Busta Rhymes has been circulating in the music news for the past few days and for good reason. He recently graced the issue of Men’s Health as part of the celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. In this feature, Busta and other fellow rappers, 50 Cent, Common, and others were asked to talk about their personal mental health battles throughout their careers. Other questions naturally came up during their interviews and Busta shared a one-of-a-kind story from his past during the late 90s.
He retold a story about the effervescent icon and close friend, Tupac Shakur. “I had an incredible relationship with Pac,” says Busta. “Me and Pac been friends from early Leaders days. Before he put out his s**t, when he was still dancing with Digital Underground.” That is where this tale comes into play, back during a college show.
CHICAGO – MARCH 1994: Rapper Tupac Shakur performs at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois in March 1994. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Busta Rhymes harkens back to the unforgettable memory saying, “We doing a college show somewhere on the West Coast, and Digital Underground, [Tupac] was still with them.” He goes on, “We get to the soundcheck late, so the sound man was kind of turning off the equipment and was like, “’Y’all kind of missed your window for the soundcheck.’” Tupac had overheard the conversation so, Busta continues, “Tupac starts choking this motherf***er.”
So, the Leaders of the New School had to interject because they were afraid Tupac would get them kicked off the show. Funny enough, Tupac proclaimed the group to be “legends” even with just one album out at the time. How much Tupac history do you know? What is your reaction to this story? Be sure to give us your thoughts and knowledge down in the comments section. Stay locked in with HNHH daily for all the latest on hip-hop history, as well as news, and updates around the genre.
Some classic hip-hop songs will remain timeless no matter when they are played. Whether listeners were alive or not when released, fans know and appreciate their impact on the genre. Many started a new era that evolved, and others are locked in the time capsule they came from. This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and there have been celebrations, documentaries, concerts, and more honoring the genre throughout the year.
With the power of the internet and the passion of our icons passing stories on, hip hop has become the most popular genre in the world. Please note that none of our choices in this article would be possible without songs like “The Message,” “Rapper’s Delight,” and “Planet Rock.” We have omitted them from our list (in no particular order) to leave room for those that will cause little to no debate.
“Protect Ya Neck” – Wu-Tang Clan (1992)
This song is from one of hip hop’s most popular groups. Music lovers who don’t listen to rap know their name, and their logo is iconic. This song showcases several core aspects of the group. This is fitting, considering it was their first single, initially released in 1992. Later, it was re-released in 1993 to much greater fanfare.
The original only brought them success in the underground scene since they released it independently on their own label. The track features RZA’s trademark gritty production as each member brings aggression and wordplay to the dusty drums and minimalist melody. This track helped set the tone for “hardcore” rap and directly contrasted the jazzier outputs from other groups in New York.
“Electric Relaxation” – A Tribe Called Quest (1994)
Multiple generations have celebrated and heard this classic hip hop song. Some know the original track, and others recognize it from the intro for The Wayans Bros. Younger listeners heard its iconic sample from Ronnie Foster’s “Mystic Brew” on ”Forbidden Fruit” by J. Cole feat Kendrick Lamar. No matter when you heard it, the smooth bassline and peaceful melody stuck with you.
Q-Tip and Phife Dawg trade fun and clever verses about interactions with women on the track. The back and forth keeps listeners locked in because they don’t know who will pop in next. Q-Tip produced this one, along with many other songs in their discography. Tracks like this paved the way for artists like Saba, Cordae, Mick Jenkins, and more, who shine on jazz-based hip-hop productions.
“Nuthin But A “G” Thang” – Dr.Dre feat. Snoop Dogg (1993)
Two hip hop titans still active in the rap game today dominated this classic. They gained their titan status by bringing this distinctive West Coast sound to the game. Of course, Dre’s fame origins began in his days as a producer in N.W.A. However, the production of his solo work after that era ended took him to the next level.
Glitzy synthesizers helped lay the groundwork for a new genre called “G-Funk.” Snoop and Dre established a chemistry that would boost their careers. This was their second single together and the first for Dre’s solo debut album, The Chronic. Songs like this paved the way for West Coast artists like Larry June and YG, who take aspects from music and make it work in their favor.
