Hip Hop News

DaBoii, And Slimmy B Find West Coast Harmony With “Still Gangin'”

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There is no doubt that SOBxRBE have pioneered the West Coast’s new direction in the past half-decade, solidifying themselves as the initial influences for some of the hottest newcomers coming up right now. Though they’ve faced a number of obstacles legally as they remain a top-tier West Coast collective, DaBoii and Slimmy B- the only two remaining active members of the group- have returned to reprise their Gangin series of full-length releases with this week’s Still Gangin. Still Gangin is not only an ode to their earlier work in the name, but a return to form thematically and sonically as the SOB members tap in to the formula for their initial success. In doing so, with a continual morphing of the West Coast sound to different vibes and a consistent level of energy throughout, Still Gangin impresses fans and audiences alike. 

The album kicks off with a perfect sample of what is to come. “Intro” features an extended intro as orchestral instrumentation builds up. By the 45 second mark, it seems a beat drop is not only unconventional but unexpected- perhaps the first track is only an instrumental. However, just as soon as you rethink skipping to the following track, the duo crash through the classical instrumentation as the beat drops, practically shouting as they rap over the beat. This sets the stage perfectly for the rest of the tape, which is shocking in how versatile it proves the West Coast sound can be.

Still Gangin is not to be cast aside for fans of the style and hip-hop fans in general. Give it a listen below:

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. SOB B*tch
3. Whisper Song (feat. Nef The Pharaoh, Lil Bean, ShooterGang Kony)
4. Bob Marley
5. SK
6. In My Bag
7. Kitty Kat
8. Feds Watching (feat. Damjonboi, Nuk)
9. Gang Gang
10. Air Bud (feat. Deezy K)
11. I’m That N**** Now (feat. BtherGang Vonnie)
12.One Of Us
13. K Clip
14. We On
15. Runtz Pack (feat. Moneybagz Buzz)
16. Whisper Song (feat. Nef The Pharaoh, Lil Bean, and ShooterGang Kony)

Meek Mill Celebrates His Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award With A New Freestyle

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Earlier this week, Meek Mill became the first rapper to receive the Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award. The honor came via the invite-only entity PTTOW! (Plan To Take On The World!), who recognized the Philly native for his work through REFORM Alliance. After he received the award, Meek took to Instagram to celebrate. “Blessings… I got the Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Award,” he wrote. “Thank you … Rip to the great Nelson Mandela, ‘I ain’t grow up playing ball I had a Smith & [Wesson] because where I’m from it’s very hard to turn 27’ #survivors.” Shortly after he shared the post, the rapper returned with some new work.

Meek shared “Mandela Freestyle,” which finds him detailing his struggles with the legal system and his dedication to reform. “Motivate the people where I come from, my requirement / Say it loud, ‘I won’t be a product of my environment,’” he raps, later adding, “Took them bars they locked me in and made it a rap / I took them cells that they gave us and I made it a plaque.”

The freestyle comes a week after Meek dropped a video for “War Stories,” in which he details his harsh past while showing him eating dinner with his team and hanging out with other rappers, including Bobby Shmurda, Jim Jones, Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, and more.

You can watch the video for Meek’s “Mandela Freestyle” above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Beyoncé’s Security Guard Dies From COVID-19

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Beyoncé’s longtime fitness trainer and security guard, Craig Adams, has died of COVID-19. Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram post, earlier this week, saying that Adams was “like a family member.”

“I am heartbroken this morning,” Knowles-Lawson wrote. “I found out this morning that this amazing human being Craig Adams from Houston passed away last night from Covid.”

Beyonce, Security
Mike Coppola / Getty Images

Adams’s passing comes as COVID-19 cases are rising in Houston, where he lived. Houston Methodist Hospital recently reported that 97% of the COVID cases being treated in their facilities are from the delta variant, with 82% of the sick being unvaccinated.

“This horrible killer disease attacked his organs, his lungs first made him have kidney failure and as hard as he fought he succumbed to the disease last night,” Knowles-Lawson continued. “Craig was a fitness trainer and was healthy! This is only the latest of Many friends and family that were lost to Covid. Craig was Beyonce’s trainer and later security for Destiny’s Child! He was like a family member. Such a beautiful human being, kind, loving, and gentle. RIP Craig we love you!”

