The 2022 edition of the Governors Ball Music Festival got underway on Day One, June 10th, outside of Citi Field in Flushing, Queens. The festival has revamped itself in the new location with greater accessibility via mass transit, a dive bar area featuring intimate acoustic sets from artists on the bill, and more of a focus on local food vendors.
Kid Cudi, Governors Ball, 6/10/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Friday was headlined by Grammy Award winning recording artist Kid Cudi who released Man On The Moon III: Chosen back in 2020 and is set to release his eighth LP later this year. Kid Cudi previewed the new record with “Do What I Want” as well as playing the all-time hit “Memories.”
NYS Music photographers David Reichmann and Joseph Buscarello are on site all weekend covering Governors Ball. Other artists on Friday included Channel Tres, Black Pumas, JPEGMAFIA, and Jack Harlow. Lil’ Wayne was booked as a last minute replacement for Migos who dropped off the lineup earlier in the week. However, only a couple of hours before his set, the festival announced that due to “flight delays” Weezy would be replaced by Harlem native A$AP Ferg.
Black Pumas, Governors Ball, 6/10/22. Photo by Buscar Photo
Saturday is going to be a packed day with sets from Denzel Curry, DJ Diesel (Shaq), Dehd, Tove Lo, and Flume. Halsey headlines the Governors Ball Stage, making her return to the festival after last playing in 2018. Tune back in tomorrow for photos from those sets and more.
The estate of esteemed rapper, Prodigy, has released his first posthumous single since signing a management deal to bring his solo catalog to streaming platforms. “You Will See” is the first single from Prodigy’s forthcoming posthumous project, The Hegelian Dialectic: The Book of Heroine.
The R&B laced track sees the “H.N.I.C.” at his story-telling best, as he details the inner-city lifestyle that littered his raps throughout his career. The “Keep It Thoro” MC did just that, sharing tales of his beloved Queensbridge along with the many vices that come with the street lifestyle.
It’s hard to put into words the impact he had on the world — his sound completely changed the game and influenced so many that came after him. His legacy will live on forever through his music and we’re grateful his estate has entrusted ADA to bring his iconic catalog back where it belongs — with his fans.
– ADA president Cat Kreidich
Prodigy passed away in 2017 due to complications from his sickle cell anemia, he was 42-years-old. Listen to “You Will See” below.
Chicago rapper, Lil Durk, has announced the second leg of his “7220 Deluxe Tour.” Produced by LiveNation, The 15-city, month-long expedition kicks-off with a performance on Saturday, September 17 at The Criterion in Oklahoma City, before making stops across the United States.
The tour will see the “When We Shoot” rapper perform throughout the Mid-West and the South, with a week-long layover on the East coast, that will see Lil Durk perform in Philadelphia, the DMV area and on September 30 at Coney Island Amphitheater in Brooklyn, NY. “The 7220 Deluxe Tour” wraps up in Seattle, WA, at WAMU Theater on Monday, October 17.
Since emerging on the rap scene as part of the then-newly idealized drill scene, Lil Durk has maintained a consistent presence in the rap-game for several years before breaking out as a mainstream act with his 2020 album, Just Cause Ya’ll Waited 2, followed by another gold-release later that year in, The Voice.
Released March 2022, the 7220 album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts and has garnered critical praise from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, the New York Times, as well as being certified gold by the RIAA, spawning the platinum and gold-certified singles “Broadway Girls,” “What Happened to Virgil,” “AHHH HA,” and “Pissed Me Off.” Following the album’s release, Durk performed the records “AHHH Ha” and “Petty Too” on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Boasting features from Morgan Wallen, Gunna, Future, among others, the album is Durk’s most commercially successful work to-date, with over 1 Billion streams in 2 months.
Tickets for “The 7220 Deluxe Tour” are now on sale at LiveNation.com, while tour dates can be found below.