“Straight Outta Compton” – N.W.A (1988)
This is a classic hip hop song that may have reached a new generation through the movie of the same name. N.W.A was a pioneer in the genre of “gangsta rap.” In the song, each group member introduces themselves and details what will happen to those who cross them. The song is abrasive, with production from Dr. Dre and DJ Yella. This track paved the way for aggressive rap artists to say precisely what they wanted, how they wanted.
The early 2000s had many pivotal moments, and Missy was central to several. On this track, she showed how she helped lay the groundwork for women in rap today. While not as explicit as today’s artists, Missy still asserts confidence in her sexuality throughout the song. Her delivery makes the track fun and danceable through her creative delivery, rhymes, and of course, the iconic backmasking used in the song’s chorus. She employs the same technique in the song’s second verse, too. Also, she produced the track with Timbaland. Music moments such as this helped pave the way for artists like Megan Thee Stallion.
Just when Hip Hop seemed to have settled into a certain cadence, a low-riding production roared through the scene, shaking the status quo. Released on July 20, 1993, Black Sunday, Cypress Hill’s second studio album, became the unwavering voice of the streets that connected effortlessly with the disenchanted youth.
The Los Angeles-based trio—B-Real, DJ Muggs, and Sen Dog—known as Cypress Hill, had an ethos built on the foundation of socio-political consciousness, seamlessly blended with a strain of, let’s say, herbal awareness. With Black Sunday, the trio didn’t just put themselves on the musical map—they expanded it. We’re revisiting the chart-topping classic project in all its glory weeks ahead of Black Sunday‘s 30th anniversary.
Lighting Up The Charts
Black Sunday was a sonic wildfire. The album shot up the charts, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200—an exceptional achievement for any group. However, it was particularly impressive for the Hip Hop outfit in 1993. However, the allure of Black Sunday extended beyond the American shores. The album was also a massive hit internationally, making waves from the UK to Australia.
Not just commercially successful, the album garnered immense critical acclaim. “Insane in the Brain,” the lead single, carved out a permanent niche in popular culture. The now-classic song quickly became an anthem of the era. Yet, beneath the hypnotic beats and head-nodding rhythms, Black Sunday carried a social commentary that was both poignant and provocative. Cypress Hill championed the cause of the marginalized and painted vivid narratives about life in disenfranchised neighborhoods. Arguably, the album was not only sonically enjoyable but a microphone for the silenced.
The Legacy Of Black Sunday
Cypress Hill’s Black Sunday wasn’t just an album but a cultural phenomenon. Their lyrics’ authenticity breathed life into Hip Hop, paving the way for the rise of a niche of West Coast Rap. Additionally, it wasn’t just the music world that the album influenced. It also helped bring cannabis culture to the fore, forever associating it with a certain ethos and aesthetic in Hip Hop.
Meanwhile, “Insane in the Brain” topped the charts and infiltrated television and film soundtracks, embedding itself into the collective psyche. B-Real raps, “Like Louie Armstrong, played the trumpet / I’ll hit that bong and break you off something.” Here, Cypress Hill showcases their knack for innovative metaphors, blending music with their well-known affinity for cannabis. The now-classic single was followed by “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That” and “When the Sh*t Goes Down,” each adding another rung to Cypress Hill’s success ladder.
While the group went on to release several more albums, none would quite have the impact of Black Sunday. As we celebrate its 30th anniversary, we appreciate not just an extraordinary album but its enduring audacity and creativity. The significance of Black Sunday can’t be overstated—it redefined musical norms, elevated West Coast Hip Hop, and gave voice to a generation. Cypress Hill’s masterpiece didn’t merely reshape the music scene; it etched a permanent groove in the vinyl of Hip Hop history. No doubt, Black Sunday remains the gold (or should we say, green) standard for albums to follow.
