News Exclusives

Today In Hip Hop History: The Hot Boys Dropped Their Sophomore Effort ‘Guerrilla Warfare’ 23 Years Ago

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23 years ago today, Turk, Juvenile, BG and Lil Wayne dropped their second collaborative LP together as the Hot Boys entitled Guerrilla Warfare on the Cash Money/ Universal label.

Produced exclusively by Cash Money Records’ production duo “Baby” Williams and Mannie Fresh aka The Big Tymers, this entire album was recorded in Miami, a thousand miles a large contrast from there NOLA roots and recording environment, this LP helped to solidify the term “bling” as a necessity in the culture at the turn of the millennium. The lead singles, “I Need A Hot Girl” and “We On Fire” propelled the album the pole position on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop albums, selling 142,000 in the first week and reaching platinum status before the end of 1999.

Salute to the Hot Boys and Cash Money Records for making this exclusive piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Hot Boys Dropped Their Sophomore Effort ‘Guerrilla Warfare’ 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Mary J. Blige Previews Tomorrow’s Apple Music Live Performance

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Ahead of tomorrow’s broadcast of Mary J. Blige’s one-night-only Apple Music Live performance at New York City’s historic United Palace, the Grammy award-winning and Academy award nominated artist, actress, producer and entrepreneur joins Nadeska on Apple Music to discuss what fans can expect from the performance and her approach to crafting a career-spanning setlist with plenty of classic fan favorites. She also discusses how performing today differs from at the start of the career, why she’s proud of her career, being a north start for a new generation of female R&B artists, how her song “You Remind Me” changed her life, battling depression and insecurity between the release of her first two albums, her most recent album Good Morning, Gorgeous, early Diddy memories, collaboration, and more. 

The post [WATCH] Mary J. Blige Previews Tomorrow’s Apple Music Live Performance appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Fat Joe Released His Debut Album ‘Represent’ 29 Years Ago

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On this date in 1993, legendary DITC delegate Fat Joe dropped his debut full-length studio album Represent on the Relativity/Violator imprint.

In 2020, Fat Joe is recognized as one of the icons of NYC Hip Hop, however, back in 1993, Joe was knee-deep in the streets and having only appeared on Diggin’ In The Crates founder Diamond D’s Stunts, Blunts And Hip Hop album was fairly a newcomer to the rap game. With assistance from his DITC crew members Diamond, Lord Finesse, and Showbiz behind the boars, Joe formulated one of the most integral audible time capsules of the era. Tracks like the Beatnuts-powered “Shit Iz Real”, “You Must Be Out Of You Fuckin’ Mind” featuring the late Apache of the Flavor Unit and Kool G Rap and the premiere single “Flow Joe” were all foundational examples of the “Fat Joe Da Gangsta” persona that is now respected and celebrated in 2020.

Salute to the late Chris Lighty, Fat Joe, Diamond D, Lord Finesse, Showbiz, and the entire DITC for this timeless piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Fat Joe Released His Debut Album ‘Represent’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Eric B. And Rakim’s Sophomore LP ‘Follow The Leader’ Dropped 34 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip Hop history in 1988, one of the culture’s most prolific duo’s Eric B. & Rakim released their sophomore LP Follow the Leader. Coming shortly after their game-changing debut Paid in Full, their second album showed that not only did the two find a formula of success but that they had yet to hit a ceiling. The refinement of both Rakim’s lyrical prowess and Eric B’s beat-making ability is evident in large part on this album. Follow the Leader had everything one could ask of an album from the Golden Era of Hip Hop.

Selling 500,000 within the year of its release, the album received gold certification as well as the #22 spot on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. Two of the four singles from the project, “Follow the Leader” and “Microphone Fiend” also made appearances on multiple Billboard music charts. Critically, this album received praise across the board being praised as more consistent and cohesive than the duo’s debut. Critics from numerous publications noted the growth of Eric B and Rakim as both rappers and pop icons. Although it may not have sold as many copies or made as much noise, Follow the Leader is in more ways than one a more polished project than Paid in Full and is in large part the reason for the duo’s longevity and status.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Eric B. And Rakim’s Sophomore LP ‘Follow The Leader’ Dropped 34 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

French Montana And EST Gee Drop “Keep it Real” Visuals From ‘Montega’ Album

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3x Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist, humanitarian and entrepreneur French Montana releases the “Keep it Real” music video featuring rapper EST Gee. The hit track is off Montana’s latest and first independent album, Montega, via Coke Boys Records executive produced by legendary hip-hop producer Harry Fraud. 

