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THE DIGITAL DEN #6
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THE DIGITAL DEN
May 15, 2024
"The 50 Best Hip-Hop Diss Songs of All Time" is a fascinating article that ranks the top diss tracks in hip-hop history. The article highlights some standout tracks and provides context for each song's release and target. Some noteworthy highlights include:
• 50 Cent's "Piggy Bank" took shots at multiple artists, including Nas, Jadakiss, and Ja Rule.
• UNLV's "Drag Em 'N the River" escalated tensions between Cash Money and Big Boy Records in New Orleans.
• Pusha-T's "Exodus 23:1" called out Lil Wayne's record contract with Cash Money and sparked a beef that continued for years.
• MC Eiht's "Def Wish" series humorously dissed DJ Quik, referring to him as a bikini-clad DJ.
• Sheff G's "No Suburban" was a pioneering track in the New York drill scene, specifically targeting 22Gz.
• Drake's "Push Ups" showcased his impressive ability to multitask, taking shots at multiple rappers including Kendrick Lamar, Future, and Rick Ross.
• Eminem's "Killshot" put an end to his beef with Machine Gun Kelly, labeling the young rapper as outmatched.
• Nas' "Stillmatic Freestyle" was a fitting warmup to his album "Stillmatic," going after Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records.
• Beanie Sigel's "Put Ya Hands Up" cleverly flipped the script on Jadakiss, calling out his shiny suits and choice of photoshoots.
• LL Cool J's "Dear Stan" hilariously parodied Eminem's song "Stan," taunting his protege Stan Spit.
• Lauryn Hill's "Lost Ones" called out Wyclef Jean and his motivations for fame and fortune.
These diss tracks have become legendary in the hip-hop landscape and showcase the genre's competitive nature and ability to turn personal conflicts into compelling art.
Former President Obama recently took a side in the rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, showing his support for Lamar in a 2016 interview. Obama praised Lamar's lyrics and referred to his album "To Pimp a Butterfly" as the best of the previous year. The clip of Obama's endorsement went viral this week as the feud between the two rappers escalated. Both artists released diss tracks against each other, sparking intense conversation in the hip hop community. Obama has long praised Lamar as one of the greatest musicians of the modern era and has included his music on his playlists. Lamar, who won a Pulitzer Prize in Music in 2018, responded to Drake's disses with his own tracks, addressing accusations and taking shots. The ongoing beef has captivated hip hop fans, who eagerly await Lamar's next response.
Ice Cube's influence in hip-hop is undeniable and has left a lasting impact on many artists in the genre. Some highlights from the article include:
• Ice Cube rose to fame in the late '80s as part of N.W.A.
• His lyrical style and approach to delivery have influenced many contemporary hip-hop artists.
• Kendrick Lamar has cited Ice Cube as a significant influence on his music, with similarities in their content and approach.
• The Game has referenced Ice Cube's solo work and N.W.A. in his own music, and even has an N.W.A. tattoo.
• El-P of Run the Jewels bonded with Killer Mike over Ice Cube's album "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted."
• Logic paid homage to Ice Cube by covering his song "It Was a Good Day."
• Quavo of Migos was inspired by Ice Cube to pursue a career in acting.
In this exciting article, we explore the entrepreneurial endeavors of five South African rap superstars and their side hustles beyond the mic. Here are some highlights:
• Cassper Nyovest, not only a rap king but an empire builder, has his own clothing line called Root of Fame and a liquor brand called Billiato. He's even working on a secret project that could make him South Africa's first hip-hop billionaire.
• Nadia Nakai, a rap queen, has her own makeup line called "Naked Without" and has partnered with Vodacom for her podcast "Hello Bragga."
• Shane Eagle has partnered with major brands like Pepsi, NBA, Nike, and YSL Beauty, extending his reach and tapping into new markets.
• Nasty C has delved into the world of fashion with his captivating Ivyson merchandise line.
• Despite criticism, Boity is standing strong with her BT Signature sparkling drink, offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
These rappers are not only making waves in the music industry but also showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity in various business ventures. With their dedication and fan support, there's no stopping them on their path to success.
Foot Locker and adidas have partnered for a new campaign called "Start with Sneakers", featuring musician Coi Leray as the star of the first installment. In the ad, Leray is seen styling adidas Originals sneakers with various outfits, showcasing how to stay fashionable this season. Leray expressed her excitement about collaborating with Foot Locker and adidas, stating that sneakers have always been a source of expression for her. The ad was released alongside Leray's latest single, "Lemon Cars," and serves as the title track for her upcoming EP, set to be released on May 24. The EP is executive produced by Mike WiLL Made-It and will include previous singles like "Can't Come Back" and "Wanna Come Thru." Leray's previous project, Blue Moon, was released in August 2023 and received critical acclaim.
