After a recent entry into the music scene, the artist known as Champkennelmack is starting to prove that he belongs in the scene. With three big releases under his belt from this year alone, he’s rocking radio waves and making a scene in the local and even global music strata. Hailing from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, all Champkennelmack wanted to be a musician and a respected artist from a young age. Today, he’s at the starting line of both paths, and he’s starting strong.
Everything started as a hobby. Still, he would soon start getting offers and calls from radio hosts, record labels, engineers, and managers that pretty much spoke to him and declared that he deserved a spot in the music industry.
“Honestly, music is just a creative way to get all of your feelings out,” explains the songwriter and artist. “So as long as I think everything sounds good while I’m making it, I’m all in. There are definitely people that would have never found my music if I stayed in the same lane.”
The artist has had a knack for networking early on, opening up, and getting connections that most people his age or even older wouldn’t have. That brought him an edge, which he capitalized from day one. After years of building a solid network, he has turned into a household name across the Florida Hip Hop scene, especially among Gen-Zers who make up most of his demographic. Although Champkennelmack is also the kind of artist that older generations can enjoy, his songs carry a timeless rap and R&B rhythm that could cater to people from other walks of life.
David Shine, the comedian, and rapper known for his hilarious comedy sketches have just released a new comedy rap album titled Slow N*gga Melodies. The album is a collection of funny tracks that consists of David’s goofy brand of humor in the “slow lane”. At least that’s what he calls it after stating what he feels his lane for music is. “Just goofy and non-serious, but also good music at the same time” he also adds. If you’re in the mood for some hilarious comedy raps, look no further than David Shine.
The album is full of funny lyrics that will have you laughing out loud but also showcases David’s songwriting ability. David Shine is a comedian who has been entertaining audiences for years but is finding much success in using rap to gain fans comedically. Not to be compared to a parody artist, he mixes comedy with original music which makes him even more talented. If you’re a fan of laughing, then you’ll love David Shine. Be sure to check out his album today where all music is streamed
Ksoo’s father will testify against his son when the rapper stands trial for first-degree murder.
According to First Coast News, the Jacksonville artist’s dad, Abdul Robinson Sr., will be working with prosecutors who are trying to put both of his sons away for several murders.
Hakeem “Ksoo” Robinson, 23, is charged with first-degree murder. Abdul Robinson Jr., 27, is charged with second-degree murder. What makes this worse is that the dad is also charged in this case.
Poppa Ksoo is charged as an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.
Law enforcement officers and the prosecution are going after Ksoo since he is believed to be the trigger man. But his father, the agencies believe, is the leader of the gang that the rapper reps, Ace’s Top Killers (ATK).
While New York and Chicago have drill and Atlanta is the home of trap, it seems that the Florida boys, like Ksoo and others, are popularizing the genre called “murder rap,” where they rhyme about offing opps in rival gangs.
As related to this case, “Who I Smoke” mentions Bibby directly.
In this case, songs like these may be brought into question as ATK vs. KTA are rival gangs who use their rap music videos to detail their street beef and killings.
ATK counts rappers like Yungeen Ace and Ksoo as members, while KTA has rappers like Foolio, Spottem Gottem and Y&R Mookey, who was just found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in a large scale operation of the gangs the Feds called “Operation Rap Up.”
Y&R Mookey is awaiting sentencing. During his trial, prosecutors used his rap lyrics, and videos to convict the rapper.
This would align with the headline-grabbing case of two other rap stars, Young Thug and Gunna. In the two Georgia natives’ RICO cases, the prosecution will use their lyrics as evidence against them in the court of law.
Experts suggest Florida will most certainly follow suit.
Court records show Abdul Robinson Sr. has agreed to testify as a witness for the state in the case about Lil’ Buck’s brutal murder. Eyes are on him, and the police know it.
The father has been moved out of the Duval County Jail for his safety.
The Ministry of Affairs of the Russian Federation released the list over the weekend, and it mostly contained names of government officials,
U.S. President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, are a few “U.S. citizens under personal sanctions, including a ban on entry into the Russian Federation.”