Check out Tina Knowles-Lawson’s post on Instagram below.

[Via]

Lil Durk Gives Ed Sheeran His Seal Of Approval

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Lil Durk’s superstar status has risen quite a bit over the last couple of years thanks to some phenomenal singles and projects that have caught the attention of fans all across the mainstream. In fact, Durk has been featured on songs by Drake, and he even has a verse on the song “Jonah/Shoulder To Lean On” which is a cut from Kanye West’s upcoming project DONDA. 

Durk has dubbed himself as The Voice and it is easy to see why. His emotionally honest tracks give a voice to those who have lived difficult lives, and he is an artist that many can resonate with. He has shown tremendous maturity with his new music, and fans are appreciative every step of the way.

Lil Durk

Paras Griffin/Getty Images for McDonald’s

Recently, Lil Durk took to Twitter where he gave the title of “The Voice” to another superstar artist, although this time around he decided to go outside of hip-hop. In fact, Durk is now dubbing Ed Sheeran as an artist who is deserving of the self-proclaimed title.

“Ed Sheeran the voice as well I’m stamping that,” Durk wrote. This assertion sort of came out of nowhere, however, it’s hard to deny what Durk is saying here.

After all, Sheeran is one of the biggest artists in the world and he has worked alongside a plethora of hip-hop acts throughout his career. Perhaps one could even make the argument that Durk is looking to secure a Sheeran feature in the future, which would be an interesting collab, to say the least.

Ed Sheeran

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

BIG30 Drops Off “Backseat Of The Rolls Truck”

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BIG30, the 21-year-old up-and-coming Memphis rapper, has been trying to make a name for himself in the growing Memphis rap scene with childhood friends and frequent collaborator Pooh Shiesty. While his friend remains in jail, for the time being, it seems it’s BIG30’s chance to temporarily lead the sound that has exploded out of Memphis. With “Backseat Of The Rolls Truck,” it seems BIG30 is attempting to do just that. 

Upon first listen, casual rap fans who may have heard “Back in Blood” in passing may think “Backseat Of The Rolls Truck” is simply another track out of Pooh Shiesty’s discography. With the eccentric “Blrrrrrrd” ad-libs shouted at the beginning of the track and the understated piano beat, BIG30’s more energetic vocal tone is truly what casts him aside from his contemporaries. 

BIG30’s flow is not too distant from those utilized by contemporaries like Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane, but the Memphis sound is still new enough to provide plenty of room for this repetition. All in all, “Backseat Of The Rolls Truck” is an admirable addition to the Memphis sound.

Check out the track here:

Quotable Lyrics:

Backseat of the rolls truck keep pourin’ up
The more drank the I pour up the deeper I get in my Bentley
He raps, he just an image gotta know that I’m still spinning.

Legendary Bay Area Rapper Zumbi Dead At 49

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Bay Area Hip Hop legend Zumbi of Zion I has died at 49-years-old, according to a statement released by his family. No cause of death was announced.

“It is with utter disbelief and great sadness that the Gaines family shares the news of the passing of Steve ‘Zumbi’ Gaines on Friday, August 13, 2021,” the statement read. “Gaines, 49 and the MC of the critically acclaimed Hip Hop group Zion I, passed away at Alta Bates Hospital today in the early morning from unknown causes.”

“The family requests privacy in this very challenging time while they await further details,” the statement continued. “Steve is survived by three sons, his mother and his brother. He was working on a Zion I reunion tour with longtime producer and collaborator, Amp Live, to honor the legacy of their musical endeavors for their fans.”

HipHopDX reports that Zumbi was in and out of the hospital in recent weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. DJ True Justice, a close colleague of Zumbi’s, claims that the iconic artist suffered a “severe asthma attack” and died in the hospital.

On the 20th anniversary of their classic 2001 album Mind Over Matter,  Zumbi and Amp Live were set to embark on a tour starting October 1 in Washington, D.C.

[Via]

Tory Lanez Violated Megan Thee Stallion’s Restraining Order Against Him, According To Prosecutors

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Getty Image

Last month, DaBaby surprised the crowd at Miami’s Rolling Loud festival by bringing Tory Lanez onstage to perform with him. Many questioned the rapper’s decision to align himself with Tory after he allegedly shot Megan Thee Stallion last summer, for which he later received felony assault charges. It was also not a good move for Tory, as prosecutors that by appearing at the festival, he violated his restraining order against her.

