Ab-Soul has returned after a six-year hiatus with his highly anticipated comeback album, Herbert.
The 18-song project arrives via Top Dawg Entertainment and clocks in at just over an hour long. Guest appearances include Joey Badass, Big Sean, Jhené Aiko, Russ, Fresh, Ambré, and Alemeda. Fellow TDE hitmakers SiR, Punch, Zacari, and Lance Skiiiwalker also feature alongside production assists from DJ Premier, Sounwave, James Blake, Hit-Boy, Boi-1da, DJ Dahi, and more.
“‘Gotta Rap’ Was A Dream Come True”
Ab-Soul recently revealed working with DJ Premier “was a dream come true,” despite the famed producer asking him to re-record their “Gotta Rap” collaboration “five or six times,” something the rapper has never done before.
“I knew I needed him this time around. He definitely put me to work. I had to do it about five or six times until he found the right frequency,” Soul admitted to Vulture. When questioned if Preemo’s issues were lyric-related, Ab-soul explained he had to get the “frequency” right.
“No, not rewriting. He liked the verse, but I had to match the frequency of the record, because I guess that was one of his favorite beats. So he wanted to make sure I came correct. That was the first time anybody ever made me re-record. So that was humbling. But it’s Preemo.”
Working with DJ Premier has been a lifelong dream for Ab-Soul. Although he had met the producer before, he recalled finally getting the opportunity to work with him while working on a Royce Da 5’9″ record at Mac Miller’s house.
“‘Gotta Rap’ was a dream come true. Before I even had my official stage name, when I was just Snap G, I knew I always wanted a Preemo beat,” he added. “Preemo keeps his ear to the streets. I can honestly say I do get the respect of being the last of the lyricists, that cloth. I’ve met him in passing before, but we connected when he did PRhyme.”
Ab-Soul continued, “I was at my brother Mac Miller’s crib. We was working on some other stuff, and Royce sent me the record. I was like, ‘Yo, Mac is over here, too.’ He’s like, ‘What? Oh yeah, y’all go crazy.’ And we did that off of the love, so Preemo hit me immediately like, ‘Yo, you went f###### crazy. You know I got you. I owe you one.’ I said, ‘Okay, yeah. I’m going to hold you to that.’”
According to Deadline, 50 Cent will executive produce a boxing drama titled Fightland. The scripted series comes from the writing duo Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith.
The show tells the story of a retired fighter who takes action following the disappearance of a childhood friend and training partner. The disgraced world champion must return to a corrupt British boxing scene in order to help his friend.
“Fightland embodies the stakes, swagger and ambition that collaborations between Starz and 50 Cent have come to represent,” Starz president of original programming Kathryn Busby said. “We are excited to be working with Daniel and Marlon who are brilliant writers and whose authentic take will bring this global story to life.”
Starz gave the green light to Fightland a few months after 50 Cent’s exclusive partnership with the network ended. The G-Unit artist said it was the final series he pitched before his deal concluded in September.
“This was the last show i had to pitch to STARZ first before my deal ended,” he wrote in an Instagram comment. “FIGHT LAND!”
Fightland joins 50 Cent’s already expansive roster of Starz shows. The 47-year-old rapper produces the network’s BMF series and the entire Power franchise.
Megan Thee Stallion’s former friend Kelsey Harris continued to testify in the Tory Lanez shooting trial on Thursday (December 15).
Harris provided confusing testimony when she took the stand on Wednesday (December 14). She tried to avoid answering questions and recanted some of her past statements to prosecutors.
Prosecutors questioned if Tory Lanez offered Harris a bribe on Wednesday. She responded with a muddied denial, adding another perplexing layer to her testimony.
Harris denied the bribery allegations in clearer terms when she returned to the stand on Thursday. Tory Lanez’s lawyer asked Harris if his client ever paid her.
“No,” she said, per Law & Crime’s Meghann Cuniff. “I would actually like to make that very clear. I’ve seen some things … And I’m tired of that line.”
Prosecutors took issue with Harris’ testimony, which was drastically different from what she told them in September. The prosecution recorded an 80-minute interview with her and asked to play it for jurors. According to the Los Angeles Times’ James Queally, a judge will allow the entire interview to be played in court.
The interview may impact how jurors assess Harris’ testimony. She accused Tory Lanez of threatening her in the interview. Harris also said she saw him point a gun at Megan Thee Stallion.
Harris changed her story on the stand, saying she struggled to remember what happened that night. She admitted she sent a text saying Tory Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion, but she claimed it was based on “assumptions.”
Prosecutors accuse Tory Lanez of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020. If convicted, he faces up to 22 years and eight months in prison.
