Hip-Hop History

Rappers Who Have Earned Both An Oscar & Grammy

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Hip hop and awards shows have always had a tumultuous relationship. The Grammys didn’t even recognize the genre until 1989, which, in hindsight, is simply ridiculous. However, rappers have been treated with even less regard when it comes to other “prestigious” awards shows. The first rap track to even get nominated at the Academy Awards wasn’t until 2002. There hasn’t exactly been a deluge of nominations or wins since then.

Regardless of the hard-traveled roads these awards shows create for hip hop artists, there have been some big wins at both. While the Grammys have plenty of rap-centric categories, the limited space the Oscars present has always been a hurdle. However, some rappers have broken through at “Hollywood’s Biggest Night.” Some took home a statue in surprising categories. As of this writing, there have been a total of three rap artists who have won both a Grammy and an Oscar. AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Eminem

Since 2000, Eminem has earned 15 Grammy Awards and twice as many nominations. In fact, Slim Shady has earned the fourth most wins overall, only bested by icons like Kendrick Lamar, Ye, and Jay-Z.  The Detroit rapper’s victories have been spread out over several Grammy categories, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.

Despite having a litany of music industry accolades under his belt, Eminem’s most surprising win was earned in 2003. At the 75th Academy Awards, he took home the Best Original Song Oscar for “Lose Yourself” from the film 8 Mile. Directed by Curt Hanson (L.A. Confidential), the semi-autobiographical film garnered praise from critics and fans of Marshall Mathers alike. While Eminem didn’t receive a nomination for acting, he did make Academy Awards history by being the first rapper to win an Oscar.

Eminem’s Academy win didn’t exactly open the floodgates for hip hop artists, but it did set a precedent. Two years later, Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia would win in the same category for their track “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from the film Hustle & Flow. Other artists like Kendrick Lamar would go on to earn nominations years later. Sadly, the next rapper to win an Oscar for Best Original Song wouldn’t be until 2015.

Common

The Chicago-based rapper Common underwent several artistic evolutions during his illustrious career. However, he has always been a conscious figure in rap music, proselytizing street-smart politics through smooth delivery and insightful bars. Despite being nominated twenty times, the rapper has only won three Grammy awards.

Common won his first for the Erykah Badu song “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)” in 2003. The song was a duet between Badu and Common, who were romantically involved at the time of its recording. The track was from the film Brown Sugar and helped propel the soundtrack to No. 16 on the Billboard 200 charts. In 2008, he won his second Grammy for “Southside” from his seventh album Finding Forever. Along with Kanye West, he took home the award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group award.

However, the biggest win for Common was the one-two punch of earning an Oscar and Grammy for the same song. At the 2015 Academy Awards, Common won the Oscar for Best Original Song for “Glory” from Selma. A year later, Common and co-writers John Legend and Rhymefest would also win the Best Song Written for Visual Media Grammy. In 2017, Common won an Emmy, leaving him just a Tony award away from the coveted “EGOT.”

Will Smith

Will Smith has been a facet of pop culture for nearly four decades. From being in the hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince to starring in summer blockbusters, Smith has dominated every artist field he’s entered. His cultural presence has practically been unmatched by his peers. In 1989, Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff won the inaugural Grammy award for Best Rap Performance for the song “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” The track would go on to be a playful anthem for kids everywhere.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince would also earn their second Grammy in 1993 for the song “Summertime.” The duo would eventually call it quits a year later as Smith was looking to pursue his acting career full-time. However, in the late ‘90s, Smith would return to music as a solo artist. His return to music earned him two more Grammys for the songs “Men in Black” and “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It.”

While Smith’s music career has seemingly been put to rest, his acting has only gained more momentum. Smith was nominated for his first Oscar in 2002 for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in the biopic Ali. Five years later, he would earn his second Academy Award nod for the film The Pursuit of Happyness. But apparently, the third time was a charm when Will Smith finally took home the statue in 2022. Smith played Richard Williams, father of Serena and Venus Williams, in the film King Richard. The film not only earned Smith the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar but also a Best Picture nomination.

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Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers LP” Turns 23

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This year marks 23 years since the release of Eminem’s iconic album, The Marshall Mathers LP. The album was Eminem’s third studio album and was released on May 23, 2000, via Aftermath and Interscope. Dr. Dre executive produced the project, producing most of the album’s tracklist alongside Mel-Man, F.B.T., and Eminem himself. The Detroit icon is undoubtedly one of the most impactful hip hop artists ever. The Marshall Mathers LP featured artists including Dido, RBX, Sticky Fingaz, D12, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, and Nate Dogg. Eminem is held in high regard, widely considered among the greatest rappers ever. The Marshall Mathers LP is considered by many to be Eminem’s best album. It is one of hip hop’s most influential and definitive classics. We look back on the impact of The Marshall Mathers LP for its 23rd anniversary.

One Of Hip Hop’s Most Polarizing Albums

The Marshall Mathers LP brought listeners further into Eminem’s world that he created with The Slim Shady LP in 1999. The album builds on the lyrical content of The Slim Shady LP. He addresses relationships with his mother and ex-wife, drug use, and his place in hip hop, among other topics. Eminem provided a unique perspective that hip hop had not seen before, resulting in one of the genre’s most polarizing albums. The Marshall Mathers LP completely leaned into the controversial figure that Eminem had based the Slim Shady character around. 