The Ministry’s statement calls Freeman a “well-known film actor who in September 2017 recorded a video message accusing Vladimir Putin and Russia of conspiring against the United States and calling for a fight against our country.”
Freeman lent his voice to a public service announcement in September 2017 for the Committee to Investigate Russia. The clip accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of using “cyber warfare to attack democracies around the world,” including his “sworn enemy, the United States.”
Rising star, recording artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur “IamJYoungin” otherwise known as Jeremiah Jones is destined to make a powerful mark in both the business scene as well as the Hip-hop music scene. As a Long Beach, California native Jeremiah Jones aka ” IamJYoungin” does a great job of balancing the tasks of being CEO & founder of a 501C3 nonprofit organization Jyoungin.org and his very own music career as a HipHop Artist. Many who work with him say, they’re not surprised with all the accomplishments he’s obtained being that his work ethic is incredibly unmatched.
IamJYoungin linked with Grammy-nominated recording artist Problem of Compton, California. These two have joined forces bringing you a dope remix stemming from IamJYoungin’s most recent radio and club hit “Anywayz“. Problem says, “I’ve known J for the majority of his life and wasn’t going to just do a record with him based on my business history with his father. I wanted to see him grow as an artist, mature as a young man, step up to the plate and be able to bat with the big dawgs before we did anything on a professional music level.”
IamJYoungin said, “I’m glad the Big Bro Prob chose this record to help me build and I take nothing for granted, this is just the beginning. Recently the founder of The Reel Gods, Rob Banks, otherwise known as ShotByRobBanks invited him to a video shoot she was doing. It just so happens that her client was Freebandz member FBG Goat & the Norf Side Big Homey OT Genasis. IamJYoungin told us that seeing them work and listening to them drop gems, lit a whole new fire within him. It let him know that it’s tangible and that he could go major just like them.
“This is just the beginning and I see myself as a megastar and a fortune 500 owner,” he said. “I have to work like never before, staying consistent across the board while keeping my focus. I appreciate everyone who is supporting my overall movement, stay tapped in with me and remember I never give up!” IamJYoungin Featuring Problem (Official Video)
Nick was asked whether “all the baby mamas get along during a recent appearance on The Big Tigger Morning Show.”
“They don’t have to. They all get along with me,” he replied. Nick explained that he didn’t initially imagine having such a big family.
“I just want to be responsible as a father … I didn’t set out (for this to happen) … I just want to be the best father I can possibly be and lean into it,” the 41-year-old continued. “I embrace all my children; I love children, but I wasn’t setting out to be Father Abraham. I just embrace it. A lot of people have a lot of children as well, and they kinda keep it quiet, or they don’t talk about it. I lean into mine.”
However, Nick insisted he had no desire to get married again.
“Absolutely not. I mean, I love the romance of it. I could see myself with a life partner but (not) putting the government in my relationship,” he added.
Raised on 90s legends like Busta Rhymes and Lauryn Hill, Doja Cat said she was rapping way back in her Soundcloud days … when she was just getting started.
“I’ve rapped since the beginning, and I really couldn’t even sing that well to begin with—I got a lot better,” the bi-racial rapper (her mother is Jewish American, and her dad is South African) says. “I use my voice as a tool to create these worlds, and it’s fine if people think that I can’t rap.”
The pop star has faced much backlash from people who have not said she can’t rhyme but protest her being included in rap categories with her commercial Top 40 sing-songy hits like “Kiss Me More,” “Need to Know” and “Best Friend” featuring Saweetie.
Doja Cat also said, “The only person who should be rating Hip-Hop is an OG or somebody who is respected in Hip-Hop.”
Remy Ma has the pedigree which makes her an “O.G.” and respected. Put on my Big Pun with over 15 years in the game and a Bronx native, Remy Ma sparked a conversation when she said that while the chart-topper makes excellent music, she should not be in a rap category with her.
“They put her in the rapper category. I don’t think she’s a rapper. But she makes dope records, and I think she’s dope,” Remy Ma said.
