Listen: KD Young Cocky - "Take A Hit"
The Str8Drop Entertainment team closed out the 4th quarter with a little something to heat up your winter. He's a Chicago artist that goes by the name KD Young Cocky. He has a new project titled Take A Hit ready for your ears on Soundcloud right now!
Take A Hit has features from Chicago's rising star and 2016 Freshman Lister, G Herbo on "Nervous". KD also has Atlanta's YFN Lucci on "Lifestyle". YFN had one of the more notable songs of 2016, "Key To The Streets" featuring Migos and later got a remix featuring 2 Chainz.
KD Young Cocky has also gotten the attention of tastemaker, Karen Civil. You can check him out on the Civil Scope on her website.
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Take A Hit is full of 808, bounce and KD's reflections of his road to riches. The project is full of lyrics with "Got to make something shake" emotions and affirmations. "Hustler In Me", "Make It" "Goals" and "Lifestyle" are great examples of that.
I really dig the combination of KD and XODB of Hyrdox. This tandem has some of the brightest spots on the project. "Goals" is my hands down favorite.
Chicago music keeps moving forward and KD Young Cocky is part of that movement. Get your ears around this and show him you're down with the movement.
Peep another review here.
After 34 years of searching, Keyshia Cole locates her biological father
After several decades of searching for the identity of her biological father, Keyshia Cole can rest a little easier. Overcome with emotions, the “Love” singer turned to social media to reveal the results of a recent paternity test – leading her directly to her dad. As it turns out, he’s pretty famous in the boxing world.
Meet boxing trainer Virgil Hunter, whom Cole says (according to the paternity test) is in fact her birth father. Did we mention they could have crossed paths countless times, as he too resides in Cole’s hometown, Oakland, California?
Photo credit: @keyshiacole/Instagram
“While in NYC I was overwhelmed with emotion, I explained while on stage at the Barclays, the situation I was faced with at that moment, which was, my father and I finding our way to each other, After 34 years. I knew at that time, a paternity test was in place, well the results are in, and this is my father!! His name is Virgil Hunter, and at this present time, I’m in Oakland spending time, getting to kno him! The story behind this is beyond me!!! God has his hands all in this!!! I’m so excited, So excited with taking this a day at a time!!!,” she wrote via Instagram.
“Mom and Dad during their time…. Mommy was such a cutie.!
Singer Lloyd achieves major educational milestone
Graduation season is once again upon us and as students across the nation walk across their school’s stage and receive their diplomas, they’re sharing the good news with their friends and family online. But this graduation season, those students, both old and young, are not alone because R&B singer Lloyd recently revealed to the world that he just earned his GED.
Lloyd shared the big news this weekend, posting a series of photos on his Instagram page. In the photos he donned a red cap and gown and posed with family and friends. According to reports, the 30-year-old singer received his GED during Therrell High School’s graduation ceremony last week in Georgia.
Photo credit: Instagram – @curlyheadedblackboy
“Congrats to my fellow #graduates!!! Was nice meeting you and your families and may you all enjoy this moment in time! Photo: Class of 2016 Hair & makeup by: #Determination Cap & Gown by: #Dedication Smile by: @curlyheadedblackboy,” Lloyd wrote in the caption.
Photo Credit: Lloyd’s Instagram (@curlyheadedblackboy)
“Where would I be without the ones who’ve supported me? #graduates #diploma #familyfirst,” Lloyd captioned the photo.
Lloyd first spoke about his journey to obtain his GED last October when he made a post on Instagram revealing that he dropped out of school and signed his first recording contract at 17. Lloyd shared that he’d always wanted to go back to school and was happy to be closing an old chapter in his life.
“Sometimes, moving forward involves taking a step backwards. … When I moved to New York to sign my first record deal, I promised my 17-year-old self that I would return to school to finish my education. I am neither ashamed nor embarrassed to say that I’ve taken my first step towards that goal. Thanks to the support of friends and family, I’m ready to go back & finish what I’d started. Firsthand, moneymaking experience is great and, in most cases, is what we go through years of school for anyway, but I just HAD to go back for my GED so I could at least show myself & others that there is no shame nor regret to be had or felt when you are making a conscience effort to become a better you. A sneaky little paparazzi caught me studying in my room. Thought I’d share … Y’all have a great week !” Lloyd wrote in the post.
