Nas

6 Treys Member Arrested For Allegedly Trying To Avenge Nas Blixky’s Shooting

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Nas Blixky survived a shooting earlier this year, and an alleged member of the 6 Treys gang was arrested by police for recently and reportedly trying to avenge it. Moreover, the rapper fortunately survived, a fate that others in his camp unfortunately didn’t get a chance to see. Furthermore, the New York Daily News reported that 22-year-old Taj Zeigler was arrested and detained at Brooklyn Federal Court on Friday (April 7). According to the charges, Zeigler tried to shoot the person responsible for the attack on Nas on January 28, 2022, just six days after Blixky was shot.

However, his efforts proved unsuccessful, and he hit no such target. To elaborate, Zeigler reportedly belongs to the 6 Treys, an offshoot of the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples that Larry Hoover founded in 1960s Chicago. Not only that, but police were able to identify Zeigler (who wore a mask during the shooting) because of footage showing him wearing “black Marmot-brand puffer jacket and two-toned black and grey sneakers.” Through some social media sleuthing, authorities found that said outfit is similar to one he wore in various videos and pictures.

6 Treys Member Arrested For Attempting Revenge For Nas Blixky Shooting

Moreover, his charges include possessing ammunition as a felon, and additional charges are unknown as of writing this article. After Nas Blixky’s shooting, his stepfather told the aforementioned publication that he’d retire from the game. “On Facebook they’re saying he’s dead but he’s still alive,” he stated. “The rapper Nas Blixky is dead. The stage name is gone. Many people want him dead. I told him he’s better than that. You want him dead? He’s dead. He’ll be back with better music and better lyrics.”

Meanwhile, Nas Blixky fought back against these claims in a Complex interview. “I f**k all these n***as’ b***hes. I’m the flyest,” he said. “Sometimes I can get cocky with it, ’cause it’s the n***as that be coming at me. But sometimes I be humble with it, you feel me? ’Cause, just like this, it can be taken from you. I got my cocky s**t out… now it’s time to fall back and lay low. I ain’t never done dissin’.” Furthermore, along with 23 other alleged gang members, he faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy, endangerment, and more. For more updates on the Nas Blixky case, stick around on HNHH.

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R-Mean Trades Bars With Nas On “Candle Of The Devil”

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R-Mean isn’t playing around these days. The West Coast rapper continues to apply pressure with each record. Every time he shows out, he proves that he’s one of the fiercest lyricists in the game right now. Over the years, he’s show-and-proved time and time again, from the Mean Monday series, which showcased his consistency, to projects like December’s Justin Credible Presents: R-Mean, a project that found him trading bars with the likes of Jay Critch, BlocBoy JB, and more. 

However, he’s been gearing up for something major in the past few months. With his album M.E.A.N due out later this month, he’s dished out excellent singles. He kicked off the year with “Lonely Day.” Later on, he showcased his versatility when he joined forces for YG on the playful, “Charles Barkley.” Now, he connected with one of his childhood heroes for an incredible collaboration, produced by Scott Storch.

R-Mean & Nas Trade Bars On “Candle Of The Devil”

It truly takes a special type of artist to earn praise from Nas, but evidently, R-Mean proved himself worthy through years of hard work. This week, the two connect on their new collaboration, “Candle Of The Devil.” Scott Storch’s xylophone-heavy production feels like a call back to Nas’ 96 run while the two bring top-tier storytelling and wordplay to the table. R-Mean’s resilience shines as he reflects on spirituality, family, and legacy. Nas follows up with an excellent 16 that showcases his timeless flow and penmanship.

On Instagram, R-Mean detailed how he manifested the collaboration. Back in 2017, he released “Letter To The King,” a tribute to his two idols, Eminem and Nas. Though many of his fans praised the record, he didn’t get any sort of acknowledgment from either rapper, until a few years later. “Several years later, on a random Wednesday, I got a facetime call and when I picked up it was Nas [mind blown emoji] He happened to walk into Cookies on Melrose and my brother @alll___1 played him ‘Letter to the King,’” he wrote on Instagram. “Nas told me ‘that sh*t did something to me right now’ as he pointed to his chest. Three days later we were in the studio at @scottstorchofficial’s house and we created this masterpiece together on the spot!” Check the song above.

Quotable Lyrics
Red wine straight out of Spain, poured from a pitcher
Four hour dinners out with my n***as, pour out some liquor
You was told to accept things you can’t change
I respect that, to me, nothin’ in monolithic
Nobody exempt from who karma visit

Today in Hip Hop History: Nas Released His Third LP ‘I Am’ 24 Years Ago

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Screen Shot 2023 04 06 at 8.53.51 AM

Released by Columbia Records, Nas’ third album, I Am, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album sold 470,000 copies in its first week and was certified double platinum in the United States. The album was nominated in 2000 for Best Rap Album at the 43rd Grammy Awards.

