By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Highly controversial, XXL’s annual Freshman list has been spot on this year. Among the artists featured on the countdown were Trinidad James and Logic. Both rappers are members of the same label, Def Jam. Over the past few years, Def Jam has become a revolving door, losing former stars such as Ace Hood, while welcoming Trinidad James.
The same day Logic released his freestyle video for XXL, Def Jam announced they signed him. During his 2011 appearance on MTV’s “RapFix Live,” Irv Gotti recounted a conversation with Jimmy Iovine. Talking about Def Jam, Irv Gotti said Jimmy Iovine said the label had been replaced by Cash Money Records, who took a lot of former talent.
Clearly, Def Jam still commands respect and remains the home of Rick Ross, Kanye West, and now Logic. As he is now on one of the biggest record labels in the game, Logic is ready to kick off his spring/summer tour. The “Welcome to Forever” tour launches on May 14 in Atlanta and then ends on June 26 in Toronto.
See the tour dates below:
May 14 Atlanta, GA Terminal West
16 Dallas, TX House of Blues
17 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit
18 Austin, TX Stubb’s Jr.
19 Houston, TX House of Blues
21 New York, NY Best Buy Theater
(XXL Freshman)
23 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
24 Fort Collins, CO Aggie Theatre
25 Colorado Spgs., CO The Black Sheep
26 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine
28 Tucson, AZ Rock
29 Scottsdale, AZ Martini Ranch
30 San Diego, CA House of Blues
31 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
June 1 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
3 Santa Barbara, CA Velvet Jones
4 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
6 Portland, OR Peter’s Room
7 Vancouver, B.C. Fortune Sound Club
8 Seattle, WA The Crocodile
10 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
11 Denver, CO The Summit Music Hall
12 Lawrence, KS Granada Theater
14 Minneapolis, MN Varsity
15 Milwaukee, WI The Rave II (Downstairs)
16 Detroit, MI Shelter
18 Cleveland, OH HOB Cambridge Room
19 Chicago, IL House of Blues
21 Boston, MA Paradise
22 New York, NY Irving Plaza
23 Silver Spring, MD Fillmore
24 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)
26 Toronto, Ont. Mod Club
