1060 Hip Hop Uncut

 Drake vs. UMG: Judge Tosses Defamation Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' - A Landmark Ruling on Diss Tracks and Free Speech In one of the most highly-anticipated legal rulings to emerge from a historic musical rivalry, a federal judge has decisively dismissed the defamation lawsuit filed by global superstar Drake against Universal Music Group (UMG). The suit, which centered on the distribution and promotion of rival rapper Kendrick Lamar's explosive diss track, "Not Like Us," marks a significant moment for the music industry, reaffirming the legal boundaries of artistic expression, especially within the context of a "heated rap battle." The Core Conflict: Drake, UMG, and the 'Not Like Us' Firestorm The legal drama ignited after the release of "Not Like Us," a track by Kendrick Lamar that served as a potent counter-attack in the public, multi-song feud between the two hip-hop heavyweight...

From N.W.A. to TDE: Ice Cube's Endorsement of Kendrick Lamar's Lyrical Legacy In the ever-evolving world of hip-hop, few voices command as much respect and authority as Ice Cube. As a founding member of N.W.A. and a solo artist who defined the sound of gangsta rap, Ice Cube is more than just a rapper; he is a cultural icon and a master storyteller in his own right. So when he speaks, the hip-hop community listens. In a recent interview, Ice Cube showed profound admiration for Kendrick Lamar, highlighting what he believes is the most crucial element of his artistry: a commitment to delivering powerful messages through intricate storytelling. "To me, it's a lot of artists that are out there still doing that," Ice Cube said. "It's just they're not pushed by what you call the mainstream. So it seems like they're not as loud. But then you got artists like Kendrick Lamar, who's one of the loudest, and he puts a lot of thought and symboli...

Kendrick Lamar: The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Rapper Who Changed Everything In April 2018, the world of music and academia experienced a seismic shift. The Pulitzer Prize board, for the first time in its more than 100-year history, awarded its prestigious Prize for Music to a hip-hop artist. The recipient was none other than Kendrick Lamar, for his groundbreaking 2017 album, DAMN. This was more than just a win; it was a cultural revolution that shattered long-held conventions and solidified hip-hop's place as a legitimate and vital American art form. This article explores the profound impact of this historic moment, examining why DAMN. was the album to break the mold and what the win means for the future of music. The Historical Context: A Prize for the "High Arts" Since its inception in 1917, the Pulitzer Prize has been a beacon of excellence in journalism, literature, and the arts. The Music Prize, specifically, had a very traditional history. From ...

:  A Throwback to 2019: When Kendrick Lamar Covered Up a Legendary Tattoo In the world of celebrity news and fan lore, few things are as personal and symbolic as a tattoo. For an artist like Kendrick Lamar, whose every move is scrutinized for deeper meaning, a change in his body art is a moment of cultural significance. While many remember the iconic “Hustle Like You Broke 💰” tattoo on his right forearm, a significant event in 2019 marked the end of that chapter. It was then that the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper met with acclaimed Brazilian tattoo artist Davi Escobar to perform an intricate, 16-hour cover-up, transforming a piece of his past into a new work of art. This is a deep dive into the story behind that change, exploring the meaning of the original ink, the master artist who covered it, and what the transformation tells us about Kendrick's evolving journey. The Philosophy of "Hustle Like You Broke" Before we get to the cover-up, it’s important to und...

Once upon a time, in the vibrant realm of hip-hop, two titans of the genre, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, captivated their fans with their lyrical prowess and thought-provoking messages. Rumors had been swirling for years about the possibility of a joint album, a collaboration that would undoubtedly shake the foundations of the music industry. Finally, the day came when J. Cole addressed these speculations, sending shockwaves through the hip-hop community. Fans around the world held their breath as they eagerly awaited Cole's response on what could potentially be a landmark moment in hip-hop history. And true to his enigmatic nature, he chose a rather unexpected setting to address the long-standing rumors. It was during a humble stroll through the streets of his hometown, Fayetteville, North Carolina, that J. Cole decided to share his thoughts. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Cole stood before a crowd of eager observers who had gathered to catch a gli...

A new AI-generated song using a Kendrick Lamar voice filter has Young Guru concerned. The legendary producer shared a viral video clip of a man making use of an AI-generated Kendrick Lamar voice filter to create a song that's quite spot on replica of the Compton rapper's voiceThe quick momentum advances in AI have dominated the news recently as of late, with ChatGPT, Bing, and other AI tech giants making the news.Recently ,  Spotify rolled out  a new AI-powered listening guide called DJ that it hopes will entice users. Young Guru says that while the advances were anticipated, the rate at which things are moving means it's time to start regulating AI before it gets out of hand....But the million dollar question remains ⚛️Can AI get regulated? "This has dominated my Howard group chat for a couple days," Young Guru wrote on IG. "Ok I’m at the point where I can voice my concerns with our current state of AI. I have followed as many versions of wha...

On Thursday (January 20), Pepsi released a trailer of the most highly anticipated performance featuring all the big guns in the rap scene.  The Call it is what it's called, the trailer opens with Eminem battling his Slim Shady alter-ego in the studio until he’s summoned by his boss, Dr. Dre, forcing him to hit the road and head to meet up with him. The three-minute clip is directed by the  2015 movie Straight Outta Compton director F. Gary Gray, who said in a statement, “Each time I collaborate with Dre, it seems to mark an important moment in entertainment history, from projects like Friday, Set It Off, Straight Outta Compton, to now the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show". Pepsi, the NFL and Roc Nation announced that Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will perform at the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13 2022. The five mega artists have combined 43 Grammy Awards and have created 22 No. 1 Billboard albums. For...

On Christmas Day (December 25 2021), The Canadian interviewer John Ruskins (Nardwuar) released a wholesome jam packed, one hour-long episode with J. Cole. The interview opens with a brief 2019 exchange between Cole and Nardwuar. Outside of Day N Vegas, Cole walks over to The Human Serviette as he's affectionately known and mentions that he will give an interview in the next year or so. It’s a real moment and gesture for real, especially at a time when Cole’s 2018 conversation with Angie Martinez was his golden egg for the K.O.D. album campaign. This month, in Santa Monica, California, J Cole kept his promise to Nardwuar. He was accompanied by Dreamville’s very own Omen and EARTHGANG alongside him in the studio for some part of the interview. Then, at 43:30, Nardwuar shifts the focus, “J. Cole, did you tell Dr. Dre about Kendrick [Lamar]?” Cole’s eyes suggest his shock. After a long hesitation, Nardwuar repeats himself. J Cole responds, “Who told you that? [Laughs] Who g...