#heavyweight rap music

[seventhdiscipleworldwide]

Live From L.A🇺🇲

[dudja]

NOBODY: WHEN YOU THOUGHT JUST EATING HEALTHY IS ENOUGH: #memes #heavyweights #benstiller #comedy

[deadpresidents]

Eazy-E and the President

Exactly 30 years ago today, on March 26, 1995, rapper Eric "Eazy-E" Wright died, about a month after checking himself into Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and finding out that he was suffering from AIDS, not asthma as he had suspected. Eazy-E became a hip-hop legend after bursting out of Compton as the leader of the revolutionary group N.W.A., alongside Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren. The controversy stemming from N.W.A.'s gangsta rap classics such as "Fuck Tha Police," "Gangsta Gangsta," and "Straight Outta Compton" led to the FBI actually sending a letter to Ruthless Records in 1989 condemning the content of N.W.A.'s music because they felt it encouraged violence against law enforcement.

So, what's that have to do with Presidents?

After a $2,490 donation to the Republican Party, GOP heavyweights Bob Dole and Phil Gramm invited Eazy-E to the National Republican Senatorial Committee Inner Circle's "Salute to the Commander-in-Chief" luncheon on March 18, 1991 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Senate Minority Leader Dole sent the gangsta rapper and former drug-dealer the invitation himself on February 8th, writing, "Elizabeth and I are looking forward to seeing you in Washington on March 18."

Rocking a black leather suit topped off by his trademark Los Angeles Raiders hat, Eazy-E (accompanied by his controversial manager/business partner Jerry Heller) headed to the nation's capital and enjoyed lunch with some of the Republican Party's top brass -- people like Dole, Senator Gramm of Texas, GOP celebrity supporter (and future California Governor) Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Secretary of State George Shultz, and Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton -- as well as a speech by President George H.W. Bush. While the voice behind "Boyz-N-The-Hood" didn't get a chance to actually meet President Bush, Eazy-E made it clear that he was a fan and was even disappointed that Bush didn't speak longer. Although he once famously rapped, "Don't quote me, boy, cuz I ain't said shit" in "Boyz-N-The-Hood," Eazy-E's spokesperson later said that the rapper, "Loves the President. He thinks he's a great humanitarian and that he did a great job with Desert Storm."

That might seem like something that would take away Eazy-E's street cred. Ice Cube certainly thought so, as he made clear after leaving N.W.A. with his scathing diss song, "No Vaseline", where Cube repeated "I never had dinner with the President!" and accused N.W.A. of ditching Compton ("Yellin' Compton, but you moved to Riverside!").

But maybe Eazy-E and George H.W. Bush had far more in common than most people would imagine.

See, Eazy-E and Dr. Dre aren't the only people to come "Straight Outta Compton." In 1949, George Herbert Walker Bush and his family (including another future President, George W. Bush) lived in the Santa Fe Gardens apartment complex in the heart of, yes, Compton, California. The second child of George and Barbara Bush, Robin, who tragically died of leukemia at the age of 4, was born in Compton. So, while Compton was a far different place in that era, two Presidents of the United States -- at least briefly -- represented "the CPT". And, as the photo at the end of this post demonstrates, young George W. Bush even rode around strapped -- more cowboy than gangsta, not surprisingly -- as many young people have long been in Compton and South Central Los Angeles.

[twelvroses]

SUMMARY ㅤㅤ. . .ㅤㅤRESURRECTION is a mixtape released by South Korean rapper LIZ, under VALENTINE RECORDS. The tape was released through streaming services on December 20th, 2024, and was not promoted nor were any official singles released. RESURRECTION marks the first solo music to be released by LIZ following the disbandment of her girl group BOUQUET in 2021, and her subsequent unsuccessful appearances on survival shows NEXTUP (2022) and DREAMQUEST (2024). Every track on RESURRECTION was written by LIZ, and her name dominates the production credits as well. The tracklist delves into a variety of genres and sounds, with LIZ herself calling the mixtape 'purposefully eclectic,' explaining that she wanted to explore 'a hundred different versions of myself. Some songs are written from my point of view, some from the point of view of the person people think I am, the person I was supposed to be in Bouquet, the person I'm scared of becoming. You burn away one, and another is born.'

"TITLE TRACK" (KIND OF) ㅤㅤ. . .ㅤㅤ In spite of the lack of promotion behind RESURRECTION, a music video for the sixth track, MANTRA (feat. MiO), was uploaded to Valentine Records' official YouTube channel on December 25th. The inclusion of MiO on the song, and again in it's video, caused a frenzy online; the j-pop heavyweight hadn't been seen in two years, and her fans had already accepted the idea that she may never come back - and it's safe to say a LIZ mixtape was the last place they'd expect to be seeing her again. The structure of MANTRA presents it as a duet; the girls sing the chorus together and take a verse each. It wasn't hard for MiO's starved fans to latch onto MANTRA, helping LIZ's far humbler fandom to get the clip's views into the hundreds of millions. While LIZ fans celebrated this success, it begged the question of why MANTRA was never released as a real single.

