The first time you heard of him was probably back in November of 2022 with his now infamous open verse challenge. In the video, Dax is dressed up as the Joker. He’s doing so because he is inviting the audience to record an open verse that complements his song appropriately titled, “Joker.” The video is meant to be stitched, and as the beat continues, Dax just sits there, pretending a bottle of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce is a microphone, all while making some pretty gnarly facial expressions.

HotNewHipHop Video Essay

This video blew up and has over 15 million views on the TikTok platform. There are thousands of stitches to this video, and to this day, people are doing their own verses. Albeit mostly as parody. Why? Well, the whole Joker aesthetic is kind of a meme now. If you say that you relate to the Joker, people are just going to clown on you. It’s the same energy as those people who call themselves Sigma males, all while unironically envisioning themselves as a lone wolf in the wild.

However, it’s not just Dax’s aesthetic that lends to the widespread criticism. It’s also the way he raps and crafts his songs. His flows and lyrics have been deemed corny by the general public. It also doesn’t help that his beat selection is mostly abysmal. In fact, Dax isn’t really acknowledged by the average hip-hop listener. Instead, he is mostly an internet phenomenon. The last time we saw Dax get mainstream attention was back in 2019, when he was trying to go at Tory Lanez. Lanez, a fellow Canadian, acknowledged Dax online, but urged him to apologize for a recent diss track. Dax obliged, and he mostly became an afterthought.

But with the rise of social media, artists like Dax have been able to become provocateurs. Dax understands that people don’t like his music, and therefore, he leans into the gag more often than not. Even if he is taking himself 100 percent seriously, he still understands what’s going to go viral on social media. Whether that be overacting in his music videos, or being completely unhinged whenever he opens his mouth to rap.

Origins of Co-Worker Rap

But to say that Dax doesn’t have real fans would be a complete misread of the situation. In fact, it can be argued that Dax is the leader of a phenomenon that has been dubbed “co-worker music” and more specifically, “co-worker rap.”

“Co-worker rap” has existed for years at this point; however, it has never been given a proper name. The concept is simple. Imagine you’re in the break room at your job, and your least favorite co-worker comes in to eat lunch with you. They’re the type of co-worker who watches Andrew Tate videos on full blast without a care in the world. They are constantly ranting to you about how the world’s elites are all lizard people and that COVID-19 was a psy-op to make the population gay. Whenever they open their mouth, you’re forced to politely half-listen and wait for the perfect moment to get out of the conversation. Well, that very same co-worker would probably force you to watch a Dax music video all while saying “this guy is real rap, not that mumble crap.”

The Co-Worker Music Sound

What does co-worker music sound like? Well, it’s typically overdramatic for the sake of it. There is a very over-the-top in your face quality about it. There are no metaphors or unique allegories. Instead, everything is plainly explained to you. A great example is Dax’s “Joker,” in which he says things like “you’re in pain, you’re insane, I can tell by what you’re saying,” or “You leave a negative comment not knowing what you sew you will reap/I bet you smile when you post thinking you’re hurting me.” These lyrics are relatable enough for people to relate to it, but they’re also way too corny for an educated rap listener to think this is acceptable.

Another great example of the co-worker rap sound is an artist named “Chandler” who went viral for their song “Bubonic.” The snippet that went viral showcases “Chandler” shouting a bunch of nonsense before changing up his voice into a lower register that sounds downright demonic. He’s not saying anything of substance, but the bars are meme-worthy. The average person on TikTok takes this song as a joke. However, it becomes a co-worker song because there are people out there who would show you this song and tell you it’s fire, in complete earnest.

A Hatred of Mumble Rap

In simpler terms, co-worker rap can mostly be characterized by its absolute seething hatred for mumble rap. There is a contingent of casual rap listeners out there who absolutely despise mumble rap or anything with autotune. As a result, they find themselves enamored with artists who make “real rap.” Their rap fandom begins with Eminem, and it eventually branches out into artists like Dax, Chandler, Token, and even Tom McDonald. One could even make the argument that the forefather of the co-worker rap aesthetic is Hopsin.

One of my first experiences working in a warehouse was with a guy who pulled me aside to show me the Ill Mind of Hopsin on YouTube. The guy wanted to be a rapper himself, and was saying how Hopsin is the only rapper making “real music.” That he wasn’t making hedonistic rap music, and that he actually had a message. Of course, if you’ve listened to Hopsin, then you know that there was a time when most of his music was about how much he despised the current generation of rappers. He even made a song called “No Words” which is meant to be a parody of mumble rap. Ironically enough, it’s one of his best songs.

