by Jesse Swindell | Apr 20, 2023 | Latest, Music News, New Music Alert |
The LOX (sans Sheek Louch) as well as Fat Joe and Rick Ross brought together together for the release of a new single called “The Game,” a Mike Kuz, Buda & Grandz, and Setfree-produced single which was released in collaboration with sports betting company DraftKings as a collaboration with them. Therefore, the title track of the album is replete with bars that speak about the hard work needed to win, beginning with a powerful verse from Jadakiss about working hard.
“In the Game” includes a black-and-white clip that features action shots from current top NBA players in action accompanied by a variety of betting terms that are used when placing bets. The clip fits perfectly with the moment of the basketball league’s playoffs, a time when competition is at its peak, since the league is just entering the first stage of this season’s playoffs. The artists do not appear in any of the shows, which is unfortunate.
After decades of careers of Rick Ross in hip-hop, it is amazing to see how all parties have managed to remain relevant in the industry after decades of hard work. Living Off Xperience and Richer Than I Ever Been, the latest albums released by the LOX and Rick Ross, respectively, were released in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In the wake of the release of Fat Joe’s latest solo album, The Darkside Vol. 1, which hit land in 2010 and led to a new era of hip hop, and has continued to go from strength to strength through projects such as What Would Big Do 2021 featuring DJ Drama, Plata O Plomo featuring Remy Ma, and Family Ties featuring Dre. As of yet, it is unknown whether or not there will be more to come after “The Game”.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Apr 19, 2023 | Business News, Latest, Music News |
The Rise of Roc Nation: From Humble Beginnings to a Global Empire
When we think of entrepreneurship, we often imagine the stories of those who went from rags to riches – the underdogs who defied the odds and built empires from nothing. Few tales embody this spirit of hustle and resilience, like the journey of Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay Z. Born and raised in Brooklyn’s Marcy Houses, Jay Z’s early life was anything but glamorous. But he had a gift – an innate talent for wordplay and storytelling that would become his ticket out of the projects.
From Marcy to Madison Square: The Birth of Roc-A-Fella Records
In 1995, after being turned down by several record labels, Jay Z co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records with Damon Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke. It was a bold move, and one that would change the course of his life forever.
Despite the odds stacked against them, Roc-A-Fella Records quickly became a force to be reckoned with. Jay Z’s unique style of rap, infused with clever wordplay and a hustler’s mentality, resonated with audiences across the country.
The Blueprint: Building Roc Nation
But Jay Z wasn’t content to rest on his laurels. He had a vision – a blueprint for an entertainment company that would break the mold and revolutionizes the industry. In 2008, Roc Nation was born.
More than just a record label, Roc Nation was a one-stop shop for artists, encompassing talent management, music publishing, touring, and more. Jay Z’s goal was to create an ecosystem where artists could thrive, free from the constraints of traditional music industry structures.
The Birth of a Vision: Roc Nation Today
Fast forward to today, and Roc Nation has become a global empire, representing some of the biggest names in music, sports, and entertainment. With a roster that includes Rihanna, J. Cole, Big Sean, and athletes like Kyrie Irving and Skylar Diggins-Smith, Roc Nation’s influence knows no bounds.
But Roc Nation’s impact extends far beyond music and sports. Its film and television division has produced critically acclaimed content like the Emmy-nominated series “Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story,” cementing Roc Nation’s status as a cultural powerhouse.
The indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship is exemplified by the success stories of those who have risen from humble beginnings to build empires. Jay Z‘s journey to Roc Nation stands as a paragon of inspiration, a testament to the power of hustle, resilience, and vision.
by Jesse Swindell | Apr 18, 2023 | Latest, Music News, New Music Alert |
There was a time back in October of 2022 when Smino unveiled his album Luv 4 Rent. There was a number of features across this body of work, including those from Lil Uzi Vert, J. Cole, Fatman Scoop, Doechii, Lucky Daye, Phoelix, Ravyn Lenae, Kal Banx, as well as many others across the 15 tracks. There were several well-received singles prior to the release of the album, including the singles “Louphoria,” “Matinee,” and “Modennaminute.”
As of yesterday (April 10), the Missouri-born artist took the time to release a new rendition of “Ole A** Kendrick” that appears on the album. I believe that the newly released offering follows closely on the heels of his bar-heavy “Wyoming (Freestyle)” single which was released earlier this month. On “Ole A** Kendrick,” the rapper spits some bars about how K Dot played a huge part in capturing some of his most memorable moments.
