production

Just Blaze Says JAY-Z‘s “U Don’t Know” Was Made For Busta Rhymes & Prodigy

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Just Blaze says that JAY-Z‘s 2001 song “U Don’t Know” was originally made for Busta Rhymes and Prodigy. The iconic producer explained the origins of the song during the latest episode of IDEA GENERATION. The song was featured on the tracklist to JAY-Z’s sixth studio album, The Blueprint.

“‘U Don’t Know’ was at one point going to be Busta and Prodigy,” Just Blaze revealed on the show. From there, he explained how he and Prodigy were close friends. “A lot of people don’t know, me and P used to hang out a lot,” he said. “I still don’t have a lot of rap friends, right? He was one of the few people to actually come to the house. It was wild because then [The Alchemist] ended up moving around the corner from me. So ‘U Don’t Know’ had been done and then I made ‘Song Cry,’ like, the second night after Jay finished recording whatever he was recording that day.”

JAY-Z Promoting “The Blueprint” In 2001

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST, 2001: American rapper, songwriter, record executive, businessman, and media proprietor Jay-Z promotes his sixth studio album “The Blueprint” circa August, 2001 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images)

While Just Blaze couldn’t recall exactly how the beat came together, JAY-Z revealed how it was made during an interview with XXL back in 2009. He explained that Just Blaze and Kanye West were having a beat-making battle when it came about.

“During that time, I had two rooms in Baseline,” Hov said at the time. “It was a big room that I was in, that I’d record in. Then it was a small room that Just would be in doing beats. What happened was, Just would peep his head in and hear what me and Kanye was doing and would just go back mad. Like, go back and just go [pounds fist on table], and just come in and be like, ‘Yo.’ And it was like this every day. It was like a heavyweight slugfest. For three days they was just knocking each other out. And I remember him playing that joint, and I was like, ‘Oh my God.’”

Revisit JAY-Z‘s Classic, “U Don’t Know”

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LL Cool J Speaks On Upcoming Album, Praises Q-Tip’s Production

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LL Cool J recently opened up about his forthcoming album and praised the legendary Q-Tip for his excellent executive production. While the rapper celebrated a big night at the 65th Grammy Awards red carpet, he’s got an even bigger year ahead. Moreover, this new LP from LL will be his first since 2013’s Authentic. “I know all the tricks. I got this covered,” he expressed to E! News. “Look, it was executive produced by Q-Tip. The album I think is really, really special. I think it’s something it’s modern without chasing. It’s a whole new thing. I can’t wait for the people to see it.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Melle Mel, LL Cool J and GloRilla performs during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/FilmMagic)

“I think honestly and sincerely that Q-Tip as a producer is unbelievable and what he did on this record for me, I think is amazing,” he continued. “So the world will decide.” Shortly after the Grammys, the rap pioneer doubled down on his promo via Twitter. “My new album is coming this year,” he wrote earlier today (February 6). Also, he previously teased his next album on his 55th birthday. “I’m competing with myself on this new album. Wait til you hear this MF,” the MC tweeted. “This year B. It’s coming.” As he also celebrates hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, it’s going to be a big year for the Rock The Bells mogul.

On that note, he hosted a celebration for the genre at the Grammy awards ceremony. Alongside The Roots, with the occasion curated by their drummer and icon Questlove, he blended different eras of hip-hop together. While DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Drama controlled the mixers, hip-hop history unfolded on the Grammys stage. It began with performances from some of its pioneers: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Run-DMC, and LL Cool J himself. Then, the show moved through a barrage of rap icons playing some of their biggest hits.

Meanwhile, the newer generations also got their slice of the pie. Following Method Man, Queen Latifah, and Public Enemy, artists like Missy Elliott, Nelly, and Busta Rhymes kept the energy up. Finally, the show rounded out with some big current names like Lil Baby, GloRilla, and Lil Uzi Vert. Between this and more great music from some of the genre’s legends, all we can do is wait patiently and take it all in. As always, log back into HNHH for the latest on LL Cool J, upcoming albums, and the artistry of hip-hop.

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Logic Says He Made An Entire Album Over J Dilla Beats But Scrapped It

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Logic says he recorded an entire album over beats made by J Dilla but decided against releasing it. Logic discussed the unreleased project during a recent YouTube live stream.

“I did a whole J Dilla album but that’s another story for another time,” Logic said. “And it was nothing with the estate… everything was fine, I was like, ‘I’m straight.’ Like, I recorded this whole J Dilla album with all unreleased beats and shit and I was like, ‘I’m OK.’ I’d rather see Boldy [James] do it, he’s gonna fuckin’ kill it. The fact that I could even rap on it was really good. And who knows, maybe it’ll see the light of day one day. We’ll see.”

INGLEWOOD, CA – AUGUST 27: Logic performs onstage during the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

As for Boldy James’ work with Dilla, the project will reportedly be titled, Drug Dilla. He first revealed that he had the “last of the Dilla stash” during an interview last June.

“A lot of people owe their success, you know, not owe their success, but he alley-ooped a lot of people’s success,” he told D-Stroy at the time. “The list goes on, I’m not about to start name-dropping, but if you don’t know who this guy is, you need to do your history. J Dilla, Detroit, stand up.”

Before then, James will be releasing a project entirely produced by Real Bad Man. The album, titled ADU, is only releasing on vinyl, CD, and cassettes. ADU is scheduled to drop on January 16.

As for Logic, he’s busy on the family side of things with his wife, Brittney Noell, expecting their second child. The couple made the announcement on New Year’s Day.

Check out Logic’s comments below.

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Metro Boomin Details Process Working With Young Thug

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Metro Boomin detailed his process for working with Young Thug during a recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast. The Heroes & Villains producer says they would take new records to local clubs to observe the reactions.

“Man, me and [Young] Thug used to do songs and like, soon as we get done doing it, like this is when we still had CDs, I would burn a CD on the computer and we would go to the club and would take it to the DJ like, ‘Yo, let’s go hear this and see what’s going on,’” Metro Boomin said. “And watch everybody’s reaction, you know, vibe out, throw some money and get everybody hype.”

HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 17: Metro Boomin performs in concert during the inaugural Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on November 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)

Two collaborations with Young Thug ended up on Metro Boomin’s new album, Heros & Villians. They include the Travis Scott-assisted, “Trance,” and “Metro Spider.” The album peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 while moving 185,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.

While their two new tracks are out now, Young Thug and Metro Boomin weren’t able to do their usual process of testing them out. Thug is currently awaiting trial for a RICO case that is set to begin next month. His YSL partner, Gunna, agreed to a plea deal with the prosecution, last week. He’s since been released from jail.

Looking ahead, Metro Boomin is set to contribute to the soundtrack to the highly anticipated film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. He confirmed the news in a post on Instagram, last week. The movie will hit theaters on June 2, 2023.

Check out Metro Boomin’s appearance on the Full Send Podcast below.

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