Young Thug’s court hearing was disrupted when a naked man Zoom bombed the proceedings on Thursday (December 15).
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Zoom bomber interrupted the hearing while Young Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel argued for evidence to be suppressed in the YSL RICO case. A video of a naked man with the message “Free Young Thug” was displayed on screens in the courtroom.
Deputies rushed to turn off the screens. The Zoom bombing took place after the hearing was already delayed for hours due to technical difficulties.
The hearing marked Young Thug’s first in-person appearance in court since his May arrest. He scored a key victory when Judge Ural Glanville granted the rapper’s motion to suppress evidence in the YSL RICO trial.
Judge Glanville barred prosecutors from using cellphones and other evidence taken from Young Thug’s home without a search warrant in 2015. Prosecutors planned to introduce the evidence at Thugger’s upcoming trial, which begins in January.
Young Thug went to court a day after his longtime collaborator Gunna accepted a plea deal in the YSL RICO case. Gunna entered an Alford plea, which allowed him to maintain his innocence. He was released from jail on Wednesday (December 14).
YSL co-founder Walter Murphy also took a plea deal in the RICO case. He pleaded guilty to racketeering and was released from jail on Tuesday (December 13).
YSL co-founder Walter Murphy accepted a plea deal in the RICO case against Young Thug and other YSL members.
According to multiplereports, Murphy pleaded guilty to racketeering and was released from jail on Tuesday (December 13). He was sentenced to 10 years with one year commuted to time served and nine years of probation.
Murphy’s probation will be suspended after five years if he satisfies the conditions of his deal. He must avoid violations of the law greater than a high and aggravated misdemeanor.
Gunna also took a plea deal in the RICO case, securing his release from jail on Wednesday (December 14). Gunna insisted he didn’t snitch on Young Thug or any of his co-defendants.
“While I have agreed to always be truthful, I want to make it perfectly clear that I have NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case and have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way,” Gunna said in a statement.
Murphy, who cannot contact Young Thug or any YSL co-defendants, agreed to “testify truthfully in any further trial as it may become necessary re: State of Georgia and the other individuals.” He will be required to complete 300 hours of community service.
Prosecutors said Murphy co-founded YSL with Young Thug and Trontavious Stephens in 2012. Murphy claimed YSL wasn’t a gang in a June interview with WSB-TV.
Young Thug appeared in court for a hearing in his RICO case on Thursday (December 15). His trial is scheduled to begin in January.
B-Lovee is only 21 years old and already on his way to superstardom. Hailing from The Bronx, New York, home to some of the most iconic rappers, B-Lovee makes bangers almost effortlessly using the ever-growing drill genre and shows no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
B-Lovee first exploded onto the scene in 2021 with his breakout single “IYKYK.” The official music video currently boasts over 14 million views and counting. B-Lovee quickly followed it up with “My Everything” later that year. The song became a viral sensation on TikTok, receiving standout remixes with both A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and G Herbo.
In describing himself, B-Lovee said he’s “a young man from The Bronx, New York.”
“I grew up, from the trenches. I started rapping and made it out that environment. We are trying to go further with every new single and video we’re dropping,” B-Lovee explained.
Fast forward to today, B-Lovee returns with yet another hit on his hands, this time tapping Ice Spice, J.I. and Skillibeng on “One Time.”
AllHipHop: Talk about only being 21. Do you feel 21?
B-Lovee: Nah, I feel like I’m 25 at this point in my life. [laughs]
AllHipHop: Did you always manifest this?
B-Lovee: No, I never really thought I was going to be a rapper at all. I just loved music and had big dreams. I don’t desire to be in everything so becoming a rapper was not my first thought of a career.
AllHipHop: What’d you want to be?
B-Lovee: I used to play football growing up so my dream was to be a football player. I was heavy into sports as a kid. Once I hung up my jersey and stopped playing, I was watching people like Big Meech and that’s what inspired me to actually want to rap. It worked out in our favor too.
AllHipHop: Definitely want to talk about “My Everything.” How much of a role do you think TikTok played?
B-Lovee: It played a huge role in “My Everything” because it was actually leaked on TikTok.
AllHipHop: Who leaked it?
B-Lovee: You know what’s funny, I still don’t know who did it. I wish I knew who leaked it, I’d congratulate and thank them [laughs].
AllHipHop: How did it feel seeing everyone make videos to your song?
B-Lovee: It was fire, I ain’t gon’ lie. I saw it growing day by day. I remember the first day, we just found out someone leaked the song. There were a couple of videos created, but it wasn’t really doing any numbers. But then every day, I noticed it was growing, the next next week, now it’s 100K videos. 300K, 400K, 500K. I’m saw it and was like oh nah, this is getting bigger and bigger.
