Hip-Hop History Archives - Page 2 of 21

Ghostface Killah Is Still Supreme: 7 Of His Best Songs Of The Last Decade

May 9, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Happy 54th birthday to Ghostface Killah, one of the best to ever rap. As a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, he’s been engrained in hip-hop culture for the part 30 years now. In fact, it’s not hard to see the collective as a whole’s influence in the contemporary generation of MCs. Many within the Wu and within the Griselda crew have pointed out the kindred spirit between them, and any gritty lyricist you love today has roots in the Shaolin land. Of course, it’s thanks to revered spitters like Ghost that this cultural and artistic connection exists, but don’t think that history and time have eroded his untouchable qualities as a wordsmith and storyteller.

On albums like Ironman (1996), Supreme Clientele (2000), and 2006’s Fishscale (plus, hopefully, the upcoming Set The Tone LP), you’ll find plenty of vivid imagery, staggering wordplay, and cinematic storytelling, but don’t think that’s where the buck stopped. Tony Starks continued to collaborate prolifically, play with new conceptualizations of tried-and-true ideas, and process more experiences to turn into excellence. You can determine for yourself whether these Ghostface Killah songs (solo material, not feature verses) match up to his most classic work. But you’d be a fool to label him anything less than one of the greatest hip-hop artists alive, or to classify some of his 2010s and 2020s output as undeserving of that praise.

“Love Don’t Live Here No More” Feat. Kandace Springs – 36 Seasons (2014)

In chronological order, we start with Ghostface Killah’s 2014 concept album 36 Seasons, centering around Tony’s return home after nine years behind bars. This is one of the opening cuts, and narrates how much he looked forward to seeing his girl after so long. Through detailed narration, a tender instrumental, and conflicting emotions about loyalty and loneliness from both romantic parties, Ghost creates a very hard-hitting cut. It’s an amazing sample flip to boot, and suggestive lines like “Gone for 9 years like 9 months to a child” give some more depth to what this love’s dynamic actually looks like.

“Six Degrees” Feat. Danny Brown – Sour Soul With BADBADNOTGOOD (2015)

Over one of the oddest instrumentals Ghostface Killah’s tackled over the last decade, he crafts really striking chemistry with none other than Danny Brown. Hearing the vocal contrast between the former’s composed force and the latter’s unleashed yelps is a true treat, especially when the beat switches between stronger boom-bap drums and swings and more jazzy, eerie, and syncopation-focused percussion. It’s no wonder the instrumental can come across so haunting with lines like, “Sixth sense, six pack, six degrees of separation / My evil third eye blinks with no hesitation” sticking in your head. Heavily reverbed and cavernous guitar plucks, woozy tones, and an overall minimal atmosphere really emphasize the hedonistic nature of their boasting.

“Resurrection Morning” Feat. Raekwon & Bilal – Twelve Reasons To Die II With Adriane Young (2015)

Ghostface Killah’s known to be larger than life: overwhelming orchestral instrumentation, energetic verses of life’s realities and mysteries… the whole shebang. But over the past decade, few collaborations or tracks in his catalog are quite as passionate, evocative, or dramatic as this one, which centers around a man sacrificing himself seemingly to exact revenge to achieve atonement or to curse another. Whether it’s choral vocals, ringing organ chords, hard-hitting boom-bap drums, electric guitar strums, or uplifting piano arpeggios, “Resurrection Morning” really gives weight behind gut-punching lyrics like, “Murderer, take lives like mine’s was once taken / Or leave my seed in this cold world, my heart’s aching.” There are also some striking chord changes throughout that not only keep the song dynamic but also illustrate the complexity of emotions within.

“Buckingham Palace” Feat. Benny The Butcher, 38 Spesh & KXNG Crooked – The Lost Tapes With Big Ghost Ltd (2018)

At face value, there’s not much new to say about “Buckingham Palace”: a loud and bombastic horn-led boom-bap beat, equally boisterous bars like, “We kamikazes, microphone aeronautics / We bounce off promoters like West Coast hydraulic,” and fiery verses from the guests. But not only is this a well-balanced and properly electrified throwback, but it also shows off a lot of dynamic blow-trading between all these MCs. Spesh and Benny, in particular, trade bars off quickly, melding their individual verses into one. All in all, this will probably hit especially hard for the old heads out there, and is among the best examples of P Tone retreading old territory.

