Two years ago today, we lost the incomparable Nipsey Hussle.
In addition to the obvious slew of amazing solo projects, Nip also contributed a modicum of amazing guest features throughout his career. He gave YG's anti-Trump anthem a grounded call-to-action that caused the Secret Service to reach out and try to quell the track's existence. He also linked up with Drake early on in the OVO crooner's career and made a moody leaked single that somehow never found a home. For fans of Nip and his pithy lyrics, here are some of the rapper's stand-out guest appearances.
What It Be Like (Feat. Nipsey Hussle) – Stalley
Off of Stalley's underappreciated debut effort Ohio, "What It Be Like," with its fanfare and smooth percussion, fit Nipsey's slick street poetry like a glove. Nip uses his spot to speak on his city, and how things are never what they seem. The "city of three strikes" is full of rats "in this race for a cheese slice," all while the broke and well-intentioned of his community try to "visualize their dream life" while escaping poverty and jail.
Deep Reverence (Ft. Nipsey Hussle) – Big Sean
On this powerful feature verse, which emerged after Nip's murder, the emcee ruminates on the pressures of his lifestyle, and how being an activist and street icon was never enough to keep vultures like TMZ from spreading unflattering rumors. But Nip keeps it moving, sprinkling one more "street lesson" before proclaiming himself the don of his city and letting Big Sean take the wheel. It's a brief feature, but regardless it was so nice to hear his voice again, if only for a moment.
CANDY (Feat. Nipsey Hussle) – PARTYNEXTDOOR
A PND deep-cut that only recently found its way to streaming services via 2020's PARTYPACK, "CANDY" found Nip in a totally different vibe than what long-time listeners were used to. Over muted R&B loopings and snappy drums, Nip trades in his self-motivational bars for romantic foreplay. "Realism got you feeling the effects more," he raps, speaking on how his authenticity captivated his love interest. Regardless of if you believe this to be one of Nip's best verses or not, it was fun to hear him broach a different topic than what fans were used to, and it was no doubt exciting to hear him yearn alongside PARTYNEXTDOOR.
"FDT" – YG, Nipsey Hussle
One of Nipsey's best guest appearances, FDT was not only an anthem prior to Donald Trump's election, but morphed into an epic f*ck you track after his 2020 election loss. While YG spits gut-punch insults ("Don't let Donald Trump win, that n**** cancer"), Nipsey uses his verse to discuss more systemic issues. "Reagan sold coke, Obama sold hope, Donald Trump spent his trust fund money on the vote," he raps. With that said, Nip still has fun with it and makes sure to take a few loose jabs at the twice-impeached lunatic: "If you vote Donald Trump, you're prolly on dope."
"Fountain of Youth" – Stalley, Nipsey Hussle, Rick Ross
The Self Made 2 standout finds Nipsey cruising in his comfort zone. Placed alongside Stalley and Rick Ross, Nipsey not only handles the track's hook but raps a powerful verse about his unstoppable drive and devotion to his city. "Never vocalize my visions, actions was my spokespers' / Study rich n***** moves like my homework / Sacrilegious; however, streets was my own church."
Pleeze (Feat. Nipsey Hussle) – Dom Kennedy
Another gem that found Nipsey cruising comfortably, "Pleeze" united the dynamic duo of Nip and Dom Kennedy, as both emcees traverse the dangerous streets of LA, and speak on how life-threatening it can be to even walk home. Shoot-outs in the alley that kept Nipsey awake at night, hiding a shotgun behind his front door — all of it is vividly recalled in Nipsey's mesmerizing verse.
Killer (Feat. Nipsey Hussle) – Drake
Of course "Killer" has to be included on this list. Even though it started off as an intentional leak, the Nip and Drizzy collab has since taken on a life of its own and has been forever memorialized as the one time two legends crafted something excellent together. The result was a track that has stood the test of time, and still slaps.
I became a fan of Joe Budden's music in high school.
His introspective yet brooding temperament was relatable to a teenager experiencing peak angst who sought refuge in Hip-Hop. Joe's lyricism and transparency resonated with me as an adult as well. His accounts of his bouts of depression and using various vices to cope with them became the soundtrack to my life. The one quality I admired the most about the New Jersey emcee, beyond his wordplay, was his willingness to be the industry's biggest villain.
Recently, when his friends and co-hosts were conspicuously absent from the latest episode of The Joe Budden Podcast,rumors of scandal and discord started to spread. In reality, Joe's co-workers and friends having grievances with his behavior continues a longstanding pattern.
For me, Joe's condescension and narcissism were extensions of his passion for Hip-Hop culture. Much like myself, he was both a participant and a lifelong fan whose affinity for the genre resulted in the endless consumption of lyrics and obscure rap facts. His transition into an award-winning podcast host and interviewer inspired countless rap artists/rap nerds like me to apply this presumably useless knowledge to careers in the media and content space.
