southern hip-hop

Bun B Drops Off Feature-Packed Project “YOKOZUNA TRILL”

by

Bun B is one of the premier faces of Southern hip-hop. His legacy is firmly stamped in rap lore and will forever be remembered even after he decides to hang it up. He will be/is so easily recognized for his signature gravelly delivery and witty writing. He has tons of classic projects and his influence on the genre is almost unmatched. Over the weekend, Bun B came through with a new short project called YOKOZUNA TRILL.

The UGK member is still keeping up with some of the modern rapper’s outputs, as this is his third album in the last two years. Bun B has recently been working on his Trillstatik series with legendary producer Statik Selektah. Currently, it is up to its third entry, with that one dropping right before the end of the holiday season last year. But Bun wanted to stray away from that and work on a separate project.

Read More: 50 Cent Confirms That Dr Dre Will Produce Eminem’s New Album

Listen To YOKOZUNA TRILL By Bun B

This album appears to be named after famed American-Samoan wrestler Agatupu Rodney Anoaʻi, or Yokozuna. He competed in Japan and most famously America, in the WWF (World Wrestling Federation). He portrayed a sumo wrestling champion from Japan, even though his roots are not from that country, according to Wikipedia. The origin of the album’s title appears to ring true, especially from the silhouette of massive sumo wrestler over a gorgeously painted sunset skyline. It seems Bun B is likening himself to the late dominant icon, and it makes sense. He is a true champion of making Southern hip-hop tracks and YOKOZUNA TRILL is full of gems.

What are your thoughts on this brand-new album YOKOZUNA TRILL by Bun B? Is this one of his better projects as of late, why or why not? Which song did he have the strongest performance on? Who had the best feature appearance on the project? 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 Bun B. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the music world.

YOKOZUNA TRILL Tracklist:

  1. INTRO with Lil’Yukichi
  2. Brand New with Lil Keke, Jessica Forest, DJ GO
  3. Yokozuna Trill with OVER KILL
  4. On The Low with Le$, Bohemia Lynch
  5. Let’s Get To It with Koshy
  6. At Night with Jay Worthy, Jack Freeman, DJ Deequite
  7. Cherry Blossom with DJ RYOW, Space Dust Club
  8. Let’s Get To It Remix with Cz Tiger, TRIGGABEATZ

Read More: Druski Is “Daddy” As Rubi Rose Fawns Over Her Alleged Man In New Appreciation Posts

[Via]

The post Bun B Drops Off Feature-Packed Project “YOKOZUNA TRILL” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Crime Mob: Where Are They Now?

by

Crime Mob, a pioneering force in the Southern Hip Hop scene, rose to prominence in the mid-2000s. Within that decade, the Atlanta-based group left its mark with hits like “Rock Yo Hips” and the classic “Knuck If You Buck.” With their distinct blend of crunk and unapologetic lyrics, the group earned a dedicated fan base and cemented their place in the genre’s history. Their work has also been sampled by artists like Erica Banks. As the years passed, the members of Crime Mob have navigated various personal and professional paths. For fans of the group who have wondered where they are now, here’s what they have been up to.

Crime Mob

Formed in 2002, Crime Mob was originally a group of six rappers, including M.I.G., Cyco Blac, Diamond, Princess, Lil’ Jay, and Killa C. However, following his arrest in 2003, Killa C left the group before they debuted in the music scene. Subsequently, Crime Mob introduced themselves to the world with their debut single, “Knuck If You Buck,” in 2004. Soon after, in August 2004, their self-titled debut album dropped. It appeared on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at No. 90. However, it failed to sell enough units to earn a Gold certification from RIAA. Nonetheless, it brought Crime Mob national fame and set the stage for the success of their subsequent release. 

In 2006, Crime Mob released their sophomore album, Hated on Mostly. Peaking at No. 31 on the Billboard 200, it is the group’s highest-charting album. While it isn’t certified in the US, the album spawned the hit song “Rock Yo Hips” ft. Lil Scrappy. Being that it peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Rock Yo Hips” is the group’s highest-charting single. 

Since 2006, Crime Mob has not released any new albums. They disbanded in 2007 and only briefly reunited in 2012 to perform at Atlanta’s Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash. Everybody but Princess was present for the performance, and afterward, Crime Mob wasn’t seen together again for a while. However, in 2018, Mike Will Made It succeeded in getting the group back together to feature on “We Can Hit” from the Creed II movie soundtrack. While Crime Mob hasn’t released any new material since then, the group has continued to perform at festivals, shows, and whatnot.

M.I.G.

After Crime Mob initially broke up, M.I.G. released his mixtape Small Circle, No Squares in 2010. While he hasn’t released any additional projects since, the rapper has continued working on music and performing with Crime Mob. He is also very active on social media. M.I.G. often gives fans glimpses of his personal life, especially on Instagram.