The album’s lyrics were quite controversial, appalling listeners with violence, misogyny, and homophobia. The album led to further discourse over hip hop’s relationship with censorship and the effect of explicit lyrics on children. Songs like “Kill You,” “Who Knew,” “Criminal,” and “The Way I Am” were very contentious yet still very successful. Though the language was quite harsh and offended many, Eminem stunned listeners with his technical ability as a rapper, displaying some of the most impressive flows and complex rhyme schemes. The emotion and humor of the album were also highly compelling. He even stirred up controversy when dissing other white pop stars on the album, like Britney Spears and *NSYNC. 

The Marshall Mathers LP was critically acclaimed upon its release and has garnered even more praise in the years that followed. The album completely eclipsed The Slim Shady LP regarding quality, acclaim, and success. Despite its success, it was still widely condemned by religious and political organizations.

Eminem As A Cultural Icon

The shock value and the quality of the music on The Marshall Mathers LP cemented Eminem’s status as a rap superstar. He became one of the most prominent and recognizable artists at the time. The album won over both hip hop purists and casual fans outside of different age groups and demographics. The album’s broad reach sold over a million copies in its first week. The Marshall Mathers LP went No. 1 and spent multiple weeks at the top of the Billboard charts. It still remains one of the fastest-selling albums and best-selling albums of all time. The album took home the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2001. Eminem became a superstar and cultural phenomenon as a direct result of the success of The Marshall Mathers LP.

The Impact Of The Marshall Mathers LP

Twenty-three years later, Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP is still one of the most recognizable hip hop albums ever and contains some of hip hop’s most iconic songs. One of these legendary tracks is the captivating “Stan.” The single is about a troubled and obsessed fan who writes to him in an attempt to connect, which takes a surprising turn. “Stan” was its very own experience within the album and is one of Eminem’s most classic songs. It was impactful to the point where “Stan” is now a term in the dictionary. Moments like this song speak to the album’s legacy. The Marshall Mathers LP influenced many of hip hop’s future greats,  inspiring the likes of Odd Future, Logic, Kendrick Lamar, and many more. 

In 2013, Eminem released his 8th studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2, 13 years after the original. The album included a sequel to “Stan,” titled “Bad Guy.” Though it had multiple hit singles, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 was nowhere near its predecessor’s acclaim level. The Marshall Mathers LP remains Eminem’s biggest and highest-rated album. It is widely considered his best album, though one can argue that The Eminem Show and Recovery are better. The Marshall Mathers LP defined an era for hip hop and Eminem’s career—making him one of the biggest rappers ever. This album cemented Eminem’s GOAT status, and he has “always been chasing it” in terms of success and creativity.

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Why August 11 Is Considered Hip-Hop’s Birthday?

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The hip-hop genre officially turns 50 years old on August 11. Admittedly, it feels weird to pin an exact date on the birth of the United States’ biggest genre. Elements of hip-hop were beginning to take form well before 1973. The musical style was born out of New York kids’ graffiti, DJ sets, breakdancing, and MCing. At its core, the beginnings of the genre were rooted in exhilarating rebellion. Outcasted African American teenagers in the impoverished blocks of New York were searching for a creative outlet to better reflect the chaos of their upbringing. They weren’t finding that outlet in the prevalent genres of the time.

At its core, hip-hop’s birth out of an emotional place of struggle and survival is what stands the genre out in the worldwide scope of music. In essence, the phrase encompasses more than a sound. Overall, it’s a culture that rose from oppression. By the early 1970s, Bronx teenagers were beatboxing and making beats with whatever items they could find. Snapping to the beat of their imaginative world, rapid-fire verses began to take form. However, August 11 is specifically cataloged due to a particular block party that took place in 1973.

DJ Kool Herc’s August 11 Block Party Pioneered Hip-Hop

DJ Kool Herc at 1520 Sedgwick Ave
(Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc, born Clive Campbell, threw the famous “back to school jam” block party on 1520 Sedgwick Ave. The Jamaican-American DJ was instrumental in the creation of hip-hop. However, it was actually Herc’s sister, Cindy Campbell, who had decided to throw the block party. Initially, the goal was to raise funds to purchase new clothes for the upcoming school year. Even ahead of frat party antics, the entry charge was 50 cents for boys and a quarter for girls. Over 300 people would show up at Sedgwick Avenue. DJ Kool Herc would become a local celebrity overnight. Suddenly, the 18-year-old was viewed in a starkly different light throughout the Bronx borough.

Kool Herc’s melting pot of Jamaican influences meshed with the bustling world of New York. As a result, Herc’s background naturally generated the early soundscapes of hip-hop. He would pioneer a style popularly known as “breakbeats.” The style revolves around looping a section of funk records into a sound that people would lose their minds to. Even more impressively, Herc would do all of this in a live setting with the Merry-Go-Round technique. He would create the loop in front of a crowd with two turntables and a mixer, allowing him to manipulate the breakbeat in real-time.

