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Na-Kel Smith Delivers A Gruff Performance Of ‘Prayer’ For ‘UPROXX Sessions’

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Na-Kel Smith may be best known outside hip-hop for his role in Jonah Hill’s 2018 directorial debut Mid90s, but those in the know will recognize him as an accomplished rapper who was closely associated with Tyler The Creator and his Odd Future crew in the early 2010s. Since then, he’s self-released four albums under his A Dream No Longer Deferred Records imprint, making occasional guest appearances throughout the years on projects from underground rap peers like Pink Siifu, Zelooperz, Eyedress, and most notably, Earl Sweatshirt.

Today, he pops up on UPROXX Sessions to perform “Prayer” from his most recent album, Skullface Bonehead. Released in January this year, the project is an anti-establishment Quickstrike of eight tracks that clock in at just 14 minutes. Similar to his compatriot Earl Sweatshirt, he eschews conventional beats, opts for headier subject matter, and highlights displays of deft wordplay over catchy hooks. “Prayer” is a perfect example of these tendencies, as Na-Kel growls, “For the game, put in pain like you own it / You gon’ change even if you don’t wanna / Be it not for the worst, but the better / Never ride, but keep stacking your cheddar.”

Watch Na-Kel Smith’s gruff performance of “Prayer” above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

JID Thinks ‘Bigger Rap Artists’ Are ‘Scared’ To Collaborate With Him

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Anyone who has ever had to work on a team knows it can be hard to collaborate at work, especially with someone who has a difficult personality or where there’s a larger skill gap between collaborators. Now, you might think that people who make music for a living would have less trouble with this, but as Dreamville rapper JID recently pointed out on Twitter, it appears that they run into similar issues.

Earlier today, JID tweeted, then deleted, his thoughts in this respect, complaining that “none of my rap co-workers be tryna rap wit me dawg.” After noting the exceptions, since “only women and pop stars” have been calling to collaborate, he took a swing at explaining just why this is the case, positing, “I think y’all n****z is scared, I’m talking to bigger rap artists.”

It’s true that most of JID’s higher-profile collabs have come with artists outside the genre of hip-hop. Two of his biggest hits to date have been the Arcane theme song “Enemy” with Imagine Dragons and “Dope” with John Legend, whereas most of his rapper collaborations have come with his Dreamville labelmates, other members of Spillage Village, or close friends such as Denzel Curry and Mike Dimes.

There is one A-list exception though — emphasis on the “A” — with fellow Atlanta rapper 21 Savage on “Surround Sound,” but it does appear that JID has yet to rap alongside many non-J. Cole-signed lyricists. While it’s anyone’s guess whether they’re actually worried about being outrapped on a song (or being “renegaded” — named for Jay-Z’s 2001 collaboration with Eminem, on which many fans say Em rapped circles around his host), they shouldn’t worry too much about it. After all, JID’s presence could very well bring the sort of contemporary clout that can help keep a veteran rapper relevant, even if they do get smoked on their own song.

Kendrick Lamar Performs At Paris Fashion Week And Pays Tribute To Virgil Abloh: ‘Long Live Virgil’

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On the heels of his latest album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Kendrick Lamar is attending Paris Fashion Week. Today, Lamar performed at the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show. During his set, he paid tribute to the late Virgil Abloh, Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection’s artistic director.

Lamar performed several cuts from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, including “Savior,” during which, he chanted Abloh’s name. Additionally, he performed, “Rich Spirit,” “Count Me Out,” and”N95.” Before he performed “N95,” he shouted, “Long live Virgil.” Throughout the song, Lamar was wearing a crown of thorns and a large, draping suit.

Abloh, known for designing for artists like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, died in November of last year, following a two-year battle with cancer. Earlier this year, Lamar wore a piece from Abloh’s Fall/Winter 2022 collection during his performance at the Super Bowl.

During a visit to Accra, the capital of Ghana, Lamar also spoke with several children about Abloh while visiting Freedom Skatepark, the first skatepark in Ghana, which opened last December and honors the late designer.

“Virgil,” Lamar said. “What he means to them, you know, as far as letting them have this creative space for them to enjoy themselves. That’s special.”

Check out the performance above.

Logic Discusses The Harshness Of The Internet And Cyberbullying: ‘Dude, I Need A Break’

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Logic has been open about the topic of mental health — whether that be through his hit “1-800-273-8255” about suicide or his song “Therapy Music” with Russ. Now, on an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, he discussed the internet and cyberbullying.

