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A tribute to So So Def Records and Marley Marl receiving an achievement award were among the major highlights of the 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards, which aired on Tuesday, October 10.
The 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards aired on Tuesday night and it was full of top-notch moments honoring the best of the culture. The event, which took place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center In Atlanta on October 3 saw DJ Marley Marl honored with a lifetime achievement award along with So So Def taking the stage to celebrate their 30th anniversary and DJ Drama doing a “Gangsta Grillz” set.
Hip-Hop icons Rakim and LL Cool J took the stage and performed in a tribute to the legendary Marley Marl, backed by Technician the DJ and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Rakim would perform his iconic hit “Eric B. For President”., and LL Cool J would do a medley of his hits like “Around The Way Girl” and “Jingling Baby”
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Marley Marl spoke to the crowd, which gave him a standing ovation as he accepted the I Am Hip Hop Award from Timbaland and Swizz Beats onstage after a video montage of tributes from Eminem among others. “This started out as a dream at 41-17 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, Queensbridge,” he began. He would go on to mention all of those who helped him start his career, launched as he teamed up with the late Mr. Magic to helm the first Hip-Hop radio show on WBLS in New York.
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DJ Drama invigorated the crowd with his “Gangsta Grizz” set which featured some of rap’s most notable MCs, beginning with Fabolous. T.I. joined him onstage to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his album, Trap Muzik followed up by Jeezy.
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Jermaine Dupri thrilled the crowd by performing as the event paid homage to So So Def for its 30th Anniversary. The energy went up another level as Ludacris took the stage to perform “Welcome To Atlanta”, followed by Ludacris, Lil Jon, Nelly, Bonecrusher, Chingy, Tyrese, Bow Wow, Dem Franchise Boyz, and Da Brat.
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LL Cool J stopped by Sway’s Universe and delivered a freestyle sure to further add to his iconic musical resume.
On Wednesday (Aug. 2), the Hip-Hop legend dropped in for an interview with Sway Calloway on his SiriusXM show ahead of the highly anticipated Rock The Bells festival, which will be held at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York this weekend. After a lively half-hour discussion, Sway asked LL Cool J to freestyle. “I don’t know if it can happen now, but man, I never had you bust a verse on my show,” he said. The veteran MC agreed to the delight of Sway and the crew.
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“There was smoke when the mother’s water broke,” he began. “The doc saw the horns/ Oh my God, it’s a GOAT/ The nurse cut the cord, got shocked with a million volts/ Almost dropped him on the floor, but the baby started to float.” LL Cool J continued: “The whole world’s raving for the baby, the bell tolls/ A crowd gathered ’round, throwing punches and elbows/ Then his mama arose, and recited a poem/ Todd’s a Hip-Hop God, f**k rock ‘n’ roll.”
Earlier in the interview, LL also spoke about the impact of The F.O.R.C.E. Tour and also took time to shoot down a persistent urban rap legend that claimed The Notorious B.I.G. subliminally dissed him on “Who Shot Ya?” with the lines “Old school, new school need to learn though.” The theory was advanced by journalist Bonsu Thompson.
“I need him to stick to his day job, and if that is his day job, he might wanna reassess that shit,”, LL Cool J joked. “I got love for him, I’m just teasing. No, that’s not true. I’m in the studio when Biggie wrote ‘Who Shot Ya?’ Like, I was literally in the studio when he made the song. I was literally, physically in the studio with Notorious B.I.G. when he wrote ‘Who Shot Ya?’
He added: I said, ‘Biggie, why you smoke so much weed when you write these joints?’ He said, ‘It makes me feel like I’m in the track,’ and we just started laughing. He was doing what rappers do: ‘Old school, new school.’ He’s saying whoever want it, can get it. That’s regular … Now it’s about selling swag, and that’s okay, I’m not judging but I’m just saying, that’s 100% false.”
Check out the entire interview below.
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The Rock The Bells Festival this year is getting more jam-packed with Hip-Hop’s greatest, as Run DMC and The Roots are now added to the lineup.
On Monday (July 17th), the festival announced the addition of the iconic group from Hollis, Queens, and the dynamic Hip-Hop band out of Philadelphia to the lineup. The Roots will back up LL Cool J and DJ Z-Trip during his set, akin to how they collaborated at the Grammy Awards earlier this year.
For Run DMC, their inclusion on the lineup brings them back to their home borough in celebration of the culture through the festival founded by fellow borough native LL Cool J. They also will be headliners at the “Hip Hop 50” concert event at Yankee Stadium on August 11th, considered to be their final show. The stellar lineup also features Rakim, Queen Latifah, Monie Love, De La Soul, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, Redman & Method Man, Roxanne Shante’, Big Daddy Kane, Cold Crush Brothers, MC She Rock, Salt-N-Pepa and other special guests.
