Drake has had a tough series of events that hit a crescendo late last year.
In November 2024, Drake initiated legal proceedings against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” According to a pre-action petition (not an actual lawsuit), Drake accused the label and Spotify of artificially bolstering the diss record.
He also alleged that UMG had the power to block the track’s release but chose not to. I never got the reasoning since they went back and forth in the epic battle. Drake was mocked and people said he was just mad at Kendrick Lamar’s success. Some championed Drake since he seems to be now taking on the “evil music industry.”
TODAY…it seemed like somebody leaked some texts that had Drake explaining.
I don’t know Chris Blake Griffith, but he’s the person that leaked these texts. In a now-deleted screenshot, Drake explained that his battle with Universal is aimed at protecting future artists.
“Me and Universal is like if Nike was funding a campaign about LeBron cheating on his wife..Not Adidas or Reebok… Nike, the company he’s been with since the start. My situation is not no street sh#t,” the texts read.
Fake Drake elaborated, “Everybody before me who tried to take on the label was too eccentric, so they got written off as crazy. The label never had to pay for their sins and mistakes. I’m going to change that and make the building a safer place for every artist moving forward.”
The internet went crazy, calling Drake all types of names. The only thing is, it just wasn’t him. I wonder who created this calamity.
The battle continues in 2025 and it could very well be legal. But it won’t be due to these fake texts.
Trey Songz is pleading with a judge not to enforce a “devastating” $11 Million default judgment awarded in a battery lawsuit.
Last November, a judge ruled Songz must pay more than $11 million in damages to Maryland Capitol police officer Tyrelle Dunn, who claims he was injured while trying to rescue his wife from Songz’s Las Vegas hotel room in November 2021.
However, according to a motion filed by the embattled singer’s legal team, both the lawsuit and the multi-million-dollar judgment came as a surprise to Trey Songz, per In Touch.
The filing asserts that Dunn did not properly serve the summons and complaint, and Songz only learned of the lawsuit on November 27, 2024, “after news broke about Dunn’s default judgment.”
Songz’s attorney says the singer “deserves to have his day in court to defend himself,” adding that enforcing the judgment “will be devastating to [Trey Songz] and will ruin his life.”
Trey Songz staunchly denies the allegations. His attorney referenced the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s months-long criminal investigation.
“They separated witnesses and took their statements, confiscated mobile phones, and obtained a search warrant of [Songz’s] DNA and other evidence, the filing reads in part. “Over the next several months, the police conducted a thorough criminal investigation and found no wrongdoing by [Songz]. The District Attorney’s office did not file any charges.”
Meanwhile, Dunn reportedly urged the court to reject the singer’s request to overturn the default judgment. His lawyers argued the process server had properly served Songz.
50 Cent wrapped up his Las Vegas residency over the weekend—but not without controversy.
Last week, a woman made a video calling his Sin City stint “the worst show that’s ever come to Vegas.” She claimed the audio was bad, thought 50 Cent looked “disinterested” in being there and was “disappointed” by the entire experience. The clip went viral and clearly caught 50 Cent’s attention.
During his performance on Saturday (January 4), he addressed the negative review in true 50 Cent fashion—with comedy.
“I saw a review on my show,” he begins. “And they said the audio was bad. I said, ‘B####, you was supposed say something like 50 was doing this s### [waves his arms in the air]. That’s what I’m gonna do. No one said the music was bad. F### all that. What you thought I was gonna do? Be down here rollerblading? I see Chris Brown was flying in Africa. I don’t have records that require me to fly in Africa.”
The woman recently made another video responding to 50 Cent’s comments and stood by her initial critique, although she did note the show seemed to have improved “significantly” since her review.
@vegasstarfish I made a video calling 50 Cent’s residency the worst show to come to Vegas. He responded. I stand by my authentic and honest review, both as someone who is a genuine fan of 50’s work and someone who reviews things by Vegas standards full time. The audio and production did not live up to Vegas standards on opening night and I was disappointed. Subsequent nights looked much better with special guests and clear audio. No disrespect to 50 or his team. #vegas#lasvegas#vegasstarfish#50cent#vegasnews#gunit#vegasreview♬ original sound – VegasStarfish
50 Cent’s longtime foe Ja Rule was, of course, thoroughly entertained by the scathing assessment. He re-shared the woman’s clip and wrote above it “not the worst” followed by several laughing emojis.
When someone fired back, “Where is your residency ? At least he booked, busy and getting paid,” Ja replied, “As usual, I did it first…” and went on to argue that he was a superior performer.
50 Cent launched his six-day Vegas run on December 27 and reportedly earned a staggering $15 million. The residency celebrated his iconic career and features a mix of his biggest hits, including “In Da Club” and “Candy Shop” alongside deeper cuts, all delivered with 50 Cent’s signature “charm.” The residency also highlighted his entrepreneurial spirit, incorporating themes from his ventures in entertainment, film and business.
Xzibit recently opened up about his strong support for Conor McGregor and the origins of their professional relationship.
The former Pimp My Ride host spoke about McGregor during his recent appearance on the Bootleg Kev podcast, which follows the UFC fighter’s conviction in a civil sexual assault case in Ireland in November 2024. The West Coast rapper, who signed with McGregor’s Greenback Records last year, shared insights into what makes their collaboration unique and why he stands by the MMA superstar despite his recent legal issues. Xzibit began by describing how the partnership came to be, recounting a trip to Ireland where he met McGregor’s team.
“We went out to Marbella, Spain, well, first we went to Ireland and I met the team of people that he [McGregor] wants to form Greenback Records with,” Xzibit explained. “These people have worked in the buildings. They’ve been in there. They’re music people with the business people. So I wanted to check that out. I was like, okay, cool. That makes me feel a lot better.”
Xzibit speaks on signing to Conor McGregor's Greenback Records and makes it clear he's stayin' down with Conor McGregor despite him losing a civil lawsuit, where he was ordered to pay $250K to a woman who claimed he r*ped her.
The meeting led to further discussions with McGregor himself, culminating in Xzibit witnessing the bare-knuckle boxing scene in Spain. “That’s basically how it happened,” he said. “When we came home, it was just like, okay, it’s time to go. We’re gonna push go and we pushed the button. That sh*t’s working.”
Xzibit emphasized that McGregor’s approach to the music industry is what sets him apart from other athletes who have tried to launch record labels. “We’ve seen athletes try to do the label thing. But usually, it’s like football players and basketball players that also kind of want to rap,” he said. “No, he’s not trying to rap whatsoever. He’s approaching it differently and he’s not jaded by any other record politics that we all know about. He’s literally looking at this like fight promotion.”
This innovative perspective resonated with Xzibit, who admitted that the fresh approach to the business excites him. “We’re talking about approaching it like that, really building it in that fashion,” he said. “And that’s exciting to me. Again, the risk versus reward, I’ve never been afraid to step out on faith.”
When discussing McGregor’s personal character, Xzibit acknowledged the controversies surrounding the fighter but made it clear where he stands. “I gotta look at it like this; If you can’t stay down with the people in their dark times, you don’t deserve to stand up with them in the light,” he stated. “From what I’ve seen, the dude is doing the best he can. Great businessman too. His whiskey’s huge.”
Xzibit also addressed reports of McGregor’s whiskey company distancing itself from him, calling it a surprising move given the brand’s success. “It’s crazy because without him, there’s no [Proper No. Twelve]. But it is what it is,” he said. “I stay down. I don’t desert my people in their time of need.”
Last year, McGregor was on the receiving end of a major legal loss in a civil sexual assault case, where he was ordered to pay €250,000 to accuser Nikita Hand. His rival Jake Paul wasted no time throwing verbal jabs at the UFC star and UFC president Dana White in a disparaging remark on Twitter.
Ice-T was pulled over in New Jersey last May while driving his Porsche 911 without a front plate.
Upon further inspection, the officer discovered his license and registration were expired, which led to a heated exchange with the Law & Order: SVU star. Now, the body cam footage of the interaction has been released—and Ice-T does not mince words.
In the clip, Ice-T is seen sitting in his car as the officer runs his plate. Once he gets the information that he’s been riding illegally since 2021, Ice-T explains he was heading to the Department of Motor Vehicles to straighten out his paperwork.
The officer says, “You know your registration has been expired since 2021,” to which Ice-T replies, “That’s where I’m going. I’m headed there.” Officer says, “When did you decide?” and Ice-T answers, “I went yesterday.”
The officer continues, “But what I’m saying is, it’s been expired since 2021.” Ice-T claims, “Car’s been parked,” to which the officers asks, Are you sure?”
Ice-T snaps back, “Yeah, of course I’m sure. That’s why I’m trying to get this car set up. Yesterday I went to the DMV and they said their system was down. I got seven cars, I’m trying to get them all straight.”
The conversation starts to take a turn when Ice-T suggests the officer follow him to the DMV and tells him, “You don’t gotta be that serious about this.” He adds, “I mean you can, but you don’t have to.”
As the officer continues to press Ice-T and look through his paperwork, the officer tells him he’s going to tow his vehicle.
