SIGT HIP HOP STOP W/ RON GRANT I Mos Def Retiring from Music and Film; Meek Mill Helps Michigan, Lil Wayne Still Suing Birdman and Cash Money, “No More Parties In L.A.” drops, Eminem’s Family Hit by Heroin, Hip Hop Reacts To Oscars Controversy

by Ron Grant • January 22, 2016

What a week it’s been! New music, new beef, new drama, philanthropy, even with Hip Hop versus the Academy Awards! From Snoop Dogg reacting harshly to Oscar snubs of people of color, to reconciliation between long-time friends and business associates. Hip Hop was deep in the spotlight this week. Here are a few tidbits you may have missed.

MOS DEF ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM MUSIC AND FILM INDUSTRIES

As if the loss of several music legends wasn’t enough, it seems Hip Hop has figuratively lost Brooklyn emcee Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def. And no, we can’t put much stock in rapper retirements. But with all the legal and international issues surrounding Mos as of late, this one seems especially sad. Listen to his message below.

MEEK MILL DONATES TO MICHIGAN FAMILIES IN NEED, STILL BEEFS WITH 50 CENT

It seems doing a good deed for families in crisis can’t save one from social media beef. We gotta give kudos to Meek Mill for stepping up and helping so many people impacted by the recent Flint, MI water crisis. However, his continued animosity with 50 Cent on Instagram seems to have overshadowed his philanthropy. Who’s fault is that? Yeah, we’re not falling for that one again. Here’s a link to the story on TMZ.com as well as some new music by Meek.

KANYE DROPS “NO MORE PARTIES IN L.A.” FEAT. KENDRICK LAMAR

Not much of explanation needed for this track. At one point, a song like this only existed as a dream collaboration in our minds. But the dream has turned into reality and the day is here. Listen to “No Parties In L.A.” featuring Kendrick Lamar, apparently from Ye’s forthcoming SWISH album due in February.

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY FOR EMINEM

Unfortunately more bad news coming out of the domestic lives of rappers: Eminem’s sister-in-law has died of an apparent heroin overdose. We all here at Shows I Go To send our condolences to the family.

HIP HOP REACTS TO 2016 OSCAR SNUBBINGS

Snoop Dogg dropped “F” bombs to get his point across. 50 Cent is calling for Chris Rock to step down as host of the 2016 Oscar Awards. And Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith will be boycotting the ceremony all together. Looks like the contention between certain communities and The Academy won’t end any time soon.