Thomas Galindo
- Administrative Assistant, Odyssey House
Brooklyn
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Articles by Thomas Galindo
Jay Rock Prepares Newest Creation Following 5-Year Anniversary of ‘Redemption’-“You Only Get Better With Time”
This past summer, seasoned Los Angeles rapper Jay Rock, whose legal name is Johnny Reed McKinzie, celebrated the fifth anniversary of his third studio album, Redemption, a widely-recognized magnum opus performance. Consisting of club bangers like “Tap Out” (feat. Jeremih) and its lead single “WIN,” as well as bread-and-butter storytelling cuts like “ES Tales” and “OSOM” (feat. J. Cole), Redemption’s conciseness and broad appeal equated to the most commercial success McKinzie had ever received.
The Meaning Behind Kanye West's Flashy Hit "All of the Lights"
Though Kanye West used songs like “Power,” “Runaway,” and “Monster” as pre-released singles for his now-iconic 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, “All of the Lights” was a track that immediately stole the show upon the LP’s official release. Produced by West and Jeff Bhasker, the song peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, not only because of its epic choruses and brash verses, but also the many superstar artists that lended their vocals to the recording.
5 Artists Who Benefited from Working with Dr. Dre
Throughout the decades as both a producer and a rapper, Dr. Dre established a handful of working relationships that were more meaningful than the rest. It feels like with each new era he embarked on, Dre had a companion artist to share ideas and songs with, adding to his own legacy while helping to build up theirs as well. Below, we’ve compiled five of the artists who have benefitted the most from having a close friendship with Dre. Check out the list below.
Tupac's 5 Pre-Death Albums, Ranked
Though Tupac‘s estate released half a dozen posthumous albums following the rapper’s 1996 death, they can’t compare to the ones he released while still alive. Whether it be his debut 2Pacalypse Now or his fourth album All Eyez on Me, Pac being there to assemble the track list and fully complete songs seems to have made a difference in a project’s final product.
Remember When: Eminem's Surprise Oscar Performance for "Lose Yourself" in 2020
At the 2003 Academy Awards, Eminem’s smash hit “Lose Yourself” took home the Oscar for Best Original Song, stemming from its inclusion on the soundtrack for his 2002 quasi-biographical film 8 Mile. He was meant to perform the song at the ceremony to christen this honor, but ultimately opted out of the show. So, he decided to right this wrong 17 years later, when nobody was expecting it. The 92nd Academy Awards ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles on February 9, 2020.
The Meaning Behind Drake's Youthful Hit "IDGAF"
After Drake dropped his brand new studio album For All The Dogs on October 6, the LP’s two clear standouts battled it out to see which would land at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. These were “IDGAF” featuring Yeat and “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole.
7 Songs You Didn’t Know Missy Elliott Wrote for Other Artists
Earlier this year, we compiled a short list of three of the most notable songs Missy Elliott wrote for other artists. Unsurprisingly, though, Elliott has earned many more writing credits over the years. As one of the most beloved and versatile rappers and singers of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Virginia native is well respected by many across the industry for her songwriting abilities.
Days 3-5 of Young Thug's Trial Include More Antics
For the first two days of rapper Young Thug’s R.I.C.O. trial in Fulton County, Georgia, a few unusual things took place in the courtroom. Whether it was Judge Ural Glanville introducing his dog to the trial or Thug’s lawyer Brian Steele breaking down the MC’s acronyms and slogans like T.H.U.G. and “Pushin’ P,” it was made abundantly clear that this case would be like no other. And the following days further confirmed this.
The 20 Best 50 Cent Quotes
On top of being one of the most notable rappers of the 21st century and a polished actor in many significant motion pictures and television series, 50 Cent is also a man prone to sage advice from time to time.
