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Nas to Partner with Hennessy to Launch ‘HenNASsy’ Limited-Edition Bottle to Celebrate Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary

June 28, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Hennessy, the world’s leading Cognac and a constant presence in Hip Hop culture is commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop with a special celebration. In honor of this milestone, Hennessy has collaborated with Grammy-Award-winning rap legend Nas to create a Limited Edition Hennessy V.S bottle, dubbed “HenNASsy.” The design pays homage to the different flavors, styles, rhythms, and flows that make up the vibrant world of Hip Hop, as well as the “Never stop. Never settle.” spirit that both Hennessy and Hip Hop embody.

On July 20, Hennessy and Nas will unveil the commemorative Limited Edition “HenNASsy” bottle at an exclusive digital mapping event. This event will showcase the depth and breadth of Hip Hop culture. As part of the celebration, Hennessy will also launch Hennessy AI.bum Covers, an AI-led, social-first experience that transforms selfies into personalized album covers inspired by iconic eras of Hip Hop. This is part of Hennessy’s Rep Yours campaign, which encourages fans to express what Hip Hop means to them through immersive digital experiences.

“Hennessy has been an undeniable mainstay in Hip Hop, intricately woven into the fabric of the genre and its global influence for decades,” said Jasmin Allen, Senior Vice President, Hennessy USA. “We’re proud to honor Hip Hop’s 50^th anniversary with a pioneer of the art and culture – Hip Hop icon, Nas – as we celebrate the debut of our collaborative Limited-Edition Bottle.”

Hip Hop is a universal language that resonates differently in every corner of the world. The Rep Yours campaign aims to honor the genre’s pioneers while uplifting the next generation of artists. Hennessy and Nas have longstanding relationships that transcend generations and cultures, cementing Hennessy’s enduring presence in Hip Hop.

In collaboration with renowned photographer Renell Medrano, Nas has created a film that serves as his love letter to Hip Hop. The film captures the genre’s essence and features imagery of the new Limited Edition Hennessy V.S bottle.

“It means a lot to me to celebrate this legendary moment in Hip Hop history with Hennessy, a brand that has supported me for over 10 years,” said Nas. “Hennessy is part of our culture and continues to inspire generations of Hip Hop fans, so I’m really proud to share our new Limited-Edition bottle with the world.”

To bring the flair and flavor of the celebratory launch party to 21+ consumers at home, while highlighting Hennessy’s influential role in Hip Hop history, Hennessy’s expert mixologists have crafted three unique cocktails, pulling in elements of reminiscent Hip Hop flavors, to celebrate Hip Hop 50:

The Big Apple: Hennessy’s homage to the birthplace of Hip Hop and inspired by Nas. The fruity notes of Hennessy V.S compliment the cinnamon apple flavors prominent in the Big Apple cocktail.
HenNASsy Honey: A tribute to Hennessy’s partnership with Nas. Hennessy V.S’ complexity reacts well with this cocktail, complimenting the sweetness of the honey while balancing the tartness of the lemon juice.
Incredible Hennessy: A new twist on a classic hip hop cocktail. This well-balanced and refreshing cocktail taps into Hennessy’s legacy within Hip Hop and will be immediately recognizable to fans of the brand and the genre.

To mark Hip Hop’s official birthdate on August 11, Hennessy will partner with its Team Hennessy ambassadors across 14 U.S. markets to host unique celebrations. Each activation will pay tribute to the city’s contributions to Hip Hop, allowing attendees to toast to the genre’s legacy in true Hennessy fashion.

The post Nas to Partner with Hennessy to Launch ‘HenNASsy’ Limited-Edition Bottle to Celebrate Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary appeared first on The Source.

50 Cent Reportedly Planned To Diss Jay-Z, Nas, Cam’ron, And Others On A Fiery Song Before Dr. Dre Reined Him In

June 19, 2023 by newhiphopnews

50 Cent can’t contain his excitement about being involved in Expend4bles, but while he’s always looking forward, he’s also reflecting on the 20th anniversary of his ground-breaking debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’.

