasy that he attributes to his time with his big cousin Rico in the Dungeon. “Nobody could ever do what Rico Wade did for me,” Pluto said in 2014. “Everything I know about music, I know because of Rico.”

Rico Wade & Organized Noize’s Production: Defining The Dirty South… And Beyond

Ever since the very early 1990s, Rico Wade’s mentorship, instincts, talent curation, and sensibilities put innovative and impressive rappers at the forefront no matter the style. But of course, that’s also because of the production that Organized Noize perfected. In the face of sample-based and therefore expensive production styles dominating the Coasts (and thus, all of mainstream rap), the Dungeon Family cut down and got live: bass, multiple different drum sounds for each new song, horns, guitars… you name it. Just listen to the lushness of “Crumblin’ Erb” by Outkast, “The Day After” by Goodie Mob, or “Sumthin’ Wicked This Way Comes” by TLC and Andre 3000. However, the percussion was still rooted in grimy and familiar rap rhythms, and in terms of songwriting, Organized Noize knew exactly how to capture the culture.

Rico Wade provided plenty of hits and commercial smashes to etch Organized Noize into many popular styles of music of the time in addition to the musty underground. The most notable of these is likely TLC’s “Waterfalls,” whose combinations of vocal harmonies, guitar plucks, and horns are Dungeon all the way. While Wade definitely built off of established g-funk and other scenes, it was this overtly colorful production that most tangibly laid the groundwork for the Pharrells, the Kanye Wests, the Tyler, The Creators, and the JIDs of rap history.

Why Rico Will Forever Represent The Roots And The Fruits

Future speaks about growing up in the Dungeon with his cousin Rico Wade #RipRicoWade pic.twitter.com/Q1srcXZQ6M

— O.T.G (@365OTG) April 13, 2024

Rico Wade’s place in hip-hop history will never fall victim to old-head biases or new-school ignorance. One of the most interesting ways in which he links the roots and the contemporary fruits of rap is how he welcomed the first and final waves of the Dungeon Family for two completely different reasons. Outkast had to audition and ended up delivering 30-minute-plus verses, which impressed Wade and earned his trust and support. Meanwhile, when he found out that Future was his cousin, they started to speak about Rico’s father’s side of the family that Fewtch was connected to, which he knew very little of because many of them were incarcerated. The trap icon stuck around in the Dungeon and soaked up so much game, all simply because he was family.

At the end of the day, neither approach is more valid or heartening than the other, and they resulted in amazing art for the culture regardless. On MICHAEL, the album that the late legend opened up just last year, “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS” reunites representatives from three distinct waves of the Dungeon Family: André 3000, Killer Mike, and Future. 30 years after “Player’s Ball,” and 50 years since hip-hop was born, he continued to evolve the game, to fuse it with other beloved and important music, to represent his city to the fullest, to embrace the next talents, to preserve the culture’s foundations, and to always create something greater and more compelling than the sum of the old and the new. It was extremely hard for Rico Wade to forever be the bridge in hip-hop history. But to him, it wasn’t hard throughout the journey: it was just a journey.

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Rap Beef: Russell Simmons Compares Hip-Hop’s Current State To Biggie Smalls Vs. Tupac

April 17, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Even from his luxury retreat in Bali, Russell Simmons is keeping up with the latest unfolding in the music industry. Though he spends most of his time focusing on mental wellness and meditation these days, on Monday (April 15), the executive posted a video on Instagram with some thoughts on all the drama unfolding around us recently. In his post, Simmons reflected on the infamous East vs. West Coast beef that led to the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. He compares it to modern situations, including global wars that are far beyond the problems of the entertainment world.

“I walked Biggie to his car and I felt, that night, his death,” Simmons shared. “I must have been involved in saving the lives of God knows how many rappers. I’ve solved so many rap beefs behind the scenes,” he added. After walking Smalls to his car, the 66-year-old headed home where he got a call from a leading member of the Crips gang.

Russell Simmons Shares Thoughts on Hip-Hop Feuds Past and Present From Bali

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“Mike Concepcion called me and told me [Biggie] had been killed. The next day, I called and we set up a meeting at Mr. Farrakhan’s house. We had a meeting where East and West came together. It kind of stopped the war,” Simmons told his followers. “But it was a big deal because people were dying. Biggie and Tupac were dead. Rap beef escalated to that. We had a meeting and I felt, that night, his death.”

