Rob49 Praises Gillie Da King, Trashes G Herbo & Fredo Bang’s Basketball Skills

The sounds of New Orleans have permeated speakers across the world for decades. However, the rapper that’s carrying the torch for the city right now is Rob49. The NOLA-born rapper has been a frontrunner for the city over the past year but it was the release of 2022’s Vulture Island that built the anticipation for his trajectory. Co-signs from Birdman and features from Kevin Gates and Lil Baby helped put a spotlight on the budding star. With the release of 4GODII, he came to make a mark on the rap game and put on for his city.

As he comes off of the album’s release, he’s now gearing up for his upcoming Vulture Island weekend in New Orleans. The two-day festival begins today (Friday, June 16) and includes a concert and a celebrity basketball game. “I just wanted to give my fans a chance to see me, you know what I mean? They ain’t seen me perform in a while. So I just wanted to give them the chance to see me, you know, have a good time. I ain’t trying to break their pockets or nothing like that. I’m charging the least I can for tickets. I just want them to come f*ck with me,” he told HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Rob49 & G Herbo Collab On “Add It Up”

Rob49 On G Herbo & Fredo Bang Basketball Skills

Although there are a small fraction of rappers who have the potential to go pro, basketball remains one of hip-hop’s greatest past time. In recent years, NBA All-Star celebrity games have included artists like Quavo showing out on the court. For Rob49’s Vulture Island Weekend, he’s drafted a handful of his close friends and collaborators to join him. Rowdy Rebel, Anti Da Menace, Doodie Lo, and FCG Heem will play alongside Rob49 as part of the New Orleans Vultures. Meanwhile, G Herbo leads the opposing team, Choppa City, which includes Gillie Da King and Fredo Bang.

“They suck, man,” he said with a laugh ahead of the game. “We gon’ win though, for sure.” For Fredo Bang, this presents an excellent opportunity for him to get his lick back on the court. A video went viral several months back of Rob49 collecting a rumored $10,000 from the Baton Rouge native after a pickup game. “We beat him. Not out of $10,000, though but we beat him by a lot of money,” Rob49 said, although he did acknowledge that Fredo might return with a chip on his shoulder.

Read More: Rob49 Clarifies Shooting At French Montana Event In January

Who Will Be The MVP?

NEW ORLEANS, LA – JUNE 17: New Orleans Vultures Rob49 (49) tries to drive past Chopper City Doe Boy (0) during the Rob49 Vulture Island Celebrity Basketball Game on June 17, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana at McDonogh 35 High School. (Photo by Peter Forest/Getty Images for Rob49)

Despite the doubts he has for the opposing team, he feels as though Gillie Da King aka Damian Gillard has the potential to lead the game in a major way. Besides himself, he said that Gillie could very well leave the game as the MVP of this year’s Vulture Island weekend. “Yeah, I’m a fan of his game. He’s real good. Him and Ceedy Deuce got a chance [at MVP],” he said. 

HNHH will keep you posted on the results of Vulture Island weekend. For the timebeing, check out Rob49’s latest album, 4GOD II.

The post Rob49 Praises Gillie Da King, Trashes G Herbo & Fredo Bang’s Basketball Skills appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Bobby Fishscale: Roc Nation’s Star Talks Leaving Trap, Staying Humble, & Never Making Excuses

To say that this era of Hip Hop is flooded with new artists is an understatement. At every turn, a fresh voice emerges, an artist with stars in their eyes of becoming the next huge hitmaker in Rap. Bobby Fishscale’s name has been buzzing in the industry for years, but a conversation with the Florida native shows he doesn’t simply want to be viewed as a rapper looking to exploit his talents. There is more to the Roc Nation standout than meets the eye, and in our conversation with the rising star, he emphasized that the streets that helped raise him are only a part of his developing story.

Born Darryl Thomas in Quincy, Florida, Bobby Fishscale grew up far beyond the bright lights of Miami. The Sunshine State’s popular city is a hub for musical talent, and often, artists flock there hoping to make their marks. The successes pouring out of Miami were something that inspired Bobby. Growing up in the projects and getting involved in the street life was how a young Bobby Fishscale survived. However, he knew that it was just a stepping stone to something more significant. These days, he’s taking those lessons and using that as a foundation for his blossoming career.

bobby fishscale
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 28: Bobby Fishscale attends Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club 18th Anniversary at 40 / 40 Club on August 28, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

In our conversation with Roc Nation‘s latest star, he’s clearly not like his peers. You may find him flexing a bit on social media, but as he tells us, he is more focused on adding his voice to the Hip Hop community rather than involving himself in the ills that often derail careers.