In early May, 50 announced his global The Final Lap Tour to commemorate the milestone. The massive trek is scheduled to begin on July 21 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Over the weekend, Diverse Mentality gave fans something to chew on in the meantime by releasing a two-hour documentary about Get Rich Or Die Tryin’.

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The 1:08:00-mark dives into the track “Back Down (Ja Rule Diss)” with on-camera insights from Sha Money XL, who is credited as the recording engineer (as noted by Genius.)

“This one was fresh — fresh! We went to my crib, cut that sh*t. Fif had no filter,” Sha Money says. “Got to LA and played it, [Dr.] Dre put the filter on him, like, ‘Hold up, bro. Hold up, bro. Nah, bro. You goin’ too far, man. So, we had to re-record that sh*t.”

The doc’s narrator, Quake, adds:

“The original version of ‘Back Down’ that was recorded in Sha Money’s basement was a lot more aggressive. Not only did 50 Cent go at Ja Rule and Murder Inc. as a whole, but he took aim at Supreme, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Nas, Cam’ron, and more. 50 Cent even invites Dr. Dre, toward the end of the track, to jump in and say ‘f*ck you’ to the competition. However, Dre did not do that and decided to have 50 Cent re-record the song with a more filtered version only going at Ja Rule and Murder Inc.

I’ve heard this original version only two times, so I don’t remember too many bars from the original. But he does take aim at Cam’ron by dissing his pink clothes and says, ‘You’re acting all gangsta and tough / You must’ve forgot when the director yelled cut,’ which was referring to Cam’ron’s acting days on Paid In Full.”

Watch the documentary below.

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Brings in $120.5M in Opening Weekend

June 5, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse had a strong swing at the box office. The animated Spider-Man movie will bring in $120.5 million in its box office debut, becoming the year’s second-biggest opening.

According to Variety, Spider-Verse will only trail The Super Mario Bros. Movie for the year and is the third-biggest opening weekend for any Spider-man film.

The worldwide total for the film is $208.6 million, after adding in $17.3 million from the Chinese markets and another $88.1 million from 59 territories internationally.

“We’re thrilled to see the overwhelming box office success of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as we head into an exciting summer blockbuster season,” said Jed Harmsen, Head of Cinema and Group Entertainment at Dolby. “The film’s mesmerizing visuals and gripping storyline truly come alive in Dolby Cinema, and it’s evident that audiences worldwide are deeply connecting with this story. We look forward to what the rest of the summer has in store as we continue to provide audiences with more awe-inspiring cinematic experiences.”

On the Hip-Hop end, GRAMMY Award-nominated producer Metro Boomin, renowned for his diamond-certified hits, is expanding his creative endeavors into the comic and film universe. Today, he proudly announces the release of the highly anticipated Metro Boomin Presents Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Soundtrack from and Inspired by the Motion Picture,” on which he serves as the Executive Producer.

Embracing his passion for both music and superheroes, Metro Boomin has assembled an all-star lineup of musical talents to contribute to this groundbreaking soundtrack. Joining forces with the Grammy-winning producer are industry heavyweights including 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Coi Leray, Don Toliver, Future, James Blake, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Wayne, Nas, Nav, Offset, Swae Lee, Wizkid, and more. This star-studded collaboration promises to deliver an electrifying musical experience that perfectly complements the forthcoming film.

While this marks Metro Boomin’s first foray into film soundtracks, his affinity for film and comic superheroes has long been evident. The visionary producer has consistently demonstrated his admiration for the art of storytelling, drawing inspiration from the vivid narratives and larger-than-life characters found in comics and movies. With his latest endeavor, Metro Boomin aims to merge his musical genius with the awe-inspiring world of Spider-Man, amplifying the film’s immersive experience through captivating and evocative soundscapes.

Of the collaboration, Spring Aspers, President of Music,Sony Pictures, said “The concept for the next installment of Miles’ story demanded a contemporary and culturally significant musical collaborator. Metro Boomin was clearly the perfect cultural voice to sculpt the musical environment to support this amazing next chapter.”

