steve stoute Archives - New Hip Hop News

Today In Hip Hop History: Nas Released The Controversial Visuals For ‘Hate Me Now’ 25 Years Ago

April 15, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history, Queens legend Nas released the video for his hit single, “Hate Me Now.” Although the song may be a fan favorite, the video came with a lot more controversy than any music video should. Shot by Hype Williams, the video features the crucifixion of Christ with Nasir himself playing the role of Jesus. Diddy, who was then known as Puff Daddy, was featured on the track, was also cast as one of the criminals on a cross beside Nas.

Conflict arose on April 15, 1999, when the video was premiered on MTV’s TRL. Diddy, who is a devout Catholic, had requested his image on the cross be removed from the cut of the video that was to air nationally. Whether it was an honest mistake or done intentionally is unknown; but, the fact of the matter is the request was ignored and the full video was broadcast across the country.

The events that followed could be deemed as outlandish by some. Diddy’s reaction to the lack of consideration of his religious views turned violent when he stormed into Nas’ manager, Steve Stoute’s office with several bodyguards and allegedly attacked Stoute by smashing a bottle of champagne on his head. The assault led to a suit that was settled out of court.

When asked about the incident and the inspiration for the video Nas explains,

“There’s a play in New York where a Black man played Jesus, and caught a lot of flak. I think, even the mayor at the time, Giuliani, was against it. So my thing was I wanted to be crucified like Jesus in the video, to get back at all those people that don’t want to see a Black man doing his thing. Me and Puff got hammered to the cross, but after Puff expressed his religious beliefs and spoke to his pastor, he wasn’t ready to take that stance, so it was really my idea anyway, so we took his part out. For some reason, I think Steve Stoute let it fly with Puffy still being crucified to the cross, so there was that fight at the office, where Puff jumped on Steve or some s*it like that. Both of them were friends of mine, so I squashed the whole thing, and it’s all in the past. Just growing pains. We were all growing up. That brings back a lot of memories. Even when I throw it on onstage now, it still kills.”

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas Released The Controversial Visuals For ‘Hate Me Now’ 25 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas Released The Controversial Visuals For ‘Hate Me Now’ 25 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Third LP ‘I Am’ Turns 25 Years Old!

April 6, 2024 by newhiphopnews

tumblr e0cc7f2c866c5f57e4d7101a0ddbde13 00271526 500

Released by Columbia Records, Nas’ third album, I Am, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album sold 470,000 copies in its first week and was certified double platinum in the United States. The album was nominated in 2000 for Best Rap Album at the 43rd Grammy Awards.

Originally intended to be a double album titled I Am…The Autobiography, the album was arguably Nas’ most honest and poetic project at the time. Although the additional tracks were scrapped due to bootlegging of the original sessions, the intention for the theme and tone of the project can still be felt on the released single-disc LP.

Nas’ cover art has always been an iconic staple of his work. Usually consisting of his face superimposed over his native Queens, each cover has served as a visual representation of Nas as an artist. Famed portrait photographer Danny Hastings shot this particular cover. To create the image of Nas’ face in the Pharaoh mask in a pre-Photoshop world, Hastings made a clay mold for Nas’ face (which, in fact, almost killed him when clay got lodged in his nostrils, nearly suffocating him).

This album wasn’t only popular in the United States. I Am… made appearances on music charts in Australia, Canada, Norway, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The two official singles from this project claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Nas Is Like..” peaked at #86, and “Hate Me Now” climbed a little higher to take the #62 spot.

After the release of this album, Nas released seven more solo albums and two collaborative projects. Nas continues to perform and is known as one of the most prolific rappers of his or any generation. Take some time today to listen to this album appreciate the career of a living legend.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Third LP ‘I Am’ Turns 25 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Third LP ‘I Am’ Turns 25 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Dame Dash Recalls Smacking Steve Stoute, Responds To “Club Shay Shay” Comments

March 17, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Dame Dash has fired back at music executive Steve Stoute for his recent comments with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay. Appearing on Friday’s episode of the Relate to Great podcast, Dame recalled smacking Stoute at the Roc-A-Fella offices.

