Image via Complex Original
1.
The Knicks are all bad, man. No, not in a 2014 was a bad year for hip hop way, but in a we really haven't won a game since 2014 way. Matter of fact, the Knickerbockers are playing so poorly that they packed the bags of NYC fan-favorites J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert and sent them packing to Cleveland to help bring a ring to LeBron, or maybe to help Kid Cudi record an album, or maybe even both.
Now, this Knicks losing streak is more like a New York losing streak—the Knicks, Giants and Jets have only won six games combined since December 1st. But with the NFL season over, our focus is solely on the blue and orange; and for the Knicks, this is really more than a 15-game losing streak. Take a look at how they've have done this season: lost 15 in a row, lost 25 of 26, lost 27 of 29, lost 34 of 37, lost 35 of 40. (YUUGH!)
So here we are, a full month since the last Knicks win. To put things into perspective about how long it’s been since they caught a W, we put together a timeline of notable hip hop events that happened since their last win. A lot happens in a month. Life comes at you fast, Knicks fans.
2.Memphis Bleek Ties the Knot
Date: 12/13/2014
Losing streak: One game
Surrounded by the company of close friends and family, Memphis Bleek quietly married his longtime girlfriend Ashley Coombs in a private ceremony in New Jersey. The Roc was definitely in the building—and by building we mean wedding chapel—as both Jay and Bey were reportedly in attendance. Although no photos of Queen B have surfaced, Jay Z was all smiles while posing with party-goers. And to answer the all important question, you've been wondering: Yes, Bleek took the durag off.
3.Bobby Shmurda Arrested
Date: 12/17/2014
Losing streak: Two games
What’s one thing worse than being a Knicks fan? Being Bobby Shmurda. As he was enjoying his rapid rise to fame and had the entire world Shmoney Dancing into the holiday season, the baby-faced Brooklyn MC’s career was stopped right in its tracks. The news broke that Shmurda had been arrested along with a dozen of his GS9 co-defendants on a 70-count indictment. The 20-year-old was issued a “Go Directly To Jail, Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200” card and has since spent both Christmas and New Year's on Rikers Island. Not only does Shmurda bear a striking resemblance to Thunder PG Reggie Jackson, but the GS9 may have had a better shooting percentage than this 2015 Knicks squad.
4.Azealia Banks Breaks Down During Hot 97 Interview
Date: 12/18/2014
Losing streak: Three games
Full of talent, speaks eloquently, and full of passion. Some might think that these words might-could easily describe Derek Fisher’s skills as a Knicks coach—but you’re right; who are we fooling?! In one of last year’s most poignant and emotionally charged interviews, Azealia Banks took to the Ebro in The Morning show to talk (and sometimes not nicely) about a bunch of topics ranging from her relationship with T.I. to how she really feels about IggyAzalea.
5.LL Cool J and Canibus Squash The Beef
Date: 12/19/2014
Losing streak: Three games
A beef that spanned over three decades ('90s, '00s, '10s,) finally came to end. What began as a '90s version of a subtweet (Canibus taking a jab at LL on the 1997 song "4, 3, 2, 1") quickly escalated into a full back and forth war on wax. However, last month at Hot 97's "Christmas in Brooklyn" concert, LL announced that the beef was squashed, punctuating the declaration by bringing Canibus on stage with him. Now, we all know what you’re thinking and, yes, we agree: This is probably the most hip-hop thing to happen at Barclays Center since Jay Z owned the Nets.
6."106 & Park" Airs Final Episode
Date: 12/19/2014
Losing streak: Three games
After a 14-year run, BET’s flagship show, "106 & Park" aired its final episode. The two-hour season finale rolled out a red carpet list of celebs, former hosts, and performers, and yes—there was one final Freestyle Friday performance. Moving forward, the network plans to continue the show with an all-digital format. The station will still continue to air show specials such as "106 & Party", their annual New Year’s Eve episodes, and shows to promote the BET Awards on BET.com.
7.Legendary Producer Larry Smith Passes Away
Date: 12/19/2014
Losing streak: Three games
Hip-hop and New York lost a great one on December 19 of last year. Larry Smith, the seminal producer who worked with Run-DMC, Whodini and Kurtis Blow passed away at the age of 63, due to complications from a stroke he suffered in 2007. The Queens, N.Y. native never fully recovered from the incident. Sorry Swish fans, but Larry Smith > J.R. Smith.
8.Q-Tip Schools Iggy Azalea on Hip-Hop History on Twitter
Date: 12/20/2014
Losing streak: Four games
It’s quite clear that over the past year Iggy Azalea has seen more action on the net than Amar'e has this year in MSG. After letting off some misfired shots (no J.R. Smith) directed at Azealia Banks for her comments in her Hot 97 interview, Iggy took to Twitter to respond. What happened next is nothing short of legendary. Q-Tip went on Twitter to address Iggy directly and schooled her on the history of the hip-hop culture. In a series of tweets, The Abstract educated Iggy and others on the origins of hip-hop and its deep-roots as a sociopolitical movement.