But Wale, a second-generation African like Doja Cat is, came to her defense. He said he saw it with his own eyes at the 2022 Coachella festival and believes in her rap skills.
Anybody that raps for real .. can listen to her raps and can clearly see she is a rapper. I’m just now finding out there was a debate …,,I’ll just say this I’ve been doin this thing for a minute now .. when that girl drops somethin on one of these “rap” beats ?? You gon see
“Doja cat one of the best rappers out male or female alien or otherwise,” Wale tweeted. “Anybody that raps for real … can listen to her raps and can clearly see she is a rapper. I’m just now finding out there was a debate.”
Wale then warned … “When that girl drops somethin on one of these “rap” beats?? You gon see.”
“I have been getting songs and things sent to me…. Oh f###, I wish I could tell people! There’s some really cool stuff that I got sent from friends,” Doja Cat continued. “They’re all working on beats, and I’m giving them notes, and they know what I want, so I’m excited… there’s an explosion of amazing female rap talent out there right now… It’s so cool to see that, because we didn’t have that when we were younger.”
It also would be cool to see if she and Remy could do a song together!!! We are ready for a 2022 “Ladies First!”
Who was right and who was wrong? The water is getting muddier by the minute.
A former United Airlines employee was fired after fighting with a passenger. The clip went viral over the weekend, into Monday and immediately got all of us talking about a fight between a former NFL player and a worker for United Airlines. It was quite a topic because we saw part of it at first, and then later, a slightly larger clip. So the first clip showed a bra Lake big white guy, likely of Italian dissent, slap a black passenger. The passenger appeared stunned and responded by striking the man with a two piece. That two peas, likely with a biscuit, sent the bigger man sprawling backwards into the luggage drop at Newark airport in New Jersey. It look like he might join the luggage in the plane for a second there.
The former employee, who has yet to be identified by the airline, was fired. The passenger, now known as Brandon Langley, was arrested. We do not have all of the information, but based on the footage it looked as if the employee was a participant at the very least.
In the video, they stare each other down, and then Brandon is slapped. Brandon, who still plays football professionally in Canada, appears to be stunned afterwards. “You saw that s###?” Langley says after getting slapped.
Well, the employee takes his butt whooping like a pro and even gets back up, still ready to fight. And then others began to convene around it to stop it.
Like I said before, it is unclear as to what exactly led up to the altercation. But, it seem like part of the drama stems from Brandon using a wheelchair to move his luggage, rather than buying a luggage cart. Even though he was arrested, Brandon is basically saying that he is taking his fate to the court room. He hasn’t explicitly stated what he’s going to do but it seems like he’s not letting United “off the hook. “
Personally, I think that the employee was in the wrong. I know that it seems that the former NFL football player was in the wrong, because he seem to be more aggressive in the longer clip. But the way he was shot at the slap, and then asked those attending if they saw it…makes me believe that he was genuinely stunned at how the other person was acting.
He knew there were witnesses and he likely knew it was being recorded. For that reason, I go with the brother man. But, he made a mistake if he though people watching from the internet was going to be on his side.
In the restraining order request obtained by The Blast, the reality T.V. star claimed that she feared for her own safety and had suffered “severe emotional distress” over the “disturbing” letters she had received from the man at her home.
“In multiple letters, he has threatened to kill me. He has made numerous false and delusional claims about me and my intimate relationships. He has also made disturbing sexual references about me in his letters,” Kim Kardashian wrote in the legal document. “On April 25th, 2022, a written bomb threat was made to my business office. I am informed that my private security analyzed the written bomb threat and found a number of similarities between the threat and prior letters.
“I have suffered and continue to suffer severe emotional distress. I fear for my own safety. I also fear for the safety of those close to me, my family, and others at my workplace… I am concerned with a restraining order in place, he will continue to escalate his threats and will attempt to physically harm or even kill me.”
The filing also included copies of more than 30 letters Kim had received from the man. Her lawyer Shawn Holley also claimed that he told the 41-year-old she was on his “hit list” and “must die soon.”