“I was young, trapping, and I went to jail a lot. I made a lot of mistakes. I rap about that to motivate people to do right. But like, I did a lot of good stuff, too. So, it can be balanced out. Now, I know the right path, I learned from my mistakes and all the headaches.”

With co-signs from artists like 2 Chainz, Rod Wave, Lil Uzi Vert, and Kodak Black, it comes as no surprise that the industry has poised him to be next in line. Additionally, Bobby’s “Huncho Fishscale” alongside Quavo has captured attention, and with a new album on the horizon, the industry is zoned in. Most recently, Fishscale returned with his latest single “I Might,” further cementing his placement.

Read through our insightful—and often motivational—conversation with Bobby Fishscale as he details leaving his trap life behind him, making his new hustle his music career, remaining dedicated to his craft, staying humble through the fame, and never making excuses.

This interview has been slightly edited for clarity.

HotNewHipHop: It’s such a pleasure to meet you, we really appreciate your time today. Let’s jump right in—give some insight into your background for those that may not know about your upbringing.

Bobby Fishscale: I started off in the country. You know, being from the country, so we look up to people from like, Miami and stuff. The bigger cities, we always want to get there. So like, you made it to Miami, you got your music to pop in Miami, like, you onto something. All the Trick Daddys, you know, Kodak [Blacks], everybody influenced us. That was the influence and the motivation.

Well, I read that you had used music to get out of the street life. Yet, you also incorporate a lot of that into your art now. Tell us about your developing years as a teen and how that influenced your career.

Oh, yeah, you know, I was young, trapping. So like, the streets, like, I didn’t really choose the streets. I was born in the streets. So, I was young, trapping, and I went to jail a lot. I made a lot of mistakes. I rap about that to motivate people to do right. But like, I did a lot of good stuff, too. So, it can be balanced out. Now, I know the right path, I learned from my mistakes and all the headaches.

I think it’s just really refreshing to hear artists say that. I was going over your interview with Big Facts Pod, and you were talking about how you’re not really in that whole beefing, competition space. It was interesting that you said you share everybody’s music, listen to other rappers, and promote everyone. Why is it important to you to embrace your peers instead of getting into the head-to-head space?

I mean, it gotta be just like the whole growing up in the projects. You know, growing up there—being in my project, it was like 100 apartments. Everybody got like four or five people in there. So, you growing up around 500 people that you really got to like because you got to see them every day. And then, going to jail, having to share a room with somebody you might not know, might not like everything about ’em. Going to prison and having to be in dorms, having to deal with so many people. But, everybody got something that you could like about him. Something you could benefit from.

“Everybody deserves a chance. A lot of the music I listen to, they really got potential.”

Even in the streets, my plug always told me, before I started rapping and stuff, everybody deserves a chance. A lot of the music I listen to, they really got potential. I look at people, the stage they in. When I was at that stage, I wasn’t rapping that good. I wasn’t really taking it that seriously. So, I just feel like everybody deserve a little boost, a little acknowledgment for at least trying. ‘Cause you could be out here robbing people or something. I feel like you’re doing something right, so you deserve a little something, at least.

I really love that mindset for the culture. I’m gonna jump into your music. I heard that you have in your upcoming project is like a hustler’s guide, but the “Fishscale way”? [laughs]

[Laughs] Yeah, the Fishscale way.

Talk a little about that. I also heard that each of the music videos will be a lesson of some sort. What’s that all about?

Well, that was mainly on my team, because my team, they not really in the streets. They never really went through what I went through. So, a lot of the stuff I talk about, the conversations, they really be interested in. They really asked a lot of questions. Even with the music, when I have to do the lyrics, they be like, “What you mean by that?” I have to explain it to them, and they be like, “Oh, okay, okay, okay, you just taught me something.”

So, with the “Fishscale way,” like, let’s start out with the intro, you know. I tell people about my struggle, what I went through. Like, if maybe a friend of yours went to jail or something. You sad and want to give up, maybe your engineer or maybe somebody love, your brother or something, went to jail, and he won’t give up. Maybe he caught six months or two years or something. My brother caught 36 years, so if you’re gonna use that for an excuse, you need to find another excuse.

