Netflix released the trailer for their film “Monster” and it’s heavy!
Based on the award-winning 1999 novel by Walter Dean Myers, the story follows African-American teen Steve Harmon (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). The trailer begins with somber piano chords while showing us Steve’s life, the seemingly normal life of a teenager.
We see Steve interacting with his family, in the classroom, talking to friends, and around the neighborhood. We then see a gunshot, and Steve is handcuffed in court. What happened? How did he get here? Is Steve indeed a “Monster”?
The cast is comprised of a host of familiar faces including; Jennifer Hudson, John David Washington, Jharrel Jerome, Rakim “A$AP Rocky” Mayers, and more.
The trailer presents so many unanswered questions and closes with the most poignant one; “Should one moment define my life?”. Because I’m a nerd I’m going to attempt at reading the book before the movie debuts. Will you watch Netflix’s “Monster” on Friday, May 7th? Let us know in the comments.
Hip-hop veteran Nas has come forward to acknowledge the anniversary of his legendary “I Am… “ album. He received multiple co-signs from some of the most notable names in the entertainment industry including LeBron James, Big Sean, and Busta Rhymes.
Nas took to his Instagram page to share a snapshot of his 1999 project’s cover art. He went on to reminisce and reflect upon its anniversary. However, the biggest shock came from him revealing that the late Nipsey Hussle wanted to make a documentary on his LP.
“This album started out as a double album until half of it leaked. Our brother Nipsey met with me to discuss doing a documentary on it and i was beyond honored. Didn’t get to happen. 🙏🏾 I Am, my 3rd Lp was released April 6 1999. Thank you all for the love.”
The album, I Am… debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 470,000 first-week sales. The album included guest features by P.Diddy, Scarface, Aaliyah, and DMX.
Grammy Award-Winning Emcee and forward thinker, Nas continues to prove that ‘Life Is Good’.
In partnership with Hennessy and their Never Stop Never Settle Society; Nas penned a powerful open letter to his daughter, Destiny Jones. The letter delivers a potent history lesson on the amazing ascent, and devastating destruction of “Black Wall Street” in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The ad debuted during the 52nd annual NAACP Image Awards and showed Nas sitting at a dining room table alone, with a glass of Cognac. Surrounded by Black art and literature, Nas explains that he wants Destiny to experience Black excellence. He refers to the excellence that once was Black Wall Street’s 40 acres and 35 blocks of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “The vision of Black Wall Street was intentional. And so was its downfall.”
While Nas narrates, the audience is shown the many shades of Black excellence that graced the greenwood District’s streets. He points out that the town was run by Black Doctors, Lawyers, and business owners. Nas is a wordsmith and always has a message; the essence of this letter is, “Be your own Black Wall Street.”
The ad and campaign highlight current Black entrepreneurs while encouraging the emergence of upcoming entrepreneurs. The campaign is carefully thought out and executed as it states Black History is more than a month; it’s a movement. Kudos to Hennessy for getting it right and not pandering to our valuable community of growing entrepreneurs. Congratulations to Nas, Destiny, and all the Black innovators involved in the campaign. To apply for funding via the NSNS Society Acceleration Fund, visit; https://hennessy.wyng.com/603940b1ec0f6302a7c93a46
From a feud that dates back to 1996, it all started when Nas failed to show up for his recording with Jay-Z. Since then, there have been multiple shots back and forth between the two through various songs. When Jay-Z freestyled on Hot 97, he sent shots at Nas and Prodigy of Mobb Deep, which left people stunned. Nas responded right back because, from Jay-Z’s freestyle, people already felt Nas was falling off. That was until Nas dropped “Ether” that really changed people’s minds. It wasn’t till four years after Nas released “Ether” the two decided to end their beef at Continental Airlines Arena that was sold out. Jay-Z declared, “All that beef shit is done; we had our fun,” he said. “Let’s get this money.” As it should be.
Reflecting on the feud that ended in 2005, Nas is very thankful and is even honored for the feud with Jay-Z. To Nas, it’s an actual rap battle to see who was superior and was honored because the people he saw as the greats did the same thing. The back and forth elevated not just them but everybody as well. The art of MCing was defined at that moment, and that’s how hip-hop/rap is done and how it even started.
From their feud, they’ve influenced other artists, and some have even used Nas’s song “Ether” to identify themselves as the better rap based on who they are battling against. Eminem sampled it against Jermaine Dupri or Remy Ma’s “shETHER” when she sent shots at Nicki Minaj. Here’s to the future of hip hop/rap because, with the art of MCing, there will always be war.