AllHipHop: Did you think that song would do what it was?
B-Lovee: To this day, I remember my boy Talil was driving home one night. It was me, him and two girls in the car. I started playing the song and his reaction was like “play this back, play this back. I’m telling you, this gonna blow up.” He’s overly excited like, “Nah bro, this going to blow up. This is going to blow up.” Now me, I didn’t really like this song so I was shoving him off in the beginning but he kept pushing. At one point, he said “Send me this right now, this gon’ go crazy bro. I’m telling you.”
Looking back on it, he really spoke it into existence because that happened to be one of my biggest songs. I never thought that I was never going to drop that song. But yea I remember every day after i sent it, he was calling me for two weeks straight telling me “Yo bro, this song right here.” I think the only people at the time who heard it was him, some girl, my mom, and my sister. If you think about it, for him to keep calling me, I think it had to be him that leaked it.” [laughs].
AllHipHop: Wait! [laughs]
B-Lovee: It had to be, not gonna lie. It had to be because every day he was hitting me up like,” yo, what’s up? That song, I played it for this person, that person. They’re all saying the same sh*t.” You know when someone is just really hyper and extra sometimes? That was him talking about the song. He was really going crazy, playing it back to back. He was right though.
AllHipHop: Did you get signed after that or before?
B-Lovee: I got signed after that. It was when I dropped “IYKYK” that talks started.But then when I dropped “My Everything” and it went off, it was history from there. There were a couple people trying to sign me at the time and my team and I had our own picks of who we wanted and what felt right.
AllHipHop: I love your new song “One Time,” that’s my s###.
B-Lovee: Thank you, that’s love. I remember I was in Atlanta recording, making music out there and that was one of the songs that came out of it. Somebody in the session said, “Ice Spice might sound good on that.” We were supposed to do a record anyway together so we sent it over to her team. Then we got J.I. and Skillibeing on there.
AllHipHop: Best moment from that video shoot?
B-Lovee: I would probably say the main scene with all of us. It was going to be completely different at first, but we were all running late. That was a main part of the video that the director wanted to shoot. It was ended up being lit and it felt good seeing all the people there and all the energy in the room.
AllHipHop: You’re so chill. Are you always as chill?
B-Lovee: Yeah. I might be turnt up sometimes, but I’ll be chillin’ most of the time.
AllHipHop: Can you talk about linking with Coi Leray on “Demon”? That’s my girl.
B-Lovee: Word Shout out Coi for that. When we linked up, we had done two records. One was suppose to be put out from my side and one for her. I was suppose to be on “One Wish” with her however if you listen, you can still hear my vocals in the background. So many people were hitting me like “yo, that’s you? I’m bugging or no.”
AllHipHop: Did you feel any type of way she took you off?
B-Lovee: Nah that was her choice, I don’t feel anyway about it.
AllHipHop: What do you like to do for fun when you’re not working?
B-Lovee: Probably chillin’, playing 2K, streaming. I just started livestreaming on Twitch. That’s probably my favorite part, getting the chance to talk to people as I play my game. It’s like being live, but you live on your system. They also have different ways to make money through gaming and stuff.
AllHipHop: How much?
B-Lovee: It really depends on what type of views you bringing in, but they’re definitely paying influencers and stuff. I want to do a partnership for one myself. Twitch has so many big activations that I would like to tap into with people like Adin Ross and Kai Cenat. Those guys are different types of players, the platform looks different for them.
AllHipHop: Are you poppin’ on TikTok, too?
B-Lovee: Yeah, I’ve been doing my thing on Tiktok. I’ve been on it way more as of lately, it has good vibes on there.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself?
B-Lovee: My goal right now is to eat [laughs]. All jokes aside, I’m trying to go platinum a couple of times throughout my career. The focus right now is trying to elevate big time in my sound and overall style. I have a bunch of projects I’m working on including a Netflix movie so i’m excited to see what 2023 brings.
Bun B., one of Texas’ most iconic voices in Hip-Hop, is continuing to rock the fast-food world with his hit burger outfit, Trill Burgers.
The award-winning burger has conquered food festivals and competitions, and now, right in time for Christmas, about to reach another milestone. The tasty smashed patties will be available in a new permanent home after getting its start as a truck and pop-up experience.
Bun revealed that Trill Burgers will now occupy its first brick-and-mortar establishment at the former James Coney Island location at 3607 S Shepherd Drive in Houston.
The artist made the announcement on his Instagram.
Bun B said in a statement, “It’s been a long time coming, not just for us, but for anybody that’s had a Trill Burger or wanted a Trill Burger and couldn’t get one.”