Recap: Suge Knight Reveals Who Was Truly Loyal to Tupac on 'Collect Call' Episode 5
Just like that, we’re now five episodes deep into Suge Knight‘s new, controversial podcast Collect Call. Released on Saturday (December 2), the new episode titled California Love discusses Tupac’s 1995 hit song as well as the people behind the scenes. Knight identifies who was and was not loyal to the now-deceased artist. As his first topic discussed with co-host Dave Mays on Episode 5, Knight got straight to business.
The Meaning Behind Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's Foreshadowing Hit "The Next Episode"
On Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s 1992 hit “Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang,” included on the former’s debut solo album The Chronic, one of the song’s last lyrics ended up foreshadowing another hit seven years down the road. But, while the journey from “Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang” to “The Next Episode” wasn’t as clear and concise as it was meant to be, it all worked out for the best. Towards the end of “Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang,” Snoop rapped: It’s like this, and who gives a f**k about those?
"She Keeps it Real"
It’s becoming more apparent that, at any opportunity, Flavor Flav will flaunt his fandom of Taylor Swift. During a recent interview with Tamron Hall, the iconic Public Enemy rapper explained why he loves the international pop superstar so much. “I love Taylor Swift’s music,” he explained. “Let me put it like this, I listen to her music real good, and she keeps it real with her audience.
3 Movies Every 50 Cent Fan Should See
Along with being one of the most beloved rappers of the 21st century, thanks to all-time classic albums like Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003), 50 Cent’s contributions to motion picture entertainment cannot go overlooked. For years, he’s helped produce and acted in the hit STARZ TV series Power and Black Mafia Family. Additionally, 50 has flexed his acting chops on the big screen.
SZA Opens Up About Her Love for Creed and Nickelback
Earlier this month, Variety named SZA their Hitmaker of the Year, thanks to her stellar December 2022 album SOS which led to nine Grammy nominations. For this honor, Variety conducted an interview with SZA, where they had an in-depth discussion about her musical influences. “What kinds of music were playing in your house when you were growing up?” Variety reporter Jem Aswad asked to begin the conversation.
Lil Wayne's Former Bodyguard Files Assault Lawsuit Against Him
Though he’s had a busy and fruitful year thus far, Lil Wayne has now run into some trouble with an old employee of his. On Friday (December 1), Wayne’s former bodyguard Carlos Christian filed a lawsuit against the New Orleans rapper for assaulting him and threatening him with a weapon. Per TMZ, Christian’s suit alleges that he and Wayne got into an argument in 2021 while at the latter’s home in Hidden Hills, California.
Lil Wayne Drops "Hallelujah Heaven" for Jay-Z's 'The Book of Clarence' Soundtrack
Fresh off two projects released this fall, Tha Fix Before Tha VI and Welcome 2 Collegrove with 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne has already returned. This time, he lent his talents to the soundtrack for the upcoming film The Book of Clarence, starring Lakeith Stanfield and produced by Jeymes Samuel and Jay-Z.
3 Movies Every Kanye West Fan Should See
Though he is incredibly meticulous and involved in the process of making visuals to supplement his music, Kanye West has not made a ton of on-camera appearances in his career. This rings especially true when it comes to movies, as his cameos are few and far between. However, when he does agree to act in a role that isn’t particularly associated with his solo work, you can be sure that it is because he believes in the project. Below are three movies that include West.
The 20 Best Young Thug Quotes
This week, Young Thug‘s widely publicized R.I.C.O. trial began in Fulton County, Georgia. Taking place about a year and a half after Thug was arrested in May 2022 alongside many members of his Young Stoner Life record label, the case will see him fight the singular charge of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s racketeering laws. Since he was sent to jail, many in the hip-hop community have missed Thug’s vibrant presence.
5 Times Jay-Z Used His Platform to Advocate for Social Justice
Earlier this month, we presented a list of the five most controversial moments of Jay-Z’s career. This included his infamous feud with Nas, his 1999 stabbing of Lance “Un” Rivera, his elevator fiasco with Solange, and more. But, we figured that since we brought to light some of Hov’s lowest moments, it’s only fair that we prop up a few instances where he stood up for what is right.
