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Happy 54th Birthday To West Coast Legend DJ Quik!

dj quik hand in hand featuring 2nd ii none

On this day in Hip-Hop history, legendary west coast DJ, rapper, and producer DJ Quik was born in 1970.

David Marvin Blake, a.k.a. DJ Quik, was born in Pomona, California, and shortly after relocated to Compton, California. His love for music began at a very young age, and by age 12, he could already play several instruments. Quik jumpstarted his path to fame by selling mixtapes he made with the turntable he received while still in school. Through self-promotion, his fame began to rise, and he started to DJ and host events in Southern California.

Whether due to knowledge of his future success or lack of interest, Quik dropped out of high school in the 11th grade. Shortly after, he suffered homelessness when his family home was taken away in foreclosure. There’s little information about what happened during DJ Quik’s life, but in 1990, everything changed.

DJ Quik had created so much of a buzz on the streets by selling tapes and making appearances at parties and events he gained the attention of local record labels Ruthless Records and Profile Records. Despite a one million dollar offer from Eazy E, Quik signed with Profile.

On February 12, 1991, DJ Quik released his debut album, Quik Is the Name, which debuted at #29 on the Billboard 200 chart, where it would peak, and sold 50,000 copies in its first week. The album hosted hit singles “Born and Raised in Compton” and “Tonite.” after about four years, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA and had to date, sold 1,068,203 copies. After his debut success, Quik produced eight more solo studio albums and a collaborative album with rapper Kurupt called Blaqkout in 2009.

Outside of music, DJ Quik has made appearances as an actor on popular TV shows: Method and Red, Entourage, and Everybody Hates Chris. His career is one of the more influential ones on the West Coast. Quik was an instrumental part of the G-Funk sound and helped it to gain popularity early in the rap world. Countless rappers, producers, and DJs alike have noted their influence by DJ Quik, and if you ride around SoCal today, there’s no doubt you can hear one of his hits playing on someone’s stereo. If you don’t already listen daily, take some time today to appreciate the career of one of the West Coast’s OGs.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: DJ Quik Dropped Debut Album ‘Quik Is The Name’ 32 Years Ago

djquik

Released on Profile Records during a time when their roster consisted of righteous rhymers like King Sun and Poor Righteous Teachers, Quik was pioneering in helping to usher in the “gangsta rap” sound on a mainstream scale in the early 90s and labels were just beginning to shift their marketing dollars towards this sub-genre of Hip-Hop.

With the help of producers Courtney Branch, Greg Jessie and Tracy Kendrick, Quik managed to produce a rap classic that sold 50,000 in its first week with only a $30,000 budget for production. Recorded in Westlake Recording Studio in Los Angeles, the same spot where Michael Jackson’s epic Thriller masterpiece was created, Quik and crew finished up the album in 17 days.

The album’s lead single, “Born And Raised In Compton,” climbed to Number 6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs, while tracks like “Tonite,” “Deep” and the album’s title track solidified the funk sound that later saturated West Coast Hip Hop music.

Salute to the Big Homie for laying down this pioneering project that will forever be considered one of the Top 100 Albums in Hip-Hop!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: DJ Quik Dropped Debut Album ‘Quik Is The Name’ 32 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

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Kendrick Lamar Reveals ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ Cover Art

kendrick lamar

Kendrick Lamar shares the official cover art to the highly-anticipated new album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers which drops this Friday (May 13) everywhere via Interscope/Aftermath/Top Dawg/pgLang.

MORE: Kendrick Lamar Morphs Into Kobe Bryant, Kanye West, Nipsey Hussle and More In “The Heart Part 5” Video

The cover features a throne-crowned wearing Kung Fu Kenny with his family and a gun in his back waist-band, holding his oldest child, while his wife, Whitney Alford, sits on the bed, holding their infant child with the impression of breastfeeding. The cover arrives several days after Lamar released the upcoming album’s single “The Heart Part 5” which has received huge attention due to the visual’s homage to the likes of O.J. Simpson, Kanye West, Jessie Smollett, Will Smith, and the late-Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle.

