In 2011, A$AP Rocky (born Rakim Mayers) was a primitive name in the hip-hop scene. Just starting out back then, the 24-year-old MC received high acclaim when he put out his first mixtape Live.Love.A$AP, an impressive introduction. Now, his name is being celebrated for his work on his major label debut, Long.Live.A$AP.
In a recent interview, he told MTV News, "This album is more advanced; it's like [I] graduated," while comparing it to his mixtape. "It took me a year to do it, so everything I've been going through — as far as life inspiration — is all from within this past year after I got my record deal. Live.Love.A$AP [is life] before the record deal and Long.Live.A$AP is after the deal."
Trying to pick the best soundtrack of all time or even the top ten is nearly ....nope, it's just downright impossible. However, what's easier to determine is someone whose films will always, without a doubt, be in that category: Quentin Tarantino. Fight scenes, sexy dancing, over-the-top gore, and badass music are what come to mind when someone mentions a Tarantino film. His latest western-themed movie about bounty hunting and slavery, Django: Unchained, follows suit. While many movies incorporate the same music and scene irony for dramatic effect; one might say Tarantino is the Godfather of cinematic juxtaposition with his music and scene choices and their comparability...or rather, their contrast. Any fan can recall the ear cut-off torture scene with "Stuck in the Middle with You" by Stealers Wheel playing in the background, or Urge Overkill’s cover of Neil Diamond’s Latin-inspired “Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon” as the legendary Mia Wallace overdoses.
Take a close look behind the scenes of how Jay Z's inaugural concert at Brooklyn's newest sporting and concert area, the Barclay's Center was put together. Fans can catch an intimate side of Jay and even catch his infamous subway ride to close out his eight show run in his hometown. A must-watch moment is his chat with an older woman he meets on the train. Watch below.
A new wave of culture is about to hit Brooklyn. The Barclays Center is finally opening its doors to the public. Home to the re-named Brooklyn Nets, the arena is sure to bring a liveliness that the BK has been missing since the Dodger's parted ways for LA in 1957.
The cutting-edge 18,000 seat arena will be formally welcomed with a concert by co-owner of the Nets as well as Brooklyn's own, the one and only, Jay Z. The rap mogel will be taking the reigns of with an eight night residency starting Friday, Sept. 28 until Oct. 6th. Upcoming events inlcude the Harlem Globetrotters, Barbra Streisand, SENSATION, John Legend and Journey.
About a year and a half after the release of her music video gone viral Gucci Gucci, Kreayshawn (whose real name is Natassia Gale Zolot) enters the big leagues with her major label debut Somethin 'Bout Kreay.
Unlike her breakthrough hit -which was recorded independently- the full length studio album brings a new professional quality to the table and features collaborations with big name acts like Diplo, Kid Cudi, and Boys Noize to name a few.
It's been an exciting past year for the rapper, last May her video Gucci Gucci garnered 3 million views in the first 3 weeks (and is now at nearly 40 million) which lead her to the opportunity to host the red carpet at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. But it hasn't been all positive attention. Her now defunct rap crew White Girl Mob caught some heat for using the 'N' word (you know the one, "Nachos") in songs and she actually found herself caught up in a strange beef with rapper Rick Ross after calling him fake several times. Following that and a misunderstanding between her and fellow up-comer Azalia Banks (the two are now planning a collaboration), Kreayshawn claims her new album, holds back from dissing anyone at all, stating "The subjects fly around from nonsense to making too much sense and people might think I'm dissing people, but I'm not dissing anyone,"
As the world awaits “Cruel Summer," the collaborative album/short film feature from Kanye West’s record label G.O.O.D (Getting Out Our Dreams), their latest music video “Mercy” offers some insight as to what audiences can expect. Directed by Nabil Elderkin, a longtime friend and collaborator of West’s, “Mercy’s” visual accompaniment is an ode to minimalist art. From the horizontal stripes and steps that run the length of the Qatar parking lot to the negative space angles created by each posed rapper---this is an anti-rap video. It gives audiences a glimpse of what's been inspiring Kanye West as of late (middle-eastern culture), while eschewing the ennui rap motifs of bouncing cars, video hoes, and flying money. The monochromatic color scheme and wide frame transforms the otherwise ordinary space into a minimalist work of art worthy of the MoMA.
Not many people would immediately connect the term Hip Hop artist with Ivy League school, but that's exactly what Upstate New York's Cornell University had in mind when they named music pioneer Afrika Bambaataa as a visiting scholar for the next three years.
Considered by many to be the "Godfather" of Hip Hop, Afrika Bambaataa (whose real name is Kevin Donovan) forever changed music when his 1982 single "Planet Rock" was released. At the time, a new sound was beginning to emerge which he quickly found himself at the forefront of. The song has been sampled by everyone from Paul Oakenfold to Ice Cube and even now, thirty years later, you can still hear it played in clubs everywhere.
It seems one cannot go out these days without either hearing Trap music being played or hearing someone talking about Trap. Even Snoop recently tweeted about it. But as with any new genre, sometimes it can be difficult to understand or define what exactly makes it that new style of music. Enter Atlanta based Heroes x Villains, whose forthcoming documentary Certified Trap explores its history and evolution while covering some of the main figureheads of the emerging genre.
The Duo behind Heroes x Villains -who have been friends and DJ partners since their teen years- released their first mixtape 'We Off That' on Mad Decent in 2010, featuring several of their own electronic dance music remixes of artists Lil Jon, Waka Flocka Flame, Diplo, Gucci Mane, and many others- putting them on top of the game over night. And that description in itself more or less defines what Trap music is; Dirty South Rap (beats) x EDM (synths) x Deep Sub-Bass.
If you're familiar with Flo Rida, you're probably familiar with his friend and colleague, hip hop artist J. Dash. Also from Florida, this artist has recently made a huge splash in the music world with his top-of-the-charts single, "WOP." The single comes off his debut album, Tabloid Truth, and has reached the Top 100 on the Billboard charts. The album is sold exclusively through Wal-Mart. J. Dash chats with us about his past musical experience, his new album, and the lovely ladies of his life.
You are a piano prodigy who records hip hop music. Will we hear you playing piano in any of your tracks?