5.5.20 Chris Brown & Young Thug
hip hop's new daily operation
TheMotto returns.
I’m Elliott Wilson, and I’ve been covering hip hop on a pretty-much 24-hour basis via my social feeds since 2008. TheMotto brings it all together in one place — the most important stories and moments of our culture. Anyone who follows me knows how passionate I am about documenting this fast-paced world— and it’s time to share more of my personal stories and thoughts. This is our second issue, and the response so far has been overwhelming, embracing and humbling. Thank you all! Especially those who reached out to me directly. Please send me more advice, continue to tell your friends about this space — and subscribe to TheMotto.
top shottas:
Word to The Scotts, here’s another superhero duo we didn’t know we needed. Celebrating his 31st trip around the sun, Chris Brown dropped a new collabo mixtape with the incomparable Young Thug. SMH these f*ckers even had the nerve to give Soundcloud and DatPiff the early midnight drop last night! Listen on #TIDAL now.
Speaking of Thugger, I still can’t believe he sat down with me for CRWN last summer at NYC’s 40/40 Club. Both the insightful convo and the behind-the-scenes chaos were epic. Ha! Watch it again here, and once again — love to Future’s bestie Ebonie Ward for the endless boss moves. Looking forward to Gunna’s May release.
back to business
Do you know what today is? The Migos ring in Cinco De Mayo with “Taco Tuesday.” You like that, Bron Bron?
Rap Snacks and the stock market connect (HipHopDX)
How do you celebrate a top 5 song debut? Bring Beyonce’s bars to life: If you don’t jump to put jeans on / Baby / You don’t feel my pain — damn, Stallion.
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Kudos to Kehlani on the creative album art. It Was Good Until It Wasn’t — this Friday.
Sacramento, Sacramento, where ya at? Had to do a #TIDALCheckIn with the fella fella Mozzy. My favorite joint on his new Beyond Bulletproof is “The Homies Wanna Know”. Check it out along with 49 other joints I keep in rotation on the freshly-updated Thoro.
Come clean: Lil Nas X finally acknowledges his early Nicki Minaj connection ⬇️
Great Bulls doc on ESPN, and the music is killer too. Listen.
Growing out of Drake? David Dennis Jr. dissects the superstar’s artistic direction. Folks have views ⬇️
A virgin?! Abel creates new song for American Dad. (Variety)
Where the cash at? Killer Mike and El-P’s visual will get you hyped for #RTJ4.
unsung:
Long time coming: Big K.R.I.T.’s classic mixtape will hit DSPs on May 29.
Give him his flowers! SAINt JHN’s “Roses” makes international breakthrough.
“Lottery” winner: K Camp on his pen game
Issa Rae stars in Rhythm + Flow champion D Smoke’s new video ⏬
outro
i’m gonna read up on: Sessions, Pandora founder’s new venture.
🤔Carter conundrum! (The Shade Room)
what more can i say:
Once again, the support so far has been amazing. Truly this is needed. When the world gets scary, I believe in betting on the culture and a core crew. Take chances. Live with the results. Learn from the losses. I got a good feeling about this one. Ha!
Remember when Biggs went on HOT 97 in 2018/19 and said that in a year he’d make Saint JHN an international superstar. Give HIM his flowers. There’s nothing more inspiring than seeing someone speak things into existence. Bravo hoffa. Also, Excited for this new platform elliot. Congrats.
That Chris brown and thug project was the least expected project of the year