Hip Hop News

Kenny Mason Shows Surprising Versatility On “4daPUPS” EP

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There hasn’t been a term coined for the kind of rapper Kenny Mason is. He occupies the same space as breakout stars like JID and Isaiah Rashad, which is to say, lyrical but endlessly melodic. There’s a smooth element to Mason’s music that sets him apart from most emcees his age. It was the case with his catchy 2020 single, “Chevron,” and it proves to be the case with the 4daPUPS EP. Mason decided to drop this brief three song project on Soundcloud, so it will unfortunately fly under the radar of most fans. That said, it’s well worth your time.

The opening track, “Scary Sh*t,” is classic Kenny Mason. The beat is spooky and soulful, and the vocal loop is destined to get stuck in your head. “Scary Sh*t” has an infectious tempo, and the rapper keeps pace with a flow that feels both urgent and incredibly at ease. It’s a great table setter for the reflective songs that follow. “Proud” slows things down, and gives Kenny Mason’s lyrics a chance to take center stage. The guitar loop gets a little ponderous, but it’s still solid. The final track, “Leap Straight Off,” is going to be a surprise for most. Mason decides to go alternative with it, and deliver an acoustic ballad right out of the Nirvana playbook. It’s jarring, but it showcases how versatile the rapper can really be.

Read More: Kenny Mason “9” Album Review

Kenny Mason Goes Acoustic On The EP’s Closer

4daPUPS Tracklist:

  1. Scary Sh*t
  2. Proud
  3. Leap Straight Off

Read More: Kenny Mason Gears Up For New Album With Two Singles “Jumpin In” & “Us”

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Kendrick Lamar Has More Disses For Drake On Mysterious New Song

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Kendrick Lamar like to do things in one fell swoop. Drake, his enemy throughout 2024, likes to do a lot. Memes, IG Stories, AI diss songs, etc. Lamar will go silent for weeks, maybe even months, then drop an absolutely devastating track. He did it again on September 11. The rapper came out of his “Not Like Us” hiatus and dropped a five minute epic on his Instagram. There’s no title or mention of Drake’s name, but there are plenty of bars that are clearly aimed at the 6 God throughout. Let’s unpack them.

Let’s start with the opening verse. The first line Kendrick Lamar utters is “I think it’s time to watch the party die.” This is a direct reference to a line in Lamar’s scathing “Meet the Grahams” diss. Towards the end of the song, he mentions crashing Drake’s “party” by uncovering all of the rapper’s flaws. The next few bars also seem squarely aimed at Drizzy. “This sh*t done got too wicked to apologize,” Lamar raps.
“It’s different, get him whacked and disqualified.” The first part seemingly references the fact that kids and significant others were dragged into the Drake battle. The second part doubles down on the idea that Drake shouldn’t have a seat at the table when it comes to the all time greats.

Read More: Ben Stiller’s Favorite Kendrick Lamar Song Is A Drake Diss

Kendrick Lamar References Multiple Drake Songs In His Lyrics

The song functions as a broader take on what Kendrick Lamar was rapping about on “Euphoria” and “Not Like Us.” He’s effectively taking the rap game to task for allowing Drake to take over. He hates what the genre has become, and wants to start over. In this sense, the song is both a Drake diss and a diss to the industry (i.e. the “party”) that made Drake. The rest of the first verse makes this abundantly clear. “Why argue with these clowns if the circus is well at work,” he asks. “Just walk that man down, that’ll do everyone a solid. It’s love but tough love, sometimes gotta result in violence.”

A full breakdown of the song would balloon this article to dissertation length. Kendrick Lamar seemingly throws digs at Drake’s past courtesy of a “Star67” reference. He also asks Drake where his soldiers are at, after the Toronto rapper made reference to being a general in the song “The Heart Part 6.” Kendrick is taking a different approach here, but it’s no less cutting. He’s got a lot more to get off his chest when it comes to Drake, and this new song proves it.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar’s New Song Has The Internet In An Absolute Chokehold

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LL Cool J Gave The 2024 VMAs Crowd A Hip-Hop History Lesson With His Medley Performance

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The official Hip-Hop 50 celebration may have wrapped up last year, but LL kept the hip-hop history lesson going at the 2024 MTV VMAs. His medley performance not only included songs from his newly released fourteenth studio album, The FORCE, but also encompassed many of his signature hits going back to his glory days in hip-hop’s Golden Age. Opening with “Headsprung” (remixed with the now-familiar Mohawks sample, “The Champ,” rather than its original Timbaland-produced beat) then transforming into Public Enemy’s “Bring The Noise” (with a surprise appearance from Chuck D himself), the veteran performer also went through “Rock The Bells” before hitting newer songs like “Passion” and “Proclivities” before returning to another classic: “Doin’ It.” You can watch the full performance above.

