Tyga had a whirlwind of a week not too long ago. The California rapper and songwriter was learned to be a bystander in a heated brawl at the Cannes Film Festival, one that involved Travis Scott and Southside, as well as Alexander “A.E.” Edwards. Things escalated quickly after Scott grabbed the mic from “The After” party host Richie Akiva when him Tyga and A.E. were being shouted onstage together. A.E. tried to calm things down, but Scott went to go grab Southside and that is when it all went down. So, Tyga was never truly in the middle of the battle, but it was a big headline considering him and Scott used to date Kylie Jenner. Even though he was never fazed by any of the events that went down, Tyga is back with his first song since then with “Hello B*tch”.
There is a good chance that the nonchalant veteran is working toward a new album. Earlier this year in February, Tyga dropped another solo track, “Sensei”. For what it is worth by cover arts have a blue color scheme. Sometimes that is a small sign that an artist is starting some sort of rollout. Time will tell if that happens, but what is there to discuss about “Hello B*tch”? Well, to put it bluntly, it slaps. Tyga brings his usual cool demeanor to the track, and the beat is just as awesome. The piano keys that are interlaced into the instrumental may sound familiar. That is because he samples Lil Jon’s classic “Couldn’t Be A Better Playa”. However, it is also an interpolation of BIA’s “WHOLE LOTTA MONEY”. Tyga makes it a point to shout out the femcee in the track as well, showing his respect. Definitely give this one a spin.
My gun talk s*** like a muh’f***in’ diva That’s Nina, RP tinas A whole lotta money and this b**** called BIA Yeah-yeah, I got b****es on the floor When they scrapin’ every dollar like the muh’f***ers pole I give b****es hope, I’m the muh’f***in’ Paul
Drake loves to co-sign international artists. He’s always singing along to their music, or tagging them on social media. Some of these co-signs lead to collabs, others merely boost the profile of the artist who’s mentioned. Octavian falls in the latter camp. The French-British rapper has been getting love from the Toronto superstar since 2018, when the latter was seen rapping to his song at a Golden Globes party. Octavian has continued to grind since then, but it appears as though Drake is still a fan.
Drake posted a clip from Octavian’s new single, “I See You,” on his May 23 Instagram Stories. The song has been getting attention online, and once you hear it, you’ll understand why Drizzy likes it. “I See You” contains a recognizable sample of Drake’s 2020 song “Chicago Freestyle.” The sample is looped under the verses, but the Giveon chorus from the original really comes through on Octavian’s hook. It’s a cool choice for a sample, as it’s developed a reputation for being one of Drake’s most underrated songs.
Octavian took advantage of the shout-out and posted a screenshot of Drake’s IG Story on his own account. He simply tagged him @champagnepapi with a sword and black heart emoji. Octavian lucked out in terms of timing, as Drake has more eyes on him than ever these days. The world was waiting to see how the 6 God would respond to losing the Kendrick Lamar battle. The answer, it appears, is to act like it doesn’t bother him. Drake popped up at a WNBA game the week of May 19. He also dropped his first new verse since the K. Dot battle ended.
In an attempt to make light of the battle, Drake appeared on the Sexxy Red single “U My Everything.” He rapped over the “BBL Drizzy” beat that went viral, and flipped the meaning of Metro Boomin’s version to suggest that he can link girls up with a BBL if they want one. The new single is going to do impressive numbers. That said, it wasn’t received as well as Drake might have hoped.
Kanye West’s VULTURES 1 caused controversy for a myriad of reasons, not least of which was a conflict with a music legend over allegedly unauthorized work. However, it seems like there’s a way out, although we still have to see whether this gets solid confirmation in the near future. Moreover, he and Donna Summer’s estate are reportedly finalizing a settlement over a copyright infringement lawsuit against Ye. The estate claims that he sampled the classic “I Feel Love” without their permission on the track “GOOD (DON’T DIE)” on his Ty Dolla $ign collab album. They filed the legal action on February 27, a little over two weeks after the LP dropped, and it alleged that Ye either re-recorded the song, used A.I. vocals, or isolated the original vocals. Either way, it would constitute copyright violation according to the suit.