“To be honest, I’m sick of these n***as. I’m sick of it because you would think that after a while n***as would leave you alone,” Dame said. “But this consistent thing where people feel comfortable saying that they’re going to do whatever they want to do or can do to keep me out of business, talk bad about me to other people you know come together and make a certain narrative and then get on TV and then have the nerve to speak on it…I’m sick of that s**t.”

Dame Dash Speaks At InvestFest

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 07: Dame Dash speaks onstage during the 2022 InvestFest at Georgia World Congress Center on August 07, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

From there, he explained that Stoue once owed him $18,000 and refused to pay him back. “I smacked him and s**t and I gave him an opportunity to have a fair one,” Dame recalled. “So like—pop!—smacked him. He asked me, he said, ‘Yo, did you just smack me?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, n***a and ain’t nothing between us but the wind. I’ll give you a fair one.’ I had a Franck Muller [watch] on my [left arm]—crack!—and s**t just broke.” Check out Dame’s full comments on working with Stoute below.

Dame Dash Calls Out Steve Stoute

As for what Stoute had to say about Dame on Club Shay Shay, he placed the blame for the fall of Roc-A-Fella Records on Dame and his erratic behavior. Stoute said that “while he was building businesses, he would go off all around the world with cameras and girls and all kinds of crazy sh*t, and then come back flipping on everybody as if [they were wrong].” Be on the lookout for further updates on Dame Dash on HotNewHipHop.

[Via]

The post Dame Dash Recalls Smacking Steve Stoute, Responds To “Club Shay Shay” Comments appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Steve Stoute Blasted By Fans For Claiming He Started Hip-Hop Shoe Collabs

March 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Steve Stoute has been making news all week for comments he made on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast. He made a variety of claims that had both fans and fellow celebrities asking questions. But one particular trend he took credit for was the crossover between rap and shoes. “Started that. Everybody knows that. That’s me. That’s called, ‘Corporate America, I’m going to introduce you to this thing called Hip Hop. And the music, and the culture, and everything that it represents can help you,” he said.

But fans online disagreed with his take. Under a repost of the clip on Twitter, fans hit back at him and they brought receipts. “It is well documented that Run-D.M.C. signed hip-hop’s first sneaker contract in 1987 when they partnered with Adidas in a deal worth $1.6 million,” one response reads. Another commenter gave additional examples. “He definitely has selective amnesia… RUN-DMC started it. Then LL Cool got his sneaker deal with TROOP. I really wish people STOP trying to change/erase Hip Hop HISTORY!!!” Check out the full interview Stoute gave on Club Shay Shay below.

Steve Stoute Called Out By Run DMC Fans

One of the comments Steve Stoute made that got the attention of fans had to do with Dame Dash. He claimed to know the reason for his creative split from Jay-Z and cited Dame’s ego making him hard to work with. Dame didn’t just sit back and take the comments. Instead, he went to social media to respond to them and claim that he would have beaten Stoute up if he hadn’t matured.

He spoke even more about Jay-Z later in the interview. He even claimed that Jay is his cousin and discussed how close their bond remains. What do you think of Steve Stoute’s claim that he pioneered shoe deals among rappers? Do you think the fans bringing up Run DMC in the comments have a valid point? Let us know in the comment section below.

[Via]

The post Steve Stoute Blasted By Fans For Claiming He Started Hip-Hop Shoe Collabs appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Steve Stoute Uncovers The Origin Of 50 Cent & Ja Rule’s Long-Standing Feud

March 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Steve Stoute’s recent appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay expectedly arrived with plenty of shocking revelations. For one, the music exec tore into fellow industry mainstay Dame Dash, claiming that his separation from Jay-Z was the simple result of his huge “ego.” He went on to detail yet another high-profile falling out between 50 Cent and Ja Rule, revealing that he doesn’t believe they’ll ever be back on good terms.

“I think 50 knew that Ja was not who he was portraying as an image. Ja [was a] Jehovah’s Witness… I’m not saying they not supposed to rap, but Ja was coming up with this gangster image. It was like, ‘That’s a stretch for you…’ They had some very neighborhood beef,” Stoute began. “I remember when we signed 50 there was something going on. I think he snatched Ja’s chain, or somebody snatched somebody’s… And then they had a fight in Atlanta…and it was just like, I never understood it.”

