NYS Music 2023

Category: Hip Hop/Rap

  • Conway The Machine Releases Won’t He Do It and Celebrates at Ludlow House

    Conway The Machine just released his new full album Won’t He Do It? The album was released via Drumwork Music Group and EMPIRE.

    Features on this project include Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, Juicy J, Fabolous, 7xvthegenius, Dave East, Sauce Walka and Jae Skeese. Production includes acclaimed hip-hop producers Daringer, Justice League, Juicy J, and Khyrysis. The production on Won’t He Do It is top-level, with standout tracks like “Super Bowl” and “The Chosen” featuring guest appearances from Sauce Walka and Jae Skeese respectively.

    Throughout the album, Conway The Machine showcases his impeccable wordplay and storytelling ability. On “Brucifix” featuring Westside Gunn, Conway spits gritty bars over a hard-hitting beat, while Gunn delivers a standout verse that perfectly complements Conway’s style.

    One of the standout tracks on the album is Brooklyn Chop House featuring Fabolous and fellow Griselda member Benny The Butcher. The two rappers trade bars over a haunting instrumental, with Conway showcasing his storytelling abilities as he weaves a tale of drug dealing and violence. Overall, Wont He Do It is a powerful, introspective project that showcases Conway the Machine’s talent as a rapper and storyteller.

    To celebrate the album’s release, Conway held a record release party at Ludlow House in New York City. Guests in attendance included Westside Gunn, Armani Caesar, Nems, Statik Selektah, and 38 Spesh, among others. The event was a celebration of Conway’s success and a testament to the impact he’s had on the rap game.

    There is also an upcoming tour to support the new album. There will be a show at Brooklyn Steel on June 24th. All of the other tour dates can be found here.

  • Ludacris to Perform at New York State Fair

    The New York State Fair has a stellar lineup of musicians coming this summer, including rapper and actor Ludacris performing on Thursday, Aug. 31 at the Suburban Park Stage.

    Ludacris

    Founded in 1832 by a group of local farmers for agriculture and local fairs, The Great New York State Fair did not become a musical showcase until the 1950s and 1960s, when the fair began gearing towards entertainment. Just announced, Ludacris will perform at the Fair along with a number of other great artists and bands. He will recently reprise his role as Tej in the Fast & Furious franchise’s newest film, Fast X, due out May 19. Beginning his career as a rapper, Ludacris has been nominated for twenty Grammy awards, winning three over the years including “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration” for the song “Yeah!” in 2005, and both “Best Rap Song” for “Money Maker” and “Best Rap Album” for Release Therapy in 2007.

    He has sold more than 24 million albums worldwide, and spent a solid 15 years at the top of the charts for hits including “Stand Up,” “Get Back,” and “My Chick Bad.” More recently, Ludacris created the Netflix animated series Karma’s World, geared toward children ages six to nine years old, following the story of a young Black girl who is finding her voice and using it to change the world. “Ludacris has as much heart as he does star power, and we’re really lucky to be able to have him join us this summer,” said Interim Fair Director Sean Hennessey. “We think fairgoers will be excited too! Recently, feedback from fairgoers has indicated to us that they’d like to see us book more rap artists, and we’re happy to deliver! When you think about music and pop culture going back to the early 2000s, Ludacris has been a part of so many moments.”

    The Aug. 31 performance will be his second appearance at the NYS Fair, playing to more than 30,000 people at Chevy Court in 2018. The Fair starts Wednesday, August 23, and continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. All concerts within the Chevrolet Music Series are free with admission to the Fair.

  • Rock The Bells Announces The F.O.R.C.E. Tour, with Headliner LL Cool J, The Roots, Salt-N-Pepa and more

    Rock The Bells has announced The F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), a North American Summer Tour. Hip-Hop icon LL Cool J will take the stage as the headlining performance. The tour begins on June 25th and will be making a stop at the Barclays Center on June 27th. 

