With features from Nas, Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Benny The Butcher, Jay Electronica, & more.
Swizz Beatz
Nas Admits He “Probably Was A Bad Father” To His Daughter
Though naturally recluse, Nas opens up to the world whenever he steps into the booth. From the release of Illmatic to recent efforts like the King’s Disease series, Nas drops gems, whether from his own observations of the world around him or his own self-realization. Today, he appeared on the opening track of Swizz Beatz’s Hip-Hop 50 Vol. 2, “Runaway.” The Queensbridge rapper dives into his own experiences of being a parent, specifically when raising his first-born daughter.
On the record, Nas discusses his struggles balancing his life as a rapper and a father to Destiny, who he shares with Carmen Bryan. He reflects on providing Destiny with the financial backing to succeed but ultimately, failed to spend as much time as he should’ve. “Probably was a bad father to my first born/ Love her to death, but I ain’t been home since my first song/ Provided for her, but money can’t replace a father for her,” he raps on the record. Nas previously addressed raising a daughter on 2012’s Life Is Good in the song, “Daughters,” where he similarly reflected on some of the mistakes he made as a parent.
Nas Reflects On Fatherhood
In addition to Destiny, Nas also shares a 13-year-old son with his ex-wife Kelis. Even though the two had their fair share of public disputes surrounding custody, the rapper expresses his gratitude on “Runaway” for his kids. Still, he admits that he didn’t expect to live long enough to watch them grow. “Plus I got a son, blessed with kids, yeah, man, I adore ’em/ And I was sure I was gonna leave this life too fast/ I got the guardian angels, came down and saved my ass,” he raps on the record.
Swizz Beatz’s Hip-Hop 50 Vol. 2 serves as a tribute to New York’s rap scene and includes appearances from Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Jay Electronica, Bandmanrill, Fivio Foreign, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and more. The project follows the release of DJ Premier’s Hip Hop 50 Vol. 1. Each of these EPs has been released through Nas’ Mass Appeal imprint. Check out Nas’s new song above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
Swizz Beatz Releases ‘Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2’ Via Mass Appeal
Today, Grammy Award-winning producer, rapper, and entrepreneur, Swizz Beatz, releases his triumphant EP – Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2 – via Mass Appeal. The 5-track project marks the second EP in Mass Appeal’s Hip Hop 50: The Soundtrack. Coming off the first installment of the EP series with DJ Premier’s Hip Hop 50 Vol. 1, Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2 is entirely produced by Swizz Beatz. The EP is an ode to New York rap and includes star-studded features from Nas, Lil Wayne, Lil Durk, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Jadakiss, Jay Electronica, Benny The Butcher, Fivio Foreign, Scar Lip and Bandmanrill. Fans can also stay tuned for the “Say Less” video featuring Lil Durk & A Boogie wit da Hoodie releasing next week.
Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2 is the culmination of Swizz Beatz’s career spanning over two decades and the sound that inspired it. The Verzuz creator first rose to prominence as a Ruff Ryder producing songs for DMX and Eve. The success of “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem” launched Beatz’s career as a highly sought-after and regarded artist. He’s since gone on to create some of the most prolific songs in Hip Hop, working with JAY-Z, Noreaga, Busta Rhymes, Cassidy, Nas, Rakim, Lil Wayne, and many more. Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2 will be followed by eight more EPs from iconic figures who’ve had a hand in expanding the culture from the streets of the Bronx to the global community. Hip Hop 50: The Soundtrack, distributed via Mass Appeal’s new deal with The Orchard, is the score to the biggest birthday bash ever.
A portion of all Hip Hop 50 proceeds will be donated to the various charitable organizations, including, the Universal Hip Hop Museum set to open its doors in 2024. Mass Appeal recently announced Hip Hop 50 partnerships with CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka – the official Vodka of #HipHop50, as well as Google Pixel and Sony Music Entertainment. In January, Mass Appeal partnered with Fotografiska to launch Hip Hop Conscious, Unconscious exhibition – currently on view in New York City till May 21st before traveling to other locations. Additionally, Mass Appeal has teamed up with Live Nation Urban to produce live event programming, as well as Paramount + / Showtime for a premium content partnership with captivating documentaries such as: YOU’RE WATCHING VIDEO MUSIC BOX, CYPRESS HILL: INSANE IN THE BRAIN, SUPREME TEAM and more.