Lil’ Jay

While mostly keeping a low profile, rapper and producer Lil’ Jay has kept busy over the years. He has produced work for several prominent artists, including Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj. Besides his solo endeavors as a producer, Lil’ Jay has shown up for Crime Mob over the years. Moreover, he continues to perform with the group.

Princess

Younger sister of Lil’ Jay, Princess is one of only two women in Crime Mob. Since the group first separated in 2007, Princess has released a number of solo projects. These include Takin Ova the Throne, Dirty Pop, and PSA. In addition, she promised to release an EP titled Southern Comfort in 2016. However, the EP has yet to drop, but she did become a mother in 2016. Subsequently, in 2019, Princess released Vagina Power, a collaborative EP with Diamond. 

Diamond

The youngest member of Crime Mob, Diamond has built up a successful solo career over the years. Although she is no longer a group member, she certainly made her mark when she was and will always be remembered by fans of Crime Mob. Since her exit from the group, Diamond has worked with several prominent artists, including Ludacris, Gucci Mane, and Waka Flocka, among others. With over ten projects to her name, Diamond has the most extensive solo catalog of all members of Crime Mob. Her most recent body of work, Slim Thick Reloaded, was released in February 2022. She also dropped a handful of singles in 2023, including “Pop Off,” “Bab,” and “BBL.”

Cyco Blac AKA Money Blac

Like Lil’ Jay, Cyco Blac produced several songs for Crime Mob, including “Go to War” and “All Madden.” While information about Blac is limited, he has continued to produce over the years. Additionally, he has a family and owns a cell phone store in Atlanta. Besides that, he’s maintained a low-key personal life.

Killa C

Although he is one of the founding members of Crime Mob, Killa C unfortunately did not get to enjoy the group’s success. As aforementioned, he dropped out of Crime Mob before their debut single was released. He spent time in jail for failing to register as a sex offender after being found guilty of child molestation. After the ordeal, he kept a very low profile for many years. However, in 2016, he appeared with other Crime Mob members in a post-show interview. Since then, not much has been seen or heard about the rapper.

[via]

The post Crime Mob: Where Are They Now? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Scarface And Mike Dean Deliver An Unforgettable Performance For NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert

by

NPR’s Tiny Desk is one of the great joys amongst hardcore music fans of all genres. The mixture of live instrumentation and star power has drawn many to YouTube to see the creativity come to life. We have seen plenty of standout performances this year. Action Bronson, Tyler, The Creator, Anderson .Paak, Post Malone, and more have brought their unique flavor to the table. The latest artist to perform was legendary Houston MC, Scarface. He has been one of the most iconic names from that richly-talented city.

Scarface was joined by his right-hand man, Mike Dean, for a six-song performance. The setlist included “On My Block,” “Mary Jane,” “Smile,” “I Seen a Man Die,” “F*** Faces,” and “Mind Playing Tricks on Me.” According to Billboard, Tiny Desk producer DJ Cuzzin B could not help but gush about Scarface and Dean’s output. He called it the “best hip-hop Tiny Desk we’ve ever put out.”

Read More: Aaron Rodgers Officially Closes The Curtain On Returning To The Field In 2023

Scarface Brings Smooth Vibes To Tiny Desk

The instrumentation was absolutely stunning. With Mike, that comes to be expected at this point. His keyboard and synth work is some of the best in the business. Scarface was equally impressive with heartfelt storytelling and spitting on the mic. You can check out the full show above.

What are your initial thoughts on Scarface’s Tiny Desk Concert for NPR? Is this the best live performance of the year, why or why not? If it is not, what hip-hop or hip-hop adjacent artist did better? Has this been the best year for Tiny Desk shows, why or why not? Is he the best rapper from the South? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Scarface and Mike Dean. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the music world.

Read More: Beyonce’s “Renaissance” Movie Is One Of The Biggest Concert Films Ever

[Via]

The post Scarface And Mike Dean Deliver An Unforgettable Performance For NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

T.I.’s Sophomore Album “Trap Muzik” Turns 20

by

Following the release of his debut album, 2001’s I’m Serious, T.I. was dropped from Arista Records. This led to his signing with Atlantic and starting his very own label, Grand Hustle. With the push of a new major label and his very own imprint, T.I. reached a wider audience with his 2023, now-Platinum-selling second album, Trap Muzik. The influential project, which included features from Mac Boney, Jazze Pha, 8Ball & MJG, and Bun B, peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Additionally, it reached No. 2 on their R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. For its 20th anniversary, which arrived August 22, we’re looking back on Trap Muzik‘s impact and influence.

