hip hop

Dear Hip Hop, My Name is Solomon

solomon hereford

Update: this original article was published on March 25, 2023. Since then, there have been many developments in the death investigation of our founder Sophia Lewis’ son, Solomon Hereford. Please learn more and sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/justice4soli

#Justice4Soli

Dear Hip Hop Scriptures community, I/we suffered a tragic loss on October 10, 2022. It was on this day that my youngest son, Solomon transitioned. Thank you to family and friends that have showered myself and my eldest son Ramses with love and support. My sons are one year apart in age, so this has hit us in ways that can’t honestly be put into words.

Solomon’s relationship with music began in the womb. I exposed him to classical, gospel, soul, alternative and of course, hip-hop! His absolute favorite artist was G Herbo. His playlists were heavy on Brent Faiyez, Drake, NBA Youngboy, Wu-Tang, Pop Smoke, Trippie Redd and others. He had a particular appreciation for jazz, lyricism and making beats.

Trained at the Maysles Documentary Center in Harlem, Solomon was exceptionally skilled behind the camera as well. He and I attended the Nipsy Hussle vigil together in April of 2019 and he did a beautiful job capturing the essence and emotions of that evening.

I have not been active on social personally or on behalf of Hip Hop Scriptures in months as we work towards recovery from trauma that has manifested as anxiety, various forms of depression, adjustment disorder and of course just plain GRIEF. I try not to dwell there, but I acknowledge it. There’s so many ways in which Solomon is/was a gift to this world. To learn more about his life and legacy, please read my tribute here. Let’s continue to take care of one another family.

Peace,

Sophia “Chi Chi” Lewis

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Rah Digga's Dirty Harriet Album Anniversary

Rah Digga's Dirty Harriet Album Anniversary

Her debut solo, Dirty Harriet, was released in 2000 featuring Busta Rhymes and Eve.

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DJ Kool Let Me Clear My Throat Anniversary

DJ Kool Let Me Clear My Throat Anniversary

In 1996, he released the single "Let Me Clear My Throat" on American Recordings, which charted around the world including the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and top 10 in the UK and Netherlands in March 1997. The song prominently features a sample of "The 900 Number" by the 45 King (which itself features a sample from Marva Whitney's "Unwind Yourself", repeated over a breakbeat for six minutes). The song also began by sampling "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool & the Gang. The song is a recognizable dance floor-filler, and the track remains popular to this day.

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CunninLynguists' SouthernUnderground Album Anniversary

CunninLynguists' SouthernUnderground Album Anniversary

In April 2003, Mr. SOS joined the group on the album SouthernUnderground, which was independently released on Freshchest Records. The album featured guests including Masta Ace, Supastition and others, alongside production from Domingo and RJD2, but again mostly Kno. M.F. DiBella of AllMusic commented on "a lyrical deftness and genuine feel for the music rarely seen in the bling-conscious rap of the latter-day era".

The group landed a distribution contract with Caroline Distribution in 2004, and SouthernUnderground was the first project re-released after inking the deal with Will Rap For Food being re-released shortly thereafter in 2005.

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Grammy Nominated Producer Tone Jonez Shares his Keys to Success

Grammy Nominated Producer Tone Jonez Shares his Keys to Success

Tone Jonez is a producer, sound engineer, husband, and father from Aiken, South Carolina now based in Atlanta. The music veteran sat down with Hip Hop Scriptures to talk about his rise to success, how he overcame struggles in both his personal life and his career, and give tips to any rising producers or creatives. Read an interview recap and check out the full interview on YouTube here.

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Music Mondays: Drake is the Artist of the Decade

Music Mondays: Drake is the Artist of the Decade

Drake accepted his Artist of the Decade Award at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. Watch his acceptance speech and video tribute here and take a look back at the rapper’s impressive career in today’s Music Monday.

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RHYAN LAMARR Releases Visuals For His New Single, "RELIEF" From His Debut Album, Rhyan LaMarr's: "aPERFECTmess (Volume 1)"

RHYAN LAMARR Releases Visuals For His New Single, "RELIEF" From His Debut Album, Rhyan LaMarr's: "aPERFECTmess (Volume 1)"

"RELIEF was inspired by the message of testifying through transparency," mentions Rhyan. "Together these artists each bring their challenges to light, lifting each other up. Humbly, they profess Jesus Christ as their one true RELIEF and cure during their darkest of times," he adds.