A Blazing Homage
Let’s raise a proverbial lighter to Black Sunday and the indomitable Cypress Hill. The album is a timeless beacon of innovation and revolution—an amalgamation that defied the mainstream norms of the time. A resonating voice of the streets and a defiant roar against the establishment, Black Sunday is a classic that continues to shape the narrative of Hip Hop. Ultimately, Black Sunday is not just an album but a state of mind—a bold defiance against the norm and an ode to the culture of the streets. The beats might fade, but the echoes of Black Sunday will resonate, forever reverberating in the alleyways of Hip Hop’s illustrious history. The iconic group ignited a spark that continues to provoke and push boundaries.
In Good Company
While Cypress Hill carried the core of Black Sunday themselves, the album had its share of notable collaborations behind-the-scenes. DJ Muggs was not just a member of the group but also the prime architect behind the album’s production. His ear for precision in production laid the groundwork for the sound Cypress Hill would become known for. Further, featured artists were scarce, with the trio preferring to shine the spotlight on their own chemistry.
Along with DJ Muggs, audio engineers The Butcher Bros.—Joe Nicolo and his brother Phil Nicolo—contributed significantly to the production. Their experience in producing records that spanned different genres played a crucial role in giving Black Sunday its distinctive sound—a sonic drive that married the group’s hard-hitting style with elements of Rock, Funk, and Latin music. This classic album serves as a reminder of the magic that can be created when diverse minds come together with a unified vision.
Hip hop is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The genre of music started as a niche movement in The Bronx, New York, in the early 1970s. Now, hip hop is the world’s biggest genre of music and is greatly impactful on pop culture. The volume and history of hip hop as a culture and genre can be overwhelming for anyone who would like to learn more about it. Today, we’ve compiled a list of seven of the best hip hop albums that one must listen to.
It must be emphasized that this list is not exhaustive and does not even begin to encompass the full scope of hip hop music. These selections attempt to display a wide variety of albums that were important for the development of the genre. Each album on the list has no skippable tracks and is considered iconic in most cultural discussions. Take a look at the list of seven of the best hip hop albums of all time that are essential listens.
An East Coast bias is often understood as hip hop was born in New York, and many of its greatest lyricists come from the area. Even if one favors the traditional hip hop sounds of New York, one cannot deny that Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle is one of the best hip hop albums of all time. Dr. Dre produced Snoop’s debut album in 1993, establishing the G-Funk sound and paving the way for the entire West Coast. The two established their chemistry on Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, but Doggystyle combined calm and aggressive to completely redefine gangsta rap. Many of hip hop’s greatest artists from all regions cite Doggystyle as an inspiration.
Nas – Illmatic (1994)
Many classic hip hop albums helped shape the New York sound before 1994, but Nas reset the standard for lyricism with Illmatic. The album contains timeless boom-bap production that transports the listener to New York in the 1990s. Nas’s impeccable rhyme style and his storytelling ability raised the bar for the art of rapping. Illmatic’s concise tracklist also set the standard for what qualifies as a timeless piece of art. Nas was only 20 years old at its release, making Illmatic even more impressive.
Ready to Die is one of hip hop’s most iconic albums and is arguably perfect. The Notorious B.I.G. cemented his legacy with his debut album before his untimely passing. Ready to Die solidified Biggie as an all-time great, blending his tough persona with deep thinking and vivid imagery. Ready to Die showcases Biggie’s unique and irreplicable flow and delivery.The album helped shape what a commercially successful hip hop should look like, creating a formula for rappers with crossover appeal. While Ready to Die is distinctly New York, Biggie’s lyrical ability and the album’s appeal transcended location.
Mobb Deep’s The Infamous set the benchmark for rough, rugged, and gritty hip hop music. The dusty yet beautiful production from Havoc and the violent rapping from Prodigy defined a sound of hip hop. While an album like Illmatic helped define the sound of New York, The Infamous created a lane of New York hip hop with its hardcore beats and rhymes. The Infamous was a landmark release for ‘90s rap and remains influential today as its sound permeates the underground scene.
