MasterClass

Issa Rae Is Glad That She Didn’t Become Successful Until Her 30s

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In a new clip going viral from a Masterclass project, Issa Rae explains why she’s happy she didn’t become famous until her 30s. In the video, she gives examples of famous people who didn’t have their big breaks until later in their lives like Morgan Freeman. Her trademark show wasn’t even greenlit until she was already 30 and Rae seems very happy about that. “I always say, if I started to pop in my early 20s I would be out here h**in,” she explains. “So maybe it’s good that you’re poppin later. You’re more mature and this doesn’t define you.”

Fans in the comments agreed with her estimation, while also noting just how funny her delivery is. “I love her down she be funny but dead serious at the same time,” say the top comment on the video. “I thought this was a scene from insecure,” reads another comment. In fact the comments are full of fans who relate to her message. Many provide other examples of celebs who didn’t receive their big break until they were older. They also credit Rae for her attitude and her own story being inspiring.

Issa Rae Doesn’t Mind Being Late To Fame

Recently Issa Rae appeared in the massively successful Greta Gerwig movie Barbie. In an interview with the Gerwig and the cast, Rae made it clear that if she could have anybody sing her theme song it would be Megan Thee Stallion.

Last year, Issa Rae released season one of her new show Rap Sh!t. The series featured songs that Rae herself helped co-write with various other musicians. Earlier this year it was announced that the series would be receiving a second season. The arrival of that second season is close, like very close. The first two episodes of the new season are expected to drop this week, with new episodes coming out weekly all the way into September. What do you think of Issa Rae’s observations on achieving fame later in life? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Issa Rae Serves Natural Body In Pink Ivy Park Bikini Amid “Barbie” Movie’s Massive Success

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The post Issa Rae Is Glad That She Didn’t Become Successful Until Her 30s appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Nas Reflects On His Life Changes In The Gravity-Defying ‘Big Nas’ Video

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Nas is going from rapper to teacher thanks to MasterClass, where he’ll be directing a lesson on hip-hop storytelling available for streaming on October 14. In addition, he shares a new song, “Big Nas,” produced by Hit-Boy, with a video directed by Ben Dean. In it, a dancer defies gravity as they tip-toe and levitate through the locations near and dear to Nas’ heart, including the Queensbridge Housing Projects where he grew up and started his rap career over 30 years ago.

In an interview with Complex, Nas explains why he partnered with MasterClass to present “Nas Teaches Hip-Hop Storytelling,” which will spin off into other lessons including “Writing an Original Rap Song” and “Recording an Original Rap Song.”

“MasterClass is a great thing for people to get the inside scoop on what’s going on with artists, producers, actors, and people,” he says. “I think the whole thing is a great concept.” Although he calls his process “too much to say in one MasterClass,” he notes that it’s still important to watch experts in their respective fields because you can always learn something new. “You might see things that you do that are similar or that you didn’t see before in yourself,” he muses. “You might find that I gave you something that could add to what you’re doing, and I think that’s important. I think that’s where we’re at in the business: it’s to share.”

Watch Nas and Hit-Boy’s ‘Big Nas’ video above.

Questlove Is Sharing Some Of His Myriad Musical Insights With A New MasterClass

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Questlove is commonly regarded as one of the most knowledgeable people when it comes to music and its history. Now, the drummer for The Roots (to grossly simplify everything he does in and beyond the group) is sharing some of his insight with a new MasterClass focused on music curation and DJing.

MasterClass has shared a trailer for the class today, and the description says students of the class can expect to “explore DJ techniques, expand your musical vocabulary, and learn how to glide from genre to genre — including hip-hop, neo-soul, jazz, R&B, and more — to curate your own perfect playlist.” Questlove says in the trailer, “To be honest with you, not drumming in the world’s funkiest group, not the book-writing, not being on late-night television… my first love is records. I’ve been listening [to] and analyzing records since the age of 5. I’ve never shared the method to my madness or my secrets or my creative process in DJing until right now.”

In a statement, Questlove also says, “It’s one thing to listen to music, but it’s another thing to embrace it and have it come to you. Nothing will take the place of the passion that I feel for music, and I hope my MasterClass will open up a portal in your heart so that you learn to love music, find it, and appreciate it.” MasterClass founder and CEO David Rogier also notes, “Questlove’s storied career and unparalleled knowledge and passion for music has made him a music icon and one of the most influential individuals in the industry. In his MasterClass, members will gain a deeper understanding of how to listen to and absorb music so they can deconstruct songs and gain a deeper appreciation of everything they hear.”

Check out the trailer for Questlove’s MasterClass above. The class is available now, so learn more about it here.