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Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj’s 7 Biggest Collabs (Thus Far)

October 30, 2023 by newhiphopnews

When it comes to collaborating, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj rarely miss. The two have dominated the industry ever since Wayne signed Minaj to Young Money back in 2009. For over a decade, Wayne and Nicki have only strengthened their working relationship and chemistry on wax. They remain as tight as ever and continue to publicly admire each other’s accomplishments. Most recently, Nicki Minaj recently delayed the release of her next release, Pink Friday 2 partially out of respect for her mentor and Young Money boss’s upcoming album with 2 Chainz, Welcome 2 Collegrove.

Over the years, the two have accumulated a number of multi-platinum and chart-topping hits, ranging from their individual discographies to label compilations and their many iconic features. Today, we will be looking back at Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj’s seven biggest collaborations to date. Ranked by chart positions and gold and platinum certifications, take a look at the list below.

7. “Truffle Butter” (2014)

This bonus track from The Pinkprint sees the union of the Young Money holy trinity: Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Drake. Over a glamorous beat from Nineteen85, the three each display their unique styles, starting their verses with “thinking out loud.” Drake plays it cool, Nicki flexes her impressive résumé, and Wayne is as goofy as ever. Out of their many collaborations, “Truffle Butter” is the best demonstration of their lyrical skills. The song peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is currently certified gold in the UK.

6. “Tapout” (2013)

The lead single from Cash Money’s Rich Gang album, “Tapout” saw Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Future, and Mack Maine join the Birdman-led track. The song had all the right characteristics for a hit record, including a hook from Future, as well as standout verses from Wayne and Nicki. While Wayne’s relationship with Birdman would eventually sour during the following year, “Tapout” and the Rich Gang era can be remembered as an all-star collaboration. The song is currently certified gold.

5. “Take It To The Head” (2012)

“Take It To the Head” arrived at a time when a DJ Khaled song with any combination of Young Money members was a guaranteed hit. The collaboration between Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, along with Rick Ross and Chris Brown marked yet another banger for the hitmaker. The unforgettable chorus from Chris and a slick verse from Ross set up Wayne and Nicki to take over with standout contributions. Minaj is commanding while Wayne keeps things humorous. The gold single peaked at No. 6 on both the Hot Rap Songs and the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs charts.

4. “Knockout” (2010)

One of Wayne and Nicki’s earliest collaborations, “Knockout” comes from Lil Wayne’s rock-centric album, Rebirth. Much like the rest of the album, the track sees Wayne crooning an auto-tune-soaked melody over a pop-punk instrumental. “Hey barbie,” he sings to Nicki, who sings the song’s chorus. She also raps in her verse, emulating the pop-rock stars of the 2000s. “Knockout” was Nicki Minaj’s very first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 44. It was certified platinum in 2020.

3. “High School” (2012)

“High School” is Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj’s most popular collaboration that solely features the two of them. Over cinematic production from Boi-1da and T-Minus, Nicki continues the narrative that started with her song, “Hood Story,” along with an extremely catchy chorus. In his verse, Lil Wayne provides his signature amusing punchlines. “High School” peaked at No. 64 on the Billboard Hot 100, but performed well in other countries as well, including The UK, Ireland, and Australia. It was certified 2x platinum in 2022.

2. “Only” (2014)

In addition to “Truffle Butter,” Nicki Minaj recruited Lil Wayne and Drake for The Pinkprint on “Only.” The hit single consists of a simplistic yet ominous beat, over which Nicki refutes claims that she slept with Wayne or Drake. The two also debunk those rumors, although playfully flirt with Minaj. Additionally, Chris Brown contributed a catchy chorus for the hit single, which now sits at 3x platinum status. “Only” peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

1. “BedRock” (2009)

It would be impossible to discuss Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj’s biggest collaborations without mentioning Young Money. The label’s biggest single, “BedRock,” featured not just Wayne and Nicki, but other members of the collective, including Drake, Tyga, Jae Millz, and more. The song served as an introduction to the up-and-coming members of the label but resulted in a massive hit single. In addition to Wayne and his signees, Lloyd also contributes a tongue-in-cheek chorus that references The Flintstones. While not necessarily a Lil Wayne or Nicki Minaj song, “BedRock” stands as their biggest collaboration as it is 7x platinum in the U.S. and platinum in the UK. It peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100. It gave fans a glimpse of what was to come from Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj’s collaborative relationship.

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7 No. 1 Rap Songs From 2016

September 11, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Although 2016 seems so long ago, that year consisted of memorable rap moments and hit singles. That particular year still holds significance to music listeners as they feel nostalgic towards its prolific releases. Multiple publications have penned articles about why 2016 was one of the best and biggest years for music, citing many monumental hip-hop songs and albums. In fact, British comedian James Acaster once published a book that argued 2016 was the best year for music ever.