Diddy Celebrates Star-Studded Birthday At Turks & Caicos
Yesterday, hip-hop legend Sean “Diddy” Combs celebrated his 51st birthday at the Turks and Caicos Islands. Along with a star-studded guest list which included Nas, Draya, and Mary J. Blige, Diddy was seen turning up with the OG’s in the tropics.
Last month, Diddy made headlines with the launch of Our Black Party, a non-partisan political organization which seeks “to advance a political agenda that addresses the needs of Black people.” Needless to say, he is staying very active with both music and activism this year.
The team here at FMHipHop would like to wish Diddy a very happy 51st birthday!
Nas employs Hit-Boy as executive producer for album.
Nas Is Back
There was a point in time when it was almost expected for an artist to “age out” of hip-hop. If an artist has a run for couple of years, they’d be considered a success. If the artist continues to produce for about a decade, they’d be considered an all-time great. However, what about the MCs who have been doing it almost 30 years?
No, we’re not talking about some random rapper from years past that pops up and performs novelty hits either. We’re talking about rappers who have consistently put out respectable bodies of work that gets people talking. Nas has been doing this for27 Summers, and further he’s still as sharp as the Bevel Blade that crafts his signature fade. (That’s a bar!)
God’s Son
On Nas’s 13th album King’s Disease, the 46-year old provides God-like insight on every track, covering a multitude of subject matters. Whether he’s reminiscing on his hustling past on the Charlie Wilson-assisted ‘Car #85’ to praising Black excellence on the lead single Ultra Black,Nas’s versatility is undeniable.
Most importantly, Hit-Boy‘s production complement’s Nas’s effortless flow on King’s Disease. On 10 Pointsand Blue Benz, Nas certainly delivers two story-driven songs that will rival any in the MC’s legendary discography. So consequently, working with Hit-Boy on this project seems to light a fire under QB Finest.
Subsequently, that honor is reserved for all-time great, AZ on ‘Full Circle‘. Super group, The Firm reunited for the track and they certainly did not disappoint! All managed to float on the track but Sosa absolutely stole the show reminiscent of Life’s A Bitch, in the same vein. In addition, Foxy Brown and Cormega both did their thing and even Dr. Dre made an appearance towards the end of the song to speak a few words. That is to say, this could lead to something bigger. Can this be the precursor to another album from The Firm?! (Fingers crossed.)
I didn’t hear Full Circle until today I never heard Nas, AZ, Foxy, or Dre verse I just heard Hit-Boy production and I felt it. The song is a beautiful moment in an ugly time and I’m appreciative to have been apart of it. #kingsdisease
Nas gives us a rundown on his illustrious career leaving us with a possible verse of the year. For instance, the third verse goes:
“Cuban link QB chain belong in the MOMA
So boomerang, you salute my twenty-seven summers
Rolls-Royce Brigade just ’cause it go with the moment
Pac saw the chain, got his medallion, I won’t
Insinuate imitation ’cause I copied his stomach
Kings honor kings, straight from my pops to my son’s s**t
Steak tartare bloody, mercury levels from raw fish
Sushi for lunch, waiter at the table, the cork twist
I’m studied like a book by many
They give me looks of envy, I took the Bentley
White chick like Liz Taylor might get the Bentayga
On my Rick James behavior
Life is school for the soul and I’m in life seven already
Life’s simple but heavy, incomprehensible s**t
Everything from sexy to deadly, I done been through that s**t
Still goin’ deeper like I grew a new inch on my d**k
We looked at robbin’ as a way of resolving our problems
My moms cooked food, but some of my n****s was starving
And whatever they was down to do, I was with ’em regardless
Turns out I was hungry and was hittin’ the hardest
The scissor was sharper, my predictions was on it
No fortune teller, just going off regular signs
N****s often tell ya they moves
Without a word, just reading they mind
Wasn’t needin’ no nine
Corner executive born in ghetto hell
Where metal yell especially over necklaces
Life lessons is karma
Whatever you dish out come back as blessings or to haunt ya
Could miss your kids and hit your grandkids for your dishonor
That’s generational curses, they said they want the old Nas back
Play the Clue tapes for old verses
Messin’ my homies’ lives up, sayin’ Nas will rise ’em up
Like they wasn’t live enough, many lives I’ve touched
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
I need a witness, drinkin’ three at night on some Bridge s**t
Wearin’ shorts and Timbs, summer night on some Bridge s**t
Party with gangsters, gettin’ right on some Bridge s**t (Yeah)
Like MC Shan and Marley, I be on some Bridge s**t”
One Mic
There are dope MCs, but then there’s Nas. Not many rappers, lyricists, MCs – whatever you want to call them, not many of them can touch Esco. Above all, when he gets in this bag only maybe 5 people to ever hold a microphone are able to be in the same room with him. In other words, he’s in rare company and in rare form.
