Rap
21 Savage and Metro Boomin Announce New Album Savage Mode 2
21 Savage and Metro Boomin have announced Savage Mode 2, the follow-up to the 2016 trap blockbuster Savage Mode. The sequel arrives this Friday, October 2nd, and in the anticipation, the duo have shared a trailer narrated by none other than Morgan Freeman. The original EP came at a pivotal time in both men’s careers. Metro Boomin was 22 years old and already had half a dozen big hits under his belt. He may have been an in-demand beat-maker, but everybody knows Metro Boomin wants some more, and the collaboration with 21 Savage allowed him a chance to executive produce and expand his empire. As for Savage, he was a 23-year-old rising rapper in Atlanta with a pair of mixtapes to his name. After the co-sign from Metro Boomin, he became a star almost overnight. The Savage Mode 2 ...
Public Enemy Are Mostly in Full Effect on the Rallying What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?: Review
The Lowdown: 2020 has become a year of extremes. A global pandemic that will forever affect the way that we live our lives. A political climate that has created division at a level that the United States has rarely seen. And a racial divide that has reached a boiling point. During times as distressing as these, it is important to have representation — a voice that holds the establishment accountable and gives an in-depth report on the current state of the nation and the world at large. For over 30 years, the legendary hip-hop crew Public Enemy have provided that hard-hitting soundtrack reporting back on our oft-troubled country. Last Friday, PE released their 15th studio album, What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?. Their first on Def Jam since 1998, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and DJ Lord ...
Kodak Black Asks Donald Trump to Commute His Prison Sentence
Kodak Black has sent a petition to Donald Trump asking him commute his prison sentence (via TMZ). In August of 2019, the rapper pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges in Florida. He was sentenced to 46 months in prison, and his time served has been shockingly eventful. Early on, he put a prison guard in the hospital after grabbing his testicles in a drug-addled fight. Afterwards, he was moved from a Miami correctional facility to a maximum-security Kentucky prison. Then, this past April, he pleaded guilty again, this time to gun possession charges in New York. That sentence will be served concurrently with his other charges. Last week Black sued the Federal Bureau of Prisons, alleging abuse by Kentucky prison guards — including a “gang beating” involving correctional officers “flicking”...
Kamala Harris Names Tupac the “Best Rapper Alive”
When asked who she thinks is the “best rapper alive,” Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris named the (officially) deceased artist 2pac. This suggests that two decades of underground research have just been proved correct — dear readers, Tupac Shakur is alive! The government lied to us, but they couldn’t keep it secret when 2pac himself told the truth! Wake up, sheeple! Wake up! she hasn’t listened to rap music in a while and whiffed on a softball question. Senator Harris made this revealing remark in conversation with CNN’s Angela Rye and representatives of the NAACP. When the syllables “2pac,” were uttered, Rye quickly interrupted with, “He’s not alive!” Harris laughed the laugh of a terrified stooge who has just disappointed her Illuminati masters, and said, “I know, I kn...
Action Bronson Unveils New Album Only For Dolphins: Stream
Action Bronson has unveiled his new album Only For Dolphins. Stream it below via Apple Music and Spotify. The album marks Bronson’s sixth full-length record overall and follows 2018’s White Bronco. Spanning 12 songs, the project boasts guest bars from Meyhem Lauren, Hologram, and Yung Mehico, as well as production provided by The Alchemist, Harry Fraud, DJ Muggs, and Daringer, among others. However, perhaps the LP’s most notable contributions come from an unlikely, non-human source: scattered throughout are giddy dolphin cackles. In a press statement, Bam Bam attributed his obsession with the aquatic mammals to their intelligence. “The dolphin is one of the most intelligent creatures ever created on whatever planet we’re on,” he said. “They have their own way of communicating. They have nu...
Polo G Reveals New Single “Epidemic”: Stream
Earlier this week, Polo G made his TV debut on The Tonight Show. Now, he’s returned with “Epidemic”, his first single since dropping The GOAT back in May. Despite its suggestive title, today’s offering is not about the coronavirus outbreak. Instead, the Chicago rapper focuses on another widespread occurrence that continues to take lives, especially within his own community: gun violence on the streets. “Every day a gamble with your life, all we know is risk,” Polo G rap-sings on the track, which is produced by Tahj Money, DMAC, Londn Blu, and Karltin Bankz. Later, he vows to be more careful for the sake of his family. “Promise to my son that the streets won’t get no more of me/ Remember every line from that obituary poetry.” Editors’ Picks Frequent collaborator Ryan Lynch d...