An Ode To Hopsin

During Hopsin’s prime, the co-worker music label hadn’t been invented yet. Not to mention, the TikTok attention economy had yet to be created. Even YouTube reactors and streamers were in their infancy. As a result, he never got to experience the height of co-worker rap virality. But for artists like Dax, Token, and many others, this new phenomenon has opened up massive opportunities. For instance, guys like Token are going all in on the co-worker music label, with freestyles that are self-referential.

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Whenever Dax, Chandler, or that AI bear named Civ drop a new song on social media, you can guarantee that the comments will be filled with people saying “co-worker music.” It’s become one of the biggest ongoing gags in music promotion, and it’s allowed these artists to take full advantage. What makes it even funnier, is that co-worker music is the furthest thing from a compliment. But it doesn’t matter. Chasing this sound has almost become a form of rage baiting. Without the sea of haters, it’s hard to imagine an artist like Dax hitting 17 million followers on TikTok.

Co-Worker Music Beyond Rap

It’s not just rap that is dealing with this phenomenon. There are plenty of other genres that have the co-worker music problem. AJR, Benson Boone, and Imagine Dragons are all examples on the pop side. Overdramatic songs that are trying to do way too much sonically to the point of parody. However, it is still oddly palatable enough for the average Facebook user to find deep and inspiring. Disturbed’s cover of “The Sound of Silence” is also a great example of this.

Now, in all fairness, the term “co-worker music” is a bit mean. It’s also extremely subjective. While you can point to a specific vibe, it’s also up to the person using the term to determine what they believe co-worker music to be. At this point, people use it as a stand-in for music that they don’t like. There are people who will look you dead in the eyes and say that Kendrick Lamar is co-worker music. Of course, this isn’t really true, but if someone’s made up their mind, you’ll have a hard time convincing them otherwise.

There will always be artists who grate on the ears of hardcore music fans, regardless of genre. In the rap world, it just so happens that artists like Dax, Hopsin, Token, and more, have been hit with the “lyrical miracle” label. Reaction YouTubers and TikTok comments have turned some of these artists into a running joke. Artists that only your annoying co-worker would enjoy. It’s unfortunate, but if you’re like Dax and you embrace the meme, then you too can become one of the biggest artists on TikTok.

The post Dax And The Viral Rise Of Co-Worker Music appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

HotNewHipHop has been delivering a plethora of video essays over the course of the last month or so. From Drake to Dave Blunts to Desiigner, we have been looking at key figures in the hip-hop world, and dissecting their moves, rises, and subsequent falls. It’s been a lot of fun, and we encourage all of our readers to check those out, as we will continue publishing new video essays, every two weeks.

Read More: Rare Times Kanye West Said He Was Sorry

HotNewHipHop Video Essay

As for the current topic of Travis Scott, he is certainly polarizing at this stage in his career. JACKBOYS 2 was heavily criticized upon its release. Furthermore, UTOPIA was nowhere close to the quality of albums like RODEO or even ASTROWORLD. With that in mind, it almost seems like a given that the artist will never reach his former heights of 2015. He is currently being counted out as a corporate rapper, someone who cares more about McDonald’s collaborations than the music itself.

Of course, a new solo project could completely change that. Fans want to see growth in his music, and he has an opportunity to provide that. Whether or not he pulls it off, still remains to be seen. However, there is no denying that there are legions of fans who are hoping he can do it.

Read More: The Politics Of 50 Cent & Ja Rule’s Beef: How Hip-Hop Mobilized Zohran Mamdani’s Victorious Mayoral Campaign

The post Travis Scott Will Never Make Another Album As Good As “Rodeo” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

HotNewHipHop Video Essay

On that very same cover stood other heavyweights. You had G-Herbo, who is still making phenomenal albums. Dave East has been doing his thing and still makes dope music. Anderson .Paak is an international superstar with massive hits. Lil Dicky, for all of his musical faults, has a TV show and is a comedian in his own right. There is one name on this list, however, that serves as a cautionary tale. Of course, that name is none other than Desiigner, the man behind hits like “Panda” and “Timmy Turner.”

Quite frankly, you cannot talk about 2016 without talking about Desiigner. You also can’t mention this year without delving into Kanye West’s avant-garde masterpiece, ‘The Life of Pablo.’ As many of you already know, Desiigner and T-LOP will forever be intertwined. In December of 2015, the aforementioned Panda was released to Soundcloud. The song eventually caught the attention of Ye, who would sign Desiigner to a deal with GOOD Music in February of 2016. Just days later, The Life of Pablo would be released, with “Panda” repurposed on the song “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 2.”

Immediately, the song’s infectious energy left fans in awe. From the beat to the bombastic ad-libs, it was clear that Desiigner had a hit record on his hands. Unfortunately, with this song came the artist’s first controversy…He sounded too much like Future. Years later, we can all look back on this era and clearly hear the differences between Desiigner and Future. But at the time, there were listeners who felt they were exactly the same. This led some to feel like Desiigner was just a cheap copy. An artist who was being made to chase someone else’s sound. Earlier singles like “Zombie Walk” were proof that Desiigner could be his own artist. But with “Panda” being the world’s introduction to the rapper, there were some concerns.

