[News] 2 Chainz drops his new album Pretty Girls Like Trap Music
2 Chainz is a hit maker, but Pretty Girls Like Trap Music shows there are deeper ambitions afoot. His production arm is strong—Mike WiLL Made-It, Murda Beatz, and Mike Dean all put in work. He speaks his mind, dissing the government and “mumble-rap” while Nicki Minaj references her Remy Ma beef on “Realize.” Pharrell leaves his platinum imprint on “Bailan.” Then 2 Chainz puts his life story out there on the revelatory “Burglar Bars”—the realest song he’s ever cut.
Purchase Tickets to Pretty Girls Like Trap Music Tour in Chicago here.
[Video] R. Kelly Performs on Jimmy Kimmel + "Black Panties" Stream
R. Kelly essentially took over 'The Jimmy Kimmel Show' last night, performing three songs from his recently-released album Black Panties ("Genius", "You Deserve Better", "My Story"), with some help from 2 Chainz. Along with the songs, there was also a passionate reading of the lyrics to "Genius", as performed by Benedict Cumberbatch and Kellz even recreated the album artwork to Black Panties by posing onstage while playing a woman like a violin. . . only R. Kelly. This is the same guy who dry-humped Lady Gaga a couple weeks ago on national television and who released an album that will have you needing a shower and a cigarette afterwards, so no real surprise here. Check out the video of all three songs below, along with a full stream of R. Kelly's twelfth studio album.
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[Video] 2 Chainz: "Fork"
2 Chainz' past clashes with his present lavish lifestyle in the newest viral video for "Fork" off the Def Jam-signee's latest album B.O.A.T.S. II. The visual, which was released earlier this morning, finds the artist formerly known as Tity Boi in his old trap-house recalling his situation when he used to live there.
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[Sunday Coffee Sipper] Reflecting on the BET Hip Hop Awards
On October 16 in Los Angeles, California Rap music's elite showed out for the annual BET Hip Hop Awards, commemorating the best of all things hip-hop in the past year. Kendrick Lamar cleaned up, hauling in five awards including best album and lyricist of the year while Jay-Z, Big Sean and the rest of hip-hop's governing body took turns patting each other on the back. For today's Sunday Coffee Sipper I break down the list of winners from several of the categories and decide who I would have picked from the very small group of nominees that were available for the awards, enjoy!
Best Hip-Hop Video: Drake "Started From The Bottom": I literally thought this was the most bogus video I had seen until Chief Keef's "Love No Thotties" premiered this week. Seriously though, you're not making it any easier to legitimize the "Started From The Bottom" mantra with the opening scene of a Toronto youth soccer game played in a bubble, or perhaps it's the perfect metaphor. The fake snow, all white everything convertible dance scene is just downright goofy, as is the Wal-Mart confetti-strewn dance party. Drake had a lot of dance parties at the bottom. Where is 'here' anyway? Could be anywhere. Ah, Drake, they'll love whatever you do.
Who Should Have Won: Kendrick Lamar – ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’
Reese’s Perfect Combo Award (Best Collabo, Duo or Group): A$AP Rocky f/ 2 Chainz, Drake & Kendrick Lamar "Problems": Of the nominations, this was an easy favorite for the best collaboration of the year. Featuring the top names in hip-hop today and a blistering verse from K Dot it stood head and shoulders above even Ace Hood and Future's summer banger "Bugatti" and J. Cole and Miguel's "Power Trip".
Best Live Performer: Jay-Z: Not sure about the nomination or the win on this one. Jay-Z is certainly a pillar of hip-hop, but there are plenty of better live acts around the country that could have vied for the title, even outside of the nominees. Granted, Jay-Z proved to be a step ahead of the competition in the crafting of a different live set idea with his "Picasso Baby" art installation, a wholly different take on hip-hop as an accepted artform. Regardless, I can't help but feel there was a better choice to be had.
Who Should Have Won: J. Cole/2 Chainz
Lyricist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar: They probably didn't need to announce this one. Between good kid, m.A.A.d. city, the much-talked about verse on Big Sean's "Control" and a host of outstanding features throughout the year, Kendrick cemented himself as the lyricist to match in 2013. The "Control" verse in general, in which he called out the other top names in the game, nestled Kendrick firmly in the upper echelon of hip-hop artists today.
Album of the Year: Kendrick Lamar, Good Kid m.a.a.d. City: Again, a fairly easy choice as the top rap album of 2013. Kendrick finally emerged from Section 80 to the big leagues with his chart-topping album that, as stated earlier, vaulted him from one of the new guys to the forefront of everything happening from here on out.
