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- THE DIGITAL DEN #12
THE DIGITAL DEN #12
🎤 Welcome to The Digital Den - Your Weekly Hip-Hop Herald 🎤
THE DIGITAL DEN
June 26, 2024
Milano Lifestyle is hosting the Up in the North 'Straata Edition' event in Alex, aimed at reviving hip-hop culture in the township. Event organizer Nhlanhla Ntuli feels that hip-hop culture has been on the decline in the area, despite the presence of many hip-hop creatives.
The event aims to celebrate hip-hop culture, music, arts, and lifestyle, providing a platform for artists to showcase their work and creativity. The stage will feature popular local artists from Gauteng and beyond who will share their unique styles with the crowd.
Ntuli hopes that the event will inspire up-and-coming artists to step out of their comfort zones and pursue their passion in the hip-hop industry. Additionally, the event aims to expose local artists to greater opportunities and encourage collaboration with artists from other townships.
Attendees can expect a day filled with music, art, fashion, and lifestyle elements that showcase the richness and creativity of hip-hop culture.
Hip hop icon KRS-One recently held a press conference to announce a historic day in hip hop: August 11, 2024, will be a day of events to help "stop the violence" in the hip hop community. The theme of this movement is "Non-Violence" Conflict Resolution, and KRS-One plans to organize a walk for positive change on that day.
The walk will start in Central Park and end at Crotona Park in the Bronx. The purpose of the walk is not only to celebrate hip hop, but also to bridge the generation gap and educate the new generation about the originators of the culture.
KRS-One believes that the young artists cannot carry the torch if they don't understand where it came from. The walk will be followed by a massive hip-hop celebration and concert in Crotona Park.
REVOLT has compiled a list of 20 must-watch hip-hop documentaries that have captured the culture and its artists with beauty and authenticity. These documentaries have provided invaluable insights into the history, evolution, and social impact of hip hop.
They have chronicled the genre's rise from its underground roots to its global dominance, highlighting moments, interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses that have preserved rap's history and cultural significance. The documentaries have also shed light on the lives of artists and their contributions, addressing important themes such as racism, poverty, police brutality, and inequality.
Notable films on the list include "Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap," "Nas: Time Is Illmatic," "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest," and "Free Meek." These documentaries offer unique perspectives and showcase the immense talent and impact of hip hop culture and its artists.
The Alchemist, renowned producer in the music industry, recently revealed in an interview that Jay-Z is the rapper he wants to work with most. Despite already having an impressive resume working with artists like Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, The Alchemist expressed his desire to collaborate with Jay-Z, emphasizing that there is no ill will between them.
He hopes that the desire to work together is mutual and mentioned that there are other artists on his bucket list that he hopes to collaborate with as well. The Alchemist and Jay-Z have actually known each other for decades, with Jay-Z even passing on one of The Alchemist's beats that eventually went to Jadakiss.
Fans can only hope that a collaboration between The Alchemist and Jay-Z happens soon.
Dee Koala's music video for her hit single "Gwan" has surpassed 2 million views on YouTube, marking another milestone in her rising career in South African hip-hop. Dee Koala's success can be attributed to both her strong relationships within the industry and her unique musical style and lyrical prowess.
Her song "Gwan," featuring Maglera Doe Boy, was released in 2022 and has been well-received by fans. The rapper expressed her gratitude to her supporters and announced that she is currently working on an album, although no release date has been announced yet.
Dee Koala's focus is currently on the upcoming inaugural "Khaltsha" event at Johannesburg's Zone 6 Venue. Overall, Dee Koala has established herself as one of the talented rappers in the SA Hip Hop scene, and her recent achievement is a testament to her growing popularity.
Ice-T, frontman of metal band Body Count, has named producer Will Putney as the "Dr. Dre of metal.
" In an interview with Metal Hammer, Ice-T praised Putney for his ability to work with multiple metal bands and make them all sound distinct and true to themselves. He contrasted this with other producers who tend to make the band sound like the producer.
Ice-T also credited Putney for understanding Body Count's unique style and vision, referring to their music as "Grindhouse" and comparing it to the movies of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. Putney has been the producer for the last four Body Count albums, helping to bring them a resurgence in popularity.
He has also worked with various other metal bands, including Every Time I Die and Norma Jean.
Kehlani discusses her upcoming album "Crash," highlighting its reflection of her growth and evolution as an artist and individual. Departing from her previous work, the album explores new sounds and energy while emphasizing authenticity and being present in the moment.
Kehlani draws inspiration from various sources, including international music and personal experiences. Interestingly, her daughter also makes an appearance, showcasing her natural musical ability.
Ultimately, Kehlani aims for the album to be a fiery expression of herself and a representation of her current artistic direction.
Similarly, Poppy shares her intentions behind her album "I Disagree," aiming to engage and invigorate listeners, making them feel alive.
The album strikes a balance between breeziness and emotional depth, capturing relatable scenarios. Poppy offers insight into the creation process of certain songs, such as "Eight," which incorporates wordplay from her collaborators.
Additionally, she explains her decision to sample Nina Sky's song on "After Hours" and her desire to give it a unique twist. Ultimately, Poppy asserts that she no longer concerns herself with being understood, expressing her intent to exist loudly in front of the world.