THE 7220 DELUXE TOUR DATES:
Sat. Sep 17 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
Sun. Sep 18 – Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena
Tue. Sep 20 – Milwaukee, WI – BMO Harris Pavilion
Wed. Sep 21 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater
Sun. Sep 25 – Portsmouth, VA – Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
Wed. Sep 28 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia
Fri. Sep 30 – Brooklyn, NY – Coney Island Amphitheater
Sun. Oct 02 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion
Mon. Oct 03 – Washington, D.C. – Echostage
Wed. Oct 05 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Thu. Oct 06 – Birmingham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
Fr.i Oct 07 – Southaven, MS – Landers Center
Wed. Oct 12 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
Fri. Oct 14 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Mon Oct 17 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater
In a renaming ceremony held on May 28, family and fans of deceased rapper Big L, gathered as the corner of W 140th Street and Lenox Avenue in New York City became Lamont “Big L” Coleman Way. The designation is in honor of Harlem native and fabled rapper, Big L, who, in 1999, was shot nine times and killed in the very same East Harlem neighborhood.
“It took a whole lot of effort and Support to get to this great point but as a collective we made it happen, an Instagram announcement read.”
The Biggest Thank you’s go out to the Dope 500 plus people who signed and passed the petition around so we could get this street renamed. There are entirely tooo many good people that gave this their support, so with all my heart, I personally want to say THANK YOU!!!!
Known for his wordplay, free-styling ability, and overall wittiness, Big L was once the crown prince of New York’s underground hip hop scene. As part Harlem hip-hop crew Children of the Corn alongside Mase, Cam’ron, Bloodshed, and McGruff, he featured in dozens of records as the group attempted to get signed. Coleman later found success as a solo act, signing to Columbia Records in 1994. His debut album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous (1995) is considered a cult-classic. His posthumous sophomore project, The Big Picture, (2000) was executive produced by DJ Premier and featured the likes of 2Pac, Fat Joe and Big Daddy Kane and has been certified Gold.
As we saunter auspiciously into the sunny season, New Yorkers will be hoping for another memorable summer. In light, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment), has released its list of events between all of their MSG affiliated venues. 2022’s “Summer of Live” presentation will be split between Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre and Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, as there will be more than 75 live entertainment events from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
“Summer of Live” kicked-off with a performance from, The Who, on May 26 at Madison Square Garden. A quick turnaround between the 27-29 saw the Harvard Athletic Complex play host to the Boston Calling Music Festival this Memorial Day Weekend. There, fans got the chance to rock out with headliners Nine Inch Nails, The Strokes and Metallica.
From there, MSG Entertainment brings the heat with a jam-packed line up of events at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre and Hulu Theater at MSG. From concerts and comedy, to professional darts and boxing, marquee performances will include Lil Baby and Chris Brown on July 22 as part of their “One of Them Ones Tour.” MSG Entertainment will also be host to two Top Rank Boxing fights on June 11 and 18. While popular podcasts, Pod Save America and My Dad Wrote A Porno will also grace the Beacon Theatre stage.
The complete schedule to MSG Entertainment’s upcoming shows schedule can be found below. Tickets to upcoming summer performances are available now on the MSG website.
