When you think about essential hip-hop records, where does your mind go? For us and many others, underground icons MF Doom and Madlib gave us one of those kinds of albums back in 2004. We are referring to one of the most studied and highly-regarded offerings in the genre’s 50-year history, Madvillainy. We recently put up a densely-detailed feature on the crazy samples, references, and bars from Doom and Madlib. We highly encourage you to check that out if you are a huge fan of the record. But we are back to talking about Madvillainy today because it just became certified gold.
According to a tweet from HipHopDX, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) updated the sales numbers on Monday, March 25. That led to them discovering that Madvillainy hit the required 500,000 copies to achieve that mark. What is ironic about all of this is that Doom and Madlib’s album turned 20 years old the day before this announcement. If you really think about it, this is a remarkable feat for this album.
With how off the wall and experimental it is and dropping well before the streaming era, hitting gold status is wild. Just for some stats, three of MF’s 10 most popular tracks on Spotify are from Madvillainy. “All Caps” slots in at fifth with over 146 million plays. Next is “Meat Grinder” right after with 99 million plus. Finally, “Fancy Clown,” which sits at eighth has collected over 76.8 million streams.
What are your thoughts on Madvillainy by MF Doom and Madlib going gold? Are you surprised it took this long for a classic record to hit this mark, why or why not? How impressive is this achievement considering when this was released? What tracks are you still bumping from it? Are MF Doom and Madlib the greatest rapper and producer duo ever? Is this the best hip-hop record of all time? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding MF Doom and Madlib. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
50 Cent shared a poster for his upcoming docuseries about the allegations Diddy is facing on Instagram, Monday night. The teaser comes after police and Homeland Security officers raided the Bad Boy mogul’s properties in Los Angeles and Miami earlier in the day. “This is gonna break records when this drops. GLG GreenLightGang you know the vibes,” 50 captioned the image, which features three photos of Diddy.
Fans joked about 50’s level of disdain for Diddy in the comments section. “50 is the most committed hater I know, you have to respect that,” one fan remarked. Another joked that Katt Williams should narrate the project. “R. Kelly moving his things to the top bunk,” one said.
Homeland Security Arrives At Diddy’s Miami Property During Raid
MIAMI BEACH, FL – MARCH 25: Police and Homeland Security officers are seen at the waterfront mansion of Sean Combs aka Diddy in Miami during a bi-coastal raid on March 25, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)
Diddy’s attorney Aaron Dyer released a statement addressing the raids the following day. “Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated,” he said. He added: “This unprecedented ambush – paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence – leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”
Check out 50’s post about his upcoming Diddy documentary on Instagram above. Be on the lookout for further updates on 50 Cent and Diddy on HotNewHipHop.
Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson has delivered some compelling and insightful conversations with everyone from athletes to movie stars. However, the heavyweight boxing champion announced that his podcasting career is coming to an end in anticipation of his upcoming fight with Jake Paul. Hotboxin’ covered a wide range of topics during its run, from sports, entertainment, culture, and of course, cannabis. Tyson’s diverse array of guests included athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and other notable figures. Altogether, it was known for its raw and unfiltered discussions, providing listeners with unique perspectives from both Tyson and his guests. Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson produced over 275 episodes since its launch in January 2019, and the podcast released its final episode in March 2024. Below is a list of some of the podcast’s great moments.
In November 2019, the Cameroonian MMA titan, Francis Ngannou, was a guest on Mike Tyson’s podcast. The conversation between the two mostly dwelled on Ngannou’s exploits in the MMA. However, sometime during the podcast, Ngannou told Tyson about his wish to have a go at none other than WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. This was also after over 90 minutes of Mike Tyson being in awe of Ngannou’s track record in the UFC. “Everybody’s going to know your name…You’re the future. You’re special,” Tyson said.
As fate would have it, Ngannou was scheduled to fight Tyson Fury on October 28th, 2023. In what was billed as the battle of the baddest, the event became a huge spectacle. Ngannou requested that Mike Tyson coach him, to which he agreed. Ngannou lost the match to Fury, but both he and Mike Tyson’s partnership was definitely the highlight leading up to the match.
4. Hugging Hasbulla
An episode of Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson went viral after a clip from the podcast was published in March 2023. Tyson featured the popular Russian internet personality and fighter, Hasbulla on the show. Sometime during the episode, Hasbulla walked up to Mike Tyson and began to swing at Tyson’s face, while the latter “practiced” his swerves. Since they were in such close contact, Hasbullah managed to land a few blows. However, Tyson suddenly picked up the three-foot-tall man and hugged him to his chest like he was a child.
He also playfully pretended to bite his ear, in what many think was a reference to his infamous 1997 fight against Evander Holyfield. During a future episode with Prince Jackson, Tyson’s co-host, DJ Whoo Kid, brought up the Hasbulla incident. He narrated: “He [Mike] thought he [Hasbulla] was a baby.” DJ Whoo Kid added that he warned Mike about Hasbulla’s age by saying, “The guy is like 20, Mike. What are you doing?” The co-host then commented that the incident only occurred because Mike Tyson was high at the time, to which Tyson retorted: “Hey listen, I didn’t f**king know, okay? When you kiss all those girls in the show and don’t know they are men. It’s like that!”
