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Hip-Hop's Huge Year In Streaming: How Rap Reigned Supreme In 2018

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A new study shows consumers of on-demand streaming services leaned hard toward hip-hop and rap in 2018, with the genre accounting for over a quarter of all plays
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jan 3, 2019 - 4:34 pm

The rising popularity of hip-hop among consumers is nothing new, but the latest data from BuzzAngle shows the genre's dominance in a new light. According to their year-end report, hip-hop and rap tracks accounted for more than a quarter of all on-demand plays on music streaming services in the U.S. in 2018. Mic drop.

While the data also reveals rock and pop maintain strongholds in digital album sales and physical album sales respectively, streaming is king in 2018 and rap reigns with 25.4 percent of on-demand streams, eclipsing even pop at 18.5 percent.

Rock's top spot in album sales comes with a caveat, as album sales fell by 18.2 percent from the previous year, although rock ruled vinyl sales at 41.7 percent in a format that is up 11.9 percent overall.

Hip-hop also holds court with the most audio streams and video streams of any genre, according to the study. But at least in one of those areas, video streams, rap has a hot contender. Latin music saw a surge in video streams up from 20.1 percent in 2017 to 21.8 percent in 2018, placing it just behind rap in the No. 2 position. Urban Latin music artists dominated many of the year-end lists from the likes of YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music.

One impossible-to-ignore artist, album and song likely had much to do with rap's dominance of streaming in 2018. Drake's double-album Scorpion and its single "God's Plan" topped BuzzAngle's biggest overall album for the year and biggest track across all three relevant formats (downloads, audio streams, video streams) lists. This comes as little surprise considering some of the streaming and chart records Drake broke in 2018.

Will Latin music's stock continue to rise in 2019? Will hip-hop widen the gap ahead of the pack? Will physical album sales hemorrhage as rapidly? Only time will tell. Happy listening!

Album Of The Year Nominees Revealed | 2019 GRAMMY Awards

Popa Wu - Wu-Tang Clan

Popa Wu performs in New York City in 2017

Photo: Al Pereira/Getty Images

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Popa Wu, Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate and Mentor, Dies at 63

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Considered the group's longtime "spiritual mentor," Popa Wu featured on numerous Wu-Tang Clan tracks
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Dec 17, 2019 - 2:09 pm

Popa Wu, a longtime affiliate of and mentor to legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, died Dec. 16. He was 63.

Details regarding his cause of death have yet to be released, although reports have confirmed he died in his Brooklyn, N.Y., home.

Reports of Popa Wu's death hit the internet earlier this week when various members and associates of Wu-Tang Clan, as well as other artists and representatives from the wider hip-hop community, began posting tributes to him on social media. Wu-Tang member U-God wrote on Twitter, "RIP to the one and only PAPA WU our sincerest condolences go out to the entire family," while DJ/rapper Pete Rock, who's produced for various Wu-Tang members, lamented, "the angels got you."

Popa Wu, who also went by Freedum Allah, was largely considered a "spiritual mentor" to Wu-Tang Clan. He was a staunch supporter of the Five-Percent Nation, a cultural movement and an offshoot of the Nation of Islam rooted in 1960s America, and preached its philosophies and beliefs on several Wu-Tang Clan songs.

Read: Inside An American Hip-Hop Saga: The Wu-Tang Clan Story Enters A New Chapter

While never an official member of Wu-Tang Clan, Popa Wu was involved in the group's original formation in the early '90s. In addition to being the father of Wu-Tang-affiliated rappers ShaCronz and Free Murda, Popa Wu was also a cousin of the band's de facto leader, RZA, and was related to original members GZA and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.

Popa Wu's credits alongside Wu-Tang Clan and its various members include: "Wu-Revolution," the opening track of the group's 1997 GRAMMY-nominated (Best Rap Album) double album, Wu-Tang Forever; "Black Jesus" and "All That I Got Is You" from Ghostface Killah; and "North Star" from Raekwon. Popa Wu was also behind a two-part compilation series comprising a number of tracks from various Wu-Tang Clan members and associated artists: Visions Of The 10th Chamber in 2000 and the coinciding Visions Of The 10th Chamber Part II in 2008.

Most recently, Popa Wu appeared in the newly launched Hulu web TV miniseries "Wu-Tang: An American Saga," which is based on the early years and formation of Wu-Tang Clan.

Following the news of Popa Wu's death, members of Wu-Tang Clan and the larger hip-hop community commemorated his legacy and his influence on the scene.

