After months of being one of the most hated figures in Hip Hop, Kanye keeps on upping the ante with his controversial views on a new track titled “DJ Khaled’s Son”, where he’s spits seemingly disrespectful bars at the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities among others.
His adoration for Adolf Hitler seems to be further reinforced in his music as well, with a CNN source adding, “He would praise Hitler by saying how incredible it was that he was able to accumulate so much power and would talk about all the great things he and the Nazi Party achieved for the German people.”
On this day in Hip Hop history Wu Tang Clan, their third studio LP The W, was certified platinum by the RIAA. As the follow up to the immensely successful Wu Tang Forever, this album fell a little short of its predecessors success but continued in growing the Wu’s legacy as a whole.
At the time of the album’s production and release, Wu Tang member ODB was facing a legal-saga with seemingly no end. Although that may have stopped Dirt Dog’s ability to grace the album more than once, it did not however derail the Clan’s creative process and ability to execute. Much to the tone of their past work, The W once again proved that Wu-Tang is lyrically the strongest rap collective of all time. As far as production however, RZA toned down the intricate instrumentation used on Forever and went back to the 36 Chambers style of soulful samples coupled with melancholic drum patterns. This back to basic model allowed the Clan to stand out lyrically as they once did.
Commercially, the album was an international success. It peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 as well as #1 in the UK and Ireland. The album won numerous Album of the Year awards from esteemed publications and is herald as one of Hip Hop’s greater albums, reaching platinum status within a month o its release.
Over the weekend, Mexican MC Aczinotook home the title at the 2022 Red Bull Batalla World Final in Mexico City Saturday night in front of 17,000+ people at a thrilling showdown for Spanish-language freestyle at a sold-out Palacio de los Deportes. Aczino defeated Spanish MC Gazir in the final round. The final podium from the 2022 Red Bull Batalla World Final was as follows: first toAczino, second to Gazir and third to Mechafrom Argentina.
Aczino also made history with his win as he’s now the first-ever triple world champion of Red Bull Batalla, the world´s largest Spanish-language freestyle rap competition, after his wins in 2017, 2021 and now, 2022.
Also announced onstage was the news that Columbia will be the host country for the 2023 World Final.
The Hip Hop community is extremely saddened by confirmed reports that 90s rapper Ayyub Cave aka Granddaddy I.U. passed away this morning. He was 54 years old.
I.U., a Queens-born/Long Island bred emcee, is best known for his 1990 smash single “Something New”, which features James and Bobby Purify’s classic single hit “I’m Your Puppet”. In the 90s, I.U. also appeared on a few classic Hip Hop albums including Positive K’s The Skills That Pays The Bills and the late Big L’s Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous.
I.U continued to do production in the late 90s for groups like Das EFX, Heltah Skeltah, KRS-One and Ice-T among others. I.U. dropped another song in 2021, “Stay Fly” under Get@Em Recordz after a hiatus from the business.
I.U. died suddenly and no cause of death has been determined.
TheSource.com sends condolences to his family and close friends.
‘Tis the holiday season, and the Harlem holiday enthusiast Jim Jones released his newest holiday album, VL: 12 Days of Xmas. Like his previous holiday albums such as A Dipset Xmas and A Tribute To Bad Santa Starring Mike Epps, it’s a family occasion with some of New York’s finest emcees and personalities.
The album starts off with a hilarious introduction from comedian Rayy Rayy, the newest signee to Jim Jones VL label. “Comedy and music has always been synonymous for me. One compliments the other,” says Jones, ” I’ve been watching Rayy Rayy grind and make so many people laugh since I’ve first noticed him during the pandemic. He’s help with the decision to start signing comedians not verbally through conversation but through his comedy. So when i decided to make the Christmas album 12 days of Christmas it was only right I have Rayy Rayy host for his debut on vamplife comedy.”
Rayy Rayy said, “I have never seen anybody do this before in terms of an Instagram comedian who works on a label backing them. This is going to be a lane in the next year and you might see people doing Instagram comedy hoping for a label to sign them.”
VL: 12 Days of Xmas provides a wide variety of sounds that caters to almost any sound. “Xmas Eve” featuring Dyce Payso and Tim Vocals provides a timely holiday piano-based instrumental over cheerful vocals from Cover Cod. “Big Gifts” featuring Ditta, Lord Ju, and Onpoint Like OP gives the album a signature New York Drill sound with a blend of Christmas caroling in the production from WillPower and Erxss. The narration of Rayy Rayy throughout the album and a large number of features make this the perfect album to wrap up the year.
The founder of Cookies and Vibes Papers Berner sat down with music icon Erykah Badu to discuss their newest strain collaboration “That Badu”. It is a Limoncello cross-bred by Bret from Lemonnade and grown by Mad Cow Genetics. Berner and Badu also discussed mushroom tea and how the different strains affect people when they smoke them.
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Nas released his sixth studio album, God’s Son, in 2002. This may be Nas’ most emotional album coming at a rough time in his personal life. With the passing of his mother and his bout with fellow New York rapper Jay-Z at its height, Nas catered his lyricism to be more introspective in relation to his own trials and tribulations. Nas crowned himself “God’s Son” in tribute to his mother’s legacy and to point out a self-acclaimed likeness to Jesus Christ.
