RZA

RZA’s 1st Birthday Party: Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Go All Out For Their Son

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It feels like just yesterday when Rihanna and A$AP Rocky broke the news of their first pregnancy together. Now, the cozy couple is well on their way to welcoming their second baby. They also just celebrated the first birthday of their son, RZA, yesterday (May 13). In true billionaire style, the Bad Gal and her beau went all-out for their party, spoiling the stylish infant with a money cake, along with plenty of other special moments before he officially becomes a big brother.

RZA’s second trip around the sun began with a heartwarming message from his father on Instagram. “‘WU TANG IZ 4 DA CHUREN.’ HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO MY 1ST BORN,” Rocky captioned his photo dump, which includes various photos and videos of him posing with his mini-me. Rihanna also makes various appearances, looking happily in love with both her man and the little one they made together.

Read More: A$AP Rocky Wishes His Firstborn Son With Rihanna, RZA, A Happy 1st Birthday

Rocky and Rihanna’s Firstborn Turns One

Later in the day, friends of the musically-talented couple joined them at RZA to party and watch him blow out his candles. As per usual, the 1-year-old had a huge smile on his face, though he appears to have gotten increasingly sleepy as the event waged on, taking a nap in his father’s arms in some clips circulating online.

Ever the excellent hostess, Rihanna made sure to keep her guests entertained with great music all night long. Guests at the function recorded themselves dancing along to Nicki Minaj’s “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” around the same time the Queen of Rap finally unveiled the single’s music video last night. Elsewhere, the Barbadian posed for plenty of photos, proudly putting her sparkly baby bump on display while celebrating the one she already welcomed.

Read More: Rihanna’s Most Iconic Maternity Fashion Moments

More from RZA’s 1st Birthday Party

Find more adorable photos and videos from RZA’s first birthday party below. Are you a fan of the name Rihanna and A$AP Rocky picked for their son? Let us know in the comments, and tap back in with HNHH later for more pop culture/hip-hop news.

[Via]

A$AP Rocky Wishes His Firstborn Son With Rihanna, RZA, A Happy 1st Birthday

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Just a couple of days after news broke of their son’s name, A$AP Rocky shared an adorable Instagram post wishing his firstborn child with Rihanna, their son RZA, a happy first birthday. With it, he not only confirmed the name but paid further tribute to the Wu-Tang Clan, one of whose iconic members is the namesake of the little one. “‘WU TANG IZ 4 DA CHUREN,’”Rocky wrote, referencing Wu member Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s historic (and interruptive) speech at the Grammys. “HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TO MY 1st BORN. RZA.” He also shared a lot of cute snaps with his kid and with RiRi.

What’s more is that RZA’s name puts the couple previous fits into mind-blowing context. Of course, there’s a lot to choose from, as the two are always turning heads for their style and fashion sense. However, the hint was in our faces all along, albeit quite the hard hint to catch from just a sweater. While out on the town with A$AP Rocky, Rihanna was pictured wearing a Wu-Tang jersey, which is the kind of small tease that seems so intentional in hindsight.

Read More: A$AP Rocky Tweets At Woman He Jumped Over Ahead Of The Met Gala

Happy First Birthday, RZA! (No, Not That One)

As the couple expects their second child together, they’ve both spoken on the joys of parenthood. “It’s beautiful,” A$AP Rocky shared about being a father. “Honestly, I think fatherhood gives me more time to do exactly what I want.  I don’t have time for anything that isn’t priorities. It helps you prioritize, honestly. I love it. Everything is just based around my newfound love for being a dad and a family man. It’s lit right now. I can’t even describe it. Yo, you see this smile! I’m all smiles right now, man.

A$AP Rocky’s Original Post

“I’m in a place where I want to give my all to all of this,” he continued. “All I have is my craft, my art, my family. That’s just my life. I just want to give motherf***ers some dope s**t. They’re going to see. It’s going to be ill.” Hopefully that next album comes sooner rather than later, especially considering that he’s been spotted filming for something in Paris. Regardless, check back in with HNHH for the latest on A$AP Rocky, Rihanna, and little RZA.

