MF DOOM's MM.. FOOD Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Star on the Rise The MAAP x Hip Hop Scriptures Interview
}
}
]});
Drake's Take Care Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Method Man's Tical Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
The Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill
}
}
]});
King Tee's Act A Fool Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
G-Unit's Beg For Mercy Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
3rd Bass' The Cactus Album Anniversary
The two first performed as '3 the Hard Way', a name referenced in the song "Wordz of Wisdom" but later redubbed themselves '3rd Bass' before recording their first album. Sever, Prince Paul, and the Bomb Squad produced their 1989 debut, The Cactus Album, a critically acclaimed LP that went gold and contained a minor hit in "The Gas Face."
}
}
]});
Prodigy's H.N.I.C. Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
The Pharcyde's Labcabincalifornia Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Jay-Z’s The Black Album Anniversary
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}
]});
Big L's Put It On Song Anniversary
}
}
]});
Missy Elliott's Under Construction Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Jay-Z's The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse Album Anniversary
Carter turned to rap at a very young age as an escape from the drugs, violence and poverty that surrounded him in the Marcy Projects. In 1989, he joined the rapper Jaz-O—an older performer who served as a kind of mentor—to record a song called "The Originators," which won the pair an appearance on an episode of Yo! MTV Raps. It was at this point that Shawn Carter embraced the nickname Jay-Z, which was simultaneously an homage to Jaz-O, a play on Carter's childhood nickname of "Jazzy," and a reference to the J/Z subway station near his Brooklyn home.
}
}
]});
Eminem's Infinite Album Anniversary
It was the birth of Em's first child, Hailie Jade Scott on December 25, 1995 with longtime girlfriend Kim Scott, that encouraged him to work harder for the money his family needed. It was difficult for him who had nothing except the "life sucks" experiences he used as the topic of his rap lyrics. One year later, in 1996, Eminem recorded his first album "Infinite", only to receive few favorable reviews.
}
}
]});
Lil Kim's Hard core Album Anniversary
Lil' Kim debuted as a solo artist with the release of Hard Core in 1996, continuing the raunchy and lyrical wordplay that the public had already heard on Conspiracy. The album was a success. Critics loved her raw, unapologetic style of rapping, which was much more gritty and vulgar than female MCs of the past like MC Lyte and Queen Latifah. However, around the same time as Kim's debut, the public was introduced to another edgy female rapper by the name of Foxy Brown. She and Kim would continue to feud for years, only adding to their popularity.
}
}
]});
Tim Dog's Penicillin on Wax
Some New York hip hop artists resented the exposure and success of their West Coast counterparts, an animosity which Tim Dog would tap into via the release of his groundbreaking first single. Frustrated at the apparent lack of interest in East Coast artists from record companies, Tim recorded "**** Compton", a scathing diss track from his debut album Penicillin on Wax. "Fuck Compton" attacked the city's style of dress and musical output and made threatening gestures to several Compton rappers including Eazy-E, MC Ren, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Michel'le. Tim Dog would later exclude Ice Cube on "Step to Me", another diss track attacking N.W.A.
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}
]});
2Pac's 2Pacalypse Now Album Anniversary
The album generated significant controversy. Dan Quayle criticized it after a Texas youth's defense attorney claimed he was influenced by 2Pacalypse Now and its strong theme of police brutality before shooting a state trooper. Quayle said, "There's no reason for a record like this to be released. It has no place in our society." The record was important in showcasing 2Pac's political conviction and his focus on lyrical prowess. On MTV's Greatest Rappers of All Time List, 2Pacalypse Now was listed as one of 2Pac's "certified classic" albums, along with Me Against the World, All Eyez On Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.
}
}
]});
Fresh Artist Fridays: Nefertitti
Nefertitti is a star in the making. The artist from Ohio has just dropped the R&B track “Take It Back” featuring Fat Joe, cementing an impressive addition to her discography. Check out the inspiration behind the track and more in this week’s Fresh Artist Friday featuring Nefertitti.
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}
]});
FRESH ARTIST REWIND ⏪ - OCTOBER 2021 ON YOUTUBE!
Priscilla and Chi Chi “rewind” our September 2021 submissions for our popular #FreshArtistFridays series for three artists that were featured last month. We also shared our favorites!! Check out the video on YouTube.
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}
]});
