Letter from the editor

A key element about hip hop that sets it apart from any other culture/ industry of its kind is its _progression_.

[Biggie] was right when he said “you never thought that hip hop would take it this far”. Back in the 80s, hell even in the 90s we never thought hip hop would grow to the point where it could sit with investment titans like Warren Buffet and along with him reflect on success.

It used to break my heart when people would look at me as being childish or unrealistic when I’d share my aspiration of making it in hip hop well… that changed when I heard Jay-z say in track “My type a dreams seem dumb, they said wise up, how many guys aaaa you see making it from here, the world don’t like us, is that not clear... alright. But I’m different, I can’t base what I’m gonna I’m gonna be, off what everybody isn’t.” Those few lines have made a great impact in my life, I mean how dare you judge us (hip hop) when we have icons like Jay-z sitting as equals with highly respected men like Warren Buffet.  So be like me and dream big and never let anyone try tell you otherwise!!!!

So without further a due welcome to HI MY NAME IS HIP HOP the _April_ issue.

#Leboo CosMo (follow me on twitter @LebooCosmo)

Lupe Fiasco

Time to Dumb it down

Lupe Fiasco

From his first single “Kick Push” Lupe Fiasco instantly set himself apart from everybody else in the hip hop industry. 5 years later and his grown to be on of the most respected and talented rappers of our time. With his third album Lasers topping the charts, it’s only right that’s we get familiar with Lupe from his initiation to his rise and rise in hip hop and our hearts.

Big Sean

My last- Big Sean feat. Chris Brown

ProFahional

The scoop on whats poppin in the fashion world

Fashion icon

Kid Cudi

When it comes to naming one of hip hop’s most underrated fashion icons, Kid Cudi takes the crown. This young lad is one of the most styled up cats the game has, just look at the picture and tell me that aint style. Whether he is chilled down in skinny jeans and a pair of nerds or cleaned up in a cardigan and tie, Cudi’s style is a definite stand out. So it’s only right that this underrated lad is our fashion icon of the month.

Clothing label of the month

Last Kings

Last Kings is the new clothing label by Young Money rapper Tyga. The clothing line consists of t-shirts, hoodies, caps and college jackets. Tyga gave fans a sneak preview of the label’s college jackets, which if I may say look real dope. To get familiar with Last Kings, make sure you check Tyga out in the music video for “Like Me”, where he is spotted rocking his new label.

Must have of the month

Vans

Now this sneaker may have initially been a favourite amongst skaters but Vans have secretly found their way into hip hop and on our feet. They have surely become the must have sneakers for a hip hop closet. From male to female these shoes are a stunner and look real good on both sexes. Their come up could also be credited to the come back and rise of skinny jeans, which go perfect with a pair of Vans. Vans have been spotted being worn by hip hop cats like Lil Wayne, New Boys and Tyga, to mention a few. So hit up your closest sneaker store and get yourself laced up with a pair of Vans.

The download

Your scoop on the latest downloads when they drop

Tragedy (Lil Kim diss track) snippet- Nicki Minaj

DOWNLOAD

Real pimpin- Nicki Minaj

DOWNLOAD

The good son (part 1) - J.Cole  
DOWNLOAD

Jump- Wale

DOWNLOAD

600 Benz- Wale feat. Rick Ross and Jadakiss

DOWNLOAD

Reminded- Tyga ft Adele

DOWNLOAD

Jay-z

Decoding the day Jay-z met hip hop

His name was Slate and he was a kid I used to see around in the neighbourhood, an older kid who barely made an impression. In the circle, though, he was transformed like the church ladies touched by the spirit, and everyone mesmerized. He was rhyming, throwing out couplet after couplet like he was in a trance, for a crazy long time- thirty minutes straight off the top of his head, never losing the beat, riding the handclaps. 

Head Honcho

Head Honcho heads to Sportscene

One of South Africa’s freshest hip hop clothing lines, Head Honcho is finally going to be available to the masses. The Cape Town brand which is commonly worn by rappers AKA and Khuli Chana will from the 21^st of April 2011 be sold at Sportcene clothing stores countrywide. So make sho you hit up your nearest Sportscene store to get you some Head Honcho. Done. 

Snitchin

Your scoop on what’s poppin in the hip hop world

Lil Wayne admits his never listened to either Drake or Nicki Minaj’s albums

Lil Wayne shocked the music world when in an interview on Hot 97, the rapper admitted he has never listened to Pink Friday or Thank Me Later. The Young Money boss stated that he is so busy that he hasn’t had time to listen to either of the albums, however he has listen to Kanye West and Rick Ross’ albums.