“We’ve been working hard to find the right location to make it as easily accessible to as many people as possible,” he continued. “I think we found that location, and we can’t wait to open these doors to the city of Houston and eventually the world.”
A Trill Burger comes in both beef and vegan options.
6ix9ine never fails to rub salt in the wounds of any rapper falling on hard times. Such is the case with Gunna, who was released from Fulton County Jail earlier this week after seven months behind bars. On Thursday (December 15), the notorious troll shared an alleged video of Gunna on the stand seemingly throwing his co-defendant, Young Thug, under the bus during their RICO trial. 6ix9ine proudly stood on his own “snitch” reputation in the caption and suggested Gunna ratted to save himself—just like he did.
“Just s### and listen I know ya don’t wanna accept it,” he wrote. “Your man is fighting for his life in court on a gang RICO. Judge: You are aware YSL is a gang correct. Fat ass gunna: Yes ma’am. Judge: ONLYYYYY you and Jeffrey are in the car and the police find a handgun and drugs. This didn’t belong to you correct? F##### gunna: Yes ma’am.
“Go ahead and make your 1,000,0000 excuses. I stand on what ever I do or did. That’s why I’m still walking on this earth AND NOTHING EVER HAPPENS TO ME. I am him p####. Real n##### getting shot and kicked in there face, can’t be me. F##### Gunna: Yes Ma’am.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmMmxbYpAnQ/?hl=en
The clip includes audio of an attorney saying, “YSL is a label and a gang. And you have personal knowledge of members or associates of YSL have committed crimes in purpose of the gang?” to which Gunna allegedly replies, “Yes, ma’am.” She continues, “You were present when law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle in which you were present along with Jeffery Williams where hydrocodone, methamphetamines and a firearm was recovered. These items did not belong to you?” Gunna again supposedly responds, “Yes, ma’am.”
In what appears to be 6ix9ine’s “mic drop” moment, there’s a sense he’s relieved another rapper allegedly went on court record to “out” a gang. As everyone in the rap community presumably knows, 6ix9ine was taken into custody on racketeering charges in 2018 alongside his ex-manager Kifano “Shotti” Jordan. He reportedly agreed to divulge information about the inner workings of Nine Trey within 24 hours of his arrest.
During the October 2019 trial, he detailed what went down the night he was kidnapped while naming Jim Jones and Cardi B as Nine Trey Bloods in the process. Subsequently, he earned the nickname “Snitch9ine.” In April 2020, the Brooklyn native was granted a “compassionate release” due to the pandemic and has bragged about being “untouched” ever since.
As for Gunna, he was given a five-year sentence, with four of those years suspended and a one-year prison sentence that was commuted to time served, as part of his plea deal. The plea agreement requires him to perform at least 350 hours of community service, “a substantial portion of which will require that you speak to young men and women about the hazards and immorality of gangs and gang violence, and the decay that it causes in the community.” He’s also not allowed to possess guns or commit criminal acts. Meanwhile, Young Thug is currently in court, his first public appearance since the rappers’ May arrest. Watch it live above.
According to KHOU, they were able to show how his family would never be able to afford such an astronomical bond.
Clark’s lawyers let the court know if the young man, 33, had never been in trouble with the law. If he was released from jail on bond, the team would work to comply with the judge’s request for a financial background affidavit and ankle monitoring to make sure he does not tamper or violate the bond orders.
Clark’s defense lawyers wanted a $300,000 bond.
“Based on our review of that discovery, we feel comfortable that when the time is right that Mr. Clark will have a valid and meritorious claim for self-defense,” his attorney, Letitia Quiones, said.
The most pressing issue for the prosecution was his plans to go to Mexico and his applying for and receiving his passport right after the shooting. Clark’s attorneys shared that the flight to Mexico had been previously booked and canceled and that he voluntarily would give up his passport.
Boosie claims Gunna has made it harder for Young Thug to plead his innocence in the YSL RICO case after the “Pushin P” hitmaker took an Alford plea on Wednesday.
As part of his plea deal, Gunna admitted YSL is a gang and expressed “personal knowledge” of their criminal activity. During the hearing, he attested that: “YSL is a music label and a gang, and you have personal knowledge that members or associates have committed crimes in furtherance of the gang.”
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) December 15, 2022
Gunna secured his freedom after receiving credit for one year served while the rest of his five-year sentence was suspended. Despite his insistence not to testify against the remaining YSL members on trial, some in the Hip-Hop community believe the damage has already been done.
While Boosie did not go as far as Wack 100 and call Gunna a snitch, the Baton Rouge, Louisianna native claims “he f##### over Thugga with that one.”