The news comes on the heels of Brooklyn’s own Boot Camp Clik announcing a partnership with Rock The Bells, led off by the group’s new single and video “Wotcha Call Strength”. It’s the first release by the collective in 16 years, done in honor of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary. There will also be an exclusive merch drop at the festival, and Boot Camp Clik will also be on the lineup of performers at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens on August 5th.
“In honor and celebration of Hip Hop 50, we felt that the BCC’s catalog of work, contributions, and legacy needed to be recognized properly,” Duck Down Records CEO Drew “Dru-Ha” Friedman said in a statement. “It’s too easy to sit back and say the Hip Hop community should verify you and painstaking to go out and have to remind people with words, so we felt there was no better way to make a statement than to drop a new record with all the original members (RIP to Sean Price).”
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LL Cool J and Rock The Bells are setting forth on the high seas with the first-ever Afrocruise, which will sail in 2024.
The Hip-Hop icon and his Rock The Bells platform are teaming up with AfroFuture, a firm dedicated to highlighting the best of African culture through live performances and festivals to launch the inaugural Afrocruise. AfroFuture, formerly known as AfroChella, will also be partnering with AfroVerse for this maiden excursion. The voyage will set sail from Miami, Florida to Nassau in the Bahamas on the Norwegian Pearl. The Afrocruise is dedicated to all things African and its diaspora and will be presented by music cruise leader and festival lead Sixthman.
The musical lineup is stocked with some of the best artists of the diaspora beginning with Adunkele Gold. Other artists include Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, The Compozers, Juls, Mayorkun, Naira Marley, Spinall, Teni, Uncle Waffles, and Zinoleesky. Other Afrobeats and amapiano artists will be added to the lineup in the near future. In addition, the totally immersive event will have other engaging activities such as a suya BBQ on the pool deck, DJ sets, and basketball and FIFA video game tournaments. There will also be parties hosted by Afrobeats & Brunch, London’s Days Like This, Positive Vibes Only (PVO), RNB HouseParty, and NYC’s No Wahala podcast with Tune Day + Bawo.
Those booking their passage on the Afrocruise will also have the opportunity to indulge in a shore excursion in Nassau, as well as partake in the numerous amenities that the Norwegian Pearl has to offer such as the Pearl Club Casino, Mandara Spa, Body Waves Fitness Center, Sports Court and the many bars and dining options onboard. The Afrocruise will set sail from Miami on March 29th, 2024 through April 1st, 2024. Those interested can book their tickets at theafrocruise.com.
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A new documentary series hosted by LL Cool J and Ice T follows them on the hunt for the most sought-after items in Hip-Hop culture.
The two rap icons and television stars are the hosts of Hip Hop Treasures, a new documentary series that will air on A&E. The premise of the series will follow the pair along with museum curators and field experts as they track down memorabilia from the glory days of the culture such as the jersey The Notorious B.I.G. wore in the “Juicy” video to DMX’s Aaliyah car to the clocks that Flavor Flav of Public Enemy wore. Items procured during the episodes will be sent to the Universal Hip Hop Museum, which boasts the largest collection of Hip-Hop memorabilia in the world.
Major stars of the culture will be present in each episode, which include DMC, CeeLo Green, Fat Joe, Master P, Soulja Boy, Naughty by Nature’s Treach as well as Coolio in his final on-screen appearance before his death last year. Hip Hop Treasures will also feature tributes to Biz Markie, DMX, and The Notorious B.I.G. The field experts assisting the two will be Cipha Sounds and veteran MC and actress Yo-Yo, and Paradise Gray and Pete Nice will be representing the Universal Hip Hop Museum which is currently being constructed and will open next year. Hip Hop Treasures is slated to premiere on Saturday, August 12th at 10 P.M. ET, coinciding with the weekend celebrating the official 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop.
Hip Hop Treasures is produced by Pulse Films and Rock The Bells, with Erica Hanson, Tracey Baker-Simmons, Andrena Hale, Mira King, Elaine Frontain Bryant, Shelly Tatro, and Jonathan Partridge on board as executive producers for Pulse Films and A&E Networks. Paradise Gray and Pete Nice are also executive producers of the series.
Check out the trailer for Hip Hop Treasures below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-QFdx_UuNg
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While LL Cool J’s Rap legacy is undisputable he doesn’t get enough credit for his sense of humor. He recently discussed not getting an invite to the Roc Nation Brunch and it is pure comedy.
As spotted on Complex the Hollis, Queens native paid a visit to Big Boys Neighborhood to discuss the launch of his F.O.R.C.E. Live tour. During the near hour conversation he discussed a variety of topics including his Rock The Bells brand, his beef with Ice-T and more. To close out their sit down Big Boy asked Cool James to play ‘For Real For Real For False For False’, a game where he confirms or denies a story.
