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7 Hip Hop Pioneers Who Deserve Their Flowers

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The pioneers of Hip Hop are responsible for the growth of the genre since the early 70s. The genre has enjoyed longevity and established many great talents as icons and legends in the music industry. Moreover, there are many Hip Hop pioneers who have continued to maintain media relevancy and constantly receive their flowers. Still, there are many other legacy acts that have been swept under the radar. Nonetheless, these icons have contributed greatly to the mainstream genre we know today.

Whether they have faded into obscurity, or have received way less love than they should be getting, it’s important to award them their due recognition. Before the big stars of this current generation of Hip Hop artists, these pioneers were pacesetters who set the stage for what Hip Hop has grown to become. Furthermore, they deserve to have their names immortalized in the halls of Hip Hop history.

Coke La Rock

Coke La Rock holds a significant place in Hip Hop history as one of its earliest pioneers. The rapper is often credited as the first MC in Hip Hop culture and played a crucial role in the early days of Hip Hop as a result of his contributions. During the 1970s, when the genre was first taking shape in the Bronx, New York, he was at the forefront of the movement. He collaborated closely with DJ Kool Herc, another Hip Hop pioneer known for his creative DJing techniques. Together, they are credited with helping to create the foundation of what would eventually become Hip Hop music and culture.

The Sequence

This all-female Hip Hop trio was formed in 1979, and made significant contributions to the early development of the genre. The group was composed of three members: Angie “Angie B” Brown Stone, Cheryl “Cheryl the Pearl” Cook, and Gwendolyn “Blondie” Chisolm. The Sequence is recognized as one of the earliest female Hip Hop acts. Furthermore, the pioneers broke barriers in a male-dominated genre, challenging gender norms in Hip Hop. Their 1979 single, “Funk You Up,” was the first rap single released by a female group. Additionally, the group’s blend of rap, R&B, and funk had a lasting impact on subsequent generations of artists. Their contributions helped shape the direction of Hip Hop and its integration with other musical genres.

Schoolly D

During the early years of rap, this MC’s influential contributions helped to nurture the genre and push it forward. Schoolly D emerged in the mid-1980s as a rapper and producer. He quickly made a name for himself, pioneering the infamous “gangsta rap” subgenre. While he may not be able to take full credit for being the sole originator of gangsta rap, he is definitely one of the most significant contributors to the development of the subgenre. His gritty lyrics and unapologetic storytelling style set the stage for other gangsta rap artists like N.W.A. and Ice-T.

Tone Loc

The deep-voiced MC Tone Loc gained fame in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. The rapper and producer is known for his signature raspy voice and laid-back, humorous style. However, one little-known fact about the California native is that he is the first rapper to have a rap single certified platinum. The smash hit, “Wild Thing,” from his 1989 debut album Loc-ed After Dark was an instant classic upon its release. The song redefined what mainstream and commercial success could be in Hip Hop. More importantly, he changed the game in a distinctive way. Tone Loc was a key figure in the late ‘80s rap scene. Even today, his songs remain iconic examples of party rap.

MC Lyte

At 17 years old, MC Lyte released her debut studio album in 1988 — a monumental feat that made her the first female rapper to release a solo rap album. The rapper and DJ is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of women in Hip Hop, and rightfully so. Lyte As A Rock, released to critical acclaim, was the first of its kind in the Hip Hop scene. Throughout her musical career, MC Lyte focused on positive and empowering themes in her lyrics. Through this, she earned respect as a conscious and thought-provoking artist. She is a trailblazer, and made impactful contributions to Hip Hop music, especially for female MCs.

Public Enemy

Public Enemy is a pioneering rap group known for their politically charged lyrics, inventive production techniques, and sonic experimentation. The group was formed in Long Island, New York, and gained prominence in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Furthermore, their music served as a voice for marginalized communities, and a call to action against injustice. Public Enemy’s lyrics addressed issues of racial inequality, systemic oppression, and social justice, topics that were not often addressed in mainstream music at the time. Their confrontational and dauntless style helped cement them as pioneers in Hip Hop culture.

Run-D.M.C.

This legendary rap group consists of pioneers who played a pivotal role in shaping the Hip Hop genre’s mainstream acceptance. The group was formed in 1981, and was composed of rappers Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, and DJ Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell. Run-D.M.C. is credited with revolutionizing Hip Hop, and was one of the first Hip Hop pioneers to emphasize the importance of the MC and DJ relationship. The group gained attention with their first single. Still, they enjoyed mainstream success as well after collaborating with Aerosmith on a remake of their song, “Walk This Way.” However, it was Run-D.M.C.’s third album, Raising Hell, that catapulted them to superstardom. Overall, their impact extends beyond music, and they have built a legacy for themselves in the Hip Hop scene and beyond.