I went through the same thing, but I overcame it. So, that’s like, one of the rules. And with one of the videos we shot, it was like, don’t get high off your own supply. Even if you’re selling merch, you can’t wear a new outfit every day and lose seven outfits that you sell for $100 apiece. Over a month, you done lost $3,000, and if your profit was only $2,000, you’d have made a whole company lose because you want to wear that merch instead of selling it. So, don’t get high off your own supply. But it’s a lot of knowledge and lessons. And I don’t want it to be just in the drug form because I don’t do that no more. But, I use the same principles from the street Iife. Selling my merch, marketing my music, marketing artists. It’s just guidelines to life.

It sounds like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. What advice would you give to other artists, either coming up in your space or already established? What is a bit of Bobby Fishscale guidance?

Never not do something. There’s no reason that you can’t do something. I got homeboys like, “Oh, why I ain’t got no beats?” Why don’t you just download a beat off YouTube and then come up with some content, you feel me? Like, excuses only satisfy the person who makes them. So, even if you want it, I’m like, why do you shoot no video? Okay, shoot it on your phone and do the little Triller, the little TikTok. Do that. It’s no reason why you shouldn’t do something. You’re an upcoming artist.

“Excuses only satisfy those who make them.”

Shout out Luh Tyler. He is—one of his first hottest songs, “Law and Order” or whatever, he recorded on Bandlab on his phone. And to this day, he never re-recorded, remastered it, remixed it. It was quality enough to get the world’s attention. So, the studio should never be a reason why you want to say an excuse. ‘Cause ’til this day, I still record on my phone. If I’m on the road, trip, airport—I use GarageBand. I started using GarageBand. I’m on the plugin headphones right now. If I hear a flow or something, I get on my notes, and I do voice memos all day. But just put it in the work. Even now, I gotta do two songs a day mandatory.

I love that you said, “Excuses are…”

Excuses only satisfy those who make them.

That’s it, I’mma take that for me.

Right, no excuses.

This is my last question; I ask it to everyone I interview. So, we know celebrity is an illusion, right? Like people, audiences, fans…they think they know you based on the interviews you do, or the music you make, or whatever they see in the blogs or whatnot.

Right.

There are always these expectations for artists to live up to the standard of what the public thinks they are instead of just being naturally who they are. What is something about you that doesn’t always translate because people have this veil of celebrity around you? Or they think you’re just a Florida rapper, or think you’re just another artist out here trying to make money? What’s something about the heart of you as a person that people don’t often get to see?

The humbleness! Like, you gotta see the humbleness. ‘Cause I could be doing way more flashy stuff. I could be just, out more, but I’m just humble. I just take everything as a blessing. And I don’t disrespect it. That’s one thing about it—you gotta respect the position you in. I don’t just go to regular stores like that, I don’t really want to put myself in a position. I kind of pick and choose everywhere I go, I really don’t look for trouble. If trouble there, I’mma just go the opposite way.

So, people should embrace the humble ones more. It ain’t all about going to jail, the stuff that people glorify. I got homeboys who don’t trap, who don’t rap, who work jobs, who got nice stuff. And you know, I embrace them like they should be, but the world don’t. Even though I say I don’t work a nine-to-five, I respect everybody who do work a nine-to-five. You got no worries, you know.

I just think we need to embrace the hard workers. The engineers, all the people. The interviewers! People like y’all to bring it to life. Y’all don’t get famous too often, but y’all should. Even y’all on this call, I feel like y’all questions is better than a lot of people questions. So, the humble ones should get more glory. But other than that, you know, I’m just Bobby.

The post Bobby Fishscale: Roc Nation’s Star Talks Leaving Trap, Staying Humble, & Never Making Excuses appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Rakim Is Taking The “Lid Off Hip Hop” With Sprite For The Culture’s 50th

Some of our favorite Hip Hop pioneers are going all out for the culture’s 50th anniversary. Nas’s company Mass Appeal has been instrumental in honoring the ongoing impact of Hip Hop throughout the year. They are hosting events highlighting the significant contributions of those that laid the foundation of what we know as Rap today. Another company that has long supported the culture and its artists is Sprite, and they’re back with another campaign. This time, they’ve called on the likes of some Rap heavyweights to celebrate, showcasing various generations of Hip Hop.

