#heavyweight rap music

[seventhdiscipleworldwide]

Live From L.A🇺🇲

[dudja]

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

[thelensofyashunews]

BBYMUTHA SHARES NEW LP SLEEP PARALYSIS

The defiant Chattanooga-born, Atlanta-based artist and underground heavyweight bbymutha has just shared her new album sleep paralysis—out now via True Panther Records. Fresh off a Washington Post feature that hailed her as a “prolific rapper [whose songs] mix Southern rap menace with the bump and bounce of underground clubs”, bbymutha's highly-anticipated sophomore LP arrives just as she kicks off a 25-date international tour (ticket link here). The album’s title “sleep paralysis” is a literal reference to the syndrome that bbymutha has been afflicted with since childhood – providing a way for her to dive back into memories she didn’t even know she had, an essential component in crafting the album. Defined by her colorful lyricism and genre-bending production, bbymutha has continously stood out among other SoundCloud-era artists since her 2017 hit “Rules” (6M+ Streams), and solidified her name a year later with "Lately" featuring Rico Nasty, as well as the poppy, R&B-infused banger "Sleeping With the Enemy" (9M+ Streams). A viral performance of “Heavy Metal” on COLORS in 2019 followed by the release of bbymutha’s critically-acclaimed debut album Muthaland in 2020 led to subsequent collaborations with Zelooperz, Baby Tate, Na-Kel, Pink Siifu, Kelela, and Fly Anakin on her most recent album, Muthaleficent 3. Earlier this year, bbymutha shared new tracks “gun kontrol” and “go!”, with Pitchfork praising the former for the “allure and force of [bbymutha’s] voice, a thick Tennessee drawl that she wields like a weapon”. bbymutha is fresh off the album's third single “lines”, which HotNewHipHop lauded as “a drug-drenched banger” – continuing to set the tone for sleep paralysis, which bbymutha is using to cement herself as an artist at the forefront of Southern underground scene, while ushering in a new era of self-discovery and reinvention.

sleep paralysis, bbymutha’s full-length debut with independent label True Panther Records, finds her continuing to challenge traditional genre boundaries by experimenting with new sonic landscapes inspired by a trip to the UK. A unique blend of Punk, Electronic, Club, and Rap, sleep paralysis compiles beats from nine different producers including Foisey, Bon Music Vision, and Kilder. A visionary artist who’s steadily built her cult following through a strong run of independent releases, sleep paralysis layers steely and hilarious musings over windswept synths and echoing industrial 808s, bringing both an urgency to bbymutha’s words, and a glint of experimentation to her ever-developing sound. The album’s inspiration was derived from a post-lockdown tour in the UK on which she was introduced to the sounds of 90's Garage and UK dance music, a revelatory moment following a gauntlet of bad luck and a creative rut during the peak of the pandemic. Showcasing why Clash Magazine recently hailed bbymutha as “a staple of the Southern underground scene”, sleep paralysis is an album fascinated with the dreamlike nature of trauma, personal history, and fantasy.

[imperatorrrrr]

get to know me

tagged by @jonassiegenthighler, even tho evil Tumblr did not inform me of such. home of phobic, tbh.

Do you make your bed?

sometimes. like on your average day? nope. but like if I'm gonna have company or if I've decided today is the day I'm putting my life in order or if I'm working from home and need to be on camera, I will make my bed.

Favourite number?

I do not have a reason, but its 16. There's no connection between me and that number, but it is my number.

What's your job?

I'm an attorney. Currently, I practice as an eviction defense attorney, so tenants rights.

If you could go back to school, would you?

If it was free and if I didn't have to do homework or assignments or take tests, then yeah probably, but honestly, having done school, university, and postgrad, I am so so so very over it.

Can you parallel park?

Yep! Fun T Lore Drop Incoming. My father is the one that taught me how to drive and we found this like dead end street that no one ever really used and my father bought his own traffic cones with him and set them up and we spent hours every night for weeks just getting parallel parking down.

Do you think aliens are real?

For sure. I fucking hope so.

