Feb 15

Saweetie Wants To Change What It Means To Be A Female Rapper

Blossoming Bay Area rapper Saweetie exploded onto the scene last October with her “Icy Grl” video, which has since collected over 10 million views. Now, the 24-year-old is celebrating her new record deal with Warner Bros. and plans to redefine what High Maintenance means with her forthcoming EP.

While Saweetie likes to have her hair and nails on point, she’s not using the term “high maintenance” in its traditional form.

“From an external perspective, yeah, I like material things, but when I say ‘high maintenance,’ I believe I’m high maintenance all around,” Saweetie explains to HipHopDX. “For example, my relationships with people, my family and my friends are high maintenance. I’m a very traditional person, so I nurture and care for the people around me. My body is high maintenance — I work out, I eat good. My soul is high maintenance — I pray a lot.

“I think that’s what I’m about to do in rap — change the idea of what it means to be a female rapper,” she adds.

Saweetie, who graduated from the University of Southern California in 2016 with a degree in communications, admits the “Icy Grl” video was “super girly.” However, she says she’s always been more of a tomboy. Her latest video for “Focus” shows her rocking Nike Cortezes and jeans rather than the more revealing outfits she sported in “Icy Grl.” While she doesn’t mind getting attention for her looks, she’s not trying to become a sex symbol.

“I’m just being myself, so if that’s something that kind of comes out of it organically and brands my image, so be it,” she says. “But that’s not what I’m striving for. I think it’s really important for any artist, not just a woman, to stay true to who you are and when the labels come, they come. It think being true to your brand is the most important .”

Being a woman in the industry does present its challenges but with her management behind her, Saweetie is in a safe space. However, it wasn’t always that way.

“I love everyone I work with and I’m super comfortable,” she says. “In the beginning, before I met my manager, it was really hard navigating the industry. You just deal with men who claim they want to work with you but in reality, they just want to spend time with you.”

With everything in place, Saweetie is excited to share her High Maintenance EP, which is expected to arrive on March 16.

“When we were shopping around at different labels, immediately when I met them [Warner Bros.], I felt like I was at home and like they were family,” she says. “I’m super happy and excited the deal worked out.”

*Saweetie is performing for HipHopDX’s SXSW showcase on March 16 in Austin, Texas. 

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.45976/title.saweetie-wants-to-change-what-it-means-to-be-a-female-rapper

Feb 15

LaVar Ball Butchers Nas Classic On “Lip Sync Battle”

Lip Sync Battle, hosted by Hip Hop icon LL Cool J, has seen its share of entertaining head-to-head match-ups, such as John Legend vs. Common and Terry Crews vs. Mike Tyson. Following a Migos-inspired preview of a new episode featuring Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball, the show’s YouTube channel released a teaser of his father LaVar Ball’s take on a Nas classic … and the results are cringeworthy.

The new preview shows LaVar taking a machete to Nas and Diddy’s “Hate Me Now,” which could convincingly be his theme song. Kicking off the performance with kick reminiscent of Busta Rhymes in the Leaders Of The New School-era, LaVar goes on to hit only a few words while aimlessly moving his lips for the rest.

“If I were Nas, I would be embarrassed by the performance,” Lonzo said afterward. “Nas told me only a selected few can do this,” LaVar shot back.

The song choice is fitting since Lonzo has trolled Nas in the past, dismissing the Illmatic creator’s relevance and sharing an image of his face replacing Nas on a mock It Was Written cover. He even wore a hoody featuring the image, igniting a fierce Twitter blowback.

 

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.45977/title.lavar-ball-butchers-nas-classic-on-lip-sync-battle

Feb 15

araabMUZIK & License Lounge Want To Make Life Better For Producers

It’s no secret that some producers have been subjected to less-than-fair business practices on the part of the major label system. A new platform, License Lounge, is now giving producers the opportunity to do business with artists while maintaining control over their compensation and brand. Likewise, it allows artists with moderate to healthy budgets to get their hands on instrumentals without getting finessed.

This means no more settling for an “araabMUZIK type beat.”