The “Keep It Real” video, directed by Rook the Director, follows Montana and EST Gee through the streets of the Bronx. Showcasing his influence and impact in the community, the crowd gathers at a local bodega and basketball court to be with the fellow rappers. Driving in a foreign car and his crew following in Suburbans, Montana continues to rap, “slidin’ through your hood with my Haan,” making his presence known with his signature adlib. EST Gee then jumps on the hook and raps on staying true to his hometown roots and being unstoppable at the height of his career. 

Montana’s fifth studio album, Montega, produced by Harry Fraud released on June 24th bringing back his roots and original wave sound featuring hit tracks with Rick Ross, Quavo, Chinx, Benny the Butcher and more. Alongside the project, Montana released 1000 French Family NFT Membership (Ticker name :FM) with an exclusive launch party in New York City on June 19th. This NFT collection is the first-of-its-kind to launch with a music project giving fans worldwide access to own and share rights to a new project creating a Web3 milestone. This video follows the release of Montana and his brother/new recording artist Ayoub’s first collaborative single and video “Slidin” on Friday.

The post French Montana And EST Gee Drop “Keep it Real” Visuals From ‘Montega’ Album appeared first on The Source.

Red Bull BC One Announces Winner Of Philadelphia Cypher

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The most prestigious, global breaking competition, Red Bull BC One, kicked off its 2022 US competition in Philadelphia this past weekend. Bringing together the best b-boys and b-girls from the region and beyond, the kick-off cypher celebrated the local Philly break scene, delivering unforgettable battle moments. 

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Following a bracket of 16 one-on-one b-boy battles, a panel of respected breakers announced Ricky Rulez as the reigning champion. Pep C stole the crown amongst the top 14 b-girl competitors. They will both go on to compete at the Red Bull BC One National Final in Los Angeles on September 17. 

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Red Bull BC One is the biggest and most prestigious one-on-one breaking competition in the world. Every year, thousands of breakers compete for a chance to represent at the World Final. With 18 World Finals hosted in major cities around the world since 2004, Red Bull BC One has over 60 events and programs in over 30 markets every year.

The post Red Bull BC One Announces Winner Of Philadelphia Cypher appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Main Source Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Breaking Atoms’ 31 Years Ago

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On this date in Hip Hop history, Main Source, which included DJs Sir Scratch, K-Cut, and rhyming extraordinaire and production master Large Professor, dropped their debut album Breaking Atoms in 1991 on Wild Pitch Records. It was also the final album of the original trio with the two Toronto DJs and the Corona. Queens emcee.

Breaking Atoms was also the first project where then Queensbridge Projects lyrical prodigy Nasir Jones aka Nas, who appeared on the ever-classic “Live At The BBQ”. Other classic cuts from that album include the break-up story “Looking At The Front Door”, the never-ending issue of police brutality on “Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball” and the visually-driven “Just Hangin’ Out”. Originally given a four and a half mic rating, Breaking Atoms received the coveted Five Mics in The Source Magazine‘s commemorative 150th issue.