He also allegedly threatened Kim Kardashian and her family, her four children, and her boyfriend, Pete Davidson.
A judge in Los Angeles granted Kim a temporary restraining order which bans the man from contacting her or Pete or coming within 100 years of the SKIMS founder and her home.
A hearing regarding a long-term protection order will take place on June 13th.
Fatboy is the king of content, one of the funniest entertainers in the business. but that doesn’t take away from his musical talents, and he’s here to prove he has what it takes to be one of the greats.
Today, the New Jersey native returns with his newest single titled “OUUWEE,” featuring Kocky Ka. The record sees Fatboy reflecting on his journey from the trenches to now being able to make a living and take care of himself and his family.
https://music.empi.re/ouuweee
Speaking on the inspiration behind the record, Fatboy stated, “I went into the studio, I was thinking about my life overall. Being a youngin’ with no guidance. I wanted to show the glamorous part in the music. That’s why I said “my chain heavy,” things of that nature.”
Fatboy also explained what he wants fans to get from the record.
“I could go any different way. I’m versatile. I go country, pop, hip-hop, rap, gospel, anything. I want fans to know I’m coming. I’m coming for the Grammy, I’m coming for the Platinum/Gold record. I want fans to know everything I accomplished, this is just the beginning.”
The man who allegedly attacked Dave Chappelle at a recent comedy show has claimed he was inspired by Will Smith’s Oscar slap.
Isaiah Lee, who is accused of tackling the comedy star during his “Netflix Is A Joke” set at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this month, told The New York Post in an interview released on Monday that he was emboldened by the shocking incident.
Smith walked on stage during the Academy Awards live telecast in March over a joke Chris Rock made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Lee continued, “That’s not right what (Chris Rock) said about (Smith’s) wife, calling her GI Jane.” He also confessed the attack was meant to elevate his own profile as a rapper.
“I’m not going to lie… it was a bit of clout-chasing,” he stated to the publication. “In Hollywood, you know they say there is no such thing as bad publicity. I rap about these things in my music and knew it would get attention.”
Elsewhere, Isaiah Lee revealed the attack has earned him celebrity status with his inmates, saying, “They come up to me and ask, ‘Hey, are you the guy who went up to Dave Chappelle?'”
Lee was charged with battery, possessing a deadly weapon with intent to assault, unauthorized access to the stage area during a performance, and commission of an act that delays the event or interferes with the performer over the incident. He has pleaded guilty.
In the days after the incident, Chappelle’s representative insisted he didn’t want the attack to “overshadow the magic” of the comedy event.
The great Griselda Records crew is on tour. They came to New York City and we didn’t even try to get them. It might all be in our minds, but Westsidegunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny the Butcher are fully blown rap stars now. They are no longer the underground darlings that we helped blow up and support. And so therefore, they have all the trappings of superstars.
Part of that is crazy stuff! I didn’t hear much about the New York stop, but another tour date did produce some rumors. I believe it was the date in Boston. According to a source of mine told me, somebody did something really stupid. A person in the crowd reportedly threw a shoe on stage while Westsidegunn was performing. (I think it was West, at least.) The resulting action basically was somebody getting beat down all the way outside. That’s the impression I got. And that the person that did that stupid deed found themselves in close contact with hands and feet of other people. By the way, this was not the Griselda team or anybody else. This was the FANS handling that, according to my source.
You get the message.
They didn’t stop the amazing show that they put on, from what I understand. I think they are essentially keeping hardcore rap alive. There were some other nuances there that had my source wondering how long the crew would stay together. I won’t go into the details of that because I don’t wanna promote any negativity, but I am going to say that I am hopeful that they maintain their closeness in an effort to stay a unified front. We all know that they are growing as artists and business people, and that produces changes.
Also, all change isn’t good. Especially for the fans. Hopefully, they are able to stretch their wings out as individuals and then have that Wu-Tang-like solidarity that keeps the fans out of any friction. That said, I plan to see these guys at some point. This tour was pretty short so it wraps June 3 in Los Angeles.
