Entertainment
Clipse Return to Studio for New Album Entirely Produced by Pharrell Williams – Essence
(L-R) Malice and Pusha T of Clipse attend the Til The Casket Drops album release party on the Pink Elephant on December 9, 2009 in New York City. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
In their highly anticipated return to the stage, No Malice and Pusha T — higher referred to as Clipse — are making waves with their first recent album in 15 years, but their reunion doesn’t end there. The duo can even take the stage at Pepsi Dig In Day in Chicago, which is a vacation dedicated to supporting black-owned restaurants across the country.
“It’s always great to perform with my brother,” Pusha (born Terrence Thornton) tells ESSENCE. “I feel like I’ve been doing my solo career for so long and I’ve always felt like I have a new-age fan base, but I can always tell the fans who know me from Clipse what they’re missing when I’m onstage by myself. So it’s always great to get in front of those people with my brother and see their excitement and just enjoy the discography. It’s amazing.”
The reunion of the Clipse marks a big moment in hip-hop history. After releasing their last album, , in 2009, the duo took a hiatus when Malice (whose real name is Gene Thornton) left the group to concentrate on his religious commitments. Now, with a brand new project on the horizon, the Clipse are reuniting to bring their distinct sound back to the forefront of the music industry. Their upcoming record, featuring Pharrell Williams’ signature production, guarantees to deliver a fresh yet nostalgic experience for fans.
Pepsi Dig In Day is back for its fourth 12 months and is the right backdrop for the return of Clipse. The initiative goals to support Black-owned restaurants and is expanding its reach to more cities and venues. The August 24 event encourages food lovers to dine at Black-owned establishments across the country with a special buy-one-get-one deal on a $100,000 meal at over 30 participating restaurants. This 12 months’s event is not going to only feature an exclusive performance by the duo, but can even feature products from local streetwear designer Don C and quite a lot of local food vendors.
As Pusha T and No Malice prepare to take to the stage once more, they’re ready to reignite their musical legacy and have a good time the community-focused spirit of Pepsi Dig In Day. Their reunion is ready to be the highlight of the event, marking a triumphant return to the music scene and an unforgettable day in hip-hop history.
ESSENCE: How did you begin working with Pepsi on the Dig In Day concert?
Pusher T: Well, I actually did Pepsi Dig In Day DC to promote my solo project last 12 months and it was good. Really great. DC, there’s all the time a celebration there and just the considered the food and the community and the music and everybody coming together in the town, it was really good, so I assume with this recent project, the brand new Clipse project, it made sense. Everything happened around the identical time so that they were like, “Oh man, new music.” And Chicago is an incredible market for us, so I believe they reached out to us about it.
Now Malice, I used to be at Something within the Water two years ago once you performed there and it was an incredible show. How does it feel to be performing together with your brother in Chicago?
Malice: Oh man, I just think it’s amazing. I believe it’s the appropriate time. I believe especially with where Hip Hop is right away, I believe our project definitely fills a void and just the energy and having the ability to reconnect with the fans which have been there because the starting of Clipse and see that our music is timeless and still stands the test of time, and I feel like we could compare it to anything that is occurring right away, and it just feels really good to be back.
The recent Clipse album shall be your first since 2009. Why did you are feeling this was the appropriate time to release recent work?
NM: I just feel prefer it all got here together organically. I’ve really enjoyed watching my brother through the years and just seeing the extent that he’s taken it from where I left off with him to where he’s taken it, and the last 15 years have been a variety of reflection for me. And then I believe all of it got here together after we worked on the album together. Then I did the “Punch Bowl” record on Nigo’s album, after which I used to be on my brother’s album on a song called “Pray,” and it just began organically taking shape. It just felt right and we felt prefer it was the appropriate time.
PT: I believe it’s the appropriate time. Just speaking to the fans, man, I feel like as soon as they saw us together, as soon as they heard “Punch Bowl,” as soon as they heard “Pray” on the album, I could feel their excitement. The web is talking, and it’s an instantaneous response, and I feel like that excitement was loud and really spoke to each of us.
Malice, there was some extent where you stepped away from rap for some time, I wanted to ask you the way you’re thinking that that affected your music in the way in which you create it, if in any respect?
NM: I believe it opened up quite a bit more content for me. I believe people know me as someone who really digs deep into my lyrics and form of paints either side of the image, and I do not know, just takes the time to think, reflect on my life, take inventory of things. I believe I even have quite a bit more to say and still deliver the identical energy and the identical themes that Clipse fans love.