Originally intended to be a double album titled I Am…The Autobiography, the album was arguably Nas’ most honest and poetic project at the time. Although the additional tracks were scrapped due to bootlegging of the original sessions, the intention for the theme and tone of the project can still be felt on the released single-disc LP.

Nas’ cover art has always been an iconic staple of his work. Usually consisting of his face superimposed over his native Queens, each cover has served as a visual representation of Nas as an artist. Famed portrait photographer Danny Hastings shot this particular cover. To create the image of Nas’ face in the Pharaoh mask in a pre-Photoshop world, Hastings made a clay mold for Nas’ face (which, in fact, almost killed him when clay got lodged in his nostrils, nearly suffocating him).

This album wasn’t only popular in the United States. I Am… made appearances on music charts in Australia, Canada, Norway, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The two official singles from this project claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Nas Is Like..” peaked at #86, and “Hate Me Now” climbed a little higher to take the #62 spot.

After the release of this album, Nas released seven more solo albums and two collaborative projects. Nas continues to perform and is known as one of the most prolific rappers of his or any generation. Take some time today to listen to this album appreciate the career of a living legend.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: Nas Released His Third LP ‘I Am’ 24 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Mary J. Blige, Nas, And Chance the Rapper Will Headline Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa 2023

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Mary J Blige Today Show 2023
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Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa‘s 2023 lineup has been revealed. The three-day outdoor festival will be headlined by Mary J. Blige, Nas, and Chance The Rapper. Set to take place between July 28 and 30, this year’s festival will feature Grammy Award-winning musician Robert Glasper as the artist-in-residence, as well as special guests De La Soul, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, and more.

This is by no means Glasper’s first time working with the festival. However, each time he takes the stage, the musician finds a way to reinvent his rich discography.

Other notable acts on the lineup include Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge), Ari Lennox, Cordae, Digable Planets, Big Freedia, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, Talib Kweli & Malib, PJ Morton, Rapsody, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Smino. View the full lineup below.

The Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa 2023 will be held at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California. The event will also feature curated after parties each night, with sets from 9th Wonder, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and more. Not to be confused with their iconic New York installment slated in June, the Napa series is a much more intimate experience compared to the flagship event.

Tickets for Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa 2023 go on sale on Wednesday, April 5, beginning at 9 am local time. For more information, click here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Nas, Mary J. Blige, More Announced For Blue Note Jazz Festival

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Nas, Mary J. Blige, and De La Soul have all been announced as performers at the Blue Note Jazz Festival. The bi-coastal festival announced the lineup by way of instagram. The hip-hop heavy hitters are just a few of the exciting performers that have been confirmed to perform. There will also be performances from Chance The Rapper, Cordae, and NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge). Additionally, Dave Chappelle will return to host. This announcement comes just three weeks after the festival announced its east coast lineup, which included artists like the iconic Grace Jones and Robert Glasper.

The Blue Note Jazz Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in both New York City and Napa. It features a wide range of jazz, soul, funk, and blues artists. The festival is named after the legendary New York jazz club, the Blue Note. The club has been a staple of the Greenwich Village music scene since 1981. Likewise, the festival has been become a staple of the jazz scene. The festival usually spans several weeks and showcases both established and up-and-coming artists. It often includes special collaborations and one-of-a-kind performances. The festival has become a must-see event for jazz lovers from all around the world and continues to be a vital platform for the evolution of jazz music.

Blue Note Celebrates Jazz and Hip Hop

The Blue Note Festival is no stranger to icons taking the stage. The 2022 festival featured performances from Rakim, Snoop Dogg, Chaka Khan, and George Clinton. “The intimate festival boasts a lineup of cultural icons, all in tune to celebrate the influence of jazz on hip-hop for the past 50 years,” the festival’s official Instagram wrote. Certainly, the festival has become the best place for music fans to appreciate legendary artists of both genres. As the festival itself says, it’s a “who’s who of music culture.”

The 2023 Blue Note Jazz Festival will take place in both New York City and Napa, California. The first round of performances will take place throughout June in New York at the titular club and other popular venues. Subsequently, the second lineup of performers will take the stage in Napa July 28, 29, and 30 at the Silverado Resort. Tickets can be purchased for the event this Friday on the festival’s official website. Will you be attending the Blue Note Jazz Festival? Additionally, who are you most excited to see take the stage? Sound off in the comments below!