Wu-Tang Clan Are Making History At Nashville's Ryman Auditorium

Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith & Jay Rock

Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith & Jay Rock

Photo: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Interscope

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TDE Holiday Concert & Toy Drive To Feature Performances From Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, SZA & More

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The legendary L.A. hip-hop label, home to Kendrick Lamar, SiR, ScHoolboy Q, SZA, Jay Rock and more, kicks off their sixth annual community-centered, donation-based concert and community day on Dec. 18
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 17, 2019 - 1:38 pm

Today, heavy-hitting Los Angeles hip-hop label Top Dawg Entertainment announced the details for their sixth annual holiday concert and toy drive. The two-day, community-focused event will take place at Nickerson Gardens in Watts, with the TDE artist-led concert taking place tomorrow, Weds., Dec. 18, followed by a "Local Community Day" on Dec. 19.

According to a press release, the donation-based concert will feature "performances from TDE's entire roster and surprise guests." The epic TDE roster is made up of GRAMMY winners Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, past GRAMMY nominees ScHoolboy Q, SZA, Ab-Soul, as well as powerhouses SiR, Isaiah Rashad, Lance Skiiiwalker, Zacari and REASON. Last year's special guests included past nominee Travis Scott.

Gates for the special show open at 11 am tomorrow; TDE asks that attendees bring an unwrapped gift for free admission and notes that "any and all donations" will be accepted to share with those in need in the local community.

Read: SiR Is 'Chasing Summer' And, With A Little Help From Kendrick Lamar & Others, Making His Dreams Reality

"The annual event is embedded into the ethos of the L.A. label and extremely important to TDE as it focuses on giving back to the same community and neighborhood that gave TDE CEO Anthony 'Top Dawg' Tiffith and many others in the TDE family their start," the press release notes.

Nickerson Gardens is a large, long-standing affordable housing community in Watts, a neighborhood that has historically been on the frontlines of racist policies, heavy policing, gang violence and income inequality. In addition to Tiffith, fellow TDE leader Punch, as well as Jay Rock, grew up in Nickerson Gardens. 

Day two of the event focuses on bringing as many people as possible in Nickerson Gardens with holiday cheer and hope.

"The annual Community Day provides the Nickerson Gardens community with things that all children and families should have around the holidays, such as gifts, clothing and food. Above all else, the annual event provides the community with hope and real-life examples in the artists and people who make up the TDE family that no matter where you come from, you can do something positive and put yourself in the position to give back to your community," the press release continues.    

"TDE encourages everyone who attends the event to respect the neighborhood and residents and work toward continuing to foster community by volunteering/getting involved and just having a good time when you show up."

Jay Rock One-On-One Interview | 2019 GRAMMYs

The concert and toy drive will happen concurrently on Dec. 18, with gates opening at 11:00 am. Exact start time or lineup (although TDE confirmed all of their artists will perform) details have not been shared yet; you'll have to show up with a donation and see for yourself. The Local Community Day follows on Thurs., Dec. 19 and will take place from 10:00 am–6:00 pm. Both events will take place at William Nickerson Recreation Center, 1590 E 114th St, Los Angeles, Calif. 90059.

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Travis Barker

Travis Barker

Photo: Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage/Getty Images

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Travis Barker Launches DTA Records With New Lil Wayne & Rick Ross Collab

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The Blink-182 drummer announced the new record label that will serve as a home for his collabs in hip-hop and other genres, as well as for artist development
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 13, 2019 - 12:20 pm

Today, Travis Barker announced a new record label, DTA Records, which he is launching in partnership with Elektra Music Group. The Blink-182 drummer also released its first single, "Gimme Brain," a raunchy collab featuring his frenetic drumbeat and bars from hip-hop icons Lil Wayne and Rick Ross.

The new label caps off a busy year for Barker, who not only toured and released a new album with Blink-182, but also worked on a lot of collab tracks and projects, including two collab EPs; LIVE FAST DIE WHENEVER, with $uicideboy$ and Meet The Drummers with 03 Greedo.

DTA Records will serve as a home for Barker's collabs in hip-hop and other genres, as well for artist development under his leadership.

Read: Blink-182 Announce New Album 'NINE' Release Date, Plus New Song "Darkside"

"I wanted a label partner that I trusted with true artist development," Barker said about Elektra, in a statement shared with Billboard.

"As an artist, it's important to me that an artist's vision is protected at all costs. It's crucial that I'm able to look an artist in the eye and believe it when I say we can take them from a basement to an arena. Elektra's track record and belief are proof of that, and I'm stoked to continue to build that legacy together through DTA Records."

According to a press release, the song "represents a continuation of Barker's passion for beat making and production, especially within hip-hop which was his first love growing up."