“Morning Ritual” Feat. Kendra Morris – Czarface Meets Ghostface With CZARFACE (2019)

When they hit, there’s nothing like a Wu-Tang Clan reunion, and this is probably the biggest highlight on the collaborative album between Ghostface Killah and CZARFACE (Inspectah Deck, 7L and Esoteric), although ironically enough, Inspectah isn’t on this one. Instead, Ghost and Esoteric trade between two instrumental tones over the same percussion: the former’s contains menacing horns for his villainous energy (“I got a question for the mirror, ‘The Ballys or the Wallos?’ / ‘The Desert E, or should I do the pound with the hollows?’“), whereas the latter spits more lackadaisically over cold synths and ghostly pianos and pads. The switches between the two are always worthy of a stank face, and it’s more evidence of the now-54-year-old working perfectly with whatever teammate is by his side in the booth.

“Soursop” Feat. Masta Killa, Harley & Solomon Childs – Ghostface Killahs (2019)

The closing track on the somewhat self-titled 2019 album from Ghostface Killah is an unconventional reggae flip that nonetheless contains one of the best beats on the project, and a refreshingly laidback atmosphere for him to attack. He’s still able to come through with aggressive deliveries coating more luxurious and nature-tuned lines like, “Sharpened machetes that slice through the trees for berries / Busting coconuts, Selassie legendary” or still bragging threateningly with lines like “Machine gun mask on, looking like a bunch of goalies.” But most impressively, neither contrasting approach dilutes the other. The Staten Island native has missed some fusions before, but this is just as sunny as it is sonning any rapper attempting to match his energy.

“Claudine” Feat. Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Nicole Bus & Mathematics – Wu-Tang Clan (2023)

Finally, we have a bit of a cop out. But as one of two Wu-Tang MCs on here for the group’s first official single in six years in the year of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, we wanted to shout out Ghostface Killah’s emotive, powerful, and deeply verse on “Claudine.” Per legendary Wu producer Mathematics, who’s behind the board here, this song is a tribute to his mother and to “all mothers, wives, and young women,” and is a soulful tale of love, perseverance, pain, and togetherness. Method Man goes over a complicated relationship with a partner, whereas Ghost honors his deceased mother. “Her face was cold, she felt my tears in the casket / And every drop that fell on her cheek, I cried acid.” It summarizes much of what makes his work transcendent in a powerful way, and we can’t wait to hear what else he crafts.

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Who Did Ice Cube Influence?

May 9, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube was shouting, “I keep bellin’,” all the way back in 1988. The Los Angeles rapper (born June 15, 1969) rose to fame in the late ‘80s with his notorious Compton rap crew N.W.A. The gangsta rap pioneers formed after Ice Cube linked up with Dr. Dre for his first group, C.I.A.’s, only release. Dre was simultaneously plotting N.W.A. with Eazy-E and brought Ice Cube into the fold, ultimately leading to C.I.A.’s disbandment. Since then, Ice Cube’s influence has been all over hip-hop. Why?

Ice Cube was the lyrical mastermind of N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton, the group’s best-selling album. After an ongoing argument over royalties, he decided to call it quits and left the group. He later stated that the group’s manager, Jerry Heller, offered a questionable contract, which he refused to sign. But after Cube left it all behind, he went on to make continual waves across a lengthy solo career.

The effect his work has had on hip-hop–both with N.W.A. and his solo albums–cannot be overstated. His lyrical style and approach to delivery are sprinkled throughout the efforts of many contemporary hip-hop artists. Let’s highlight some big names who have cited Ice Cube as an enduring influence.

Kendrick Lamar’s Content Reflects Ice Cube’s Approach

INDIO, CA – APRIL 23: Rappers Kendrick Lamar (L) and Ice Cube perform onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 2 at the Empire Polo Club on April 23, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)

Fellow Compton native Kendrick Lamar is known for eclectic influences that include old-school stars like Sly & the Family Stone and John Coltrane. The rapper’s music is a kaleidoscope of sounds and styles, but there is an undeniable Ice Cube flare running through a lot of it. For Lamar, this was likely somewhat impossible to escape.

The 17-time Grammy winner notes that Dr. Dre’s continued mentorship has had an undeniably West Coast effect on his sound. In his interview with N.W.A. back in 2015, Lamar told the legendary rap group that, simply put, “Anything that I’ve done…has come from what y’all done.” While this is more or less true of most rappers, it seems especially true of Lamar. And when you factor in Ice Cube’s influence as the lyrical brains of Straight Outta Compton, relevant comparisons become more noticeable.