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50 Cent Is Jealous That Drake Gets Bras Thrown At Him On Stage

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Drake getting things thrown at him on stage has been a major theme of his “It’s All A Blur” tour this summer. While it started off somewhat hostile with video of Drake being hit in the arm by a phone going viral, it’s taken a funny twist. That started when Drake stopped his show to point out a massive bra that was thrown on stage. That was followed by a viral hunt for the woman responsible, who was eventually found. It concluded when Drake’s own dad pranked him by throwing a hilariously oversized bra on stage during a show last week.

One person who has clearly taken notice of the bras is 50 Cent. In a recent video posted to Instagram 50 goes on a rant backstage at one of his shows. Consequently he jokes in the clip about not getting the same treatment as Drake. “They don’t treat Drake like this. They don’t treat m*thafuckin’ Drake like this. Drake, they throw him bras. What do I get? Aye, could you please go get me some Drake fans? Sh*t just don’t feel right.” He closes the video by reminiscing on a time when he used to get similar treatment. “I need to feel special around here. I need them to treat me like I’m Drake. Drake get bras every night! I used to get bras in the beginning of my career.” Check out the hilarious video below.

50 Cent Wants To Be Treated Like Drake

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A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

Despite not getting the treatment he may hope for, 50 Cent still puts on a good show. He recently dazzled fans at Club LIV in Miami during an in-between show from his Final Lap Tour. Impressive videos of 50 performing for the absolutely packed club hit the internet earlier this week.

Another video 50 Cent shared also got quite a bit of attention. The clip featured a very young fan who couldn’t have been more excited to see the rapper on tour. What do you think of 50 Cent wishing he could get treated more like Drake on tour? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Sexyy Red’s ‘Dream’ Photo With Tyler The Creator’s Has Fans Raving About His Assets

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Sexyy Red has been having an incredible year. Her viral hit “Pound Town” led to some impressive opportunities, from an invite to the BET Awards to an “iconic” booking at Rolling Loud Miami. Her dreams keep coming true — including one in which she meets Tyler The Creator, apparently. The 25-year-old naturally would have grown up on Tyler’s grungy hits, so it makes sense that she’d be so excited to meet him in real life:

My dreams came true!! pic.twitter.com/8Yw25gj7C2

— Sexyy Red (@SexyyRed314_) August 23, 2023

However, once the photos of their meetup hit social media, fans found that they could only focus on one thing: Tyler’s rump. The two rappers both poked it out for an irreverent middle finger pose, but users were bemused to learn that T’s been packing one ginormous pooper. Of course, Tyler’s been into skateboarding and biking practically his entire life, so it makes sense that his glutes would be well-developed — it’s just that nobody was aware just HOW well-developed.

Tyler The Creator and Sexyy Red pic.twitter.com/HujjErGIno

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) August 23, 2023

The responses are as hilarious as they are varied, with fans comparing Tyler’s backside to other famously rotund derrieres like those of Kim Kardashian and Cardi B. Naturally, the jokes flew fast and furiously, with one user cracking, “They having a bake off.” Another common claim was fans wondering if Tyler had joined the BBL trend, getting a Brazilian butt lift for added badonk. You can see just some of the funny responses below.

Tyler lookin like pic.twitter.com/Q8MKDT7tl6

— KrispyKremeOCE (@KrispykremeOCE) August 23, 2023

TYLER ?!? pic.twitter.com/V4RVHOYLOl

— welp. (@YSLONIKA) August 23, 2023

They having a bake off https://t.co/mboPAu94cU

— HOOD VOGUE is tired of poverty (@keyon) August 23, 2023

Quavo Dedicates His New Album ‘Rocket Power’ To The Late Takeoff And Shows Growth In The Process

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

quavo rocket power review — Quavo / Derrick Rossignol

The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.

I guess this is the new normal. Migos, as a group, is definitely gone. The trio’s surviving members, Quavo and Offset, may have resolved whatever bad blood caused the split in the first place (or at least resolved to move forward in the wake of tragedy), but with Takeoff no longer available to offer the third dimension to their music, even a reunion between them just wouldn’t be the same. A few years ago, this might have spelled disaster for both Quavo and Offset as solo artists. This may be harsh, but Quavo’s 2018 solo debut Quavo Huncho just didn’t display the sort of depth to suggest that his artistic output would continue to match his personal charisma for very long.

