Dr. Dre’s countless contributions to hip hop will be honored at The ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. He’s set to receive the first ASCAP Hip Hop Icon Award of all time, further cementing his influence on the world of hip hop. The ceremony is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Los Angeles.
“Dr. Dre’s groundbreaking early work laid a foundation for Hip-Hop as we know it today. As a champion for some of today’s biggest artists and a successful entrepreneur, he changed the culture around Hip-Hop,” explained chairman of the board and president of ASCAP Paul Williams. “Dre continues to be a pivotal figure in the music industry,” he says. Adding, “We are thrilled to recognize him with the inaugural ASCAP Hip-Hop Icon Award as we mark 50 years of Hip-Hop.”
The Hip Hop Icon Award was designed to “[recognize] the contributors, creatives and professionals with a proven track record of uplifting Black music.” It was also conceptualized alongside the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective. This year’s ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards ceremony will also honor the 50-year-anniversary of hip hop.
Dr. Dre was honored again earlier this year at the Grammys. He was given the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award in February. “I’m extremely moved by this award,” he said upon receiving it. “I want to say thank you to the Recording Academy and the Black Music Collective for this honor.” He continued, “I know everybody in here probably knows this already, but this is the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. Make some noise for Hip Hop!” Dr. Dre went on, “Where would I be without it? Where would a lot of people be without Hip Hop, to be honest? Hip Hop became a lifeline for me as a teenager growing up in Compton, and it started with a song called ‘The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel.’”
Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo — who began his career way back in 1998 — should know by now how to play the money game. With his latest hot water situation with the Internal Revenue Service, that does not seem to be the case. The rapper owes over $3 million in back taxes to the IRS, according to RadarOnline-obtained documents. The actual number is $3,166,811.68 and this debt is for the year 2020. Seems like COVID-19 discombobulated Ne-Yo.
Born Shaffer Chimere Smith, he and his ex-wife, Crystal Renay, are no strangers when it comes to owing money and not paying on time. Crowe Custom Countertops did work on a property the former couple owns in Alpharetta, GA. Ne-Yo did not pay them for their work, and the company issued a lien to him and Renay. The duo also had a lien of $4,000.00 for taxes owed to the City of Atlanta. As for the divorce settlement between the two, Ne-Yo had to pay Renay $1.6 million, gave her one of their four Georgia properties, covered $20k in moving expenses, and bought her a car in the $150k range.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 11: Ne-Yo In Concert at The Hard Rock Hotel Times Square on May 11, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Unfortunately, Ne-Yo is used to forking over large sums of money. He and Crystal Renay have three kids together. From the divorce, that means $12k in monthly child support, as well as school expenses. Plus, he pays her $5k in alimony for the next three years. Overall, this was an expensive relationship, but not the only one for the R&B artist. He made his ex-girlfriend, Sade Bagnerise, do a paternity test for one of their alleged children. He’s also looking for child support after the DNA test. (Ne-Yo is the biological father of their first child, but he’s unsure about their second child.)
This begs the question: Does Ne-Yo make music anymore, or is he spending all of his time in the courtroom? Allegedly, he’s “down to date fans,” but who would race towards this many red flags should be tested for mental health purposes. Lately, he appeared on the British version of The Masked Singer as Badger and finished runner-up to Joss Stone. Motown Records released his latest album, 2022’s Self Explanatory.
Trippie Redd is gearing up to drop some new music, very soon. Overall, fans are very excited about his new album, A Love Letter To You 5. This series has been a pleasure to listen to over the years. It had always included a whole host of amazing new tracks. Moreover, there is quite a bit of fanfare surrounding Trippie’s return. His last project left a bit to be desired, and now, there is this sense that he could be coming back with a classic. The lead single “Took My Breath Away” is certainly a good sign of things to come.