“You’re not finna to tow my f###### vehicle,” Ice-T says. “Let me park my car right here.” Once the officer demands his keys, the West Coast gangsta rap icon gets visibly heated. He hands over the keys and says, “If I’m not under arrest, I’m getting out of the car.”
That’s where things go left and Ice-T snaps, “Give me my paperwork you f###### a######. Give me my f###### paperwork.” He then looks right at the camera and says, “Get this on camera. This muthafucker…I’m a foot away from the DMV. You’re an a######.”
The cop maintains Ice-T was the “a######.” He replies, “How am I the a######? I showed you all my paperwork. Let me start recording your dumb ass.”
Once the cop’s superior showed up, the officer who pulled him over places the blame solely on Ice-T. The Body Count powerhouse ended up with four tickets, including one for driving with a suspended license, but he was ultimately allowed to leave with his car—much to the chagrin of the uptight officer.
Tyrese and his girlfriend may not be on the same page when it comes to their relationship timeline, and according to the 1992 film star its because of his previous romance.
In a candid and playful Instagram livestream with his girlfriend Zellie Timothy, the R&B singer and actor gave fans a glimpse into the quirky dynamic of their relationship during an eyebrow-raising exchange. As the couple bantered about traveling and marriage, Zellie playfully accusing Tyrese of not wanting to tie the knot after a fan insitigated the conversation.
“He doesn’t want to marry me,” Timothy teased, prompting Tyrese to respond with a mix of humor and clarity. “I don’t want to marry you? What do you mean, babe?” he asked, laughing off her comment before addressing the real reason behind his hesitation.
“It’s not true,” he said. “I’m just waiting on my divorce to be finalized so I can get into this new paperwork.”
Despite the back-and-forth, Tyrese emphasized his love for Timothy, brushing off the playful tension.
“She’s just talking sh#t,” he said, lightheartedly attributing her remarks to the effects of Tequila. The couple continued to share affectionate exchanges, with Timothy adding, “I love you,” to which Tyrese replied, “I love you.”
The livestream concluded with Tyrese offering fans his signature words of wisdom.
“Appreciate the love, y’all,” he said. “Happy birthday, happy new year. Be safe out there. Do the best you can with what you have, man. Keep love alive,” he said.
Though it appears as though the subject of marriage could dbe causing some friction in their relationship, Timothy would be smart to follow her partner’s lead — given his two previous experiences with the sanctity of holy matrimony between man and woman. Tyrese first married Norma Mitchell in 2007. They ended up calling it quits in 2009, though they share a daughter together named Shayla. Additionally, Tyrese’s ongoing divorce from fitness influencer Samantha Lee has been making headlines since their split in 2020. The two share a daughter, Soraya, and have been navigating the complexities of co-parenting while finalizing their divorce proceedings. With the legal process still underway, Tyrese’s lighthearted comments about “new paperwork” suggest he’s eager to move forward while respecting the current chapter of his life.
After a two-year hiatus, legendary rapper Skillz has decided to resurrect his iconic “Rap Up,” the annual tradition that recaps the year’s biggest events, moments, and cultural shifts.
Fans who had been clamoring for the return of the beloved series have a late Christmas gift as Skillz told AllHipHop his motivation for bringing it back this year.
“I was in the mood to do it this year,” Skillz explained. “I really had a great year with the Grammy nomination and all the amazing things that have happened. I figured why not do it? It was a way to bless the fans who have been asking me for the past two years to do one. This was for them.”
Skillz’s decision to bring back the “Rap Up” comes at a time when his fans—and the culture at large—needed it the most.
He’s always presented the “Rap Up” with humor, insight, and light commentary. The Virginia rep has long been the chronicler of the culture, resulting in other’s adopting the practice. However, Skillz’s “Rap Up” isn’t just music; it’s a time capsule of the year.
The announcement follows a milestone year for Skillz, highlighted by his Grammy nomination for his 2024 spoken word project The 7 Number Ones. The “Rap Up”’s return is not only a gift to his loyal followers but also a reminder of the unique voice Skillz brings to the game.
Over the past two years, he’s had people hitting him up, saying how much they missed the “Rap Up” and so it was time. Skillz added, “It felt like the right time to do it again, and I’m excited for everyone to hear it.”
Below is our full interview with the titan of Hip-Hop.
Drake delivered many memorable moments during a recent livestream, and while he narrowly avoided dissing Kendrick Lamar, the OVO founder seemingly addressed his rival and his recent legal action against Universal Music Group.
Streamer Adin Ross hosted Drake’s DRIZZMAS live giveaway on Thursday (December 26). During the stream, Drake read letters from the winners before declaring the results.
One fan concluded their note with a jab at Kendrick Lamar, and Drake just about caught himself before repeating it.
“Oh I am not reading that,” he joked.
He’s literally afraid to even say his name. Kendrick is Drakes Voldemort. https://t.co/RFpvMpENZH
However, Drake alluded to his culture-shifting battle with Kendrick Lamar and his recent bombshell legal challenge over K. Dot’s “Not Like Us.” According to Drake, he cannot be defeated, as long as his mom remains in his corner.
Sandi Graham joined her son to deliver an uplifting message for the new year.
Drake’s mom Sandi came on stream and spoke a beautiful message about never giving up hope pic.twitter.com/juk72zK9xN
Drake praised his mom after her speech, likening her to a secret weapon.
“That’s my mother btw. Any of you guys think you can finish me…” he said. “It doesn’t matter, from one man to the biggest corporation in the world you guys will never done me. Are you crazy? The most powerful force you ever seen in your life, me and her.”
Drake popping s### at his opps and UMG after his mom gave a speech
"That's my mother btw, any of you guys think you can finish me.. from one man to the biggest corporation you guys will never done me are you crazy.. most powerful force you ever seen in your life, me and her." pic.twitter.com/vmS7G6Tz0r
While Drake dodged an accidental Kendrick Lamar diss, the same could not be said for Rick Ross.
He read a fan letter referring to his hosting partner Adin as “the healthy Ross.” Drake promptly followed up with what seemed to be a tongue-in-cheek apology, adding “Oh s###! I wasn’t supposed to read that out.”
Nonetheless, the Toronto superstar still poked fun at Rozay, adding, “He ain’t lying.”
Drake just ‘accidentally’ read a Rick Ross stray from a fan:
Simone Joy Jones, who sings as S!MONE, is a multi-talented artist whose star continues to rise. It was apparent, From the moment she walked into WonWorld Studios, that her light is brighter too. Best known for her standout role on the hit series “Bel-Air,” Simone is also making waves in the music world with her deeply soulful sound and personal storytelling.
In this exclusive interview with AHH’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, Simone opens up about her creative evolution, balancing dual careers, and the inspirations behind her latest project, Magnet. Simone’s journey is a testament to passion, growth, and the pursuit of artistry, from her early days in musical theater to her dream collaborations.
Read more from one of the industry’s brightest young talents in this edited Q&A interview. To truly witness S!MONE, watch the full interview on AllHipHopTV or our YouTube below.
AllHipHop: It’s great to meet you, Simone. You’ve been killing it on screen, but your music is really jumping off right now. Tell us a bit about your musical journey.
S!MONE: Thank you! Music has always been part of my life. I grew up in a musical theater world, and that storytelling element is a common thread in my music, acting, and even directing. My inspirations come from legends like Prince, Michael Jackson, and Anita Baker—an ’80s baby thanks to my parents! Singing feels natural, something I’ve always done. My mom sang in the choir, and I followed suit. It’s been a journey of growth, from my earlier EPs to my current project.
AllHipHop: Speaking of growth, how has your artistry progressed over time?
S!MONE: I’m proud of the journey. I’m someone who loves improvement and showing up as I am. Listening to my earlier work, I can appreciate who I was then while recognizing how much I’ve learned since. My latest project feels like another leap forward, and I’m excited to keep evolving.
AllHipHop: As an actor and musician, how do you balance vulnerability in your work with public critique?
S!MONE: Music feels more personal than acting because it’s my stories, my taste, and my decisions. If someone doesn’t like it, it feels like they don’t like me. But I’ve learned to embrace that. Not everyone will connect with my work, and that’s okay. I value feedback from people whose opinions I respect, but ultimately, I stand by every note and lyric.
S!MONE aka Simone Joy Jonesat WonWorld Studios
AllHipHop: Do you write your own songs?
S!MONE: Yes, I wrote everything on this project with help from some incredible collaborators. Writing is cathartic but also vulnerable—sometimes I think, “Did I really just put that out there?” But it’s rewarding when listeners connect with those honest moments.
AllHipHop: Your album “Magnets” has such a range of styles. Do you have a favorite track?
S!MONE: It’s hard to pick a favorite because each song holds a unique memory. Right now, I’m loving “Circles” for its storytelling and structure. It’s about someone talking in circles—a true story—and the writing process felt very natural.
AllHipHop: You’re also a talented actor. What has your experience on “Bel-Air” been like?
S!MONE: “Bel-Air” has felt like a four-year college experience. It’s been incredible for personal growth, communication, and learning to advocate for myself. The cast is like family—they’ve been supportive, coming to my shows, and even taking me on tour. It’s a blessing to grow alongside them.
