It’s no secret that Ab-Soul and Kendrick Lamar go way back, and recently, Ab-Soul decided to show his fellow Black Hippy artist some love by looking back on one of his most memorable moments. In a new photo making its rounds online, he poses in front of a photo of Kendrick’s 2016 jail cell performance at the Grammys, flexing the large Top Dawg Entertainment tattoo on his arm. Moreover, he rocked a 2Pac t-shirt in the photo. This could have been a nod to Kendrick’s beef with Drake or a simple coincidence.
Fans on X are loving the photo, particularly after Kendrick and Ab-Soul reunited at the former’s “Pop Out” in June. The LA show was the first time Kendrick performed his Drake diss tracks after their viral beef, and he enlisted the help of Ab-Soul for “6:16 In LA.” Of course, he backed Kendrick throughout the entire feud, though he doesn’t seem sold on the idea that Drake can’t redeem himself.
“If Drake is the MC I imagine he can be. Redemption is not off the table,” he Tweeted last month. As expected, this left his followers puzzled and prompted them to speculate. While some thought this was a genuine statement, others theorized that it was simply bait to get Drake to drop.
According to DJ Hed, Ab-Soul will be doing some dropping of his own sometime in the future too. During a recent interview with HipHopDX, Hed claimed that Ab-Soul has “some slaps” on the way that he’s already heard. “Ab-Soul got a slap coming. Two of ’em,” he explained, also calling the artist’s 2022 album Herbert “criminally slept on.” What do you think of Ab-Soul posing in front of a photo of Kendrick Lamar’s iconic 2016 Grammys performance? What about him rocking a 2Pac t-shirt in the photo? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
MackWop, a producer known for working with artists from TDE, has addressed ScHoolboy Q and SiR both having their concerts at a Toronto venue canceled in recent weeks. He gave his take on the situation during his YouTube show The Apollo, as caught by HipHopDX. The cancellations have led to a viral rumor that Drake was behind both moves. He famously has been feuding with former TDE star Kendrick Lamar.
“That n***a SiR got his show canceled in Toronto, no cap. SiR got his show canceled at the same f*cking venue that we was gonna perform at. Word around town is Drake is in cahoots with this venue,” MackWop began. “He designed the whole venue, he probably got a little equity in the venue. I’m not sure.”
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 02: MackWop performs onstage during 2017 Governors Ball Music Festival – Day 1 at Randall’s Island on June 2, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage)
From there, he said it’s been tough for any artists who appeared at Lamar’s The Pop Out to keep a show in Drake’s hometown. “But any n***a that was on that Pop Out stage, they’re getting canceled,” he remarked. “What I’m suggesting is: nobody perform at the History ’cause they will cancel your show if Drake don’t like you. I think that’s janky.” MackWop also brought up DJ Scheme playing Kendrick’s Drake diss track “Not Like Us” at the same venue: “If they knew them n****s weren’t f*cking with Drake, they would have canceled that show.”
MackWop Speaks Out On Toronto Shows
ScHoolboy Q was the first TDE artist to have their show in Toronto canceled just beforehand. SiR followed suit a few weeks later, which prompted Q to troll him over the situation on social media. “HAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAA TAKE YO ASS HOME BOY.. SING ON THE BUS ITS OVA WIT,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday. Be on the lookout for further updates on MackWop as well as Drake and Kendrick Lamar on HotNewHipHop.
TDE and Toronto are not getting along these days. The record label has had multiple shows canceled since Kendrick Lamar triumphed over Drake in their culture-shaking battle. ScHoolboy Q was the first, and most notable, given how much he had to say about the cancelation on Twitter. SiR fell victim to a similar fate, however, on July 30. The R&B singer confirmed that the Toronto venue he was slated to perform at pulled out at the last minute. ScHoolboy Q had a lot to say on the matter, and decided to invite SiR to his own show in Phoenix, Arizona.
