Hip Hop News

Morray Sets His Sights On “Bigger Things”

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Yesterday, new Interscope Morray swerved from the traditional Friday release (perhaps a wise move given that DJ Khaled is dropping off his star-studded Khaled Khaled project) and delivered his debut mixtape Street Sermons. Serving as a strong showcase of his soulful vocals, honed following time spent in the church choir, the project goes a long way in introducing Morray to a mainstream audience. And from the sound of it, he’s not about to squander the opportunity.

As evidenced on the reflective closer “Bigger Things,” Morray is ready to turn the page onto the next chapter. “You heard some of my story, tried to let you inside my life / It took a while I was a child but I’m finally starting to get things right,” he raps. “It was my fault most times, fuc*ed up all of mine / But now I’m grown and I’m on my grind.” Given how much his life appears to have improved since he truly began chasing his dream, don’t be surprised to see him continue to elevate in the months to come. After all, this is only the mixtape, and the proper studio album is currently in the works. 

If you haven’t yet given Street Sermons a listen, be sure to do so right here. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Everybody told a ni*ga he would never fucking make it
Couldn’t have been talking bout my future
Guеss you must’ve been mistaken
You can’t call it tough love bеcause all I’m hearing is hate
Swallow your pride, bitch don’t lie tell me that I’m not amazing

Rod Wave Covers A Drake Classic In His Outdoor Tiny Desk Concert

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Question: Can a gazebo be a desk? Answer: Technically, I guess. Rod Wave sure makes a strong argument for a “yes” with his debut on NPR’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concerts. His drummer and bassist occupy a garden gazebo, while Rod, his pianist, and a flautist/saxophonist(!) perform from the grounds just outside. Rod performs songs from his recently released album SoulFly, as well as a quick cover of Drake’s “Over My Dead Body” hook to open the set.

The stripped-down setup allows his voice to get more shine, while he’s able to reflect on the stories behind the songs between each. Singing “Rags2Riches,” “Street Runner,” and “Don’t Forget,” his band adds a fresh dimension to the familiar songs while the addition of saxophone and sweet flute to the arrangements brings out more of the tenderness that has drawn listeners to Rod’s moody trap tunes.

Rod’s shown a preference for outdoor performances that show off the lush Florida environs he came up in; earlier this month, he made his television debut on The Tonight Show performing from a porch overlooking the Everglades. Meanwhile, the overall rollout of SoulFly has been impressively executed, with videos for “Tombstone” and “Street Runner,” as well as a “Street Runner” video game, helped propel his third album to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Watch Rod Wave’s Tiny Desk Concert above.

Fans Think Clues Point To A Secret Beyonce Appearance On DJ Khaled’s Upcoming Album

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Getty Image

DJ Khaled revealed the tracklist for his upcoming album Khaled Khaled yesterday and it features a ton of household names. Now, fans think the tracklist doesn’t explicitly reveal everybody who guests on the album, as there’s a prominent theory out there that Beyonce makes an appearance.

Jay-Z features on the song “Sorry Not Sorry,” alongside Nas, James Fauntleroy, and somebody credited as “Harmonies By The Hive,” which many fans have decided is actually Beyonce.

Rumors have actually been swirling before the tracklist reveal, as Khaled, Beyonce, and Jay-Z were recently all seen together. On top of that, Khaled revealed a few days ago he had to sign an NDA related to the project, which fans believe is related to Beyonce’s purported appearance on the album.

It shouldn’t take long to verify or debunk these rumors, as the album is set to be released tomorrow.

Aside from the aforementioned artists, the album also features 21 Savage, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Big Sean, Bryson Tiller, DaBaby, Drake, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Megan Thee Stallion, Migos,, Puff Daddy, Rick Ross, Roddy Ricch, HER, Jeremih, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Post Malone, Barrington Levy, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, and Capleton.

Khaled Khaled is out 4/30 via Epic Records. Pre-order it here.

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

Gucci Mane Announces Surprise Album “Ice Daddy” Dropping Tonight

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Gucci Mane remains one of the most active OGs in the rap game, never letting more than a few months pass by without releasing new music. These days, the 41-year-old rapper has been championing his label’s buzzing new artists, including Pooh Shiesty, Foogiano, Big Scarr, and more. However, he’s still been getting work done in the studio by himself, announcing the release of his new surprise album Ice Daddy, which comes out tonight.