3. Jorge Masvidal Equates Mike Tyson’s Punch To Death
In an episode of Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson, Jorge Masvidal asked Mike if he could still fight. Tyson then responded, “Hell, I can always fight. I don’t know how well I’mma do, but I’m always gonna [know how to] fight.” Tyson’s co-host then asked Masvidal if he was interested in receiving a punch from the legendary champion. In a hilarious turn, Masvidal responded, “I don’t know how long I’ll be in the hospital. It’s like getting killed in a Ferrari.”
Later during the podcast, Mike said he would be open to getting in the ring if someone offered him enough money. It was later alleged that the founder of Bare Knuckle Boxing approached Mike with an offer. However, it did not work out. Nonetheless, Mike Tyson is set to go against celebrity fighter Jake Paul in June 2024.
2. Mike Tyson Robbed U-God’s Mom
During his high school years, Tyson, a former dropout, confessed to resorting to theft, even from his teachers, to make ends meet. Allegedly, he stole earrings from the mother of U-God, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. U-God had said as much in another interview. “This was back in the 1970s before he was the world champion or had even started boxing. I was about eight years old, holding my mother’s hand, walking down Pitkin Avenue by the OTB, when this dude came by and snatched my mother’s earrings right off,” the Wu-Tang Clan MC said.
Mike Tyson did not deny U-God’s claims, however, and even brought it up during an episode. The incident came up when DJ Whoo Kid asked about Tyson’s relationship with the Wu-Tang Clan rappers. Tyson said he was close with Raekwon, but that U-God hated him. He then said he told U-God’s mom he would reimburse her for the earrings.
1. Mike Tyson, Rosie Perez, And The Dancing Gunman
In a June 2022 episode of the Hotboxin With Mike Tyson podcast, Rosie Perez shared some interesting stories about Tyson. The actress, who seemed quite close to Tyson, spoke about the public’s reaction to the champion in the aftermath of the 1997 Mike Tyson vs Evander Holyfield fight. The fight, as aforementioned, became infamous for the ear-chomping incident, for which Tyson was disqualified.
“You walked into Cheetah’s and everybody was so in awe and terrified of you at the same time,” Perez shared. “It was like Moses parting the red sea, everybody just moved the f*ck out of your way.” Perez also recalled the story of her calling on Tyson after a man pulled a gun on her sister Sally Perez in a nightclub for refusing to dance with him. She explained how Tyson, unarmed, walked up to the gunman, and calmly nudged the gun out of his hand. Unsurprising, coming from one of the deadliest fighters of all time.
The world of hip-hop is no stranger to drama, and the latest saga involving rap mogul Diddy, also known as Sean Combs, and up-and-coming artist Lil Rod has captured headlines for all the wrong reasons. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that Diddy may have gone to extreme lengths, purportedly dispatching his agents to harass Lil Rod’s daughter following a lawsuit between the two artists.
The feud between Diddy and Lil Rod traces back to a legal battle initiated by Lil Rod, whose real name is Rodney Williams. Lil Rod alleges copyright infringement and breach of contract against Diddy’s record label, Bad Boy Records. Lil Rod claims that Diddy’s label unlawfully used his music without proper compensation or credit. As tensions escalated in the courtroom, the situation took a dark turn when accusations emerged of harassment targeted at Lil Rod’s family, particularly his daughter.
According to reports, Lil Rod’s legal team has accused Diddy of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against them, claiming that individuals affiliated with Diddy’s camp have been harassing and threatening Lil Rod’s daughter. These alleged actions have intensified the already contentious legal battle between the two parties.
While Diddy has not directly addressed the accusations, his representatives have vehemently denied any involvement in or knowledge of the reported harassment. They assert that Diddy remains focused on resolving the legal matters through proper channels and that such claims are baseless and defamatory.
The controversy has sparked outrage within the hip-hop community, with many condemning any form of harassment or intimidation, especially involving innocent family members. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of support for Lil Rod and calls for accountability from Diddy and his team.
Beyond the immediate legal implications, this incident raises broader questions about power dynamics within the music industry and the lengths to which individuals may go to protect their interests. As one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, Diddy’s actions – or perceived actions – carry significant weight and can have far-reaching consequences.
It’s essential for the authorities to thoroughly investigate these allegations and hold anyone responsible for harassment or intimidation fully accountable under the law. Furthermore, it underscores the need for greater transparency and ethical conduct within the music industry to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Remembering the human cost involved amid legal battles and personal conflicts is crucial. Families should never be subjected to harassment or threats simply because of disputes between artists or labels. Regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit between Diddy and Lil Rod, the well-being and safety of all individuals involved must be prioritized above all else.
As this story unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in hip-hop and the importance of fostering a culture of respect, integrity, and accountability within the industry. Only by addressing these issues head-on can meaningful progress be made toward creating a safer and more equitable environment for all artists and their families.
