SIGT HIP HOP STOP W/ RON GRANT | Billboard’s Greatest Rappers Of All Time List, Missy Elliot on Nicki and Women in Hip Hop, Chance The Rapper Awarded, Just Blaze Beats Available Online, New Pusha T Video, Redman Hints At How High 2

by Ron Grant • November 20, 2015

And so here we are, at the cusp of the holiday season. And the Hip Hop news cycle seems to be the gift that keeps on giving! With Turkey Day right around the corner, here are a few of the week’s most interesting Hip Hop news stories that should leave you plenty satisfied.

BILLBOARD’S “10 GREATEST RAPPERS OF ALL TIME” CA– USES A RUCKUS

You have to admit: music lists are a beautiful thing. So when Billboard released its own list of the “10 Greatest Rappers Of All Time”, many Hip Hop aficionados were on the edge of their seats. But excitement soon turned to frustration and outrage for a number of fans, and even some big named emcees (Ghostface Killah and Snoop Dogg.) Mainly over the exclusion of 2Pac and the inclusion of Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne. You can have all the Instagram followers in the world and see so many records, but there will always be people out there who are not happy with something as simple as this list. If Tupac were alive for example, do you think he would have to getfree instagram followers by buying them? Who knows, but we do know for sure he did sell a large number of albums and is still to this day inspiring people in this industry. Regardless, scan the list in its entirety and you be the judge, jury, and executioner.

MISSY ELLIOT DISCUSSES NICKI MINAJ AND THE STATE OF WOMEN IN HIP HOP

Missy’s comeback may be getting into full swing, but not without some drama. In an interview with Billboard, Elliot was asked if she believes Nicki Minaj was a direct descendant to her style, to which she partly replied that there is only one Missy. Can we honestly say that this was Missy throwing shade, or just a being taken out of context? Truthfully, who cares? Getting dope new music from Missy should make us all pretty damn thankful.

CHANCE THE RAPPER NAMED “CHICAGOAN OF THE YEAR”

A rapper that just can’t seem to stay out of the new for acts of positivity seems like a bit of a stretch, right? Not for Chance The Rapper. Chicago Magazine has named him one of five “Chicagoans Of the Year” for his efforts aimed at helping he city’s youth population and lessening violence. Have a look at the behind-the-scenes video of his photo shoot for the story.

JUST BLAZE MAKES HIS DRUM BEATS AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR FREE

Well, they are actually his drum samples created between 2001-2005 by the prolific producer. But Blaze, who has worked closely with Jay Z, Kanye West, Talib Kweli and more, made good on a promise he made on the Killer Mike and El-P project Meow The Jewels and released Meow The Drums online for free this week. Which could mean lots of inspiration for up-and-coming beat makers everywhere!

HOW HIGH 2 TO HIT THEATERS IN 2017?

The legendary New Jersey emcee is never known for holding anything back. And with that, we got the news this week that there may be a sequel to the 2001 stoner buddy flick How High on the way. Red tells Vibe.com that writers are still working on the script. But when all is said and done, we may be seeing a follow up film come 2017. Remember the first one? No? Here’s a reminder.