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Rakim Releases First New Project In 15 Years ‘G.O.D.’S Network (Reb7rth)’, New Video “Love Is The Message”

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Hip-hop legend Rakim is breaking new ground with his new project, G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH), by flexing his skills both on the mic and behind the boards.  Widely lauded as the best lyricist of all time, The God MC himself is blessing the culture with the next step in his historic career; and his first project in 15 years.  G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH) is now available.

“I feel like the battery in my back has been reenergized,” Rakim said about his new project, which arrives nearly four decades after the release of his classic debut with Eric B., Paid In Full. Since then, he’s continued to shape the landscape and culture of hip-hop as we know it, inspiring rising artists with his hype live shows and incredible studio albums. And while he’s produced some of his previous work—notably “Don’t Sweat the Technique,” “Juice (Know The Ledge),” and “Paid In Full”—this feels like new territory for the 18th Letter, whose production and scratching talents are nothing short of remarkable.

G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH) is proof that Rakim is truly one of the most special artists we’ve known, not just in hip-hop, but all of music. You can tell he feels that level of praise when speaking about the genesis of the album. “Having the ability to showcase my talents behind the boards, coupled with the elite lyricism the world already knows and gives me infinite praise for, alongside some of the best talents to ever do it is truly a blessing and for that I am humbled,” Rakim declared.

The album’s first single, “Be Ill,” is the perfect introduction, as it pairs Rakim’s raw rhymes and head-nodding production with slick guest features from Kurupt and Masta Killa. Elsewhere, Rakim slows it down for the soulful “Love Is The Message,” which features Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King, Snoop Dogg, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt, and the LA Grand Choir. And then there’s the chest-thumping “International,” a straight-up slapper with hard-hitting rhymes from Kool G. Rap, Tristate, and Joell Ortiz.

The post Rakim Releases First New Project In 15 Years ‘G.O.D.’S Network (Reb7rth)’, New Video “Love Is The Message” first appeared on The Source.

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Alicia Keys Earns First Diamond Single With “Empire State of Mind” Featuring Jay-Z

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According to the RIAA, Songstress Alicia Keys is now a certified diamond artist, thanks to her classic NYC anthem with Jay-Z “Empire State Of Mind”.

As of yesterday(July 24), Keys earned the certification along with Jay-Z, whioc has sold over 10 million units since its 2009 release.

Keys tweeted, “Empire is diamond!!!!!!!!,” as Roc Nation made the formal announcement.

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This marks Keys’ first Diamond single and Hov’s third. His first came in 2023 with his Kanye West collab, “N***as In Paris” from their 2011 joint album, Watch The Throne. His second came back in May when Rihanna’s “Umbrella” achieved the feat.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: 2 Live Crew Dropped Their Debut Album ‘2 Live Crew Is What We Are’ 38 Years Ago

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On this date in 1986, 305-based Hip Hop trio 2 Live Crew released their debut album 2 Live Crew Is What We Are on their independent imprint Luke Skyywalker Records.

This album serves as the main precursor to the legendary Miami bass sound as well as predicates almost all other modern, R-rated and X-rated Hip Hop music. Featuring lead MC Luther Campbell aka Luke Skyywalker, Brother Marquis and the late Fresh Kid Ice, the debut album from the nastiest group in the game had titles that made radio DJs cringe such as “Throw That D**k”, We Want Some P***y”, which both became popular anthems of Miami Hip Hop.

Salute to the iconic 2 Live Crew for their unprecedented contribution to Hip Hop music on this album and all those that followed. RIP to Chris Wong Won aka Fresh Kid Ice, who passed away earlier this month at age 53. The Crew is forever etched in their place in Hip-Hop history!

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Today In Hip Hop History: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Released ‘East 1999 Eternal’ 29 Years Ago

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Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, released their 2nd LP “East 1999 Eternal July 25, 1995, on Ruthless Records

Four months after the death of rapper/executive producer Eazy-E, Oleveland rap quartet Bone Thugs-N-Harmony released their 2nd studio album East 1999 Eternal. Today marks 20 years since the release of the HipHop classic. With songs like “Tha Crossroads” and “First of The Month”, the album became the group’s best-selling album, with over five million copies sold in the United States and ten million worldwide.

The melodic LP samples songs like “Make Me Say It Again Girl” by The Isley Brothers on “Tha Crossroads”; “Reasons” by Earth, Wind & Fire on “Budsmokers Only”; “I’d Rather Be With You” by Bootsy’s Rubber Band on “Mo Murda” and “I Will Follow Him” by Little Peggy March on “Me Killa”, making it an instant cult classic.

“Tha Crossroads”, dedicated to Easy E, is Bone’s Grammy Award–winning song, as well as one of the group’s most popular and biggest selling single to date; check it out above.