Jermaine Dupri To Be Honored At Essence Festival 2023 For So So Def’s 30th Anniversary + Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary

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Jermaine Dupri Essence

Jermaine Dupri will be honored at the 2023 Essence Festival for the 30th Anniversary of his label, So So Def. Other tributes expected to be spotlighted at the festival will also include hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. The 2023 Essence Festival will pay a tribute to producer/mogul Jermaine Dupri for the 30th  anniversary of his label, So […]

The post Jermaine Dupri To Be Honored At Essence Festival 2023 For So So Def’s 30th Anniversary + Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary appeared first on SOHH.com.

Hit-Boy Is Much More Than A Producer On “Surf Or Drown”

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Hit-Boy produced for some of the best rappers alive but now, he’s rhyming alongside them on his new album, Surf or Drown. The Fontana, CA-based artist came through with bars for his latest studio album, which arrived in the wee hours of the morning. The project consists of 11 songs in total. Hit-Boy raps alongside Nas, Dom Kennedy, Jay 305, The Alchemist (who’s also rapping), Curren$y, Devin Morrison, and plenty of others. However, Hit-Boy also added on another 10 songs of instrumentals.

In the past few months, Hit-Boy upped the ante as a rapper with several records. With singles like “Tony Fontana” with Curren$y and “2 Certified” ft. Avelino, Hit-Boy ramped up the anticipation for the project. However, it wasn’t until his feud with Hitmaka that the rollout became more evident. Hit-Boy delivered the single, “Slipping Into Darkness” with The Alchemist, where he took shots at Hitmaka, Metro Boomin, Southside, and Mustard, claiming that they can’t see him on a production level.

Hit-Boy Latest Album Comes On The Heels Of “King’s Disease”

The release of Hit-Boy’s new album arrives after the success of the King’s Disease series with Nas. Last year, Nas and Hit-Boy dropped off the third installment in the series – less than a year after dropping Magic. King’s Disease proved to be a fruitful collaboration between the Queensbridge legend and the “SICKO MODE” producer, which aided both of their careers. Nas earned his first Grammy, thanks to Hit-Boy, while the producer showcased the breadth of his talents behind the boards.

In addition to his new album, Hit-Boy has a few collaborative efforts in the works, including new music with Benny The Butcher. On top of that, word is that he’s working on King’s Disease 4 with Nas, which reportedly includes a feature from 50 Cent. Additionally, Belly hinted that he’ll be working closely with Hit-Boy on new music. Hopefully, we’ll get to hear that sooner than later. For now, check out Hit-Boy’s new Surf Or Drown album and sound off with your thoughts in the comments. 

“Surf Or Drown” Tracklist

  1. ​​“Big Hit Intro”
  2. “The Tide” feat. Nas
  3. “State Champ” feat. Dom Kennedy and Jay 305
  4. “Corsa” feat. Dom Kennedy
  5. “Tony Fontana III” feat. Curren$y
  6. “Just Ask” feat. Spank Nitti James
  7. “Nu.Wav” feat. Devin Morrison
  8. “Slipping Into Darkness” feat. Alchemist
  9. “2 Certified” feat. Avelino
  10. “MTR” feat. James Fauntleroy
  11. “Composure Pt. 2”

Hit-Boy Recruits Nas For The Thought-Provoking Single And Video ‘The Tide’

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The other week, Hit-Boy shared the artwork for his first-ever rap album Surf Or Drown, arriving in just a couple of days. It’s packed with exciting collaborations with artists like Dom Kennedy, The Alchemist, Curren$y, and more. Today (March 22), he shared a track with a particularly prestigious guest: Nas.

“The Tide” comes with a video directed by ThirdEyeRaz that watches the rapper pondering at paintings in an art gallery and playing a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. It reckons with the all-too-common ill fate of rappers: “‘Cause when you make it from the bottom, they gon’ come for your top / Yeah, when you doin’ you, they don’t like that sh*t,” Hit-Boy raps, name-dropping the late PnB Rock and Takeoff.

The pair’s chemistry isn’t surprising; last year, they unleashed their fourth collaboration in three years, King’s Disease III.

About Surf Or Drown, Hit-Boy recently revealed that he did the production for the songs himself.

“I’m literally dropping a whole album next week with me rapping,” he said in an interview with Home Grown Media Group. “I got features on it. It’s produced by me, and a couple of the homies did some little pieces, but it’s a real good body of just what I’m on right now. … It’s gonna be like 11 joints.”

Listen to “The Tide” above.

Surf Or Drown is out 03/24 via Surf Club.