Clipse is typically stigmatized as promoting “cocaine rap.” I wanted to ask you — what can listeners expect from this recent album?
PT: Well, I believe the largest goal, our biggest goal with this album is just to show that we’re timeless and to show that hip-hop that is lyrical and grounded doesn’t exit of favor. I believe you have a look at it, you have a look at the sport and also you have a look at the vibe of the sport, and I feel like we definitely bring something that is missing because I do not think there are any duos within the rap game right away. Definitely not with the content and the material and the extent of flavor that I believe we have now. I mean, you continue to hear the road talk, you continue to hear the voice of reason, you continue to hear all sides, all perspectives, and I believe that is what hip-hop is all about, especially street hip-hop. And I do not know if it’s something recent, but I just know that it’s something that folks don’t understand nowadays, and we bring it.
NM: Yes, I see Clipse as a novelty. I see us as an actual novelty that does not come around fairly often. It’s like a couple of mistakes where you’ll be able to get that form of uniqueness. I feel like what we bring is exclusive. What you get from Clipse is real-time evolution, real-time experience, real-time things that we have been through in our lives and put it together. We never chase a trend, we never try to sustain with what’s so-called fashion. I just think it’s timeless and unique.
Pharrell will produce all the album, right?
NM: Normal.
PT: Surely.
So I comprehend it’s probably very different from once you began. You’ve all evolved a lot since your first album, so I wanted to ask — is the recording process more arduous when you may have so many things occurring?
PT: Yeah, man, I might definitely say it’s tedious. It’s hard. We definitely put our time into it, and sometimes we go in there and we do not get anything. Sometimes we get a vibe and it is perhaps two or three songs. Sometimes we argue about what’s needed sonically and what’s not. It’s a process, but I mean what comes with it. I believe that is what comes with creating as a collective. You have a variety of different energies and opinions, and everyone knows that is what it’s about, everyone knows after we figure it out, everyone knows that is it, and it’s definitely a process to get to that time, but we get there each time and we all the time have.
NM: I agree. Like Push said, we work on it, we get there, and we all know exactly what it’s supposed to be. There’s all the time an ordinary that we’ll all the time hold ourselves to, and we do not all the time say we never make a bunch of songs or have leftovers. We don’t just throw stuff on the wall and see if it sticks. We know when it’s going to stick and we just nail it.
Entertainment
Sam Jay became a comedy master later in life. She explains how in “Masters of the Game”
Sam Jay is the very unlikely latest star in comedy. She began doing stand-up at 29, is a black lesbian from Boston, and is now a universally adored master of the art of stand-up. You can see it in the way she walks on stage and relaxes. You can see it in the way she exudes that factor. You can see it in the way she delivers her jokes like she’s throwing a game—calm but cocky, laid-back but deadly. She’s hysterical, and on several occasions she’s made me laugh so hard I physically hurt. She has one long line about playing around along with her fiancée, and no, I can’t even paraphrase that line. I’m just saying she’s really sharp at her craft. She told me she studied comedy and that’s why she’s a master of the game now. Don’t miss my hysterical interview along with her on “Masters of the Game,” now available on theGrio.
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Jay got into comedy late because that is how life dealt her. When Jay was a teenager in Boston, she was interested in comedy, but her mother was sick for years. She died when Jay was 19, after which Jay went through years of depression and illness. She immersed herself in comedy after which went back to normal life. But when she was 29, very late in her comedian life, she was living in Atlanta and dating the woman who’s now her fiancée. She was coming out of depression, becoming an open lesbian, and she or he was able to attack comedy. She tried it and realized that she desired to succeed there greater than the rest. She went to clubs and commenced studying, and a decade later she’s a star on the rise.
To hear Jay’s full story and her thoughts on what it takes to be a great comedian, take a look at our interview on Masters of the Game.
Rapper Chingy has faced criticism for his attendance at a Republican Party-sponsored human rights summit attended by the country’s largest and oldest organization representing LGBT conservatives and their heterosexual allies.
His name appeared on a “Red White & Rock” flyer produced by the sponsoring organization, alongside the likes of Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr. as headliners for the evening.
When the Jasmine brand published After the flyer was released, a lot of his fans shared their thoughts on his booking.
🔥🎸READY TO ROCK? 🇺🇸🔥
Log Cabin heads to Music City on Sunday, September twenty ninth!
