Monday, October 21, 2024

Hip-Hop and Soul Royalty: Blige, Quest, and More Honored at Rock Hall

 Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Q-Tip, the visionary frontman of A Tribe Called Quest, delivers a powerful speech at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, and other iconic Black artists were among those honored Saturday night at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a star-studded event held at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The ceremony celebrated a diverse group of music legends, both past and present, with tributes and performances that spanned genres and generations.


Blige, often credited with pioneering hip-hop soul, was inducted by Dr. Dre, who praised her for creating a new category of music that merged the raw emotion of R&B with hip-hop. “When you listen to Mary, you understand you’re not alone in heartbreak,” Dre said. Blige, known for hits like “Family Affair” and “No More Drama,” performed a medley of her songs, including “Love No Limit,” “Be Happy,” and “Family Affair.” Blige thanked her fans, her mother, and her collaborators, and urged the audience to “move with grace” and “trust the journey.”
Kool & the Gang, inducted by Chuck D, also received long-overdue recognition. “This is a long-due celebration,” Chuck D said as he introduced the band known for timeless hits like “Celebration,” “Ladies’ Night,” and “Jungle Boogie.” Kool & the Gang, with help from The Roots, delivered a lively medley that got the audience on their feet, led by co-founder Robert “Kool” Bell and longtime vocalist James “JT” Taylor.
A Tribe Called Quest, the only hip-hop group inducted this year, was introduced by comedian Dave Chappelle. Chappelle lauded the group for incorporating jazz and soul in a way that hip-hop had never seen before, adding that they proved one could be “cool and not necessarily gangster.” The tribute included performances from Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Common, De La Soul, and The Roots, who performed hits like “Bonita Applebum,” “Scenario” and “Can I Kick It?”

Dionne Warwick, honored after her third nomination, was inducted by Teyana Taylor, who called her “truly one of a kind.” Warwick, who has collaborated with legends like Cissy Houston, joined Jennifer Hudson for a performance of “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” before singing “Walk On By.” Warwick thanked the audience with a brief but heartfelt “thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Ozzy Osbourne, also inducted, credited his late guitarist Randy Rhoads and his wife Sharon for his career and life. This marks Osbourne’s second induction into the Hall, following his 2006 recognition with Black Sabbath. A tribute band featuring artists such as Jelly Roll, Billy Idol, and Wolfgang Van Halen performed “Crazy Train” and “No More Tears” to honor the “Prince of Darkness.”

Other inductees included Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, and Peter Frampton, while Jimmy Buffett, MC5, and Norman Whitfield received awards for musical excellence. Big Mama Thornton, Alexis Korner, and John Mayall were honored for their influence on music.



Cher opened the night alongside Dua Lipa, performing her 1998 hit “Believe,” a song credited as the first to use auto-tune technology as an instrument. “I changed the sound of music forever,” Cher said in her acceptance speech. “It was easier getting divorced from two men than getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” she joked.

The evening ended with an “In Memoriam” segment that honored the contributions of music figures lost in the past year, including Kris Kristofferson and Cissy Houston. As fans began to file out, Dave Matthews Band played “Burning Down the House,” bringing a memorable close to the evening.

A television special featuring highlights from the ceremony will air on ABC on January 1.
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Friday, October 18, 2024

Hip-Hop Icons Dre & Snoop Expand Empire with Ultra-Premium Gin

Photo Credit: Raven B. Varona
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, the legendary duo who have shared stages and studios for decades, are now sharing something else: the spotlight in the spirits industry. The two hip-hop icons have announced the launch of Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop — an ultra-premium gin now available nationwide — marking their latest collaboration, but this time in a bottle rather than on a beat.

Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop is the second product release from their award-winning beverage brand and their first foray into the pure spirits category following the success of their canned cocktail, Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop, which hit shelves last year. Much like the hit song "Gin and Juice" that inspired their previous release, this new product draws from the duo's iconic track "Still D.R.E." and aims to bring the same smooth, bold presence to the world of premium gin.
"This is not a liquor that we're just putting our name on," Dr. Dre said in a statement. "It's just like we did with Beats headphones. Everything is us from the ground up: the gin, the flavor, the packaging… Everything had to be perfect. Snoop said it best: we're better together — it's always magical. From the look to the taste, it's all there."

The gin, described as a clean, light, and highly mixable spirit, features notes of tangerine, jasmine, and coriander, designed to create a refined yet approachable profile. Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop is distilled through a traditional vapor distillation process in a copper pot, and the result is a spirit Dre and Snoop are proud to stand behind.

"Every day in the studio when Dre and I were trying to make the dopest music, we were drinking gin and just having fun," Snoop Dogg said. "We've been a part of the evolution of this gin — from the creation of the flavor, to the percentage of alcohol that's in it — and it's just so good! Dre's a perfectionist: he wants to make sure it's not just good, but great. Together, we ain't gonna do nothing regular!"
The new launch builds on the legacy the two have forged not just in music but in business. The duo first rose to prominence in the 1990s, with Dr. Dre producing Snoop Dogg's debut album, "Doggystyle," and their collaborations becoming synonymous with West Coast hip-hop. Decades later, Dre and Snoop's influence endures beyond the recording studio, from their halftime show performance at Super Bowl LVI to their ventures in fashion, film, and now the spirits industry.

The debut of Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop is also a nod to the pair's deep connection to their craft. Much like their music — thoughtful, layered, and intended to resonate — the gin reflects their attention to detail and dedication. It is bottled at 85 proof (42.5% ABV) and distributed nationally at a suggested retail price of $34.99. The bottle, with its distinctive honeycomb design, was crafted by designer Ini Archibong, who also worked on the branding for their previous Gin & Juice release.

"Dre and Snoop were involved in every step—from the bottle design down to getting the perfect harmony of botanical notes and smooth mouthfeel into each sip," said Chief Strategy Officer Andrew Gill. "Together, what we came up with was the gin we've always wanted to make."

Still G.I.N. By Dre and Snoop is distributed through Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, the largest beverage distributor in the United States, and is available at select retailers across the country. For more information and to locate a retailer, visit www.bydreandsnoop.com.
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Thursday, October 17, 2024

Kendrick Lamar Sweeps 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards, Leaves Megan Thee Stallion Empty-Handed

  Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET
GloRilla performs onstage during the BET Hip Hop Awards 2024 at Drai's Beachclub & Nightclub on October 08, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kendrick Lamar emerged as the undisputed champion of the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards (taped Oct. 8 and broadcast Tuesday), sweeping all eight categories in which he was nominated. Despite entering the night with 11 nominations, Lamar ultimately outshined Megan Thee Stallion, who led with 12 nominations but failed to secure a win.

Lamar's victories included top honors, such as Hip Hop Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “Not Like Us,” and Lyricist of the Year. He also won Video Director of the Year, shared with Dave Free for their work on the “Not Like Us” music video.




In contrast, Megan Thee Stallion, known for her chart-topping hits, was surprisingly absent from the winners' circle, a shock to many given her leading number of nominations.

Other notable wins included Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2,” which took home Hip Hop Album of the Year, reaffirming her lasting influence. Sexyy Red was crowned Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist, while 50 Cent earned the Hustler of the Year title for his business ventures.

Hosted by Fat Joe, the awards ceremony highlighted both veterans and emerging stars, showcasing hip-hop's lasting impact and global reach.

Key Winners

Hip Hop Artist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar
Song of the Year: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
Hip Hop Album of the Year: “Pink Friday 2” – Nicki Minaj
Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist: Sexyy Red
Hustler of the Year: 50 Cent
Best Collaboration: “Like That” – Metro Boomin, Future, Kendrick Lamar
Lyricist of the Year: Kendrick Lamar
Video Director of the Year: Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar (“Not Like Us”)

For the full list of winners, click here.

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