Can you drive a manual car?

Nah...I like watching people drive a manual car though. I think its super hot, ahahaha.

Guilty pleasure?

Erm? Oh! There are a few songs by artists that have since been revealed to be pieces of shit that I still really like, but I try not to listen to them on main or in any way those artists would benefit.

Tattoos?

I have six so far: a lightning bolt for the time I spent in Scotland, an elephant for being Desi, one in Gallifreyan, one from Mad Max: Fury Road, a guillotine, and a Desi mermaid.

I have at least four more planned, at least.

Favourite color?

Purple.

Favorite type of music?

Honestly, it depends on my mood, but I don't think I have one type that like is preferred over others. Sometimes I wanna be emo, sometimes I wanna listen to rap, sometimes I want some girlypop, and then I need Punjabi beats, like you can't pin me down, baby!

Do you like puzzles?

Yah!

Any phobias?

I am afraid of snakes and drowning.

Favorite childhood sport?

Okay this is going to be such an American answer, but besides kickball, the one sport I loved to play was hockey on the scooters?

So you'd sit on these things right and then you'd play hockey on them and those were always my favorite days in gym class.

Do you talk to yourself?

For fucking sure. Its so much fun.

Tea or coffee?

Okay, if I want coffee, I want iced coffee and I need it from like the bodega or the cart because no one else gets my sugar to coffee to milk ratio right. I do not need a fancy cafe, gimme a corner iced coffee any day.

But I'm a chai girl all day everyday. I would have chai like three times a day most of the time. Its been cut down now to when I have time to do the whole making myself chai process. I'll make my own chai hot, but if I want an iced chai, I will splurge on a fancy cafe.

I'm also big into matcha.

And obviously bubble tea.

First thing you wanted to be when growing up?

I think there's historical data (my kindergarten yearbook) which states that I said I wanted to be a doctor, but I think that was just me at five years old giving the answer my parents wanted.

But my real answer is I wanted to be a judge. This was solely because of the OJ Simpson trial which I watched as it was broadcast on television. The plan was always to go to law school to eventually become a judge, it just evolved as I did.

What movies do you adore?

The Oceans Trilogy + Oceans Eight, Robin Williams Movies (Flubber, Jumnanji, Mrs. Doubtfire), Mad Max: Fury Road, Mighty Ducks Trilogy, Heavyweights, the Clue movie, Hasee Toh Phasee, Lord of the Rings Extended Trilogy, The Mummy...I'm sure there's more.

I shall tag my ERod lovers @forgottenflowers and @offside-the-lines and my fellow NicoJack braincell sharers @alpineshift and @solip1386 and @jonasiegenthaler and my new friend @whatthe-puck

[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.

[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…

[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

[luuurien]

RAYE - My 21st Century Blues

(Pop Rap, Contemporary R&B, Pop Soul)

Now an independent artist and in full control of her artistry, RAYE’s ambitious debut album is a messy but lovable collection of introspective pop songs where her many different goals coalesce into a larger whole that doesn’t quite ever make it clear what she wants to do. By trying to do a little bit of everything, My 21st Century Blues struggles to say much at all.

