Hip Hop

2023 BET Awards: Best Male Hip Hop Artist Nominees

by

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.

Read More: 2023 BET Awards: Best Movie Nominees

Drake

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.

Read More: 2023 BET Awards: Album Of The Year Nominees

Future

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.

Read More: 2023 BET Awards: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist Nominees

J. Cole

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.”

Read More: 2023 BET Awards: Best New Artist Nominees

Jack Harlow

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.

Read More: 2023 BET Awards: A Look Into Nominees For Best Actor

Kendrick Lamar

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.

Read More: 2023 BET Awards: Check Out The Viewer’s Choice Nominees

Lil Baby

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.

[via]

The post 2023 BET Awards: Best Male Hip Hop Artist Nominees appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Lil Durk Gives Women In Hip Hop A Shoutout

by

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.

Read More: Ja Rule Credits Nicki Minaj With Opening Door For New Generation Of Female Rappers

Lil Durk Tells Women In The Game To “Keep Going Up”

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.”

Read More: Lil Durk Pays Tribute To Late Brother OTF DThang On Second Anniversary Of His Death

[Via]

The post Lil Durk Gives Women In Hip Hop A Shoutout appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

11 Of Beyonce’s Best Hip Hop Collabs

by

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.

Read More: Jay-Z & Beyoncé: Top 5 Collabs

10. “Flawless (Remix)” Feat. Nicki Minaj

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.

Read More: Beyoncé “Renaissance” Album Review

8. “Mood 4 Eva” Feat. Jay-Z And Childish Gambino

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.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Performs Bare-Bones Set In front Of Jay-Z & Beyoncé

6. “Drunk In Love” Feat. Jay-Z

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.  

5. “Party” Feat. Kanye West, Andre 3000 & J. Cole

“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. 

Read More: “Carmen: A Hip Hopera” Turns 22: A Look Back

4. “Upgrade U” Feat. Jay-Z

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. 

3. “Check On It” Feat. Slim Thug And Bun B

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. 

Read More: Beyoncé Breaks All-Time Grammy Record

2. “Freedom” Feat. Kendrick Lamar

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. 

[via]

The post 11 Of Beyonce’s Best Hip Hop Collabs appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Spotify’s RapCaviar Releases List Of The 50 Best Hip-Hop Beats

by

After a few other controversial hip-hop lists dropped this year, yet another debatable list is here for fans to discuss in celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. Moreover, Spotify’s RapCaviar just unveiled its list of the 50 greatest beats of all time in the genre. While it does lean towards more classic fare from the 1980s, 1990s, and the 2000s, there are still some modern names that made the cut. As such, at first glance, the list seems quite fair to all eras and genres. Even though it probably missed the mark in a few areas for many out there, isn’t that conversation what makes a great list?

Regardless, here are the top ten beats of all time according to Spotify’s RapCaviar, from number ten to number one. First up are “Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott, “SICKO MODE” by Travis Scott, and “Still Trippin’” by Mike Jones. Furthermore, spots seven through five are held by “It’s All About The Benjamins (Remix)” by Puff Daddy & The Family, “POWER” by Kanye West, and “A Milli” by Lil Wayne. Following that are “Who Shot Ya?” by Biggie Smalls, “Grindin’” by Clipse, and “Shook Ones, Pt. II” by Mobb Deep.

Read More: Nicki Minaj, Eminem & More Included In Billboard’s Top 10 Rappers Of All Time

Spotify & RapCaviar’s List Of Hip-Hop’s Best Beats Of All Time

Finally, the greatest hip-hop beat of all time (according to Spotify’s RapCaviar) is “Still D.R.E.” by Dr. Dre. What’s more is that the legendary producer also got the top spot on Rolling Stone‘s list of the best West Coast rap songs. In both cases, it’s quite understandable, although Rolling Stone picked “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang” over “Still D.R.E.” That key line alone is one of the most iconic melodies and intros in the whole genre, but we’re sure that you have a better number one pick in the comments.

Meanwhile, other names included in this list are Kendrick Lamar, Wu-Tang Clan, Future, Shawty Lo, Chief Keef, and many more. Some of the standout beats that missed out on the top ten are “Paid In Full” by Eric B. and Rakim, “Cell Therapy” by Goodie Mob, and “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” by DMX. You can check out the full list by Spotify’s RapCaviar in the tweet above or in the via link below. After you take a peep, let us know in the comments what beats deserve higher placement or missed out altogether. As always, keep checking in with HNHH for the latest news, updates, and conversations in hip-hop culture.

