Hip Hop News

The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ Is The First Song To Spend A Full Year In The Top 10 Of The Hot 100

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As it stands now, it seems to be Olivia Rodrigo’s world: It was just revealed that “Drivers License” is the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for an eight consecutive week. Looking at the charts a different way, though, the world may actually belong to The Weeknd, as he just pulled off a spectacular feat that has never been done before.

“Blinding Lights” (which, as a reminder, was released as a single way back in November 2019), is No. 3 on the latest Hot 100, dated March 13. This is the song’s 52nd week in the top 10 of the chart, making it the first tune to ever spend a full year in the top 10. If the track can somehow remain in the top 5 spots for another 9 weeks (which doesn’t seem outlandish at this point), it’ll become the first song to spend a year in the top 5 as well. As of now, it has 43 top-5 weeks (which is a record), 52 weeks in the top 10, 58 weeks in the top 20 (which is second all-time), 61 weeks in the top 40 (tied for third all-time), and 65 weeks on the chart overall (tied for seventh-most all-time.)

Simply put, no song has ever dominated the Hot 100 quite like “Blinding Lights” has. On a bafflingly unrelated note, the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony is this weekend, where The Weeknd managed to secure exactly 0 nominations.

Drag-On Keeps Ruff Ryders Spirit Alive With “BOF4”

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Though the Ruff Ryders dynasty is no more, the spirit of the movement remains beloved by many hip-hop fans. And for many such fans, it’s entirely possible that Drag-On was a favorite member for at least one time or another. Now, the rapper who originally won hearts on classic cuts like “Down Bottom” and “Street Team” has returned with another installment of the Bars On Fire series, officially dropping off the incendiary #BOF4 project. 

Having long established himself as a preserver of bars, it’s no surprise that Drag carries on the tradition here, packing his seventeen-track tape with some heavy-hitting and lyrically potent tracks. Boasting features from fellow vets Freeway and Jayo Felony, Drag opts to explore a diverse range of production, with contributors ranging from Syne, Yung Bala, Craze On The Beat, and more.

Should you appreciate the unique energy that Drag has consistently brought to the table, you’d be wise to check out #BOF4, a project that takes hold on the introductory cut and never lets up. Don’t get it twisted, however. Though Drag’s values may be aligned with the golden-era spirit, he’s more than willing to explore a more contemporary production style, though he may occasionally do so with a chip on his shoulder. Be sure to check out #BOF4 now, and sound off if you think Drag deserves a little more spotlight in these crazy times of ours. 

HNHH Staff Picks Playlist: Drake, Lil Baby, Pop Smoke, & More

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It was a very good week for new music. Without much advance, Drake took over the week with the release of Scary Hours 2, his brand new three-pack containing his single “What’s Next”, “Wants and Needs” with Lil Baby, and “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” with Rick Ross. The EP is expected to make a huge splash on the Billboard Hot 100 next week, with “What’s Next” looking poised to dethrone Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single “driver’s license” after an impressive eight weeks at the top of the charts.

Of course, Drake wasn’t the only artist that released some new music. There were a number of other stars that shared his release date, including Lil Baby with his new single “Real as it Gets” with EST Gee, Lil Durk’s Only The Family compilation album, Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats’ remix tape, and more. The Boogie soundtrack was also officially released, including some new songs from Pop Smoke.

Needless to say, there was a lot of new music for the staff to dive into this week. As the year finally heats up, we put together the latest update of the staff-curated playlist, which features twenty-two of our favorite releases from the last few weeks.

Check out what each HNHH staff member picked for the playlist this week and let us know whose selections are your favorite. Subscribe to our page on SoundCloud here for more playlists, as well as TIDAL here.

Alex Zidel (Editorial)

Lil Baby – Real As It Gets (feat. EST Gee)
Drake – Lemon Pepper Freestyle (feat. Rick Ross)
Drake – What’s Next
YNW Melly – Thugged Out (feat. Kodak Black)
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, & Silk Sonic – Leave The Door Open

Alex Cole (Editorial)

Baby Keem – no sense
Drake – Lemon Pepper Freestyle (feat. Rick Ross)
Drake – What’s Next
Pop Smoke – Fashion (feat. Polo G)
Tyler, The Creator – Tell Me How (Coca-Cola Commercial)

Mike Rapp (Sales)

Drake – What’s Next
Drake – Lemon Pepper Freestyle (feat. Rick Ross)
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, & Silk Sonic – Leave The Door Open
Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats –  DIET_1.5 (feat. Benny The Butcher)

