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Weekly Flow: Inside Hip-Hop's Evolving Echo

November 06, 2023

J. Cole Faces Fan Backlash for Embracing 'Trash' New Rappers

J. Cole is facing criticism from fans after he expressed support for the new generation of rappers.

In a recent podcast appearance, Cole explained that his previous criticism of new rappers was not limited to just them, but extended to all rappers in every generation.

He admitted that he had once been a "hater" but learned to appreciate different styles of music.

While some fans praised Cole for his open-mindedness, others called him out for condoning what they perceive as "trash" music.

Despite embracing the new generation, Cole still considers legends like JAY-Z and 2Pac as his inspirations.

The Alchemist Crowns Prodigy the G.O.A.T. Rapper: Here's Why

Hip-hop producer The Alchemist has proclaimed Prodigy as the greatest rapper of all time (G.O.A.T) during an interview with Complex's GOAT Talk series.

The producer cited Prodigy's ability to break rules, his vocal tone, and his unique writing style as reasons for his choice.

The Alchemist also reminisced about their collaborations, including the albums "Return of the Mac" and "Albert Einstein".

Prodigy, who was a member of Mobb Deep, passed away in 2017, but The Alchemist promised to continue his legacy.

Get ready for the wild ride of Ol' Dirty Bastard's life in this new podcast!

Get ready for the launch of the new podcast series, "ODB: A Son Unique," which will narrate the rise and fall of Ol' Dirty Bastard, the "secret weapon" of the Wu-Tang Clan.

The series will be hosted by Khalik Allah, who had a personal relationship with ODB and will offer first-hand accounts of the rapper's life.

The podcast will also include archived audio from ODB and interviews with various individuals connected to him.

This podcast will give fans a new perspective on the profound life of Ason Unique.

Legendary Rapper Tupac Shakur Honoured with Oakland Street Name 27 Years Later

After 27 years, a street in Oakland, California has been renamed Tupac Shakur Way in honour of the late rapper.

The renaming ceremony included speeches from Shakur's family members and MC Hammer, who spent time with Shakur before his death in 1996.

Shakur's sister emotionally addressed the crowd, expressing her hope that Tupac's spirit would live on in the streets and in their hearts.

City Councilwoman Carroll Fife, who led the effort to rename the street, emphasised how Tupac embraced Oakland as his hometown.

The ceremony took place just after a former gang leader pleaded not guilty to orchestrating Shakur's shooting death.

Unknown T & Digga D Team Up for Explosive New Track Adolescence feat. UK Rap OGs

Unknown T and Digga D have released a new track titled "Adolescence" which samples the instrumental from Giggs and Dubz's 2007 hit "Pain Is The Essence."

The song pays homage to UK rap history and showcases the duo's storytelling abilities as they share stories from their younger years.

The track was well-received by both Giggs and Dubz, who introduced the song and offered their blessings.

The accompanying music video, directed by Dir.Lx, features dark and moody visuals that match the tone of the song.

DJ Kool Herc Finally Gets the Recognition He Deserves at Rock Hall Induction

DJ Kool Herc, one of the founding fathers of hip-hop, was honoured with the Musical Influence Award at the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

LL Cool J praised him for hosting the party in 1973 that is considered the birthplace of hip-hop.

Herc, whose real name is Clive Campbell, was emotional during the ceremony and thanked his sister and the artists who influenced him.

This induction is particularly fitting as hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Normski: Capturing the Power of UK Hip-Hop's Golden Era with Candid Photographs

UK photographer Normski reflects on his career documenting hip-hop and acid-house scenes in his new book, "Normski: The Man With The Golden Shutter."

The book is a memoir and photo album that captures the energy, creativity, and impact of these influential music genres.

Normski recounts memorable experiences, such as interviewing Queen Latifah atop the Empire State Building and photographing Ice Cube at his mother's house in California.

Through his photographs, Normski takes readers back to a time of cultural transformation and showcases the power of music to shape youth culture.

Missy Elliott Makes History as First Female Rapper Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Missy Elliott has become the first female rapper to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Queen Latifah giving her an introductory speech.

In her emotional induction speech, Elliott thanked the trailblasing female rappers who came before her and inspired her career.

She also expressed gratitude to those who have supported her along the way, including her mother, Timbaland, and the committee from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Elliott's induction marks a significant milestone for hip-hop in the music industry.

Loyle Carner: The Authentic and Poignant Voice Shaking Up the Rap Scene

Loyle Carner is gaining recognition for his poignant, personal, and political music. His album Hugo tackles themes of heritage, identity, climate change, and racism.

Unlike the stereotypes often associated with rap, Carner is disarmingly honest and introspective in his lyrics.

He draws inspiration from his upbringing, which was filled with strong women who encouraged open discussions about their feelings.

Carner's music is a deviation from the traditional rap genre and stands out for its quality and authenticity.

With his raw vulnerability and stage presence, Carner is an artist worth paying attention to.

From N.W.A. to Lamar: How Hip-Hop Music Shaped Social Justice Movements

Hip-hop music has had a significant impact on social justice issues throughout its 50-year history.

Artists like N.W.A. , Tupac, and Kendrick Lamar have used their music to shed light on the problems faced by the Black community.

N.W.A.'s album "Straight Outta Compton" tackled themes of institutionalised racism, violence, and police brutality. Tupac's "All Eyez on Me" addressed drugs, misogyny, and political consciousness.

Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly" touched on issues like police brutality and the resiliency of Black lives.

These albums have become anthems for protests and have united the Black community in their fight for justice.

Murkage Dave Drops 'The City Needs... Part Deux' - A Musical Masterpiece of Identity and Friendship

Murkage Dave, an East Londoner, has released his new album 'The City Needs... Part Deux', which is a follow-up to his acclaimed album 'The City Needs A Hero'.

The album explores themes such as identity, escapism, self-belief, and friendship. Dave collaborated with a diverse group of producers on the project.

To celebrate the album's release, Dave has announced a one-off acoustic show called 'One Night In Hackney: Murkage Dave Unplugged'.

The album features guest appearances from Jaykae, Teef, and Lioness, and takes listeners on a journey through poignant, personal, and playful moments in Dave's artistry.