“Though I’m not the first king of controversy. I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley to do Black music so selfishly, and use it to get myself wealthy,” rapped Eminem on “Without Me” off 2002’s The Eminem Show album.
Yesterday, Eminem shared a 16-second snippet from his Dr. Dre-produced “The King And I” collaboration with singer/rapper CeeLo Green. The track will live on the forthcoming album associated with the Elvis motion picture.
The Elvis soundtrack also features songs by Doja Cat, Denzel Curry, Gary Clark Jr., Jack White, Jazmine Sullivan, Nardo Wick, Swae Lee, Diplo, and other acts. Doja’s “Vegas” single came out on May 6.
Austin Butler stars as the title character in the Elvis movie. Additionally, the cast includes Tom Hanks, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, Olivia DeJonge, Luke Bracey, Natasha Bassett, David Wenham, and others.
The Warner Bros. Pictures production will hit theaters in the United States on June 24. Elvis will have its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on May 25. The film’s official trailer debuted on February 17.
It is often hard to quantify all that Bobby Shmurda is. But Ackquille Jean Pollard, Bobby’s government, is a bit of a different story. It is almost like Bobby and Ackquille are working hand-in-hand to make it in the rough and tumble game of entertainment and Hip-Hop. The only thing is: it is not a game.
Bobby Shmurda has seen it all, from the streets of Brooklyn to the highest heights of rap success to the valleys of prison. At one time, he was charged with running a criminal enterprise and did the time. In fact, he took a specific plea deal that gave himself more time in prison in order for his friend Rowdy Rebel to get less. Bobby is different.
Now, he has regained his footage and sought greener pastures as an independent artist. This is not the same kid that was dancing in the streets to “Hot N#gga,” a $20 moonshot that managed to hit the top of the charts. This is a smarter, wiser and more experienced Bobby, bish. And yet, you already know, somethings never change. Get familiar.
Chuck Creekmur: Yo, are you the King of New York?
Bobby Shmurda: I’m saying I’m going to let the people talk about it. King of New York got to be a gorilla, got to be King Kong, right? King Kong has to be a gorilla, right? Then we’re going to see who going to gorilla this summer that sh#t.
Slops: So we got some sh#t lined up for the summer?
Bobby Shmurda: So at the end of the summer, I need them to announce who went gorilla over the summer. All the New York people go out and just shoot out, and we’ll see who gone gorilla this summer.
Slops: So you got some sh#t lined up already?
Bobby Shmurda: I got a lot of sh#t lined up. But you know, it’s a lot of conversations going on now that I’m independent. I feel single now. I’m single. All the girls want me now like, “Oh you want me too now? Oh do you want to call now too? Oh you calling now too?”
Chuck Creekmur: Who’s calling?
Bobby Shmurda: There’s a couple people calling. I’m staying independent though but you know… I don’t like to say that because when I say independent I’m like giving it away. “He’s staying independent but he going to f#ck with somebody, who it going to be?” Ain’t nobody know who he’s going to be. I might be out West, I might be down South, or I might stay in New York. Who knows.
Slops: What happened with Epic?
Bobby Shmurda: Well, I’m on papers. I can’t really talk too much about that sh#t. I signed, what’s that s### called?
Chuck Creekmur: An NDA?
Bobby Shmurda: Confidential sh#t. So if I talk about it, they can sue my black ass. I was just making sure.
Slops: But was the split amicable? Was it cool? Cool times or…
Chuck Creekmur: …They let you go?
Bobby Shmurda: They let me go. I got to pay a little tab but I’m good.
Chuck Creekmur: Okay. So they tied you up. You said a little tab.
Bobby Shmurda: Not a little tab, but I’m good. I’m out.
Chuck Creekmur: So independent is a different type of hustle, but you already got the name, that’s number one. That’s really what you need.
Bobby Shmurda: I got the game.
Chuck Creekmur: The game. You got the name and the game.