The success of The Joe Budden Podcast is due to Joe's propensity to send shockwaves through the industry with his scathing hot takes on his once fellow artists. Budden and his co-hosts of friends (Mal, Rory, and Parks) have gone viral time and time again for their harsh critiques and brash commentary on rap's top stars while cultivating a rabid fanbase that can give The Barbs and The Beyhive a run for its money.
Budden's polarizing presence has been the key to both his success and, depending on who you ask, his downfall. He resides somewhere between a passionate culture commentator looking to restructure the industry in favor of creators and a jaded blowhard looking to agitate its top stars for his amusement. Joe Budden's indulgence in being corporate Hip-Hop's worst enemy has made him his own kind of entertainer.
Indeed, Joe's status as Hip-Hop's Howard Stern has come with its fair share of enemies. He's run afoul with Nicki Minaj on several occasions. Joe's constant negative criticism resulted in a violent tongue lashing from the "Moment 4 Life" rapper when he appeared on her Apple Music radio show, Queen Radio.
His Adderall-inspired review of Drake's albumViews and his verbal pummeling of Eminem's album Revival strained his personal and professional relationships with both rap titans as well. He called Drake "uninspired" and said Eminem's single "Untouchable" was the worst song he's ever heard.
Many of Joe's peers have cited his delivery as the problem when speaking on an artist's craft. Since Joe is a former artist himself, they expect a certain level of discretion and courtesy when having their art discussed on his platform.
Yet his tirades about a top-tier act's underwhelming body of work or career trajectory come across as personal. In his mind (and to anyone familiar with him), Joe's comments are facetious exaggerations. But to outsiders, his brand of constructive criticism takes on a life of its own and becomes a source of contention.
However, Joe's hostile attitude towards corporations doesn't keep him from using their platforms and resources. In return, they employ him to be a disgruntled, aging outlier raging against the machine that is mainstream Hip-Hop. But his now soured relationships with Complex and Spotify may be a case of both conglomerates getting what they paid for.
His time on Everyday Struggle on Complex came to an end in 2017 after contract negotiations fell through. In 2020, his podcast left its exclusive home of Spotify after Joe claimed the company wouldn't compensate him accordingly for increasing the platform's podcast's listenership.
Despite his hatred for corporate media entities, Joe still chooses to get in bed with them — only for the fallout to be attributed to the company's unrelenting mission to take advantage of creatives.
Joe's most recent issue may be one that has major consequences if not rectified. As it stands, his podcast co-hosts Rory and Mal haven't appeared on recent episodes, and their absence caused fans to speculate about the crew's relationships. Joe explained the current standings between him and his friends on the latest episode of his podcast, summarizing their differences as a disagreement rooted in ego and lack of communication among friends.
"It's not a beef," Budden said about Rory and Mal. "Nobody has communicated a beef. What they have communicated to me is something is wrong. Whether that be in our friendship, how we're speaking to each other, the respect level..." He trailed off.
Making Joe the scapegoat in this scenario is presumptuous. However, he does have a past of damaging relationships with his co-workers/friends. He fired Marisa Mendez from the podcast in 2016 via text, which was both unprofessional and disrespectful. Mendez's career continued to flourish after her departure, and her exit resulted in Mal coming aboard and the show taking off, but Joe's tacky approach to her dismissal isn't something a friend would do.
Joe's stubbornness and lone wolf mentality are what many believe derailed the moment Slaughterhouse had on Shady Records, because of his outspokenness and reluctance to comply with the label and Eminem's vision for the group. Plus, his abrupt retirement from Hip-Hop potentially killed any chance of the group reforming.
Joe Budden
Joseph Anthony Budden, Jr's vision of artists controlling their own destinies makes him a hero or heel, depending on the perspective. To some, he's a martyr making hard sacrifices to protect the integrity of his mission and the culture. To others, he's a pariah seeking vengeance on the industry that didn't elect him to be its next star.
He's pissed off record labels, iconic rappers, and his friends in the name of his convictions and goals. But Joe's biggest opposition in the industry and life resides in the mirror.
If there's one thing that celebrity magazines have taught us, it's that "celebrities are just like us."
They use their mouths to eat food, and they occasionally use their legs to walk outdoors. Sometimes they don't even look like a team of makeup artists and fashion designers have sculpted every facet of their look! So normal.
Here's the thing, though. Celebrities are weird. It takes a strange personality (and maybe some underlying mental health issues) to want that much attention. And sometimes when a person with a strange personality (and maybe some underlying mental health issues) gets way too much money, they really start to lose touch with reality and end up manifesting their strangeness with some of the craziest homes the world has ever seen.
Homes so strange that they can almost never find buyers at full price. Homes like...
