Tag: TDE

Weekly Wrap-Up[4/20-2020 – 4/26/20]

Last week (the week of April 20th), there was a lot going on the hip-hop world. Catch up on all your latest hip-hop news here at TheOriginalChatman.com

In #GoodMusicFriday-fashion, Top Dawg Entertainment—home of Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and more— released a string of singles the week of April 20th. Label founder Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith kicked off #TDEAppreciationWeek to celebrate his birthday which was the reason behind the week’s release of singles. (While Tiffith’s artists let off new songs for their individual fan bases, he blessed elderly public housing by paying their rent.)

Monday 4/20/20

Last time we heard from Ab-Soul was December 2016, from his solo album Do What Thou Wilt Do. Soulo’s “Dangerookipawaa Freestyle” song title borrows inspiration from Top Dawg’s social media handle @dangerookipawaa. On the track, he compares himself to greats of the past and present such as Craig Mack and Eminem, meanwhile name-dropping frequent collaborator and fallen rapper friend Mac Miller.

Tuesday 4/21/20

Lone wolf (his EP title from last year) Zacari, notably remembered from his assist on Kendrick’s hit song “LOVE.”, dropped “Edamame” and “This Woman’s Work.”






“Edamame” is about the loss of a love interest, and “This Woman’s Work”, an homage to the original song by Maxwell, expresses his relationship regrets.

Wednesday 4/22/20

Isaiah Rashad built a cult following, especially after Rashad’s sophomore effort 2016’s The Sun’s Tirade. While Rashad may be an artist on a highly-sought after rap label, his “everyday man” feel within his music attracts his fan base. That’s not the case with his latest single. “Why Worry” deals with forever changing rules to the ugly side of “fame.”

Thursday 4/23/20

SiR‘s latest sophomore album, Chasing Summer, did some big time placement on the Billboard 200 reaching the 64th placement. Following the success of this album, he released the Boogie-assisted song “Rapper Weed” which surprisingly doesn’t have a drug-induced sound to it. The vibe is very relaxed as always on any song by SiR.

Friday 4/24/20

Reason has made a name for himself outside his home label–especially fiercely rapping and competing with fellow Californian rapper Cozz of the Dreamville camp. “Might Not Make It” is another brash comparison similar to “LamboTruck.” “Might Not Make It” fantasizes about the crazy things Reason would do if he had 24 hours left to live on this planet. This is the biggest name-drop I’ve heard in a while!

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Cozz and Reason – “Lambo Truck” [Music Video review]

Dreamville’s Cozz and TDE’s Reason team up to bring a visual for one of the best songs from ROTD3.

Top Dawg with some Dreamers

Can’t believe it, you surprised, ‘prised

Reason

Imagine planning a robbery on your boss because you’re pissed at being underlooked or underappreciated. You voice your concerns and oompf—nothing happens! The cause of your under-appreciation is money-related. Money or a lack thereof can make us go crazy! This is exactly what Cozz and Reason (from the respective rap labels Dreamville and TDE) team up for in the visual for “LamboTruck.”

You can’t have a video for a song called “LamboTruck” without an actual Lamborghini truck in it. The camera pans a quick view of the truck and boom–we’re thrown into the start of the video. Atlanta rapper-producer Childish Major is on the song’s hook, while Cozz and Reason trade individual bars before swapping them out for their final verse, a back-and-forth one.

Image via @Dreamville/Twitter.

Bags of money floating over Cozz’s head symbolize what he wants more of. His verse symbolizes how he’d plan to attain it, which even includes a hint at leaving Dreamville and seeking more success and exposure at TDE (not to say Dreamville isn’t a success beast in its own right). Reason’s mirrored reflection raps to himself; meanwhile he watches himself as a newscaster for the Lambo News Update. Before the video was teased all over social media, I was unaware of the creative direction the video would take.

While the colloboration of these two L.A. natives (from very diverse rap labels nonetheless)is exciting upon each listen, the visual could’ve been more entertaining as “LamboTruck” is a huge ROTD3 fan-favorite. I will admit that Cozz squaring up with a cardboard cutout of Top Dawg, and Reason beating up a cardboard cutout of J.Cole is priceless! Check out the video above and let me know what you think in the comments below!

Weekly Wrap-Up [Feb. 5th-9th]

“I took a hiatus, now I’m back on you haters!” (Hov voice/Hov laugh)
Not a real Jay quote as far as I know. TheOriginalChatman.com!!

