Snoop takes over Death Row

Shortly before he took the stage at the Super Bowl, Snoop Dogg announced he had acquired Death Row Records.

“I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value," Snoop said via statement. "It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members. This is an extremely meaningful moment for me. I would like to personally thank the teams at Blackstone, MNRK and especially David Kestnbaum, who worked collaboratively with me over several months to make this exciting homecoming a reality. I’m looking forward to building the next chapter of Death Row Records.”

The Super Bowl

Dr. Dre commanded a star studded performance at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime show accompanied by Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J Blige, and surprise guest 50 Cent. Check out the Easter Eggs you might have missed.

LL COOL J sticks up for Hip-Hop royalty

LL COOL J took to his IG Live in September to address a statement by DJ Akademiks who referred to Hip-Hop pioneers as "dusty," though he never acknowledged him by name, choosing instead to make a broader point about the art form and culture.

He started the video by encouraging viewers to record it, stressing the message's importance.

"It came to my attention that a DJ said that a lot of the pioneers in Hip-Hop are dusty and asked how could they be the people that invented Hip-Hop if they don't present like they have a lot of money," he said.

He then explained that the pioneers of Hip-Hop, specifically the first generation, created something where there was once nothing at all.

"Don't think because someone failed to get money that they didn't make a contribution to the culture," he said. "No one discusses Miles Davis' bank account, or John Coltrane, or even rock and country musicians."

Eminem Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The superstar rapper from Detroit joined fellow legends in the Hall's prestigious 2022 class; which included country icon Dolly Parton, chart-topper Lionel Richie, '80s pop quintet Duran Duran, rock queen Pat Benatar, metal gods Judas Priest, singer-songwriter Carly Simon, synth pop innovators Eurythmics, hitmaking production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and the late founder of Sugar Hill Records, Sylvia Robinson.

Salt-N-Pepa Receives a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Salt-N-Pepa were the first female rap act (solo or group) to have a multi-platinum selling album with their 1993 release, Very Necessary. The album marked another level of accomplishment for the group, selling over seven million copies worldwide (five in the U.S.), and peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200. It came on the heels of consistent success on the charts, courtesy of albums including Blacks' Magic and their acclaimed debut Hot, Cool & Vicious.

Nipsey Hustle Receives a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

The posthumous honor came during the same week that it was announced that a Los Angeles Metro Station would be dedicated to the late rapper on what would've been his 37th birthday

“From Slauson and all the way to Vernon, you will see world-class pieces of art, celebrating the history and the legacy of African American people,” Los Angeles Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson said. “Everybody who comes to L.A. and rides the train out of the airport is gonna see it. Is that alright?”

The Rock The Bells Festival

The music festival featured live performances from LL COOL J featuring Z-Trip, Ice Cube, Rick Ross, Lil Kim, The Diplomats, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, Jadakiss, Scarface, Busta Rhymes, Trina, N.O.R.E., Digable Planets, and more.

Throughout his set, LL COOL J made it clear why Rock The Bells exists and why it was necessary to bring things back. "One word: timeless," he repeated constantly throughout his performance.

Speaking to the crowd, he passionately conveyed that he wants Hip-Hop greats to get the reverence of a Paul McCartney, a Mick Jagger, or a Bob Dylan.

And he brought out some fellow legends to drive the point home; as Brand Nubian took the stage to rock "Slow Down," the Ultramagnetic MCs beamed down to perform "Ego Trippin'," and Audio Two roared through "Top Billin.'" And the highlight of the segment was Queens legend Kool G Rap kicking those nimble bars from "Road To the Riches," as LL COOL J served up amens as G Rap's hypeman.

California's Rap Lyrics Bill becomes state law

In September, California Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed the Rap Lyrics Bill into law during a virtual ceremony that included Killer Mike, Meek Mill, E-40, and more.

“For too long, prosecutors in California have used rap lyrics as a convenient way to inject racial bias and confusion into the criminal justice process,” said Song Writers of North America's Dina LaPolt in a statement about the bill. “This legislation sets up important guardrails that will help courts hold prosecutors accountable and prevent them from criminalizing Black and Brown artistic expression. Thank you, Gov. Newsom, for setting the standard. We hope Congress will pass similar legislation, as this is a nationwide problem.”

Notorious B.I.G. statue unveiled in Brooklyn

Called Sky’s the Limit in the County of King, the nine-foot bronzed statue features several references to Biggie, including his first album, 1994's Ready to Die, enmeshed in the piece using resin. The artist, Sherwin Banfield, said he was inspired by the location.

“The location had a profound impact on the work,” Banfield said. “It’s on a hill, and I wanted viewers to ascend towards a regal monument and be welcomed with open arms and two essential human qualities: the voice through a microphone and love via a heart.”

Wu-Tang Clan and Nas announce the New York State of Mind Tour

In April, Hip-Hop icons Wu-Tang Clan and Nas announced their intentions to tour together for the NY State of Mind Tour. The co-headlining tour began August 30 in St. Louis, continued through Atlanta, Tampa, and Dallas before ending at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 4.

Scarface comes out of retirement

After facing health issues in 2021, Scarface made it clear in an Instagram Live with us that he definitely wasn't hanging up the microphone, saying, "No, no, no, fuck no. Rock The Bells. I was under the impression that that was gonna be my last shit cause I thought I was gon’ die,” Face noted. “So instead of ‘farewell’, it’s ‘alive and well.’”

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