THE DIGITAL DEN #15

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THE DIGITAL DEN
July 17, 2024

Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star, Khaotic, has praised former Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Phaedra Parks, for successfully representing him in court. Khaotic took to social media to express his gratitude for Parks' legal skills, stating that without her help, he could have ended up in jail.

Fans are celebrating the crossover win and even jokingly calling for someone to let Parks' former RHOA co-star, Cynthia Bailey, know about the victory. This court victory is a notable achievement for Parks, who is known for her legal prowess on reality television.

It's a win-win situation for both Khaotic and Parks, and their success is being recognized by fans and followers alike.

Common and Pete Rock have released a joint album titled "The Auditorium Vol. 1," which has exceeded the expectations of hip-hop fans.

Common, known for his thought-provoking lyrics, and Pete Rock, a legendary producer, have created an album that combines the best of their talents. The album features vintage yet relevant production from Pete Rock, with catchy melodies and basslines that impress as much in 2024 as they did in 1992.

Common's bars on the album showcase his skills and passion for the craft, reminiscent of his earlier work that established him as one of the best rappers in the game. The project is filled with beats that highlight Pete Rock's range and expertise, making it a must-listen for any hip-hop fan.

Overall, "The Auditorium Vol. 1" is a standout album that reminds listeners why Common and Pete Rock are legends in the industry.

Director Tariq Nasheed is hosting screenings of his hip-hop documentary “Microphone Check: The Hidden History of Hip-Hop” in Atlanta. The film, which was released in May, tells the story of the pioneers of hip-hop, including breakdancers Trixie and Sasa, rappers Melle Mel and Coke La Rock, graffiti artist Darryl “Cornbread” McCray, and DJ Disco King Mario.

Nasheed sought to make a documentary that recognized the people who typically get left out of the discussions around the early days of hip-hop. "Microphone Check" challenges the idea that hip-hop was born strictly out of Jamaican music and instead traces its roots to the South.

Nasheed funded the project independently through a successful Kickstarter campaign, and plans to direct installments that examine West Coast and Southern rap.

Hip-hop artists are known for their ability to turn their passion into profit, and many have expanded their empires beyond music by venturing into the culinary world. JAY-Z, for example, created the upscale sports bar and lounge 40/40 Club in New York City, which combines a love for sports with a high-end dining experience.

Ludacris opened Chicken and Beer, an airport-based restaurant that offers travelers a taste of comfort food with a contemporary twist. Rick Ross became a franchise owner of multiple Wingstop locations and actively promoted the chicken spot through his music and social media.

Other notable examples include Kanye West with Fatburger, Eminem with Mom's Spaghetti, and DJ Khaled with Finga Licking. These artists have successfully applied their business acumen to the food industry, creating unique dining experiences that reflect their personal brands and tastes.

The article highlights the 15 best white rappers of all time, recognizing their contributions to the hip-hop genre. Artists like Eminem, Macklemore, and Machine Gun Kelly are praised for breaking barriers and reshaping the music industry with their unique approaches to rap.

The article acknowledges their talent, authenticity, and ability to push boundaries, challenging stereotypes and expanding the diversity within hip-hop. Each artist is briefly described, highlighting their career achievements and impact on the genre.

The article also mentions their contributions beyond music, such as social commentary, activism, and entrepreneurship. Overall, the article emphasizes the evolving diversity and inclusivity within hip-hop, showcasing the talent and authenticity that transcends racial boundaries.

In a surprising turn of events, Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us" has returned to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and has broken another record previously held by Drake. The release of the song's music video on Independence Day has helped it climb back to the number one spot.

Since its debut at the top of the chart, "Not Like Us" has consistently stayed in the top six and marks Kendrick's first number one song to spend multiple weeks at the top without a feature. The song has also reached 500 million streams on Spotify in just 70 days, making it the fastest rap song to achieve this milestone, surpassing Drake's record with "God's Plan".

The success of "Not Like Us" has also had a positive impact on Compton-based restaurant Tam's Burgers, which was featured prominently in the song's video. The owners have reported a 30 to 40 percent increase in business and have offered Kendrick a lifetime supply of free meals as a token of their appreciation.

Ludacris and Jim Jones are starting a new social media challenge to beat the summer heat. Jones shared a video on Instagram of himself jumping into a residential swimming pool fully clothed, with his song "Too Turnt" playing in the background.

He called it the "#diveChallenge" and invited others to participate. Hours later, Ludacris responded with a video of his own, accepting the challenge.

The challenge is gaining traction on social media, with fans and other artists joining in. Ludacris, who has been on a music hiatus, recently expressed his love for artists like J.

Cole and Kendrick Lamar, saying they inspire him to keep rapping. He also shared his gripes about the current state of hip-hop, particularly the lack of creativity when it comes to sampling and production.

Ludacris plans to release new music in 2024.