Producer of the Year: Mike Will Made It: It's hard to be too upset with this decision, Mike Will Made it had some of the year's biggest songs, using his enormous drum ensembles to shake the walls of clubs from coast to coast with songs like"No Lie" by 2 Chainz, "Bandz a Make Her Dance" by Juicy J, "Pour It Up" by Rihanna and "We Can't Stop" by Miley Cyrus. They weren't the best songs of the year, but they topped the charts. I can't forgive him for allowing Cyrus to don a Michael Jordan jersey while twerking in their "23" collaboration, though. In comparison, Pharrell did songs with Jay-z, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke and Daft Punk.
Who Should Have Won: Pharrell Williams
Track of the Year: "Started From The Bottom," produced by Mike Zombie and Noah "40" Shebib: Can't even lie about it, this song was not the best track of the year, by any means. Drake's attempt at convincing listeners that watched him as Jimmy on Degrassi that he, "started from the bottom" was ill-conceived and uninteresting. Sure, the beat and hook get stuck in your head, but is that all it takes to have a hot track? Of course, you catch more fish with a larger net and most of the nominees for each category were held to roughly the same six characters. That makes for a small net.
Who Should Have Won: ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’ – Produced by Sounwave (Kendrick Lamar)
Best Mixtape: Big Sean, Detroit: This one just didn't make sense. In a category that included a host of independent artists including Chance The Rapper and Travi$ Scott, this would have been the perfect opportunity for BET to sway towards the up and coming, essentially the heart of hip-hop today. Instead, the crown for best mixtape was given to Big Sean's Detroit, making for an un-inspirational win for the G.O.O.D. Music star.
Who Should Have Won: Chance The Rapper: Acid Rap
Who New? Rookie of the Year: A$AP Ferg: This is deserved. Trap Lord was easily one of the hottest releases of a packed summer of new music and Ferg showed that the buzz surrounding him and his major debut release was no fluke. With co-signs from just about everyone in the game right now, the award was fitting. Tough competition here, too, with Earl Sweatshirt, Action Bronson and Joey Bada$$ rounding out the nominees.
MVP of the Year: Kendrick Lamar: Honestly, he could have taken most of the awards with the competition BET stacked up against Kendrick. More than anyone else, Lamar and his TDE crew have brought about a sound and a mentality that had been lacking in hip hop as of late. As he made it known on that fateful "Control" verse, this is now Kendrick's game, and everyone has to step up.
[Video] Derrick Rose Commercial ft. Common, Big Sean, 2 Chainz & More
God damn I love Derrick Rose. Chicago's prodigal son will be back on the court in full swing soon and Adidas has been ramping up his marketing with a slew of new videos and commercials, last week dropping a recap of his "All in for Chicago" event with INNANETAPE beats. In the latest installment Derrick reflects on everything he has: the money, the rich friends and the lifestyle, only to remember that at the end of the day none of it matters. It's been fun to see Derrick break out of his shell over the years and it seems he's a popular guy amongst artists. Common, Big Sean, 2 Chainz and Dom Kennedy all make appearances throughout the piece. Basketball season is right around the corner and it will be refreshing to see No. 1 back on the United Center floor.
http://youtu.be/JKWhh8mC0Ww
Police Find Weapons, Drugs on 2 Chainz Tour Bus
Two bongs, four handguns? Apparently 2 Chainz wasn’t kidding on his latest single, “Fed’s Watching” when he said “I’ma keep it fresh while the Feds watchin’”. The Atlanta rapper, whose bus was stopped August 22 by Oklahoma City police following his performance there as part of Lil Wayne and T.I’s America’s Most Wanted Tour, which seemed to live up to it’s own billing as the cops searched the bus after allegedly smelling marijuana and seeing smoke. According to HipHopDX: “Police discovered two semi-automatic pistols and a 12-gauge pump shotgun, along with some prescription painkillers and marijuana residue, on a tour bus occupied by Tauheed Epps — better known as rapper 2 Chainz — and 10 other men, according to papers filed Tuesday in Oklahoma County District Court.” It seems the former Playaz Circle memeber, who performed as part of the infamous Miley Cyrus set at last week’s MTV Video Music Awards following the police stop. 2 Chainz and others on the bus were arrested but released soon after, it’s not clear whether or not they will face further charges.
