Rap
Rap Song of the Week: Smino and J. Cole Light It Up on “90 Proof”
Rap Song of the Week runs down all the hip-hop tracks you need to hear every Friday. Check out the full playlist here. This week, Smino gears up for his upcoming album Luv 4 Rent with “90 Proof” featuring J. Cole. Since dropping “24-8” earlier this month, Smino’s been teasing his next album, Luv 4 Rent, with the hashtag “droptober.” To close out September, the St. Louis native has reunited with J. Cole for his confessional new single, “90 Proof.” Over a soulful groove co-produced by frequent collaborator monte booker and Groove, Smino uses a singsong flow to plead patience from a woman he hasn’t been able to commit to. Admitting he’s not “great at relationships,” Smino expresses his feelings the best way he knows how. In addition to opening up with lyrics like, “My heart start be...
California Bill Restricts Rap Lyrics from Being Used as Criminal Evidence
Creative expression has scored a major victory in California, as Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill restricting rap lyrics from being used as evidence in court. The Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act was unanimously approved by the state’s senate and assembly back in August before being signed into law. Per Variety, a virtual signing ceremony was held featuring speeches from rappers including Killer Mike, Meek Mill, Too $hort, YG, E-40, and more. CEO of the Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr. and leaders from the Black Music Action Coalition and Songwriters of North America also joined the ceremony. “For too long, prosecutors in California have used rap lyrics as a convenient way to inject racial bias and confusion into the criminal justice process,” Dina LaPolt, entertainmen...
Coolio’s ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Remains Evergreen on Billboard Global Charts
The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts launched in September 2020, measuring the most popular songs in the world based on global streams and sales (the latter excluding United States-based consumption). For 72 of the 107 weeks since the lists premiered, Coolio‘s 1995 classic “Gangsta’s Paradise,” featuring L.V., has ranked among the biggest hits on Global Excl. U.S. – the most time tallied among songs released in the ’90s. “Paradise” ranks at No. 149 on the most recent, Oct. 1-dated, Global 200 (in its 62nd frame), as well as at No. 151 on Global Excl. U.S. In the week ending Sept. 22, the track drew 14.3 million official streams worldwide, according to Luminate. As previously reported, Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died Wednesday (Sept. 28) in Los Angeles at a...
Freddie Gibbs Unleashes New Album $oul $old $eparately: Stream
After more than a decade of success as an independent artist, Freddie Gibbs has released his major label debut album, $oul $old $eparately, via ESGN/Warner Records. Stream it below via Apple Music or Spotify. The 15-track LP features appearances from Pusha T, Rick Ross, Scarface, Offset, Raekwon, and more. Producers on the project include close collaborators Madlib and The Alchemist, as well as Boi-1da, Justice League, Kaytranada, Jake One, and DJ Dahi. James Blake, Anderson .Paak, and Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul pulled double duty by producing and contributing vocals. In anticipation of $oul $old $eparately, Gibbs shared Rap Song of the Week “Too Much” featuring Moneybagg Yo and the James Blake-produced “Dark Hearted.” The Gary, Indiana rapper’s last full-length was 2020’s Alfredo in collabor...
Coolio Found Dead at Age 59
Coolio, the rapper best known for his chart-topping single “Gangsta’s Paradise,” has died at the age of 59, according to TMZ. Citing the rapper’s longtime manager, TMZ reports that Coolio died from cardiac arrest on Wednesday. At the time of his death, he was at a friend’s house, his manager said. After the rapper went to the bathroom and never returned, his body was found laying on the floor. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Released in 1995, the Stevie Wonder-sampling, L.V.-featuring “Gangsta’s Paradise” was an ominous yet infectious document of gangster life, a darker offering from a man with a pretty lighthearted persona (if his iconic hair wasn’t proof enough, Coolio’s earlier output had built him a reputation for bringing a humorous perspective to his tales of violence). ...
Megan Thee Stallion to Headline 2022 TwitchCon Party
Twitch announced on Wednesday (Sept. 28) that Megan Thee Stallion will headline an all-women lineup of performers at this year’s TwitchCon Party in San Diego, Calif., on October 8. The Grammy winning rapper will be joined by Kim Petras and pop funk trio Meet Me @ the Altar, and DJ Lani Love and TIGERMOMTOY will provide beats throughout the evening. Presented by Amazon Games, the TwitchCon Party will take place at Petco Park at 7 p.m. PT, open to all TwitchCon Three-Day and Party ticket holders. TwitchCon, which celebrates streamers and their communities, returns to the San Diego Convention Center from October 7 to 9, after nearly a three-year hiatus. This year will have all the fan-favorite TwitchCon events, including the Drag Showcase, Artist Alley, Twitch Rivals, co...
