Tag: #missyelliot

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RIAA Honors Grandmaster Flash and MC Lyte

Mc Lyte
MC Lyte (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

As of late, it is more commonplace to see significant institutions honor the cultural impact of hip-hop. Recent months even saw the prestigious Smithsonian Institute celebrate the genre. Likewise, more award shows bestow hip-hop artists with lifetime achievement awards.

Hip-Hop’s Ascendance 

The genre’s push into mainstream cultural dominance is now more outwardly apparent than ever. Anecdotally, finding a person who doesn’t listen to rap seems more complex and challenging. As previously reported, hip-hop’s cultural dominance goes well beyond the scope of the United States. Indeed the genre’s popularity and pop cultural domination are undeniable. There is no genre of music as popular.

RIAA’s Honorees

Even so, the previously mentioned examples are not the only ones. The RIAA, Recording Industry Association of America, announced its plans to honor unsung hip-hop legends Grandmaster Flash and MC Lyte at an upcoming event. The RIAA stated the honoring was for “celebrate[ing] pioneers who have defied obstacles…and accelerated the growth of hip-hop…”. The dinner also plans to keep Jeff Harleston of UMG and Democratic House Member Hakeem Jeffries. Both are honored for their contribution to a diverse musical landscape.  

The night’s festivities consist of other famed acts honoring their iconic peers. The award presenter includes Dr. Dre, Missy Eliott, DJ Kool, and Yo-Yo. A planned performance featuring Rapsody, Mix Master Mike, and Fresh Prince collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff. With this impressive cavalcade of entertainers from the golden age of hip-hop, the night will serve as a fitting homage to the beloved genre.

Why It’s Important

Some of the names might be unfamiliar to younger fans, however, that does not mean their contribution should be ignored. On the contrary, all the names listed above served to help the proliferation of hip-hop and helped it become the domineering music of America that it is today. This cannot be forgotten; nights like this are designed to ensure their contributions are not erased.

Ryan Fields

 

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Missy Elliot Gets Street Named After Her

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 08: Missy Elliott speaks onstage during her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony at Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Missy Elliot is being rewarded for being such a legend.  She is from Portsmouth, Virginia and they will be honoring her by giving her a street.  Yes, the rapper, singer, producer, songwriter, and actress will have a street name after her.  The city of Portsmouth wants to make the hometown hero feel appreciated as she has put them on the map.  This award is long overdue as Missy has been very impactful in the entertainment business for decades.  Her efforts were awarded recently as well when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  First, a star and now a street.  Things are going well for Missy Elliot right now.

Missy Elliot Boulevard

The Grammy winner’s street will be Missy Elliot Boulevard.  It is currently McLean Street.  The officials of the city of Portsmouth all voted in favor of Missy Elliot Boulevard and some even wanted to give her a key to the city.  Missy certainly does deserve it all.  She is often referred to as the “Queen of Rap” as she has been ranked the top female rapper ever in various publications.  Missy is also the best-selling female rapper in music history.  In 2020, she was ranked the fifth greatest music video artist of all time by Billboard.  Erin Carter, the city council, said this is important for the citizens of Portsmouth, especially children.  She adds that this will only help them dream big and make them feel like they can achieve great things as well.  Just like someone from their hometown.

Women Empowerment

Missy Elliot recently got a shoutout from Nicki Minaj.  Nicki Minaj will receive the 2022 Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMAs.  After Missy took to Twitter to congratulate her on this feat, Nicki responded by praising Missy and saying she is responsible for her to be able to win the award.  Missy won this same award in 2019.  In fact, she was the first female MC to win the prestigious award. She was so thankful and appreciative after she found out she was winning the award.  It was an award that she wanted for years.

Written by: Brandon Simmons

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Hip-Hop Community Reacts To Texas School Shooting

texas shooting

Yesterday, a mass shooting left 19 children from Uvalde, Texas dead. A gunman walked into Robb Elementary School and went on a shooting spree, ultimately claiming 21 lives. The shooting left the hip-hop community devastated, with artists going to social media to express their thoughts.

Hip-Hop reacts to Texas shooting

Atlanta rapper Offset, who is a father of five, expressed his sympathies on Twitter. “Prayers for the people in Texas man those are kids that were killed smh this world needs God smh,” his tweet read.

Fellow Atlantan Metro Boomin also included the victims and their families in his prayers.

Houston native Trae The Truth offered to cover a portion of the funeral cost for the victims.

Also, female rap legend Missy Elliot said that not only is she praying for the victims, but also for “peace restored.”

According to Texas governor Greg Abbott, 18 year old Salvador Ramos opened fire inside Robb Elementary School at about 11:30 a.m. Before attacking the school, he also shot and wounded his grandmother, who is still in critical condition.

The Texas shooting is the deadliest school shooting since the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre which took place in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty of the victims of that shooting were children between six and seven years old, with six others being adult staff.

Follow FMHipHop on Instagram and Facebook, for more updates as the story unfolds.