By December, Lloyd shared that he’d finally earned his GED.
Photo credit: Instagram – @curlyheadedblackboy
Now, we see that he was not only able to graduate, but obtained his diploma as well. We’re happy that Lloyd decided to go back to school and we hope he inspires others towards the truth that it’s really never too late to get an education.
Article Originally Published by our friends at Rolling Out.
Future's Purple Reign Tour had the Aragon Ballroom Lit
Photos & Video by: Jeremy Franklin
The multiplatinum Atlanta hip-hop game-changer Future personally announced his Purple Reign North American tour via his social media back in December. Chicago was the second stop on his tour and sold out the Aragon Ballroom. Last night was a concert you didn't want to miss. Future Hendrix fans were in for a treat as Ty Dolla $ign and DJ Esco started the night on a high note. Check out Future's Purple Reign Tour through our camera lens with photos and video.
58th Annual Grammy Awards
2016 GRAMMY NOMINEES ALBUM TRACK LISTING REVEALED
Latest Edition Of Compilation Features 21 Hits From The World’s Biggest Superstars And Emerging Talent
Album Available Jan.22 In Stores And At All Digital Retailers
Fans Can Pre-Order Now; Gives Fans The Chance To Attend
Music's Biggest Night®
The Recording Academy®'s GRAMMY Recordings® and Republic Records announced the track list for the 2016 GRAMMY® Nominees album — available in stores and at all digital retailers on Jan. 22. The full 2016 lineup of artists and songs can be found below.
The 22nd installment of the best-selling series features 21 GRAMMY-nominated artists and hit songs from the world’s biggest superstars and hottest emerging talent, including Album Of The Year nominees Alabama Shakes, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Stapleton,Taylor Swift and The Weeknd, as well as Best New Artist nominees Courtney Barnett,James Bay, Sam Hunt, Tori Kelly and Meghan Trainor among others. Pre-order the album here.
Once again, a portion of the proceeds from album sales will benefit the year-round efforts of the GRAMMY Foundation® and MusiCares Foundation® — two Recording Academy-affiliated charitable organizations.
"The 2016 GRAMMY Nominees album represents some of the finest songs and talented artists that make up this year's remarkable nominees," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "We thank Republic Records for collaborating with us on this project, which also provides much needed support for the invaluable programs and initiatives our charities produce year-round. We look forward to another successful GRAMMY compilation."
"It's an honor to partner with the Recording Academy for the 2016 GRAMMY Nominees album," says Republic Records Founder/President Avery Lipman. "It's a very special project that captures the year through showcasing its biggest and best songs and simultaneously benefits some very important causes."
By visiting www.2016GRAMMYalbum.com or www.CBS.com, fans will have a chance to win a trip for two to the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards®.*
The 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Monday, Feb. 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, and will be broadcast live on CBS from 8 — 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
2016 GRAMMY® Nominees Album
Track List
1. MARK RONSON
"Uptown Funk" Feat. Bruno Mars
Record Of The Year
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
2. TAYLOR SWIFT
"Blank Space"
Record Of The Year
Album Of The Year
Song Of The Year
3. THE WEEKND
"Can’t Feel My Face"
Record Of The Year
Album Of The Year
4. ED SHEERAN
"Thinking Out Loud"
Record Of The Year
Song Of The Year
5. MAROON 5
"Sugar"
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
6. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
"Ship To Wreck"
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
7. ALABAMA SHAKES
"Don’t Wanna Fight"
Album Of The Year
8. D’ANGELO AND THE VANGUARD
"Really Love"
Record Of The Year
9. KENDRICK LAMAR
"Alright"
Album Of The Year
Song Of The Year
10. CHRIS STAPLETON
"Traveller"
Album Of The Year
Best Country Solo Performance
11. LITTLE BIG TOWN
"Girl Crush"
Song Of The Year
12. WIZ KHALIFA
"See You Again" Feat. Charlie Puth (From Furious 7)
Song Of The Year
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
13. MEGHAN TRAINOR
"Lips Are Movin"
Best New Artist
14. TORI KELLY
"Should’ve Been Us"
Best New Artist
15. SAM HUNT
"Take Your Time"
Best New Artist
16. JAMES BAY
"Hold Back The River"
Best New Artist
17. COURTNEY BARNETT
"Pedestrian At Best"
Best New Artist
18. CARRIE UNDERWOOD
"Little Toy Guns"
Best Country Solo Performance
19. CAM
"Burning House"
Best Country Solo Performance
20. LEE ANN WOMACK
"Chances Are"
Best Country Solo Performance
21. KEITH URBAN
"John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16"
Best Country Solo Performance
GOOD Monday Kanye releases No More Parties in L.A
The music Gods have been great to us this year so far. We got a sample of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar new record last week when he dropped Real Friends. This morning Ye tweeted "Its Up" speaking about the new record "No More Parties in L.A".