Despite these comparisons, “Panda” was able to separate itself from The Life of Pablo. Released as a single, “Panda” went on to become the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100. At the time, it even overtook Rihanna’s “Work,” which was quite the task in early 2016. To this day, “Panda” is a five-times platinum single that will still ring off at a club, purely off nostalgia alone.

This success took Desiigner all over the world, where he was being thrust into the spotlight. At this time, he was still incredibly raw, and audiences didn’t really know him beyond his hit single. As a result, his performances weren’t always well-received. While the artist himself had all of the energy in the world, people just wanted to hear “Panda.” At this stage, the objective was clear…get a second hit, and eventually release an album.

In June of 2016, Desiigner gave fans his very first mixtape, New English. Unfortunately, this project was only 11 tracks long and filled with undercooked ideas and 45-second songs. Sure, “Caliber” was a lot of fun, but there really wasn’t much by way of meat and potatoes here. Not to mention, the Future comparisons were coming back out in full force. The one-hit wonder allegations were growing louder, and just a few months into his career, Desiigner was on the ropes.

Thankfully, relief would be coming soon. Just a couple of days before dropping “New English,” Desiigner’s XXL Freestyle would drop. During this freestyle, Desiigner could be seen standing in a dark room, snapping to the non-existent beat while singing about the iconic Fairly Odd Parents character, Timmy Turner. This freestyle would go viral, and to this day, it has 15 million views.

A week later, a snippet would drop on social media, with some Mike Dean production beefing up the already-sticky melody. 

This snippet led to more virality and calls for the artist to drop the song. In late July of 2016, Desiigner came through, and once again, it felt as though the artist had a hit on his hands. Not to mention, he was on Kanye West’s “Champions” song, which featured heavyweights like Quavo, 2 Chainz, and even Travis Scott.

Unfortunately, this is where things truly began to get shaky for the artist. Finding another hit was no easy task. The same can be said for any artist, but when you have a hit like “Panda,” the pressure to perform is very real. In 2017, Desiigner tried to chase hits with songs like “Outlet,” and while they did somewhat decently, they weren’t hitting Billboard with that same fury that “Panda” did.

As 2017 went on, Desiigner found himself getting left behind as the rap world was focusing on other viral stars. XXXTentacion, Trippie Redd, and 6ix9ine were all gaining steam during this time. They were playlist darlings, and they also engaged in so many antics that it was impossible to keep the spotlight off of them. The clout era was in full swing, and Desiigner was nowhere to be found. 

Things would get even worse for the artist in 2018. After years of teasing the release of Life Of Desiigner, he would finally make good on his promise, albeit with very little help from GOOD Music. Remember. At the time, Kanye was going on a GOOD Music production spree. He dropped an album for himself, Pusha T, Nas, Kid Cudi, and even Teyana Taylor.

Just three months before that GOOD Music frenzy, Desiigner quietly dropped his own seven-track project, without any production from Kanye West. The now-disgraced legend had completely forgotten about the man who had given him a hit on The Life of Pablo just two years prior. What makes this even worse is that GOOD Music barely even acknowledged the album. The seven-track motif makes it seem like it was supposed to be part of GOOD Music’s epic June rollout. Instead, it received no promotion. It was buried in the dust as Ye made sure he himself was the center of attention.

Life of Desiigner subsequently came and went with very little fanfare. Just a year later, he would leave GOOD Music after dealing with mental health issues and a family situation. When seeking guidance from Kanye and his labelmates, he was met with silence, and he ultimately decided to do what was best for him.

For the next few years, Desiigner would drop a couple of EPs, but he wasn’t able to catch any big hits. 2023 is when things truly took a turn for the worse, and the once beloved rapper hit rock bottom. While flying from Tokyo to Minnesota, the artist was caught pleasuring himself in front of Delta Airlines flight attendants. He was then charged with indecent exposure. While he didn’t have to register as a sex offender, he did check himself into a mental health facility, and even apologized on social media.

However, once this happened, fans checked out on Desiigner, once and for all. When you do something so shocking, fans are immediately going to recoil. We’ve seen it with Diddy, R. Kelly, and many others. While Desiigner’s situation isn’t on the same scale, it is still severe enough that the incident immediately comes up whenever you mention the rapper’s name.

Since the Delta Airlines fiasco, Desiigner has put out a full-length project called ii and there is even a decently large hit on it called “Money Time.” The song has one million views on YouTube and acts as a glimmer of hope for Desiigner’s future. 