AllHipHop: Do you think about legacy when creating music or acting?
S!MONE: Absolutely. Being part of legacy projects like “Bel-Air” and “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead” has made me think about the longevity of my work. I’m inspired by artists like Whitney Houston, whose songs live on forever. While I focus on the present, I aim to create work that stands the test of time.
AllHipHop: You’ve mentioned some incredible artists. Who are your dream collaborators?
S!MONE: I’d love to work with Willow Smith. She’s so versatile and fearless in her artistry. Her mix of punk rock and jazz influences is inspiring. I’m also a big fan of Kendrick Lamar and SZA—their honesty and innovation are unmatched.
AllHipHop: You’re clearly multi-talented. Any other hidden skills?
S!MONE: I teach yoga, shadow directors, and even flew a plane recently! I’ve also been dancing since I was 12. Learning and exploring new skills keeps me energized.
AllHipHop: Final thoughts for your fans?
S!MONE: Thank you for listening and supporting me. Magnets is about attracting the right people and opportunities—it’s me showing who I am.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ alleged drug mule, Brendan Paul, is reportedly off the hook after Florida prosecutors dropped the felony charges against him.
Paul was arrested for carrying cocaine and marijuana-laced candy back in March after being apprehended at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. Cops took him into custody on the same day Homeland Security raided Diddy’s Los Angeles and Miami homes as part of their sex trafficking investigation.
The 25-year-old was held on bond after being charged with cocaine possession and possession of a controlled substance.
Additionally, producer Lil Rod named Paul in his sexual assault lawsuit against Diddy. He claimed Paul was a drug mule who allegedly acquired and distributed drugs and guns to the Hip-Hop mogul.
The producer claimed he personally witnessed Paul engage in these activities on multiple occasions.
In May, Paul accepted a plea deal with prosecutors for the cocaine possession charge. As a first-time offender, he managed to avoid jail time, agreeing to enroll in a drug diversion program.
His attorney, Brian Bieber, claimed the case against Paul would be “dismissed in its entirety,” upon completion of the program.
On Tuesday (December 17) Florida state prosecutors dropped the remaining charge, NBC6 reports.
Bieber confirmed to the outlet, “Mr. Paul’s case was formally dismissed today – in its entirety.”
While his alleged drug mule is now a free man, Diddy remains behind bars. He’ll be spending Christmas behind bars after recently dropping his bail appeal.
Diddy pleaded not guilty to serious federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. He remains held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. His trial is set for May 2025.
JAY-Z‘s attorney is adamant his client is innocent and believes the case will “crumble,” due to evidence he claims “proves” the alleged victim’s account is impossible.
Hov’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, held a press briefing on Monday (December 16), following the accuser’s recent interview admitting discrepancies in her account.
The Alabama woman, known as Jane Doe, accuses JAY-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of assaulting her at an MTV VMA afterparty when she was 13. She acknowledged errors in her recollections but maintained that her overall claims remain valid.
Spiro expects the case will be dismissed.
“Obviously JAY-Z did not rape a child,” he said during the briefing, per abc News. “If it’s not, eventually this will all crumble, because it can’t possibly have happened mathematically.”
Spiro continued, “You don’t even need witnesses. They don’t have any witnesses because this never happened and you don’t need witnesses because the time doesn’t work. There’s literally photographic evidence that proves that this could not have happened.”
Spiro disputes Doe’s 37-minute timeline and notes other inconsistencies, including photos from the evening that place JAY-Z and Diddy in another location. She also said she met a celebrity at the party who denied being there and was in the Midwest on tour.
Additionally, Spiro highlighted further discrepancies, including Doe claiming her father picked her up after the alleged assault. During a recent interview, Doe’s father said he could not recall making such a ten-hour round trip.
“It’s not just that this story is a lie and that it’s not true,” the attorney continued. “It’s provably demonstrably false. This never happened.”
Alex Spiro Distances JAY-Z From Diddy
Spiro expressed Hov’s frustration “that somebody would be allowed to do this,” labeling the case as a “mockery of the system.”
“He’s upset that this distracts and dissuades real victims from coming forward,” Spiro said. “He’s upset that his kids and his family have to deal with this.”
Spiro said that while JAY-Z knew Diddy professionally, he “has nothing to do with” Diddy or his case. ” They knew each other professionally for a number of years,” he explained. “Just like in all professions, people know each other at the musical awards. They support each other.”
Yo, things are getting crazy out here and I think our “Signs the World is Coming to an End” may be manifesting.
Israel just dropped a bomb on Syria so powerful, it reportedly set off earthquake sensors, per a report from The Standard. Yep, you heard that right. It measured a 3.0 on the Richter scale. Video footage floating around shows the massive explosion near Tartus in northwestern Syria, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights is calling it one of the heaviest strikes in the region since 2012.
Good Lord, y’all!
The word on the ground is that Israeli warplanes targeted air defense units and missile depots, unleashing a bombardment that shook up the whole area. Israel, as usual, is playing it cool and refusing to comment on the strikes.
The U.S. Embassy is warning Americans to bounce. Leave Syria ASAP! Armed conflict and terrorism is popping off across the country. Americans in Syria will be stuck if they get stuck, because there is no embassy there. Get out like a Jordan Peele movie!
Now let’s keep it a buck—this isn’t just about one big explosion. Israel’s been pounding Syria for a minute. And you know those conscious watchdog’s have something to say. They are accusing Israel of exploiting Syria’s collapse to grab land and violate the 1974 ceasefire agreement. I know y’all mostly want rumors and trash, but this is important too.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dropped a video statement claiming Israel isn’t looking for trouble, they are just finishing it. He said they are just “responding to threats” coming out of Syria.
Well, maybe I should go punch random white man. Netanyahu sent hundreds of airstrikes and even ground troops. There’s no clear end in sight. I hope I have this right but, it seems like Israel’s government is pushing population GROWTH. They are rolling into other places – straight up. Israel says it plans to double population in Golan Heights—period. This is why they are allegedly taking everybody’s land. JEEZ! I thought the grand plan was depopulation, but maybe that is just for Black folks.
Syria is looking like good right now. Israel is making some crazy chess moves in the ultimate war game. Keep your eyes open—this is far from over.
Mustard may have to take a back seat when it comes to performing alongside Kendrick Lamar at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show should the iconic R&B group SWV have any say in the matter.
In a recent Threads post, SWV vocalist Leanne Lelee Lyons sent a shout out to Lamar, who sampled the group’s soulful ’90s jam “Use Your Heart” for his GNX album track “the heart pt. 6.” Lyons also took the chance to shoot her shot at Lamar in an attempt to convince the West Coast rap juggernaut to bring the group out to perform a version of the track during his upcoming halftime show.
“Soooo @kendricklamar sampled our song ‘use your heart,'” Lyons wrote in the post. “Wouldn’t it be a treat if we performed together at the Super Bowl? Crossed [fingers crossed emoji].”
Some wholesome news for TL
R&B group SMV wants to perform at Superbowl with Kendrick Lamar after he sampled their song Use Your Heart on his song "heart pt 6"♥️ pic.twitter.com/KyHalqFf9L
SWV’s “Use Your Heart” ballad was released as the second single from their 1997 album New Beginning. The track, which showcases the group’s signature harmonies, became a hit, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Though it did not crack the top 40 of the Hot 100, its success on R&B charts helped solidify SWV’s presence in the mid-’90s R&B scene.
While its currently unconfirmed whether or not Lamar will be bringing guests with him to appear in his performance at the Super Bowl next year, it goes without saying that Kendrick Lamar would certainly create a cultural moment should he enlist SWV for his set. If anything, Lamar’s experience performing at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime show should serve as somewhat of a blueprint for the pgLang rapper when it comes to the impact of a star-studded band of performers.
For those who may not remember, the Super Bowl LVI Halftime show in Inglewood, California was helmed by Dr. Dre and featured artists such as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent, with guest appearances by Anderson . Paak. The performance ended up winning multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and laid the groundwork for Hip-Hop focused acts at the Super Bowl..
It seems like some people really want Mike Tyson to kick Jake Paul’s butt.
Rumors are flying, and if even half of them are true, we could see Mike Tyson back in action soon. Let’s break it down, because there are two big stories floating around. Both are wild but very realistic. Again, these are only rumors!
First, there’s buzz about a $700 million offer from Saudi Arabia for Tyson to fight Jake Paul again. Saudi Billionaire Turki Alalshikh literally has that paper, dawgs! But here’s the catch: Tyson would reportedly need to knock Jake out within three rounds to collect the bag, I am hearing. And if Iron Mike lands the KO in the very first round? There’s reportedly an extra bonus waiting for him. It sounds like a a video game, but with that kind of money on the line, it’s hard to ignore. I wonder how real it is.
Now, the second rumor has a little more to it. This one involves Logan Paul, Jake Paul’s brother, and a potential WWE storyline for Tyson. If you remember, Jake Paul said something outrageous about “killing” Mike after the Jake/Mike fight. It was cringy, unnecessary, and disrespectful, but it seems to have set the stage for some wrestling drama. Mike is not knew to wrestling. Logan is a star in the WWE already. Mike seems to enjoy these spectacle-type gigs, so it would not be a shock to see him in there.