T.I. Established His Sound On His Second Album

T.I. displayed his rap skills to the world with I’m Serious. However, the album did not perform well commercially and was not warmly received by critics. He made sure to outperform his debut with his second album. T.I. established his own signature style, reaching new creative and commercial heights in the process. Trap Muzik is not what many people may consider “trap music” nowadays, but it painted a picture of “the trap” in its lyrics, laying the foundation for the subgenre.

The album revolves around life in “the trap” and the circumstances that come with the lifestyle of trapping. T.I. displayed some of the earliest iterations of trap music with hard-hitting street anthems like “Rubber Band Man” and “24’s.” He also shared different outlooks on the lifestyle with songs like the Kanye West-produced “Doin’ My Job.” With a uniquely Southern style and varying perspectives, Trap Muzik set the bar for T.I.’s signature sound in future works.

T.I.’s subsequent albums pushed him even further into mainstream success. After establishing his sound on Trap Muzik, he naturally progressed to securing his first No. 1 singles and Platinum albums. T.I. showed the growth of the themes of his sophomore effort in his later and most mature works like Dime Trap. Additionally, Trap Muzik’s impact and influence stands out in his expansive discography. It created the basis for trap music as a subgenre and was groundbreaking for not only T.I.’s career but also for the future of the South.

Trap Muzik Helped Usher In A New Subgenre

T.I. has often credited himself as the inventor of trap music, citing this album’s release date as the official birth of the subgenre. He certainly coined the term, but he was not the sole developer of what we now refer to as trap music. Artists like Gucci Mane and Jeezy made sizable contributions to the subgenre, though Trap Muzik precedes their first releases. Many label the album as gangsta rap or, more broadly, as Southern hip hop. T.I.’s second album helped usher in the new sound of the South, regardless of how one categorizes it.

The album has seen long-term impacts as trap music went on to dominate hip hop, becoming an era-defining sound. Twenty years later, trap music still leads in hip hop and has permeated other genres, including R&B, pop, and EDM. These impacts can be traced back to T.I. in 2003. Trap Muzik helped define the sound of Southern hip hop during the early 2000s, shaping the the genre’s future.

[via]

The post T.I.’s Sophomore Album “Trap Muzik” Turns 20 appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Ludacris Drops Crazy Freestyle On Instagram

by

Ludacris just dropped a wonderful freestyle on his Instagram page, showing us once again that he’s still a top dog. Moreover, he uses the beat from “Adam and Eve” by Nas and Kanye West off of the New York MC’s 2018 album NASIR. However, Luda definitely puts his own spin on it with his Atlanta delivery and boastful wordplay. “Unconventional indispensable rhyme zone,” he begins. “Sky dweller, Rolex, f**k a time zone / My watch feelin’ like Pac, it’s all eyes on / And I’m the truth in the booth, get your lies on and go and put the fries on.”

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 15: Ludacris performs during halftime of the NFC Wild Card playoff game between the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Moreover, this isn’t the first time that the Atlanta kingpin dropped a quality verse off the dome on the IG. In fact, a freestyle from last year contributed to a debate on what “is and isn’t” Atlanta. “I brought millions of dollars to the city / Now the whole world jack Atlanta / I was wondering if this was propaganda / To get more juice than Tropicana / Overheard this song, I was shooting a movie, I told them to stop the camera / To say, no matter what block Atlanta / No city can opp Atlanta / Ever since the South had something to say, nobody can stop Atlanta / They won’t top Atlanta / We don’t knock Atlanta / We got proper manners / But the whole world know we’ll cock a hammer.”

Furthermore, the 45-year-old’s skill and wisdom extends far beyond hip-hop, even in small ways. For example, he shared inspirational words from his hot tub on New Year’s Eve last year. “Cheers to 2023,” he shared. “Wishing everybody love, peace, happiness, and challenging y’all to do some new sh*t in the new year that you ain’t never did before. I love y’all. Cheers.” Also, he captioned the post with “Let The Past Be The PAST.” Furthermore, the much-honored MC also spoke recently of how his career moves into acting, however doubted, became fruitful.

“When you come into it as a rapper,” he told Las Vegas Weekly, “people have a certain idea about you in the first place. So you have to go hard to not be looked at as some form of your regular everyday character.” Regardless, check out Ludacris’s impressive freestyle above. Also, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and heat from Luda.

BigXthaPlug Gives A “Primetime” Show On New Song

by

Rising Dallas, Texas MC BigXthaPlug just dropped “Primetime,” a grand and heavy-hitting cut of Southern hip-hop. While Big X isn’t topping charts, he’s making noise online and garnering millions of views from his pure talent. Moreover, this new track mixes a lot of sounds together for a uniquely hype and triumphant vibe.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 17: BigXthaPlug performs onstage at ‘Earn Your Leisure & UnitedMasters Present #earnyourmasters Music Showcase’ during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals on March 17, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Samantha Burkardt/Getty Images for SXSW)

However, you may be surprised at the Plug’s background. He’s nicknamed “The Biggest Stepper” (but who’s Mr. Morale?) and was a star football player from his childhood to his freshman year of college. Then, he faced some trouble during that time that caused him to shift gears. Afterwards, his mixtape Back from the Dead and singles like “Big Stepper,” Mr. Trouble,” “Safehouse,” and “Texas” bolstered his musical profile. His most recent efforts nabbed him cosigns from Bun B, Erykah Badu, and Shaq.