Read More: Rihanna Looks Oh-So-New York In A Mesh Bra Top, Baggy Jeans, And Timbs During Late Night Date With A$AP Rocky

Wu-Tang Clan Really Is For The Children, Rihanna And ASAP Rocky Proved By Reportedly Naming Their Baby After One Of The Rappers

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Rihanna ASAP Rocky
Getty Image

Rihanna kicked off this year with a colossal Super Bowl halftime performance packed with hits and a pregnancy announcement. However, the name of her son who she had with her boyfriend ASAP Rocky (real name Rakim Athelston Mayers) last year has remained unknown… until now.

According to The Daily Mail, who obtained the birth certificate, the name is RZA Athelston Mayers. Since Rihanna has been spotted in Wu-Tang Clan merch, it’s safe to assume it’s a reference to the member of the group.

The “Diamonds” singer was also turning heads at the Met Gala earlier this month. She was fashionably late and discussed how her second pregnancy has been. “It’s so different from the first one! Just everything,” she said. “All of my… no cravings, tons of nausea, everything’s different. But I’m enjoying it, I’m enjoying it. I feel good. I feel energetic.”

In December of last year, Rocky talked about being a father. “Honestly, I think fatherhood gives me more time to do exactly what I want,” he said. “I don’t have time for anything that isn’t priorities. It helps you prioritize, honestly. I love it. Everything is just based around my newfound love for being a dad and a family man. It’s lit right now. I can’t even describe it. Yo, you see this smile! I’m all smiles right now, man.”

Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 28 Years Ago

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tumblr 2a3fa0840ac4b021ea10e8a0e997aeda 3e2f2a47 1280

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Wu-Tang Clan’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard released his debut solo LP, Return of the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. Released by Elektra Records, Return of the 36 Chambers was only the second solo LP by any Wu-Tang member. Largely produced by fellow Wu-Tang emcee RZA, the album had a mostly positive commercial reception.

Peaking at number seven on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart, Return of the 36 Chambers sold 81,000 albums in its first week and was certified gold later that year. The album was also nominated for “Best Rap Album” at the 1996 Grammy Awards.

Coming off such a successful group debut, there were little critics could say to discount the record. The Source, Rolling Stone and Allmusic have all given the project four out of five stars. In 1998, The Source selected the album to be a part of its 100 Best Rap Albums list.

Following Return of the 36 chambers: The Dirty Version, ODB went on to release one more solo album, Nigga Please, before his untimely demise in 2004. Ol’ Dirty will forever be remembered as one of the most talented and unique emcees to ever grace the mic.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Logic’s “College Park” Album Boasts Features From Joey Bada$$, Bun B, RZA, And More

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Despite previously retiring from rapping, this New Music Friday finds Logic making a triumphant return on his first independently released album. College Park arrived on DSPs at midnight on Friday (February 24), running over an hour in length and boasting several impressive collaborative efforts. The 33-year-old shared “Wake Up” featuring Lucy Rose as a single prior to his project, as well as “Highlife.”

Closer to College Park‘s debut, the lyricist also delivered “Lightsabers” in tandem with C Dot Castro. In the upbeat song’s accompanying music video, Logic gets his bars off for the camera while standing in the midst of flowing lava, rising buildings, and beautifully decorated rooms. Fans of the song’s guest feature will be happy to know that it’s not C’s only appearance on the album.

Logic’s Feel-Good “Lightsabers” Music Video

Logic tapped Castro to join him twice more, first on “Gaithersburg Freestyle” and later on 38.9897 °N 76.9378 °W. Both tracks also boast bars from Big Lenbo, and the former additionally finds Fat Trel and ADÉ showing out. Other noteworthy names on the tracklist include RZA, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, and Joey Bada$$.

As Hypebeast notes, College Park‘s title is a tribute to the town in Maryland where the Grammy-nominated artist slept in Lenbo’s basement for a year. Throughout the tracklist, Logic paints a sonic picture of what that time was like for him, markedly reflecting on his personal growth.

Stream Logic’s College Park album on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, tell us your top three titles from the tracklist in the comments. Make sure to check back all weekend long for more hip-hop and R&B release recommendations.