http://youtu.be/gyqDvfD50Yo
[RH Photos] America's Most Wanted Music Festival in Austin
Photography by: Virgil Solis
I have to admit that I was pretty excited to hit up the America's Most Wanted Music Festival because I had never seen any of the artists on the bill. Whenever 2 Chainz, T.I., and Lil Wayne are on the same lineup, you know you're going to have a good time and few ratchet moments. The first person up to kick off the night was producer/rapper Hitboy who hit the stage with a lot of energy. His set was very short and probably maxed out at 10 minutes long, but he did what he had to do and that was to hype of the crowd. He dug into his catalog of songs he produced and had the crowd jumping and reciting the lyrics when performed both "Clique" and "Ni**as in Paris;" after he was done 2 Chainz was up.
As you've come to expect from 2 Chainz, he came out on stage with leather shorts, and of course, his gold chains. From the start, he had the crowd going and the majority of the crowd knew every lyric. From "Started From The Trap" to "U.O.E.N.O." and even "Beez in the Trap," the crowd knew everything. There were so many hits that he played that I can list, but it would be too many to mention. Of course, my favorite song was "Spend It," and I kept hoping that T.I. would jump on stage and spit his verse, but no such luck. He would go on to mention that his new album would be dropping September 1oth and closed out his set with "No Lie," paving the way for T.I.
I admit that I was really looking forward to see the king of the south because I have been a fan of his for a long time... well at least before all the legal problems. From the start, he came out on stage with a lot of energy accompanied by two hype men and a full live band in the back, which I didn't expect. He had a pretty cool backdrop as well, and the stage resembled a house from the movie ATL, giving us a performance that seemed like he was just rhyming in front of his crib. He kicked it off with "Down Low" and just going hit after hit after hit. I was pumped, and the crowd was too; everyone was having a great time, even the 40 year olds next to me were diggin' the performance. Even with the controversy surrounding the song "Blurred Lines," he performed the song, but unfortunatetly none of the models from the video showed up on stage. T.I. didn't forget that he was in Texas and brought out Houston native and Screwed Up Click member Trae Tha Truth out to perform with him. The venue turned up at that very moment. T.I. played a couple more songs and eventually closed out his set with "What You Know," and if that would've been the end of the show, I think everyone would have been satisfied, but we still the headliner Lil Wayne up next.
Now I've been listening to Lil Wayne for as long as I can remember and never seen him live, and I was interested in seeing him on stage for the first time since his big health scare. When the curtains opened, all you could hear was the sound of guitars going off, and it felt like you were at a rock concert rather the a rap concert. In true Weezy fashion, he came out on stage accompanied by skaters who would spend the entire time doing tricks on the ramps that were on stage. Now Weezy had a very long set, and it was hard to believe how many hits that he has in his catalog. I was pumped and the was crowd definitely into his performance. With the way he was commanding the stage, it looked like the health issues didn't slow him down one bit. He had fireworks going off all through the performance, and he had back up dancers doing what they do best. He had the crowd in the palm of his hands, and everyone was completely out of control when he brought out 2 Chainz for "Bandz A Make Her Dance" and other songs the two are featured on. The only time the night slowed down was when Wayne went and did a quick costume change. When he finally came back, he had a skateboard and started going towards the ramp, and I admit I was wondering if he was going to fall, but he didn't. Then he went on to continue the show and had some ladies come up on stage who may or may not have been strippers, but we'll never know. The night continued with hit after hit, and he brought out T.I. to do some songs with him, and you know Birdman had to make an appearance with "Stay Fly," which was pretty awesome. It was good to see Lil Wayne perform and see him not miss a step. Everyone there had a great time, and Lil Wayne clearly had no worries that night.
R. Kelly: "My Story" (feat. 2 Chainz)
Yep, you read it right. An R. Kelly collaboration with 2 Chainz exists. And it's actually pretty damn good.
The original Chicago player linked up with Tity Boi for the debut track off his upcoming album [supposedly] titled, Black Panties. Mr. Kelly is having an ironically incredible year - he headlined Bonnaroo, played a 38 song set at Pitchfork, and was on the opening track of G.O.O.D. Music's compilation album, Cruel Summer. Teaming up with hip-hop's current go-to feature rapper only further solidifies his permanent reign over the R&B game. This classic Kellz track is braggadocious and repetitive with a rags to Versace story and the best quotables. Listen below.
You can purchase R. Kelly's new track, "My Story" featuring 2 Chainz on iTunes here.