Quinn XCII is back with his fifth studio album, The People’s Champ. With Quinn's classic sound that seamlessly blends multiple genres together - this could be his best yet. While many of his songs are upbeat, his lyrics convey the essential message that reminds you to stay true to yourself.

With his new album out today, and a worldwide headline tour titled “The People’s Tour” coming this spring, Quinn XCII sat down with Popdust for an exclusive interview:

QUINN XCII | Popdust Presentswww.youtube.com


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Music Lists

The 7 Best Nipsey Hussle Features

Two years ago today, we lost the incomparable Nipsey Hussle.

Deep Reverence

Two years ago today, we lost the incomparable Nipsey Hussle.

In addition to the obvious slew of amazing solo projects, Nip also contributed a modicum of amazing guest features throughout his career. He gave YG's anti-Trump anthem a grounded call-to-action that caused the Secret Service to reach out and try to quell the track's existence. He also linked up with Drake early on in the OVO crooner's career and made a moody leaked single that somehow never found a home. For fans of Nip and his pithy lyrics, here are some of the rapper's stand-out guest appearances.

What It Be Like (Feat. Nipsey Hussle) – Stalley

Off of Stalley's underappreciated debut effort Ohio, "What It Be Like," with its fanfare and smooth percussion, fit Nipsey's slick street poetry like a glove. Nip uses his spot to speak on his city, and how things are never what they seem. The "city of three strikes" is full of rats "in this race for a cheese slice," all while the broke and well-intentioned of his community try to "visualize their dream life" while escaping poverty and jail.

Deep Reverence (Ft. Nipsey Hussle) – Big Sean

On this powerful feature verse, which emerged after Nip's murder, the emcee ruminates on the pressures of his lifestyle, and how being an activist and street icon was never enough to keep vultures like TMZ from spreading unflattering rumors. But Nip keeps it moving, sprinkling one more "street lesson" before proclaiming himself the don of his city and letting Big Sean take the wheel. It's a brief feature, but regardless it was so nice to hear his voice again, if only for a moment.

CANDY (Feat. Nipsey Hussle) – PARTYNEXTDOOR

A PND deep-cut that only recently found its way to streaming services via 2020's PARTYPACK, "CANDY" found Nip in a totally different vibe than what long-time listeners were used to. Over muted R&B loopings and snappy drums, Nip trades in his self-motivational bars for romantic foreplay. "Realism got you feeling the effects more," he raps, speaking on how his authenticity captivated his love interest. Regardless of if you believe this to be one of Nip's best verses or not, it was fun to hear him broach a different topic than what fans were used to, and it was no doubt exciting to hear him yearn alongside PARTYNEXTDOOR.

"FDT" – YG, Nipsey Hussle

One of Nipsey's best guest appearances, FDT was not only an anthem prior to Donald Trump's election, but morphed into an epic f*ck you track after his 2020 election loss. While YG spits gut-punch insults ("Don't let Donald Trump win, that n**** cancer"), Nipsey uses his verse to discuss more systemic issues. "Reagan sold coke, Obama sold hope, Donald Trump spent his trust fund money on the vote," he raps. With that said, Nip still has fun with it and makes sure to take a few loose jabs at the twice-impeached lunatic: "If you vote Donald Trump, you're prolly on dope."

"Fountain of Youth" – Stalley, Nipsey Hussle, Rick Ross

The Self Made 2 standout finds Nipsey cruising in his comfort zone. Placed alongside Stalley and Rick Ross, Nipsey not only handles the track's hook but raps a powerful verse about his unstoppable drive and devotion to his city. "Never vocalize my visions, actions was my spokespers' / Study rich n***** moves like my homework / Sacrilegious; however, streets was my own church."

Pleeze (Feat. Nipsey Hussle) – Dom Kennedy

Another gem that found Nipsey cruising comfortably, "Pleeze" united the dynamic duo of Nip and Dom Kennedy, as both emcees traverse the dangerous streets of LA, and speak on how life-threatening it can be to even walk home. Shoot-outs in the alley that kept Nipsey awake at night, hiding a shotgun behind his front door — all of it is vividly recalled in Nipsey's mesmerizing verse.

Killer (Feat. Nipsey Hussle) – Drake

Of course "Killer" has to be included on this list. Even though it started off as an intentional leak, the Nip and Drizzy collab has since taken on a life of its own and has been forever memorialized as the one time two legends crafted something excellent together. The result was a track that has stood the test of time, and still slaps.

Much like Outkast and Little Brother, J. Cole helped reshape the narrative surrounding the lack of lyricism from southern rappers.

The Fayetteville, North Carolina native raps with the technical brilliance of New York City rap titans like Nas and Jay-Z. His sincere take on the Black Experience makes him a leading voice in Hip-Hop.

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Music Features

11 Famous People Inspired by Selena Quintanilla

The pioneering Tejano star died 25 years ago, but her lasting legacy has shaped many artists you know.

Selena - I Could Fall In Love (Official Music Video)

25 years ago, Mexican-American Tejano sensation Selena Quintanilla was murdered.

In her short 23 years, Selena took the Latin music scene by storm throughout the late '80s and early '90s, playing an unprecedented role in driving the genre towards the mainstream in the United States. Some of her greatest influences included Donna Summer, Gloria Estefan, Paula Abdul, and the Jackson family, though her father encouraged her to pay homage to her roots by singing in Spanish and implementing Mexican cumbia and mariachi into her music.

With hits like "Dreaming of You," "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom," and "Como la Flor" — as well as an unmistakable, but often replicated, sense of style — Selena was a phenomenon with a lasting legacy.

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New Releases

Jhené Aiko Fumbles with "Chilombo"

The singer's third album is filled with lyrical meandering, and not much else.

Jhené Aiko - None Of Your Concern (Official Video)

Back in 2017, Jhené Aiko sat down with Billboardto discuss the tepid reception to her sophomore album, Trip.

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MUSIC

The 10 Worst Lyrics From Your Favorite Rappers

Even famous rappers don't get it right every time.

Drake - Money In The Grave ft. Rick Ross

Everyone has a bad day every now and then, even your favorite rappers.

The highly accomplished acts below no doubt have more hits than flops, but in a sense that's what makes their flops so noticeable and uncharacteristic. From Drake, Rick Ross, and Future to Lil Wayne and Run-DMC, these are the worst lyrics uttered by your favorite rappers.

Nicki Minaj

"When he was a geisha, I was a Samurai, somehow I understood him when he spoke Thai."

Rocko - U.O.E.N.O. ft. Future, Rick Ross

"Put molly all in her champagne, she ain't even know it. I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain't even know it."

RUN-DMC - King Of Rock (Official Video)

"There's three of us, but we're not the Beatles."

Lil Wayne

"I'm a venereal disease, like a menstrual bleed."

Nas

"Honey ain't a politican, she a pole-a-tician."

YG

"On my late-night thirsty, 'cause it was late-night and I was thirsty"

Fredo Santana

"Baby girl pull your pants up, I only want your face"

Pittbull

"Your man just left, I'm the plumber tonight, let me check your pipes. Oh, you're the healthy type. Well, here goes some egg whites."

Lil Pump

"I'm a millionaire but I don't know how to read."