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[WATCH] Keefe D Reveals His Role As An Informant, Blasts Prosecutors in Court

Tupac Murder Suspect States That Murder Claims were Entertainment, Requests Release from Jail

This week, it was revealed that West Coast gangster Keefe D had been working as an undercover informant for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to link Bad Boy Entertainment CEO, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, to the murder of Tupac Shakur. The news has sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community and the ongoing investigation into one of the most infamous cases in music history.

In a heated courtroom outburst, Keefe D lashed out, claiming his confessions were supposed to remain confidential. The Sun reports that Keefe directed his tirade towards Chief Deputy District Attorneys Marc DiGiacomo and Binu Palal. He expressed frustration over evidence from his own confessions to LAPD officers being referenced in court documents.

During the hearing, Keefe, referred to as “The Godfather of Compton” by his lawyer, Carl Arnold, targeted retired LAPD task force officer Greg Kading. Kading had been instrumental in obtaining Keefe’s taped confession, which originally protected him from prosecution under a “proffer deal.” This two-and-a-half-hour tape has been submitted as evidence by prosecutors.

Keefe’s frustration peaked when DiGiacomo mentioned a “box” of substantial evidence from the LAPD’s 2008 Biggie Smalls gang task force investigation, now being reviewed for potential use in Keefe’s prosecution. This prompted Keefe to address Judge Carli Kierny directly, bypassing his lawyer’s mediation.

Keefe accused Kading of keeping the evidence in his attic for 15 years, conducting TV interviews, and breaking the proffer agreement. He alleged the evidence was tainted and should be excluded, saying, “Them boxes should not be allowed…it is tainted evidence. The man broke a proffer agreement.”

Keefe also claimed that the prosecution had targeted his family, stating, “They crashed my family in this. They did my daughter first, then my son, and they just did my wife in the last papers.”

Judge Kierny, maintaining composure, explained that it was still uncertain which aspects of Kading’s evidence would be used by the state and that no motion had been filed to exclude the evidence. She concluded the session without rendering a decision, stating, “There are a couple of things I need to look at. I will let you guys know in the next day or two.”

Keefe’s rant ended the 45-minute court session on a tense note, leaving the future of the case and his potential early release hanging in the air.

Thoughts?

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Today In Hip Hop History: Cormega Dropped His Classic Debut Album ‘The Realness’ 23 Years Ago

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One of the most intriguing and insightful full-length albums to drop during a time when mixtapes were at their apex was Queensbridge legend Cormega’s first studio LP, aptly titled The Realness, released in 2001 on the indie LandSpeed imprint.

With an array of multi-faceted producers such as Queensbridge cohort Havoc of Mobb Deep, DJ J-Love, Sha Money XL, The Alchemist, and even Mega himself, this was the introduction to the life of the street legend that the Hip Hop world first heard about on Nas’ “One Love.” This album also followed Mega’s release from The Firm after only one chance to shine, which was on the epic “Affirmative Action” single alongside Foxy Brown, Nas, and AZ. So The Realness served as a redemption of sorts after being dropped from Def Jam, showing not only that the label made a mistake dropping a stellar artist but also that it missed out on the unveiling of one of the best albums of 2001.

The 15-track hidden gem, ironically one of the most slept-on albums of 2001, contains a slew of classic yet under-the-radar tracks that resonated with core fans of Queensbridge crime rhyme and beyond. Songs like “They Forced My Hand” featuring original Juice Crew member Tragedy Khadafi aka Intelligent Hoodlum, “Thun & Kicko” with the late Prodigy of Mobb Deep, his “5 For 40” a cappella, the classic “R U My Nigga”, his ode to Hip Hop “American Beauty,” “Killaz Theme”, a hidden track featuring Prodigy and Havoc and an entire vibe of “Realness” that could only be given to the people through Cormega’s unique perspective.

Salute to Mega for dropping this important piece of Hip Hop history!

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YFN Lucci’s Potential Early Release: District Attorney Supports Rapper’s Parole

YFN Lucci Delivers Apology in Court to Victims of His Crimes

Six months ago, rapper YFN Lucci, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett, was sentenced to 20 years in prison with three and a half years to serve after accepting a plea deal in his Fulton County RICO trial. Now, he may be heading home sooner than expected, thanks to an unorthodox move by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Now, DA Willis has submitted a letter to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles supporting Lucci’s early release. WSBTV reports that the letter, obtained by Channel 2’s Michael Seiden, signifies a major development in the rapper’s case. Seiden spoke exclusively with Lucci’s criminal defense attorney, Drew Findling, about the implications of this letter.

“The District Attorney of Fulton County did the unorthodox,” Findling said. “That letter from the district attorney is a powerful punch and is really at the heart of the letter and supporting documents and the memorandum that we have shared with the parole board.”

Findling and his team are working diligently to secure Lucci’s immediate release, although it may not happen until January 2025. In January, Bennett pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act. He was sentenced to 20 years, with 10 to serve in custody and the balance on probation.

