Rapper Troy Ave has upped the ante in his beef with Taxstone. The Brooklyn-bred rapper released a diss track and music video after testifying in the court case that led to Taxstone being found guilty of manslaughter, assault and weapons charges. “Dear Hater I Won” sees Troy Ave celebrate the former podcaster’s incarceration, strutting and dancing in front of the same Manhattan courthouse where the verdict was reached.
Troy Ave sports the same 3-piece suit in the “Dear Hater I Won” video that he wore to court.
Furthermore, he rehashes and sums up his talking points over the last few years. Notably, he once again accuses Taxstone of writing a letter to the judge in the hopes of getting off. He then rehashes the fatal Irving Plaza incident that saw his friend and bodyguard Ronald “Banga” McPhatter shot and killed.
After wrestling the murder weapon away from Taxstone, Troy Ave fired off several shots of his own. The “Chuck Norris” rapper has since denounced street culture after agreeing to testify against Taxstone. The verdict and record is a conclusion to the 2016 Manhattan shooting that drastically altered the lives of both Brooklynites.
What began as a disagreement because of comments the popular podcaster made regarding the “Your Style” rapper’s music eventually resulted in gun-violence. In turn, what was once a burgeoning voice in the podcast scene has now been silenced. Meanwhile, Troy Ave has seen his once-prominent buzz completely fade.
Hip-hop duo Atmosphere has announced a 2023 North American tour that is scheduled to run throughout the summer, with a stop at Jones Beach. Atmosphere is scheduled to stop at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh on Aug. 26. The tour, dubbed Summertime 2023, starts in July and runs until the beginning of September.
Atmosphere members Slug and Ant
Atmosphere will be joined on their tour by Slightly Stoopid, Sublime with Rome, and The Movement. Summertime 2023 is in support of the duo’s latest album, So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously, out on May 5 through Rhymesayers Entertainment.
Rapper Slug and DJ/producer Ant are the voices of Atmosphere, originating in Minneapolis. Their career as a duo spans more than 25 years, with their debut studio album, Overcast! being released in 1997. In more than a decade since the release of their debut album, Atmosphere has released over two dozen studio albums, EPs, and collaborative side projects. Their success can be attributed to the honesty, humility, and vulnerability, of their music. In the early 2000s, Slug inadvertently coined the phrase “emo rap” in an interview, and publications now run with that tag when describing the band and similar groups.
Atmosphere’s latest work can arguably be called some of their most personal material to date. The opening track “Okay” is seemingly focused on comforting their listeners, a departure from their previous work. As such, So Many Other Realities marks one of the duo’s most innovative albums to date. While their previous work has focused on the parts of life that carry the most meaning, their new album highlights the fear and paranoia of a pandemic-ridden society. However, the darkness of the album is undercut with songs like “Still Life” which offers a more hopeful outlook.
Tickets for Atmosphere’s summer 2023 are now available. Pre-order / pre-save So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneouslyhere.
Listen to the “Okay” by Atmosphere official music video on YouTube.