Now, however, Trippie Redd is commenting on the current state of hip-hop. Ultimately, this was prompted by a tweet from Carl Chery, who is the Head of Urban Music over at Spotify. Chery issued a statement on Twitter, saying “Hip-Hop needs new leaders who are intentional about dictating where the music and culture are going. It feels like artists either don’t think about it or don’t want that responsibility. We need it tho. Who’s gonna step up?” It was an interesting question, that subsequently led to Trippie’s comments.
Hip-Hop needs new leaders who are intentional about dictating where the music and culture are going. It feels like artists either don’t think about it or don’t want that responsibility. We need it tho. Who’s gonna step up?
As HipHopDX reported, the rapper wrote “He right, we gone bounce back tho. We let country and Spanish music take over cuz we too divided. That sh*t l*me as f*ck.” In case you haven’t noticed, the biggest songs in the world this year have been from reggaeton and country artists. There hasn’t been a single number-one album or song from a hip-hop artist in 2023. Some believe this is a sign of a genre in decline. However, others have theorized this is simply due to the fact that none of the genre’s superstars like Travis Scott or Lil Uzi Vert have dropped yet.
Either way, it is going to be interesting to see if the genre as a whole can break out of this sales rut. At the end of the day, huge pop stars like Taylor Swift have been dropping this year, which has also led to impenetrable records. Hopefully, someone in hip-hop is able to get that number-one spot and break the streak. Let us know what you think of Trippie’s comments, down below.
The nominees for this year’s Best Collab at the 2023 BET Awards show these artists still have us in a chokehold with their infectious bops. Some collaborations are expected but can take years to happen. Others happen almost immediately and capitalize on the momentum. However, the most celebrated collaborations are often completely unexpected ones, such as the surprise appearance from Mariah Carey and DJ Khaled on Latto’s “Big Energy (Remix).” Not only are these records soundtracking our lives but their success becomes evident on the Billboard charts. With the BET Awards airing on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 8 pm ET, we’re looking into the Best Collaboration category.
“Big Energy (Remix)” – Latto & Mariah Carey Feat. DJ Khaled (2022)
This nominee for Best Collab at the 2023 BET Awards is a very successful one that had a grip on 2022. Latto’s 777 project displayed her versatility, from the intro songs that showcased her lyrical aggression to efforts like “Big Energy” which dominated radio and streaming services. A significant portion of the song’s success came from the sample of Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy.” However, with both the instrumental and Mariah’s vocals on this remix, it propelled the song to further virality. Although it dropped in March 2022, it quickly became the song of the summer while landing in placements for commercials and movies. This song dropped in March but has quickly become a song fit for the summer. Latto’s success continues to ascend as more and more people tune in to her music.
“Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” – PinkPantheress & Ice Spice (2023)
Both of these nominees for Best Collab at the 2023 BET Awards are products of internet success. PinkPantheress took TikTok by storm before eventually releasing her project, hell with it. Meanwhile, Ice Spice’s breakout single “Munch (Feelin’ U)” went viral and she’s since dropped an EP titled Like..?, and secured a Nicki Minaj feature. However, when they joined forces on “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,” they released the most successful song in their careers. This collab brings the two rising artists together who come from the dance music and drill world – two of the most popular genres today.
“Call Me Every Day” – Chris Brown Feat. Wizkid (2022)
These two nominees for Best Collab at the 2023 BET Awards are from different musical worlds. Chris Brown has excelled in the R&B for well over a decade at this point. Meanwhile, Wizkid has helped bring the Afrobeats sounds to American airwaves to immense success. “Call Me Everyday” finds Chris leaning deeper into Wizkid’s sound, fusing the sounds of West Africa with his R&B sensibilities. While it is on the short side, the two artists use their time wisely. They don’t “trade bars” but their verses and hooks blend together seamlessly. This collaboration is one of the more low-key songs on the list tempo wise but Chris and the dancers in the video still execute choreography that compliments it.