So which route is Tyson likely to take—if any? Honestly, $700 million would be hard for anyone to turn down. I would fight Logan, Jake and Mike at the same time for that money. At the same time, the WWE option is probably less taxing on Mike. Mike’s been smart about leveraging his legend status. He’ll do whatever he wants.
A lot of people still think Mike might’ve thrown that first fight with Jake Paul. I’m not accusing him of being shady, because the boxing sources we know say that would never happen. The promoter has denied it as well. What do you think? Would Mike take the $700 million challenge, head to WWE, or just keep enjoying his post-boxing life? Let me know in the comments.
PS: If Mike really does take the Saudi deal, Jake better start saying his prayers. Three rounds with an incentivized Tyson is a fattened Jake Paul. They might get me to do PPV or this one!
In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Jakes accused Duane Youngblood, Blackburn’s client, of defamation and civil conspiracy.
Youngblood, a lifetime registered sex offender and two-time convicted felon, recently made allegations on the podcast Larry Reid Live, claiming Jakes had groomed and attempted to sexually abuse him when Youngblood was a young minister.
Jakes, however, has forcefully denied the allegations and is fighting back with a defamation lawsuit, calling the claims “patently false” and “malicious.”
Jakes’s lawsuit describes Youngblood’s statements as a “carefully planned effort by a convicted criminal, and those acting in concert with him, to rewrite history to deflect blame and accountability for his reprehensible and criminal conduct.
Jakes also accuses Youngblood of attempting to publicly smear a renowned and eminently respected religious leader in a blatant and explicit attempt to extort him for millions of dollars.”
Youngblood’s allegations were broadcast on two widely viewed podcast episodes on October 28 and November 3.
According to the complaint, the episodes were titled, “Larry Reid Live INTERVIEWS Duane Youngblood: ‘The Abused become The Abuser.'”
The lawsuit alleges Youngblood made statements claiming that “Bishop Jakes groomed, sexually assaulted, sexually abused, and preyed on” him.
“These accusations are patently false,” the lawsuit states. “Bishop Jakes never kissed or tried to kiss Youngblood, never cornered him or forced him into any situation (sexual or otherwise), and certainly never told him that he wanted to sleep with him or had any conversation of a sexual nature at all with him. The interactions described by Youngblood during his LRL interviews on October 28 and November 3 never happened—period.”
The lawsuit further claims that after the second podcast, Blackburn, acting on behalf of Youngblood, sent a letter to Jakes on November 15, demanding $6 million to “resolve this matter quickly and privately.” According to the complaint, this demand amounted to attempted extortion.
“Days after the second podcast, on information and belief, the Defendants retained a lawyer in New York to represent Youngblood in a blatant attempt at a ‘money grab,'” the filing alleges. “The motivation of the ‘demand’ was clear: pay millions of dollars; otherwise, the podcast strategy and other similar tactics of attempting to publicly harass and shame Bishop Jakes would continue.”
The lawsuit also details the toll the allegations have taken on Jakes.
It mentions that the pastor “suffered a medical crisis on stage in the middle of his Sunday service” on November 24 during a sermon at The Potter’s House church in Dallas, attributing this incident to the stress caused by Youngblood’s claims and the widespread attention they have received.
Jakes is seeking damages for defamation, emotional distress and punitive damages.
The lawsuit asserts that Youngblood’s claims were “accompanied with malice, wantonness, and a conscious desire to cause injury” and were made “heedlessly and with reckless and willful indifference” to the truth.
Snoop Dogg has fueled the growing backlash against him with a Martin Luther King Jr. tribute post following his performance at a Donald Trump inauguration event.
Monday (January 20) marked both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States, beginning his second term in office.
The Death Row Records boss shared a carousel on Instagram featuring multiple clips of MLK speeches and quotes. He captioned his post with emojis of praying hands and the U.S. flag.
However, his post seemed to fall on deaf ears, further fueling criticism of his Crypto Ball performance. Many questioned how MLK would have viewed Snoop Dogg’s apparent endorsement of Donald Trump.
“Posting MLK after supporting Trump is wild,” one person replied.
Another stated, “Dave Chappelle walked away from 50 million dollars to keep his integrity in tact. And he would’ve done it even if it was POTUS, so the ancestors could be proud he didn’t embarrass their journey. Now, he’s three times richer, but more than that. He’s more respected because he didn’t. That’s how it’s done.”
A third pointed to Trump adviser Elon Musk’s back-to-back fascist-style salutes during the inauguration celebrations.
“Dude, Elon just threw a Nazi salute at the inauguration,” they wrote. “That’s the team you’re on now.”
Others still pointed to Snoop Dogg’s previous about Donald Trump. In 2016 Snoop Dogg condemned Black artists who performed at Trump’s inauguration, branding them “jigaboos” and “Uncle Toms.” However, by 2014, Snoop expressed “nothing but love and respect” for Trump, praising him for pardoning Michael “Harry-O” Harris, co-founder of Death Row Records.
The Death Row Records boss joined Rick Ross and Soulja Boy at the Crypto Ball in honor of Donald Trump on Friday (January 17), sparking outrage within the rap community.
Snoop seemingly responded on Sunday (January 19). He took to Instagram to share a track titled “Unfollowed U,” seemingly created by AI from a group called “The Middle Fingers,” subtly expressing his stance on the ongoing controversy.
Nelly is once again standing by his decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities, claiming to be ahead of the curve despite facing intense backlash.
The “Hot In Here” hitmaker addressed the criticism on Monday evening (January 20), just hours before taking the stage at the Liberty Ball.
“I’ve been catching haters my whole career,” he began. “I always try to think forward and I also try to trust in myself in the sense of when I truly believe that I’m doing what’s right and I truly believe I have a plan to help get things done.”
Nelly continued to defend his performance, referencing his 2004 collaboration with Tim McGraw, which he described as a groundbreaking move that paved the way for future musical crossovers.
“I’ve been getting backlash since ‘04 when I decided I wanted to do a song with Tim McGraw,” he explained. “When I decided in 2004 when it was kinda unheard of. Now you look at some of the artists that’s come along. There’s Shaboozey. If you look at what ‘The Queen’ Beyoncé was able to do with Cowboy Carter. I did it in ‘04 when people had a lot of words to say about it. You would say that I was catching backlash then, but it was forward thinking. Because I always try to stay positive and think that what I’m doing is in the best interest of uniting.”
Nelly was not alone in facing criticism for performing for Donald Trump. Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy were also condemned by the rap community.
While Nelly did grace the Liberty Ball stage, social media users complained the livestream ended before his performance began.
Inauguration Livestream Cuts Before Nelly’s Performance
Nevertheless, clips of his performance shared by attendees have continued to fuel the online backlash. Check out his performance and the ongoing controversy below.
Producer Conductor Williams isn’t the only common thread between Drake and Joey Bada$$.
On Monday (January 20), J. Cole became a trending Twitter topic as users reacted to a pair of blows the “No Role Modelz” lyricist was hit with by two of his contemporaries.
Joey Bada$$ takes shots at J. Cole in a punchline on his new song “Sorry Not Sorry,” which was produced by Conductor Williams, who also produced Drake’s recent “Fighting Irish Freestyle” that fans suspected was a diss track aimed at LeBron James.
Joey Bada$$ takes shots at J. Cole on his new song “Sorry Not Sorry” produced by Conductor Williams👀👀
“Might delete later, I know damn sure that Joey won't, fck it, I want all the smoke” pic.twitter.com/8KLq8dSD5q
Referencing J. Cole’s beef with Kendrick Lamar initiated by Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That,” Joey Bada$$ attempted to throw shade on the North Carolina native over his decision to delete his “7-Minute Drills” diss track aimed at the West Coast Pulitzer Prize winner.
More specifically, Joey Bada$$ raps, “Might delete later, I know damn sure that Joey won’t/F*ck it, I want all the smoke.”
Joey Bada$$’s poignant words follow his recent “The Ruler’s Back” single, which fans believe target Kendrick Lamar.
“Slight jab at J Cole but other than that, Joey is rapping,” a Twitter user wrote in a tweet reacting to the diss. “I liked it.”
He just wanted us to listen to his music. I don’t think he really wants to tussle. Moving along. Lol
Another user countered, writing, “It’s not a shot, it’s a reference—every reference isn’t a shot…more of a subtle jab but still fire.”
As if the buzz from the subtle sneak diss from Joey Bada$$ wasn’t enough, J. Cole’s name got wrapped up in news surrounding Drake‘s upcoming Anita Max Win Tour. A screenshot of a directive shared by an Australian arena barring concert goers from wearing merchandise from other artists such as Kendrick Lamar’s pgLAng and J. Cole’s Dreamville has begun circulating on social media. The rules apparently even go as far as prohibiting fans from mentioning artist names or their lyrics at Drake’s concerts.
“Please tell me this is a well planned troll?” one Twitter user wrote in disbelief. “This cant be real…nah. Not even gonna process this as legit. Nope.” Another user added, “And he wanna talk about Lacy is a fragile opp? The nerve of this b*tch ass lol.”
