Ten years after releasing one of the most celebrated albums of his career, ScHoolboy Q returned home Friday night for a special performance at the Hollywood Palladium, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his critically acclaimed Blank Face LP. The evening brought together longtime fans for a nostalgic look at an important chapter in Q’s career while showcasing just how impressive his catalog has become over the years.
Kellogg’s long-term mission has always been to promote a positive impact on kids, families, and communities through food, especially through their iconic mascot, Tony the Tiger. The classic “Hey Tony” jingle was particularly popular in their ads during the ‘90s, and now, Grammy-nominated rapper J.I.D has put his own spin on it.
On Thursday, September 4th, Billboard hosted its annual Hip-Hop/R&B Power Players Awards at Unveiled in Brooklyn, New York.
The Knockturnal sat down with Sueco The Child, Post Performance, at Irving Plaza, to Discuss His New Album Attempted Lover, Tour, and Being an Independent Artist.
The 9AMBanger is an event series with multiple DJ sets and a surprise musical guest that begins bright and early at 9 o’clock in the morning!
Brooklyn-raised rapper Your Old Droog celebrated the release of his newest album, Movie, with a show featuring numerous guests down in Manhattan’s Bowery Ballroom.
LAGOS, NIGERIA – April 12, 2024 – Chocolate City Recording artist and producer, Young Jonn has released his debut album “Jiggy Forever,” available for streaming everywhere.
Every time you listen to a song, you’re hearing a carefully crafted conversation between the music and the lyrics. Rhymefest has taken that a step further in his latest masterpiece James & Nikki: A Conversation
photo credit: Tori “Torsion” Howard
Grammy winner, social activist, and University of Chicago professor Rhymefest‘s newest project remasters a conversation between black literary icons James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni from 1971. The project features stories about black life in America, the struggle for racial justice, and evolving gender roles in this intelligent piece of art. The project includes soundbites from the original conversation, as well as Rhymefest’s artistic interpretations.
Rhymefest became inspired by the conversation after he heard it. Despite the differences between Baldwin and Giovanni, they came together and spoke about the world around them. They shared their stories and experiences with one another and Rhymefest wanted to create a project reflecting that.
There are nine tracks on the album, featuring artists Helixx C Armageddon, Infamous Teefa, Brittany Carter, Freddie Old Soul, E.P Da Hellcat, and Saba the Godis. The album is being released by the Golden State Entertainment (GSE), entertainment division of the Golden State Warriors. The team is the only team in the NBA to do something like this.
This is a piece of music the likes we’ve never really seen. Rhymefest’s vision is clear throughout the project. He combines classic sounds of rap and hip-hop with the masterful pieces of knowledge from Baldwin and Giovanni’s conversation. There’s such a beautiful and powerful story being told in each track, creating an engaging piece of music. He has created a piece of art that pulls you into the story and makes the listener part of the conversation.
Rhymefest has done a spectacular job creating a project that showcases decades of hip-hop influence. Tracks like “Triggered” and “Pop” feel reminiscent of early eras of rap, while “Elderberry” and “Deja Vu” feel more like the current direction of the genre. Many of the other tracks feature beats and lyrical flows from that of late 2000’s rap. Overall the album feels like a journey through the years of hip-hop and gives us a taste of many different influences.
You can’t talk about a music album without also talking about production and that is another place this album soars. The sound bites of Baldwin and Giovanni weave perfectly into every song and always catch your attention. They create a beautiful flow and conversation between them and the music. Every artist creates a perfect lyrical flow, working beautifully in tandem with the music. Each track features a beat that hits wonderfully with story and never feels dull or repeated. The genius producers on this project have crafted a beautiful piece of music that not only helps tell stories, but elevates them.
photo credit: Tori “Torsion” Howard
It’s a complex and intelligent body of art, one that tells of struggle, love, introspection, and growth. Throughout all of that, it is also a story of being unapologetically black and proud. Rhymefest invites listeners to try and see through all these many lenses and tells a powerful story while doing so. He’s reimagined this iconic, historic conversation and created a piece of music that feels completely new and inspiring.
The album is out now and you can listen to it here.
On November 15th, Miami turned up the heat as Spotify cranked the volume on its Most Necessary Live series! Picture this: palm trees swaying, beats booming, and the hottest emerging rappers igniting the stage.
Dubbed as the ultimate playlist come to life, Most Necessary Live took over Miami, transforming it into a haven for hip-hop enthusiasts. The lineup? Oh, just the next big wave of rap royalty, bringing the 305’s flavor to the forefront.
Miami’s Finest on the Mic:
The stage was on fire with high-energy performances from the likes of Luh Tyler, Real Boston Richey, Danny Towers, Wizz Havinn, Loe Shimmy, C-Stunna, Icandy, and Lil Crix. These rising stars didn’t just perform; they owned the night, turning the crowd into a sea of swaying bodies and bobbing heads.
Special Guests Turn Up the Heat:
And if that lineup wasn’t hot enough for you, brace yourself for the surprise of the night! Kodak Black and Nardo Wick crashed the party as special guests, sending the excitement levels through the roof. The crowd went wild as these heavy-hitters took the stage, proving that in Miami, the surprises were just as sizzling as the weather.
Most Necessary Live: Hitting the Road!
This isn’t just a onetime affair, folks. Most Necessary Live is on a mission to spread the love across the U.S., showcasing the hottest emerging talents in every nook and cranny. So, if you missed the Miami madness on November 15th, don’t worry. The party is hitting the road, bringing the beats to a city near you.
In the world of Most Necessary Live, the only rule is to expect the unexpected. So buckle up, music lovers, because Spotify’s bringing the heat, one city at a time!
