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Posts tagged as “Hip Hop”

Hip-Hop Legends Eric B. & Rakim to Reunite for 2017 Tour, Album Reissues

By goodblacknews on October 24, 2016
Eric B. & Rakim will reunite for the first time in 24 years when the legendary hip-hop duo embark on a 2017 tour. (Waring Abbott/Michael Ochs Archives)
Eric B. & Rakim will reunite for the first time in 24 years when the legendary hip-hop duo embark on a 2017 tour, Eric B.’s representative, Louis “Uncle Louie” Gregory, confirmed to Rolling Stone Saturday. “Back by popular demand,” Eric B. adds.

In addition to the tour, Gregory says the duo will look to remaster all four of their albums alongside filming new videos for classic tracks like “I Ain’t No Joke” and “Paid in Full.” While there are currently no plans to record new material, Gregory says the legendary group is taking it one step at a time.
“All too often we embrace our icons only after it’s too late,” Gregory tells Rolling Stone. “By having such an important group come together now, it’s an opportunity for parents and their kids to go to a show together and see music that created the foundation for what many of today’s artists were built upon.”
The genesis of the reunion began in July when Eric B. attended Rakim’s headlining benefit set for the Universal Hip Hop Museum in Newark, New Jersey. It was the first time the duo was in the same place for years. “They just started talking and organically reconnecting over time and realizing that they needed to do this,” Gregory says.
The surprise announcement seeped out earlier this week when the verified Eric B. & Rakim Twitter teased, “It’s official. You heard it here first. We are back.”
On Saturday morning, the Twitter feed brought news of the reunion tour, with the duo tweeting “Preparations are under way for #EricBandRakim’s return. It’s been a long time…” and asking where the Eric B. & Rakim tour should “jump off”; New York, Las Vegas, London and Australia were the options provided.
Gregory said that the current plan is a worldwide tour to start next year. He admits it’s too early to ascertain venue sizes, but the duo are looking into playing select festivals as part of the tour.
Eric B. & Rakim recorded four classic albums together – including their influential 1987 LP Paid in Full and its 1988 follow-up Follow the Leader – before splitting up in 1993. Rakim, who inspired an entire generation of rappers, including Nas and Jay Z, embarked on a solo career without reconnecting with his former DJ and partner.
To read full article, go to: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/eric-b-rakim-to-reunite-for-2017-tour-album-reissues-w446291
Additional reporting by Jason Newman

VH1 Taps Ashanti, Keke Palmer, Amber Rose & More for Salt-N-Pepa Tribute Tonight on "Hip Hop Honors"

By goodblacknews on July 11, 2016
Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton, DJ Spinderella and Cheryl ‘Salt’ James of Salt-N-Pepa attend the 2016 MTV Movie Awards at Warner Bros. Studios on April 9, 2016 in Burbank, Calif. (CHRISTOPHER POLK/GETTY IMAGES FOR MTV)

article by Adelle Platon via billboard.com
VH1 is pushing out another stellar tribute for Salt-N-Pepa at this year’s Hip Hop Honors. The network announced on Friday (July 8) that Ashanti, Amber Rose, Keke Palmer and Dreezy will be paying homage to the first all-female rap crew, comprised of Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandy “Pepa” Denton and DJ Spinderella.
The ladies will be shaking their thang (SNP pun intended) alongside other surprise guests for the evening’s tributes to fellow honorees Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah and Lil’ Kim. As previously announced, Pharrell, Timbaland and Nelly Furtado among others will salute Elliot while Common, Da Brat, Naughty By Nature and more will be on-hand to hail Queen Latifah.
Pharrell, Timbaland, Nelly Furtado & More to Honor Missy Elliott at VH1 Hip Hop Honors
VH1 Hip Hop Honors will land at New York’s David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center tonight, July 11, making its comeback after six years.

Kendrick Lamar Pays Homage To N.W.A At Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Event

By goodblacknews on April 9, 2016


Friday night (Apr. 8) was an evening to remember for the members of N.W.A.
Source: Kendrick Lamar Pays Homage To N.W.A At Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Event

A Tribe Called Quest Invites Fans to Phife Dawg Memorial in Queens on April 4

By goodblacknews on April 3, 2016
phife-dawg-memorial
A Tribe Called Quest (CREDIT: Getty Images)
article by Shenequa Golding via vibe.com
While hip-hop still comes to terms with the death of Malik “Phife Dawg” Taylor, surviving members from A Tribe Called Quest announced Sunday (April 3) a memorial would be held in honor of their late lyrical brother.

 READ: A Tribe Called Quest Pens Touching Statement In Wake Of Phife Dawg’s Passing

“Please meet us at St. Albans Park in Queens, NY on April 4th at 10:30am,” Organizers wrote. “The first 200 fans to arrive will receive something very special!”
As Q-Tip famously once said “Back in the day on the boulevard of Linden” both Tip and Phife Dawg grew up in the St. Albans neighborhood of Queens. Since Phife’s death on March 22nd, fans of the funky diabetic have made efforts to rename a street and park where he along with Q-Tip would often go and freestyle.
If you’re planning to attend, please arrive early because all of Queens and hip-hop will be sure to show love to the Five Footer.