9.Wale and A-Trak (and Jerry Seinfeld) Drop "Festivus" Mixtape
Date: 12/23/2014
Losing streak: Five games
Bridging the gap between his Complex cover and the release of The Album About Nothing—scheduled for a March release—Wale dropped the Seinfeld-themed mixtape, Festivus. With a track list full of features, including Jerry himself, the mixtape dropped on December 20, the Festivus celebration date, according to Seinfeld. How many New Yorkers do you think mentioned the Knickerbockers during their Airing of Grievances?
10.Shyne-Diddy Shooting Victim Speaks Out on Instagram After 15 Years
Date: 12/27/2014
Losing streak: Seven games
Fifteen years after the terrible shooting involving two of music’s biggest celebrities, one of the victims spoke out publicly for the first time. After UpNorthTrips posted a photo commemorating the incident, the victim, Natania Reuben, spoke up about her experiences that cold December night in 1999. At first her comments were critical, as she cited a lack of sympathy for the victims, but was rallied into positivity through plenty of support for her bravery.
11.RiFF RaFF and Hulk Hogan Announce Tag Team Partnership
Date: 12/28/2014
Losing streak: Seven games
Yep. This happened. After announcing his decision to put down the yayo and get back into the gym, RiFF RaFF declared his intention to become a WWE wrestler and began documenting his progress on his Instagram page. Obviously trolling us all, right? Well, then Hulk Hogan made a video announcing that his 24-inch pythons will be linking up with the Neon Icon as a tag team duo in the WWE. The Hulkster’s video all but confirmed that RiFF RaFF-as-a-wrestler is actually a real thing (for those that think wrestling is a real thing). If you think this story is crazy, rest assured, you aren't alone.
Can't wait to start training with my new partner @JODYHiGHROLLER !!! Hulkamania is going NEON brother! HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) December 28, 2014
12.Lil B and Frank Ocean Record Together
Date: 12/28/2014
Losing streak: Eight games
If RiFF RaFF and Hulk Hogan aren't a dynamic enough duo for you, try Lil B and Frank Ocean. Last month, Lil B took to his Tumblr to post a "rare image" of him in the studio with Frank Ocean. Ocean, who has been relatively quiet since releasing his debut album outside of some guest appearances and snippet leaks, didn’t add any explanation. With few details available aside from B’s "coming soon" caption, we can only speculate if, when, and where this collabo will pop up.
13.Nipsey Hussle Drops Second $1,000 Mixtape "Mailbox Money"
Date: 12/29/2014
Losing streak: Eight games
Nipsey Hussle dropped his newest project, Mailbox Money revealing the cover art on Instagram. Nip set out repeat the success from his last "Crenshaw" mixtape, which thanks to some help from Jay Z reportedly made the rapper $100,000. Similar to the last release, 100 hardcopies of Mailbox Money were made available to purchase for $1,000 apiece through Nip’s Proud 2 Pay. Those who purchase the hardcopy version of the album will also be able to attend a listening session for his long-awaited Victory Lap album.
14.Kanye West and Paul McCartney Release "Only One"
Date: 12/31/2014
Losing streak: Nine games
On New Year’s Eve, the ball wasn’t the most important thing to drop that night. While everyone was preparing for that perfect outfit to wear, or where they would spend that exciting moment of ringing in 2015, Kanye had another drop in mind. Practically out of the blue, Kanye stole the spotlight (as Kanye does) and released, "Only One", a collaboration with Paul McCartney, and possibly the first joint off his yet-to-be-titled new album. In total 'Ye fashion, he put the NYE in Kanye for 2015.
15.Dipset Reunites on Funkmaster Flex's Show
Date: 1/5/2015
Losing streak: 12 games
Maybe not as good as Ewing, Starks, Mason and Oakley coming back together, but a reunion went down in NYC that, to some, is just as exciting. After Funkmaster Flex announced on his Instagram that the Dips would be reuniting for a nationwide tour, Jimmy, Cam, Juelz and Freaky went up to Flex’s show and let loose one of those vintage Hot 97 freestyles that’s been missing for years. In addition to the freestyle, and the news of their 2015 tour, Dipset dropped a taste for the hood: their new squad collabo, "Better Have My Money". All this Dipset excitement sets a pretty big tone for them in 2015. Could this be the year that the Dips come back to life, and put Harlem back on the rise?
16.Rapper Cool C’s Execution Stay Announced
Date: 1/8/2015
Losing streak: 14 games
In 1996, Philadelphia rapper Cool C was convicted of first degree murder for the shooting death of a Philadelphia police officer during a botched robbery attempt. After serving the last 19 years in prison, an execution date was announced for Cool C via lethal injection: January 8, 2015. But in shocking last minute decision, Pennsylvania's governor granted a second emergency stay of execution, postponing the death of the 44-year old rapper.