Swizz Beatz recently shared news of a health scare he faced at the beginning of his career that nearly caused him to never walk again.
The award-winning producer stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show where he revealed early on in his career, he once worked himself to near-paralysis.
“When you come from nothing, and you finally get success, get a piece of what you thought you could never get from your surroundings — we just have a habit of going hard as men, you know, and it caught up to me,” he told the Oscar-winning host. “I remember staying up for four days straight just over-pushing it. It messed up my immune system — I had spinal meningitis.”
He continued: “And I remember going to the hospital, and the doctor was cold. He was cold as ice. As soon as I walked in, he said, ‘okay, you might not die, but you’ll never walk again.’ That was the first thing they said to me when I went into the hospital. But I was in so much pain, I was like, ‘let’s get on to it.’ But, Alhamdulillah [Praise be to Allah], I came back, and I beat the odds with that one. And now, I try to take my health a little bit more serious.”
Rock The Bells has returned! The long-running hip-hop festival, which originally focused on legacy and underground rap acts, was basically defunct for the past ten years. However, that was until the rapper whose song the festival is named after revived the festival last year. The man born Todd Smith revealed the full lineup for the 2023 festival today with a trailer reproducing scenes from headliner Queen Latifah’s 1996 film debut Set It Off (this is a trend), showing the only thing that changed is the coast (the original Rock The Bells took place in California, and so featured more West Coast artists).
The lineup for this year’s festival (“don’t call it a comeback”) includes Big Daddy Kane, Boot Camp Clik, De La Soul, Fabolous, Ludacris, MC Lyte, MC Sha Rock, Method Man & Redman, Monie Love, Rakim, Roxanne Shanté, Salt-n-Pepa, Slick Rick, Swizz Beatz and friends, The Cold Crush Brothers, and Yo-Yo. In addition, the festival will feature a tribute to the late Sean Price by the members of Boot Camp Clik, including his widow Bernadette Price, as well as a set honoring the pioneering women of hip-hop who are often ignored.
The 2023 Rock The Bells Festival will take place on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York. You can get more information here.
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland created something special with Verzuz. We’ve seen some of the culture’s biggest names go head to head in a battle to see who has the most hits. While some say The Lox vs. Dipset was the best Verzuz. However, Jill Scott vs. Erykah Badu was equally as amazing. Not to mention, Verzuz looked completely different by the time The Lox tore up the stage and had the crowd losing their minds when they went against Dipset. From the looks of it, we might be getting another blockbuster Verzuz matchup.
In a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, DJ Envy asked the super producer if a Verzuzbetween Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj was still on the table. Swizz Beatz kept it on the hush-hush but revealed there was something in the works. “I can’t say, I can’t say,” said Swizz. DJ Envy quickly throws in, “So there’s still a possibility?” However, Swizz Beats kept a tight lip saying, “Yeah, I can’t say. I can’t say. But just know if you’re going to wait this long for Verzuz If we gone have you wait this long, it’s definitely going to be worth it.”
Although Swizz Beatz didn’t give a firm yes or no, the possibility of a showdown between the two Iconic MC’s will suffice. The news sent fans into a frenzy wondering how a battle between the two artists will go down. One user commented that Nicki Minaj fans might not be mature enough for a Verzuz battle due to it customarily being about showing love, and respect, and giving our legends their flowers. However, many are just hyped that it’s still on the table, to begin with.
Although, Swizz Beats did say, “If I’m being quiet, things are happening.” Implying that his silence is analogous to a possibleVerzuz deal being made. Don’t fret Barbs and Lil Kim fans alike, there’s still hope. Not only that Swizz also mentioned that they needed to take a break from Verzuz. He said, “It was important for us to take a break and organize what we have and actually understand what we have.” While everyone instantly fell in love with Verzuz during the heat of the pandemic, he’s right. Verzuz has come a long way since simply grabbing two icons to hop on IG Live and play their best songs. Can’t be mad for Swizz wanting to perfect the product. Are you excited for this possible showdown? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Swizz Beatz has collaborated and connected with some of rap’s greatest voices. From Lil Wayne to Jay-Z there are not many artists that Swizz hasn’t made magic on a track with. Recently the Ruff Ryders DJ put out a project last week, Hip Hop 50: Vol 2. The EP follows DJ Premiers Hip Hop 50: Vol 1 honoring the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The tape is star-studded and filled with dope songs in a short and neatly packed six-tracks. Following the release of the project, Swizz Beatz sat down with The Breakfast Club for an interview.
