Earlier this year The Recording Industry Association of America crowned Eminem a Diamond King as he became the number-one awarded musician for singles in the RIAA’s Gold & Platinum certifications history, for selling 166 million singles in the United States.
“These awards recognize Eminem’s unflinching commitment to his craft and the enduring connection he has forged with fans over the last twenty years. With today’s announcement, Eminem becomes the top certified singles artist in our program’s history and adds a rare third Diamond Album to his many creative accomplishments. Congratulations to Eminem and his entire label team who have set the bar higher than ever!” said RIAA Chairman/CEO Mitch Glazier in a press-released statement.
Today, it was announced that Drake surpassed Eminem’s single sales and the Canadian rapper is now highest certified singles artist in RIAA history with 184 million units sold as a lead artist. Eminem still remains the number one best selling album rapper of all time with 61.5 million album certifications.
Check the announcement below:
.@Drake is now the highest certified singles artist in @RIAA history, passing @Eminem (184 million units as a lead).
Today, our boy Denaun Porter, also known as Kon Artis and Mr. Porter by his stages names, has turned 48 years old. To honor his birthday, we have listed some of the great features he has done through his incredible career. Happy birthday Denaun!
1. Tech N9ne – “She Devil,” featuring D12 (2002)
“She Devil” is a song by Tech N9ne, featuring D12’s Bizarre, Kuniva, Kon Artis (Mr. Porter), Swifty McVay and Big Proof, produced by RonnZfromBerlin from Tech N9ne’s album called “Absolute Power.” Additional vocals in the song are provided by Kendra Matthews, Alonda Patterson, Grant Rice, Erica Hugunin and Krizz Kaliko.
2. Gorillaz – “911,” featuring D12 & Terry Hall (2001)
The song was recorded right after 9/11 events when D12 was stuck in England where they came across the Gorillaz. Damon Albarn and Terry Hall had previously spoken about collaborating together, and since Albarn had been wanting to experiment with Middle Eastern music, they decided on this track, inspiring Albarn to take it in a different direction. Damon Albarn invited the band back to his studio to listen to an early version of the song, they added additional production to the song, then laid down their verses. All D12 members are featured on a track, except Eminem.
3. Obie Trice – “Spread Yo S–t,” featuring Kon Artis (Mr. Porter) (2003)
“Spread Yo S–t” is 11th track on Obie Trice’s Shady Records debut album Cheers. It features and is produced by Mr. Porter himself. In the song Obie addresses those who pervade their slanderous misinformation to depreciate his leverage as an artist while Mr. Porter provides the hook and the intro of the song is done by Big Proof.
4. Method Man – “We Some Dogs,” featuring Redman, Snoop Dogg & Mr. Porter (2004)
In 2004, Mr. Porter jumped on a track with some of the greatest names in hip-hop: Method Man, Redman and Snoop Dogg. Porter provided the hook for a track which was included in Method Man’s album, called Tical 0: The Prequel.
5. Busta Rhymes – “They’re Out to Get Me,” featuring Mr. Porter (2006)
“They’re Out to Get Me” is a song from Busta Rhymes’ 2006 album, titled The Big Bang. The song features and is produced by Mr. Porter. “They see my name and lifestyle and say I changed / They so cold… I know… that they’re out to get me,” sings Mr. Porter. A common concept among people is that they tend to drift away from once close friends either consciously or not. And it is a common saying to tell someone he/she has changed in is attitude toward his friends.
6. Pharoahe Monch - “When The Gun Draws,” featuring Mr. Porter (2007)
“When The Gun Draws” is number seven track from Pharoahe Monch’s second solo album Desire, released on June 26, 2007. Monch spits from the perspective of a bullet, touching on social issues, conspiracy and the assassination of political figures. Monch spits from the perspective of a bullet, touching on social issues, conspiracy and the assassination of political figures. The song is produced by Mr. Porter. He also composed the chorus of the song in which he sings: “First the gun draws and you know / That something’s happening / Then darkness falls and, oh / Your heart beats rapidly / Be prepared because / War is coming / You can’t be scared now / When the streets is calling you.”
