Rap
Nicki Minaj Father Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash
Nicki Minaj’s father, Robert Maraj, was killed after being struck by a vehicle on Friday. Maraj, 64, was walking along a road in Mineola on Long Island at 6:15 p.m. local time when he was hit by a car that kept going, according to ABC 7 New York. Maraj was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead on Saturday. TMZ reports that police officers do not have a description of the driver and are asking for the public’s help in identifying them. A publicist for Minaj confirmed Robert’s passing to TMZ, but did not offer any additional comment. Related 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 pro...
All Eyez on Me Captured 2Pac’s Last Moments of Peace
Editor’s Note: 2Pac’s All Eyez on Me originally dropped on February 13th, 1996. The double-album, the last record released while 2Pac was still alive, would go on to change the rap game forever. To celebrate the record’s 25th anniversary, Jayson Buford takes a look back at the album’s indelible legacy. In October 1995, Death Row Records boss Suge Knight paid the $1.4 million bail that was on the head of rap superstar Tupac Amaru Shakur, whose name had increasingly been in the papers for both his talent and troubles. Shakur was serving a sentence of up to four years for sexual assault, a crime that he maintained he did not commit. Alongside that black mark on his reputation, the night before the judge announced the verdict to the world, back in November 1994, 2Pac was shot outside of Quad S...
JPEGMAFIA Drops New Project EP2!: Stream
JPEGMAFIA is back with the exclamatory new release EP2!. Stream it below via Apple Music or Spotify. The follow-up to 2020’s EP! and 2019’s full-length All My Heroes Are Cornballs, EP2! is all JPEGMAFIA all the time, with every track written, produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Peggy himself. While he built his reputation with an in-your-face delivery, on EP2! he holds up a cracked mirror to melodic radio rap, creating a sound that’s indelibly his own. As he spits on “KELTEC!”, “You can’t believe I created a lane.” Previously, he shared the singles “LAST DANCE!” and “FIX URSELF!”. Besides that, he had a staggeringly busy 2020, sharing “living single”, “BALD!”, “COVERED IN MONEY!”, “BODYGUARD!”,“CUTIE PIE!”, “THE BENDS!”, and a wonderful “BALD! REMI...
Kevin Gates Drops New Single “Plug Daughter 2”: Stream
Punxsutawney Phil predicted another six more weeks of winter, but Kevin Gates couldn’t care less. The Louisiana rapper just surprise released a new single called “Plug Daughter 2” and an accompanying music video that sees him soaking up the sun in Puerto Rico. It’s a welcome dose of vitamin D, and you can stream it below. Lyrically, “Plug Daughter 2” sees Gates detailing a tumultuous love affair, but the music itself couldn’t sound happier. Over a breezy beat, Gates’ vocals echo atop a nimble keyboard melody and faded backing vocals that harmonize rather sweetly. It’s mellow but driven — the exact type of progression Gates has been capitalizing on as of late. In the music video, Gates wanders through gorgeous landscapes in Puerto Rico. Lucious trees and vibrant greens surround him while he...
Haviah Mighty Pops Off on New Song “Obeah”: Stream
Haviah MIghty is wary of dark energies on her new song “Obeah”. The 2019 Polaris Prize winner is one of the most exciting voices in hip-hop today, equally comfortable with windows-down bangers and mind-bending conscious raps. With “Obeah”, she’s found a new twist on an old standard, channeling her Jamaican heritage to find an original slant on the “Watch who you surround yourself with,” song. The concept of Obeah doesn’t translate easily to outsiders, but it’s generally understood to involve a kind of magic or supernatural energy. As Mighty explained in a statement, “I’ve navigated life off the strength of my parents’ teachings, and one of those notable teachings is to be mindful of the company you keep and of those you call your friends. Being of Caribbean descent, I’ve heard many stories...
FX’s Hip Hop Uncovered Is a Powerful Watch: Review
The Pitch: Far too often, the history of hip-hop is condensed to make its origins more palatable for younger fans. Black folks in New York — downtrodden by systems that perpetuated poverty, racism, and police brutality — pioneered a form of creative expression meant to give a platform to their pain. However, FX’s Hip Hop Uncovered explores the genre’s complexity. More importantly, it analyzes rap music in a sociopolitical context. From slavery to the destruction of Black Wall Street to the war on drugs to the Black Lives Matter movement, Hip Hop Uncovered reminds viewers of the brutal American history that has always worked to violate and abuse Black people. It also demystifies some of rap’s most prominent figures who were pivotal in the careers of artists like Nipsey Hussle, Nicki Minaj, ...
Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, and Doja Cat Have a Luxe Hotel Night in the “34+35 (Remix)” Video: Watch
This is the way the pop music world learned what a Baked Alaska is. Ariana Grande has shared a music video for her “34+35 (Remix)” featuring Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat, and you can watch it below. The clip finds the trio of big name talents having a luxury girls lingerie night in a crazy luxe hotel. Yes, the song is all about getting raunchy with a lover, but it’s cool to just feel sexy with your fellow Hot Girls too! Especially when you can buzz down to the front desk through an intercom and order up some grub without even putting on a towel. In between lounging by the pool and taking some home video, this is exactly what Grande does. She calls up for some champagne and french fries, and then at the end of the clip is disappointed to learn the kitchen is out of Baked Alask...
Run the Jewels Fulfill Destiny, Get Quoted During Trump’s Impeachment Trial
The January 6th Capitol insurrection was an unholy calamafuck that resulted in an unprecedented second impeachment of Donald Trump. Those hoping to convict face an uphill battle, but if nothing else comes of it, the trial at least allowed Run the Jewels to fulfill their destiny. On February 10th, Rep. Stacey Plaskett quoted the lyrics “Truth is truth, whether denied or not,” entering the RTJ2 song “Early” into the official Congressional Record to make the case that — to summarize — Trump is guilty as fuck. Plaskett is a representative of the US Virgin Islands, and she made a bit of history herself when she became the first non-voting delegate to join a team of House impeachment managers. On February 10th, she addressed Congress and opened with a quote from Wu-Tang maestro GZA. “T...
slowthai Shares New Song “CANCELLED” Featuring Skepta: Stream
Later this week, slowthai will finally unveil his sophomore album TYRON, which is one of our most anticipated projects of the year. As one last preview before it drops, the UK rapper has shared a song from the record called “CANCELLED” that features fellow British MC Skepta. slowthai is no stranger to transgressive behavior, and as the title suggests, this track is all about reveling in disorderly conduct that the public might frown upon. “I ain’t an actor, fuck the Oscars, main stage in my boxers/ Thousand grams, fuck the Grammys, same-same for the shoppers,” are the opening lines to slowthai’s short yet piercing verse. Skepta handles the hook, starting with chest-puffing braggadocio — “How you gonna cancel me?/ Twenty awards on the mantelpiece/ Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury/ Girls in...
Judas and the Black Messiah Soundtrack Features JAY-Z, Nipsey Hussle, NAS, ASAP Rocky, More
Nipsey Hussle, JAY-Z (photo by Amy Price), Nas (Ben Kaye), and ASAP Rocky (Kimberley Ross) Judas and the Black Messiah officially arrives later this week, but the Shaka King film has already drawn rave reviews, including being named on of the Top 10 Movies of 2020 by the National Board of Review. The soundtrack is shaping up to be a blockbuster in its own right — Rapsody and others shared the tracklist on social media, and it boasts the first collaboration between JAY-Z and Nipsey Hussle, as well as NAS, ASAP Rocky, and more. The movie concerns Fred Hampton, a leader in the Black Panther movement who was betrayed by fellow panther William O’Neal and then assassinated in his sleep by the FBI on December 4th, 1969. It’s produced by Ryan Coogler and stars Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanf...
Conway the Machine and Big Ghost LTD Reunite on New Album If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed: Stream
Conway the Machine is still putting the final touches on God Don’t Make Mistakes, his debut album on Shady Records, but he’s got another release to keep fans occupied in the meantime: If It Bleeds It Can Be Killed, a joint LP with producer Big Ghost LTD. Today’s new effort marks a reunion for the two hip-hop acts, who previously linked up on last year’s well received No One Mourns the Wicked. Conway, Big Ghost LTD, and fellow Griselda regular Westside Gunn also put out a collaborative project in 2015 called Griselda Ghost. There are 10 tracks in all on If It Bleeds. Many feature soulful, almost Motown-esque production (“J Batters” and “Highly Praised”), while others like “Toast” couple heavy artillery sounds with fuzzy funk. There’s also “Red Beams”, which fills every conceivable spac...
Pell Announces New Album with NOLA Collective GLBL WRMNG, Shares “504”: Stream
Rapper/producer Pell has formed the new musical collective GLBL WRMNG with dozens of his fellow artists from New Orleans. Their debut album glbl wrmng vol. 1 is out February 19th, and today they’ve shared the lead single, “501”. GLBL WRMNG is an expansive project, with contributions from dozens of producers and artists including Jelly of Tank and The Bangas, Malik NinetyFive, Jzzle, Lil Iceberg, Kr3wcial, and $leazy EZ. That inclusivity is by design; Pell set out to foster connections in the NOLA songwriting community. As he explained in a statement, “I wanted to make records with all my hometown friends that didn’t have to be just Pell records that could showcase the talent of New Orleans and what we had to offer. I wanted to executively produce this record and then give us all somet...
