HipHopDX – This week in Hip Hop, the Recording Academy announced nominations for the 2020 Grammy Awards. Also, Chicago’s Lil Reese was released from the hospital after being shot earlier this month and YNW Melly released a new album while awaiting murder charges.
2020 Grammy Award Nominations
The 62nd annual Grammy Award nominations were announced this week with Lizzo leading the pack. The breakout star holds eight nominations in all major categories, including Record the Year for “Truth Hurts” and Album the Year for Cuz I Love You.
YBN Cordae, Roddy Ricch and everyone who contributed to Dreamville’s compilation Revenge Of The Dreamers III are also among those nominated for a Grammy this year. However, some are disappointed about Rapsody‘s EVE and Freddie Gibbs’ Bandana being snubbed.
Read the rest the Grammy nominations here.
Lil Reese Released From Hospital
Lil Reese was shot in a Chicago suburb on November 11. This week, he was released from Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
Reese showed f his scar, located near his throat, while listening to some slow jam R&B. On Tuesday (November 19), he dropped a new track titled “Come Outside. He also told Twitter user if DJ Vlad wants an interview, the media personality is going to have to dole out at least $1 million for the story.
Read more about Lil Reese’s recovery here.
YNW Melly Releases Album While Awaiting Murder Trial
The controversial YNW Melly released his latest project, Melly Vs. Melvin, while awaiting trial for the alleged murder his two friends. Clearly, incarceration isn’t stopping the “Multiple Personalties” rapper from maintaining his music career.
Photos from the scene Melly’s alleged crime were also released on Thursday (November 21).
Stream YNW Melly’s Melly Vs. Melvin here.
Reviews
– Tory Lanez — Chixtape 5
– Guapdad 4000 — Dior Deposits
– Kash Doll — Stacked
– Jay Park & Hit-Boy — This Wasn’t Supposed To Happen
– Onyx & Snowgoons — SnowMads
– Stalley — Reflection Of Self: The Head Trip
#DXclusives: MC Hammer, Princess and Diamond Crime Mob and The Breakdown with Page Kennedy
MC Hammer Reveals Why He Strived To Be ‘A Complete Artist’ Instead Of Just A Rapper
In an interview with HipHopDX, MC Hammer shared why he chose to be more than a rapper.
“Today, I would say entertainer, but I would also use the word artist, more complete artist. Because you know, rapping is literally one aspect,” he said. “You have people who are really good at rapping and they call themselves a lyricist. They are good at the verse and may not be good at picking beats. They may not be good at production. They may not be good at mixing. They may not be good at performing.”
Check out the entire MC Hammer interview here.
Princess & Diamond Talk Upcoming Album, Female Rappers & Crime Mob’s Mature New Sound
DX caught up with Princess and Diamond from Crime Mob, and the two opened up about performing with Solange at Met Gala after missing Coachella.
“So, at that time, her album had already been out, we’d already heard the sample, and we were just super excited that she wanted us to come out for her Met Gala after-party to perform,” Princess recalled. “And from there, just like meeting her in person and talking to her again, it was an instant vibe, it felt so good to just be appreciated for being] ourselves — the hair, the tattoos, the style. It motivated us to get together, and to realize how much power that we have together. ‘Cause at one point, me and Princess were doing our own things, solo.”
Read the full Princess and Diamond interview here.
From Charlamagne Tha God To Joe Budden: How The Media Influences Hip Hop
Does media really influence what people listen to? Page Kennedy dives into how much influence the likes Charlamagne Tha God and Joe Budden really have.
Watch the latest episode DX’s The Breakdown here.