Nicolas Cage's Dragon House
<p><a href="https://www.popdust.com/the-internets-most-beloved-men-2639727627.html" target="_blank">Nicolas Cage is not known for his subtlety</a>. And that applies just as much to his taste in decor as it does to his acting. Decked out with dragon statuary, samurai armor, and the biggest geode you've ever seen, his 12,000 square foot Bel Air mansion was basically a gaudy mess.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nicolas-cage-belair-mansion-2010-4" target="_blank">The home went into foreclosure in 2010</a>, when the <em>Face/Off</em> and <em>National Treasure</em> star was deep in debt and no one was willing to snap it up for the $10.4 million price tag—down from an original asking price of $35 million.</p>
Celine Dion's Waterpark House
<p>On the inside, singer Celine Dion's former beach front home in Jupiter Florida is maybe a little ostentatious, but not that crazy. But the backyard is another story—it's a full-blown waterpark.</p><p>Dion and her late husband René Angélil completed the home in 2010, then <a href="https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/real-estate/g9573388/celine-dion-house/" target="_blank">put it on the market for $72.5 million in 2014</a>. The home eventually sold for around half that amount—$38.5 million—which is honestly a steal for what the property has to offer.</p><p>Along with a (relatively) small pool looking out over the ocean, the property features another pool big enough to sink the Titanic—or at least drown <a href="https://www.popdust.com/camila-morrone-leonardo-dicaprio-2641518212.html" target="_blank">Leonardo DiCaprio</a>—with a built-in fire pit and swim-up bar, two large water slides, a giant water-dumping bucket, and a lazy river circling a central island that also includes an in-ground trampoline, just for good measure.</p>
Robert Downey Jr.'s Windmill House
<p>The iconic East Hampton Home of Actor Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, producer Susan Downey, was <a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/inside-robert-downey-jrs-hamptons-hideaway" target="_blank">featured in Architectural Digest in 2017</a>, and it's no wonder. In addition to its huge 1800s windmill, the home showcases the couple's artistic taste throughout, with vibrant paintings and colorful accents complimenting a blend of classic and contemporary furniture that puts Tony Stark's taste to shame.</p><p>There's also a giant Preying Mantis sculpture out front—because why not? Sadly, this $11.5 million home does not include a Jarvis.</p>
Drake's Yolo Estate
<p>Taking a slightly more adult (though not necessarily more mature) approach to the water park theme, Drake reportedly found an image of his mansion in Hidden Hills, California—with its massive pool, grotto, waterfalls, and circular bed surrounding a fire pit—years before he actually bought it. <a href="https://www.popdust.com/all-40-of-drakes-top-10-hits-ranked-2646821202.html" target="_blank">The "God's Plan" singer</a> kept an image of it as his desktop background until he was able to buy the property in 2012 for $7.7 million.</p><p>The interior of the house that he has since deemed "Yolo Estate" isn't nearly as flashy and ridiculous as his Toronto mansion, but the life-size sculptures of bathing women, multiple levels of huge waterfalls, as well as the bar, flat screen TVs and hot tub inside his enormous torch-lit grotto are plenty excessive.</p>
Every room in Drake's house looks like he lives in the third best hotel in Qatar https://t.co/MEV9ay6yrO https://t.co/Wr52ALYteA
<p>It may be a stretch to call "musician" (Dr. Phil's son) Jordan McGraw a celebrity, but he clearly wants it so bad, we might as well give it to him. And like any proper would-be famous person, he's already cultivated his lavishly "eccentric" taste. Which is to say, he designed a uniquely fugly house.</p><p>If there is a better way to describe this surreal, over-the-top awfulness...it's probably through the words of Jordan McGraw himself: "The whole place, the idea is kind of Tim Burton threw up on a canvas and it turned into a house." Yup.</p><p>Apparently he grew out of the phase where he wanted to live in Tim Burton's vomit, because the house—which is technically owned by Dr. Phil McGraw himself—was <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1107371/dr-phil-s-5-million-mansion-is-not-what-you-d-expect-go-inside-the-bizarre-home" target="_blank">listed for $5.75 million</a> earlier this year, and <a href="https://www.dirt.com/more-dirt/heirs-heiresses/jordan-mcgraw-morgan-stewart-house-beverly-hills-2-1203327590/" target="_blank">Jordan McGraw has reportedly moved into much classier digs</a>.</p>
Penn Jillette's "Slammer"
<p>The larger, louder half of the comedy magic duo Penn & Teller spent the better part of two decades expanding his insane "Slammer" compound with a series of extensions off the original A-frame structure in the desert outside Las Vegas.</p><p>With a perimeter fence in the style of a medium-security prison, Jillette was supposedly inspired to create his technicolor, astroturfed "retreat" by a visit to an infectious disease research center that was totally sealed off from the outside world. If that sounds a little crazy, wait until you see the inside...</p><p>But perhaps the craziest part about the Slammer was what happened to it after Jillette and his family moved to a new home. Developers bought the 10-acre property the Slammer stood on for $1.9 million—intending to tear the building down. Rather than do that the normal way, <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/housing/las-vegas-homebuilder-buys-penn-jillettes-mansion-the-slammer/" target="_blank">a Russian military tank was brought in to do the job.</a></p>
Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch
<p>Just by default, Neverland Ranch had to be on this list. Was Michael Jackson an unparalleled performer and likely a serial sexual abuser who (allegedly) <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1325429/sleepovers-with-child-pals-and-that-recipe-for-jesus-juice-the-scandals-that-dogged-michael-jacksons-life/" target="_blank">gave children alcohol</a> and <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8654719/macaulay-culkin-confirmed-michael-jackson-rigged-bedroom-creepy-alarm/" target="_blank">rigged his bedroom with an alarm system</a>? Yes. In addition to all of that, he also built himself a sprawling compound north of LA with its own amusement park, train, and zoo.</p><p>The property, including the 12,600 square foot home was once listed at $100 million, but was taken off the market earlier this year after failing to sell for $31 million.</p>
Naomi Campbell's Eye of Horus House
<p>This domed eco-home is incredible...literally. The story goes that back in 2011, when English supermodel Naomi Campbell was dating Russian Billionaire Vladislav Doronin, he built her a custom, sustainable, ultra-modern eco-home designed by <a href="https://qz.com/132151/a-top-architect-wants-to-build-this-soccer-ball-mansion-in-homage-to-lionel-messi/" target="_blank">Spanish architect Luis de Garrido</a>.</p><p>The massive glass dome was designed to contain four floors, 25 bedrooms, a massive indoor garden, and all with the intent to use sunlight and airflow to regulate temperature and maintain abundant plant life. Oh, and it also happened to be designed like a giant eyeball in a pool shaped like the Egyptian Eye of Horus symbol, complete with a giant Ankh in a scheme that is basically asking for <a href="https://www.popdust.com/hollywood-cults-2639625942.html" target="_blank">Illuminati conspiracy theorists</a> to pull their hair out. There's only one problem... It probably doesn't exist.</p><p>Despite numerous breathless articles from that period <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2011/09/27/Naomi-Campbells-Horus-Eye-Eco-House.html" target="_blank">describing the house as though it was a real building</a> that had already been completed, the only images seem to be convincing architectural renders, and the Turkish island of Cleopatra where the house was supposed to be located looks suspiciously eyeless in satellite imagery.</p><p>So, short of google hiding the house from us (the Illuminati!), the house either doesn't exist or was built somewhere else entirely. Still, the design is pretty amazing/insane. Better luck next time, Naomi!</p>
Dick Clark's Flintstone House
<p>Back in the day, Dick Clark was a big deal. From <em>American Bandstand</em> to <em>New Year's Rockin' Eve</em> he was synonymous with great music, introducing America to musicians from Prince to Buddy Holly to Johnny Cash. But apparently his devotion to "rock" went a lot further than that.</p><p>He apparently loved the <em>Flintstones</em> aesthetic so much that he modelled his mansion in Malibu after the distinctive look. Why? Supposedly it was <a href="https://la.curbed.com/2014/12/19/10010098/why-dick-clark-built-a-spoton-flintstones-house-in-malibu" target="_blank">styled to look like a rock formation so as not to disrupt the natural beauty of the area</a>. As for the choice to have nearly every detail of the interior look like it was carved from stone using primitive tools...he was just a weirdo. Either that or an actual dinosaur.</p><p>The property was listed during Clark's last weeks of life for $3.5 million, but sold in 2014 (two years after Clark passed at the age of 82) for around $1.8 million.</p>
Bob Hope's Spaceship House
<p>If Dick Clark's House is a <em>Flintsones</em> home, Bob Hope's Palm Springs home is straight out of <em>The Jetsons</em>. Designed by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/garden/john-lautner-day-in-los-angeles.html" target="_blank">acclaimed architect John Lautner</a>, the 23,000 square foot hilltop home features a blend of indoor and outdoor spaces separated by glass and sheltered by soaring curves of concrete around an enormous central oculus.</p><p>Completed in 1979, the whole thing looks ready to give the Millenium Falcon a run for its money. As beautiful as it is, the craziest thing about this home is the idea that a comedian who spent approximately 100 years telling jokes about golf would live somewhere so cool.</p><p>Initially listed in 2013 for $50 million, the home sold in 2016 for just $13 million.</p>
John Travolta's Airport House
