With Jay-Z himself ending the viral debate taking over social media question would you rather lunch with Jay or $500, Rick Ross decided to chime in. The MMG boss explained why picking the brain of the Drug dealer-turned billionaire is more valuable than pocketing half a million dollars.
“I’ma take the dinner and I’ma tell you why,” Ross said in a video posted to his Instagram Stories. “In ’08 when I turned in my second album [Trilla], I had a meeting with Hov. We went to lunch. Philippe Chow, Manhattan — the orange chicken on the stick with the peanut sauce was the vibe at the time. Let me cut through the conversation.
“He said, ‘Rozay, versus writing to every beat you like, write to every record you could make work.’ He told me a quick story about ‘Big Pimpin.’ I said, ‘Okay, bet.’ I went from writing one record to every 80 beats I like, to writing 40 records out of every 80 beats I could make work.”
Rozay credited Hov’s advice with helping him level up as an artist which, in turn, brought him more success in the rap game and laid the foundation for his other lucrative business ventures.
“It took me to another level as a writer, another level as an artist,” he continued. “The amount of work I was putting out was next level. So you gotta ask yourself, are you ready to digest the knowledge or you just want to look at this watch at the table?”
On Saturday, August 26th, the prestigious global breaking (also known as breakdancing) competition, Red Bull BC One, concluded its 2023 U.S. season with its National Final held in Philadelphia. Legendary breakers and rising talent came together at The Fillmore Philadelphia, where competitors showcased unparalleled footwork, freezes, and power moves to win over a judging panel of respected breakers and claim the coveted national b-boy and b-girl championship titles.
Welcoming more than 1,200 attendees throughout the weekend, the Red Bull BC One Camp and Cypher USA ends a two-month circuit of electrifying battles and community events across the country, including regional qualifiers in Orlando, Minneapolis, and New York City. In Philadelphia, an elite line-up of regional champions and a selection of wild card invitees battled their way through a 16-bracket knockout tournament.
In the b-girl category, Kate came out on top, following a fierce final battle with Team USA’s Pep-C. Kate’s triumphant win comes after years of pursuing a spot on the Red Bull BC One World Final roster. In the b-boy bracket, HiJack emerged as champion. Finalists Mace and HiJack delivered world class performances, but HiJack’s musicality and infusion of personality into his final rounds ultimately stole the show.
Kate and HiJack will go on to represent the United States at the historic 20th edition of the Red Bull BC One World Final in Paris, where breaking will bless the grounds of the iconic Roland-Garros on October 21st, ahead of its sporting debut in 2024.
Leading up to the event, the breaking community came together for Red Bull BC One Camp USA, which featured a weekend of exhibition battles, workshops, and panels. Hosted by iconic figures in breaking, hip-hop and dance, including B-Boy Flea Rock and Buddha Stretch, Red Bull BC One Camp USA was a celebration of breaking’s storied roots and promising future.
Red Bull has a rich legacy within the breaking community which spans over two decades, beginning with the trailblazing 2 vs. 2 event, Lords of the Floor, which gave rise to Red Bull BC One in 2004. Today, Red Bull BC One is the premiere platform for competition, mentorship, cyphers, community jams, and programming in breaking—nurturing the growth of the athletic artform as it continues to reach new milestones.
After years of waiting, the highly-anticipated Las Vegas Sphere finally opened this week with U2 kicking off the venue’s inaugural weekend. And what a weekend it was. The $2.3 billion dollar project was met with amazing reviews with critics complimenting the visuals, sounds, and overall ambience of what some dubbed “the concert of the future.”
The concert’s opening night, which was attended by celebrities such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Josh Duhamel, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos, Jon Hamm, Paul McCartney, Flavor Flav, and more, was preceded by a DJ that drove around in a neon car playing classic pop hits before U2 took the stage (a half hour late, reportedly due to technical issues).
U2 performed two hours of their classic hits (and some new ones) on a rotating stage while the sphere’s domed ceilings and walls changed from digital collages of Las Vegas nostalgia to colorful kaleidoscope imagery to falling night stars to a desert scene that was so hyperrealistic that it almost seemed like concertgoers were outside during the day time.
The Sphere’s architects have noted that until now, no major indoor venues were build specifically for music with many concerts taking place at football or basketball stadiums, meaning that the acoustics and viewing were not always ideal for concerts.