“I took a hiatus, now I’m back on you haters!” (Hov voice/Hov laugh)

P.S. Not a real Jay-Z quote, as far as I know. Anyways, check out the weekly wrap-up for the second week of February brought to you by TheOriginalChatman.

Mon. 2/5

1. Cozz’s new album Effected is on the way, so the Dreamville-affiliated rapper releases the album’s tracklist along with the release date.

  • While Top Dawg Entertainment (Kendrick Lamar, SZA) is tearing up the industry with its tours and imminent Hollywood takeover, the J.Cole-helmed label Dreamville is quietly making moves also.
  • Cozz’s new album Effected— a title paying homage to his first mixtape Cozz and Effect— will be available this Tuesday, February 13th. He’s already released two singles, “Badu” featuring Curren$y and “Ignorant Confidence.” Check out the album art below.

Source(s): Instagram (@cozz)/Twitter (@cody__macc)

2. Donald Glover appears in the first trailer for “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”

  • Donald Glover is constantly balancing duties between music, film, and television like it’s nothing. No biggie, to be honest!
  • Originally, a teaser dropped on SuperBowl Sunday with the full trailer available for fan enjoyment the following day.
  • While Glover’s Lando Calrissian character doesn’t do much speaking in the Solo trailer, it’s assumed Glover supporting role will be one for the ages. Here’s the full trailer for the film. What does everyone think of the film’s trailer?

Source: Pitchfork

Tues. 2/6

3. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s video for “All the Stars” continues to build anticipation for Marvel’s Black Panther.

  • Can we skip over other movies for the rest of 2018 and crown Black Panther as the best film of all time? No? Yes? Is my geek showing? I know the movie hasn’t been released yet, but my expectations are already out of this world!
  • Dave Meyers and The Little Homies (Meyers and Kendrick Lamar himself) blessed us with the official music video for “All The Stars”, the lead single from Black Panther The Album.
  • In the video, Kendrick and SZA are seen surrounded by literal black panthers, an aesthetic of bright colors and a biblical-like landscape similar to Wakanda, the fictional setting from Black Panther. Check out the visually stunning and wonderfully illustrated video below.

4. Bruno Mars proposes that the NFL take place in Atlanta next year, and that the half-time acts be prominent hip-hop artists from the past and present.

  • Taking one step ahead of everyone, Bruno Mars boldly proposes via Twitter that the 2019 SuperBowl honor hip-hop by allowing prominent artists of the city play the half-time show.
  • “NFL, you have the opportunity to celebrate incredible Hip Hop Artist from Atlanta next year. Outkast, T.I., Gucci, Lil Jon, Jeezy, Jermaine Dupri just to name a few. it would be the best party Tv has ever seen!”
  • While hip-hop has long transitioned into the mainstream, I find it hard to believe the NFL will allow any of Atlanta’s rap gatekeepers that Bruno tweeted about to actually be there. Not because they are sub-par as artists/performers, it’s just that hip-hop and the NFL seem like an unlikely partnership moving forward in already divisive political climate we live in.

Source: Billboard

Wed. 2/7

5. R&B/soul virtuoso Anderson .Paak promises a new album sometime this year!

  • It’s been two years since we’ve last received a solo project from Anderson .Paak.
  • According to .Paak, the album is in its mixing stages and will be released sometime this year, as he is still under the guidance of Dr. Dre and Aftermath Records.

Source: Fader

Thurs. 2/8

6. J.I.D. drops a music video for “EdEddnEddy” paying homage to the classic CartoonNetwork cartoon.

Fri. 2/9

7. “The Autobiography Of Gucci Mane” will be getting the movie treatment!

  • Gucci Mane’s life story will soon be known to casual and die-hard fans of Gucci!
  • Earlier this week, it was reported that the rights to The Autobiography of Gucci Mane were bought by Paramount Pictures.
  • Before the news was official, Gucci strongly suggested his book-turned-movie deal via Twitter.

Source: SPIN, The Hollywood Reporter

Thanks for supporting me y’all! I have something special coming up soon, so be on the look out for that!

-TheOriginalChatman™

Weekly Wrap-up [Jan. 22nd-26th]

Check out the weekly wrap-up of the hottest trending topics for the fourth week of January–here at TheOriginalChatman.com!

 

Happy Sunday everyone! Welcome to TheOriginalChatman’s™  GRAMMYs Edition weekly wrap-up for the final week of January. In honor of the Grammys, I’ve hand-selected topics regarding two potential winners for tonight. 7:30 on CBS, don’t forget! Will you be watching? This past week, a lot of great talent has made power moves within and outside the music industry. Also, Top Dawg Entertainment (home to Kendrick Lamar and SZA among others) will be putting on a mega tour with all its artists! CAN WE ALL AGREE THAT THIS WILL BE THE TOUR OF A LIFETIME THOUGH!?

