That kind of recognition is rare for a producer. Most do their work behind the scenes, creating productions without ever becoming part of the performing experience themselves. Tay Keith’s presence was different. His tag wasn’t an introduction but a part of the song. It was a signal that something explosive was about to happen.

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Read More: Tay Keith Reportedly Passes Away At 29

Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, the Grammy-nominated producer helped bring the city’s influence to the forefront of Hip Hop within the last 10 years. His beats were impossible to ignore, blending Southern grit with mainstream appeal in a way that connected street records and chart-topping anthems. Across the better part of a decade, his production credits stretched from local breakout artists to some of the biggest names in music.

The impact of that work has become even clearer in the wake of his passing. Fans have spent the last several days revisiting the tracks that introduced them to Tay Keith’s sound. They’re debating favorites and returning to songs that still hit with the same force they did years ago. A catalog this influential can’t be reduced to a handful of tracks. Still, some records stand above the rest.

The Beat Goes On: Tay Keith Tracks That Stay On Rotation

1. “Look Alive” – BlocBoy JB ft. Drake (2018)

Memphis had been delivering Rap hits for decades, but “Look Alive” felt like a moment when the rest of the country stopped and paid attention. BlocBoy JB’s unpredictable energy already had local momentum behind it, yet Drake’s appearance pushed the song into an entirely different orbit. At the center of it all was Tay Keith’s production, with an infectious beat that felt both menacing and effortless. It left enough space for every ad-lib and quotable line to land exactly where it needed to.

2. “Nonstop” – Drake (2018)

Drake has no shortage of hits, but “Nonstop” felt tailor-made for Tay Keith’s strengths. The beat was heavy and instantly commanding, turning a relatively simple concept into one of the most memorable records on Scorpion. For Tay Keith, the song proved that the success of “Look Alive” wasn’t a fluke. Plenty of producers worked with Drake during that era. Very few left with a song this instantly recognizable.

3. “Before I Let Go” – Beyoncé

Maze’s original version was already a staple at family reunions, weddings, cookouts, and just about any gathering where Black folks came together. Beyoncé’s 2019 rendition introduced the song to a new generation, but Tay Keith’s production deserves credit for helping bridge that gap. Rather than overpower the record with modern flourishes, he understood the assignment, preserving its spirit while giving it enough energy to feel at home alongside contemporary hits.

Read More: Police Issue Statement On Tay Keith’s Death, Friends & Collaborators React

4. “Sicko Mode” – Travis Scott ft. Drake (2018)

“SICKO MODE” felt less like a song and more like an event. The sprawling Travis Scott and Drake collaboration dominated conversations for months, with every beat switch giving listeners something new to dissect. Tay Keith wasn’t the only producer attached to the record, but his name became part of the conversation surrounding one of 2018’s most unavoidable songs.

5. “First Person Shooter” – Drake & J. Cole (2023)

Most Drake and J. Cole collaborations felt like two stars sharing space. “First Person Shooter” felt different. The song carried the energy of a friendly competition, with fans immediately dissecting every line and declaring a winner. Tay Keith’s production understood that dynamic, providing a backdrop that elevated the friendly rivalry into one of the biggest beefs in Hip Hop courtsey of Kendrick Lamar.

6. “Not Alike” ft. Royce da 5’9″ (2018)

Tay Keith’s rise was largely tied to Southern rap, which made “Not Alike” such an interesting addition to his catalog. The hard-hitting production gave Eminem and Royce da 5’9″ plenty of room to unleash one of the most aggressive performances on Kamikaze, turning the song into an immediate fan favorite. Not every producer can seamlessly move between BlocBoy JB, Drake, and Eminem, but Tay Keith made it sound easy.

Read More: Music Community Mourns Tay Keith Following Tragic Death At 29

7. “Pound Town 2” – Sexyy Red ft. Nicki Minaj & Tay Keith

Nobody could accuse “Pound Town 2” of playing it safe. The Nicki Minaj-assisted remix took a song that was already generating plenty of attention and pushed it into an entirely different stratosphere. The beat remained just as unruly and unapologetic as the original, refusing to smooth out the qualities that made Sexyy Red one of Rap’s most talked-about new stars.

8. “Rich Flex” – Drake & 21 Savage

Some songs take months to find their audience. “Rich Flex” seemed to take over overnight. Drake and 21 Savage spent much of the track trading bars and playful jabs, creating the kind of chemistry that fans immediately latched onto. Between the quotable lyrics and endless references that followed, the song quickly became larger than the album it came from.