“I was noticing people used to wait for particular parts of the record to dance, maybe to do their specialty move,” DJ Kool Herc told History. He observed that this almost always occurred at the drum break. As a result, he began to brainstorm ways in which to extend this sound over the course of a song.

The Bronx Set The Tone For Hip-Hop

DJ Kool Herc crate digging
DJ Kool Herc, looking through his records, DJing, Blackpool, UK 07.10.2000. (Photo by Henry Iddon/PYMCA/Avalon/Getty Images)

The significance of the block party went beyond dance-inducing loops of James Brown or Isley Brothers tracks. As Jeff Chang put it to Paste Magazine, “The party was important not so much because of its size or Herc’s playlist or any special dance that got introduced, [but] the fact that it sparked a scene that transformed the youth culture in that devastated borough. Cindy and Herc’s party came right at the moment when gangs had begun to wane and young people were looking for ways to gather and express themselves.” Herc set the tone for hip-hop in the Bronx, as pioneering MCs began brainstorming ways to flow over his production.

However, some argue August 11, 1973, isn’t the accurate birthdate of hip-hop. During an interview with Nardwuar, Universal Zulu Nation leader Afrika Bambaataa argued that the birthday of hip-hop was Nov. 12, 1974. “When we decided to call this whole culture hip-hop. Hip-hop even goes further than that, but we decided to name it hip-hop as a culture, meaning with the b-boys, the b-girls, the MCs, the aerosol writers, graffiti writers and the DJs and that fifth element that holds it all together. That’s the date that I decided we should name this as a whole culture and start moving from there,” Bambaataa stated. Admittedly, there will always be debate about the true birthdate of hip-hop. The genre is a constantly evolving creative and revolutionary act rather than a concept with a concrete start or end date.

Hip-Hop Has Evolved Drastically Over 50 Years

Five years after DJ Kool Herc’s electric block party, hip-hop was beginning to transform into a mainstream genre throughout New York. After the New York Blackout of 1977, where many looters stole DJ equipment from electronics stores, hip-hop began to grow at an astounding rate. By the end of the decade, groups such as Sugar Hill Gang and Funky 4 + 1 were beginning to garner a presence on music’s top charts. Then, in the 1990s, hip-hop became one of the best-selling genres.

Nas’s company Mass Appeal has the reigns on events and celebrations for the Hip-Hip 50th initiative in order to commemorate the authentic and global impact the genre has made. They’ve announced an official celebratory event on August 11th at Yankee Stadium.

August 11, 1973 became an official holiday for hip-hop back in 2021. The senate chambers made history by unanimously voting to officially designate the day as Hip-Hop’s Celebration Day. “By unanimous consent, the Senate passed S.Res.331,” the United States Senate Periodical Press Gallery confirmed via Twitter. The Senate elaborated further on the topic, saying that it is “a resolution designating August 11, 2021, as ‘Hip Hop Celebration Day,’ designating August 2021 as ‘’Hip Hop Recognition Month’, and designating November 2021 as ‘Hip Hop History Month. More so a cultural revolution than merely a genre, hip-hop has had its pulse on cultural trends surrounding fashion, technology, art, entertainment, politics, and media from the jump. Now reaching the 50-year mark, hip-hop’s influence is only just getting started.

Young Thug & Lil Durk Computer Meme: Rappers Have Vowed Not To “Snitch” On Story Behind Photo

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Lil Durk is a hot topic in the world of hip-hop this weekend. Not only did the Chicago native share his highly anticipated Almost Healed album today (May 26), but he’s also been doing some press to promote the 21-track effort. Earlier in the week he spoke with DJ Akademiks on the media personality’s Off the Record podcast, during which he discussed the late King Von, the YSL RICO trial, and his latest work, among other things. While Durkio made it abundantly clear that he believes Gunna snitched on his co-defendants, he simultaneously showed plenty of love to Young Thug.

“If you a rat, I f*cking hate you. Because I love Thug,” the father of six told Ak amid his rant about Gunna. Elsewhere, the host brought up the famous photo from 2018 in which Durk watches on in amazement while the So Much Fun hitmaker seriously works on the computer in front of them during a studio session. “What the f*ck was y’all looking at?” Akademiks asked his guest.

Read More: Lil Durk Accuses Gunna Of Snitching In YSL RICO Trial: “That Man Told”

Lil Durk Discusses Young Thug Meme from 2018

Smurk responded, “He told me not to tell nobody.” To this, the embattled blogger cracked a joke, “That’s the same thing he said. Y’all must have been watching some porn.” Rather than deny the rumours, the 7220 artist pointed out that it’s clear that he and Thugger have a seriously strong bond. “That’s how you know we won’t snitch on each other,” Durk declared.

As HipHopDX notes, the multi-talent publicly spoke about the photo in 2020, tweeting that the YSL leader “showed him $20 million.” The pair has made plenty of magic in the studio together before with Young Thug helping out with two tracks on his pal’s 2016 I’m Up project.

Read More: Yeat Releases New Collab With Young Thug, “My Wrist”

Smurk’s Full Interview with DJ Akademiks

Check out both episodes of Lil Durk’s appearance on DJ Akademiks’ Off the Record podcast exclusively on Spotify below. Have you tapped into the rapper’s new Almost Healed album yet? If not, check it out here, and tap back in with HNHH later for more pop culture/music news updates.