JAY-Z – The Blueprint (2001)
JAY-Z’s name comes up in almost every discussion of the greatest rappers of all time. Many, including Jay himself, consider Reasonable Doubt, his debut album in 1996, his best. However, The Blueprint is an undeniable masterpiece. JAY-Z’s five previous albums showed that he could adapt to the current sound of hip hop and surpass others while doing so. The Blueprint saw Jay leading the charge instead. The album’s chopped and looped samples and JAY-Z’s skillful charisma made The Blueprint such a monumental album.
Madvillain – Madvillainy (2004)
Almost every album on this list was a critical and commercial success that took hip hop to new heights. MF DOOM and Madlib’s 2004 collaborative album as Madvillain defined the essence of underground hip hop. Madlib’s experimental sampling and MF DOOM’s lyrically dense and clever bars were unprecedented. The album’s rapping and production were innovative and influenced a lane of artistry that encourages creativity. Diehard rap fans still celebrate Madvillainy as a classic album, representing the ultimate collaboration between two of the underground’s greatest talents.
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
Kanye West’s fifth studio album is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of modern music. While Ye’s four previous albums are classics in their own right, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is his magnum opus. It encompassed the soul, arrangement, musicality, and experimentation of Kanye’s previous albums, skillfully blending genres to create an entirely new sound. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was arguably the peak of Kanye West’s lyrical skill, displaying effortless braggadocio and vulnerability. Released in 2010, the album set the bar high for modern music and has influenced contemporary hip hop and beyond.
This year marks the 23rd anniversary of Nelly’s debut album, Country Grammar. The classic album arrived on June 27, 2000 via Universal Music Group and Fo’ Reel Entertainment. Country Grammar featured the likes of Cedric the Entertainer, St. Lunatics, City Spud, Murphy Lee, Ali, Lil Wayne, and The Teamsters. It was primarily produced by Jay E and City Spud. Country Grammar introduced Nelly’s signature style of melodic rapping that would eventually become a staple for 2000s hip hop and influence future generations. The album also contained major hits, many of which are still the biggest of Nelly’s career. With its chart-topping singles and unique sound, the album proved to be influential and helped define an era of 2000s hip hop. Today, we’re looking back at Nelly’s Country Grammar for its 23rd anniversary.
Country Grammar Put St. Louis On The Map
Country Grammar was quite literally Nelly introducing St. Louis sound and lingo to the world. His music transported listeners into a world that he would dive further into on 2002’s Nellyville. Drawing from Nelly’s Texas and Missouri origins, Country Grammar blended country with hip hop but was still palatable for both hardcore hip hop heads and casual listeners.
Nelly was an anomaly at the time as hip hop in 2000 was dominated by the East and West coasts and Southern rap. He has attributed his style as a blend of multiple regions that allowed him to create his own sound. The only other chart-topping rapper from the Midwest was Eminem, who occupied a completely different lane of music. As hip hop began to grow commercially in 2000, hip hop gained pop appeal, eventually becoming the world’s biggest genre. Country Grammar’s success took hip hop to new commercial heights.
Nelly’s sing-rap sound that he established on Country Grammar created a brand new style of hip hop. His pop/rap fusion put him at the forefront of the hip hop scene and established St. Louis as a city with talented rappers. Nelly’s signature sound and success with the album allowed future artists like Chingy and J-Kwon to represent St. Louis throughout the 2000s.
Stacked With Hits
A significant reason for Nelly’s debut album standing the test of time is that one could not escape it during its release. Country Grammar was the ultimate debut. It spawned multiple hit singles, becoming some of the biggest hip hop songs ever. The album’s title track and “E.I.” proved Nelly’s ability to create hit records with catchy hooks effortlessly. The third single from Country Grammar, “Ride Wit Me,” became the ultimate crossover hit. It was easily the biggest song of Nelly’s career at the time and remains an instantly recognizable anthem today. The overall commercial success of the album and its singles created a career-defining album for Nelly that only propelled him further with his following releases.
A Career-Defining Album
Country Grammar is undoubtedly Nelly’s classic album. With his critically acclaimed and commercially successful debut, Nelly was able to be one of the biggest rappers in the hip hop and pop spaces, dominating the 2000s. Country Grammar went platinum months after its release and now stands at diamond status, a 10x platinum achievement that very few rappers can brag about. Nelly’s debut album was influential in its sound, style, and appeal.