Mon. 1/22

1. Childish Gambino signs a deal with RCA Records.

Donald Glover
Photo Credit: Getty Images

  • Modern day renaissance man Donald Glover, better known to the world as Childish Gambino, has signed a new deal partnering up with RCA Records.
  • Glover left his long-term indie label Glassnote Records over creative differences between him and Glassnote stemming from his 2014 album, Because the Internet.
  • According to Billboard, Glover’s new music will be released sometime this year. (Sidenote: SZA is also signed to RCA Records. If they happen to do a collab record, I would be here for it all the way!)

Source: Billboard

Tues. 1/23

2. Complex’s Everyday Struggle web show started a new season and new co-host!

star-everyday-struggle-2018-billboard-1548
Photo Credit: Complex New

  • Exit stage right Joe Budden, and enter stage left Star!
  • Complex’s popular web series Everyday Struggle lost one-third of its Internet firepower when Joe Budden left the show amidst contract negotiations in late December.
  • The show still features Dj Akademiks as host, and Ndeska Alexis as moderator. Their new co-host is legendary New York radio personality Star of the Star and Bucwild Show.

Source: Revolt

Wed. 1/24

3. Quavo (of Atlanta rap trio Migos) announces his 6 favorite MCs list–and you’ll be surprised at the line-up.

quavo-lists-top-mcs-of-all-time
Photo Credit: ShotByCones via DjBooth.net

  • Rap veteran journalist Touré of Rolling Stone magazine sat down with the Migos last month and penned a cover story you can check out here.
  • Touré asked Quavo for his top five list, and he took it a step further and named six.
  • Here’s the list in order: Tupac, Biggie, Jay-Z, Eminem, Gucci Mane..and himself. Do you agree with the list, let alone ranking himself last?

Source(s): DjBooth, Rolling Stone

4. SZA appears in commercials for MasterCard and The Gap— all within one day!

  • SZA is making a name for herself with everything she touches. This week, the TDE songstress made an appearance in global ad campaigns for MasterCard and The Gap.
  • MasterCard uses her uniqueness to push the “Start Something Priceless” narrative, meanwhile The Gap celebrates their 50th anniversary alongside other cultural personalities including renowned producer Metro Boomin. Feel free to check out both ads  below.

Source: Vibe, Complex 

Thurs. 1/25

6.  Dreamville’s Cozz announces a new project releasing soon, titled Effected.  

Fri. 1/26

7. Apple will release a Animoji-related commercial for Donald Glover’s REDBONE duirng Grammy’s night.

Welp, that’s it! I’ll be back on Monday morning with a review of the 60th Academy Awards (the Grammys). Catch y’all next week!

–TheOriginalChatman’s™

Weekly Wrap-up [Jan 8th- Jan. 12th]

Trending topics from the week of January 8th-12th. Read more on TheOriginalChatman.com!

 

 

Happy Sunday! Two weeks into 2018..how’s everyone holdin’ up with their resolutions? Personally, I abandoned resolutions and decided to break them down into long-term and short-term goals to be accomplished throughout the year. Anyways, this week was lit! Check out the trending topics for the second week of January.

Mon. 1/8

1. Christian Combs will serve as the newest model for Dolce&Gabana.

  • Rapper Christian Combs — whose father is hip-hop mogul/ icon Diddy — adds another title to his resume. Christian inked a deal as the new face of luxury fashion brand Dolce & Gabana. Combs had a previous relationship with the company modeling for them last summer and fall, so the deal with D&G naturally makes sense.
  • Christian shared the news on his Instagram.

Source: Page Six

                  2. Swedish retail company H&M has received criticism for its “Coolest Monkey In The Jungle” hoodie—modeled by a young black child.

  • Taking notes from last year’s Pepsi advertising hiccups, retail giant H&M caught hell when they released an ad of a young black boy modeling a green hoodie that said, “Coolest Monkey In The Jungle.”
  • As a result of their blunder, artists The Weekend and G-Eazy have denounced their partnerships with the retail company due to its offensive ad.
  • H&M issued a statement apologizing for its ” unintentional casual racism” vowing to prevent it happening again in the future.