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Nas & Damian Marley’s “Distant Relatives” Turns 13

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This year marks the 13th anniversary of Nas and Damian Marley’s collaborative album, Distant Relatives. The album was released on May 18, 2010, via Universal Republic and Def Jam. Damian Marley and his brother Stephen Marley almost entirely produced the project. Distant Relatives was Nas’s second collaborative album, following his group album with The Firm in 1997. It was Marley’s first full-length collaboration with another artist, preceding the Superheavy album with Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, Joss Stone, and A.R. Rahman.

Nas and Damian Marley initially connected for “Road To Zion,” a song from Marley’s third studio album, 2005’s Welcome to Jamrock. Nas’s song “One Love” from Illmatic is inspired by a song of the same name from Damian’s father, reggae icon Bob Marley. Damian Marley had previously worked with many other hip hop artists, including Black Thought, Treach, and Eve. Distant Relatives followed Nas’s 2008 album, Untitled, which was polarizing for its political content and intense subject matter. Nas and Marley’s Distant Relatives album stands out among their catalogs, not only as a quality collaboration but as an album that fused genres and displayed the close relationship between hip hop and reggae. Here is a look back at the album for its anniversary.

A Fusion Of Two Genres

On the album’s opener and lead single, “As We Enter,” Nas raps, “My man’ll speak Patois, and I can speak rap star.” This lyric concisely summarizes the album as Nas and Marley dominate in two separate worlds of music but can make good music together. The album’s title, Distant Relatives, also speaks to this connection, as portions hip hop’s early musical origins derive from reggae influences. 

Damian Marley is not considered a rapper, but he can effortlessly flow on a track like one and keeps up with Nas on a track like “As We Enter.” The song is one of the most exciting moments on the album as the two trade lines with ease. Their distinct voices complement each other nicely. Damian Marley’s Welcome To Jamrock incorporated some elements of hip hop, so it was no surprise that he and Nas worked well together. “As We Enter” samples “Yègellé Tezeta” by Ethiopian musician Mulatu Astatke. Most of the samples on the album come from African musicians such as Amadou & Mariam, Sara Chaves, Tunji Oyelana, and David Zé. The album also samples several Jamaican artists like Dennis Brown, Little Roy, and Damian’s brother Ziggy Marley.

Distant Relatives brought the worlds of hip hop and reggae together through the chemistry between Nas and Marley. The album’s guest list also combines the two genres, with Stephen Marley and K’naan appearing on multiple songs and features from Lil Wayne, Dennis Brown, and Joss Stone. Regarding production, some songs on Distant Relatives lean more towards hip hop while others lean toward Damian’s reggae background. With that in mind, Nas and Marley sound equally comfortable with each other’s style of music, which speaks to their skills as artists and their working relationship. 

Distant Relatives Covered Serious Issues

The production of Distant Relatives and the chemistry between Nas and Marley were essential for the album’s success. The lyricism and messaging of the album played an integral role in making a memorable collaboration. Lyrically, hip hop and reggae share many similarities in the topics that artists tend to discuss in their songs. Distant Relatives sheds light on serious issues around the world, drawing comparisons between Africa and America. Songs like “Patience (Sabali)” and “Africa Must Wake Up” highlights the importance of proactively working towards change to solve problems, as well as the importance of unity in Africa in the face of adversity. “Dispear” speaks to underprivileged people, while “Friends” discusses the importance of real friends and distinguishing them from fake ones. “Leaders” with Stephen Marley pays tribute to significant Black leaders and how they inspired change. 

An Uplifting Message

Distant Relatives also has many uplifting songs on its tracklist that preach uplifting and motivational messages. A prime example of these hopeful songs is “Strong Will Continue,” a motivational song about not giving up in times of hardship. “Count Your Blessings” is about being happy and grateful for one’s fortune, “In His Own Words” is about the power of God, and “Land of Promise” serves as a love letter to Africa. 

The song “My Generation” is also an essential album highlight. The song features a soulful hook from Joss Stone and a chorus of children, making for an uplifting song about the hope for the next generation to make progress. Nas and Marley talk about how this generation can create change, paying respects to those that came before them and pointing out the issues that need to be addressed. Lil Wayne also raps about how change starts from within oneself. “My Generation” is a standout track that exemplifies how Nas and Marley fused their sounds to create a body of work that excels, celebrates the lineage of Black music, and spreads messages of unity.

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Common’s “Be” Turns 18

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There’s no denying that Common is one of the godfathers of hip-hop. The Chicago-based MC pioneered the hip-hop sub-genre surrounding neo-soul, flowing over orchestral beats throughout the early ’90s. Common would become the voice of reason for Chicago, rapping about the dark corners of the Windy City in a vulnerable manner. In an interview with the L.A. Times, he stated, “I felt a responsibility to be a voice for the people of Chicago, to represent their humanity.” Catapulting himself from a rapper to an actor, he’s placed tracks from Chicago creatives such as Chance the Rapper, NoName, and B.J. The Chicago Kid on the show The Chi.

