Billboard Unfiltered returned with a captivating live episode that brought together Billboard staffers Damien Scott, Carl Lamarre, and Trevor Anderson alongside special guest DJ Drewski from Hot 97. The crew tackled some of hip-hop’s hottest topics, sparking debates about Wiz Khalifa’s legacy, the transformative Blog Era, and Drake’s genre-defying versatility. As of March 6, 2025, this episode has fans and insiders buzzing about the past, present, and future of rap music.
Wiz Khalifa’s Resurgent Legacy
Wiz Khalifa’s recent wave of fiery freestyles and standout features has reignited nostalgia among the Billboard Unfiltered team, prompting a deep dive into his legacy. Trevor Anderson, senior charts and data analyst, pointed to a “commercial appetite” for Wiz, fueled by his consistent output and loyal fanbase. “I’d love to see Wiz get another hit,” Anderson said, envisioning a top 20 comeback single that could cap off his remarkable 15-year run. From his 2010 mixtape Kush & OJ to chart-toppers like “See You Again,” Wiz’s influence spans generations.
Deputy Editorial Director Damien Scott praised Wiz for rediscovering what fans adore about him—his laid-back vibe and authentic stoner persona. “He’s filling a void,” Scott noted, suggesting that Wiz’s recent moves could propel him back into the mainstream spotlight. With his Taylor Gang empire and a knack for staying relevant, Wiz’s legacy feels as potent as ever in 2025.
The Blog Era: A Golden Age Revisited
The conversation naturally shifted to the Blog Era, a pivotal time in the late 2000s and early 2010s when hip-hop blogs like Nah Right and 2DopeBoyz shaped the industry. This era birthed stars like Wiz Khalifa, Drake, and Nicki Minaj, who leveraged free mixtapes and online buzz to bypass traditional gatekeepers. The crew reflected on how platforms like DatPiff turned raw talent into cultural phenomena, with Wiz’s Kush & OJ trending on Twitter for days and Drake’s So Far Gone redefining the mixtape game.
The Blog Era’s DIY spirit and unfiltered creativity left an indelible mark, and its echoes are still felt in today’s streaming-driven landscape. For Wiz, it was a launchpad to stardom; for hip-hop, it was a revolution that democratized music discovery.
Drake’s Versatility: A ’90s Thought Experiment
The episode’s most heated debate came when the team pondered a hypothetical: Could Drake’s singing-rapping hybrid thrive in the ’90s Golden Era of hip-hop? DJ Drewski argued yes, imagining Drake flourishing under Diddy’s Bad Boy Records with his melodic hooks and slick bars. “He’d kill it,” Drewski insisted, envisioning Drake alongside Biggie and Mase.
Damien Scott pushed back, crediting Kanye West for paving the way. “The change Kanye brought—Drake benefitted from that greatly,” Scott argued. “Back then, that s–t wasn’t flying.” In the testosterone-heavy ’90s, dominated by gritty lyricists like Nas and Jay-Z, Drake’s emotive style might have struggled to break through without Kanye’s sonic groundwork. The debate underscored Drake’s versatility—he’s thrived across R&B, rap, and pop—but highlighted how timing and context shaped his ascent.
Why It Matters
This Billboard Unfiltered episode isn’t just a trip down memory lane; it’s a lens into hip-hop’s evolution. Wiz Khalifa’s potential resurgence ties the Blog Era’s grassroots hustle to today’s commercial landscape. Drake’s versatility sparks questions about adaptability across eras, while the Blog Era’s legacy reminds us how innovation can redefine an industry. With DJ Drewski’s New York flair adding fresh perspective, the discussion bridged past triumphs with future possibilities.
As Wiz eyes a mainstream comeback and Drake navigates his post-Views era, their stories reflect hip-hop’s enduring ability to reinvent itself. The Japan Hot 100 may spotlight J-pop idols like Sakurazaka46, but Billboard Unfiltered proves that rap’s global influence—and its debates—remain as fierce as ever.