“Phx tonight,” the rapper tweeted. “It’s sold out if u got sumtHin FROm BLUE LIPS SHOW and I’ll put 20 ppl on list.” ScHoolboy Q then shouted out his fellow TDE artists, and the strife they’re going through in Toronto. “@SiR u sHould slide bro,” he wrote with a laughing emoji. “Bring @zacarip.” SiR and Zacari are the resident singers on the TDE label, with the latter serving as SiR’s opening act on tour. Q is making it clear that he’ll be more than happy to have them at his show, since Toronto doesn’t want them at their designated venue.
PHX TONIGHT PREGAME 5:15… Doors 7.. it’s SOLD OUT if u got sumtHin FROM BLUE LIPS SHOW ME & I’ll PUT 20 ppl on list.. @sir u sHould slide bro bring @zacarip
This isn’t the first time ScHoolboy Q has commented on SiR’s Toronto troubles. Q was in stitches as soon as the singer confirmed the cancelation. “Hahahahahahahaha,” he wrote. “Take yo a*s home boy. Sing on the bus it’s ova wit.” This, of course, is referencing the theory many fans have put forth, which is that Drake is keeping TDE artists from performing in his own city. ScHoolboy Q alluded to this when his show was canceled on July 18. Q also noted that OVO artists have been allowed to perform in L.A. without issue.
The most ironic part of the whole Toronto saga was the tweet that SiR made after ScHoolboy Q’s show got canceled. He quote tweeted a fan who voiced concern that SiR’s show was the next to be taken off the Toronto venue’s list. “My sh*t ain’t canceled,” he assured the fan. Sure enough, the singer’s show suffered the same fate as his TDE label mate. He even called back to the tweet, and made light of the situation. “This sh*t didn’t age well at all….,” he tweeted.
Ray Vaughn, thenewer member of the TDE family, is continuing to build his profile with “Supposed To Die” and “Black Jesus”. These are the newest releases from the Long Beach, California native and they are out just three days apart from each other. Like for the rest of his label, 2024 has been a big year for him. After a majority its artists when silent for a few years, it seems everyone is dropping to remind everyone how talented their roster is. Ray Vaughn will be joining his affiliates at some point with an album. But in the meantime, he has been leaving off plenty of singles to keep fans happy.
The 30-year-old has dropped a pair of freestyles, “So Into You” and “5:30”, the lyrically dense “Problems” with Pusha T, and the trap centric “Blasphemy”. Now, in between July 26-29, Ray Vaughn is here with “Supposed To Die” and “Black Jesus”. Both see him in a self-reflective and introspective state. The former talks about the fragility of life and how there are a lot of people out to get him. Then, on “Black Jesus”, Vaughn deals with feelings of loneliness, sadness, and hopelessness due to his own past decisions. Both are extremely personal, and certainly show another side to the continuously evolving star.
Look, killers they got different eyes, villains are uncivilized B****, we come from hand-me-downs, we don’t know our fit and size Only thing we fear is life, I’m just tryna feel alive I eat all my n**** pie, all my T-shirts n****-sized
Drake was thrust into the news on Wednesday night thanks to a situation involving ScHoolboy Q. Overall, it all had to do with the fact that the artist had his show in Toronto completely canceled. It was a bit of a surprising turn of events, although Q blamed it on Canadian police. Moreover, there was an insinuation that OVO had something to do with it and that all TDE artists are being blacklisted from the city. Needless to say, theories about the Kendrick Lamar beef were running amock.
ScHoolboy Q spoke about the situation on Twitter and even had a bit of a back-and-forth with DJ Akademiks about the whole thing. During the middle of the night, Drake took to his Instagram story, where he may or may not have offered his commentary on the situation. Below, you can see that he simply posted a photo of himself with a t-shirt that says “Free Yayo.” As for the actual Q situation, there was no direct response.
In the replies to NFR Podcast, some fans found this IG story to be incredibly petty. However, others noted that this is a reference to the shirt Eminem once wore at the Grammys in support of fellow artist, Tony Yayo. Overall, it is a pretty cool nod that shows that Drake is tapped in, the recent criticisms against him. Either way, this situation with ScHoolboy Q is rife with speculation, and only time will tell how this all shakes out.
