Entertainment
The Unstoppable Khemist: From Spoken Word Poetry to Rap Legend
You Think You know Khemist? You Might Change Your Mind After You Read This.
In today’s society, artists struggle quite ever to bring their music before the eyes and ears they have to prosper in their careers. An artist’s work is usually lost in noise with the sheer number of songs posted to Spotify or other streaming services every day . Not only does it hamper the event of a replacement artist’s career, but albeit you breach the barrier of entrance, it’s increasingly hard to stay on the circuit.
Who Is Khemist?
Most of you might know Khemist as an artist from Philly’s Logan Valley, Philadelphia-bred songwriter, MC, poet and prolific musician, Khemist is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed artist and bonafide lyrical force to be reckoned with. Khemist’s eclectic body of work reflects his bittersweet upbringing amidst the blighted streets of the hardscrabble city, yet defies falling into stereotypical music categorizations.
Influenced by greats, such as Sonia Sanchez, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Black Ice, Mums Da Schemer, Nas, Toni Morrison, Robert Browning, Nikki Giovanni and Octavia Butler, Khemist’s layered lyrics speak of survival and self-reliance, loss and longing, with a razor-sharp delivery that resonates with his legions fans, including Lauryn Hill, Black Thought, Bilal, and Pharoahe Monch.
Ironically, it was years of not speaking during his childhood — from fifth to eighth grade — that Khemist credits with leading him to a career as a journeyman lyricist. While at the playground, Khemist came across an injured bleeding man facing certain death. An older man told Khemist to keep his mouth shut about the shocking scene he just witnessed — and that is exactly what he did. In an instant, Khemist was robbed of his innocence by a death he never actually saw, but could not UN-see. Coupled with the trauma of the subsequent loss of friends to senseless crime and the American carceral system, Khemist became desensitized to violence, yet determined to serve as a voice for the voiceless.
A former workshop leader for the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement, Khemist cut his teeth writing poetry, listening to “The Come Up Show with DJ Cosmic Kev,” watching HBO’s Def Poetry Jam and battling on rap DVDs. Later, he would be honored, to finally be featured on Def Poetry.
Recording with leading producer Anwar Marshall, Khemist graduated from spoken word poetry and marathon freestyle rap to picking up a guitar at age 22. His willingness to embrace this new challenge and discomfort facilitated substantial artistic growth and liberated him to become more than an emcee. Pairing lyrical prowess with diligent musicianship, he developed a sound that reflects his encyclopedic-like knowledge of Black American musical folkways, as well as the vast, ambitious nature of his progressive sounds. It is this music that he believes to be the most important of his life.
Like Khemist, this is not just rap.
Khemist first made waves on the Puzzle Pieces mixtape. He followed with Death 2 Wack Rappers, hosted by Black Thought, and the Khemist x Aktive mixtape, featuring DJ Aktive. Khemist’s spoken word project, Lornda & Poems, is a heartfelt ode to his grandmother. Virginia radio fixture and Pusha T affiliate, DJ Rick Geez, joined Khemist on Scrap Metal. Written and recorded in one day, all in a Day’s Work, dials up the lyrical showmanship of Philadelphia rap lore. Khemist later connected with Zaytona on Wolves.
In 2019, Khemist caught the attention of music heads and fans all over with his music video, “I Been on a Budget”, as well as his live performance videos. A year later, he gained an even broader audience when he appeared on NPR Music as a guest performer with saxophonist, Teodross Avery, and received a Lennon Award for Songwriting for his song, upright.
After countless hours logged in the studio, Khemist’s forthcoming Khemtrails EP and impending full-length studio album are the culmination of his previous releases. He has moved into a new realm with his music on his upcoming EP, Khemtrails (Black Baby Digital). His “most honest music” to date and one where he “took ownership over each component of the music,” Khemist says that with Khemtrails he is living in his purpose.
Follow Khemist on instagram here
Stream Khemist’s latest EP, Khemtrails (Black Baby Digital), released on June 19, 2020 in honor of Juneteenth. For new music releases and tour dates, follow Khemist on social media, at @khemist_LV, or go to https://linktr.ee/Khemist.