Song of the Week: Travis Scott Flaunts His Business Acumen on “FRANCHISE”
Young Thug and Travis Scott (photos by Philip Cosores), M.I.A. (photo by Ben Kaye) Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify New Sounds playlist. Sometimes a rapper becomes bigger than the game. Travis Scott got there before he turned 30. Let’s do the rundown: owns his own record label, Cactus Jack Records; founded his own annual music festival, Astroworld; collabs on sneakers with Nike that are so popular that some stores won’t carry them for fear of being bombarded by Scott’s fans; and has his own meal featured at participating McDonald’s restaurants. That’s without mentioning the 45 million in album sales, six Grammys, and a Billboard Music Award. A lot of rappers have gold grills and drop ...
Reason Pops Off on New Song “Sauce” Featuring Vince Staples: Stream
While some people might prefer a plain life, Reason is living for the “Sauce” on his new song featuring Vince Staples. “Sauce” is a summery track, perfect for driving along the California coastline with the windows down and the volume up. It’s built over a relaxed piano refrain, stunting drums, and a subterranean bass. During the chorus, Reason raps the way a schoolkid skips, with a couple syllables to gather momentum followed by a moment of suspension. “I might slip, I don’t fall, if I slip, I might crawl,” he spits. As he’s been doing his whole career Vince Staples steals the show with an exuberant guest verse. Here, he takes aim at the police. “Hit the block, chip the bars, yuh/ Catch a pig, Randy Moss, yuh/ I don’t rock with the police none/ Don’t ditch the Glock when the police ...
Aminé Performs in Hot Air Balloon on Kimmel: Watch
Aminé soared over Los Angeles in a hot air balloon for his Thursday performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The balloon itself was a statement, festooned in Black Lives Matter messaging, flags of countries, and religious symbols from around the world. While attempting to honor the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Sandra Bland, Aminé made a broader statement about the interconnectedness of humanity. The rapper launched into the two opening tracks of his new album Limbo, but in reverse order. First, he essayed his latest single “Woodlawn”. Lines like “Came a long way from that Woodlawn Park,” hit differently at 2,200 feet. After landing, Aminé stepped inside the balloon itself, transforming a mode of transportation into a dramatic venue. He played “Burd...
Beastie Boys’ Final Concert at Bonnaroo 2009 Is Streaming on YouTube All Weekend: Watch
As the coronavirus pandemic looms on, many artists are stepping up to the plate to help fans pass the time by uploading archival footage from years past. Now, Beastie Boys are doing their part by sharing their final concert ever, their 2009 headlining performance at Bonnaroo, for free on YouTube all weekend long. The performance actually aired on Thursday night during the kickoff to Bonnaroo’s Virtual ROO-ALITY three-day streaming event, but apparently that wasn’t enough for fans. “The last gig,” the group tweeted on Friday. “We’ve heard from so many fans around the world that were unable to tune in last night, so our friends at Bonnaroo are letting the set live online through the weekend.” The rap icons never planned to make this Bonnaroo set their last. At the time, Beastie Boys had...
Tory Lanez Releases Ill-Advised Album About Megan Thee Stallion Shooting
Until today, Tory Lanez had remained largely silent about allegedly shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot back in July. Now, though, the rapper born Daystar Peterson has finally broken his silence on the matter, but not by publicly apologizing or even issuing a simple statement. No, instead the Canadian MC has released a whole damn album denying Megan’s claims and bemoaning their impact on his career. Quick recap: Tory Lanez was arrested in mid-July on concealed weapons charges. A few days later, Megan revealed she’d actually been shot in the foot prior to his arrest. About a month after that, the “WAP” rapper confirmed rumors that it was indeed Lanez behind the trigger. Which brings us to last night. After disappearing from social media following the arrest and shooting, Lanez ret...
Public Enemy Release New Album What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?: Stream
Public Enemy have released their first new album in three years, What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?. Stream the star-studded LP below via Apple Music and Spotify. What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? sees Public Enemy’s original lineup of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and DJ Lord returning to Def Jam Records for the first time in over 20 years. The label put out the trio’s first five studio albums including 1988’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and 1990’s Fear of a Black Planet, both of which went on to shape the history of hip-hop as we know it. The 17-track full-length sees Public Enemy linking up with rap royalty, like Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock and Mike D alongside Run-DMC on the cut “Public Enemy Number One”. On the 2020 remix of “Fight the Power”, they team up with Na...