“Kanye West asked permission to use Donna Summer’s song ‘I Feel Love,’ he was denied,” a representative for Summer’s estate stated. “He changed the words, had someone re-sing it or used A.I., but it’s ‘I Feel Love’… copyright infringement.” Both parties agreed to pursue an amicable resolution together, and according to alleged sources who reportedly spoke to AllHipHop, they had a global settlement by Monday (May 13). This followed negotiations in April and this month. However, one particular challenge was apparently finding Ty Dolla $ign in order to serve him with legal documents.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 02: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Kanye West attends the Givenchy Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 02, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Regardless, all parties have reportedly agreed in principle, and expect to execute a final written settlement in the very near future. Still, there are no public details about Kanye West and Donna Summer’s estate’s agreement at press time, whether monetary reimbursement or other considerations. Apparently, the plan is for the estate to file a stipulation to dismiss the lawsuit once everyone’s signed onto the settlement. As such, this whole debacle, which was among the most contentious parts of the VULTURES series’ rollout -– and that’s saying something -– seems like it’ll wrap up soon.
Meanwhile, representatives for both Kanye West and the Donna Summer estate reportedly declined further comments on the matter. With more albums supposedly on the way from Ye and Ty, who knows what sample-based case could prop up next? They are notorious for taking big risks these days, which can sometimes result in some amazing moments. We’ll see if we actually get that sequel or if this lawsuit settlement is one of the final remnants of the VULTURES era.
Overnight, Ice Spice released her new single “Gimmie A Light” the track is the second single from her upcoming debut album Y2K. It follows “Think U The Sh*t” which dropped earlier this year on the back of a teaser of the evocative lyrics on its chorus. “Gimmie A Light” was subject to a similar tease with a snippet of some of its most eye-catching lyrics preceding both a teaser trailer and a marketing stunt involving pink Range Rovers being driven through New York.
Now the song is out alongside an accompanying music video that have both been racking up plenty of plays. The song has more than 25k streams already in less than a day with the video racking up an astonishing nearly 250k views in just a few hours. She discussed the song with Zane Lowe during a recent appearance on Apple Music. The track makes prominent use of a Sean Paul sample, something she explained she didn’t take lightly. “I was really nervous because we really wanted to have a very authentic Y2K sample in there, and Sean Paul, he’s legendary. And that song alone, his ‘Gimme the Light,’ is so iconic that I was so nervous to sample it, because I’m like, ‘This isn’t going to get cleared, so what’s the point?’” she said in the interview. Check out the full interview she gave below.
Ice Spice has achieved her tremendous level of fame without even dropping a debut album yet. The follow-up to her breakthrough EP Like..? is due out later this year. It’s her debut album and its fittingly titled Y2K as the rappers birthday is January 1 2000. The project doesn’t have an official release date confirmed yet.
What do you think of Ice Spice being nervous to sample Sean Paul on her new single because “he’s legendary?” Do you think her new version of the song did the original track justice? Let us know in the comment section below.
Earlier today, Kendrick Lamar dropped yet another diss amid his ongoing feud with Drake, “6:16 In LA.” For the time being, it’s an Instagram exclusive. Fans hope, however, that it’ll soon be widely available on DSPs and streaming services. On top of throwing various jabs at Drake, Kendrick disses DJ Akademiks on this latest track. He also name-drops Kash Doll, suggests that OVO Sound employees work for him, and more. “6:16 In LA” samples Al Green’s 1972 “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is.”
Amid all of the chatter surrounding Kendrick and Drake’s lyrical battle, Al Green decided to chime in, sharing a vague reference to the sample on Twitter/X. He posted a link to his song, using its title as his caption. It’s unclear whether or not he intended to show love to Kendrick’s new track directly, but his commenters certainly think so. “We got al green sending subs,” one social media user joked. “Drake getting cooked,” another writes.
