scorpion

JAY-Z Recorded An Iconic Drake Feature After A Grueling Two Hour Show

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Drake and JAY-Z have a lot in common. Both are among the biggest rappers of all time. Both have parlayed their success into other ventures. And both maintained relevance for decades. It’s no wonder these two see each other as kindred spirits. Drake and JAY-Z have collaborated five times since 2009 (six if you count “Off That”). “Talk Up” has become a fan favorite over the years, and a recent anecdote from JAY’s engineer, Young Guru, has given fans even more respect for the 2018 release.

Drake initiated the whole thing. The rapper dropped 100 GBs of unreleased material on August 6, which included footage of him and JAY-Z making “Talk Up.” Young Guru saw the footage, and decided to shed light on the unique circumstances in which the song came together. He detailed the experience on his IG Story, and revealed that JAY-Z recorded it right after a concert. “Hov has to do a verse [for Drake],” he recalled. “We are on On the Run 2. Remember I’m the DJ. Hov hit me and simply said ‘Set up a studio in the venue’ I’m like ‘what’? But of course I get it done… He literally wrote that verse after doing a full two-hour show.”

Read More: JAY-Z Scores Revenge As Cop Takes Plea Deal In Champagne Theft Case

Young Guru Shared The JAY-Z Story On Instagram

Guru’s account lines up with the footage that Drake released. The Toronto rapper is asked whether he plans to rest, but he insisted he stay up until JAY-Z sent his verse over. “I don’t want him to hit me and be like, ‘Hey, what do you think of this?’ and I’m not there to respond,” he said. JAY-Z and Guru were under the wire, but they managed to get the verse done in time. The latter recalls the lofi tech they had access to on such short notice. “I had to tether my phone to my computer to send the session to @ovo40,” he explained. “I made it too the club just in time for my set.”

Young Guru and JAY-Z were thrilled with outcome. Guru did note, on his IG Story, though, that the best musical moments often come from stressful situations. “When y’all hear this work I sometimes wonder if you understand how much goes into it,” he wrote. “Classic Nights!!!! And I killed my set lol.” “Talk Up” is not mentioned as often as other Drake and JAY-Z collabs like “Light Up” or “Pound Cake,” but the story behind it does make it an extra boost. Keep it’s creation in mind next time you listen.

Read More: Drake Reposts A Tweet Ruthlessly Clowning J Cole On His Finsta Account

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Did Drake Write ‘Mob Ties’ From ‘Scorpion?’ The Vory Reference Track, Explained

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Claiming that a rapper didn’t write their own song, especially when it’s personal in nature or regularly cited as among their best work, is a serious accusation in the hip-hop world. Drake is facing such an allegation right now, about his 2018 Scorpion highlight “Mob Ties.”

Did Drake Write “Mob Ties” From Scorpion?

According to Complex, Akademiks said he had heard that it was actually Vory who wrote the song. Vory, by the way, is actually credited as a co-writer on the released song.

Now, what is supposedly a leaked “Mob Ties” reference track by Vory has leaked, adding credence to Akademiks’ claim. The reference track is largely the same as the version that appears on Scorpion, but it does contain some differences.

Since the apparent reference track surfaced, folks on social media have been debating the impact of the situation. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “This doesn’t prove anything other than they worked on the song together. The lyrics in Drake’s version are completely different and way better if we’re being honest. Thank God this was Drake’s song and not Vory’s.”

Somebody else wrote, “That’s my point … If Drake didn’t write those timestamp raps we having a whole different discussion…. Them songs Yatchy and Vory making ain’t putting Drake in no top nothing convos ….”

Of course, given how convincing AI technology has become, it’s also possible that this reference track is fabricated and not legitimate. Whatever the case, people are talking.

PARTYNEXTDOOR’s Original Reference Track For Drake’s “Ratchet Happy Birthday” Leaks

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It’s been six years since Drake dropped his album Scorpion. The record contains some of his biggest hits like “God’s Plan,” “Nice For What,” “Nonstop,” and “In My Feelings.” The two-disc album spanned 90 full minutes split across 25 tracks and represented a shift in Drizzy’s studio albums towards longer tracklists. As a result, the album spawned plenty of deep cuts that didn’t get the same attention as some of the rapper’s biggest songs. Among them though, “Ratchet Happy Birthday” stands out. The R&B-flavored cut pops up on the records second disc and features some pretty memorable lyrics, for better or for worse.

Now fans are expressing a renewed interest in the song after a new leak has added context to its creation. The original reference track for the song leaked and it’s sung by Drake’s fellow OVO artist PARTYNEXTDOOR. PND is fresh off the release of his new album PND4 but back in 2018, he was helping in the assembly of Scorpion. Part of that help included recording his own version of what would eventually become “Ratchet Happy Birthday” for reference. As with many reference track leaks, fans couldn’t help but debate whether it was actually better than the original. Check out the newly leaked version side by side with the original below.

