Kurupt

Rakim Releases First New Project In 15 Years ‘G.O.D.’S Network (Reb7rth)’, New Video “Love Is The Message”

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Hip-hop legend Rakim is breaking new ground with his new project, G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH), by flexing his skills both on the mic and behind the boards.  Widely lauded as the best lyricist of all time, The God MC himself is blessing the culture with the next step in his historic career; and his first project in 15 years.  G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH) is now available.

“I feel like the battery in my back has been reenergized,” Rakim said about his new project, which arrives nearly four decades after the release of his classic debut with Eric B., Paid In Full. Since then, he’s continued to shape the landscape and culture of hip-hop as we know it, inspiring rising artists with his hype live shows and incredible studio albums. And while he’s produced some of his previous work—notably “Don’t Sweat the Technique,” “Juice (Know The Ledge),” and “Paid In Full”—this feels like new territory for the 18th Letter, whose production and scratching talents are nothing short of remarkable.

G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH) is proof that Rakim is truly one of the most special artists we’ve known, not just in hip-hop, but all of music. You can tell he feels that level of praise when speaking about the genesis of the album. “Having the ability to showcase my talents behind the boards, coupled with the elite lyricism the world already knows and gives me infinite praise for, alongside some of the best talents to ever do it is truly a blessing and for that I am humbled,” Rakim declared.

The album’s first single, “Be Ill,” is the perfect introduction, as it pairs Rakim’s raw rhymes and head-nodding production with slick guest features from Kurupt and Masta Killa. Elsewhere, Rakim slows it down for the soulful “Love Is The Message,” which features Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King, Snoop Dogg, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt, and the LA Grand Choir. And then there’s the chest-thumping “International,” a straight-up slapper with hard-hitting rhymes from Kool G. Rap, Tristate, and Joell Ortiz.

The post Rakim Releases First New Project In 15 Years ‘G.O.D.’S Network (Reb7rth)’, New Video “Love Is The Message” first appeared on The Source.

The post Rakim Releases First New Project In 15 Years ‘G.O.D.’S Network (Reb7rth)’, New Video “Love Is The Message” appeared first on The Source.

Tha Dogg Pound Drop Star-Studded Tracklist For Their New Album

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Tha Dogg Pound are back and better than ever. The West Coast powerhouse has been promoting the hell out of their upcoming album on podcasts. Kurupt and Daz Dillinger have mended fences after years of dissent, and everything we’ve heard so far suggests that they put their best foot forward when it came to making W.A.W.G. (We All We Got). Even the title advertises the newfound sense of unity the group feels. Now that Dogg Pound has dropped the tracklist, though, we can confidently say they have a lot.

Snoop Dogg is technically not a member of Dogg Pound. The group always comprised of Kurupt and Daz, with Snoop being part of the larger D.P.G.C. (Dogg Pound Gangsta Clicc). That being said, he’s a major part of this album. Tha Doggfather is featured on eight of the album’s fourteen tracks, which is more than enough to qualify him as the honorary “third” member. It doesn’t hurt that Snoop is now the owner of Death Row Records, which W.A.W.G. is being released through.

Read More: Kurupt Warns Drake And Kendrick Lamar About Ongoing Rap Beef: “Stop It”

Tha Dogg Pound Are Bringing Back Death Row Vets

Fans of the Death Row heyday will be thrilled to know that other OGs are in the mix. Lady of Rage and RBX will contribute verses to the last song, which is fitting given their essential contributions to the Dr. Dre album that started it all, The Chronic. There will also be multiple features from Butch Cassidy, who wasn’t present for Death Row but has worked with all of its affiliates over the years. Cassidy is a Long Beach native, just like Snoop and Daz. The more intriguing collaborators come from the production.

Mike & Keys handled the lion’s share of the album’s songs, which makes sense given their LA sound. It’s cool to see a producer as capable as Daz, who produced most of the first two Dogg Pound albums, hand over the reigns to younger artists to see what they can provide. It will ensure that W.E.W.G. doesn’t sound like a retread. Hyphy legend Rick Rock will work his magic on two songs, one of which features Will.i.am. The most exciting producer choice, though, is Dogg Pound linking up with DJ Premier for the outro, titled “Who Da Hardest.” That one is going to hit hard.

