Hip Hop News

Today, Lil Baby hit a new milestone in his already impressive career, linking up with the legendary Kirk Franklin for a Space Jam: A New Legacy soundtrack single. Aside from boasting vocals from Franklin, “We Win” also stands out as being a break in tradition for Baby, who seldom takes to instrumentals like the one Just Blaze cooked up for the occasion.

And yet, it all comes together effectively, with Just’s classic production serving as a welcome breath of fresh air. Not only that, but the fact that the 6-time Grammy Award winner Kirk Franklin opted to connect with Baby speaks to the QC lyricist’s status as a bonafide hip-hop superstar. It’s no wonder that he recently took to Instagram to share a few words about the collaboration, implying that it holds special significance to him.
 

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“This song is very much so different for me but it’s definitely one of them ones!” celebrates Baby, taking to Instagram to reflect on his new release. “Thank you @spacejammovie for the opportunity. @kirkfranklin this is history.” 

While it’s clear that Baby is proud of this one, it’s not certain as to whether or not he will pursue this particular sound further. It would certainly be interesting to hear Baby exploring a more nostalgic production aesthetic every once in a while, and perhaps we’ll see Just Blaze coming through to lace a few bangers on his next project. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time Blaze has blessed an Atlanta rapper with some heat — lest we forget about some of his classic T.I. collaborations from the King days.

Check out Baby’s post below, and sound off if you’ve been enjoying “We Win” off the upcoming Space Jam: A New Legacy soundtrack. 

LISTEN: Lil Baby & Kirk Franklin – We Win

Virgil Abloh has consistently been regarded as one of the best designers in the fashion world. While his designs are certainly polarizing, Abloh has been able to captivate streetwear and fashion enthusiasts who like to see something different yet eerily similar at the same time. Back in 2017, Abloh grew his profile by working with Nike on the infamous “The Ten” collection which remains highly regarded as one of the best Nike collabs of all time.

Since 2017, Abloh has dropped a plethora of other Nike sneakers including the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 “MCA.” For months now, fans have been anticipating another Air Force 1 Low, called “University Gold.” According to @zsneakerheadz, this shoe is actually going to be released in the month of July, and you can see some photos below. The shoe is essentially dressed in yellow leather all while the Nike swoosh on the side is silver. Overall, it’s a pretty phenomenal look and we’re sure all of the Off-White fans out there will be rushing to get a pair.

For now, a release date has not yet been revealed although with these dropping sometime in the summer, be sure to keep it locked to HNHH as we will continue to keep you updated on these kicks.

Every single year, it feels like the Air Jordan 1 High OG gets a dozen colorways. Even if that might not be the exact number, there is no denying that the silhouette is one of the most popular on the market and that there are a ton of sneakerheads out there who are ready to cop any new colorway they so desire. With 2021 almost halfway done, teasers for 2022 are starting to make their way to the internet, and recently, @zsneakerheadz came through with one of those mockups.

In the Instagram post below, you can see what can only be described as a Lakers colorway. While the base of the shoe is white, we also have some golden overlays all while the laces, swoosh, outsole, and cuff are purple. This is not an official Lakers colorway although if you are a fan of the franchise, you can’t help but imagine what these kicks would look like with a Lakers jersey on.

Of course, there is no release date for these just yet and for now, all we have is a photoshop rendering. However, as 2022 gets closer, we could very well see some in-person images so stay tuned to HNHH as we will bring you all of the latest details.

Diamond singles aren’t exactly common in the music industry, with the required criteria being ten million in total sales. For an artist to reach such lofty heights, that artist must reach the pinnacle of commercial stardom and accessibility. Being that he’s no stranger to those very qualities, it’s not entirely surprising to see that the multitalented Bruno Mars has hit an incredible new milestone, making history as the first artist ever to secure five diamond-certified singles.

HHNM reports that Mars recently secured a pair of diamond certifications for “That’s What I Like” and “When I Was Your Man,” which officially brings his total to the record-setting five. The new additions to his collection join “Grenade,” “Just The Way You Are,” and the Mark Ronson-assisted “Uptown Funk.”

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The news was confirmed by way of an RIAA press release, along with a celebratory message from Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier. “Congratulations to Bruno Mars – the first artist with five Diamond Single Awards in the history of RIAA’s Gold and Platinum Program!” praises Glazier. “This milestone is a testament to Bruno’s unstoppable creative genius and the incredible partnership he has built with the team at Atlantic Records. What Bruno has accomplished is just extraordinary. Fewer than 60 Diamond Single Awards have ever been awarded – and Bruno now has five of them!”

What’s even more impressive about the already impressive feat is the fact that Bruno is all-but-guaranteed to have more on the way. One has to wonder what commercial potential Silk Sonic truly has, as he and Anderson .Paak’s “Leave The Door Open” has already proven to be a mainstay on the charts.

Congratulations Bruno Mars! Do you think he’s one of the greatest to ever do it? 

LeBron James remains one of the best players in the NBA, even at the age of 36. So many analysts and fans have counted him out over the years although it is very clear that he still has what it takes to be a champion and that for years to come, it is going to be impossible to ever bet against him. The Lakers are now going to the NBA playoffs because of his heroics and fans cannot wait to see what he’s able to do in the first round against the Phoenix Suns.

After the Lakers’ huge win against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, LeBron decided to take to Instagram where he channeled Theodore Roosevelt’s infamous “Man In The Arena” speech. It was a powerful statement on Bron’s career and at this point, it’s clear that James is bringing the heat.

Per Theodore Roosevelt:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

With the playoffs beginning this weekend, we will get a true sense of whether or not this Lakers team is ready to make a deep run. It’s been a difficult season but they certainly have the pieces required to repeat as champions.

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Stevie J isn’t feeling the current state of the music industry, and he’s apparently tired of holding his tongue. In a recent post to Instagram, the Love & Hip-Hop star slammed the music industry for allowing such an excessive amount of untalented artists and record executives to rise to prominence. In light of his frustration, Stevie J also reveals that he will be going on Instagram Live to air out his grievances. 

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“I’m here for the real gifted x talented individuals not for the hype,” the hitmaker says in the post’s caption. “Stop signing your non talented homies, game is turning to trash. Real music, musicians x true artist only!”

In the actual picture that he shared with his 2.3 million Instagram followers, Stevie J writes, “This music industry is full of non talented individuals. I’m respectfully going live tomorrow dissecting these wack, soulless x non talented artist x these trash non talented executives. Enuff is Enough.”

While he didn’t name anyone in particular, there are a number of Hip-Hop artists who have made a practice of signing people close to them, so it will be interesting to hear which specific artists he is referring to. Stay tuned to see what Stevie J has to say when he goes on Instagram Live later today.