7. Royce Da 5’9″ – “Mine In Thiz,” featuring Mr. Porter (2009)
“Mine In Thiz” is a song from Royce 5’9″‘s fourth solo studio album Street Hop, released in 2009. The song is produced by Denaun Porter as well as he’s featured on the hook of the song.
8. Snoop Dogg – “My Own Way,” featuring Mr. Porter (2011)
“My Own Way” is track number 3 on Snoop Dogg’s eleventh solo studio album called Doggumentary and it is another song that is produced Mr. Porter and features him on the hook of the song. Snoop even dropped the music video of the song on April, 2011 but Mr. Porter did not make the cameo.
9. PRhyme – “Made Man,” featuring Mr. Porter & Big K.R.I.T.
In 2018 Mr. Porter jumped on a track with PRhyme to do a chorus for DJ Premier-produced track “Made Man,” from PRhyme 2 album.
10. Eminem – “Yah Yah,” featuring Royce Da 5’9″, Black Thought, Q-Tip & Mr. Porter (2020)
On “Yah Yah,” a 10th track from Music To Be Murdered By, Eminem enlists fellow emcees Royce Da 5’9″, Black Thought and Q-Tip for a posse cut over an upbeat boom-bap instrumental, produced by featured artist Denaun. Over a near five-minute runtime, the rappers pay homage to inspirational hip-hop veterans and display their lyrical prowess.
Legendary DJ Quik decided to get somethings off his chest on social media while reflecting on his iconic musical career.
West Coast’s G-Funk sound architect expressed his thoughts that he believes his career should match the mainstream acclaim of his longtime friend, another legendary producer, Compton’s finest Dr. Dre.
“I know it is early. But I deserve to be where Dre is. I do not think it is fair, but I understand why. I have never had a machine behind me, that always hurt my friends more than it did me.” said DJ Quik on Twitter.
Then he continued: “This does not need to be on a podcast. Because you have fire starters, who want to spin everything to get more ratings. But the truth is: I love Dr. Dre, like a big brother, one I never had. It pains me when people pit us against each other.”
“I know I will never be as popular as I need to be, but I have 10s of artists superstars. And when they shine, I just smile. The janitor doesn’t get all the glory, but he keeps the backstage, clean as a triage.” DJ Quick added but the series of the tweets did not spot there.
“This is not a meltdown, I’m just expressing myself as neutrally as I can.” he said. You can check all the tweets below:
I know it’s early. But I deserve to be where Dre is. I don’t think it’s fair, but I understand why. I’ve never had a machine behind me, that always hurt my friends more than it did me.
This doesn’t need to be on a podcast. Because you have fire starters, who want to spin everything to get more ratings. But the truth is: I love Dr. Dre, like a big brother, one I never had. It pains me when people pit us against each other.
There is no automatic winning lottery ticket for everyone Periodt. On this planet, you get what you get. But it’s what you do with what you have been given to work with that makes you a star.
I know I’ll never be as popular as I need to be, but I have 10s of artists superstars! And when they shine, I just smile. The janitor doesn’t get all the glory, but he keeps the backstage, clean as a triage.
Last year, in an interview with HipHopDX, legendary rapper Big Daddy Kane confirmed that he was interviewing Eminem and Jay-Z for his upcoming Netflix documentary, called “Paragraphs I Manifest.” The hip-hop icon said: “I got Jay Z, Eminem, KRS-One, Doug E. Fresh. I even got some of the battle rappers like Goodz Da Animal and Aye Verb, so it is coming out real good. I am supposed to do Common on Monday.” He even shared a picture with Eminem from the studio where the interview was held. Release date is yet unknown.
