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- THE DIGITAL DEN #16
THE DIGITAL DEN #16
🎤 Welcome to The Digital Den - Your Weekly Hip-Hop Herald 🎤
THE DIGITAL DEN
July 31, 2024
Metro Boomin, the Grammy-nominated music producer, has had an incredible journey from being a Morehouse College student to amassing an estimated net worth of $45 million. His success stems from his close partnership with rapper Future and his impressive production skills.
While Metro Boomin's work primarily falls within the Rap and Hip-Hop genres, his music is influenced by a diverse range of inspirations, from pop icons like Michael Jackson to the dark, moody vibes of horror movies.
Metro Boomin's career took off when Future and his team responded positively to his beats, leading to a close working relationship.
Despite admitting that he needed to drop out of school to fully pursue music, Metro Boomin recognizes the privilege it was to attend Morehouse College and has since established a scholarship fund for high school students. He also shares his knowledge and helps aspiring producers in their careers.
With recent releases and several albums in the pipeline, Metro Boomin shows no signs of slowing down. He recently sold a portion of his catalog for almost $70 million, further solidifying his position in the industry.
His continued success and dedication to his craft are paving the way for a bright future.
In a recent interview, award-winning rapper Yung Gemini made some scathing remarks about fellow female artists in the Zimbabwean hip-hop scene. She dismissed Noluntu J as irrelevant and unknown, claiming that talking about her is just free marketing.
Gemini also targeted Natasha Muz, stating that she lacks a recognizable brand. These comments have sparked a potential feud in the already competitive female hip-hop landscape.
It remains to be seen how Noluntu J and Natasha Muz will respond to Gemini's attacks and whether this will escalate into a full-blown feud. Despite the controversy, Gemini is set to perform at this year's Shoko Festival in September.
Stay tuned to see how this drama unfolds in the coming weeks.
Get ready, hip-hop fans! Montreal is hosting a free block party featuring Ghostface Killah from the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. The event is organized by Harlem of the North and will take place at Vinet Park in Little Burgundy on August 3rd.
Last year, the block party celebrated hip-hop's 50th anniversary and this year, it's back and bigger than ever with Ghostface Killah as the headliner. The goal is to create an authentic outdoor hip-hop experience that pays homage to the block parties that shaped the culture in its early years.
The event will also feature performances by Quebec-based artists, including Chung and DJ Whoo Kid. With its diverse lineup and energetic atmosphere, this block party is sure to be a must-attend event for all hip-hop enthusiasts.
Soulja Boy, the celebrated rapper and record producer, is turning 34 on July 28, 2024. Known for his hit single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," which topped the charts in 2007, Soulja Boy has made a significant impact on the music industry.
He has released several successful albums and has even been nominated for a Grammy Award. In addition to his music career, Soulja Boy is also an entrepreneur, owning his own record label and clothing line.
Despite facing hardships and controversies throughout his career, Soulja Boy always bounces back and continues to make waves in the industry. He is also a trendsetter, using social media and digital marketing to his advantage.
As we celebrate Soulja Boy's birthday, we recognize his undeniable talent and success.
Diljit Dosanjh and NLE Choppa have released their new hip-hop track "Muhammad Ali," combining Punjabi flair with American hip-hop. The song, which dropped on July 26, encourages listeners to defy the odds.
It features dynamic verses and electrifying beats, showcasing the collaboration of Dosanjh's global Punjabi icon status and NLE Choppa's young talent. The lyrics, penned by Dosanjh, Choppa, and Chani Nattan, bring the spirit of resilience and empowerment to life.
The music video, accompanying the release, showcases the vibrant energy of the song. "Muhammad Ali" marks Dosanjh's second global collaboration this year and solidifies his position as an international star.
Overall, the track is an exhilarating fusion of cultures and styles that is sure to captivate fans worldwide.
In an unfortunate turn of events, rapper-actor Chino XL has passed away at the age of 50. His family announced the news on his Instagram account, stating that he died peacefully at his home.
Although the cause of death was not revealed, his daughters expressed their feelings of peace knowing that their father is at peace. Chino XL had a successful career, with notable albums such as "Here to Save You All," "I Told You So," and "Poison Pen.
" He collaborated with artists like Kool G Rap, Proof, J. Dilla, and B-Real, and also made appearances in TV shows and movies.
The hip-hop community has been pouring out their support, with Ice-T remembering Chino as not only an incredible MC but also as a truly great man. The loss of Chino XL is deeply felt, but his legacy will live on through his music and the impact he had on those around him.
Rest in peace, Chino XL.
In this exciting article, the author highlights the 10 hip-hop albums that have achieved diamond certification, selling over 10 million album-equivalent units. These albums have made a permanent mark on hip-hop and have influenced the genre in remarkable ways.
Some of the iconic 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," and Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
" The article also mentions Eminem's achievement of having two solo diamond studio albums with "The Eminem Show" and "The Marshall Mathers LP." The author celebrates the impact and success of these albums, showcasing the incredible talent and lasting legacy of these artists in the hip-hop industry.
