southern hip-hop

Ludacris Drops Crazy Freestyle On Instagram

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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

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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”

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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)