Read More: Drake’s “Scary Hours” Mixtapes, Ranked

Fans Debate PARTYNEXTDOOR And Drake Versions

This isn’t even the first of Drake’s reference tracks to go viral this week. The original version of “Mob Ties” performed by Vory is also still making the rounds online. That led fans to dig up a hilarious old video of DJ Akademiks professing his own disbelief for idea that Vory was the writer and original artist on the song. The reference tracks have caused fans to debate Drizzy’s legacy as a rapper and the way he puts out so much material.

What do you think of PARTYNEXTDOOR’s version of Drake’s Scorpion deep cut “Ratchet Happy Birthday?” Do you think the R&B singer’s version of the song is even better than the original track? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Birdman Recalls Predicting Drake’s Success

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What Is Eve’s Best-Selling Album?

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By the time Eve released Scorpion in 2001, she had already established herself as a formidable force in hip-hop. With this album, she took her artistry to new heights, blending the raw energy of hip-hop with the soulful depth of R&B. Scorpion was more than just a collection of tracks. It was a nuanced portrayal of Eve’s multifaceted talent as a rapper, songwriter, and performer. This album showcased her lyrical prowess and highlighted her ability to create music that resonated with a diverse audience.

Scorpion arrived at a pivotal moment in Eve’s career, following the success of her debut album. It was a project that balanced commercial appeal with artistic integrity, featuring collaborations with prominent names in the music industry. The album solidified Eve’s reputation as an artist who could deliver powerful, thought-provoking music while staying true to her roots in hip-hop.

Scorpion: A Fusion Of Hip-Hop And R&B

Scorpion marked a significant moment in Eve’s discography, showcasing her versatility and willingness to explore beyond the confines of traditional hip-hop. The album’s production featured a blend of hard-hitting beats and smoother R&B melodies, creating a sound that was both edgy and accessible. This fusion reflected Eve’s Philadelphia roots and her journey in the music industry, blending street-wise lyricism with broader, more relatable themes.

Standout tracks like “Let Me Blow Ya Mind,” a collaboration with Gwen Stefani, broke new ground for Eve. With its catchy hook and seamless meld of rap and pop elements, the song became a chart-topping hit and won a Grammy Award. It exemplified Eve’s skill in creating music that could cross genre boundaries and appeal to many listeners. Another key track, “Who’s That Girl?,” highlighted her ability to deliver rapid-fire rhymes over a danceable beat, further showcasing her range as an artist.

Throughout Scorpion, Eve maintains a balance between introspection and empowerment. Tracks like “Love Is Blind” addressed serious topics like domestic violence, while “Cowboy” showcased her storytelling prowess. The album was a journey through various aspects of Eve’s artistry, cementing her status as a multifaceted musician.

Scorpion Climbs The Charts: A Commercial Powerhouse

Eve’s Scorpion made a significant impact on the charts upon its release. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, a testament to her growing popularity and the album’s broad appeal. The album was certified Platinum in the United States, signifying its commercial success. “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” emerged as a standout hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning international acclaim.

Scorpion resonated with audiences internationally, charting highly in countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada. This global reach underscored Eve’s appeal as an artist transcending geographical and musical boundaries. The album’s singles, particularly “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” and “Who’s That Girl?” enjoyed substantial airplay and became club favorites, further driving the album’s sales and popularity.

Critically, Scorpion received acclaim for its bold fusion of genres and Eve’s lyrical depth. Critics praised her ability to tackle serious themes authentically and the album’s production quality. The commercial and critical success of “Scorpion” marked a pivotal point in Eve’s career, establishing her as a leading figure in the evolution of hip-hop and R&B.

Enduring Influence Of Scorpion

The legacy of Eve’s Scorpion extends well beyond its initial release, underscoring her influence in the music world. The album’s successful blend of hip-hop and R&B elements showcased Eve’s ability to navigate and reshape the musical landscape, setting a precedent for female artists in the genre. Scorpion affirmed Eve’s position as a formidable artist and contributed to the evolution of hip-hop, particularly in expanding the role and representation of women.

Eve’s fearless approach to blending genres and addressing poignant topics in Scorpion paved the way for future artists, especially women in hip-hop, to explore a diverse range of sounds and themes. The album’s commercial success helped to break down barriers, proving that female rappers could achieve both critical and commercial acclaim on a large scale.

The impact of Scorpion is evident in its continued relevance. Tracks like “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” remain iconic, symbolic of a time when hip-hop underwent significant transformation. As highlighted by the album, Eve’s role in this transformation has inspired a new generation of artists who look up to her as a trailblazer in the industry.

The post What Is Eve’s Best-Selling Album? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Jack Harlow Thinks A Drake Album That’s Not Exactly Beloved Will One Day Be Considered A ‘Classic’

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Jack Harlow Drake 2022 music video
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In 2018, Drake dropped Scorpion, a project that’s not the most esteemed in his discography: It’s one of his lowest-rated projects on Metacritic, with 2021’s Certified Lover Boy being his only album with a worse score. Despite that, Jack Harlow thinks the album will eventually be regarded as a “classic.”