Since July, Las Vegas residents and visitors have already seen the Sphere’s 580,000 square foot fully-programmable LED exterior (the Exosphere) become an eyeball, planet earth, a basketball, an emoji, and much more. This weekend,
The Exosphere consists of approximately 1.2 million LED pucks, spaced eight inches apart. Each puck contains 48 individual LED diodes, with each diode capable of displaying 256 million different colors. The Sphere is 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide. For reference- the venue could fit the entire Statue of Liberty (including the base and torch) inside The interior’s bowl-shaped seating area holds 18,600 and boasts 160,000 speakers with over 260 million video pixels, immersing the audience in the experience while still keeping the performers as the central focus.
For now, U2 has scheduled their two month residency, “U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere,” at the venue although many other artists are reportedly in talks for 2024 performances.
While tickets for the U2 show are pretty costly (starting at about $500), the Sphere also offers “the first Sphere Experience,” Postcard from Earth directed by Darren Aronofsky, with tickets starting at about $49. More info on all the venue’s upcoming events can be found here.
Lifelong best friends Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly and Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith quickly became international music and cultural icons as the Hip Hop Duo “Kriss Kross” with their debut Billboard number one single “Jump” and Billboard number one and certified four-time platinum album “Totally Krossed Out.”
On Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 4 p.m, Dr. Leigh Wise, will be joined by a host of family and friends and fellow music industry icons to honor Chris Kelly’s legacy.
“This year’s event is very special to me and my family because we honor the 10th anniversary of Chris’s death and celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop,” says Dr. Wise. “Hip Hop originated in the Bronx, New York, on August 11, 1973; ten years later, Chris Kelly’s mother gave birth to him on August 11, 1983.”
The event features storytelling by celebrity guests such as Kirk and Rasheeda Frost, Shane Bobb, Vince Phillips, Zak Wallace and an encore performance by Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith. There will also be a live performance by Atlanta Legend Kilo Ali and music soundtrack by the renowned DJ Jelly.
Dr. Wise and her family raise funds to award a scholarship to a graduating student from Kelly’s alma mater, Atlanta Institute of Music, and East Point, Georgia’s Tri-Cities High School. In 2023,a scholarship will be awarded to a student passionately pursuing a performing arts or healthcare career.
Yesterday, members of ASCAP, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, celebrated their works at The ASCAP Foundation’s 12th annual “We Write the Songs” concert. As in previous years, 2023’s “We Write the Songs” event celebrated gifts from The ASCAP Foundation to the Library of Congress of the original manuscripts, lead sheets, lyrics sheets, photos and letters of some of America’s greatest creators of words and music; gifts which have continued since 2009.
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The event was co-hosted by The Library of Congress, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and The ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams, taking place at the historic Coolidge Auditorium. The evening featured renowned songwriters and producers performing hit songs they wrote or co-wrote. Producer and songwriter Jermaine Dupri delivered his “Confessions/Confessions Part II” (Usher) and “We Belong Together” (Mariah Carey); hit pop songwriter Madison Love performed “Kings & Queens” (Ava Max) and “Turbulence” (P!nk); Broadway and screen songwriting duo Pasek & Paul shined on their “Waving Through a Window” (from Dear Evan Hansen) and “This is Me” (The Greatest Showman); contemporary Christian artist and newly announced ASCAP Golden Note Award honoree Matthew West sang “My Jesus” (Anne Wilson) and “Truth Be Told”; and influential songwriting and production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis closed out the show with their chart-toppers “Human” (The Human League) and “Miss You Much” (Janet Jackson).
Matthew WestPaul Williams ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board
Attendance at this year’s concert included Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, including members of party leadership and committee chairs and ranking members. Talent was introduced with remarks from Rep. Mark Green (TN), who introduced West; Rep. Hank Johnson (GA), who introduced Dupri; Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY), who introduced Pasek & Paul; and Congressional Songwriters Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Ted Lieu (CA), who introduced Love, and Rep. Ben Cline (VA), who introduced Jam and Lewis.
Carla Hayden 14th Librarian of Congress
“To us music creators, the Library is the Fort Knox of our copyrights – thank you for being our allies in protecting creators’ rights,” said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, an Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning songwriter. “We have ASCAP members from all 50 states, in each and every district of our great nation.Some of our songwriters and composers may not be household names, but their songs are instantly recognizable and beloved by millions, all thanks to the hard work they put in behind the scenes to soundtrack our lives.”
Elizabeth Matthews, ASCAP CEO, with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.JPG
The Hushlife Boutique celebrated its grand re-opening this past weekend with grand festivities. Prior to their relocation, they were at the 10 Grand Ave address for over eight years.
To usher in a new era for Hushlife, the interior was entirely designed by the company president and designer Nicole Dipinto. The design was inspired by Japanese streetwear boutiques to give a customer a sense of discovering a hidden gem of a shop.