May 26 at 7:30PM
Madison Square Garden
The Who“Hit’s Back! 2022 Tour” – Tickets start at $97.00
May 27-29
Harvard Athletic Complex (Allston, MA)
Boston Calling Music Festival – Single day admission tickets start at $149.99 with two-day and three-day packages also still available
June 2 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Pod Save America “(A)live And On Tour 2022” – Tickets start at $49.50
June 3 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Gipsy Kings – Tickets start at $80.00
June 3 at 7:00PM June 4 at 1:00PM & 7:30PM
Hulu Theater at MSG
World Series of Darts: Bet365 North American Darts Championship – Two-day event with single session tickets starting at $30.00
June 4 at 7:00PM & 9:45PM
Beacon Theatre
Nate Bargatze “The Raincheck Tour” – Limited tickets for the late show starting at $39.75; early show sold out
June 8 at 2:00PM
Hulu Theater at MSG
Beat the Streets WrestlingPresents Final X New York – Tickets start at $65.00
June 9 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Tribeca Festival Presents “Taurus” – Tickets start at $46.00
June 10 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Tribeca Festival Presents “the DOC” – Tickets start at $46.00
June 11 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Tribeca Festival Presents “Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby” – Tickets start at $46.00
June 11 at 6:00PM
Hulu Theater at MSG
Top Rank Boxing: Berlanga v Angulo – Tickets start at $66.00
June 16 & 17 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Sigur Ros: World Tour 2022 – Two shows with limited tickets still available starting at $125.50
June 17 at 9:00PM
Hulu Theater at MSG
Hombres G – Tickets start at $75.00
June 18 at 6:00PM
Hulu Theater at MSG
Top Rank Boxing: Artur Beterbiev vs. Joe Smith Jr. – Tickets start at $56.00
June 23-25 at 8:00PM
Madison Square Garden
John Mulaney“From Scratch” tour – Three shows with limited tickets available starting at $69.50
June 24 & 25 at 8:00PM
Radio City Music Hall
Goose – Two nights with limited tickets still available on 6/24, starting at $39.50
June 30 at 8:00PM
Radio City Music Hall
My Dad Wrote A Por.noWorld Tour – Tickets start at $51.75
July 9 at 7:30PM
Hulu Theater at MSG
TOMORROW X TOGETHER“<ACT: LOVE SICK>” tour – Tickets start at $75.00
July 9 at 8:00PM
Radio City Music Hall
CHEER Live – Tickets start at $79.95
July 21-25 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Widespread Panic – Five shows with tickets starting at $49.50
July 22 at 7:00PM
Madison Square Garden
Chris Brown & Lil Baby“One of Them Ones Tour” – Tickets start at $69.50
July 26, 27, 29 & 30 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
An Evening with Jackson Browne – Four shows with tickets starting at $39.50
July 27 at 7:00PM
Radio City Music Hall
BANKS“Serpentina Tour” – Tickets starting at $39.50
July 28 at 8:00PM
Radio City Music Hall
RuPaul’s Drag Race“Werq The World Tour” – Tickets start at $45.00
July 30 at 8:00PM
Hulu Theater at MSG
Carin Leon – Tickets start at $75.00
July 31 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Hanson“Red Green Blue 2022 Tour” – Tickets start at $39.50
Aug. 2-3 at 8:00PM
Madison Square Garden
Swedish House Mafia“Paradise Again Tour” – Two nights with tickets starting at $59.50
Aug. 8-12 & 14 at 8:00PM
Madison Square Garden
Rage Against the Machine“Public Service Announcement” tour with Run The Jewels – Six shows with limited tickets still available starting at $125.00
Aug. 18 at 8:00PM
Madison Square Garden
An Evening with Michael Bublé – Tickets start at $131.00
Aug. 21 at 7:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Gilberto Santa Rosa’s Birthday Bash! – Tickets start at $65.50
Aug. 27 at 7:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Celeste Barber“Fine, Thanks. Live Tour” – Tickets start at $54.50
Aug. 30 at 8:00PM
Beacon Theatre
Soft Cell – Tickets start at $49.50
Aug. 30 & 31 at 8:00PM
Madison Square Garden
Roger Waters “This Is Not A Drill” – Tickets start at $70.00
The longevity of the hip hop era has yet to cease. Its influence within the music industry, as well as the significant role it plays in cultural shifts worldwide is ever-growing. With the help of stellar records, powerful performances, captivating music videos and the puissant storytelling, hip hop has become engrained in everyday life, down to basic communication. Over decades it has been fragmented into sub-genres with its origins deriving globally, with one of the most bodacious being drill music. It may have first originated from Southside Chicago, but nonetheless has extensively embedded itself within the rap game forever.
Kid Flvsh
This sub-genre of music began in the early 2010s and was pioneered by the notable, King Louie and Chief Keef. Nonetheless, drill has yet to falter, as it has grown from underground to mainstream music, preeminently within New York and the United Kingdom. Every drill song has a storyline, centered around gun violence, disses, and gang culture which touch upon the realities of surviving the streets. Its raw nature is what also connected people, as well as led rappers from a life of poverty, a higher degree of institutionalized racism, and crime within the hood, to a better life with riches and fame. After consummating such accomplishments, many take on the role of the hero within their hometowns and devote their time, as well as their money to giving back.