Weezy and Blink-182 toured across North America together this summer. He, Barker and Ross first worked together back in 2011 on "Can A Drummer Get Some," from the drummer's similarly titled rap-collab-heavy solo album, Give The Drummer Some.

Blink-182's 'Enema Of The State' Will Never Actually Turn 20

GRAMMYs
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Poll: Who Do You Think Voters Will Pick For Best Rap Performance At The 2020 GRAMMYs?

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J. Cole, J.I.D., Bas, EARTHGANG, Young Nudy, DaBaby, Nipsey Hussle, Roddy Ricch, Hit-Boy, Offset and Cardi B are all in the running for Best Rap Performance at the 62nd GRAMMY Awards—tell us who you think will win!
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 11, 2019 - 2:10 pm

And the Best Rap Performance GRAMMY goes to…

We'll have to wait until the 62nd GRAMMY Awards on Jan. 26, 2020 to find out how the sentence will be completed, so, for now, let's revisit the talented artists and fire tracks that are currently nominated for Best Rap Performance. Take the poll below to pick who you think Recording Academy voters will select as the winner, and read on to learn a bit more about the songs and artists in the running, which include J. Cole, J.I.D., Bas, EARTHGANG, Young Nudy, DaBaby, Nipsey Hussle, Roddy Ricch, Hit-Boy, Offset and Cardi B.

Polls

Who Do You Think Voters Will Pick For Best Rap Performance?

Former 2012 Best New Artist nominee J. Cole has become one of the biggest names in hip-hop over the past decade, and with his talent-rich Dreamville Records imprint, is bringing many younger rappers up with him. This past January, the North Carolina legend released "MIDDLE CHILD," which would serve as a lead single to the Dreamville compilation album, Revenge of the Dreamers III, released later in the year, on July 5.

Not only is Cole up against himself in this category, as "Down Bad" is also nominated, he and the Dreamville squad are also up for Best Rap Album for Revenge of the Dreamers III.

Related: Find Out Who's Nominated For Best Rap Album | 2020 GRAMMY Awards

Following a series of mixtapes, first-time GRAMMY nominee DaBaby, also from North Carolina, released his debut studio album, Baby On Baby, this past March. It was indeed a huge year for the rising rapper, as not only was his album well-received, but he also saw viral success with its single, "Suge," and he was featured in XXL's 2019 Freshman Class. He also served up several high-profile features, including for remix versions of both Lizzo's "Truth Hurts" and Lil Nas X's "Panini."

"Suge," whose title is a reference to Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight, is also nominated for Best Rap Song, a songwriters' award.

"Down Bad" was released on June 12, 2019, one week after Revenge of the Dreamers III finally dropped, as its next single. As the album itself is a product of the collaboration of many artists, the majority who are signed to Cole's Dreamville label, this track is a shining example of both a solid rap posse cut and the collab-led album.

"Down Bad" features J.I.D., Bas, EARTHGANG—all of whom are on Dreamville, Young Nudy and Cole himself, who offers his flow to a bulk of the LP's 18 tracks.

Another Poll: Who Will Win Best Pop Vocal Album At The 2020 GRAMMYs?

"Racks In The Middle," was the last empowering single Nipsey Hussle released before we lost the Los Angeles icon this spring. The track features emerging L.A. rapper Roddy Ricch, another XXL Class Of 2019 inductee and GRAMMY-winning producer Hit-Boy. Like "Suge," "Racks In The Middle" is also both up for Best Rap Song.

The late, great Hussle is also up for a third nomination this year, for DJ Khaled's track "Higher," which also features vocals from John Legend and was released after Hussle's death. At the 61st GRAMMYs earlier this year, the hip-hop hero received his first GRAMMY nomination for his long-time-coming debut studio album, Victory Lap.

Hip-hop powercouple Offset and Cardi B slayed at the 2019 GRAMMYs this past February. Not only did they look fly on the red carpet, they shared a major moment onstage earlier this year when Cardi took home her first golden gramophone, for Best Rap Album for her 2018 killer debut studio album Invasion Of Privacy.

Later that month, Offset released his first solo album, FATHER OF 4, the final Migos' member to release their solo project. The album's second single, "Clout," features none other than Cardi B, who adds a big dose of bad b***h attitude to the track and music video.

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Stay tuned to GRAMMY.com (sign up for our weekly newsletter digest above!), our social media channels (follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), YouTube page, to keep up on all things 2020 GRAMMYs. And don't forget to catch the big show live on CBS on Jan. 26, 2020.

Find Out Who Just Made History With Their GRAMMY Nominations: 2020 GRAMMYs By The Numbers