Hip Hop News

Elcamino & Keisha Plum Connect On “Fashionably Late”

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Personal adversities forced Elcamino to lay low for a bit. Even still, he’s remained incredibly prolific in his output. Last year, he dropped off seven full length projects, on top of other collaborations and solo releases. He’s already offered fans projects like Block Work and On The 3rd Day with TrickyTrippz with a third project on its way later this year.

Last week, Elcamino came through with a brand new single off of his forthcoming project, Let There Be Light. Tapping Griselda’s Keisha Plum, Elcamino dropped off his latest single, “Fashionably Late.” The single boasts production credits from StreetRunner.

The latest single from Elcamino serves as the follow-up to “My Way” which dropped in July.

Check out Elcamino’s new single, “Fashionably Late” ft. Keisha Plum below and sound off with your thoughts in the comment section.

Quotable Lyrics
I was found in the bushes
Ever since, been cookin’
Started off with juxes
Look how far we took it
We take care of our families
Nominated for Grammys

Dr. Dre Previews “2 Hours Of Unreleased Heat” To Diamond D & Xzibit

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Though he has yet to confirm it directly, all signs seem to indicate that Dr. Dre is getting ready to release his fourth studio album. The signs are all there, and if you’re curious to learn more about what the Doc has been cooking up, you can check out our comprehensive guide to Dre’s unreleased project here. 

One key detail: Dre has assembled what sounds like a playlist of sorts, and he’s been making a point to share his work with his fellow hip-hop legends. First, he invited Grandmaster Flash over for a listening session, who teased that Dre’s new music would “change the game.” Now, Dre has brought Diggin’ In The Crates producer slash MC Diamond D into the mix, as well as his own longtime collaborator Xzibit. 

Dr. Dre

 Emma McIntyre/Getty Images  

Taking to Instagram, Diamond D shared a picture of himself and the Good Doctor in the studio, along with a caption destined to spark excitement in Detox enthusiasts. “@drdre played about 2hrs of straight unreleased heat rocks for me and @xzibit today #ondeck shouts out to @focus3dots,” writes D, though alas, none of said “heat rocks” were unveiled in snippet form.

At this point, one has to wonder if Dre is using his peers as a focus (no pun intended, shout out to Focus…) group, gauging their reactions in an effort to further hone and shape his vision. Should that indeed be the case, perhaps we can take solace in knowing that responses, as of yet, have been overwhelmingly positive. Check out Diamond D’s post below (liked by a few notable names like Fat Joe and Busta Rhymes), and keep an eye out for more news on whatever Dre has been working on. 

Boldy James & Alchemist Drop “Turpentine/Steel Wool”

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The Alchemist has been on one of the most impressive runs of any producer in the past few years. Numerous collaborative projects alongside hip-hop giants including the Grammy-nominated Alfredo, along with his own solo efforts, have brought some brilliant moments in the culture. His collaborative efforts with Boldy James, specifically, have created a cult-like following. The Price Of Tea In China may have not secured Boldy James a Grammy but it certainly reminded everyone of his brilliance on the mic.

This Friday, The Alchemist and Boldy James will be unleashing a brand new project titled, Bo Jackson. Having already released singles like “First 48 Freestyle” and “Drug Zone,” they slid through with a new offering before the album drops in its entirety with their new single, “Turpentine/Steel Wool.” 

Check it out below.

Quotable Lyrics
Catch a body, no Randy Moss, I hike it off, hut one
These n***as ain’t cut from the cloth a n***a cut from
I run with real wolves, come from the real hood
These n***as ain’t cut from my cloth ’cause I’m steel wool

Biz Markie’s DJ Remembers Him Recording The Iconic ‘Just A Friend’ Hook In Only One Heartwarming Take

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Getty Image

Biz Markie’s iconic hit “Just A Friend” is a prime example that technical skill isn’t everything when it comes to music. While the late rapper wouldn’t be considered by many to be a skilled singer in a traditional sense, his passionately sung hook on the song remains one of the most memorable in the history of recorded music. Markie’s producer/cousin DJ Cool V recently spoke about the moment he and Markie recorded that hook, and he paints picture of a heartwarming scene.