As listeners continue to dissect “6:16 In LA,” some have pointed out that Drake’s father Dennis Graham is the nephew of Willie Mitchell, who produced “What A Wonderful Thing Love Is.” Growing up, Drizzy would spend summers in Memphis with his father’s side of the family, including the Mitchells. It’s speculated that Kendrick used the sample to indicate that he’s aware of Drake’s industry ties and to insinuate that he had some advantages on his journey to success.
Drake has yet to respond to Kendrick’s diss from earlier in the week, “Euphoria,” despite it being speculated that he’d drop something today. Some think that when he finally does it’ll be huge, especially considering that he now has two songs to respond to. What do you think of Kendrick Lamar’s new Drake diss, “6:16 In LA”? Are you a fan of the Al Green sample? What about Al Green seemingly showing love to the song? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
The Nike Air Max 95/90 boasts a rare and exclusive “Neon” colorway, serving as a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been. This sample sneaker from 2013 features a striking combination of black, grey, and white hues, with vibrant neon green accents. Despite never seeing the light of day in a public release, the Nike Air Max 95/90 “Neon” remains a coveted piece of sneaker history, cherished by collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its iconic color scheme and timeless silhouette, the “Neon” iteration of the Nike Air Max 95/90 captures the essence of retro style and urban flair.
The Nike Air Max 95/90 “Neon” exemplifies the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and innovation in the world of sneakers. Although its release may have been shelved, its impact on sneaker culture remains undeniable. It inspires admiration and fascination among fans worldwide. While the sneaker may remain elusive to most, its legacy lives on as a symbol of creativity and craftsmanship in footwear. As a cherished relic of sneaker history, this unreleased colorway serves as a reminder of the endless possibilities that exist within the realm of sneaker design.
The sneakers feature the Air Max 90 sole with a black rubber sole and matching black midsole. The uppers of the shoes are drawn from the 95, with a grey-to-white gradient leather design. Neon Green accents are all over the sneakers, from the Nike Air bubble to the Nike Swoosh on the sides.
Unfortunately for sneaker fans, this Nike Air Max 95/90 “Neon” Sample will not be available for purchase. This is strictly a sample and there are no plans for the public to wear this pair on the court. Further, make sure to let us know what you think about these kicks in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the most recent updates and news from the sneaker community. We’ll make sure to offer you the newest products from the most notable brands.
exclusively for wear-testing purposes. This unique pair was crafted to test the comfort, durability, and performance of the then-upcoming “Pine Green” colorway without revealing any details about the actual color scheme. While not intended for public release, the “Black Cat” wear-test sample has garnered attention from sneaker enthusiasts and collectors alike for its elusive nature and connection to the iconic Air Jordan 4 silhouette. Featuring a sleek black colorway, the “Black Cat” wear-test sample exudes a timeless and understated aesthetic. The all-black design pays homage to the elusive and mysterious nature of the black cat.
With its premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship, this sample showcases the unparalleled quality and attention to detail synonymous with the Air Jordan brand. While collectors may never have the opportunity to own the Air Jordan 4 x Nike SB “Black Cat” Wear-Test Sample, its significance in sneaker history cannot be understated. As a rare artifact from the wear-testing process, this sample provides valuable insights into the development and refinement of one of the most iconic sneakers of all time. Despite its limited availability, the “Black Cat” wear-test sample remains a coveted piece.
The sneakers feature an all-black rubber sole with a matching black midsole. Green leather and suede construct the uppers, with different shades found throughout. Black accents are located around the laces and tongue. The tongue and heel feature lighter Jumpman logos. Overall, these sneakers are built with premium materials and feature a clean colorway made of different shades of green.
Unfortunately for sneaker fans, this Air Jordan 4 x Nike SB “Black Cat” will not be available for purchase. This is strictly a sample and there are no plans for the public to wear this pair. Further, make sure to let us know what you think about these kicks in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the most recent updates and news from the sneaker community. We’ll make sure to offer you the newest products from the most notable brands.
