When it comes to coke rap there aren’t many who can flow about pyrex pots and bricks like Pusha T. Speaking with Complex, Pusha T highlighted who are the three greatest coke rappers of all-time.
“Hov is first, because he made Reasonable Doubt, and that is the grail of all drug levels, without being all about drugs. It spoke more to the lifestyle,” Pusha T said. “Lyrically, I’m going to say that I’m next. And I’ll say Jeezy is third, because I don’t believe there was a stronger moment in time than Trap or Die.”
The latest display of exquisite coke bars from Pusha T comes on his new single “Diet Coke.” The single is produced by YE and 88 Keys, the latter of which reveals the single was created by him 18 years ago. Great music doesn’t age.
“I made that beat 18 years ago,” 88 Keys said. “It was an interlude that I made for my beat tape, and the name of my beat tape was called ‘The Makings of Crack Cocaine.’ How funny is that?”
You can tap into the new single below and be sure to read the full interview over at Complex.
Def Jam Recordings, in collaboration with LUCID Motors, sponsored a special evening in honor of Women’s History Month in LUCID’s Beverly Hills studio on Monday night.
“The Women Of Def Jam” paid tribute to Def Jam’s iconic female musicians, both past and present, and brought together the label’s entire female executive team, personnel, and VIP guests to recognize their incredible accomplishments to the brand and the industry at large. Def Jam employs one of the most diverse and inclusive groups of female executives in the music industry today at every level of the company.
Def Jam artists Kaash Paige, Kendra Jae, DaniLeigh, Pap Chanel, Nevaeh Jolie, and Ilham were in attendance, as was a “Future Leaders” panel led by Variety editor Shirley Halperin and featured some of the label’s youngest and brightest workers. The evening came to a close with a beautiful performance by Coco Jones of her new single “Caliber,” which she performed afterward by Def Jam chairman and CEO Tunji Balogun. DJ Rosegold kept the party rolling with Def Jam’s extensive discography tunes.
Women make up more than half of the Def Jam workforce, with seven women of color holding senior leadership positions. Women make up two of the three executive leaders. Eight of the ten department heads are female. In addition, Def Jam has an all-female marketing team for the first time since 2007. And Def Jam has never had as many female A&R executives as now.
Def Jam also released The Women of Def Jam, a 24-track compilation showcasing the greatest women in the label’s history. The compilation features Nikki D., Foxy Brown, Ashanti, Rapsody, Teyana Taylor, Amerie, etc.
Despite the recent controversy between Latto and the alleged male rapper who gave her clearance issues, you can’t deny her rapping abilities. At only 23, Latto proves to be one of the top lyrics in the game, male or female. You can check out Latto’s new 777 LP if anyone needs validation.
The 13-track project exhibited Latto’s lyrical prowess and established her as a certified hot spitter. The Clayton County representative, or Big Latto, opens the project with big bars.
The opening track, “777 Pt.1,” lets us know she’s a force on the microphone. Not rapping raunchy, she deliberately delivers bars.
“I’m a rap bitch, check the top, I’ll step ’em. Clayton County repper, red hot pepper. Ain’t a bitch badder, I’m a gold medal. “Latto fell off,” said a bitch never. And I’m rappin’ like I got a vendetta. Classy ratchet bitch, real trendsetter. Sleepin’ on me, had to apply more pressure. Got the hood lookin’ like Coachella”
She continues to the same hard flow on the second track, “777 Pt.2,” but the LP comes with 13-tracks and has a loaded roster. The Georgia native enlists a few of her hometown peers like 21 Savage and Childish Gambino. She also called upon other big names like Lil Wayne, Lil Durk, Kodak Black, and Nardo Wick.
777 also includes the Mariah Carey-sampling “Big Energy” track. Latto recently announced that Mariah Carey would be on the “Big Energy” remix, which will drop on Monday. Latto expressed great joy behind this legendary collaboration. She took it to Twitter to share her thoughts.
We can’t wait for Big Latto and Mariah Carey’s link up early next week. For now, everybody can jam 777 below. Let us know what you think about the new project.
In support of Fashion Icon and recording artist Nigo‘s first release in two decades, Tyler the Creatorand Pharrell Williams drop the official visual for their collaboration with the Bape creator from the upcoming album, titled “Come On, Let’s Go.”
Directed by Tyler Okonma, Pharrell himself produces the new song. Tyler shared the new visual on Thursday morning (March 24) with his 9 million followers on Twitter with the YouTube link. In the visual, Tyler and Pharrell show off their unique designer drips while arguing with a love interest on the phone about going for a tricked-out Ferrari.