The video depicts LIZ and MiO as fugitives, on the run in a futuristic city (per the traditional aesthetic of VALENTINE's new gen artists.) Through glimpses of their arrest warrants, we see that MiO is wanted for 'killer runs,' and shortly after, that LIZ is charged with 'armed bobbery.' The video does not try to take itself seriously, ending on a cliffhanger as the girl's getaway car flies over an ascending bridge, over the edge of which a waterfall of pursuing police cars fall.

Perhaps referencing MiO's penchant for decorative lowercase, the final frame of the video presents a message; 'ManY HAVE tRiED.'

TRACKLISTING ㅤㅤ. . .ㅤㅤRESURRECTION would receive mixed reviews; the biggest point of contention being the tone of the record; switching, sometimes abruptly, between moods. The silliness or vulgarity of certain tracks were also criticized. Ultimately, however, the mixtape was well received, considered a strong display of LIZ's talents, highlighting her rapping but also displaying her vocal ability, as well as production skills and lyricism. The featuring artists present on the record also drew interest to LIZ, all with substantially bigger fanbases than her own. LUKE, the most credited producer in VALENTINE history, with a hip-hop career of his own spanning from the early 00s, is notoriously hard to get on the other side of the recording booth these days, and J-pop superstar MiO hasn't shown her face in two years. Fans of theirs were desperate to hear their idols again, and they rallied enthusiastically to support LIZ in turn. Fans of TAROT, however, weren't so happy to hear JORDEN's explicit lyrics, and took their frustrations out on LIZ even though he'd reportedly written the verse himself.

001. LOWLIFE PRINCESS. Written by Liz. Produced by Liz.

002. LIT. (feat. LUKE) Written by Liz, LUKE. Produced by LUKE.

003. PLUG IT, CHARGE IT, WORK IT. Written by Liz, Jang Kitae. Produced by Deer.

004. BURN IT UP. Written by Liz, Ahn Hayana. Produced by Liz, Ahn Hayana.

005. CHEETOS. (feat. JORDEN of TAROT) Written by Liz, Kim Jorden. Produced by Deer.

006. MANTRA. (feat. MiO) Written by Liz, MiO. Produced by Liz.

007. INTERLUDE: WHITE HOT ROOM. Written by Liz. Produced by Liz.

008. WITCH HUNT. Written by Liz. Produced by Liz.

009. ULTIMATE EVOLUTION. Written by Liz. Produced by Liz, LUKE, Kwon Ahin.

010. ANIMAL FARM. Written by Liz. Produced by Kwon Ahin.

011. FORGIVE ME. Written by Liz. Produced by Liz.

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤUP NEXT ㅤㅤ. . .ㅤㅤbutterfly effect.

[ausetkmt]

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 21: Rakim performs during the "Dj Cassidy's Pass the Mic Live" at Radio ... [+] City Music Hall on July 21, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Richard Bord/Getty Images)Getty Images

Set to release his fourth solo album in 15 years, hip-hop luminary Rakim Allah is making a return to the hip-hop cipher.

Although 15 years have elapsed since the God MC’s last solo project, his stance remains interwoven in the fabric of hip-hop culture, ensuring he has never truly left the scene.

Two weeks ago (May 16), Masta Killa of Wu-Tang Clan took to Instagram and posted an image with Kurupt and Rakim, announcing the upcoming release of a single featuring the three renowned lyricists. Though Masta Killa did not reveal the single's name, he shared it would come from the “#GODSNETWORK” and instructed followers to remain attentive.

Cover of Rakim Allah's single, "Rebirth (N.M.A.) featuring Kurupt and Masta KillaInstagram | @almightym80

On Friday (May 24), Matthew Markoff, a markerting A&R for the project, announced on Instagram the solidification of a contract with Rakim for the release of his fourth studio album, G.O.Ds Network (REB7RTH).

Set for a worldwide release on July 26, there will also be a special edition released as a six-inch A and B side vinyl, with “REB7RTH” on one side and “Love is the Message” on the other. This special edition, limited to 500 pieces, will feature an array of hip-hop heavyweights such as Masta Killa, Kurupt, Nipsey Hussle, Snoop Dogg, Planet Asia, as well as seasoned creatives including Sally Green, Louis King, Kobe Honeycutt, Summer Yuki, and more.

The debut single from the album, “Rebirth (N.M.A.),” also produced by the “I Ain’t No Joke” lyricist, featuring Masta Killa and Kurupt, is set to drop next month on June 21, coinciding with the web and pre-order launch. Kurupt shared the single’s official cover on Instagram Friday (May 24), confirming the coming of Rakim’s new album. “July 26th - ‘Rebirth’ Rakim new album…Produced by Tha God Mc himself,” the caption noted.

