New Hip Hop News

It will most likely be another week or two before we stop hearing about this year’s Grammy Awards, but considering they kick-off in just two days, information regarding the ceremony is coming in like a flood. Much of today’s (March 12) conversation about the Grammys centered around The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, and Beyoncé. We’ve heavily reported on The Weeknd’s shocking snub this year and we also learned that Bieber may not attend the ceremony because his album, Changes, wasn’t included in the R&B categories. Throughout the day, Beyoncé has been trending on social media following the Los Angeles Times‘s interview with British television producer Ben Winston who has taken the helm of this year’s show.

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During their chat, it was noted that Beyoncé, who is leading with nine nominations this year, won’t be performing. It reportedly makes for the third time in the show’s history that the artist with the most nominations won’t be taking to the stage, and Winston was questioned about fans’ reactions when they learn that Bey “opted not to perform.”

“It’s unfortunate, because she’s such a big part of the Recording Academy. We absolutely wish we had her onstage,” said Winston. He also shared a story of another artist—who he didn’t name—being asked to perform this year but they ultimately turned it down because they were still upset about years prior. It’s a strange place for Winston to be in because he’s in charge of making sure the show goes on without a hitch, not who is nominated or wins.

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“You know that’s the deal when you take over the show,” said Winston. He spoke with music executives and labels about “what they thought about the Grammys.” When speaking with the unnamed artist, “She was like, ‘I got snubbed three years ago, and I’m still annoyed about it.’ I told her, ‘Right, but you know that’s nothing to do with me?’ She said, ‘I don’t know — it sort of is, isn’t it?’”

Back in December, Megan Thee Stallion said in an interview that she and Beyoncé were in talks to perform their “Savage (Remix)” at the Grammys, but it doesn’t look as if that’s happening.

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That Coming 2 America feature has Rick Ross thinking about the film industry. Rozay has been enjoying the fruits of his labor as he kicks back on those afternoons on his lavish estate that looks as if it has its own zip code. Ross rented out his estate to Coming to America producers as the Zamunda homestead, and now the rapper has a few questions about movies. The Rap mogul is known for his big business moves and diversified portfolio that keeps those checks coming in, and Ross posed a playful question where he toyed with the idea of creating a movie about his life.

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Over on Instagram, Rozay dropped a few gems on his Instagram Story. In one slide, he asked his viewers who they would have play them in a film, and in the next clip, he asked about himself. “If, question, if your life was a movie, who would play you best?” the rapper asked. He gave a follow-up question. “If there was a film being created around my life, who would play the Boss best? I want your opinion. Who would play Rozay best?”

The answers were interesting, to say the least, as people made suggestions like Jamal Woolard (he portrayed The Notorious B.I.G. in Notorious), Rod Wave, and Sean Kingston. Of course, people slid in the comment section with jokes, as well, but we want to know who you think could tackle the role of Rick Ross in a film about the rapper’s life. 

If you ask Hip Hop legend Grandmaster Melle Mel when the genre’s fashion made a huge shift, he’ll tell you it was when Run-DMC came onto the scene. The group sported looks that, according to Melle Mel, mirrored the hustlers and drug dealers at the time, and soon, everyone wanted to emulate their style. Artists themselves began shifting from the more eclectic styles and moved into streetwear, and over the past few decades, it has evolved into what we see now influenced by both street and prison culture.

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“I’m a direct product of that statement because there was a time where I was first being offered opportunities to perform in front of larger audiences,” said Short. “And up until that point, I was just a little—if you go look at Wild Style, the movie Wild Style, I was a rapper like that that just, whatever I had on that day, that’s what I stepped into the DJ booth with and I rapped. It was no look.”

Too $hort recalled being offered the show and the first thing he thought of was how he would dress. “I’m looking at my influences of ’70s funk, you know what I’m sayin’? The music that was the hottest sh*t out,” he said. “I’m looking at Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and the rappers that are big, Kurtis Blow, and what they doin’. And then there’s Run DMC who’s the newest, hottest thing and clearly is the now the coolest sh*t.”

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“That’s the f*ckin’ look,” he added, “I’m right at that moment when Run-DMC is influencing, they run the whole sh*t. They ’bout to be the new king of f*ckin’ rap.” So, in turn, Too $hort decided to copy that look, as well. “I get what [Melle Mel] is sayin’. I don’t know if I agree that that was the moment, but I do know that was the inevitable evolution. What else would it be?”

Watch Too $short explain his experience while also weighing on how people often feel as if Hip Hop belongs to them.