While her dad uses his IG platform to reflect on his role in the music industry, Aoki Lee Simmons has also been expressing herself online. The 21-year-old was under a lot of scrutiny for vacationing with a man over four decades older than her recently, and while she looked happy in his company on the beach, their fling ended almost as quickly as the world found out about it. Read what Russell Simmons’ daughter said about the situation at the link below, and check back in with HNHH later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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Rest In Peace Mister Cee: Remembering The DJ’s Indelible Hip-Hop Legacy

April 11, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On Wednesday (April 10), 94.7 The Block on WXBK played a recording of Mister Cee’s 2022 mix tributing Biggie Smalls on what would’ve been the late rapper’s 50th birthday. “Sky’s The Limit” rang with a different tone amid news that the legendary radio DJ and historic hip-hop cultural contributor, real name Calvin LeBrun, had passed away at the age of 57 due to unknown causes at press time. Also known as The Finisher or The Wallop King, Cee was an instrumental figure in rap from the late 1980s onward. Upon news of his tragic loss, DJ Premier, 50 Cent, DJ Jazzy Jeff, MC Lyte, Peter Rosenberg, Queen Latifah, and many more shared their heartfelt condolences.

Mister Cee is one of the greatest DJs in the history of New York hip-hop, known for over two decades of being one of many figures who made Hot 97 a juggernaut. From Brooklyn’s public-access station 91.5 WNYE to WBLS and his acclaimed mixtapes, he stands as one of the genre’s great tastemakers. The depth of the Brooklyn native’s knowledge, love, and passion for the culture extended not just to his ’80s and ’90s roots, but also to more contemporary talents. While figures like him might be harder to come by with each passing change of the media guard, his hard work is a testament to the power of hip-hop culture and a beacon for any fan, participant, benefactor, or spectator of it.

Mister Cee’s Beginnings: Big Daddy Kane & Hot 97

Mister Cee DJ Career History Hip Hop News — Mister Cee and Big Daddy Kane appear at a video release party for a music video project on February 11, 1991 in New York City. (Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Calvin LeBrun’s hip-hop story begins as a young Bed-Stuy lad inspired by the World Famous Supreme Team and his late uncle’s crew, DJ Knight and the Knights of Hollywood, to make it in the radio space. His first big break was becoming the DJ of his high school friend Big Daddy Kane in the late 1980s, one of the most significant lyricists of his (and all) time. Mister Cee and his scratches appeared on Kane’s “Mister Cee’s Master Plan” off his 1988 debut, and he nabbed various other credits on the MC’s subsequent albums.

He was also a part of the legendary Juice Crew in the late 1980s alongside Mr. Magic, Roxanne Shante, Kool G Rap, and many more titans whose reverberations are still felt today. Throughout all this, Mister Cee’s popularity as a radio DJ and personality grew exponentially. His shows on Hot 97 and WBLS beginning around 1993 (Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live) focused on putting on rising artists and playing hip-hop and R&B classics. Even though The Finisher had already etched his name into the history books, an even greater opportunity arrived through a childhood friend.

The Finisher Helps Put Biggie Smalls On The Map

DJ 50 Grand introduced Mister Cee to a young Biggie Smalls in the early 1990s, and they all re-recorded The Notorious B.I.G.’s demo to get his name out there. Their dreams manifested, as this led to Big’s Bad Boy Records deal and widespread recognition. Cee even got an associate executive producer credit on Biggie’s massive debut album, 1994’s Ready To Die. However, in a November 2023 interview with Rock The Bells, he remembered his Best Of Biggie Smalls mixtape from 1995 as the project that “changed [his] life.” The Wallop King was revered for his 120-minute mixtapes as opposed to 60 or 90-minute material. These were characterized by a non-stop approach to the music that was largely uninterrupted by DJ drops, sounds effects, or run-it-backs.

Mister Cee also joined Funkmaster Flex’s Flip Squad collective of New York DJs, and both got a lyrical shoutout from none other than Jay-Z on his 2009 single “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune).” According to Hot 97, he also helped folks like 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, and Hov himself find the audiences that would lead them to massive success. But after Biggie passed away in 1997, LeBrun knew that he could do more than uplift stars on the come-up. He began paying tribute to hip-hop’s fallen legends on his shows as well, a heartening tradition that he maintained up until his passing.

