get out your feelings: Badu won
hip hop's new daily operation | 5.10.20
It’s Mother’s Day! And this is TheMotto No. 6. TheMotto = our bold and fast-moving hip hop culture, all together, in one place. I’m Elliott Wilson and I’m passionate about documenting hip hop and everything it influences. Plus, it’s time to share more of my personal stories and thoughts. We’re just getting started on this journey— subscribe to TheMotto.
for the culture!
We needed it and Jill Scott and Erykah Badu delivered. Their Verzuz showdown was wrapped in love, reciprocity, and mutual respect and both women laced us with inspiring insights, delightful anecdotes, and choice selections from their iconic catalogues. Folks got mad at me on Twitter when I posted a poll to declare a winner. Damn, I know the culture won — but who won?
Winner: FatBellyBella. I thought Ms. Badu would go more obscure with her picks but she dropped the certified heat from her first three albums, 1997’s Baduizm, 2000’s Mama’s Gun and 2003’s Worldwide Underground. Jilly from Philly was excellent of course, but had to be nudged throughout for her bigger tunes and didn’t play 2004’s amazing “Golden.” Geesh!
After the battle — looking like the most attended, by 200,000 of all of Verzuz’s contests — Verzuz’s masters of ceremony, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland delivered post-game analysis and announced the next battle. It’s set for Saturday, May 16.
get ready for the rumble: Nelly Essentials + Ludacris Essentials.
still Dre:
a few more Andre Harrell items I have to share:
Man, fools were all in their industry feelings when the above ad dropped in 1995 music magazines. But Andre never lacked confidence — as displayed in one of my favorite videos growing up. Uptown! Uptown!
🔽 Puff on how his mentor and the above video ⏫ inspired him (side note: it inspired many of us)
ain’t gonna hold you:
she’s far from done! Jhené Aiko drops new “Magic Hour” visual and promises a deluxe version of Chilombo this month.
Wiz Khalifa’s mama decodes her son’s bars ⬇️
do remember: The Last Dance continues with eps 7 and 8 tonight on ESPN.
may she rest in peace: Miami’s own, the legendary Betty Wright.
what more can I say:
I must shout out Ms Berta. I’m 49 years old and my mother still steady sends me encouragement daily. Those fire emojis be flowing and it’s a blessing to know she’s always in my corner. Love you, Mommy. Below: a reminder of how handsome young EJ was — and an obscure Whodini song that I always appreciated.
Word to mother, you should be a part of this.
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