Atmosphere The Con Tour Dates 5/11 – London, UK @ Electric Ballroom 5/12 – Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg 5/13 – Cologne, DE @ Gebäude 9 5/15 – Paris, FR @ La Bellevilloise 5/17 – Berlin, DE @ Hole44 5/19 – Copenhagen, DK @ Pumpehuset 5/20 – Stockholm, SE @ Kägelbanan 5/21 – Oslo, NO @ Parkteatret
Festival Performance Dates 5/25 – Monterey, CA @ Cali Roots 6/16 – Greenwood Village, CO @ Fiddler’s Green with Dirty Heads and Stick Figure
Summertime 2023 Tour Dates 7/6 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre 7/7 – Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater 7/8 – Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater 7/9 – West Valley City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre 7/14 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre 7/15 – Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheater * 7/16 – San Diego, CA @ Petco Park 7/21 – The Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion 7/22 – Del Valle, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheatre 7/23 – Irving, TX @ The Pavillion at Toyota Music Factory 7/27 – Somerset, WI @ Somerset Amphitheatre 7/28 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavillion at Northerly Island 7/29 – Sterling Heights, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill 7/30 – Indianapolis, IN @ TCU Amphitheatre at White River State Park 8/3 – North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Coliseum (Indoors) 8/4 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veteran’s United Home Loans Amphitheatre 8/5 – Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek 8/6 – Wilmington, NC @ Live Oak Bank Pavillion 8/17 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center 8/18 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavillion 8/20 – Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavillion 8/24 – Gilford, NH @ Bank of New Hampshire 8/25 – Mansfield, MA @ XFINITY Center 8/26 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theatre 9/1 – Jacksonville, FL @ Daily’s Place 9/3 – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
*without Sublime with Rome
New Headlining Tour Dates:
6/2 – Anchorage, AK @ Williwaw Social w/ DJ Abilities, Sa-Roc, HEBL
6/3- Anchorage, AK @ Williwaw Social w/ DJ Abilities, Sa-Roc, HEBL
9/17 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Danny Brown, Souls of Mischief, The Grouch & Eligh w/ DJ Fresh, Mr. Dibbs and Breakbeat Lou Ultimate Breaks & Beats
King of punk rap music Curtis Waters brought the Bad Son Tour to the iconic Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn. As part of his first ever headline tour, with help from Tommy Richman and Jonah Roy, Curtis Waters turned Baby’s All Right into an anticapitalist-rock paradise for an incredible show.
Curtis Waters (Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
Curtis Waters is a rising star in the music industry, known for his infectious beats, catchy lyrics, and fearless experimentation with various genres. Born in Nepal and raised essentially everywhere, Waters has been making music since his early teens and honed his skills through online collaborations with other musicians around the world. His breakthrough hit, “Stunnin’,” which he produced, wrote, and performed, went viral on TikTok in 2020 and propelled him to mainstream success.
Since then, Waters has continued to push boundaries with his music, blending elements of hip-hop, rap, and punk to create a unique sound that better reflects who he is and resonates with fans worldwide. With recent releases HIMBO and GOD’S LONELY MAN that were 7 years in the making, Curtis Waters is poised to become one of the most exciting voices in music today.
Tommy Richman (Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
Hailing from Woodbridge, Virginia, Tommy Richman is a certified star. Tommy’s passion for music started at a young age, when he began taking voice lessons and singing in his church choir. After dropping out of college to pursue his dreams, Tommy persevered and has become a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. With hit releases such as “Star Girl”, Richman’s music gives us a glimpse into the mind of a true musical genius. Richman just released “Wish I Never Knew You”, produced by him and Jonah Roy. With his signature sound and unwavering commitment to his craft, we can’t wait to see where Richman’s journey takes him next.
Curtis accepting the “Most Humble Musician Ever” Award (Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
The energy of the show was absolutely unmatched. From start to finish, the concert was akin to an eventful burst of a supernova, with support from Jonah DJing and playing guitar all night, to opening up the pit during every single song – even launching himself off the stage to mosh with the people. Between the jumping and yelling, there were sentimental moments, like when two dedicated fans presented Curtis with a specialized “Most Humble Musician” award and a brand new tie he wore at the rest of the stops on tour. While there was a general set list, because the crowd was so engaged with the show, he performed a never before seen song, specifically requested by his self proclaimed biggest fan. Riding off the high of the buzzing crowd, Curtis and friends left the stage to interact with fans after the show, showering them with support and admiration for the hardcore show. From anticapitalist rants to heartfelt speeches about success, anyone who attended the show is already counting down the days until the next time they can attend a Curtis Waters concert.
Curtis moshing in the crowd (Photograph by Chinaza Ajuonuma)
Though Bad Son Tour may be over, stay tuned to Curtis and Tommy’s socials for news for any upcoming performances.
Sam Hunt is a five-time GRAMMY-nominated, multi-Platinum-selling, hitmaker. The young star allures fans with his melodic country voice and artistic blend of Pop/R&B. In 2020, his sophomore album Southside landed No. 1 on the BillboardCountry Albums chart and was named one of the Best Albums of the Year by The New York Times and US Weekly. Furthermore, Hunt has accumulated over 13 billion global streams and has earned 43 million RIAA certified units from his self-written tracks, “Body Like A Back Road”, “Kinfolks,” “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s”, and more.