Hushlife celebrated their collaborative release with AVIA called the Legacy Summer Scoops. The Merch pack was designed by Hush founder Ramon Blackburn and the creative director Tavon Davis. It featured three colorways of Avia Legacy’s 855 silhouette: Mint, Cotton Candy, and Volt. The merch pack also featured two t-shirts. Notable guests who showed support at the event were the legendary rapper AZ, Kim Osorio, heavy-hitter DJ Pretty Lou, Chris Atlas, Ron Stew, and DMV rapper Big Cruz. DJ Enuff and DJ D Prizzy provided the music for the event and ice cream was provided by Mikey Likes It.
Feel the R&B Vibes: Ari Lennox Joins Rod Wave on the Nostalgia Tour!
Ari Lennox, the soulful songstress with a voice that can melt hearts, is set to embark on a musical journey once again. This time, she’ll be joining rapper Rod Wave as a supporting act for his highly-anticipated Nostalgia Tour, taking her unique blend of R&B and soul to stages across North America.
The Nostalgia Tour kicks off on October 19th at the illustrious Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. From there, Rod Wave‘s headlining tour will sweep through more than two dozen major cities, delivering unforgettable performances and soulful vibes to fans. The grand finale of this musical journey is set for December 18th at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Joining Ari Lennox and Rod Wave on this musical odyssey are special guest performers Toosii,G Herbo, and EELmatic, promising an electrifying lineup that will have fans on their feet.
As Ari Lennox takes the stage as part of the Nostalgia Tour, she’ll also be celebrating the one-year anniversary of her sophomore album, age/sex/location. The album, released in September 2022, has already made waves in the music industry with guest appearances from Chlöe, Lucky Daye, and Summer Walker.
Two of the album’s standout tracks, “Pressure” and “Waste My Time,” soared to the top of R&B radio charts and Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. “Pressure” even earned the prestigious gold certification from the RIAA for selling over 500,000 equivalent units, marking a significant milestone in Ari Lennox’s career.
In the past year, Ari Lennox has taken her music far and wide, touring North America during the winter and spring and then venturing to the U.K. and Europe later in the spring. Her journey also included captivating festival performances at Jazz in the Gardens, Dreamville Festival, and Roots Picnic, showcasing her talent to diverse audiences around the world.
With this exciting collaboration between Ari Lennox and Rod Wave, the Nostalgia Tour promises to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers across the nation. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this musical celebration as these two artists share their passion and talent with fans in cities near you.
Nas’ 50th Birthday Bash: A Night of Legends, Love, and Hip-Hop
New York City recently witnessed a legendary celebration as hip-hop icon Nas marked his milestone 50th birthday. The Big Apple’s skyline was lit up with star power, as a who’s who of the music and entertainment industry turned out to honor the Queensbridge legend.
The guest list read like a who’s who of hip-hop royalty: Chris Rock, Fat Joe, Mary J. Blige, Q-Tip, Diddy, Havoc, Kendrick Lamar, Styles P, Sheek Louch, AZ, Robert De Niro, Slick Rick, Steve Stoute, Sizzla, N.O.R.E, Questlove and many more. It was a night to remember as Nas was embraced by his peers, with Hit-Boy, Jadakiss, DJ Premier, Ralph McDaniels, and others showing their love and admiration.
In a heartwarming flick, Diddy, Fat Joe, Raekwon, and Cormega shared a nostalgic moment, highlighting the camaraderie and respect that Nas has earned throughout his illustrious career.
But the outpouring of love didn’t stop with those in attendance. Even those who couldn’t make it to the celebration made sure to send their love to the Magic III emcee through Mass Appeal. Cordae, DJ Khaled, Snoop Dogg, Swizz Beatz, and Tobe Nwigwe all took a moment to express their affection for Nas.
Snoop Dogg, in his signature style, welcomed Nas to the “fifth floor” of life, an eloquent nod to the rapper’s 50th birthday. DJ Khaled marveled at the synchronicity of Nas and hip-hop both turning 50 in the same year, showering him with blessings and gratitude. Swizz Beatz, paying homage to Nas‘ significance in the rap game, wished him many more blessings and declared him the “best of the best.”
Nas‘ 50th birthday celebration wasn’t just a party; it was a testament to his enduring influence on the world of music and culture. As the hip-hop community came together to celebrate this milestone, it was a reminder that Nas’ legacy is not just about music; it’s about the love and respect he’s earned from his peers and fans over three decades of greatness. Happy birthday, Nas—here’s to many more years of inspiring us all.
St. Louis Culture: Where Graffiti Meets Groove, Breakdancing Blends with Jazz, and Deejaying Dances with Humanity
In a resounding celebration of music’s timeless power, the vibrant city of St. Louis recently served as the epicenter of musical ecstasy during the 2023 edition of Music at the Intersection. Nestled in the heart of the Grand Center Arts District, this annual extravaganza unfolded over two days, welcoming music enthusiasts from every corner of the globe for an experience that defied boundaries and blurred the lines between genres, generations, and musical eras.