Kendrick’s latest visual, released last Sunday evening (May 9), samples the 1976 Marvin Gaye–classic “I Want You” and has already accumulated over 17 million views-and-growing on YouTube in two days. The song and video have received praise from all over pop culture and entertainment. “The Heart Part 5” is set to appear on Kendrick’s forthcoming fifth studio album — his first album release in five years.

MORE: Kendrick Lamar Announces New Album ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’

In August 2021, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers was revealed as Kendrick’s “final” album with his original recording home, Top Dawg Entertainment. “As I produce my final TDE album, I feel joy to have been a part of such a cultural imprint after 17 years,” Lamar shared in a message on his oklama website at the time. “The Struggles. The Success. And most importantly, the Brotherhood.” He released his debut album under Top Dawg in 2012 with Good Kid M.A.A.D. City — and with the label Kendrick earned a Pultizer Prize in 2018 for his 2017 album, DAMN.

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers drops Friday on all digital streaming platforms.

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1TakeJay Drops ‘The Morning After’ Mixtape with New Music Video “The Pay Back”

1TakeJay Drops ‘The Morning After’ Mixtape with “The Pay Back” Video

1TakeJay’s 2018 breakout hit, “Arco,” catapulted him into the limelight as one of the West Coast’s next-generation superstars. The unorthodox recording artist followed the debut with five full-length records, including the fan-favorites, 2018’s Wait Hol Up, and 2021’s 1TakeBae. The popularity led to collaborations with numerous hip-hop superstars such as Kalan.FrFr, Rich The Kid, Shoreline Mafia, and Mustard. Today, he continues his evolution with The Morning After, a 16-track mixtape with the release of the new music video for the project’s second single, “The Pay Back.”

MORE: Mustard, Casey Veggies & More Reacts To Viral L.A. Rap Report Card

For his latest tape, the 1Take Gang’s patriarch enlists the sounds of buzzing West Coast producers Scum Beatz, Flashy Ass Uno, LowTHEGreat, Bigg Boo, and more. For the lyrics, 1TakeJay delivers more of his unapologetic wordplay, charismatic energy, and comedic persona on every verse. 

On “Pay Back,” directed by Carrington, 1TakeJay takes us through a day-in-the-life that includes hitting the studio, quality time with family and friends, interacting with fans, and reminiscing on those who doubt him. “Any B*tch that left wish they woulda kept me – yea I know, b*tch / F*ck that, this the Pay Back – B*tch,” he raps. 

MORE: 1TakeJay & Blueface Take Paternity Tests in “Her Bad” Music Video

1TakeJay’s “Her Bad,” featuring Blueface, was the first single from the new mixtape released last month, and which the song’s music video has since accumulated over 500,000 views on YouTube. Blueface and 1TakeJay’s previous collaboration is the Compton recording artist’s biggest song to date in the 2020 hit “Proud of U (Remix),” which has over 16 million views on YouTube.

Along with Blueface, The Morning After includes guest appearances by Spank Nitti James and Rob Vicious. And with the two singles, the mixtape’s breakout tracks are “Pose,” “Yitties,” and “Cole Bennett.” The project is available everywhere via 1takejay Inc.

Stream the full mixtape below and watch “The Pay Back” above.

The post 1TakeJay Drops ‘The Morning After’ Mixtape with New Music Video “The Pay Back” appeared first on The Source.

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Da Lench Mob’s J-Dee Admits To His Role In 1993 Murder At Parole Hearing

Screen Shot 2021 01 28 at 9.44.58 AM

Mainly known for being a part of Ice Cube’s L.A.-based Da Lench Mob, rapper J-Dee admitted to his primary role in the shooting death of 23-year-old Scott Charles during a fight in Inglewood, CA in June 1993.

