Over the years, DJs have grown to become key stakeholders in the music industry. Their influence is beyond entertainment as they can also drive agendas. DJs play the music that appeals to the audience but also use their influence to introduce new sounds or artists. But also, DJs have proved to be multi-talented artists transitioning from disk jockeying to the booth. There are notable DJs, including the celebrated DJ Khaled, who started as a DJ and has now become an artist and producer. This paved the path for other multi-talented individuals, including Ryan Vandal, to pursue their dreams.
Ryan Vandal is a talented DJ and producer turned artist. He is notable for his exceptional music production and DJing skills. He discovered his talent at a young age and worked hard to bring his dream to life. Over the years, Ryan nurtured their passion to become among the top celebrated DJs in the country.
He has achieved numerous career highlights, including being the DJ on Apple TV series, We Crashed, starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. One of his proudest moments includes spinning for notable personalities such as Richard Branson. He has also worked with top music talent, including Jay Z, Chris Brown, Leonardo Dicaprio, Kat Graham, and many others. Additionally, Ryan was featured as a resident DJ on Starz PowerBook II: Ghost.
Recently, Ryan made headlines after successfully launching his career as an artist. The experienced DJ has proven to be a highly-talented artist outshining many widely-celebrated musical names. His unique lyrics are perfectly complemented with catchy and thrilling beats, enabling him to stake his formidable presence in the music scene.
Though breaking early into the music scene provided many advantages, Ryan says success came with its own challenges. His major obstacles were was to stay positive, consistent, and focused on his dream despite the negativity and challenges he faced.
“When I was born, I was a pound and 6 ounces. I was horrible at sports and got made fun of throughout school. When I started to DJ and promote for events, that all changed. Being in the industry at such a young age and going against what most kids were doing at that age, I kept my head down and stayed consistent,” Ryan explains.
A self-made success story, Ryan’s biggest lesson is the power of never giving up. He solidly believes in trusting your potential and working to realize your dreams no matter how big they might be or what other people say to bring you down. When you take a career path different from most, you are bound to get some criticism or hate. “Keep doing your thing and keep pushing. The best investment is in yourself at the end of the day,” Ryan says.
Ryan now wants to release his music and have more global tours.
The “I Believe I Can Fly” hitmaker, real name Robert Sylvester Kelly, was found guilty last September of one count of racketeering and eight counts of violating an anti-sex trafficking law known as the Mann Act for leading a scheme to recruit women as well as underage girls and boys, for sex.
In Brooklyn federal court on Wednesday, Judge Ann M. Donnelly handed the musician the jail term of 30 years in addition to a $100,000 fine and five years of supervised probation if the singer makes it through his sentence.
R. Kelly will be 85 years old when he finishes his prison sentence. Judge Donnelly stated, “the public has to be protected from behaviors like this.”
Judge Donnelly spent time outlining instances of abuse and violence documented during the trial and addressed R. Kelly directly, saying: “These crimes were calculated and carefully planned and regularly executed for almost 25 years… You taught them that love is enslavement and violence.”
Federal prosecutors had urged the judge to impose a sentence “in excess of 25 years,” while his lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, called for a sentence of under ten years before the hearing.
Bonjean said R. Kelly would appeal the verdict.
“Mr. Kelly is fine. We are excited about this appeal that we are bringing. Obviously, you know it was a hard day. He has been sentenced to a serious sentence. But we are confident in our arguments that we raised in our post-trial motions, that although they didn’t persuade the district court judge that they will persuade the court of appeals. We’ve always believed in those arguments and we believe that this enterprise was overcharged,” Bonjean said after the singer’s sentence was announced.
During the six-week trial, nine women and two men made allegations of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse against the 55-year-old, with some testifying that they were minors when the encounters began. Several women gave victim impact statements before the sentence was handed down on Wednesday.
The #MeToo movement, a BuzzFeed investigation into parents’ claims he was mistreating their daughters, and the 2019 documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly” sparked a renewed interest in the allegations.
In addition to the New York case, Kelly is due to stand trial on August 1st in Chicago on federal charges of child pornography and obstruction of justice. He is also facing charges of soliciting a minor and prostitution in Minnesota.
Before sentencing on Wednesday, R. Kelly declined to make a statement due to the other pending cases.
Y'all need to stop playing with r Kelly's life all them little hoes wanted to sit up his butt and collect all that money right books uses credit card go and do documentaries #FreeRKelly
Calboy deserves all his flowers, and he might just be one of the most slept-on artists in the music industry. Born and raised in the South Side of Chicago, Calboy, real name Calvin Woods, creates music from the soul, wearing his heart on his sleeve with each release.
Inspired directly by his surroundings growing up in the hood, from gun violence to overdoses to poverty, it was music that ultimately saved Calboy from being a product of his environment.
Exploding onto the scene with his viral single “Envy Me,” which garnered over 226 million views on Youtube and counting, Calboy would soon declare his place in the rap game, arriving as a breath of fresh air and creating his own lane in melodic hip hop. The song is currently 3x Platinum, peaking at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Fast forward to 2022, Calboy has been vocal about the struggles with his record label, RCA Records. He even surprised released his Black Heart project on his birthday, with features from Joey Badass, Fredro Bang, and Jackboy — only for the label to take it down from all streaming platforms.