One of those artists is music legend Rakim, and this isn’t the first time he has partnered with Sprite. The 2015 “Obey Your Verse” campaign highlighted his unmatched lyricism, along with other standouts, including Missy Elliott, Drake, Tupac Shakur, and J. Cole. The following year, “The God Emcee” appeared in the “Obey Your Verse – Lyrical Collection” commercials, and now, he returns once again for the soda brand’s latest. This time, he even joins Nas, Latto, and GloRilla for an updated chopped-and-screwed version of Sugarhill Gang’s classic 1979 hit, “Rapper’s Delight.”

We were able to catch up with Rakim and spoke with him about the “dope campaign from Sprite,” as he put it. He told us that the company has been “supporting Hip Hop from Day One,” so it made sense for him to link with them again. “We’re celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop,” said the legendary emcee. “We all—it’s dope—we all spit bars from ‘Rapper’s Delight.’ You know, we kind of did it in our own way. Everybody kind of took a bar from ‘Rapper’s Delight.’ And it’s just showing the growth of Hip Hop from there to here.”

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Read More: Rakim’s Biggest Hits From His 40-Year Career

Music has surrounded Rakim since he was a child. His aunt, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ruth Brown, was a legend in her own right. She was instrumental in helping Atlantic Records become what it is today and even earned herself two Grammys. Although he’s been penning rhymes since before his age hit double digits, a teenage William Michael Griffin Jr. had football aspirations. However, after a chance meeting with DJ Eric B., their lives would be catapulted in a different direction.

The rapper would later change his stage moniker to “Rakim Allah” after joining the 5 Percent Nation, or The Nation of Gods and Earths. With Eric B., the pair of talents would go on to craft four monumental albums, from their 1987 mega-classic Paid in Full to their final as a duo, 1992’s Don’t Sweat The Technique. In those early days of Hip Hop, DJ-rapper duos were the norm, but no one paired as effortlessly as Eric B. and Rakim. The formidable emcee continued his solo career throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, culminating in 2009 with his final stand-alone record, The Seventh Seal.

Although he hasn’t given us a complete project in some time, Rakim hasn’t been down for the count. A select few have secured a verse or two within the last few years, further showing his ability to adapt to any generation. His mentorship with other artists and resounding impact on Hip Hop culture is also palpable. Across the Rap board, lyricists have cited Rakim as a cornerstone of inspiration. His wordplay, rhyme schemes, and ability to reflect his personal and political world perspective poetically have influenced celebrated artists that came after him. Unsurprisingly, the likes of Eminem, Tupac, Ghostface Killah, J. Cole, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar have all cited the Rap legend as someone they’ve long admired.

Read More: Melle Mel: “Blasphemy” Nicki Minaj Is Higher Than Rakim On Top Rappers List

That said, it’s clear that Rakim has been an active participant in and observer of Hip Hop for decades. Not many are afforded such a unique vantage point, so we wanted to know what the Hip Hop icon wants to see from the genre in the next five decades.

“I’m looking forward to…man,” he began. Then, there was a slight pause as he gathered his thoughts. “I think, with the 50th-year anniversary, I think it’s kind of taken a lid off of Hip Hop.” To him, it seems casting a vision for the future requires learning about the past. “It’s taken a limit off of Hip Hop, to be able to celebrate 50 years. What we’re actually doin’ is celebrating 50 years of emceeing and DJing and B-boying, you know what I mean? So, it’s like we were going back with knowing our history on these great artists.”

He isn’t wrong; many aspects of the foundation of Hip Hop have been edged out of conversations. While some still praise our favorite pop-and-lockers, breakdancing is an art form that is respected but no longer at the Hip Hop forefront. Although DJing is still massively popular, arguably, many of those popularized creatives are more focused on producing the next hit record than discovering new sonic elements on the ones and twos. The collective needs to sit in its history to understand what is to come for its future.

IRVINE, CA – JULY 18: Rapper Rakim performs onstage at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre on July 18, 2015 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Read More: Rakim & Eric B Shone Bright On “Don’t Sweat The Technique”

“We’ve started to realize that music is timeless. You know what I mean?” Rakim said. “You go back and listen to a song from the ’80s or the ’90s. And, you know, a lot of it’s timeless. It shouldn’t be a lid on Hip Hop.” Those artists from 20, 30, and even 40 years ago have aged with the culture. Yet, often, there are conversations about someone being “too old” to continue their Rap aspirations. However, Rakim wants it to be known that plenty of grown folk contenders with talents deserve recognition.

“There’s a lot of great artists that’s over 30, over 40,” the 55-year-old icon stated. According to some commentators, Hip Hop is a young person’s sport. “I think that we have a lot to bring to the table,” he continued. “With this going on [celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th], I think it’s going to open the doors for that.”