College Park Tracklist:

  1. Cruisin’ Through the Universe (feat. RZA)
  2. Wake Up (feat. Lucy Rose)
  3. Lightsabers (feat. C Dot Castro)
  4. Clone Wars III
  5. Redpill VII
  6. Playwright (feat. Andy Hull)
  7. Gaithersburg Freestyle (feat. C Dot Castro, Big Lendo, Fat Trel, and ADÉ)
  8. Insipio
  9. Self Medication (feat. Seth MacFarlane, Redman, Statik Selektah)
  10. Shimmy (feat. Joey Bada$$)
  11. Paradise II (feat. Norah Jones)
  12. Come on Down (feat. Jordan Harris)
  13. Village Slum
  14. Highlife
  15. 38.9897 °N 76.9378 °W (feat. C Dot Castro and Big Lenbo)
  16. Ayo (feat. Bun B and Lil Keke)
  17. Lightyear

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RZA Disagrees With Lil Duval Saying Afrobeats Being “The Death Of Hip Hop”

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Lil Duval’s recent tweet about Afrobeats has grabbed RZA’s attention. The genre has gained mainstream steam within the last few years, and it’s only reaching new heights as award shows filter in unique categories. Artists like Burna Boy and Tems are amassing global success, but Duval says, “Afrobeats might be the death of hip hop as we know it.” The tweet caused a firestorm of reactions, and TMZ wanted to know RZA’s thoughts.

“I don’t understand that. What you mean by that?” the Wu-Tang icon asked. After receiving clarification, he issued a more flushed-out response. “Afrobeats is Hip Hop. They basically doing their form of Hip Hop. Just like Trap was Hip Hop, just like G-Funk was Hip Hop. It’s just their rendition. And you know what? They deserve a chance, just like the rest of us deserve a chance, for our music to be heard around the world, inspire, and feed families.”

RZA Weighs In On Podcasting In Hip Hop

The cameraperson didn’t want RZA to run off just yet. The photog also wanted to know his thoughts on Lil Duval saying that podcasting has become more important in Hip Hop than the actual music. “I think those people are on a different planet than us,” he replied. The paparazzo mentioned The Joe Budden Podcast. “Joe is being successful, N.O.R.E he’s being successful. They deserve that success. But at the same time, right, we just did the New York State of Mind Tour. No algorithms, no streaming. Sold out Hollywood Bowl and so many places.”

“Hip Hop is embedded within its culture, and nothing’s gonna stop that,” RZA continued. “So, we’re going to continue to grow and find other outlets and avenues.” Conversations surrounding the surge of Hip Hop podcasters were recently reignited during Noreaga’s appearance on Budden’s platform. The two joked about their peer launching podcasts but failing miserably. Budden went on to say that he likes to see those failures.

Joe Budden’s Explained His Thoughts On Hip Hop Podcasters Bowing Out

“Statistics show that most of you are failing. From 2018 up until now, podcast creation is down over half – more than half,” he said. “Y’all n***as is failing. I like it. As somebody who dedicated his life to podcasting, and I’m not leaving no time soon, I like when all of y’all jump in the race and bump ya head a few times and run away ‘cause there ain’t no money in it.”

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De La Soul Member Trugoy Passes Away At 54

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Trugoy

Trugoy, one of the founding members of the hip-hop trio De La Soul died at 54 on Feb. 12 after a five-year bout with congestive heart failure. Tributes from Pharrell, Chuck D, and more have poured in. RIP To The Dove David Jude Jolicoeur, known to the hip-hop world as Trugoy the Dove of the […]

The post De La Soul Member Trugoy Passes Away At 54 appeared first on SOHH.com.

Funk Flex Squashes Beef With RZA & The Wu-Tang Clan After 25 Years

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Funk Flex and RZA

Funk Flex and Wu-Tang Clan have squashed their beef, showing solidarity in an Instagram post. The two sides had beef for over two decades. Flex issued an apology for holding a long grudge. Hip-hop veteran DJ Funk Flex hopped on Instagram and apologized to RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan for holding a grudge that lasted […]

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