His general content isn’t so far off from Ice Cube’s. Throughout much of Ice Cube’s career, his lyrical content has focused on the raw realities of Los Angeles street life. Lamar’s own song content and political appraisals take a similar approach. They both have attempted to discuss the basic situation of their lives without necessarily trying to glorify or promote it.

The Game Studied Ice Cube’s Death Certificate

INDIO, CA – APRIL 23: Recording artists Ice Cube (L) and The Game perform onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 2 at the Empire Polo Club on April 23, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)

Another Compton native, The Game (born Jayceon Terrell Taylor), has specifically referenced Ice Cube’s solo work in his music. For him, Ice Cube’s delivery on record is one of the greatest ever. His major-label debut, The Documentary, gives nods to Ice Cube’s sophomore album, Death Certificate. He studied this album, along with other hip-hop classics, during his time in recovery from gunshot wounds in 2001. He once cited the Death Certificate diss track “No Vaseline” as a monumental track that fueled him in his own beef with 50 Cent. It’s worth noting that The Game also has Ice Cube’s old group N.W.A. tattooed on his chest. This is an obvious nod to the group’s lasting impact on his life. The combination of N.W.A. and Ice Cube’s influence left an indelible mark on The Game’s approach to hip-hop.

El-P Connects With Killer Mike Over AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted

LEEDS, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) El-P of Run he Jewels performs on the Main Stage East on Day 1 of Leeds Festival on August 26, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Matthew Baker/Getty Images)

One half of the rap duo Run the Jewels, producer El-P’s background is well-known. After all, he produced the likes of Aesop Rock, Murs, and Del the Funky Homosapien. What many fans aren’t aware of are his artistic debts to Ice Cube. El-P cites Ice Cube’s influential solo debut, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, as one of the things he and Killer Mike connected over. While he was originally hesitant about the possible link-up with Killer Mike, that album proved to be common ground for bonding. Another bridge between the duo was talking about Ice Cube’s departure from N.W.A.

Logic Covers “It Was a Good Day”

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Logic performs at Alexandra Palace on September 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns)

The Maryland rapper Logic has released a string of eight albums since 2014. He broke through with his third mixtape in the Young Sinatra series in 2013, leading to a Def Jam contact. A little over a year ago, Logic dropped an alternative cover of Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day” off The Predator album. For him, it was an attempt to showcase his debt to the Los Angeles rapper.

Logic’s work has consistently divided hip-hop fans, and this homage to his influence was no exception. Some listeners bobbed their heads along in approval, while others flooded social media with insults. It turns out, however, that Logic did his due diligence before recording the cover. He cites direct approval from Ice Cube via text to transform the 1992 single.

Quavo Inspired by Ice Cube to Become an Actor

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 04:(L – R) Takeoff, Offset, Quavo, and Ice Cube visit 106 & Park at BET studio on June 4, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images)

Quavo hails from Georgia, where he founded the acclaimed group Migos with his nephew Takeoff and their friend Offset in 2008. The trio would ride a high level of success over the 2010s with four commercially successful albums. In 2016, Migos acted in an episode of Donald Glover’s rap drama Atlanta. They portrayed fictional versions of themselves as a gang named “Migos.”

This would prove to be the beginning of Quavo’s larger acting ambitions. In the year leading up to Migos’ break-up, Quavo worked on multiple feature film roles. One of the major reasons for Quavo to pursue a rapper-actor career path comes from Ice Cube’s influence. He sees Ice Cube as a trailblazer in this respect, someone who successfully navigated both worlds. Quavo has remained dedicated to acting, playing roles in three films thus far: Savage Salvation, Praise This, and Cash Out with John Travolta. He’s currently working on his fourth, Takeover, where he is stepping into a leading role as the character Guy Miller.

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Young Thug’s “Hear No Evil” turns 6: Why The EP Is A Critical Entry In His Catalog

May 6, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Since breaking into the rap scene over a decade ago, Young Thug has endeared himself to fans with his unique style. The YSL founder’s main qualities include his genre-bending voice and catchy and innovative flows. Young Thug has a rich catalog, but one of his key releases came on April 13, 2018, when he dropped the EP Hear No Evil. The EP was a surprise as Young Thug had earlier promised not to release any new music. The rapper said he would act deaf for a year and not make any music in solidarity with his deaf brother.