The producer tycoon told the hosts that he saw DMX in one of his dreams. The rap legend assured him that he was okay in the afterlife. Additionally, during the interview, Swizz Beatz shared details about his vision of the late rap icon saying he could “feel” X’s spirit. “Man, honestly, I don’t even feel he’s like he’s gone,” he said to The Breakfast Club. “It feels like he’s somewhere chillin’. And then the anniversary will come around or I’ll speak to his fiancee or I’ll speak to his son and I’m like ‘Whoa.’” Swizz continued, “Or I’ll see a video or scroll through my phone and see pictures and it’ll hit me.” Moreover, He told the radio hosts that it was easier for him to deal with all seeing that DMX came to him in his dream.
Swizz Beatz Has A Visitor In His Dreams
Moreover, the legendary producer gave more details as to how he felt X’s presence. “I seen him. I felt him, I could smell like-I just couldn’t hear him talk,” Swizz said. Following that, Charlamagne Tha God asked if DMX looked “young” or “healthy,” the super producer responded: “He looked like from when I last seen him.” He revealed that it was being able to see X in the last state he saw him in that made it real for him. “I came and grabbed him. We always used to wrestle and play around like little brothers, and so I wrestle him to the floor and we wrestlin’ and he laughin’.’” However, Swizz mentions he still can’t hear or talk to the late rapper.
“Then he got up, and grabbed both of my arms and he just looked at me and was like, ‘I’m good.’ And once I seen that my whole energy started changing,” said the Ruff Ryders rep. Not only that, Swizz also made note that he saw an “X” above his house making the moment more surreal for him. He took a picture and posted it. Has anyone ever visited you in your dreams? Let the HNHH staff know below!
If you know Swizz Beatz, you know his productions can get the party started. Swizz has been a producer for decades and has always had records to get you to move your body. He brings energy to a song when he produces it, not to mention his ad-libs in the background. That’s how he made his name in Hip Hop. His biggest hits have been party records.
You can say the Bronx native brought the energy back to Hip Hop whenever he dropped these records. He’s worked with the best of the best, and we can’t forget how he and Ruff Ryders had Hip Hop in a chokehold. Swizz Beatz is truly one of the best producers that the music industry. has ever seen. He has made a lot of records for the club that still plays today. Check out his most significant party starters with some of Rap’s biggest names.
“Party Up (Up In Here)” is a song that raises the energy once it begins. It’s like no one can control themselves. This is one of DMX’s best songs and one of the most infamous tracks in Hip Hop. It was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 for Best Rap Solo Performance. Swizz Beatz proves time and time again that he is a genius at this. His collaborations with DMX are some of his best.
6. “Tambourine”- Eve (2006)
Swizz Beatz knows just what to do to get the party started. Since being a part of Ruff Ryders, Eve has worked with Swizz from day one. She had a few hits before “Tambourine,” but this is one of her more popular singles. You can still hear this song in movies and television shows today. Eve made sure to make something for the ladies to groove to. In the video, Eve shows you exactly how to do the “Tambourine” dance. Swizz Beatz songs seem to capture his signature elements while standing out among his productions as unique sounds.
5. “Uproar”- Lil Wayne (2018)
Swizz Beatz gave Lil Wayne a New York-type beat, and Weezy excelled. The superproducer sampled G.Dep’s hit song “Special Delivery” for “Uproar.” The double platinum record was a Top 10 hit for Wayne. “Special Delivery” was a massive success song when it came out in 2001. Everyone was doing the Harlem Shake when this song came on. Swizz and Wayne brought back the nostalgia with their record.