Read More: The Best Dr. Dre Beats He’s Produced

[via]

Jermaine Dupri Calls Out Hip-Hop Media Over Lack Of Coverage Of His 14-Year-Old Artist Young Dylan

by

Since the early 90s music Pioneer, Jermaine Dupri has been passionate about discovering young talent. He has signed a plethora of young artists such as Kris Kross, Da Brat, Bow Wow, and Xscape to name a few. In 2016, his former Tv show The Rap Game aired. The show’s mission was to find young talent to sign to his So So Def label. The show is responsible for bringing Latto to the public eye. Recently, Jermaine Dupri has begun to question the lack of coverage of his latest young artist, Young Dylan.

In an interview with HipHopDX done at the Lovers & Friends festival on Saturday, Jermaine took note of how his artist, Young Dylan, had not been receiving adequate media coverage. “I’m the young man game giver. But everybody keeps saying it’s a young man’s game. So if it’s a young man’s game then why hasn’t —  you know, if it is and all these different sites claim – like AllHipHop, they claim it’s all Hip Hop. But they ain’t posted a Dylan record. The Source is supposed to be the source of Hip Hop. They ain’t talked about the Dylan project,” he said in curiosity.

Jermaine Dupri’s Interview

Moreover, Young Dylan has gained a young fanbase. Dylan was a contestant in America’s Got Talent at the age of 10. The now 14-year-old rapper is the star of the Nickelodeon show Young Dylan. The show is written by film director, Tyler Perry. The child-friendly show is based on Young Dylan being an aspiring rapper while maintaining a strong family-focused aspect. Its first episode aired in 2020 and was renewed on Nickelodeon for a fourth season. In the interview, Jermaine also touched on if there is still a focus on young talent in Hip-Hop. “But at the same time, it’s a young artist trying to rap in the rap game and these outlets claim they cover all Hip Hop; so I’m like, ‘Is rappers that start at 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 years old – is that not considered real rap in the rap world?’ That’s just my question,” He said.

Furthermore, Jermaine has remained consistent in trying to put the spotlight on younger artists. His work as the founder of So So Def is an extensive resume of expertise within itself. Next up, Jermaine is set to be participating in a Verzuz match vs Diddy in September.

DC The Don Continues His Drop Spree With New Album “Funeral”

by

If you are a fan of multiple sounds from one artist maybe you have heard of DC The Don. Perhaps his half-red half black hairstyle and 6″7 tall frames catch your eye. The Wisconsin rap artist has released a new album called Funeral. Earlier this year, he rereleased a project called Sacred Heart (+) to all platforms. This project was only exclusive to SoundCloud prior to its rerelease. In contrast, DC The Don delivers a brand new melodic project will all new songs. He initially teased the project’s release earlier this year with the single “Hate Being Lonely.” The single’s melodic feel is the perfect entry to his artistry. He also released a music video for the song.

DC The Don’s catchy approach carries on to Funeral. Although he is still emerging from the underground, his ability to experiment with different sounds catches fans in a whirlwind. His genre-bending style can be divided into the categories of Hip- Hop, Pop, and Rock. The second single from Funeral called “12AM” further depict’s his melodic approach. Additionally, the song is accompanied by a music video.

DC The Don’s Melodic New Album “Funeral”

DC demands the ears of listeners as his project contains 16 songs. Immediately, the album’s title track is listed as the first song. The album cover includes his head emerging from the soil. This seemingly symbolizes the funeral concept perfectly. Last Month, he uploaded a Tik Tok showing the creation hand. Despite its length, the album is only 44 minutes long. Each track blends into each other seamlessly. This project also has no features. DC stands alone with the delivery of this project. The 23-year-old ‘s underground following continues to push his name into virality as his videos have high numbers on Tik Tok.

DC has put out enough music this year for anyone to become acquainted with his artistry. Have you heard his latest album Funeral? Let us know what you think about the project in the comments down below.

Tracklist

  1. FUNERAL
  2. LUV
  3. Story of MY life
  4. Hate The New You
  5. URGENT!
  6. Shawty
  7. Hate Being Lonely
  8. Bankrupt:/
  9. 12AM
  10. Friends..
  11. Working on Dying
  12. Used 2 Be/Me
  13. You Forgot Abt Me
  14. Going Stuck
  15. Fight of Flight 🙁
  16. institution