Steve Stoute On Club Shay Shay

“I was like, ‘Why do you keep having problems with this guy?’ It was like he was always looking for problems…I think it was driven by this idea that this image he was portraying he didn’t think was authentic… It led to big issues. Ja and his guys ran up on 50 in the studio one day. They touched him up,” he continued. “They’re never gonna be cool, and now, I’m happy that it’s all kind of over with… What I don’t like at this point as older statesmen is…it makes the artform look bad.”

“These guys are made men now,” Stoute also added. “The leaders of the artform doin well, being positive, representing…the movement and the culture of Hip Hop well. For guys still to be beefing and still…dragging that back in…you in your 40s, bro. What are you talking about? You got kids at home.” What do you think of Steve Stoute’s recent appearance on Club Shay Shay? What about him detailing the origin of 50 Cent and Ja Rule’s beef? Are you surprised? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

[Via]

The post Steve Stoute Uncovers The Origin Of 50 Cent & Ja Rule’s Long-Standing Feud appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Steve Stoute On “Club Shay Shay”: Kanye West Stole Mic From Maxwell At My Wedding, “It Was Crazy”

March 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Yesterday (March 6) marked the arrival of Shannon Sharpe’s latest Club Shay Shay interview. This week, Unc sat down with music industry executive Steve Stoute, also bringing in Illmatic MC Nas via FaceTime to talk about coming up out of the Queensbridge Projects around the same time. After recalling the beginnings of his career, Stoute shared some stories about his personal life – including the time Kanye West took over the microphone at his wedding to freestyle.

When Sharpe asked his guest about the rumoured moment, the 53-year-old was shocked that others knew about it. “Man, how do you know this? Man, shut up. Who told you that? Nah man, who told you this?” he responded in disbelief. The ex-athlete teased, “The night has a thousand eyes. Steve, I’m just asking the question. I just wanna know. My audience wanna know. Maxwell was performing, Kanye got in there and started freestyling. Yes or no that happened?”

Kanye West is No Stranger to Stealing Mics

Kanye West Mic Grab <a href= — Kanye West jumps onstage after Taylor Swift won the “Best Female Video” award during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on September 13, 2009, in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

Seeing as Ye infamously stole Taylor Swift’s microphone to speak up for Beyonce at the 2009 MTV VMAs, it’s not hard to imagine him interrupting someone else. “That’s so wild that you know that, man. Who would tell you that? Yes, Kanye grabbed the mic and started freestyling, and it was… craziness. That’s all I can tell you. It was crazy,” Stoute reflected around the 1:11:48 mark in the video below.

Steve Stoute’s Full Club Shay Shay Interview

We’re little more than three months into 2024, but already, Club Shay Shay has produced some of the most memorable celebrity interviews of the year so far, beginning with Katt Williams. What did you think of Steve Stoute’s interview with Shannon Sharpe? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.

[Via]

The post Steve Stoute On “Club Shay Shay”: Kanye West Stole Mic From Maxwell At My Wedding, “It Was Crazy” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Dame Dash Rips Steve Stoute To Shreds For Commenting On Jay-Z Feud

March 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Earlier this week, record executive Steve Stoute became the most recent guest to sit down with Shannon Sharpe for the Club Shay Shay podcast. As you’d expect, he discussed a variety of topics from his decades in the music industry and even made some comments that rubbed a few prominent figures the wrong way. One of the people discussed was Jay-Z, who Stoute has a decades-long business and personal relationship with. In particular he discussed the evolving relationship between Jay and Dame Dash.

“He’s a gigantic, almost, almost not. He blew it. He had the most important artist of a generation,” Stoute began. ”Dame’s antics. Dame wouldn’t change. The way he spoke to people, they he treated people. He was angry because he had a strong perspective on his business philosophy. Jay saw Dame’s ceiling,” he concluded. It didn’t take long before Dame heard the comments and felt the need to post a response. ”This is the reason I had to smack the sh*t out of @stevestoute a couple years ago…because he’s always speaking on other men’s business good thing I’ve evolved,” Dame captioned an Instagram post responding to the comments. Check out his full response post below.