NEW YORK – 1987: Rappers Eric B & Rakim pose for a portrait session in 1987 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Read More: 50 Cent Pledges Loyalty To Rakim

These days, Rakim continues to tour worldwide, spitting familiar bars that have been ingrained in millions of memories for decades. Although Hip Hop has bolstered a reputation of being concerned about bling-bling and flashing cash, that is a far cry from Rakim’s daily routine. His dedication to his faith centers his focus, and according to him, he enjoys peace and the simple pleasures of life.

“I think normal things in life is what makes me feel good. I’m a family man,” he said. “I mean, I love being around my family. And I love doing things around my house. You know what I mean? Everything from putting floors and cutting grass, planting trees. You know, I do it all. But that’s kind of, you know, when I come home from off the road.” Touring and performing for four decades can take its toll. “That’s what kind of makes me feel normal to me. So, that’s what breaks the monotony for me. Being normal, being a family man, and doing regular things. I think that’s what keeps me grounded.”

Stay updated with us throughout the year as we continue to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. We have many more exclusives from artists, ranging from the culture’s coveted pioneers to its talented newcomers.

The post Rakim Is Taking The “Lid Off Hip Hop” With Sprite For The Culture’s 50th appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Belly Reveals His Post-Rap Retirement Plans After Next Two Albums

Sometimes, it’s hard to let go of things you love but it’s necessary. So, when we hear rappers deciding to bow out from the industry, it comes with a bittersweet sentiment. For an artist like Belly, who lays out his life every time he steps to the microphone, the decision to step back from releasing music was met with both support and sadness. With the release of Mumble Rap 2, he revealed that he has two more projects in the stash before gracefully exiting the rap game. “I love yall with all my heart, sincerely, but this industry has taken it’s toll on me. MR2 will be the first of my last three albums ever. Mini tour for MR2 then a farewell tour after my next 2,” he wrote.

During our recent interview with the Palestinian-Canadian rapper, he explained that he still loves rapping but his apparent issues with the industry at large have turned him off from wanting to participate. “I don’t think I’ll ever hang up the mic in terms of doing what I love because I’ll always do it. I just don’t know if I want to be part of the cycle of everything anymore. It has more to do with me than it does with the industry. Obviously, everyone knows that the industry can be shady – any industry can. Once you start getting to higher levels and bigger offices… things can get merky,” he explained.

Read More: Belly Reacts To Snoop Dogg’s Bid For The Ottawa Senators

The Next Chapter For Belly

MANCHESTER, TN – JUNE 10: Recording artist Belly (far R) performs onstage at This Tent during Day 3 of the 2017 Bonnaroo Arts And Music Festival on June 10, 2017 in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for Bonnaroo Arts And Music Festival )

Belly added, “Really, my goal in life is to create and imagine. And I think everything else will fall into place after that. So, without the restrictions or the parameters of the music industry, I think I could flourish a lot more when it comes to that.” So what exactly are these plans? After cementing his name in hip-hop, working alongside some of the greatest artists of all time, including his labelmate The Weeknd, he’s similarly looking towards branching outside of the music industry while expanding his creative output. 

“You know, I just want to create, man, I want to make art. I want to explore every medium of entertainment and art. You know, I’ve been writing TV and film stuff. Getting into writing scripts. A couple of scripted podcasts,” he revealed. “Putting my writing into other platforms and into other ways to connect and into other ways to imagine things and create things. Then, it just helps me when I come back to this because it doesn’t feel like I’m waking up everyday and having one job. And I never want it to feel like a job, you know? So, you know, it actually balances everything out for me.” Mumble Rap 2 is out now. 

Read More: Belly Doubts Jay-Z Collab Will Ever See The Light Of Day

Belly Reacts To Snoop Dogg’s Bid For The Ottawa Senators

The race for the Ottawa Senators turned into a celebrity frenzy over the past few weeks. First, Ryan Reynolds, who previously received a key to the city, announced that he’d be placing a bid behind the NHL team. Surprisingly, he wasn’t the biggest A-Lister to try and gain a stake in the Sens. Snoop Dogg, out of all people, announced that he joined forces with Neko Sparks to place a bid behind Ottawa’s hockey team. The Weeknd, too, placed a bid behind the team, but there’s no doubt that Snoop Dogg’s been the most aggressive in his pursuit.