However, Thug, known for his unpredictability, broke that promise with the EP’s release. Even before Young Thug’s Hear No Evil EP dropped, he announced he was changing his name to SEX, much to his fans’ bewilderment. Despite the uncertainty and unpredictability that surrounded Thug at that point, Hear No Evil came and has since remained a critical entry in the Atlanta-born rapper’s catalog. The EP turned six years old this year and still holds significant importance as it showcased Thug’s versatility, collaborations, and impact on the hip-hop scene.

Young Thug’s Experimentation & Musical Versatility

In Young Thug’s Hear No Evil EP, the rapper showcased his willingness to experiment with different styles and musical sounds. It also showcased his musically diverse range of songs in the three-track EP. For instance, the first song in the EP, “Anybody,” featuring Nicki Minaj, was melodic and introspective, while the second track, “Up,” featuring Lil Uzi Vert, had hard-hitting trap beats at its core. Young Thug further displayed a cool flow and high-pitched squeals in “Now,” featuring 21 Savage.

Impressive Features

One of the highlights of Young Thug’s Hear No Evil EP is the rich list of features. Despite being a three-track project, Young Thug pulled in some of the heavyweights of music at the time. Nicki Minaj, Lil Uzi Vert, and 21 Savage’s presence on the EP made it more appealing to pop-craving listeners. Thug remained his usual self, dishing out unconventional rhyme schemes, contrasting with the featured artists who already possess their distinct personalities and qualities.

Impact On Hip-Hop Culture

With Hear No Evil, Young Thug solidified his position as a hip-hop trailblazer. Although the EP didn’t receive rave reviews after its release six years ago, much has changed since then. Six years in, Young Thug has been praised for his lyrical prowess and dexterity, innovative choice of producers, and impressive vocal delivery. Therefore, Young Thug’s status as a trendsetter in the hip-hop genre was much more solidified thanks to the EP.

The influence of Hear No Evil can be felt throughout contemporary hip-hop. The project’s experimental production and Thug’s unconventional rapping style have become hallmarks of the genre. Thug influenced a new generation of artists with his distinct style, with the EP now seen as a blueprint for the sound of modern trap.

A Unique & Unforgettable Video For “Anybody”

Despite failing on his promise not to make music for a year because of his deaf brother before Hear No Evil‘s release, Young Thug still dedicated a video to his sibling. Thugger did so through the video for “Anybody,” featuring Nicki Minaj. In the clip, the song’s lyrics were translated using sign language, paying tribute to Young Thug’s brother and deaf people worldwide. It was a great tribute from Thug and showed his human side and creativity, adding to his already remarkable qualities. Besides the video, Thug also paid tribute to his deaf brother with the EP’s cover art that featured a picture of his beloved sibling. These acts showed in more ways than one how intentional Thug was about showing love to his brother even though he released new music in 2018.

Conclusion

As Hear No Evil marks its sixth anniversary, its impact on Young Thug’s career and hip-hop remains to this day. The EP is a critical entry in Thug’s catalog and showcases how he evolved as an artist. It also showcased his ability to push boundaries in hip-hop. Despite being a three-track project, Young Thug’s Hear No Evil is still a standout project in his discography. It shows how versatile an artist he is while also displaying his collaborative prowess and influence in hip-hop.

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Rico Wade Had Reflected On Dungeon Family Bonds Weeks Before Passing: Details

April 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Many members of the Dungeon Family reunited in Atlanta on Friday (April 26) for a private memorial due to the loss of one of its pillars: Rico Wade. Moreover, his mother’s basement was the “dungeon” that Outkast, Killer Mike, Future, and many more called their home, whether literally or figuratively. While the Organized Noize producer was not the most famous person in the world, his final public remarks, particularly ones from an AllHipHop interview about his Dungeon Family partners, have taken on a more meaningful, saddening, but still beautiful luster after his passing. They went through a lot of bumps as folks in the industry, and even through his health struggles and alcoholism, they always came back together to let their love, support, and gratitude be crystal clear.

“I just had heart surgery, where they had to put a stent in my chest,” Rico Wade told the publication in an interview from the day after he went to an André 3000 concert. “This happened January 19 and I just felt like, ‘Man, I would have missed it [the concert].’ God didn’t want my life. He wanted my attention and he got it. It’s been blessings on blessings on blessings since then. Since that moment, I’ve been blessed in every way. It’s hard to not cry every time I think about it.