“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” – King Combs Feat. Kodak Black (2022)
King Combs is Diddy’s son which guarantees that he’s practically free to sample the majority of the Bad Boy catalog. On “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” King Combs gives the expected shoutout to the legendary label and even has a short spoken outro much like his father has done and continues to do today. The song uses the same sample from “Crush On You”, a hit by Lil Kim featuring Lil Cease and The Notorious B.I.G. Listeners have celebrated the track for its nostalgia and how the video looked fun for both artists involved.
“Creepin’ ” – Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage (2022)
Coming from Metro Boomin’s solo album Heroes and Villains, this is another hit record that banks off of nostalgia, thanks to the sample used. In fact, it’s almost a triple sample. The Weeknd interpolates the hook from Mario Winans’ “I Don’t Wanna Know” ft. Diddy and Enya, a song which samples The Fugees’ “Ready Or Not.” Meanwhile, 21 delivers a stand-out verse and Metro tweaks the iconic vocal sample melody without losing the essence of the original. “Creepin’” became an immediate highlight from Heroes & Villains and it’s only right that it earned a nomination for Best Collab. Many listeners remembered the original song and appreciated how it was reimagined while still paying homage.
These nominees for Best Collab at the 2023 BET Awards created what was truly a hit. Dropping in May 2022, the song still gets heavy radio play and is still in many people’s rotation. This is another song where the music video went viral for a myriad of reasons. But, at the end of the day, it introduced GloRilla to a wider audience which resulted in her current reign as the Princess of Crunk. Her success led to her dropping a project titled Anyways, Life’s Great… – which is also nominated for Album of the Year at these awards.
GloRilla and Cardi B’s nomination for Best Collab at the 2023 BET Awards comes as no surprise. The highly anticipated collaboration arrived shortly after Cardi’s co-sign of GloRilla’s original single, “Tomorrow,” which landed on CMG’s Gangsta Art. Cardi brings just as much energy as GloRilla for a show-stopping anthem.
Some songs truly feel inescapable. Such is the case with this nomination for Best Collab at the 2023 BET Awards. Future and Drake delivered one of the biggest hits of 2022 with “WAIT FOR YOU.” The Toxic King and the self-proclaimed Certified Lover Boy flipped a sample from Tems’ “Higher” for one of their most successful collaborations to date. Plus, the song’s music video was also the center of discussion amongst listeners because of how surprising it was. The video finds Drake and Future in a medieval setting complete with swords and armor – and yes, they’re wearing them. It’s only right that one of the biggest songs of the year has a video with a budget that matched its size.
The nominations for Best Male Hip Hop Artist at the 2023 BET Awards have been announced. There are seven nominees this year, and naturally, they are all chart-topping sensations. Drake and Kendrick Lamar are shoo-in nominees but artists like Lil Baby and Jack Harlow are in the mix, too, after phenomenal runs in 2022. All the artists have had their music widely discussed in the past year. Plus, they all have something going on outside of the music, proving that their endeavors and passions extend past the booth. Listeners can tune in Sunday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET to see who wins the BET Award for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
21 Savage
21 Savage is a Male BET Hip Hop Award nominee whose career continues to ascend. In the past year, he’s been a part of some of the biggest rap albums. Such efforts include his joint project with Drake, Her Loss to his stand-out contributions to Metro Boomin’s Heroes & Villains. Her Loss featured 21 delivering a “timestamp song” — a signature offering in Drake’s career. Plus, he appeared as the only feature on Honestly, Nevermind (“Jimmy Cooks”).” In addition to his monstrous commercial success, 21 also delivered some stellar features on Metro’s soundtrack for Across The Spider-Verse and “Peaches & Eggplants” from Young Nudy’s Gumbo. 21 closed out the year on a high note after linking up with Hit-Boy and Nas on “One Mic, One Gun,” an offering that put an end to his short-lived “feud” with Nas.