The Senators’ connection to hip-hop runs a bit deeper than Snoop Dogg and The Weeknd. In fact, one might argue that it’s Belly that is an indirect catalyst. In 2007, the Senators fought their way to the Stanley Cup finals against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. As excitement built in the “town that fun forgot,” Belly became the celebrity face of the franchise for the playoffs. So what exactly does Belly think of Snoop Dogg’s bid for the Sens? “Snoop Dogg is an amazing person, a great businessman and we gon’ be able to smoke weed in the stadium! So, I’m all for it,” he told HotNewHipHop. “Smoking weed in the box, for sure… RIP Ray Emery.” 

Belly’s Ties To The Ottawa Senators

Belly Snoop Dogg
TORONTO, ON – JUNE 19: Belly and Snoop Dogg attend CP Records & EBA 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards After Party at Live Nightclub on June 19, 2011 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Sonia Recchia/WireImage)

When Belly penned the Sens’ playoff anthem, “Go Sens Go,” he had not reached the same type of success he sees now outside of Canada. Around this time, Belly also began to form a relationship with Snoop Dogg after touring with the rap legend across Canada. The same night of his homecoming show, the late Ray Emery presented Snoop Dogg with a custom jersey that he’s recently flaunted during his campaign for the Sens.

Belly’s fresh off of the release of his album, Mumble Rap 2, the sequel to his 2017 mixtape. The rapper’s latest project boasts appearances from XO labelmate Nav, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, and a posthumous appearance from Gil-Scott Heron. It marks one of Belly’s final projects before he retires from the music industry as a whole but rests assured, he still has big plans up his sleeve. 

[Via]

Belly Doubts Jay-Z Collab Will Ever See The Light Of Day

Belly’s penmanship doesn’t quite receive the praise it deserves. His way with words earned him an Academy Award nomination for The Weeknd’s “Earned It” in the Best Original Song category in 2016. That same song also placed him in the running for the Best R&B Song at the Grammys. Beyond songwriting, it’s basic knowledge that Belly’s wordplay sits at elite standards. From the debut of The Revolution to his latest album, Mumble Rap 2, the XO rapper hasn’t faltered on the mic.

Some might overlook what he’s brought to the table in his nearly 20 years in the game. However, one person who hasn’t in Jay-Z. In 2015, Jay-Z signed Belly to the Roc Nation imprint, marking an incredible feat in the Canadian rapper’s storied career. That’s when Belly began promoting a project titled, Midnight Zone. That project, in particular, never saw the light of day but a snippet of the title track emerged in an Instagram clip that included a cameo from Jay. Obviously, this led to assumptions that Jay-Z would also appear on the track – a major accomplishment for any artist of any genre. However, five years after the snippet arrived, the record has yet to be seen on any of Belly’s projects.

Belly Reveals The Status Of Rumored Jay-Z Collab

We recently caught up with Belly to discuss his new album, Mumble Rap 2, executive produced by Hit-Boy. During the conversation, the rapper shared some insight on the rumored collaboration with Jay-Z. Unfortunately, there’s no timeline on if it will ever see the light of day. “Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think that’s gon’ be the case,” Belly explained when asked if the Jay-Z collab might appear on his future projects. “Just the fact I was able to get in the studio with Hov and just be in there and just to have him pull up to a couple of sessions – that’s a life-long dream for me right there.”

Although he didn’t specify the details surrounding “Midnight Zone,” he still has hope that one day he and Jay-Z will be able to lock in. “What I really want is, you know, a record where we could both rap on that motherfucker. I’m still grateful for every opportunity Hov’ gave me and everything he did for my career is priceless,” he said. “There’s no way to ever pay him back. I still appreciate him no matter what. I still want the collab but it’s all love, appreciation, and gratitude all the way.”

Dream Collabs

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Rapper Belly attends the first annual YG and Friends Daytime Boogie Basketball Tournament at The Shrine Auditorium on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

Very few rappers can say they’ve locked in with Jay-Z but there are even fewer artists who’ve gone bar-for-bar with Nas, as well. Although “Midnight Zone” might never appear publicly, Nas and Belly connected on “Die For It” alongside The Weeknd from See You Next Wednesday. However, the other artists on his bucket list are equally elusive when it comes to collaborations. “I think you’d have to go to the legends, man. Like, Andre 3000, definitely. Sade – I want the impossible at this point. That’s what I’m going for,” he stated. Otherwise, Belly’s already locked in with everybody else he’s hoped to work with. Mumble Rap 2 drops tonight.