Boosie Claims Gunna’s Plea Deal “Makes It Look Bad On Young Thug”
Boosie addressed Gunna’s plea deal on Instagram Live, stating, “he stuck Thugger out to free himself.”
“I see Gunna just thugged the big dawg out. S### don’t go like that,” Boosie explained to his IG Live viewers. “He admitted to a criminal organization. He f##### over Thugger with that move. If y’all not in the street, you don’t know how s### goes.”
According to Boosie, Gunna would have escaped lightly if he refused the plea deal. “They only had one charge on him, that was a bad move. He couldn’t get over five years.” he speculated.
“Now this makes it bad on Young Thug. He just pled guilty to a criminal enterprise and he Gunna, so what that do to Thug?” Boosie questioned, shaking his head before adding, “That ain’t good for Thug what he just did.”
Boosie continued, “Now, once you do that, when Thug go to court, they gone bring that up. Gunna, his main man, say they do have a criminal enterprise, [so] it’s a gang. They gone bring that up. That help him get something.” Check out his comments in the video below.
Offset has struggled to cope with the death of his cousin and fellow Migos rapper Takeoff after he was killed in Houston last month.
The “Only You” hitmaker revealed he uses his shows to pay homage to the slain rapper with a tribute before every performance. A video recently shared to Instagram shows Offset walking out on stage in front of a photograph of Takeoff on the big screen while The Jackson 5’s “Never Can Say Goodbye” plays in the background.
Offset admitted he is “in a dark place” following his cousin’s death and Cardi B revealed she felt “hopeless” to help him out of it.
Nonetheless, Cardi whisked her man off to Jamaica to celebrate his 31st birthday on the islands surrounded by friends and family.
The couple has taken various excursions on the island, exploring the tropical scenery, strolling along the beach, zip lining, and even hopping on a kayak despite Cardi admitting she hates the ocean. Offset puffed on some of Jamaica’s finest in Lobster Dave Seafood Restaurant while guests serenaded him with Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” song.
As footage from the trip shows Offset got into the dancehall spirit during his vacation. In a clip uploaded to social media Offset performed a series of choreographed dances Jamaica-style with a host of locals during a party.
Cardi B shared a heartfelt birthday message to her husband on social media alongside a carousel of images.
“Happy birthday my love,” she penned in the caption. “I pray silently and I pray loudly on this post that God bless you & protect you. Thank you for your love to me. I love your 4ever & beyond ❤️”
Arkansas rapper Bankroll Freddie, whose real name is Freddie Gladney III, will not be coming home from federal prison.
According to Arkansas Online, the Helena native was a part of a federal investigation into two major street gangs in the state. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe Volpe gave a ruling that the artist, who worked with featuring industry heavyweights such as Megan Thee Stallion, Gucci Mane, and 2 Chainz, did not want to hear.
The federal judge ordered Freddie must remain incarcerated in a pre-trial detention center as he fights the charges leveled against him. The news is a letdown for his fans and 1 million Instagram followers, who he told a week ago that he might be getting out of jail.
Bankroll was arrested Thursday, Nov. 10, in Jonesboro by FBI agents.
Authorities from the FBI’s GETROCK Task Force identified him in one of three indictments that charged 80 people with crimes ranging from conspiracy to distribute narcotics to weapons violations.
The rapper was one of 35 people indicted, linking them to Every Body Killas (EBK), a popular street gang in central Arkansas.
Bankroll’s alleged rival gang, the Lodi Murder Mobb is named in a separate indictment, where 26 people were charged with crimes associated with their organized street affiliations.
Megan Thee Stallion needs to keep her head up. This is probably her defining moment. She has had plenty in her short career, but this court case is hitting different. Every blog and IG gossip page is dissecting just about everything she is saying and doing. A LOT of people think she is lying. I cannot see how somebody shots you, you look at them shoot you and you lie. I guess we need to see the forensic evidence and that will give us all the info we really need.
Moving right along. She AND her homegirl laid down with a number of notable men, including Tory Lanez. I am not shaming her, but she noted in court that her partner was “embarrassed” about her sexual past being with such big names. Here is her exact quote.
“I’m embarrassed because I’m a grown woman hanging with people I have no business hanging out with. Now look at how everybody want to view me…. How could I share my body with someone who would shoot me… Now every week there’s an article calling me a ‘hoe.’ “
The Meg admitted she lied about having a sexual relationship with Tory and also admitted that her relationship with Pardison Fontaine aka Pardi has suffered. “I feel disgusted, I feel dirty, my own partner is embarrassed”, Megan said of Pardi’s vibe after hearing about her sexual history.
What do you think about this?
Will they make it!?