Brent Young has captured the hearts of fans everywhere through his honest lyrics and West Coast-meets-Southern sound. He has cemented his status as Country’s master over matters of the heart with two albums and platinum tracks such as, “In Case You Didn’t Know”, “Mercy”, “Sleep Without You”, “Here Tonight”, and more. Young’s project “Weekends Look A Little Different These Day” highlights his broadened emotional scope with lyrics inspired by his debut children’s book “Love You, Little Lady”.
The trailblazing Lily Rose will also join Sam Hunt and Brent Young on tour. Rose’s fresh perspective and forward-looking sound led to her nomination for ACM Best New Female Artist and recognition for Outstanding Breakthrough Artist at the 2022 GLAAD Media Award. Her debut album “Villain” introduced fans to her bold mix of personal lyricism and distinctive language, that merges Country confessions with Hip-Hop beats and R&B flow.
Verizon will offer customers an exclusive presale for Sam Hunt’s Summer On The Outskirts 2023 tour through Verizon Up. From March 7 at 10 am until March 9 at 10 am, customers will have exclusive access to purchase presale tickets. For more details visit here. More information on Sam Hunt can be accessed here.
Sam Hunt’s Summer on the Outskirts Tour 2023 Dates:
July 6 – Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre
July 7 – Gilford, NH – Bank of NH Pavilion
July 8 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
July 14 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
July 15 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
July 16 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
July 20 – Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater
July 21 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater *
July 22 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
July 27 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
July 28 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
July 29 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug 3 – Carbondale, IL – Southern Illinois University-SIU Banterra Center**^
Aug 4 – Bonner Springs, KS – Azura Amphitheater ^
Aug 5 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Zoo Amphitheatre ^
Aug 11 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
Aug 12 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Aug 13 – Stateline, NV – Lake Tahoe Harveys Outdoor Arena ^
Aug 18 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman***
Aug 19 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Aug 20 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Aug 24 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Aug 25 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
Aug 26 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sep 7 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sep 8 – Atlanta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sep 9 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
The smoke will be in the air as West Coast Legends Warren G, Too $hort and Snoop Dogg unite alongside hip hop heavyweight Wiz Khalifa and Bay Area veteran, Berner on the High School Reunion Tour.
The 33-city tour kicks off on Friday, July 7 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, and includes a stop at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, on Friday, August 4.
Fresh-off The Vinyl Verse Tour alongside DJ Drama, Wiz Khalifa and the legendary mixtape DJ are set for another star-studded expedition. With the featured lineup, the North American escapade will surely be a weed-friendly production. The tour’s name stems from Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa’s 2012 stoner coming-of-age film, yet the two co-stars have long branded themselves as marijuana connoisseurs and each have a lengthy catalog of weed influenced records.
Songs like “Roll Up,” “The Next Episode,” and “On My Level” are sure to get a heavy play throughout the tour. Meanwhile, the likes of Too $hort and Warren G have their own respective history marijuana-laced rhymes. Additionally, Billboard charting rapper Berner is co-founder and CEO of Cookies, the most globally recognized cannabis brand in the world.
Moreover, tickets for the High School Reunion Tour will be available starting with artist and Citi pre-sales beginning on Tuesday, March 7. More info on Citi presale is below. General on sale for the High School Reunion Tour will begin on Friday, March 10 at 09:00 a.m. on Ticketmaster’s official website.
2023 HIGH SCHOOL REUNION TOUR DATES
Fri Jul 07 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Sat Jul 08 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
Sun Jul 09 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
Tue Jul 11 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Wed Jul 12 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sat Jul 15 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Sun Jul 16 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis
Tue Jul 18 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
Thu Jul 20 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Fri Jul 21 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago
Sun Jul 23 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Wed Jul 26 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Fri Jul 28 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Sat Jul 29 – Hartford, CT – XFINITY Theatre
Sun Jul 30 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Tue Aug 01 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
Wed Aug 02 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Fri Aug 04 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Sat Aug 05 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
Sun Aug 06 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Tue Aug 08 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Wed Aug 09 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
Fri Aug 11 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Sat Aug 12 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Tue Aug 15 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Fri Aug 18 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Sat Aug 19 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sun Aug 20 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Tue Aug 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Wed Aug 23 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
As part of Vevo’s footnotes series, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, Queens group Salt-N-Pepa have revisited their iconic “Shoop” video, The rap icons shared insights into their creative process, the inspiration behind the song and their fight to make “Shoop” the lead single on the group’s fourth album, 1993’s Very Necessary.