2. The DOC by The D.O.C.
THE DOC documentary is about legendary rapper The D.O.C. which premiered this summer at some movie festivals. It features heavyweight cast of Hip Hop stars like Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Xzibit, Too $hort, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger and more. It is directed by David Caplan and chronicles the life and career of Tracy Lynn Curry, who rose to fame in the late ’80s and early ’90s as a platinum-selling rapper, songwriter for N.W.A, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E and others, and co-founder of Death Row Records.
Eminem even shared a clip of himself and The D.O.C. from the documentary and in the caption he wrote: “No one can do it better… me and THE DOC from his upcoming documentary.” Release date is yet unknown.
3. “Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World.” by Chuck D
The four-part music documentary boxset featuring and executive produced by Hip Hop legend, Public Enemy’s Chuck D, called “Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World,” is to premiere on BBC iPlayer on 21st of January, 2023. The docuseries will tell the story of the relationship between politics and the Hip Hop movement, recounting the origins of the revolutionary artform through first-hand accounts and charting the journey of how Hip Hop became a cultural phenomenon, against a backdrop of social and political American history.
Hip-Hop legends featured in the series include Eminem, B-Real from Cypress Hill, DMC, Ice-T, Fat Joe, KRS-One, LL COOL J, MC Lyte, Monie Love, Abiodun Oyewole, Roxanne Shanté, and Will.I.Am.
Eminem to appear in “Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World.” docu-series, executive produced and developed by Hip Hop legend, Public Enemy’s Chuck D! ✊
Qatar is the first Arab country to host the FIFA World Cup and it has produced the Arab world’s first quarterfinalist: MOROCCO.
In the history of World Cup, Morocco became only the 4th African country to reach the quarterfinals at the biggest Football tournament in the world by surprisingly beating one of the most finest European football country, Spain, 3-0 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw all the way through the extra time.
The Moroccans has played only their second knockout game at a World Cup history. Other Arab nations that participated in this tournament were Qatar (the hosts), Saudi Arabia and Tunisia but all of them were eliminated in the group stages, even though Saudi Arabia began the tournament with one of the biggest upsets in history by defeating Maradona and Messi’s home country: ARGENTINA.
The game’s 120 minutes could not reveal the winner so the penalty shootout was ahead. To give the players motivation, Eminem‘s biggest hit, Oscar and Grammy-winning song “Lose Yourself” was played at the Education City Stadium.
“They are now playing Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” before the Spain vs Morocco penalty shootout. I wonder who Slim Shady would support.” wrote ESPN FC journalist Cesar Hernandez on his social media accounts.
Check the reactions below:
They’re now playing Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” before the Spain vs Morocco penalty shootout.
Last Friday, The 2022 edition of Art Basel’s Miami Beach fair was celebrated with a party at private mansion of Wayne and Cynthia Boich. The star-studded event featured a guest appearances from the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio and tennis legend Serena Williams.
According to the sources, 50 Cent delivered not one but two performances for the packed audience. Based on reports, we can thank Kim Kardiashian for that.
The hip-hop legend kicked the night off with a 46-minute set that included his career’s some of biggest hits, that included Get Rick Or Die Tryin’ and The Massacre chart-topping singles: “In Da Club,” “Candy Shop,” “Just a Lil Bit,” “P.I.M.P.,” and “Disco Inferno.”
Later on, Fiddy ran into Kim and Khloé Kardashians backstage. After paying a with to the family, 50 Cent returned to the stage to treat the crowd with another performance.
“50 said he was headed out and Kim Kardashian responded: ‘Did we miss your set?,’ prompting the rapper to ask, ‘Do you wanna see it? Good, let’s go,’” a source told Page Six magazine.
Later that night, Fif took to Instagram to share photos of him with the Kardashians. In the caption, he wrote: “About last night. This party was so crazy. I was leaving ran into this crew went back on stage and started over. LOL Good times!”
YOU PEOPLE official trailer has just been unveiled by Netflix!