4. “Whuteva”- Remy Ma ft. Swizz Beatz (2006)
From day one, Remy Ma has worked with Swizz Beatz. It didn’t take long for them to get their first hit. Besides being down with Fat Joe and the Terror Squad, Remy broke through with “Whuteva.” It’s a fun song to sing along to as well as the chorus is too easy to forget. “Whuteva” is one of those songs that you almost have to respond to the call to action. “Put your right hand up, put your left hand up” is necessary when playing this.
3. “Ruff Ryders Anthem”- DMX (1998)
Swizz Beatz makes one of the best Hip Hop records with “Ruff Ryders Anthem.” This is one of DMX’s best songs. Swizz matches his style with this beat as it’s bold and hard. “Stop, drop, shut ‘em down, open up shop.” Swizz proves to be an innovator early in his career as this beat wasn’t the typical Hip Hop production at the time. This was near the beginning of X and Swizz’s relationship. They continued making more hits, but this might be their best. Ever since “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” Swizz has been known to make you move your body. Swizz Beatz songs do just that!
2.“Get Me Bodied”- Beyoncé (2006)
There are not too many songs that can get all the ladies to the dance floor. However, Beyonce’s “Get Me Bodied” always gets them on their feet. Her calls to action in her last verse are the part that makes the song. He also produced “Ring the Alarm” and “Upgrade U” off Beyonce’s B’Day album. Though they outperformed “Get Me Bodied” on the charts, “Get Me Bodied” is a timeless record.
1. “Touch It”- Busta Rhymes (2006)
“Touch It” is one song that you can always play at a party. Swizz Beatz made the perfect beat for Busta Rhymes’s unique flow. Very few can rap as fast as Busta can. Swizz also made a beat that fits Busta’s persona: loud, bold, and hard. No other rapper can do what Busta did on this beat. “Touch It” is one of the best songs of the 2000s. It was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 2007 Grammy Awards. The remix might’ve been more popular than the original version. It featured Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose, and DMX. It’s hard not to enjoy this song whenever you hear it.
After another round of impressive New Music Friday arrivals yesterday (April 21), we’re back with our weekly Fire Emoji playlist update. Today’s lineup is one of our longest in a minute, and it kicks off with two new arrivals from NBA YoungBoy’s Don’t Try This At Home project. The first is “What You Say,” featuring Post Malone and The Kid LAROI, and following that comes a solo effort from the Louisana native called “Choppa Docter.” Prior to releasing his project, YB also shared collaborations with Nicki Minaj and Mariah the Scientist as singles.
Armani White delivered serious heat in the form of “SILVER TOOTH.”` with A$AP Ferg this week. The song is perfect to add to your S/S 2023 playlist and is just the start of what’s to come from the Def Jam artist later this year. Belly is another name we deemed Fire Emoji-worthy today, thanks to his work on “American Nightmare.” Of course, we would be remiss not to mention Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz’s work together on “This Sh*t Right Here” from the latter’s new Hip Hop 50: Vol 2 project.
HNHH Fire Emoji Playlist
Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz pose with the Recording Academy Global Impact Award during the Recording Academy Honors on February 02, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
The release recommendations don’t stop there. Tee Grizzley and Skilla Baby’s joint effort, “B&E Pt. 1” has also been deemed a must-listen, as well as a headline-making hit from one of our favourite rising female rap divas. Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor” has been stirring up plenty of attention online after she teased it during her first weekend performing at Coachella. Coi Leray accused the 777 artist of body shaming her with her lyrics, though she’s since admitted to over-reacting about the situation.
For our final Fire Emoji selection of the weekend, we’ve picked Moneybagg Yo’s “Motion God.” The single arrives amid criticism coming toward the southern star over the steep prices at his new restaurant, which he expertly clapped back recently. Read more about that here, and tap into our weekly playlist update exclusively on Spotify below.