Fivio Foreign, Alicia Keys, and Ye, also known as Kanye West, are the three prominent artists who collaborated to create the timeless song, “City of Gods”. Considering the trio’s hometowns are New York City and Chicago, the cultures from both were intertwined to perfection.
In an interview with DJ Clue on 105.1, Foreign compared his song with another credible record by Keys and Jay Z, “Empire State of Mind”, which is a New York classic. The idea for “City of Gods” was first established by none other than musical genius Ye. When Foreign first received the beat, it was a sample from The Chainsmokers’ 2015 song, “New York City“. Soon after creating his verse, he shared everything with Ye, who then envisioned a new path for it. Ye not only mixed up the beat, but also encouraged the drill rapper to alter some of his lyrics to further reinforce his message. After adding in his own verse, the only thing missing was the chorus and Ye knew undoubtedly, the one person who could tie this masterpiece together was Keys.
At first I had said ‘ain’t no King of New York, nobody really in charge’ and Ye like ‘yo you gotta say you the King of New York, you the one that’s in charge.’
Fivio Foreign
Not only did Foreign tribute “City of Gods” to New York City, especially his hometown of Brooklyn, but he dedicated it to his friend and fellow drill rapper, TDott Woo, who was fatally shot soon before the record was released. This tragedy is a prime example of the message behind the passionate lyrics, “New York City please go easy on me tonight. New York City please go easy on this heart of mine.” These are more than just lyrics for another hit song but are words that electrify the hearts of so many who experience the same livelihood of violence and crime within their neighborhood.
Kid Flvsh’s vision, for the cover art of “City of Gods”, was to make a statement with the vibe of New York City, as well as all of the emotions from the song. The drawing is in honor of TDott Woo who mirrored what drill is all about.
“City of Gods” is a biblical term that refers to Heaven, which is why Foreign chose it to represent the city that means the absolute world to him. Additionally, the drill rapper shares this nostalgia with New York City natives, Nas, and Jay Z, who are viewed as “gods” within the world of hip hop. All-embracing, Foreign knows the massive impact his city holds, regarding the rap legends it birthed.
Throughout the record, Foreign continued to shed light on how much he appreciates love from his city and is always considering ways to improve its livelihood, especially for people of color. Nonetheless, he spoke of its terrors and how to survive them, which correlates to his album title B.I.B.L.E., Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
On Ye’s verse he mentions “It’s a Sunday Service in Brooklyn”, which refers to the time when him along with his gospel group, performed at DMX’s Memorial in Brooklyn. Sunday Service was recognized globally after their appearance at Coachella on Easter of 2019.
Ye proceeds with a juxtaposition, “It’s the city that come with the lights. I’m with the drillers that come with the night.” The first line describes the city that never sleeps, specifically Brooklyn and how it is a city of light. However, the next line emphasizes how dark and gloomy it is at nighttime, considering all the violence that occurs. This topic is nothing new to Ye, as he once bared witness to the crimes of Chicago growing up.
New Yorkers continuously support and respect Ye’s music, cultural influence, and commitment to his artistry. Resultantly, every chance Ye receives he praises New York, hence his reference to Frank Sinatra, “I feel like Sinatra in these streets.” Sinatra is accoladed with being one of the greatest musicians of the 1900s, which Ye compares to how the world views himself in this generation. Additionally, the 20th century singer once created a record in honor of the city, called “New York, New York“.
I’m from the Chi but I’m always New York. In the city, they treat me like Jesus is walkin.
Ye
Although, many claim drill music to be detrimental to the culture and that it supports ongoing violence, Foreign is an advocate of the contrary. In fact, he firmly believes this style of music provides people with the freedom to express themselves and discuss what their ferocious world entails daily. Furthermore, rising to stardom, provides an opportunity for monetary gain, which leads to a better life and keeps more Black men off the streets. Notwithstanding this perspective, he discusses that many artists do not write their own lyrics, and according to Foreign, would make it unjust for laws to be used against them based on the messages relayed.
