HHC Digital’s rap round-up…
By Richard Watson

I’m out for presidents to represent me: This week, Jay-Z and the missus popped round Barack’s crib, a cultural convergence that represented either the incredible power of hip-hop in smashing social barriers, or the incredible power of cardigans in rehabilitating the image of a man who once stabbed a peer to boost record sales. Either way, with rap’s biggest name cosying up to the government, Bow Wow – the Twitter generation’s Chuck D – stepped in to launch a scathing broadside at the powers that be.

Girls On Film: The maker of a video in which a woman thought to be the circa-2004 Nicki Minaj recalled knocking Ugg boots with Remy Ma appealed to Ms Minaj to set the record straight. Meanwhile, Trina lost a phone filled with explicit photos that, we’re informed, showed the starkers starlet looking somewhat less than her best. Weighing in on her rival’s sub-par appearance, Khia tweeted, “BAD D*CK IS THE BLAME”, although it’s worth noting that the ‘My Neck, My Back’ girl isn’t a qualified GP. Or English teacher.

E-40 related how he gave an uncomplimentary Biggie a pass back in the day, but DMX received the wrong kind of pass from an Arizona school that had previously booked him to perform. Fashawn showed off his skateboard prowess, while Lil Wayne showed off his much-hyped dental work and Birdman proved himself to be a genuine headcase by showing off his expanded collection of scalp-situated tattoos.

A clip from Michael Rapaport’s forthcoming A Tribe Called Quest documentary found Ludacris revealing that, as a young Tribe fan, he had no idea what Ali did. Luda insists that he’s now more than familiar with Mr Muhammad’s contributions, but the disrespect has already been done – not to Ali, but to Jarobi, who clearly made the what-the-hell-does-he-do? role in ATCQ his own.

Finally, continued best wishes to a recovering Guru, and RIP to Newcleus founder Chilly B, a true pioneer.