<p>Okay, this is another pretty unbelievable home, except this one definitely exists. John Travolta is well known as the <a href="https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/battlefield-earth-2000" target="_blank">star of </a><em><a href="https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/battlefield-earth-2000">Battlefield Earth</a></em> and the guy who <a href="https://qz.com/1018477/we-watched-faceoff-20-years-after-its-release-to-see-how-the-science-holds-up/" target="_blank">played Nicolas Cage in </a><em><a href="https://qz.com/1018477/we-watched-faceoff-20-years-after-its-release-to-see-how-the-science-holds-up/">Face/Off</a></em>, but did you know he's also an avid pilot? Well he is. Such an avid pilot, in fact, that he apparently finds cars too boring to bother with. And the good news is, you never need to get in a car at all...if your home is the airport!</p><p>Indeed, plenty of obscenely wealthy people have helipads on their roofs, but how many are set up so they can park giant jets in their driveway? In this case Travolta may be in a class of his own. With an aesthetic that even looks like a small airport—complete with a control tower—Travolta's home in the fly-in gated community of Jumbolair, near Ocala, Florida, allowed him to park his 150-feet-long Boeing 707 right outside his front door, and take off from the nearby runway.</p><p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-27/john-travolta-plane-set-for-november-arrival-in-wollongong/11253868" target="_blank">Travolta has since donated his 707 to an aviation museum in Australia</a>, but the mid-century-modern home still boasts covered parking spots for two large planes, a large pool, and aviation themed decor throughout. It was basically built like the world's most exclusive sky lounge for just Travolta and his late wife, Actress Kelly Preston... And maybe their kids if they were feeling generous.</p><p>The home was just a short drive from their massive mansion in Clearwater, Florida, where <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/kelly-preston-death-certificate-reveals-she-died-at-home/" target="_blank">Preston passed away this week after battling breast cancer in secret for the past two years</a>.</p>
Naomi Campbell's Spaceship/Airport House
<p>Okay, we felt bad about spoiling the fun with Naomi Campbell's Eye of Horus house, so we decided to give her another shot, and whoo boy did she deliver. Since there was already a celebrity with a spaceship house and a celebrity with an airport house, this house had to mash them together.</p><p>For the sake of honesty it's worth pointing out that the house was much more the vision of that same Russian ex-boyfriend, real estate developer Vladislav Doronin. The house was under construction for the entire time they were together, but at least it's actually real!</p><p>The only private home designed by <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35936768" target="_blank">the late architectural genius Zaha Hadid</a>—who was primarily known for large public structures like train stations and museums—this 28,000 square foot ultra-modern home certainly meets the criteria for large, though it's secluded location in the woodlands west of Moscow is hardly public. With curving glass and metal, the lower three floors are partially embedded in a hillside, while the top floor projects above like an airport control tower, peering over the surrounding treetops.</p><p>The home took 12 years to complete and cost an estimated $140 million. And now you can <a href="https://www.amlu.com/2019/11/28/billionaire-vladislav-doronin-looking-to-sell-the-worlds-only-zaha-hadid-designed-home-for-100m/" target="_blank">buy it for just $100 million</a>... which is definitely too much for a home, but is a great price for the spaceship that will allow you to escape this dying planet.</p>
Now that we've got these 12 in the books, the next generation of crazy celebrities will know to aim higher.
Nashville singer TONYB. drops new album "Flashing Lights"
Nashville artist TONYB. has just dropped a new 18-track deluxe edition of his album Flashing Lights.
Some may think 18 tracks is overwhelming, but in this case, we just can't get enough. Through an array of sensual R&B melodies and glistening neo-soul vibes, TONYB. covers everything from everyday life experiences to love and heartbreak across all the tracks. Echoing synths twinkle in the background, while the singer's warm, velvet vocals cascade atop the electronic soundscapes.
A personal favorite on the album is one of the new additions — "Faded Dreams (My Time)." On this track, his effortless vocals glide over the throbbing beats and reflective synths. From start to finish, TONYB. takes us on a journey of self-exploration, letting us into some of his most vulnerable moments and showing us some of the poignant events that define the transition to adulthood.
So sink your teeth into this big, juicy album and lose yourself in the sounds of TONYB.
Congratulations on the release of the deluxe edition of your album Flashing Lights. Where did the idea for releasing a deluxe edition come from, and what can listeners expect from the new release?
There was a lot of new music that I was working on last fall that I love. So much so that I immediately wanted to put some of it out, because I'm at a point where I don't want to hold onto music for months and months at a time anymore. I just want to create and put it into the world while those feelings are still present. So because Flashing Lights had been doing so well all year, I came up with the idea to put out a deluxe version for my fans with a few bonus tracks [before] I finish up my new project for the summer.
The 18-track release showcases your impressive vocal range and soulful tone. Mixing neo-soul melodies with R&B beats, the album is an intoxicating listening experience. Tell us more about the inspiration behind it and the results you were hoping to achieve?
I've always been inspired by all different types of music, and I try to showcase that [in my own] by incorporating rock, pop, and R&B elements, keeping production pretty diverse, and exploring the entire spectrum of my musical tastes.