Twenty-three years later, the album is still being celebrated. In 2021, Nelly performed Country Grammar in its entirety for a live album accompanied by a documentary. The melodic rap sound that Nelly created on Country Grammar has stood the test of time. The albumpaved the way for the contemporary sound of hip hop that continues to tread the line between rapping and singing.
In this era of Hip Hop history, women have been dominating the culture. A voice that has reverberated for years above the masses is Rapsody, a femcee who began carving out her space in Hip Hop over 20 years ago. Rapsody, born Marlanna Evans, grew up in the small town of Snow Hill, North Carolina, and as a child, she admired women lyricists whose pens were mightier than their swords. It is no surprise that Rapsody has not only amassed great success in the industry but has become a coveted voice within the culture. Albums like Eve and Laila’s Wisdom show that she is both a student and a teacher regarding R.A.P.—”Rhythm And Poetry.”
We’re honoring 50 years of Hip Hop this year, and the celebrations haven’t ceased. What was birthed in The Bronx has become an international phenomenon, and brands like D’Usse Cognac are curating events to highlight such a milestone. Founded by Jay-Z, D’usse has been a staple in Hip Hop. They specially curated a series of must-attend Day Parties, and over the weekend, Rapsody was with the brand in Houston, where we caught up with her. We talked about the significance of this milestone and her vision for the next 50 years of Hip Hop.
“I want to see, you know, a lot more women owning labels, producing. Just taking on all those roles that men have dominated for years. Because we’re talented, we’re worthy, we have value. We’re heavy hitters in change.”
Read through our chat with venerated emcee Rapsody to check out what she had to say about D’Usse holding down Hip Hop, her desire to see more women take their deserved places at the forefront of the culture, and why it’s important for her at this stage of her life to remove the veil of celebrity that often keeps her at arm’s length from her fans.
This interview has been slightly edited for clarity.
HNHH: Thank you so much for speaking with us! Let’s jump right in—tell us all about the D’Usse event in Houston and this year’s ongoing Hip Hop 50 celebrations.
Rapsody: I thought the event was amazing. To come together in Houston, which is, you know, one of the major cities that’s contributed a lot to Hip Hop. And women that have come from here! Just to come through and celebrate 50 years of that it has been amazing. And to do it with D’Usse, we know how important Hip Hop has been, especially to the liquor brands.
As you know, [D’Usse is] one brand that we’ve always helped uplift, but to do it in this way, I think it’s amazing. D’Usse is a representation of Hip Hop, they go hand in hand. We had a good time, Houston came out,! We went through South music, I brought some East Coast music. It was just a beautiful evening. That’s what Hip Hop was created—to bring people together, to celebrate our individuality, our community, and that’s what it felt like here tonight.
The celebrations of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary are putting our pioneers back in the forefront. What are your hopes for the future of the culture?
Aw, man. It’s been 50 years, and when I think about the future, I mean, I hope we continue to, you know, expand in our creativity. I love to see Hip Hop continue to build and grow in the space of education. I think that’s so important. We have so much power there. And I want to see, you know, a lot more women owning labels, producing. Just taking on all those roles that men have dominated for years. Because we’re talented, we’re worthy, we have value. We’re heavy hitters in change. I was talking to somebody the other day, and it’s like, Kool Herc had that party back then because his sister needed money to go back to school to get clothes. It was something. So, women have always been a part of the culture, and I want to see us really represented in all spaces.
Exactly! The contributions from women in Hip Hop are endless. Who were some of the women that have been a shoulder for you to lean on? Who has offered up words of wisdom in your times of need?
Man, my Hip Hop community when it comes to women? I don’t want to forget anybody! First, I would say Rah Digga. She was the first woman in Hip Hop that ever created with me on a record. And that meant a lot. Like, she was the beginning of me knowing what sisterhood looked like in this business. And Chaka Pilgrim, who, when I signed the Roc Nation, she was the president of Roc Nation. And she just taught me so much in a short period of time before she transitioned on to her next career path. But, you know, she was always there with words of wisdom, encouragement, support…anything I needed.