It has been reported previously that Smino has spent the past several months out on the road with Dreamville mainstay JID as part of their joint tour dubbed “Luv Is 4Ever Tour.” Taking place in Seattle, Washington from January 22 until March 29, the tour began in Seattle on January 22 and ended in Nashville on March 29. In addition to being honored with his very own Smino Day in St. Louis, the singer has also been honored with a very own Smino Day that will be celebrated in that city every year on December 18 in honor of the singer.
by Derrick T Lewis | Apr 18, 2023 | Latest, Social Justice |
Recently, a shocking video has surfaced capturing the violent arrest of two teenagers Kristopher Willis and Seth Palumbo in Texas. The footage portrays disturbing scenes of police brutality and excessive use of force. This incident has sparked outrage across the country, with people demanding justice for these teens and questioning how such incidents can still happen in modern-day America.
The viral video of the violent arrest of two Texas teenagers has sparked outrage and an investigation. Which was shared on social media, shows a police officer throwing one of the teens to the ground and then violently arresting him. The other teen is seen being handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol car. The teens were arrested for trespassing at a local pool and were charged with misdemeanor evading arrest.
In the wake of the violent arrest. The two teens are Texas Langham Creek High School football players: senior Kristopher Willis and Seth Palumbo, many are wondering what could have motivated the officers involved. Some have suggested that race may have played a role in the incident, as the girls were reportedly targeted for being “disorderly.”
If race was indeed a factor in this incident, it is yet another example of how minorities are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement. This kind of treatment only serves to further alienate and marginalize communities of color, which can have serious implications for public safety.
Many people in the community are shocked and saddened by the video, which shows the teens being brutally beaten and Tased by officers. Some have called for a boycott of the city’s police department, while others have taken to the streets to protest.
The city’s mayor has issued a statement condemning the officers’ actions and calling for a full investigation. The police department has also launched an internal investigation and placed the officers on leave pending the outcome
This video is just the latest example of the police using excessive force against unarmed civilians. In the past year, we have seen numerous videos of officers shooting and killing unarmed black men, often without justification. This kind of violence must stop. We need to hold our police officers accountable when they use excessive force, and we need to demand that they receive proper training on how to de-escalate situations without resorting to violence.
The implications are clear: our justice system is failing to properly address these issues and it will take drastic action from all levels of government, as well as greater public awareness, to ensure that we can create a more equitable society. We must continue to advocate for change and demand accountability until we achieve real progress.
by Derrick T Lewis | Apr 17, 2023 | Latest, Music News, New Music Alert |
In his ongoing efforts to put a stamp on Takeoff’s legacy, Quavo continues to lift up the legacy of Takeoff as he nears the release of his sophomore solo album, Rocket Power. As some fans have been looking forward to a follow-up to Quavo Huncho, the up-and-coming project is expected to drop sometime this summer.
In an interview with Insider published earlier this week, Quavo confirmed the album was dedicated to Takeoff. “As far as i am concerned, I am fueled by The Rocket,” he told XXL in an interview with the publication on April 5th, referring to the late rapper’s nicknameThe release date for this project has not been disclosed at this time. My apologies, but I am certain that hip-hop fans are still struggling with the loss of Takeoff in such a tragic manner. As a matter of fact, only five months have passed since the Migos group member lost his life in a shooting during a private party in Houston, Texas, which left others injured as well.
Quavo released a heartfelt tribute to the 28-year-old rapper following a memorial service for the artist. In it, The Last Rocket emcee was referred to as the angel of his life due to the way he treated him. It wasn’t until January that the lyricist further expressed his heartbreak through his tune, “Without You.”
The 32-year-old is not only paying homage to a late cultural trendsetter by making music, but he is doing it in countless other ways as well. During the Grammy Awards in February, Quavo returned to the stage to perform for the first time since the tragic passing of Takeoff at the Grammy Awards. There was a noticeable difference in his appearance, as he wore a mask that covered part of his right side of the face with the left part showing. As it turned out, that was also a nod to his nephew, as it turned out to be another nod to him.
“The loss of my other half symbolizes the loss of my whole. I want my performance to be a reminder of his presence with me in every way,” he explained. On the latest release from Huncho, “Honey Bun,” he mentions the mask throughout the song when he raps, “I don’t know how you can come outside without your mask on? / It’s because they want to see my emotions, I am not smiling at all.”
While he has become less inclined to smile these days, it was evident that he was delighted to be able to join his Praise This castmates for the world premiere on April 3 in Atlanta, Georgia. The movie, which is currently available on Peacock, is a feature film in which he plays Ty, one of the love interests of Chloë Bailey’s character, Sam.
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