9. Lil Baby ft. Starlito “Exotic”

Starlito had already earned the respect of Southern Rap fans long before Lil Baby emerged as one of the genre’s biggest stars. “Exotic” brought both worlds together, pairing an established veteran with an artist on the verge of superstardom. The result felt effortless, a reminder that some collaborations work best when nobody is trying too hard to manufacture a moment.

Read More: Tay Keith’s Camp Addresses Royalty Dispute With Sexyy Red’s Label

10. Key Glock — “Since 6ix”

“Russian Cream” tends to dominate conversations about the Tay Keith and Key Glock partnership, but “Since 6ix” deserves its flowers, too. The song captured the chemistry that made their collaborations so effective, pairing Glock’s charisma with production that never got in his way. While it may not receive the same level of attention as some of their bigger records, it remains a favorite among fans who followed both artists beyond the hits.

The post Tay Keith’s Signature Sound Lives On Through These 10 Songs appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Since bursting onto the scene, all of Cole’s albums have spent at least one full year on the Billboard 200 before falling off the charts. However, that streak has unfortunately been broken with The Fall-Off. According to Billboard, the album is no longer on the Billboard 200. It spent 18 consecutive weeks on the chart, but has since left.

Of course, there is still a chance that the album returns to the charts. Although for now, it appears as though this project just doesn’t have the staying power.

Read More: Can North West Actually Live Up To Her Dad’s Legacy?

J. Cole No Longer On The Chart

Interestingly enough, Cole still has one album on the Billboard 200, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The album has been on the charts for 602 weeks. Furthermore, it is ranked at 151, which is pretty respectable, all things considered.

Of course, numbers are not the be all end all of an artist’s merit. However, with Drake dominating the charts right now, it’s clear that some fans are going to want to engage in the discourse. Some feel as though The Fall-Off should have done a lot better, especially since this is supposed to be a retirement album.

Meanwhile, ICEMAN spent four weeks at number one before sliding to number two thanks to Olivia Rodrigo. Only time will tell whether or not Cole’s fans can get the project back on the Billboard 200.

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Jackson-Floyd believes she was the catalyst for MoneyBagg Yo’s early success in rap. She started working with the artist back in 2015, according to Hot97. At the time, the artist was only making upwards of $2500 per show. However, Jackson-Floyd claims she invested millions of dollars into turning the artist into a superstar.

In her lawsuit, Jackson-Floyd claims that once MoneyBagg Yo signed with Roc Nation, the company cut her out of the business. She had contracts with the artist, and she believes those contracts were violated as a result of Roc Nation’s alleged interference.

“It’s intentional interference with contract on the part of Roc Nation because they knew this contract existed,” Attorney Ralph Gibson said. “It’s a commercial contract case.”

Read More: Can North West Actually Live Up To Her Dad’s Legacy?

MoneyBagg Yo Accused Of Betraying Former Manager

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Jackson-Floyd alleges MoneyBagg Yo promised her weekly payments of $5000, as well as a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. Furthermore, Jackson-Floyd claims the artist promised her a third of all brand revenues. However, these benefits were allegedly overlooked, and she has not received any of the compensation she was promised.

The former manager is saying that were it not for her efforts, MoneyBagg Yo wouldn’t be the artist he is today. She says she helped him earn upwards of $3 million. “Without her, he could not have gotten as big as he got,” Gibson explained.

This is an ongoing case and a developing story. We will be sure to keep you updated.

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The post MoneyBagg Yo And Roc Nation Sued By Former Manager For $100 Million appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The artist claims she put Carl Thompson in charge of the venue. However, during the party, a door was left open, which allowed a burglar to sneak in and secure a lucrative haul. They allegedly stole $500K worth of handbags and jewelry.

Sexyy Red is pinning the blame on Thompson, alleging that the burglary took place not long after he left the property. The rapper also claims he was the last person to do so.

Read More: Can North West Actually Live Up To Her Dad’s Legacy?

Sexyy Red Blames Security Guard for Robbery

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As it turns out, this is technically a countersuit. Back in August of last year, the security guard sued Sexyy Red for alleged unpaid wages. He says he was hired in May 2023 to be her personal security guard at a rate of $180K per year. By December of 2024, he had only received 204K, which meant he should have had an extra $80K. Thompson was suing for those remaining wages.