Source: USAToday

636511815489785555-AP-BRITAIN-H-M-96426139
Image via H&M/Associated Press

Tues. 1/9

3. Kendrick Lamar reveals a sneak peek into his shoe deal with Nike. 

  • Kendrick Lamar teamed up for his first signature deal with Nike in the Cortez Kenny 1. K.Dot originally debuted the kicks on Monday’s CFP National Championship in Atlanta.
  • Sporting a white leather upper with red stitching and identical DAMN. branding, the Cortez Kenny 1 drops on January 26th, and retail price is $100. Will you be getting a pair?

kendrick-lamar-nike-cortez-kenny-1-release-date-price-01-960x640
Image via Kendrick Lamar’s Instagram (@kendricklamar)

4. Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, is currently the world’s richest man. He pays it forward literally in the best way possible!

  • Bezos donated $33 million  for college scholarships to ‘Dreamers’, a group of illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. by their parents.
  • The donation was made in his father’s name who fled Cuba at 15 and went to college in the US.

Source: AOL

Wed. 1/10

5. The Black Eyed Peas return with new music after a seven-year hiatus.

  • Their newest single, “Street Justice” is in the same vein as their 2003 big hit, “Where’s the Love”, and serves as an ode to several of America’s socioeconomic issues such as discrepancies in the school system, gun violence, and prison reform. 
  • Watch the video/purchase the single here.

Source: Okayplayer, LA Times, and Black Eyed Peas official site

Thurs/Fri. 1/11 – 1/12

  • Ryan Reynolds reveals the new release date of Deadpool 2 will be May 18th instead of June 1st.

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According to Ryan Reynolds, the new release date for “Deadpool 2” is May 18th. The film was originally slated for a June 1st release. Image via Reynolds’ Instagram, @vancityreynolds

  • Top Dawg Entertainment pushed out another release from the soundtrack for Marvel’s Black Panther. The latest cut “King’s Dead” is by Jay Rock featuring Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake. Check it out here.
  • The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which also happened to be her 47th birthday too! 

That’s it for the second week of January! Thanks for tuning into TheOriginalChatman.com. Catch y’all next week!

-TheOriginalChatman™-

 

[WATCH]: “ELEMENT.” by Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar drops off another powerful visual from his fourth studio album, Damn. What do y’all think of the video?

Kendrick Lamar encapsulates art with every video. I’m not saying that as a fan of his work. I’m saying it because I believe it to be true.

The Damn.  rapper just released a video for “ELEMENT.” (*sings hook as I write this*) directed by Jonas Lindstroem and co-directed by The Little Homies. I literally just found via Google search that the group Little Homies consists of Kendrick and Top Dawg Entertainment president Dave Free!

With almost every Kendrick video, you have to pay attention and don’t blink..because you might miss something; however, I blame myself for gassing Kendrick and tricking myself into believing the visual was so abstract I missed something upon the first viewing of the video. 

Not gon lie though, I had to watch it again cuz you know! This particular visual may catch some of you off guard due to the slow-motion pace of the video. In the video, the balance between violence and inner-peace is contrasted as father teaches son how to fight, and Kendrick shhhhmacks the shit out a poor guy’s mouth, meanwhile he chases someone with a pool cue.

That’s pretty much how I interpret the visual. If yall have any other opinions, feel free to show some love to my comment section! Check the visual for “ELEMENT.” below.

[WATCH]: “ELEMENT.” by Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar drops off another powerful visual from his fourth studio album, Damn. What do y’all think of the video?

 

Kendrick Lamar encapsulates art with every video. I’m not saying that as a fan of his work. I’m saying it because I believe it to be true.

The Damn.  rapper just released a video for “ELEMENT.” (*sings hook as I write this*) directed by Jonas Lindstroem and co-directed by The Little Homies. I literally just found via Google search that the group Little Homies consists of Kendrick and Top Dawg Entertainment president Dave Free!

With almost every Kendrick video, you have to pay attention and don’t blink..because you might miss something; however, I blame myself for gassing Kendrick and tricking myself into believing the visual was so abstract I missed something upon the first viewing of the video. 

Not gon lie though, I had to watch it again cuz you know! This particular visual may catch some of you off guard due to the slow-motion pace of the video. In the video, the balance between violence and inner-peace is contrasted as father teaches son how to fight, and Kendrick shhhhmacks the shit out a poor guy’s mouth, meanwhile he chases someone with a pool cue.

That’s pretty much how I interpret the visual. If yall have any other opinions, feel free to show some love to my comment section! Check the visual for “ELEMENT.” below.

Kendrick’s “DAMN.” Album is Certified Platinum!