Let us know what you think of this situation, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that Drake had anything to do with ScHoolboy Q getting his show shut down? Will this happen to more TDE artists in the future? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Drake was thrust into the news on Wednesday night thanks to a situation involving ScHoolboy Q. Overall, it all had to do with the fact that the artist had his show in Toronto completely canceled. It was a bit of a surprising turn of events, although Q blamed it on Canadian police. Moreover, there was an insinuation that OVO had something to do with it and that all TDE artists are being blacklisted from the city. Needless to say, theories about the Kendrick Lamar beef were running amock.
ScHoolboy Q spoke about the situation on Twitter and even had a bit of a back-and-forth with DJ Akademiks about the whole thing. During the middle of the night, Drake took to his Instagram story, where he may or may not have offered his commentary on the situation. Below, you can see that he simply posted a photo of himself with a t-shirt that says “Free Yayo.” As for the actual Q situation, there was no direct response.
In the replies to NFR Podcast, some fans found this IG story to be incredibly petty. However, others noted that this is a reference to the shirt Eminem once wore at the Grammys in support of fellow artist, Tony Yayo. Overall, it is a pretty cool nod that shows that Drake is tapped in, the recent criticisms against him. Either way, this situation with ScHoolboy Q is rife with speculation, and only time will tell how this all shakes out.
Let us know what you think of this situation, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that Drake had anything to do with ScHoolboy Q getting his show shut down? Will this happen to more TDE artists in the future? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
ScHoolboy Q is not happy. The TDE rapper was slated to perform in Toronto, but was allegedly kept from doing so. In response to this last-minute decision, Q hopped on Twitter and criticized the Canadian city for discriminating against his label. He not only accused Toronto of keeping TDE artists out, but hinted at some larger problems between the label and Drake’s OVO crew. ScHoolboy Q also alluded to there being consequences if this so-called sensitive behavior continued.
The Twitter rant took place on July 17. ScHoolboy Q made it clear that he was angry over the cancelation of his show, and called out Canadian police directly. “THey just canceled by sHow in Toronto,” he wrote. “Canadian police don’t want nobody from TDE performing.” The real bombshell, however, came in the subsequent tweet. Q claimed that everything was good between TDE and Drake’s parent label, Young Money. He claimed that Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith was actually hanging out with Birdman and Weezy recently. “Top was just wit Wayne and Baby smH,” he angrily typed. ScHoolboy Q also noted that OVO artist PARTYNEXTDOOR played at the Palladium in Los Angeles without any trouble.
TOP was just wit Wayne & Baby smH partynextdoor just Had a sHow @ tHe palladium if we wanted to get yall we would’ve just did it.. now wHen sumbody get Hurt don’t cry…
After venting about the various ways in which the beef has been settled, ScHoolboy Q got aggressive. He made it known that if TDE had plans to do something to Drake and OVO, they would have done it already. “If we wanted to get y’all we would’ve just did it,” he tweeted. The last part of the message took on a more ominous tone, with the rapper seemingly warning OVO of potential problems to come. “Now wHen sumbody get Hurt don’t cry…” he concluded. ScHoolboy Q was never involved in the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef, but he made it clear which side he was on from day one.
He voiced his support for Lamar, his former label mate, on social media. He also performed alongside the rapper at the legendary “Pop Out” show on Juneteenth. ScHoolboy Q and Dot rapped “Collard Greens” together. Q was also one of the people who posed for the iconic black-and-white photo taken at the end of the concert. Hopefully TDE and OVO are able to set their differences aside and allow touring on both sides, without things getting ugly.
Ab-Soul’s next album may be coming sooner than we thought. In an interview with Elliott Wilson, DJ Hed mentioned that he heard a couple of tracks from Soulo’s latest offering, calling them “slaps.” Hed is close to the TDE camp and was one of the few sources of reliable information for Kendrick Lamar’s side of the Drake battle, so him having heard new music from Ab-Soul is not surprising.