His rap career started in 1992 when he released his debut album, Can I Borrow a Dollar? Garnering an underground following throughout the 90s, he would begin to hit mainstream success in the 2000s. In 2004, Common appeared on Kanye West’s The College Dropout, kickstarting a relationship between the iconic MCs. Soon after, he signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music record label. The two would top off their collaboration with Be. In an interview with Sway, Kanye stated, “This album was like a great experience for me. Say if this album never came out or went Platinum. Just the experience of being around [Common], he was someone who pushed me as a person.”

“Be” Revived Common’s Career

Be was more than an iconic hip-hop album from the Chicago-based legend Common. After a three-year hiatus, the project symbolized the revival of a career struggling to maintain relevance. His prior project, Electric Circus, was critically acclaimed by some, but responses were mixed. Opting for an ambient-induced hip-hop experience for the record, some found adjusting to Common’s experimental project difficult. Like Jay-Z, Common recruited Chicago kid Kanye West to pioneer a revival of his sound. In fact, Be was more than a resurrection.

Common has been at his best throughout his career when his music derives from a source of happiness and purity. That’s exactly what Be is. From the upbeat piano chords on the live version of “The Food” to the glistening synths on “GO!,” the project is meant to inspire at its core. You also have “They Say,” which garners features from John Legend and Kanye West. The three reflect on the double-sided coin of fame, specifically in the music industry. West states, “I know they can’t wait till ya outta ya deal / Look at how they did D’Angelo ask him, “How does it feel?” From going through hard times to navigating changing friendships due to fame, it’s one of the more lyrically compelling tracks.

“Be”: An Ode To Chicago Life

Sampling the likes of Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke, Be‘s upbeat melancholy quality will have listeners reminiscing on a Sunday morning coffee. While the record isn’t blindly positive, the overarching tone of the album is that hard times are temporary. Unlike Electric Circle or Like Water for Chocolate, Be opts for consistency rather than grandiosity. Running 11 tracks for 42 minutes, the record’s brevity is why many fans hold it as his best album. It’s reflected in the numbers, with Be far outperforming the numbers of his other albums. In addition, the album was nominated for four different awards at the 48th Grammys, including Best Rap Album.

“Be (Intro)” introduces us to the record with a smooth bassline, which morphs into a horn-focused beat. The transition from darkness to bright instrumentation speaks volumes to the album’s creative direction. Kanye’s unique production chops become readily apparent. The audience travels directly into the coldness of a Chicago night, where he states, “Drunk nights get remembered more than sober ones.” However, Common’s balanced references to the negativity of Chicago life aren’t black and white. He’s stubbornly optimistic throughout the record, counteracting rough nights with a rising bank account or an improved love life.

“Be” Considered A Common Masterpiece

Common isn’t doing anything groundbreaking on Be. He isn’t switching up his flow or inflexing Hall of Fame-level rhyme schemes. While the album reinforced the new sample-based production that Kanye West was bringing to the genre, the record isn’t highly influential to the overall hip-hop scene. The magic lies in the consistency of the record, making it better and better with each listen.

While the laid-back production can make for an underwhelming first listen, its replay-ability makes the record just as relevant approaching two decades after its release. There’s plenty of debate about whether or not Be is Common’s best record. However, the consensus is that it’s his best-produced project to date, behind the production chops of Kanye West and J-Dilla. Like Water for Chocolate is regarded as his most lyrically in-depth album.

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SoundCloud Rap Albums That Defined A Generation

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Unfortunately, SoundCloud doesn’t have the same ring as it used to. While it’s still a breeding ground for young artists looking to gain attention, it’s not the in-demand discovery platform for new music that it used to be. However, at its peak, the SoundCloud movement and its many hit rap albums were among the most popular hip-hop trends. From Juice WRLD to XXXTentacion, many artists proved that rap didn’t need to be polished to make it into the mainstream. The grim, jaded quality of their sound sub-versed the genre, a trend tragically cut short by the passing of the two respective artists.

Face tattoos, braided hair, and a dark demeanor became synonymous with the new age of rock stars. Mosh-pits became enraged and downright dangerous amidst tracks such as XXXTentacion’s “Look at Me!” Interestingly, this late 2010s movement wasn’t subject to one region. While South Florida may have been a key region, the movement’s epicenter was the internet. The nature of the SoundCloud platform made for moodier, angst-filled, and emotionally complex songs. With artists being able to hide behind the monger of an alter-ego, the platform encouraged emotional vulnerability for outcasted teenagers and adolescents.

For every forward movement of SoundCloud’s rap albums into the mainstream, there was a counterforce looking to demonize the sound. Many denounced the loose and wild nature of the lyrical content as “mumble rap.” However, detractors of the new wave only strengthened its popularity. It inspired the likes of Denzel Curry and Ski Mask the Slump God to rap gravely about their haters. The movement’s first big moment occurred in 2016 when Lil Uzi Vert stood front and center of the year’s XXL magazine annual Freshman issue.

Juice WRLD – Goodbye & Good Riddance (2018)

Of course, several rap albums solidified the validity of the SoundCloud era. Juice WRLD’s Goodbye & Good Riddance was the first project to go global, an 808-induced album surrounding heartbreak and continued drug use. Tracks such as “All Girls Are the Same” and “Lucid Dreams” shot to the top of the Billboard charts, bringing the unhinged lyricism of the SoundCloud generation to hip-hop radio stations nationwide. The project’s self-deprecating lyricism is even more tragic in the context of Juice WRLD’s untimely passing.