Joshua Robinson (Editorial)

Drake – Wants and Needs (feat. Lil Baby)
Baby Keem – no sense
Jacquees – Freaky As Me (feat. Mulatto)

Cole Blake (Editorial)

Drake – What’s Next
Tyler, The Creator – Tell Me How (Coca-Cola Commercial)
Baby Keem – no sense
YNW Melly – Thugged Out (feat. Kodak Black)
Drake – Lemon Pepper Freestyle (feat. Rick Ross)

Erika Marie (Editorial)

Drake – What’s Next
Drake – Lemon Pepper Freestyle (feat. Rick Ross)
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, & Silk Sonic – Leave The Door Open
Funk Flex, Jadakiss, & Murda Beatz – Damn Shame

Madusa S. (Editorial)

Baby Keem – no sense
Young Dolph & Key Glock – Aspen
Lil Baby – Real As It Gets (feat. EST Gee)
Drake – What’s Next
Drake – Wants and Needs (feat. Lil Baby)

Mitch Findlay (Editorial)

Drake – Lemon Pepper Freestyle (feat. Rick Ross)
Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats –  DIET_1.5 (feat. Benny The Butcher)
Mello Music Group, Namir Blade, Solemn Brigham, Stalley, Joell Ortiz – Black Rock
Page Kennedy – Setup (feat. Xzibit)
Funk Flex, Jadakiss, & Murda Beatz – Damn Shame

Paul Pirotta (Sales)

Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, & Silk Sonic – Leave The Door Open
Drake – Lemon Pepper Freestyle (feat. Rick Ross)
Pop Smoke – Fashion (feat. Polo G)
Drake – What’s Next
Drake – Wants and Needs (feat. Lil Baby)

Aron A (Editorial)

Ayzha Nyree – Noya
Only The Family, Memo600, & Lil Uzi Vert – Let It Blow
Pop Smoke & M24 – No Cap (Remix)
Yaya Bey – fxck it then
Yaw Tog – Sore (Remix) (feat. Stormzy & Kwesi Arthur)

Rose Lilah (Editorial)

Lil Durk, King Von, Booka600 – JUMP (feat. Memo600)
Only The Family, Doodie Lo, King Von – Me and Doodie Lo
Drake – Wants and Needs (feat. Lil Baby)
Lil Baby – Real As It Gets (feat. EST Gee)

Reginae Carter & Zonnique Hit #JuneBugChallenge On Girls Trip

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Besties Reginae Carter and Zonnique Pullins are the latest celebrities to take on the #JuneBugChallenge. Dressed in their yacht-vacation finest, Reginae and Zonnique are seen having a good time alongside other friends while showing off their dance routine. Away from the men in their lives, the two best friends seem to be enjoying themselves on their all-girls trip, documenting it across social media platforms. 

Reginae has been receiving a lot of heat because of her relationship with YFN Lucci. The 22-year-old hip-hop daughter celebrated YFN’s 30th birthday last month, still showing love for her man despite public criticism. 

On Instagram, she posted a series of photos of the couple together. “Happy birthday baby, I love you,” she captioned. “The big 30 (I mean 21) lol enjoy your Day.”

Zonnique, for her part, had her first child last December with her boyfriend Bandhunta Izzy. She recently revealed the joys of being a new mother.

“The baby is just so precious guys. She’s so perfect,” said Zonnique on her virtual Fox Soul talk show. “Like, I’m spoiling her already, I’m trying not to spoil her but I can’t help it. I wanna say she looks like me, but she’s starting to look a lot like her dad so, sad case.” 

As exciting as becoming a new parent may be, it might be safe to say this girls trip was very much needed. 

What do y’all think of their #JuneBugChallenge? Who has done it best so far? Let us know in the comments, and check out a few solo photos from Reginae and Zonnique’s vacation below.

Tory Lanez Reveals Why Negative Press Doesn’t Faze Him

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Rap crooner Tory Lanez has way more confidence than people give him credit for. The hip-hop entertainer has come forward to share the latest episode of his “P.S.A.” series and hones in on why negative press doesn’t slow down his strive for greatness. Tory Lanez Reveals Why He’s Ready For Anything The five and a […]

The post Tory Lanez Reveals Why Negative Press Doesn’t Faze Him appeared first on SOHH.com.