    The tour was curated by LL Cool J himself and will mark his first headline arena tour in 30 years. Fans can expect to see additional performances from favorites such as the award-winning Hip-Hop band The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip. In select cities fans can also watch the legends Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, Juvenile, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, De La Soul, Goodie Mob, Jadakiss, and Rick Ross perform live. 

    LL Cool J is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, two-time Grammy Award-winner, Kennedy Center Honoree, actor, author, NAACP Image Award winner, entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder and CEO of Rock The Bells. The icon has one of the most multifaceted careers in entertainment and continuously showcases his wide range of talents with every project. To this day LL Cool J increases his success throughout his trailblazing career after three decades.

    In March 2018, LL Cool J launched his own SiriusXM timeless Hip-Hop channel titled “LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Radio,” and it garnered millions of daily listeners. The channel features Hip-Hop content, music, interviews, and in-depth retrospectives curated, programmed, and presented by the award-winning artist. LL COOL J’S Rock The Bells has developed into a global platform that has become the preeminent voice for timeless Hip-Hop. More information about the platform can be found here.

    General on-sale kicks off on Friday, April 28 and can be purchased here. 

    TOUR DATES

    6/25     Boston, MA                     TD Garden

    6/27     Brooklyn, NY                   Barclays Center

    6/28     Newark, NJ                     Prudential Center

    6/29     Toronto, ON                  Scotiabank Arena

    7/1       Baltimore, MD               CFG Bank Arena

    7/2       Washington, DC             Capital One Arena

    7/4       Atlanta, GA                     State Farm Arena

    7/6       Hollywood, FL                Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

    7/8       Raleigh, NC                     PNC Arena

    7/9       Charlotte, NC                 Spectrum Center

    8/12     Cleveland, OH                Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse           

    8/13     Chicago, IL                     United Center

    8/18     Detroit, MI                    Little Caesars Arena

    8/19     St. Louis, MO                  Enterprise Center

    8/20     Indianapolis, IN              Gainbridge Fieldhouse                       

    8/22     Memphis, TN                  FedExForum

    8/23     New Orleans, LA            Smoothie King Center

    8/24     Ft. Worth, TX                  Dickies Arena

    8/25     Houston, TX                   Toyota Center

    8/27     Albuquerque, NM         Sandia Casino Amphitheater

    8/29     Denver, CO                    Ball Arena

    9/1       San Francisco, CA          Chase Center             

    9/2       Las Vegas, NV                MGM Grand Garden Arena

    9/3       Los Angeles, CA              Kia Forum

  • Chance The Rapper to Celebrate 10-year Anniversary of Acid Rap at Barclays Center

    It’s been nearly a decade since Chance The Rapper released his transformative body of work, Acid Rap. In light of the momentous occasion, Chance will honor the project through a series of can’t-miss live events, pop-ups, merch drops, and special music releases. During a stop on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Chance officially announced two new Acid Rap concerts after the original Chicago performance quickly sold-out. The first of the new shows will be at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, on Saturday, August 26, with the second in Los Angeles, CA at the Kia Forum on September 21.

    Chance The Rapper announces Acid Rap anniversary tour.

    What Acid Rap Means to Hip Hop

    Acid Rap is a monumental body of work during hip-hop’ digital age. Much like his musical idol Kanye West the prior decade, Chance The Rapper broke the mold for popular music in the 2010’s with his lyrically proficicent, wide-ranging, psychedelic and idiosyncratic body of work. During a time where Chicago’s drill culture was at its peak, Chance The Rapper carried the torch for the social media era of “backpack” rappers. As such, Acid Rap has gained cult-status within the hip-hop community. Moreover, Chance’s independent status while releasing his best work became part of his appeal for anti-establishment fans during hip hop’s do it yourself era. His stardom and reach as an independent act was inspiration for many, showcasing that great music does not need corporate entities to flourish.

    Produced by Live Nation, these performances will be Chance’s re-emergence into the realm of popular culture. The “No Problem” rapper has been on a musical hiatus since his only studio album, The Big Day, was released in 2019. In light, 2023 is an exciting year for Chance as he prepares to release his next body of work, Star Line Gallery. Chance’s latest project will intertwine the worlds of art, music, and cinematography through a series of interdisciplinary works in collaboration with artists from the continent and Diaspora.