Bobby Shmurda: I think you need the game. That’s what people don’t talk about. I think motherf#ckers need the game. Ni##as don’t tell artists coming up the game. Because there’s a whole game that the labels do and everybody do that they don’t tell the game. And now that I go meet with these major labels and I talk to them, the way I talk with them is different. They look at me like, “Bobby you’re the only artist that’s coming in here talking like that. Everybody else, they’re not coming in here sending their lawyers or their managers, talking about this and that.”
Half the artists don’t even know what the thing is. DSP is or whatever the f##k this is, that is. What’s this? Where to be at? Marketing, or this and that. A lot of ni##as they be like that.
When I came home, I start asking ni##as around my age (questions). I’m like, “Yo bro, you know I…” And he’s looking at me like, “Man them people handle all that sh#t. I say, “Oh hell no, I can’t be around here. I say I can’t be around here, they tripping. Them people tripping.”
Chuck Creekmur: So you learned a lot from… But you-
Bobby Shmurda: I learned a lot, but also I went through a lot too. Because you know that spoils a lot of people in the industry. A lot of people are used to making decisions for artists like, “Shut up and be an artist.” I’m like, n##a who the f#ck you talking to? You talking to these ni##as like that but not me – you better ask somebody. The psych ward been coming to the elementary since 1997. Don’t play me ni##a. It’s going to be lit like a b##ch. That’s what it be though, so I know how that s### go.
You got 100 motherf##kers in a room. You slap 99 of them motherfu##ers but the one motherfu##er think, who the f##k you think you are. Right or wrong?
Chuck Creekmur: Right. Yeah.
Bobby Shmurda: But I’m like, ni##a you slapping these ni##as. These n##### just don’t know how to get slapped. Hold on now ni##a. Hold on. You feel me? But that’s what it be.
Chuck Creekmur: I remember that one time you was dancing on the tables and all that, and at that point it seemed like you were one of the people you just talked about. Is that true and you just have learned, or was it like that from the beginning?
Bobby Shmurda: When I was dancing on them tables, I danced on cars. I used to just shoot the streets up in my slippers. I’m just a wild motherfu##er. Anything I do, I do anywhere. In jail, I danced on tables in jail. Everywhere: I’m always dancing on top of sh#t. Ever since I was a kid. I’m jumping table to table, I’m just that type of person.
But now, when I was getting that deal, everything I was saying back in 2014… I was telling them not to do, they was doing.
Chuck Creekmur: Yeah.
Bobby Shmurda: Now, it’s vocabulary I had to learn. I had to learn what perpetuity means, I had to learn what a whole bunch of stuff means.
Slops: Forever!
Bobby Shmurda: I’ve been waiting for motherfu##ers to say some sh#t, I just play stupid. I’ll take my shoe off and when you motherfu##ers stop playing, fling my shoe at him. I’m playing, but you know you got to keep everything professional.
Bobby Shmurda: When I was dancing that time, I was really running from the streets. I was so blinded, I was just running from the streets and honestly, when I was 19, I didn’t give a f##k about the industry. I don’t give a f##k about celebrities. I could see celebrities walk right past me… When I was in the block, at that time if you had came and told me about a celebrity – say the biggest celebrity name. F##king Queen of England, I don’t give a f##k who. I didn’t even know who the president was at that time. Gangster, you know what I’m saying? I was one of those n##as.
Bobby Shmurda: You come tell me about some dumb sh#t on the block like “N####, I’m on the block.” You come tell me about some, whoever (rapper) just dropped or some sh#t, I probably just slap the sh#t out of you. “The f##k’s wrong with you ni##a? We got drugs going on, guns, (what the) f##k is this dumb ni##a talking about? We out here on it like that around them times in the hood. You can’t come around us talking about some dumb s###, talking about some gossip.” We’d slap the sh#t out of you like no tomorrow.
Back in 2017, Taylor Bennett revealed he identifies as bisexual. TheComing of Age album creator made the announcement to his followers on Twitter.
“I do recognize myself as a bisexual male & do & have always openly supported the gay community & will keep doing so in 2017. #ThankYou 🤘🏽,” tweeted Taylor Bennett in January of that year.
