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- THE DIGITAL DEN #3
THE DIGITAL DEN #3
🎤 Welcome to The Digital Den - Your Weekly Hip-Hop Herald 🎤
THE DIGITAL DEN
April 17, 2024
🎉 As the 50th anniversary of hip-hop approaches, a number of exhibitions and activations have been announced to celebrate the cultural influence and impact of the genre. Some of the events include the "Hip-Hop: Conscious, Unconscious" 👀 exhibition in New York City, which explores the various elements and pioneers of hip-hop; a screening of the classic hip-hop film "Wild Style" 🎥 followed by a block party in June; and "The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century" 🎨 exhibition in Baltimore, which showcases the intersection between hip-hop and fashion, technology, and art. Other exhibitions and events will take place in Nashville, the Bronx, and Seattle, and will cover topics such as the history of sneakers in hip-hop 👟, the impact of Black music 🎵, and the evolution of the mixtape 📼. These celebrations aim to highlight the lasting legacy of hip-hop and its impact on various areas of culture and society. 🎶
🎵 Metro Boomin, one of the most influential producers of his generation, has a net worth of $45 million in 2024. 💰 From his early beginnings in St. Louis, Missouri, Metro Boomin's talent and work ethic have propelled him to success in the music industry. 🎶 Some highlights from his career include:
• Collaborations with top artists such as Drake, Kanye West, and Travis Scott 🎤🎹
• Production credits on hit songs like "Jumpman" and "Bad and Boujee" 🎧💥
• Diversifying his income through partnerships with brands like Nike and Puma 👟📲
• Investments in real estate and technology startups 🏢💻
With his net worth and entrepreneurial spirit, Metro Boomin has solidified his place as one of the most successful producers in the music industry. 💪 His journey is a true testament to his talent and hard work. 👏
Legendary New York DJ Mister Cee, also known as Calvin LeBrun, has passed away at the age of 57. 🎧🎵 He was a staple on New York City radio for over 25 years, hosting shows on Hot 97 and 94.7 The Block where he played classic hip-hop and R&B songs. Mister Cee was instrumental in the career of the Notorious B.I.G., helping to discover and promote him early in his career. 🌟💽 His friend DJ 50 Grand introduced him to Biggie and he passed along his demo tape to The Source magazine, which eventually led to Biggie's inclusion in the magazine's influential Unsigned Hype column. 📝 Mister Cee's cause of death has not been revealed. 😢 He will be remembered as one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time. 🙌💫
Mexican hip-hop artist Santa Fe Klan made a big impact at Coachella, proving that Mexican hip-hop has a place at the festival. 🌟 Some highlights from the article include:
• Santa Fe Klan performed a duet with Peso Pluma and Argentine MC Duki on their 2024 track "No Son Klle." 🤝🎤
• Santa Fe Klan's solo performance on the main stage included a fusion of hip-hop and cumbia. 🎶🎉
• He played the accordion in his opening song and waved the Mexican flag high, expressing his excitement to represent Mexico. 🇲🇽🎹
• Backed by breakdancers, Santa Fe Klan performed his hit songs and brought out Colombian star Nanpa Básico and Mexican rapper Tornillo for special collaborations. 👥💥
• Santa Fe Klan discussed his upcoming music and tour plans, including dropping a new album and experimenting with playing different instruments in his rap songs. 🎶🎸
Overall, Santa Fe Klan's energetic performance showcased the rising prominence of Mexican hip-hop and the artist's unique fusion of musical styles. 🔥💃
🎵 Ebonie Ward is the manager of rapper-producer Future and a leader in the music industry 🌟 Before becoming a manager, she owned a men's clothing boutique in Atlanta and worked closely with the local rap scene. Future encouraged her to join Anthony Saleh's Emagen Entertainment Group, where she eventually became Future's main manager. Ebonie has been instrumental in Future's success, helping with the viral hit "Pushin P" and spearheading Grammy campaigns 🎤 In 2023, she opened her own management firm, 11th & Co, which is the first management company fully led by Black women 💪 Ebonie is also an activist and sponsors the annual A Seat at the Table event, which celebrates the contributions of young women and emerging executives 🙌 She is dedicated to making sure women's voices are heard in the music industry 👩🎶
Jor'Dan Armstrong, a trailblazer in Christian hip hop and R&B, recently discussed his involvement with elev8.com, a new platform focusing on spirituality and wellness, during an interview with Griff on Get Up Mornings. Jor'Dan expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to be featured on elev8.com and for the exposure it provides for artists like himself. Griff praised Jor'Dan for his influence and his role in revolutionizing Christian hip hop and R&B. Jor'Dan jokingly mentioned feeling like the "old guy" during a recent magazine cover shoot, as he is older than most of the other artists featured. He encouraged listeners to connect with him on his website and social media and thanked them for their support. Overall, Jor'Dan's journey in Christian hip hop and R&B has been a blessing, and elev8.com is providing a platform for artists like him to shine. 🎤🙌🌟