Rest Easy DJ Timbuck 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7eBNAHr0EQ&sns=tw
Rest easy to our dear friend DJ Timbuck 2 (Tim Jones). He was loved by so many in the hiphop community around the world and especially Chicago. Timbuck gave local artists a platform to be heard over the radio waves every Saturday from 9-10pm. Thank you for believing in your city and you will be greatly missed. Rest Easy and you will truly be missed.
[SXSW Journal] Day 4
Photo by Kristen Wrzesniewski
The weekend in Austin started off quickly with several interviews on the docket early. My feet, blistered, sore and just generally unhappy about the situation, slipped into a pair of Converse boots with the thought it would help with all the moving. Strapped up and ready to go I headed out to The Blind Pig on 6th Street to talk to The Lonely Biscuits, a four piece jam/hip-hop/indie group from Nashville. The Belmont University students were on the back end of a wild collection of shows throughout SXSW and played a fitting mid-afternoon set after we had a chance to sit down and talk. As soon as I was done there, I raced across town to the Omni Hotel where I was to interview New York City’s rising star, 17-year-old Bishop Nehru. Sans photog for the week, I was able to get the lovely pair of Rasha Mosa and Asia Ashley of The Lab3l to lend a hand for what ended up being one of the more interesting interviews I’ve done in awhile. We discussed the theory of the ‘twenty year loop’, his ties to Nas and what we can expect next, words on that coming soon.
After that it was off to 502 Brushy Street on the other side of the highway to catch Chicago local Taylor Bennett perform at the House of Aura showcase. Technical problems led to him doing a rousing acapella performance before launching into a full set list. A trip to the Rap Genius Ranch ended up just getting me more miles on my ragged feet as we made the trip just a bit too late to catch Nas actually talking about Illmatic. It was at about this point I realized the ridiculousness of this ‘festival’ and how impractical a town Austin really is. There is a ton going on in ATX for SXSW, so much in fact you can find music just about anywhere you go. However, once you walk up to that venue with your Bomberman-looking arm of wristbands, trying desperately to find the one for this particular venue, you’ll likely find there is an extra hierarchy above your ‘credential’ (i.e. it’s a corporate party with people who don’t really even like the music), or you’ll be directed to a mile-long line with a shrug and a ‘good luck’. So, I spent a good amount of time Friday walking to shows like SaveMoney’s set at Clive, only to hear Tumblr only likes folks in badges and decided to pack it in and meet up with some familiar faces at D.B. Riley’s on 6th where Marrow played an absolutely fantastic SXSW debut. Going back to Austin being impractical, keep in mind there is little to no public transportation, the highway system is like a toddler’s SimCity game and they have a train that literally runs like every three hours in a straight line down one street. Sorry guys, you have a way to go before you get true ‘city’ status. Anyway, after Marrow injected happiness into the souls of D.B. Riley’s patrons, I decided it was time to get out of the city and ended up at a mansion party about 20 minutes outside of town where we partied through the night. Looking forward to the last day, ready to get back to Chicago.
Marrow at D.B. Riley's
Taylor Bennett at House of Aura
The Lonely Biscuits at The Big Picture Media Showcase