Writing-wise, the inspiration was just [the idea of documenting] me coming into adulthood. A lot of these songs, I started writing at 21 and 22 years old, and [they] have sort of helped me make sense of becoming a person on my own aside from my family and what I've always known. I just wanted to document my experiences for anyone who may be going through the same things right now.
From some of the most influential, intimate relationships in my life, to me finally achieving my lifelong dream of moving to LA and what that would always feel like, to the loss of my grandmother and aunt, to losing my way, and to finding my way again, this project is a defining chapter for me in my life, and [it shows] how these experiences set me up to finally be able to come into my true self.
"Serious" and "Faded Dreams (My Time)" are two of the new additions on the album. Did you always plan to release these on the deluxe version, or are they new singles?
I have about 15-20 in the vault right now, and those two tracks fit the most sonically and lyrically on Flashing Lights. The rest I'm saving for what's next this year.
What have you been up to during the pandemic in terms of continuing to connect with your listeners, and what are your plans for when restrictions are loosened?
I'm very active on social media with my fans, like we DM all the time and I've tried to keep music coming, so that's helped keep our relationship solid until live shows are allowed again. The first thing I'm doing when restrictions are lifted is booking as many live shows as possible.
Your vocal dynamics have been described as similar to the likes of Aaliyah, D'Angelo, and Usher. If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Aaliyah would hands down be the first one. Kehlani and Drake are two of my dream collaborators. Musically, they both have helped me through some pretty rough times growing up. And Kehlani's transparency in her music and how much she decides to give us is really admirable.
What's next for TONYB.?
I feel like I've finally found my stride all around with my fans. What they like, and also what I like and want to do. Releasing Flashing Lights over the past couple years showed me that, so I've got a lot planned for this year.
When rappers team up for collaboration albums, fans get to hear their combined styles over a sustained project instead of a fleeting single.
Like Kanye and Jay Z's Watch the Throne or Drake and Future's game-changingIf You're Reading This It's Too Late, collaboration projects can be career defining.
While Drake and Rick Ross have never made an album together, the two are frequent collaborators who have now amassed enough songs together to fill an album. One of the few repeat collaborators Drake has had who he isn't in love with or has beef with, Rick Ross often makes appearances in Drake's discography.
Their most recent single, LEMON PEPPER FREESTYLE, comes as part of Drake's new EP, which is a teaser for the upcoming Certified Lover Boy. The new freestyle track reminds us that Rick Ross exists and adds to the pair's catalogue, which spans both their careers and serves as a time capsule for eras of rap music (as well as the many past personas of Drake).
Drake and Rick Ross really one of the best unofficial duos in history…
Lord Knows
Gold Roses
Aston Martin Music
St… https://t.co/3Fwa0zuZA6
— All Love Hip Hop (@All Love Hip Hop)
1614921070.0
Taking a trip through the features is a nostalgia trip of mediocre rap songs, outdated videos, and genre-switch up. The two have been making music together for over a decade; and while some of the songs still hit, most of them feel like the vaguely memorable soundtracks to our awkward years: songs we only remember when their lyrics show up as Instagram captions.
Here's how we rank them, from best and most redeemable to worst and most forgettable.
Money in the Grave (2019)
Famous Toronto Raptors devotee, Drake released a two song project to celebrate his team winning the 2019 NBA Championship. The song was the first collaboration from the two of them since Ross's heyday in the early 2010s and one of their best.
The production may be simple, but it carries the high energy of both of their verses and emphasizes their token braggadocious flow. The song is simple, but addictive — the kind of song meant for workouts and parties. It brings out the best in both of them, the infectious energy that they both have the potential to rally behind them coming out in full force.
LEMON PEPPER FREESTYLE (2021)
The latest from the duo has the cadence of a song from Drake's Views, but was produced by Ross's label Maybach Music Group with the signature "Maybach Music'' vocal tag that was ubiquitous in the early 2010s. Now, not so much.
The song is easy listening, with a beat that samples the 2010 song "Pressure" by Quadron. It has one or two lines that stand out for their timeliness (cue the "practicing social distance from all these snitches" Instagram captions). Drake's verse is the rap equivalent of his Architectural Digest tour — full of lavish status symbols but, ultimately, empty.
"Imagine me rapping 'bout if I never made it," he says … effectively rapping about how it would be if he never made it. This kind of self-congratulatory bravado with barely concealed insecurity is classic Drake, which makes the song a classic for the fans who resonate with his typical, garnished but unoriginal flow.
It encapsulates all the elements of a Drake x Ross song because it's exactly what you expect from both of them: not a wash, but the kind of song you listen to and immediately forget.
Gold Roses (2019)
Gold Roses is contemplative about the things Drake and Ross usually brag about — love, success, and their careers. Drake weaves tales of short lived relationships between lifestyle anecdotes (my favorite: "I never fly Spirit," because same), while Ross reflects on the success he thought he would have versus his career reality, which he sees as being underrated.
