so so def

Curren$y & Jermaine Dupri’s Highly-Anticipated Project “For Motivational Use Only Vol. 1” Is Here

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From New Orleans to Atlanta, the South has produced some of the greatest music in hip-hop’s 50-year history. However, the two cities now collide on Curren$y and Jermaine Dupri’s joint project. This morning, they finally unveiled For Motivational Use Only Vol. 1, the first of several collaborative projects they have in store. The 7-song EP includes previously released singles like “Essence Fest” and last week’s “Never Fall Off” ft. T.I., along with the official release of “Never Enough.” 2 Chainz serves as the only other guest feature on the project. 

For Motivational Use Only Vol. 1 perfectly unifies Curren$y and Jermaine Dupri’s respective styles. Spitta finds a new sense of energy across the project while also bringing out youthful energy from the So So Def icon, who also lays down a few bars across the EP. However, For Motivational Use Only marks one of the several projects in the works with a follow-up potentially set to drop in exactly a month.

Curren$y & Jermaine Dupri Join Forces

Curren$y and Jermaine Dupri connected by chance. After Spitta released a song in homage to the ATL legend, JD caught wind and ultimately, the two began plotting away on a joint project together. They first began teasing the effort in 2021 but only this year have they started rolling out the project. However, they’ve now collected over 40 records together, which signals a partnership that will hopefully continue beyond their own joint efforts.

During a sit-down with Interview Magazine, JD explained that he needed to feel motivated when he works with someone, hence the title of the project. “If I ain’t motivated by the person that I’m working with, then the music probably ain’t going to come out better than the records that I’ve made in the past,” Jermaine Dupri said. I think that we started working with each other and we start talking, kicking and just saying shit. And then it starts motivating me to want to be better. Everywhere I go on my way here, somebody done ask me, “Yo, when that album coming out?” Check out the project above. 

Tracklist

  1. SoSo Jets
  2. Essence Fest
  3. Never Enough
  4. Off The Lot ft. 2 Chainz
  5. Screens Fallin
  6. Never Fall Off
  7. Fortune 500

[Via]

Jermaine Dupri Answers Critics Who Say He’s Not Relevant

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Jermaine Dupri is a man of many hats: he’s a grammy award-winning producer, an acclaimed record executive, and a pioneer of modern R&B amongst other recognitions. The 50-year-old recently sat down with I Am Athlete to discuss his accomplishments over his 39-year music career. Specifically, he had a few words to say regarding critics claiming that Dupri is irrelevant. Dupri strongly asserts that even recently, he’s had a hit record every year. Ari Lennox’s “Pressure” and DVSN‘s “If I Get Caught Cheating (That Don’t Mean I Don’t Love You)” are amongst his newest produced hits, proving that Dupri still has R&B under lock.

One of his most anticipated upcoming projects is another collaboration with Usher, according to Variety. The duo first marked their iconic partnership in the album 1997 My Way, featuring hits like “You Make Me Wanna” and “Nice and Slow.” Afterward were contributions to songs in 8701 in 2001, Here I Stand in 2008, and other singles over the years. Dupri has also maintained relationships with other significant R&B artists including Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson.

Dupri Hasn’t Gone Anywhere

The power of Dupri has most recently shown in DVSN’s 2022 release of “If I Get Caught.” The Canadian R&B grew their following tenfold when the song was released, as reported by Variety, partially due to the controversial lyrics describing a toxic relationship. Ari Lennox’s “Pressure” also earned itself rightful attention for its upbeat track and kinky lyrics. He also was the producer for Usher’s 2020 release “Don’t Waste My Time” featuring Ella Mai. The track reached number one on Billboard’s US Adult R&B Songs list.

The So So Def Recordings executive has a message for anyone who questions his relevancy. He told the Hip Hop Wolf, “by the way if you from the rap world, and you listening to only trap music, then you gon’ be like, ‘JD ain’t made no music,’ cuz you ain’t listen to R&B. Cuz you don’t know.” Needless to say, Dupri is well aware of his accomplishments over the year. “I’ve had a hit record every real,” he said, “you just don’t really realize.” Stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the hip-hop world.

[Via]