I am not sure what I think, but I do believe women and men need to ponder more about what they project. That has little to do with sex and somebody’s personal biz and more about what we are truly happy with. By the way, there’s no excuse for shooting a person! Period! Unless they are a gangster!
Jacquees created a stir among music fans when he declared himself the “King of R&B” of the modern era. Instead of shying away from the self-declarations, the Georgia native even gave his 2019 album that honorific name.
The 18-track King of R&B project gave Jacquees his first Top 20 entry on the Billboard 200 chart. The Cash Money Records-backed musician is now ready to let loose his next official studio LP.
Sincerely For You will land on DSPs on Friday, December 16. Jacquees tapped fellow Atlanta-based recording artist Future to serve as executive producer for the forthcoming body of work.
Zane Lowe caught up with Jacquees for an Apple Music 1 interview. During the conversation, the R&B singer-songwriter explained how Future got involved with the creation of Sincerely For You.
The Self-Professed King Of R&B Calls Future His Big Brother
“Future is like my big bro. I was basically in the studio in Miami one day and Future was like, ‘Man, what’re you doing in here?’ I was basically like, ‘What’re you doing in here?'” recalled Jacquees.
He continued, “I was like, ‘Man, I’m having a meeting with the label for my third album.’ And [Future] was like, “Oh, everybody out here, so I already know what time it is.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, come holler at Bird right quick.’ So he came, hollered at Bird and Slim and we went back in the studio and Future had played him a couple of records that we had already did.”
Jacquees has already released the Sincerely For You singles “Say Yea,”“Still That,”“Tipsy,” and “Tell Me It’s Over” featuring Summer Walker and 6LACK. Dreezy and Tory Lanez are listed as guest features as well.
Jacquees Has A “Bunch Of Records” With The Freebandz Leader
Future shows up on the Sincerely For You album cut titled “When You Bad Like That.” Jacquees apparently has additional unreleased songs with the Freebandz label head. Cash Money co-founder Birdman, aka Stunna, questioned Jacquees about those collaborations.
“So [Future and I] had a bunch of records already and Stunna was like, ‘Why you ain’t telling me your songs were Future?’ I’m like, “Man, I forgot,'” Jacquees explained to Zane Lowe. “And then Future was like, ‘Man, I could really executive produce the whole project.'”
Jacquees added, “And I was like, ‘You want to executive produce the whole project?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, I’ll do the whole thing.’ And then that happened last summer, 2021, and here we are, 2022, in December, we’re getting ready to drop.”
Atlanta-based Hip Hop star 21 Savage looks to close out 2022 in a big way. The 30-year-old entertainer will stream a live show from Los Angeles for Amazon Music right before the calender switches to a new year.
Amazon Music Live announced 21 Savage as the final performer for the 2022 season. Fellow Atlanta-bred rhymer 2 Chainz will host the event taking place on Thursday, December 29 at 9 pm PT. Viewers cans catch the stream onAmazon Prime Video and theAmazon Music channel on Twitch.
21 Savage’s Amazon Music Live performance will begin after the NFL’s Thursday Night Football broadcast on Prime Video. In addition to serving as master of ceremonies for the concert, 2 Chainz is set to interview Savage too.
The two southern rappers will likely spend time discussing 21 Savage’s most recent body of work. Savage partnered with Canadian hitmaker Drake for the chart-topping Her Loss collaborative album.
21 Savage Will Join A$AP Rocky, Lil Baby & More As Amazon Music Live Alums
Her Loss debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 404,000 first-week units. Drake and 21 Savage’s “Rich Flex” single peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 chart. The duo also earned a Number One with “Jimmy Cooks” off Drake’s 2022 solo LP Honestly, Nevermind.
Previously, Savage released the No. 1 album I Am > I Was in 2018. The Slaughter Gang commander also made it to the top of the Billboard 200 with 2020’s Savage Mode II. Savage teamed with producer Metro Boomin for that project.
21 Savage is the latest Amazon Music Live performer. Another Atlanta-raised rapper, Lil Baby, kicked off the concert series onOctober 27. A$AP Rocky, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Wayne, and other acts also graced the Amazon Music stage.
EBE Kastro gives fans the visual to his new track with CashMoneyAp and 16yrold – a track A&R’d by Pusha T
Recently VA rapper EBE Kastro dropped his new single, “Walk In My Life.” The introspective single is A&R’d by Virginia rap legend and one-half of the Clipse, Pusha T. The song is produced by the prolific production duo of 16yrold and CashMoneyAp.
Taking listeners on an upbeat ride through EBE Kastro’s world in the “Seven Cities,” the track gives listeners a look into the rapidly ascending artist’s path to success while hurdling the obstacles a young Black man faces in America.