Unfortunately, his story is one that we see all too often in not just hip-hop but the music industry as a whole. He had a massive number one hit that was universally beloved. However, industry pressures left his mental health in ruins. The vulturistic industry had no interest in helping. All they wanted was another hit. Peers and mentors like Kanye West chose not to help him. Instead, they looked the other way. He was chewed up and spat back out, only to be left to pick up the pieces. It goes to show that they can build you up just as quickly as they break you down.

Hopefully, the masses don’t see Desiigner as a one hit wonder. He had Panda, Timmy Tuner, and Outlet. Before he got popular with Panda, songs like Zombie Walk showed us that Desiigner truly does have a unique voice. A voice that could be welcomed back with open arms someday. In today’s world, one big hit on TikTok can change everything.

Comeback Season

In fact, a comeback seems likelier than ever right about now. Earlier this week, a new freestyle dropped on Instagram, that featured Desiigner rapping over some traditional production. He completely ditched his previous sound, and came through with some bars and some flows that we had never heard before. This had listeners in complete shock, but in the best way possible. This is a level of talent that Desiigner has never shown us before.

Not to mention, he dropped a song called “Talking To Jesus” which has a similar vibe. These two drops are proof that Desiigner could make a major comeback. If he doubles and triples down on this sound, the fans are going to come back in droves. Everyone loves to see growth, and these releases are a perfect demonstration of that.

Whether or not Desiigner is able to capitalize on this newfound adoration, still remains to be seen. However, the artist has never been this close to fully entering the public consciousness again. He has people genuinely rooting for him now, and we can imagine just how motivating this must be. There was a time when a Desiigner comeback seemed like a laughable proposition. Now, it almost feels like inevitability.

The post Desiigner’s Tragic Downfall Is On The Verge Of Becoming An Epic Comeback Story appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Dave Blunts Video Essay

Unfortunately, for the rap purists out there, 6ix9ine’s tactics actually worked. Whenever he dropped a single, you could expect it to dominate the charts. Even if the song only lasted one week on Billboard, 6ix9ine would use this as a marketing tactic. Three for three on Billboard became five for five on Billboard. Once he went eight for eight, it felt like he was an unstoppable force.

In fact, one could compare this era of rap to the Crypto bubble of 2021. Everyone was eating. If you could stir up controversy, you could get sales. Artists who are now a footnote in rap’s history, could sell 100,000 copies in their first week. It was a great time to be a rapper. If you were some sort of viral sensation, you probably considered jumping on the bandwagon to make music. KSI, the Backpack Kid, and Bhad Bhabie are all perfect examples of this. 

But once 6ix9ine went to prison on RICO charges, the clout era came to an unceremonious end. His antics were no longer all over social media, and people just kind of stopped caring about artists who use gimmicks to sell their music. Then COVID happened and no one was going outside. The possibilities for said antics had completely gone by the wayside. As a result, the clout era was officially over.

Now, rap isn’t having the same chart success as it used to. The cultural zeitgeist has shifted over to country music. This, unfortunately, has led to a bit of a renaissance for the clout era. Artists are trying to do everything they can for fans to care. This means marketing tactics have become more extreme. However, what separates this version of the clout era from the previous one, is the fact that the clout chasing methods appear in the music as opposed to outside of the music. 6ix9ine’s music, as obnoxious as it may have been, was distanced from the things that he would espouse on social media. But in this day and age, the music itself, is the clout chase.

There is no better example of this then Iowa’s own, Dave Blunts. Immediately, the rapper stands out due to his frame. At over 600 pounds, many have made the claim that without his appearance, he wouldn’t be the sensation that he is. To be fair to Dave Blunts, that is not all the way true. His music is genuinely shocking. His song titles, lyrics, and innuendos are meant to get attention. In fact, they’re so blatant, that even Kanye West had to pay homage.

But let’s go back to the beginning. How did Dave Blunts became the leader of rap’s new clout era? His story begins with the 2023 project, Bigger Than I Ever Was. The song titles on this album give you some real insight into the kind of artist we are dealing with here. Immediately, we see titles like “Snap Benefits” and “pronouns part 2.” The man is making a political statement, and we haven’t even delved into the lyrics. Perhaps the most egregious title here is “EDP” which is a reference to the Philadelphia Eagles YouTuber who was part of an alleged predator sting.

All of this just scratches the surface of Blunts’ antics. In 2024, he dropped another project called I Would Like To See You Try which features his first truly viral hit, “Crying in the Kitchen.” The song was so big that in May of 2024, Dave Blunts was able to secure an On The Radar performance. With 2.5 million views, this is where the public consciousness became fully aware of the lows Blunts was willing to stoop to in his music. There is on particular barrage of lyrics in this song in which the artist attempts to be as shocking as possible in almost a combo-like fashion. He begins by referring to himself with the hard R n-word before delving into women who self harm, Jewish people, Hitler, and pedophiles. It’s almost as if he is trying to hit the high score of taboo topics.