Pepe Le Pew Removed From “Space Jam 2” Following Rape Culture Debate

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Looney Tunes characters have been called out in the past for the former problematic behaviors. For instance, the very first Looney Tunes cartoons contained some very blatant racial undertones that are no longer welcome in today’s day and age, and with good reason. Recently, however, one New York Times columnist wrote about the history of Pepe Le Pew, who is the infamous french skunk that roams around Paris trying to look for a female companion.

The columnist argues that Pepe Le Pew’s character propels rape culture as he never takes no for an answer, and makes female characters uncomfortable. The reaction to this piece has been quite polarizing on social media, although it has already had immediate effects on the latest Space Jam movie.

According to Deadline, Pepe Le Pew will no longer be in the film. There was one scene in particular that directors felt crossed the line, especially in light of the discourse surrounding the charcter. This scene saw Pepe Le Pew acting as a bartender, all while hitting on actress Greice Santo. Eventually, Santo hits Pepe Le Pew over the head after he continuously tries to kiss her. Considering what has been written about Pepe Le Pew this past week, it’s easy to see why the movie would want to remove such a scene, just to be on the safe side.

For those of you who are excited to see Space Jam: A New Legacy it will be arriving sometime in July, and hopefully, theaters will be open by then. For many, this is going to be a huge piece of nostalgia.

[Via]

Jeezy & Shawty Redd Return With “Back To The Bascis”

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If there’s one thing rappers love more than anything, it’s being back. Songs have celebrated the art of the return for decades, and it’s unlikely that will end anytime soon. Case in point, Jeezy and longtime collaborator Shawty Redd have officially joined forces for their new single “Back To The Basics,” which Redd recently premiered on his Instagram page. With a rumored new project in the works, it’s possible that this one marks the first glimpse at what’s to come — and a promising glimpse at that. 

With Redd lacing up a spooky piano-driven instrumental that wouldn’t sound out of place in an old-school horror flick soundtrack, Jeezy steps up. “I’m in the zone with the zones, must have had bout twenty phones / shit it’s cold in the streets that’s why I’m wearing long Johns,” he raps, his flow methodical. “Got that grind on my mind, all my heroes doing time / Popeyes chicken sandwich at the spot I got a line.” 

As of now, it’s unclear as to whether the pair intend on releasing this one to DSPS — either way, it certainly bodes well for fans of Jeezy and Shawty Redd’s chemistry, especially with the anniversary of last year’s collaborative Twenty/20 Pyrex Vision tape.  Check out “Back To THe Basics” now, and sound off if you’re hoping for more from Jeezy and Redd.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

I’m in the zone with the zones, must have had bout twenty phones
Shit it’s cold in the streets that’s why I’m wearing long Johns
Got that grind on my mind, all my heroes doing time
Popeyes chicken sandwich at the spot I got a line

Travis Scott’s Family Gives Back In Texas

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Travis Scott's Family Gives Back in Texas

Texas rapper Travis Scott is giving back in a meaningful way. La Flame and his family are helping out big time in the Lone Star State following the monumental winter storm that’s put thousands of people on the streets and struggling to survive. Travis Scott’s Family Gives Back In Houston The Cactus Jack Foundation hosted […]

The post Travis Scott’s Family Gives Back In Texas appeared first on SOHH.com.

Jake Paul Vs. Ben Askren Fight Gets Massive Venue Update

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Next month on April 17th, Jake Paul will be going up against former UFC fighter Ben Askren in what should be his toughest boxing match to date. Paul won easily against Nate Robinson back in November and now, he is back for more. The fight is set to be presented on Triller and at this point, it seems like both fighters are about to make the platform a whole lot of money.

There has been so much interest in this fight that today, Triller executive Ryan Kavanaugh announced that the whole thing will take place in Atlanta at the Mercedes-Benz stadium. A fight has never been held at the stadium which makes this Paul Vs. Askren fight a one-of-a-kind event. 

Ben Askren

Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images

“Our vision of big fights, big entertainment and world class events can only fit into a world class venue, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium fits that vision,” Kavanaugh said in a press release. “April 17th will have an element of surprise and action for everyone, from music fans to the casual and diehard fight fan. The way we will present the night in this state-of-the-art venue will continue to redefine consumer engagement for a global consumer, with world class partners like iNDemand and FITE joining us not just for this event, but for the others we will have in 2021 and beyond.”

These types of spectacles have had an increased demand over the last year and there is no stopping this fight from being a massive success. Paul attracts both hardcore fans and the most staunch haters, which will make this that much more fun for the viewers.

Jake Paul

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

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