“Come On, Let’s Go” is the trendsetting duo’s seventh collaboration, including past hits “Keep Da O’s,” “Are We Still Friends,” and the recent “Juggernaut.” For Nigo, the new single follows a trail of new hit collaborations from Pusha T, A$AP Rocky, and Kid Cudi. And with the all-star features, Nigo’s debut album will see the return of his former rap group, The Teriyaki Boyz.
Outside the upcoming album, Tyler is steamrolling on his Call Me If You Get Lost tour. At the same time, Pharrell just finished executive production on the forthcoming Pusha T album, It’s Almost Dry, which drops April 8 via G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam. Nigo’s debut, I Know Nigo, drops this Friday via Republic Records, includes features by A$AP Ferg, Gunna, Lil Uzi Vert, the late-Pop Smoke, and many more.
Rob49 and Lil Baby pull up to Iberville Projects in New Orleans to shoot the official video for “Vulture Island V2.” Rob49 is emerging as one of the hottest acts from the N.O since The Hot Boys era.
The 20-year-old rapper follows up his last album release in 2021, 4God with today’s arrival. 49 has consistently dropped multiple projects with much street acclaim.
Among Lil Baby, “Vulture Island V2” sees cameo appearances from Kevin Gates and Florida native Hotboii.
Check out why there’s exciting buzz surrounding him in the Lil Baby assisted video below.
Today, Jay Worthy and Larry June released their collaborative album 2 P’z in a Pod, a laid-back cruiser’s dream. In addition to the new album, Worthy and June have released the video for “She’s Not Around / Maybe Next Time.”
Suga Free narrates the album, which also features Jim Jones, Roc Marciano, Ceelo Green, and Sean House of LNDN DRGS on production. While Worthy and June have collaborated before, this is their first full-length album together.
“This album has been a long time in the making,” says Worthy. “We spoke about this in 2018 and waited for the right time. Really proud of this album and that’s my brother in real life so u can hear the chemistry on the tracks. Guarantee nothing else sounds like this out right now.”
“Me and Worthy been mapping this project out for over 4 years,” says June. “We actually thought to do this tape while hiking in Los Angeles in 2018, after a couple trips to Vegas bussin moves we decided to execute it. Took a little time but we are here now. Much love to Sean House as well. Jay my bro so this was easy…half of the songs I forgot we even did! Numbers, aye aye aye.”
Stove God Cooks has to cosigns, he is now looking to grab more of your ear. The rapper took off after the release of his Reasonable Drought album, securing cosigns from Kevin Durant, Griselda, and more. Now the rising star is getting fans ready for his next album.
Ahead of the release, Stove God drops off a two-pack maxi-single, The God That Sat By The Stove, which featured “161” and “Sweet Dreams.” You can stream the new release below.
The return of SxSw, might have taken place during the Spring, but on March 18th, in Austin, Texas it was Holiday season! The legendary Hip Hop DJ helped to capture the essence of what SxSw music festival in Austin is all about with his Hollipalooza stage powered by Kim SoMajor, The Umbrella Firm and The Source Magazine.
“The Hollipalooza event was everything you could ask for,” said the Atlanta artist Atmore VI, who debuted an unreleased song he has featuring Bad Bunny called “Passport.” Atmore VI shared, “Hot artists from the past, present, and future all showing love and performing some great music.”
Hollipalooza not only provided the entertainment with big named artists like Trae The Truth, Sally Sossa, Domani, K Shiday, Rob49 and Beat King, it also gave independent artists a time to shine.
“I don’t think they understand,” said Holiday as he introduced his special guest. “I brought some very important people here.”
Along with himself, The Source, and other media outlets in the building, Kim SoMajor and Holiday also brought out Josh “J1” Raiford to help new artist set up their own unique stations as a way to reach those larger audiences. Raiford is the VP of music programming at Pandora.
Attendees felt that the Hollipalooza stage powered by Kim SoMajor and The Umbrella Firm was a great opportunity for them to grow as an artist.
“My Hollipalooza experience was mad lit and definitely one to remember,” said the Georgia native Big Legend who performed” Money Habits.”
He continued to speak on how he took advantage of the mass amount of people present for the event, “I networked with a lot of artists and industry executives, along with making a lot of new fans.”
Rising artist out of South Memphis, Tripstar, loved the enthusiasm of the attendees. Being the next big thing out of Memphis, Trip wanted to know how others felt about his music and said he received a great response.
“I really like how everybody was very supportive and had great energy in the crowd,” said Tripstar, the latest signee to Moneybagg Yo.
Currently, Tripstar’s “Favorite App” song featuring Lil Migo is running on all music platforms.
PGF Shawt, another artist from Atlanta, said The Source was his favorite magazine growing up and loved the fact that he got a chance to perform with them in the building.
