XXL has revealed its highly anticipated 2023 freshman class, showcasing 12 emerging stars in the hip-hop genre. The annual list, unveiled on Wednesday, features a diverse group of artists: Finesse2tymes, Lola Brooke, Rob49, Fridayy, GloRilla, 2Rare, SleazyWorld Go, Central Cee, Real Boston Richey, Luh Tyler, TiaCorine and DC The Don.
This year's announcement carries extra significance as it precedes the upcoming 50th anniversary of hip-hop in August. Reflecting on the genre's evolution over the past five decades, the hip-hop magazine compares the birth of hip-hop to the formation of a diamond, with artists selected for the 2023 freshman class embodying the current essence of the genre's sound.
These rising stars stand alongside past XXL freshmen such as J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Travis Scott, Lil Durk, Lil Uzi Vert and Megan Thee Stallion, aiming to make their mark on hip-hop's history. In the coming weeks, XXL will release a series of content, including freestyles, cyphers, and interviews, providing a platform for each freshman to showcase their talent.
Fans eager to dive into the Freshman issue can expect it to hit stands on July 18. In addition to introducing the 2023 class and featuring groundbreaking producer Pi'erre Bourne, who crafted the beats for this year's cyphers, the issue includes interviews with acclaimed artists such as Lil Baby, NLE Choppa, Boosie BadAzz, Toosii, DDG, Saba and others.
Readers will also find insights into the current activities of the 2022 XXL Freshman Class, as well as stories covering hip-hop's affinity for golfing, the emergence of rookie artists and a compilation of the best A.I. hip-hop songs released to date.
Dr. Dre to receive inaugural Hip-Hop Icon Award from ASCAP.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Rhythm & Soul department will honor multi-platinum-selling producer and artist Dr. Dre with the inaugural ASCAP Hip-Hop Icon Award.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the music licensing group announced that the eight-time Grammy Award winner will receive the award, which recognizes ASCAP members who have made a lasting impact on the art and culture of hip-hop, during Thursday's ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards Celebration of 50 Years of Hip-Hop in Los Angeles.
Paul Williams, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President, praised the selection, stating, "Dr. Dre's groundbreaking early work laid a foundation for hip-hop as we know it today. As a champion for some of today's biggest artists and a successful entrepreneur, he changed the culture around hip-hop."
Williams added, "Dre continues to be a pivotal figure in the music industry, and we are thrilled to recognize him with the inaugural ASCAP Hip-Hop Icon Award as we mark 50 years of hip-hop."
Dr. Dre, an award-winning artist, producer, founder, and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning decades. He started as a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru before co-founding the groundbreaking group N.W.A.
In 1992, the Compton, California native launched his solo career with the release of his debut album, "The Chronic." The album achieved triple platinum certification from the RIAA, reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200, and earned Dr. Dre a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance with the hit track "Let Me Ride."
Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment has played a crucial role in discovering and nurturing hip-hop superstars such as 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak and Eminem. Additionally, his collaboration with Jimmy Iovine led to the establishment of Beats Electronics in 2008, followed by the launch of Beats Music. Both ventures were acquired by Apple in 2014.
Beyond music, Dr. Dre's accomplishments extend to other creative endeavors. His contributions to the HBO docuseries "The Defiant Ones" earned him a Grammy and an Emmy. Furthermore, the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent secured three Emmy Awards.
In 2013, Dr. Dre collaborated with Jimmy Iovine to establish the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation. Last year, their efforts expanded to the Los Angeles Unified School District with the opening of the Iovine and Young Center (IYC) Integrated Design, Technology and Entrepreneurship (IDTE) Magnet, a high school offering cutting-edge curriculum to students.
Raphael Saadiq unveiled a momentous revelation on Tuesday. With an absence spanning close to a quarter-century, the revered R&B ensemble Tony! Toni! Toné! is poised for a renaissance.