Drake’s 13 Hot 100 No. 1 Songs Ranked
Last month, Drake tied Michael Jackson’s record for the most Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits for a male soloist at 13. He did so with the song “First Person Shooter (feat. J. Cole),” the sixth track off his October 6 studio album For All The Dogs. In fact, Drake even mentioned this during his verse on the song, considering For All The Dogs‘ lead single “Slime You Out (feat. SZA)” also hit No. 1, and was the hit that brought him one chart-topper away from the King of Pop’s record.
American Songwriter's Favorite Christmas Hip-Hop Tracks
We’re now just a few days away from the beginning of December, and less than a month away from Christmas. You’re likely already hearing Christmas music played non-stop on your car radio, at the grocery store, in restaurants, and at work. However, instead of being subjected to the continuous loop of holiday classics like “White Christmas” and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” which we still think are incredible by the way, we want to remind you of your autonomy.
50 Cent Reveals His Initial Dislike for a Beloved Hit on 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Earlier this month, 50 Cent wrapped up his international The Final Lap Tour, which celebrated the 20-year anniversary of the New York MC’s iconic 2003 debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’. During his final shows on the tour, which included stops in U.K. towns like London, Birmingham, and Manchester, 50 stopped by The Rebecca Judd Show on Apple Music to speak with the British host.
The Story Behind Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's Iconic "Still D.R.E."
When looking back at Dr. Dre‘s career as a rapper, there are a few key moments and lyrics that should immediately come to mind for hip-hop fans.
Busta Rhymes Finds New Grooves on 'Blockbusta'
For the second time in the last eleven years, legendary New York MC Busta Rhymes has put out a new full-length studio album. Blockbusta arrived on November 24, just over three years after Busta’s previous LP Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God (2020), which practically kickstarted this new era of the veteran artist’s career.
Former Security Guard for Diddy Speaks on Cassie Lawsuit
Just over a week after Cassie settled her sexual abuse lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, a former employee of the problematic music mogul has spoken out.
Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.'s Arrest Fingerprints Now for Sale
This week, official mugshots, signatures, and fingerprints of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. went on sale at momentsintime.com. The artifacts are derived from the 1995 arrests of the two MCs in unrelated incidences and are each on sale for a whopping $225,000. For the Tupac items, Moments in Time is selling a never-before-seen prison I.D. and mugshot from a New York jail, which is tied to Tupac’s sex crime charges from November 1993.
Suge Knight Calls Out Snoop Dogg and Diddy on 'Collect Call' Episode 4
The Collect Call podcast continues to send shock waves through the hip-hop community. On Thanksgiving, Suge Knight and his co-host Dave Mays released the fourth episode of Knight’s headline-sparking podcast. This time, Knight unloaded major allegations upon Snoop Dogg and Diddy, two of rap’s biggest names whom he has been at odds with for much of his career.
Eazy-E Earns Street Name in Compton
Just weeks after Tupac Shakur had a street named after him in Oakland, California, N.W.A founder Eazy-E was bestowed the same honor by his hometown. On Wednesday (November 22), the city of Compton, California renamed the 100 block of Auto Drive South to Eazy Street, commemorating the late MC. At the ceremony, Eazy’s mother Kathie Wright gave a compelling speech about the honor’s significance. “I’m so proud of everybody that’s here today,” she said.
Remember When: Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole Swapped Beats for "Black Friday" Songs
Happy Black Friday! All across America, families have turned the page on Thanksgiving and have begun prepping for other year-end holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah. With every retail store in the country putting their merchandise on a limited-time sale, Black Friday is best known as the day folks go out and buy gifts for their friends and family. However, on this day eight years ago, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole instead gave a unique gift to all of their fans.