The problem is, when you present yourself this way, you are forced to one up yourself until the gimmick no longer works. On his 2024 album If I Could I Would, Blunts delivers a track called “Bundle of Sticks.” For those who may not get the reference, a bundle of sticks can also be referred to as a word that is commonly used as a slur towards gay people. 

You can’t talk about Blunts without also mentioning his biggest hit, “The Cup.” This song is synonymous with the Dave Blunts gimmick. It’s about lean addiction, but done in a way that is more parody than reality. For months prior to this track’s release, Blunts would always be on camera holding a double styrofoam cup. The insinuation was that he was constantly sipping on lean. However, the vast majority of the time, it appeared as though the cup was empty. Almost as if Blunts was grifting off drug addiction. Pair that with a purple tracksuit that says “Dave Blunts’ Purple Stuff,” and it becomes clear what is going on here. Once again, it’s proof that Blunts is using his music and his entire aesthetic to clout chase. Without these inflammatory lyrics and offensive for the sake of being offensive marketing tactics, would we even know who Dave Blunts is? Without these elements, he would simply be another Juice WRLD clone.

The music video for this song went incredibly viral, with Blunts amassing over five million views. In this attention economy, that is well worth the antics. The video instantly became a meme, with clips spreading on social media like wildfire. Despite his middling success on platforms like Spotify, Blunts was successfully being astroturfed onto our feeds. 

Another great example of this was his concerts in which he would sit down on a couch and breathe through an oxygen mask. These performances would catch the eyes of Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent, the latter of whom would be the subject of a scathing Dave Blunts diss track.

All of this leads us to the climax of Dave Blunts’ musical grift, which was a seat at the Kanye West writers table. Oh how the mighty have fallen. A once legendary titan of hip-hop, who used to work with Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, and Common, found himself singing Dave Blunts’ lyrics, without a shred of irony.

The first example of this was the track “Cousins,” which was an absolute abomination. If you forgot, let us remind you. This song features Kanye West singing about giving his cousin fellatio as a teenager. When the song came out, fans were stunned and appalled. Given the rapper’s obsession with Nazism, they shouldn’t have been. That said, when it was revealed that Dave Blunts wrote the song, the internet collectively came together and said, “yeah you know what that actually makes a lot of sense.”

That wouldn’t be the last time Blunts would break new ground with Kanye. Remember the song “Heil Hitler…” Yeah, Blunts wrote that too. In a now-infamous clip on social media, Ye even wanted Dave Blunts to rap over a “gas chamber song.” It was the type of absurdity you would find on the darkest corners of the internet. Whether that be a 4chan thread or a Nick Fuentes comments section.

Recently, Blunts actually cut Kanye off, claiming that he wants to forge his own path. Blunts then went on to drop a diss track against Kanye, claiming that he was groomed into becoming a Nazi and hating Jewish people. At the height of Kanye’s manic Nazism, Blunts swooped in to reap the rewards. It was the biggest look his career could have gotten, and now, he’s ready to wipe his hands clean and go in a different direction. Proof once again that what Dave Blunts is doing is a grift. Whatever helps his career the most is what he is going to do. If it hurts some marginalized communities in the process, well, that’s just the cost of doing business.

The clout era of yesterday is not the same as the clout era of today. Artists like 6ix9ine used to put themselves in harms way. His words could have gotten himself killed. Dave Blunts, on the other hand, is willing to go out and praise one of the worst dictators in human history, just for a bit more clout. It’s a dangerous precedent, and in today’s attention-obessed environment, we can only imagine that things are going to get worse. Hopefully, time proves us wrong.

The post Dave Blunts: The Rapper Who Has Become Hip-Hop’s Most Desperate Edgelord appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

In the video, Thug paints a picture of loneliness that feels almost too real. The clip opens with him sitting in a strip club surrounded by people, yet looking completely detached. It shows him lost in his thoughts while the party rages on. As the scene transitions to a dimly lit church, Thug trades bottles for Bible verses, kneeling in prayer as the chorus echoes: “I need real love in my face / Peace and blessings on my face / Let my love spread, this ain’t a phase / Blaming Jesus off of my faith.”

Read More: Young Thug Says He Doesn’t Feel Like A Man If His Woman Needs A Therapist

Young Thug Releases “Blaming Jesus” Music Video

Lyrically, “Blaming Jesus” finds Thug wrestling with guilt and heartbreak, admitting his flaws as a partner. He sings on the track: “Baby, I’m sorry, okay / Just say you love me, okay? / You’re stayin’, I’ll be okay / You tired of me, okay.” The vulnerability hits harder given everything Thug has been through. From public relationship drama to his long-awaited release following his major legal battles.