Salt-N-Pepa to Headline I Love the ’90s Tour feat. Kid N' Play, Coolio & Others

By goodblacknews on March 30, 2016
Salt-N-Pepa I Love the '90s
Salt-N-Pepa I Love the ’90s (MADISON MCGAW/BFA/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK)

article by Maria Cavassuto via Variety.com

Salt-N-Pepa, Coolio, Kid N’ Play and Vanilla Ice, along with other popular ’90s staples, are joining the I Love the ’90s tour. The tour has already had several sold-out shows this spring. It will be kick into full gear April 15 in Greenville, S.C., and will last through October.
Cheryl “Salt” James told USA Today that the whole experience and the fan reactions have been “surprisingly amazing.”
“It feels like you’re taking people back to a time in their lives that they really enjoyed. It’s just one big ’90s party,” she said.
However, she says Salt-N-Pepa’s performance style has changed since they first started. It’s no longer about entertaining the crowd, but rather having a good time.
“We just have fun with the crowd and the crowd has fun with us,” James said.
See the full tour dates below:
April 15 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secour Wellness Arena
April 16 – Tupelo, MS – BancorpSouth Arena
April 22 – Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
April 29 – Mashantucket, CT – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
May 12 – Bloomington, IL – US Cellular Coliseum
May 13 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena
May 14 – Baltimore, MD – Royal Farms Arena
May 20 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
May 21 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
May 27 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
May 28 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Beach at Mandalay Bay Resort
June 3 – Bonner Springs, KS – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
June 4 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
June 10 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Arena
June 11- Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
June 29 – Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavilion
June 30 – Cleveland, OH – I-X Center
July 1 – Englewood, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 15 – Fayetteville, NC – Crown Coliseum
July 16 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
July 23 – Jackson, CA – Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort
Aug. 6 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
Aug. 12 – West Allis, WI – Wisconsin State Fair
Aug. 13 – Indianapolis, IN – Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park
Aug. 19 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 20 – Toledo, OH – John F. Savage Arena
Aug. 27 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Park
Oct. 20 – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center

Rapper 2 Chainz Donates 5-Bedroom House to Family Of 11 In Need (VIDEO)

By goodblacknews on January 20, 2016
(CREDIT: YouTube)
The profits from 2Chainz’s mega-successful “Dabbin’ Santa” Christmas sweaters is being used for the utmost good. The “Hair Weave Killer” has donated a five bedroom, three bathroom home to a family of 11 through his TRU Foundation.
The TRU (To Reassure U) Foundation is a nonprofit based out of Atlanta which aims to help families living in the Southside of Atlanta and its surrounding areas. 2 Chainz found out about this family in need through a GoFundMe campaign created by Atlanta’s Progression Church, as told in a video posted on Tity Boi’s YouTube Channel. The family, which has nine children including two sets of twins, was living in squalid conditions in a heatless two-bedroom apartment, where they were facing eviction. The father was unable to work due to health conditions.

READ: 2 Chainz Makes $2 Million From “Dabbin’ Santa” Christmas Sweaters; Gives Back to Those in Need

“We ain’t know where we was gonna go,” the family patriarch says. “We was not looking forward to nothing like this. It is way over our head, but we gonna learn how to deal with it. But we thank God for it. … Now we don’t have to cry no more. We don’t have to worry nothin no more.”
2 Chainz, who noted he didn’t want to receive anything from his charitable deed, said that he was looking forward to just helping others who needed it most.
“I’m looking forward to seeing their smiles,” 2 Chainz says. “I’m looking forward to the kids growing up knowing that Uncle 2 Chainz came through. All you gotta do is pray… Keep praying. You gotta have faith. You gotta believe.”
To see the heartwarming video, click below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkUiq0X-ALo&w=560&h=315]
article by J’na Jefferson via vibe.com

ART: Now You Can Take a Virtual Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Nas & Rakim

ART: Now You Can Take a Virtual Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Nas & Rakim

By goodblacknews on January 10, 2016

Nas and Rakim are part of the NY Met's Hip Hop Project (photo via ambrosiaforheads.com)
Nas and Rakim are part of the NY Met’s Hip Hop Project (photo via ambrosiaforheads.com)