Post Malone Announces Return to Tour After Fall From Stage: ‘See Y’all Tonight’
Post Malone is ready to return to the stage. On Tuesday (Sept. 27), the rapper took to Twitter to assure fans his show in Cleveland was moving ahead as planned. “Cleveland, I will be singing the F— outta some songs tonight…see y’all tonight,” he tweeted hours before the concert was set to begin at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Posty’s return to tour follows his brief hospitalization after falling through an open trap door on the stage during his Twelve Carat Tour stop in St. Louis earlier this month. As a result of the “stabbing pain” he was experiencing, the nine-time Grammy nominee was forced to cancel his Sept. 24 show in Boston. Following his discharge from the hospital, Malone posted an amusing shot of himself flipping off the trap door in question and also explained how the mishap occu...
Denzel Curry Announces Melt My Eyez See Your Future Deluxe Edition, Shares “X-Wing” Video: Watch
Denzel Curry is gearing up to release a re-vamp of his great March album Melt My Eyez See Your Future that features his Cold Blooded Soul Band — the 10-piece ensemble who helped make the Florida MC’s recent NPR Tiny Desk Concert and performance on The Tonight Show all the more captivating. Along with the announcement, Curry has shared a new music video for album highlight “X-Wing.” Melt My Eyez See Your Future: The Expanded Edition will premiere on a livestream concert this Thursday, September 29th, landing on all DSPs at midnight on the 30th. The deluxe version of the record includes the original setlist, plus re-worked versions of 10 of its tracks including “Walkin’” and “The Ills” that all feaeture the Cold Blooded Soul Band. While there’s no additional bonus tracks here...
A$AP Rocky Apologizes for Shortened Rolling Loud Set: ‘I Am So Hurt Right Now’
A$AP Rocky took to social media on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 25) to apologize to fans for his short set at Rolling Loud New York the night before. “I am so hurt right now!” the rapper wrote in a statement posted to Twitter. “Last night was supposed to be a turning point in my live show from the old to new! I take full responsibility for the circumstances of what led to last nights show being everything it was and everything it wasn’t.” He continued, “I also want to acknowledge that even tho I prepared the best show for my fans, detail for detail, over the course of MONTHS… I was unfortunately not able to bring my vision to fruition and Im hurt about that and I want to apologize to all of my fans and continued supporters, and thank y’all for showing up for me regardless!! A$AP4EVA.” While A$A...
Post Malone in Hospital After Experiencing “Stabbing Pain” on Side of Body
Post Malone is in the hospital after experiencing a “stabbing pain” on the right side of his body. The injury appears related to the fall he took on stage during a concert in St. Louis last week. “I’m having a difficult time breathing, and there’s like a stabbing pain whenever I move or breathe,” Post Malone explained in an Instagram post. “We’re in the hospital now.” As a result, Post Malone has postponed his concert scheduled to take place in Boston on Saturday night. Advertisement Related Video Post Malone initially injured himself after he tripped into an uncovered hole that had been used to lower equipment below the stage. He landed on his ribcage and laid on the stage for several minutes as medics attended to him. The rapper was eventually able to stand up and walk off the stage with...
Freddie Gibbs Gets “Dark Hearted” on New James Blake-Produced Single: Stream
Freddie Gibbs is back with “Dark Hearted,” another look at his upcoming album $oul $old $separately that features production from James Blake. Listen to the single below. “Dark Hearted” has that James Blake melancholy touch, particularly with the sweeping classical piano that accompanies the track’s machine gun beat. Gibbs offers a similar juxtaposition in his lyrics, rapping about the disconnect of still being “rich with mob ties.” “I knew you wouldn’t fuck with me if I didn’t have no loot,” he sighs. $oul $old $eparately is out September 30th, and pre-orders are ongoing. Gibbs announced the album earlier this month by sharing “Too Much,” a single featuring Moneybagg Yo that we named Rap Song of the Week. His last solo full-length was 2018’s Freddie, while in 2020 he teamed...
Questlove to Executive Produce J Dilla Documentary
Questlove is bringing the impactful yet all-too-short life of J Dilla to the screen. The Roots drummer is continuing his documentary hot streak, as he’s set to executive produce Dilla Time, a feature on the late producer and hip-hop icon. Based on Dan Charnas’ bestselling book Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, The Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm, the film Dilla Time will tell the fascinating story of the Detroit native, who died of a rare blood disease in 2006 at age 32. It’ll also go into Billed as “part biography, part musicology, and part musical meditation,” the documentary will feature conversations with just a few of the modern musicians who were inspired by J Dilla’s work. And to help ensure Dilla Time does the musical mastermind justice, it will be pro...