During the episode, Pepa delves into the story behind the song and her verse, as well as the challenges the group faced in convincing their label to release “Shoop” as the lead single from their album ‘Very Necessary.’ She also recounts the excitement they felt when the song became a massive hit and solidified the group’s position in hip-hop.
Meanwhile, Salt discusses how the song helped her to step away from her boyfriend and manager, Hurby [Luv Bug] and how “Shoop” empowered not only her but other women. She also shares her favorite moment from the music video shoot and reveals that she recorded her verse while holding her daughter Corin.
Below is a complete outline of “Shoop”” I Vevo Footnotes:
00:15 – The concept for “Shoop” started with me chillin’ in Queens, riding around in the car and I’m telling the story of how “I saw a brother, I had to kick it to, I’m not shy so I asked for the digits and that does not make me a hoe.” This story became the song and the inspiration for the first verse. – Pepa
00:35 – My favorite moment in the video is when Salt, Spin and I step out of the car and my niece is with me. Also, the guys on the corner shooting dice are playing Silo 456…it’s a New York thing. – Pepa
01:02 – When shooting “Shoop” I was a bit self conscious. It was hard being in a bathing suit and my booty kept falling out of my shorts when we were dancing on stage. – Salt
01:28 – The objective was to turn the tables on men – make them the objects. When writing my verses, I was thinking of tongue in cheek ways to objectify men. When you really like a song, it’s easy to record. Fun fact: I had my daughter Corin in my arms while recording “Shoop.” – Salt
02:04 – I was going through producer Mark Spark’s crates of records and there was the sound I was looking for “I’m Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)” by the Ikettes. Once I wrote the second verse I knew I wanted to add Captain Sky’s “Super Sperm.” Which was one of the best breakbeat songs out! I added it right after the line “not falling in love but I’m falling for your…” – Pepa
02:33 – My favorite detail was being in Coney Island, such an important part of my childhood. I used to go there with my family then my friends as a teen, so shooting my own video in Coney Island was a full circle moment for me. – Salt
02:55 – I had to jump through hoops for “Shoop” to be the first single off the ‘Very Necessary’ album. The label gave me a lot of push back since Hurby [Luv Bug] didn’t produce or write the song. Ultimately, it was an undeniable hit that took Salt-N-Pepa to the next level, and solidified our worth to hip-hop. Such a dope feeling. – Pepa
03:23 – I was ready to be emancipated from Hurby not only as my boyfriend and manager, but also as a creative. We wanted to be free to express ourselves on our own. “Shoop” was empowering for women. Fans always tell us it’s their go-to karaoke song. – Salt
03:40 – When we were planning the video, I wasn’t in the best shape. Luckily, we ended up being scheduled to shoot after our trip to Russia. I was a little culture shocked and couldn’t get used to the white nights and food, by the time we got back I had lost a lot of weight and I was ready to Shoop! – Pepa
Queens Public Library (QPL) has announced their commemoration of The 50th Anniversary Of Hip Hop, through an international partnership with over thirty organizations including libraries, museums, colleges, universities, and archives.
Born in the Bronx, hip hop has been making a global artistic and cultural impact on the world since August 11, 1973. In recognition of Queens role in hip hop’s ascension from a local art form to an international phenomenon, the QPL established a hip hop program in 2015.
Hip hop coordinator, Ralph McDaniels, also known as “Uncle Ralph,” constructed programming to educate the public about Hip Hop culture and its five core elements: MCing, DJing, graffiti, breakdancing, and knowledge. QPL also preserves hip hop’s legacy through its collection of artifacts such as photographs, periodicals, audio tapes, video tapes, writings, news articles, flyers, and oral histories from people involved with the genre from its origins until now.
QPL’s hip hop program has drawn people of all ages and backgrounds to our spaces and has created a unique community connected by a love for music and knowledge.