According to the parole hearing transcript obtained by VladTV, J-Dee, whose real name is Dasean Cooper, said, “I do accept responsibility because I brought everyone to that drama that night, every person involved in that from the very first scuffle. I even picked two people up who was not part of the original scuffle, brought them back to the location…I am responsible for everything that took place that night.”

During the hearing at Chuckawalla State Prison, the parole board commissioners observed Cooper crying, which they saw as genuine remorse. “You were remorseful and appropriately emotional when you discussed the harm you caused to your victims. Ultimately, the panel felt that you’ve demonstrated a lengthy period of positive rehabilitation, which is a standard for suitability under the law,” said presiding commissioner David Long.

Screen Shot 2021 01 28 at 9.43.26 AM
Screen Shot 2021 01 28 at 9.43.26 AM

J-Dee admitted his affiliation to the Crip gang in his Compton neighborhood growing up, but didn’t really associate with the Crips after his father was killed in the 1980s during the apex of L.A.’s gang wars.

He also told the board that a visit from his wife and daughter in 2013 helped him change his mind and his life for the better.

They told me…that I needed to make a decision today,” J-Dee said. “Was I going to spend my life in prison, trying to use cellphones, breaking rules, or was I going to do everything in my power to bring myself home to my family and children? It was a very powerful visit. Needless to say, I chose my family over spending the rest of my life in prison.”  

Incarcerated since 1993 on a 29 years to life sentence, J-Dee is currently still in prison, pending the approval of his release by a second committee.

The post Da Lench Mob’s J-Dee Admits To His Role In 1993 Murder At Parole Hearing appeared first on The Source.

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Da Lench Mob’s J-Dee Admits To His Role In 1993 Murder At Parole Hearing

Screen Shot 2021 01 28 at 9.44.58 AM

Mainly known for being a part of Ice Cube’s L.A.-based Da Lench Mob, rapper J-Dee admitted to his primary role in the shooting death of 23-year-old Scott Charles during a fight in Inglewood, CA in June 1993.

According to the parole hearing transcript obtained by VladTV, J-Dee, whose real name is Dasean Cooper, said, “I do accept responsibility because I brought everyone to that drama that night, every person involved in that from the very first scuffle. I even picked two people up who was not part of the original scuffle, brought them back to the location…I am responsible for everything that took place that night.”

During the hearing at Chuckawalla State Prison, the parole board commissioners observed Cooper crying, which they saw as genuine remorse. “You were remorseful and appropriately emotional when you discussed the harm you caused to your victims. Ultimately, the panel felt that you’ve demonstrated a lengthy period of positive rehabilitation, which is a standard for suitability under the law,” said presiding commissioner David Long.

Screen Shot 2021 01 28 at 9.43.26 AM
Screen Shot 2021 01 28 at 9.43.26 AM

J-Dee admitted his affiliation to the Crip gang in his Compton neighborhood growing up, but didn’t really associate with the Crips after his father was killed in the 1980s during the apex of L.A.’s gang wars.

He also told the board that a visit from his wife and daughter in 2013 helped him change his mind and his life for the better.

They told me…that I needed to make a decision today,” J-Dee said. “Was I going to spend my life in prison, trying to use cellphones, breaking rules, or was I going to do everything in my power to bring myself home to my family and children? It was a very powerful visit. Needless to say, I chose my family over spending the rest of my life in prison.”  

Incarcerated since 1993 on a 29 years to life sentence, J-Dee is currently still in prison, pending the approval of his release by a second committee.

The post Da Lench Mob’s J-Dee Admits To His Role In 1993 Murder At Parole Hearing appeared first on The Source.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: DJ Quik’s Debut Album ‘Quik Is The Name’ Turns 30 Years Old!

tumblr plcfs4ec4v1t1yehoo1 500

Released on Profile Records during a time when their roster consisted of righteous rhymers like King Sun and Poor Righteous Teachers, Quik was pioneering in helping to usher in the “gangsta rap” sound on a mainstream scale in the early 90s and labels were just beginning to shift their marketing dollars towards this sub-genre of Hip-Hop.