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Swizz Beatz Drops Star-Studded “Hip Hop 50: Vol 2” EP
Recently, Swizz Beatz revealed the revised tracklist for his highly-anticipated EP, Hip Hop 50: Vol 2. The update was made to add a track that featured Jay Electronics. Swizz’s new EP showcases some of the most prominent legends and newcomers in rap. On Wednesday, the legendary producer gave fans a sneak peek of the final version of the track list on Instagram, with a caption stating, “Updated track list!!!! Few more updates to come. Can’t wait for y’all to hear this EP 4-21!”
Swizz Beatz’s Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2 features seven fresh tracks and pays respect to the global phenomenon that began with DJ Kool Herc in 1973. It is described as an homage to New York hip hop. Swizz Beatz has created a new musical space for legendary rappers like Lil Wayne, Nas, and Jadakiss, while also giving the current stars of rap, such as Lil Durk, Benny The Butcher, and Fivio Foreign, a chance to showcase their talents.
Swizz Brings The Heat
Swizz Beatz’ new EP is a part of Mass Appeal’s Hip Hop 50: The Soundtrack campaign. The project commemorates the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, which insanely enough, takes place this year. Hip-Hop 50: Vol. 2 is a follow-up to DJ Premier’s Hip Hop 50: Vol 1, which was released last year as part of the same campaign. This is not the only thing that has kept Swizz busy, however. Earlier this year, the super producer and Weezy worked together on a track titled “Kan’t Nobody” from The Carter VI album. The track samples DMX’s classic song “N*ggaz Done Started Somethin.”
Every track on the EP has its own appeal but the two standouts are definitely “This Sh*t Right Here,” which features Lil Wayne, and “Take Em Out,” which features Jadakiss. The latter sounds like straight up old school East Coast gangster rap, which is the perfect tribute to the New York hip hop sound. “Material, a razor, a plate, you see your profit risin’ / Still learnin’ the algorithms and monetizin’,” Jadakiss raps over the classic beat. “Not condonin’ the mumble rap and the harmonizin’ / Forefathers of rap, I’m apologizin’.” Have you checked out the new Swizz Beatz project? What song is your favorite? Sound off in the comments.
Quotable Lyrics:
I’m out the hoester with the toaster, like cheers, n*gga
Versace sofa, didn’t come from Ikea, n*gga
I worked the chopper, like shares, n*gga
Uncut white girl, call that brick a Britney without Spears, n*gga
Swizz Beatz Recruits Jay Electronica For His Loaded “Hip Hop 50: Vol 2 EP”
Swizz Beatz has just unveiled the updated tracklist for his long-awaited Hip Hop 50: Vol 2 EP with an added Jay Electronica track. The EP features some of Rap’s heavy hitters. From the likes of Nas, Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Benny The Butcher, Lil Durk, and Fivio Foreign to name a few. However, the Jay Elect feature comes in at a last minute addition to the project.
He ties off the EP with track No.6 with a solo cut titled “Khalas.” The producing legend teased the latest rendition of the project early Wednesday (April 19) with an Instagram post. The caption reads, “Updated track list !!!! Few more updates to come. Can’t wait for y’all to hear this EP 4-21!!!!!!” Presently, the EP drops this Friday, April 21st.
Swizz Beatz Reveals Updated Tracklist
This isn’t the first time Swizz Beatz and Jay Elect have linked up. Swizz produced “The Blinding” featuring Travis Scott, a cut from Jay’s 2020 debut album A Written Testimony. Swizz fans have eagerly waited for this EP to drop, and has the stamp of approval from the likes of Hip Hop legends DJ Premier and Busta Rhymes along with many others. Additionally, the EP initially was supposed to have a Jay-Z feature alongside Lil Wayne on track No. 2 “This Shit Right Here,” a song Swizz teased prior to unveiling the tracklist. However, it seems Hov has been removed from the credits, although he will be featured as a sample.
The EP serves as part of Mass Appeal’s Hip Hop 50: The Soundtrack initiative, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop this year. Moreover, the project follows DJ Premier’s Hip Hop 50: Vol 1 from last year as part of the same initiative. Not only that, Swizz Beatz has been working tirelessly on this EP along with his other major collaborations. As a matter of fact, Weezy and Swizz cooked up earlier this year with a single off of The Carter VI titled “Kan’t Nobody,” which also features a sample from DMX’s classic “N-ggaz Done Started Somethin.” The EP arrives Friday and Swizz is confident that fans won’t be disappointed. Overall, the project is promised to be an absolute banger, that’ll have Swizz fans begging for more. Will you be listening? Let us know in the comments below!