Regardless, Calboy keeps his head up and keeps it pushing, creating music for the love of it above all else.
AllHipHop: Who’s your favorite artist to collaborate with? You got some fire ass features.
Calboy: Man, I don’t know off bat. I can say Go Grizzly on the producer side, that’s my favorite producer. Go Grizz did a lot for me. A lot of unreleased. He did a lot on Long Live The Kings. Artists: Polo G or Lil Tjay. They always got good energy. They do their thing.
AllHipHop: Did you listen to them coming up too?
Calboy: Yeah, we all support each other. They still support me, I was in the studio with Lil Tjay a week ago. They still support me, I still support them.
AllHipHop: Bring us back when you were Kidd Cal.
Calboy: Kidd Cal was different. Kidd Cal was experiencing a lot of new experiences, guided by his father. He was the beginning of the Calboy. I’m him still, but it was a lot of vulnerability in that music. I connected with my family members off that music. I couldn’t express how I was feeling, they heard them songs and understood. That was the beginning of Calboy.
AllHipHop: I know you love movies. I was watching the “Black Heart” music video, you were lowkey acting!
Calboy: [laughs] That was my idea, because I got this really bad anxiety thing. When it comes to cameras, I’m like “I don’t know how I look” or “I’m super ugly.” I really get like that sometimes. I’m trying to break that ice because I want to get into the acting. I gotta break that. I’m forever in the mirror, I’m taking little classes.
AllHipHop: I have so much respect for people who take acting classes!
Calboy: Yeah, I’m not trying to be out here not knowing what I’m doing. Coach me. I got the drive for it, you can’t tell me I can’t do nothing. I can do whatever I put my mind to. As long as I keep that passion and that drive in my heart, I can do whatever. But I know what it takes. It’ll take a few classes. It takes some coaching sometimes.
AllHipHop: What makes you strive for greatness?
Calboy: Pain, I’m fueled off pain. A lot of artists are fueled off pain, I was inspired by those artists. I’m definitely fueled off pain. My auntie will tell you what she went through, pulling up to those institutions and all those psychiatric wards. I really went through it. Getting arrested, they gotta come pick me up. I went through all of that. Luckily, I didn’t go through it on a severe type of level, where I had to give years of my life to the system. But it could have been, because I was going through a lot. I used that as fuel to make great music, put my soul into everything I do. That’s why I like to sing, because you gotta come from the gut when you sing. Even though I’m not the most talented singer, it feels better because it’s an outlet. I’m actually letting out my soul when I sing.
Calboy: I was thinking about doing that. On Wesley’s grave, I was thinking of going to a vocal coach, because I really want to blow. Sometimes, I be wanting to blow and get there. But nah, my voice don’t allow me to do that. So I do it to the best of my ability. I’m still a talented individual so I can make a lot of stuff sound good, but I be wanting to get there sometimes.
AllHipHop: He said it has a lot to do with your breathing.
Calboy: Yeah, I’ll YouTube some s### fast. Real life: go on YouTube, type in “singing tips, playing the piano.” I’m teaching myself the guitar. I do a lot of stuff. [snaps] I’m a crazy creative, so it’s nothing I can’t learn. I might drop my sophomore album, or drop a project in the later years… blowing! Everybody’s like “Cal really doing that. He said he was going to do it.” I’m on that type of time.
AllHipHop: You’re drinking tea already!
Calboy: [laughs] I fell in love with tea when I was young, because I was going through panic attacks. I used to wake up in the middle of the night, shirt soaking wet. [pants] Panicking, don’t even know why I’m panicking. I got to the root of the source over the years, but I started going through a lot. Drinking a little chamomile, drinking a little tea, getting into that tranquil space really helped me. I really come from a dark space, drinking tea helped me! That sounds crazy. I started dialing into other cultures, it really helped me.
AllHipHop: Talk about making “Pressure” with Kodie Shane.
Calboy: Kodie sent me a record and I loved it, so I did my thing. I got into the mode. She had a show out in the A, I pulled up and we performed it for the first time. We turned up. I got love for Kodie Shane. Before I was who I was, I was a supporter of Kodie Shane’s. I’m a supporter of the music of the culture. I understand that it’s enough money for all of us. I understand that at the end of the day, where we come from, it’s us versus them.
In any type of situation, you can apply that too. I support everybody that’s working hard, got a flow and got sold to what they’re doing. You know the ones that just started, woke up and decided to be a rapper. Then you know the ones that’s really putting their heart and soul into it, regardless of if they’re good or not. I appreciate the heart, I appreciate the soul. Kodie Shane’s hard though, always been hard.
AllHipHop: It’s so crazy because I had Trippie Redd on my show. He said she low key put him on, took him on his first tour.
Calboy: Yeah? I got a record with Trippie Redd. Well, I was on the record. You know how it goes with me and records. I don’t know if everybody thinks, “I don’t rock with Cal like that,” you feel me? But it’s a thing where I get on the record: “Yo, I want you on this song!” I get on the song and I do my thing, then they put the song out and take me off. Trippie Redd got the record, “MOON WALKER.” “Big bro pulled up, gave me blue cheese.” [sings lyrics]
I don’t remember how the song goes. He stopped by the session and said, “Yo, you fire bro.”