YOU PEOPLE is an upcoming comedy movie directed by Kenya Barris, which he co-wrote with Jonah Hill. The movie stars an ensemble cast that includes Eddie Murphy, Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sam Jay, Molly Gordon, Mike Epps, Nia Long, Deon Cole, Rhea Perlman, and David Duchovny.
The film is scheduled to be released on January 27, 2023 on Netflix.
The official trailer of the film features Dr. Dre’s classic song “What’s The Difference,” featuring Eminem and Xzibit. The song was released along Dr. Dre’s 1999 album 2001 and it is produced by Dre and Mel-Man. The beat samples “Parce Que Tu Crois” by French singer Charles Aznavour.
Critics praised the song, especially Eminem’s feature, describing him as “cutting through particularly effectively” on the track and his verse described as “mesmerizing, equal parts performance art, battle rap, storytelling, and raw charisma.”
Despite not being released as a single, “What’s The Difference” was commercially successful. It debuted at No. 76 on United State’s Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song is also certified gold in the United Kingdom for selling more than 400,000 units in the country.
Lets rewind some of the most epic songs that Eminem appeared as a guest in the 90s.
Pacewon of Outsidaz – “Take The Whole World With Me,” ft. Eminem & Bizarre (1996)
The song was released in 1996 and is produced by legendary Bass Brothers. “This was between Infinite and The Slim Shady EP, when I started making a transition in my rhyme style. We brought Pace in, before we had ever gone out to visit the Outsidaz in New Jersey. Pacewon came to my house on the east side. Me and Bizarre went to go pick up Pace at the airport. I was like, “Oh s–t. Pace is going to come to my house?” He slept on my couch. We just had him for a week, going back and forth to the studio to record s–t with him.” said Eminem about the song.
Old World Disorder – “3hree6ix5ive,” ft. Eminem (1998)
“3hree6ix5ive” is one of the two tracks Old World Disorder released from Shyhalüde / 3hree6ix5ive EP in 1998. It’s a hardcore underground smash that Eminem famously refers to on The Marshall Mathers LP’s critically-acclaimed single “Stan” with the following lines: “I know you probably hear this every day, but I’m your biggest fan / I even got the underground s–t that you did with Skam.”
DJ Jazzy Jeff – “When to Stand Up (U Hear Me),” ft. Eminem & Pauly Yams (1998)
According to Jazzy Jeff’s official website this track was recorded back in 1998 and was originally for Jeff’s first solo studio album called The Magnificent, which was later released in 2002 but the song was cut. At around this time 12 promo copies of this unreleased song were pressed up, titled as “You Hear Me.”
Shabaam Sahdeeq – “5 Star Generals,” f. Kwest Tha Madd Lad, A.L., Skam & Eminem (1998)
“5 Star Generals” is a track from Eddie Ill & D.L.’s A Trip Below album and it is produced by DJ Spinna. In a MySpace interview Shabaam Sahdeeq said: “In ‘98 I did “5 Star Generals,” which had Eminem on plus Kwest, Skam and A.L.. Two of those guys, Skam and A.L., were at the Rap Olympics with Eminem so I threw them all on the track together. I recorded it in Spinna’s basement studio in Brooklyn. Em was pretty quiet, he didn’t have the blonde hair, but when he dropped that verse everyone in the studio was surprised. I kinda had an idea that he was going to go on to do more.”
Da Ruckus – “We Shine,” ft. Eminem (1998)
“We Shine” is the first single featuring Eminem and produced by Hush from Da Ruckus’ 1998 debut album Episode 1. The chorus of the song samples Jeru the Damaja’s classic track “Come Clean,” and the beat samples legendary Redman’s “Tonight’s The Night.”
Da Rabeez – “Flawless Victory,” ft. Eminem (1999)
“Fawless Victory” was released in 1999 and it is produced by Bareda. The song itself was recorded in 1997 when D12’s Swift McVay was still a part of hip-hop collective, called Da Rabeez. The song was included in Raw Collection’s “Private Circle” album as a bonus track, which dropped in 2002.
