mumble rap 2

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

by

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

by

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 & Hit-Boy’s Chemistry Thrives On “Mumble Rap 2” Ft. Gucci Mane, Rick Ross & More

by

One of Canada’s sharpest wordsmiths has, once again, proven that he’s a beast in his own right. Belly returned with the release of his highly-anticipated new album, Mumble Rap 2, executive produced by Hit-Boy. Marking the follow-up to See You Next Wednesday, Belly enlists a slew of heavy hitters for the anthem. Rick Ross, who Belly describes as one of his favorite rappers, appears on “Cocaine Spoon,” while Gucci Mane joins the rapper on “De La Hoya.” However, the XO presence looms heavily, as well, with Nav appearing on “Just Like Me.” 

Perhaps, the most surprising inclusion on the tracklist comes from the late Gil Scott-Heron. The influential poet’s voice appears on “Loyalty v. Royalty,” a bluesy banger with production from Hit-Boy and Scott-Heron’s estate’s blessing. “We reached out. They were incredible, great about it. They just wanted to hear the record, heard the record. They were like, ‘Yeah. Done.’ Signed off on it,” Belly told HotNewHipHop in a recent interview. “Even for me, it was like, shocking because I had never tried to clear something like that.’”

Belly Unveils “Mumble Rap 2”

The latest effort from the rapper comes shortly after he announced that he has three albums left before stepping away from the music industry. Earlier this year, he confirmed that after Mumble Rap 2, he would hit the road before dropping two more albums and heading on a farewell tour. “I love yall with all my heart, sincerely, but this industry has taken it’s toll on me,” he wrote. “MR2 will be the first of my last three albums ever. Mini tour for MR2 then a farewell tour after my next 2.”

At this point, he hasn’t revealed any further details on his last two albums. However, it’s unlikely that we see the long-awaited Jay-Z collaboration land on either. The rapper previously teased a song titled “Midnight Zone” alongside the Roc Nation boss. But, in a recent interview with HotNewHipHop, he revealed the status of the record. “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.”

“Cocaine Spoon” Ft. Rick Ross

In addition to the release of Mumble Rap 2,  Belly also unveiled the official visuals for the single, “Cocaine Spoon” ft. Rick Ross. The new video comes after the release of both “American Nightmare” and “Ambiance,” which share a similar aesthetic to his latest video. Check it out above.  

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

by

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.

Belly Feels Like “Biggie & Puff Combined” On New Single “Ambiance”

by

Two years after the release of See You Next Wednesday, XO hitmaker Belly is gearing up for the release of his next studio album, Mumble Rap 2.  He unveiled the lead single, “American Nightmare” last month but today, he returned with his second single, “Ambiance.” With production from The ANMLS, Belly comes out swinging from the gate with cheeky shots at Instagram models and bold comparisons to the iconic Bad Boy duo of the Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy. 

The Hit-Boy-produced “American Nightmare” boasted a triumphant feeling but “Ambiance” delves deeper into the hazy and hypnotic production choices heard from his earlier work. Although the bravado runs deep throughout the song, Belly doesn’t hide the demons that he’s battled, from mental health to substance abuse struggles. It’s another extraordinary effort that has us absolutely excited for Belly’s upcoming album Mumble Rap 2.

Belly Releases New Single “Ambiance” Ahead Of Next Album

Along with the release of “Ambiance,” Belly also dropped the tracklist for his upcoming album, due out on May 19th. The upcoming effort boasts 11 songs in total with some incredible features attached to it. Belly locked in a posthumous appearance from the great Gil Scott-Heron for “Loyalty Vs. Royalty. Although The Weeknd won’t appear on the album, Belly’s XO labelmate, Nav, will also have a feature on Mumble Rap 2. Additionally, Gucci Mane and Rick Ross will appear on the project on the singles, “De La Hoya” and “Cocaine Spoon,” respectively.

Unfortunately, Mumble Rap 2 is among the final projects Belly will release before hanging up the towel. The Canadian rapper announced that he has three projects in the stash, including MR2. He will embark on a mini-tour after this album before heading on a farewell tour after the following two. Check out Belly’s latest single above and check out the tracklist for Mumble Rap 2 below.

Quotable Lyrics
Shanghai collar can’t pop it, cause I’m anti
Mankind mama, by standard you should stand by
Yang ties, we ain’t on the same side
Got it out the mud like a landslide
Kept on, selling off the land line
Stepped on, still that shit blew up just like a landmine

Mumble Rap 2 Tracklist

Belly Is Back With “American Nightmare” Produced By Hit-Boy

by

The wait is over and Belly is back. In the past two years since he released See You Next Wednesday, the rapper’s confirmed that he plans to retire in the near future. Fortunately, he has a few albums in the cut before he does. This morning, Belly returned with his latest single, “American Nightmare,” a new collaboration with Hit-Boy. The “Might Not” rapper sounds as revitalized as ever, gliding through the horn-centric production with command and high energy. Along with Hit-Boy, Nick Lamb and DannyBoyStyles share co-production credits on “American Nightmare.”

With politically-charged bars, the rapper kicks off the campaign for Mumble Rap 2 due out on May 19th. On “American Nightmare,” he delves deep into the targeting of the Middle Eastern community across the U.S. “Coming from a place that the media constantly demonizes, I wanted to express how proud I am of being not only an Arab, but someone who’s been able to set an example for young Arabs everywhere,” he explained. “The Arabian Dream, feels like the American Nightmare sometimes but we’d rather be dreamers. It’s easy to be patient when you know what you’re destined for.”

Belly Prepares For Mumble Rap 2

Belly has undoubtedly earned his reputation as a writer, from penning some of The Weeknd’s biggest hits to his own hit records. However, Mumble Rap 2, which will be executive produced by Hit-Boy, will remind fans of his proficiencies as an MC, which are on full display on “American Nightmare.” “With the first Mumble Rap I had already had a hit record and I wanted to remind people not to forget, where I actually come from & that I really do this,” he said of his upcoming project in a statement.

The rapper confirmed earlier this year that he will release three more albums, including MR2, before he hands up the microphone for good. “I love yall with all my heart, sincerely, but this industry has taken it’s [sic] toll on me,” Belly wrote in February. “MR2 will be the first of my last three albums ever. Mini tour for MR2 then a farewell tour after my next 2.” Though the news is bittersweet, we’re excited to hear what he has up his sleeve on Mumble Rap 2. Check out his latest single above.

Quotable Lyrics
5 mill for the Cali crib
Middle finger to my old neighbors
I put out a album called Immigrant
I’m in the country with no papers, damn