The Wallop King’s Later Years

In 2014, Mister Cee officially left Hot 97 due to differing from its new musical direction. This followed issues surrounding his arrests for prostitution soliciting and controversy stemming from his publicly revealed attraction to transgender women. While this situation was hotly debated at the time, it opened up a larger conversation around homophobia in hip-hop that, although incomplete, has led to significantly progressive strides to combat it. But that doesn’t mean that his hard work ever dwindled or became overshadowed. For example, LeBrun introduced the world to Fetty Wap with his future hit “Trap Queen” in 2014 on Hot 97.

The media industry also celebrated Mister Cee with much respect and adoration, such as his guest appearance in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV as a radio DJ. After leaving Hot 97, he continued to do radio shows, such as WXBX’s aforementioned The Block on 94.7 for throwback classics from hip-hop and R&B, and he posted his mixes online. Cee’s final slot on air was The Set It Off Show on SiriusXM’s Rock The Bells Radio. Testimonies of his greatness, like those from Capitol Records promoter Chris Green, identify him as “the glue between the old and the new” across his many programs. For the indelible seeds he planted and his staunchly good-natured approach to media and hip-hop culture, there is no more fitting or deserved title. Rest In Peace Mister Cee.

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Eminem “Stans” Documentary Posts Open Casting Call

April 10, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Arguably Eminem’s biggest hater, Benzino, has been on his neck with full force in recent months. The two MCs have traded insults over diss tracks, even bringing the latter’s daughter, Coi Leray, into the beef. While the former head of The Source certainly has Em’s attention, at this time he’s more concerned with casting some of his biggest fans in a documentary he’s been working on at Shady Films. As Uproxx reports, on Wednesday (April 10), the Detroit native’s Twitter/X profile lit up with a casting call message urging fans to tell what Eminem means to them on a website for the film.

“ Looking for Stans for a documentary produced by Eminem & Shady Films. To share your story, please answer the questions here,” the tweet reads. The attached questionnaire asks interested people when and how they first heard about Slim Shady, whether they consider themselves to be a “stan,” any merchandise they might’ve collected over the years, fan fiction authors, or artists who’ve created works inspired by the “Mockingbird” hitmaker.

Are You One of Eminem’s Biggest Stans?

Though it’s common slang today, the word “stan” wasn’t used in popular culture until Em’s Marshall Mathers LP in 2000. On the song “Stan,” an overzealous fan writes letters to his favourite rapper, suggesting he’s forming a parasocial connection with the rising star. As Slim’s busy schedule keeps him from getting back to his supporters, Stan takes the distance as rejection and ultimately ends his own life, along with his girlfriend. By the time the 8 Mile actor does respond in the final verse, it’s too late.

Eminem is among the group of rappers who’ve been holding off on sharing new music for several years now, meaning his fans are more hungry than ever. His Stan documentary is sure to provide them with entertainment, but still, there’s a lot that listeners are expecting from his rumoured 2024 album. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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DMX Death Anniversary: Ruff Ryders Honour Late Rapper At His Gravesite

April 9, 2024 by newhiphopnews

One of the hardest parts about being a hip-hop head is the number of casualties listeners witness in comparison to other genres of music. Gun violence has taken far too many talented lyricists before their time, and the same is true of drug overdoses. The latter is what caused DMX to pass away when he was only 50 years old on April 9, 2021. Though it’s now been three years since his departure, those closest to the multi-talent continue to celebrate him, particularly when the anniversary of his passing comes around.

As HipHopDX reports, in 2024 the crew at Ruff Ryders Entertainment are doing their part to remember DMX. On Tuesday afternoon they shared content from their trip to the fallen star’s gravesite in Yonkers’ Oakland Cemetery where they reflected on some of the New York native’s best moments. “Let’s give it to X because he stayed true to himself and he never sold out,” one person says in the video below.

DMX’s Legacy Lives On Past His Untimely Death

“He kept it real till the casket dropped, y’know what I’m saying? You don’t get real cats like that, that represent from the beginning to the end,” they further praised the “Where The Hood At” hitmaker. In 2023, the same group of Ruff Ryders hosted a “Ryde Out” event to commemorate their friend, and we’re curious to see what other creative ways they’ll find to keep his torch lit going forward. Thankfully, X had a large family who can help them brainstorm ideas for years to come.