Lil Wayne Releases Career-Spanning ‘I Am Music’ Compilation
[WATCH] Swizz Beatz Gifts Alicia Keys A Rare Mercedes-Maybach Designed By Virgil Abloh
Swizz Beatz crowned his queen, Alicia Keys, by presenting her with a new Mercedes-Maybach designed by the late Virgil Abloh.
On Sunday (March 26), the avid car enthusiast posted a picture on Instagram of his Grammy Award-winning wife sitting in the backseat of her belated birthday gift. “Keys open doors [gold key emoji] long live @virgilabloh [palms up emoji] gifts from the Kids to the Queen always,” Swizz wrote in the post.
The new car, which was unveiled at a car show last December, is a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S680 model and was designed by Abloh before his November 2021 death in partnership with Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz’s chief design officer.
Per Dezeen, there will only be 152 units of the car available when they hit the market in April, and will be designed similarly to a Maybach in that it’s “a two-tone solar-powered car with a transparent hood that was also designed together with Abloh.”
“As Project Maybach was a show car, we had complete creative freedom, allowing us to collaboratively concept what the future of electric travel could look like,” Wagener told Dezeen. “Due to production requirements, we had to take a different approach to the design of the Mercedes-Maybach limited-edition S-Class.”
He continued: “Virgil was a creative that all of us here at Mercedes-Benz hugely admired. Between the innovations possible within the Mercedes-Benz teams and Virgil’s unique capacity as a cultural visionary, the opportunity was really to redefine what a fashion and automotive collaboration could look like.
Alicia Keys — who turned 42 in January — posted the full footage of the gift unveiling on her own IG page. The couple’s two sons, Egypt Daoud Dean (12), and Genesis Ali Dean (8), pulled back a black tarp to show the luxury vehicle.
Everyone was taken aback once they saw the neutral-toned car, including Keys, who was smiling from ear to ear in shock.
“It’s crazy,” she said multiple times. “The wheels… Boys, thank you. Oh my gosh. Woah.”
Check out both posts below:
The post [WATCH] Swizz Beatz Gifts Alicia Keys A Rare Mercedes-Maybach Designed By Virgil Abloh appeared first on The Source.
Alicia Keys Receives Virgil Abloh-Designed Mercedes-Maybach From Swizz Beatz: Video
Alicia Keys previously celebrated her 42nd birthday back in January, but she’s just now getting to enjoy one of the luxurious presents purchased for her by her doting husband, Swizz Beatz. On the 25th of the first month of the year, the renowned vocalist celebrated with some sunshine in a bikini, and her producer beau serenaded her, much to her pleasure. While the gift was certainly thoughtful and romantic, it has nothing on what just finally came through on Sunday (March 26).
In a video posted to her Instagram yesterday evening, the “Fallin’” hitmaker and her two sons unveiled a custom Mercedes-Maybach whip for Keys, which was designed by the late Virgil Abloh. As her young boys remove the elegant car’s dust cover, we see an utterly shocked expression on their mother’s face. “Maybach Sundays 
,” the lucky recipient wrote in her caption. “I finally got to see my bday gift from the kids and my hubby 
. RIP @virgilabloh this one is a masterpiece woooowwww
.”
Alicia Keys’ Iconic Belated B-Day Gift from Her Husband
Keys’ kids, Egypt, and Genesis were obviously eager to give her the long-awaited present, which she promptly sat down in. “There’s no words to explain this one,” the older of the children told the camera before the big reveal. “That’s crazy,” the R&B diva repeats while taking in the sheer beauty laying in front of her. On Swizz’s IG page, he had more photos and kind words to share about his wife. “Keys open doors 
,” his message began.
“Long live @virgilabloh 
, gifts from the kids to the Queen, always,” the “Fancy” hitmaker added. Throughout his photo dump, we see Alicia Keys sitting in both the front and the back of her grandiose present. While she’ll likely be spending more time in the rear, with a driver doing the heavy lifting while she relaxes, The Voice alum looks undeniably awesome riding in the driver’s seat with her platinum gold heels. Check out Swizz Beatz’s Instagram post below, and let us know how much you think the car costs in the comment section.