The Carson rapper released Herbert in 2022, six years removed from his last album, Do What Thou Wilt. Soulo has been very open about his mental health struggles. He revealed in an interview with Charlamagne Tha God that he attempted to end his own life earlier that year. Fortunately, he seems to be in a much better headspace now, thanks in part to the support of his peers and family.
Fans immediately found themselves drawn to Herbert for its lyricism and brutal honesty. Both are trademarks of Ab-Soul’s releases. And he did not disappoint. Head of TDE Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith first shared plans for a new Soulo release during a Twitter Q&A in March of last year. He also claimed that a deluxe edition of Herbert was on the way, which is now sitting alongside a deluxe version of SZA’s SOS as albums that TDE promised and have not yet delivered on. So far this year, the TDE crew have been more active with new music. ScHoolboy Q received the lauded Blue Lips, SiR released HEAVY, and Isaiah Rashad announced a new album for this year.
We last saw DJ Hed and Ab-Soul at Kendrick Lamar’s The Pop Out concert. Hed had a set early in the evening, before coming back out at the end of the show for the group photo that capped off Lamar’s performance. Soulo was on stage during Lamar’s set for a Black Hippy reunion alongside ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock. Black Hippy did not perform any of the songs they did together. However, Lamar flawlessly rapped the first verse of his Drake diss “6:16 In LA” with his hand on Soulo’s shoulder, a signficant moment for longtime TDE fans. We don’t know when Ab-Soul’s next album is due, but DJ Hed confirmed that he’s been working on it. That is exciting news for any hip-hop enthusiast.
Zacari is someone who rose into the world of stardom through a now unforgettable feature. That of course is on the DAMN. cut “LOVE.” with the one and only Kendrick Lamar. Just two years after that 2017 collaboration, the Bakersfield, California singer/rapper would go on to sign with TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment). Since being with the label, he has put forth a handful of EPs (SOL & Run Wild Run Free) and a lot of singles. Some of which make Zacari’s debut album Bliss even two years later. That would be the title track with a feature from fellow label-mate Isaiah Rashad.
So, what took so long for Zacari to release Bliss? Well, he took the time to speak with Billboard on why this debut was important to get right. Part of it came from the studio sessions with Kendrick and ScHoolboy Q and just being around them throughout the creative processes. “When you’re in the room with these people like Kendrick and ScHoolboy, and they have their track record of albums and you’re watching them do it, [you see] what it really takes. It’s super important for the quality to not only be in the sound, but [also] in the writing and introspectiveness. Your pen is going to grow, you’re going to experience more things, and then you have to learn how to put them out in in the right way. I think that’s what takes time”.
We can see and hear that Zacari brought that mindset over to Bliss. The soundscapes are rich are very well mixed. Zacari’s vocals are consistently strong and uses those various sounds we mentioned to do some experimenting as well. While it still might take some time to fully develop a true “Zacari” track, this album is a great start to that journey.
SZA is one of the most riveting voices in contemporary R&B today as the music industry is filled with temporal fads and transient sounds. Solána Imani Rowe, hailing from Maplewood, New Jersey, but known as SZA, has transformed this genre through her unprocessed rawness. A manifesto, Ctrl (2017), her first album, was not an introduction but a personal awakening to modern womanhood. It addressed the issues of love, insecurity, and self-determination with the painful truth that spoke eloquently to a generation seeking the real.
Further, SZA’s music is an auditory weaving of R&B, hip-hop, and neo-soul using ethereal singing and pointed lyrics. She has received critical acclaim thanks to her ability to transform personal stories into anthems for all people while gaining devoted fans. Every song takes you on a trip inside her mind where she exhibits her deepest emotions without fear or censorship through poetic lines. Here, we go through five essential songs representing SZA’s evolution as an artist. This is in terms of the genre she represents and how well she speaks to the audience deeply.