Cover for six-inch special edition side A and B side vinyl, “Love is the Message” side.

The album is thoroughly produced by Rakim Allah, with Markoff also serving as an executive producer.

G.O.Ds Network (REB7RTH) marks Rakim’s first solo effort since 2009. He transformed the landscape of rap in 1987 with Eric B. on Paid In Full, and the duo went on to shape the Golden Era of rap with three additional albums: Follow The Leader (1988), Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990), and Don’t Sweat The Technique (1992), all deemed classics of the Golden Era.

Rakim’s solo debut came in 1997 with The 18th Letter, featuring production from Pete Rock, DJ Premier, DJ Clark Kent, Father Shaheed of Poor Righteous Teachers, and more. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and went certified Gold. In 1999, he quickly followed up with his second solo album, The Master, which includes the DJ Premier-produced standout single, “When I B on tha Mic." Afterward, Rakim took a 10-year hiatus before releasing The Seventh Seal in 2009, the first project on his record label Ra Records.

Throughout the years, Rakim has made guest appearances on unapologetic rap songs including G-Dep’s 2001 track “I Am�� with Kool G Rap, the 2003 Dr. Dre-produced Jay-Z track “The Watcher 2,” Lloyd Banks’ 2006 song “You Know the Deal,” and he even added a surprise verse on Linkin Park’s 2014 track “Guilty All the Same.”

With his latest performance alongside Slum Village and Talib Kweli at Panic in L.A., the hip-hop luminary has been making his presence felt in the culture. He narrated a Bronx history video for the New York Yankees' opening season, and last month, he joined DJ Jazzy Jeff and Ravi Coltrane for a showcase at the Kennedy Center. As hip-hop enters its 51st year and Rakim makes a comeback, it's safe to conclude that hip-hop was never a fad and is bound to continue dominating and persisting as not only a music genre but a culture.

[therappundit]

***The Rap Pundit Picks: My Favorite Music of 2024***

2024: one of the greatest years for rap music in Hip-Hop history.

Agree or disagree, if we could separate the music and artists themselves from Hip-Hop culture in general (which depending on who you ask, may not be an acceptable option - and I do understand that), 2024 was filled with arguably the widest range of different styles that rap music has ever heard. From the traditional to the genre benders, from the thoughtful writers to the lucid vibers, to me the notion that "Hip-Hop is dead" just means you're failing to adapt your methods of finding new music.

2024 was a year that featured a new single from Nas & DJ Premier (and the promise of their long-awaited album collaboration), and the potential of a new JAY-Z album (by year's end, we are hearing far more concerning headlines), both of which, not too long ago, would be hovering near the top of the highest billed album expectations of the year. But by the end of 2024? Mostly forgotten. Yes, plenty of veterans like Snoop, LL Cool J, Ice Cube, and Common left their footprints in 2024, but over the past year, some significant waves were made from less celebrated sources.

Beneath the shadow of a historic feud between some of Hip-Hop's heavyweights, a tide-pool of exciting artists were releasing noteworthy music at a furious clip. Long since faded are the narrow lanes separating underground from mainstream, as are the traditional routes for "breaking through". Today you're more likely than ever to find a rap music fan that listens to Mach-Hommy and Playboi Carti than you are to find a rap fan that just listens to what's in heaviest circulation on Hot97. None of this is a new development, it's just becoming more of the reality all the time.

I don't know if my favorite music on these lists today will be in heavy rotation by this time next year, but I'm fairly certain most of these MCs and Producers will still be there in some capacity. There's so much to look forward to, from indy veterans to newer talent, I can't come close to naming everyone, but I feel like something would be missing from this list if I didn't give special recognition to artists like Previous Industries, Child Actor, J.U.S, Jay Cinema, dp0mmy, No Label, Cavalier, shemar, Mutant Academy, Maassai, Mike Shabb, Semiratruth, Spice Programmers, Reco, Halal Boys, Quelle Chris, Nappy Nina, Errol Holden, 7xvethegenius, Sideshow, Futurewave, HOODLUM, Conductor Williams, MIKE, Ox Omni, Jaeychino, Mach-Hommy, Black Chai, Wordsworth, Teller Bank$, Chuckyy, Rome Streetz, Boldy James, Earl Sweatshirt, Sleep Sinatra, Wiseboy Jeremy, Defcee, Wavy Da Ghawd, Myquale, Big Flowers, Blu, JUNE!, Sasco, Silky Southern, Phiik, Joshua Virtue/RAMA, LUNGS/Lonesword, August Fanon, Certified Trapper, Jeph Early, Nick Satchel, Stu Bangas, NEW AGE COLLECTIVE, Yonaa, Westside Gunn, Baby Stone Gorillas, Myles Clayton, Che Noir, BRISTACKZ, Tokyo Cigar, Knoweye, Noqh, Chow, Kadeem, Valee, Messiah Musik, AKAI SOLO, MESSIAH!, Bossman DLow, Rei The Imperial, Nino Paid, Reiiki APOLLO, Bub Rock, J Words, Navy Blue, Armand Hammer, Doechii, Rich Jones, Rapsody, Grafh, BabyChiefdoit, The Alchemist, YUNGMORPHEUS, Alexander Spit, Ol' Burget Beats, Ronday, TiaCorine, LaRussell, Jaysanityy, Chuck Strangers, CJ Fly, Ovrkast., Jiggs, STAR BANDZ, Pink Siifu, and Bruiser Wolf, Nolan The Ninja, and many, many more...for providing 2024 with some great reminders that Hip-Hop is still in good hands.