But Quavo’s latest solo project, Rocket Power, showcases a tremendous amount of growth. Here, he sounds hungry and engaged again, and he has just enough to talk about outside his typical range of wealth and gang talk to carry the majority of the album’s 17 songs. Unfortunately, that “just enough” includes the recent violent death of his close friend, nephew, and bandmate, Takeoff. It feels vaguely icky to attribute his artistic evolution to personal trauma — something the journalism industry does way too much of to begin with, if you ask me — and yet, there are now undeniably added facets and shades to Quavo’s music that weren’t there before.

Of course, in the five years since Huncho, Quavo, like all of us, had a lot of time to sit around, and it could be that he just spent that time sharpening his craft. He also got into a high-profile relationship with a fellow rapper, Saweetie, as well as an equally public breakup. He has, in short, lived a bit, and I think that has always been the primary component of constructing a long-lasting and compelling catalog of albums. The other half of that is, of course, technique. Quavo always came in third among the Migos’ brotherhood in that respect, with Takeoff coming off more practiced, and Offset sounding more wise. The songs on Quavo’s debut just wound up sounding hollow by comparison, and it didn’t help that the album was weighed down by so many guest stars.

On Rocket Power, Quavo pares back the call list, restricting the invites to Atlanta natives. Future makes two appearances, as does the late Takeoff (on one song, together), while the incarcerated Young Thug reminds us why he has such a passionate following on “Focused.” Two younger artists, BabyDrill and the fortuitously named Hunxho, show up on “Stain,” reflecting Quavo’s willingness to pick up the torch once passed to him by Gucci Mane and mentor the next generation of his hometown’s rap talent. Otherwise, Quavo is the sole voice on Rocket Power, which puts greater pressure on him to actually hold the listener’s attention for almost the full 50 minutes. Miraculously, that’s what he does for much of the runtime, although the album is still somehow a hair too long, even clocking in at under an hour.

Quavo manages this feat by employing a new tool in his increasingly diverse kit: vulnerability. He’s always been a bit vague as a storyteller, more prone to setting up pristine tableaus from a rags-to-riches story, but on songs like “Mama Told Me,” he finally provides the connective tissue to fill in the blanks. On “Greatness,” he directly addresses the fate of his band and admits “I don’t got all the answers.” “Hold Me,” while unfolding an otherwise rote “gangsta’s pain” style meditation, lines like “lost my nephew to gunplay and smoke sh*t” lend the song an air of authenticity. It sucks that we can’t necessarily buy such expressions without seeing the physical and psychic damage for ourselves, but that’s what happens when they usually only warrant one or two songs and a couple of throwaway lines amid a non-stop ball-off.

The celebration songs, like “Turn Yo Clic Up” with Future and “Who Wit Me,” have the benefit of Quavo’s gift for writing quirky, inescapable hooks, but the songs worth returning to are the more reflective ones like “Rocket Power.” That certainly says something about when Quavo — or really, any rapper — is at his best. Flexing is fine, but the element that makes us fall in love with these artists, that makes them so intrinsic to the fabric of our everyday lives despite the differences in circumstances with the artists themselves, is their ability to tell us who they are. With Rocket Power, Quavo finally offers a glimpse of the man behind the ad-libs, and gives us more reason to follow along as he keeps Takeoff’s memory alive.

Rocket Power is out now via Quality Control Music / Motown Records.

Fool Me Twice: Fyre Fest 2.0 Pre-Sale Tickets Are Reportedly Sold Out — Godspeed To Whoever Bought Them

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

In case you missed the disastrous experience the first time, it’s clear people still want to see what Fyre Fest was like — as Billy McFarland’s 2.0 return of the event allegedly sold-out of the pre-sale tickets almost instantly.

There’s still no lineup or no clear details about what Fyre Fest 2.0 will hold, but the “First 100” of the passes opened up to the public for $499, according to a new interview he did with TMZ.

“They sold out very very quickly,” he said.

For those who don’t remember, McFarland was recently released from prison after the failings of the fest’s first run. He also had to pay millions back to investors, after the original festival went horribly wrong. There were even viral scenes of those attending struggling on the island, which sparked a few documentaries.