The district attorney’s letter, written on June 11, states:

“Pursuant to the parties’ negotiated agreement, the State does not object to Defendant, Rayshawn Bennett, being released from the Department of Corrections the first time he becomes eligible for parole or after serving one-third of his prison sentence, whichever comes first. This recommendation by the State is conditioned upon the Defendant’s compliance with the lawful authority of all Department of Corrections personnel and having had no incidents of any kind in any facility in which he has been housed while in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Attached to this letter is a file-stamped copy of the Defendant’s Final Disposition. Should any of the Board Members have questions regarding the State’s recommendation, please feel free to contact my office anytime.”

Thoughts?

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Keefe D Allegedly Went Undercover To Prove Diddy Was Part of Tupac Murder

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New court documents have revealed that reputed Crip Gang member Duane “Keefe D” Davis allegedly went undercover as an informant for the police after being arrested for “trafficking a large amount of drugs.” He reportedly claimed that DIddy offered him $1 million to murder the late Tupac Shakur, which was allegedly paid to Eric “Zip” Martin. 

Prosecutors claim that Davis flew out to NYC to discuss the demise of the late rapper/actor and claims he met with Zip as an undercover operative.

“Mr. Martin [Zip] greeted Defendant excitedly and they had a social conversation,” the court papers claim. “Mr. Martin indicated he was out of the business but directed him to conduct his drug activities with the nephew. Thereafter, Defendant and Mr. Martin socialized in Mr. Martin’s restaurant for several hours.”

Keefe’s next court appearance is scheduled for today, Tuesday, July 23. TheSource.com will update this story when more details are available.

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Sony Awal Celebrates Signing Miami’s Sukihana With “Suki Suki” Single

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Rising star Sukihana, the Miami-based rapper, actress, and influencer releases her newest single, “Suki Suki”. This vibrant, high-energy track marks Sukihana’s first release since signing her label record deal with Sony Awal. “Suki Suki” is now available on all streaming platforms. Check it out here.

“Suki Suki” samples the iconic 1971 R&B hit “Groove Me” by King Floyd, bringing a fresh twist to a classic sound. The track opens with Sukihana’s bold chant, “It’s Suki, nookie sweet like cookie. Vet in the game you ain’t dealing with no rookie,” setting the tone for an addictive, two-minute musical experience. This single offers a tantalizing preview of her forthcoming project due later this fall.

Much more than a pretty face, Sukihana is the perfect combination of igniting talent, style, and grace. This Wilmington, Delaware-born and Atlanta, Georgia-bred artist is Hip Hop’s fastest rising star. From penning her first rap at just six years old to taking social media by storm, Sukihana’s journey is one of unapologetic ambition and raw talent.

Sukihana isn’t new to the music game. She’s worked with some of the best in the industry, including collaborations on tracks like “Sukihana” with Juicy J, “Thot Thoughts” with Muni Long, and her most recent hit “Throwing Stacks” with Ray J. With these successful releases under her belt, Sukihana is looking forward to claiming her spot this summer.

With 2.7 million followers on TikTok and 2.6 million on Instagram, Sukihana has created a massive and organic online presence. Her influences, including Tupac Shakur, Rick Ross, Lil Kim, and Lauryn Hill, have shaped her unique sound and style. “Listening to these Hip Hop icons felt like they were pouring something into me. Little did I know that their influences would help prepare me for this moment in time,” she reflects.

Sukihana’s stage presence is captivatingly unabashed, and she is securing her place among Hip-Hop’s heavyweights. “I’ve got my own style and presentation, but I’m real,” she says. “I’m excited about where I’ve been, but even more excited about where I’m headed.”

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Snoop Dogg Mourns Death Of His Cousin Joe Cool, Creator Of The ‘Doggystyle’ Album Cover

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Global Hip-Hop icon Snoop Dogg took to Instagram yesterday(July 22) to share with his followers the loss of his cousin Darryle “Joe Cool” Daniel. Daniel is best known for his Doggystyle album cover illustration, which was created in 1993.

Snoop posted a video of him and his cousin, who reminisced about losing money to Snoop over betting on a Raiders game, and Snoop rapped along to his 2017 track “Promise You This.” He captioned, “R. I. P. [prayer hands emoji, crying emoji] my big cuzn joe cool.”

See Snoop’s video HERE

Daz, a longtime Dogg Pound member and cousin to both SNoop and Joe Cool, paid tribute to his family on Instagram as well, saying, “REST N PEACE DARYL JOE COOL DANIEL [explosion emoji, 100 emoji] MY BIGG CUZZN THIS REALLY HURTS WE GREW UP TOGETHER U WAS THERE FROM DAY ONE IM GONE REALLY REALLY MISS U BIGG CUZ [prayer hands emoji].”

See Daz’s post HERE

In addition to designing the artwork for Snoop Dogg’s seminal 1993 debut, Joe Cool’s distinctive illustrations graced the covers of Snoop’s Tha Last Meal and The Game‘s 1992 albums. The Long Beach native also created original designs for adidas, Supreme and 7-11, released a children’s book called Where’s the Cheese? and involved himself in comedy, acting and motivational speeches.

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