Fans have been quick to connect the dots, speculating that “Blaming Jesus” may have been inspired by Young Thug’s ex, Mariah the Scientist. Earlier this month, Thug revealed on a livestream with Adin Ross that the two had officially split. The admission followed a string of leaked jail phone calls in which Thug confessed to cheating on Mariah the day before his arrest. He later admitted to downplaying the situation when she confronted him about it.

In recent weeks, Thug has opened up more than usual during interviews, offering glimpses into his emotional state and personal growth since his release. “Blaming Jesus” feels like a continuation of that honesty. It remains to be seen if Thug will release more visuals from the project. In the meantime, it seems like fans have plenty of content from Thug to dive into while they wait.

Read More: Young Thug Raises Eyebrows After Saying Rap Beefs Are Why He Can’t Recreate A “So Much Fun” Moment

The post Young Thug Gets Real About Love, Loss & Redemption In New “Blaming Jesus” Visual appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Below is the first episode in our new series of video essays. Check back every Thursday for a new video.

HotNewHipHop Video Essay

For the better part of a decade, the feud between Drake and Kendrick was mostly left dormant. While subliminal shots were taken, there was no real threat of an all out nuclear war. Of course, that all changed on March 22nd of 2024 when Kendrick Lamar appeared on Future and Metro Boomin‘s “Like That.” It was here where he went at both Drake and J. Cole for proclaiming their prominence as the top two in the Big Three. In the weeks that followed, Drizzy would respond with “Push Ups” and the ill-advised AI troll-fest that was “Taylor Made Freestyle.”

However, the dynamics shifted on April 30th with the release of “Euphoria,” Kendrick’s sprawling 6-minute epic in which he attacks Drake’s manipulative tactics, his cultural shortcomings, and his questionable taste in women, among other things. By that Friday, the entire hip-hop world was waiting for Drake’s response, a response that would be goaded by Lamar’s IG exclusive “6:16 In LA,” a song that played into Drizzy’s paranoia.

That night, “Family Matters” was released, and it had Kendrick on the ropes. However, 45 minutes later, K. Dot would punch back harder with “Meet The Grahams,” leaving fans and social media in shambles. A day later, “Not Like Us” delivered the knockout punch. A song so undeniable that it won five Grammys over the weekend, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. While Drake tried to downplay Lamar’s allegations on “The Heart Part 6,” the damage was already done.

By May 6th, a winner had been declared and it was obviously Kendrick Lamar. However, Drake’s loss would set off months long chain reactions that are still being felt today. Chief among them were his lawsuits against UMG. Perhaps a last-ditch effort to save himself from the embarrassment of defeat. The first alleged that the company was using bots to promote “Not Like Us” as a way to potentially undermine his career and eventually undercut him in negotiations. Subsequently, Drake filed another petition, this time alleging defamation.

However, the evidence being used by Drake was shaky to say the least. When held to even the most minute scrutiny, some of the arguments immediately fell apart. It made Drake’s lawsuit immediately feel like a desperate plea for acceptance. An underdog story that could never come to fruition.

A great example of this comes from Jeremy Hecht of HipHopDX, who was wrapped up in this mess. His own reporting was used as quote-unquote evidence in Drake’s petition, albeit incorrectly. Drake alleged that Apple’s Siri was directing people to the song “Not Like Us” whenever users would ask Siri to play Certified Lover Boy. However, this was not as malicious as one may assume. Instead, Siri was simply going off of lyrics, and it just so happens that “Certified Lover Boy” is a lyric in “Not Like Us.” Hecht was one of the first to discover this phenomenon, and his video eventually went viral. That said, he couldn’t help but feel a bit slighted by Drake trying to use his reporting as propaganda. HotNewHipHop even interviewed Jeremy about the situation back in January.

“I was like ‘how are you gonna include one part of my video but not include the debunking video where I literally showcase the technology that made it so that happened.’ So whether or not that was on purpose from Spotify or Apple’s end, you can see in the second video where it actually came from and what the lyrical technology was in order to do that. So I just felt kind of like not used, but I was like, ‘I’m just going to be part of this, don’t use me as propaganda.’”

On top of all of this, the hip-hop community was absolutely livid with Drake for trying to tear down the fabric of hip-hop. Rap beef is supposed to be lawless. There are no rules of engagement. Suing for defamation because you lost is seen as weak. It’s as if you’re taking your ball, destroying it, and then going home. If UMG were to lose on the defamation side, it could create a horrible precedent for rap beefs as a whole, and the genre, point blank period. When speaking with YouTuber and hip-hop artist Scru Face Jean about the lawsuit, he was quick to go off on Drake for his audacity.