He got a feel of the records I was cooking up. He’s like “I got this record, put your verse on that. That’s hard.” Then he came back in the studio like “that’s hard. I’ve been shooting a video, but if you stay a couple of days, we can shoot your verse into the video.” I stayed a couple of days, he sent me off!
I said “aw they playing with me.” I stayed a couple of days in LA, the man never answered the phone. I thought “okay, they think Cal the victim. They think it’s that type of time,” so now I don’t f### with n*ggas. I really don’t care to be around rappers. N*gga spoiled that for everybody.
AllHipHop: What if he was hella high and forgot?
Calboy: Even if that’s the case, I don’t be wanting to hear… I always felt like that, but nah let me give it a chance. Maybe it’s the Chicago mentality, don’t rock with people. Let me step out of that. Then I stepped out of that, it was the same thing. Nah, we were molded this way for a reason. I don’t rock with nobody. If I rock with you, I genuinely love you. I want to see you win. I want to see you do your thing in real life. I don’t wish no harm, no weapon formed against you. Other than that, I don’t care about what they feel.
AllHipHop: You were also left off Pop Smoke’s album, even though you guys were in the studio together cooking it from scratch.
Calboy: My manager at the time was on some “yo that’s a sensitive subject, maybe we should…” What’s sensitive about that? Me and Pop had a real vibe going on, our energy connected. We shot “100K on the Coupe” video, the song that’s on GTA. You do the heist on GTA V, you gon’ hear Calboy and Pop Smoke on that joint.
We did the video, we was racing their cars. It was a McLaren and something else, we’re racing each other in the video. It was dope, we caught a vibe then. We pulled out the foreigns on the block. We were shooting a video and this was not planned. The kids peep, jump off the school bus and crowd in the parking lot. That’s the viral video of me and Pop Smoke that be going around Instagram. The picture when I was in the blue denim jacket, we had the matching Gucci shoes. That wasn’t planned either. We was clicking in so many different ways, it’s crazy. I rock with dude.
When I rock with people like that, I send them prayers. I send them positive messages. I wish nothing but the best for them, because I’ve lost a lot of people in this. It was sad when we lost Pop, but it was a very emotional moment when I wasn’t on the album. It wasn’t even about me being on the album, to where it’d be a thing “oh, he was chasing the clout. He wanted to be on the album.” If I wasn’t going to be on that album, that song shouldn’t have been on there.
They put the song there, then put my ad libs.
AllHipHop: They didn’t credit you?
Calboy: No, didn’t credit me or none of that. We didn’t talk about that. I made a tweet fussing about it, you know how I play on the Internet. I don’t take nothing serious, but I know other people do so I play like that. Y’all think it’s that? Alright, let me tell these folks what’s going on. I’ll make it viral. I don’t be on that all the time, but I had to because I felt some type of way. I rock with bro. They fixed it for me, but I don’t even feel that.
AllHipHop: Really?
Calboy: I don’t really feel that. Because we made changes for the deluxe, so here’s the deluxe. I was OG on that b####, don’t play me like that. That’s a personal feeling. I took a couple shots, I’m a tell you my personal feelings. I don’t always tell. [laughs]
AllHipHop: We gotta talk about “Diana,” that’s such a fire record for the females.
Calboy: He said “Yo, I’m trying to do something for the females and try to still keep it my flavor.” His flavor is that bouncy flow, that flow you can do that dance to. You can Woo to. He came up with that, I said “yeah, you’re going in that direction. That’s it right there.”
We had did “100K on the Coupe” the same day. He said “yo, let’s glide on this.” Bro had a different type of energy. He was almost like Von, they guys had the energy to shake the whole room. A lot of artists don’t have the energy. Well, not to me at least them dudes. They come in the room and you know they’re there. They don’t even gotta be talking, just something on your shoulder says turn around and they over there. It’s a few artists I know that’s still living that has that type of energy.
AllHipHop: Who would you say?
Calboy: Lil Tjay. Polo G of course, Lil Zay Osama got that energy. B Bandz, he’s from the East side of Chicago. One of my brothers, he got that energy. You might not know who he is, but you look at him like what’s going on over there? He got that star power, that star energy. He gon’ come to the club, he gon’ make his own show. He’ll say “I am the superstar.”
AllHipHop: You feel like you got that?
Calboy: Of course. That’s why I gravitate to people that got that.
AllHipHop: “Envy Me” blew up because people were dancing to it, right?
Calboy: Yeah, Maneski and G Herbo was the beginning of that. That’s why I forever got love for them guys, because they supported my camp when nobody knew who I was. Herbo and Maneksi, they were supportive. Doowop.
Calboy: That’s why I got love for Doowop. Because a lot of people show love privately, them guys show love publicly and helped me grow my own two legs. A lot of people wouldn’t do that. A lot of people like “you fire shorty, keep doing it!” But you ain’t shouting me out on Instagram though, you ain’t said that on Twitter. Them boys said that. “Little CalTheWild in here with us!” They nicknamed me that, CalTheWild comes from Herbo and Doowop. I ran with it. I got merch with it and everything. Them boys deserve a percentage. [laughs] Chance The Rapper is another one.
AllHipHop: Right! You were on Chance The Rapper’s album.
Calboy: Man, Chance the Rapper is a real genuine soul. I wish nothing but the best for Chance The rapper, I pray for that man. I pray for everybody I love, everybody I care about. I’m stating that for real. Chance showed a lot of love. He said “pull up to the studio, do whatever!” I didn’t get booked for a Lollapalooza. He pulled me up like “Yo, let’s do it.” Gang, let’s “Get A Bag.”
