Happy Birthday Hip Hop, on this day 50 years ago the party started with Kool Herc at 1520 Sedgwick. In those years since, we have seen hip hop blossom from the neighborhood house party into some of the biggest music festivals in 2023. To go from a genre that many wrote off as a novelty trend; Hip Hop has evolved with a diversity of artist shaping the community.

For the next 50 years one constant that I hope to see continued in Hip Hop is the genre’s resiliency to address social issues. Having spent my early childhood years listening to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” and N.W.A.’s “F___ the Police,” these songs stayed with me and made me aware of the social ills that were happening in and around the community I was in.

Another thing that I hope to see in the genre is more African American ownership. Having a genre that has consisted of a majority of black artist; I find it frustrating to say the least to see so few of us as the eco, board director, and talent scouts that help develop and curate the genre that has been rooted in African American culture. In short, Hip Hop’s first 50 years have been great, and I look forward to the next 50 years to see what it may bring.

Reason – Porches

Top Dawg Records has been around for some time now. As one of the most successful rap labels of the 2010’s, the label has pushed to reshape the face of the label when they signed the young Del Amo rapper Reason. Coming out the shadows of Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock was a new emerging West Coast rhymesayer.

Porches is the second major release from Reason with his New Beginnings debut dropping in 2020. Recently, Reason voiced his frustrations about his release date and features for his release on the podcast Back on Figg. Normally I don’t talk about drama in hip hop but because this was surrounding a topic that is often had I would like to know, what does successful album look like? Does it require features, dope production, dope bars, or something else? Anyhow, go listen to Reason’s new album.

Reason Porches


New Music Friday: Reason, Noname, and Humble Sole,

Happy Birthday Hip Hop, on this day 50 years ago the party started with Kool Herc at 1520 Sedgwick. In those years since, we have seen hip hop blossom from the neighborhood house party into some of the biggest music festivals in 2023. To go from a genre that many wrote off as a novelty trend; Hip Hop has evolved with a diversity of artist shaping the community.

For the next 50 years one constant that I hope to see continued in Hip Hop is the genre’s resiliency to address social issues. Having spent my early childhood years listening to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” and N.W.A.’s “F___ the Police,” these songs stayed with me and made me aware of the social ills that were happening in and around the community I was in.

Another thing that I hope to see in the genre is more African American ownership. Having a genre that has consisted of a majority of black artist; I find it frustrating to say the least to see so few of us as the eco, board director, and talent scouts that help develop and curate the genre that has been rooted in African American culture. In short, Hip Hop’s first 50 years have been great, and I look forward to the next 50 years to see what it may bring.

Reason – Porches

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Top Dawg Records has been around for some time now. As one of the most successful rap labels of the 2010’s, the label has pushed to reshape the face of the label when they signed the young Del Amo rapper Reason. Coming out the shadows of Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock was a new emerging West Coast rhymesayer.

Porches is the second major release from Reason with his New Beginnings debut dropping in 2020. Recently, Reason voiced his frustrations about his release date and features for his release on the podcast Back on Figg. Normally I don’t talk about drama in hip hop but because this was surrounding a topic that is often had I would like to know, what does successful album look like? Does it require features, dope production, dope bars, or something else? Anyhow, go listen to Reason’s new album.Reason Porches

Noname – Sundial

Noname who has been off the hip hop scene is back with a new project titled Sundial. The eleven track project features guest appearances from Jay Electronica, Billy Woods, Eryn Allen Kane, Common Jimetta Rose, and Ayoni. Take a listen below to her new album.

Humble Soles – Humble Soles

Just in time for Hip Hop’s birthday, Roc Nation and Puma have collaborated on a a new mixtape hosted by DJ Clue. The mixtape features several up and coming artist from Reuben Vincent, Guarded 400, RJAE, HDBeendope, Tyre Hakim, Tish, KenThemMan and Rapsody. Instead of giving you my favorite selections I rather you get into this like yesteryears and immerse yourself with the mixtape like it use to be.

Enforcer Fridays

Thanks for stopping by this week and make sure you check out the playlist for the rest of my song selections today.

Elvin Chambers
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