The production Nas collected for this project was astounding. Working with The Alchemist, Salaam Remi, Eminem, and even Alicia Keys helped to create a sound true to New York Hip-Hop with its own modern twist. Salaam Remi produced the bulk of the album and in a time when rap was something for the club and a Neptunes’ beat was a signature this soulfully classic sound was refreshing. The beats alone were critically acclaimed being mentioned in Vibe and Stylus Magazine and by countless critics.
Lyrically, Nas went in the opposite direction of what was popular at the time. As always, there was a true and necessary message behind everything that was said on the album, not to mention his flow and delivery were impeccable. The content was also deeply connected to what was going on in his own life. His references on songs like “Warrior” and “Last Real N***** Alive” were in reverence of his recent past mother. He even dedicated the track “Dance” to his mom. There were also a lot of Christian undertones throughout the album. Whether it be through titles of a song or metaphorically in bars spat, Nas’s religious views were intertwined with the majority of this album. Some of the other lyricists featured on the album were Alicia Keys and Nas’s ex-wife Kelis.
Commercially, this album was successful as well. It was certified platinum on January 14, 2003, and peaked at #18 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hip Hop/ R&B chart. The singles from this album, “Made You Look”, “I Can”, and “Get Down,” were also hits. Two of the Three released claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100. “Made You Look” peaked at #32 and “I Can” peaked at #12. “I Can” has become a timeless song in Hip Hop over the years being an anthem of lifelong success for children in the black community.
Today, Sleep Soul, a fresh R&B-inspired take on the traditional baby sleep music genre presented by Jhené Aiko, unveils its newest project entitled “Sleep Soul Relaxing R&B Baby Sleep Music Vol.2 Presented by Jhené Aiko.” Listen to Sleep Soul Volume II – HERE.
The 20-song collection perfects Sleep Soul’s signature fusion of translucent and soothing R&B melodies with white, pink, and brown noise soundscapes perfectly crafted to lull you and your baby into sleep for the night. Each track was also executive produced by multiplatinum R&B trailblazer Jhené Aiko, a proud mom herself. In regards to Sleep Soul, Aikonoted, “I’m super excited to partner with Sleep Soul to share this R&B lullaby album. As a mom of a newborn, I can really appreciate anything that helps me and my baby boy get to sleep. These R&B lullaby tracks help soothe and relax Mom, Dad and baby. Being a part of a project like this is important to me because I believe sleep is essential for the well being of both parent and child.”
In March 2022, Sleep Soulreleased Sleep Soul Volume 1, but since the release of Volume 1, Sleep Soul has partnered with the #1 app for sleep and meditation, Calm. The app featured the album prominently, as well as on Calm’s Instagram with over 2.9 million followers. The app will also feature “Sleep Soul Relaxing R&B Baby Sleep Music Vol.2 Presented by Jhené Aiko” where it will go live on December 15 on its homepage and new music releases section as well as in their newsletter to 1M+ subscribers.
The Sleep Soul team is currently working to seed out branded Sleep Soul packages for the holidays. Stay tuned for more to come from Sleep Soul.
Straight from the mouth of Mr. Tony Starks aka Ironman aka Ghostface Killah as he introduces his long awaited Killah Christmas website, which features exclusive Ghost music and merch that will only be available for a limited time. It’s drops today and is just in time for the holiday season!
Here’s a few words straight from the Wallabee Champ about Killah Christmas:
Yeah people the Time has Come and The 6 Joint Direct to Download Only Is Here !!!! The Only place to Access these limited edition Items are Available only atwww.officialghostfacekillah.com NO DIGITAL PLATFORMS NO STREAMING …… There is Many Bundles and Swag to Choose from But Don’t sleep This is a Limited Run So It will Be Taken Down and Unavailable After Some Time . 6 Fresh joints Out The stash Holiday Schemin Feat. Nizzle Man (Yapp City ) Figure it Out CL30 Sweet Violence ( Bob James ) Feat. Raekwon the Chef Murder Murder Mery X-Mas The Clean Up Feat. Billy Ski-Mask & Reek Da Villian
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Each Vinyl will come with 1 of 5 different 8X10 photos from the exclusive photo shoot for the album. 16X20 Signed Prints will also be available …… Go check it Out
On this date in 1958, internationally renowned graffiti legend Jeff Brown, better known as KASE 2(or CASE 2) was born in Harlem, New York. KASE 2 is one of the pioneers of the art form known as graffiti that was birthed and popularized in the streets of the South Bronx. KASE would’ve been 64 years old if he were still alive.
The self proclaimed “King of Style” began his bombing career in the early 70s, having completed his first handball court piece in 1973. Even though KASE only had one arm due to a subway accident when he was only 10, the southpaw still managed to complete over 100 pieces on the NYC subway system before 1980. He’s also appeared in the 1982 graff culture flick Wild Style alongside graff king DEZ aka the late DJ Kay Slay.
KASE passed away on August 15, 2011 from complications due to lung cancer, but his work and artistic influence lives on in today’s graff artists who will forever recognize KASE as a true legend of the game.
