New Hip Hop News

IDK has elevated himself into one of the game’s most adventurous new artists, frequently subverting expectations through the songwriting choices he makes.

Case in point, his new USEE4YOURSELF song “Red” featuring Westside Gunn, Jay Electronica, and MF DOOM, might have been anticipated to sound a certain way given the parties involved. Yet upon its release, many were surprised with the direction, which found the quartet of lyricists tackling a futuristic and crisp instrumental. Now, IDK has opened up to Billboard about the stacked track’s creation, shedding a bit of light as to how he ultimately put “Red” together.

“A lot of people don’t realize I did that before DOOM passed away,” he explains. “I did not do that to try and squeeze him in there to capitalize after his death. He cleared it. Secondly, it was me trying to be ambitious in putting together a rap track that also had playability in other environments.”

 Erika Goldring/FilmMagic/Getty Images

“Traditionally, those names together mean New York City, oversized fitted hats, hands folded bobbing your head in a small, packed club,” he adds, noting preconceived notions that some listeners may have had going into it. “That’s what those names mean. My idea was to turn it into stadium, strip club music. I wanted to bring those people into an environment that they’re not used to ever being heard in.”

He also addresses the brevity of DOOM’s verse, which amounts to only a few bars; a post-chorus of sorts. “DOOM’s verse is short because if I were to put a whole verse down, to me, it would have been overkill,” says IDK, his production instinct shining through. “I have to still keep the replayability, and the song is already around four minutes. So, I was being sensitive about the time when I put it together.” 

Jim Dyson/Redferns/Getty Images

“The song is meant to be fun, dope, but legendary at the same time,” he continues. “I’ve never heard MF DOOM on a trap beat, and that was something that he wanted to do. Even though it’s not his main style, he’s interested in things like that, so I think it was a huge success, and I think it created a conversation, good and bad.”

It’s certainly not the first time IDK and DOOM have linked on wax. Prior to “Red,” the pair connected on “Pizza Shop,” a highlight off his IWASVERYBAD album. Be sure to check out IDK’s full conversation with Billboard right here. 

LISTEN: IDK Ft. Westside Gunn, MF DOOM, & Jay Electronica – Red

Rihanna showed support for Sha’Carri Richardson, on Instagram, Monday night, joking about the Tokyo Olympic Village’s use of cardboard beds for the athletes to sleep on during the games. Richardson was suspended from competition for a positive marijuana test, earlier this month.

“Beauty before the beast is unleashed,” Richardson wrote on Instagram.

“Yassss for the non cardboard bed,” Rihanna replied.

Steven Ferdman / Getty Images

Monday wasn’t the first time the Fenty founder publicized her support for the American track and field sprinter.

“Oh man, it sucks, you know,” Rihanna said, earlier this month when asked about Richardson’s suspension. “It sucks, it really does suck. But all is not lost, everything happens for a reason.”

Not everyone in the music industry has been as supportive in wake of the positive test for THC. Wack 100 said that Richardson “failed us as a people,” in response to the news.

“Put her on the first thing smoking back to the dispensary!” Wack wrote alongside a photo of Richardson on Instagram. “A violation leads to punishment. Nobody is bigger than the program. Rules & regulations are there to be followed not ignored. She failed us as a people far as I’m concerned!”

Check out Rihanna’s comment below.

Music looks to be in a pretty good place right now, and we’re still waiting for some of the most widely recognized artists to release their upcoming albums. As the world soaks in information regarding Kanye West’s tenth studio album, which will reportedly release this week, hip-hop fans have been enjoying the latest posthumous album from Pop Smoke, the late 20-year-old music superstar. Despite some of the people closest to him, including producer 808Melo and his best friend Mike Dee, denouncing the album, fans have been singling out a few songs for their individual playlists, and we’re doing the same for this week’s iteration of the Staff Picks Playlist.

Uploaded to TIDAL and SoundCloud this morning, you can scroll through all of our editorial staff’s picks for this week, including a handful of Pop Smoke records, some one-off tracks from Tyler, The Creator and Vince Staples’ respective recent albums, and other singles that have dropped recently. We’re also shining a spotlight on rising rappers like OMB Bloodbath, who came through last week with her debut project Blood Sample, as well as BIA, who remains one of the women in rap making the most noise right now. We have also included new songs from Teezo Touchdown, WILLOW, and Rico Nasty, giving this update an edge, unlike other weeks.

