The REVOLTution Will Be Televised

Jesus Visits Yeezus in Seattle

Kanye West kicked off the first show of his Yeezus tour in bizzare fashion. Before performing his classic hit "Jesus Walks" an actor portraying Jesus walked out on stage to greet the rapper. The crowd seemed stunned and "Jesus" had a few things to express to Kanye. View the encounter above.

Kendrick Lamar Shines in TDE BET Cypher

Kendrick Lamar and Top Dawg Entertainment cohorts Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Isaiah Rashad, participated in the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher last Tuesday. K Dot wowed the crowd with  his lyrical display, and seemed to throw a shot at Nothing Was The Same rapper; Drake. You be the judge. Check out the full video up top.

Jay Z Has a Flashback in Manchester, UK

If you are a Jay Z fan like I am, then you are excited everytime the "Legend of the Summer" picks up the microphone to give us a piece of his mind. In fact, Jay-HOVA has been blessing our ears with sweet sixteens since 1996, when he released his classic debut album Reasonable Doubt. Last Friday, October 4, in Manchester, UK Jay Z took fans in attendance on a trip down memory lane as he performed the first verse from his classic Reasonable Doubt cut, Dead Presidents. The song serves as a tale detailing the quest for financial improvement by drug dealing, but also being affected by the ills of street life such as losing a best friend to enemy fire, seeking to avenge the death of slain friends, and all the while showing off the perks of drug wealth. The famous claim "Partner, I'm still spending money from 88'" was coined here in reference to the height of the crack epedemic in New York. Immediately after reciting this verse he switched gears to recite his latest verse off of the new song Pound Cake which appears on Drake's new album Nothing Was The Same. It was an amazing juxtaposition of sentiments carried by each song. On Pound Cake Jay Z reminisces about his days of drug wealth stating, "I had Benzes 'fore you had braces." He goes on to detail his new found legal way of making money and remind us that his business accumen now allows him to be international. He flexes his ability to speak Spanish as well as his ability to handle Yen (a Japenese currency) and his taste for fine French candles. As for "the icing on the cake, cake, cake, cake," he claims to have, "made more millionairs than the lotto did." He proceeds to list the plethora of people who he has made millionaires out of such as Kanye West, Dame Dash, and Cam'ron (who refutes this claim, says they made each other millions). Overall it was a virtuoso performance by the legend and a night Jay Z fans will not forget. Check out footage of the concert below curtoues of Nahright.com:

Jay Z Dead Presidents/Pound Cake Performance Manchester, UK

Kanye West Interview w/ Zane Lowe

Recently, Hip Hop icon Kanye West, sat down with famous radio DJ and producer Zane Lowe. The interview became a monumental event due to the fact that Kanye West is known for being tight lipped with the media. From the outset it seems like Kanye is intent on taking over the interview and making it his time to vent. A myriad of topics were discussed as the Yeezus rapper touched on rhythm, heart, and culture, breaking down tracks from his recently released and polarizing album Yeezus. 

Throughout the interview Zane Lowe inquired about the thought process behind some of Yeezus' most polarizing songs. When asked about the song Black Skinhead, Kanye West replied, "This is what frustration sounds like." West acknowledged the fact that the song would have been a smash hit record had it not been for New Slaves being his first release. In the song Kanye details present day American consumers as new slaves and does not limit his sentiment to African-Americans. He attacks corporate America with lines like "F*ck you and your corporations, y'all n*ggas can't control me" which West believes is the reason songs from his recent album did not receive their usual airplay. 

Mr. West also uses this opportunity to set the record straight regarding his seemingly brutal and egotistical personality. He claims that at heart he is a giving person and that all his artistic endeavors are a contribution to society, saying his reason for this, "I just want to help!" West explains that all his music dating from classic debut College Dropout until now has been the "codes to self-esteem" and that if you are a fan of Kanye West you are really a fan of yourself. 

Kanye also delves deep into culture and explains the reasons why people are still being oppressed today. He sites Classism as the new Racism and that people are discriminated against for the amount of money they make and the type of clothes they wear. The concept of clean water only being "served to the fairer skinned" was also broken down as a metaphor for a greater ordeal in 21st century America where only certain people are afforded "nice things" while others are limited or left out completely. West responded to backlash from Yeezus track I am a God. Many called the song blasphemous while Kanye see it as a self-esteem building and uplifting track. "Who does he think he is" Kanye says quoting I am a God detractors, "I just told you who I thought I was, a god! Would it have been better if I had a song that said I am a nigger or I am a pimp?" 

The Kanye West interview with Zane Lowe embodies the rhythm, heart, and culture of Hip Hop and gives great insight into what Hip Hop music and culture aim to do. Check out all 4 parts of the interview below:

Kanye Interview Part 1

Kanye Interview Part 2

Kanye Interview Part 3

Kanye Interview Part 4

Welcome!

Welcome to Hip Hop Heartbeat, a blog dedicated to the culture of Hip Hop. Hip Hop culture is broad, ever expanding, and one of the driving forces in the molding of popular culture as a whole. This is a blog where the culture of Hip Hop will be discussed and reported on. Not only is music largely influenced by Hip Hop, but also fashion, philosophy, legislature, and race relations.  The unique and poetic lyricism accompanied by infectious rhythms create the heartbeat of Hip Hop.  Feel free to comment and contribute to the Heartbeat, fore the people are the blood in the vains that spread the necessary things that keep the culture alive.