☆☆☆

Rachel Keen has done lots in her years as a musician, yet it’s not until now that she has been able to release her debut. Signed to Polydor at 17, they put strict limitations on what she could do with her career and refused to let her release her first album, trapping her in the world of singles and EP’s that stifled her artistry and made it impossible for her to gain enough traction to meet their qualifications at all. Now, after parting ways in 2021, she has the independence and power to release her debut album My 21st Century Blues, recounting everything she couldn’t say in her time with Polydor and what the future of her music as RAYE might look like. In concept, it’s a massively empowering and artistically exhilarating moment for Keen, her refusal to distort her vision for the industry leading her to absolute freedom and the ability to do whatever she likes in every part of her music and say whatever she’d like. In its full 47 minutes, though, My 21st Century Blues has trouble saying anything specific, Keen jumping from statements on her time under an oppressive label to personal struggles and her encounters with abuse to sweet love songs with abandon, touching upon many topics but never finding a throughline to connect them all. In turn, the album can be a bit of a drag to sit through even if its songs tend to be well put together and enjoyable to listen to, My 21st Century Blues presenting itself more like a collage of how Keen bounces between genres and ideas than anything else and losing out on the full emotional punch of many ideas when one is so isolated from the next (on occasion, the songs themselves are just kind of bad overall). It’s not a bad debut for Keen by any means, but she makes it hard to figure out exactly what she wants to achieve as RAYE in the future. In its strongest moments, Keen melds her detailed and passionate songwriting with production weighty and detailed enough to match it. Largely produced by Keen herself and pop heavyweight Mike Sabath, Keen takes advantage of his boisterous and dramatic style without succumbing to the pitfalls of the one-dimensional radio pop he’s previously had a hand in (you can find him on tracks like Meghan Trainor’s Wave and Shawn Mendes’ It’ll Be Okay). Keen’s often conversational vocal delivery in her songs lends itself to these thick, blurry blocks of instrumentation, the Ibiza house of Black Mascara darkened by a tense rap verse that directly confronts a man who’d spiked a drink in the past that brings depth and greater weight to the oppressive vocal layers and thumping four-on-the-floor, while breakout single Escapism indulges in whining G-funk synths and a fantastically heavy drum groove perfectly fit for the seductive and venomous bender she goes on after a breakup and the regrets that come the morning after, Keen’s range as a performer broader than most and allowing her to bounce around different genres without sacrificing her personality or storytelling in the process. Her writing can, at times, feel like it’s a hammer stamping every emotion straight down onto a song even when the production and her vocals imply subtlety and detail - I’m thinking particularly of Body Dysmorphia and how it discusses eating disorders so plainly even when the drowsy beat pines for something less linear and the self-described “...love song to {her} addiction” Mary Jane where Sabath’s minimalist production causes lines like “You're a stone cold bitch in the morning, aren't you?” or “And I bought three bottles 'cause I tend to drink you dry” to lose any impact when Keen’s singing them so straight - but overall the two of them find a strong balance between mainstream-friendly pop songcraft and the sinister energy Keen’s looking to unleash after years of being locked under a label. When she lightens up the production with pop soul numbers like The Thrill Is Gone and Worth It, it undeniably feels like a comfort zone and lacks much of the scene-setting the rest of My 21st Century Blues thrives on, but she makes great use of these smoother soul numbers to provide breathing room in the tracklist and show off her powerhouse vocals (especially in the finals chorus of Worth It). The unevenness in style and tone throughout My 21st Century Blues affects the album as a whole, but on a track-by-track basis and looking at Keen’s raw talent as a producer and vocalist, there’s lots to love about everything she brings to the table here. But this is still a 47 minute listen in full, and with that Keen’s broad stylistic strokes and scattered pacing throughout the album causes it to drag in ways that feel strange when much of the album is always steadfastly moving forward. There’s a disconnect in feel from track to track when it seems like each song doesn’t have much of a connection to the next, most notably in the core of the album where dark ballad Ice Cream Man is situated between the woozy pop soul of The Thrill Is Gone and spiky rap cut Flip a Switch, Ice Cream Man stuffed between two tracks with no relation to it and causing so much of its emotional weight to be smothered as a result, Keen giving you no time to process the story of abuse and reclaiming her power in one of the album’s most vital moments. Keen has referred to the album during interviews as “songs I’ve had for years but was never encouraged to share,” and though hearing so many sides of Keen at once is often beautiful, it turns the album more into a collage than a singular listen, fit for you to pick some favorites from rather than sit with from front to back when no one feeling is able to be engaged with for longer than three or four minutes at a time. These songs all feel particularly charged in their individual lanes - drama laden R&B, swooning pop, infectious UK rap - but My 21st Century Blues never finds a way to unite all these ideas under one goal, and when the topic matter and mood of these songs shifts so wildly, it’s difficult to gain much of an emotional connection to the album as a whole. For what it lacks in clarity and meticulousness, My 21st Century Blues brings vibrance out of every side of Keen’s artistry, showing off not only how comfortable she is in trying new things but how she can modulate between styles and keep the foundations of her music intact. She’s refused to let the industry mold her, and part of the joy of this album is hearing Keen prove to both herself and the label she left how invaluable her talents are and how much she can do when given the opportunity. She’s inventive in her approach to modern pop and R&B blends and how she can fuse those ideals into whatever she likes, be it brooding house-pop or a gospel finale about shaking ass, My 21st Century Blues encapsulating a little bit of everything that makes RAYE - that alone makes it more than worth a bit of your time.