    Tickets and VIP packages for the Acid Rap anniversary shows are available at livenation.com.

  • OneShotAce Releases ‘Big Threat’ With Features from Moneybagg Yo & Benny the Butcher

    Rising Boston, MA artist, OneShotAce, continues to strike while the iron is hot releasing his 2nd project of 2023. His latest effort, Big Threat, is a quick follow-up to 2022’s Big Pressure, which saw the Boston native collaborate with the likes of Benny the Butcher, Harry Fraud, Rowdy Rebel and Sheff G. The East-coast friendly project was received positively, with the records “Mr. Fire” and “Resonate” serving as standout tracks. After releasing the deluxe edition to Big Pressure at the tail-end of January, he returns with another 10-track LP, keeping his foot on the gas.

    OneShotACe releases his latest project "Big Threat"

    Moreover, OneShotAce has recruited platinum selling rapper MoneyBagg Yo, for the project’s single “Blocks,” while once again reuniting with Benny The Butcher on “Mixed Fumes.” Fittingly, OneShotAce’s featured artists mesh well with his own raw, money-driven street tales. With OneShotAce finding a nice middle-ground between aggressive drill-like approach to street music and the emotional, harrowing street tales.

    “Working with Moneybagg Yo was major; that’s one of the biggest artists In the industry I’ve worked with to date” OneShotAce exclaimed. “We pulled up to his studio in the A, vibed out, and he jumped on the record and went crazy. I’m really excited for the world to hear it.”

  • Lloyd Banks’ ‘The Course Of The Inevitable 3’ Remains Near the Top of iTunes Charts

    Lloyd Banks continues his run of quality projects with his latest release, The Course Of The Inevitable 3: Pieces Of My Pain. The PLK’s (Punch Line King) latest release came with little press-run and debuted near the top of the iTunes rap charts, eventually climbing its way up to number 1. However, this is a familiar feat for the Jamaica Queens native, whose Course of The Inevitable series has seen Lloyd Banks return to studio albums after years of free mixtape downloads.

    Lloyd Banks' The Course Of The Inevitable 3 is currently charting in iTunes top 5

    All in all, the response has been positive. The Course Of The Inevitable 3 currently sits at number 3 on the iTunes chart trailing only NF’s Hope and Youngboy Never Broke Again’s Don’t Try This At Home. Known for his introverted personality as much as for his lyrical prowess, Lloyd Banks kept the project’s features close to home as usual. With guest verses from Method Man, Dave East, Vado, 38 Spesh, Cormega and longtime friend and G-unit cohort, Tony Yayo.

    In light, Lloyd Banks has sculpted The Course Of The Inevitable 3 to be a New York-centric album, full of hustlers and survivors of the streets who can help Banks relay his message. As the album’s Apple Music synopsis says, “A haze of philosophical street raps and sleekly sinister production.”

  • Jim Jones Makes Loyalties Clear with Pusha T Stance

    Jim Jones continues to make the airwaves with his unfiltered take on Vibe and Billboard’s list of the 50 Greatest Ever Rappers. The list — which was part of a collaborative effort to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary — named Jay – Z as the genre’s greatest ever MC. However, it was Pusha T’s ranking that raised ire of the “We Fly High” rapper. Coming in at number 29, Pusha T’s career as a member of the Clipse (alongside his brother Malice) and his solo work on GOOD Music has made him a staple of hip hop lore. Yet, Jim Jones doesn’t see it as such and on an episode of The RapCaviar Podcast, the Dipset member aired out his true feelings.

    “What has he done that puts him in the greatest rappers of all time besides talk about coke that he probably didn’t get himself?” Jones asked. “He’s nice as shit. He could rap his ass off, but what has he done?

    “Nobody has dressed like him. Nobody wants to be like Pusha T. I don’t remember nothing. And let’s not be evil, but we don’t talk about rap where the n-gga that’s popping the bitches wanna fuck and the n-ggas wanna be like.”