After stunting his massive “Ice Daddy” chain a few months ago, Gucci Mane has followed up on his new moniker by converting it into his latest studio album’s title, celebrating his son Ice Davis’ four-month birthday and giving the newborn an executive production credit early on in his life.

“PRE-SAVE My new album #ICEDADDY available at midnight everywhere,” announced Guwop on social media Thursday morning. “Executive produced by my son @icedavis1017.”

Early commenters have been critiquing the album cover, which feels like it was spontaneously put together. It features a photo of Gucci and Keyshia’s baby rocking a bunch of expensive jewelry and Gucci garments with artist branding on the sides. Despite the cover’s criticism, producers Zaytoven, Mike Will Made-It, and music executive Pierre Thomas are all hyping up the release in the comments.

The new album from Gucci Mane comes out at midnight. It follows the multiple compilation albums that Wop released last year, as well as his most recent studio album, 2019’s Woptober II. Will you be pressing play on this one?

YSL Criticizes The US Criminal Justice System In The “Paid The Fine” Music Video

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Earlier this week, it was reported that YSL Records artists Young Thug and Gunna made some pretty impressive humanitarian efforts in their hometown of Atlanta, as the two rappers visited Fulton County Jail to post bail for 30 low-level offenders. The jail that Thug and Gunna visited has been publicly slammed by local city officials for being overcrowded and in dire condition, so their effort to reunite a slew of inmates with their families has not gone unnoticed on a local or national level.

Now, days after news broke about the two YSL artists‘ major act of kindness, they have returned with the music video for one of Slime Language 2‘s best cuts, “Paid The Fine” with YTB Trench and Lil Baby.

The “Paid The Fine” video starts with a clip of authentic footage from WSBTV in which local journalists covered the Atlanta artists’ recent actions, and immediately afterward, the video prominently displays several troubling statistics about the US criminal justice system.

The video then flickers back and forth from footage of recently freed inmates reuniting with their families and shots of the featured artists performing their verses while gathered around YSL’s heavy roster of artists. Finally, the video culminates by shining a light on a few of the people who Thug and Gunna were able to get released from Fulton County Jail.

Check out the video for Young Thug, Gunna, YTB Trench, and Lil Baby’s “Paid The Fine” and let us know what you think.

Quando Rondo Explains Clash With Big U

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There are few people more respected in the streets than Eugene “Big U” Henley. The influential former leader of the Rollin 60 Neighborhood Crips recently appeared during an episode of The Breakfast Club where he touched on a phone call he received from Quando Rondo, which he declined. At the time, Big U believed Quando, who reps the same set, was calling him for protection after fans turned on him because of his altercation with King Von, which ended in the rapper being killed. “You can’t call me now. You can’t call me when the fire hot,” he explained.

Quando Rondo addressed the situation, explaining that he was not calling the OG for protection with a long-winded video on social media. Their differences dissipated after the two met up, posed for some pictures, and supported one another publicly. During the latest portion of Quando’s interview with Angela Yee, he speaks about what happened and why the whole situation was taken out of context.

“The little situation or whatever. That happened six months ago. If I was calling for protection, I would’ve called then,” he said, responding to Big U’s initial claims. “We good. It’s love with me and Unc. To be honest, fans took that and said that. [Big U] never said that I called him for protection on that show. He never technically said that. But the way Unc put it, that’s how fans would’ve took it in.”

Quando says that after their little tiff, Big U called him and clarified that he doesn’t have any issues with the young rapper. In fact, they even discussed the possibility of having Big U sit in on the Angela Yee interview, but the OG was a little busy.

Watch the latest part of Quando Rondo’s interview with Angela Yee below.

ALLBLACK, G-Eazy, & E-40 Connect On “10 Toes”

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The Bay is in the building as ALLBLACK comes through with his new single “10 Toes,” a bouncy braggadocious banger that captures the spirit of his region. Furthering said spirit is the presence of G-Eazy and E-40, who slide through to hold it down with a verse apiece. It’s ALLBLACK himself who sets this one off, his resonant baritone firing off boasts. “Shoot this rifle from the side like we from Jamaica,” he spits. “On South Beach early April like a spring breaker.”

Verse two is handled by Forty Water, whose distinctive and animated delivery never fails to elevate a track. “I’m a master at wordplay, kinda like a thesaurus,” he raps, pausing for emphasis. “Got flowers for sale, but I’m not a florist.” In a welcome development, G-Eazy taps into his “Bay Area Greaser” persona for the final verse, ending each scheme with a rapid bout of burst fire. “Keep it one hundred you keeping it cap,” he spits. “But me and BLACK go back, it’s way deeper than rap / got money in my hand, I got cheeks in my lap.” 