The same with the current president Shari Bryant. She’s been like a rock star and a great example of what a woman looks like in those spaces and how supportive that is for our village. MC Lyte—that’s the big sister. Queen Latifah. Missy Elliott. Misa Hylton, a legend. Icon. She’s been, you know, a huge, huge factor in my life. Probably the biggest, and has taught me so many things. I could go on and on! But those are some.
That’s beautiful. I love to hear that. So, there are several ways that the industry is honoring Hip Hop’s 50th. What is something that you’re looking forward to this year? Or what is a highlight that you’ve already experienced?
Man, okay. I have short-term memory loss! [laughs] A Hip Hop 50 event that I’m looking forward to? Let me think. I’ve been a part of several, but—the anniversary, true anniversary, we’re celebrating all year, but it’s in August, right? So, I’m really looking forward to those events, because I know they’re gonna be big.
I’m actually doing one in New York with Rakim and a bunch of other artists. So, to do an event like that in celebration of 50 years in Hip Hop, and to do it with a legend like Rakim and so many other artists, and to have representation of the newer generation with myself, I’m really looking forward to that. What the crowd looks like, the age spectrum that I know will be represented. So, I’m excited about that.
This is my last question for you. I actually asked you this a few years back when I interviewed you then. Alright, so we all know that celebrity is an illusion. People, whether it be fans, labels, management, PR, etc.—they have expectations of who you are or who you should be. There’s a veil, sometimes purposeful, that keeps the public from connecting because they often get caught up in the illusion of the entertainment industry. So, what is something about you—the heart of who you are, not as the artist Rapsody, but as a person—that doesn’t always translate to the world because that illusion shadows it?
Wow, that’s an amazing question! We were talking about this earlier. And that’s been a big growth point for me, these last three years, is taking off the veil. I think the biggest misconception for people with me is that I’m not perfect. I’m just as human as you are. I tell people I always want to show up as a representation or reflection that we are one and the same. I see myself in everybody, and I hope they see themselves in me. And that’s what—yeah, just connecting with people on a human level.
I don’t want to be the artist that people want to be like or emulate. And I don’t want to be the one that they just look at as a sex symbol and want to have sex with. I want to be the girl next door, your home girl. And I think that might be the biggest disconnect for me. That, yo, I just want to be the home girl. You know, to let you know that it’s perfect to be imperfect. I have stretch marks, I have a mole, I have all these perfections, and there’s still beauty in that. We all look the same, you know, so that would be it for me.
If there’s one thing Cardi B has always had for herself, it’s vision. The 30-year-old felt called to superstardom from deep within, and so she set her sights and began acting accordingly. Of course, there have been speed bumps along the way – both legal and romantic – but now she seems more self-assured than ever before. As she prepares to share her sophomore album (a follow-up to the Grammy Award-winning Invasion of Privacy), Cardi seems to be in a reflective mood according to a tweet shared on Tuesday (June 20) morning.
“Fun fact: I [spent] $10,000 on the ‘Bodak Yellow’ music video,” the mother of two revealed. Along with the tidbit of hip-hop history knowledge, she shared a throwback photo taken while filming the visual. While wearing an elegant, deep red dress and stiletto heels, Cardi sits on the hood of a luxury whip. While her beauty budget and the expensive car likely took up a lot of that money, several members of the Bardi Gang were quick to ask their favourite artist how much she paid for the leopard who appears beside her on-screen throughout the footage.
As Uproxx reports, Cardi previously shared her inspiration for “Bodak Yellow” during an interview with Billboard. “I wanted to do a song that is, like, ‘You know what? I’m in a good place in my life right now, and I want to stun. I felt it in my soul — this song is going to be so popping.”
Despite the New Yorker’s obvious enthusiasm about the single, her label reportedly wasn’t feeling it. Staying true to her own vision, Cardi got the funds together on her own accord to put the video together. It’s since amassed well over one billion streams and was Diamond certified by the RIAA in 2022 after selling upwards of 11 million units.