[thelensofyashunews]

Q DA FOOL SHARES NEW ALBUM KING GEORGE

Finally home following a years-long battle with the Maryland legal system, DMV rapper Q Da Fool is "reclaiming his career," in the words of a recent Rolling Stone feature, with his new album King George – out now along with an accompanying music video for "Shining". The hard-hitting LP arrives on the heels of lead single "Pookie" (feat. Veeze), an explosive track named for Chris Rock's character from the 1991 cult classic film New Jack City, which stamped Q Da Fool's first collaboration with the aforementioned Detroit heavyweight. Since putting out charismatic homecoming single “Heisman” last year — his first release as a free man after serving 18 months in jail — Q Da Fool has continued to flood the streets with his distinct sound. 2023 was a massive year for the DMV mainstay, who garnered recognition for projects I’ll Be Back, Home Detention, and Art of Ambition, the latter of which saw HotNewHipHop praise Q Da Fool for “putting the Free State on everyone’s radar.” Recent months have seen the rapper release a strong run of singles, including “Hey Auntie”, "chopt", and "Tarzan", as well as a collaboration with Daimo Dunkin on "Clientele".

Hailing from the small town of Largo, Q Da Fool has long been a DMV standout — as showcased on a number of hit singles including “Win” (10M Streams) and a momentous collaboration with Shoreline Mafia — steadily carving out a distinct lane by sharing detailed stories of his own lived experiences within Maryland street life. Having released projects with producers like Kenny Beats as well as the Grammy award-winning Zaytoven, Q has chosen not to follow directly in the footsteps of his area’s popular go-go wave, an artistic decision that has allowed him to fully flex his gritty lyricism and energetic flows. Fresh off an impressive run of 2023 mixtapes, the arrival of King George marks the beginning of a new era for Q Da Fool as he continues to put on for the thriving DMV rap scene.

[lboogie1906]

Roy Levesta Jones Jr. (born January 16, 1969) is a former professional boxer who holds dual American and Russian citizenship. He competed in boxing from 1989 to 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 https://www.instagram.com/p/CnelVODrkcS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[moochilatv]

Trap Dickey presents: No Love

Featuring BigXThatPlug

fire flow music

Rising as the next breakout rapper out of “The Carolinas,” buzzing South Carolina rap phenomenon Trap Dickey unleashes a brand new single entitled “No Love” featuring BigXthaPlug out now

On the track, tense piano pierces airy 808s as Trap Dickey’s pummeling flow takes hold. His charismatic and catchy bars weigh heavy on the beat, paving the way for a stunning turn from BigXthaPlug. Energized by skittering hi-hats, Trap Dickey pulls listeners into his world without compromise or apology as he reminds, “I’m straight from the bottom, still hanging with thugs.” It lands in the wake of “Bird Business” featuring Rylo Rodriguez which received plugs from HipHopDX, and more. Earlier in the year, he joined forces with DaBaby on the “Blue Devils (Remix),” which trended at #10 on all of YouTube within the first 24 hours of release. It saw North Carolina’s hottest rap superstar DaBaby bless South Carolina’s undisputed rookie of the year with a coveted feature. Of course, the original “Blue Devils” put Trap Dickey on the map, stacking up nearly 15 million cumulative streams. Simultaneously, he delivered showstopping performances for On The Radar and From The Block in addition to discussing his impressive journey so far on No Jumper, Dirty Glove Bastard, and more. It’s no wonder AllHipHop.com christened him “The New Face of South Carolina.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TRAP DICKEY 1 (@trapdickey)