He told HipHopDX:

“People called me crazy for letting him do that record. I’m in the studio, he wanted to do it so bad, but I got to get the whole album done before the deadline. I was almost done except for maybe three or four records, because Biz didn’t like to stay in the studio. So, I made him fight and fight and do records and do records. He was coming along so good with the other records. I said, ‘OK, OK, you finally can do it.’

I got him in the booth and he was singing, and even though it might not be perfectly correct to anybody else, the feeling of it was good. He had his fist balled up and he was really trying. He was really, really crooning, and I said, ‘That’s it.’ And he had one take. Then he had another take that was not as good as the first one. So I took the first one and put it with the next one. So it’s the same one, twice. He did both of them and he did them very well and maximized it too. He did it as best he could do it — and it was good enough for me.

Everybody called us crazy, like, ‘Yo, you going to really let him do that?’ I said, ‘Man, he feeling it. I got a good feeling about this record.’ And we did it. It just took off. It morphed into something that we could never imagine.”

Cool V went on to note, however, that neither he nor Markie ever made any money from the song. Citing Markie signing “an incredibly bad contract” and other factors as the reason for that, he said, “The sweetness comes in that we were able to perform it for almost 31 years. And now comes the other side of it — we never made money off the record. I still haven’t got paid for that record. It trickled down. So, we never made money off the record. But, we made the money off the shows and we had a great performing career. But now it gets back to the bittersweet because every time I hear it, it’s going to remind me of Biz, but it’s also going to remind me of how I can’t make more money off of it. Everybody’s feeding their family off our work and we’ve never made money off that record.”

Revisit “Just A Friend” below.

Biz Markie’s DJ Remembers Him Recording The Iconic ‘Just A Friend’ Hook In Only One Heartwarming Take

by
Getty Image

Biz Markie’s iconic hit “Just A Friend” is a prime example that technical skill isn’t everything when it comes to music. While the late rapper wouldn’t be considered by many to be a skilled singer in a traditional sense, his passionately sung hook on the song remains one of the most memorable in the history of recorded music. Markie’s producer/cousin DJ Cool V recently spoke about the moment he and Markie recorded that hook, and he paints picture of a heartwarming scene.

He told HipHopDX:

“People called me crazy for letting him do that record. I’m in the studio, he wanted to do it so bad, but I got to get the whole album done before the deadline. I was almost done except for maybe three or four records, because Biz didn’t like to stay in the studio. So, I made him fight and fight and do records and do records. He was coming along so good with the other records. I said, ‘OK, OK, you finally can do it.’

I got him in the booth and he was singing, and even though it might not be perfectly correct to anybody else, the feeling of it was good. He had his fist balled up and he was really trying. He was really, really crooning, and I said, ‘That’s it.’ And he had one take. Then he had another take that was not as good as the first one. So I took the first one and put it with the next one. So it’s the same one, twice. He did both of them and he did them very well and maximized it too. He did it as best he could do it — and it was good enough for me.

Everybody called us crazy, like, ‘Yo, you going to really let him do that?’ I said, ‘Man, he feeling it. I got a good feeling about this record.’ And we did it. It just took off. It morphed into something that we could never imagine.”

Cool V went on to note, however, that neither he nor Markie ever made any money from the song. Citing Markie signing “an incredibly bad contract” and other factors as the reason for that, he said, “The sweetness comes in that we were able to perform it for almost 31 years. And now comes the other side of it — we never made money off the record. I still haven’t got paid for that record. It trickled down. So, we never made money off the record. But, we made the money off the shows and we had a great performing career. But now it gets back to the bittersweet because every time I hear it, it’s going to remind me of Biz, but it’s also going to remind me of how I can’t make more money off of it. Everybody’s feeding their family off our work and we’ve never made money off that record.”

Revisit “Just A Friend” below.