Take a trip back in time with Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” music video below. Which of the rap diva’s songs from this era is your favourite? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Hip-hop legend Jeezy has been a mainstay in the rap game for quite some time. However, he recently revealed his origins on The Neighborhood Talk, getting into how he scrimped and saved so he could spend time and money at the studio to record music. In 1998, Jeezy launched his first label imprint, Corporate Thugz Entertainment, which came to be CTE World. He also released independent music under the rap name Lil J, his first album being 2001’s Thuggin’ Under the Influence (T.U.I.).
Between ’98 and ’04 — which is when he signed with Bad Boy Records and the rap group Boyz n da Hood — Young Jeezy was struggling to get his music career off the ground. In the short Instagram post, he explains how he needed to make specific sacrifices to pour money into both CTE World and his independent albums. “I saved all my money ’til I was able to grind up and get what I really was trying to do,” he says in the video. “And that’s when I took my game to the next level.”
During the dog days of his career, Jeezy was somehow getting $2 meals at Subway. He claims that he walked to the sandwich restaurant daily to grab a drink, a cookie, a bag of chips, and a six-inch sub and that was all he ate for two or three years. How he got all of that for $2 is up for debate, as the Insta comments show. Either way, Jeezy did this for a long time and made it up the rap ladder because of it.
After years of putting out his own music, Jeezy signed with Def Jam Records in 2005. He released Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 in July of that same year. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and eventually was certified Platinum. As they say, the rest is history: Jeezy has 10 studio albums under his belt, the latest being The Recession 2, released in 2020. Jeezy has been relatively quiet since the pandemic, but he did release a collaborative album with DJ Drama in 2022 entitled Snofall. His most recent endeavor was an autobiography, “Adversity for Sale: You Gotta Believe”, which expands on this story of saving every dollar for a shot at success.
When people these days think of hip-hop, the central figure that pops up in people’s minds nine times out of ten is the rapper. However, those same people might not be aware of the genre’s true origin, something that Grandmaster Flash is tired of happening. Moreover, the legendary DJ, turntable innovator, and contemporary ran fan recently spoke to Sway and his co-hosts on Shade 45. During their conversation, he spoke on how the idea of a rapper first came about for him. In addition, he lamented how a lot of media and members of hip-hop culture these days aren’t fully aware, or at least don’t highlight, how it all started.
“‘Can you verbalize to this?’” Grandmaster Flash began, telling a story of how people tried to actually vocalize or sing along to the kinds of beats that he was putting together. “Many people failed, and there was one gentleman, just one, who had this nursery rhyme type of style. And we met, briefly. And then, when I went to go visit my girlfriend, he was there. He was dating the older sister, and I was dating the younger one. So, we meet again. And the next time I played in the park, I ask him to try. And this is where the rapper was born.
“His name was Keith Wiggins, also known as ‘Cowboy,’” Grandmaster Flash continued. “The rest of the Five is history. But I just wanted to say, like, thank you for this, Sway. Yes, I know we have a lot to talk about. But hip-hop is 50 years old. And do you know, out of all the interviews I’ve been listening to, nobody’s talking about where this started!
“Nobody’s talking about the DJs,” he concluded. “Nobody’s talking about the incredible producers, who put these incredible songs together. Because, I’m telling you, I’ll put my life on this, that any one of you rappers could not have written these dope a** rhymes [without them].” For more news on Grandmaster Flash and more chunks of important hip-hop history, stick around on HNHH.
This year marks the 12th anniversary of Hell: The Sequel, the collaborative EP between Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” as Bad Meets Evil. The EP was released via Shady Records and Interscope on June 14, 2011. Features on the EP include Mike Epps, Bruno Mars, and Slaughterhouse, as well as production from Eminem, Havoc, Mr. Porter, DJ Khalil, and more. Hell: The Sequel was the first collaborative project between Eminem and Royce, but the two have worked closely together for their entire careers. The Bad Meets Evil duo dates back to 1998 when Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” initially connected for the “Nuttin To Do” single. They also teamed up in 1999 for the song “Bad Meets Evil” from Eminem’s TheSlim Shady LP. On the song, Royce raps, “See you in Hell for the sequel.”