Summer Walker has intervened on behalf of YTB Fatt after the Arkansas rapper’s track “Secrets” was removed from streaming platforms due to an unauthorized Alicia Keys sample. “Wow that was my new favorite song @aliciakeys put it backkkk,” Walker wrote in the comments of a Neighborhood Talk post reporting the track’s removal. “Secrets” samples Keys’ 2003 song “Diary”. However, Keys is yet to respond to Walker’s request.
Elsewhere, Keys, alongside her husband Swizz Beatz, announced in January that they will be displaying some of their art collection at a special exhibition in Brooklyn. “Been holding this incredible news close to the chest,” the couple wrote in their caption. “Now, it’s our pleasure to officially announce GIANTS: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys opening on February 10 @brooklynmuseum! Tickets to #GiantsBkM available now!!!!!! A MUST SEE SHOW. Link in bio Let’s get 2024 started!! A BIG special thank you to all the GIANTS in the show!!! @TheDeanCollection,” the couple wrote on Instagram.
Swizz has been collecting art since the 1990s. Furthermore, he served on the board of directors for the Brooklyn Museum, where the collection is being exhibited, between 2015 and 2023. A majority of the paintings on display will be from Black artists. “The reason why we doubled down on African American art is because people weren’t collecting it. Things flow a little better now,” Swizz told the New York Times for a piece about the exhibit. However, the curator of the museum’s modern and contemporary art noted that Swizz and Keys were forgotten figures in the art collecting world.
When it comes to Kanye West, he is going to ruffle somebody’s feathers is some shape or form. He did plenty of that during the rollout of VULTURES 1 which saw its fair share of sample clearing issues. The ones that were the most difficult involved Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon and Donna Summer’s estate. Additionally, Nicki Minaj and The Backstreet Boys were also not willing to give their blessing to Ye for various reasons. However, there has been one person who wanted to show love back and that is Juvenile.
According to HipHopDX, the New Orleans, Louisiana rapper sat down with TMZ to talk about why he was so chill with giving Ye permission to sample his song. That track is nonother than the classic strip club anthem “Back That Azz Up.” It was sped up for the VULTURES 1 cut “DO IT.” “I give everybody a chance man, and Kanye’s a good dude. He’s actually one of those cats when we released the Juvie, Wacko, and Skip album that showed a whole lot of support.” Juvenile continued, “So it’s one of those situations. I’m kind of flattered that the guy chose me to sample my music. It’s how you look at it.”
Furthermore, he went on to say that the antisemitic issues surrounding the controversial rap mogul were not taken into account. “Nah, not with me. I don’t get into what everybody else get into. I kinda like to stay in my own world and stay out the way.” In the end, it is clear that it is “all love” with Juvenile and that is a good sign for the rap community.
What are your thoughts on Juvenile not having any issues with Kanye West sampling “Back That Azz Up” on VULTURES 1 for “DO IT?” Did you catch the sample when you heard the track? Is it one of the better songs on the record, why or why not? Is the album still in your rotation? Do you think VULTURES 2 will actually drop on March 8? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, Juvenile, and VULTURES. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
Al Green’s soul is ingrained in hip hop’s DNA. From samples and interpolations of his songs, he’s not only helped define the genre but played a role in hip-hop that can not be understated. Some of the biggest names in music have sampled his vocals, making them a staple in the sounds of today. Many legendary hip-hop classics have reimagined Green’s illustrious discography, injecting the emotion of his unique vocals into their music. Last year, Rolling Stone ranked the music icon as the tenth greatest singer of all time — a testament to his legacy. Today, we are looking at the best Al Green samples in hip hop. Take a look at the list below.
“Eye For A Eye (Your Beef Is Mines)” – Mobb Deep Feat. Nas & Raekwon (1995)
One of Mobb Deep’s most iconic tracks creatively flips Al Green’s “I Wish You Were Here.” The New York rap duo completely transformed its sample. The song builds on top of its melancholic string section to make one of hip-hop’s filthiest beats. The strings become the spooky backing for the thumping drum break on “Eye For A Eye.” The verses from Havoc, Prodigy, Nas, and Raekwon are so tough that one might not even think of Al Green when they hear the beat for the first time. Mobb Deep later sampled his music once again on their final studio album. Additionally, Raekwon, his fellow Wu-Tang Clan members, and Nas sampled Al Green on numerous tracks.