Dana Sano, EVP Film & TV Republic Records, added: “Metro Boomin is a true visionary who continues to raise the bar. For the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack, Metro curated and delivered with fierce passion and integrity. Republic is thrilled and honored to be reteaming with the filmmakers and our amazing partners at Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group.”

You can hear the full release below.

The post ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Brings in $120.5M in Opening Weekend appeared first on The Source.

Metro Boomin Taps Nas To Aid On New “Spider-Man” Soundtrack With “Nas Morales” Song: Stream

June 4, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Metro Boomin season is once again in full effect thanks to the Atlanta-based producer’s work on the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack. It’s an undeniably sad time of year for the creative as he mourns the one-year anniversary of his mother’s shocking and untimely death. He shared a heartfelt tribute to her on social media to commemorate the occasion but has otherwise been pouring his heart and soul into various projects while working through his grief.

The animated film’s soundtrack finds Metro linking up with some of the industry’s finest, including 21 Savage, 2 Chainz, and Offset. While many titles on the 13-track effort are joint ones, the closing song, “Nas Morales” finds Nas operating solo over an infectious beat from the Savage Mode hitmaker. His lyrics include various spider references, such as “Shoot a web, glidin’ through the sky, through the air / Dancin’ through the buildings, Fred Astaire, bunch of skyscrapers everywhere” on the chorus.

Metro Boomin Makes Music Magic on “Nas Morales”

Aside from the highly anticipated Spider-Man soundtrack, Metro has also confirmed that he and Canadian singer NAV have more heat on the way. They’re planning on dropping Perfect Timing 2 in the future, and the 29-year-old has also shared that he’s been hard at work on some serious heat with Future. Most recently, he and Hendrix teamed up for “All The Way Live” from this weekend’s release.

Stream Metro Boomin’s “Nas Morales” featuring the legendary NY lyricist on YouTube above, or add it to your Spotify/Apple Music playlist. Will you be checking out Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse during its stint in theatres over the next few weeks? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more HNHH release recommendations.

Quotable Lyrics:

Shoot a web, glidin’ through the sky, through the air
Dancin’ through the buildings, Fred Astaire, bunch of skyscrapers everywhere
I’m just flexin’ my ability, sick and tired of humility
Can’t believe that they would hate on me

The post Metro Boomin Taps Nas To Aid On New “Spider-Man” Soundtrack With “Nas Morales” Song: Stream appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Sprite Pays Homage To Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary With Nas, Rakim, GloRilla, Latto, And ‘Rapper’s Delight’

June 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Back in the day, Sprite was among the first nationwide brands to really embrace hip-hop. I’m not talking about a “rap” jingle, as so many other brands tried (we’re still trying to get rid of that corny “My name is ____ and I’m here to say…” rhyme to this day). Instead, Sprite really recruited pivotal figures from the hip-hop community like Nas and AZ, Pete Rock, and Five Deadly Venoms to make awesome commercials like the Voltron spots with Common, Fat Joe, and Westside Connection (my good buddy Dan Charnas writes about it in his book, The Big Payback).

Those ads kicked off a legacy of connection with hip-hop for the brand that continues today, as hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary. As part of the ongoing Hip-Hop 50 celebrations, Sprite paid homage to its own history with the culture by creating a new TV spot with Nas and Rakim and updating the premise with contemporary stars GloRilla and Latto. The commercial has all four rappers quoting “Rapper’s Delight,” the first official rap hit, while performing snippets of their own signature hits. Check it out:

The ad is a nice, throwback nod to the original Sprite rapper commercials of the early ’90s, which featured rappers like Kriss Kross, Kid N’ Play, KRS-One, Missy Elliott, and more, often performing original songs or their own hits to showcase the promotional power of hip-hop. This one’s still the best, though:

Metro Boomin Delivers ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Soundtrack’ Featuring 2 Chainz, Future, Nas, Lil Wayne & More

June 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

GRAMMY Award-nominated producer Metro Boomin, renowned for his diamond-certified hits, is expanding his creative endeavors into the comic and film universe. Today, he proudly announces the release of the highly anticipated Metro Boomin Presents Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Soundtrack from and Inspired by the Motion Picture,” on which he serves as the Executive Producer.