“Just being able to be a part of The Source is big,” said Shawt. “It’s a pleasure and honor truly appreciated. Right now, fans can check out PGF Shawt’s new single “Confessions” on all music platforms.
A lot of the performing acts recognized the prominence of DJ Holiday and they all felt honored for the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of him on a big stage.
Atmore VI added, “DJ Holiday is an OG we all grew up listening to, and his down-to-earth demeanor shows you he really does this for the love.”
The Hip Hop duo from St. Petersburg, Florida, Yo Simi, and Dredlock Esoc second that thought when it comes to the persona of DJ Holiday.
“DJ Holiday was a solid dude I got a chance to meet him at the show and after I performed, we chopped it up,” said Dredloc Esco, half of the duo who performed “Vegas.”
FeVaOG also loved the fact that DJ Holiday was down to earth.
“DJ Holiday showed me love and was laid back, so I look forward to working with him,” said the Jersey artist who got the crowd lit with his hit “Casamigos”.
Hollipalooza wasn’t your basic open mic showcase. Along with great networking, The Umbrella Firm offered a single record distribution deal via Beatroot Music to one of the nights top performers. Congratulations are in order to PGF Shawt who won the distribution deal.
Woodrow, CEO of The Umbrella Firm, shared that Shawt’s performance stood out as the “total package.” He said, “Shawt showed he has great music with substance and flow patterns which is rare. Artists usually are one or the other. He’s invested in his career and he has a track record of already having collaborations with other artists and uploading to major platforms.”
“Overall, he has a heavy promotional campaign so he came correct and participated while other artists were performing. That showed humility but he was one of the most dominant independents we had. Looking forward to working with him,” Woodrow shared.
The event also featured a live activation with Atlanta’s own Scotty Atl. Scotty ATL showed some major fan appreciation. Being the new King of Grillz, Scotty gifted out two 6-piece grills to the audience, just for attending the Hollipalooza event. Scotty’s grill company, Grillz By Scotty, provided the grills exclusively done onsite.
“We just wanted to show love, said Scotty ATL, who didn’t perform but brought his artist Just Call Me Veto to the music event.
Under the Cool Club label, Just Call Me Veto introduced himself with his new single “One Of Them Ones.” This was his first Austin performance and the New Orleans-born, but Atlanta-raised artist didn’t take it lightly.
“This is major,” said Veto. “In 2014 I was just walking around. I always wanted to do a show here and now I had three. Shout out to DJ Holiday, Scotty, Kim SoMajor, and The Source. This is major.”
There was a ton of fresh faces in the building for Hollipalooza. Check out a list of some of the new faces of Hip Hop to keep on your radar.
Sony Australia’s chart-topping starLara D makes her North American debut with a new single and video “Bad Case of Loving You.” For the debut, the Morrocan-Lebanese singer-songwriter tells a rollercoaster love story that ends in one discovering self-love. Stream the new single below via Sony Entertainment Australia.
“about falling into the trap of toxic love and the mixed emotions that come with discovering if someone is genuine, or if it’s all part of a game,” said Lara D about the song’s concept. “Sometimes we fall for someone that we shouldn’t because they don’t treat you right or they fall through on their promises. It’s not a heartbreak song, it’s more about warranted disappointment in someone for turning out exactly like you thought they would.”
The song was co-written by DNA Songs, Lara D knew the song was a hit from the first listen.
“I was playing with vocal ideas and I come up with a cool rhythm vocally in the chorus, everyone reacted and said “that’s it”, it became a key hook – it was funny as I kinda wrote it without thinking,” says Lara.
“Bad Case of Loving You” was filmed at Caves Beach and an arcade in NSW. Lara D, alongside director Alex Greaves, was hands-on with elements of the creative including directing and styling allowed to bring her vision to life. In an unbelievable turn of events, filming was delayed on Caves beach with beached whale drawing on the efforts of Lara, Alex and the crew to get it back to open waters. Despite it held up and everything worked out accordingly.
Lara’s debut is only the beginning of her U.S. take over. She plans to release more new music and is currently in album mode, eager for a late-2022 release. “I’ve been waiting so long to show off my sound and creativity, I’m going to be playing shows too, so I can’t wait for people to hear the songs I’ve been working on live!”
Take a look at the U.S. debut below, afterward, stream Lara D’s catalog above.
Sean Paul’s eighth full-length album and Island Records debut, Scorcha, will be released on May 27. Arriving alongside the album announcement is the video for the first single “How We Do It” feat. Pia Mia. The new video is closing in on one million views.
Sean Paul also revealed Scorchatour dates for 2022 in the United States. Returning to the stage after a two-year hiatus due to the epidemic, he is thrilled to re-connect with his fans live and in person.