    He continued: “I don’t know too many n-ggas in this game that was leaning towards being like Pusha T. Pusha T don’t hold no weight out here. He not pushing no shit out here.”

    Jim Jones Doubles Down on The Breakfast Club

    Jim Jones then rehashed the sentiments during an appearance on The Breakfast Club. Confronted by DJ Envy and Charlemagne Tha God about the controversial stance, the Harlem MC colorfully reiterated himself. For the purpose of his argument, Capo focused solely on radio play and club records.

    “Could you name five Pusha T records?” Jones asked The Breakfast Club staff. “Could you name five Pusha T records? No. Could you rap to five Pusha T records?” After Charlemagne named several standout Pusha T records, Jones dismissed Charlemagne as a Pusha T fan and joked about him listening to the records in his basement.

    While Jim Jones acknowledged Pusha T’s talent as a lyricist, he said he hasn’t made enough of a cultural impact to be considered an all-time rap great.

    “Shoutout to Pusha T, I love your soul,” Jones continued. “You my dawg, you not in my top 50. You might be in Charlamagne’s top 50 and things like that, but you haven’t done that much for me in my life.”

    “I never wanted to be like Pusha, I never had a Pusha moment in my life. Where I’m from, n-ggas wanted to be like you if you was really that dude as a rapper.”

    Jim Jones Makes his Loyalties Clear

    Jim Jones is an accomplished rapper himself and is certainly entitled to his opinion. However, his conviction is not without bias. Along with his controversial opinion on Pusha T, Jones has made the rounds for declaring Drake as hip hop’s greatest ever rapper. During appearances on the RapCaviar Podcast and an interview on Complex, Jones asserted his controversial take.

    “Drake is the only one that gets played anyplace on this Earth, and they’re gonna know it in English. If you’re not putting Drake in the Top 2 of all time, like, what are we gonna do? We gonna keep putting shade on his name? He has broke every single statistic, period. You heard?”

    Drake of course, famously brought out Jim Jones and the entire Diplomats crew during his performance at the Apollo Theater and celebrated the veteran rapper and his cohorts with a heartfelt tribute. “These guys right here, from Harlem, made us dress different, talk different, walk different, rap different. All the way in Canada.”

    Verdict

    Thus, it could be that after that moment Jim Jones’ view of what makes an all-time great rapper was altered and he only saw things through a Drake lens. Or, the one they call Capo could just be aligning with his good buddy who also happens to be the most popular rapper in the world. After all, Pusha T and Drake’ s longstanding beef ended without a reply from the Canadian crooner. Consequently, many declared Pusha T the winner as he was one of the few to land a crack in Drake’s pop-star armor.

    What Jim Jones might have looked over is that Drake himself counts Pusha T amongst his many influences. During an episode of the short-lived MTV show When I Was 17, Drake shared a story from his formative years revealing his fandom of the “Dreaming of the Past” rapper. While scouring eBay in search of Clipse memorabilia, Drake stumbled upon and purchased a microphone that was allegedly autographed and used by Pusha T.

    “I used to pretend I was doing interviews on the red carpet and perform all the Clipse songs in my basement with the mic,” he says. “I’m a full-sized teen at this point, so this is in private. And I performed with it so much that I rubbed the autograph off. I don’t even know if he really signed it, but that was my big thing. At the time it meant the world to me.”

    Furthermore, Pusha T remains one of the very few that can get Jay – Z on a record. For rap fans, that may be influence enough.

  • Benny The Butcher Signee Fuego Base Releases Debut Project ‘Biggest Since Camby’

    Benny the Butcher continues to make noise in the rap game. This time, the Buffalo-bred MC is making his mark through his Black Soprano Family imprint, recruiting gritty Hartford, CT rapper, Fuego Base, to continue the BSF name. In like manner, Fuego Base is making a name for himself with his wordplay, innate storytelling and raw delivery, which has earned him likeness to Jadakiss.