The artist says that Thompson’s allegations of being underpaid are simply untrue. This was ultimately the catalyst for her subsequently blaming Thompson for the burglary from January of last year.

At this time, the case remains ongoing. A suspect was never arrested in the burglary, and the lawsuits are still going through the courts. This is a developing story, so stay tuned to HNHH for updates.

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The post Sexyy Red Sues Security Guard For Over $500K Following Robbery At Mother’s Birthday Retreat appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: December 25, 2024

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

Quotable Lyrics from THAT GUY

I was up at Westchester dodging all the high beams
Gardena swap meet, shopping bogus Ice Cream
I’m a Hawthorne baby, shit is not warm, baby
Four or five main bitches, I am not yours, baby

The post THAT GUY – Song by Tyler, the Creator appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The report alleges that Benzino was clocked for having an invalid driver’s license. At the time of the stop, Benzino said that the license was invalid due to child support issues. However, when cops ran the license, it was revealed that it was invalid for a whole host of infractions.

During the stop, officers smelled marijuana in the vehicle. Benzino admitted to it and helped officers locate a bag in the driver’s side door. A second bag was subsequently found next to a passenger, Ruth Lewis, who claimed the drugs were hers.

Read More: Can North West Actually Live Up To Her Dad’s Legacy?

Benzino Arrested

Benzino and Lewis were eventually arrested and transported to Crisp County Jail. They were subsequently booked on speeding and drug charges. Furthermore, Benzino was charged with driving without a valid license.

Furthermore, Ashley Bell, the owner of the car, was charged with allowing an unlicensed driver to operate her vehicle. In-depth court records are currently not available.

This remains a developing story, and we will be sure to update you as soon as there is additional information.

Read More: The 10 Sneakers That Defined Kanye’s “Graduation” Album Era

The post Benzino Hit With Speeding And Drug Charges In Georgia appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Now, Drake is back in the United States and even appears to be spending his time in Houston. We know this thanks to a recent video that was posted on social media by Houston Boomerangs.

As you can see, the artist was celebrating Father’s Day in the club with Dennis Graham. Drake was also there with Chubbs, who also had his father with him. The following day, Chubbs celebrated his birthday with Drake at another Houston Club.

Read More: Can North West Actually Live Up To Her Dad’s Legacy?

Drake With His Dad

It’s been a difficult time for Dennis Graham. On ICEMAN, Drake revealed that his father was battling cancer. However, it turns out that these lyrics were a bit old. When asked by TMZ, Dennis Graham revealed that he was in remission and that everything was going well.

Regardless, this had to be a scary moment for the Graham family. Cancer is an incredibly difficult disease that takes on many different forms. It was enough for Drake to talk about on his record, and at the time, fans were quick to extend their well wishes.

As it stands, Drake continues to have one of the biggest albums in the world. ICEMAN is now platinum eligible, and it is currently second on the Billboard 200, right behind Olivia Rodrigo. The artist is having major success, and after all these years, he remains the biggest rapper in the world.

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The post Drake Takes Dennis Graham To The Club For Father’s Day appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Over the last couple of weeks, Akademiks and his entourage have been under public scrutiny. For instance, the man behind Akademiks TV, George Nguyen, has been accused of being a racist who launches hate campaigns against black artists. Nguyen also goes by the screen name Grand Wizard, which is a reference to the KKK.

When this got uncovered on X this week, Meek Mill chimed in with a question about Grand Wizard. Furthermore, he accused Akademiks of launching hate campaigns that led to a steep decline in his streams. Meek alleges his streams dropped 90 percent in 2024, although they have since stabilized. According to Claude, Akademiks is to blame for this.

Read More: Can North West Actually Live Up To Her Dad’s Legacy?

Meek Mill On Akademiks and Grand Wizard

“Who is grand wizard? Ive been hearing about you for a min……” Meek wrote. “I’ve used Claude and real investigators to ask why my streams declined 89% not normal in 2024 it pointed me to akademiks campaign … ” streams are back normal btw akademiks we need answers tap in … remember I said we gone follow everything because it’s all documented on the net”

It’s a hefty accusation, and one we’re sure Akademiks doesn’t take lightly. Having said that, one has to wonder what Ak was doing that would cause 90 percent of Meek’s fans to stop streaming his music.

Numerous artists have gone through a streaming decline as of late. Only the artists at the very top have seen an increase in their numbers. That said, we await to hear what Akademiks himself has to say about all of this.