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BeatMakersFest: A Music Festival for Hip-Hop Enthusiasts Run Entirely by Students

BeatMakersFest: A Music Festival for Hip-Hop Enthusiasts Run Entirely by Students

The BeatMakersFest aims to promote the art of Hip-Hop musical composition and brings to surface the organic hidden talent throughout the region. Now is the time to submit your music to participate in the festival’s live battles.

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Interview With Up and Coming hip hop artist ELEVENAI

Interview With Up and Coming hip hop artist ELEVENAI

I want to make music that motivates people. I want to make them feel how powerful they are, make them want to level up in life, and remind them that they have the power to do so.
 

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PART 5 - Rap, Race & Riots (How the Rodney King Verdict Changed Hip Hop)

PART 5 - Rap, Race & Riots (How the Rodney King Verdict Changed Hip Hop)

 

The anger and frustrations of the community were put on display for the world to see, stores were burned and looted. While it was nowhere near the magnitude of LA, it was a reminder to America that you can only push a community so hard for so long until eventually they push back. All news media directed their efforts towards the happenings of Baltimore, and as fate would have it, all of these events occurred within days of the 23 year anniversary of the Los Angeles uprising. Maybe it’s a sign of things to come, or maybe its just a coincidence.

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Hip Hop Legend DJ Kool Herc Says Stop Being "Hood Rich", We Gotta OWN Some Things!

Hip Hop Legend DJ Kool Herc Says Stop Being "Hood Rich", We Gotta OWN Some Things!

Stop being hood rich. Be nation rich. Don't spoil something that came from nothing. Hip hop could build a charter school right now.We gotta own some things.

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BIGGIE and BED-STUY: The Art Album

BIGGIE and BED-STUY: The Art Album

Dawud Knuckles' exhibition brilliantly ushered visitors into making the connection between fine art and hip hop. Each selected art piece was presented as Biggie's lyrics personified! 

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Billion Dollar BLING - Diamonds in Sierra Leone

Billion Dollar BLING - Diamonds in Sierra Leone

'Bling' follows hip-hop's own Raekwon & Paul Wall, as well as reggaeton star Tego Calderón on their April 2006 voyage to Sierra Leone to gain insight into the country's diamond export industry. 

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Top 10 Hip Hop Songs About Hip Hop - #6

Here we go again! We continue with our Top 10 Hip Hop Songs about Hip Hop series...be sure to check back as we countdown the greats. Last week, we discussed the #7 spot. This week, we showcase #6. Check it out:

6. The ROOTS - What They Do

World population confront their frustration

 

The principles of true hip-hop have been forsaken

 

It's all contractual and about money makin

 

Thin is the line that run between love and hatred

The game is ill-natured, it's nothing sacred 

 

 

Thanks for your support! If you love Hip Hop please share this post with your friends.  

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Top 10 Hip Hop Songs About Hip Hop - #7

Top 10 Hip Hop Songs About Hip Hop - #7

Welcome Back to our Top 10 Hip Hop Songs about Hip Hop series! This week, we showcase the #7 spot.
 

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Help Hip Hop Scriptures Reach it's Funding Goal!

Help Hip Hop Scriptures Reach it's Funding Goal!

 

You can help by making a contribution to our IndieGoGo funding campaign: 

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hip-hop-smithsonian

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LL Cool J sponsors the ACE Brand “A” Game Challenge

 

LL Cool J is a force in the entertainment biz. The Grammy-winning artist has not only tackled the music world, he has also won over audiences with his starring role on the CBS hit drama, NCIS: Los Angeles.

Now, the father of four is taking on a new challenge — the ACE Brand “A” Game Challenge, a contest that asks sports fans and aspiring young athletes to submit video entries showcasing their skills in sports for a chance to win $10,000. The campaign also benefits the non-profit organization, After-School All-Stars.

“My after-school experience was trying to keep my bus pass and hoping I could get home with my new sneakers on,” the star told Parade.com. “So anytime I can do something that benefits kids and gives them an opportunity to have an after-school experience, I’m 100 percent in.”

LL Cool J, 45, talked to Parade.com about going back to his New York roots, the upcoming 100th episode of NCIS: LA, the evolution of hip-hop, and more...read the rest of the interview here

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