Hot 97

Ja Rule Wants More Women In The GOAT Conversation: ‘We Never Put Ladies In There’

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Apparently, the new version of hip-hop’s beloved “top five rappers” debate is the “rap Mount Rushmore” question. Basically, which four rappers would be on your personal Mount Rushmore? It’s a fun hypothetical because not only does it narrow the field, forcing commenters to be even more intentional with their picks, it also comes with a silly visual. Just image Future replacing Teddy Roosevelt or something. Hilarious!

During a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, Ja Rule was asked for his take on the rap Mount Rushmore conversation and offered some unconventional picks. He also had some insightful things to say about the debate itself, pointing out how difficult it can be to provide an answer, given how many different eras and styles of rap have come along since 1979.

He demonstrated that difficulty himself; after nailing his first three — Jay-Z, Tupac, and The Notorious B.I.G. — he struggled with the fourth spot, naming a few possibilities. “Either Big Daddy Kane, or Rakim, or [KRS One] because of what they did for the culture and what they meant to the culture,” he posited, before throwing out a curveball. “We never put the ladies in there… MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa.”

“They’re the reason other women picked up a microphone, period,” he explained. “How can you leave them off? You gotta [pick] one of them and put them on there.” He’s right; the current surge of female talent at the forefront of rap in pop culture today is built at least partially on the foundations laid by the original first ladies of rap. They may get overlooked — something that isn’t uncommon even for today’s stars — but their contributions are as critical to rap’s dominance as anyone’s.

You can watch the full interview above.

Hot 97 Summer Jam’s 2022 Lineup Is Led By Fivio Foreign, Lil Durk, And Lil Baby

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lil baby and lil durk
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Whatever city on the hip-hop map you call your own, there’s no escaping the impact of Hot 97’s Summer Jam in New York. It’s still one of the biggest single-day festivals in the culture, nearly always offering a who’s-who of the biggest stars in hip-hop. This year’s lineup is no different, highlighting the leading rap artists of 2022, as well as some of the genre’s fastest-rising up-and-comers.

The festival’s top line gets to include one of New York’s hometown favorites in the form of Fivio Foreign, with Chicago’s Lil Durk and Atlanta’s Lil Baby right behind. Young Thug and Gunna are apparently sharing a joint set, which makes sense considering how closely tied the duo’s output has been over the past two years between Punk, DS4EVER, and Slime Language 2 (we’re definitely getting both “Surf” and “Ski“).

Elsewhere on the lineup is a cross-section of styles and locales, from Miami’s City Girls to Virginia’s Pusha T to Compton’s Roddy Ricch. Even Nigerian favorite Burna Boy is there. Meanwhile, New York will remain well-represented thanks to Benny The Butcher (I know, I know, he’s from Buffalo, but still), DreamDoll, 22Gz, Lady London, Dougie B (hopefully, he makes bail by showtime), and The Girll Codee (worth giving a Google).

Summer Jam takes over Metlife Stadium on June 12. As always, get more information at the official website.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Pusha T, & Young Thug to Perform at Hot 97 Summer Jam

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Summer Jam is heating up.

Hot 97 has announced the star-studded lineup for the iconic hip-hop festival, which will return to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 12, with performances from Lil Durk, Pusha T, City Girls, and more.

Before he heads on tour with Chris Brown, Lil Baby will hit the main Stadium Stage, along with Young Thug, Gunna, and Roddy Ricch. The bill also includes Burna Boy, Shenseea, Benny the Butcher, DreamDoll, and Fivio Foreign, who will close out his hometown show.

The night will also feature a special musical tribute to Hot 97’s own DJ Kay Slay, who died after a battle with COVID-19 earlier this month.

Additionally, the Festival Stage will showcase emerging stars including Nardo Wick, NLE Choppa, Yung Bleu, Cordae, BabyFace Ray, Drewski & Friends featuring B-Lovee, JNR Choi, Dougie B., 22GZ, Lady London, and Saucy Santana.

Tickets go on sale April 30 at 10 a.m. EST, with a pre-sale for American Express card members beginning April 29 at 10 a.m. EST.

See the full lineup below.