Hip-Hop and art have once again merged in an exciting way, thanks to the inventive mind of a graduate student. Regina Flores Mir is the brains behind the Hip-Hop Project, a program being implemented at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that allows visitors to navigate the various collections with guiding narration from MCs. Lyrics from songs by artist including Missy Elliott, Notorious B.I.G., Eric B. & Rakim, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Queen Latifah, and more are used as keywords and then cross-referenced with the Met’s massive archive of art, providing listeners with a Hip-Hop-centric blueprint by which to examine and understand the museum’s collections.
hip hop project
According to the Hip-Hop Project’s website, “although the rap lyric may not be directly correlated to the art work in meaning, it allows visitors to see work that they may not have otherwise known existed,” allowing for the kind of accidental discovery that could inspire Heads to establish bridges between music and art in uniquely individualized ways.
As Kari Paul wrote for Vice’s Motherboard channel, the relationship between the lyrics and pieces of art in question aren’t necessarily straightforward, but are nevertheless engaging. “For example, in ‘Juicy’ when the Notorious B.I.G. says ‘fuck all y’all hoes,’ the Hip-Hop Project pulls up an ancient hoe artifact. Users can click on it and explore this work and others,” she explains. The Hip-Hop Project’s site allows users to experience the museum tour without a trip to the Met, simply by picking a rapper and delving into the lyrical matches to items available for viewing. Heads will also appreciate the website’s domain (www.rappersdelight.nyc).
article by Bonita via ambrosiaforheads.com

Queen Latifah, Jermaine Dupri Team up for New Hip-Hop Lifetime Series "The Rap Game"

By goodblacknews on November 9, 2015
Queen Latifah and Jermaine Dupri (photo via thegrio.com)
Queen Latifah and Jermaine Dupri (photo via thegrio.com)

Queen Latifah and Jermaine Dupri are on the hunt for the next big hip hop sound in the industry.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the duo is putting in work on a new unscripted series called The Rap Game.  The eight-episode series will follow five aspiring young artists navigating the vast Atlanta hip hop scene and mentored by some of the greatest names in the game.
Dupri, who acts as producer on the show, has tapped the likes of Usher, Ludacris, Da Brat, T.I. and Silento to help guide the pupils each week, showing them how to better hone their crafts.
The goal for the young hopefuls is to secure a record contract with So So Def.
article by Matthew Wright via thegrio.com

Salt-N-Pepa Celebrates 30 years in Music With ASCAP Honor This Week

By goodblacknews on October 25, 2015

Exported.;
Members Cheryl James (Salt) and Sandra Denton (Pepa) and DJ Spinderella (Deidre Roper) paved the way for women in hip hop. (photo via dailynews.com)

It’s been 30 years and Salt-N-Pepa is still pushing it.  Cheryl James (Salt) and Sandra Denton (Pepa), who splashed onto the music scene in 1985, will be honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers on Wednesday night.”It feels amazing to be coming up on 30 years in the game and have our work still acknowledged and respected as pioneers in music,” James told the Daily News.
Fresh off of a sold-out show in Winnipeg, Canada, the rap stars said they are still blown away by fans who line up to greet them at the airport .
“I don’t know how they know what flight we’re on, but the fans are always there at baggage claim,” Denton said. “They keep old CDs and other things forever to have us autograph.”
They were once called Super Nature and an answer song to Doug E. Fresh’s “The Show” called “The Showstopper” transformed them from unknowns to nationally-known rap artists.
“The first time we heard that song on the radio we were driving down the boulevard in Queens,” James reflected. “Pep hopped out of the car in the middle of the street and I was screaming at her to get back in the car.”
From that point on the ball kept rolling with top-selling albums including “Hot Cool & Vicious,” “Black’s Magic,” and “Very Necessary.”
Additionally, before the Spice Girls, TLC or Destiny’s Child came along, they owned the girl power theme with songs including “Expression,” “Independent,” “None of Your Business” and “Ain’t Nuthin’ But a She Thing.”
They also inspired a generation of young women to take risks – and nothing says teetering on the edge like coming home with an extreme buzz cut.
“The asymmetrical hairstyle was a hit,” Denton says about her iconic look. “We still have fans coming up to us saying they shaved off their hair. We brought fashion, fun and femininity to hip hop.”
Along with crazy haircuts, came wild threads. A mix of masculine and feminine style elements via slouchy jackets and leotards dictated the trends.

Salt-N-Pepa marks 30 years in music biz with ASCAP "Women in Music" honor.

“Nowadays everyone has a stylist – we were raw; wearing 8 ball jackets with kente hats and spandex,” Denton says. “It’s a quintessential look that everyone loved.”

The duo plans to translate their style into an athletic wear line. “This is Pep’s brilliant baby that was inspired by our song ‘Push It,’” James said. “We are into being healthy and staying motivated.”
James says she’s even gone to a few fitness classes that were themed after the song. “It’s become more than a song; it’s a lifestyle. There are so many obstacles in life that you have to keep pushing through.”
Asked to describe the journey in one word, Denton says “experience,” James, “blessed.”
article by Candace Amos via nydailynews.com

Kendrick Lamar Will Perform ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ Songs At the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra

By goodblacknews on September 30, 2015

Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar (photo via theurbandaily.com)

A live band rendition of To Pimp A Butterfly is in high demand, and you’d have to look no further than Kendrick Lamar‘s performances on Stephen Colbert‘s shows to know why.
Lamar has been performing cuts live with a backing track, but that changes for one day later in October. The star will perform To Pimp A Butterfly songs with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center on October 20, according to the Washington Post. Nas performed with the orchestra last year to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Illmatic.
article by bjosephsny via theurbandaily.com