They showed love in different ways when they didn’t have to, and they still do to this day. Chance still talks to me. For me, it’s mind-blowing. Real life, because I grew up listening to these guys.
AllHipHop: A big part of the show is mental health. How are you doing? How’s your mental state?
Calboy: I’m great. It’s always going to be a challenge. It’s always going to be a hurdle, that’s what fuels the great music that I drop. That’s what fuels everything I put into this business. I’m not tripping about a hurdle, because the hurdle made me a million dollars. I love the hurdles. I love the pain, I love the challenge. I love the thrill. I learned to embrace everything, take life for what it is. You’re going to deal with it if you ain’t dead.
AllHipHop: What is your outlook on death?
Calboy: I’ve lost friends from all across the world. I started traveling the world when I was young, when I was 16/17. I’m saying that like I’m old. [laughs] I just turned 23. I’ve been traveling between that time, networking, building relationships, and watching certain people fall out. Certain people leave this Earth. It’s been hard. It’s been tough, especially when you build bonds or especially when you grew up from the sandbox with these people. These people talk to you growing up in the streets, then you lose them. It’s tough, but I learned not to be so down. To use every emotion and every feeling as fuel to the fire, to this madness I create. To this music.
AllHipHop: Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless, intense and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. Did you get diagnosed? How was that experience?
Calboy: Yeah. Before that, I was dealing with a lot of it by myself. I wasn’t telling nobody and my family was close, so my family probably was looking at me like “this boy crazy. This boy trippin’ out.” Because I wasn’t telling them, and I usually tell them what I go through. They were seeing the explosions, they weren’t seeing the pains. “This boy trippin’, he on edge,” They were seeing those moments, it probably could create a certain type of image in your brain. But I was really dealing with anxiety on my own. When I started to speak and talk about it, it got better.
A lack of updates about Lil Tjay sparked questions about his condition as he recovers from a shooting.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office said he was in “critical but stable condition” on June 23. According to NorthJersey.com, prosecutors haven’t provided any updates since then despite receiving multiple requests.
Lil Tjay’s label Columbia Records is staying mum on his status too. Although Columbia didn’t return any messages inquiring about his health, the label posted an Instagram Stories clip of him as part of its Black Music Month celebration on Wednesday (June 29).
The 21-year-old artist underwent emergency surgery after getting shot on June 22. An affidavit noted Lil Tjay was struck multiple times in his thoracic cavity.
A 27-year-old suspect named Mohamed Konate was arrested for allegedly shooting Lil Tjay. Konate and a 22-year-old man named Antoine Boyd also suffered gunshot wounds.
Konate was charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree armed robbery, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm and fourth-degree aggravated assault.
Boyd and Jeffrey Valdez, 24, were arrested for second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. The two were with Lil Tjay at the time of the shooting. Both men got booked in Bergen County Jail but were later released.
The five men accused of murdering FBG Duck won’t face trial until 2023.
According to WGN-TV, U.S. District Judge Martha Pacold tentatively scheduled the trial for October 2, 2023. The trial is reportedly expected to last four weeks.
“We’re looking at a long trial,” Pacold said. “It is a substantial amount of time no matter how you look at it.”
FBG Duck, whose real name was Carlton Weekly, was shot and killed in August 2020. Prosecutors say five alleged gang members murdered the late rapper in Chicago.
The suspects include Charles Liggins a.k.a. “C Murda,” 30; Kenneth Roberson a.k.a. “Kenny” and “Kenny Mac,” 28; Tacarlos Offerd a.k.a. “Los,” 30; Christopher Thomas a.k.a. “C Thang,” 22; and Marcus Smart a.k.a. “Muwop,” 22.
All five men were charged with committing murder in aid of racketeering. They were also indicted for federal firearm violations and assaults in aid of racketeering.
FBG Duck was affiliated with Fly Boy Gang. Prosecutors claim his alleged killers are members of the rival O-Block gang, which is a faction of the Black Disciples.
Earlier this month, another member of Fly Boy Gang was shot and killed in Chicago. Much like FBG Duck, rapper FBG Cash was murdered in broad daylight on June 10.
After releasing his debut single “Real One” only 5 months prior, MBSICK returned to drop his second official track “The Difference” with Drego. The track has already been well received by fans and numbers are rising by the day.
“The Difference” offers listeners’ a unique listen featuring real lyrics about the life of the two rappers in the streets, getting money, and countless women. With a banging loop beat combined with MBSICK’s catchy chorus and hard verses from both artists, a moment is never wasted on the song. A summer jam this track is one perfect for the car speakers.
“The Difference” is just the beginning to MBSICK’s career and to what he is capable of. The creative plans on dropping his debut album along with other collaborations soon!
Be sure to listen to MBSICK’s second-ever single “The Difference” below as well as follow the up-and-coming artist on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with his journey and any new music:
Xzibit accused Viacom, now known as Paramount Global, of cheating him out of money from the hit show Pimp My Ride.
The West Coast rapper described how MTV’s parent company allegedly avoided paying him in an Instagram post on Tuesday (June 28). Xzibit threatened to sue Paramount if the corporation continued to ignore his grievances.