DMX may no longer be with us in body, but his spirit certainly lives on through his seventeen children. One of them, Exodus, recently took part in the “of course” TikTok trend, letting the world know just how similar he and his late father are. Check that wholesome moment out at the link below, and tap back in with HNHH later for more pop culture/music news updates.

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Rihanna On ASAP Rocky Butt Grab At 2012 MTV VMAs: “My Team Was Worried”

April 9, 2024 by newhiphopnews

For years, hip-hop heads thought Rihanna and Drake would settle down together because of their strong working relationship. Ultimately, though, the “California King Bed” songstress chose ASAP Rocky to father her children, and she confirmed today (April 9) that they’re hoping to have more. On Tuesday morning RiRi’s Interview Magazine cover story dropped, consisting of iconic, gender-bending outfits and a conversation with Mel Ottenberg that reflects how life has changed for her since becoming a mother.

At one point, Rih was asked about the time when her man, ASAP Rocky, grabbed her butt during a performance at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. They were singing the hypersexual “Cockiness (Love It)” when the New Yorker gave his future lover’s behind a squeeze. “So when he grabbed my a** that night, everybody thought I was about to… My team was worried that I wanted to have his head on a f**king mantle,” the 36-year-old recalled of her short temper.

Who Knew Rihanna and ASAP Rocky’s Relationship Went Back So Far?

However, since Rihanna was able to play the hot and heavy moment off, her inner circle was quick to speculate a growing crush. “I was like, ‘Ah, nah.’ That’s why everybody was like, ‘Oh my God. She likes him,’” the Barbadian explained. In 2013 she appeared in Rocky’s “Fashion Killa” visual, but it wasn’t until 2019 that their romance became serious.

Elsewhere in her Interview Magazine sitdown, Rihanna spoke about how Mel Ottenberg has always had a knack for styling her over the years. “You’ve always taken advantage of my silhouette and what my body is doing,” she praised the creative. “Like when I’m mad skinny, my boobs are, like, nothing and I have a little booty, and you work with that. And now it’s like, ‘Okay, I had two babies. You really have to push this up, snatch this in,” the Bad Gal added. See photos from their latest shoot together at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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Fat Joe & Lil Kim Perform At The Apollo, Rap Diva Brings Out Signature Robot Moves: Watch

April 3, 2024 by newhiphopnews

For the past few years, female rhymers have been holding things down in the hip-hop community, from big players like Nicki Minaj and Cardi B to rising stars such as Ice Spice and Sexyy Red. Before we met all of those artists, one woman was holding onto the title of the Queen of Rap – Lil Kim. The New York native pushed boundaries so that those coming after her would be free to express themselves fully and find success within the industry rather than be taken advantage of by executives.

Though she’s no longer rhyming as feverishly as we once heard her, Kim remains in the public eye and still knows a thing or two about performing. For instance, her dear friend Fat Joe tapped her to join him on stage at the Apollo Theater in New York City earlier this week, which she happily obliged. In the video below, the “Love Stick” hitmaker pulls out some of her signature dance moves, including the robotic motions she often goes viral for pulling out consistently over the years.

Fat Joe Surprises New York Crowd With Queen Bee Lil Kim

Fat Joe Brings out Lil Kim at his concert at the Apollo in NYC pic.twitter.com/0RGEtnrper

— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) April 3, 2024

Kim’s fans are always happy to see her still in action, but critics still have much to say about the significant changes to her appearance over the years. “Personally, my heart hurts for this woman, and Black women in general when I see this video,” one Twitter/X user wrote, pulling out an old photo of Kim to compare to her notably whiter look in 2024. “We’re just lying to ourselves; the only thing I see is a Black woman in pain and nothing else,” they speculated. “I love when seasoned artists still have enthusiasm to perform,” someone else chimed in, praising both Joe and his friend.

Elsewhere in the Queen Bee’s world, Lil Kim’s been cozying up with a younger man who goes by Tayy Brown. It’s unclear what their current relationship status is, though we can tell the New York native has plenty of feelings. Read all about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news.