Lil Pump – Lil Pump (2017)

Lil Pump rides a jet ski amid an ocean of sinking sports cars on the front cover of 2017’s Lil Pump. While his antics can sometimes make it difficult to take the Miami-born MC seriously, there’s no doubt that his exhilarating self-titled album was a thrill ride perfectly curated for energetic teens. Tracks such as “Boss” and “D Rose” hurl the listener straight into an overheated mosh-pit, making it an ideal listen for late-night benders. Lil Pump is downright goofy from start to finish. A Chat GPT generator could outdo the lyricism. However, that ridiculousness is precisely what made the project resonate with an entire generation of wild teenagers.

Lil Uzi Vert – Lil Uzi Vert Vs The World (2016)

On the surface, Lil Uzi Vert’s rap albums don’t exactly fall into the construct of the SoundCloud scene. If anything, he’s more-so aligned with the traditional sonic tropes of mainstream trap. He’s closer to the worlds of Future and Young Thug than to XXXTentacion or Lil Peep. However, he’s still an electrical product of internet culture. In addition, the success of Lil Uzi Vert vs The World aided the popularity of his contemporaries such as Lil Yachty or Playboi Carti. A mix of seething beats and braggadocios high notes, “Money Longer” and “Ps & Qs” remain among his best songs.

Playboi Carti – Playboi Carti (2017)

Is there a bigger Soundcloud mogul than Playboi Carti? There’s an ongoing joke amongst Carti fans that if your favorite song by him isn’t an obscure leftover that hovers in the depths of SoundCloud, you aren’t a real fan. However, Carti’s unreleased discography is arguably the most iconic in hip-hop. However, the self-titled Playboi Carti brought that psychedelic world of cloud rap to the main stage, riding off of the anthem that is “Magnolia.” Its sound would prove highly influential over the years, pioneering a focused subgenre of Cloud rap that would be fully fledged out with Die Lit.

XXXTentacion – 17 (2017)

The lead single for 17, “Look at Me!,” is likely the most influential SoundCloud-era track ever. XXXTentacion’s unfiltered range resonated with teenage audiences nationwide, capturing his rollercoaster personality. However, that ugly realness didn’t parallel XXXTentacion’s debut album, 17. From “Jocelyn Flores” to “Everybody Dies in Their Nightmares,” his saddening restrain caught fans off guard. He told fans about it before the album’s release, stating, “If you listen to me to get hype or to not think, don’t buy this album.”

Lil Yachty – Lil Boat (2016)

Lil Yachty’s initial sound was a pure creation of the internet. His debut mixtape, Lil Boat, is 40 minutes of pure happiness. It’s hard to put a pin on where the appeal lies. Yachty certainly doesn’t stand out as a lyricist, and the production heavily wears the influences of its era. The appeal of Lil Boat lies in its easy and unbothered nature, sounding as if Yachty is sitting on the couch next to a hefty collection of late-night snacks. The single “One Night” was the cult hit of the record. In essence, the rap album Lil Boat‘s simplicity mirrors many of the SoundCloud era’s appealing elements.

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The Rise of Women’s Empowerment In Hip-Hop

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Hip-Hop isn’t the worldwide phenomenon that it is today without the presence of female artists. Hip-hop emerged in the late 1970s to early 1980s. The echoes of the Black Power movement existed in the expression of the genre’s early days. In fact, women were at the frontlines of this culture. From Queen Latifah to MC Lyte, many female rappers played a crucial role in mainstreaming hip-hop. It all started in 1980 when Sylvia Robinson released “Rapper’s Delight.” It was the first hip-hop song to achieve commercial success and to chart in the Billboard Top 40.

No matter who you are, you need to be prepared if you’re going to work in the hip-hop space. It’s a deeply competitive space, with artists going from relevancy to unimportance overnight. However, it’s not to the same extent that it was in the ’80s, according to Grammy-nominated rapper Monie Love: “Today you need to have thick skin, but back in the 80s, you need to be a rhino, honey, because for one, you could be as good as any man and you still wasn’t getting the level of respect that you deserved as a woman on the mic.”

Women In Hip-Hop Were Doubted In The ’80s & ’90s

American hip hop band Salt-n-Pepa (Jamaican-American rapper Pepa, American DJ Spinderella, and American rapper Salt), with Pepa and Salt wearing denim jackets with their arms folded, in a studio portrait, location unspecified, United States, circa 1990. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Throughout the ’80s, women continued to struggle with notions surrounding sexism in the hip-hop industry. However, pinpoint moments began to change the conversation surrounding women in hip-hop. One of those moments came in 1989 with “Ladies First,” a collaborative track between Love and Queen Latifah. You also had Yo-Yo’s “You Can’t Play With My Yo-Yo” with fellow California rapper Ice Cube. With the two bouncing off each other amid a West Coast-style beat, the track was another piece of outspoken female empowerment.