“While I’m at it, hey @viacom_intl why is it you’ve made millions off the show #PimpMyRide I carried on my back and found ways to cut me out?” he wrote. “Like saying I would get percentages of all merch sold let alone streaming (which wasn’t even in the contract) and putting in the fine print ‘with my name and likeness’ then proceed to take my ‘name and likeness’ off of ALL the merchandise including dvd sales after season 1?”
Xzibit continued, “To top that you guys went back and EDITED all of my music out of ALL entire seasons in order to avoid paying me for my publishing. Let’s talk about worldwide syndication!!!! Wow. Hey, guys, my number is still the same. Hit me up. Or…… Can anybody hit me with a law firm who isn’t afraid of Viacom to get me right?”
The Pimp My Ride host addressed his message to Paramount’s president and CEO Robert Bakish. Xzibit also tagged MTV in the post.
Xzibit previously spoke about his Pimp My Ride money issues in a 2018 interview with The Breakfast Club.
“I feel as though it became profitable for everyone else except me,” he said. “When it was over, everybody couldn’t believe that I didn’t want to continue.”
Xzibit hosted Pimp My Ride from 2004 to 2007. The series ran for six seasons on MTV.
The Culture Creators hosted its sixth annual Innovators & Leaders Awards Brunch at the Beverly Hilton during BET Awards weekend in partnership with Netflix.
The event has certainly grown to become one of the most sought-after, influential, and inspirational events of the culture every single year, and this year the ceremony was powered by Netflix, Ciroc, and Lexus.
Culture Creators founder Joi Brown shared the importance of her vision to continue to celebrate, edify, and highlight those of our culture who continue to produce excellence.
The legendary L.A. Reid was honored with the Icon Award, which was presented by global superstar Usher.
Before L.A. took the stage to accept his award, he was presented with a video montage that included congratulatory remarks from Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, 21 Savage, DJ Khaled, Jermaine Dupri and more.
Robin Thede was honored with the Innovator Award, and she took a moment to explain her reason for innovating. Thede stated that she innovates because she is tired of seeing us left out of spaces where we belong, and she was adamant about reminding those in attendance that we need to be hired in all spaces (in front of and behind the camera) because we are talented, and we belong.
Additional honorees included Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings (Business & Finance Award), Kenny Burns (Entrepreneur Award), Brandice Daniel (Fashion Award), Shari Bryant (Music Award), Kendrick Sampson (Impact Award), Nicole Lynn (Sports Award), and Flo Ngala (Visual Arts Award).
The 2022 red carpet honorees included Pinky Cole (Community Advocate), Baller Alert (Blog of the Year), and Lea Ademilola (HBCU Rising Culture Creator Award).
Talent and celebrities in attendance included Stephen Hill, Justin Combs, Chante Moore, Jacquees, Porsche Coleman, Jermelle Simon, Torrei Hart, Bridget Kelly, Bre-Z, Loni Love, Kosine, Queen Naija and more.
Culture Creators continues to be a shining example of excellence in the community as it spotlights and amplifies the contributions of individuals who have shaped the global view of Black culture.
Nipsey Hussle’s alleged killer required three staples in the back of his head after getting assaulted on Tuesday (June 28).
According to multiplereports, more than one person attacked Eric Holder Jr. in a holding cell. His lawyer Aaron Jansen noted one of his client’s attackers used a razor.
“Mr. Holder, Jr. was assaulted by multiple individuals while he was in the holding cell at the jail while waiting to be brought to court yesterday morning,” Jansen said in a press statement. “The attack included a razor and the back of his head was cut.”
The attack occurred while Holder waited for transport to a Los Angeles courthouse. The Nipsey Hussle murder trial was scheduled to continue on Tuesday but had to be delayed due to the assault. Holder needed a trip to the hospital, where he received an MRI and staples.
Closing arguments in the murder trial are now scheduled for Thursday (June 30). Prosecutors accuse Holder of shooting and killing Nipsey Hussle in March 2019.
Holder faces one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
Singer R. Kelly was sentenced in his New York trial today (June 29th). The 55-year-old was hit with a 30 year sentence after being convicted in his sex trafficking and racketeering case.
The penalty stems from his 2021 conviction, where the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer was found guilty of nine charges, including a racketeering count where 14 individual acts like bribery, kidnapping, and forced labor were bundled together.
“You used your fame and power to groom and coach underage boys and girls for your own sexual gratification. Today we reclaim our name. We are no longer the preyed-upon individuals we once were. I pray that God reaches your soul,” a victim named Angela told R. Kelly during the hearing today.
The state asked for more than 25 years because of his “long and pervasive history of enticing children to engage in sexual activity” and their request was granted.
The singer’s defense team, led by Jennifer Bonjean had requested the judge be lenient and only give Kelly the mandatory minimum of 10 years.
There are eleven alleged victims in this case. Nine women and two men testified in his case, with six saying they were minors when the abuse allegedly occurred.
Five of the women to whom the criminal charges were connected were able to testify. However, the sixth woman was not.
That would have been the late Aaliyah Houghton, the singer protegé that he married when she was 15 years old and he was 27.
The Forever Princess of R&B died in 2001, years after separating from the convicted predator and cultural Pied Piper.
R. Kelly, 55, did not take the stand during this trial. In August, the disgraced singer will face additional charges in a Chicago federal case for alleged child pornography and obstruction of justice.