Read More: Ranking Every Nike Kobe Bryant Signature Model From 1 To 11

The post Meek Mill Believes DJ Akademiks Is Responsible For A 90 Percent Decline In His Streams appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

In a recent Twitter Spaces, Cardi B made it clear that she probably won’t be dating Diggs again. That chapter of her life is over, and she is officially moving on. However, she did level some serious accusations at an unnamed ex during the same Spaces chat.

The rapper revealed that one of her exes threatened self-harm upon breaking up. This is oftentimes a manipulative tactic to keep someone tied to the relationship.

“You see what happens when a bitch really leaves,” Cardi B said. “We all saw how he almost wanted to kill himself when I left. I didn’t even wanna bring that situation up, because I don’t even want to like fake act, like, I’m trying to come at a n***a or something.”

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Cardi B On Recent Breakups

Ultimately, Cardi B noted that this has become a pattern in her life. Some say these men are desperate to stick around because of her name. However, Cardi believes it goes much deeper than that.

“Why they not with them? Why they don’t be with them when I leave?” she said. “They getting brand new bitches. Why did they be crashing out over me? Since it’s only because of my name. Since it’s only because of my name, since it’s only because I’m Cardi B. Then it’s like why y’all damn near want to fucking kill yourself, and y’all seeing it in real time, everybody seeing it in real time.”

Of course, fans are speculating about whom she is talking about. That’s for her to reveal, and no one else.

Read More: The 10 Sneakers That Defined Kanye’s “Graduation” Album Era

The post Cardi B Alleges One Of Her Exes Threatened Self-Harm Following Breakup appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Unfortunately, that dynamic has often weighed even more heavily on the children of our favorite rappers. For decades, the kids of hip-hop legends have attempted to carry the baton, only to discover that legacy can be as much of a burden as it is an advantage. Diggy Simmons’ rap career ultimately fizzled out in a way that feels like an afterthought when measured against the cultural significance of Rev. Run and Run-DMC. Christian Combs has released records and built a profile of his own, but much of the conversation surrounding him remains tethered to his father’s name rather than his own accomplishments. 

What’s interesting is that the newest generation of rap heirs doesn’t seem particularly interested in escaping those shadows at all. That shift is embodied by North West. The eldest of Ye and Kim Kardashian’s children has shown early signs of inheriting many of the same creative instincts that made her father a cultural force. We’ve watched her grow up in public, from TikToks with her mom to appearances on her father’s records. What began as the sort of celebrity-child curiosity that inevitably follows famous families has evolved into something more substantial, the early stages of a career that appears to have genuine momentum behind it.

The question people keep asking, however, is whether she can fill her father’s shoes. But the question itself feels absurd. North is a 13-year-old kid whose father happens to be one of the most influential—and controversial—artists of the past quarter century. Her mother built a billion-dollar empire from celebrity itself. Of course she has advantages that most aspiring young artists could never dream of having. But that doesn’t change the fact that she’s already shaping up to be a voice for her generation.

Theoretically, the weight of her father’s name should be something she has to carry. Maybe it is. Years ago, Kim Kardashian shared one of North’s paintings online, only for people to insist that a child her age couldn’t possibly have created something so detailed. The reaction reflected the skepticism that has followed North for most of her life. People struggle to separate her accomplishments from her last name. Then again, her father was creating exceptional artwork well beyond his years long before the world knew him as Kanye West.

With the release of North4Evr, her debut EP, North West both rapped and produced throughout the project. That alone invited comparisons to Ye, but the music itself largely rejected them. There were no obvious attempts to recreate the chipmunk soul samples of The College Dropout, the minimalist heartbreak of 808s & Heartbreak, or the abrasive experimentation of Yeezus. Instead, North4Evr sounded exactly like what it was: a project made by a young artist carving out her own lane. More importantly, it sounded like music intended for her peers rather than her father’s audience.

Evidently, that’s working in her favor. She’s co-headlining a summer tour with Molly Santana. Lil Uzi Vert has paused shows to acknowledge her in the crowd. Her pop-up events have transformed the aesthetic she’s cultivated online into real-world experiences. Whether older rap fans fully understand it or not, North has already become part of the cultural mainstream for Gen Alpha. And because of that, she may represent a broader shift among the children of hip-hop royalty.