W.A.W.G. Tracklist:

  1. Intro (featuring Snoop Dogg)
  2. Smoke Up (featuring Snoop Dogg)
  3. We All We Got (featuring Tha Eastsidaz & Snoop Dogg)
  4. Imma Dog
  5. Need Some Space (featuring Blxst)
  6. Favorite Color Blue
  7. Inside of Her (featuring Butch Cassidy)
  8. House Party (featuring Snoop Dogg)
  9. After Hours (featuring DaBaby, Snoop Dogg & Butch Cassidy)
  10. LA Kind of Love (featuring Will.i.am)
  11. Grown Up (featuring Snoop Dogg)
  12. The Weekend (featuring Jane Hancock & October London)
  13. Always on My Mind (featuring Snoop Dogg & Butch Cassidy)
  14. Who Da Hardest (featuring Lady of Rage, RBX & Snoop Dogg)

Read More: Classic Rotation: Tha Dogg Pound’s “Dogg Food”

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Snoop Dogg Reveals Tragedy That Inspired New Dogg Pound Album

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Tha Dogg Pound was a legendary part of Death Row Records. While they lacked the crossover success of 2Pac or Dr. Dre, the duo anchored the label’s catalog with hits like “Let’s Play House” and “New York, New York.” The latter was a diss song with a Snoop Dogg chorus. The collab led to the formation of the DPGC, or Dogg Pound Gangsta Clicc, which has dropped multiple albums over the last three decades. Snoop Dogg thought DPGC was done a few years back, but personal events led to a reunion that he’s subsequently been grateful for.

Snoop Dogg talked about the Dogg Pound reunion during a recent appearance on Home Grown Radio. The rapper admitted that he’d been on the outs with Dogg Pound co-founder Daz Dillinger, and therefore reluctant to work with him. It’s worth noting that Snoop and Daz are cousins, so the rift went beyond the studio. It was ultimately the death of Snoop’s brother, Bing Worthington, that led to the two men setting their issues aside. “My little brother had passed away,” the rapper said. “And one thing about my little brother is he loved the f*ck outta Daz. He loved us together.”

Read More: Daz Dillinger Presses Dr. Dre For “The Chronic” Royalties

The Death Of Snoop Dogg’s Brother Inspired The Reunion

Snoop Dogg decided that he wanted to honor Bing by putting out new music as a family. “I started calling family members,” he noted. “I reached out them, I was like ‘Y’all get Daz’. Me and him get on the line, we communicate, and I’m like ‘Come over and see me.’” Snoop and Daz reconciled, and then called Dogg Pound’s other co-founder, Kurupt. One thing led to another, and suddenly, the group was making music again. The concept of reconciliation informed the title of the new album, W.A.W.G., which stands for We All We Got.

The lead single for the album addressed the issues that Dogg Pound’s members have been going through. It also set the record straight on their future plans. Namely, that they aren’t going anywhere. “Smoke Up” sees Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger and Kurupt come together as a unified force. “F*ck what you heard,” Snoop raps. “Somebody said the Dogg Pound broke up/ Shut yo b*tch a*s up, n**ga, now smoke up.” W.A.W.G. is due out May 31.

Read More: Kurupt Warns Drake And Kendrick Lamar About Ongoing Rap Beef: “Stop It”

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Kurupt Warns Drake And Kendrick Lamar About Ongoing Rap Beef: “Stop It”

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Kurupt was in the trenches. He was part of Death Row Records when the East and West Coast were going at it in the 1990s. He knows what real animosity looks like, so his perspective on the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle is welcome. It is, after all, the biggest battle since Biggie and ‘Pac exchanged blows. Kurupt kept it West Coast with which rapper he prefers, but he also issued a warning to both parties, assuming they plan to keep things going.

Kurupt went on the Bootleg Kev Show on May 7 to discuss the battle. Fans got to watch as Tha Dogg Pound rapper heard Lamar’s “Not Like Us” for the first time, and he was a fan. “It really was banging, though,” he said. He also quoted Dot’s bar about Drake striking an “A minor” cord. The rapper quickly switched gears, however, and talked about the downside of having two major rap artists taking shots at each other. “This is why this is not healthy, my n**ga,” he told the podcast host. “Anything can happen. Drake could fall and break his toe and ‘Oh that’s what you get for f*cking with Kendrick.’ Don’t do that.”

Read More: Disturbing Metro Boomin Tweets Resurface Amidst Drake Battle

Kurupt Tells Drake And K. Dot To “Fight” Or End It

Kurupt was then informed about the shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Toronto mansion. This led to him doubling down on his previous statement. As far as he’s concerned, a rap battle is not worth the danger that Drake and Lamar may be putting themselves in. “This sh*t’s real, cuz,” he noted. “Life is precious, my n**ga. So if y’all ain’t gonna fight, stop it…”

Kurupt advised both Drake and Lamar to keep it on record, and cited Murda Mook and himself as prime examples. “This ain’t funny,” he added. “When I went to war, I wanted to fight. It was real! When ‘Pac and Biggie was into it, it was real. This sh*t ain’t real.” There’s noting to tie the shooting at Drake’s mansion with the rapper’s current battle, but the timing does have fans suspicious. The shooting did, however, get in the way of another diss release, according to DJ Akademiks.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Relays Message From Drake After Shooting: “He’s Okay”

The post Kurupt Warns Drake And Kendrick Lamar About Ongoing Rap Beef: “Stop It” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kurupt Net Worth 2023: What Is The Rap Icon Worth?

