All articles tagged with #hip hop
Oliver “Power” Grant, a longtime Wu-Tang Clan backer who financed early records, led Wu Wear, and produced the game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, has died at 52. The group confirmed his passing with tributes from Method Man and others; the cause of death was not disclosed.
Oliver 'Power' Grant, an original Wu-Tang Clan member, has died at 52, the group announced; tributes from Hot 97 and Method Man followed, while the cause of death was not disclosed, and the news comes as Wu-Tang Clan was named a 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee.
Wiz Khalifa announced the death of his father, Laurence W. Thomaz, praising him as a peaceful, guiding presence and noting how his military background and lessons shaped Wiz and his son Sebastian.
Kendrick Lamar became the Grammys' most-awarded hip-hop artist, earning his 26th Grammy and surpassing Jay-Z after winning in several rap categories, with more nominations still to come.
J. Cole drops Birthday Blizzard '26, a four-track freestyles mixtape hosted by DJ Clue and sold on his site on a pay-what-you-wish basis, serving as hype for his upcoming The Fall-Off with tracks BronX Zoo Freestyle, Golden Goose Freestyle, Winter Storm Freestyle, and 99 Build Freestyle.
J. Cole released four new freestyles as part of the Birthday Blizzard '26 EP hosted by DJ Clue. The tracks aren’t on streaming services and are available as a digital download for as little as $1 on Cole’s website, arriving a few hours earlier than expected and ahead of The Fall-Off. The drop follows chatter about Kendrick Lamar-related topics and signals ongoing momentum for Cole, with fans anticipating more surprises in the coming days.
A$AP Rocky has revealed the 2026 Don't Be Dumb World Tour, a 42-date trek spanning North America and Europe from May to September, promoted by Live Nation and kicking off May 27 in Chicago before wrapping in Paris. General on-sale is Jan. 27, with artist presales starting Jan. 23 (EU/UK presales Jan. 21). VIP packages will be available.
A$AP Rocky's Don't Be Dumb is projected to debut around 200,000 units in its first week, with roughly 70–90k from streaming equivalents and about 100k in physical sales. Pre-release vinyl efforts reportedly pushed sales to about 130,000, hinting the album could top the Billboard Hot 200. The 17-track project features guests such as Brent Faiyaz, Doechii, Sauce Walka, and Tyler, the Creator, signaling a strong comeback after delays.
A$AP Rocky’s long-awaited Don’t Be Dumb is distilled into seven standout tracks, ranked by a VIBE/Rolling Stone collab as a bold blend of swagger and introspection. Highlights include Doechii’s slick verse on Robbery, Brent Faiyaz on Stay Here 4 Life, and Damon Albarn’s ghostly vocals on Whiskey, with Rocky trading bravado for vulnerable moments across songs produced by Loukeman, T-Minus and more. The list culminates in a pointed Drake diss on Stole Ya Flow, while tracks like Playa and Helicopters showcase his genre-blending versatility and return-to-form energy.
A$AP Rocky’s comeback album Don't Be Dumb arrives with an all-star credits list, highlighting Rocky’s own production work and a heavyweight lineup of collaborators. Kelvin Krash anchors multiple tracks (ORDER OF PROTECTION, HELICOPTER, STOLE YA FLOW), joined by Hit-Boy, Cardo Got Wings, Clams Casino, ICYTWAT, Danny Elfman, and many more, with guest appearances from Brent Faiyaz, Doechii, Jessica Pratt, Tyler, the Creator, Thundercat, Will.i.am, Damon Albarn, SpaceGhostPurrp, and others. The project is framed as Rocky’s orchestration of talent on a high-profile comeback, with tracks like HELICOPTER already positioned as potential hits and a diverse mix of producers and features across the album.
A$AP Rocky drops Don’t Be Dumb (Jan 16), returning to his old-school vibe updated for today with Tim Burton–inspired artwork and a multi-genre palette. The album features five standout collaborations: Slay Squad on STFU; Tyler, the Creator on FISH N STEAK (WHAT IT IS); Thundercat on Playa; Brent Faiyaz on Stay Here 4 Life; and Doechii on Robbery.
Fans are buzzing after A$AP Rocky’s long-awaited album Don't Be Dumb includes diss lines toward Drake, notably “First you stole my flow, so I stole your b***h” on the track STOL E YA FLOW. The lyrics have sparked debate over whether the insult targets Rihanna or Drake’s ex Sophie Brussaux, with some fans calling it disrespectful and others treating it as typical rap beef. Rocky previously commented on the beef in a New York Times Popcast interview, leaving reactions mixed and opinions divided.
Pitchfork’s New Music Friday highlights seven notable releases this week: Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore’s ethereal Tragic Magic; A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb with a Tim Burton‑themed visual universe; Peaer’s Doppelgänger, their return after seven years; evilgiane’s Giane 2; Xiu Xiu: Xiu Mutha Fuckin’ Xiu: Vol. 1, a covers-heavy introduction to the band; Sleaford Mods’ The Demise Of Planet X; and Courtney Marie Andrews’ Valentine. A correction note clarifies that Hijack is not on Rocky’s album.
A judge voided the murder conviction of Karl Jordan Jr., one of two men found guilty in the killing of Jam Master Jay, citing insufficient evidence of motive, while the conviction of the co-defendant Ronald Washington was upheld. The case remains significant in the hip-hop community and legal proceedings are ongoing.
A four-part Netflix series directed by 50 Cent explores the rise and fall of Sean Combs, revealing new details about his involvement in hip-hop conflicts, legal battles, and allegations of misconduct, while presenting multiple perspectives including those of accusers and jurors. Despite his denials, the series has sparked controversy, with Combs' legal team disputing its portrayal.