A rap beef can actually be quite 💰profitable💰 for the artists involved, as recent feuds between Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar have demonstrated. After Kendrick Lamar dissed Drake and J. Cole in a surprise verse on a song, all three artists saw a 🔥boost🔥 in their commercial numbers. Radio airplay for each artist increased, and their streaming numbers also went up significantly. This is not the first time that a rap beef has resulted in financial success for artists. In the early 2000s, Nas and Jay Z's rivalry led to albums that saw some of the biggest numbers of their careers. Rappers Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj also experienced a boost in numbers after releasing diss tracks. While some critics argue that beefs can be negative and promote violence, others see them as a natural part of hip-hop culture that fosters creativity and friendly competition among artists. 🎤🔥
G. Dep, who recently finished a 🚔 prison sentence for murder, expressed his desire to work with former label boss Diddy despite the sexual assault allegations against him. In an interview with Fox 5 New York, G. Dep defended Diddy and said that he was unaware of the accusations against him. He also stated that people should give others the benefit of the doubt and that anyone can say anything. G. Dep directly addressed Diddy, stating that he has a lot of 🎵 songs and is looking to collaborate. He also revealed that Diddy never visited him in prison, but did reach out through videos and interviews. G. Dep also discussed why he confessed to the murder, saying that he wanted to restore balance to his life and the victim's family. ✨
Nelly's recent concert at the University of Florida is going viral due to the low turnout. The show, organized by the school's student government, offered free admission to students with a school ID. 😕 However, a video from the event shows mostly vacant seats in the arena. The show was delayed an hour due to the low turnout, but Nelly eventually took the stage with his brother as his hype man. Not many students at the university were familiar with Nelly, as many of them were not even born when he was in his prime in the early 2000s. 😮 Nevertheless, Nelly recently claimed that his era of hip-hop from the early 2000s was the toughest ever, with artists like DMX, JAY-Z, and Eminem competing for spots on the charts. Despite the low turnout at the college concert, Nelly remains a rap legend in the industry. 🎤🔥
🎶 Drake and Kendrick Lamar are involved in a heated beef, and Drake's trolling game is on point. 😂 After dropping his response track to Lamar's "Like That," Drake took to Instagram to post a picture of Anthony Saleh, Lamar's manager, with the caption "wonder is today the day" and some turtle emojis 🐢🐢. This cheeky move implies that Lamar is taking too long to respond to Drake's diss track. However, let's not forget that Drake himself took three weeks to respond to Lamar's initial diss. ⏰ Will Kendrick respond today or will he be chilling? The pressure is on, and the clock is ticking in this epic rap battle. Stay tuned for updates, and let us know what you think of this fiery feud! 🔥🔥
In a recent episode of the No Jumper podcast, Adam22 shared a DM from 🌟Drake🌟 where the Canadian rapper revealed his thoughts on the top figures in hip-hop media. According to Drake, the "Big 3" in hip-hop media are Joe Budden🔥, Adam22🔥, and DJ Akademiks🔥, with DJ Vlad not making the cut. Adam22 had initially asked Drake about the trending topic of Kendrick Lamar downsizing his "Big 3" to just himself on a recent diss track. Drake responded by giving props to Joe Budden👏 over DJ Vlad and mentioning Adam22👏 and DJ Akademiks👏. This revelation comes after Adam22 and Joe Budden exchanged heated words and accusations, with Joe Budden calling Adam22 a "culture vulture" and accusing him of trying to start a beef with him. 😮
Hulu has released the official trailer for the documentary "Hip-Hop and the White House" 🎥, which explores the intersection of hip-hop and presidential politics 🎤🏛️. The film, directed by Jesse Washington, delves into how hip-hop went from being an overlooked urban culture to a significant mainstream force 🌆💥. It features interviews with influential figures in hip-hop, such as Jeezy, Common, YG, and U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters 💪🎙️. The documentary examines the evolution of rap politics and its impact on American youth 👥🌍. It also highlights how hip-hop's connection to the presidency has changed over time, from being ignored to gaining recognition and acceptance 🔄✨. "Hip-Hop and the White House" will premiere on Hulu on April 22nd, just in time for the upcoming election season 📅🗳️. Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of hip-hop's influence on politics 🎵🤝🏼!
Sexyy Red, a breakout hip-hop star, celebrated her 26th birthday this week and received a brand new Corvette as a gift 🎉🎂. The rapper shared pictures and videos of herself posing with the white car, complete with a pink bow 🎁, on social media. Fans were excited about her birthday present and shared their thoughts online. Sexyy Red's career has been on the rise, with her recent single "Get It Sexyy" debuting in the top 25 on the Hot 100 chart 🔥🎵. She has also released a deluxe edition of her debut album, featuring collaborations with artists like Chief Keef and Summer Walker 🎶🎤. Additionally, Nicki Minaj wished Sexyy Red a happy birthday and teased a remix of their song "FTCU" 🎈🔥. Overall, it looks like Sexyy Red had a memorable birthday and her fans are eagerly anticipating her future projects 💯🔥.
