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- THE DIGITAL DEN #17
THE DIGITAL DEN #17
🎤 Welcome to The Digital Den - Your Weekly Hip-Hop Herald 🎤
THE DIGITAL DEN
August 07, 2024
Ice Cube, the former member of NWA and one of the most influential rappers in history, has surprised many by aligning himself with former President Donald Trump. In an article for Slate, writer Joel Anderson reflects on his disappointment with Ice Cube's recent actions and how they contrast with the rapper's early career as a conscious and politically aware artist.
Anderson recalls attending an Ice Cube concert in 2023, where he felt let down by the performance and the lack of political engagement. The article explores the evolution of Ice Cube's beliefs and the rapper's recent foray into political activism, including his collaboration with Trump on the "Platinum Plan" for Black America.
Anderson concludes that Ice Cube's alignment with Trump is a betrayal of his earlier commitment to fighting for the rights and well-being of Black people, and a stark departure from the values and messages he once represented.
The Game expresses his disappointment for not being included in the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, calling it "brazy fr" and stating that he should have been on stage. As a West Coast rapper and protegé of Dr.
Dre, The Game believes he had the credentials to be a part of the show and feels left out. Many fans and fellow artists agree with him, considering his impact on West Coast music and his collaborations with Dre, G-Unit, and 50 Cent.
This is not the first time The Game has voiced his frustration about being excluded, as he also spoke out about being left off a top 50 rappers list a few years ago. Despite feeling left out, The Game remains motivated to continuously improve his craft and promises to deliver even better projects in the future.
Get ready to celebrate the 51st birthday of hip-hop with a new board game dedicated to the influential group, Wu-Tang Clan. "Shaolin: A Wu-Tang-Inspired Board Game" combines Wu-Tang Clan trivia with a battle mechanic that allows players to immerse themselves in over 30 years of the group's history.
Created by Chill B Games co-founder Tiffany Campolongo, this is the first board game to focus exclusively on a hip-hop artist. In the game, players take on the roles of students training in the Shaolin Temple, with the goal of creating the 36th chamber.
By answering trivia questions, players earn "cream," which can be exchanged for fighting styles. The game features high-quality materials and artwork influenced by classic martial arts films.
With board games becoming a popular medium for storytelling, "Shaolin" aims to preserve the legacy of hip-hop for the next 50 years.
The article discusses the talented loopmaker Aasis Beats, who is responsible for the hit song "BAND4BAND". Released earlier this year, the song trended at #1 on YouTube and charted on Billboards.
Aasis Beats originally composed the main melody of the song and uploaded it to the royalty-free website Looperman. The producers of "BAND4BAND" found the loop on Looperman and used it to create the beat for the hit single.
Despite not being credited for his work due to Looperman's policy, Aasis Beats continues to make waves in the music industry with his sounds. This article highlights the impact of Aasis Beats' work and showcases his success in the industry.
Rapper Nas has announced that he will be bringing the 1984 hip-hop film classic Beat Street to Broadway as a stage musical adaptation. Nas made the announcement at a 40th anniversary screening of Beat Street at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The Grammy-winning artist has joined the creative team for the Broadway adaptation and additional team members will be announced soon. The Beat Street musical will expand on the original film and include new material to complement the film's musical numbers.
Nas described Beat Street as a film that spread the revolution of hip-hop culture throughout the world and inspired generations of young artists. He expressed his excitement to bring the raw energy of hip-hop to Broadway and celebrate the enduring legacy of the film.
Kerala-born rapper HanuMankind is making waves in the global music industry with his hit hip-hop track "Big Dawgs." The track, featuring Kalmi, has garnered over 19 million views on YouTube and is being praised by music enthusiasts, critics, and social media users worldwide.
HanuMankind, also known as Sooraj Cherukat, is gaining recognition for his American accent and unique approach to desi hip-hop. He grew up in Texas before making his debut with the EP "Kalari" and later collaborating with Kalmi on the project "Surface Level.
" The music video for "Big Dawgs," shot in the Well of Death in Kerala, showcases HanuMankind's fearless and authentic style. The rapper's talent has even caught the attention of Anand Mahindra, who praised his sound and videos.
HanuMankind's success with "Big Dawgs" has solidified his place in the rap scene and is a testament to his dedication and risk-taking attitude.
In a recent Twitter feud, DJ Vlad, the creator of VladTV, clashed with Morgan Jerkins, a professor at Princeton University and author. The argument started when DJ Vlad complained about the mixing behind Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us," which received criticism on Twitter.
Jerkins responded by pointing out that DJ Vlad, as a white person, shouldn't voice his opinion about hip-hop. The exchange escalated when DJ Vlad threatened to contact Princeton about the matter, potentially risking Jerkins' job.
This sparked backlash from Twitter users, with some labeling him a "Karen" and others mocking his lack of awareness regarding Jerkins' connection to the music industry. DJ Vlad later claimed he was trolling and apologized to Jerkins for tagging her job in his replies.
The incident has sparked further discussion about the role of white voices in hip-hop discourse.