This time, he has promised that it will take place somewhere in the Caribbean at the end of 2024. The rest of the Fyre Fest 2.0 tickets, if anyone was sad they didn’t get them the first time, will go back on sale at a later date. However, some of the higher ticket tiers reportedly reach above $7000.

McFarland has also teased that he has plans for a Broadway musical as well, so the general public should probably take his ideas as far-fetched by now.

So, if you feel like getting stranded at a festival with no performers and limited supplies just for a viral moment, definitely keep an eye out for the next Fyre Fest 2.0 ticket drop.

Lil Yachty Tweets & Deletes About Drake’s “For All The Dogs” Rumors

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Lil Yachty recently hopped on Twitter/X to speak on Drake’s upcoming album, For All The Dogs. The Canadian performer has been teasing the new record for some time, and based on reports, it should be arriving soon. As expected, there’s been a ton of chatter online about Drake’s latest offering. With that being said, Yachty seems to have noticed some inconsistencies, and he aired his thoughts to his followers. “Haven’t seen a factual piece of info on For All The Dogs yet lol,” the rapper wrote in the since-deleted Tweet.

Though Drake has yet to formally announce the release date of For All The Dogs, Apple Music seemingly confirmed the date earlier this week. According to them, it’ll drop on August 25. It’s unclear whether or not the reveal was intentional, but many fans speculate that it was not. He’s vaguely hinted at the release time frame at various tour stops, but never took the opportunity to announce the actual date.

Lil Yachty Speaks About Misinformation On For All The Dogs

It is clear that Drake’s been inching towards the drop, however, as he just recently unveiled the album’s cover art. The cover of For All The Dogs is a simple sketch of a dog by the performer’s 5-year-old son, Adonis. Fans are eager to see how the imagery relates to the record sonically. Some have suggested that it could symbolize him revisiting the “old Drake,” which he’s hinted at previously. “I’m tired of everybody coming up to me, [saying] ‘man… we miss that old Drake man. We need that old Drake man,’” he said in July. “Imma give it to you then.”

So far, listeners know to expect features from Bad Bunny and Nicki Minaj on the new project. Some other rumored features, however, have recently been debunked. Earlier this week, Zane Lowe shut down speculation that Frank Ocean would make an appearance on For All The Dogs, much to fans’ disappointment. Keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Drake and For All The Dogs.

[Via]

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LL Cool J Sends Common Special Gift Box: “It’s An Honor”

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

LL Cool J has been know to embrace the artists under him. His generosity extends far beyond music. The rapper recently blessed Common with a limited edition gift box. In a video posted to his Instagram on Monday (August 21), the Chicago native is visibly overjoyed as he unboxes the package. The box contained a few luxury cigars, trinkets, as well a gold chain. The custom-made jewelry is from LL Cool J’s wife, Simone Smith.

“Shoutout to LL and Simone, thank y’all,” he said in the video. “I appreciate being on the F.O.R.C.E Tour — it’s a[n] honor. LL, you one of the greatest, man, for real. One of the reasons I do what I do. He added in the caption: “Thank you @llcoolj for this gift. But also, thank you for sharing your talents with us. You are one of them 1’s.”

LL Cool J Gives The Best Gifts

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A post shared by Common (@common)

Common isn’t the only one to bear witness to LL’s generosity. While appearing on LL’s episode of Paramount’s Behind The Music, Eminem shared his own story about the rap pioneer. He was also gifted a custom-made chain by the rapper/actor. “Since I was a little kid I always wanted a chain,” Em explains, speaking on LL Cool J’s iconic gold chain worn in the “I’m Bad” video. “I was recording with Rick Rubin, and I was like, ‘Yo, can you ask LL where he got his chains from?’ So he had these made and sent them to me.”

In other related news, LL Cool J recently shared his thoughts about older rappers considering retirement. During a recent appearance on Sway’s Universe, the iconic pioneer shared his thoughts on ageism in rap. Furthermore, he believes that music artists don’t have to flirt with retirement in the same way athletes do. “Hip Hop is not a sport,” he began. “It’s like playing guitar or the horn…” He continued: “So I don’t have to stop doing what I do and stop recording at 34.” LL added, “I hear artists all the time flirting with retirement, and that’s really insecurity. Because they don’t know whether or not they’re gonna be able to continue on in their careers.”

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Rick Ross’ Career & Legal Dealings To Be Focus Of New Law School Course

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

A new course at the Georgia State University College of Law will analyze the career and legal dealings of Rick Ross. Professor Mo Ivory will teach “The Legal Life of Rick Ross” for the fall 2023 semester.