Tekashi 6ix9ine is feeling confident and trashing the music industry after a triumphant performance in Romania. The rapper shared a snippet of his performance on social media, boasting about his popularity and proclaiming himself as the best in rap.

He also took the opportunity to announce his latest business endeavor, a cryptocurrency called Dummy Coin, offering meet and greet opportunities and a chance to join him on stage for his last song. This isn't the first time 6ix9ine has dabbled in the world of tech, as he previously listed NFTs for sale, though that venture didn't go as planned.

Despite any setbacks, 6ix9ine remains unfazed and confident in his abilities, ready to take on the music industry and prove his critics wrong.

Music producer Irv Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, is facing serious rape accusations in a new lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed on July 11 by a woman identified as Jane Doe, alleges that Gotti sexually assaulted and abused her from 2020 to 2022. The incidents reportedly occurred in multiple locations, including Saint Martin, Miami, and Atlanta.

The woman claims that Gotti coerced her into sex by threatening to send her home during a vacation in Saint Martin. The lawsuit also describes a pattern of abuse throughout their two-year relationship, including an incident in Miami where Gotti allegedly forced the woman to perform oral sex in an elevator.

The woman states that she suffered severe emotional and psychological harm as a result of the abusive relationship. The lawsuit also accuses Gotti of slandering the woman to his social network.

Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, is known for producing hits for artists like Ashanti, Ja Rule, and Lloyd.

Kanye West has taken back his retirement announcement and is now preparing to release new collaborations. After Rich The Kid shared a text message from West saying he was retiring from music, West later revealed that it was just a ploy to promote his album "Life's a Gamble," which is set to be released on Friday.

West is featured on two songs on the album and is also executive producing it along with Ty Dolla $ign. In addition to this collaboration, West has a new song with Consequence dropping this Friday and is working on his own album "Vultures 2," which has been delayed but is still on the horizon.

Despite the retirement talk, West seems to be active in the music industry and has multiple projects in the works.

In this article, Singersroom.com compiles a list of the 15 best music producers of all time.

The article discusses the crucial role that producers play in shaping the sonic landscape of songs and albums, collaborating closely with artists to enhance compositions and oversee the recording and mixing processes. The list includes influential figures such as George Martin, known as the "Fifth Beatle" for his groundbreaking work with The Beatles, Quincy Jones, a legendary producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, and Dr.

Dre, a pioneering rapper and producer who has left an indelible mark on hip-hop. Other notable producers on the list include Phil Spector, Rick Rubin, Brian Eno, and Pharrell Williams.

Each producer's unique contributions to the music industry are highlighted, showcasing their impact and influence on the evolution of popular music.

Hip-hop has seen its fair share of platinum albums, but there are only a select few that have reached the elusive diamond status, signifying sales of over 10 million album-equivalent units. While superstars like JAY-Z, Kanye West, Drake, and Dr.

Dre have yet to attain this milestone, there are 10 hip-hop albums that have achieved this feat and left a lasting impact on the genre. These albums include 2Pac's "All Eyez On Me," The Notorious B.

I.G.

's "Life After Death," MC Hammer's "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em," Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," Nelly's "Country Grammar," Outkast's "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," Eminem's "The Eminem Show" and "The Marshall Mathers LP," and 2Pac's "Greatest Hits." Eminem also accomplished another diamond album with his compilation "Curtain Call: The Hits.

" These albums not only achieved commercial success but also had a lasting influence on hip-hop and continue to be celebrated as timeless classics.

Famous hip-hop star Meek Mill is set to release a new single titled "Cybertruck," in which he pays homage to Tesla's pickup truck. Meek Mill has already given fans a sneak peek of the upcoming music video on Instagram, featuring two Tesla Cybertrucks.

It is unclear whether either of the vehicles belong to the rapper. The announcement caused quite a stir among Meek Mill's 23.

4 million Instagram followers. The song comes at an opportune time, as Tesla recently announced that the Cybertruck was the best-selling electric pickup truck in America in the second quarter of 2024.

However, the automaker did not disclose specific sales figures. Meek Mill, known for his interest in environmental causes, owns a range of EVs including the Cybertruck, the Hummer EV, and the Tesla Model X Plaid.

The annual Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking by Complex has been released, reflecting the personalities that have dominated the past year. DJ Akademiks, known for his live-streaming and insider knowledge, claimed the top spot.

He gained prominence through his coverage of the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake rap feud, providing live commentary and reactions to diss tracks, and becoming a central figure in the beef.

In second place was Joe Budden, a veteran of the genre and host of the popular Joe Budden Podcast. He is known for his insightful commentary and insider perspective on hip-hop and the industry.

Rounding out the top three is Kai Cenat, a Twitch streamer who has grown his platform exponentially, attracting major artists such as Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott. The Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking aims to showcase the figures who have had the greatest impact in the hip-hop media landscape over the past year.