"I was nominated, but never won a Grammy, but I understand they'll never understand me" he starts with, then later says, "They'll never love us." Though overextended and self-indulgent, the single is compelling and stands alone in their discography for its distinct tone and overall quality.
Lord Knows (2011)
Although it's not a highlight of the 2011 album Take Care, "Lord Knows" gets points just for being on it. The song is representative of Drake's career-defining record in that it chronicles Drake figuring out his artistry, Ross at his peak, and both of them fantasizing about future success.
Drake also raps the line: "I know that showing emotion don't make me a p*ssy," which felt radical for a rapper at the time and solidified his reputation as the sadboy of rap music … a reputation he promptly discarded to get swole and make a trap album in 2015 — but: semantics.
I’m on One (2011)
The DJ Khaled/YMCMB lives up to its title — it's on one. The track features Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne (who raps, "You're a sell out, but I ain't buying" but has since sold out as a Donald Trump supporter so there's that.) The video looks extremely low budget, shot on a gloomy day in Miami in between a hotel room and a parking lot and DJ Khaled drinking a Four Loko … He was definitely on one.
The song is actually still good and features the chorus of the previously unreleased "Trust Issues," by Drake. The resulting track has the opposite vibe to the originally melancholy heartbreak song and is instead a self-aggrandizing song about their own success.
If it feels like every Drake song is him talking about how far he's made it, it's because that might be true. "I'm on One" is unapologetic, though his future persona makes the beardless, younger version of him seem a little too premature, while both Ross and Wayne's fame have depleted since.
No New Friends (2013)
"No New Friends" was undeniably iconic in its time and remains a staple in social media lexicon. In hindsight, the repeated "no new friends" lyrics is pretty much the only thing worth remembering in the song. The DJ Khaled/YMCMB production features Lil Wayne and shows pretty forgettable, yet well produced, performances from Wayne, Ross and Drake. But nostalgia wins this round, because something about it still hits.
Stay Schemin (2012)
"Stay Schemin'' appeared on Ross's 2012 mixtape Rich Forever and features Drake, French Montana, and Ross's terrible vocals in the chorus. French Montana and Drake also have their share of collaborations, like "No Shopping," and "No Stylist," which came later.
"Stay Schemin" was controversial for the line that mentioned Vanessa and Kobe's divorce filing: "B**ch, you wasn't with me shootin' in the gym." It was also a response to Common's diss of him in the song "Sweet." The controversy and the brewing beef have become par for the course, but the young rapper at the time seemed audacious. The song marks an early sign of what we now know as Drake's agitated, ego-driven personality that makes him ever-ready to defend himself on a verse.
Aston Martin Music (2010)
Aston Martin Music really is Aston Martin music for the 2010s, the kind of half-R&B, half pop, half rap, vibe that dominated the charts in 2010 alongside Usher, Jason Derulo, and Young Money. The song has the vibe of the kind of person who says they want someone to ride or die for them … while bringing nothing to the table except maybe big talk and big dreams of having an Aston Martin because they heard it in a Drake song.
Diced Pineapples (2012)
The piano-heavy track has a different energy compared to most Drake x Ross collabs. The song is sensual and an attempt to be romantic, though it veers towards objectifying and still can't resist mentioning status symbols and money. The video is essentially an ad for Ciroc and is similar to "Aston Martin Music" for its R&B vibe. Drake sings the chorus but the song's standout is actually Wale, who raps the opening and ending verse and brings life to the otherwise bland track.
Free Spirit (2011)
The song starts with the repeated cry of "tat my name on you so I know it's real," which Drake later sings on the chorus, followed by the ending quip, "When I go you'll still be mine." The song is just a description of a toxic relationship, but in a way that felt romantic in 2011. So, more "ride or die" vibes.
The stripped back production is mostly just a looped beat track, a pumped up bass, and a sax that comes in mid-chorus — oh to be a producer in 2011. The song is forgettable beyond its anthemic first demand, and its lyrics are better left in the past, not to be exhumed.
Pop That (2013)
"Pop That" feels so apt for 2013 — the overwhelming club-ready production, the overt oversexualization of women, and the anchoring line "what you twerkin with." 2013 marked a change in mainstream rap, which went from R&B dominated, to more engineered and shamelessly wild, accompanied by the twerking trend.
Though this was a few years before the trap takeover, the song marks a phase of Drake that was less defined by the romance of Take Care and instead saw the birth of "Champagne Papi." Alongside French Montana, Drake and Ross revel in hedonism and objectification in a song made up of unharmonious noise and forgettable, unimpressive lyrics.
Deuces Remix (2010)
All I can say is, yikes!