The festival’s headline act, none other than the legendary Grandmaster Flash, took to the stage, reaffirming his rightful status as the “Founding Father.” An icon of hip-hop whose influence has rippled across generations, Flash ignited the crowd with his timeless beats, a testament to the enduring impact of his artistry. His performance set the stage for an event that would pay homage to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, reminding us of the genre’s profound legacy.
Music at the Intersection is renowned for its diverse lineup, and 2023 was no exception. The festival’s stages bore witness to a fusion of iconic figures such as Angela Winbush, Arrested Development, Cameo, Herbie Hancock, and Taj Mahal, seamlessly blending with the rising stars of today, including Masego, Phony PPL, Ravyn Lenae, Smino, and Thundercat. It was a harmonious collision of hip-hop’s storied history and promising future, where musical worlds converged.
Injecting a hearty dose of funk and groove into the mix, the collective genius of Snarky Puppy and the irresistible vibes of The Suffers and Tank and the Bangas had the audience grooving well into the night. These performances transcended genres, underscoring the festival’s commitment to showcasing music’s kaleidoscopic facets.
St. Louis jazz legends Denise Thimes and the Kendrick Smith Quartet delivered awe-inspiring performances, invoking the city’s rich musical heritage. Their presence was a living testament to the festival’s mission of celebrating St. Louis’ indelible mark on the American songbook.
Trumpeter Keyon Harrold brought his unmistakable “no place like home” energy to St. Louis, joining a roster of music heavyweights at Music At The Intersection. Backed by the incredible Shedrick Mitchell on keys, the dynamic Pharoahe Monch & Stout setting the stage ablaze, and the masterful Charles Haynes on drums, Harrold’s performance was a living testament to the unifying power of music across genres. His words resonated deeply: “It’s the 50th year of hip-hop, and I am bringing Pharoahe Monch with me – who is a legend. I am bringing Stout with me. We are going to merge the worlds – hip-hop meets jazz.”
Beyond the infectious beats and irresistible rhythms, Music at the Intersection was a testament to St. Louis’ profound impact on the music world. The festival transcended boundaries, spanning blues, jazz, soul, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, and hip-hop. It was a vibrant celebration of St. Louis’ musical, cultural, and artistic legacy.
A historic moment was etched into hip-hop’s annals as radio personality Edie Bee Anderson was honored with a Legends Award. Anderson, a trailblazer who introduced hip-hop to St. Louis airwaves by spinning “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang in 1979, rightfully received the recognition she deserved. Her pioneering spirit ignited a movement that has molded the city’s music culture.
Chris Hansen, the visionary executive director of Kranzberg Arts Foundation and chief producer of Music at the Intersection, beautifully encapsulated the festival’s essence: “St. Louis artists have birthed and stewarded these great genres, and now, the rest of the world gets to enjoy playing and listening to the music that we’ve been so instrumental in breaking.” The event undoubtedly realized its vision of uniting music lovers from around the globe.
Music at the Intersection 2023 was more than a festival; it was a musical odyssey through time and genres, a celebration of St. Louis’ enduring influence on music, and a testament to the unifying power of the art form. As the festival concluded, it left an indelible mark on the hearts and souls of all who attended, serving as a poignant reminder that music, in all its glory, truly knows no boundaries.
Photo Credit: Antonio T. Harris, Tyler Small, Martell Stepney, Phillip Hamer, and Anthony Patten. Courtesy of Music at the Intersection
Country artist Morgan Wallen is known for pulling surprises on his fans (he recently shaved off his iconic mullet) and his Thursday night concert in Pittsburgh was no exception as the country singer mixed up genres a little bit at his show and brought out a surprise guest- Wiz Khalifa.
Wiz, a Pittsburgh native, has reportedly been a fan of Wallen’s for some time and has attended some of his concerts in the past as just a fan (taking obligatory post-show photos, obviously) and the two have become friends. On Thursday, the PNC Arena was already packed to its full 40,000-person capacity and going crazy during Wallen’s set when Khalifa appeared amidst flames onstage and started performing “Black and Yellow” with Wallen acting as sort of a hype man.
Wallen was in Pittsburgh as part of his “One Night at a Time Tour” while Wiz is preparing for the next leg of his own tour in September.
A few hours after sharing some highlights to his Instagram story, Wiz dropped a new single- “Oakland Originals,” a collab with Chevy Woods.
(@RappersPlug) October 23, 2023