Written by Olan Bryant

 

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Missy Elliot Released “Supa Dupa Fly” 24 Years Ago Today

Missy Elliot Debut

Missy Elliot Released “Supa Dupa Fly” 24 Years Ago Today

Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott released Supa Dupa Fly 24 years ago today (July 15, 1997). Her offbeat style and futuristic production made her a trailblazer.  The first collaboration with Virginia-based super-producer Timbaland proved to have the Midas touch. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, the highest-charting debut for a female rapper at the time. It also went platinum in the United States and silver in the United Kingdom.

Beep, Beep. Vroom. A Visionary of Sight and Sound

Missy Elliot’s first single, The Rain was a runaway hit. Her delivery was playfully fun while the beats bounced along with stuttering basslines.  The music video, directed by Hype Williams, was a groundbreaking victory in its own right.  It was the perfect introduction to her bold entrance into Hip Hop. Nothing looked or sounded like it before. It showcased her iconic style and colorful aesthetic. What is more memorable than her patent leather suit and her rhythmic bounce in her Hummer? Nominated for Best Rap Video at the 1997 MTV VMAs, the video also featured cameos from Hip Hop titans Diddy, Lil’ Kim, Total, Da Brat, and a host of others.

Standing the Test of Time

In 2020, Supa Dupa Fly was ranked 93 in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.  It spawned a string of hits which include Sock It 2 Me and Beep Me 911. Missy and Timbaland’s creative chemistry was undeniable. Timbaland was the sole producer at the helm. His innovative use of digital sounds and unconventional rhythms became his signature. That style married with Missy’s singing, rhyming and giggling crafted a most solid piece of work.

Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott has achieved musical magic. After 24 years, Supa Dupa Fly still feels fresh while lending itself to feel-good nostalgia.

Written by Sharon Garza

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5 Verzuz Battles We Need To See

5 Verzuz Battles We Need To See
5 Verzuz Battles We Need To See

Prez Tells Us The 5 Verzuz Battles We Need ASAP!

We absolutely love the Verzuz battles. Swizz Beatz and Timbaland started something majestic.  Everyone seems to be throwing out names to see who should battle who. So we came out with 5 battles that would be amazing. We had to reach deep into the playlist catalogs for this one.

 

1. French Montana VS. Wiz Khalifa

Photo via Instagram: @wizkhalifa

Lets start with 2 guys who always have a record in circulation. Wiz gave us the Pittsburgh anthem, Black and Yellow, made us all cry with Charlie Puth on See You Again, and got us buying edibles and vapes with Travis Scott on Bake Sale. French had us riding on East Tremont on  Ain’t Worried Bout Nothin, has a strip club posse cut with Pop That, songs with Drake such as No Stylist and hit with Swae Lee on Unforgettable. Neither one is known for the classic album, but got records to make for an entertaining battle.

Photo via Instagram: @frenchmontana

 

2. Asap Ferg VS. Big Sean

Photo via Instagram: @AsapFerg

Two of the most underrated rappers today would make a Verzuz battle. Asap Ferg is one of the most energetic artists of his generation and Big Sean never gets the credit he deserves for how dope he is. They worked with each other on Ferg’s  World is Mine. I would be interested to see what the song placement would be in this battle. That would be the key to victory. Ferg got heavy hitters such as New Level and Work Remix, but Big Sean could counter with Blessings and Marvin & Chardonnay. Swizz and Timbo got to set this one up.

Photo via Instagram: @BigSean

 

 

3. T.I. VS. Rick Ross

Photo via Instagram: @richforever

T.I. vs. 50 Cent is cool, but putting him against Rick Ross is better. This is for the true crown as King of The South. T.I. gave us countless hits and amazing albums such as King, Urban Legend, and Trap Muzik in the 2000s. As T.I. started to get into other ventures, Rick Ross ascended. His first 3 albums are good but 2010’s Teflon Don is where he took off and gave us iconic verses and one of the deepest rap catalogs ever. This battle might need 35 songs instead of 20.

Photo via Instagram: @troubleman31

 

4. Wale VS. J.Cole

Photo via Instagram: @realcoleworld

This one pits one of the most misunderstood artists ever(Wale) against one of the most toxic fan bases ever( J. Cole). The two artists are “friends”, this battle could ease the tensions social media believe they have. Plus this battle is closer than what people think. J Cole might have classics such as Friday Night Lights and 2014 Forest Hills Drive, but Wale can counter with The Album About Nothing, Summer on Sunset, and Ambition. Depending on the song placement, Wale could pull out the “upset”.

Photo via Instagram: @wale

 

 

 

5. Missy Elliot VS. Busta Rhymes

Photo via Instagram: @missymisdemeanorelliott

We ending with 2 legends. The battle of the multi-million dollar video budgets. We need to get Missy vs Busta asap. This not for the kids, this is a nostalgic trip for those who miss the 90s. Busta’s 20 is going to be tough to beat with songs such as Dangerous, Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See, Break Ya Neck and features such as Scenario, Ante Up (Remix) and Flava in Your Ear(Remix). Missy’s catalog stacks up well too. She has songs with Aaliyah, hits such as Get Ur Freak On, One Minute Man, and Work It. This Verzuz Battle would be more of a celebration of icons. Everyone loves Missy Elliot and Busta Rhymes, so them giving us 2 hours of hits and history would be beautiful.

Photo via Instagram: @bustarhymes

 

 

David “Prez Brown: IG: @prezknows/ Twitter: @preztaughtyou