Diddy is no longer associated with Revolt TV, the culture and music-focused television network he founded in 2013. He is completely done and as TMZ claimed from their report, the network is under new ownership.
Now get this: sources in the know about the purported deal say the embattled mogul sold off all his shares to a mystery buyer for a sum that has not been disclosed. Now the word is the company in itself “remains Black-owned,” which is supposed to be aligned with, as TMZ puts it, upholding “its original connection and dedication to furthering the culture.”
It’s still hazy as to what Revolt was let go for regarding the sale, but one thing is clear: the new owner is keeping a low profile for now, and for good reason. There’s a lot of heat around the Sean Combs, with Monday’s raids by the feds, so now may not be the best time to announce a business deal of that magnitude for one of Diddy’s brands. Now, sources say that the owners or owners share a passion for Black culture, which is a broad statement, but they intend to introduce themselves formally in the coming weeks.
ICYMI, Diddy has been inactive with Revolt since he stepped down as Chairman in November. According to TMZ, the deal was amicable, and all the players involved are happy.
Interestingly, it appears the new owner is not cleaning the house, as Revolt’s CEO Detavio Samuels and Chief Brand Officer Deon Graham will both stay in their current roles to support the incoming boss, at least initially. Additionally, the report mentions that the incoming team is not doing any major shakeups with the existing staff or even how production is handled.
While the transition moves at a gradual pace, the new owner’s vision will take shape, but it seems like Revolt TV will look pretty much the same for now. Stay tuned.
Cardi B, who is no stranger to a feud or two, has claimed she is done with beefing on songs and in social media but you can still catch her for a real fight.
Spotify started with streaming music, but in recent years, they’ve expanded their offerings to include podcasts and audiobooks. Now, they’re considering adding a new category to the platform: educational videos. As The Verge notes, on March 25, Spotify launched an experiment that’ll make video lessons from BC Maestro, Skillshare, Thinkific, and PlayVirtuoso available via Spotify’s mobile and desktop apps. Currently, the experiment is only available for UK users.
Spotify’s Mohit Jitani told the publication, “One of the most interesting things and trends that we started noticing was more and more people were starting to come to Spotify with some intent of learning. And we thought, ‘How can we take this core insight and build something on top of it?’”
Right now, there are video courses available in four categories: make music, get creative, learn business, and healthy living. Courses are being offered through a freemium model, in which Spotify subscribers can access at least two video lessons per course for free before paying for the rest of them.
Jitani also told TechCrunch that pricing is among the factors being tested with this experiment, saying, “With this launch, we’re trying to understand the demand first. Then we optimize how we can make it more compelling and exciting.” Jitani also said, “We’ll learn a lot about what people are actually interested in [and] we will start getting a lot of segments around that. And then we’ll go and find […] the best content.”
Important to note is that since this is an experiment, it is not guaranteed that the feature will stick around or become more widely available in the future.
Afro Nation is returning to Detroit this summer. Over the course of two days (August 17 and 18), the festival’s second iteration is bringing some of the biggest names in Afrofusion, R&B, and hip-hop to the city.
“Bringing Afro Nation back to Detroit, the home of Motown and Techno music was an easy decision,” said Smade, Co-Founder of Afro Nation, in a statement. “Detroit embodies culture, creativity, and pride. The energy here is electric, echoing the heartbeat of Afro Nation’s spirit. In Detroit, we found a community that welcomed us with open arms, sharing our passion for unity and celebration, giving us a home away from home. Afro Nation Detroit 2024 will be even bigger than last year, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you.”
Tickets for Afro Nation will be available for purchase here beginning April 3 at 9 a.m. EST.
According to the poster, this is only the first round of artists, and more performers will be announced at a later date.
But in the meantime, you can see the first wave of artists below.
Afro Nation
Some of the artists mentioned here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Drake wound up watching a clip from comedian Mo Gilligan on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he discussed meeting the Toronto rapper at the Wireless Festival in London. While there, Gilligan recounted the fact that things got a little awkward.
“My friend, Javan, was like, ‘Drake, you’ve got something in your tooth, a little red thing in your tooth,’” Gilligan explained. “And Drake’s like, ‘Is it gone?’”
“I’m looking at [Javan] like, ‘Bruv, you’re really messing up this interaction right now! And then Drake’s like, ‘Is it a pepper?’” he continued. “This is how I knew this was Drake. He goes, ‘Oh yeah, that’s my diamond. I got a diamond in my tooth.’”
After Drake saw the clip on social media, he pointed out that it wasn’t the first time he’s been mistaken for someone with food in their teeth.
“I actually got that diamond changed after this interaction cause this was the 10th time someone said it was food,” he commented on an Instagram post.
Drake has been open about having a pink diamond in his tooth, including after one fan remarked back in 2018 about how even with all his money, “your teeth don’t look clean.” He fired back about how he brushes his teeth with “activated charcoal” before heading to the club.