DJ Rectangle – “You Must Be Crazy,” ft. Eminem, Hot Karl & Dree (1999)
The song was recorded and unleashed in 1999 but it was officially released on DJ Rectangle’s album caleld 1200’s Never Die in 2003. Eminem kicks his verse with a reference to the rap duo called Illegal which consisted rappers Jamal Phillips and Malik Edwards: “I’m keeping it raw / Illegal like Malik and Jamal / Cause I don’t believe in the law / Like I’m Steven Seagal.”
Limp Bizkit – “Turn Me Loose,” ft. Eminem (1999)
The song was record for Limp Bizkit’s Billboard No.1 album Significant Other, produced by Terry Date but Fred Durst left it off the album. This collaboration happened before Eminem’s beef with Limp Bizkit which was started because of Everlast. Em kicks his verse with the following lines: “I don’t do black music, I don’t do white music / I make fight music, for high school kids,” which was later used as the opening lines for a verse of “Who Knew” from The Marshall Mathers LP.
Missy Elliott – “Busa Rhyme,” ft. Eminem (1999)
“Busa Rhyme” is produced by Timbaland and it’s the third track on Missy’s star-studded album called Da Real World. It is definitely the most explicit and violent tracks on it. This is due to the presence of SLIM SHADY. On this track, Tim allows both Em and Missy to go off, with Em talking about his dick, punching a pregnant woman, and jumping out of the 93rd floor of a building. While Missy talks about how somebody ‘pissed her off’ and her reaction. The hook of this song samples “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry.
Sway & King Tech – “The Anthem,” ft. Jayo Felony, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Pharoahe Monch, Tech N9ne, Chino XL, RZA, Xzibit & Eminem (1999)
“The Anthem” if from Sway and King Tech’s “This or That” album produced by King Tech himself. It is a nonstop verbal onslaught from eight most dangerous emcees in the world. It’s an underground classic, that was actually banned from TV upon it’s release.
The High & Mighty – “The Last Hit,” ft. Eminem (1999)
This song is from High & Mighty’s 1999 album called Home Field Advantage. In the song, Eminem calls himself a “Naughty Rotten Rhymer” which was also used in “I Just Don’t Give A F—” at the beginning of the first verse: “Slim Shady, brain dead like Jim Brady / I’m a M-80, you little like that Kim lady / I’m buzzin’, Dirty Dozen, naughty rotten rhymer / Cursin’ at you players worse than Marty Schottenheimer.”
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
1. Ameer Stein – “A Day Without A Rhyme,” ft. M&M (1990)
2. Parts Unknown – “Dumpin,'” ft. Proof, Eminem & Eye-Kyu (1996)
3. The Anonymous – “Green And Gold,” ft. Eminem (1997)
You can listen to the songs through YouTube playlist below:
During the recent episode of The Big Podcast, legendary Shaquille O’Neal had a completely different energy. The Los Angeles Lakers legend seemed to be in a mood of destroying everything that came in his sight. Shaq made a jaw-dropping move while trying to prove his point and he actually warned ‘Eminem’ and ‘Kanye East’ of dire consequences.
The 4-time NBA champion and his crew discussed various issues including Patrick Beverley & Deandre Ayton’s scuffle during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. O’Neal also gave his take on Ruby Gobbert’s supportive comments toward his team Minnesota Timberwolves as well. However, the most hilarious moment of the episode was Shaquille O’Neal going all crazy just to prove a point.
During the interview, the Big Diesel went into beast mode and claimed that he did not want to sit in his chair anymore. Just to prove his point, Shaq broke the massive thronelike chair he was sitting on, leaving Tuner and Spice Adams laughing hysterically. Eventually, the chair could not take Shaq’s power and collapsed completely. The Big Diesel proclaimed that he would sit in the tilted chair the whole episode.