Dame Dash Claps Back At Steve Stout

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dame Dash (@duskopoppington)

Another connection Dame Dash has to Jay-Z may have to be severed soon. A judgment spawning from a copyright infringement case a few years ago was never paid by Dame and the judge is willing to go to significant lengths to get the money secured. That may even include forcing Dame to sell his shares of Roc-A-Fella records. Despite their split, Jay-Z is attempting to prevent that sale from happening. He’s citing the fact that it would be bad for both the company and the other shareholders.

What do you think of Dame Dash’s response to Steve Stout bringing him up during an episode of Club Shay Shay? Do you agree with Stout’s take on why Dame and Jay-Z went their separate ways? Let us know in the comment section below.

[Via]

The post Dame Dash Rips Steve Stoute To Shreds For Commenting On Jay-Z Feud appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Steve Stoute Shades Skip Bayless, Says He “Doesn’t Understand” Why Black Athletes Go On “Undisputed”

March 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Steve Stoute took shots at Skip Bayless during his recent appearance on Club Shay Shay. “I watched your ex-host, Skip – I don’t even understand why all these other Black athletes even go on the show now. I don’t even understand what they’re doing. To me, it’s so clear that he needs Black talent, athletes, rappers. He’s doing everything to prop himself up. And I know he’s getting paid over there and everybody else is getting pennies on the dollar. I’m like, ‘Why would you do that!?’ He clearly isn’t the guy. He needs you. Why don’t everybody leave the show and let’s watch him do it for a minute. That show would be dead, immediately,” Stoute said.

After Sharpe’s sudden departure from Undisputed, Bayless hired Richard Sherman, Michael Irvin, and Keyshawn Johnson, and Lil Wayne as regular contributors. However, the overhaul has done nothing to improve the show’s viewership. Undisputed remains far behind First Take in terms of average daily viewers. Many have questioned just how long Fox will continue to try and win a war they have long since lost.

Steve Stoute Accuses Diddy Of 1999 Assault

Stoute has found himself in the news a lot recently. Stoute accused Diddy of assaulting him in 1999, per a report from Radar Online. According to Stoute, Diddy “attacked” him following a disagreement on the set of Nas‘ “Hate Me Now” video. Diddy reportedly had a change of heart about being nailed to a cross in the Jesus-themed video. Stoute objected to the change, given that the scene had been Diddy’s idea and Stoute had spent $14K to make it happen. Per the National Enquirer and a police report, Diddy and two bodyguards physically assaulted Stoute in his office after the scene was not removed.

“One minute I’m in the middle of a meeting. And the next minute I’m down on the floor and Puffy and his guys are kicking and pounding me. One of them picks up a chair and throws it at me. Then Puffy throws my desk over and they just walk out like nothing happened. My jaw and my head were all swollen. It was a traumatic experience, and in the middle of it, I didn’t know exactly how to feel. I was upset. Embarrassed. Scared. Angry. As far as I’m concerned, this was an attempt on my life. The only reason I’m not dead is because they missed,” Stoute told The Times. However, he later asked for the charges to be dropped after the rapper apologized.

[via]

The post Steve Stoute Shades Skip Bayless, Says He “Doesn’t Understand” Why Black Athletes Go On “Undisputed” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Dame Dash “Blew It” With His Gigantic Ego, Steve Stoute Argues

March 6, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Shannon Sharpe recently unveiled a new episode of Club Shay Shay featuring Steve Stoute, and as expected, the interview was jam-packed with revelations. The record executive shared his take on Dame Dash, for example, explaining why he believes nobody in the industry wants to work with him. According to Stoute, the Roc-A-Fella co-founder sports a bad attitude that he refuses to change. He claims that this led others to the conclusion that they don’t need Dash to succeed.