As a respected voice of this generation, Foreign is currently planning to unify distinguished artists in support of one another to cultivate change. Those he mentioned who were already in agreement are Ye, Jay-Z, Dave East, 2 Chainz, Fabulous, Jim Jones and more. Moving forward, Foreign would love for younger artists to connect and take part in this brotherhood.
Essentially, no matter how much recognition and fame Foreign receives worldwide, he knows that his home will always be right here in the “City of Gods”.
“City of Gods” Lyrics
New York City, please go easy on me tonight New York City, please go easy on this heart of mine
Nigga, this my shit Welcome to the city of Gods Pop was the king of New York Now I’m the nigga in charge Only the drillers, the city is ours We found out the opps and we pick ’em apart I give ’em my time so I give ’em my heart If the city love me, then I’m really a star New York City, please go easy on me tonight New York City, please go easy on this heart of mine ‘Cause I’m losing my lover to the arms of another New York City, please go easy on me
Yeah, look, this is the city of money and violence Everything we do is gon’ come with a challenge Every bitch you fuck is gon’ come with a balance Every shooter with me is coming in silence And you niggas better pick a side You niggas side hoppin’ If I want ’em to not let you come into the city, it’s my option This is the home of the fly shoppin’ This where the bitches gon’ watch pockets When I’m on TV, I gotta look good ‘Cause I know the whole block watchin’ If you chill with the opps, we is not vibin’ If I see ’em in person, we Fox 5 ’em Yeah, the police is on us, we not stoppin’ (Yeah, the police is on us, we not stoppin’, nah)
This is the town of the big drip (big drip), smooth talk (smooth talk, ha) Milly Rock (Milly Rock), Shmoney Dance (Shmoney Dance), Woo Walk (Woo) You will not survive being too soft Been a long time, we took a new loss Shooters shootin’ ’til we got a new corpse If we stop then we lettin’ it cool off
New York City, please go easy on me tonight New York City, please go easy on this heart of mine ‘Cause I’m losing my lover to the arms of another New York City, please go easy on me
We went off the grid We ain’t watch the throne, we took it We went viral on ’em, they lookin’ It’s a Sunday Service in Brooklyn It’s the city that come with the lights I’m with the drillers that come with the night They ain’t do four years in college But they’ll do 25 to life
We make money every night Never too big of a price After I buy the Chicago Bulls Imma go link with Mike And if I let ’em have my wife, niggas should thank me With this Balenciaga and Balenci’ boots and a new blue Yankee
This is Ye, I’m so focused, throw on a mask, no COVID Imma turn your life to a meme, let Justin LaBoy post it You got an album? Postpone it I drop two and they both going I got a feeling they in they feelings They filmin’ a show, but won’t show it
You gotta watch me in slow motion, I’m in that wide-body Benz I go back to college, do an album, and then drop out again Took me a minute to get here, my vision is crystal clear Ayy, Fivi’, excuse me, but this the feature of the year
I feel like Sinatra in these streets Me and Drizzy, we at peace This the backpack with the Polo and the first Jesus piece I’m from the Chi’ but I’m always New York In the city, they treat me like Jesus is walkin’ I been through the pain and all of the torment I’m sayin’ His name, I make that important
Now it’s time to give ’em hell Ask my staff, I pay ’em well This afternoon, a hundred goons pullin’ up to SNL When I pull up, it’s dead on arrival They act like they love you, they don’t even like you They throw a party, won’t even invite you I seen the same thing happen to Michael
You black and you rich, they sayin’ you psycho It’s like a cycle If you text me anything hype You better text back and say it’s a typo The city of Gods, no city is like you This the new New York, Ye is the GOAT Fivi’ is viral and this is the B.I.B.L.E.
New York City, please go easy on me tonight New York City, please go easy on this heart of mine ‘Cause I’m losing my lover to the arms of another New York City, please go easy on me
Don’t leave me, go easy, go easy, go easy Don’t leave me, go easy, go easy, go easy Don’t leave me, go easy, go easy, go easy
Albany’s Alive at Five Summer Concert Series has announced the 2022 summer lineup, with a wide variety of musicians playing at Jennings Landing.