-Dennis M. Walcott, QPL President and CEO
Queens Public Library was founded in 1896 and offered free access to more than 5.4 million books in addition to materials in 200 languages, technology, and digital resources. Prior to the pandemic, the independent, non-profit organization hosted over 87,500 educational, cultural, and civic programs annually and welcomed 11.4 million visitors through its doors.
The six-month celebration “Collections of Culture: 50 Years of Hip Hop Inside Libraries, Museums and Archives” is financed through a $267,760 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Dozens of in-persons and virtual programs including panel discussions, author talks, educational forums, and workshops will be hosted by participating institutions. The program aims to examine the history and influence of hip hop on American culture and the contributions of its musicians, DJs, dancers, MCs, graffiti artists, stylists, directors, photographers, entrepreneurs and educators.
For More Information On The Events Scheduled, Visit The QPL Website Here.
On February 24, Nas took the stage at Madison Square Garden (MSG) for his highly-anticipated One Night Only: King’s Disease Trilogy concert. This was the first time the Queensbridge native played The Garden. The concert included songs from all three of his King’s Disease albums, along with some of his biggest hits from over the years.
The first half of the performance kicked off with Nas performing tracks from King’s Disease I, II and III, including “Blue Benz” and “27 Summers,” both of which were met with a thunderous applause from the crowd. Other songs he performed from the trilogy albums included “I’m on Fire,” “Spicy” and “Reminisce.”
After delivering an energetic first half of the concert, Nas took a brief intermission before returning to the stage for the second half of the show. This time around, he performed some of his most iconic hits, including “If I Ruled the World,” “Hate Me Now,” and “NY State of Mind.”
Nas’s first Madison Square Garden show was truly a star-studded affair, thanks to his impressive lineup of special guests. Hit boy, the celebrated producer and rapper, joined Nas on stage for “Michael & Quincy.” The legendary Mary J. Blige also made an appearance, bringing her soulful voice and electrifying presence to the stage for “You Remind Me.” Meanwhile, AZ, one of Nas’s longtime collaborators, wowed the audience with his impeccable flow on “Life’s a Bitch.” And last but not least, Slick Rick, the iconic rapper and storyteller, joined Nas for a performance of “Hey Young World.” Together, these special guests helped make the show an unforgettable experience that will be remembered for years to come.
Nas – MSG – February 24, 2023
Setlist: King’s Disease, Blue Benz, Car #85, 27 Summers, Ultra Black, Spicy, YKTV, The Definition, Get Light, Death Row East, The Pressure, I’m On Fire, 40 Side, Store Run, Rare, Speechless, Wave Gods, Thun, Michael & Quincy (Feat Hit Boy), Reminisce, Your Remind Me (Feat Mary J. Blige), 30, Legit, NY State of Mind, Life’s A Bitch (Feat AZ), It Ain’t Hard To Tell, Hey Young World (Feat Slick Rick), The World Is Yours, The Message, Street Dreams, Represent, Hate Me Now, Made You Look, One Mic, Hot Boyz, Oochie Wally, You Owe Me, Memory Lane, Get Down, If I Ruled The World
The highly anticipated final season ofWu-Tang: An American Saga, the biographical drama series about the legendary hip-hop group, has arrived. The show, which airs on Hulu, chronicles the early days of the Wu-Tang Clan in the gritty streets of Staten Island. As fans eagerly await to see how the story will end, journalist Sway recently sat with Rza and the cast of the show at 92Y in New York City.
The cast of Wu Tang: An American Saga at 92Y
The group and Sway discussed their experiences working on the show, the legacy of the Wu-Tang Clan, and what viewers can expect from the final season. The cast of Wu-Tang: An American Saga is made up of talented actors who bring to life the unique personalities and styles of each member of the group.
Ashton Sanders plays the role of Bobby Diggs, also known as RZA, the founder of the Wu-Tang Clan. Meanwhile, Shameik Moore plays Raekwon, Siddiq Saunderson portrays Dennis ‘D-Love’ Coles, and Dave East takes on the role of Method Man. Other members of the Wu-Tang Clan are played by Joey Bada$$, Marcus Callender, Julian Elijah Martinez, Zolee Griggs, and Erika Alexander. Together, this talented cast brings to life the rise of the Wu-Tang Clan in a gripping and authentic way.