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Here he was asked if it is true he once laughed at Jay-Z trying rap back in high school. “I love everybody. I don’t have no problems with none of these guys, man. If I laughed, okay, so what” he said. “Laugh at me. How many people have you laughed at or snapped on in the lunch room? Come on, B. Give your man a pass on that nonsense, man. This is ridiculous. I don’t even remember it.” He then went to take hilarity even further when he added “I laughed at you so now I can’t have no brunch? I can’t have no finger food?”
Jokes aside LL Cool J also revealed that his former hype man E-Love is the silhouette in the iconic Public Enemy logo. You can see the “Hey Lover” discuss the Jay-Z interaction starting at the 43 minute mark below.
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A new concert event, The F.O.R.C.E Live tour is in effect with LL Cool J featured as a headliner along with The Roots and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
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The F.O.R.C.E (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) Live Tour is the first that the Hip-Hop icon is headlining in 30 years. Each of the 24 dates across the U.S. (with a stop in Toronto) on the tour will feature the two-time Grammy Award winner with The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip, the same powerful tandem at the heart of their celebration of 50 years of Hip-Hop at this year’s Grammys. Rock The Bells is the major organizer of the tour event. “I’m excited to be on my first Arena tour in 30 years. It’s proof that our culture is more viable than ever. Get ready for some non-stop beats and rhymes. See you this summer!”, the rapper said in a press release.
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The lineup for the tour is a hearty one, curated by LL Cool J himself. It features 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, Rick Ross, and more special guests. The F.O.R.C.E. Live tour, according to the press release will feature the lineup “unlike the traditional “opening act – headliner” format, the show will be a nonstop musical mash-up with artist performances interwoven within one continuous musical set backed by The Roots.” These same artists will also perform at the Rock The Bells Cruise slated for November.
The tour kicks off on June 25th at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, and ends its run at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California on September 3rd. A ticket pre-sale for fans will be held by Live Nation on Thursday (April 27th) beginning at 10 A.M., with the general sale taking place on Friday (April 28th) through Ticketmaster. Tickets will also be available through StubHub once the general sale begins. To find out more, visit the website.
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LL Cool J gave his legion of fans a scare after it appeared that he was looking to scrap an upcoming studio album produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest fame. As it stands, the album is still very much in the works and a release date and tracklist are coming soon.
LL Cool J, 55, appeared to question the decision of putting the album out with his fellows Queens cohort in Q-Tip, aka Kamaal Fareed, via Twitter in recent times which raised alarms naturally. This was especially jarring as LL was just gushing over the album at this year’s Grammy Awards on the red carpet.
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The album’s details have been shrouded in mystery but most Hip-Hop fans know that Q-Tip is a masterful producer and can work with a variety as evidenced by his involvement with Megan Thee Stallion and working with Detroit rapper Danny Brown among his other creative endeavors.
Taking to Instagram, LL Cool J posted a reel revealing that the album is his favorite among his previous works and will reveal details shortly. It will be the Hip-Hop legend’s 14th studio release.
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LL Cool J will receive the entertainment icon award at the fifth Urban One Honors, which will tape at The Eastern in Atlanta on Friday, Dec. 2. David and Tamela Mann will receive the inspirational impact award. R&B singer and actor Tank will host the show.
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The two-hour telecast, with the theme “Celebrating Icons of the Culture,” is set to premiere on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) on TV One and Cleo TV, a division of Urban One.
A lifetime achievement honor, music innovation honor, and the first-ever Phoenix honor will also be presented on this year’s show. Those honorees are expected to be announced on Thursday, Dec. 1.
LL Cool J received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2017 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the award for musical excellence category in 2021. He’s a two-time Grammy winner for best rap solo performance and a five-time host of the annual Grammy Awards telecast.
Tamela Mann won a Grammy for best gospel performance/song six years ago for “God Provides.” She and her husband David Mann star in TV One’s The Manns.
The show will include a performance by Keke Wyatt and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop with DJ Spinderella (Salt-N-Pepa), Monie Love and Doug E. Fresh. The show will also include appearances by Rev. Run (Run DMC, “Run’s House”) and Lamman Rucker (TV One’s Bad Dad Rehab: The Next Session).
LeToya Luckett will host a backstage pass segment featuring interviews with the show’s honorees, performers and presenters.
Urban One Honors is executive produced by Eric Tomosunas and Robert A. Boyd II of Swirl Films. Kim Burse serves as musical director. Marilyn Gill serves as executive producer. Kashon Powell is vice president of programming for Radio One and Susan Henry is executive producer in charge of production for TV One.
For more information, visit TVOne.tv.
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