MUSIC
2017: The year that Hip-Hop became a Goliath
Looking back at the most memorable moments that made 2017 a banner year for the culture.
11.20.2017
2017 was the year that Hip-Hop became the most popular music genre in the United States.
According to Neilson music stats, Hip-Hop is more streamed and consumed than Pop and Rock. For those who have been fans of the culture for years, even decades, the numbers are now a reflection of the influence rap music has truly had over mainstream America.
Since the days of Run-DMC on MTV, rap music has had a stronghold on popular culture. It has inspired fashion trends, dance moves, and slang which has permeated other forms of entertainment. Hip Hop artists are just as visible as any A-List actor or top athlete and have fans who are of the former and the latter. But the music itself is only a small part of what makes Hip-Hop popular this year.
The moments that happened outside of music helped with the overall visibility of the art that originated from The South Bronx. We took a look at the 10 moments from the beginning of the year to the most recent that helped make Hip-Hop the king of the music mountain in 2K17.
<h2>1. Donald Glover Shouts Out Migos<br>
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<strong>January 8, 2017</strong> -- Hip-Hop Renaissance man Donald Glover kicked off the year by winning a Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series for his FX series <em>"Atlanta". </em>The actor/writer/musician/ who adheres to the moniker Childish Gambino gave what would be perceived as an odd nod to the rather bland Golden Globe audience to Atlanta's Hip-Hop supergroup Migos and their song <em>"Bad and Boujee"</em>. "I'd like to thank the Migos — not for being on the show, but for making 'Bad and Boujee," said Glover. "I think that they're the Beatles of this generation and they don't get a lot of respect, I think, outside of Atlanta." This cosign went from Gambino's mouth to God's (well, listeners) ears as Glover's shoutout spurred a 243% Increase in Spotify Streams for Migos' <em>"Bad and Boujee".</em>
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Film Features
Beyoncé Redefines History with "Black Is King"
"Black Is King" is now out on Disney+.
07.31.2020
Beyoncé in "Black Is King"
Beyoncé has released Black Is King, and as usual, her work is subtly shifting the world and inspiring millions.
The musical film dropped today on Disney+. It's a visual companion to 2019's The Lion King: The Gift, an album inspired by last year's remake of The Lion King, in which Beyoncé starred as Nala. The moment it released at 12AM PT, fans lost it with excitement.
BEYONCÉ SAVED MY LIFE. #BlackIsKing https://t.co/SY3S5kZsij— 𝓒𝓮𝓬𝓮☾ (@𝓒𝓮𝓬𝓮☾)1596226052.0
Black Is King is rooted in Black history. "History is your future," Beyoncé says prophetically toward the beginning. "One day you will meet yourself back where you started, but stronger." The film is studded with references to African history, portraying the lives of African royalty.
