Mar 05

Countdown To HipHopDX At SXSW: Jack Harlow

Jack Harlow is a 19-year-old rapper who credits his career in the music industry to the video game Guitar Hero. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Harlow rose quickly with his breakout song “Ice Cream,” which helped his debut mixtape, 18, rack up millions of streams.

Harlow followed up by hitting the studio harder than ever and releasing his Gazebo debut album.  It received rave reviews from heavy hitters such as DJ Drama, who will be sharing the stage with Harlow this year at DX’s SXSW showcase.

Before Jack hits the SXSW stage, HipHopDX had a chance to catch up with him and learn what he’s most looking forward to at this year’s festival.

HipHopDX: Have you performed at SXSW before? What makes this year different?

Jack Harlow: Once last year and more following a new project … doing better shows.

What are you most excited for performing at the festival?

They got this pizza spot with $2 slices. They’re huge and good!

Do you plan on watching other performances?

It’s moreso a convention, so I go to see and catch a vibe. Who knows who I’ll see.

What’s been the best and/or worst part of preparing for the performances?

I’ve had a set prepared, so I feel good about it; no bad feelings.

There are thousands of artists performing at SXSW. Why should people come and see you?

Because I have the best songs.

What was your first show outside your hometown and what was the best memory of it?

Department Store in Atlanta. I was on spring break in high school and came on my own. Performed there met a lot of people. It was pretty cool because Department Store closed right after I left, so it was cool I performed there.

What was your first paid gig?

Had a show at a small bar when I was like 15/16. Probably 50 people came. It was pretty tight. Walked out of there with like $200.

What’s one unique fact that you want your fans to know about you?

I sleep in my jeans.

Check out Jack Harlow at DX’s Rap Rising showcase at SXSW on March 16 at The Parish.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46122/title.countdown-to-hiphopdx-at-sxsw-jack-harlow

Mar 05

Redman: “Muddy Waters Too” Is Coming Soon

After years of anticipation, the long-awaited sequel to Redman’s 1996 album Muddy Waters may finally be on the way.

Reggie Noble hit social media last week to announce that Muddy Waters Too: Thee Album is “coming soon.”

Redman announced a sequel to Muddy Waters at least as far back as 2010. Since then, numerous release dates have been promised but nothing has materialized.

Last May, Redman hit Instagram to preview a number of tracks off the highly anticipated LP. At the time, Reggie Noble also asked 9th Wonder to help on the production front, something the acclaimed producer later accepted.

In 2014, Redman announced that the Muddy Waters sequel would come in the form of two projects: an album and a mixtape.

Speaking with DX in 2017, Redman discussed the original Muddy Waters album and its second installment.

“Muddy Waters is my favorite album and I’m calling it Muddy Waters Too; not the number two but T-O-O,” he explained. “And the reason for that is I don’t want it to compare to with Muddy Waters, the first one. I’m saying this is Muddy Waters Too.”

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46123/title.redman-muddy-waters-too-is-coming-soon

Mar 05

Mary J. Blige Performs “Mighty River” At Oscars 2018

Los Angeles, CA – Mary J. Blige took the stage at the 2018 Academy Awards for the first performance of the night. The acclaimed singer performed her song “Mighty River,” which is part of the soundtrack for Oscar-nominated film Mudbound directed by Dee Rees.

“Mighty River,” which was co-written by Raphael Saadiq, is nominated for Best Original Song at this year’s ceremony. Blige’s nominations aren’t limited to her musical work though. She was also up for Best Supporting Actress thanks to her role as Florence Jackson in Mudbound.

Watch Blige’s performance below.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46119/title.mary-j-blige-performs-mighty-river-at-oscars-2018

Mar 05

Common & Andra Day Perform “Stand Up For Something” At Oscars 2018

Hollywood, CA – Common teamed up with Andra Day to perform a rendition of their collaborative song “Stand Up For Something” at the 2018 Academy Awards. Common kicked off the performance with special free-verse referencing the Parkland shooting in Florida and called out the NRA.

The track comes from Marshall, a 2017 biopic about the first black Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall. The Best Original Song nominee is the second Common cut to be nominated by the Academy. In 2015, he and John Legend won the award for their single “Glory” from the 2014 film Selma.

Watch “Stand Up For Something” above.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46120/title.common-andra-day-perform-stand-up-for-something-at-oscars-2018

Mar 05

Jordan Peele Shocked He Just Won 1st Oscar For “Get Out”

Hollywood, CA – Jordan Peele won his first Academy Award on Sunday night (March 4). The comedian/director took home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his work on the psychological thriller Get Out. His victory marked the first time in history an African-American person won in that particular category.

The film also served as Peele’s directorial debut and smashed box office records. It earned him the highest-grossing debut for a black director and the first such film to earn over $150 million.

Get Out is nominated in multiple categories, including Best Picture. Actor Daniel Kaluuya is nominated in the Best Actor category, while Peele is also up for Best Director.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46121/title.jordan-peele-wins-1st-oscar-for-get-out