Check out this week’s playlist update below and let us know who has the best submissions. Follow us on SoundCloud here and TIDAL here.

Alex Zidel (Editorial)

Pop Smoke – Bout A Million (feat. 21 Savage & 42 Dugg)
Pop Smoke – Manslaughter (feat. Rick Ross & The-Dream)
OMB Bloodbath – Not Gang (feat. EST Gee)
Rico Nasty – Magic
BIA & Nicki Minaj – WHOLE LOTTA MONEY (Remix)

Cole Blake (Editorial)

Wiki – Starting Today
Vince Staples – THE SHINING
Pop Smoke – Tell The Vision (feat. Kanye West & Pusha T)
Kevin Abstract – SLUGGER (feat. $NOT & slowthai)
The Alchemist – Tear Away Shorts (Instrumental)

Joshua Robinson (Editorial)

Willow – XTRA (feat. Tierra Whack)
KSI – The Moment
Kevin Abstract – SLUGGER (feat. $NOT & slowthai)
Vince Staples – TAKE ME HOME (feat. Fousheé)
Teezo Touchdown – Mid

Mitch Findlay (Editorial)

Pop Smoke – Mr. Jones (feat. Future)
Tyler, The Creator – CORSO
Benny The Butcher – Pyrex Picasso (feat. Rick Hyde & Conway The Machine)
BigWalkDog – Came From The Bottom
ToBi – Off The Drugs (feat. Mick Jenkins)

Rose Lilah (Editorial)

Pop Smoke – Bout A Million (feat. 21 Savage & 42 Dugg)
SYD – Fast Car
JMSN – Love 2 U
Fana Hues – Desert Flower (Remix) [feat. Mereba]
Pop Smoke – Coupe

Aron A. (Editorial)

Pop Smoke & The Neptunes – Top Shotta (feat. Pusha-T, Travi, & BEAM)
Pop Smoke – Brush Em (feat. Rah Swish)
Abra Cadabra – Somebody’s Son (feat. Pressplay)
Blxst & Bino Rideaux – Program
Skillibeng – Pull Up (feat. Dutchavelli & Topsquad)

LeBron James has one of the best sneaker legacies in the history of the NBA and while some might not be fans of his style, there is no doubt that the LeBron line has seen a ton of success over the years. In 2021, we have seen numerous colorways of the Nike LeBron 18 and its low-top counterpart. The Nike LeBron 19 was also unveiled for Space Jam, however, the LeBron 18 Low continues to receive support as the NBA season marches on.

Recently, a brand new colorway of the LeBron 18 Low surfaced on Instagram and if you’re a longtime sneakerhead, then you know this shoe is a reference to a PE from the LeBron 6 days. The colorway in question is modeled after “Family Guy” character Stewie Griffin, and the photos below come courtesy of @masterwook_ on Instagram. This shoe has a cartoonish look to it as the entire upper is covered in bold whites, yellows, blue, and reds that come together to form Stewie’s signature outfit on the show. It is a sneaker that rivals the original in terms of aesthetics and if you like “Family Guy,” these could prove to be a must-cop.

There is no release information attached to these, so keep it locked to HNHH as we will bring you the latest information on these. In the meantime, let us know how you feel about these, in our poll below, and take the conversation to the comments section.

Fat Joe reportedly contacted Biz Markie’s wife, Tara Hall, every week since the late “Just a Friend” rapper was hospitalized, last year, to check-in. Hall confirmed Joe’s commitment to the legendary rapper while speaking with TMZ, following Markie’s passing.

Hall says that Joe also has repeatedly offered to cover any costs during his hospital stay, and now, any memorial or funeral costs. She has consistently declined but appreciates the offers all the same.

Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, and Treach also would routinely check in to see how Markie and she were doing as well, according to Hall.

Cliff Hawkins / Getty Images

Markie passed away last week at the age of 57, his rep Jenni Izumi confirmed on Friday.

“We are grateful for the many calls and prayers of support that we have received during this difficult time,” Izumi said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years. He leaves behind a wife, many family members and close friends who will miss his vibrant personality, constant jokes and frequent banter. We respectfully request privacy for his family as they mourn their loved one.”

[Via]