Practically forged in fire, you can hear the raw hunger in Trap Dickey’s voice. It’s the sound of a young man with nothing to lose and everything to gain as he puts a whole community on his back. It’s the sound of unbelievable tragedy and pain transformed into personal truth now being shared out loud. It’s the sound of hip-hop’s next heavyweight contender, and it’s unapologetic, unbreakable, and undeniable. Growing up in South Carolina, he found refuge from a rough upbringing in music. One hardship after another ensued. His older brother Yung Hardaway caught a case and found himself locked up, leaving Trap Dickey without his most formative inspiration. If it wasn’t bad enough to be separated from his brother, he nearly lost his life. A shootout erupted at a party where Trap Dickey was shot in the face. Thankfully, he survived, but a lazy eye would forever remind him of what happened. He also faced his own battles with the system, narrowly beating a false murder charge. All of these close calls left him with minimal options. He could keep rolling the dice on the streets and either end up dead or in jail—or he could double down on music. He chose the latter. He broke through with “Blue Devils,” piling up 7.4 million Spotify streams and landing DaBaby for the Official Remix. On its heels, he showed out with stunning performances for On The Radar and From The Block in addition to collaborating with Rylo Rodriguez, YTB Fatt, BigXthaPlug, and more.

[hiphopncountrychick]

"Karam": KSHMR's Latest Album is the Best Project in Desi Hip Hop

When global EDM, Trap & Bass pioneer KSHMR, born Niles Hollowell-Dhar, announced his the most anticipated debut Desi hip hop album ‘Karam’, which he took almost 2 years to complete and it breathed fresh air into India’s thriving Hip-Hop scene. While millions of KSHMR’s avid listeners see his album as the biggest rap album of the year in India, for many artists and record producers, ‘Karam’ is the much-needed cultural push which might go down as one of the best Hip-Hop albums in history.

In ever-growing Indian Desi Hip-Hop scene, where every beat tells a story and every rhyme narrates an experience, KSHMR dropped his the most anticipated Desi Hip-Hop album "Karam" on November 3rd, 2023. And I have to say this is not just a musical creation; it's a testament to the enduring power of hip-hop when one SuperProducer wielded with the artists in the scene along with some new and upcoming thriving talented faces for a story to tell.

KSHMR collaborated with many artists those who are the OG faces of DHH like Ikka, Raftaar and Krsna alongwith some new and fresh heavyweight talents brewing up in today's scene like a morning Coffee as such Rawal, HanumanKind and only recurring artist from this album Yashraj who has 3 features in album.

This album is not just a collection of beats; it's a sonic odyssey that navigates like a classic Bollywood crime drama movie from the 90s. Let's embark on a detailed review and breakdown of this masterpiece.

The Prelude: Setting the Movie Tone for an album

"Karam" isn't an album you merely listen to; it's an experience that begins with the very first beat. The album opens a portal into KSHMR's creative movie, where each track is a distinct scene. The tone is set, and the listener is invited into a sonic movie journey that begins with some deep philosophy.

The cover art: The Infinite Ouroboros

"Karam" album Cover Art

The album cover art of "Karam" is simplistic but it hits the mark. It is perfecty alleigned with name, theme and plot of an album. The whole album talks about the law of karma. In simple words, "The deeds(Karam) you do will turn around and come back to you". This cover art is inspired by one ancient Symbol called "Ouroboros", a circular symbol that depicts a snake or dragon devouring its own tail and that is used especially to represent the eternal cycle of destruction and rebirth.

The Ouroboros

The Infinite Ouroboros

Here In this art too, you can see a raging snake like figure eating its own tail in anger and hunger, but here making an infinity symbol instead of a circular representing "The Infinite Ouroboros". Which explains that Karma is an infinite loop. If I'd have to explain this with an example then you can suppose if someone did something bad and hurtful to you, you'll do the same to them, by that, they will do even worse to you and you'll do even worse to them, and this cycle will go on and on and will create an infinite loop of Karma. Remember this example because this same thing happened in the album twice on two different occasions. Colour scheme used in the cover is dark and hauntingly red which also support the plot of the album that you will be experienced, and it also represents that your Karma will always Haunt you no matter what.

