Hip Hop News

Nas And Eminem’s ‘EPMD 2′ Is The Rappers’ First Collaboration In Their Careers

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More than 25 years after releasing his classic debut album, Illmatic, Nas finally earned his first Grammy award with a win in the Best Rap Album category at the 2021 award show. The honor was given to his twelfth album, King’s Disease in what ended a streak of 13 consecutive nominations without a win at the Grammys. Less than a year after he released that project, Nas is looking to extend the momentum towards his thirteenth album, King Disease II, which has officially arrived and is once again supported by executive production from Hit-Boy.

An immediate eye-catcher from King’s Disease is “EPMD 2” as it features Nas and Eminem rapping together for the first time in the over 20 years they’ve stood out as hip-hop notables. The track also comes with a feature from rap duo EPMD, who let their bars fly for the track’s first verse. Nas steps to the mic for the second, leaving Eminem to close things out with a lengthy collection of bars that ends with him positioning himself with a number of successful rappers like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Drake, and many more.

While this marks the first time Nas and Eminem have rapped together on the same track, the latter produced and co-wrote Nas’ 2002 track, “The Cross.” As for the remainder of King Disease II, the album presents 15 songs and additional guest appearances from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, YG, Lauryn Hill, Charlie Wilson, Blxst, and Hit-Boy.

You can listen to “EPMD 2” in the video above.

King Disease II is out now via Mass Appeal. Get it here.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Weeknd Suffers Defeat To A Daring Damsel In The Video For ‘Take My Breath’

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The Weeknd has been hitting fans with a wave of hints towards new music for the past few months. The teases include a tweet he shared last spring where he wrote, “made so much magic in the small quarantined room.” In addition to that, during an award acceptance speech at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, the singer said, “The After Hours are done and the dawn is coming.” His messages remained vague to fans until he announced a new single earlier this week, thus launching a new era in his career.

Titled “Take My Breath,” the track is an electric and full-spirited release that sounds like a blend of The Weeknd’s Starboy and After Hours albums. The song also arrives with a video that sees the singer wandering through a dimly lit party. He soon lands upon a woman that draws him in and ends up being the person he spends the night with. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worst when she quite literally takes his breath away to end the visual.

The new song was announced in a two-minute trailer earlier this week. Shortly after he shared the video, an ad for the 2020 Olympics was released which featured a new, yet short portion of “Take My Breath.” The visual for The Weeknd’s latest release was initially slated to premiere prior to screenings of The Suicide Squad in IMAX theaters this week, but the visual was pulled after health concerns for epilepsy were raised as the video features scenes with intense strobe lighting.

You can watch a video for “Take My Breath” above.

Benny The Butcher, Rick Hyde, & G Herbo Breeze Through “Alone”

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We’re not sure that Benny The Butcher has ever missed on a track, and he’s back with another home run. Benny and his fellow Black Soprano Family cohort Rick Hyde have linked for another noteworthy track as they dropped off “Alone.” The single features a look from chart-topping Chicago artist G Herbo was has been relishing in fatherhood once again after his fiancée Taina Williams gave birth to their baby boy months ago.

Benny is one of the hardest working emcees in the industry as he delivers tracks regularly, and as we continue to wait on that phantom collaboration with Drake that he’s holding onto so tightly, we’re welcoming “Alone” with open arms. The New York rapper stays true to his reputation with hard bars and witty rhymes, so stream “Alone” and let us know what you think about this one.

Quotable Lyrics

I always got this feelin’ from the money when I dealt it
If we talkin’ smoke, I want it all like I’m selfish
Don’t know if I’ma fry or I’ma grill it like it’s shellfish
Had the stakeouts with Orlando in a lobster on Atlantic
You won’t get this opportunity like runnin’ out of chances

Lil Tecca Calls On Gunna For “Repeat It” Single

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By now you’ve realized that Kanye West hasn’t released Donda yet again, but he’s not the only one with a set of disappointed fans. There were rumors that Lil Tecca was slated to deliver his We Love You Tecca 2on Friday (August 6), but it seems that he’s opted to push back the date. Instead, Tecca dropped off “Repeat It,” a collaboration with Atlanta hitmaker, Gunna.