Salute to Extra P, Pete Rock, K-Cut and Sir Scratch for making this album an undisputed Hip Hop classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Main Source Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Breaking Atoms’ 31 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

House Of Pain Release 30th Anniversary Edition Of ‘House Of Pain (Fine Malt Lyrics)’

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Tommy Boy Records celebrates the 30th Anniversary of House of Pain’s debut album House of Pain (Fine Malt Lyrics) with a deluxe digital edition, deluxe double LP limited edition on 180 gram white & orange opaque vinyl, with a free ‘Jump Around Rope’, and a limited deluxe edition cassette, all featuring newly imagined artwork from Tristan Eaton. Deluxe editions contain 5 Bonus Tracks available only at independent record stores. A standard edition vinyl LP, Compact Disc and Cassette also available. For all exclusive 30th anniversary release merchandise items, visit: https://houseofpain-store.com
 
Reflecting on what by now can be considered a cultural touchstone, the trio’s centerpiece Everlast, aka Erik Francis Schrody observed, “To be a part of something that has impacted the culture as much as House of Pain and ‘Jump Around’ did is beyond an honor and a blessing. As a kid with rap dreams, I never could have imagined 30 years later that our work is still being listened to and played in the biggest venues in the world.”
 
Everlast, DJ Lethal and Danny Boy formed House of Pain while attending high school and were signed to Tommy Boy Records after fashioning themselves as rowdy Irish-American hooligans, hitting the local rap & alternative music scene. Their debut album House of Pain (Fine Malt Lyrics) was released in 1992 and went multi-platinum, thanks to the smash hit single “Jump Around” which was produced by Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs. The song hit #3 on the Billboard Top 100 Chart in the US and charted Top 10 globally, including in the UK and Canada.
 
“Jump Around” has been named one of the best songs in Hip-Hop (NME, VH1, Q Magazine, The Source) and continues to remain not only a club classic, but also one of most recognizable sports anthems, energizing crowds at stadiums, arenas and ballparks throughout the world, with one of the most recognizable beats in hip-hop history.

The post House Of Pain Release 30th Anniversary Edition Of ‘House Of Pain (Fine Malt Lyrics)’ appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Charleston White Calls For Death To Gangs: May They Die Like King Von, Nipsey Hussle, Drakeo The Ruler

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In his typical non-apologetic fashion, social activist and controversial online personality Charleston White took to social media to disrespect every street organization/gang known in the U.S.. The 52-year-old then went as far as cursing the names of fallen rappers who were associated with the aforementioned street gangs such as Nipsey Hussle, Drakeo The Ruler and King Von.

White, who is a former Crip from Texas, disassociated himself from the California-based gang when the family of the person he killed at age 14 forgave him for taking the life of their relative. In the above video, White holds up an assault rifle magazine while he declares, “Death to all Crips and Bloods. Death to all GDs and BDs. May they all die like King Von. May they al die like Drakeo The Ruler, May they all die like Nipsey Hussle.”

The post [WATCH] Charleston White Calls For Death To Gangs: May They Die Like King Von, Nipsey Hussle, Drakeo The Ruler appeared first on The Source.

Bobby Shmurda Affiliate Fetty Luciano Charged With Attempted Murder

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According to a recent report from ABC 7 NY, GS9 member and Bobby Shmurda’s pal Fetty Luciano was arrested on attempted murder charges following a triple shooting in Long Island earlier this month.

26-year-old Fetty Luciano, whose real name is Remy Marshall, turned himself in at the Glen Cove Police Department yesterday (July 21) after he was linked to a triple shooting at a mansion pool party in Long Island. Marshall was charged with attempted murder and illegal weapons possession. He’s scheduled to be arraigned later today (July 22).

According to the report, the incident took place at Glen Cove’s The Mansion, an event venue that doubles as a hotel with 187 guest rooms and suites. About 200 people were in attendance on July 10 when a fight broke out between two people before gunshots were heard coming from the front entrance of the venue.

The victims were treated at the hospital for non-life threatening injuries and released from the hospital.

“It’s a bit of a shock, yeah, it’s a surprise,” Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said. “This is just a beautiful venue. It’s used for high school reunions, weddings, fundraisers, for events, and things like this don’t happen here.”

Fetty, a member of Bobby Shmurda’s GS9 collective, released his debut album Story to Tell via Def Jam in 2018, with features from Gunna, Landstrip Chip and Shmurda. He also appeared on the deluxe version of Pop Smoke’s posthumous album Faith in 2021, featuring on the song “Double It.”

The post Bobby Shmurda Affiliate Fetty Luciano Charged With Attempted Murder appeared first on The Source.