See the fine print of the warning issued by the arena ahead of Drake’s tour in the screenshot below.
A Detroit promoter has publicly called out Bossman Dlow in an Instagram video, accusing the “Mo Chicken” rapper of failing to show up for his scheduled set.
In the brief video, which began circulating on January 20, the promoter claimed Dlow skipped out on his show due to his alleged drug addiction. In addition to airing him out over his conduct leading up to his no-show, the promoter is also demanding a refund for the booking fee. The man angrily began his heated rant by expressing his frustration while levying allegations against Dlow. “One thing I hate is a man who can’t own up to a sh*t,” the promoter said in part. “Bro, you a dope fiend, bro.”
As the promoter continued, he detailed some of Dlow’s purported erratic behavior. Dlow allegedly drove from Florida to Detroit yet failed to fulfill his obligations due to be holed up in his hotel room. “First of all, you drove from Florida, my n*gga, to Detroit,” he said. “You been in Detroit, n*gga. You in your room, dope fiendin’ it out, n*gga.
He added, “We keep calling you, n*gga, You keep talking about you’re going to be there in 30 minutes, n*gga. Two 30 minutes went past, n*gga, a whole hour. N*gga, you missed your whole set.”
He further explained the fallout from the rapper’s tardiness, claiming the audience was left waiting for an hour while the DJ tried to fill the void. Adding to his outrage, the promoter described how Dlow eventually showed up during GloRilla’s set, an act he called out as unprofessional and a violation of the agreed upon terms. “Then you pop up, n*gga, with GloRilla on, n*gga, you can’t go after GloRilla, n*gga,” he said. “That’s in the contract. You missed your set, n*gga. You ain’t on business, n*gga, because you a dope fiend, n*gga. N*gga, we got to be out of Little Caesars Arena at 11 o’clock.”
Dlow fired back at the promoter. Though he didn’t respond to his allegations regarding his alleged addiction, he did appear to put the blame entirely on the organizers of the show rather than his own actions.
“I’m literally in Detroit rn, been here, y’all blame the promoter for why I ain’t come not me,” Bossman Dlow wrote in the Story post.
This isn’t the first time BossMan Dlow has been wrapped up in a scandal. Last year VladTV accused BossMan Dlow and his manager of shady negotiation practices. The platform alleged they refused to return a deposit for an appearance after they failed to follow through with the gig.
Hear the promoter’s frustrated rant in full in the post above.
Young Thug’s family members are going back and forth with each other indirectly on social media, with the Atlanta rapper’s girlfriend Mariah The Scientist at the root of the friction.
The conflict was initiated by an Instagram Story post shared by @bloodyhound_babyjeff, who’s been identified as the 14-year-old son of Young Thug and his deceased mother of, Lakevia Jackson. The teen’s mother was fatally shot outside of an Atlanta bowling alley in 2022 following a verbal dispute. In the viral post, Thug’s son alleged that the “Halftime” rapper was picking his R&B girlfriend over him in an emotional rant denouncing his family.
”S### hit different when your own family ain’t with ya,” Young Thug’s son wrote in part in the story added to a highlight entitled “F## my family. I ain’t need no niga fa nun I’m on my own.”
Young Thug’s son also revealed how lonely he feels following the death of his mother while also directly accusing his father of turning his back on him.
”Madukes gone be feeling like nobody here with me,” he wrote. “Can’t believe n##### pick they hos over their kids. Shyt crazy. I’m tired of this shyt gang luv y’all.”
Young Thug‘s sister Dora Williams caught wind of his son’s post and responded in a lengthy comment addressing the saga leading to the rift within their family unit. According to Williams, Thug’s son’s “entitlement”—not a woman—are what led him to the position he’s currently in.
“Try dealing with kids who chooses street life that wasn’t raised in the streets,” Williams wrote in part. “Who can get whatever they want whenever they want but chooses not to go to school and drop out. A woman has nothing to do with my nieces and nephew’s real talk. Entitlement does with no sense of direction no ambitions no future plans no respect.”
Williams added that Young Thug’s son has been provided with ample opportunity to turn things around but consistently chooses negativity rather than constructive growth. In doing so, she appeared to suggest music is a part of the problem.
“All they wanna do is make drill music and do drugs,” she wrote. “Kids been giving multiple opportunities to go to school with the rich and yet they turn it down to stay on the streets and call requesting cash apps and Zelles—for what? Won’t get my money either.”
Williams went on to explain that even Young Thug’s son’s mother was working tirelessly to get the young boy to walk the straight and narrow but failed to do so before her untimely death. She also claimed that the “doors will never close.” She said Young Thug and the rest of the family are waiting on him to “change” and will accept him back home when he’s ready.
See Thug’s sisters lengthy response in full in the screenshot below.
Donald Trump‘s inauguration day speech both doubled down on promises he made during his campaign trail as well as pulled the curtain back on the ambitious plans his administration has to change America through its policies.
On Monday (January 20), Trump spoke for 30 minutes after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. During the lengthy speech, Trump’s rhetoric teetered between measured and outright celebratory. On one hand he appeared to crown himself as a leader sent from God by claiming divine intervention kept him from being fatally wounded by the assassination attempt on his life last year in Pennsylvania.
On the other, he tooted himself as the change America needs, promising to make cities safe again and tax foreign entities through tariffs for the benefit of the states. Trump even Drew reactions from Hillary Clinton and Elon Musk as he promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico after America as well as plant the “stars and stripes” on the planet Mars, perspectively. While Clinton laughed at his plans for the gulf, Musk cheered at the mention of Mars—marking the stark divide between Trump’s supporters and his opposition
Elsewhere, though, his speech meandered into more serious topics such as race and gender. Along with confirming his previous promise to sign an executive order mandating the United States only recognize two genders, Trump also declared his administration will put an end into the diversity and ethics ideology he claims attempts to “socially engineer race and gender” into every aspect of public and private life. Additionally, after being credited by the company for shielding them from the government ban, Trump claimed he had set up a deal with TikTok for new ownership.
While speaking on the immense evaluation of TikTok, which is estimated to be around $100 billion, possibly $200 billion, with its algorithm, Trump explained that he negotiated a deal where the U.S. will own a significant portion of the app in order for it to continue its operations here in the states.
“So I said I’ll approve but let the United States of America own 50 percent of TikTok,” Trump said. “ I’m approving on behalf of the United States. So the United States will do what we’re calling a joint venture and there’s no risk we’re not putting up any money. All we’re doing is giving them the approval.”
Watch clips from President Trump’s inauguration ceremony in the post above.
Nicki Minaj is showing love to the ladies, revealing some of her favorite female artists, including Rihanna and Taylor Swift.
Although the NYC rapper has been keeping a low profile while on hiatus, she tapped in with her fans on Stationhead, sharing a playlist curated for her channel on the streaming platform.
The women featured on Nicki Minaj’s playlist were Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift.
“Some of my fave girls of all time,” she wrote alongside the list before hailing the artists as “Icons.”
Nicki Minaj shows love to Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and Rihanna on Stationhead:
The playlist sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some fans questioning Beyoncé’s absence while others speculated it might hint at potential collaborators for Minaj’s upcoming album.
“Ohhh!!! She’s back and spreading the collab crumbs,” one enthusiastic fan shared. “We are so here,” while another stated, ” This would be a great feature list for NM6.”
A different user pointed to the lack of Hip-Hop artists on the list. “Notice how she mentioned zero female rappers?” another person wrote. “Not even Doja….. She hates female rappers it’s so clear.”
While Nicki Minaj is sharing her favorite female artists, fans eagerly awaited the release of Pink Friday 2 – The Hiatus deluxe album.
Minaj announced she would drop the album on December 13, a year after the original album’s release, but it failed to materialize.
Back in October, Nicki Minaj revealed she would be taking some time off following her tour.
“I am doing a hiatus,” she confirmed. “But I have the Vogue thing, which I’m very proud and honored to do, and a couple things and then I’ll be taking a little moment to reflect.”
However, she quickly backtracked stating “Ain’t going no mthfkn where,” adding “Kiss my ass & HIATUS LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.”
Nonetheless, Minaj has remained low-key and has not posted on social media since early December.
The Internet is ruthless these days. They like to say “the internet is undefeated,” but I’d like it to lose on this one. When it comes to backlash, it bars none. Drama has a way of spilling over onto the family, friends and loved ones. Nelly has been catching HELL for performing at that pre-inauguration event for Donald Trump. Now, the fire is moving over to Ashanti, too.
Ashanti recently married Nelly, and now they have a child. Let’s be clear: Ashanti didn’t step on that stage or have anything to do with the performance. Her connection to Nelly has people dragging her into the mess. The backlash is ugly and they are even mentioning the baby! Why?!
Ashanti has been one of those celebrities people have rooted for over the years. We have loved her from afar, a-near and wherever she shows up. We don’t care about setbacks or challenges of how she did it. She’s been a fan favorite and an icon for many. But now? Some of her own fans are switching sides. Fan clubs are going quiet and others are disbanding their whole operations. Were they ever truly fans? This is all because of something her husband Nelly did. That hurts.