However, the 15-time All-Star took the banter to a completely different level by firing shots at ‘Kanye East’ and ‘Slim Shady’. After Shaq, Spice Adams also tried to continue the banter by pretending to break his chair. Hilariously, the NFL veteran ended up actually breaking the chair leaving Shaq and Turner laughing their hearts out.
The whole fiasco led to a fiery comment from the Lakers legend. Shaquille O’Neal proclaimed emphatically, “If my chair ain’t like this next week when I’m coming. I’m gonna tear this whole goddamn studio up. Do not touch my chair. I’m telling you now Kenny Rogers, Kanye East, Slim Shady, ZZ Top in the back.”
Where this names come from? Shaq had actually renamed his crew members by the names of some iconic rappers like Kanye West, Eminem, and singer Kenny Rogers based on rough similarities in their appearances. And now it has turned into a running inside joke.
In a recent interview with Brian J. Roberts, 50 Cent explained how he found himself in a number of legal situations over the years and talked about Green Light Gang world tour, Surviving El Chapo podcast, racial nuances between Eminem and Tupac and much more.
During the interview, Fifty said: “I love Em. I don’t think people credit him for everything. I think the growth of our culture should be also a trophy for them. He had those Vanilla Ice situations, those guys that came were not respected and accepted and they were big f—ing artists. Me personally, my career is a fair reflection of my association to Em. Prior to my record coming out, the most solo black male artist sales was five million copies on Tupac’s All Eyez On Me, double CD. It was first time I seen something go diamond. And to have my first album sell 10 million records, if you discredit or disassociate the fact that I did it in association to Eminem who sold 23 million records on The Marshall Mathers LP, you are just a f—ing idiot. He authentically is ours. I love him to death. Ain’t nobody telling me s–t because he’s in tight seconds spot in my life for people who have done things for me who didn’t have to. And when I say this to him, he’s flattered by it. Behind my grandmother taking care of me and looking out for me when she didn’t have to, he’s the person that did that for me.”
50 Cent also ‘threatened’ people who keep discrediting Eminem: “People don’t understand why I’m like that with him but I’m always like that. If they get too crazy with the things they are saying about him, they are gonna see me do stuff that he probably wouldn’t do.”
Tony Yayo has recently sat down with VLAD TV where he talked about Eminem and revealed that he and his hommies run down Benzino during his beef with Slim Shady.
“[Eminem just got inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame] shout out to Eminem. One of the greatest. Shout out to Eminem. Always loved Eminem. Big accomplishment to being one of the best emcees in the world. Shout out to Eminem. Give him his flowers while he’s still here.” said YaYo
Then he continues: “He has always helped me in my career. He’s on my first album. He wore a Free Yayo shirt at the Grammys. So, I’m always gonna show him respect and love and salute him as well as Dr. Dre and everybody who else built this legacy. As well as Jimmy Iovine too. Cause Jimmy Iovine was a genius. Eminem was a genius. Dr. Dre was a genius. And we all fell in line. That was the best deal ever.”
“I feel like Eminem always got hated on. From, you know, Benzino and Source Magazine was big at that time, they were calling us ‘house ni–as’ and all kind of s–t back then when we were signed to Eminem. Color never really meant nothing to me. I’m from New York. It’s a Melting Pot of a color. I went to grade school and my first two friends were Ralphie and Frank Harveen. I say it again he was an Italian. I never seen color. It was white, it was black, it was Indian, Jewish, Spanish, Haitian, Jamaican, Trinidadian, Guyanese… So, I never felt that way.”
“Nobody every did anything in my career besides Eminem and 50 Cent. And I always say, him doing Free Yayo while I was in jail, I only had to do about two years and they kept my name alive. They started putting my name in the videos and Free Yayo shirt was selling. I’m always gonna salute him…Being attached to Eminem was the best deal, without Eminem and Dr. Dre we would not have that much of a success. Jimmy Iovine, Interscope, Shady, Aftermath – it was a f–king movement that was just f–king unstoppable. And you’ve seen how Eminem singlehandedly took down The Source magazine cause Benzino was always just f–king mad. I don’t know why but he was just always mad.”