“Dame wouldn’t change,” he described. “The way he spoke to people, the way he treated people. He was angry. He was angry because he had a strong perspective about his business philosophy … People were becoming less beholden to him. But he was unaware of it. While he was ‘building businesses,’ which partly he was, he would go off all around the world with cameras and girls and all kinds of cr*zy sh*t and then come back flipping on everybody.”

Steve Stoute Shares His Take On Dame Dash

Stoute continued, claiming that while he thinks Dash is smart and talented, his stubborn outlook pushes others in the business away. “Jay grew up,” he explained. “Jay wanted more. I think Jay seen Dame’s ceiling. I think that’s really what it was. Jay seen Dame’s ceiling. He wanted more. And everybody wanted more. Dame just had a very particular way of approaching it. He’s far from st*pid. Very very very smart. Very talented. Ego through the roof. Through the roof! So, there was no working with him. No one wanted to work with him. As much talent as he has, nobody want to work with him.”

“Jimmy Iovine had this line,” Stoute concluded, “‘When the sh*t gets bigger than the cat, you gotta get rid of the cat.’” What do you think about Steve Stoute’s recent comments about Dame Dash? Do you agree with him? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

[Via]

The post Dame Dash “Blew It” With His Gigantic Ego, Steve Stoute Argues appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Steve Stoute Net Worth 2024: What Is The UnitedMasters CEO Worth?

February 9, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Steve Stoute, a prominent figure in the music industry, has amassed considerable wealth through his ventures and contributions. With a net worth of $55 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, Stoute’s entrepreneurial journey and strategic vision have solidified his position as a key player in shaping the modern music landscape.

Climbing The Ranks

steve stoute net worth — BEVERLY HILLS, CA – FEBRUARY 07: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Recording artists Jay-Z, Kanye West and Steve Stoute attend Roc Nation and Three Six Zero Pre-GRAMMY Brunch 2015 at Private Residence on February 7, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images For Roc Nation)

Stoute’s entrance into the music world began with a career in record labels and marketing. He quickly climbed the ranks, leveraging his keen understanding of branding and promotion to propel artists to stardom. Moreover, his knack for recognizing talent and trends earned him executive titles at major labels, where he continued to innovate and drive success.

Launching UnitedMasters & Beyond

In 2017, Stoute made waves in the industry by launching UnitedMasters, a groundbreaking music distribution platform. UnitedMasters empowers independent artists by providing them with tools and resources traditionally reserved for those signed to major labels. Through this venture, Stoute has democratized the music business, allowing artists to maintain ownership and control over their work while reaching global audiences.

Beyond UnitedMasters, Stoute’s entrepreneurial spirit has led him to explore various ventures that generate substantial revenue. From strategic partnerships with brands to investments in technology startups, Stoute has diversified his portfolio while staying true to his passion for music and innovation.

Driving Revenue & Influence

Stoute’s influence extends beyond the confines of the music industry. As a marketing maven, he has collaborated with leading brands to develop impactful campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. Additionally, his ability to bridge the gap between culture and commerce has made him a sought-after advisor for companies looking to connect with consumers authentically.

Moreover, Stoute’s insights into consumer behavior and market trends have positioned him as a thought leader in the business world. Through his consulting firm Translation, Stoute provides strategic guidance to companies seeking to navigate the ever-changing landscape of consumer culture.

In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Stoute is also a sought-after speaker and author, sharing his expertise and experiences with audiences around the world. Moreover, his book, The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created A Culture That Rewrote The Rules Of The New Economy, delves into the influence of hip-hop on mainstream culture and business.

Conclusion

Steve Stoute’s net worth of $55 million is a testament to his relentless drive, innovative spirit, and entrepreneurial prowess. From his humble beginnings in the music industry to his current status as the CEO of UnitedMasters, Stoute has certainly pushed the boundaries of what is possible, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music and beyond. As he continues to chart new territories and inspire others, one thing remains certain: Steve Stoute’s impact will be felt for years to come.

In conclusion, Steve Stoute’s journey to a $55 million net worth exemplifies the power of passion, perseverance, and innovation in achieving success. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and artists alike, proving that with vision and determination, anything is possible.

The post Steve Stoute Net Worth 2024: What Is The UnitedMasters CEO Worth? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.