TICKETS: https://t.co/LNV2xPWZdp photo: twitter.com/77LzeE96Xa
— Log Cabin Republicans (@LogCabinGOP) September 20, 2024
Despite his try to deflect attention from his political affiliations, many social media users compared him to Chrisette Michele, who faced similar criticism for her performance at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“They better do to him what they did to Chrisette Michele,” one comment read, while one other agreed and said, “Drag him down like you did to Chrisette Michele!” @tyrese Where are you? Because you had quite a lot of warmth for Chrisette.”
Chingy’s planned appearance on the event has reignited the discussion about artists supporting controversial causes for profit.
“Let Chingy do what he has to do for his pork chop and pay his electric bill in peace. Because his performance won’t affect my vote one bit,” one commenter said bluntly.
Another wrote: “Not all money is good money, Chingy. It’s the difference between chasing a dollar and creating a brand.”
A 3rd comment read: “At least he said it was just about the money, most people wouldn’t even admit that.”
Chingy was so overwhelmed by people’s criticism for participating within the controversial event, Log cabin event during which he addressed his fans and critics with a special statement.
The ‘Right Thurr’ star wrote: “I said it once. MY JOB IS TO PERFORM AND I GET PAID TO PERFORM, NOT FOR POLITICS. NOW FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO WITH YOUR TIME.”
He added: “HEY, MAYOR, IT’S SEPTEMBER 14THTH CHINGY DAY IN ST LOUIS! WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE VASSAL BLOGS?”
Someone told him“Just tell us you’re in a bad mood,” in line with Baller Alert, to which he replied, “You can’t be in a bad mood when you just bought a $500,000 house.”
“These people don’t hate me because they love my music. The music is not racist and that’s how I play it. All this crap you guys create doesn’t bother me at all,” he continued.
He added: “I’m a performer, whether those people are political or gay or whatever — everybody loves music. I have classic records that everybody loves, and I’ll perform them for them. So I hope that helps you understand that my job as an artist is to perform and create timeless music. And that’s what I did.”
Chingy continued to attempt to make his case on social media. One Instagrammer asked the rapper directly, “What the hell, you a Trump supporter now?” to which he replied, “No, correction, I’m a Chingy supporter. My job is to perform, not to be political.”
This would not be the primary time Chingy’s support for Donald Trump has been met with resistance.
In 2016, the rapper posted a tweet supporting Trump.
“Politics vs. society. People need to understand that politics is a business, just like the job you do. I’m voting for @realDonaldTrump,” he wrote in January 2016. After posting the tweet, the rapper was inundated with backlash, withdrawing his support and admitting he was not fully informed.
“Everything I wrote was completely taken out of content… but I’m still on top. lmao #LiveofACeleb #TwitterIsTheDevil #NoEndorsement,” he said he tweeted later that very same day.
He later said that in line with Bulletin board“I thought it was good stuff. Obviously, we want to keep terrorism out of the country. I didn’t know about some of the negative things he had to say about some of the racing here and the hip-hop community. I didn’t know about a lot of the negative stuff, I was just commenting on reading the article and reading some of the good things he said, so that’s where my comments came from.”
The Red White & Rock event that has sparked a lot discussion is a fundraiser for the Republican Party and can happen on September 29 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Nashville.
The St. Louis native has not formally endorsed any candidate on this round and doesn’t appear to have any political content on his energetic Instagram account. However, after receiving mounting backlash, he decided to tug out of the event.
“YOU KNOW WHAT, BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MESS. I REFUSED TO PERFORM AND NO, I AM NOT A SUPPORTER OF TRUMP OR ANYONE ELSE BUT CHINGY. YES YOU DO,” Chingy said, in line with an Instagram screenshot captured by TeaWith Tia.
Entertainment
What’s the Story Behind Alicia Keys and Her Husband Swizz Beatz? Everything You Need to Know
Long before he was Mr. Keys, Swizz Beatz was producing records to your favorites. Born Kasseem Dean in the Bronx in 1978, Beatz got into the game via his uncles, Joaquin, Darrin and Chivon Dean, who founded the hip-hop label Ruff Ryders Entertainment in 1988. Swizz was an aspiring DJ but wasn’t given the probability to test his production skills. After begging his uncles for one probability, his wish was granted and he landed a beat for “Ruff Ryders Anthem.”