🔥 In a recent turn of events, diss tracks have made a comeback in hip-hop. 🎶 Artists like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, and Rick Ross have released tracks that have fans buzzing with excitement. Some highlights from the article include:
• Drake's track "First Person Shooter" featuring J. Cole may have started the viral lyrical battle, as J. Cole declared that they, along with Kendrick Lamar, were the "Big 3" in the industry. 🎤
• Kendrick Lamar responded with his track "Like That," in which he shut down any discussion of the "Big 3" and took shots at Drake. 💣🔫
• J. Cole released a diss track called "7 Minute Drill" directed at Kendrick Lamar but later apologized for the song and removed it from his project. 😬❌
• Drake retaliated with a viral diss track, reportedly titled "Push Ups," in which he lyrically attacked several artists. 🔥🎵
• Rick Ross joined the diss battle with his track "Champagne Moments," in which he insulted Drake and revealed an unconfirmed rumor about him getting a nose job. 🍾😮
• Before all of this, Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj engaged in a lyrical feud. 💥💣
The anticipation for more diss tracks and response songs is high, as fans are excited to see their favorite rappers compete lyrically. 🎵🔥
In this engaging article, the author discusses the recent legal challenges faced by hip-hop moguls Diddy and Russell Simmons, questioning whether a reckoning is coming for men in the industry. The article highlights the following points:
• Russell Simmons received a court summons in Bali 🏝️, where he is currently hiding out, in a defamation of character lawsuit brought against him by Drew Dixon. 📜
• Diddy had all of his homes raided by the Department of Homeland Security, causing speculation about the reason for the raids. 🏚️🔍
• This wave of lawsuits and allegations against hip-hop figures is a result of the now-expired window created by the New York Adult Survivors Act. ⚖️
• The author suggests that the #MeToo movement largely focused on white perpetrators and their white victims, with few Black men being held accountable. 🤝🚫
• The author mentions the cases of Trey Songz, Nelly, and Dr. Dre, who have all faced allegations but remain unscathed. 🎶👨⚖️
• The author questions why it takes so long for allegations to be brought forward and suggests that the world is now more receptive to hearing these stories. ⏰👂
• The author also highlights the challenge of accusing Black men in hip-hop, as there is often resistance from those who want to protect their Black icons. ✊🔒
• The article concludes by suggesting that powerful Black men in hip-hop need to acknowledge their past behavior and work towards restitution and supporting victims. 💪💔
In this article, the author takes a nostalgic look back at some of the most iconic rap album covers of all time ✨🎵 They highlight 18 albums, providing a brief overview of each cover and its significance. Here are some highlights:
• 2 Live Crew's "As Nasty As They Wanna Be" challenged societal norms and censorship with its bold and explicit cover art 🌶️🚫
• DMX's "Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood" captured the raw intensity of the album, featuring a shirtless DMX covered in blood 😈💉
• Juvenile's "400 Degreez" showcased New Orleans style and culture with a vibrant collage that solidified his status in Southern Hip Hop 🎺🎷
• Kanye West's "Graduation" featured artwork by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, symbolizing ambition and achievement 🐻🎓
• Snoop Dogg's "Doggystyle" had a controversial yet memorable cover that became synonymous with West Coast Hip Hop culture 🐶🌴
• Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" displayed her intricately drawn face on a wooden desk, reflecting her artistic vision 🖊️🌟
• The Fugees' "The Score" had a simple but effective cover with individual portraits of each member against a sleek black background ⚫👨🎤👩🎤
• Outkast's "Stankonia" used vibrant, colorful images of the duo against a bleak, monochrome American flag backdrop to question traditional notions of national identity 🇺🇸🌈
• Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" paid homage to Zig-Zag rolling papers and showcased his relationship with marijuana and West Coast Hip Hop 🌿🌴
• Lil Wayne's "Tha Block Is Hot" had a striking visual of a shirtless Lil Wayne in front of a scene depicting police presence, emphasizing themes of resistance and survival 🚓💪
• JAY-Z's "Reasonable Doubt" featured a confident portrait of the artist in his most eloquent boss attire, embodying his hungry and lethal lyricism 🎩🔥
These iconic rap album covers not only served as visual representations of the artists' music but also shaped the trajectory of Hip Hop culture itself 🎨🌍
Hip-hop as we know it would not exist without the innovative producers who craft the instrumental backdrops for rappers. 🎵 Sampling played a large role in the development of the genre, with producers like Dr. Dre and DJ Premier using snippets of old funk records and soul tracks to create unique sounds. Legends like Dr. Dre defined West Coast gangsta rap with his hard-hitting beats, while RZA from Wu-Tang Clan revolutionized hip-hop production by chopping up obscure kung fu movie soundtracks. 🎬 Mannie Fresh, an in-house producer for Cash Money Records, mixed Miami bass influences with driving synthesizers and brass samples to establish a new sonic palette for southern hip-hop. The Neptunes, composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, established their place in hip-hop history by creating infectious grooves and futuristic synthesizers. Other legendary producers include Kanye West, 🌟 DJ Premier, Timbaland, 9th Wonder, J Dilla, Just Blaze, and Metro Boomin. 🎧🔥 These producers have continuously shaped the constantly changing subgenres of hip-hop and will forever be remembered as creative forces in the industry. 🎶🎹
