Hip-Hop
Common Reveals New Album A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1: Stream
Just in time for what’s sure to be a very tense Election Day, Common has dropped a new album called A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1. Stream it in full below via Apple Music and Spotify. In a statement, the ever-socially conscious and inspiring Common described his new LP as an “affirmation.” He added, “It’s recognition. It’s elevation. It’s music to go with a movement. Because the truth is, there is still so much work to do. Regardless of the outcome of the election, we need to make sure things do not return to the status quo.” The rapper isn’t out protesting by himself, though. A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1 features contributions from the Stevie Wonder and Robert Glasper, as well as Black Thought (“Say Peace”) and Lenny Kravitz and Public Enemy’s Chuck D (“A Riot in My Mind”). Karriem Rigg...
Donald Trump Calls Lil Wayne a ‘Really Nice Guy’ After Their Meeting
Donald Trump had a lot of positive things to say about Lil Wayne, a day after it was revealed that the unexpected duo met up to discuss the White House’s “Platinum Plan” for Black America. In a press conference on Friday (Oct. 30), a reporter asked the President why he met up with the rapper. “Well, he wanted a meeting,” Trump responded. “He’s a really nice guy. He’s really an activist, in a very positive way. And he asked for a meeting, and we had the meeting. And as you saw, the meeting went very well.” You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn reward...
Rapsody Captures Why This Election Gives Black Americans a ‘Fighting Chance’ in ’12 Problems’ Video: Watch
She dropped the single “12 Problems” on Sept. 17, a haunting requiem that flips her Roc Nation boss Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” and rewinds through the history of violence against Black artists and activists. But in the official music video, which she’s debuting on Billboard below, something joyful greets viewers and peeks behind her. A young Black ballerina prances in front of “Don’t Let Go,” a vertical shot of two hands grasping each other like their lives depend on it, to the delicate tune of Ambré and Buddy’s “Revolution.” The photographer, Yvette Glasco from Atlanta, is one of six emerging artists selected in Sprite’s “Create Your Future” campaign, which gives their artwork capturing why they believe voting is important a major platform. Rapsody as well as 2 Chainz and Yara Shahidi are...
Tierra Whack Is Living Her Best Life on New Song “Dora”: Stream
Experimental rapper and all-around creative Tierra Whack is back with a brand new song. It’s called “Dora” and it sees the rising Philadelphia talent giving herself a much-deserved dose of praise for her glow-up. Since dropping her acclaimed debut album, Whack World, in 2018, Tierra Whack has never stopped hustling. Last year alone saw her release five fresh standout singles and music videos, make a cameo on Beyonce’s album The Lion King, and crash Janelle Monaé’s Coachella set. So yeah, “Dora” is a welcome breath of fresh air because it sees Whack taking stock of just how far she’s come. “When I go to sleep, Gucci sheets now,” she says over the song’s bouncy beat. “Forty thousand, turn that shit to fifty thousand/ Bitch I’m wildin’, stranded on an island/ Money piling, Rolex ’cause I put ...
Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, and Hit-Boy Team Up for “4 Thangs”: Stream
Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, and Hit-Boy have teamed up to release a celebratory new single called “4 Thangs”. The collaboration comes with a mood-worthy music video in which all three hip-hop stars can be seen decked out in Lakers jerseys celebrating the team’s recent NBA championship. It’s hard not to feel a secondhand high as you them hugging golden trophies, slipping into commemorative t-shirts, and spraying champagne in the air. Watch the clip below. Editors’ Picks Earlier this year, Gibbs dropped his Alchemist-produced album Alfredo, which has since gone on to become his highest-charting record to date and one of the best albums of the year. As for the other two, Big Sean released his latest full-length Detroit 2 and Hit-Boy produced the entirety of Nas’ new record a...
Lil Wayne Endorses Donald Trump
Lil Wayne is the latest rapper to come out in support of Donald Trump. In a tweet posted on Thursday evening, Wayne revealed that he recently met with Trump and was won over by his commitment to the “Platinum Plan” for Black America, as well as his past actions achieving criminal justice reform. “Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership,” Wayne wrote. “He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done. 🤙🏾” According to Bloomberg, the Trump Administration’s “Platinum Plan” commits to unlocking $500 billion in access to capital to Black communities in addition to creating three million new jobs. It also c...
Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘WAP’ Video Has This Unlikely, Kid-Friendly Inspiration
By now, we all know what “WAP” stands for, so it’s pretty hard to believe that the R-rated video for Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion‘s Hot 100-topping collaboration drew inspiration from a G-rated source. A new “Vevo Footnotes” clip on Thursday (Oct. 29) gives a look into the making of “WAP,” and the music video’s director Colin Tilley shared that he’s “a big Tim Burton fan, I would say I’m always inspired by childhood books, Dr. Suess, etc.” The characteristically distorted styles of the childhood favorites can be seen in the gaudy, funhouse-esque nature of the mansion Cardi and Meg explore in the video. The footnotes also reveal how Cardi B decided on that final, infectious hook–and turns out, she didn’t really...
Kendrick Lamar Joins Busta Rhymes on New Song “Look Over Your Shoulder”: Stream
Veteran rapper Busta Rhymes has more to flaunt these days than just a fresh physique: his forthcoming album features the first new Kendrick Lamar verse of 2020. Their collaborative song is called “Look Over Your Shoulder” and has been released today in anticipation of the album’s October 30th release. “Look Over Your Shoulder” technically dates back a few years. The joint track was initially leaked around 2018, and then recirculated again in 2019. Even so, at this point — more than three years removed from the damn good DAMN. — any Kendrick is good Kendrick. As with those early leaks, the 2020 version is built around the Jackson 5 classic “I’ll Be There”, with Busta and Kung Fu Kenny trading bars both sentimental and boastful. During his anticipated turn in the spotlight, Kendrick pro...
Goodie Mob Announce New Album Survival Kit Featuring André 3000, Big Boi, and Chuck D
Just in time for Thanksgiving, Goodie Mob have announced a kind of Dungeon Family reunion. Their new album Survival Kit drops November 13th, and will feature guest verses from old collaborators André 3000, Big Boi, and Big Rube, as well as the legend Chuck D. Production was handled by the Family crew Organized Noize. If the four members of Goodie Mob, the three producers in Organized Noize, the two representatives of OutKast, and Rube did come together at a Thanksgiving feast, their roles would be clear: André 3000 and Big Boi are the brothers who don’t talk anymore; Khujo and T-Mo are cousins who’re closer than brothers; Organized Noize cook and carve the turkey; Big Rube delivers the blessing; Big Gipp loudly says, “Their eyes are red!” after you and your cousin come back from a wal...
De La Soul Release New Single “Remove 45” featuring Chuck D, Talib Kweli, and Pharoahe Monch: Stream
Never ones to hold back their feelings, De La Soul have a delivered a pre-election Donald Trump protest song called “Remove 45”. They’re joined on the track by several other hip-hop luminaries, including Chuck D, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and Styles P. The track was produced by Supa Dave West, and begins with audio of Trump himself. But he can hardly whip out the dog whistle before a chorus of aggrieved voices tells him to “Shut up!” The hook samples Public Enemy’s 1991 classic “Shut ‘Em Down”, chopping and spinning Chuck D so that he calls out, “1, 2, 3, remove 4, 5!” That’s clever and all, but the real flavor in the song comes from the veteran lyricism. “Remove 45” is five-and-a-half minutes of punchlines and policy analysis, goofy jokes and serious concerns. As De La Soul’s Posdnous ...
Tobe Nwigwe Bites Into ‘Eat,’ ‘Try Jesus’ at 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards
Wearing a long shirt with the faces of Black people slain by police officers (including Breonna Taylor and George Floyd), rising rapper Tobe Nwigwe got some shine at the 2020 Bet Hip Hop Awards on Tuesday (Oct. 27) evening. The Houston spitter opened with his soul-tinged “Try Jesus” (“Try Jesus, not me / Because I throw hands”) before transitioning into a full-throttled version of “Eat.” Joined by his wife, Fat, the duo bit into the single, delivering a precise and impactful performance of music with a message in a stark, theater-in-the-round set. Nwigwe’s The Pandemic Project dropped this year, and his music recently soundtracked an ad for Apple Music x NBA. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined wha...
Mulatto Performs Magic City Medley of Recent Hits With Gucci Mane at 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards
In her first appearance at the BET Hip Hop Awards on Tuesday night (Oct. 27), Atlanta rapper Mulatto performed a medley of singles from her breakout year, with a special appearance from local legend Gucci Mane. Appearing from the stage (and then the parking lot) at the world-famous ATL strip club Magic City, Mulatto ran through her Billboard Hot 100 hit “B–ch From Da Souf” and current radio staple “Muwop.” Mane appeared for his guest verse on “Muwop,” which was both titled after the veteran MC’s “Guwop” nickname, and heavily interpolates his 2007 single “Freaky Gurl.” You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get...