“So, I didn’t like either of them, right? But the first one, I think they were both very insulting. There are certain people who tried to defend the first one. They’re like, ‘No, this is for the little man. He’s doing this to be like, we’re going to break the industry. Drake is really the savior of all the little men.’ And I was just like, I don’t understand how people are seeing it like that. I understand they’re trying to protect Drake as a last ditch effort. But if you look at that petition, it was basically telling people that if you like ‘Not Like Us,’ you don’t really like ‘Not Like Us.’”

For months, UMG and Drake would go back and forth in court without much progress. UMG filed a motion to dismiss, and they had to wait a while before they got an answer. However, on October 9th, Drake’s defamation suit was dismissed. Judge Jeannette Vargas was powerful with her statement, claiming that rap battles are “wars of words” and that it is silly to think the general public actually thought that Drake was a pedophile. She also said both artists participated in offensive accusations, and therefore, Drake has no case.

“The artists’ seven-track rap battle was a ‘war of words’ that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse,” the judge wrote. “Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff.”’

And that was the problem with this lawsuit from the very beginning. If you go and listen to Family Matters, you will quickly realize that Drake was accusing Kendrick Lamar of all sorts of inflammatory things. From domestic violence, to colorism, to Dave Free being the real father of his children. These were all accusations that could have ruined Kendrick’s reputation. In “Euphoria,” Lamar warned Drake not to make it personal because if he did, he would drag them both to hell. Drake refused to listen, and “Meet The Grahams” and “Not Like Us” happened.

Drake’s defamation lawsuit was doomed to fail. Defamation is extremely difficult to prove. Not to mention, this lawsuit was the first of its kind, and it was hard to imagine a judge allowing this to go all the way to the wire. While Drake and his legal team can appeal the decision in federal court, once again, it’s hard to fathom that changing anything. Both artists tried to inflict maximum harm on their opponent, and Kendrick won. While some may find that Kendrick played dirty, it’s not like we haven’t seen something like this before. Every rap beef in history has come with some sort of mudslinging. Imagine if Jay-Z had sued Nas or vice versa?

Even if Drake had won the lawsuit, it would still have been a net negative for his career. Sure, you get a quick victory against UMG, but you also lose the respect of your peers. You lose the respect of hip-hop as a whole. You change the genre forever, for the worse. Rappers no longer engage in rap beef for fear of legal repercussions. It’s like nuking the entire world, winning the war, but there is nothing left of the planet. You win, but at what cost?

Hopefully, now that this is behind both artists, they can just focus on their own separate crafts. Drake is looking to drop Iceman, while Kendrick Lamar is probably about to reinvent himself, as he always does. The battle is over, and it should stay that way.

The post Drake’s “Not Like Us” Lawsuit Was Doomed From The Start appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Furthermore, it is important to point out that PARTYNEXTDOOR is one of the biggest highlights here. His vocals are buttery smooth all over the record, and the solo tracks are some of the major standouts. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the artist would want to drop a $$$ film of his own. That is exactly what he did on Tuesday, and so far, fans are loving it.

Below, you can find a 10-minute film which is an amalgamation of three music videos. The songs include here are “When He’s Gone,” “OMW,” and “Somebody Loves Me.” The visuals here are dark and moody, which makes sense given the R&B aesthetics.

Read More: Numerous Kendrick Lamar Songs Leak Online, Including Baby Keem Reference Tracks

$$$ Film – PARTYNEXTDOOR

PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake have a ton of chemistry, and that was certainly on display on $$$4U. Moving forward, we will likely receive solo works from both artists. Coming of PND 4, we imagine the singer will be looking to continue to elevate his craft.

Meanwhile, Drake is currently in the midst of the ICEMAN rollout, which has no real end in sight. Some felt as though the project could come out in October, but that doesn’t seem likely right now. Instead, a December or perhaps even New Year release could very well be on the table.

That said, when it comes to PARTYNEXTDOOR and this new $$$ film, it becomes clear that the artist still very much believes in his work. He is doubling down, and understands that the diehard fans have been riding for this album for months. It just goes to prove that the best rollouts continue well after the album has released.

Read More: Nas Responds To Winning New York’s Casino War Against Jay-Z

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But they didn’t miss a beat once on the 13-song set, creating the ultimate comeback album. Of course, fans love the bangers such as “So Be It,” “Chains & Whips,” and “Ace Trumpets.” But the duo surprised and touched the hearts of many with the opening track.

That would be “The Birds Don’t Sing” which features John Legend and choir group Voices of Fire. It hit home with a lot of listeners for its earnest and emotional songwriting about their late parents. They passed away just several months apart from one another, with their mom in November 2021 and their father in March 2022.