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Kurupt’s life narrative began in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, but California proved to be his Promised Land. Arriving as a teenager, he quickly attuned to the West Coast vibe and launched what would become a distinguished career in hip-hop. His poetic talent distinguished him early, setting the stage for a trajectory many could only dream of. If Socrates had a microphone and a beat, he might’ve sounded a bit like Kurupt. With a net worth of $2 million in 2023, according to CAknowledge, he’s clearly turned his rhymes into riches.

Crafting Anthems: The Musical Milestones

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NEW YORK – AUGUST 3: Rappers Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg backstage at the Source Awards which were held at Madison Square Garden on August 3, 1995 in New York, New York. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Known initially for his collaboration with Daz Dillinger in Tha Dogg Pound, Kurupt didn’t take long to earn his stripes in the competitive hip-hop world. But his impact went beyond mere financial gains; he became a cultural ambassador for the West Coast. Working with giants like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg only amplified his iconic status. And let’s not forget the classic albums: Dogg Food, Kuruption!—each one a chapter in the evolving scripture of rap.

Life Behind The Lyrics: Personal Complexities

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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 09: Rapper Kurupt attends the 2019 Cinefashion Film Awards at The Saban on December 09, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images)

Life, love, and lyrical genius often form a convoluted web, and Kurupt is no exception. Despite romantic entanglements that didn’t quite reach the finish line, he’s consistently played the role of a devoted father. It’s not all love songs and tough lyrics; there’s a dad in there, making sure his offspring have a different narrative. Oh, and there’s his advocacy for cannabis culture—fitting for someone who’s always pushed boundaries. Further, think Kurupt’s just a rapper? Well, you haven’t been paying attention. He’s turned his stardom into a multifaceted business empire, involving himself in sectors as varied as cannabis and film production. He even played the executive role at Death Row Records. If rap was his first love, business is his enduring marriage.

The Continuing Saga: What Comes Next

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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 04: Rapper Kurupt performs during halftime of a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on January 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

This isn’t a mere summary but a pause in an ongoing narrative. At a net worth of $2 million, Kurupt’s journey isn’t just about acquiring wealth. It’s about defining and redefining himself in a world that’s too quick to put labels. His artistic flair and business sensibilities promise more chapters in an already captivating story. Overall, stay tuned; the narrative is far from over.

The post Kurupt Net Worth 2023: What Is The Rap Icon Worth? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Eminem “Got Away” With Disses Because He’s White, Kurupt Says

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The Slim Shady hot takes just keep on coming from the rap world, and one artist has a new angle to consider. Kurupt recently expressed that Eminem “got away” with dissing many other artists because he’s white. Moreover, he sat down with The Art of Dialogue and was asked about Melle Mel saying that Em’s only considered top five because of his skin color, comments which he made on the same platform. Furthermore, they related to Billboard and VIBE’s recent list of the top 50 rappers of all time. While the West Coast MC disagreed and said his whiteness doesn’t diminish the sheer skill of his mic and pen, he did state that Mel has a point.

“That’s his opinion. That’s not our opinion,” the “Who Ride Wit Us” rapper remarked. “The way Dr. Dre took Eminem subject matter-wise is one thing; the way Eminem rocked — he’s a battle rapper, so he’s Hip Hop, no matter what color he is. Dr. Dre took him in this way, so that has no bearing on his skill. His skills are renowned.” Still, he acknowledged that Mel is a legend in his own right.

Kurupt On Eminem’s White Privilege In Disses

“But that’s Melle Mel’s feel on it,” Kurupt went on. “Melle Mel is an icon of Hip Hop … Remember, he’s the original Hip Hop so Melle Mel speaks from that standpoint. For my generation, hey, Eminem is our monster. His color is irrelevant. He does have a point, Eminem being white. He might have got away with a lot of things, like him talking about all these different artists and s**t, you know what I’m saying? And not having no backlash to where he’s blackballed.