Alive at Five is Albany’s signature free concert series, with eight weeks showcasing various artists, from big names to up-and-coming acts, and artists from the area. The summer concert series started in 1990 with a performance by legendary folk artist Richie Havens and has since grown into a staple of the Capital Region. The shows will be every Thursday from 4:30-8 P.M.
State Champs is an American Rock band from Albany, New York. Young Culture is also from Albany and is a three-piece alternative rock band. State Champs have been a band since 2010, and have released three EPs and four full-length albums. They have been nominated for many awards at the Alternative Press Music Awards. Young Culture is friends with State Champs and has toured together and worked on music together as well.
Spafford is a four-piece act from Phoenix, Arizona, and their sound can be described as electrofunk therapy, which combines deep sonic exploration and jam-heavy improvisation. Their songs range from 10-30 minutes, taking an interesting view of funk-dance music. Annie in the Water’s music is a groovy combination of Reggae, Funk, Rock, Blues, and Jamstyle. The band is a six-piece and was created out of chance as founding members Michael Lashomb and Bradley Hester met at Hobart College in Geneva in 2007.
Known as heavy metal’s original blonde rocker, Lita Ford is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. She was the lead guitarist for the all-female rock band the Runaways in the late 1970s and had a successful glam metal solo career in the 80s. Her 1989 single “Close My Eyes Forever” with Ozzy Osbourne is her most successful song, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard 100 charts. Candy Ambulance is an Albany-based grunge-punk trio who are known for its poppy melodies and dynamic vocal changes.
Talib Kweli stands as one of the worldâs most talented and most accomplished hip-hop artists after nearly 20 years of recordings and performances. He has worked with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and more. He will be joined by DJ TGIF, DJ SIROC, and JB!! aka Dirty Moses.
Cassadee Pope is a Grammy award-nominated pop-punk singer and a country artist, songwriter, & musician. She was the lead singer of the rock band Hey Monday before becoming the winner of the third season of The Voice and the first female winner. Sydney Worthley is an alternative artist from Albany, New York who became an independent artist at 17 and has released a few albums with regular air time on the radio.
Ballyhoo! is an American reggae rock and punk band. The group has sold over 30,000 copies of its five albums and more than 200,000 digital tracks. Souly Had is an artist from Duanesburg, New York, who creates hip-hop and R&B music, with over one million streams on Spotify. The E-Block are an indie band from Albany, New York, named after the street they all grew up on.
Donavon Frankenreiter is a musican and surfer, who for nearly four decades has been traveling the world as a surfer and musican. His sound is a unique blend of laid-back grooves, philosophical lyrics and soulful delivery. Sean Rowe is an alternative folk singer-songwriter and musician. He has a recognizable deep and husky voice that brings the sound of country and Americana together.
Doug E. Fresh is a Barbados-born American rapper, record producer, and beatboxer, also known as the “Human Beat Box”. Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines and various special effects and is a pioneer of 20th-century American beatboxing. He will be joined by Ohzhe & DJ TGIF and DJ Hollyw8d.
Doug E. Fresh.
All Alive at Five performances are free and begin at 4:30pm each Thursday this summer, beginning June 9
Griselda Records’ Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher are currently on the “Claires Back Tour” with special guest Doe Boy. On Thursday May 18th, they played a sold out show at Terminal 5 in NYC.
Conway The Machine at Terminal 5
The two and a half hour show started with a set from Westside Gunn that featured Stove God, Rome Streetz, Yn Billy and Armani Caesar. At the end he brought out Benny to start his set with a collaboration of “Lotto”from Gunn’s Fourth Rope album.
Westside Gunn at Terminal 5
Benny’s set included songs from Tanya Talk 3, The Plugs I Met and his newest album Tanya Talk 4 as well as appearances by Stove God and members of BSF. Benny ended his set by introducing Conway with a “Tito’s Back” collaboration from Conway’s Look What I Became mixtape.