Drake’s nomination for Best Male Hip Hop Artist comes as no surprise. In fact, it would have been a shock if he wasn’t nominated. Drake has basically been nominated every year no matter how much music he has recently put out. Although he only released one song this year with “Search & Rescue,” he’s coming off of a prolific run in 2022 that included the release of two albums: Her Loss and Honestly, Nevermind, which may find its way back into people’s rotation as the summer parties begin. As of late, he appeared with J Hus on “Who Told You” for a potential summer anthem.
Future’s nomination in the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist category at the 2023 BET Awards comes after another dominating year. The success of his collaboration with Drake and Tems on “WAIT FOR U” officially reached triple-platinum status. This single came from Future’s 2022 album, I NEVER LIKED YOU, which marked his triumphant return after a brief hiatus. However, his presence remained prominent throughout the year with stand-out features on Gunna’s DS4, Metro Boomin’s Heroes & Villains, and the recent Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse soundtrack. As of late, he appeared on the soundtrack for The Idol alongside The Weeknd, who also co-created and stars in the show. Additionally, he teased a new project with Metro Boomin. It’s safe to say that his unmistakable voice can be heard all over recent tracks all over the rap world.
J. Cole is a BET Best Male Hip-Hop Artist Nominee who has hinted at possibly making his way out of the rap game. He still has a few albums due out before he formally retires and he’s certainly making the most out of his time. His spree of features in the past year alone has shocked many of his fans. Cole has not only proved his versatility but also his genuine interest in artists outside of his lane. His feature on Lil Durk’s “All My Life” became widely celebrated upon its release. Just months prior, he teamed up with j-hope of BTS for “on the street.” Plus, he came through alongside Dreamville for the Creed III soundtrack and had a hell of a feature run in 2022 with appearances on Benny The Butcher’s “Johnny P’s Caddy,” and Bia’s “London.”
Jack Harlow is one of the youngest artists to be nominated for a BET Award 2023 for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. He also stands out because he’s the only nominee in the category to release an album in 2023 with Jackman. The project is one of his most personal to date and also showcases his ear for production. Although it didn’t top the charts like his 2022 album, Harlow remains one of the most popular rappers in the game today. He secured a Drake feature with his song “Churchill Downs” and his hit “First Class” became one of the biggest songs of 2022. He also appeared on DJ Drama’s 2023 album I’M REALLY LIKE THAT and stars in the White Men Can’t Jump remake.
Kendrick Lamar’s BET Award 2023 Best Male Hip-Hop Artist nomination comes during a victory lap of sorts for his career. His most recent album, Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers was his last one on Top Dawg Entertainment, the label that launched his career. Still, it appears that he might have more music in store. He appeared on Beyoncé’s “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM (Remix)” and recently dropped “The Hillbillies” with frequent collaborator (and cousin) Baby Keem. The track finds Kendrick doing something he deserves to do at this point in his career: having fun. After a five-year hiatus, Kendrick Lamar’s return to the fold certainly didn’t disappoint fans. He’s undoubtedly a strong contender in the Best Male Hip-Hop Artist category.
Lil Baby is a 2023 BET Award Best Male Artist nominee who many saw rise to fame in real-time. He’s put in the work to get where he is today. He’s dropped one single this year but he’s unveiled a string of excellent guest appearances, including his verse on DJ Khaled’s “STAYING ALIVE” with Drake. His latest accomplishment has been joining Tears for Fears to create the Budweiser Anthem of the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Beyond that, his star-profile continues to increase with endorsement deals with brands like AXE. Lil Baby’s success is a testament to the years of labor he’s put in over the years. He’s shown what the power of commitment and perseverance can result in the long run.
The BET Awards air on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Lil Durk recently took to social media to give praise to women in the industry. He wrote on his Instagram Story yesterday, “Make hip hop fun again.” The rapper went on to say, “We understand everybody got money but let’s f*ck em up like we was doing s/o the females who been working salute keep going up.”
