hip hop
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The ‘Best Rapper Alive’ Title Is Some Overused Bullshit
As a writer and English teacher, I’m forced to come to grips with the ever-(d)evolving way we approach our language. We’ve managed to squeeze zeitgeist-y words like “LOL” and “YOLO” into the dictionary and our vernacular. Words and phrases like “I could care less” and “irregardless” are no longer as subject to deserving scrutiny as…
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Jay-Z Announces 4:44 Tour
Fresh off the success of the release of the album 4:44, and just in time for every blond-haired entertainment reporter to open Monday night’s episode with something corny like, “He may have 99 problems but ticket sales ain’t one,” Jay-Z has announced plans for an upcoming North American tour. According to Rolling Stone, the 31-city…
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These Blackface-Wearing, N-Word-Spewing Culture Vultures Would Like to Teach Your Kids About Hip-Hop
Please pardon me while I take a deep breath and decide how I want to tell you this story. It has so many layers, and I want to get it right. Maybe I should tell you about the lady who wants to pull a Kylie and Kendall by taking ’90s-era hip-hop artists, putting her name…
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Rock Music Doesn’t Have an Age Limit; Neither Should Hip-Hop
It took 47 years for Jay-Z to take his mask off. On his newly released 13th studio album, 4:44, he speaks to us as Shawn Corey Carter instead of Jay-Z for the first time. He speaks to us as a father and a husband. He speaks to us about the guilt, fear and regret he…
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Fighting for the Fairy Tale: 4:44 and the Power of Vulnerability
Look, I apologize, often womanizedTook for my child to be bornTo see through a woman’s eyes … It’s the public apology some have been anticipating since the release of Beyoncé’s Lemonade, her seemingly confessional opus, almost entirely themed on surviving the pain of infidelity. Aside from being a groundbreaking hit, the visual album inevitably rekindled…
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Young Thug to Donate Proceeds From NYC Show to Planned Parenthood
On Thursday, rapper Young Thug announced that he would be donating all the proceeds from his concert at Terminal 5 in New York City to Planned Parenthood. The rapper also brought on a few surprise guests, including Ugly God and labelmates Lil Yachty and Dae Dae, W Magazine reports. After the show, he posted on…
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Rap Legend Prodigy From Mobb Deep Dead at 42
Just days after performing on tour in Las Vegas, Prodigy from the rap group Mobb Deep has died at the age of 42. Prodigy, born Albert Johnson, was raised in the Queensbridge Houses of New York City’s borough of Queens and came from a long line of musicians. His grandfather Budd Johnson and great-uncle Keg…
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Jay Z Signs 10-Year, $200,000,000 Contract With Live Nation
Jay Z fans are guaranteed at least 10 more years of live performances after the mogul signed a 10-year, $200 million touring contract with the entertainment company Live Nation. “Over nine years, we have traveled the world producing historic music experiences,” Jay Z said. “This renewed partnership is a testament to our longstanding relationship and…
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This Is Really Weird: Steve Bannon Wrote a Hip-Hop Play
In arguably the most perplexing twist to hit the Trump administration yet—and trust me, I know that’s saying a lot—the internet has unearthed a hip-hop musical about the Los Angeles riots written by white nationalist, chief strategist and real president of the United States, the man whom Trump calls Papa, Steve Bannon. I. Wish. I.…