As it happens, DaBaby and Tory’s performance occurred right after Megan’s set. Sources told TMZ that Tory came within 100 yards of Megan during the festival, which violates the order. However, TMZ also reports that a person close to Tory claims that the rapper not only stayed away from Megan before and after his performance but that he never saw her during the festival.

Furthermore, TMZ adds that an insider says authorities believe DaBaby and Tory planned to rush the stage during Megan’s performance, but details are unknown. Prosecutors are asking a judge to increase Tory’s bail or completely revoke it, with the latter resulting in the rapper’s imprisonment until the trial for the shooting begins. A contempt hearing for the possible probation violation has been set for next Thursday.

Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

DC The Don Offers Up A Flexers Anthem On “Notice Me”

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DC The Don has been releasing music since 2017 and his style certainly reflects that time period. His melodic and braggadocios tracks will have you feeling nostalgic for those days when things were a lot less complicated. Over the years, his output has remained consistent and fans are always excited to hear what he’s been working on. Just yesterday, DC The Don blessed his fans with a new song called “Notice Me,” and it’s already proving to be a hit amongst his supporters.

With this track, we get some upbeat trap production that allows DC The Don to shine all the way throughout. The artist flexes all over the track as he celebrates his success all while speaking on his relationships with women. The track is an undeniable banger and the melodies help elevate it to fan-favorite status.

You can stream the new track, below.

Quotable Lyrics:

Ain’t it crazy how I wake up and turn into a new one? (Yeah)
She said “You a jerk”, but, now you met the cool onеs
It’s been way too many mood swings, it’s time to move on
Like shе be hawkin’ n****s down, it’s hard for me to move on

DDG Says That If You Are Broke It Is “100% Your Fault”

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DDG says that if you are struggling financially, it is “100% your fault” because making money is “easier than ever.” The Michigan rapper set fans off on Twitter with his take, before later admitting that he’s just “trolling.”

“If u broke, it’s 100% your fault,” he wrote Friday. “Making money is easier than ever these days. You just lazy asf & too comfortable.”

DDG, Twitter
Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Images

The post was met with immediate backlash from many followers who know the challenges of upward mobility.

“Would you tell your mother that it was her fault that y’all had to boil water to take baths?” one fan wrote.

DDG replied: “That was 10 years ago. my mama just made 30k off snapchat by herself. all the money on yo phone, niggas just lazy & undetermined.”

After getting called out for promoting his own OnlyFans page, he admitted that he was just trolling.

“I’m trolling,” he tweeted. “It is tips on there tho. i just felt like motivating some n****s this afternoon.”

DDG was recently announced to be one of the artists featured on the soundtrack for Madden 22, which is set to release on August 20th.

Check out DDG’s tweets below.

Sean Paul and Ty Dolla $ign Bring Back Summer With “Only Fanz”

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Sean Paul, one of Jamaica’s most successful and beloved singer/rapper’s, hasn’t taken any breaks during his over 25 year stint in the music industry. This grind doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon either, as Paul may have one of the most fun songs of the Summer this week with “Only Fanz” featuring Ty Dolla $ign. 

“Only Fanz” doesn’t deviate too far from the Sean Paul formula often distinguished by incredibly catchy hooks and bouncy acrobat-influenced instrumentals- a sound he popularized with tracks like “Temperature”. While the track doesn’t feature any wild experimentation or breathtaking performances, it finds success in its simplicity and overall pleasant vibe. 

Ty Dolla $ign’s feature stands out on the track as well and sees the singer’s long-awaited return to a more tropical and beach sound. Thankfully, Dolla $ign avoids overshadowing Sean Paul’s performance and instead chooses to compliment it with a short refrain.

Perhaps a danceable groove like “Only Fanz” is just what we need as Summer dwindles into its final weeks and responsibility looms on the horizon. 

Check out the music video below and let us know what you think!

Quotable Lyrics:

She don’t work but I know she work for that, yeah (Bada bang, bang, bang)
She’s a flirt for all the gifts and trips and cash, yeah (Woo, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, oh yeah)
She don’t work but I know she work for that
Bada bang, bang, bang, bang