1. “The Weekend” (2017)
When her 2017 groundbreaking debut album Ctrl dropped, SZA released “The Weekend.” This track presented SZA’s ability to handle intricate emotional territories with subtlety and bravery with its unashamedly honest examination of modern relationships. The song’s ethereal vocals, coupled with the smooth, sultry production of producer ThankGod4Cody, create an intoxicating and reflective environment.
Moreover, its impact was immediate and profound. It rose to No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and brought SZA critical acclaim. This includes a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance. For this reason, this track is vital because it captures SZA’s unique combination of weakness and strength. It allows her to talk about the problems with love in a way that feels personal yet universal. She also has an uncanny ability to make music feel intimate while still resonating widely with audiences.
SZA’s debut album, Ctrl, had the standout single “Love Galore,” which showcases her ability to combine vulnerability and unabashed confidence. It is a collaboration with Travis Scott and was released in 2017, immediately hitting the right notes with its themes of longing. SZA’s silky voice is well matched by the atmospheric, hypnotic beat augmented with lush instrumentation. Travis Scott brought about a dynamic element by making them alternate their styles.
The song also enjoyed considerable success, peaking at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching multi-platinum certification. This song became one of those anthems that define an artist, marking SZA as one of those R&B giants forever. Her writing was again on point, this time addressing issues concerning the complexities relationships go through when people try living independently. The importance lies in how it fuses raw emotions with refined beats, as exhibited by this track, displaying SZA’s flexibility.
3. “Good Days” (2020)
Released as a single in 2020, “Good Days” is a turning point for SZA’s artistry. The song embodies hope and deep thought at a time of uncertainty. Its gentle melody and floating production allow one to escape the hectic world. Over the production, SZA’s voice reflects on growth, healing, and inner peace, touching on issues that are so deeply personal they are universal.
Almost instantly, it hit home with fans, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning immense praise globally. This indicates SZA’s capacity to rise above R&B conventions through music that combines lonely words with an uplifting message. This track is significant in terms of vocal delivery and thematic exploration because it reveals SZA’s artistic growth.
4. “Broken Clocks” (2017)
One of the songs that stood out from SZA’s critically acclaimed debut album Ctrl is “Broken Clocks.” It deeply explores the themes of time and the constant quest for one’s goals amidst personal challenges. Unveiled in 2017, this track illustrates SZA’s ability as a narrator. It explains her journey and the sacrifices she made. The production is simple but impactful, with a mellow beat allowing for SZA’s resonant voice and serious contemplation.
Its appeal also comes from how much people can relate to it emotionally. In fact, “Broken Clocks” has been a favorite among fans who have seen it being performed live by SZA while others find solace in identifying themselves with her lyrics. This song did extremely well on the charts and with its fan base, showing how deeply SZA could communicate with listeners through her music. For its honest depiction of struggle and grind hustle this song remains vital in displaying SZA’s blend of emotional rawness and lyrical genius. “Broken Clocks” shows she can create very personal yet universally understood music, further asserting her place in the RnB genre.
5. “Drew Barrymore” (2017)
Ctrl was introduced with the lead single “Drew Barrymore,” which illustrates her knack for personal storytelling entwined with universally relatable themes. The title is derived from the name of a popular actress known for her roles in teen movies. In this song, SZA explores her deepest fears such as questioning her self-worth and acceptance.
The song “Drew Barrymore” spoke to people on different levels, prompting many reviews from critics who appreciated its candid words. It touches on so much more than just a breakup song as it helps establish SZA’s unique style—a fusion of introspective lyrics and eclectic musical arrangements, making her an R&B outlier. This track is very important because it best showcases SZA’s talent for transforming adversities into triumphant anthems that define her sound. Also, this track not only exemplifies how deep she can be in lyricism but also sums up his ability to relate with people at a deeper level, thus making it a fundamental piece about his discography and an epoch-making event in his career.
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