He said:

“It’s difficult, man, to see people tell you they hope your family dies, and your baby’s ugly, and X, Y, Z, and you deal with that every time you look on the internet. I know, it’s messed up, man. Yeah, as human beings. It’s insane to know that a decade ago this isn’t how the internet was. It was actually a much more nicer place. You know what I mean? There were still trolls and stuff… but everything now, how people even discuss or talk about music, ‘Yeah, this was mid.’ What does that even mean?”

He added: “Have an opinion. You know what I mean? If somebody’s talking about an artist, ‘Yeah, this is mid. This is kind of ass.’ I’m like, ‘Is that how you talk to your mom?’ When your mom gives you breakfast, ‘Yeah, Mom…’ Who does that… So, I think for me, that’s something that I wanted to do. I wanted to step away from the negativity. Not like I’m trying to hide from it and this and that, but just like, ‘Dude, I need a break.’”

Listen to the full interview above.

Young Thug Receives RapCaviar’s ‘Coach Of The Year’ Award

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Despite being in detainment for RICO charges, rapper Young Thug is still receiving accolades. The latest is RapCaviar’s Coach Of The Year award. The Spotify hip-hop playlist is honoring Thug’s decade-plus-spanning career, his founding of YSL, and his knack for elevating younger generations of hip-hop artists.

“Young Thug is a musical icon,” RapCaviar wrote in an Instagram post. “He founded Young Stoner Life Records, helped jumpstart the careers of artists like Gunna and Lil Baby, and has mentored Atlanta rappers like Lil Keed and Lil Gotit. That’s why we’re naming him our 2022 #AllRapCaviar Coach of the Year.”

In addition to Thug’s award, RapCaviar also announced the finalists of their third annual All-RapCaviar team, which reflects the number of each artist’s streams on the platform within the last year. Among the first-team picks are Lil Durk, Kendrick Lamar, Gunna, Future, and Drake. On the second team are Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Lil Baby, Jack Harlow, and Kanye West. The third team is comprised of Nicki Minaj, Latto, Youngboy Never Broke Again, Kodak Black, and Pusha T.

Thug’s upcoming trial is scheduled to take place early next year.

Some of the artists mentioned are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Fans Are Mashing Up Azealia Banks Songs With Beyonce’s ‘Break My Soul’ And Azealia Banks Hates It

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2022 is rapidly shaping up to be the Summer Of Black Dance thanks to new releases from Drake and Beyonce that tapped into the sounds of early and contemporary house music. While Drake shocked the world with the release of his surprise album Honestly, Nevermind, Beyonce brought the energy with her motivational anthem “Break My Soul,” earning approval from house music pioneer Robin S. in the process. This has prompted an ongoing discussion about the role of Black Americans in the creation of house music and related forms and their place in the current subculture.

One of the ways this discussion has manifested itself is in renewed or increased attention to the works of artists in the space like Kaytranada, Leikeli47, Doechii, and Azealia Banks. Some enterprising fans have even taken to creating mashups of “Break My Soul” with songs by Azealia Banks — a time-honored tradition of the dance music scene.

Unfortunately for those fans, Azealia Banks herself is not having it. The outspoken, often controversial Harlem rapper has never been afraid to upset the apple cart or take aim at sacred cows, and despite no cow being more sacred than Beyonce, Banks risked the Beyhive’s ire to demand fans stop mixing the two artists’ music. “Please for the love of God, stop the ‘Break My Soul’ AB mashups,” she wrote in a post on her Instagram Story. “They are horrible.”

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For what it’s worth, the main mashup I was able to find online — which added AB’s verses from “F*ck Him All Night” to Beyonce’s new runaway hit — is highly competent and sounds pretty good, but let’s face it: Azealia Banks has always been a bit of a contrarian (he wrote with as much sarcasm as he could muster). Given that her ongoing and growing list of feuds includes Cardi B, Elon Musk, Kanye West, Megan Thee Stallion, and more, it doesn’t seem that Banks has any qualms about adding yet another fan-favorite media personality to that list.

Tekashi 69 Has An Unsurprising Reaction To Lil Tjay Getting Shot

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On Wednesday, June 22, it was reported that rising New York rapper Lil Tjay had to get surgery after being shot in an attempted robbery in Edgewater, New Jersey. Tjay was shot along with a second, as-yet-unidentified victim who was hit multiple times. The “Calling My Phone” rapper was coming off a string of collaborations including “24 Hrs” with Kaash Paige and “Bag Season” with French Montana, and was looking forwward to a “good summer” according to a post on his Twitter previewing new music. So far, three arrests have been made, while Tjay remains hospitalized but in stable condition.