The 2022 Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards was certainly one for the books! Jason Lee and Hollywood Unlocked held the swanky affair at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills to highlight and emphasize the importance of Black ownership, amplify Black voices, and reclaim Black narratives.
Every detail and moment was perfect from the ambiance to the beautiful centerpieces!
This year Hollywood Unlocked recognized legends of the culture for using their influence and platforms to impact and lift up their communities.
The illustrious award show was hosted by award-winning comedian, actress & author Tiffany Haddish.
This year’s honorees included Lizzo (Fearlessness Award), Karen Bass (Community Award), N.O.R.E. (Culture Award), Jenifer Lewis (Perseverance Award), Floyd Mayweather (Pioneer Award), and Kelis (Innovation Award).
Presenters for the evening included Blueface, Jabari Banks, and Claudia Jordan, and attendees were wowed by a surprise appearance from the legendary and iconic Mariah Carey.
Carey joined Haddish on stage to present Floyd Mayweather with the Pioneer Award.
The evening also featured performances from Le’Andria Johnson & David Sebastian.
The 2022 Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards was such a night of Black excellence and inspiration!
Big Boi is said to have filed for divorce in April, and the couple filed the final divorce decree last month.
The court documents revealed that the two were already separated and had not been living together for some time.
In 2016, the two agreed on a postnuptial agreement. The celebrity Hip-Hop couple, who were “goals” for so many, have divided their assets and debt.
They have also entered into a confidential settlement for other marriage-related details that the two may have had outstanding — agreeing to keep their finances private and out of the prying public’s eyes.
Both Big Boi, whose real name is Antwon Patton and Patton, agreed not to be messy, saying neither party would make threats of “injury, maltreating, molesting, harassing, harming, or abusing” the other in any way.
The two have been trying to make it work for years.
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds is one of the most celebrated R&B acts of all time. The multi-time Grammy winner recently signed a deal with Capitol Records as he prepares to release a new studio LP.
“Babyface’s return to the studio is long overdue, and I couldn’t be happier that he’s chosen Capitol as the home for such a wonderful new album. To hear his one-of-a-kind voice paired with some of music’s most impressive female artists is a joy that we can’t wait to share,” says Michelle Jubelirer, Chair/CEO of Capitol Music Group.
Babyface’s upcoming Girls’ Night Out album will feature a lineup of high-profile R&B songstresses. The LaFace Records co-founder recruited Ella Mai, Queen Naija, Ari Lennox, Kehlani, Doechii, and other musicians for the project.
The Legend Expresses Excitement For His Forthcoming LP
“I am extremely honored and humbled to be signing to a legacy label like Capitol,” states Babyface. “They have welcomed me with open arms and treat me like family. And, in the end, that is what it’s all about – doing what you love with people who have the same love for music as you do.”
The 63-year-old iconic singer/songwriter also adds, “I am very excited about the upcoming album and everyone on it. The process for it reminded me of when I did Waiting to Exhale and I’m excited for the world to hear.”
Babyface & Ella Mai Hit The Stage At The BET Awards
Girls’ Night Out drops October 29 via Capitol Records. The studio LP will join a Babyface catalog that also contains other projects. His discography includes collections such as 1989’s Tender Lover, 1993’s For the Cool in You, 2001’s Face2Face, and 2015’s Return of the Tender Lover.
Babyface produced Girls’ Night Out with Rika Tischendorf serving as the co-producer. Earlier this month, Babyface shared his new “Keeps On Fallin'” collaboration with Ella Mai. Both vocalists performed the Girls’ Night Out single at the 2022 BET Awards on Sunday.
New York City’s Jay Shells is back with “Rap Quotes” after first introducing the street sign project in 2013. The multi-disciplinary artist is relaunching the series in tandem with the forthcoming Rock The Bells festival.
Jay Shells posted iconic quotes from Rock The Bells 2022 acts. Legendary Hip Hop artists are part of the event’s lineup. Festivalgoers will get to see LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Rick Ross, Lil Kim, Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Jadakiss, Scarface, Trina, and N.O.R.E.
“The ‘Rap Quotes’ campaign has become a creative journey that’s allowed me to discover a deeper understanding and connection to some of my favorite Hip Hop artists by providing additional context to their lyrics,” says Jay Shells.
He also adds, “I’m excited to be working with Rock The Bells during Black Music Month to celebrate the festival lineup and showcase their lyrics around New York City. As long as Hip Hop artists keep making new music, this public art campaign will never be done, and I’m excited to bring it to life in new and unique ways with partners that share the same vision.”
Back in 2013, Jay Shells installed over thirty street signs with lyrical references to iconic Hip Hop songs across NYC. Over the past nine years, “Rap Quotes” expanded to other locales. Iconic bars by Hip Hop legends showed up in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta.
Rock The Bells 2022 Will Include Live Performances & More
Queens native LL Cool J is one of the organizers spearheading the return of the Rock The Bells Festival. The 2022 edition will take place on Saturday, August 6 at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens.
Hip Hop matriarch Roxanne Shante will serve as the festival’s host. The day-long Rock The Bells will feature live performances, interactive experiences, art exhibits, food, fashion, and more. Tickets for Rock The Bells are available at rockthebells.com.