Women have been eating up the game lately, and most are quick to stand behind fellow women in hip hop. Just today, 22-year-old NYC artist Scar Lip received praise from rap star Cardi B. Cardi gave her own shoutout, telling her followers that she “really [wants] her to make it.” She went on to tease a potential collaboration with the newcomer, who’s also worked alongside Snoop Dogg. Latto also revealed earlier this year that she doesn’t charge other female artists for features. “I utilize my power in uplifting others on my way up,” she told Billboard. Yesterday, it was also revealed that female MC GloRilla is nominated for six BET Awards this year. She’s nominated for Album Of The Year, as well as Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Best New Artist, and more.
Lil Durk has been very vocal on social media as of late. Earlier this week, he hopped on Instagram again to share some unconfirmed plans with followers. “I want to hold the biggest prayer in Chicago for Muslims that bring everybody together soon as pride to the side,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. He went on to claim he wants to squash “petty beef,” saying, “Then after get problems off my chest help the petty beef go away private location.”
Just yesterday, Lil Durk also suggested a potential collaboration between him and country singer Morgan Wallen. “Me and Morgan should do a album together,” he wrote on Instagram, “[First] to do it.” He went on to say, “Everything we do we win might as well do a country album.” Durk and Wallen previously collaborated on the Almost Healed track “Stand By Me.”
Fitting Beyonce into one particular genre is a difficult task. However, the megastar’s roots in R&B and by extension, Hip Hop, remain prominent in her catalog. Although not shy of spitting bars when the time calls for it, she doesn’t hesitate to call on hip-hop’s luminaries for some assistance. Of course, her husband Jay-Z remains one of her most frequent collaborators, having joined forces as The Carters for 2018’s Everything Is Love. Nonetheless, Beyonce has enlisted several Hip Hop stars for some timeless collaborations over the years.
Besides her chart-topping hits as a lead artist, Beyonce has been a featured artist on numerous songs. She has lent her vocals to songs by many notable stars, from singers Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige to rappers Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, and Missy Elliot, among others. Most recently, she linked up with Kendrick Lamar for the official remix of “America Has A Problem.” Notwithstanding, Beyonce’s best collabs shine when she’s in the lead spot, and these are the best of the bunch.
11. “Mine” Feat. Drake (2013)
Beyoncé and Drake developed a very successful working relationship over the years. The pair collaborated on the song “Mine” off Beyoncé’s eponymous fifth album. The smooth track features both artists singing in unison about reaffirming love in the midst of doubt, before Drake tops it off with a rap-sung verse. “Mine” packs several genre elements into its runtime, from the elements of Afrobeats in the catchy refrain to the subtle trap references. Upon its release, “Mine” became one of the immediate standouts from the album.
Before the remix of “Flawless,” Nicki Minaj had recorded unofficial verses to Beyoncé’s songs in the past, such as her “Single Ladies” remix. This led to many fans clamoring for the pair to officially collaborate. Beyoncé and Nicki would later team up for the remix of the confident “I woke up like this” anthem. Minaj also delivered a magnificent verse, and the song was praised by fans of both artists respectively.
9. “Ego (Remix)” feat. Kanye West
“Ego” is a sultry, risqué number packed with several innuendos. On the track, Beyoncé sings proudly about her strong and confident man. For the remix, Beyoncé personally handpicked Kanye West for this classic Hip Hop collab. The singer stated that she chose West because he’s the embodiment of the word. Thanks to Kanye’s cocky lines and undeniable swag, the song became greatly elevated.
By the release of the album The Lion King: The Gift, Beyoncé had already been hailed as a certified queen. Regardless of this fact, she decided to reiterate her successes once again on “Mood 4 Eva.” Beyoncé tapped her husband Jay-Z for this bold and cocky tune, and in true fashion, he delivered his signature braggadocio. With lines like, “y’all make me chuckle, stay in your struggle,” Beyoncé let the haters know she was privy to their talks but continues to elevate despite them. Also featured on the slick, tropical tune is Childish Gambino, who provides a soft, yet groovy bridge.