And R.I.P. to Ka, one of the greatest writers that the genre has ever scene.

I tried to only represent one release from each artist here, in an effort to represent as many different folks as possible; however, a lot of MCs released multiple projects this year, so if I felt like they had more than one release, and two of those releases were neck & neck with being their best work of the year, I tried to make room for both.

s/o to all of these artists for sharing so much great music with their fans, critics, and hopefully any soul that discovers them through lists like this one...and a toast to what we can only hope will be a happy & healthy New Year (we could certainly use it). 🙏

************************************************************************

*TOP SONGS*:

100. "Rerock The Hook" - Drakeo the Ruler feat. Icewear Vezzo

99. "CULLINAN GANG" - Nasaan feat. Icewear Vezzo

98. "Bear Fruit" - Kadeem feat. Rugby LoSport & FUNERAL Ant Bell

97. "Beverly Drive" - Erick The Architect

96. “Humpty” - Semiratruth

95. "Vertino" - Conway The Machine feat. Joey Bada$$

94. “Bonnet” - TiaCorine

93. "PANDURICANE" - Conductor Williams & Rei The Imperial

92. “BUMBO” - CJ Fly & Stoic

91. "live like this" - Jiles

90. "H.Y.B." - J. Cole feat. Bas & Central Cee

89. "Witness" - Certified Trapper

88. "Ray Wop" - Ray Vaughn

87. "30 (Freestyle)" - JID

86. "NOT FINE AT ALL" - Killian Fonlon

85. "Whqtthe" - Noqh feat. chasay, Kzoba & Jaysanityy

84. "Difference" - YN Jay feat. Tay B & Kash Doll

83. “Colors” - Remble feat. Mozzy & Stoneda5th

82. "HIGHJACK" - A$AP Rocky feat. Jessica Pratt

81. "Ya Don't Stop" - DJ Premier feat. Rick Ross, Big Sean & Lil Wayne

80. "9 LIVES" - R2R Moe

79. "A Damaged Wraith" - Vic Spencer feat. Rockness Monsta

78. "FREE SMURK, BIG EDDIE & CAM" - YTB Fatt

77. "Cruise Piff" - Jay Cinema & CHoW

76. “Super Rufus” - Rufus Sims & Billionaire Boyscout

75. "?" - Big Yavo

74. “THAT’S HARD” - Anycia feat. Cash Cobain

73. "SINCE THEY TOLD ME I'M A LEGEND" - Jeph Early & Gios4ma

72. "Bill Belichick" - Mg Sleepy feat. Bfb Da Packman & Myaap

71. "It's Us" - BabyFxce E feat. Luh Tyler

70. “place i rep” - Remy Banks

69. "Grandmother's Lessons" - Your Old Droog

68. "Doughboy Daisy" - WB Nutty feat. HBK Kid & Payroll

67. "ZYDECO" - Ronday

66. "HOO" - LIFEOFTHOM & Stoic

65. “Banded Up” - Chief Keef feat. Tierra Whack

64. "Hurry Up & Buy" - Bruiser Wolf

63. "Top Dawg" - Yonaa

62. "Killing Em'" - Reco feat. Gorgeous Jefe, Solute, Lord Ra & Ilxtus

61. "Still Praying" - Westside Gunn feat. Stove God Cooks, Benny The Butcher, Conway the Machine & Boldy James