Ill Skillz back on their 24 hour mission

Cape Townian rap duo Ill Skills are back on their grind. The rap duo which gave us an album/project of which they recorded in 24 hours is back at it again. They are currently in London working on their “Skillz That Pay Da Billz- 24 Hour Project”, which sees the duo recording another album in 24 hours. This is most def a project to look out for, so stay locked to HI MY NAME IS HIP HOP for more on the duo.

Wiz gets high on Amber Rose

Now we all know Wiz Khalifa loves his weed (kush) but now he has a new love, Kanye West’s famous ex Amber Rose. The two have recently come out in the open about their relationship and their feelings for one another with Wiz saying “She’s a great girl, she’s like one of the best girls in the world. I just want everybody to know how great she is...”.  With many people labeling Amber a fame whore who runs after rappers to get shine, time will only tell if this relationship will last.

Nate Dogg’s funeral

This past month hip hop mourned one of it veterans, Nate Dogg who passed away due to health related reasons. His funeral was held on Saturday 26^th March and saw thousands of Nate Dogg’s family, friends and fans gather to say their last goodbye’s to the 213 rapper. Amongst the attendees were Snoop Dogg and his wife, Dr Dre, Xzibit, Warren G, Game and many other hip hop icons. In memory of his late best friend, Snoop Dogg tatted a picture of Nate Dogg and the words “All dogs go to heaven” on his arm. The tatoo serves as a tribute to his former group member.

Meet the freshmen...

XXL magazine has published its annual Freshmen Class issue which class consists of upcoming rappers who are said to make their mark on the year ahead. This year’s class is made up of Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T, Cyhi The Prince, Lil Twist, Yelawolf, Fred the Godson, Mac Miller, YG, Lil B, Kendrick Lamar and Diggy Simmons. Every month on HI MY NAME IS HIP HOP we will showcase one of the rappers in the 2011 class, beginning with Mac Miller.

Mac Miller

Mac Miller is a 19 year old rapper from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. This young rapper is signed to the same record label as home state native Wiz Khalifa. In the past two years the kid has dropped 4 mixtapes including Jukebox, High Life, K.I.D.S and the most recent Best Day Ever, which was released on 11 March 2011 and features the single “Donald Trump”. The music video for single received 1 million views in its first week. So make sho you get familiar with Mac Miller and download his latest mixtape Best Day Ever.

DOWNLOAD

Muthaland scoop

Stepping in the shoes of Blaque

Thanks to technology and the creation of websites like Twitter, Reverbnation and Media fire, upcoming rappers are able to market themselves without a huge budget or a record label. Amongst these upcoming rappers/ rap groups is Blaque of whom I got familiar with through a BBM broadcast, broadcasting a link to download one of their tracks. Needless to say I downloaded the track and was impressed with what I heard. Blaque is a rap group from the east of Johannesburg and which consists of members Dellz, Geezy, Parley, Ric Priddy Ugly and Savio; for the first MUTHALAND SCOOP interview I hit them up to find out more about them and what their views on hip hop are.

1. When did you fall in love with hip hop?

We separately fell in love with hip hop when we were young. We each grew up in hip hop orientated environments, where we used to see kats ciphering on corners and at the shops. We always felt the need to join them, but they always referred to us as “too young”, so we never really got to participate until we all met each other.

Run DMC

King of rock- Run DMC

Album review

Rolling papers with Wiz Khalifa

Rolling Papers album review

Paper plane rapper Wiz Khalifa has recently released his debut album with record label Atlantic records. The album features hit singles “Black and Yellow” and “Roll Up” which features Bad Boy Records singer Cassie in the music video. Now the question I know you all want to know is whether the album is worth buying? Well here a critics rating round up:

Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+

 Rolling Stone magazine gave the album 3/5

USA Today gave the album a 2.5/4

In my opinion I find the ratings to indicate that the album deserves a fair listen and that the enjoyment of the album will be determined on a person’s discretion.

-Hip Hop

Thoughts on hip hop...

>>the brand<<

I find the [beauty] of hip hop in the power it posses, which is not limited to it’s music or its art, but is also felt in its {fashion}. Like the power a Nike sneaker has. The slogan says it all _“Just Do It”_.

Those words personally have [great value] to me and are a constant reminder to my dreams and I, that I must stop procrastinating and I must JUST DO IT. Hip hop has always just did it from rappers like Kanye West, Lil Wayne to Lupe Fiasco all these rappers JUST DO IT. Whatever it is they desire, they do what is necessary to get it.

So next time you strap up in your Nike sneaks remember to JUST DO IT, because you have the power to make your fantasy a reality.

-HIP HOP

Tyga

Hypnotized- Tyga