Kanye West Finally Releases "Vultures," His First Song in Over a Year
Months after rumors first began circulating about their collaborative album, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign have finally delivered their lead single “Vultures.” Including a feature verse from Chicago rapper Bump J, who worked with West on his 2018 album ye, “Vultures” dropped on Wednesday (November 22) at midnight ET, less than a week after it was first previewed on Chicago radio station Power 92.3. The new song contains a relatively gentle, easygoing trap-rap beat, making way for the lyrical...
Tupac's Hit "Dear Mama" Involved in New Lawsuit
Released as the lead single for Tupac‘s third studio album, Me Against the World (1995), “Dear Mama” went on to become one of the late rapper’s most instantly recognizable songs. With impassioned lyrics dedicated to his mother, who he had a complicated relationship with for much of his life, Tupac was able to reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the song and even earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance.
Recap: Suge Knight Opens Up About Negotiations with Eazy-E and Rapper Pensions on 'Collect Call' Episode 3
For the third time now, Suge Knight has hopped on a call from prison with Dave Mays, founder of hip-hop magazine The Source, to record a new episode of his Collect Call podcast. In previous conversations with Mays, Knight has given his thoughts on touchy subjects in the hip-hop community, whether it be Snoop Dogg’s 1996 murder case, Akon’s alleged statutory rape allegations, or Dr. Dre’s gun charge in the ’90s.
10 Songs to Add to Your Thanksgiving Playlist for Your Journey Home
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving in the United States is almost as important as the day it precedes. It’s the day everyone travels home for the turkey-eating holiday. All across the country, millions of Americans will flock to their hometowns by plane, train, or car to spend Thursday with their immediate and extended families. To help aid you on these sleepy, lengthy, and perhaps traffic-filled trips, we crafted a 10-song playlist to get you ready for Thanksgiving.
A$AP Rocky to Stand Trial for 2021 Shooting
New York rapper A$AP Rocky is internationally known for many feats. He’s stolen the heart of pop superstar Rihanna—they’ve had two children together in the past few years. He’s earned multiple No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart. He’s landed multiple No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. He’s received multiple Grammy nominations. But now, his world could come crashing down at the hands of the law.
5 Deep Cuts from The Weeknd Original
The Weeknd is one of only two artists with over 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Any music he puts out will get listened to by the masses, no matter what. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t songs in his catalog that deserve more love.
The Meaning Behind Drake and 21 Savage's Grammy-Nominated, Billboard Music Awards-Winning "Rich Flex"
Drake and 21 Savage were rewarded with the Billboard Music Award for Top Rap Song for their November 2022 hit “Rich Flex” on Sunday night (November 19). The song beat out other notable contenders like “Players” by Coi Leray, “All My Life” by Lil Durk & J. Cole, “fukumean” by Gunna, and “Favorite Song” by Toosii. However, this is just the latest of several achievements by “Rich Flex” since its release, as it has dominated on several different platforms in the last year.
Review: Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz Rekindle Their Magic on 'Welcome 2 Collegrove'
For the majority of 2023, Lil Wayne fans held their breath in anticipation for Tha Carter VI, the long-expected follow-up to his stellar 2018 album The Carter V. However, instead of adding to Tha Carter series, Wayne decided to go in a few different directions. This began with Tha Fix Before Tha VI in September, a compilation of loosely related Wayne tracks to hold fans over before the eventual album.
Morgan Wallen Caps Off Unorthodox Billboard Music Awards with 11 Trophies and Performance of "98 Braves"
After performances from Mariah Carey, Bebe Rexha, Tate McRae, and more, country music icon Morgan Wallen headlined Sunday night’s Billboard Music Awards with a special, Atlanta-themed presentation.
Drake, Nicki Minaj Dominate Rap Categories at 2023 Billboard Music Awards
For the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, Billboard decided to approach their ceremony a bit differently. Instead of hosting the show at a venue such as an arena or concert hall, they went entirely virtual with the process. Using pre-recorded performances and acceptance speeches, Billboard has continuously updated its website to reflect the winners in each BBMA category. In every rap category, though, only two names were seen in bold and preceded by the “WINNER” distinction: Nicki Minaj and Drake.