“I remember me and my hommies run down on Benzino in Miami. I think that was the year when Suge got shot. I was on my ignorant s–t. We ran down on Benzino and I’m like ‘yo, why you always put me on magazine talking like that’ and he was like ‘yo we will give you a pass, you want it?’ I was like ‘yeah, I want the pass!’ but at the end of the day that’s an old s–t. I don’t wanna go back and forth with the ni–as online. I don’t do that. But the beef between Benzino and Eminem, I don’t know what it was, he was always mad at Em. And I looked at Eminem as a dude that looking out for us. F–k what color he is. He can f–king spit bars, he got f–king platinum records, he’s humble as f–k, he don’t bother nobody. But once you say something about him or his daughter, it’s a rap, he gonna rip your f–king head off lyrically and that’s what he did with the Nails In The Coffin. Rip motherf–kers head off. That’s what he’s gonna do. Trust me, Eminem is a type of dude that got diss records for everybody, you never know, he probably got diss records for me. He’s one of them motherf–kers.” – said Tony Yayo
“Even though I would never disrespect him. But he’s one of the motherf–kers who eat, sleep, s–t hip-hop. One of the top emcees in the world bro. I don’t give a f–k what color he is. He did me a favor that he didn’t have to!” he added.
Westside Boogie‘s “More Black Superheroes” album has made into Complex’s 50 Best Albums of 2022 list at No. 16.
“Maturation is impossible in an echo chamber. Westside Boogie breaks a cycle of trauma and repeated mistakes on More Black Superheroes, an album dedicated to Black mental health. Beyond repeatedly advocating for more Black people to go to therapy (!!), Compton-born Boogie uses his second studio album to tell the story of how he reached this point, against all odds. In beautiful fashion, Boogie strings together stories about his upbringing and dealings with love to prove that anyone can heal, no matter where they’re from.” — Jordan Rose (Complex)
“More Black Superheroes” album is a second release under Eminem’s Shady Records, a follow-up of Boogie’s 2019 project, Everythings For Sale. The 12 tracks-project features Storm Ford on an intro track “Killa Mode,” Mamii on “Nonchalant,” Soulja Boy on “Can’t Even Lie,” Shelley FKA DRAM on “Aight,” Smino and Teezo Touchdown on “Can’t Get Over You,” Kalan.FrFr. and Mamii on “Something Strange,” and Snoop Dogg on “Windows Down.”
Later this year, Boogie also dropped the deluxe version of the album, adding six additional tracks, three out of which was completely new records and three was the audio version of his live performances.
“Super proud of this ..another win because of YALL ..I know y’all tired of me saying I love u but damn ..Now my next s–t betta be number 1 or I’m tripping. thank u Complex.” wrote Boogie on his Instagram.
Former Shady Records artist Conway The Machine also made into the list. His first and only Shady Records release God Don’t Make Mistakes occupied No. 41 spot.
“With critically acclaimed albums like La Maquina and From King to a GOD under his belt, Conway had already reached the upper echelon of rap lyricists before making God Don’t Make Mistakes, and he could have coasted if he wanted to. But he’s not the kind of guy to take it easy. Instead, he pushed himself to go even harder and made the most introspective, well-rounded album of his career. Throughout the project, he peels back the curtain on his personal life, sharing stories about getting shot (“Guilty”) and grappling with the deaths of family members (“Stressed”). He mixes this in with the usual hard-edged grit we’ve come to expect from Griselda (“Bruiser Brody”) and even throws in some streaming-friendly gems (“Scatter Brain”). His Shady Records debut has it all. — Eric Skelton (Complex)
The critically acclaimed project was commercial success for Conway. The album debuted at No. 175 on US Billboard 200 charts and reached No. 30 on UK’s Official Chart.
For the full list of 50 Best Albums of 2022, visit Complex here.