“It’s a platform for artists to get access to industry producers like us,” araabMUZIK explains to HipHopDX, “instead of searching online and [leasing] fake instrumentals … I feel like it’s time for the artist to have access to real tracks and the real producers. That’s what License Lounge is providing.”

Last year, araabMUZIK announced a partnership with the platform, offering exclusive content — both instrumentals and sound kits — and became an official brand ambassador.

Per License Lounge’s website, artists can lease instrumentals for as low as $50, as well as purchase exclusive right while the producers retain 80% of the revenue.

The platform’s current roster of producers includes Scram Jones. Lex Luger, Dame Grease and Da Beatminerz.

“Being in this partnership, I’m able to open up those doors and opportunities for all these artists to easily purchase legitimate tracks from people such as myself,” he notes. “It’s the year of the producer … The producers are making the real big records more so than the artists.”

It’s been a little over four months since araabMUZIK’s One Of One EP dropped, showing off an evolution of his sound. Having spent the better part of the last few years on the road, he now has a host of new content on deck.

“[I] have more music on the way,” he says. “I’ve been recording and just stepping up a lot to release more projects this year. I’m working on my new album, which is an electronic LP … That’s in the works right now. I’ve also been collaborating with other producers. They’re all dropping mid-spring/summer. Before it was all about the shows and touring, but now I’m focusing on producing and just working on records.”

 

As he explains, he is cognizant of the fact that the music industry has made staying consistent all the more vital.

“It’s all about the content,” he points out. “Right now, I’m trying to put out as much music as I can … but I’m also [delivering] projects that are quality. A lot of people are putting things out just to do it. I like to put things out at the right time.”

araabMUZIK wants to be smart about it though.

“I like to have a period of breathing. A lot of producers just like to keep putting out, putting out and putting out,” he says. “It’s time for me to put things out with artists more so than just instrumentals … that’s the goal right now.”

He also offers some advice to up-and-coming producers looking to make their mark in the industry. “Just keep going, man, and have the right business,” he explains. “A lot of people are getting ripped off because they aren’t doing the right business. There’s a lot of money in it if you do it right — with the right people.”

Check out araabMUZIK’s exclusive catalog on License Lounge.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.45978/title.araabmuzik-license-lounge-want-to-make-life-better-for-producers-2

Feb 14

Onyx Reacts To Producer Chyskillz’s Death

Producer Chyskillz, the mastermind behind the classic Onyx singles “Slam” and “Throw Ya Gunz,” passed away from a heart attack on Tuesday (February 13).

In a joint statement to HipHopDX, Onyx MCs Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz said, “Rest in Paradise to our brother Chylow ‘Chyskillz’ Parker. Our condolences go out to his family and close friends. We will always acknowledge your contribution to the Onyx legacy. Your music will always inspire. Love our brother!”

Although Chyskillz is widely known for his contributions to Onyx’s platinum-selling debut, 1993’s Bacdafucup, he also produced for other Hip Hop legends like Run-DMC, LL Cool J and Public Enemy.

Several members of the Hip Hop community — including former Onyx member Sonny Seeza, DJ Premier, DJ Eclipse, De La Soul’s Maseo and Jedi Mind Tricks’ Vinnie Paz — paid their respects on social media.

Check out their posts below.

R.I.P. Chyskillz you will definitely be missed my brother I know JMJ is waiting on you. #goneway2soon

A post shared by DJ Maseo (DE LA SOUL) (@djmaseo) on Feb 13, 2018 at 9:06pm PST

Just got sad news that Producer “Chyskillz” passed away from a Heart Attack. We All Know Him Mainly From His Incredible Production Of The Entire ONYX LP: “Bacdafucup” Which Is A Certified Classic Multi Platinum Album Staple In Our Hip-Hlp Culture… Condolences To His Family… R.I.P. JMJ and BIG DS. Salute Fredro, Sticky Fingaz and Sonny Seeza… @chyskillz

A post shared by @ djpremier on Feb 13, 2018 at 9:39am PST

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.45965/title.onyx-reacts-to-producer-chyskillzs-death

Feb 14

Jermaine Dupri Confirms “Money Ain’t A Thang” Is His Best Work

It’s such a rarity that Hip Hop legends get to experience their jersey being hoisted in the proverbial rafters but such is the case for Jermaine Dupri.