Beyond the significant albums that were released that year, from Drake’s Views to Chance The Rapper’s Coloring Book, 2016 was a year full of major rap hits. Looking back at the memorable year from the past decade, here are seven No. 1 rap songs from 2016. Each of these songs reached No. 1 on a Billboard chart, including the Hot 100, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Hot Rap Songs charts. Take a look at the tracks below.

Read More: 7 No. 1 Rap Songs From 2010

7. Drake – “Summer Sixteen”

Like many previous and subsequent years, Drake dominated the charts in 2016. His album, Views, had the highest first-week consumption out of any hip-hop album released that year. However, Drake’s biggest No. 1 songs of 2016 did not feature rapping. His biggest hits that year included the dancehall and afro-fusion chart-topper “One Dance,” as well as “Hotline Bling.” Additionally, both of his collaborations with Rihanna, “Work” and “Too Good” also reached No. 1 on the charts that year. Out of his No. 1 2016 hits, Drake’s only rap song to top the charts was “Summer Sixteen.” The single served as a victory lap following his beef with Meek Mill in 2015 and led to his tour with Future of the same name. “Summer Sixteen” also simultaneously reached No. 1 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts.

Read More: 7 No. 1 Rap Songs From 2011

6. Chance The Rapper – “No Problem” Ft. Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz

Chance The Rapper had achieved a massive amount of success as an independent artist but took things to a new level with his Grammy-award-winning mixtape, Coloring Book. Following his show-stopping verse on Kanye West’s “Ultralight Beam,” Chance continued to wave the flag for independence, shunning record labels on the song’s chorus. He exclaims, “If one more label try to stop me / It’s gon’ be some dreadhead n****s in your lobby.” Fresh off their ColleGrove collaboration, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz contributed guest features. Wayne’s verse particularly aligned with the song’s message as he was engulfed in label drama at the time, preventing Tha Carter V from being released. “No Problem” reached No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for two consecutive weeks and won a Grammy award for Best Rap Performance.

Read More: 7 No. 1 Rap Songs From 2012

5. Tory Lanez – “Say It”

While Tory Lanez is currently in very different circumstances than he was seven years ago, 2016 was undeniably his breakout year. His debut single, “Say It” was quite successful as it was also his first song to peak at No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for four weeks and also sat atop the US Rhythmic chart. The song was released in 2015 but was the lead single from his 2016 debut album, I Told You. “Say It” remains the biggest hit of Tory Lanez’s rap career and is currently 3x platinum.

Read More: 7 No. 1 Rap Songs From 2013

4. Rae Sremmurd Ft. Gucci Mane – “Black Beatles”

“Black Beatles” is one of Rae Sremmurd’s biggest hits to date. The SremmLife 2 single featuring Gucci Mane conquered social media in 2016 as it became the soundtrack to the viral “Mannequin Challenge” trend. The song was a major moment for Gucci Mane, who had been released from prison earlier in the year and continued a prolific run of guest features. Not only did it top the Billboard Hot 100, marking both Rae Sremmurd and Gucci Mane’s first chart-topping single, “Black Beatles” sat at No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Rap Songs, and the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts for the last six weeks of 2016.

Read More: Rae Sremmurd’s Biggest Hits

3. G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha – “Me, Myself & I”

By 2016, G-Eazy had been on a run of releasing nonstop hits. He had just released his fourth album When It’s Dark Out, which remains his biggest album to date. While the album and its lead single, “Me, Myself & I” were both released in 2015, the hit single sat atop the rap charts during the first quarter of 2016. A collaboration with Bebe Rexha, “Me, Myself & I” is still one of the biggest hits of both of their careers. The song held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Rap Songs chart for nine weeks.

2. DRAM Ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli”

DRAM had released his breakthrough single in 2015 with “Cha Cha” but “Broccoli” marked a new phase in his career. The 2016 hit became the lead single for his debut album, Big Baby DRAM. It is now the biggest song of his career, achieving 7x platinum status in 2018. Also on “Broccoli” is Lil Yachty, who was in the middle of his breakout moment with the release of his debut mixtape. A feel-good pop song with a light-hearted instrumental and bubbly chorus, the song became a massive crossover hit for both artists through its production and Lil Yachty’s auto-tuned verse. While it reached No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts, “Broccoli” remained in the top spot on the Rap Songs chart for nine consecutive weeks. It was also nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2017 Grammys.

Read More: 10 Essential D.R.A.M. Tracks

1. Desiigner – “Panda”

The success of “Panda” in 2016 was undeniable. One of the best-charting rap songs of 2016, Desiigner’s debut single was an immediate hit. The track had the ultimate cosign from his GOOD Music boss Kanye West as it was prominently sampled on “Pt. 2” from The Life of Pablo. “Panda” introduced the world to Desiigner’s choppy flow and animated ad-libs that landed him a spot on the 2016 XXL Freshman Class, as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance. The hit record sat atop the Rap Chart for a whopping 15 consecutive weeks, not to mention its No. 1 positions on other charts for multiple weeks as well. Like each of these tracks, “Panda” was one of the No. 1 rap songs that helped define 2016 as a memorable year.