Latest video release “Ruha Benjamin” inspired by the book Race After Technology by Ruha Benjamin
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Celebrity
Queen Bey – Beyoncé Shatters Records With Her Unprecedented 2025 Grammy Nominations
Beyoncé is once again making headlines. After dominating the music scene, blazing through a record-breaking “Renaissance” tour, and launching a successful whiskey brand, SirDavis, weren’t enough, she’s now rewriting history at the Grammy Awards. In March, she took the world by storm with her eighth studio album release, COWBOY CARTER, which continues to echo across the charts. This year, the superstar has earned a stunning 11 Grammy nominations, setting a new record as the female artist who has ever received the most nominations in a single year. Once again, Beyoncé has firmly redefined what it means to be a trailblazer in the music industry, proving there are no limits to what she can achieve.
The 11 nods mark a new personal best for Beyoncé, who previously shared the long-standing record with Lauryn Hill at 10 nominations apiece. Hill achieved the feat in 1999, and Beyoncé first met that mark in 2010. The sheer range speaks volumes about her artistic versatility, relentless ambition, and unmatched status in the music industry. But with 2025 nominations, Beyoncé genuinely shines brightly in major categories like Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance. Queen Bey’s fierce presence reinforces her iconic status in music in a highly competitive Grammy race that includes powerhouses like Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish.
This news arrives at an exciting time amidst swirling controversy. Despite COWBOY CARTER’s undeniable genre-bending success and Beyoncé’s well-received pivot into country influences, she was left out this year at the Country Music Awards and the People’s Choice Country Awards. With 17 nominations at the PCCAs, she walked away empty-handed, raising eyebrows across the industry. While Beyoncé soars on the Grammy stage, she’s faced notable snubs in the country music realm. A legend of the genre, Dolly Parton even commented on the snub in an interview with Variety, reflecting, “There’s so many wonderful country artists that, I guess probably are in the country music field, they probably thought, well, we can’t really leave out some of the ones that spend their whole life doing that.”
But for Beyoncé, this year’s Grammy nods are more than a consolation prize; they validate her impact. As she heads into Grammy season with 11 nominations, it’s clear that while the country music world might still be playing catch-up, the Grammys recognize Beyoncé’s immense talent. For enthusiasts and music lovers globally, one thing is sure: Beyoncé isn’t just making history. She’s actively reshaping it. Her work demonstrates that there are no limits within her sphere and that records are not intended to endure; instead, they are designed to be rewritten. Consequently, according to her vision and standards, she possesses the ability and intent to continue influencing the music industry.
Celebrity
50 Cent’s Legacy “Candy Shop” Video Racks Up 1-Billion Views on YouTube
In a year filled with achievements and a music scene where videos come and go, 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop” has cemented a lasting legacy that many artists aspire to. Nearly 20 years after its release, the iconic music video features a captivating Olivia and catchy lyrics that people can’t help but remember, and it has reached an impressive 1 billion views on YouTube. This milestone places “Candy Shop” alongside his hit “In Da Club,” which also crossed the billion-view mark earlier, highlighting 50 Cent’s enduring popularity.
Released in 2005 as part of his album “The Massacre,” “Candy Shop“ quickly took the world by storm, spending nine weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song became famous for its mix of daring lyrics, an infectious beat, and a sultry video that everyone was talking about. It featured appearances from artists like Lil Scrappy, Young Buck, and Lloyd Banks, showcasing the G-Unit crew. Now that the song has hit 1 billion views, it’s evident that nostalgia and great music keep fans returning for more.
This milestone comes as 50 Cent prepares for his first-ever residency in Las Vegas, which is set to begin next month. He’s excited about this new venture and told fans, “My first Vegas residency is going to be an experience; you don’t wanna miss this!” He will be performing six exclusive shows at Planet Hollywood from December 27 to January 4, and he even teased a special New Year’s Eve celebration featuring his own Sire Spirits, making it a highly anticipated event for fans.
While fans are eager for new music, 50 Cent’s focus has shifted slightly. At a recent event, he shared, “I have to tap into the st*pid side of me to write the right thing,” explaining that today’s music landscape doesn’t always inspire him. With so many projects on the go, including TV shows and business endeavors, it’s clear that 50 Cent is building his legacy far beyond just music, and this latest achievement is a testament to his impact on different generations.