No Toke: Snoop Dogg Shockingly Declares He's "Giving Up Smoke"
In an astonishing new development, one of hip-hop’s loudest marijuana advocates has decided to ditch the devil’s lettuce. Snoop Dogg blindedsided fans with this news on Thursday (November 16), writing that he’s “giving up smoke” in the caption of his announcement post. “After much consideration & conversation with my family, I’ve decided to give up smoke,” the announcement reads.
Kanye West Premieres New Song "Vultures," Includes Lyric Addressing Antisemitism
Has the rollout officially begun? On Friday night (November 17), Chicago radio station Power 92.3 premiered a new song titled “Vultures,” which presumably will serve as a single for Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s upcoming joint album.
The Meaning Behind SZA and Phoebe Bridgers’ Grammy-Nominated “Ghost in the Machine”
For the upcoming 2024 Grammy Awards, SZA leads all artists with the most nominations at nine. One of these is for the Best Pop Duo-Group Performance, where her song “Ghost in the Machine,” featuring boygenius star Phoebe Bridgers, is a nominee. “Ghost in the Machine,” No. 12 on the track list of SZA’s Grammy-nominated, December 2022 album, SOS, serves as the first-ever collaboration between SZA and Bridgers. “That record is insane. She just hit me up.
How to Watch the 2023 Billboard Music Awards
This year’s Billboard Music Awards, taking place at 8 p.m. ET Sunday (November 19) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony will feature many of the music industry’s brightest stars. Whether it be Taylor Swift, SZA, Drake, The Weeknd, or Morgan Wallen, records are sure to be broken in several major categories at the show. Though the BBMAs will not be aired on television, fans can keep up with the show live on Billboard‘s website.
A Look at the Best Rap Performance Nominees at the 2024 Grammy Awards
The Recording Academy presents three different awards for hip-hop songs at each annual Grammy Awards ceremony: Best Rap Song, Best Melodic Rap Performance, and Best Rap Performance. While it’s easy to tell what separates Best Melodic Rap Performance from the other two, many music fans often have trouble differentiating between Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.
A Deep Dive into Wu-Tang Clan's New Song "Claudine"
About a month ago, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan released “Claudine,” their first official single in over six years. But, while the group consists of a cavalcade of rappers, the only two who make an appearance on the song are Ghostface Killah and Method Man, who are joined by Dutch singer Nicole Bus. The title for “Claudine” is derived from the 1974 rom-com of the same name, directed by John Berry and starring James Earl Jones, Diahann Carroll, and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.
The Meaning Behind SZA's Grammy-Nominated "Snooze" Original
SZA previously spoke about how bothered she was by the fact that she was nominated in five different categories at the 2018 Grammys and didn’t win a single award but was still asked to perform at the ceremony.
A Look at the Best Melodic Rap Performance Nominees for the 2024 Grammys
In 2002, the Recording Academy introduced a new category to the Grammy Awards: Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. At its core, the award is meant to honor the best song that combines elements of rap and pop/R&B. In 2018, the name of the award was altered to Best Rap/Sung Performance, only to be changed to Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2021.
A Look at the Best Rap Album Nominees for the 2024 Grammys
For the entire first half of 2023, hip-hop was unable to generate an album that topped the Billboard 200 chart. However, while the genre had a bit of a rough time sales-wise, it still boasted many of the most impressive LPs of any genre this year. With many of its most iconic stars releasing projects, such as Travis Scott, Drake, Nas, and more, rap music was able to weather the storm of a down year, while rightfully honoring its widely-publicized 50-year anniversary.
André 3000 Announces Long-Awaited First Solo Album, But There's a Twist
In 2003, already-iconic Atlanta rap duo OutKast released their now-diamond-certified double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. However, as opposed to their previous LPs where both André 3000 and Big Boi would rap together on most songs, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below instead combined two solo projects by each OutKast member, with Speakerboxxx serving as Big Boi’s portion and The Love Below being André’s.
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