In an exciting turn of events, J. Cole has been spotted chilling on the beach amidst the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. After bowing out of the feud, Cole has been living his best life, and fans have been cracking jokes and making memes about his peaceful demeanor. One lucky fan even claimed to have randomly met Cole at the beach and had a 30-minute conversation with him. He revealed that he was working on his new album and expressed that he "doesn't like beef." Cole was also spotted at a burger joint in Queens, further proving that he is unbothered by the drama. While fans find humor in Cole's approach, many agree that protecting his peace was the right choice. Overall, J. Cole's laid-back attitude has left fans impressed and excited for what's to come.
Bilal, Common, Questlove, and Robert Glasper have teamed up to release a new live album titled "Live at Glasshaus." The album, set to drop on June 14, is a mid-career retrospective of Bilal's musical journey. The album was recorded, filmed, and livestreamed from Glasshaus in Brooklyn, NY. The supergroup has already released their first single, "Something to Hold." Questlove is joining the supergroup for the first time, while Common, Bilal, and Robert Glasper have previously performed together. In 2016, they performed a Tiny Desk concert at The White House and performed the Common classic "I Used to Love H.E.R." as well as three new songs. The trio's performance of "Letter to the Free" addressed the prison system and racism in America and was featured in Ava DuVernay's documentary "13th." The upcoming album is part of June's Black Music Month celebration.
Diddy, the rap mogul, has once again taken to social media to spread a message of love amidst his ongoing legal issues. Despite facing lawsuits and a federal investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, Diddy remains active on Instagram. In his latest post, he simply captioned it "LOVE" with a few emojis and shared an image that reads "time tells truth." This post seems to be an attempt by Diddy to proclaim his innocence and reassure fans that the truth will come out in time. However, the comments on the post reflect skepticism and doubt, with fans joking about his potential jail time and expressing their belief that he is guilty. It remains to be seen how Diddy will handle his legal matters while continuing to maintain a social media presence.
Questlove, the multi-medium artist and rap historian, clarified his comments about 2Pac's "Hit Em Up" after facing backlash online. He wanted fans to know that he doesn't think the track is the weakest diss track ever. In an Instagram post, Questlove explained that his comments were taken out of context and that he was actually talking about the musical backdrop of the song, not the song itself. He described the reporting of his comments as a "weird game of telephone" and warned people not to take his words out of context. This clarification comes after Questlove made comments about the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef, claiming that "hip hop is dead" due to their excessive insulting of each other. Fans were not surprised by his comments about "Hit Em Up," as his previous statements had already sparked discussions about the meaning of diss tracks in hip hop. Overall, Questlove wanted to make sure fans understood his true intentions and that his words were not meant to be disrespectful to 2Pac or the song.
The American Museum of Natural History in NYC is currently hosting a groundbreaking exhibition called "Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry." It is the first of its kind, showcasing the jewelry worn by legendary hip-hop icons such as the Notorious B.I.G. and Nicki Minaj. The exhibit celebrates 50 years of hip-hop's cultural influence and features remarkable pieces like Slick Rick's gem-encrusted crown, chains made for Nicki Minaj and Biz Markie, and clocks worn by Flavor Flav. The exhibition is located in the museum's Hall of Gems and Minerals, highlighting the transformation from gemstone to jewelry. Jewelry designer Alex Moss's work is also on display, including A$AP Rocky's 14-karat gold, jewel-encrusted LEGO pendant and a Toronto-inspired piece designed for Drake. The exhibition runs until early January and is a must-see for anyone interested in hip-hop culture and its impact on fashion and style.
The Kendrick Lamar-Drake feud is captivating the world and making a significant impact on the music industry. This rap battle between two of the biggest names in hip-hop has been brewing for over a decade and has recently escalated with the release of diss tracks. The feud has addressed weighty themes such as racial identity, authenticity as artists, and the treatment of women and minors. Both artists have made it to the Billboard Top 10, with Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" debuting at number one. The beef between Kendrick and Drake has employed social media and technology in new ways, creating a participatory feedback loop on platforms like Twitter. The intensity and rigor of their exchange has captured the attention of fans, even those not typically into hip-hop music. This battle has solidified their positions as two of the best in the genre and will likely be debated by their fanbases for a long time to come.