<div id="91f87" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ef3e052fe761d6b0c6c3769203dc6006"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1289290080390012928" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">The best part about #BlackIsKing is when you watch Brown Skin Girl wondering how much you can cry before becoming c… https://t.co/0ytyw3HfEX</div> — amber ruffin (@amber ruffin)<a href="https://twitter.com/ambermruffin/statuses/1289290080390012928">1596225683.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The visual album has taken on new resonance given the context of the last two months, as the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight against police brutality exploded into worldwide protests in the wake of George Floyd's murder.<br></p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-632"></div>
<!-- End Ezoic - undersecond12 - under_second_paragraph --></p><p>The film is a loose retelling of <em>The Lion King </em>itself, except starring people instead of lions. In it, a young prince experiences a "transcendent journey through betrayal, love and self-identity," according to its liner notes. After his father is killed by a motorcycle, he runs away but receives guidance from his ancestors that help him grow and reclaim the knowledge he needs to take back his throne.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-633"> </div>
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<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer – ALREADY (Official Video)</small>
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</p><p>The film was written by British poet Yrsa Daley-Ward, Jezebel culture editor Clover Hope, and <em>Lemonade </em>collaborator Andrew Morrow, and features more poetry from Warsan Shire, whose words peppered <em>Lemonade.</em><br></p><p>"These timeless lessons are revealed and reflected through Black voices of today, now sitting in their own power," read the announcement. "'Black Is King' is an affirmation of a grand purpose, with lush visuals that celebrate Black resilience and culture. The film highlights the beauty of tradition and Black excellence."</p><p>The music itself is a collage of great artists, ranging from Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, 070 Shake, Tierra Whack, Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter and Jessie Reyez, as well as African artists including Wizkid, Shatta Wale, Burna Boy, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Tekno, Yemi Alade, Busiswa and Salatiel.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-635"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent2 - long_content --></p><p>The film has the Internet catching fire, celebrating the film's incredible costumes and its surprise cameos. Among the film's greatest gifts was the presence of Beyoncé's daughter Blue Ivy, who makes many cameos throughout and shows off her impressive dance skills during the song "My Power." (She also sings on "Brown Skin Girl.") Jay-Z also made an appearance (as the adult Simba), first appearing as he rolls up to the family mansion in his Bentley. The family's estate makes multiple appearances in the film, as does the family themselves. Other cameos include <a href="https://people.com/tag/naomi-campbell/" target="_blank">Naomi Campbell</a>, <a href="https://people.com/tag/pharrell-williams/" target="_blank">Pharrell</a>, <a href="https://people.com/music/grammys-2020-nominee-jessie-reyez-reveals-must-haves/" target="_blank">Jessie Reyez</a>, <a href="https://people.com/tag/lupita-nyongo/" target="_blank">Lupita Nyong'o</a>, <a href="https://www.motownrecords.com/artists/tiwa-savage/" target="_blank" title="(opens new window)">Tiwa Savage</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lPl9gqgox3JDiaJ1yklKh" target="_blank" title="(opens new window)">Tierra Whack</a>, and many others.</p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-636"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent22 - long_content --></p><p>Beyoncé's fashion, style, and costuming is another highlight. Spearheaded by designer Zerina Akers, the film's costume design is a blend of traditional African fashion trends and modern ones, made their own by Beyoncé and her powerhouse hive of companions.</p><div id="f30e1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5b8cb79ec0e4a91678b211c67edf6316"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1289117496063201281" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Beyoncé gave us LOOKS!! #BlackisKing https://t.co/V9oZhiIdiK</div> — 🦄 (@🦄)<a href="https://twitter.com/HARDWHlTE/statuses/1289117496063201281">1596184536.0</a></blockquote></div><p><br></p><div id="b8ae6" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c0aba6858399f40a4c32db051e2d6560"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDTR8fsA1Y_/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
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<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzUyNjc4Mi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MDM4Mjk5NX0.zFEB1vA12ZIG-eaDy7wi26dkYxJDx_HvRQRaBlBF4GI/img.png?width=980" id="970f9" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5a0e39b18e466ebcd085b22c4d6a2f2b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Beyonc\u00e9">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Beyoncé</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">ANDREW WHITE/COURTESY OF DISNEY +</small></p><p>The continent of Africa is also a major central focus, and the camera lavishes love on the continent, showcasing its gorgeous terrains, forests, waters, cities, and oceans. The film features models from across Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and many more nations.<br></p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-637"> </div>
<!-- End Ezoic - incontent3 - longer_content --></p><p>It's so full of stunning imagery, artistic genius, and cultural relevance that certainly dissertations will be written about it, but <em>Black Is King </em>is also a celebration of people, designed to inspire kids and orchestrated to alter an entire narrative, destroying stereotypes and literally re-calibrating history. Only Beyoncé could pull off such a feat, but she does it by working in thousands of old stories, new stars, and modern and ancient themes, braiding them together into a truly triumphant achievement. All hail our truest queen. </p><p><div id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-638"> </div>
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