Ironically, LL’s performance was nearly upstaged during a shot of the audience featuring a woman standing motionless, staring at the stage, and grinning in such an eerie way, that it seems almost certain that she was an actor planted to promote the upcoming horror thriller Smile 2. Unfortunately, though, LL didn’t perform “Murdergram Deux,” his collaboration with Eminem, who also performed tonight to open the VMAs, but probably did leave before LL’s performance.

You can still check out a full list of VMA winners here.

GloRilla Got Down To Business In Her 2024 VMAs Performance Of ‘Yeah Glo!’ And ‘TGIF’

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The crowd at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards was left yelling, “Yeah, Glo!” after GloRilla’s performance of that song, decked out in a black-and-white suit, which turned into a skimpy bikini as she performed “TGIF” atop a conference table, replete with the flames that seemed like a prerequisite for pretty much every other performance of the night.

The Memphis native is fresh off the release of her second mixtape, Ehhthang Ehhthang, which produced “Wanna Be” with Megan Thee Stallion, its remix with Cardi B, and “All Dere” with Moneybagg Yo. She also joined Megan Thee Stallion on her Hot Girl Summer Tour, realized that Cardi B is her cousin, and had a slew of various wardrobe malfunctions. She was also presented with the key to the city of Memphis, making her very much a hometown hero and a burgeoning superstar.

She and Meg also apparently have plans to drop a joint album in the near future, with Meg saying, “I ain’t gon’ say too much, but it feels like it’s going to get done.” Not bad for a pair of rappers who say they weren’t sure about each other when they first met.

You can check out GloRilla’s performance video above, and keep up with the full list of VMAs winners here.

Stephen A Smith Lays Into Nicki Minaj Over Super Bowl Twitter Rant

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Stephen A Smith and Nicki Minaj are world class trash talkers. They have build their personas on being combative, and speaking their mind when nobody else will. Or, sometimes, when nobody else asked. Such was the cast on September 9, when Nicki Minaj unleashed on JAY-Z and Roc Nation for what she felt was a slight against her Young Money mentor, Lil Wayne. Minaj felt like Weezy should have headlined the upcoming Halftime Show at the Super Bowl, but Roc Nation went with Kendrick Lamar. Stephen A Smith did not appreciate Minaj’s public tantrum.

Smith addressed Nicki Minaj directly during the September 11 episode of his podcast. He started out cordially, as one has come to expect from an SAS rant. He assured Minaj and the viewers that he had respect for her, and the things she’s managed to achieve. The analyst didn’t, however, respect Minaj’s decision to castigate JAY-Z. “Every time we turn around it’s something, Nicki,” he stated. “You disagree with the decision… but you have to talk to a brother like that?” Stephen A Smith is referring to the Nicki Minaj tweet in which she claimed that JAY-Z favors money over the culture that helped make him rich.

Read More: Drake Quietly Throws His Support Behind Nicki Minaj Amidst JAY-Z Feud

Stephen A Smith Felt Minaj’s Comments Were Selfish

Stephen A Smith also took time out from bashing Minaj to give JAY-Z his flowers. He pointed out that Hov has been instrumental in getting more R&B and hip hop artists on the Halftime Show stage since Roc Nation got involved with the NFL in 2019. “Do you know how hard it is,” Smith asked. “For a Black man to pull of what JAY-Z has pulled off?” He supported his case by mentioning the kinds of acts who played the Super Bowl prior to Roc Nation. The Who and Coldplay have probably never been said with more disdain.

Smith got a bit off topic, but he brought it back to his main point. He believes that Nicki Minaj is being unappreciative for what JAY-Z has accomplished for the culture as a whole. He also feels like Minaj is simply using the controversy as a means of drumming up free publicity for herself. In case the point wasn’t clear, Stephen A Smith ran down a list of the celebrities that Minaj has had beef with over the years. “It ain’t about you as an individual, it’s about us,” he asserted. “All of us, as Black people.”

Read More: Nicki Minaj Claims That JAY-Z Never Paid Her For Tidal Ownership Deal

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Celebration Of Life For Fatman Scoop Scheduled For Tomorrow In The World Famous Apollo Theater

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As the entertainment world mourns the loss of the legendary Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman, the Freeman Family announces a special celebration honoring Freeman on Thursday, September 12th, at the legendary The Apollo in his hometown of Harlem, NY. This event will allow fans and friends to pay their respects and honor the life of the iconic entertainer.  

Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman has carved out a distinguished career, known for his electrifying presence and impactful contributions to the music industry. His dynamic performances and unique style have made him a household name, captivating audiences worldwide.

The evening will feature special performances, guest appearances, and tributes highlighting Fatman Scoop’s journey from his early days in Harlem to global stardom. Fans and admirers alike are invited to join in celebrating this milestone event.

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, September 12th, 2024
  • Doors: 2:00 PM
  • Program Run Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Location: The Apollo, 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027

Tickets are available at https://www.apollotheater.org/event/fatman-scoop-forever-celebration-of-life

MusiCares® helps the humans behind the music because music gives so much to the world

The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations to MusiCares are encouraged to honor Fatman Scoop’s legacy and impact within the culture. MusiCares® is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. 

By donating to MusiCares® your contribution help aid preventive, emergency and recovery programs. Founded by the Recording Academy® in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. 

Donations can be made at: www.musicares.org 

No gifts or items will be permitted to be left at or near the venue.

For more information or questions about the Celebration of Life, please visit: 

[email protected]

The post Celebration Of Life For Fatman Scoop Scheduled For Tomorrow In The World Famous Apollo Theater first appeared on The Source.

The post Celebration Of Life For Fatman Scoop Scheduled For Tomorrow In The World Famous Apollo Theater appeared first on The Source.

Future Releases Teaser Video For “Too Fast” From His ‘Mixtape Pluto’ Project, Set For 9/20 Drop Date

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Today, diamond-certified three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning hip-hop luminary Future formally details his highly anticipated new project MIXTAPE PLUTO. Continuing Future’s prolific game-changing 2024, the mixtape event of the year is set to be released on September 20, 2024. Pre-save/pre-add the mixtape here. 

Today Future also details an exclusive run of merchandise and physical product available for MIXTAPE PLUTO at freebandz.com, now available for pre-order. Items include bundles with limited edition t-shirts, a CD, and two vinyl variants in both black and green.

Additionally, Future continues to give fans a glimpse into the world of MIXTAPE PLUTO with the release of a new teaser for the song “TOO FAST.” Future has been igniting a frenzy across social media over the past few weeks in the run-up to the project’s release, previously sharing clips for various tracks across the mixtape, including hints of collaboration with Travis Scott.

Check out the “Too Fast” preview HERE

Earlier this week, Future wrapped up a sold-out arena run with Metro Boomin, the critically acclaimed WE TRUST YOU TOUR. The run saw the two superstars traverse across North America – including historic nights at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, and Los Angeles’ brand-new Intuit Dome. Billboard called the show “a testament to how deep Future’s catalog and bag of hits really is” while GQ celebrated the fact that “two great albums and a rejuvenated live show confirm Future’s powers are as strong as they’ve ever been.”  

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Appropriately titled, the tour was in support of Future and Metro Boomin’s explosive, chart-topping collaborative albums released earlier this year: WE DON’T TRUST YOU and its follow-up, WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU. The albums highlight the duo’s magnetic chemistry–which Rolling Stone calls “seamless”–and went on to capture the entire music industry’s attention, piquing competitive interests in ways not seen in years. The albums officially landed Future his ninths and tenth number 1 albums on the Billboard 200, while the single “Like That” featuring Kendrick Lamar spent a blistering 3 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This run became, as Billboard stated, “the biggest story in rap.”

And now, with MIXTAPE PLUTO, Future continues to shape the sound of hip hop as a new chapter is written in the career of one of rap’s most inventive and influential wordsmiths.  A body of work stripped down to pure unadulterated Future, it’s simply Pluto at his core essence. It’s MIXTAPE PLUTO.

The post Future Releases Teaser Video For “Too Fast” From His ‘Mixtape Pluto’ Project, Set For 9/20 Drop Date first appeared on The Source.

The post Future Releases Teaser Video For “Too Fast” From His ‘Mixtape Pluto’ Project, Set For 9/20 Drop Date appeared first on The Source.

Kendrick Lamar’s New Song Has The Internet In An Absolute Chokehold

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Nobody knows how to break the internet like Kendrick Lamar. The rapper was historically pretty normal when it came to new album releases. 2024 has brought out a different side of him, though. Lamar has been in stealth mode, popping up to drop a devastating song and then retreating. It’s a game plan that helped him clinch a win in the battle against Drake. The battle is seemingly over, but Kendrick Lamar has decided to keep the game plan intact. The rapper dropped a song on Instagram Wednesday night, and the internet promptly broke.