60. “Rotation” - BagChaser Reke feat. 2Real

59. "See The Sunset" - Nick Satchel & dp0mmy

58. "Me vs Me" - Jaeychino & SlimeGetEm

57. "Memoriam pt. 2" - Sleep Sinatra & bloomcycle feat. Desde

56. "Local Anastasia" - Kenny Segal & K-The-I??? feat. Open Mike Eagle

55. "Days Before Juneteenth" - HALAL BOYS

54. "Omakase" - Nappy Nina & Swarvy feat. Maassai & Stas Thee Boss

53. "4Slime" - Young Nudy

52. "proper vertigo" - mynameisntjack feat. Sol ChYld

51. "Up Now" - Mustard feat. Lil Yachty, BlueBucksClan & 42 Dugg

50. “Black Girl” - Che Noir feat. Rapsody

49. “Penmanship” - Kooley High & Tuamie

48. "RIO FREE" - Rio Da Yung OG

47. "Water" - BRISTACKZ

46. “I.S.D.A.M.L.” - Boldy James & Whothehelliscarlo

45. “12:50 In New York” - Chuckyy

44. "Wrist Buss" - Myaap

43. "mikealstott" - Blvck Svm feat. eeryskies & Boldy James

42. "Trippin" - Bossman DLow

41. "Words2LiveBy" - El Cousteau feat. Earl Sweatshirt

40. "Complications" - Reiiki APOLLO

39. "Syrup Sandwiches" - Cordae feat. Joey Bada$$

38. “Type Shit” - Future & Metro Boomin feat. Travis Scott & Playboi Carti

37. “INFORMATION AGE” - No Label [Ahk Sair, Amiri Mikel, Yo OG, Funk Shway, buddy.not.bud]

36. “Custard Spoon” - Cavalier

35. "RENEE (MAY DAY)" - Sideshow

34. "Money Problems" - Nino Paid feat. Lil Gray

33. "Don't Do Drugs" - J.U.S. & Squadda B

32. “Curtis Jackson” - C Stunna feat. Skrilla

31. “Rocafella Chain” - Grafh feat. Freeway, Peedi Crakk & Memphis Bleek

30. “PAYMEAGRIP” - Ovrkast. & Cardo Got Wings

29. "Detroit" - Tee Grizzley feat. 42 Dugg

28. "From The Dirt" - Phiik & LUNGS feat. AKAI SOLO

27. "California Dream" - Ab-Soul feat. Vince Staples & Kamm Carson

26. “I’m G (OMG)” - Blu & Shafiq Husayn feat. Chuuwee & Born Allah

25. “SINCE I WAS LIL” - JasonMartin & DJ Quik feat. Curren$y, Bun B & Jay Worthy

24. "Short Stories" - Jawnino feat. MIKE

23. “LIBERATION” - Mutant Academy feat. Quelle Chris

22. “Pedal tha Ave” - Wiseboy Jeremy & Kirti Pandey

21. “DUMMY” - JUNECINEMA feat. RoBB, Chow & rivan

20. “Psalm” - 7xvethegenius feat. Jae Skeese

19. “MESCALINE” - LaRussell & CAM CORTEZ

18. "coolin fr" - Jaysanityy

17. "mukbang" - Nolan The Ninja feat. Fatboi Sharif

16. “Lost Angel” - Blu & Evidence

15. "Frosted Flake" - DJ Rude One feat. Valee

14. “Gank Move” - Big Hit, Hit-Boy & The Alchemist feat. HitgirlLENA

13. “Dream Blunt Rotation” - Rich Jones & Sleep Sinatra/SINAI. feat. AJ Suede, Qari & J.U.S

12. "ALL OVER" - JUNE! feat. Israel Jones, $hyyguyy & Radicule.

11. “Zayre” - Previous Industries [Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, STILL RIFT]

10. “SONJE” - Mach-Hommy. feat. Hephzibah

9. “The Harder They Come” - YUNGMORPHEUS & Alexander Spit

8. "Yea Yea" - STAR BANDZ

7. "Sword Lilies" - Cavalier & Child Actor feat. Quelle Chris

6. “expensive piss” - shemar & Child Actor

5. "Collection Plate" - Ka

4. “Hey Now” -Kendrick Lamar feat. DODY6

3. "Sage" - Rome Streetz & Daringer feat. ScHoolboy Q

2. "Doves" - Armand Hammer feat. Benjamin Booker

1. "Free Jesus" - Mike Shabb

**********************************************************************

**********************************************************************

*TOP ALBUMS*:

*Honorable Mention (absolutely belong in my top 50 as well, but this year was soooo deep)*...

Keep Holly Alive by Mutant Academy, The Grand Design by Philmore Greene, DREAMDROPDRAGON by AKAI SOLO, From Vallejo With Love by LaRussell & Cam Cortez, the First to Make Contact When We Dap by R.A.P. Ferreira & Fumitake Tamura, WATCH THE THRONE by Jaeychino, My Story Got Stories by Bruiser Wolf, The Tonite Show The Sequel by Curren$y & DJ.Fresh, Day Shift, Vol. 1 by Lil Tre, Pigmen In the Vitreous by Knoweye, Alchemy by Jay Cinema & Chow, All Infinite by Kooley High & Tuamie, Slant Face Killah by Conway The Machine, Personification by Maxo Kream, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU by JPEGMAFIA, Chiraq Mogul 2 by ZMONEY, Things I Should've Said When I Was Awake EP by Reiiki APOLLO, OTHERWISE A BLUR by blackchai & August Fanon, Marciology by Roc Marciano, Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii, OPERATION FLAMETHROWER by Conductor Williams & Rei The Imperial, Flint 2 Detroit by YN Jay, Being The Bigger Person Sucks by Vic Spencer