Rico Wade, Killer Mike & Big Boi In Atlanta

Rico Wade Interview Dungeon Family Relationships Hip Hop News — Big Boi, Killer Mike and Rico Wade attend Grammy Celebration on February 25, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Prince Williams/WireImage/Getty Images)

“They all love and respect me,” Rico Wade remarked about the support he got from the Dungeon Family amid his health scare. “They all look at me as a person that did it for them, especially after what I just went through. I’ve spoken to every last one of them, and it’s been like, ‘I want to hug you and I want to let you know how important you are to us. I’m glad you’re still here.’ I hate for it to take a life-altering situation, but even Future, that’s my cousin, he’s been so busy. But if I text him now, he texts me right back. I seen André last night at the show, and I was in the studio the other day seeing [Big] Boi. Everybody can see that I’m clear and clean. They can see that I ain’t drinking and they can see my energy…

“What’s crazy about that is that Killer Mike is one of the most articulate, intelligent people I know,” he said of Mike’s Grammy wins and his brief arrest at the ceremony. “So sometimes -– not purposely ’cause I wouldn’t say it was a conspiracy. But they were waiting for him or whatever, like, because of something that happened at the Staples Center or whatever. Since then, the city has been so supportive. Other news outlets have been so supportive of giving him that platform to let him speak because not only did he sweep the Grammys, his album is really good. The song with André and Future won Song of the Year. So it’s like, I’m happy that I’m here.” For more news and updates on the Dungeon Family and its fallen legend, check back in with HNHH.
Rest In Peace Rico Wade.

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7 Slim Shady Bars That Will Still Shock You In 2024

April 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Later this summer, the world will mourn the death of one of music’s most influential and successful provocateurs: that one guy working at Burger King, spitting on your onion rings. As magnanimous and lauded as Eminem’s work is, and as much as people have started to hate on it over time, nothing represents the highs and lows of the Detroit rapper’s career quite like his Slim Shady persona. Moreover, the announcement of his new album, The Death Of Slim Shady, calls into question what the future really holds for Marshall Mathers. Will his art continue without Shady, is this his final album as an artist, or will another persona rise like a phoenix to bring his career out of the ashes for a (third? fourth?) revamp?

Regardless of what goes down with this new LP this summer, we’re taking a look at just a handful of Slim Shady bars that would still turn many caring souls into Karens on impact. Eminem’s alter ego has used every taboo, trigger word, or buzz term under the sun as a punching bag or punchline: murder, homophobia, racism, sexism, sodomy, sex, drugs, the youth, war, the military, politics, mental health, the rap game, celebrities, pop culture, divorce, religion… even gerbils, to most sane people’s disgust. Whether to subvert, challenge, offend, or simply reflect poor taste, he’s got one heck of a lyrical legacy that paved the way for so much good (and bad) in not just hip-hop, but pop culture at large. So before Slim’s “death” this summer, and in chronological order, let’s debate over which of his many quotables across his discography should be on his tombstone.

“My Name Is” (1999, The Slim Shady LP)

What better place to start than our introduction to Slim Shady? While there are plenty of wild bars here, we picked one that is already quite disturbing as is, but was reportedly originally meant to be much more harrowing. “Extraterrestrial, running over pedestrians / In a spaceship, while they’re screaming at me, ‘Let’s just be friends!’” Eminem raps on the cut. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, according to Em’s autobiography The Way I Am from 2009 (plus various other reports), the original version was this: “Extraterrestrial, killing pedestrians / R**ing lesbians while they’re screaming, ‘Let’s just be friends!‘” He changed it because Labi Siffre, a gay rights activist, found this and other lines on this song to be homophobic, and would not clear the sample of his song “I Got The…” for “My Name Is.” As provocative as Shady could be, he could’ve been way worse…

“The Real Slim Shady” (2000, The Marshall Mathers LP)

Of course, this classic couldn’t go without a mention either, and one particular line kept its controversial luster over the years for interestingly different reasons. “But if we can hump dead animals and antelopes / Then there’s no reason that a man and another man can’t elope,” Eminem spits towards the end of this first verse. Its first part refers to MTV star Tom Green’s moose-humping antics, and it overall argues that folks shouldn’t treat homosexuality as disgusting if they find Green’s comedy funny. Yes, it points out double standards in what is permitted and what is “taboo” in media and culture, but it’s also a backhanded way to denounce homophobia, which was much more common back then. Especially today, we can’t help but wonder if there was a less derogatory way to stand for gay rights. Then again, Slim Shady doesn’t discriminate: he hates and mocks everyone equally.