Fans dig into the personal lives of their fans. Rightfully so, they expect them to represent certain values, and Trump is the opposite of those values. It may not be fair, but that is what is it. Judging Ashanti for Nelly’s choices is just wrong.
The fact that people are going after their child is a hot take that will age like milk in a dumpster during an Arizona summer. That’s a line that should never be crossed. One comment said, “Nelly’s a loser. Ashanti’s a loser. And the baby’s probably going to be a loser.” For the record, I added “probably,” because that is such an ugly statement. When did “we” (I am not sure who we is) start letting this kind of toxic behavior slide? You guys are no better than the “evil” people you judge.
Look, nobody’s perfect. They might be dumb but definitely not perfect. Well, Ashanti is close. So, if she makes a mistake—which isn’t even a mistake—let her slide. Let the baby slide. It’s an innocent baby! Instead of judging, maybe we need to step back, look at yourself and judge YOU!
AND, if for some reason Nelly is no longer “the one” for you Ashanti, know that a broke baller named illseed is here for you.
Soccer is a sport that is both very technical and, at the same time, very demanding in terms of the physicality of any given player. Whether the player needs to outmuscle another player, sprint a crucial distance, or dribble through the defenders, a player should always give their utmost, even physically. Agility and strength are both equally important, but the question comes forward – what does a player really need? It is not an either-or question because all are rather important attributes that the player possesses. Let us learn more about strength and agility training and what they bring to the field.
Why Physical Training is Key in Soccer
Football is not only a tactical sport but also one that is physically demanding. Players have a total distance covered of around 10-12 kilometers in a game, which includes a lot of sprinting, tackling, and changing directions. Physical training plays a very important role in increasing a player’s stamina, resilience against injuries, and performance during a game. Explosive strength training takes care of building the muscle ability to do a powerful action, whereas muscle and balance agility drills help in training, triggering fast movements. Collectively, these are the basic traits that prepare the player for dealing with intense pressure and performing well on the pitch.
And, as you know, millions of fans from all over the world watch these results and eagerly await each match. Well, and if you want not just to watch, we know what to advise you. Install the Mel Get app – this is the best mobile application for sports betting. It has integrated the full functionality of the web version, so you can place bets anywhere on the planet without limiting yourself to anything! Download today for both Android and iOS, and we will continue our discussion and talk about strength in football.
Strength is not only measured by the muscle mass of an individual but also by the strength that is functional, making sense in the game of soccer. A stronger player wins physical confrontations, jumps higher than opponents, and possesses more power in their shots. Advantages of strength in soccer games:
Winning duels: They are able to maintain possession of the ball in tackles and during aerial throw-ins.
Explosive sprints: Strong legs provide more power for faster sprints.
Powerful shots: The strength of the upper body and the lower body aids in making harder and more accurate shots.
Injury prevention: The muscles help stabilize the joints, thus preventing the risk of spraining.
Endurance support: Muscles support more than the average strength of a person, which in turn helps in fighting fatigue during longer durations of games.
There is a massive difference when it comes to maintaining control over the game. Power in this situation is essential. And if you are a fan who makes bets through MelGet, you simply have to take this into account in the analysis before betting. After all, the analysis will allow you to win more often and the bonuses more!
How Agility Impacts Performance
Soccer success is all about having the ability to change direction quickly and efficiently – agility. Agility means players can weave past defenders or track back on defense and react instantaneously with the game’s constantly evolving flow.
Agility is essential for forwards to make space and slip past defenders and for defenders to time their positions to meet the movements of an attacker. Agility training helps improve reaction time, footwork, and coordination. Speed isn’t everything – it’s about control. Sharp agility only gets you so far. It is also the keenest awareness that gets you to that one step ahead.
Combining Strength and Agility
Strength and agility are not opposing forces but are interdependent in making a complete athlete. A powerful player may be slow to react, but an agile player may not be too effective in a physical game because of the lack of strength.
When strength training is combined with agility training, the result is explosive power with great control. For instance, while box jumps are a form of plyometric exercise, they also help target the lower regions and improve reaction speed. Designed alongside agility ladder drills, resistance training prepares muscles for quick direction changes. It is evident that strong and agile soccer players outperform others.
Training Tips for Balanced Development
Strength and agility are essential assets in a player, and balanced training maximizes both without compromising. A more structured approach allows one to include exercises that would be aimed at increasing power output and quickness at the same time. Some key training tips include:
Plyometrics: Jump squats and other squats increase explosive power and improve agility.
Agility ladders: Use quick and precise steps to enhance your footwork and step coordination.
Resistance sprints: Employ bands or sleighs when sprinting to help with speed and power development.
Core training: Preparing the core helps stabilize movements, which leads to improvement in balance.
Functional drills: Increase both power and agility through soccer-specific movements.
Focusing on these areas helps players be versatile and dominant in every aspect of the game.
A player’s position has a role to play in determining the requirement of strength or agility. In strikers and wingers, agility is important to make quick twists and space creation, whereas defenders and midfielders need strength to withstand tackles and control the ball.
A center-back, for instance, requires greater strength for aerial and shoulder-to-shoulder tussles. Likewise, for a winger, it is almost vital because speed defines their capability to swiftly change directions and outrun opponents. A goalkeeper needs both strength for diving and agility for strong but quick reactions. It is true that every position in soccer has its specific set of physical requirements. However, every great player has good muscle and good speed.
Finding the Perfect Balance
In football, strength, and agility do not oppose each other – they complement each other. An agile and powerful athlete can easily outsmart rivals, defeat opponents in important duels, and respond in any manner required on the pitch. It is not a case of prioritizing one over the other but rather an issue of creating an appropriate equilibrium. Versatility is crucial in football, and the most accomplished players are the ones who have the power and the shot. Power gives the foundation, agility brings the polish, and altogether, they make champions. Do you want to train like one? The pitch is ready and waiting for you.
Krept and Konan have announced the launch of the U.K.’s first-ever large-scale inclusive supermarket called Saveways.
The British rap duo revealed the store will cater to the needs of the Black and ethnic minority communities, providing a one-stop shop for halal meat, exotic fish, global produce and ethnic hair products and cosmetics.
“It’s an honour for us to partner up on this venture,” Krept and Konan said in a statement. “We are all about representation in the community and finding solutions, we are all from underrepresented communities so this is a perfect partnership. Saveways is game-changing for our community and we are excited to bring this vision to life.”
The store, set to open on February 1 in Croydon, South London, will occupy a 15,000 sq. ft. retail space with an in-store bakery and halal meat and fish counters and is expected to serve over 250,000 local patrons.
Krept and Konan promise Saveways will be “a hub for the community, celebrating cultural diversity through food,” while setting new halal and world food standards in the U.K.
Additionally, the store will offer modern shopping conveniences, including click-and-collect services, online ordering, and partnerships with leading delivery platforms like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat.
Saveways is Krept and Konan’s latest entrepreneurial venture following the launch of their dessert restaurant Crepes & Cones.
Meanwhile, Krept’s Nala’s Baby brand exploded in the U.K. and is among the fastest-growing natural baby skincare ranges in the country.
Despite their growing business empire, Krept and Konan are still feeding their music fans. Their fourth studio album, Young Kingz II, is set for release via their independent label, Play Dirty on February 7.
Scar Lip is catching heat online after dropping a remix to the controversial viral hit “Peggy,” by rising British drill artist Ceechynaa.
The Brooklyn native has kept her fans fed with a steady stream of freestyles in recent months. On Sunday (January 20), Scar Lip dropped her latest offering, a gritty remix of Ceechynaa’s####.
Like her Brit counterpart, Scar asserts female dominance, although rather than “p######,” she raps about “Robbing that man at the back of the bus,” and questions, “How you a gangsta when you just be dancing on TikTok?”
While the track lacks the sexually explicit imagery of Ceechynaa’s song, Scar Lip’s addition of a backing dancer donning blood-stained underwear ruffled feathers on social media.
Although the song garnered praise from the likes of Swizz Beatz and Grafh, many netizens were up in arms.
“You’re so talented,” one fan wrote on X (Twitter). “Why you be doing this.. the girl having a stain on her white pants .. I don’t understand?”
Another asked, “I just wanna know is the blood authentic or did yall apply stage blood? Like how dedicated to this weird s### are you fr?”
A third stated, “Just rap bruh leave the antics out smh.”
Released last December, Ceechynaa’s bold track earned the 20-year-old her first U.K. chart entry and viral attention with explicit lyrics like, “I’m peggin’ that man at the back of the bus / Feelin’ like Three 6 Mafia, I’m gonna fill up his nose with dust.”
Critics praised the song for challenging rap’s gender norms and pushing boundaries.
Other notable viral lines include “Chyna, please have mercy, I ain’t gettin’ paid ’til the end of the week’ / I don’t give a f###, shut the f### up / Get on your knees and grease my feet (P####).”
Cam’ron is trolling the Detroit Lions for losing their playoff game against the Washington Commanders, blasting the team for tapping LiAngelo Ball to perform his viral hit “Tweaker” at halftime.