Accompanied by a highly artistic music video fully equipped with visual effects, this track has quickly generated a huge buzz locally and online as many of the comments allude to EBE Kastro being slept on and underrated.
“I got a beat pack from Pusha T and it was a bunch of producers but I heard the ones from 16yrold and CashMoneyAp and something just clicked. But Pusha T really hooked it up and has taken me under his wing. He has really helped me out a lot in terms of helping shape my career and the path that I’ve taken.”
“I got a beat pack from Pusha T….”
Bred in the “Seven Cities” of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach, EBE Kastro has quickly become an artist to watch. There’s no better evidence of that fact than Pusha T taking note of EBE Kastro’s buzz and ultimately taking him under his wing to executive produce his most recent project.
Connecting EBE with producers and getting him on industry executives’ radars, Pusha T was instrumental in pushing EBE to go further with his career.
“He caught wind of me and put out the word that he wanted to chat with me. We talked, we met up and he heard my tracks and he just got a feel for who I was and he loved the tracks and so from there we just built a relationship,” EBE Kastro explained. “He helped me pick out beats, he gives me advice and he basically just has tried to put me in the right situation to succeed. He’s a good dude, he definitely looked out and I really appreciate it.”
Gaining notoriety around the Seven Cities of Virginia, EBE Kastro says people thought he signed a big deal and moved away from his hometown, but he’s remained humble and looks forward to helping his community with various fan appreciation events throughout the year.
“After the release of my Pusha-T assisted project everyone thought I inked a big deal and I was less accessible, but I’m here, I stay in VA and I’m always looking to connect with fans and build lifelong relationships. I hope this song motivates people to push past those who doubt them. Some people don’t understand the vision I’m looking to create with my music and I think this song gives them the message that I’m a real person showing who I am through my music.”
Wu-Tang: An American Saga will return to the Hulu streaming platform for its last season. Fans of the biographical drama, based on the Wu-Tang Clan’s ascent to stardom, will get to watch the final episodes beginning next year.
Deadline reports that Hulu will premiere the next chapter of Wu-Tang: An American Saga on Wednesday, February 15. The first three installments from Season 3 will debut on that date.
Additional episodes of Wu-Tang: An American Saga start airing every Wednesday after the initial three shows. The series finale will hit the Disney-owned streamer on April 5, 2023.
Ashton Sanders, Shameik Moore, Dave East & More Are Back For Season 3
Wu-Tang: An American Saga follows the rise of one of the most celebrated Hip Hop groups in history. Created by RZA and Alex Tse, An American Saga takes viewers back to New York in the early 1990s.
Ashton Sanders plays the Wu’s de facto leader Bobby “RZA” Diggs. An American Saga also features Shameik Moore as Raekwon, Siddiq Saunderson as Ghostface Killah, and David “Dave East” Brewster as Method Man.
Julian Elijah Martinez, Marcus Callender, Zolee Griggs, T.J. Atoms, Johnell Young, Uyoata Udi, and Damani Sease round out the cast. RZA, Method Man, Alex Tse, and Brian Grazer serve as executive producers.
The Award-Winning Wu-Tang: An American Saga Showcases One Of The G.O.A.T. Hip Hop Groups
Wu-Tang: An American Saga premiered in September 2019. The second season launched on September 8, 2021. The show has won two Golden Reel Awards. RZA also earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music.
The real-life Wu-Tang Clan helped usher in a 1990s resurgence for New York City Hip Hop following the West Coast takeover at the turn of the decade. Rap historians widely characterize 1993’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) as one of the greatest albums in the genre’s history.
Wu-Tang Clan’s discography also contains 1997’s Wu-Tang Forever, 2000’s The W, 2001’s Iron Flag, 2007’s 8 Diagrams, and 2014’s A Better Tomorrow. Members of the collective have gone on to release numerous solo projects as well.
It looks like DJ Akademiks does not want to go to war with Sean “Diddy” Combs. After attacking Caresha “Yung Miami” Brownlee on social media, Ak has now changed his tone about Diddy’s rumored girlfriend.
DJ Akademiks and Yung Miami of the City Girls recently had a back-and-forth on Twitter. The online spat began after Akademiks referred to Yung Miami as a “side chick” in response to the news of Diddy’s latest child.
Diddy posted, “[Yung Miami] is not my side chick. Never has been, never will be. She’s very important and special to me, and I don’t play about my Shawty Wop. I don’t discuss things on the internet and I will not start today.”
The Revolt network founder also added, “So think what you want. But know that if you do something to hurt mine, I’m gonna come to your house and we’re gonna talk about it like human beings. LOVE.”