In a recent interview with Rap Radar (as Complex notes), Harlow spoke about nostalgia, saying, “What people want is changing, what the youth wants is changing, and it’s almost like Drake, Kendrick [Lamar], and [J.] Cole, their voices are damn-near nostalgic at this point. We know this is good ’cause this is from the days when things were a little better. […] It’s almost like we’re living in a time where people feel like this era isn’t special enough to stamp anything as timeless or classic as if the time of classic sh*t, it already happened.”

It was at this point that Harlow declared Scorpion “is gonna be a classic.”

He went on to speak about a conversation he and John Mayer had: “I was talking to John Mayer about this, about how culture’s so fragmented. Artists put out music and the artist’s job is to respond or comment on culture and society. He and I were talking about how there’s no shared human experience anymore because everyone’s living in their own pockets. Everyone’s choosing what to digest. You got your shows, you got your own artists, so you get to live in your pocket and you don’t need to be told who’s a star, who’s most important. When Kendrick, Drake, and Cole, that was still a time where people were saying, ‘Nah, everyone needs to know these are the most important people.’ Now everyone gets to choose what’s important to them. Everyone is living a fragmented version of culture.”

Drake Stings Back After A Discussion About Whether ‘Scorpion’ Is The Rapper’s Worst Album

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Drake has had some serious hits throughout his career, but what exactly is the rapper’s best album overall? In an episode of the Shots Taken podcast, the hosts debated Drizzy’s discography to try to settle an answer.

They eventually decided on Take Care and Nothing Was The Same as Drake’s two best before launching into another talk about what Drake’s worst album is.

While the rapper frequently drops new material, the hosts listed Scorpion as his possible worst record. However, they still managed to give credit to the Toronto star where it’s due, noting that “God’s Plan” and “Nice For What” were popular singles.

“If you compare him to other artists, this is probably still a better album than a lot of people’s albums,” one said, according to HipHopDX.

Drake himself must’ve eventually stumbled upon a clip of the duo’s discussion, as he weighed in with his thoughts about Scorpion as an album. As he falls under the zodiac sign, he also thinks it has a ton of hits too.

“Gods Plan, In My Feelings, Nice For What, Nonstop, Jaded, Is There More, Sandra’s Rose, That’s How You, Feel, Emotionless…… slappppps on,” he responded, listing all the song titles, complete with an emoji of the creature.

Check out the post and Drake’s answer above.

DMX Faced A Scorpion In Wild Story From Cassidy

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The loss of DMX shook hip-hop to its core, as one of its most definitive, perseverant, and unique voices. While his storied battles with his inner demons inform much of his discography, his close friends and collaborators also keep his legacy alive in other ways. For example, the Ruff Ryders recently announced a Ryde Out through the five boroughs of New York to commemorate the two-year anniversary of his death. Through those acts and other testimonies, they show us a more complete picture of who Earl Simmons was and still is as an individual.

Philly rapper Cassidy recently recalled visiting the Ruff Ryder and Swizz Beatz while in Arizona, as he worked on his third album B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story back in 2006. While on The Bootleg Kev Podcast, he told a fun story involving the crew. “I went back to Arizona for my third album,” the rhymer began on the show. “That was the last time I was really around X, went to his crib… X was in a positive zone. I was liking how he was carrying it at that time.

Cassidy’s Story Time: DMX Versus A Scorpion

“One of the memorable moments was when he showed me this giant scorpion we was riding past,” he continued. “He was on the four-wheeler, we was in the car and he was leading us back to the road to leave. And then he turned around and said, ‘Yo, y’all wanna see a scorpion?’ He took a rock and threw it down and it made the scorpion tail come off. He picked it up like this, and poison was dripping and he was like, ‘Look, look!”

Furthermore, Cassidy spoke on that being the last time he connected with DMX, labeling him a “wild” but gold-hearted soul. In fact, they were once label mates, and although they didn’t get to link up in the same way again, his fond memories of the Yonkers legend persist. “That’s how I remembered him,” Cassidy remarked at another point in his conversation with the show host. “[DMX] didn’t give a f**k about nothing. He was just wild, but a good dude.” If you have a favorite story from the “Party Up” star, leave in in the comments and join us in celebrating his legacy. Also, stick around on HNHH for more moments, memories, and the latest updates on DMX and his incredible impact, career, and triumphant life.

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Drake’s Best B-Sides, Ranked

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  • “Losses”


  • “Emotionless”


  • “How Bout Now”


  • “Furthest Thing”


  • “Weston Road Flows”


  • “Girls Love Beyoncé” f/ James Fauntleroy


  • “Cameras / Good Ones Go Interlude”


  • “Is There More”


  • “Omertà”


  • “The Ride”


  • “Say What’s Real”


  • “4pm in Calabasas”


  • “No Tellin’”


  • “Star67”


  • “Do Not Disturb”