Hollywood Unlocked‘s Jason Lee recently sat down with Taylor Bennett. The Fox Soul interview included Chance The Rapper’s younger brother discussing his decision to publicly come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
I do recognize myself as a bisexual male & do & have always openly supported the gay community & will keep doing so in 2017. #ThankYou 🤘🏽
“I didn’t tell my dad, I didn’t tell my mom, I didn’t tell my brother. I literally said it on Twitter and then walked in the house and then told my dad, told my mom, told my brother while we were in Malibu or Miami for some trip that Chance was on,” recalled Taylor Bennett.
He continued, “I think it was like a thing where because I had that tool [Twitter] it made it something where I didn’t have to have those conversations like a lot of other people do or still do. And then also again, which this isn’t everybody’s situation, I was thinking all these different things like, ‘Wow, you got all these reasons that you could come out and be this person.'”
Taylor Bennett posted his 2017 coming-out Twitter thread the day before his 21st birthday. The now-26-year-old Chicago native also commented on how his spirituality connected to his courage to share his sexuality with the world.
“I grew up with different kids that were sleeping on the train and maybe not even telling me because they had been kicked out of their crib,” said Bennett. “I think the biggest thing was that I was about to be 21, so it was just like a space and a time where God, I think, kind of tapped me on the shoulder.”
A new single by Kanye “Ye” West and the late XXXTentacion will arrive later this week. Columbia Records is set to release “True Love” on Friday, May 27.
“True Love” will appear on both XXXTentacion’s upcoming Look At Me: The Album as well as Ye’s Donda 2. In addition, the song plays over the end credits of the Look At Me: XXXTentacion documentary.
Kanye West also designed the cover art for “True Love.” The image features handwritten notes by XXXTentacion which were scanned from a journal that his mother recently found.
The Sabaah Folayan-directed Look At Me: XXXTentacion film premieres on the Hulu streaming platform this Thursday, May 26. Look At Me: The Album will serve as a companion music project to the documentary.
Before his death in 2018 at the age of 20, XXXTentacion (born Jahseh Onfroy) dropped 2017’s17 and 2018’s ? studio LPs. His discography also includes the posthumous Skins in 2018 and Bad Vibes Forever in 2019.
Atlantic recording artist Jack Harlow still has the #1 song in America. The Kentucky native’s “First Class” held onto the top spot of the Hot 100 for a third non-consecutive week.
According to Billboard, “First Class” pulled in 25.2 million streams over the last week. The 19% dip in streaming numbers caused the track to fall from #2 to #6 on the Streaming Songs chart.
However, Jack Harlow’s “First Class” remains atop Billboard‘s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs rankings. The Come Home the Kids Miss You single has spent five weeks at the pinnacle of those charts, respectively.
Lamar’s “Die Hard” with Blxst and Amanda Reifer launched at #5. “Silent Hill” with Kodak Black (#7) and “United in Grief” (#8) also bowed in the Hot 100’s Top 10 this week.
Future’s former Hot 100 Number One “Wait for U” featuring Drake and Tems slipped one position to #4. Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” held steady at #9. Latto’s “Big Energy” dropped two spots to #10.
Compton-raised emcee Kendrick Lamar currently has the #1 album in America. All eighteen tracks from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers opened on the Hot 100 chart as well.
According to Billboard, nineteen songs by Lamar made it onto this week’s Hot 100. Four of those Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers entries landed in the Top 10. The pre-album loosie titled “The Heart Part 5” sits at #77.
Kendrick Lamar’s “N95” debuted at #3 on the latest Hot 100 rankings. “Die Hard” with Blxst and Amanda Reifer (#5), “Silent Hill” with Kodak Black (#7), and “United in Grief” (#8) are among the most popular songs in the country too.
.@kendricklamar charts 19 songs on this week's #Hot100, including every track from 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' (1/3):
— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) May 23, 2022
In addition, Kendrick Lamar became just the fourth act in history to chart thirteen songs in the Hot 100’s Top 40 at the same time. He is also the sixth act to have at least nine songs in the Top 20 simultaneously.