    After signing with Benny’s BSF imprint in 2022, Fuego joined Benny and Rick Hyde for Charlie Sloth’s Fire In The Booth, and he followed that up by appearing with Westside Gunn later that year for the “Intro” on BSF’s Long Live DJ Shay album. Fuego also impressed on his On The Radar Christmas cypher, representing BSF.

    Benny the Butcher signee Fuego Base releases his debut project
    Biggest Since Camby will be Fuego Base’s debut project on Benny the Butcher’s BSF imprint.

    Fuego Base’ Next Step

    Now, Fuego Base takes the next step with his official BSF debut project, Biggest Since Camby. With a aptly timed 4/20 release date, the tittle is an ode to former Hartford, CT basketball star Marcus Camby who was drafted 2nd overall in the historic 1996 NBA Draft. Moreover, Biggest Since Camby features appearances from some of hip hop’s grittiest MC’s including Benny The Butcher, Sheek Louch, 38 Spesh, Uncle Murda, OT The Real and his fellow BSF cohorts.

    “I want to make a big impact on the game, and that’s why my album is called Biggest Since Camby” Fuego Base explains. 

    We are from Hartford, and it’s a forgotten place, but with the platform, Benny has provided me and being a member of BSF, I can shine some light on the city.  I’m really rapping too! Tell my momma I’m a rapper. 

    – Fuego Base

    In anticipation for the album, Fuego Base released “The Warehouse” — and later an accompanying music video — featuring Benny The Butcher and OT The Real. The record fits right in Benny’s wheelhouse as they — along with OT The Real — seamlessly exchange street tales. Backed by a menacing and equally sorrowful violin riffs, the trio share their own personal journeys in the underbelly.

    I don’t care what nobody says, Fuego Base is one of the hungriest rappers in the game right now.  I know because I remember being in that beginning phase and I can see that fire in him.

    – Benny The Butcher

  • In Focus: GZA, Big Daddy Kane and Roy Ayers at Sony Hall

    On Thursday, April 13, Sony Hall hosted a concert featuring three legendary names in hip-hop and jazz music: GZA, Big Daddy Kane, and Roy Ayers. Each artist brought their unique style and energy to the stage, creating a night to remember for fans of all ages.

    The evening began with Roy Ayers, who delighted the crowd with some of his biggest hits, including “Searching,” “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” “Running Away,” “Firehouse,” and “Apache.” Ayers, a prolific jazz-funk musician who has been active since the 1960s, is known for his use of the vibraphone and his signature blend of jazz, funk, and soul.

    Next up was GZA, one of the founding members of the Wu-Tang Clan and a hip-hop legend in his own right. He took the stage to thunderous applause and launched into an electrifying set that included fan favorites like “Duel of the Iron Mic,””Living in the World Today,” “Cold World,” “Labels,” “4th Chamber,” “Shadowboxin,” and “Clan in the Front.” GZA’s powerful flow and sharp lyrics combined with the crowd’s energy to create an electric atmosphere that left everyone wanting more.

    After GZA’s set, Big Daddy Kane took the stage to the delight of the audience. The rapper, who first rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, performed classic hits like “Smooth Operator,” “Ain’t No Half Steppin’,” and “Warm It Up.” His performance was a testament to his status as a true hip-hop icon, and the crowd responded with thunderous applause and cheers.

    GZA then returned to the stage to finish the show, performing some of the biggest hits of his career, including “Reunited,” “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Triumph,” “Liquid Swords,” and “WU Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin to Fuck With.” The crowd was on its feet rapping along to every word, as GZA and his live band brought the night to a close with an unforgettable performance.

    Setlists:

    Roy Ayers Searching, Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Running Away, Firehouse, Apache

    GZA Duel of the Iron Mic, Gold, Living in the World Today, Cold World, Labels, 4th Chamber, Shadowboxin’, Clan in Da Front, Killah Hills, Crash Your Crew

    Big Daddy Kane Smooth Operator, Aint No Half Steppin, Warm it Up,

    GZA Legend of the Liquid Sword, Reunited, Shimmy Shimmy Ya, C.R.E.A.M. Triumph, Liquid Swords, Wu Tang Clan Aint Nuthin To F With

  • Happy Birthday Q-Tip!