Female rap group Salt-n-Pepa arguably played the most significant role in getting the music world to take female hip-hop seriously. The group released their first studio album in 1986 with Hot, Cool & Vicious. Even the most rudimentary of hip-hop fans have likely heard “Push It.” The single would go Platinum and reach No. 19 on the Billboard charts. The group made it their mission to prove that sensuality and hip-hop were not mutually exclusive. They encouraged other female MCs to express their fullest selves rather than fall into the mold of the hip-hop industry.

Female Artists Pushed Against Stereotypes Surrounding Image

The members of American Hip Hop and R&B group TLC pose backstage during an appearance on an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show, Chicago, Illinois, November 17, 1992. Pictured are, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes (1971 – 2002) (in blue and orange), Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Williams (blond hair), and Rozanda ‘Chilli’ Thomas. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

However, hip-hop began to edge into the suit-and-tie culture by the early ’90s. The corporatization of the genre emphasized meeting the bottom dollar rather than curating genuine artistic expression. Roxanne Shante expanded on this, stating, “I say that that shift started in the early ’90s when they took the female rapper and didn’t make her the more prominent female figure in hip-hop. Instead, they took the video vixen and made her the more prominent figure in hip-hop, so people were looking for her rather than looking for a lyricist.” With female artists increasingly being treated as objects of sexuality, a counterculture was forming against this trend by the late ’90s to early ’00s.

Missy Elliott spearheaded that counterculture. By the early ’00s, hip-hop was well on its way to becoming the biggest genre in the United States. Rap songs were being blasted in the malls of American suburbs. Elliott’s larger-than-life performances proved that a female MC could be successful without choosing to sexualize her image. In addition, her carefree and blissful artistic expression was a breath of fresh air in a genre covered in violence and aggression. Of course, Elliott wasn’t the only beacon of individuality in the female hip-hop space. You also had the likes of Lauryn Hill, Aaliyah, and Mary J Blige.

Bold Female Personalities Are Blowing Up Existing Norms

Building on the foundations of female expression from the ’80s to the early ’00s, female hip-hop is becoming increasingly synonymous with hip-hop. Nicki Minaj walks a tightrope between existential heartbreak and a bubbly demeanor. The Bronx-born Cardi B’s bombastic personality is tailor-made for reality TV, rapping amidst expensive beats that resemble Meek Mill. Megan Thee Stallion throws up a series of alter-egos ranging from nihilistic to self-deprecating, attacking those who only acknowledge her for her sexual image. These wide ranges of mainstream female hip-hop personalities prove that the existing stereotypes surrounding identity in the industry are rotting away with time.

The stark reality is that the genre’s treatment of women isn’t mutually exclusive to hip-hop. Much like the WNBA, women in hip-hop are traditionally paid less and receive less attention than their male peers. However, the vacuum in which femininity can be expressed in hip-hop is evaporating. From the influences of Missy Elliott and Lauryn Hill to modern-day artists such as Little Simz or Nicki Minaj, the story of female empowerment is an ongoing one that started in the late 1970s.

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Juice WRLD’s “Goodbye & Good Riddance” Turns 5

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Juice WRLD was SoundCloud’s biggest breakout rapper in recent history with his debut studio album Goodbye & Good Riddance, which shook up the world of hip-hop. Whether he was nailing freestyles on radio shows or raging on stage, it seemed he became an overnight sensation. After releasing several successful tapes on SoundCloud, he signed a $3 million deal with Interscope. Just prior to turning 20, he released “Lucid Dreams” and “All Girls Are The Same,” with each track landing near the top of the Billboard 100 charts. Juice WRLD could fit into just about any pocket of hip-hop, diving from a trap-based collaborative mixtape with Future to an emo-grunge banger with XXXTentacion.

His bratty songs would quickly become anthems throughout high school and college campuses. Juice WRLD would follow up the successful hit tracks with Goodbye & Good Riddance, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 charts. His album blended the underground trap sounds of SoundCloud with the rougher sounds of South Florida, drawing comparisons to the likes of XXXTentacion and Iann Dior. Releasing the project at only 19 years old, Juice raps about teenage heartbreak and loneliness throughout much of the project. Singing “Tell me what’s the secret to love, I don’t get” in a monotonous tone, his vulnerable naivety is genuine at its core.

Goodbye & Good Riddance Pictures A Depressed Juice WLRD

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 18: Juice WRLD poses during rehearsals for the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by John Shearer/WireImage)

While Juice WLRD blew up off of emo-rap encompassing hip-hop in the late 2010s, he’s not a one-trick pony rapping with his head down. He can be depressed and exhilarated or enraged and serene all at once. On “Armed and Dangerous,” he’s wielding a gun and a bottomless bank account, coming off as the most confident man in the world. However, “Scared of Love” gives us a completely different Juice WRLD, where he states, “I tell you that I don’t care / Really I do care.” This unpredictability aided his sudden popularity, as fans were kept on their toes from track to track. It’s easy to pity Juice WRLD by the record’s end.