“But not from his skill,” he continued. “[Being] white had nothing to do with his skills. But he might have got away with a lot of things. S**t, we got away with a lot of things once we became successful! Once you’re successful, you can do whatever you f***ing want, and the game accepts it because they make money off of what you’re doing, so they give you that pass.” Marshall Mathers’ acknowledgement of his privilege, as well as his artistic feuds, are well-documented at this point. However, it’s always useful to consider what factors are at play, and to not place complete blame or responsibility on an artist who’s addressed this topic many times. Regardless, let us know your take in the comments and return to HNHH for the latest on Kurupt and Eminem.

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Kurupt Details Tupac’s Failed Attempt To Impose A Death Row Dress Code

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Tupac’s attempt to switch up the Death Row dress code from khakis to designer failed, according to Kurupt. The Long Beach rapper recently appeared on The Art Of Dialogue where he detailed ‘Pac’s militant mentality when he joined the Death Row Records roster. “Tupac is strength,” Kurupt said as he described the late rapper’s “strong-minded” mob boss outlook. He explained that the “All Eyez On Me” rapper’s alignment with the Suge Knight-led label wasn’t solely for his own benefit but his attempt to shift the label’s culture at large. “He wanted to change the image of Death Row, he wanted to add to everybody else’s table,” Kurupt recalled.

Though Tupac’s work ethic undoubtedly influenced the prolificacy of the Death Row roster, Kurupt explained that his influence was much deeper than that. “He wanted to change our apparel and how we looked, which, you know, that didn’t work,” Kurupt explained. “Because that’s you, ‘Pac, that’s y’all shit over here. We in khakis, cuz, you know what I’m saying? ‘Pac loved it, he respected it,” Kurupt added, though not everyone was on board (with the exception of Snoop Dogg) with the stylistic shift Tupac strived towards.

Tupac Dress Code Met With Resistance, Kurupt Says

Though Death Row became synonymous with West Coast culture, it specifically embodied the gangbanging aspect that’s specific to cities like Los Angeles. Kurupt and other signees from the label, including Snoop Dogg, continued to wear Chuck Taylor’s and Khakis. However, Tupac began to ascend in the world of haute couture, developing a strong relationship with designer brands like Versace.

“It’s a fly-ass dress code, cuz,” Kurupt recalled of Tupac’s attempt to switch out the khakis for high-end brands. “I could understand it if he was like, ‘N***a, put on the army fatigues.’ This n***a talking about, ‘Put on some Versace, n***a! Get fly!’ … That shit didn’t work with us, cuz. We agreed with everything besides the gear. That’s not our shit.” Though Death Row didn’t get down with all of Tupac’s ideas, Kurupt evidently understands just how big his vision was prior to his untimely passing. Check out Kurupt’s comments about Tupac above and let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

Kurupt Says He Left Death Row Because 2Pac Got Killed On Suge Knight’s Watch

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Kurupt has recently spoken out about the 1996 murder of Tupac, and said that the fact that Pac got killed while on Suge Knight’s watch was his reason for leaving Death Row Records.

The legendary West Coast artist sat down with the Art Of Dialogue podcast where he spoke about his reasoning for leaving the infamous record label. Kurupt said that he felt as if his safety was compromised since the label’s premiere artist at the time was killed while with the head of the label.

“Everywhere we was going we had to keep our eyes open, 10 toes on the ground,” Kurupt said. “We had to stay heated and make sure that we protected ourselves. And then to go to Death Row and feel the same way as when we in the streets: we all kinda got burnt on that.”

He continued: “We all was a little tired of walking on eggshells, because if we gon be here and it feels the same way as being on the streets, then what’s the difference? If a nigga gotta come to the studio heated, what’s the difference?”

Kurupt concluded by saying that Dr. Dre, after his departure from the label, set it up so that Kurupt could leave too. “Dr. Dre set up the woo-wop, like, ‘It can be done, you can leave,’” he added. “When I saw Dr. Dre do that, then 2Pac died, that was the final straw for me. Niggas is getting shot even with Suge. Now THAT is it.”

In a separate clip from the podcast, Kurupt said that Snoop and Daz Dillinger tried to shield away the gang element of Death Row from 2Pac. Kurupt said that Pac wasn’t a gangsta, he was militant, and spoke about Pac’s revolutionary and Black Panther background.

“Crippin’ and Bloodin’ is real! This ain’t no joke. This shit ain’t to play with, this ain’t something you just kick around. Once you in, you in for life; you gotta ride it out homie. And 2Pac is militant! He’s not a gang member.”

Kurupt added: “He’s from a Black Panther background, a whole ‘nother background. It’s just not healthy for him. A lot of us gangbang ’cause we wanted to; and a lot of us gangbang ’cause we had to. We lived there; we had to protect our community, you know.”

The post Kurupt Says He Left Death Row Because 2Pac Got Killed On Suge Knight’s Watch appeared first on The Source.