    Rapper, singer, producer and DJ Q-Tip celebrates 53 years of life today, on that has blessed him with countless songs and immeasurable success in the music business.

    Born Jonathan William Davis in Harlem, the artist is professionally known by his stage name but has also been given the nicknames, Qualiall, The Abstract Tip The Lone Ranger, and The Last Zulu. In addition to his success as a solo artist, Q-Tip has been a part of the music groups A Tribe Called Quest, Native Tounges, Soulquarians, and The Ummah.

    Q-Tip

    One of the most prominent figures in the hip-hop music genre, Q-Tip has always been a team player, beginning his career as a member of and producer of the group A Tribe Called Quest throughout most of the 80s and 90s, creating its own music production team, The Ummah, active from 1996-2000. It inspired another music collective, the Native Tongues, which worked concurrently with A Tribe Called Quest from the late ’80s until the late ’90s.

    The group released their debut studio album, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, in 1990, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Its lead single, “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo,” peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. After initially breaking up in 1998, the hip-hop group would reunite intermittently from the late 2000s to 2010s, releasing their final studio album, We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service in 2016. The group would become members of the Native Tongues from 1988 until the late 90s, and Q-Tip would become a member of the Soulquarians from the late 90s to early 2000s, itself inspired by A Tribe Called Quest.

    Q-Tip
    A Tribe Called Quest members: Q-Tip (top left, vocals,) Phife Dog (top right, vocals,) Ali Shaheed (bottom left, turntables, co-production,) and Jarobi (bottom right, vocals.)

    The Ummah’s first project would be serving as a producer for A Tribe Called Quest’s fourth studio album, Beats, Rhymes and Life. The album was criticized for moving away from the group’s earlier, denser, and bottom-heavy sound to a more laid-back and polished tone. The group would continue this sound with their next album, The Love Movement, in 1998, which was released to a lukewarm reception. They would ultimately not release another album for more than 10 years, until their sixth and final studio album in 2016. The Ummah’s final production would be Q-Tip’s first solo release in 1999.

    The Soulquarians collaborated with The Ummah on the production of Q-Tip’s debut solo studio album. Before that, the first record they produced was 1999’s Things Fall Apart, the fourth studio album by the hip-hop band The Roots. They would work with The Roots again on their next studio album, Phrenology in 2002. Significantly, they worked on the production of the debut studio by Brooklyn-born Talib Kweli, Quality, that same year. The last album the Soulquarians produced was Bilah’s leaked second album, Love for Sale, in 2006.

    Q-Tip
    Cover of Q-Tip’s debut solo studio album, Amplified. Credit: Apple Music

    Q-Tip’s solo career began with 1999’s Amplified, which peaked at the number four spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Its lead single “Vivrant Thing,” became the fourth rap song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Airplay chart since its 1992 inception. Q-Tip has performed at the New York Town Hall, Brooklyn Bowl, Output, and Stage 48, just to name a few, and he is currently working on three more albums yet to be announced release dates: The Last Zulu, AlGoRhythms, and Riotdiaries.

    Q-Tip’s third most recent solo studio album, Kamaal the Abstract, was released in 2009.

    Q-Tip has also ventured into television, appearing as a guest on good friend Dave Chappelle’s sketch comedy series on Comedy Central, Chappelle’s Show, in 2004. In 2015, Chappelle, with fellow comedian and actor Chris Rock, appeared on Q-Tip’s Abstract Radio, his radio show on Apple Music 1. A Tribe Called Quest appeared as a musical guest with Chappelle on the Nov. 12, 2016, episode of Saturday Night Live, shortly after Donald Trump won the 2016 Presidential Election, where Chappelle gave a monologue that he ended with “I’m wishing Donald Trump luck, and I’m going to give him a chance, and we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one too.”

    In celebration of Q-Tip’s life, check out his work anywhere music is sold, and join the New York State Music team in wishing him a happy birthday, here’s to 53 more years!