The rapper and podcaster didn’t hold back in a voice message to the Lions’ official Instagram account, addressing the head coach.
“Dan Campbell, do not start that crying s###,” he began. “That’s the way it goes. Y’all were feeling y’all self, and I had y’all back all season, and you know what f##### up everything?”
He continued, placing the blame squarely on Balls’ performance.
“Y’all let Gelo Ball perform at halftime,” Cam’ron stated. “What the f### was that about? Y’all coulda had Eminem, y’all coulda had Big Sean. Y’all n##### f##### it all up. And this the result of it, this the result of it. Sorry.”
However, it appears Cam’ron is actually a fan of LiAngelo Ball’s “Tweaker,” if not his basketball skills.
“I never said Gelo can’t rap. I said he can’t play basketball,” Cam said on a recent episode of his podcast. “He should’ve been starting this s###. Gelo, I like the single. I like it. You know I’m from the 2000s. You sound like you were down with Cash Money, Juvie, BG, Lil Wayne, Baby, Mannie Fresh. That sounds like your lane. Now look, you should’ve been doing the soundtrack to your brother’s life.”
Snoop Dogg is brushing off the criticism after facing hefty backlash for performing at a ball celebrating Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration.
The Death Row Records boss joined Rick Ross and Soulja Boy at the Crypto Ball on Friday (January 17) to the dismay of many in the rap community outraged at the rappers’ Trump endorsement.
Nonetheless, it appears Snoop is unbothered by the controversy.
On Sunday (January 19), Snoop Dogg took to Instagram to share a track titled “Unfollowed U,” seemingly created by AI from a group called “The Middle Fingers,” subtly expressing his stance on the ongoing Donald Trump controversy.
Nonetheless, the post only intensified the backlash, with fans fiercely condemning the West Coast rapper in the comment section.
“Hey Malcolm X said it best in 1960’s,” one person shared. “Don’t follow entertainers. They are easily bought.” Another added, “I mean he betrayed ‘Pac so what yall expect,” while a third said, “This is your response? Why not say something to people who are genuinely concerned about your choice? Grow up.”
Snoop Dogg Blasted Black Artists Performing For Donald Trump In 2016
Others still pointed to Snoop Dogg’s previous about Donald Trump. In 2016 he branded Black artists who performed at Trump’s inauguration “jigaboos” and “Uncle Toms.” However, by 2014, Snoop expressed “nothing but love and respect” for Trump, praising him for pardoning Michael “Harry-O” Harris, co-founder of Death Row Records.
Meanwhile, Nelly, set to perform at the Liberty Ball, one of three official Inauguration Day balls, responded to the critics.
“He’s the president,” he said. “He won […] He’s the commander-in-chief of what I would like to say is the best country in the world. That’s why I’m not telling you who to vote for.”
While Nelly denied taking the gig for the money, Soulja Boy did no such thing.
“They paid me a bag,” he said. “Obama ain’t never put no money in my f###### pockets. Kamala ain’t never put no money in my f###### pockets. Trump put money in my pockets. Y’all want me to not answer the phone for the f###### president?”
Metro Boomin has sidestepped any questions about reports of his rented yacht catching fire in Miami by announcing an upcoming album with Young Thug.
The huge 95-foot yacht burst into flames while docked near a strip club close to Miami International Airport early Sunday morning (January 19). Local reports state that Metro Boomin and about 15 guests and crew members aboard the yacht safely evacuated.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
However, on Sunday evening, the renowned producer seemingly addressed reports of the fire.
“Don’t believe everything you see online,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “Clout got the world in a chokehold.”
That wasn’t all, as Metro Boomin also confirmed he’s collaborating with Young Thug, adding, “Back to working on @thuggerthugger1 album.”
The news sparked a mixed response, with some fans predicting a “classic” album and hailing it as an album of the year contender.
Others were not so convinced, with some wondering if the album would ever come to fruition.
“Metro needs to stop confirming collab projects that never got,” one disgruntled fan shared. “He’s mentioned SM3, a project with Don Toliver, Durk, Jid, baby and now Thug.”
Another added, “nobody tryna hear that s###, he better get in his introspective bag and make a collab album with the alchemist.”
Metro Boomin Teased New Young Thug Music Last Year
Metro Boomin first hinted at a new Young Thug album shortly after the rapper’s release late last year. He shared a screenshot of some of his projects, including a folder titled “Lil Jeff Home,” containing around 71 minutes of music.
Although they have yet to release a full-length project, Metro Boomin and Young Thug have worked together extensively over the years. The fan-favorite Metro Thuggin series produced multiple release tracks and singles but never culminated in an official project.
President Joe Biden has pardoned five individuals, including the late civil rights leader Marcus Garvey, and commuted the sentences of two others in one of his final acts in office.
“Today, I am exercising my clemency power to pardon 5 individuals and commute the sentences of 2 individuals who have demonstrated remorse, rehabilitation, and redemption,” Biden said in a statement. “These clemency recipients have each made significant contributions to improving their communities.”
Biden posthumously pardoned Marcus Garvey, who died in 1940. The renowned civil rights and human rights leader was convicted of mail fraud in 1923. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, with President Calvin Coolidge commuting his sentence in 1927.
The White House notes, “Garvey created the Black Star Line, the first Black-owned shipping line and method of international travel, and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which celebrated African history and culture.”
Darryl Chambers, a gun violence prevention advocate from Wilmington, Delaware, was also among those pardoned by Biden. Chambers was convicted of a non-violent drug offense in 1998 and sentenced to 17 years in prison. Since his release, Chambers has dedicated himself to violence prevention efforts, including authoring his book Murder Town, USA.
The White House states, “Advocates, lawmakers, and his mentees praise him for his commitment to the Wilmington community, efforts to reduce violence, and helping youth transform their lives.”
The others Joe Biden pardoned were Ravi Ragbir, an immigrant rights advocate from New York, Don Leonard Scott, Jr., the first Black Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and Kemba Smith Pradia, a criminal justice advocate previously pardoned by President Clinton.
Skillz is stepping into a new chapter, and he’s got some heavy-hitter projects under his belt to show for it.
In a conversation with AllHipHop, the Virginia rapper-turned-ghostwriter reflected on his post “Rap Up” career and some major milestones, including penning Jay-Z’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction speech.
Skillz famously launched his annual “Rap Up” series in 2002, a tradition he popularized with witty rhymes that summarized the most significant cultural moments of the year.
He retired from the recaps in 2021, although he did come out of retirement to summarize the events of 2024.
His retirement from the “Rap Up” allowed Mad Skillz to focus, resulting in his album The Seven Number Ones, which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album category.
The Seven Number Ones is a spoken-word poetry album that narrates pivotal moments in his life, each track symbolizing a key experience that shaped his path.
“The album is about seven different things that happened in my life that changed the direction of my life. Each song is a moment,” Skillz told AllHipHop during an interview with DJ Thoro. “The first song is about my parent’s meeting. The second song is when my mom used to play music in the house. The third song is when I first heard Hip-Hop, my first daughter, first time I fell in love.”
Skillz’s decision to step away from his annual “Rap-Up” tradition, which had become both a hallmark and a limitation, allowed him to channel his creative energy into ventures that showcased his broader talents.
“When I look at the things that have happened in my life since I stopped doing the year-end ‘Rap Up’…like writing JAY-Z’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speech. When he got inducted, I wrote that for Hov,” Skillz told AllHipHop.com in an interview with DJ Thoro. “I’m on to other things.”
There’s a development, and I want to show you this. The below is from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who uploaded a video discussing the matter on Instagram.
Now, if you log on to TikTok, you’ll see this:
“Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
First of all, Donald Trump is not president right now.
He’s a private citizen. He doesn’t have access to presidential powers. He doesn’t have the ability to do any of that.
Please understand that TikTok’s decision to name Trump in the notification is a choice. They are signaling that they have agreed to privately collaborate with Donald Trump and the Trump administration.
For all of those concerns that people were saying that TikTok is gonna be used as a propaganda tool by the Chinese, understand they’re using it as a propaganda tool for the right.
Now, I want you all to put all the pieces together because what this effectively means is that every mass social media platform in the United States has been taken over by the right wing, with the exception of Blue Sky (but Blue Sky is still very small, relatively).
So when I say put the pieces together:
Elon Musk took over Twitter, and there’s open reporting that they have artificially manipulated the algorithms to boost right-wing content on what he re-branded as “X” and to amplify harassment.
Then you have Meta. You have Mark Zuckerberg saying that they’re basically also bending the knee to Trump with their changes to fact checking, regardless of how effective that was in the first place.
Now TikTok is now saying, “Hey, we are agreeing we will use our push notification system for all 170 million American users to promote Donald Trump.”
Just understand that government announcements like this with companies, they never name politicians — they will usually name law or policy. TikTok is making an explicit agreement to do this.
And if I were a betting person, they probably are making a deal with Donald Trump to not just use these push notifications but also consider algorithmic changes, which is ironic. At the time when people voted for the TikTok ban, there was a lot of pro-Palestinian content. That argument was being used as being somehow “anti-American,” which I guess supporting human rights is somehow bad.