Kendrick’s “DAMN.” Album is Certified !

There’s nothing Kung-Fu Kenny isn’t capable of of, as he slices up the competition again this week!

According to Interscope Records, Kendrick Lamar‘s DAMN. reached platinum status on Thursday (May 5th).

Interscope broke the news via their Twitter yesterday, while the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) declared Kendrick’s fourth effort as certified platinum less than a month (!!!) since its April 14th release. Lamar’s hot streak is still red-hot with astoundingly consecutive accomplishments.

Let’s recap all of Kendrick’s most recent accolades:

  • DAMN. is the first album of 2017 to go platinum
  • All 14 tracks appeared on the Billboard Hot 100
  • DAMN.  sold more than 600,000 units the first week, beating Drake’s More Life opening weeks sales by 100,000 units

The videos for “Humble” and “DNA.” are carving out more success for Kendrick too.

K. Dot torched the Coachella festival as a headliner this year— so something tells me we have yet to get the best of him as he prepares for The DAMN. Tour. The tour will feature D.R.A.M. and Travis Scott. Check out the dates below. Tickets can be purchased here.

Tour Dates:

July 12, 2017  – Phoenix AZ @ Gila River Arena
July 14, 2017 – Dallas TX @ American Airlines Center
July 15, 2017 – Houston TX  @ Toyota Center
July 17, 2017 – Duluth, GA @ Infinite Energy Arena
July 19, 2017 – Philadelphia PA @ Wells Fargo Center
July 20, 2017 – Brooklyn NY @ Barclays Center
July 21, 2017 – Washington DC  @ Verizon Center
July 22, 2017 – Boston MA @ TD Garden
July 25, 2017 – Toronto ON @ Air Canada Centre
July 26, 2017 – Auburn Hills MI  @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
July 27, 2017  – Chicago IL  @ United Center
July 29, 2017  – Denver CO  @ Pepsi Center
August 01, 2017  – Seattle WA @ Tacoma Dome
August 02, 2017 – Vancouver BC @ Rogers Arena
August 04, 2017 – Oakland CA @ Oracle Arena
August 05, 2017  – Las Vegas NV  @ T-Mobile Arena
August 06, 2017 – Los Angeles CA  @ STAPLES Center

ScHoolboy’s Armed Robbery Case Is Dismissed!

ScHoolboy’s Armed Robbery Case Is Dismissed!

ScHoolboy Q dodged a major case that would’ve been extremely difficult to bounce back from.

Back in March, a felony armed robbery took place after a Los Angeles show of his.

The alleged victims followed ScHoolboy Q to an after party and claimed to be robbed at gunpoint. Here is where things get interesting. Earlier this week, the District Attorney chose to dismiss his robbery case–based on inconclusive evidence.

According to TMZ, after the robbery happened, the victims claimed they witnessed Q arrive in another vehicle as the crime went down. The victims revealed the TDE rapper “never participated in the actual robbery.” Q was assumed the mastermind due to his vehicle arriving as the robbery was happening.

With a severe lack of evidence and witness, the case was dismissed allowing ScHoolboy Q to walk away unharmed.

Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, TDE label boss says a new ScHoolboy album will be released after SZA drops hers–whenever that is!

SZA Drops New Single “Love Galore” Along With Its Video; Announces News Deal With RCA Records

SZA Drops New Single “Love Galore” Along With Its Video; Announces News Deal With RCA Records

The beautiful, extremely talented SZA has been teasing her debut album CTRL for what seems like forever!

//giphy.com/embed/13uaMxgBhGP9ba

via GIPHY

Yesterday however, the First lady of TDE blessed us with not only a new single–but a new video also! Her last single was “Drew Barrymore” which she performed it for the first time on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

The song called “Love Galore” features a verse from La Flame himself (aka Travis Scott). The song is basically about an ex who wants her back in his life, yet he manages to somehow treat her like a side-chick (P.S. SZA is MAJOR wifey material, far from a side-chick).

In the video, SZA rocks a sexy-ass piece of lingerie (that had damn near had me drooling from how good she looked in it) while teasing Travis before she attempts to put her moves on him. What seems like a sultry bedroom session ends up more like the movie Misery, and that’s all I’m going to say without ruining the video for y’all. Watch the video below.

Furthermore, on Thursday (April 27th), it was announced that SZA signed a partnership deal with RCA Records. Don’t worry..she’s still signed to TDE too! Let’s all congratulate her and hope for an early summer release of CTRL.

Stream/purchase “Love Galore” everywhere.

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