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Drake Trolls Joe Budden, Nicki Minaj Invites Podcaster To Perform Throwback Hit

March 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake still has yet to respond to the shade thrown at him by his “Poetic Justice” collaborator Kendrick Lamar with a diss track of his own. This is leaving some to wonder if he’ll ever have any bars to spit about what went down between them. Interestingly, the father of one is still very active on social media. Specifically, he wasn’t afraid to poke fun at another opp of his – Joe Budden. On Saturday (March 30), Drizzy’s Instagram Story lit up with a snapshot of the podcaster wearing some seriously baggy sweatpants.

To complete his fit, Budden added a black hoodie, a shiny puffer jacket in the same colour, crisp white sneakers and a hat that reads, “FREE.” The Canadian’s trolling comes after his most recent performance in New York City, where he got some frustrations off his chest during “Energy.” On the picture of JB, Drake wrote, “What’s the vibes NY?!?” suggesting he was on the hunt for a fun way to spend his Easter weekend.

Drake Teases Joe Budden While On Tour in NYC

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While Drake continues to troll Budden, Nicki Minaj is surprisingly putting their differences aside to show him love. The Queen of Rap invited her fellow artist to perform during her concert in New Jersey recently, specifically requesting “Pump It Up.” When the 43-year-old shared the news on his internet show, co-hosts and fans were disappointed in Budden for turning down the incredible opportunity. “I ain’t hype no more,” he simply said.

Nicki Minaj Requests “Pump It Up” on the Pink Friday 2 Tour

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“That was a real song?” one IG user asked in @theshaderoom’s comments. “I thought it was just for ‘You Got Served’ ,” they laughed. “I’m not gonna lie… If you’re a kid you won’t understand how fire this would have been!! My 34-year-old ass WOULD HAVE BEEN GEEKED!!! I’m mad he said no!” another person admitted. Would you like to see Joe Budden do “Pump It Up” live? Let us know in the comments, and check back later to see more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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The post Drake Trolls Joe Budden, Nicki Minaj Invites Podcaster To Perform Throwback Hit appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Shyne Nightclub Shooting Victim Says Diddy Is Responsible For Her Life-Changing 1999 Injuries

March 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Sean “Diddy” Combs is learning the hard way these past few months that what’s done in the dark will always find a way to shine. Still, the Bad Boy mogul’s legal team continues to deny any rumoured wrongdoing on his behalf, even as all his alleged former skeletons fall out of the closet. Among them is a 1999 incident at a nightclub that led to the arrest of Jamal “Shyne” Barrow, Jennifer Lopez, and her then-beau Diddy, which the former ultimately served 10 years in prison for. As News Nation reports, the music executive was taken into custody on weapons charges at the time, and in 2008, victim Natania Reuben filed a $130M lawsuit for compensation against Combs. By summer 2011 they settled, though the survivor continues to insist it was Combs who shot her.

“I am the woman who he shot in the face in that Dec. 27, 1999, Club New York shooting. I have told everyone, ad nauseam, since then. I watched him fire the gun,” she shared on social media in February. More recently, she spoke with reporter Elizabeth Vargas about the situation. “I didn’t have any reason to believe that someone wouldn’t believe me. But as things unfolded, it was a very short period of time where I realized that’s what was happening,” the courageous woman shared.

Natania Reuben Speaks Her Truth Regarding Diddy Shyne Nightclub Shooting

Elsewhere, Reuben says she’s feeling “extremely emotional” amid the latest reports of Diddy’s homes being raided across the country. “It’s been basically a quarter of a century since this occurred, and I’ve had to re-live this over and over again,” the woman vented. “When I saw [the raids], it felt really cathartic because I finally feel like justice is being done.”

As authorities and internet sleuths continue to unravel the tangled web of Diddy’s many allegations, the latter is having a field day with the latest news about Yung Miami. According to the Lil Rod lawsuit, the City Girl was on her former Papi’s payroll as a sex worker, along with 50 Cent’s baby mama Daphne Joy. Read all about that at the link below, and let us know what you think is next for Sean Combs in the comments.

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The post Shyne Nightclub Shooting Victim Says Diddy Is Responsible For Her Life-Changing 1999 Injuries appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

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Natania Reuben Speaks Her Truth Regarding Diddy Shyne Nightclub Shooting

*Life’s A B***h And Then You Die…* (“Life’s A B***h”)