Check out “10 Toes” now, and sound off if you can appreciate the Bay Area camaraderie. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

I go anywhere cause Earth is my turf and I’m not a tourist
I’m a master at wordplay, kinda like a thesaurus
Got flowers for sale, but I’m not a florist

2Pac’s Brother Will Attend Shock G’s Funeral Service

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Late Digital Underground leader Shock G‘s funeral plans are in place. The hip-hop pioneer’s manager has come forward to share details for where the event will happen. 2Pac’s Brother Will Attend Shock G’s Funeral According to reports, the funeral arrangement is officially set to go down in Florida. Along with family, actual Digital Underground group […]

The post 2Pac’s Brother Will Attend Shock G’s Funeral Service appeared first on SOHH.com.

Chris Brown Shares His Choreographed Take On The “Ski” Challenge

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Roughly two weeks following the release of YSL Records’ “Slime Language 2,” one of the most beloved and summer-ready cuts from the 23-track effort is the long-teased track “Ski.” The song boasts an energetic team-up from frequent YSL collaborators Young Thug and Gunna, and one of its most infectious elements is the ad-lib-filled chorus, which is packed with plenty of “Yeah!”s and two spirited “Ski!”s. Thus, it was only a matter of time before “Ski” inspired a viral dance challenge of its own.

So far, the Hip-Hop community has witnessed stars such as Diddy, Future, Quavo, Drake, Coi Leray, and DaBaby offer their takes on the “Ski” challenge, but now one of the most talented dancers in the music industry has stepped up to the plate.

As seen above, Chris Brown recently shared his take on the “Ski” challenge to his Instagram, and with the help of his fellow dancers Johnny Blaze and Josh Smith, the “Go Crazy” artist knocks out a full choreographed routine to the tune of Young Thug and Gunna’s Slime Language 2 standout.

Several artists and public figures, from BRS Kash to DC Young Fly, have praised Chris Brown for his take, but Snoop Dogg sums it up the best, saying, “He shut it down challenge over. C. B does it again.” 

So far, who do you think has done the “Ski” challenge the best?

JAY-Z Unveils Nas Playlist “Curated By The God Hov”

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Shortly after DJ Khaled confirmed that he’d be reuniting JAY-Z and Nas on Khaled Khaled single “Sorry Not Sorry,” JAY came through to honor his collaborator with a personally curated TIDAL playlist. Ostensibly comprised of JAY’s favorite Nas tracks, it goes a long way in showing what the Brooklyn emcee appreciates about his fellow New Yorker’s craft. 

Of course, it wouldn’t be the friendly competition that it is without a slight assertion of dominance, hereby represented within the title: “Curated by the God, Hov.” Given that one of Nas’ most beloved albums is named God’s Son, well, the implication speaks for itself. Still, it’s clearly all love between the two legendary emcees, decades removed from their elite lyrical duel and one day removed from their latest (of many) collaborations. 

JAY-Z Nas

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

What matters most is the song curation itself, as gaining insight into JAY’s favorite Nas tunes is an interesting study in itself. Clocking in at a reasonable twenty-four tracks, plenty of classic tracks are represented accordingly. Illmatic is represented through “N.Y. State Of Mind,” “Life’s A Bitch,” “The Genesis,” “Halftime,” “The World Is Yours,” and “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” — over half the album, and clear proof that Hov is among the many who deem it Nas’ magnum opus.

That’s not to say other fan favorites go unnoticed. A few of Nas’ standout features are included through Raekwon’s “Verbal Intercourse,” Mobb Deep’s “Eye For An Eye,” and Kanye West’s “We Major.” The anthemic “Hate Me Now,” featuring P. Diddy reps I Am…, while “Made You Look” holds it down for the aforementioned “God’s Son.” Surprisingly, Stillmatic gets a lone inclusion for “One Mic,” though it might understandable given one of project’s most notorious inclusions.

Though his Nas tastes aren’t entirely the most varied, it’s still interesting to see JAY-Z stepping up to pay homage to his fellow New York lyricist. Check out “Curated by the God, Hov,” exclusively on TIDAL, and sound off if JAY’s taste in Nas music mirrors your own.