Besides landing in the Top 5, “N95” also earned the honor of being the most-streamed song over the tracking period. The record collected 37.2 million streams since its release on May 13.
Kendrick Lamar now has twelve career Top 10 songs. His total Hot 100 count rose to sixty-nine. The pgLang co-founder presently has two Number Ones on the Hot 100 (Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” in 2015, “Humble” in 2017).
AJ Tracey believes U.K. rappers will gain proper recognition in America once Hip-Hop heads are in tune with the accent.
“l want the rap purists to take me in and listen to the lyrics,” he said during a recent interview with On The Radar Radio. He added that he feels a lot of potential fans are sleeping on U.K. rappers because they are put off by the accent. “I feel like some people sleep, like U.K. rappers are actually saying stuff. Obviously not all of them, but a lot of us are actually rapping. But because of the accent some people are like ‘why would I listen to that?’”
When asked if he thinks that’s a big obstacle for U.K. rappers to overcome, AJ Tracey replied, “I think that’s the only hurdle.”
However, AJ Tracey believes the barriers are finally coming down and noted the similarities between cities on opposite sides of the pond.
“London and New York are very similar. Like the attitudes, you know I’m saying? Like the culture, the way we live our lives, the things that we jack and don’t jack … so I feel like the only hurdle was the accent.”
He also pointed to the success of other English-speaking artists who have become some of the biggest musicians worldwide. Once upon a time, I remember Canadian music, the accent wasn’t really accepted. Now, a lot of the biggest artists in every genre are Canadian, like Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Drake, etc. So, obviously it’s going to come eventually.”
AJ Tracey had a chance meeting with Drake earlier on in his career that helped shape him as an artist. He also had high praise for Pop Smoke whom he met before his passing in February 2020.
AJ Tracey Says Pop Smoke Was “The One”
After discussing the impact U.K. drill producers and rappers have had on the U.S. scene, AJ Tracey responded, “Rest in peace Pop Smoke. It’s a shame bro we miss him, that was a massive talent and I feel like he was really about to permanently bridge the gap.”
He added that Pop Smoke was “the one” and recalled meeting the Brooklyn drill artist before his passing. “He came over to London, he was showing everyone mad love, he was on tour with Skepta. He was linking all the man dem and he was very authentic. When I spoke to bro, he was super authentic. He knew about some of my tracks that aren’t that big, he just done his research before he met me. He was a cool guy, rest in peace.”
He also dropped off a freestyle on the platform – check it out below.
Rick Ross confirmed that he is a free agent after fulfilling his contract with Epic Records following the release of 2021’s Richer Than I Ever Been. Furthermore, the “Biggest Boss” said he has always maintained independence because “I already owned all my s###.”
A Def Jam reunion could be on the cards after Rick Ross confirmed he’s received “huge offers,” including one from his former label. Nonetheless, during a recent interview with HotNewHipHop, Rick Ross confirmed independence “ain’t a different situation for me cause I already owned all my s###.”
Rick Ross Sought Ownership From The Outset
While he was initially only concerned with obtaining a record deal after dropping his first album, Rick Ross “began renegotiating” his contract. “Before I even made it to my last albums, I had damn near owned everything that I could own, other than a certain distribution percentage. Once you become successful — regardless of what you signed at first — you just come sit at the table like a man.”
He continued, “And guess what, I did it every album. I asked for more, and I did it on both sides — not just with my record label but also with my attorneys. ‘Hey man, I was giving you give X amount of percentage on my first album, lets cut it down to 12. On the next let’s cut it to 8. Let’s get it to 5.’ That go for everybody. You renegotiate because you learning as you go. Before every album, that’s what you go sit down and say, ‘Hey man, I gotta ask for something I ain’t never had. I’m finna do something I ain’t never done before.’”
However, Rick Ross is in no hurry to sign a new deal, despite having a plethora of offers on the table. Although he said, “there really ain’t no rush,” he confirmed he is putting out new music this year. According to Rozay, he has two records and an official album announcement coming later this summer.