A lot was made of the Glastonbury performance of Kendrick Lamar. First of all, we realize that bro is a good dude. He seems to be a great human being. He stood up sturdy for women’s rights in the ashes of Roe V. Wade. If you are clueless, Roe V. Wade being overturned essentially says abortions are illegal on a federal level. On a state to state level, it may not be illegal. New York is already expecting an influx of people come in from out of state and Plan B “the abortion pill” is seeing a rise in sales. All of this is sad.
A lot was made of Kendrick’s statement. This all culminated in the finale of the performance, a song called Savior. Kendrick yelled, “they judge you, they judge Christ. Godspeed for women’s rights! “
So, when Kendrick wore a crown of thorns, many thought it was just a crown of thorns. No. It was actually a diamond encrusted crown of thorns. According to reports, the crown actually yielded 8,000 diamonds. It was made by Tiffany & Co. and cost a reported $200,000. Some of this is speculative, but that seems to be the prevailing notion. Also, the crown of thorns features 50 thorns in total, all of which are very sharp.
Handcrafted by four artisans over the span of 10 months, and a total of 1,300 hours setting the thousands of diamonds… pic.twitter.com/N7YqdF3M9R
Obviously, Dave Free, the jeweler who created the thorny crown, knew what he was doing. He knew that Kendrick wanted to invoke the name of Jesus and even the blood, which was portrayed in that amazing performance at Glastonbury.
It took 10 months to create this thing. All 137 carats! According to reports it also took 1,300 work hours and numerous other people to make it happen. When I saw this on the cover of Kendrick‘s album, I didn’t realize it was diamond encrusted. Anyway, we need more artistry like this. Hip-Hop is an art but we are regulated to booty shaking and clapping guns for too much. People can do what they want to do, but I just prefer a little bit more intellect in my heart.
The South African music group known as Die Antwoord continues to be steeped in controversy. Detroit rapper Danny Brown shared another serious accusation against one of the Die Antwoord members.
During an appearance on the2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast, Danny Brown recalled an unwanted interaction with Die Antwoord’s Watkin “Ninja” Jones. Brown claims Ninja sexually assaulted him inside a nightclub in Paris.
“The n#### was sitting on my lap trying to make out with me, and it freaked me out,” said Brown. The XXX album creator added, “I was a single, experimenting man at the time, but he was too aggressive. He sat on my lap and started trying to kiss me and doing weird s###. I’m like, ‘Man, you’re tripping!’”
Brown also stated that he was “scared” by Ninja’s alleged behavior. The Danny Brown Show presenter then told 2 Bears, 1 Cave host Tom Segura, “I could’ve canceled cuz. Me too. Me too. I was sexually assaulted by Ninja. I stand by that. He knows I ain’t lying.”
Ninja Allegedly Wanted To Go Back To A Hotel With Brown
Danny Brown went on to explain that he thought about fighting Ninja for kissing his neck, but he did not want to end up in a Parisian jail. The American rapper also implied the Die Antwoord frontman sought to take things further at another location.
“And guess what he said again? He was like, ‘What hotel [are] you staying at?’ I’m like, ‘Man, I don’t know.’ [Ninja said], ‘Don’t worry, I’ll find you.’ He said it in a DM and then said it again in my face,” said Danny Brown.
The “Really Doe” rhymer continued, “That’s what started making me pound drinks because I’m like, ‘I might have to stab this n#### tonight.’ Because if this n#### knocks on my hotel room door, bro, I’m stabbing, and it’s gonna be a big deal.”
https://youtu.be/gsMmj_8u8qE
Man Accuses Die Antwoord Of Abusing Him As A Child
The now-20-year-old Gabriel du Preez alleges Ninja and Yolandi Visser brought him into the family only to serve as a slave. His 14-year-old sister was under the care of the Die Antwoord duo as well. Du Preez also suggested there were instances of incest in the home.
“Yolandi called me into the room, she was naked and vomiting all over. She was laying with her legs open like the [sex] doll I had in my room. She called me into the room to call Ninja in the lounge,” said Gabriel du Preez.
He added, “Experiencing my mother being drunk, naked and wanting me to spend time with her in the room while she was naked… that I found very disturbing.” A representative for the band responded, “Die Antwoord don’t agree with Tokkie’s statements.”
One of the hottest rappers at the moment will officially team up with one of the hottest producers for a full-length project. Fans can expect to hear Lil Durk rhyming over plenty of Metro Boomin production in the near future.
Lil Durk recently spoke to Apple Music 1’s Ebro Darden to preview his Apple Music Live performance in Los Angeles on June 29. The Chicago-raised recording artist also discussed his next body of work.
“As far as the next album, you must’ve heard something? Nah, it’s really the Metro,” said Lil Durk, referring to the St. Louis-bred beatmaker. He added, “Guaranteed. If that got leaked, ya’ll can have that. It’s another level.”
Lil Durk Reflects On Collabing With Lil Baby For The Voice of the Heroes
Lil Durk dropped his chart-topping 7220album in March. The 29-year-old OTF leader launched a deluxe version of 7220 last Friday. The additional tracks will likely help the LP jump back into the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart.
Previously, Durk partnered with Atlanta’s Lil Baby for The Voice of the Heroes in 2021. That joint effort also debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. The RIAA certified The Voice of the Heroes as Gold last October.