In conclusion, this is vintage Nas. Verbal Intercourse Nas. One Mic Nas. King’s Disease certainly surpasses 2018’s NASIR in virtually every aspect and is Nas’s best effort since at least Life Is Good. To clarify, this is the best Nas has been in years. Hit-Boy laced the project with some dope instrumentals that therefore allowed Nas to effortlessly breeze through this timeless opus. In other words, salute to Nas! He did this for the culture. 8.9 out of 10
Nas recently debuted a single called “Ultra Black”in preparation for his next album entitled, “King’s Disease”. “King’s Disease” is set to be released Friday August, 21 2020. This will be his 11th solo project.
King’s Disease Cover ArtUltra Black Cover ArtKing’s Disease Tracklist Courtesy of The Source
Unapologetic
The Illmatic MC made headlines when he name-dropped South African rapper, Doja Cat with the line:
“We goin’ Ultra Black, unapologetically Black. Opposite of Doja Cat.”
A few weeks ago, the “Say So”star came under fire when it was leaked that she made some questionable statements about Black people in a group chat with friends. In 2015 she also released “Dindu Nuffin“ and some people interpreted as her mocking Black people’s dealings with police brutality.
“Dindu nuffin” is a stylized version of “didn’t do nothing” popularized by the alt-right and is used to antagonize Black people who speak out against police brutality. The 24-year-old has since apologized for both mishaps. She also responded to God’s Son via Tik Tok:
Minor controversy aside, “Ultra Black” has received positive feedback and high praise on social media. Fans are excited for Nas and his new project featuring Hit-Boy.
Ultra Black
The criticism the legendary MC has received throughout his career is largely based around his beat selection. Working with Hit-Boy will no doubt silence the loud minority. Hit-Boy’s production will sure add some fire to the already sharp lyricism of the all-time great.
True Nas fans don’t seem to care, and can’t wait for the album to drop. Here’s what they are staying on social media:
This is the best Nas has sounded in a minute. Hit Boy put the battery in the old man's back. Ultra Black is going to be my new wake up music. Got damn….!
I can't believe Nas has gotten flack over Ultra Black with Hit-Boy. He crushed it. He kept it topical. The production is phenomenal with sprinkles of soul. What else do you want from this man?!
This will be QB Finest first release since 2018’s Nasir. “King’s Disease” will also be Nas’s second time working with exclusively one producer. Nasir was produced entirely by Kanye West.
Escobar season is well under way and hip-hop fans everywhere couldn’t be any more excited! We’re all looking forward to rocking with one of the GREATEST EVER. Peace to the God, Nas. Life is good!
Salutations FM Trendsetters! Over the weekend the hip hop world and social media was in another musical frenzy! Thanks to heavy promotion of the four singles released through social media, the Ruff Ryder executive behind boards, Swizz Beatz finally released the very successful and critically acclaimed project Poison. The 10 track LP includes a slew of talented artists in the industry. Here is the track by track album review on the epic banger known as Poison:
Noreaga still in the Drivers Seat 20 Yrs Later 5E New Project on the Way!
Just two weeks after celebrating his 20th Anniversary in the rap game SuperThug Noreaga has announced the release of his latest project 5E. The New Project is set to release on 7.27.18, the first two singles feature Fat Joe and Fabolous; “Don’t Know” and “BigChain”.
Salutations FM Trendsetters!!!! Despite media and social media controversy (e.g. Kanye West’s remarks on slavery, Kanye’s infamous TMZ interview and confrontation), the self-proclaimed Louis Vutton Don released a few critically acclaimed seven-track albums. One of those albums, previously mentioned through a series of tweets, is that of a Queensbridge legend and patriarch, Nas. Nas released his 11th studio album, Nasir on Friday, June 15th. However, general release of the project, due to management discrepancies and changes, was Saturday morning.
From their feud, they’ve influenced other artists, and some have even used Nas’s song “Ether” to identify themselves as the better rap based on who they are battling against. 