Japanese rap is experiencing a surge in popularity, with a variety of scenes and genres emerging, including cloud rap and grime. The genre is finally receiving the recognition it deserves, along with some of its most innovative new artists.
In 2022, the first edition of Pop Yours, the nation's dedicated Japanese rap festival, took place with stars like Jumadiba and Cyber Rui performing. The festival has since grown exponentially, attracting bigger acts and a larger audience each year.
Among the rising stars in the Japanese rap scene are Nakamura Minami, known for her girlish vocals and bassy electronic beats; Mezz, who incorporates bilingual lyrics and a unique flow style; and Ajah, whose lyrics are brash and confident, with influences from garage and grime. The future of Japanese rap is promising, with these artists leading the charge.
Red Bull's 64 Bars is returning for its third season, bringing a fresh competitive edge and showcasing South Africa's elite musicians and producers. The series challenges aspiring and established rappers to perform 64 uninterrupted bars of lyrics over their selected beats.
This season introduces a new contest where an up-and-coming rapper will have the opportunity to feature their 64 Bars. The series also celebrates the vibrant and varied hip-hop scene in South Africa.
The Red Bull 64 Bars Booth champion, SirBelow Worldwide, expressed his amazement and appreciation for the experience of having his talent acknowledged by Red Bull. He joins the ranks of celebrated artists like Usmamane, Khuli Chana, A-Reece, and Lady Du.
The series is available on the YFM YouTube channel.
In exciting news for Kendrick Lamar fans, his song "Not Like Us" has become the best-selling song of 2024 in the U.S.
, according to Chart Data. Although the total sales figures for the song are unclear, it reached one million equivalent units in less than two weeks after its release in May and surpassed two million sales the following month.
The song has also accumulated over 800 million plays on Spotify and YouTube alone. Produced by Mustard, "Not Like Us" has topped the Billboard Hot 100 twice and has broken several records previously held by Drake.
Furthermore, the success of the song has had a positive impact on Compton-based Tam's Burgers, which was featured in the music video and has seen an increase in business following its release. With the song being praised as a "hot record" and "amazing artistry," it is also tipped for success at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
If it were to win, it would become the first rap diss song to do so.
MC Stan and King, two popular Indian rappers, have released their highly anticipated debut song, "F*ck What They Say." The track has been met with a great deal of excitement and praise from fans and critics alike.
Known for his raw and powerful lyrics, MC Stan delivers yet again with this bold and unapologetic anthem that celebrates individuality and rejects societal norms. The song's catchy beat and high energy make it an instant favorite, but it's the inspiring lyrics that truly make an impact.
MC Stan and King rap about ignoring the haters, staying true to oneself, and living life on one's own terms. The track's fusion of hip-hop and electronic elements, along with the confident performances of MC Stan and King, make "F*ck What They Say" a must-listen for anyone looking for a new anthem to add to their playlist.
With its empowering message and fabulous production, this song is bound to be a hit.
The year 2024 has been filled with both highs and lows for the hip-hop community. While there have been many exciting moments and accomplishments, there have also been heartbreaking losses.
In the first half of the year, several members of the rap world passed away, leaving a void in the industry. Among the artists we lost are Chino XL, DJ Polo, and Enchanting, who tragically died at young ages.
The hip-hop community came together to mourn their deaths, with artists like Coi Leray, Yella Beezy, and Gucci Mane expressing their condolences. Additionally, Brother Marquis of 2 Live Crew and DJ Mister Cee, an esteemed record spinner, also passed away.
These artists, though not rappers themselves, made significant contributions to the hip-hop community and will be deeply missed. Despite these losses, the hip-hop community continues to thrive and make an impact, with many talented artists carrying on their legacies.
Roland and New Balance have collaborated to create the limited-edition Tiago Lemos NM808 sneakers, which celebrate 808 Day on August 8th and pay homage to skate culture and the iconic TR-808 drum machine. Designed with elements of late 90s fashion and modern skateboarding technology, these sneakers boast a distinctive black colorway with yellow and orange accents.
They feature a reinforced toecap, internal foam pods for a secure fit, and foot-locking straps for style, comfort, and performance. Alongside the sneaker release, Roland and New Balance have also launched a capsule collection of clothing.
To further celebrate 808 Day, Roland is partnering with Twitch for an eight-hour livestream event called "808 Live," featuring performances by legendary DJs and marking the launch of Twitch's new DJ category. The Tiago Lemos NM808 sneakers are now available for purchase on the New Balance website.
Warner Music Group has announced the expansion of its mainland China hip-hop imprint, JUUICE, into the Greater China region of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. As part of this expansion, Warner Music China has signed rapper Bohan Phoenix to the label.
Bohan Phoenix is a bilingual artist who has found crossover success on both sides of the Pacific. He grew up in the US, attended New York University, and then moved back to Chengdu, where he has been instrumental in building up the local hip-hop scene.
Jonathan Serbin, CEO of Warner Music Asia's Greater China division, called Bohan Phoenix "a true original" and praised his ability to capture the dichotomy of his multicultural upbringing. Warner Music plans to support and raise the profile of Chinese-speaking artists from within Greater China and around the world.