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Erykah Badu’s 7 Biggest Hits

August 21, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Erykah Badu’s influence on modern music and culture is very evident in the current landscape of R&B music. A pioneer of the neo-soul movement, she is known for her distinct singing voice and eccentric style. Badu’s contributions to music in the late 1990s and 2000s have cemented her legacy as one of the most distinguished R&B singers. Her catalog of music is almost flawless, which HotNewHipHop recently highlighted in a ranking of her five studio albums. Badu has plenty of hits in her consistent discography, which fans celebrated as they flocked to attend her recent arena tour of North America. Below, we’ve ranked Erykah Badu’s 7 biggest hit songs. Take a look at the list below.

7. “Didn’t Cha Know?” (2000)

“Didn’t Cha Know?” is one of the most celebrated tracks in Erykah Badu’s catalog. The J Dilla-produced instrumental compliments her calming voice with its soothing sample of Tarika Blue’s “Dreamflower.” “Didn’t Cha Know?” is arguably one of the best songs in 2000’s Mama’s Gun, embodying the artistic chemistry between Badu and Dilla before his passing in 2006. The song peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart and has been sampled and referenced by hip-hop artists like J. Cole, Logic, and Smoke DZA. “Didn’t Cha Know?” was also nominated for Best R&B Song at the 2002 Grammy Awards.

6. “Otherside Of The Game” (1997)

This cut from Erykah Badu’s 1997 debut album Baduizm is a slow and soulful ballad that incorporates elements of jazz. Produced by The Roots and Richard Nichols, “Otherside Of The Game” sees Badu playing the role of a woman expecting a baby with a man engaged in illegal activities. She explores her moral conflicts, thinking about her child’s future and the possible outcomes of her lifestyle. The six-minute long track peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart while placing at No. 14 on their R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart.

5. “Next Lifetime” (1997)

Much like “Otherside Of The Game,” “Next Lifetime” is a 6-minute ballad from Baduizm. The song sees Erykah Badu in a relationship while she expresses feelings for another man, torn between two love interests. She makes her decision, telling the other man that she will see him in the next lifetime. The song reached No. 1 positions on both Billboard’s Adult R&B chart and their R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart. It also charted in the UK, New Zealand, and The Netherlands.

4. “Bag Lady” (2000)

The lead single from Mama’s Gun, “Bag Lady” puts Erykah Badu’s songwriting skills on full display. She sings about the emotional baggage that one carries with them in a relationship. Badu croons about dragging bags around in a literal sense while referring to the baggage that weighs one down. She encourages the bag lady to “pack light” and to let go of her worries and emotional traumas.

The single secured a No. 1 spot atop the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart while peaking at No. 2 on the Airplay and Adult R&B charts. “Bag Lady” also peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The “Cheeba Sac Radio Edit” of the song reworked Badu’s vocals over Dr. Dre’s “Xxplosive,” giving the song a hip-hop edge. In 2001, “Bag Lady” received two Grammy nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.

3. “Tyrone” (1997)

While the majority of Erykah Badu’s biggest hit songs come from her first two critically acclaimed albums, one of her biggest hits is from a live recording. Erykah Badu completely improvised “Tyrone” during a performance in 1997, but now, people regard it as one of her most iconic songs. It is both quirky and soulful as she playfully sings with the help of her band and background singers. It may be a live performance, but “Tyrone” performed well on the charts, achieving No. 1 status on the Airplay and Adult R&B charts.

2. “Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)” Ft. Common (2002)

One of Erykah Badu’s biggest hits comes from her third album, 2003’s Worldwide Underground. “Love of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)” was the second collaboration between Badu and Common and continues the theme of referring to hip hop as a love interest, which the latter had done on previous occasions. Common first likened his love for hip hop to that of a woman on his song “I Used To Love H.E.R.” and his verse on The Roots’ “Act Too (Love of My Life).” Produced by Raphael Saadiq, “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)” was quite successful, landing the No. 1 spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, #4 on Adult R&B Songs chart, as well as No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and the Soul Train Lady Of Soul Award.

1. “On & On” (1996)

Erykah Badu’s debut single remains her biggest hit to date and her only song to ever receive a gold certification, as well as a silver plaque in the UK. “On & On” showcases Erykah Badu’s unique artistry with the way she floats over the instrumental’s calming groove. A seminal song for the neo-soul movement of the 1990s, “On & On” saw a great amount of commercial success upon its release. The song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as securing No. 1 spots on the R&B charts. It also performed well in international markets. Erykah Badu won her first Grammy Award for “On & On” in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category. It is also one of her most influential songs as it has been sampled numerous times by artists like Mac Miller, The Game, and Mos Def.

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