Benny The Butcher at Terminal 5
Conway’s set included songs from his newest album God Don’t Make Mistakes as well as his collaboration album with Alchemist Lulu, and his 2020 debut solo album From King To A God. His set also included appearances by 7xvethegenius and Jae Skeese. The show ended with songs all three members are featured on including John Woo Flick and Dr Birds.
The 10-city tour from the Griselda Records artists includes stops in Rochester, Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles. You can see the rest of the tour dates here.
Fans of Prodigy will once again be able to enjoy his solo catalog on streaming services, as reported by Billboard. In what was described as “legal disputes between the estate, which is run by the late artist’s family, and former associates of the artist,” his solo work remained off streaming services for the past three years. Only 2007’s Alchemist collab, Return of the Mac, 2008’s Product of the 80s, with Big Twins and Un Pacino, along with the Mobb Deep discography were made available.
Prodigy’s returning solo catalog includes his classic debut-album H.N.I.Cand its two sequels, 2012’s The Bumpy Johnson Album, his 2013 collaboration with The Alchemist, Albert Einstein and 2017’s Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation). His 2014 release with Boogz Boogetz, Young Rollin Stoned, can also now be streamed.
This is the result of a new management deal Prodigy’s estate signed with The NorthStar Group’s L. Londell McMillan and a distribution deal with Warner Music Group’s ADA. Prodigy’s estate also announced a new album, The Hegelian Dialectic: The Book of Heroine and a new single, “You Will,” out June, 10.
Prodigy is a once-in-a-generation rapper,
-ADA president Cat Kreidich
It’s hard to put into words the impact he had on the world — his sound completely changed the game and influenced so many that came after him. His legacy will live on forever through his music and we’re grateful his estate has entrusted ADA to bring his iconic catalog back where it belongs — with his fans.
With his partner, Havoc, Prodigy served as one-half of Mobb Deep. After releasing their debut, Juvenile Hell in 1993. A year later, they released their classic second LP, The Infamous, to critical-acclaim.
As a rapper, Prodigy was known for his opening bars that would set the tone. Encapsulating an entire record with his first couple of lines. When hip hop went full glitz and glamour during the “shiny suit era,” of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Prodigy would double down and release more raw grimy street music. Plateauing him and his partner Havoc’s commercial-appeal, but remaining true to themselves.
The New York State Senate passed a bill that will limit prosecutors from using song lyrics as evidence in criminal cases, as first reported by Pitchfork. The bill was introduced this past November by Senator Brad Hoylman, Senator Jamaal Bailey and assembly member Catalina, and it is recognized as Senate Bill S7527 . It is designed to “limit the admissibility of evidence of a defendant’s creative or artistic expression against such defendant in a criminal proceeding,” according to the New York State Senate’s official website.
This bill has long been a point of contention from many within hip hop culture. Before coming to fruition, it was touted by the likes of Jay – Z, Meek Mill and Killer Mike.
In a letter signed by the aforementioned artists, Jay – Z’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, had this to say about the new legislation:
“Rather than acknowledge rap music as a form of artistic expression, police and prosecutors argue that the lyrics should be interpreted literally—in the words of one prosecutor, as ‘autobiographical journals. The genre is rooted in a long tradition of storytelling that privileges figurative language, is steeped in hyperbole, and employs all of the same poetic devices we find in more traditional works of poetry.”
This new legislation comes as Atlanta-bred rappers Young Thug, Gunna and other YSL affiliates were arrested and are facing charges under Georgia’s RICO act. It was reported that their lyrics were used by authorities as part of their criminal investigation.
Rapper’s lyrics have long been a point of contention in the courtroom. The likes of Boosie Badazz, YNW Melly, Mac Phipps, Tay-K have all had their words play a part in their criminal proceedings. In a rather famous instance, Snoop Dogg’s “Murder Was The Case” was played in the courtroom while he faced trial for murder in 1993. Now, rapper’s in the state of New York will have an extra creative freedom knowing their song lyrics won’t be used against them aimlessly.