It is clear that Tecca has been working hard at perfecting his craft as the maturation in his delivery is undeniable. Gunna once again adds his magic to the mix and the pair collide on a single that their fans will enjoy. There has yet to be an update on We Love You Tecca 2, but we’ll keep you informed as to when it can be expected. In the meantime, stream “Repeat It” and let us know your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Diamonds wet, everywhere I go my diamonds cold, yeah (Yeah)
Line ’em up, we could turn ’em into dominoes, yeah (Yeah)
Ride in the Benz, drop the top, and now my head in the way, yeah (Woah)
She at it again, I’m at it again, we at it again
Real shooters, they gon’ do what it takes
Ski mask, they ain’t showin’ the face
No face-time, it might come with a case

The Weeknd Drops Off Visual To “Take My Breath”

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We’re entering a new season for The Weeknd releases and the Canadian icon kicks things off with “Take My Breath.” He first previewed the track earlier this week during the Olympics, and after suffering a setback when IMAX theaters pulled the clip due to “intense strobe lighting,” the track arrives with the controversial music video.

The Weeknd’s After Hours continues to amass success long after its 2020 release and its artistic, black-eyed efforts, but he seems to have ditched his signature red jacket for a new fit. In a recent cover feature for GQ, the singer spoke about drawing that fine line between his real self and his entertainment persona. 

“My fans don’t call me The Weeknd. They just call me Abel,” he said. “It’s a tricky thing, but I think the name The Weeknd holds such a legacy right now. The story of that name isn’t done yet.” Stream “Take My Breath” and share your thoughts.

Quotable Lyrics

Want me to hold onto you tight
You pull me closer, feel the heat between your thighs (Uh, say)
You’re way too young to end your life (Huh)
Girl, I don’t wanna be the one who pays the price

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Nas Shares “King’s Disease II” Ft. Eminem, Lauryn Hill, Hit-Boy, EPMD

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When the first installment earns you a Grammy, why not come back for Pt. II? Earlier this year, Hip Hop celebrated alongside Nas as the rapper was bestowed his first Grammy win for his Hit-Boy-collaborated effort, King’s Disease. The Rap legend has been long praised in the industry as one of the greatest emcees to pick up a mic, so the Grammy was just the icing on the cake of a successful career.

Nas returned on Friday (August 6) with King’s Disease II, an album where the rapper and Hit-Boy work together as executive producers, and while the world may be captivated by the release of Kanye West’s Donda, Nas comes through with a certifiably distinguished record. Appearances include looks from EPMD, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, YG, Hit-Boy, Blxst, Charlie Wilson, Eminem, and his “If I Ruled the World” collaborator, Ms. Lauryn Hill.

Stream King’s Disease II and let us know what you think.

Tracklist

1. The Pressure
2. Death Row East
3. 40 Side
4. EPMD 2 ft. Eminem and EPMD
5. Rare
6. YKTV ft. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and YG
7. Store Run
8. Moments
9. Nobody ft. Ms. Lauryn Hill
10. No Phony Love ft. Charlie Wilson
11. Brunch on Sundays ft. Blxst
12. Count Me In
13. Composure ft. Hit-Boy
14. My Bible
15. Nas is Good

Kanye West Goes All Out In Visual Performance During “Donda” Listening Event

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It’s feeling like Groundhog’s Day for Hip Hop fans who are awaiting the release of Donda. The highly-anticipated album is slated to hit streaming services in a little over an hour, but not everyone is convinced that it will arrive on time. Juicy J is over on Twitter making $10K bets that Ye will leave the world hanging once again, while others are watching the secondDonda listening party at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Throughout the day, Ye has been streaming his “Countdown to Donda” event on Apple Music with guests like Lil Yachty, and at this very moment, he’s once again blessing listeners with a first, or second look at his illustrious project.

The listening event is, too, being streamed on Apple Music and it has been revealed thatDonda will feature 24 tracks. Baby Keem and Don Toliver were spotted backstage, ass was Kid Cudi and Kanye’s estranged wife, Kim Kardashian. As for the show itself, Ye has placed his makeshift bedroom centerstage as he makes himself a moving visual art piece in front of thousands of attendees.

Justin Laboy was back to tweeting about Donda’s arrival, as well. “Kanye really got The Weeknd & Lil Baby on the same record… DONT @ ME TONIGHT… DONDA ALBUM OF THE YEAR #Respectfully,” he wrote before telling the public to “trust the process.” Kid Cudi also offered an update on his inclusion on the album.

“I wasnt on Donda when I tweeted that I wasnt. Ye hit me the followin week and we made it work. Realest n*gga alive. No need to lie to kick it . Hope u guys enjoy!!”

We’ve gathered a few updates about the Donda listening event and Kanye has gone all out for the album named after his late mother. Check out a few highlights below.