The state of New York announced Thursday that it would contribute $3.7 million to the Universal Hip Hop Museum, a $80 million institution dedicated to the musical genre set to open in the Bronx in 2023. Governor Andrew Cuomo officially signed off on the $3.7 million grant as part of …
Read More »Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Events Get Grander, But the Music Still Sounds Unfinished
Our phones were locked in little mesh pouches so we communicated the way people did in the Dark Ages: we reenacted Vines. Last night, deep inside The Forum in Los Angeles, a group of young men formed a circle around their friend who was wearing a Florida Marlins hat ––one …
Read More »See 'The Birth of Biggie: 25 Years of Ready to Die' Mini-Documentary
Amazon Music has unveiled a new mini-documentary that coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Notorious B.I.G.‘s debut album, Ready to Die. The landmark album was released on September 13th, 1994. The nearly nine-minute The Birth of Biggie: 25 Years of Ready to Die offers a retrospective via a series …
Read More »Three 6 Mafia Plot Reunion Shows
Juicy J and DJ Paul will reunite Three 6 Mafia for a trio of concerts this fall. The gangsta rap act will perform September 7th at the One Musicfest in Atlanta, Georgia; October 11th at the Loud Records 25th anniversary show in Newark, New Jersey and October 12th in Southaven, …
Read More »DaBaby Is Running the Charts, and Gifting Other Rappers With Hits
DaBaby is running the charts. After a decisive breakout just a few months ago, the North Carolina rapper has transitioned from a regional star to a force that can almost singlehandedly deliver his peers — who until recently were much bigger names — a hit. He has four total songs …
Read More »The Weeknd Sings About Snow (Not Cocaine) and the Iron Throne on 'Power Is Power'
Let’s get a few things out of the way about “Power is Power,” the first single from the Game of Thrones soundtrack, For the Throne. The Weeknd doesn’t compare Daenerys Targaryen’s hair to cocaine. Travis Scott avoids saying “it’s lit” after a punchline about dragons. SZA is, well… SZA. The …
Read More »Kevin Abstract's 'Baby Boy' is a Worthy Successor to a Classic Tyrese Movie
Director John Singleton’s film Baby Boy is a classic of early-2000s black cinema. Tyrese Gibson stars as Jody, a guy with a serious Oedipus complex living in South Central Los Angeles. Throughout the movie, Jody deals with the ramifications of being an absent father, a nigh-worthless son and a bad …
Read More »Nipsey Hussle, Grammy-Nominated Rapper, Shot Dead in L.A.
Nipsey Hussle, the Los Angeles rapper who earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album earlier this year, was shot and killed in L.A. on Sunday, according to NBC, citing multiple law enforcement sources. He was 33. Hussle, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom, was one of three people shot …
Read More »Grammys 2019: The Major Awards — Who Ya Got?
Will Kendrick finally win Album of the Year? Is Ariana the new queen of pop? Will Taylor go home empty-handed? Record of the Year “I Like It” Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin “The Joke” Brandi Carlile “This Is America” Childish Gambino “God’s Plan” Drake “Shallow” Lady Gaga and …
Read More »Action Bronson Is Releasing a New Book About His One True Love
Action Bronson is getting back into the literary game. The New York Times best-selling author announced that his new book Stoned Beyond Belief will be released on March 19th. Written with Rachel Wharton, Bronson’s second book — he released Fuck, That’s Delicious in 2017 — is devoted to the rapper’s love …
Read More »