10 Hip Hop Facts/ Trivia: A Short Thread

Swagga Like Us was the first beat that Kanye produced after his mother, Donda, passed away.

Vince Staples was introduced to Mac Miller by Earl Sweatshirt. Vince & Mac agreed to do an EP, but their chemistry was so natural that they completed a full project, Stolen Youth.

Q-Tip wrote most of People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm while in 10th grade. He envisioned much of the production as well.

Dr. Dre & Mel-Man were the 1st producers to have 2 projects that they produced the majority of to be nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys.

2001 & Marshall Mathers LP. MMLP won the Grammy.

Roc-A-Fella and Terror Squad had an off-wax beef that culminated in a fight at an NYC nightclub in 1998.

Ruff Ryders foudners, the Dean Family, learned about DMX through Heavy D. X had already earned a reputation as a fearless battle MC that caught Heavy's attention.

Paul C & Large Professor ghost-produced much of Eric B and Rakim's Let the Rhythm Hit Em. After Paul was murdered, protege Xtra P was brought in to complete the project. Rakim has confirmed their contributions.

On a flight home from Paris, Kanye showed Adam Levine an unfinished version of Heard 'Em Say and convinced Adam to help him complete it.

With the exception of 7 Day Theory, Daz is the only artist to appear on every Death Row album released from 92-97. He remained with the label until 2000, long after the core artists left.

Talib Kweli worked at Nikru Books at the time We Are Black Star dropped & partnered with Mos Def to purchase the store in 1998. The store was converted to a cultural & education center and remained open through the early 00s.