“As a lover of rap music, Hip-Hop culture and in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, I could not think of a better time to study the career of a visionary like Rick Ross,” Ivory said, as noted by AllHipHop. “When I began my research on Ross, I realized early on that my students would learn about a businessman who turned his love of music into an empire that includes massive real estate holdings, food and beverage franchises, investments in the car and bike industry, literary works and corporate equity ownership.”

Rick Ross On The Grammy Awards’ Red Carpet

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 28: Rick Ross attends the 60th Annual GRAMMY. Awards – Arrivals at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Rick Ross endorsed the class in a statement. “The ‘Biggest’ meets the classroom,” he said. “I’ve always been a student of the game, and I look forward to being able to teach the next generation how to keep hustling.” The course will go in-depth on various contracts from throughout Ross’ career. It is the latest in a series of courses on celebrities titled “Legal Life of.” Ludacris, Steve Harvey, and Kandi Burruss, have been covered in previous years. They are part of the curriculum for the Entertainment, Sports & Media Law Initiative which focuses on entertainment, sports, media, and intellectual property law.

Outside of his music career, Ross is an avid investor. He owns 25 Wingstop locations, several Checkers and Rally’s restaurants, and is a partner in Sovereign Brands. The Georgia State University College of Law isn’t the only school offering courses on hip-hop artists. In 2021, the University of Toronto held classes on Drake and The Weeknd.

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14 Of Lizzo’s Dancers Already Got Settlements Prior To Latest Lawsuit

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

More information continues to roll out in this ever-lasting lawsuit surrounding Lizzo. The latest news is that 14 of the singer’s dancers were granted a separate settlement from the footage from the 2022 documentary Love, Lizzo. Reportedly, Slay Smiles, the dance group’s manager brought this to the surface back in January. He claims that the uncomfortable and intimate discussions around misogyny, weight-shaming, and racism, really hurt the dancers deeply. It was also cleared for use in the documentary, but reached the final product.

Furthermore, Smiles went on to say that the documentary (and effectively Lizzo), exposed his crew. He says it, “truly exploited these women and violated the emotional safety they had in those moments.” The end result between Smiles, his dancers, the co-producers of the company Boardwalk Pictures, and a “Lizzo entity” was a settlement. However, there is still more to unpack.

What Will Happen Next In This Lizzo Debacle?

Additionally, Smiles also says that not a single contract was brought to his attention, or to the dancers for behind-the-scenes footage. The total payout of the settlement was around $110,000. Furthermore, $7000 was the rough amount that each dancer received. Of course, Lizzo, her attorney, and others around her are deflecting, saying the dancers were aware of everything going on. It is a sticky situation, to say the least, and one that will continue to produce more debate and discussion.

What are your initial thoughts on more dancers receiving settlements before the lawsuit? Do you think Lizzo will ever be able to live this down, or will it pass by? Furthermore, what are your thoughts on all of these different reports and claims surrounding this situation? We want to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around the music world.

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The Weeknd Hilariously Regretted Letting A Fan Sing Into The Microphone During His Recent Show

August 23, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The Weeknd is currently continuing his international stops of his After Hours ‘Til Dawn Tour. At a recent show, according to HipHopDX, the Canadian performer was singing “Out Of Time” when he decided to let a fan in the audience briefly take the reigns.

He passed the mic to a woman in the front row and instantly regretted it, as documented in a hilarious video. Her scream was so loud and wild singing along that The Weeknd made a telling face and then took the mic right back, moving instead further down the crowd.

The Weeknd gets shock when he lets fan sing into his microphone mid-show https://t.co/52WCdDsvQr pic.twitter.com/TfnkCIXu1R

— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) August 22, 2023

Overall, though, he’s been having a pretty good tour. According to Live Nation UK, he “broke Wembley Stadium’s record for sales with their traditional concert set up with the stage at one end of the stadium with 87,000 tickets sold.”

Last month, The Weeknd also broke the attendance record during his two shows at London Stadium, which reportedly drew in 160,000 fans.

“It’s incredible to see the Weeknd hit this milestone less than halfway through his massive sold-out European run,” Live Nation’s touring president, Omar Al-joulani, praised. “This historic moment in London shows the global fan base he has cultivated over the years.”

Still, with all of those fans flooding to his concerts, something wild was bound to happen eventually.

Check out The Weeknd regretting letting a fan sing above.