It speaks to their deep love for their folks, who sounded like hard-working and loving people. Clipse have never been known to write songs so personal, but it was executed to perfection. Bars like, “Your car was in the driveway, I knew you were home / By the third knock, a chill ran through my bones / The way you missed Mama, I guess I should’ve known / Chivalry ain’t dead, you ain’t let her go alone,” still hit hard.

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Clipse Vatican Performance

Now, Clipse has decided to release a music video to match this love letter to their folks. It’s out now and can be found above. In the five-minute visual, they perform their verses back inside their childhood home in Virginia Beach.

We also see some profound imagery that resembles the strength and connectedness their family has despite losing them. The very first shot shows this as Pusha T‘s son Nigel places flowers at the grave of his grandparents.

If the song didn’t make you tear up, the music alongside this visual will.

It arrives not too long after Clipse performed the track at The Vatican, the first rappers to ever grace the stage there.

Read More: ILoveMakonnen Opens Up About Drake, OVO, & Regrets

The post Clipse Pay Emotional Visual Tribute To Their Parents With “The Birds Don’t Sing” Music Video appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

In the black-and-white music video, Thugger and Metro mask up and don lavish outfits while various women flaunt their figures in a warehouse and other random location. It’s not anything you haven’t seen before, but some interesting angles, editing choices, and juxtapositions yield a bit of detail for those digging in.

We will see if the Atlanta artist decides to drop more visuals from this new LP, on which many other tracks have caused discussion… For reasons good and bad. “Ninja” raised many eyebrows for its lyrical controversy, “Whaddup Jesus” contained a hatchet burial with YFN Lucci, and “On The News” saw him join forces with Cardi B just a week after avoiding a sales war with her. Regardless of what the specific topic is, we still have a lot of days ahead of us for fans to really assess their UY SCUTI thoughts.

Read More: Young Thug Says He Doesn’t Feel Like A Man If His Woman Needs A Therapist

Young Thug UY SCUTI

However, all of this discussion is also getting Young Thug in his feelings. He recently took to Twitter to reflect some more on his emotions after already revealing a lot in new interviews.

“If I didn’t have kids I wouldn’t care to live,” one of Thug’s posts read. “I did a lot of taking up for people all over this world, and so far I’ve yet to see someone take up for me. […] I feel like I’m not winning with the people I’m suppose to be winning with.”

Meanwhile, UY SCUTI‘s streaming success might manifest into some big first week numbers, although it’s too early to tell yet. Maybe this “F***ing Told U” music video is one of a few things that will help boost the performance throughout the near future.

While other highlights and debated tracks ring out, “F***ing Told U” is one of the bangers evoking old-school material. After all, it’s Metro and Thugger.

Read More: Young Thug Raises Eyebrows After Saying Rap Beefs Are Why He Can’t Recreate A “So Much Fun” Moment

The post Young Thug & Metro Boomin Get Sneaky In New “F***ing Told U” Music Video appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The media furthered this speculation by bringing it up interviews. For example, last July, Ice Spice expressed her confusion with Latto and why she seemingly had a problem with her. “I feel like if we ever spoke and I asked her ‘What’s the issue?’ it’d be like a blank stare. It’d really be no issue whatsoever. Especially from me.”

She added, “I can understand a friendly competition, but I feel like at this point it’s a joke that she’s just dragged out, and it’s not even funny.” But with neither artist really having anything outwardly nice to say about the other, the rumors were seemingly confirmed.

But pretty much out of nowhere, Latto brought on her New York contemporary for an all-out booty shaking anthem this week with “GYATT.” It initially released on Tuesday, September 2 alongside Big Mama’s previous single “Somebody.”

Its lyrical content is just what you would expect for a title like this one. But instead of a drill beat, Spice raps over Latto’s usual Memphis/Atlanta soundscape.

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Latto & Ice Spice Beef

They both slide over it quite well bringing some funny punchlines to the table. Speaking of the beat, it does slap, so shout-outs go to Pooh Beatz, RIOTUSA, Go Grizzly, Cheeze Beatz, and SupaKaine.

They also brought it to life an in an inventive way with a WWE-inspired visual. They use the beef angle to their advantage as both femcees enter the ring for a twerk off. JaNa Craig, Key Glock’s rumored boo, makes an appearance as an interviewer during a press conference before their “fight.”

However, instead of one rapper being crowned the winner, the “judges” call it a tie. Overall, symbolism is used to great effect as they have now squashed whatever differences they had.

Both also made an appearance on Kai Cenat’s stream yesterday as part of his Mafiathon 3 subathon. Just like the music video, they put on a bootylicious show for his viewers while their collab played in the background.

Read More: Exhibit A: Criminal Court Cases That Put Rap Lyrics On Trial

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