North isn’t being judged solely by how closely she resembles her father because she doesn’t seem particularly interested in resembling him in the first place. Despite occasionally finding herself at the center of polarizing discourse in ways that echo Ye, the rage-infused, punk-adjacent aesthetic she’s embraced belongs to a different era entirely. For longtime Ye fans, that disconnect is bound to create division. For the audience she’s actually speaking to, it makes perfect sense.

What’s fascinating is that this isn’t unique to North West. The same phenomenon is visible in Lil Wayne’s son, Lil Novi, who recently connected with North on “MULA THA ROOT OF ALL EVIL.” Frankly, it’s a trip to see the children of the artists who gave us “Barry Bonds” collaborating nearly two decades later. Yet what’s striking isn’t the family connection but how naturally they fit together sonically.

Both artists are noisy, melodic, rage-forward, and deeply influenced by the aesthetics currently shaping underground rap. Neither of them inherited the regional identities that defined their parents’ music. Wayne’s legacy is inseparable from New Orleans. Ye’s story is rooted in Chicago. North and Novi, meanwhile, belong to a generation raised on the internet, where sonic borders have largely dissolved. Novi sounds closer to Playboi Carti and Opium than he does to the artist many consider the greatest rapper alive. The same can be said for North, and that’s precisely what makes both of them so interesting. They aren’t dismissing their parents’ accomplishments. However, they also aren’t celebrity children attempting to cosplay as their parents, either. That’s surprisingly rare.

The shadows cast by rap legends have hovered over their children for decades. Chris Rivers remains one of the clearest examples. He’s an incredible MC who has repeatedly proven his abilities on the microphone, yet conversations about his career almost always circle back to Big Pun. Despite his talent, he’s never fully had a moment that felt detached from his father’s legacy.

The same burden has followed ODB’s son, who has largely been relegated to performing his father’s parts during Wu-Tang Clan appearances. Snoop Dogg’s sons, Corde and Cordell Broadus, have pursued music of their own without ever fully escaping the gravitational pull of their father’s fame. Infinite Coles has made compelling music, but his estranged relationship with his father, Ghostface Killah, remains attached to many of the moments that have drawn the most attention to his work.

Each of them inherited expectations they never asked for. For some, it became a matter of filling shoes that were impossible to fill. For others, it became about preserving a legacy that existed long before they were born. Eventually, every child of a cultural icon reaches the same crossroads. Can they ever become their own person in the eyes of an audience that still sees their parents first?

That’s why Blue Ivy has been so fascinating to watch in real time. If we’re being honest, she may carry the greatest burden of anyone mentioned here. Being the daughter of Jay-Z and Beyoncé comes with a level of expectation that borders on impossible. And yet she’s navigated it remarkably well. Jay-Z recently described her as having perfect pitch and referred to her as a gifted pianist. She’s already earned songwriting credits and even won a Grammy before reaching her teenage years. But the most revealing moment came during the Renaissance World Tour. When Blue first appeared on stage as a dancer, clips of her performance immediately became fodder for jokes online. A few shows later, those same conversations transformed into praise as audiences watched her improve in real time. The most compelling moment was the growth throughout these shows. Unlike many celebrity children before her, Blue Ivy has largely been allowed to develop her abilities before being asked to carry the weight of her family’s legacy.

That’s ultimately what separates North West, Lil Novi, and Blue Ivy from many of the rap heirs who came before them. The difference isn’t talent. It’s timing. They were born during a period when the culture itself was changing. Their generation doesn’t organize itself around gatekeepers in the same way previous generations did. It doesn’t obsess over preserving tradition for tradition’s sake, nor does it necessarily view artistic success as a replication of the past.

As products of internet culture, they’ve built identities through communities, aesthetics, and influences that often extend beyond geography or lineage. What’s refreshing is that none of them feel obligated to reject what their parents accomplished, nor do they seem interested in recreating it. They’re acknowledging those legacies while moving in their own direction. Frankly, they may become the first generation of rap heirs whose success won’t be measured by how closely they resemble their parents.

Although much of it has been documented, North West and Lil Novi never lived through their parents’ legacies the way older generations did. They know the stories, they’ve seen the footage, and they’ve inherited the names. But they didn’t experience those moments in real time. That’s probably why they seem so comfortable moving in entirely different directions. Trying to fill their parents’ shoes doesn’t benefit them, even if it’s a burden they’ll inevitably carry. The children of hip-hop royalty may never escape their parents’ shadows but North West’s generation seems far less interested in living inside them.

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