In 2012, rappers made great attempts to avoid making the stereotypical booty videos and create astounding visuals that offer more than just a cursory glance. Some offered a compelling story line like J. Cole’s 'Crooked Smile' and Kendrick Lamar's 'Poetic Justice.' Others opted for movie inspired treatments like Iggy Azalea’s 'Change Your Life' clip.
Justin Timberlake released a knockout remix for 'TKO.' The all-star rap tune, dubbed the "Black Friday Remix," is a bouncy song featuring J. Cole, A$AP Rocky and Pusha T spitting some gritty rhymes.
With his hat turned back and donning a leather jacket, J. Cole hit the stage at the 'Late Show with David Letterman' to perform one of his biggest hits, the feel-good song with a not-so-feel-good video, 'Crooked Smile.'
Anyone who's been listening to J. Cole since his mixtape days knows that "the struggle" is one of the main themes of his rhymes. He talks about not having much when he was coming up in Fayetteville, N.C. -- a lot. He's still talking about where he came from, only this time it's through a short documentary rather than through verse.
Three of the biggest hip-hop stars will headline a major concert down under. Rappers Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole will headline the Rapture stadium tour in Australia next year.
There's no doubt hip-hop's major talents have big money in their wallets, but we don't always get to hear about their big hearts. Often cast in a showy light with the latest jewelry, foreign cars, clothes and eye candy by their side, their good deeds sometimes go unnoticed -- especially when arrests and beef are always grabbing headlines.
Hip-hop's biggest crews gathered for the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, which aired on Tuesday (Oct. 15) night. The event, hosted by the Cali O.G. Snoop Lion -- a.k.a. Uncle Snoop -- is an annual celebration of the biggest and brightest stars in the rap game today and also tips a hat to the rappers of the past who have paved the way.