The American Museum of Natural History is hosting a new exhibition called "Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry" featuring custom-made jewelry worn by famous musicians. The exhibition spans five decades and showcases pieces from hitmakers such as Drake, Bad Bunny, Nicki Minaj, Slick Rick, and Notorious BIG. Some highlights from the article include:
• The exhibition features jewelry made by legendary New York City jewelers, including Tito Caicedo of Manny's New York, who created Biggie's iconic diamond-studded Jesus piece.
• The exhibition spans five decades and begins with oversized gold chains from the 1970s and 80s.
• From the 90s, standout pieces include a diamond-encrusted "QB" pendant made by Caicedo for rapper Nas and a diamond-studded Roc-A-Fella medallion made for Jay-Z's record label.
• The exhibition also features key pieces worn by Nicki Minaj, Drake, and other artists.
• Jeweler Ashna Mehta set 54.47 carats of diamonds in an 18k-karat-gold Barbie pendant outlined with pink enamel that cost "hundreds of thousands" for Nicki Minaj.
• New York City-based jeweler Alex Moss created extravagant pieces for Drake, including "The Crown Jewel of Toronto," featuring Toronto's CN Tower being climbed by mascots from the city's sports teams.
• Moss also made a bellhop pendant necklace for Tyler, The Creator and a 14-carat gold-and-diamond grenade-clock for A$AP Rocky's music video.
• Alligator Jesus, a Hollywood jeweler, created a custom grill for Bad Bunny with 14-carat white gold, diamonds, and rhodium-plating.
Overall, the "Ice Cold" exhibition celebrates the artists, jewelers, craftsmen, and everyday people who contributed to the storied history of hip-hop jewelry.
In this article, Singersroom highlights the top 15 white rappers of all time, celebrating their contributions to hip-hop and their influence on the genre. The article explores how these white rappers have defied stereotypes and reshaped the genre with their lyrical prowess and cultural impact. Some of the highlights include:
• Eminem, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential white rappers, rising from the gritty streets of Detroit and breaking into the mainstream with his album "The Slim Shady LP."
• Mac Miller, known for his smooth, introspective style and versatile musicianship, gaining fame with his debut album "Blue Slide Park."
• The Beastie Boys, pivotal figures in the development of hip-hop, blending rap with punk rock elements and earning a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Machine Gun Kelly, a prominent figure in contemporary rap and rock music, known for his versatility and distinctive style.
• Lil Dicky, a unique and comedic voice in hip-hop, blending sharp wit with complex rhymes and addressing a range of topics through his music and TV show.
• And more, including Action Bronson, Asher Roth, Mike Shinoda, El-P, Aesop Rock, R.A. the Rugged Man, NF, Twenty One Pilots, Yelawolf, and G-Eazy.
These white rappers have left an indelible mark on the landscape of rap music, pushing boundaries and inspiring future generations with their innovation, passion, and dedication.
Rappers are often seen as bold and unapologetic, but there have been times when they have had to apologize for their actions. In this article, we explore 11 instances where rappers have publicly expressed remorse and sought forgiveness. Here are some highlights:
• J. Cole apologized for dissing Kendrick Lamar in his song "7 Minute Drill," admitting that it was a mistake and even removing the song from streaming services.
• Soulja Boy apologized for releasing a song with anti-patriotic lyrics towards the U.S. Army, expressing regret for his words and apologizing to the troops.
• Cam'ron sparked outrage with his "Stop Snitchin'" mentality during a 60 Minutes interview, but later issued an apology, acknowledging the offensiveness of his remarks.
• 21 Savage apologized for lyrics in his song "ASMR" that were deemed offensive to the Jewish community, expressing remorse and clarifying his intentions.
• Lil Pump apologized for derogatory remarks about the Asian community in his song "Butterfly Doors," stating that he meant no harm and pledging love for all.
• Doja Cat addressed past insensitive remarks on social media, apologizing for any offense she may have caused and emphasizing her pride in her Black heritage.
• Lil Mama crashed Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, but later apologized, expressing admiration for the artists and offering an explanation for her actions.
• Lil Nas X apologized for a TikTok video where he consumed communion elements dressed as Jesus, acknowledging that he went too far in the visuals but defending his intentions.
• Kanye West has had to apologize multiple times for his controversial statements and outbursts over the years, expressing regret for his comments about George Bush and his interruption of Taylor Swift's speech.
• The Game issued an apology to his former mentor, 50 Cent, after a public falling out, expressing regret and seeking reconciliation.
• Kid Cudi punched a concertgoer in the face after being provoked, but later apologized and offered an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City as a gesture of peace.
These instances show that rappers are not immune to making mistakes and that they're capable of recognizing and apologizing for their wrongdoings. It also reminds us that vulnerability can coexist with bravado in the world of hip-hop.