The 2010 remix of Chr*s Br*wn's "Deuces'' features Drake, T.I, Kanye West, Fabolous, Rick Ross, and André 3000. The lineup is stacked and the song approaches seven minutes — and for what? None of them deliver career performances, and it all happens in service of … Chris Brown? Not something we need to revisit.
He found fame at a young age as one of the stars of the hit Canadian teen drama Degrassi. After his tenure playing Jimmy Brooks, he would transition from the screen to the booth, pursuing a full-time career as a musician.
Drake released a few mixtapes that were received well by fans and blogs, but it was the mixtape "So Far Gone" in February 2009 that would change his life and the course of music forever.
Since then, he would continue to shatter Billboard records, helping establish a sound that has since become the standard in Hip-Hop and has even transcended the genre itself. The keys to Drake's success are his talent, relentless work ethic, and his versatility as an artist.
Drake's genre-bending has seen him assume different identities both on and off wax. Here's a look at some of our favorite personas.
Down South Drake
This version of Drake is associated with his early rise. Drake's father, Dennis Graham, is a Memphis-born musician, and Drake's summer visits there were the catalyst to his love for southern rap. Drake also cites his mentor and longtime collaborator, Lil Wayne, as one of his biggest influences.
Wayne, a New Orleans native, is one of the pioneers of Southern rap and arguably one of the greatest rappers of all time, inspiring a generation before crossing paths with Drake. He paid homage to New Orleans bounce with the songs "In My Feelings" and "Nice For What."
Drake still takes a trip down South now and then, though this time he plays the mentor to a newer crop of Southern rappers like Lil Baby and BlocBoy JB.
Emo Drake
Though ghostwriting rumors have called his credibility as a rapper into question, Drake's singing ability was a breath of fresh air in Hip-Hop. Rap artists before him have flirted with a melodic delivery, but Drake has the range to be able to sing full-on ballads. Songs like "Find Your Love" and "Marvin's Room" showcase Drake's vulnerability.
Tales of unrequited love and toxic relationships are familiar subjects that have helped Drake endear himself to the "fairer" sex. Drake has embraced this role so much that it's reflected in the title of his forthcoming album, Certified Lover Boy.
Trap Drake
Walking the line between bravado and paranoia, Trap Drake remains aware of various entities plotting his demise while welcoming them to try and take his crown. His 2015 mixtape, If You're Reading This It's Too Late, embodies the energy of a coked-up Tony Montana shooting it out with Sosa's gunmen.
Drake's mean streak was on full display in his battle with Meek Mill that same year. Many felt Drake was too timid to engage in lyrical warfare because of his nice-guy persona. But when the time called for it, Drake was battle-ready, and Meek Mill became the butt of many jokes in the process.
Caribbean Drake
The Caribbean/AfroBeats sound is prominent in today's pop music, and Drake is one of the artists responsible for the sound making its way into Hip-Hop. His 2016 offering, Views, and his 2017 follow-up, More Life, saw him use Caribbean patois associated with the island locals.
Accusations of Drake's cultural appropriation of said Caribbean culture soon started to circulate. Toronto is known for its robust Caribbean population, but some felt Drake was cashing in on a trend more than representing one of his hometown's demographics. He's worked with Wizkid and signed Jamaican artist Popcaan to his OVO imprint, though so at least he has two heavy hitters that can vouch for his authenticity.
Drill Drake
When you're an international megastar like Drizzy, collaborating with acts from around the world is par for the course. This side of Drake takes us across the pond to the UK's drill scene. Though it originated in Chicago, drill music has a massive presence in the UK Hip-Hop scene.
Much like his island vibe, Drake adopts the London accent and slang on songs like "War" and "Only You Freestyle" featuring Headie One. To his credit, Drake doesn't seem out of sorts when he's carrying on like a would-be roadman. Drake's interest in the UK scene has extended beyond music and into the TV/Film world. He acts as executive producer on the popular British Street series Top Boy.
Sporty Drake
This facet of Drake's personality doesn't revolve around music. Not only is he one of the biggest celebrities on the planet; he's also an avid sports fan. Drake is the global ambassador for his NBA home team, the Toronto Raptors. When his schedule permits it, he's courtside at every game and even got to see the Raptors win an NBA Championship for the first time in franchise history in 2019.
When he's not rooting for the Raptors, Drake is rubbing shoulders with some of the NBA's elite. His friendships with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry are public knowledge. He also pals around with athletes from other sports, which led to social media creating the narrative of "The Drake Curse," a superstition that implies he causes athletes to lose whenever he becomes one of their fans.
A decade-plus later since So Far Gone, Drake is still the topic of discussion in Hip-Hop, whether he's being revered for his eclectic trendsetting talent or being jeered for acquiring genres like Thanos collecting infinity stones. Call it cultural appropriation or appreciation, but after he debuted 34 years ago...Nothing Was The Same. Happy Birthday, Drake!
Joe Budden