50. Zombie Love Kensington Paradise by Skrilla

49. REVELATOR by ELUCID

48. The Pride & Glory by Teller Bank$ & Ed Glorious

47. CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator

46. Above All by Myquale

45. Keep Me Company by Skyzoo

44. Brown in America by HOODLUM

43. Pinball by MIKE & Tony Seltzer

42. Two Kings by Stu Bangas & Wordsworth

41. BLUE LIPS by ScHoolboy Q

40. BTTRSWT by NEW AGE COLLECTIVE

39. Transatlantic Shit 2 by Spice Programmers

38. Black Box: JOSHUA IS DEAD by Joshua Virtue

37. SOLACE by Marco Plus

36. A Foresaken Lover's Plea by Chuck Strangers

35. Still Praying by Westside Gunn

34. MMCHT by Nickelus F

33. Save The Bees by Big Flowers & Messiah Musik

32. CHUPACABRA by JasonMartin & DJ Quik

31. Black & Whites by Big Hit, Hit-Boy & The Alchemist

30. Nothing Is My Favorite Thing by Nappy Nina & Swarvy

29. CINE by Cavalier & Child Actor

28. IS THIS A SAFE SPACE? by Psalm One & Optiks

27. The Skeleton Key by Roc Marciano & The Alchemist

26. DECON$TRUCT!ON by Maassai

25. Deathtape 2: We Gon’ Need Each Other by Quelle Chris, Cavalier, and Denmark Vessey

24. This Too Shall Pass by Yo OG

23. Black Blues Brothers by HALAL BOYS

22. Soul Burger by Ab-Soul

21. Halfway There by dp0mmy

20. Bag Man Julio by Jaysanityy

19. 74: Out of Time by Ol’ Burger Beats

18. Carrot Season by Phiik & LUNGS

17. Memory(ummm) by Sleep Sinatra & bloomcycle

16. Almighty So 2 by Chief Keef

15. WAKING UP AND CHOOSING VIOLENCE by YUNGMORPHEUS & Alexander Spit

14. i'd rather not by Nolan The Ninja

13. PERSEVERANCE by Jay Cinema & JUNE! as JUNECINEMA

12. Death of Deuce - 7xvethegenius

11. Sour Dub by Rich Jones & SINAI.

10. F.U.N. T.O.Y. by Sideshow

9. GNX by Kendrick Lamar

8. 3rd Shift by J.U.S. & Squadda B

7. Los Angeles by Blu & Evidence

6. Different Type Time by Cavalier

5. Service Merchandise by Previous Industries [Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, Still Rift]

4. sunscreen by shemar & Child Actor

3. The Thief Next to Jesus by Ka

2. #RICHAXXHAITIAN by Mach-Hommy

1. Sewaside III by Mike Shabb

See you in the '2-5...

[lboogie1906]

Roy Levesta Jones Jr. (January 16, 1969) is a former boxer who holds dual American and Russian citizenship. He competed in boxing (1989-2018) and held multiple world championships in four weight classes, including titles at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight, and is the only boxer in history to start his professional career at light middleweight and go on to win a heavyweight title. As an amateur, he represented the US at the 1988 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in the light middleweight division.

He is considered by many to be one of the greatest boxers of all time, pound for pound, and left his mark in the sport’s history when he won the WBA heavyweight title in 2003, becoming the first former middleweight champion to win a heavyweight title in 106 years. He became the undisputed light heavyweight champion by unifying the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles. He was known for possessing exceptional hand speed, athleticism, footwork, explosiveness, punching power, movement, and reflexes.

He holds the record for the most wins in unified light heavyweight title bouts in boxing history, at twelve. He is ranked by BoxRec as the 29th greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time. The Ring magazine named him the Fighter of the Year and the World Boxing Hall of Fame named him the Fighter of the Year. He is a three-time winner of the Best Boxer ESPY Award. The Boxing Writers Association of America named him the Fighter of the Decade.

He was born to a family with a boxing tradition. His father, Roy Jones Sr., was a Vietnam war veteran who was awarded and a middleweight boxer as well.

He and his wife have three children.

He started his rap music career with his album, titled Round One: The Album, and the debut single, “Y’All Must’ve Forgot”. He has made multiple songs regarding Florida State University Athletics.