Sway and Rza at 92Y
RZA, who serves as an executive producer and writer for the show, talked about his role in bringing the Wu-Tang story to life. He explained that the show is not just about the group’s music, but also about their struggles and triumphs as young men trying to make a name for themselves. “We wanted to show the human side of the Wu-Tang Clan,” RZA said. “We wanted to show their relationships, their conflicts, their dreams, and their failures
Sway, who is known for his work as a host and reporter on MTV and SiriusXM radio, praised the show for its authenticity and attention to detail. He shared that he was personally involved in ensuring that the show accurately portrayed the hip-hop scene of the early 1990s.
As for what fans can expect from the final season, RZA hinted that there will be some surprises and unexpected twists. “We’re going to take you on a journey that you didn’t even know you wanted to go on,” he said. He also talked about the enduring legacy of the Wu-Tang Clan and how their music continues to resonate with fans around the world.
Overall, the conversation between RZA, the cast, and Sway offered a fascinating look behind the scenes ofWu-Tang: An American Sagaand the creative process behind the show. Fans can now tune in to Hulu to see how the story ends and say goodbye to the Wu-Tang Clan one last time.
The catalog of legendary alternative hip hop group De La Soul is now available for streaming, ending years of legal wrangling that left the Amityville trio’s musical legacy unheard by the masses.
To celebrate the occasion, and the life of the late Dave Jolicoeur, Trugoy the Dove, The Da.i.s.y Experience was held at Webster Hall on Thursday, March 2. This free event was RSVP only for those lucky enough to score a spot on the list, and featured Dave Chappelle, Queen Latifah, Q-Tip, Common, D-Nice, Talib Kweli, Busta Rhymes, Kid Capri and many more come through and celebrate.
DA.I.S.Y. is an acronym for “Da Inner Sound Y’all,” one that fans of De La Soul are familiar with. During the show, “immersive activation” transformed Webster Hall into a De La destination, utilizing artwork from their classic debut 3 Feet High and Rising. Additional performers included DJs Stretch Armstrong, Clark Kent, Rich Medina, and Tony Touch, as well as De La Soul members Posdnuos and Maseo.
Also this week, De La Soul took fans behind the scenes of the official music video for “Me, Myself and I,” in the latest installment of Vevo Footnotes.
During the episode, Posdnuos discussed the creation of their iconic song, and how it allowed the group to address negative media labels. He highlights how the ‘Twilight Zone’ influenced the video’s opening segment with producer Prince Paul and their comedic approach to the video, playing off their hip-hop style. He explains the video aimed to underscore individuality and confidence, and Posdnuos suggests that if they remade the video today, they might focus on inner growth instead of external independence. He also shares a standout memory from the video’s scene with teacher Def Beat, and reveals that Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest wrote “De La Sucks” on the bathroom wall.
On Sunday, the band shared “Dear Dave,” a note to the fallen member, Dave Jolicoeur, aka Trugoy the Dove. The band reflected on the untimely passing, just as the catalog was made available to fans.
Dear Dave,
You were the heart of our group. You brought so much creativity, energy, and passion to our music, and your influence will be felt for years to come.
Your passing is a great loss not only to us, but also to the entire hip-hop community. You were a true artist who used music to inspire and uplift others, and you will be deeply missed by all who knew you.
This is heavy on our hearts and minds but we are smiling and even laughing at all the great times we shared with you. As we attempt to navigate this world without you, we stand grateful and proud of all you accomplished on this earth.
We would like to say thank you Dave for being a big brother. Thank you for being a friend. Thank you for the wise words placed in your verses. Thank you for the music you produced that is loved by so many. Thank you for never wanting to compromise the quality of our brand. Thank you for helping us become a group that will remain etched in the timeline of hip hop culture as well as the fabric of music and for now on when we perform “Ring Ring Ring Ha Ha Hey” we will say “2-2-2-2-222 we got an angel in heaven who can talk to you”.
We love you Dave and thank you Dave!
Everyone, please celebrate the life and legacy of Dave Jolicoeur, Trugoy the Dove, Plug 2, Dave.
Our music is now available digitally on all streaming services now! We did it Dave!
