It’s sad to say, but it was a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad week for women in the major Hip Hop spotlight. But it still made for interesting stories. And along with other news, here’s a snapshot of the week in Hip Hop.
THE TRIALS OF AZEALIA BANKS
As if being accused of a racist, sexist and homophobic rant against a former One Direction member and getting the business on social media from a Disney Channel star isn’t bad enough. But now, the infamous Ms. Banks has been dropped from a British music festival AND had her Twitter account suspended. Guess the 50 Cent guide on how to become big in the rap game doesn’t work for everybody.
DESIIGNER RELEASES VIDEO FOR “PANDA”
Quickly becoming one of Hip Hop’s most sought after new names, G.O.O.D. Music signee and Brooklyn emcee Desiigner finally dropped his video for the hit song “Panda” exclusively on Tidal. With its popularity growing on the Billboard charts, Desiigner decided to feature his boss Kanye West in the video as well. Not a bad way to get your name out there, and just in time for the summer!
AFRIKA BAMBAATAA DENIES CHILD AB– USE ALLEGATIONS
The co-founder of the Universal Zulu Nation broke his silence this week about allegations of child abuse leveled against him by several young men. In an interview with Fox5 News in New York, Afrika Bambaataa maintains all traces of innocence. It’s a sad story all around. Hopefully the truth comes out soon so this can be put to rest.
MARVEL’S “BLACK PANTHER” VIDEO SERIES FEATURES MUSIC BY RUN THE JEWELS
With audio commentary from critically acclaimed writer and author Ta-Nehisi Coates, Marvel seems on the verge of making Black Panther a household name. Especially on the heels of the success of the movie Captain America: Civil War. But Hip Hop plays a part, too: super duo Run The Jewels had their music featured in the first vignette. Hopefully there will be more of this kind of movie and music collaboration coming soon.
IGGY AZALEA HIT WITH A $1.5 MILLION LAWSUIT
Atlanta producer Jon Jon Traxx is claiming to have helped Iggy get her career off the ground. The two reportedly signed a deal back in 2009, and when they parted ways in 2013, Traxx says that he was supposed to continue to get compensated. But that didn’t happen. Now he’s trying to take the Australian rapper to court for over $1 million. Not a great spot for Ms. Iggy to be in at the moment, to say the least.
A ROUGH WEEK FOR LAURYN HILL
After giving fans in Atlanta the shaft for two hours and releasing a public statement of apology, Lauryn Hill’s Baltimore show was cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances. Sadly, Hill’s track record for being on time is pretty horrid. But this time, fans may be turning their backs for good. Let’s hope she and her team can get it together.
ADDITIONAL STORIES:
M1 OF DEAD PREZ DROPS NEW ALBUM, BETWEEN ME & THE WORLD
PUBLIC ENEMY, MOBB DEEP TO HEADLINE “THE ART OF RAP” FESTIVAL
FREDDIE GIBBS AND MADLIB SET TO WORK ON ANOTHER ALBUM TOGETHER
THE UNDERACHIEVERS SET TO DROP A NEW ALBUM THIS WEEK
BLACK MILK GOING ON TOUR
Weekly Hip Hop Stop by Ron Grant. Check out his Urban Music News Blog on Social and Cultural Affairs, http://urbanemurge.com/. Thanks to our Sponsors, Kingfish Records in Clearwater, FL! Check out our South Florida SIGT Website!
▼ SHOWS TO GO TO ▼
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- The Commission Beer Chamber
- Kingfish Records (Clearwater)
- Nora's Sugar Shack!
- Park Ave CDs
- Montgomery Drive Presents
- RT-Art Printing
- The Mary Jane 'High-Quality' Art Gallery
- The Owl's Attic Vintage Shop
- Broken Strings Brewery
- American Combat Club
- Lazy Moon Pizza
- Ten10 Brewing
- Leguminati
- Mutiny Ocala
- The Tipsy Skipper
- Conrad's Beer Shanty
- AKT Shirt Printing
- Smartpunk Records & Shop
- No Clubs Presents
- DaddyKool Records
- Galactic G Skateshop