He resumed his duties as a commentator for HBO World Championship Boxing, calling the Floyd Mayweather Jr.–Sharmba Mitchell fight and the Jermain Taylor–Bernard Hopkins rematch. He was their analyst for Boxing After Dark. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[hiphopncountrychick]

🔵🎵 Unveiling the Masterpiece: A Deep Dive into Jay-Z's "The Blueprint" 📀🔍

Hey there, fellow music explorers and rap enthusiasts! 🎤🎶 Today, we're taking an exhilarating journey through one of the most iconic albums in hip-hop history: Jay-Z's "The Blueprint." 🚀

Background of the Album:

Picture this: it's the early 2000s, and Jay-Z, already a titan in the rap game, is on a mission to create something that'll go down in the annals of music history. But here's the twist – he did it in just two days! Yup, after the 9/11 attacks, Jay-Z was filled with a newfound urgency to create, and the result was "The Blueprint."

Fun Fact #1: Blueprint's Blueprint:** The album's name itself, "The Blueprint," is a nod to Jay-Z's intention to craft a blueprint for the future of hip-hop. And boy, did he succeed!

Fun Fact #2: Kanye's Breakthrough:** This album also marked a young Kanye West's emergence as a producer extraordinaire. His soulful, sample-heavy beats gave "The Blueprint" its unique sound and set the stage for his own legendary career.

Fun Fact #3: Iconic Cover Art:** The cover art is an homage to Elvis Presley's "King Creole" soundtrack, underlining Jay-Z's aspiration to be the king of his own musical domain.

Now, let's dive into some tracks:

1. "The Ruler's Back": The album opens with triumphant horns, setting the stage for Jay-Z to assert his dominance in the rap game.

2. "Takeover": The lyrical heavyweight bout between Jay-Z and Nas. Jay's wordplay and punchlines in this track are nothing short of legendary.

3. "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)": An anthem of success, where Jay reflects on his journey to the top. The Jackson 5 sample is pure magic.

4. "Girls, Girls, Girls": Jay-Z's take on love and relationships, with each verse dedicated to different women in his life.

5. "Song Cry": A deeply personal track where Jay-Z reveals his vulnerabilities and the toll that fame and success can take on relationships.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg! "The Blueprint" is a journey of self-discovery, a testament to Jay-Z's lyrical prowess, and a turning point in hip-hop history.

So, whether you're revisiting this classic or discovering it for the first time, get ready to be blown away by the lyrical genius, the soulful beats, and the timeless storytelling of "The Blueprint." 🌟🔥 What's your favorite track from this masterpiece?

[hhoepromotions]

📲 L.A. Indie Rap Heavyweight King Lil G Cruises Under "City Lights" on New Single & Music Video

[wealthy-star-jim-jones]

A Phenomenon Hip-Hop Iconic Journey of Jim Jones

Join us on a voyage through the illustrious career of Jim Jones, a titan in the realm of hip-hop whose influence knows no bounds. From his humble beginnings to his rise as a cultural icon, Jim Jones has left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Who is He?:

Jim Jones, also known as Joseph Guillermo Jones II, is a multifaceted talent revered for his contributions as a rapper, record executive, and entrepreneur. With his signature style and authentic voice, he has garnered widespread acclaim and adoration from fans worldwide.

Top Songs:

We Fly High - A chart-topping anthem that propelled Jim Jones to mainstream success, capturing the essence of his vibrant persona and streetwise lyricism.

Ballin' - Featuring Lil Wayne, this infectious track solidified Jim Jones's status as a hip-hop heavyweight, dominating airwaves and playlists globally.

Certified Gangstas - A gritty collaboration with The Game, showcasing Jim Jones's raw storytelling and unwavering commitment to authenticity in the rap game.

Age:

Born on July 15, 1976, Jim Jones continues to defy expectations and redefine the genre, showcasing a timeless appeal that transcends generations.

Net Worth:

With a career spanning over two decades, Jim Jones has amassed a significant net worth, a testament to his success as both an artist and savvy entrepreneur. For more details, about other celebrity networks  visit WealthyStars.net.

Struggles:

Throughout his journey, Jim Jones has faced numerous obstacles, from navigating the challenges of the music industry to overcoming personal adversities. Yet, his resilience and tenacity have propelled him forward, shaping him into the icon he is today.

Awards:

Jim Jones's contributions to hip-hop have been celebrated with various awards and accolades, including BET Hip Hop Awards and MTV Music Awards, affirming his impact and influence on the culture.

Latest News:

Stay tuned for the latest updates on Jim Jones's endeavors, from new music releases to groundbreaking ventures. Keep abreast of his dynamic career by visiting wealthystar Jim Jones for exclusive insights and updates.

