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Many rap artists use their lyrics to comment on social and political issues, raising awareness about topics such as inequality, racism, poverty, and injustice. Many don't. 70 percent of Americans believed that rap had an overall negative impact on society.
Rap music, in-spite of the negativity and controversy that often surrounds it, can have a positive influence on listeners and expand their consciousness.It can reduce depression and anxiety, improve emotional expression, expand communication and interpersonal skills, and potentially lift one's self-esteem.
Roc-A-Fella co-founder Kareem "Biggs" Burke joins us to discuss the return of his label's famous Nike Air Force 1 collab, hip-hop's influence on sneaker culture, and his thoughts on shoe deals for Jay-Z, Drake, Kanye West, and Justin Timberlake.
If you watched the rise of Jay-Z, Roc-A-Fella, and all its members at that time, then you know what this post is about. Rap beef has expanded from its Hip Hop roots into the entire culture.
Did you want to be apart of Roc-A-Fella Records? Did you throw up Tha Roc?
Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar were three of the best-selling rappers of the 2010s. They released their debut albums in succession (2010, 2011, and 2012), and the age difference between the iconic emcees is only two years. Each of the thought-provoking recording artists has Grammy awards on their resume, with legions of fans who will vouch for their superiority as lyricists.
However, when it comes to the writers and editors at the New York Times, they have determined that Kendrick Lamar reigns supreme, which is an accomplishment considering that media outlets on the East Coast, whether they're hip-hop based, pop culture magazines or daily newspapers, have historically heaped such praise on rappers in their region, for the most part.
Hip-hop's first record label was Sugar Hill Records, founded in 1979. The label's first release was the single "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang. This single is credited with helping to popularize hip-hop and rap music and is considered one of the first commercially successful hip-hop songs.
Fredro Starr reacted to the information Teddy Riley revealed during his VladTV interview, where he confirmed that fake vocals were used on Michael Jackson’s posthumous album. Fredro said he believes it, especially if they were background vocals. He also recounted how Michael Jackson was the culture setter for black youth before hip hop.
There’s an old saying of there is no room for two kings in one castle. There can only be one true king. But simply wanting to be the best has been a part of the hip-hop culture since the very beginning.
Let’s look at three other examples of how cinema glorifies hip hop to expand your understanding of principal human values. These works can be used to study cultures, sociology, psychology, and other important disciplines.
“Take the Lead.” This 2006 film directed by Liz Friedlander tells about the classical ball dancing teacher and a bunch of teenage ruffians forming an unbreakable bond and creating a whole new style. It’s not a cheap drama but a powerful work with remixes of famous jazz songs that can truly make you dance. It encourages youngsters to rely on themselves, not someone else’s assistance.
The gloves were off between New York icons The LOX and The Diplomats for their highly-anticipated Verzuz showdown. New York City was buzzing with infectious energy weeks before the marquee event, with supporters on both sides making their claims on who would come out on top. Flocks of fans trekked to Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden for a sold-out show that had everything a lover of New York hip-hop could ask for.
During the recent Louis Vuitton SS22 “Amen Break” runway, the LV menswear artistic director, Off-White™ founder and frequent Nike collaborator sent a jolt through the sneaker world by revealing a whopping 21 Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s — more specifically, Air Force 1 Mids and Air Force 1 Lows with with damier patterns, LV monogram print, doubled-up tongues, plenty of Helvetica text and even printed “graffiti.”
Snoop Dogg is getting ready to bark out orders at Def Jam Recordings — he's joining the label as an executive creative and strategic consultant.
Method Man, the only rapper to appear on Notorious B.I.G. and 2 Pac albums while the two artists were alive, is primarily known for his music as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan (“Method Man”). In 1994, Method Man released the first of his six solo albums including “Tical,” a RIAA-certified platinum album, and “Tical 2000: Judgement Day.”
Standout tracks from those albums include “Bring the Pain,” “Judgement Day,” and “Break Ups 2 Make Ups,” featuring past Verzuz guest D’Angelo, and “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By,” Method Man’s duet — a wildly popular wedding song — with legendary R&B singer Mary J. Blige.
Back when music was real, artist had the opportunity to shine in their own distinctive way. Rap is one of the most distinctive features of hip-hop. Rappers use rhythm, lyrics, and vocal tone to express themselves. The best rappers are distinguished by their “flow” – the way the words run together without the performer getting tongue-tied.
Wu-Tang members Method Man has been added to Godfather of Harlem season 2. Hip Hop icon Method Man, who also stars on Power Book II, will play Sam Christian, the head of the Philadelphia Black Mafia, and a longtime friend of Bumpy Johnson’s.
From Epix: Godfather of Harlem Season 2 finds Bumpy Johnson battling the New York Crime Families for control of the lucrative and murderous “French Connection,” the pipeline for heroin that runs from Marseilles to New York Harbor. With a distribution syndicate that includes black crime bosses from other major U.S. cities, Bumpy takes a cue from his friend Malcolm X’s message of black economic nationalism.
The University of Washington has suspended its star guard on the basketball team due to two sexual assault allegations against him. With his last name being Carter, he won’t be the only one facing backlash for these accusations.
21-year-old Nahziah Carter, who is the nephew of Hip Hop/pop culture icon Jay-Z, violated UW’s school policy on sexual assault and his suspension has been upheld following his appeal. Carter was suspended indefinitely in October for the first accusation and received a suspension for the winter and spring quarters after the second investigation concluded.
Two women accuse Carter of forcing them to perform oral sex on him and one of his accusers even posted the findings of the investigation once it was public information.
Even though Eastside Po was not mentioned in the article, he is next up on the rising artist list.
The pair are busy practicing this week for their Twitch debut on Saturday, where they will play and compete in a chess tournament hosted by Chess.com and Hennessy. It’s to benefit Black, Latinx and Asian small businesses struggling with the pandemic. GZA says he still remembers vividly to this day when his cousin taught his 9-year-old self how to play chess.
“I guess I remember it well because he had a black and red checkerboard, but the pieces were like clear plastic neon,” GZA tells The Washington Post in a video interview, who said he never forgot the lesson. “And they were weird colored, and they were caked in green. And he showed me the names of the pieces and how they moved.”