You can hear the full release below.

The post Metro Boomin Delivers ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Soundtrack’ Featuring 2 Chainz, Future, Nas, Lil Wayne & More appeared first on The Source.

Sprite Celebrates Hip-Hop’s 50th With Nas, Rakim, Latto & GloRilla

June 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

In honor of hip-hop’s 50th, popular soda brand Sprite has teamed up with hip-hop legends Nas and Rakim and rising stars Latto and GloRilla to launch a creative campaign honoring hip-hop’s past, present, and future. In addition to the campaign, Sprite is introducing a new flavor called Lymonade Legacy, along with exclusive merchandise and content. […]

The post Sprite Celebrates Hip-Hop’s 50th With Nas, Rakim, Latto & GloRilla appeared first on SOHH.com.

DJ Khaled Shows Off Rare Nas Photo From The 90s

May 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

DJ Khaled recently acquired a rare photograph of Nas from his Illmatic era. It appears to have captivated him. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the We The Best mogul shared the black and white photo. The shot captures a young Nas standing at an intersection in the Queensbridge housing projects, looking back at the camera. Additionally, Khaled posted a video about it. In the clip, the producer expressed his admiration for the picture. He mentioned that the photographer who took it for Nas’ Illmatic album in 1993 signed it and gave it to him. He referred to it as a classic, representing the essence of hip-hop.

Danny Clinch, renowned photographer, took the photo of Nas. It was taken during the shoot for the rapper’s debut album. Clinch discussed the iconic photoshoot in a 2014 interview with Billboard. In the story, the photographer recounting how Nas guided him around his neighborhood, leading to the capturing of memorable shots. Clinch described Nas as a wise poet who was ahead of his time. Additionally, he highlighted that during that era, hip-hop artists represented their roots and shared stories of their upbringing. Furthermore, he said that Nas epitomized this with Illmatic, making the album particularly special.

Nas’ “Illmatic” Impact

Nas’ Illmatic is widely regarded as one of the greatest rap albums of all time. The Library of Congress even added it to their collection in 2021. Librarian Carla Hayden emphasized the cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance of the album. Furthermore, she said they considered it an audio treasure worth preserving for future generations. Released on April 19, 1994, “Illmatic” debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart. It went on to sell over 63,000 copies in its first week. The album achieved 2x platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in February 2019. It had already sold a million copies by December 2001.

DJ Khaled and Nas have collaborated multiple times throughout the years. It makes sense that he would like to have such an important piece of Nas’ history. The pair’s most recent joint effort was “Sorry Not Sorry” featuring JAY-Z. It was included on Khaled’s 2021 project, Khaled Khaled. What do you think of DJ Khaled’s reaction to getting the picture? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to stay turned to HNHH for all the latest news and updates on everything hip-hop.

Who Are Tobe Nwigwe & His Wife Martica “Fat”?

May 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Tobe Nwigwe has a big year ahead of him. He just released his latest single, “On My Soul,” with Nas and Jacob Banks for the new film that he also stars in, Transformers: Rise of the Beast. The eccentric Houston rapper has had multiple breakout years, widening his exposure in hip hop while collaborating with high-profile artists. His repertoire continues to grow as he now transitions into acting.

Nwigwe is quite active, releasing five full-length compilations of loose singles released during his Get Twisted Sundays music series, and also has multiple EPs and live recordings. Everywhere you see Tobe Nwigwe, you see his wife, Martica “Fat” Nwigwe, who appears alongside Tobe in his songs, in his music videos, and at his live shows. With the help of his wife, Tobe Nwigwe has slowly become one of hip hop’s latest exciting artists that have carved his own lane.

Keeping It In The Family

Tobe Nwigwe and his wife Fat have been together since the start of his career and now have four children together. Their friend and producer, LaNell Grant, was one of their longtime collaborators, producing most of Tobe’s beats before they parted ways in 2022. On every single cover from their Originals music series, Fat and LaNell appear on the cover, as well as in every music video. The outro track on one of his breakout albums, Fouriginals, is titled “For Family Only” and features commentary from Tobe, Fat, and their loved ones. With his wife, children, and close friends by his side, family is clearly an essential part of who Tobe is, and a key component of his musical identity.