We are on the eve of an authoritarian administration. This is what 21st century fascism is starting to look like. Republicans model themselves after Viktor Orbán’s Hungary. You can look to Hungary to get a taste of how they will try to control media and companies in the United States. This is a kind of entrée to that.
As far as what we do:
This is a time of experimentation. A lot of people can and will still use platforms, but I also look towards places where you have more ownership and develop your audiences there — like Blue Sky. (Editor’s Note: We are also going with Fanbase.)
Snoop Dogg—yes, the Doggfather himself—landed in hot water with “the people,” but you know this. Snoop, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy and Nelly have aligned themselves with multiple pro-Trump inauguration events. The backlash? Nuclear. People are dragging them and they are getting the “Chrisette Michele treatment.” So let’s talk about the fallout.
Breathe deeply.
We’ve always held Snoop Dogg up as the people’s champ—a West Coast OG, Hip-Hop ambassador and the premier icon of our times. Remember, we gave him the person of the year for 2024. Now, folks are looking at him sideways. In 2017, Snoop had some real strong words for anyone rocking with Trump’s first inauguration. He made it clear: he wasn’t here for it and called those that do, all types of c-words.
Times have changed in 2025, as Trump is about to return to the Oval Office. MAGA isn’t rolling out the red carpet for these guys. And they seem to respect Snoop Dogg less for flip-flopping. Elon Musk added his two cents: “The vibe shift is real.”
Look, if Snoop Doog had gone full MAGA from jump, we’d dislike him, but at least he’d be consistent. You know? Like Waka Flocka Flame. But to switch sides after taking a hard stand? That’s where it stings.
Here are some of the other comments:
We don’t want degenerates like Snoop in our circles. Manipulating our youth to think it’s cool to be addicted to smoking weed and calling women hoes. No thanks
“It takes no courage to come out and support someone *after* they [Trump] won.”
“I refuse to listen to his music or support him in any way. He is the bottom of the barrel.”
There are plenty more comments, but you get the vibes. People seem to feel like it’s less about politics and more about principles. Folding under pressure or cash? YUCK.
Nelly and Rick Ross aren’t escaping the smoke either. Social media is lighting them up, too. But let’s be real: Nelly has never represented a thing. And Rozay? He said he was doing a private shindig—not a Trump affair. But Snoop? This one hurts.
We can’t pretend to know what’s in Snoop Dogg’s heart, but one thing’s for sure: this is a reminder that even our most untouchable icons aren’t immune to scrutiny. Real Gs stand firm in their square—rain or shine. Say nothing if you aren’t ready for that heat. If you’re going to make a move this bold, own it.
Master P opens up about his relentless dedication to uplifting communities, ongoing contributions to Hip-Hop and plans for the future.
Master P, as usual, is on the move but checked in with AllHipHop to discuss his recent activities. The New Orleans-born mogul recently spearheaded benefit concerts to support families in need. The latest initiatives include a star-studded concert in Newark, New Jersey, his work with the Team Hope Foundation, and the importance of showcasing the positive side of Hip-Hop.
The conversation with Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur also delves into his ventures in film, with plans to revisit classics like “Bout It Bout It” and launch new projects, as well as his upcoming role as a college basketball coach.
AllHipHop: How are you doing, man?
Master P: Man, I’m good. You know, talking about the city of New Orleans, we’re holding on and holding strong. I just did a song with Mia X, Cymphonique, Trombone Shorty and produced by KLC. All the proceeds from that record are going back to families affected by the devastation on Bourbon Street. The name of the song is “New Orleans Keep Holding On.“
AllHipHop: I have to commend you. When it was time for someone to step up, you definitely assumed that leadership position. How are the people feeling, man? It seems like we’re constantly hit with tragedies.
Master P: Yeah, man, we’ve all been through something. I know New York has been through a lot, California with the fires and New Orleans has had its share, too. But we’re hanging in there. For those still here, we have to keep holding on.
AllHipHop: You’ve got this benefit concert coming up in Newark, New Jersey, at NJPAC. Shout out to NJPAC. What made you choose that venue? Tell us about the concert.
Master P: I’ve been doing a lot of work in Newark for the past five years, helping kids in the city. But I’ve never performed in Newark before. This will be my first time performing in New Jersey, so it’ll be history. I’ll be hitting the stage with The LOX and Dru Hill. It’s going to be one of those unforgettable nights. You’ve got to wear camouflage because it’s a No Limit party.
AllHipHop: That’s what’s up. And it’s also for a great cause, right?
Master P: Absolutely. Every ticket purchase goes back to the Team Hope Foundation to provide kids with school supplies and backpacks for next year. We’ve been doing this for over 25 years. This concert is bigger than just music—it’s a celebration for a great cause.
AllHipHop: I’m originally from Delaware, and you came down to Newark, Delaware, and spoke to the kids. The whole city appreciated that.
Master P: That’s what Team Hope is all about—preparing the next generation. We’re focused on financial literacy and bridging the gap. This is about building leaders and creating opportunities for the youth.
AllHipHop: How does this connect to Hip-Hop? The genre often gets a bad rap for being negative. What’s your perspective?
Master P: Don’t be afraid to grow in Hip-Hop. We all come from humble beginnings, but look where we’re at now. Hip-Hop has been around for over 50 years, and they said it wouldn’t last. People often focus on the negative and overlook the positive. Media outlets don’t always promote the good things we do. But look at what we’ve accomplished. In New Orleans, we created the NOLA Walk of Fame, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to honor trailblazers in business, Hip-Hop, and beyond. That’s a $6.5 million project—a first for our city.
AllHipHop: You mentioned giving Lil Wayne his flowers and the Super Bowl. What’s the plan for the Super Bowl?
Master P: You’ll have to wait and see. Super Bowl Sunday is going to be unforgettable. If the [Kansas City] Chiefs make it, you know they love my song “Make ‘Em Say Uhh” anthem. It’ll be crazy. And speaking of “Make ‘Em Say Uhh,” I’ve got a drink called “Make ‘Em Say Un’” that’s going to turn heads too. [Shows the can.]
AllHipHop: You’re always creating. What’s next on the movie front? We have Bobby Yan is here too, the movie director that got his start with you. Any plans to remake “I’m Bout It”?
Master P: Bobby Yan’s a hard worker, and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. We’re making movies, and a remake of “Bout It Bout It” could be on the table. I’m also working on horror films and the “Ice Cream Man” TV series with Deon Taylor. Technology like AI allows us to do bigger things now.
AllHipHop: Man, I could talk to you forever, but do you have any final words?
Master P: Just get ready for my next chapter. I’m about to become a college basketball coach. I’ve coached players like DeMar DeRozan and Lance Stephenson from middle school to high school. Now it’s my time to step into college coaching. Stay tuned!
AllHipHop: That’s incredible. Thank you for pulling up and sharing your journey. You’re a true trailblazer, and we appreciate you.
Philadelphia streets aren’t right! Rest in peace to Gillie Da Kid’s son, Cheese (real name Devin Spady), who was shot and killed in 2023. Straight up. The tragic loss sent shockwaves through the rap community, largely because we had so much love for Gillie. Once upon a time, he would perform at AllHipHop shows. Over a year and a half later, no arrests have been made in the case involving Cheese.
There are many forms of justice in these evil streets. Sometimes street justice takes precedence, and the streets are saying this is what happened in a recent case of a basketball player-turned-rapper.
Cheese’s death could be a link in a larger chain of events. Hood reports suggest that 17-year-old Noah Scurry may have had a role in Cheese’s tragic death. We all know Noah was a star basketball player by day, but sources say he was an alleged gang-affiliated rapper by night. TF. These are kids!
Scurry was also reportedly known as Joker OTV (or OtvJoker). He was gunned down in a brutal execution-style killing outside his home in front of his mother as he was heading to school.
Scurry was a straight-A student with Division 1 basketball offers, but he allegedly had a dark side, rapping about violent acts and rumored to have claimed multiple lives in his lyrics. His newly released track, “Swing My Door,”hints at a really high body count. Some in the streets claim he was connected to the murder of Fat Dame…this is crazy.
Here’s where it gets even messier. Rumors are swirling that Cheese’s family believes Scurry was responsible for Cheese’s death. Scurry’s death appears to be an act of retaliation, according to the streets. They cops were unable to find Cheese’s killer, but they are reportedly acting swiftly in this case.
Law enforcement sources revealed they’re investigating at least three suspects in Scurry’s death, one of whom is allegedly Gillie’s nephew.
I didn’t see this myself, but it seems like the nephew posted a cryptic message on Instagram shortly after Scurry’s murder: “The body ain’t worth it if the streets don’t know you did it.”
What does that mean? He also reportedly posted: “Get your rest, Cheese. That boy gas now.” Don’t quote me. A lot is hazy, but one thing is clear: the streets don’t forget. These are kids. It doesn’t seem like the cycle of violence will stop. Meanwhile, Gillie and his family continue to mourn Cheese.
What do y’all think? Was this street justice, or is there more to the story? Let us know in the comments.