At the time of the release of Hell: The Sequel, Eminem was coming off a banner year. He released Recovery, which still remains one of his most commercially successful albums and includes multiple hit singles that have become an essential part of his catalog. Royce Da 5’9” previously released his Street Hop album and the first full-length Slaughterhouse record before they signed to Shady Records. We’re looking back at Bad Meets Evil’s Hell: The Sequel for its 12th anniversary.
Eminem & Royce Da 5’9″ Brought The Best Out Of Each Other
Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” first connected as Bad Meets Evil at the beginning of their careers, showing an undeniable chemistry between the two Detroit rap legends. The two fell out for many years due to a feud between Royce and Proof of D-12. Royce and Proof reconciled before Proof’s passing in 2006, leading to a reunion between Eminem and Royce. The song “Living Proof,” dedicated to Proof, is a back-to-basics collaboration between friends who are arguably two of the greatest rappers.
The shock value and unpredictable rhyming on songs like “The Reunion” are prime examples of how Hell: The Sequel perfectly picked up where the two left off. The rappers brought the best out of each other on the EP. The project is full of dazzling flows as the two seamlessly trade bars with one another, displaying an effortless chemistry. The Havoc-produced “Welcome 2 Hell” sees the two trading verses back and forth, playing to each other’s strengths at a rapid pace. The intensity of the song is kept throughout the EP with aggressively witty tracks like “Fast Lane,” “Above The Law,” and “A Kiss.” Hell: The Sequel also has arguably the best production of any post-Recovery Eminem release.
A Concise Listen
The nine-track standard version of Hell: The Sequel clocks in at 37 minutes, and the additional bonus tracks make it 46 minutes. The 11 songs on the project left minimal room for error, making for an enjoyable listen with no filler. Many previous Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” albums tended to be lengthy, but Hell: The Sequel did not overstay its welcome. Both rappers’ fans were satisfied with the project, and its length added replay value.
There was also plenty of variety, from intense bangers to humorous tracks like “I’m On Everything” and the sentimental lead single, “Lighters.” Diehard fans and critics alike have criticized Eminem for his long albums and pop songs, but Hell: The Sequel did not receive the polarizing reception that Eminem usually received for an album. The display of skills and chemistry between Eminem and Royce was almost definitely the reason for such positive reception.
The Shady 2.0 Era
Aside from being the highly-anticipated collaborative EP from Eminem and Royce Da 5’9”, Hell: The Sequel also signified the Shady 2.0 era. Eminem had completely revamped Shady Records, signing Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse, the latter of which Royce was a member. Slaughterhouse had previously appeared on “Session One” from Recovery and backed Eminem in the “Forever” video.
Eminem, Slaughterhouse, and Yelawolf were a united Shady Records in their historic BET Cypher and their song, “2.0 Boys.” The song “Loud Noises” from Hell: The Sequel was a frantic declaration of Slaughterhouse’s signing to Shady. Eminem, Royce, KXNG Crooked, Joe Budden, and Joell Ortiz spat head-spinning bars with clever punchlines and aggressive delivery. The song was a glimpse of what could have been one of the strongest hip hop labels. It was an incredibly promising track before the widespread disappointment of Slaughterhouse’s Shady debut and their breakup.
Despite the dissolution of Slaughterhouse in the following years, Hell: The Sequel was a moment for Eminem as a rapper and label executive and Royce as a solo artist and member of multiple groups. Since 2011, Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” have worked together as Bad Meets Evil on the 2014 Shady XV compilation and the 2015 Shady-produced Southpaw soundtrack. The two also appeared on each other’s songs, such as “Caterpillar” and “Not Alike.” Eminem’s most recent album, 2020’s Music to be Murdered By, featured three Royce Da 5’9” features, including a Joe Budden-less Slaughterhouse reunion. The quality of Hell: The Sequel has left fans longing for another Bad Meets Evil release. According to Royce, the possibility of more Bad Meets Evil is up in the air.