7. “America Has A Problem (Remix)” Feat. Kendrick Lamar
On a surface level, the title “America Has A Problem” bred anticipation of a political anthem that would sit alongside the likes of “Freedom” and “Formation”. However, Beyoncé shocked her fans by releasing a song about how her sex appeal is, in fact, the problem. On the remix, Kendrick Lamar joins Bey to spit fire on the heavy-hitting beat. It might not be their best release as a duo, but “America Has A Problem” packs enough heat to stay memorable.
In 2013, Beyoncé had everyone, young and old, singing about drinking watermelon. “Drunk In Love” is one of Beyoncé and Jay’s most iconic Hip Hop collabs as a duo. The couple flowed effortlessly over a thumping beat, singing and rapping about their raunchy love-making sessions. “Drunk in Love” further proved to be a cultural reset, taking radio stations by storm. Unofficially dubbed the sequel to “Crazy in Love,” the single is also a testament to their thriving chemistry as a couple and collaborators an entire decade after their first collab.
“Party” ranks pretty high among Beyoncé’s most radio-friendly singles. The song has become a cookout staple among many African American households. Over a groovy, futuristic beat, Beyoncé sings about having a good time with her lover. Depending on whether you opt for the album version or music video, you’ll be treated to a spunky rap verse from either Andre 3000 or J. Cole. Regardless, expect to start and end the song with none other than Kanye West’s voice. His witty phrase “drippin swagu” quickly became a hit and has been repeated by many listeners over the years.
A song beginning with Jay-Z telling Beyoncé to talk her shit is expected to cause some raucous. With “Upgrade U”, Beyoncé let Jay know that his life would be incomplete with her. Unsurprisingly, “Upgrade U” is also one of the most popular songs from her sophomore album B’Day. While she sang about being a supportive woman, she made it clear that she’s his equal, and is always gonna split the bill. “Upgrade U” is, at its core, a woman telling her man that she’s the best way to transform his life into one of power and luxury. Furthermore, the song’s music video is also a fan favorite, and features Beyoncé dressed as both herself and Jay-Z, indicating that she’s capable of wearing the pants.
Occasionally, Beyoncé has dabbled in the world of film. In 2006, she appeared in the spy comedy The Pink Panther, led by a hilarious turn from Steve Martin. For the movie, she recorded the chart-topping single “Check On It”, which featured Slim Thug and Bun B. “Check On It” is a fun and sexy number showing off the singer’s ability to tease her man with her looks and dance moves. Slim Thug and Bun B provide a brilliant contrast to the song’s playful nature, with some pumped-up rap lines.
The first of many Hip Hop collaborations between Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar is still the most powerful. “Freedom” follows Beyoncé challenging the powers that be and encouraging Black women to break free from society’s chokehold. “Freedom” is a charged-up anthem with both gospel and protest music influences that tackles the problems of many Black women. As expected, Kendrick Lamar delivers a stirring verse about institutionalized racism, police brutality, and other important struggles that many Black communities in America face.
1. “Crazy in Love” Feat. Jay-Z
Beyoncé and Jay-Z are one of the most powerful couples on the planet. Back in 2003, it was impossible to fathom the future extent of their legacies. However, “Crazy in Love” succeeded in signaling the rise of a magnanimous partnership. Heralded as Beyoncé’s signature song, “Crazy in Love” is also one of the most acclaimed Hip Hop collabs of all time. The song that unleashed the singer to superstardom proved a game changer. Backed by a stellar rap verse by Jay-Z, “Crazy in Love” marked a defining moment in both artists’ careers. With a white tank top and shorts, Beyoncé kicked off her solo career. Twenty years later, the pair continue to perform the song religiously.