Benjamin Earl Turner Releases New Project “Selling Air”

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The Bay is filled with musical talent. There are legends and rising stars alike that represent the Bay Area, and Benjamin Earl Turner is one of the up-and-comers that rings bells on his end. The fully-independent rapper was recently cast in the lead role on the new Starz show Blindspotting and he’s been keeping busy on his music too, releasing his latest project SELLING AIR last week.

The groovy new album includes production from TENS, Daoud, and others. Influenced by a number of genres, including house, reggae, indie, and more, Benjamin Earl Turner shows off his range and versatility in his new music. 

If you’re looking for a new sound to dive into, or you’re particularly in tune with Bay Area rap, have a listen to this one today.

Tracklist:

1. CROWS
2. GIG MODE
3. POP OUT
4. TOLD YALL
5. HURT ME
6. LUV2LUV
7. SLUMPED
8. BLADE RUNNERS
9. NEVER BE
10. CHURCH
11. TOAST UP

Benjamin Earl Turner Releases New Project “Selling Air”

by

The Bay is filled with musical talent. There are legends and rising stars alike that represent the Bay Area, and Benjamin Earl Turner is one of the up-and-comers that rings bells on his end. The fully-independent rapper was recently cast in the lead role on the new Starz show Blindspotting and he’s been keeping busy on his music too, releasing his latest project SELLING AIR last week.

The groovy new album includes production from TENS, Daoud, and others. Influenced by a number of genres, including house, reggae, indie, and more, Benjamin Earl Turner shows off his range and versatility in his new music. 

If you’re looking for a new sound to dive into, or you’re particularly in tune with Bay Area rap, have a listen to this one today.

Tracklist:

1. CROWS
2. GIG MODE
3. POP OUT
4. TOLD YALL
5. HURT ME
6. LUV2LUV
7. SLUMPED
8. BLADE RUNNERS
9. NEVER BE
10. CHURCH
11. TOAST UP

Tee Grizzley Announces “Built For Whatever” Tour

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Tee Grizzley came through with his latest project, Built For Whatevera few months ago and now, he’s gearing up for the world to open back up. The rapper is officially hitting the road this fall on the supporting tour for his latest project. Tee Grizzley will be joined by Jackboy on a slew of dates across America.


 Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images 

The tour kicks off in Seattle, WA on October 5th before concluding in Norfolk, VA on November 18th. The tour will also hit other major cities such as New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Unfortunately, no homecoming shows for Tee or Jackboy have been scheduled for the “Built For Whatever” tour. In fact, there are no dates scheduled for Tee Grizzley’s home state of Michigan or Jackboy’s home state, Florida.

Check the dates out below and let us know what city you’re going to be copping tickets for. 

Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
Wednesday, October 6th, 2021 – Portland, OR -Roseland Theater
Friday, October 8th, 2021- Santa Cruz, CA -Catalyst
Saturday, October 9th, 2021- Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
Sunday, October 10th, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy
Monday, October 11th, 2021 – Tempe, AZ – Aura
Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 – Denver, CO – The Summit
Friday, October 15th, 2021 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s
Saturday, October 16th, 2021 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Sunday, October 17th, 2021 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 – Indianapolis, IN – Fuzion Ultra Lounge
Thursday, October 21st, 2021 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s
Friday, October 22nd, 2021 – Akron, OH – Crwn Nightclub
Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 – Dayton, OH – Oddbody’s
Monday, October 25th, 2021 – Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse
Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 – Harrisburg, PA – H-Mac
Friday, October 29th, 2021 – Providence, RI – The Strand
Sunday, October 31st, 2021 – Washington, D.C. – 930 Club
Monday, November 1st, 2021 – Worcester, MA – Palladium Upstairs
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021 – Charlotte, NC – Underground
Thursday, November 4th, 2021 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
Friday, November 5th, 2021  – Birmingham, AL – Luxe Ultra
Sunday, November 7th, 2021 – Austin, TX – Antone’s
Saturday, November 13th, 2021 – Rochester, NY – Waterstreet Music Hall
Sunday, November 14th, 2021 – Buffalo, NY – Showplace Theater
Monday, November 15th, 2021 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater
Thursday, November 18th, 2021 – Norfolk, VA – Origami


Via Publicist

Tee Grizzley Announces “Built For Whatever” Tour

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Tee Grizzley came through with his latest project, Built For Whatevera few months ago and now, he’s gearing up for the world to open back up. The rapper is officially hitting the road this fall on the supporting tour for his latest project. Tee Grizzley will be joined by Jackboy on a slew of dates across America.


 Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images 

The tour kicks off in Seattle, WA on October 5th before concluding in Norfolk, VA on November 18th. The tour will also hit other major cities such as New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Unfortunately, no homecoming shows for Tee or Jackboy have been scheduled for the “Built For Whatever” tour. In fact, there are no dates scheduled for Tee Grizzley’s home state of Michigan or Jackboy’s home state, Florida.

Check the dates out below and let us know what city you’re going to be copping tickets for. 

Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
Wednesday, October 6th, 2021 – Portland, OR -Roseland Theater
Friday, October 8th, 2021- Santa Cruz, CA -Catalyst
Saturday, October 9th, 2021- Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
Sunday, October 10th, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy
Monday, October 11th, 2021 – Tempe, AZ – Aura
Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 – Denver, CO – The Summit
Friday, October 15th, 2021 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s
Saturday, October 16th, 2021 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Sunday, October 17th, 2021 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 – Indianapolis, IN – Fuzion Ultra Lounge
Thursday, October 21st, 2021 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s
Friday, October 22nd, 2021 – Akron, OH – Crwn Nightclub
Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 – Dayton, OH – Oddbody’s
Monday, October 25th, 2021 – Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse
Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 – Harrisburg, PA – H-Mac
Friday, October 29th, 2021 – Providence, RI – The Strand
Sunday, October 31st, 2021 – Washington, D.C. – 930 Club
Monday, November 1st, 2021 – Worcester, MA – Palladium Upstairs
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021 – Charlotte, NC – Underground
Thursday, November 4th, 2021 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
Friday, November 5th, 2021  – Birmingham, AL – Luxe Ultra
Sunday, November 7th, 2021 – Austin, TX – Antone’s
Saturday, November 13th, 2021 – Rochester, NY – Waterstreet Music Hall
Sunday, November 14th, 2021 – Buffalo, NY – Showplace Theater
Monday, November 15th, 2021 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater
Thursday, November 18th, 2021 – Norfolk, VA – Origami


Via Publicist

Curren$y Announces 7 Albums Including Joint Projects With Alchemist, Harry Fraud

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Curren$y makes rapping look like the easiest thing in the world His ability to put out multiple quality projects a year, while maintaining the same cannabis intake is truly impressive. This year, it seemed like he was taking a bit of a step back from his own musical endeavors to focus on those signed to his label, Jet Life Recordings. We already received Welcome To Jet Life Recordings 2but it appears that Spitta has a few surprises in store for the remainder of the year.

 
Chris Graythen/BIG3 via Getty Images

The rapper took to Twitter where he announced that he has seven one-producer albums in the cut. Yesterday, he teased the project Highest In Charge, entirely produced by Trauma Tone. However, there are six others on the itinerary including collaborative efforts with both The Alchemist and Harry Fraud. 

“Andretti x @TraumaTone highest in charge… Andretti x @Alchemist Half moon Bay …. Andretti x @Skibeatz Pilot Talk 4 …. Andretti x @TheCashFargo Land Air Sea Andretti x @KinoBeats Matchin Rolexes,” Spitta tweeted. “Oh oh…. and Andretti x @SmittyBeatz_ @808ray Still Stoned on Ocean,” he added in a separate tweet. “Holyshit … Andretti x @harryfraud Regatta Legends.”

Earlier today, Curren$y shared a brand new single “Carry On” with Trauma Tone which serves as the lead single to Highest In Charge.  Check his new song below and let us know which of the upcoming projects from Spitta you’re looking forward to the most.