“Shootouts” – Nas (1996)
Nas sampled Al Green’s music for multiple tracks on Street’s Disciple as well as “U Wanna Be Me” from the 8 Mile soundtrack. Out of the many times he has repurposed Green’s music, his first is easily the best. His 1996 song “Shootouts” samples the exact part of “I Wish You Were Here” that “Eye For A Eye” did a year prior. Unlike “Eye For A Eye,” Nas’s track turns its Al Green sample into a clean loop that is not as menacing. Producers Poke and Tone slowed and chopped “I Wish You Were Here” into a polished boom-bap instrumental, embodying the mafioso theme of It Was Written.
Biggie sampled Al Green’s “I’m Glad You’re Mine” on three separate occasions. Two of these songs, “What’s Beef?” and “I Got a Story to Tell,” ended up on Life After Death. The posthumously released “Dead Wrong” also sampled the track as well. While all three tracks made a classic rap songs out of the famous drum break, “What’s Beef” is easily the most creative.
Producers Nashiem Myrick and Carlos Broady did not alter the loop, but added the ominous strings on top to create a hip-hop classic. Biggie’s commanding delivery fits comfortably within the pockets of the drums, making perfect sense as to why he rapped over them so much. In comparison to the other uses of “I’m Glad You’re Mine,” the additional production on “What’s Beef?” fits the sample better. Life After Death features multiple Al Green samples, including this track, the aforementioned “I Got a Story to Tell,” and “My Downfall.”
“Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)” – JAY-Z(2001)
JAY-Z’s The Blueprint album closes with “Blueprint (Momma Loves Me),” sampling Al Green’s “Free At Last.” Producer Bink! flipped his vocals into a motivational outro layered with slow drums and an organ melody. He sampled such a small portion of the song but it lends itself nicely to the rest of the track. The additional instrumentation combined with the tasteful Al Green sample makes for a soulful beat on an album known for its brilliant sample flips. The beat on “Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)” was later repurposed for “Mamma Knew Love,” the opening track from Anthony Hamilton’s debut album, 2003’s Comin’ From Where I’m From.
UGK’s “Living This Life” stands out as one of the best uses of Al Green samples in hip hop. It samples not one, but two different songs from Green. “Living This Life” incorporates the aforementioned drum break from “I’m Glad You’re Mine” and the vocals from “Free At Last.” These prominently sampled Al Green songs, along with Goodie Mob’s “Free,” display how various elements of preexisting songs can create a brand new sound. While both of these Al Green samples have been reworked for several hip-hop songs, UGK and the track’s producers, N.O. Joe and Joe Scorsese, managed to make them fit together seamlessly.
On IGOR, Tyler, The Creator beautifully modified Al Green’s “Dream” into a compelling album closer. Throughout its instrumental, “Are We Still Friends?” notably features a slightly sped-up loop “Dream,” incorporating multiple elements of the track. Tyler does not modify it too much. Instead, he created a completely new song out of it, exhibiting that a good loop is sometimes all one needs. “Are We Still Friends?” experiences multiple embellishments in its production throughout the song, adding Tyler’s own style of instrumentation to Al Green’s original version. It remains one of Tyler’s most soulful songs to date.
In hip hop, many producers heavily chop Al Green samples, while others simply loop a portion of the song. Benny The Butcher’s “Crowns For Kings” opts for the latter. Green’s “Look What You Done To Me” is featured as the basis for the track. Produced by the late DJ Shay, the sample is met with a traditional drum pattern, over which Benny and Black Thought deliver bars with conviction. Adding to the sample and the rest of the track is the triumphant brass between the verses. The way “Crowns For Kings” transformed “Look What You Done To Me” shows the power of a good loop.
A BIG special thank you to all the GIANTS in the show!!! @TheDeanCollection,” the couple wrote on Instagram.