Essentially, Juice WRLD’s Goodbye & Good Riddance popularized emo-rap heartbreak like never before. It shows in the numbers, recently surpassing 5 billion streams on Spotify. He turns to dark substances to cope with the reoccurring themes of heartbreak and loneliness. “I take prescriptions to make me feel okay / I know it’s all in my head.” They’re haunting lines to listen to in retrospect, as Juice WRLD would die of an accidental overdose of painkillers in December 2019. On the 2018 single “Legends,” he famously stated, “What’s the 27 club? We ain’t making it past 21.” He’s acutely aware of his downfalls. However, the lyricism of Goodbye & Good Riddance reads as someone falling into this unhealthy world rather than looking to pull themselves out.

Juice WRLD Was Heavily Influencing Emo-Rap

Juice WRLD’s untimely passing signed a death warrant for emo-rap itself. Named Jarad Higgins, Juice WRLD wasn’t just impersonating the subgenre with Goodbye & Good Riddance. Through his variety of manic states and soundscapes, he was driving the genre into a new era. This all became apparent with his posthumous releases, such as Legends Never Die, where he dabbled in the world of EDM. An imposing rapper and vocalist, he made a name for himself as one of the greatest freestylers in the industry before his passing.

Of course, Goodbye & Good Riddance is far from a perfect record. Juice WRLD’s unwavering self-deprecating tendencies sometimes read as downright cringy. This especially shows up on the outro skits, “Betrayal” and “Karma.” If you’re specifically grading Juice WRLD’s debut album for its lyrical prowess, it falls well short of the likes of Kendrick Lamar or Kanye West. However, Goodbye & Good Riddance stick in fans’ heads due to its catchy melodies. Taking cues from Young Thug or Lil Uzi Vert, the project is at its best when Juice stretches his vocals on a catchy beat.

Immediate Success

In essence, it’s difficult to capture the appeal of Goodbye & Good Riddance from a logical perspective. While the lyrics are depressive and angst-filled, it quickly induces feelings of freedom or downright joy in its listeners. The record lifted him from making $100 at a live performance at the Chicago Rec Center and posting small mixtapes on SoundCloud to a global personality. In retrospect, the fame may have hit him too quickly. With Juice WRLD delivering a voice where “I speak my own language,” it’s a tragedy for music that we weren’t able to hear him fully develop his unique sound. Even if Juice WRLD is at his lowest on Goodbye & Good Riddance, the posthumous personality has an understated sentiment to enjoy the ride while you can.

On May 18, Juice’s team released a 5th-anniversary edition of Goodbye & Good Riddance. Surprisingly, we’re getting new material on the project. “Glo’d Up” features a booming 808, as Juice fittingly screams, “Looking for closure.” In addition, we get a revamped version of “Lucid Dreams” with Lil Uzi Vert.

“De La Soul Is Dead” Turns 32: A Groundbreaking Album

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Marking its 32nd anniversary, De La Soul is Dead, the sophomore album by the legendary Hip Hop act De La Soul, remains as innovative as when it first dropped in 1991. Comprised of members Posdnuos, Trugoy, and Maseo, De La Soul emerged from Amityville, Long Island, swiftly establishing themselves as a creative force in the burgeoning Hip Hop scene.

De La Soul is Dead diverged from the psychedelic optimism of their debut 3 Feet High and Rising. Instead, it presented a darker, more introspective view of the culture. Motivated by a desire to challenge their ‘Hip Hop hippie’ image, the group also aimed to showcase their depth. The album’s title further declared their determination to break free from expectations. The project is filled with skits, clever rhymes, and an eclectic mix of samples, proving De La Soul’s originality. Their experimentation with Jazz, Soul, and Rock, alongside their thought-provoking lyrics, set them apart in a genre increasingly dominated by Gangsta Rap.

Critical Reception

One standout track, “Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey),” humorously addresses the pressure from unknown artists seeking record deals. The song reached No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, testifying to the album’s international appeal. De La Soul is Dead didn’t match its predecessor’s chart-topping success, but it peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 and earned a Gold certification. Moreover, it cemented De La Soul’s reputation as creative trailblazers unafraid to challenge norms and expectations.

Additionally, throughout their career, De La received numerous accolades. In 2006, they won a Grammy for collaborating with Gorillaz on “Feel Good Inc.” They were also nominated for a Grammy in 2016 for their crowd-funded album, And the Anonymous Nobody.

Impact On The Culture

Further, De La Soul’s impact on music culture extends beyond their unique sound. They were also instrumental in forming the Native Tongues Posse, a collective of like-minded Hip Hop artists including A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, Queen Latifah, and Jungle Brothers, who shared an interest in Afrocentric lyrics and eclectic sampling. Critics and the public have also often lauded De La Soul is Dead for its inventive approach to Hip Hop. The album’s dark humor, innovative sampling, and lyricism were seen as a welcome departure from mainstream Rap.

De La Soul Today

The loss of David Jude Jolicoeur, better known as Trugoy the Dove, was a profound blow. His untimely death in February 2023 left fans and fellow artists mourning the passing of a creative force and influential figure. He is remembered for his iconic contributions to Hip Hop, and tributes continue to pour in.

Overall, De La Soul is Dead is a testament to De La Soul’s impact on music and culture. Looking back, it’s clear that the album’s influence reaches far beyond its time, much like the group itself. Despite trials and tribulations, De La Soul remains vital to Hip Hop history. They embody a spirit of creativity and originality that continues to resonate.

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