Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
DJ Akademiks has always had his ears to the ground when it comes to hip-hop coverage. Its why Complex placed him at the top of their "Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking" earlier last month. Prior to this, he slotted in at the number two spot on the first-ever list last year. Obviously, he pushed even harder over the last 12 months, and he was rewarded handsomely for his tireless efforts, including covering the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef right on the spot. This is quite the feat, as there are tons of stiff competition out there such Charlamagne tha God, Joe Budden, Anthony Fantano, and more. All of these pundits have a lot of great qualities that have led them to be extremely successful.
However, at least this time around, it's clear that DJ Akademiks a little something extra in the toolbelt for him to achieve this career milestone. According to his interview with Vlad TV, he says "passion" is the true key to long-lasting success. The Jamaican-born multi-media journalist recalls listening to the radio constantly in high school, driving to Rutgers University and seeing massive Breakfast Club billboards and wanting to be like "megastars" like them. Ultimately, he just put his head down and was going to get to that level one way or another.
"Hard work beats talent when talent don't work hard", is how Ak would describe that mindset. Furthermore, he explains to Vlad that he wants to see continued success for himself beyond this point. He has no plans of settling and drifting away from stardom. That relentlessness is another reason why he's respected but also hated by so many. It's also going to come in handy when you have people like Kai Cenat coming up the rear. He acknowledges how much work he's putting in as well, streaming early in the morning and still getting thousands upon thousands of people tuning in. Akademiks has his work cut out for him for sure, but he seems ready for the challenge as always.
What are your thoughts on DJ Akademiks' key to securing the number one spot on the Complex "Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking"? Do you think he was deserving of this rank, why or why not? What do you think about him showing love to Kai Cenat? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding DJ Akademiks. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
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Drake has seemingly weighed in on the debate surrounding Kendrick Lamar‘s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show — and to no surprise it appears he, too, feels Lil Wayne was snubbed.
Taking to his Instagram Stories late Tuesday (September 10), the 6 God showed support to his former Young Money label boss by posting several throwback photos of him.
The first shows a young Weezy flashing a menacing look to the camera, which could possibly be a reflection of how Drake feels about his mentor and collaborator being passed over for Super Bowl LIX in favor of his fierce rival Kendrick.
He also posted a picture of Wayne from his iconic “A Milli” video shoot, as well as earlier photos of the rap legend holding a flip phone and gambling.
A heated debate has raged in Hip Hop since Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner of next year’s Super Bowl halftime show, which takes place on February 9 in New Orleans.
Despite K. Dot’s catalog of hits and electrifying stage presence — not to mention the red-hot run he’s on following his victory over Drake, powered by his dominant diss track “Not Like Us” — some feel that Lil Wayne deserved the gig due to it going down in his hometown.
Fellow Young Money disciple Nicki Minaj reacted to the news in an explosive social media rant earlier this week in which she tore into JAY-Z, who has helped organize the halftime show since 2020.
She accused the Roc Nation boss, albeit without mentioning him by name, of “denying” Wayne the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity over personal grievances.
“Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!!” she wrote on X.
She also called Hov “spiteful,” “evil” and “disgusting,” implied he’s a “house n-gger” and accused him of being in bed with the police and politicians.
Birdman echoed Nicki’s sentiments in an outburst of his own, tweeting: “These n-ggaz Pussi @NICKIMINAJ @Drake @LilTunechi YMCMB. I’m make these n-ggaz respek us on Gladys. Hatin shit 4real.”
Juvenile, Cam’ron, Master P, Boosie Badazz and Hurricane Chris have also voiced their disapproval over Tunechi’s perceived snub.
Wayne himself has yet to address the controversy, although he had been vocal about his desire to perform at next year’s Super Bowl.
“As an artist, this is an achievement,” he said in an interview with Taylor Rooks last year. “This has nothing to do with the sport. That’s so crazy. I don’t care what teams are playing, what city it’s in. ‘You performed for the what?!’ Like, what? Oh man, that right there is an achievement.”
Of course, Weezy could still make an appearance as a special guest, as Master P has suggested. But that would no doubt complicate his relationship with Drake given his protégé’s high-profile feud with Kendrick Lamar.
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