MicDrop 21

Hip Hop Weekly Newsletter

March 04, 2024

Ghetts' latest album, "On Purpose, With Purpose," lives up to expectations and showcases his growth as an artist.

With innovative production from TenBillion Dreams and collaborations that push his boundaries, Ghetts delivers a powerful and diverse body of work that solidifies his status as one of the UK's best MCs.

De La Soul released a special 35th anniversary edition of their debut album "3 Feet High and Rising," which includes previously unreleased "home demos."

The album comes with four bonus tracks and celebrates the group finally making their early albums available on streaming services.

Donna Summer's music has been a goldmine for hip-hop artists looking to sample her iconic disco tracks.

However, Kanye West recently found himself in legal trouble for sampling one of Summer's songs without permission.

While we wait to see how the case unfolds, let's take a look at some of the best Donna Summer samples in hip-hop, including tracks by The Game, Tyga, and Nas.

In an exclusive excerpt from the book "The Freaks Came Out to Write: The Definitive History of the Village Voice," author Tricia Romano explores how the Village Voice revolutionised music journalism and championed hip-hop in the 1980s.

The excerpt highlights the paper's coverage of rap music and the influential role of music critic Robert Christgau in shaping the genre's coverage.

In the latest episode of rapper Blade's 05:21 show, DJ Jazz T shares his valuable insights on the importance of self-belief and avoiding the negativity brought by the BS.

Get ready for an empowering discussion that will inspire you to overcome obstacles and focus on your own greatness.

Ja Rule expressed his disappointment after being denied entry into the UK due to his criminal record, just days before his 25th anniversary tour was scheduled to begin.

The rapper had spent a significant amount of money on the production of the tour and expressed his frustration on Instagram.

In an engaging interview with the members of The Pharcyde, the hip-hop luminaries discuss the dynamic between gangster rap and underground hip-hop in the 90s.

They also speak about their influences growing up, and their relationship with weed, including an entertaining anecdote about getting too high.

British rapper Giggs has seemingly responded to rumours that he is Diddy's fixer in London. After speculation began circulating online.

Giggs took to social media to shut down the gossip, reminding people not to play with him.

He clarified that he is not connected to the allegations made in the latest lawsuit against Diddy.

Two men, Karl Jordan and Ronald Washington, have been found guilty of murdering Run-DMC rapper Jam Master Jay in 2002.

The murder case had gone unsolved for over 20 years, but prosecutors charged Jordan and Washington with murder in 2020.

The two men face at least 20 years in prison and a maximum of life for the killing of the hip-hop star.

In an interview with Highsnobiety, André 3000 revealed that Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest inspired his first rap name.

André and Big Boi were huge fans of Tribe growing up, and André initially called himself Jahz as a tribute to Q-Tip before settling on Dré and eventually André 3000.

André also credited Q-Tip for introducing a generation of kids to a forgotten music and admired how Tribe incorporated jazz samples into their music.

The article also mentions the deep ties between OutKast and A Tribe Called Quest, with André 3000 revealing that the groups had discussed making an album together.