Another New York rapper, whose career has been on an opposite trajectory of late, chimed in with an unsurprising reaction to the news. Tekashi 69, the troll-ish Brooklyn rapper who went from dominating the city’s brash street scene to being branded a snitch after testifying against some of his gangbanging cronies, responded in the comments of an Instagram post about the shooting with a pair of crying emojis — one laughing, one sobbing. While reprehensible, his response isn’t exactly a shock; 6ix9ine has always been known for mocking other rappers’ misfortunes, including taunting King Von’s friends after the Chicago rapper’s death and trolling Young Thug after his recent racketeering arrest — the same charges Tekashi himself narrowly dodged by testifying.

Considering Tekashi very recently begged for consideration regarding his impending bankruptcy, you’d think he would for once show a little empathy and humility. But that isn’t what got him the spotlight and it doesn’t seem he’s ever going to shake off that strategy — even if the only thing it’s earning him is socks to the noggin.

Producers Boi-1da And Cardo Defend Their Beat Prices Following Bobby Shmurda’s Viral Rant

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Rapper Bobby Shmurda has sparked a conversation around the cost of instrumental tracks. Earlier this week, the “Hot N****” rapper took to Instagram to express his frustration with music producers, who he feels are overcharging for beats.

“These producers is giving me the hardest time right now,” said Shmurda in a video. “I’ve never seen no sh*t like this before. I done made over half a million for the year, it can’t be that bad outside.”

Shmurda, who is in the middle of working on a new project, also admitted he feels annoyed by the process of clearing samples. In response to his rant, producer Boi-1da, who is largely known for his work with Drake, took to the comments of a post by 2Cool2Blog to explain why beats are so expensive.

“Designer beats cost designer bread,” said Boi-1da.

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Additionally, producer Cardo, who is known for his work with Drake, Travis Scott, and Baby Keem, took to Twitter to defend they high cost of beats.

“I’m just speaking up for the producer community… that’s all,” Cardo said. “No complaining of any sort … but y’all will not continue to try and step on [producers] over here. Cuz Im fasho with the bullsh*t. Just ask around.”

Rick Ross Wants To Buy Part Of The Philadelphia 76ers From Michael Rubin

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Philadelphia 76ers part owner Michael Rubin is looking to sell his share of the team and Rick Ross wants in. On Wednesday, June 22, Rubin announced his impending departure from the ownership group, citing the growing responsibilities of his ownership of the Fanatics brand. With Fanatics launching a sports-betting division in the near future (a conflict of interest for anyone working in sports, let alone owning a team), Rubin is choosing his burgeoning business over his fandom. He explained the decision in a statement that he also posted on Instagram.

It didn’t take long for the business-minded Rick Ross to chime in in the comments, writing “I’ll buy his 10% lol.” While the “lol” implies that he’s joking, a lot of truth is said in jest. It would certainly make sense for Ross to cop a portion of a sports team. He’s a fixture courtside at his hometown Miami Heat games, he often makes savvy business decisions, and he’s certainly been cutting costs across the board, so he might just have the capital to buy in — provided he can put together an investment group to cover the difference. With a reported net worth of $45 million, he’s got a ways to go to reach the reported value of Rubin’s share, which has certainly grown from when the owner purchased it for $290 million in 2011. Maybe Jay-Z or Meek Mill can help out.

The Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Suge Knight Ends In A Mistrial

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The wrongful death civil trial against Suge Knight for killing a man with his truck in 2015 has ended in a mistrial, according to Billboard via the Los Angeles Times. Jurors were split seven to five; anything other than a unanimous decision will result in a mistrial. The civil suit was brought against Knight by the surviving widow and two daughters of Terry Carter, a man Knight hit with his truck on the set of Straight Outta Compton.

Knight, who pled no contest to the criminal charge of voluntary manslaughter — keeping that conviction from being used against him in the civil case — is currently serving a 28-year sentence. The onetime rap recording mogul says he ran over Carter and another man Cle “Bone” Sloan in the parking lot of a Compton restaurant out of fear that they were making an attempt on his life. Apparently, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, who wanted $81 million in total ($27 million for each woman), was unable to convince the entire jury that this wasn’t the case.

However, Carter’s family remains undeterred, telling Rolling Stone they were encouraged by the results and intend to try the case again. “It’s unfortunate, but the jury worked very hard,” said Crystal Carter, one of the victim’s daughters. “It feels good to know we were the majority. We look forward to trying the case again to get victory for my dad. To get justice.”