Saadiq, a sonic maestro, and his cohorts—his brother D'Wayne Wiggins and Timothy Christian Riley—emerged as architects of musical ingenuity, fundamentally shaping the hip-hop and soul soundscape of the 1990s.
Their upcoming "Just Me & You Tour," an auditory odyssey orchestrated by Live Nation Urban, marks an extraordinary resurrection for Tony! Toni! Toné!, a testament to their musical legacy.
The highly-anticipated tour is scheduled to commence on Sept. 21 at the BJCC Concert Hall in Birmingham, AL. From there, Tony! Toni! Toné! will embark on a coast-to-coast journey, gracing major markets including New York, Chicago, Nashville, TN, and Los Angeles.
The tour will culminate with two performances in the Bay Area: at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, CA, on Nov. 14, and The Masonic in San Francisco on Nov. 17.
Tony! Toni! Toné! burst onto the musical landscape of the late 1980s, mesmerizing audiences with an alchemical fusion of R&B, funk and soul. Their audacious and groundbreaking new jack swing compositions served as a transformative force, ushering in the heralded era of neo-soul that would indelibly define the melodious tapestry of the 1990s.
Songs like "Feels Good," "Anniversary," and "It Never Rains (In Southern California)" became popular anthems, captivating a generation and etching the group's name onto the hallowed walls of musical history.
Yet, despite their meteoric ascent, the ensemble eventually disbanded, leaving a void in the hearts of their devout followers, who longed for a reunion.
Now Saadiq is answering that call and fulfilling their wishes.
"I've always wanted to put my family back together," Saadiq said in a statement. "Playing with the Tonys again is a thank you to the fans, the Super Tonians, for supporting all my musical efforts. Without those who were with us from Day One, where would I be? But the main reason is that my father, Charlie Wiggins, would've wanted it this way–to see me, D'Wayne, and Tim playing together again."
Saadiq has crafted an indomitable presence in the vast realm of music since the group's dissolution, ascending to stratospheric heights in his solo career. His collaborations with luminaries such as Beyoncé, D'Angelo and Solange highlight his ability to seamlessly blend timeless sophistication with audacious innovation and have earned him effusive acclaim — accompanied by a slew of coveted awards.
"The Just Me & You Tour" setlist will encompass Tony! Toni! Toné!'s greatest hits, taking audiences on a nostalgic journey through their iconic discography. Additionally, Saadiq will showcase his solo material, including tracks from his highly acclaimed albums and hits he wrote for other notable artists.
Fans eager to secure their spots can take advantage of the artist presale, beginning Wednesday. Live Nation and Spotify will also offer presales on Thursday, with general ticket sales beginning Friday. For more information go to RaphaelSaadiqMusic.com.
"The Just Me & You Tour" Dates:
Thu, September 21: Birmingham, AL - BJCC Concert Hall
Fri, September 22: Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
Sun, September 24: Washington, DC - The Theater at MGM National Harbor
Tue, September 26: Baltimore, MD - Lyric Opera House
Thu, September 28: Philadelphia, PA - The Met
Sat, September 30: New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
Sun, October 1: Durham, NC - Durham Performing Arts Center
Thu, October 5: Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
Sun, October 8: Cleveland, OH - State Theatre
Tue, October 10: Louisville, KY - Louisville Palace
Wed, October 11: Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
Thu, October 12: Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
Fri, October 13: Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre
Thu, October 19: Greensboro, NC - Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
Fri, October 20: Columbia, SC - The Township Auditorium
Sat, October 21: Jacksonville, FL - Moran Theater
Sun, October 22: Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre
Thu, October 26: Memphis, TN - Orpheum Theatre
Fri, October 27: New Orleans, LA - Orpheum Theatre
Sat, October 28: Dallas, TX - Music Hall at Fair Park
Sun, October 29: Sugar Land, TX - Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
Fri, November 10: Las Vegas, NV - Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
Sat, November 11: Los Angeles, CA - YouTube Theater
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