This Album is spans for more than 50 minutes. It has totally 24 tracks, 10 Interludes and 14 songs. Now let's dive deep into the album and explore every songs and Interludes with the story of an album itself.

1. The Beginning - Interlude

Album opens with our protagonist as a kid who has an alcoholic and abusive father physically abusing his mother. When he tries to confront him, his father forced to get him out of his home along with his mother. Now that he's homeless, one thing he does that to start aspiring and dreaming for getting out this poor circumstances. Where, the first song of this album "dream"comes into play.

2. Dream (feat. Ikka & Karra)

This is the perfect opening track for the album. It's an upbeat and inspiring song about the power of dreams. The lyrics are simple but effective, and the beat is catchy and uplifting.

In this song, the protagonist is wandering in streets of Mumbai having one dream in his eye that he wants to own this city no matter what situations he has to go through.

Ikka penned his very strong, highly aspiring and gangster vibe giving two verses with impeccable flows, witty rhyme schemes and some awesome references. He talked about being self motivated and driven by dream so blindy that he's not seeing whatever he's doing it's good or bad.

3. The plan - interlude

Our protagonist seems frustrated and exhausted from his low life and decided to do something big, so he planned a robbery with his brother in arms and setting a stage for upcoming song "Bhussi".

4. Bhussi (feat. Seedhe Maut & Karan Kanchan)

This track is a bit darker and more atmospheric. It's about the struggles of everyday life, and the lyrics are raw and honest. The beat is also dark and menacing, but it's also strangely hypnotic.

In this track, Protagonist robs a bank because he was tired of not having money in his life. That's where he first stepped in in a crime and underworld scene of Mumbai.

5. The money - Interlude

The Robbery was successful and now the protagonist has so much money in his hands that he's going to buy that club where his friend was refused to enter before. This interlude a subtle callback to Ikka's one bar "I'll buy that land where I'm not supposed to put my feet".

6. Zero after Zero (feat. KR$NA & Talay Riley)

One of the standout tracks on the album is "Zero After Zero" featuring Krsna and Talay Riley. This song perfectly blends Indian influenced elements, creating a unique and captivating sound. Krsna's powerful and dynamic vocals combined with Talay Riley's smooth and soulful voice add depth and emotion to the track. The production quality of this song is top-notch, with KSHMR's signature attention to detail evident in every aspect of the music.

The only con of this song is also standing out of the plot of an album, because in this track, KR$NA was more talking about his own things and deeds. So this song has zero to next progress in storyline.

7. Upar Hi Upar (feat. Yashraj & Rawal)

It features Yashraj and Rawal, two of the most popular upcoming rappers in India. The song starts with a catchy melodious 808s that is reminiscent of versatile capabilities of KSHMR. The beat then drops, and Yashraj and Rawal start rapping. Their lyrics are about the importance of staying true to your roots and celebrating your culture. They also rap about the power of community and how it can help you achieve your dreams.

In the progress of the storyline, the protagonist is going up and up on his own way achieving everything he had dreamt of one by one.

8. Godfather (feat. Nazzz)

This song is one of a kind when nobody expected to see Nazz feature in KSHMR's album. And where Nazz is and there are no punchlines, it cannot be happened. So this song is so Nazz being Nazz, full of punchlines and hardcore Desi gangta vibe giving.

In this song, the protagonist now at top of his game ruling the underworld of city and becomes a Godfather now.

9. Bhasad - interlude

This interlude makes an appearance of the antagonist of an album, His name is "Raja bhai".

And Raja bhai is not happy with our Protagonist because, he is doing business in territory of Raja bhai. So the antagonist warns him saying that his actions will cost him one day.

