All articles tagged with #hip hop
CNN links Tupac Shakur’s frequent reflections on mortality—including his famous line that he has no fear of death—to renewed attention in his 1996 Las Vegas murder case, while recounting his life, his on‑record thoughts about death, and how the East Coast–West Coast feud shaped his legacy and the ongoing trial.
Quality Control cofounder and CEO Pierre 'P' Thomas suffered a heart attack but is alive and receiving medical care; his mother publicly refuted death rumors, claiming someone is to blame and asking for privacy as he recovers, while TMZ coverage and fan speculation continue.
The Hollywood Reporter exclusively premieres the trailer for James McAvoy’s feature directorial debut, California Schemin’, a 2000s-set true‑story about two Scottish rappers who pose as Californians to land a record deal; the Magenta Light Studios film, based on Bain’s autobiography and linked to the Great Hip Hop Hoax, stars Séamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley, features McAvoy as the label boss, debuted at TIFF 2025, and hits theaters on October 9.
Opening statements begin in Las Vegas for Duane “Keffe D” Davis, charged with murder in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing; prosecutors say he orchestrated the drive-by and faces life if convicted, while Davis pleads not guilty. The revived case relies in part on his book and interviews, and the trial could span weeks with dozens of witnesses as Shakur’s family seeks accountability for the iconic rapper’s death.
Pitchfork’s New Music Friday rounds up 11 new albums out now, featuring Phoebe Bridgers’ Lost Weekend, L’Rain’s Fata Morgana, Djrum’s I Wander, Open Mike Eagle & Kenny Segal’s Doomed!, Sweeping Promises’ You Say I Romanticize, Laura Veirs’ Temple Songs, Hovvdy’s Big World, Everything Is Recorded’s Cut Off Your Nose, Michael Christmas/Chris Crack/Girl Talk’s Don’t Come to My House Sharing Your Location, The Womack Sisters’ self-titled debut, and James Ellis Ford’s Lost in Another World. The piece spans indie rock, folk, R&B, electronic, and hip-hop, highlighting themes like late-night anxiety, fatigue, relationships, and resilience, while noting streaming availability and purchase options.
A stacked New Music Friday delivers a slew of hip-hop releases tonight (Aug 7, 2026), including Drake with a Karol G collaboration, Pooh Shiesty’s All Eyes on Shiest, Brent Faiyaz’s Icon (Director's Cut), and a long slate of new songs and projects from artists like 03 Greedo, Ravyn Lenae, Lil Peep, Hurricane Wisdom, Derez De'Shon, and more across a wide range of hip-hop subgenres.
Beyoncé drops the fan-favorite 'Morning Dew' remix featuring Jay-Z, marking his first verse in years and turning up the beat with samples from Mo Bamba, Donk and Between the Sheets; Jay-Z delivers a brash, haters-targeted verse as Beyoncé teases more from her three-act project, signaling a renewed push for both artists even as his personal/legal setbacks color the moment.
Frazier Tharpe chronicles Jay-Z’s three-night Yankee Stadium residency—tying a 30-year career to 25 years of Blueprint with era-spanning performances, high-profile guests, and ultra-tight hitmaking that reasserts his relevance even as the late-night run pushes past dawn and turns the Bronx into a throne room.
Jay-Z kicked off a three-night Yankee Stadium residency celebrating the 30th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt (Night 1) and The Blueprint (Night 2), with surprise and high-profile guests including Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Nas, Eminem, Slick Rick, Alicia Keys, and Pharrell. Night 1 drew 45,000+ fans and featured a Beyoncé duet, while Night 2 set a Yankee Stadium ticket-sales record. A final show, Extra Innings, and international dates in London, Paris and Los Angeles are planned.
Cardi B delivered a standout BET Awards 2026 performance, arriving on a lights-wrapped sport bike to perform a high-energy medley from her album Am I the Drama? (Errtime, Hello, Check Please, Pretty & Petty), even climbing a stripper pole before returning to the bike; she led nominations with six nods and won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist as Druski hosted the show.
The piece traces Jay-Z’s delayed breakthrough with Reasonable Doubt, showing how he evolved from a fast-rapping street figure to a confident boss whose branding—along with Roc-A-Fella’s hustle and bold NYC collaborations—helped redefine hip-hop and launch luxury-leaning rap culture, while noting his enduring influence and later controversial status.
Tay Keith (BryTavious Chambers), the Grammy-nominated Memphis-born producer behind Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” and multiple Drake collaborations, has died at 29. Police say no foul play is suspected and autopsy results are pending after he was found in his Nashville apartment. Keith’s résumé spans hits for Beyoncé, Eminem, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus and many others, with recent work including tracks for Jack Harlow, Doja Cat and Scott.
Rolling Stone's mid-2026 best-songs roundup curates a genre-spanning soundtrack—from Charli XCX's dystopian SS26 to Bruce Springsteen's anti-ICE protest, Ella Langley's tear-jerking country, Olivia Rodrigo's Eighties-tinged vibe, and a wave of hip-hop, indie, and international collabs—highlighting a year defined by political bite, intimate storytelling, and boundary-pushing pop.
Roots Picnic 2026 returned to Philadelphia with a larger Belmont Plateau footprint, introducing real-time updates via a new app, a second entry to cut lines, bigger stages, more food and activations, and city-wide pre-events. Jay-Z headlined Day One with a career-spanning set that included a rare Roots-era reunion and guest appearances (Bilal, Jazmine Sullivan, Meek Mill), while Day Two closed with Erykah Badu. The festival celebrated milestones like De La Soul Is Dead’s 35th, Reasonable Doubt’s 30th, The Blueprint’s 25th, and Baduizm’s 30th, across a lineup that spanned hip-hop eras, despite some sound hiccups. Overall, attendees and organizers hailed the edition as a strong, evolving showcase for Roots Picnic.
Rob Base, half of the hip-hop duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock and the man behind the 1988 hit It Takes Two, died May 22 at age 59 after a private battle with cancer, passing peacefully with family by his side and leaving a lasting musical legacy.