[dailyrapfacts]

Ed Lover believes Rakim musically birthed Jay-Z, Biggie, Nas

Ed calls Rakim ‘game changer’ of rap Legendary media personality Ed Lover sat down with Carl Banks and Rakim for the New York Giant where he praised the latter for changing rap. He explained that the rapper influenced heavyweights such as Jay-Z, Biggie and Nas. “People don’t understand Rakim changed Hip Hop — he’s a game-changer,” Ed said, before putting Rakim in the same category as the likes…

[dudja]

Classic Movie: Heavyweights #fatcamp #benstiller #comedy #classic #funny

[mywifeleftme]

136: Emmylou Harris // Wrecking Ball

Wrecking Ball Emmylou Harris 1995, Elektra

What side were you on in the Lanois Wars? No matter whether it was Sucks or Good, we all lost. All I see is an endless grey expanse of stormclouds thundering with muffled floor toms, ground heaped with murky guitar tones and broken aviators, waves of reverb washing against a tastefully emptied shore. Probably the worst thing anyone can really say about Lanois’ serenely wreathed production on the series of career reclamation projects he helmed in the ‘90s (Dylan, Nelson, the Neville Brothers etc.) is that it’s all a bit mannered, that it doesn’t fully trust these icons to impress on their own steam anymore. There are plenty more sphincterous rings of producer hell than that in my estimation; those albums all did what they set out to, and sound pretty great. At his best, “Eno’s pet romantic” (as Robert Christgau once called him) brought the most stirring grand gestures of New Age/ambient to rock, creating music that felt like glimpsing heaven on a rainy day.

(God that paragraph was stupid. I should’ve cut that whole bit right? Moving on.)

These days Lanois produces infrequently—by the 2000s he'd become an artisan who specialized in a single expensive, antiquated handicraft, dealing to a small clientele of legacy artists looking to tastefully evoke their own previous triumphs (e.g. U2) or to tastefully evoke the previous triumphs of someone else (e.g. The Killers). In 1995 though, when he worked with Emmylou Harris on this comeback album, he was at the height of his reputation as an elder-whisperer, and the narrative around the album all but said he had to dig Harris out of her grave and shoot her with the Re-Animator serum to give her career back to her. (Never mind that Harris was just 48 years old and both looked and sounded as great as she ever had.)

Wrecking Ball was certainly a radical change in her presentation to this point in her career. Out went the Nashville session guys, in exchange for heavyweights from her new producer’s rolodex (notably Larry Mullen, Jr., Brian Blade, Daryl Johnson, fellow Canadian Malcolm Burn, and Lanois himself on guitar). Moody, Anton Corbijn-esque portraits replaced the teased-up hayloft glam photography of her last few releases. Back in the ‘90s and early ‘00s the cliché answer to someone asking what kind of music you like was, “Oh, everything except country and rap.” Like Johnny Cash’s American Recordings series, Wrecking Ball was about retouching Harris’ star persona to allow more rock fans to relax their biases and enjoy her for what she’d been all along.

Harris may be my favourite country singer. While she’s capable of a powerful holler, her greatest gift is her softest, the way she allows her voice to become so breathy it trembles in and out of hearing—on the ballads her vocal lines are like landscapes naturally hollowed out by the wind. Even when she was a teenager, she wielded her staggering voice as though it were an instrument of glass, so still and introspective compared to the Tammy Wynettes and Tanya Tuckers who dominated the genre in the ‘70s. These qualities only came into sharper focus as she aged—listen to her parched whispers on Neil Young’s “Wrecking Ball,” the way she gathers strength as she builds to the cosmic chorus of “Waltz Across Texas Tonight” (a rare co-writing credit, with Rodney Crowell).

Despite her many successes as a solo artist, she’s if anything better known as a peerless backing vocalist, willing to give herself over to help others accomplish their own visions. The stuff that most explicitly resembles Lanois’ solo work (e.g. “Deeper Well,” “Blackhawk”) is perfectly fine, but seems better suited to like a Robbie Robertson solo album than one of Emmylou’s. The record is better when it plays to its star’s established strengths—not because she’s incapable of doing different things, but because it’d been too long a time since those strengths were treated as delicately as they are here. Again, as with American Recordings, I don’t believe Wrecking Ball is its artist’s ‘definitive’ work. But it is a very satisfying repackaging that bought her an entrée to a non-country audience that otherwise might’ve taken much longer to embrace her, and an enduring record on its own merits.

136/365

[mrjellybeanz]

Quavo & Lil Baby Immortalize The Hustle As “Legends”

They counted them out and now they count commas. Quavo links up with fellow Quality Control heavyweight Lil Baby for a victory-laced anthem titled Legends. On “Legends,” the Atlanta icons trade bars with finesse and fire, rapping about perseverance, wealth, and solidified status in the rap pantheon. Directed by Hidji, the official music video takes the duo from luxury garages and supercars to…

[kaknewsdotcom]

Medikal Drops Bold Visuals for “Welcome To Africa” – A Mirror of the Motherland

Ghanaian rap heavyweight Medikal has just released the official music video for his latest single, “Welcome To Africa”, and it’s nothing short of powerful. Directed by the creative genius XBills Ebenezer, the video is a rich tapestry of African culture, struggles, and unfiltered truth. From the first frame, Medikal sets the tone — this isn’t just another music video. It’s a reality check. He…