Also, the MC named “Primetime” after Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. Much like that status, this track feels victorious and epic while still being enjoyable and hard-hitting trap. What’s more is that the instrumental prowess on this track really makes it stand out above all. Moreover, the saxophone that opens the track is gorgeous and classy, clashing creatively with the drum pattern that follows.

Meanwhile, grand hits of strings and subtle swells elevate the track to a more dramatic level every now and then. Most interestingly, however, that contrast between classy and punchy even adds rock into the mix. During some parts of the verses and chorus, you can hear an electric guitar wail away atmospherically in the background. Also, some muffled acoustic kicks give the track tense percussion in its build-ups.

Still, what did you think of BigXthaPlug’s latest single, “Primetime”? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments and peep some notable lyrics from the track down below. Also, if you haven’t heard the song yet, you can find it on your preferred streaming service. As always, check back in with HNHH for the latest great music releases of the week.

Quotable Lyrics

Take some lessons, I’ll teach you lil’ boys how to trap,
I just started this s**t and my face on the map,
We’ve been runnin’ through packs, steady runnin’ up laps,
If you got B.O.A., come and get your s**t tapped

Bun B &Statik Selektah Release “Trillstatik 2”

by

Two hip-hop heavy-hitters from different scenes have joined forces once again. Bun B and Statik Selektah have teamed up for their latest collaborative project, Trillstatik 2. Along with Bun’s Houston drawl and charisma and Statik’s classy East Coast production, there’s a host of amazing features. Some have returned from their first album together, like Big K.R.I.T, Smoke DZA, Haile Supreme, Termanology, and Paul Wall. Also, there are new exciting names like Boldy James, Dave East, Styles P, 38 Spesh, and Papoose.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 07: Bun B attends Trillstatik 2Live Recording Session on December 07, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images)

While this release is surely exciting and successful for the Houston icon, it’s also a time of sad reminiscence. Recently, Bun B posted on Instagram on the 15-year anniversary of his partner Pimp C’s tragic passing. He wrote a touching message for his fellow UGK star, acknowledging how making music has been different for him ever since.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t feel the loss,” he expressed. “I just find better ways to cope with it. Missed and loved but appreciated for the time we did have with you. Your spirit lives on in your music and your legacy lives on through your kids. The trillest ever born. They’ll never be another. Love you bro. And it’s still UGK For Life! #LongLiveThePimp.

“I haven’t really enjoyed making music since Pimp passed away,” he confessed to HipHopDX earlier this year. “And so now that I get to make music with friends and I’m not under any contractual obligation, I make music because I want to not because I have to, so it’s a different experience for me. For me, it just has to be fun or I’m not going to do it. I just don’t want to do it.”

Meanwhile, the fun and passion really comes through on Trillstatik 2. For example, the beats are lush and structured to perfection, with Statik slowing down his New York sound just a bit for Bun’s flow. The variety of guests on the project also makes it feel like a dynamic listen. However, maybe the most mind-blowing part about this album is that it was recorded and streamed live from scratch on December 7th. What’s more is that Bun B teases a third installment on the very last track.

Also, you’ll probably recognize a few great samples on this record that you’ve heard on other gems this year. For example, “In My Hand” has the same sample as redveil’s “pg baby” from this year’s excellent learn 2 swim. Moreover, on the lyrical end, Bun B’s as sharp as ever. He’s demonstrated his evergreen skill on other cuts like this year’s “BULLETZ AND BROKEN GLASS” with RJ Payne and fellow legend Ice-T.

What did you think of this album? Let us know in the comments below. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can find Bun B and Statik Selektah’s Trillstatik 2 on your preferred streaming service. Also, check out the tracklist below and stay tuned to HNHH for the latest drops from the game’s greatest.

Tracklist

  1. Right Back At It
  2. Building Bridges (with Paul Wall & Terminology)
  3. In My Hand (with Big K.R.I.T. & Cal Wayne)
  4. We Live (with Dave East & Jinell)
  5. Devastating (with Styles P & Propain)
  6. Every Hour (with Nems & Papoose)
  7. Only Life I Know (with Smoke DZA, Flee Lord & Haile Supreme)
  8. Acetone (with Boldy James)
  9. Ain’t No Tellin (with 38 Spesh, Grafh & Haile Supreme)
  10. There Comes a Time (with Armand Assante)