TheMotto 5.4.20
hip hop's new daily operation
TheMotto is needed.
I’m Elliott Wilson, and for over two decades — as a writer, an editor-in-chief, as leader of the Rap Radar brand, as host of CRWN and Car Test, and a leader at TIDAL — I have been at hip hop’s forefront. I’ve also 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 may be time to share more of my personal stories and thoughts. If you received this newsletter it’s because I reached out to you for your email. This is the premiere issue. Please spread the word, send me suggestions, share advice — and subscribe to TheMotto.
all things Aubrey
Drake drops sa prize project — Dark Lane Demo Tapes — and promises sixth studio album this summer.
To celebrate the release, The Boy went on Night Owl Sound to tease more new music.
DJ Booth’s Yoh Phillips reviews Dark Lane.
Young Money Radio: Lil Wayne and his protege discuss “From Florida With Love”.
Country music’s Kenny Chesney challenges Drizzy for the No. 1 album spot.
off top:
Salute The Scotts (Travis + Cudi) for scoring the #1 single on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Jill Scott! Erykah Badu! Swizz Beatz and Timbaland take Verzuz, their successful battle series to the next level in five days.
Until then: Enjoy Badu-Scott’s friendly face-off at Dave Chappelle’s 2004 Brooklyn Block Party.
And in 2015, Jay-Z curated a playlist of the singer/songwriters’ strongest tunes on TIDAL.
hold on
Quarantine King Tory Lanez’s Social Distancing show
Ralph Folarin raises the bar with his superb “Sue Me” visual.
today’s agenda:
H Town! Mrs. Carter makes Meg Thee Stallion’s dream come true with a guest appearance on the “Savage (Remix)”. B’s guest verses are always special and be clear—she got bars!
It’s still “rest in Peace / Uncle Phil” — for real. Plus an Uncle Phil throwback from Justin Tinsley.
The mighty Questlove in his New Edition bag, Soul Train clips and all.
Episode 6 of EPN’s The Last Dance re-examines Michael Jordan’s gambling troubles.
Lil Baby embraces “Social Distancing”
Win like Shula: God rest the Dolphins’ Don.
Jhene Aiko’s fly-colored T-shirts.
50 Cent’s latest book blueprint.
Meditate with the RZA.
MCA passed away 8 years ago today. Peep the Beastie Boys Story.
Mac Miller’s breakthrough mixtape now available on all platforms.
Hi Rihanna, 8 million likes is powerful! Get some #SavageXFenty!
Thanks for the reminder, KD — I still need a Jay Electronica interview. Ha!
But I did get to finally chop it up with Crooked I last week. See our #TIDALCheckIn.
reading up on this: Twitch and Soundcloud connect.
way back with Maybach:
photo: Beanz
It was around this time in 2012 when my friend Rick Ross dubbed me Yellow Man Ace and brought me on to host the historic MMG Press Conference. This was some star-studded shit: stirring guest speeches from Lyor Cohen, Swizz Beatz and Sean “Puffy” Combs. The purpose of the event was the secret reveal of the latest member of the rising clique. Word on the street was it was gonna be Ma$e but when I got the run-of-show the night before I had a feeling this was gonna have the Internet goin’ nuts. And oh, it did.
Omarion?! Nah Maybach O emerged! What a time… speech!
Full circle: recently reminisced with O (and Bow Wow) about the above on the Rap Radar Podcast.
Wow!! Let me say I'm honored to receive the PREMIERE ISSUE via email!! Supporting, celebrating, and sharing The Motto in anyway I can!! I look forward to reading more of your thoughts!! This is definitely for the culture ✊🏾
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