With the help of producers Courtney Branch, Greg Jessie, and Tracy Kendrick, Quik managed to produce a rap classic that sold 50,000 in its first week with only a $30,000 budget for production. Recorded in Westlake Recording Studio in Los Angeles, the same spot where Michael Jackson’s epic Thriller masterpiece was created, Quik and crew finished up the album in 17 days.

The album’s lead single, “Born And Raised In Compton,” climbed to Number 6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs, while tracks like “Tonite,” “Deep” and the album’s title track solidified the funk sound that later saturated West Coast Hip Hop music.

Salute to the Big Homie for laying down this pioneering project that will forever be considered one of the Top 100 Albums in Hip-Hop!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: DJ Quik’s Debut Album ‘Quik Is The Name’ Turns 30 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

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Russell Westbrook, DeMar Derozan and Kendrick Lamar Hit the Streets of Compton to Protest

The peaceful protests continued Sunday on the West Coast, Compton specifically, and brought out tons of citizens along with Kendrick Lamar, Russell Westbrook and DeMar Derozan.

The demonstration ran from noon to 2:00 pm, beginning in the Gateway Towne Center in Los Angeles wrapping t Compton City Hall. The trio of LA-area superstars joined and spoke to the crowd.

“Continue to fight for one another. Continue to lift each other up. Continue to protect your own, protect your team, protect your family. In times like this, we need to stick together. Put a fist up,” Westbrook told the crowd.

You can see images from the event below.

The post Russell Westbrook, DeMar Derozan and Kendrick Lamar Hit the Streets of Compton to Protest appeared first on The Source.

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Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine Offer COVID-19 Testing And Free Meals in Compton

According to SoCal’s Press-Telegram, super-producer Dr. Dre and music exec Jimmy Iovine will be donating money for coronavirus testing and free meals in Dre’s hometown of Compton, CA.

Compton Mayor Aja Brown released a statement yesterday, stating, “Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine have always been great advocates and supporters of the City of Compton. Increasing access to food and vital healthcare are some of the most important ways we can make an impact for our community in this time of need.”

Speaking about Dre’s continuous contributions to his hometown, Brown said, Brown said, “Dr. Dre is a gamechanger, a constant source of support for our community seen and unseen.  He’s always there for our community, each and every time I call and for that I am eternally thankful. Whether he’s donating behind the scenes to ensure that Compton treasures like the Compton Cowboys’ Jr. Equestrian Center remain intact during this crisis or funding a state of the art youth performing arts center, Dr. Dre is a champion for our city.”

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Today in Hip-Hop History: DJ Quik Drops Debut Album ‘Quik Is The Name’ 29 Years Ago

Released on Profile Records during a time when their roster consisted of righteous rhymers like King Sun and Poor Righteous Teachers, Quik was pioneering in helping to usher in the “gangsta rap” sound on a mainstream scale in the early 90s and labels were just beginning to shift their marketing dollars towards this sub-genre of Hip-Hop.

With the help of producers Courtney Branch, Greg Jessie and Tracy Kendrick, Quik managed to produce a rap classic that sold 50,000 in its first week with only a $30,000 budget for production. Recorded in Westlake Recording Studio in Los Angeles, the same spot where Michael Jackson’s epic Thriller masterpiece was created, Quik and crew finished up the album in 17 days.

The album’s lead single, “Born And Raised In Compton,” climbed to Number 6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs, while tracks like “Tonite,” “Deep” and the album’s title track solidified the funk sound that later saturated West Coast Hip Hop music.

Salute to the Big Homie for laying down this pioneering project that will forever be considered one of the Top 100 Albums in Hip-Hop!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: DJ Quik Drops Debut Album ‘Quik Is The Name’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

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