Since then, Beatz has produced a whole bunch of songs for everybody from Jay Z and TI to Nicki Minaj and Whitney Houston. He has left his mark on the hip-hop genre as a talented producer who creates heavy basslines which are perfect for dancing and grooving.
Even with all of his accomplishments in music, Beatz’s marriage to famed singer-songwriter Alicia Keys has earned him several headlines over the years. The couple shares a variety of accomplishments, from award-winning albums and art collections to an almost 15-year marriage and a phenomenal black patchwork family.
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz’s Love Story
Keys and Beatz’s love story began in the concrete jungle just outside their Bronx highschool. Keys was 14 at the time, Beatz 16, and he offered Keys his number after chatting her up. But Keys said, “Nah, it’s fine,” and left. Years later, the two reconnected as their stars rose, bumping into one another at live shows and events. They collaborated on a music project in 2008, and Keys agreed to let him take one other shot.
According to Keys, her man won her over first date when he was late because he was busy tying a gift he bought her to the roof of her automobile. Their love grew from there, and the couple announced their engagement and Keys’ pregnancy in May 2010. Swizz Beatz married Alicia Keys in July 2010 and they now have two sons, Egypt (born 2010) and Genesis (born 2014).
Beatz has three children with Alicia: sons Prince (born in 2000) and Kaseem Dean Jr. (born in 2006) from his first wife, R&B singer Mashonda, and daughter Nicole (born in 2008) from his relationship with singer Jahnna Sebastian. Beatz’s ex-wife initially had a tumultuous relationship with Keys, but the two have since smoothed it over and created a successful co-parenting dynamic that Mashonda praised in her book“Blend: The Secret to Co-Parenting and Creating a Balanced Family.”
Family Life and Parenthood for Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz
Family is every thing in the Beatz-Keys household. Keys has spoken highly of her patchwork family and her relationship with Tifrere. “The understanding, compassion, and support we’ve found is a powerful testament to the healing that comes when we choose love. Especially for our children… the most important part of our lives,” Keys said in a Facebook post promoting her song “Blended Family.”
When Keys was a judge on The Voice, she talked about how difficult it was combining motherhood with a demanding schedule. However, she was comfortable that her children could see her chasing her dreams and fighting for what she wanted.
Alicia Keys’ husband has they talked about fatherhood and how necessary it’s for him to commit to a healthy lifestyle for himself and his children.
Both Beatz and Keys enjoy working on their craft, which doesn’t at all times mean music for Keys. Beatz enjoys going to the studio, while Keys enjoys hitting the slopes. The “Fallin’” singer has discovered that she really loves skiing as a way to escape the cold, so long as she’s wrapped up warmly. She’s taken to social media to share the way it forced her to overcome her fears and find the strength to survive the edge.
How Alicia Keys’ Husband Supports Her Music
In addition to supporting his wife’s profession, Swizz Beatz has gone a step further and turn into her paymaster. He is credited on several of her music tracks, including “Put it in a Love Song,” “Wait Til You See My Smile,” and “New Day.”
In April of this yr, Beatz was I smile on the blue carpet alongside his wife and two young children to rejoice the premiere of “Hell’s Kitchen,” the Broadway musical based on Keys’ childhood in New York City.
“Hell’s Kitchen” has enjoyed massive success on stage, earning 13 Tony Award nominations and two wins at the 2024 ceremony. The show won awards for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. The show was largely inspired by Keys’ mother, who moved to New York from Ohio. “She did that and raised me in New York. The story is inspired by the experience of growing up in New York,” Keys said.
Swizz Beatz’s artistic interests extend beyond music to the art world. Beatz is a noted art collector, with each established and undiscovered black artists. Beatz and Keys recently had an exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum titled “Giants”, which showcased a significant slice of their extensive art collection. The Dean Collection, as they call it, includes works by Kehinde Simpson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Meleko Mokgosi.
Navigating Life Together: Quarantine and Beyond
Alicia Keys and her husband used the pandemic as a chance to showcase their creativity. They wrote a song titled “Good job” as a tribute to the frontline and essential employees who’ve served and saved the remainder of us during COVID-19. According to Keys, she wanted to bring attention to all the hard-working individuals who may never get the recognition and respect they deserve. The comments on Keys’ Facebook post about the song are stuffed with these employees appreciating the love.
The pandemic has brought challenges for Keys and Beatz, but they’re still together after nearly 15 years of marriage. Keys has previously said that great communication is what keeps them together — and they laugh.
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