Get ready to rock out at the annual Laketown Shakedown music festival, where pop sensation Gwen Stefani will be headlining alongside other talented artists from across North America. The festival, which takes place from June 28 to June 30, promises a mix of genres and a lineup that will not disappoint.
Canadian talents like blues-man Jesse Roper, pop-rock artist Darrian Gerrard, and funk-pop-reggae fusion group The Steadies will be gracing the stage, as well as American-Canadian singer/songwriter Grandson. Hip-hop royalty Busta Rhymes will also be a major draw and is sure to give an unforgettable performance.
The festival will conclude with the sweet sounds of Gwen Stefani, who will have fans singing and dancing to her classic hits. Tickets start at $69 and can be purchased at laketownshakedown.
com. Don't miss out on this weekend of great music and good vibes.
Former Los Angeles gang leader Keefe D, a suspect in the murder of Tupac Shakur, is asking to be released on $750,000 bail while he waits for trial. Keefe D’s legal representatives have formally submitted a request to the judge, who has scheduled a hearing to review the request.
If approved, Keefe D will be placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring. Keefe D’s defense attorney has not confirmed whether media personality Wack 100, also known as Cash Jones, has contributed to the bail money.
Wack 100 has expressed interest in securing the bond in exchange for the rights to Keefe D’s story. Keefe D was arrested in September 2023 and charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the drive-by shooting that killed Tupac Shakur.
His trial is expected to begin in November.
In a recent interview, producer The Alchemist expressed his desire to work with Jay-Z, stating that the rap legend has always been on his list of artists he wants to collaborate with. The producer mentioned that there are not many artists left on his bucket list, and he hopes that the collaboration with Jay-Z will be mutual, with both artists wanting to work together.
While The Alchemist admitted that Jay Electronica indirectly made the dream collaboration happen when he featured Jay-Z on a song that he produced, he has yet to create a beat specifically for the Brooklyn rapper. The potential collaboration almost happened back in 2001, but Jay-Z passed on a beat that The Alchemist played for him.
However, Jay-Z did offer some words of advice to The Alchemist, suggesting that he stop "wasting" his beats. Despite this setback, The Alchemist remains hopeful that a collaboration with Jay-Z will happen in the future.
Hip Hop has become a global phenomenon, giving people around the world a platform for self-expression and influencing the entertainment industry with its unique sound, fashion, and language. Hip Hop documentaries play a crucial role in capturing the culture and chronicling its evolution from its underground roots to its global dominance.
These documentaries provide insight into the genre's origins, key figures, social impact, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of artists, producers, and DJs. They also explore themes like racism, poverty, police brutality, and inequality, highlighting the genre's role in addressing social issues.
REVOLT has compiled a list of 20 impactful Hip Hop documentaries, including notable docuseries, that will inspire future generations. These documentaries cover a range of artists and topics, from Lil Wayne's life to mental health awareness with XXXTentacion, and delve into the careers of icons like Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, and Kanye West.
The article discusses a recent interview with Questlove, the drummer and bandleader for The Roots. In the interview, Questlove shares his thoughts on the current state of hip-hop and why he believes it is not dead, despite the changing landscape and rules of the genre.
He also discusses his own experiences with hip-hop and the impact it has had on his life. Questlove reflects on the recent Kendrick Lamar vs.
Drake battle and explains why he feels it was triggering, as well as the role of competition in hip-hop. He discusses his upcoming new book, "Hip-Hop Is History," and reveals details about The Roots' highly anticipated new album.
Overall, the article presents Questlove as a hip-hop iconoclast who is not afraid to challenge the norms of the industry.
Hip-hop icon MC Lyte is set to make a triumphant return to the music scene with her upcoming studio album, "1 of 1". This will be her first body of work in over a decade, and it promises to inspire, uplift, and educate listeners.
The album will feature a lineup of talented artists, including Big Daddy Kane, Salt, and Raheem DeVaughn. MC Lyte's signature blend of love, braggadocio, and storytelling will take center stage, and the album is sure to push boundaries with its fresh energy.
Executive produced by Grammy award-winning producer Warryn Campbell, "1 of 1" is a powerful statement in the world of music. With its innovative approach and stellar lineup, the album is set to captivate audiences worldwide upon its release this summer.
Fariz Jabba, a rising star in Singapore's hip-hop scene, has paved his own path to success with a unique blend of influences from across the globe and a passion for the craft. Growing up, Fariz found inspiration in the stories of artists like Jay-Z and Akon, who rose from poverty to achieve success.
These artists became his superheroes and music became his escape and inspiration. Initially exploring dance and singing, Fariz eventually discovered his true voice through words and began writing his own lyrics.
Under the guidance of his brother, a veteran of Singapore's battle rap scene, Fariz honed his skills and developed a bilingual flow that blended English and Malay. His approach has led to hits like "Masa" and "Kalah," which incorporate traditional Malay sounds and themes.
Fariz emphasizes the importance of understanding the business side of the industry, and highlights the upcoming Mood:Live festival as an opportunity for artistic expression and industry education. He hopes the event will inspire the next generation of artists and foster collaboration within the hip-hop community.