A Signature Sound & Look

Aside from the family aspect of his music, Tobe Nwigwe’s sound and look set him apart from his contemporaries. His image and signature sound are distinct, as one can see in his music videos and live performances, and in the actual music itself. Musically, he takes inspiration from his Nigerian heritage. Tobe Nwigwe also continues the lineage of traditional Southern rap, paying homage to his hometown of Houston and collaborating with many iconic Southern artists. Religion also plays a major part in Tobe’s sound as he incorporates his Christian faith into his lyrics.

The family has developed their brand and image with the color mint as they consistently wear it in music videos and performances. The artists featured in their music videos also stick to the style of clothing as Tobe brings his guests into his musical world. The visuals are an important part of Tobe Nwigwe’s career, as his videos display his unique artistry.

Pandemic Breakthrough

With each Originals album release, Tobe Nwigwe has grown in popularity but reached new heights during the pandemic. His song, “I Need You To (Breonna Taylor),” went viral in 2020 during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests as the song advocates for the arrest of Breonna Taylor’s killers. The song was a part of his Pandemic Project, which also consisted of one of his most popular songs, “Try Jesus.” These viral moments led to numerous cosigns and collaborations from many notable hip hop artists, including Royce Da 5’9”, Black Thought, Bun B, and Big K.R.I.T. These rappers appeared alongside Tobe Nwigwe and his wife on Cincoriginals, his biggest album to date.

Tobe Nwigwe’s Recent Mainstream Success

Following Cincoriginals and several other collaborations and cosigns, Tobe Nwigwe has reached a new level of notoriety. He has performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, an NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, and various festivals, including Coachella and Pharrell’s Something in the Water Festival. Nwigwe was also nominated for Best New Artist at the 2023 Grammy Awards.

Furthermore, he also contributed a song to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. The recent success of Tobe Nwigwe has led to him branching outside of music, landing roles in the Netflix series Mo and the new Transformers: Rise of the Beast film, which includes his latest single with Nas on the soundtrack. Tobe Nwigwe and his wife have also recently collaborated with Pharrell, CeeLo Green, and 2 Chainz.

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Nas-Inspired King Tut Sculpture Sparks Debate At European Museum

May 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The Pharoahic image of Nas, which appears on his I Am LP cover, has been receiving an onslaught of negative criticism in a Dutch art exhibition, with the Queensbridge legend being depicted as King Tutkenhamun.

The image has been shown in the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities recently opened exhibit called “Kemet: Egypt in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul and Funk,” which explores the connection between Egyptian culture and Black music. David Cortes’ statue, which is titled “I Am Hip-Hop,” shows Nas as King Tut, sending many critics into a frenzy for daring to depict Egyptians as Black people.

An Egyptian antiquities expert the museum, claiming that it made a “grave mistake by insulting Egyptian civilization by portraying Tutankhamun as Black.”

Museum director Wim Weijland had to go as far as defend the exhibit after receiving the immense amount of criticism, saying that while the Kemet exhibit “does not have an Afrocentric perspective on ancient Egypt” but it does help to “critically examine ideas presented in Black music.”

Weijland said in his statement, “The exhibition does not claim the ancient Egyptians were Black, but explores music by Black artists who refer to ancient Egypt and Nubia in their work: music videos, covers of record albums, photos, and contemporary artworks. This music often reflects on the Black experience in the West and tells stories about the African diaspora and pre-colonial Africa, including ancient Egypt.”

He added, “The exhibition explains that the representations of ancient Egypt are imaginaries: artistic interpretations of ancient Egypt, not realistic images of ancient Egyptians. For example, the exhibition contains a modern sculpture that represents the musician Nas, modeled after the mask of Tutankhamun. The exhibition explains that it is a contemporary artwork, not a replica. The exhibition explains why and when it was made and clarifies that it is not an ancient Egyptian artifact.”

The post Nas-Inspired King Tut Sculpture Sparks Debate At European Museum appeared first on The Source.