The superstar rapper who’s done an impressive job of creating hits for superstars (Mariah Carey, Usher and Janet Jackson, just to literally name a few) is currently being forced to bask in his own accomplishments in wake of being honored by the upcoming Global Spin Awards and an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In a recent interview with HipHopDX, Dupri, 45, spoke on his earliest memories of his now 25-year-old So So Def imprint and how JAY-Z was thoroughly impressed with his “Money Ain’t A Thang” bars when they slayed the track back in 1998.

“My first memory [of So So Def] is having money to start a company, and not even knowing where to start,” Dupri recalled. “So I hired Lil Jon as my AR, right? And I didn’t really need a AR, and you know it was just a thing that you do it because that was what was in the making of having a record label. So there was this club that I used to go to and Lil Jon was the only DJ that I actually knew that was in clubs. It was interesting because I was too young to get in clubs, but they let me in this club, and Jon was the DJ that basically I got used to talking to and blah blah. And I went to him and I said, ‘I want you to be the AR for my record company.’ And he was like, ‘What the hell is an AR?’ You know, this is like super early, and what I think about opening the first office, that’s what it was.”

The hit record magnet of a label showcased the talents of Da Brat (the first solo female rapper to land a platinum album), Kris Kross (a kiddie duo that proved they could hang with the adults), and RB/Soul singers Anthony Hamilton and Jagged Edge. Although he’s renown for his own solo hits, such as the aforementioned “Money Ain’t a Thang” and the Ludacris-assisted “Welcome to Atlanta,” he hasn’t released a solo album in over 15 years.

“Yeah, and I did it for fun by the way, you know what I mean?” he said, attempting to find the words to explain his absence. “People was like, ‘You should rap.’ I did this rap record, you know, Funkdafied and people was like, ‘You should rap.’ And I did my rapping for fun. It wasn’t a real serious thing and that was my concept because it wasn’t serious. I didn’t want to be the rapper on every song. I wanted to mix it up a little bit, and I was trying to make an album like Quincy Jones where I incorporated other artists, so it wasn’t even like the idea that Khaled has now, my idea was more or less, I was trying to copy what I saw Quincy Jones do. So I mean, he’s just basically following in the fashion that we all done.”

Following the announcement of his Global Spin Award and Songwriters Hall of Fame honors, HipHopDX compiled the Top 10 Jermaine Dupri records and the music visionary couldn’t deny that “Money Ain’t a Thang” was his crowning achievement as an MC.

“‘My Money Ain’t a Thang” verse is … It’s funny because when I did the 20th anniversary performance with JAY-Z, he was on stage and I did my verse. He was like, ‘Boy, you was rapping boy!’ You know for JAY-Z, a person that really put they whole life in rap, to acknowledge my rap and say, ‘You was rapping on this song.’ And it was crazy because I seen somebody recently say that JAY-Z wrote my rap, and he was like, “Yeah his rap was dope … That’s ’cause JAY-Z wrote it.’ So it’s like that rap alone, because some people think that, I’ve heard people say JAY-Z didn’t kill you on your own song. So, people didn’t feel like I wrote it, but that’s one of the raps that I feel like, you know, the rhythmic style, the flow, the bars and all of that was up to par with what he was saying. It might not have been as good as JAY-Z, but it was definitely good enough for that song and what he was saying as well.

Durpi continued, “And then the last verse, the last verse we wrote together basically. Like he wrote his rap and then when I heard his line I played off of what he said. I feel like that song, I was writing that rap from purely the person that I’m in the song with. It wasn’t like I was trying to compete with JAY-Z. I definitely knew that, you know, this was in the ‘Can’t Knock the Hustle’ days, so JAY-Z was more of a lyrical beast than what people actually feel like he is now. So, I was definitely not trying to compete with him lyrically, I was just trying to like, shit, stay on the song, and just trying to like … I’d sit on the song in some kinda place.”

Catch Dupri and several other prominent Hip Hop figures on the Snoop Dogg-hosted Global Spin Awards, airing on REVOLT TV on February 22.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.45966/title.jermaine-dupri-confirms-money-aint-a-thang-is-his-best-work