10. All fall down (feat. Yashraj, Raja Kumari & Riar Saab)

This very song can be labelled as "Certified Banger". KSHMR went out of realm with his bombarding beat. Raja Kumari dropped the Sickest Hook of the entire Album. So big Props to Raja Kumari for this. Yashraj and Riar Saab dropped their energetic verses talking about everyday normal life of a gangster and then went back and forth at the outro verse. The hook is played 4 times in this song and also main Highlight of this track, because it happens very rare when the chorus outshined the actual verses and that's exactly what happened here.

In progression of storyline, Protagonist's gang has some little feuds and shootings with Raja Bhai's gang, where protagonist lost his few gang members. So protagonist felt like his new empire is falling down.

11. B.I.G. (feat. Harjas & PUNA)

This is a calming and sit-back giving vibe track that showcases the rapper's raw talent and lyrical prowess. The song opens with a catchy low beat that immediately grabs the listener's attention, and Harjas's confident delivery adds to the song's intensity.

The lyrics of "B.I.G." are introspective and thought-provoking, as Harjas raps about his struggles and aspirations. He speaks about overcoming adversity, having maturity and achieving success, and his words are both relatable and inspiring. This song has mixed reviews, low retention value and maybe not favourite song of anyone from this album. Some things just didn't work out in this song. But still, it's a really good song.

Our protagonist seems to have some maturity and realisation about his crime life.

12. La vida (feat. Dabzee & Vedan)

This is the song where KSHMR went into "Despasito" mode and threw a really vibey song with having two south indian rappers which I never heard of them before, rapping in 2 distinct South Indian languages. As I'm not familiar with any south indian languages, i haven't understood anything in this song, and yet I was vibing with it all the way long. This is one those songs where you don't need to worry about lyrics and just vibe with the song.

13. The Girl - interlude

As I said before, this is not just an album, it's a Bollywood movie. And movie is not complete without having a heroine. So here comes a female lead in our story, where the protagonist saw one girl on pathway at night looking for taxi and finds her very attractive.

14. Hath Varthi (feat. MC Stan)

Now that a Girl arrived in the scene, now it's time to hit the club and play a "Club Anthem" of this album which is Harth Varthi. The Best beat production by KSHMR in Karam. And it features MC Stan so you couldn't care less about lyrics. But still he delivered his funky verses where he talked about a girl he's hitting on and about his fame and everything. Overall it's really good song just made for playing in parties.

After seeing that girl, maybe our protagonist hits the club and partied all night.

15. Nasheeli Raat - interlude

That girl he saw at that night now is distracting the protagonist so bad that he can't be seeing anything but her face. He realised that he's in love with her. And what time is it? It's time for a "love song".

16. Mere bina (feat. PropheC & Talha Anjum)

This track is a love song about the importance of staying true to yourself. The lyrics are heartfelt and romantic, and the beat is soft and melodic. Anjum's verse was short but yet so effective. Showing that the protagonist is really serious about this one.

17. The Argument - interlude

In this one, we can see that our protagonist is with that girl and showing her a beach-side luxurious villa which he just bought for her. But the Girl is in concern about his gangster life. She doesn't want to live in a luxury bungalow which is made by rivering bloods. So they both have some arguments about it. In the end the girl asks him to quit his gangster life and said "your gun will take my life one day"

18. Maula (feat. Munawar)

In here, we are seeing a Standup Comedian is rapping about deep and serious things about life. This is an introspective track that showcases Munawar's unique storytelling ability and his raw talent. The song opens with a haunting melody that sets the tone for the track, and Munawar's heartfelt delivery adds to the song's emotional depth.

The lyrics of "Maula" are deeply personal and relatable, as Munawar raps about his struggles with faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in life. He speaks about his struggles with self-acceptance and his search for a higher power, and his words are both honest and vulnerable.

Our protagonist is now thinking about what consequences he will might face in the future if he quit his life now and starts living peacefully with his love interest, he's scared of his past and his karma if ever might hurt her too. So he was praying to God and asking for some help to show him right way.