Diddy Apparently Contacted DJ Akademiks
DJ Akademiks took to a Twitch stream to offer his reaction to Diddy’s comments. The longtime YouTube personality claimed the billionaire Hip Hop mogul sent him a direct message about the situation.
“Diddy, I’m not no player hater. I love you. So I’m gonna fall back out of this one. I ain’t even gonna get on crazy like that,” said DJ Akademiks. “I don’t know what to do. She’s been reading comments now. She’s on everybody’s head. It’s not only me.”
Ak also stated, “She’s a queen. I love her. She’s not no side chick no more. Diddy even had to like lightweight throw out a threat. This is when I knew it was serious… I’m good. I’m backing out of this one. I don’t want no problems.”
Ak Also Has Beef With Quality Control Music’s Lil Baby
As far as threats, DJ Akademiks issued his own warnings to another Hip Hop star. Many fans believe Lil Baby threw shots at the outspoken podcaster on his It’s Only Me album.
Akademiks responded by calling the rapper “Short Bus Baby” during an interview. He later turn his bombastic rhetoric about Lil Baby up several notches by challenging the QC rapper to a physical encounter.
“I will fight Lil Baby for free or for money. I just want to get in the ring with him. You don’t got no 4PF, n####, I will choke you to death. I will punch you in your face. You’re not doing s###,” said Ak on Twitch earlier this week.
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter shines a spotlight on some of his favorite tunes from the last twelve months. The Hip Hop icon presents the “Year End Picks 2022” Tidal playlist.
Beyoncé Knowles, Jay-Z’s wife, makes several appearances. Jay chose Beyoncé’s Renaissance tracks “America Has a Problem,” “Plastic Off the Sofa,” and “I’m That Girl.”
Kendrick Lamar also sees multiple songs listed among Jay-Z’s “Year End Picks 2022” selections. The pgLang co-founder’s “N95,” “Rich Spirit,” and “Savior (Interlude)” made the cut.
Jay-Z appreciated SZA, Drake, 21 Savage, Vince Staples, Metro Boomin, Lil Baby, Gunna, and Future in 2022. All of those acts had at least two songs to survive the final cut for Hov’s “Year End Picks 2022.”
Emcees such as Nas, Benny The Butcher, J. Cole, Conway The Machine, Westside Gunn, and Busta Rhymes also received placement on the lineup. Jay-Z picked rising stars like Tems, Babyface Ray, and GloRilla as well.
In addition, Jay-Z endorsed some of his own work from the year. “Year End Picks 2022” closes out with DJ Khaled’s “God Did” featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, John Legend, Fridayy, and the Roc Nation boss.
Tidal users can also stream Pusha T’s “Neck & Wrist” featuring Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z as part of the “Year End Picks 2022” playlist. Pusha scored another track in the collection with the Nigo-assisted “Hear Me Clearly.”
Ashanti has opened up about the state of her relationship with Nelly after their recent steamy concert performance had fans calling for the former couple to reunite.
Fans noticed the pair’s sizzling chemistry was still very much present during their headline set at Power 98.3 & 96.1’s Under The Mistletoe concert in Glendale, Arizona, on December 4. After viewing footage of Ashanti grinding on Nelly to their 2008 hit song “Body On Me,” some speculated that the exes had already gotten back together.
I mean, there’s Ben & Jen.. can we get a Nelly & Ashanti reboot pleaseeee 🥴 https://t.co/FqLuTx1APH
One fan’s suggestion they should “follow in J. Lo and Ben’s footsteps,” was put to Ashanti during her appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Monday.
“People online want you to get back together that’s all I’m saying,” Choen offered before Ashanti replied.
“Oh my gosh. I saw a lot of comments,” Ashanti said after laughing. “I mean, my reaction was, wow. It was a lot of comments and a lot of people wanting that. What I will say is we’re in a better place. … We’re cool now. We had some conversations. So, it’s cool.”
However, Ashanti didn’t give any clue as to the nature of their talks, leading the host to press her on whether she’d get back together with Nelly. Nonetheless, the songstress refused to play ball, again laughing off the question. “I mean…” she said before becoming tongue-tied. Still not giving a straight answer. Check out the clip below.
Ashanti’s love life has been a subject of internet discussion for some months. Earlier this year, Irv Gotti alleged he had an affair with the “Foolish” singer back in the 2000s.
“I think it was just perfect timing,” she said of the collaboration. “There was a lot of stuff going on with me and a lot of controversy happening. Some people don’t know how to move on. So I felt like this was an opportunity to tell people to move on,” stated Ashanti about her contribution to “Gotta Move On [Queens Remix].”