Hip-hop legends Common and Pete Rock have finally released their joint album, titled 'The Auditorium Vol.1', which has been highly anticipated by fans.
The album features incredible beats, rhymes, and a strong sense of life, fulfilling all expectations of a great hip-hop album. Common and Pete Rock, both respected artists in their own right, have created a collection of songs that capture the essence of their past work while remaining relevant to the present day.
The album showcases Pete's impressive production skills, creating a vintage sound with modern elements that impress in 2024 just as much as they did in 1992. Meanwhile, Common's lyricism shines through, reminding listeners of his skills as an MC and showing his growth as an artist.
'The Auditorium Vol.1' is a standout album that exhibits the best qualities of both artists, and fans couldn't have asked for a better collaboration.
In an exciting new music video, rising Portuguese Hip-Hop star Nenny shows us how to handle the haters in her song 'Normal'. The vibrant artist, known for her powerful performances and representing musically-inclined Portuguese Afrodescendants, wows viewers with her choreography-heavy performance and celebrates with friends at the dinner table.
Nenny has been making waves globally, with previous performances on COLORS, Tiny Desk Meets AFROPUNK, and at Afro Nation in Portugal. She is set to release her first English album soon, and her talent and determination are evident in her rise to success.
Don't miss out on this rising star - check out the official music video for 'Normal' and get ready to be mesmerized by Nenny's talent and infectious energy.
Nelly, the Grammy-winning rapper, has built a diverse business portfolio that has helped him maintain a net worth of $70 million. Alongside his successful music career, Nelly has ventured into various entrepreneurial endeavors.
He launched the record label Derrty Entertainment in 2003, which brought him further success and allowed him to sell 50% of his catalog for $50 million. Nelly sees this move as a way to build generational wealth.
In addition to his music ventures, Nelly has also launched a moonshine brand called MoShine and a women's clothing jean brand called Apple Bottoms, which generated over $150 million in revenue. Furthermore, Nelly partnered with Mark Cuban to launch Three Commas, a T-shirt clothing line.
Despite his success in business, Nelly has not left music behind and recently signed with WME for global representation. With his diverse business portfolio, Nelly continues to thrive and give back to the community.
In this article, the author discusses the ongoing debate about what constitutes "real hip-hop." He cites the recent interview with Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), where Bey criticized Drake's music, calling it "pop" and comparing it to shopping at Target.
The author reflects on his own evolution in understanding the hip-hop genre, acknowledging that the conversation about "real hip-hop" has always been ridiculous. He praises Drake for his ability to rap when he wants to, and recognizes him as one of the top artists in the genre.
The author also acknowledges the influence of generational differences and regional preferences in shaping the conversation. Ultimately, the article asserts that Drake is a valid torchbearer for hip-hop, even if some older fans may not appreciate his style.
This article highlights 15 first-generation American rap artists who proudly represent their cultural backgrounds within the hip-hop industry. Artists like Nicki Minaj, French Montana, and 21 Savage all come from diverse backgrounds and infuse their heritage into their music, style, and performances.
Nicki Minaj, for example, was born in Trinidad and Tobago before moving to the United States as a child. Similarly, French Montana hails from Morocco and has been vocal about his North African background.
Wale, on the other hand, embraces his Nigerian heritage through his music and interviews. These artists showcase the melting pot that is hip-hop culture and use their platforms to bring attention to their unique backgrounds.
With their vibrant personalities and distinctive musical styles, these first-generation American rap artists captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the industry.
Lil Wayne has released a new song with Cordae called "Saturday Mornings," where he once again asserts his status as the greatest rapper of all time. The track, produced by Smoko Ono and BoogzDaBeast, features a chopped soul sample and dusty drums, creating the perfect backdrop for the two rappers to exchange boastful lyrics.
Lil Wayne's guest verse includes lines like "I'm the G.O.
A.T.
, n-gga, you a sacrificial lamb," while Cordae raps about his close relationship with Jay-Z and his ambitions for the future. "Saturday Mornings" is the first single from Cordae's upcoming album, and he recently teased the project on Instagram with a video of himself playing chess and carrying his young daughter.
Lil Wayne is not the only rapper claiming the G.O.
A.T.
title recently, with Eminem also asserting his belief on his latest single. Overall, this collaboration between Lil Wayne and Cordae is an exciting showcase of their lyrical skills and confidence in their craft.
In 2024, Nas celebrates the 30th anniversary of his debut album "Illmatic," and he is still at the top of his game. The iconic rapper has had a successful career in the music industry, earning 17 Grammy nominations and winning Best Rap Album in 2021.
But Nas's success extends beyond music. He has made 44 personal investments, including in companies like Magic Spoon and Coinbase, and is a co-founder of Queensbridge Venture Partners.
His most recent business move involves the redevelopment of Resorts World in New York City into a Las Vegas-style casino. With a net worth of $70 million, Nas has proven himself to be a savvy entrepreneur and investor.
Despite his maturity and growth, Nas continues to thrive and achieve residual success in all facets of his career.