“We were vibing so crazy in the studio, we had to. We were just in that zone. He who he is, he turned up and actually can rap. He ended up rapping his ass off, I’m changing my energy. Matter of fact, we both made each other start writing,” Durk told Ebro Darden. “I would do another one. Sure.”
Metro Boomin Also Has A History Of Creating Collaborative Projects
Lil Durk has another big collaboration coming out this Friday, July 1. The self-described The Voice will appear on Cardi B’s upcoming “Hot S###” single along with fellow Chicago native Kanye “Ye” West.
Metro Boomin has several collaborative projects in his discography. In 2016, the Savage Mode EP played a role in breaking 21 Savage to a larger audience. 2017’s Without Warning (with 21 Savage and Offset), 2017’s Double or Nothing (with Big Sean), and Savage Mode II (with 21 Savage) are also in Metro’s catalog.
Plus, Metro Boomin has full mixtapes with acts like Nav and Gucci Mane. Metro released his own solo studio album in 2018. The star-studded Not All Heroes Wear Capes also debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
BET has a lot to celebrate this week. The network presented the 22nd BET Awards on June 26 to a larger television audience than last year.
According to a press release, the 2022 BET Awards drew3.2 million viewers for Sunday’s simulcast across BET, BET Her, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Pop, TV Land, and VH1. That total is a 23% increase from the viewership numbers for last year’s ceremony.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled about this year’s ratings!” says Scott Mills, CEO of BET. “Every year, we strive to have the BET Awards celebrate and reflect that which is best and most important to our community and culture in our hope to inspire them to dream big and take action. I salute my colleagues for delivering an event that has so profoundly resonated.”
In addition, the 2022 BET Awards amassed more than 103 million social views on Instagram Reels, YouTube, and Facebook. The network described the show as its best-performing telecast on BET Digital ever.
“We always knew we had a very special show, but now the ratings confirmed we are truly culture’s biggest night!” says Connie Orlando BET EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy.
Orlando continues, “We are grateful to our audience for tuning in live and on social media, all who stepped on stage, from the artists who delivered show-stopping performances and their teams, to our winners, nominees, and presenters. We could not be more proud.”
The 2022 BET Awards featured performances by Lizzo, Jack Harlow, Brandy, Lil Wayne, Chance The Rapper, Joey Bada$$, Roddy Ricch, Latto, Mariah Carey, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mary J. Blige, Lil Kim, Jodeci, Chlöe, and many more.
Idris Elba could be adding another role to his already growing list of titles if recent reports are accurate.
The British multi-hyphenate began his career in the entertainment industry as a DJ while still a student before leaving school to pursue an acting career. He continued to spin the turntables to support himself in between roles and has released music as a rapper and featured in numerous collaborations. he also joined Stefflon Don and Sean Paul on Wiley’s#### “Boasty” on 2020. Watch the video below.
Wiley – Boasty (Feat. Stefflon Don, Sean Paul & Idris Elba)
He continued to do both before landing the role of Stringer Bell in the 2002 HBO drama series The Wire. Then in 2013, Idris Elba founded his production company Green Door Pictures. The organization aims to develop talent and promote inclusion, representation, and diversity.
Now, according to The Sunday Times, Idris Elba is in talks with the founder of the international marketing firm Miroma Group Marc Boyan to make a joint bid for the British broadcaster, Channel 4.
The reported bid comes after the U.K. government confirmed its plans to privatize Channel 4 earlier this year. The government says privatization will allow the channel to compete with platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Channel 4 called the plan “disappointing,” and claimed the plans disregarded concerns from the public.
“With over 60,000 submissions to the Government’s public consultation, it is disappointing that today’s announcement has been made without formally recognising the significant public interest concerns which have been raised,” a statement from the broadcaster read.
“Channel 4 has engaged in good faith with the Government throughout the consultation process, demonstrating how it can continue to commission much-loved programmes from the independent sector across the UK that represent and celebrate every aspect of British life as well as increase its contribution to society, while maintaining ownership by the public.”
Meanwhile, Idris Elba launched a sneaker collab with Christian Louboutin earlier this week. He also teased yet another prospective career, this time as a fashion designer.
“I might just drop my own sneaker collection. 😁 ( joking not joking),” he penned in the caption.
Summer Walker has hinted at leaving the music business on many occasions throughout her career. If she ever does, the R&B singer could reinvent herself as a sketch show comedian if her latest Instagram post is anything to go by.
The Verzuz showdown between Omarion and Mario last week began with an eventful clash featuring Ray J and Bobby V against Pleasure P & Sammie. Ray J’s performance of “One Wish” became one of the highlights of the show due to his shaky vocal performance.
Though the moment has been the subject of many memes already, Summer Walker has now added her own. The “Purple Hearts” singer donned a drawn-on beard and mustache as she crooned into a hairbrush microphone while cradling a stuffed unicorn toy in an impersonation of Raj J during the Verzuz.
“It’s all love 🤍 just having fun,” Summer Walker penned in the caption. Check out the spoof below.
The Verzuz showdown appears to be the gift that keeps on giving. Royce Da 5’9” shared a clip of Ray J and Bobby V’s Instagram Live recap of the event. After announcing a new R&B supergroup with Pleasure P & Sammie the pair decided to try a vocal harmony. “Thank ya’ll for this,” wrote the Detroit rapper posting the clip.