“I’m Back” (2000, The Marshall Mathers LP)

And when he returned, the world was never really the same. The reason why? Particularly abhorrent but still intricate lines like “If this chick was my own mother, I’d still f**k her with no rubber / And cum inside her and have a son and a new brother / At the same time and just say that it ain’t mine,” directed towards Jennifer Lopez and, by association, to taunt Diddy. To say that this is probably the most sickening line on this Slim Shady cult gem, which also includes a censored reference to the Columbine shootings, should really illustrate just how sick Eminem was back then, and not in a good way. Alas, even incest is something that these alter egos rarely tackle, and to tack this on before the last chorus of “I’m Back” is one heck of a mic drop.

“Without Me” (2002, The Eminem Show)

We promise this is the last classic on the list, but sometimes democracy is right. Speaking of democracy, one of the most cutting lines on here isn’t explicitly profane; just a cold jab at a politician’s health and a quick but merciless dismissal of criticism. “I know that you got a job, Ms. Cheney / But your husband’s heart problem’s complicating,” Eminem raps, responding to her denouncement of his lyrical content.

So, what does he do to Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife? Does Shady critique their politics and war-mongering, cut them up in a billion little pieces, put his bum on their lips, or spike their drinks at a cocktail party? In other words, does he prove them right? No. He just remembers the VP’s four heart attacks before this song’s release (which rose to five afterward), recalls his three heart procedures at the time, and tells Lynne: “Your husband’s going to die soon.” Yikes…

“A** Like That” (2004, Encore)

Now we get to the slightly deeper cuts from Slim Shady that don’t have the benefit of the doubt or the undisputed quality of his best work. Over an Indian-inspired beat, and with a pretty offensive Asian and Southeast Asian accent, Eminem’s lust takes aim at Hilary Duff… who was 17 years old when this song came out. “Hilary Duff is not quite old enough, so I ain’t never seen a butt like that / Maybe next year, I’ll say ‘a**’ and she’ll make my pee-pee go d-doing, doing, doing.” From 2004’s Encore onwards, and especially on 2009’s Relapse, Slim Shady starts to use more accents to find way more ethnicities and cultures to make fun of. Add to that his obsession with celebrities and crossing any sort of line, you have one of the most cringe-worthy moments in his entire catalog.

“Same Song & Dance” (2009, Relapse)

Speaking of the 2009 album Relapse, this song doesn’t lean into the accents as much, or into cultural appropriation, but it’s among the most explicit, descriptive, and disturbing accounts of targeting various celebrity women and engaging in murder, sexual assault, and the like. “I’m ’bout to make a new outfit out of you / New outfit? S**t, I’ll make a suit out of you, shoot / Now, show me how you move, baby, do how a-you do,” Slim Shady threatens towards the end of the song. It’s one of many horrible moments of describing torture, with this one specifically referencing the skin-wearing villain from the film The Silence Of The Lambs, Buffalo Bill. Eminem doesn’t usually break out the skin-carving in his murderous or sexually depraved narratives, so we at least need to give him points for creativity… or is it the other way around?

“Fall” (2017, Kamikaze)

This is easily the least shocking or controversial bar on this list, but we included it because we think it’s not only one of, if not the most controversial, Eminem lyric to appear in his late-career arc. It’s also possibly indicative of what his creativity looks like today and what The Death Of Slim Shady could really mean. On this song, Marshall Mathers targets Tyler, The Creator, his then-recently revealed sexual orientation, and his criticism of Em’s later work despite being a lifelong fan. “Tyler create nothin’, I see why you called yourself a f***ot, b***h,” he raps, and it’s important to note that in no version of the song does he actually or fully pronounce or spell out the homophobic slur. An improvement from his early stuff, at least, but with even more backlash than in the past.

For one, this isn’t really Slim Shady anymore: this is Em, Slim, and Marshall all rolled into one throughout this LP. It doesn’t have the same shock value or relevance as back in the 2000s. This song came out during a more progressive time in hip-hop (although some fanbases sadly haven’t caught up), and represents the then-45-year-old MC’s anger at the negative reception to his post-2000s work. Furthermore, the personalities became harder to distinguish, and any attempt to shock or subvert in the same way he did for decades was more corny than controversial. Nevertheless, it does pose an interesting question as to how Eminem will deal with Shady’s loss after this summer, whether that rebellious and brash part of him can ever really die in his music, and what are the sides of him that this persona has, for better or worse, obscured from our view.

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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.

The post The Timeless Impact Of “Illmatic”: Hip-Hop’s Love Of Nas’s Debut Album 30 Years Later appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

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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A post shared by Russell Simmons/Gdas (@unclerush)

“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.