19. The Call - interlude

Our protagonist was spending happy times with the girl when he gets a call from his sidekick friend who went to have some deal in Raja Bhai's area without even telling our protagonist. The deal Turned out as a trap of Raja Bhai where he shot dead the Protagonist's friend and he died on call. We can see the protagonist crying and screaming in pain on the other side.

20. Khoya sab (feat. Yungsta & Lisa Mishra)

Now that our protagonist lost his friend and second in command of his gang, he's feeling like he lost everything and everything is falling apart around him. It's perfect time for a sad song.

This is really powerful track filled with full of emotions that showcases Yungsta and Lisa Mishra's unique talents. Opening with a haunting beat and captivating lyrics, the song immediately draws the listener into its world of introspection and self-discovery. Yungsta's verses are filled with raw emotion and honesty, while Lisa Mishra's soothing voice provides a counterbalance, adding depth, resonance and melancholy to the song.

The lyrics of 'Khoya Sab' explore themes of loss, regret, and the search for meaning in life, with Yungsta and Lisa Mishra sharing their personal experiences and struggles. The song's title translates to 'Lost Everything', reflecting the feeling of being adrift and searching for a sense of purpose.

Considering the best track from this album, it's many people's the most favourite song. Overall, this is very impacting and moving song that will leave a lasting impression on the listener. It's a must-listen for fans of hip-hop and anyone who has experienced the depths of loss and the search for meaning in life.

21. The Revenge - interlude

Now our protagonist is all set to take revenge of his friend's death from Raja Bhai. He's well prepared for going on to full pledged gang war.

22. Enemies (feat. HanumanKind & Yashraj)

This is a "Gym Song" energetic track that showcases the raw talent and lyrical prowess of HanumanKind and Yashraj. The song opens with a hard-hitting beat that immediately grabs the listener's attention, and the confident delivery of HanumanKind and Yashraj adds to the song's intensity.

HanumanKind and Yashraj deliver their lyrics with a confidence that is both impressive and captivating. They command the listener's attention and make their words resonate.

This song gives you a feeling of action packed fight scenes from movie playing BGM exactly like this.

In the long outro, our protagonist seems like winning the war but he's injured, filled with bullet holes and slowly dying.

23. Legacy (feat. Raftaar)

Now that our protagonist is dead, it's time to talk to the legacy he sets. This is a tribute giving and motivational track that serves as a fitting finale to KSHMR's album "Karam". The song opens with a soaring melody that immediately sets the tone for Raftaar's inspiring lyrics. The song's production is top-notch, with a blend of drill elements that perfectly complement Raftaar's confident delivery.

Raftaar's lyrics in "Legacy" are both personal and universal, as he reflects on his own experiences and aspirations while also offering words of encouragement to others. He speaks about the importance of hard work and dedication, the power of dreams, and the legacy that one can leave behind. His words are both relatable and inspiring, and they are sure to resonate with listeners who are striving to achieve their own goals.

The production of "Legacy" is equally impressive, with a beat that is both driving and uplifting. The song's overall sound is polished and professional, and it perfectly complements Raftaar's message of perseverance and success.

Overall, "Legacy" is a perfect finale closing album track on "Karam". It is sure to made to inspire listeners to chase their dreams and leave their own mark on the world.

24. The end - interlude

The narrator voice says "in this life full of ups and downs, you finally get to your end, and nothing else comes with you except your Karam"

Conclusion

Overall, "Karam" is a must-listen album for fans of both electronic music and hip hop. It is a well-produced album with a star-studded lineup of artists and a variety of different styles. The album is also a celebration of Indian culture and the power of dreams. KSHMR really have done something never like before in Desi Hip-Hop scene. Undeniablly, the best project of 2023.

So, if you're looking for an album that is both upbeat and inspiring, then I highly recommend checking out "Karam" by KSHMR. It's an album that will stay with you long, maybe for entire lifetime after you've finished listening to it.

Peace out, and see you next time!

Honorable mentions:

@rap

@hiphop

@desihiphopofficial

@todayinhiphophistory