More Major Flexin’
[Via]
Snoop Dogg & Denaun (AKA Mr. Porter) Team Up On “Tomorrow”
Snoop Dogg and Denaun (better known as Mr. Porter) have joined forces, thanks to Swizz Beatz, for the latest offering from Godfather Of Harlem. Since the series began, Swizz Beatz has brought forth a slew of hip-hop’s biggest acts to set the vibe for the series. Though the show actually takes place during Bumpy Johnson’s reign, Swizz brings some of hip-hop’s greatest acts to add a modern touch. Each week, the show has debuted a new single that accompanies each episode. This week, Snoop and Denaun come through with heat.
On “Tomorrow,” Snoop and Denaun tap into a higher consciousness and spirituality for a slow, downbeat record. Snoop takes the lead as he reflects on remaining resilient in the face of adversity while looking to God to give him strength. Though it might reflect Snoop’s own relationship with the higher powers, he ultimately taps into the mindset of Bumpy Johnson over his verse. Meanwhile, Denaun holds down the melodies and production alongside Fredwreck.
Swizz Beatz Brings Snoop Dogg & Denaun Together
The latest offering from Swizz Beatz comes towards the end of the third season of Godfather Of Harlem. Since the premier, Swizz continued to bless fans with a plethora of excellent offerings with a wide-range of artists. Jadakiss collided with Swizz on “Hustle, Repeat,” Busta Rhymes and Bibla joined forces on “Murda,” and Swizz Beatz returned to the fold alongside SAINt JHN, Fivio Foreign, and BIA for “Street Opera.”
As for Snoop Dogg, he’s revving up for a big summer ahead. Earlier this month, he announced that the Death Row catalog was finally coming back to streaming services after securing a fair deal. However, he also revealed that he and Wiz Khalifa would reunite for the sequel to Mac & Devin Go To High School. This time, it’ll be the high school reunion. No word on when that’ll drop but Snoop’s clearly keeping busy.
Quotable Lyrics
Straighten up the bow tie, I just wanna know why
I just gotta know my people get treated the same
See, we just gon’ beat ’em the same
I’m tired of seein’ the flames of hatrеd, take it and take it
Swizz Beatz Joins Forces With BIA, Fivio Foreign, & SAINt JHN On “Street Opera”
With Godfather of Harlem currently playing out its third season, Swizz Beatz continues to deliver hot new beats for the show. The Bronx native already contributed his song “Just in Case” as the opening theme song, and has also pushed out a few singles to add the ambiance of this New York City crime series. Most recently, Swizz dropped “Hustle, Repeat” where he teamed up with Yonkers rapper Jadakiss. Now, he’s back with another pumped-up track.
“Street Opera” features BIA, Fivio Foreign, and SAINt JHN and further adds to the series’ NYC roots. Fivio raps in his verse, “yeah, I’m from Brooklyn, huh (I’m from Brooklyn, grr) / But I keep a bad bitch from Harlem (Huh).” BIA and SAINt JHN keep the same energy throughout their bars, both of which allude to a life of crime in the city. SAINt, who sings the chorus, adds “when the phone goin’ up, trap’s goin’ up /This is just the normal life for the block / Rollin’ around, high to the low.” The beat of the track switches from a haunting grime beat to a hard-hitting dance vibe in the chorus.
Swizz Adds “Street Opera” To His List Of Tracks For “Godfather Of Harlem”
As a whole, “Street Opera” checks all the boxes and only adds to Swizz’s superb contributions to Godfather of Harlem. His other additions to the series’ soundtrack include “Please Forgive Me” featuring Larry June and “Waiting On Me” with Giggs, YG, and BIA, both of which made an appearance in season two. Season one included “Just in Case” alongside Rick Ross and DMX, and “Been To War” with DMX and French Montana.
Needless to say, Godfather of Harlem boasts an excellent curation of music, mostly created by Swizz and other rappers from NYC. Starring Forest Whitaker, Nigel Thatch, and Ilfenesh Hadera, the third season is approaching its conclusion. Be sure to keep up with more hip-hop news here on HNHH.
Quotable Lyrics:
It’s too risky, I’m really important
I call and it really get sorted
When it come down to it, don’t care if CCTV had a recordin’
I had ’em singin’ like they got a record deal
You got no homies, they left to squeal
I gave ’em dro with the sex-appeal
I’m a Leo, do I got a hot spliff? I’m a hot-head (Hmm)
Roof off the top ’cause I’m drop dead