One could argue the new song is the most cryptic release of Lamar’s career thus far. At least the Drake disses had proper title. The new one is still untitled, and is only available to stream on Instagram. There have been frantic attempts on the part of fans to cram all the new bars and determine who each of them are intended for. Kendrick Lamar has become the hip hop equivalent of Taylor Swift, in that every single thing he says gets dissected and praised for quadruple meanings. That said, the song is excellent, and fans everywhere seem to agree.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Stage Stirs Storm Of Controversy Over Lil Wayne

Kendrick Lamar Has Left Fans In Awe With Latest Song

The creepy vibe of the song had Twitter users comparing Kendrick Lamar to Omar from The Wire. One user even included a clip of the fictional gangster strolling with a fan, and wrote: “This how it feels when Kendrick Lamar drops anything right now.” Others struggled to come up with a comparison, and simply marveled at the rapper’s planning. “Kendrick Lamar is perhaps the most calculated, art of war moving a*s n**ga we’ve ever seen in Rap,” another user tweeted.

Then there were fans who tried to break down the significance of Lamar dropping on September 11th. Surely, there must be a deeper meaning there, right? Keep scrolling to read more social media reactions to the track. Do you think Lamar will eventually drop his album? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Reacts To Seemingly Being Dissed In New Kendrick Lamar Song

The post Kendrick Lamar’s New Song Has The Internet In An Absolute Chokehold appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Shannon Sharpe Breaks Silence On IG Live Sex Controversy: Watch

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Shannon Sharpe went viral for all the wrong reasons on Wednesday morning. The sports commentator accidentally posted an Instagram Live video in which he was suspected to be having sex with a woman. The internet was stunned, obviously, and Sharpe rushed a statement out following the post. He claimed to have been hacked, and assured fans he was working to remedy the situation. That wasn’t true. Sharpe cleared the air during his evening appearance on the Night Cap podcast.

Shannon Sharpe confirmed that his Instagram was not actually hacked. He admitted that the IG Live was a mistake, and that he was deeply embarrassed once he realized what happened. “I’m very disappointed in myself I let a lot of people down,” the ex-athlete explained. “My kids, I reached out to them. I called my sister, my friends obviously reached out.” Shannon Sharpe clarified that the IG Live video that went viral was not staged. He went on to detail the circumstances in which the accidental stream occurred. “I came in, threw my phone on the bed,” he recalled. “And then engaged in an activity.”

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Addresses His Recent Viral Outburst And Heated Exchange With Ochocinco

Shannon Sharpe Claims He’d Never Used IG Live

Shannon Sharpe went on to support his claim by noting that he had never been on IG Live prior to this viral incident. “I don’t know how he works,” he asserted. According to the sports commentator, he didn’t realize anything was wrong until his other phone started to ring. He stopped engaging in his “activity” and his manager told him that millions of viewers were listening to him have sex. Sharpe admits, and pretty understandably, that his heart sank upon realizing what he’d done.

The Club Shay Shay host also addressed the false report that his account had been hacked. He noted that his team cut the stream up and quickly threw together a post to address the incident. Once Sharpe had time to reflect on the incident, however, he determined it was best to be honest. He admitted that he made a mistake, and asked fans to forgive him. The tone lightened up once Ochocinco joined him on the pod, but Shannon Sharpe effectively put an end to the story.

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Gets The Meme Treatment Following Alleged IG Live Sex Tape Malfunction

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Megan Thee Stallion Turned Up In Her 2024 VMAs Performance Of ‘Boa,’ ‘B.A.S.,’ ‘Hiss,’ And ‘Mamushi’

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In addition to hosting the 2024 MTV VMAs, Megan Thee Stallion was also booked as a performer. She absolutely killed both roles, pulling out some iconic looks from the show’s past during her hosting duties, and then burning the house down with her performance, which included hits “Boa,” “B.A.S.,” “Hiss,” and “Mamushi,” for which she was joined by guest rapper Yuki Chiba in his first US performance. The Houston hottie is also nominated for five awards, with Best Hip-Hop, Best Direction, and Best Visual Effects among them.

Meg’s had a busy 2024, dropping her new album Megan while completing her Hot Girl Summer Tour with GloRilla, during which she became one of the WNBA’s biggest supporters by bringing players like Natasha Cloud and Angel Reese on stage with her. Then, she joined Kamala Harris’ campaign, declaring that the Vice President is “for the Hotties” during a performance at one of the Presidential hopeful’s rallies.

And just when it seemed like she’d delivered all the new music she had to offer this year, she teamed up once again with BTS’s RM for another cross-cultural collaboration, “Neva Play.” Oh, and she seemingly hard-launched her relationship with NBA player Torrey Craig, so it looks like she’s having her fair share of play along with all that work.

You can watch Megan Thee Stallion’s medley performance here, and check out all of the night’s winners here.