Rising/Independent Star Ricky Rikkardo from Brooklyn NY, Who’s Fresh off his last release with hip hop legend Jim Jones is Back with another Banger! Ricky teamed up with Kid Red And White Wop from the Bay Area, California, and delivered an absolute smash.
“ReRockin” ! When you got #Saucey ,#JokesUp , #UrDone , and #WhiteGummyExotic all on 1 song you can expect to have it on repeat! Look out for WillpowerEnt who produced “ReRockin” and some of the hottest artists out of NYC!
Lil Rekk is here to prove his place in the rap game once and for all.
Hailing from Philadelphia, the rising star prides himself on creating the realist music possible, spitting nothing but the real in all his lyrics. Raised in a household as the only boy among 10 sisters, Rekk felt the weight of his family on his shoulders… thankfully, music would be his saving grace.
At the young age of 12, Rekk got the word “loyalty” tattooed on his chest — speaking volumes to his character and morals. Exploding onto the scene with his standout single “Manhattan Vibes,” which recently hit 2 million views on Youtube and counting, Rekk showcased his unique voice and sound to the world, as fans couldn’t help but gravitate to the record.
Fast forward to today, Rekk unleashed his critically-acclaimed mixtape titled 1ONE, a 12-track project that chronicles his journey as a rapper, from the trenches to signing to A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s Highbridge The Label. 1ONE also hails an all-star feature from 42 Dugg, as lead singles “Time,” “Ooters,” “So Bipolar,” and “Confetti” continue to make their rounds.
Beyond the music, Rekk is a proud girl dad and has his own weed strain called Rekking Runtz. You can also catch him performing at The Smokers Club Festival in April.
AllHipHop: What was a young Lil Rekk like growing up in Philly?
Lil Rekk: Not gonna lie, I was crazy. I was bad. That’s why I didn’t get to grow up in Philly like the rest of my friends and family for real. I was so bad when I was younger, my mom’s a single mom. It came to a point of time she couldn’t handle me anymore, so she sent me to my dad in Virginia. From there, it just got worse. My mom worked 2 or 3 jobs my whole life, my father too. Nobody kept their eyes on me growing up, I was on the streets all the time.
AllHipHop: And you had 10 sisters?
Lil Rekk: I got 11 sisters on my dad’s side and I got 4 sisters on my dad’s side. My dad outta pocket, he’s crazy. My pops crazy. [laughs]
AllHipHop: How proud are they of you though?
Lil Rekk: My mom’s my best friend forreal, we super close. Me and my father are cool now, but growing up we didn’t have the closest bond. Now, he’s proud of me. I always appreciate him for being hard on me, teaching me everything I know now. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be who I am. He took it overboard though. He’s crazy, he used to do crazy s###. Take my bed away. [laughs] He caught me smoking weed one time and he took my bed away. I took one of his clips and I hid it. When he smokes, he’ll smoke then take scissors to cut the front of it all, but I never knew that. He did it, I smoked it and put it back. He knew somebody was smoking and he took everything out my room. My clothes, my bed, everything.
AllHipHop: What’d you do?
Lil Rekk: I slept on the floor. I was chillin’ though, that was back in the day we were struggling. Now, I bought my pops a bed.
AllHipHop: What were you thinking smoking it, then putting it back?
Lil Rekk: I used to think smoking was cool. I never thought he’d catch me because he’d always be at work. But he did that little thing he did and caught me, it came back around full circle. Ever since then, I’ve been smoking. Since I picked it up and lit it, I’ve been smoking since that day. I was 11 about to turn 12. I had a weedman when I was 12.
AllHipHop: You also tattooed “loyalty” across your chest at 12.
Lil Rekk: Mmhmm, he let me do that, he let me do that. I got it from his tattoo man. [laughs] I didn’t really feel it. I was panicking when I was getting it, ’cause I didn’t know what was going on. But it didn’t hurt, I didn’t really feel it forreal.
AllHipHop: Speaking of Highbridge, how’d you get connected with A Boogie and them?
Lil Rekk: The CEO of Highbridge, QP, he hit me up on Instagram. I was just chillin’ in my hood. He hit me up on the Gram like “yo, we’re tryna holla at you bro. Come pull up on us.” Ever since we were with each other face to face, it’s been locked in. Bro told me “I want to sign you. We believe in you as much as you believe in yourself.” Alright, and I signed to them. Ever since then, it’s been lit. It’s been a movie.
AllHipHop: When did that happen?
Lil Rekk: Almost 2 years, it’s about to be going on 2 years.
AllHipHop: Did other labels hit you up before him?
Lil Rekk: A couple other people, but I knew the people. I don’t like doing business with people I know too too much, because I know what type of time people be on. When somebody knows you forreal, knows everything about you, they play with you a different type of way. The things they’re willing to do might be different than somebody that don’t know you, or y’all starting a new relationship, a new everything. I know you for 15 years or you knew my mom or my pops, and now you think… nah. For sure I’m glad I met my boy.
AllHipHop: You said it’s been up. Craziest moment?
Lil Rekk: I couldn’t tell you, not gonna lie. Everyday’s crazy. It’s not even an everyday thing, it’s a life thing ’cause where I come from is crazy. When you’re from Philly, it’s not too many people doing what I’m doing. And I’m super positive about my whole situation. I don’t ever be trying to fit in with the rest of the crowd, I do my own thing. Stay out the way, keep evolving, keep leveling up. That’s my whole thing.
AllHipHop: What did “Manhattan Vibes” do for your career?
Lil Rekk: That song right there did a lot for me. I didn’t have a lot of music out before that, I only had one video out before that. I only had a couple songs out.
AllHipHop: Did you do that on purpose?
Lil Rekk: Not really, but at the time yeah because I was only taking rapping super serious. I was in the studio so much, I recorded all the time. [snaps] That’s all I was doing, just recording. We met each other, then it was locked in from there. I had the “Manhattan Vibes” song when I came and met them. QP told me it’d be better if I put another verse, so I put another verse on there. We shot the video the same day. The video was crazy, I got the party bus, filled it up. Went around Manhattan, shot the video. I didn’t know at the time, you think all the songs you drop gon’ do numbers. I’m thinking nah, this song gon’ do alright. I’m signed with Highbridge. Everyone’s thinking “oh when he drops a song, it won’t be good.”
AllHipHop: Really?
Lil Rekk: Yeah, mad people were hating because I was signed to Highbridge now. “Why they sign him and not me?” It was like that. Everybody was anticipating on the song: “when the song come out, it better be hot.” I had the song and it went off. I haven’t found a person yet who doesn’t like it. That’s the one right there.
AllHipHop: Do you have a favorite song at the moment?
Lil Rekk: “So Bipolar,” I just dropped that on my tape called 1ONE.
https://music.empi.re/1one
AllHipHop: I was going to ask what that title meant.
Lil Rekk: Where I’m from, in my hood they call me 1ONE, ’cause I’m the only one who made it out the hood from my section. Everybody just calls me 1ONE. That’s really a thing now, I even got it tattooed on me. As soon as I got the name, I went and got it tattooed on me.
AllHipHop: I see you got your daughter tatted, first child?
Lil Rekk: First child, last child. One and done. [laughs] I want to focus on what I got right now. I don’t want to give myself too many problems, too much stuff to deal with. Having a kid comes with a lot, people don’t understand. It’s a lot of people out here who don’t do nothing for their kids, at all. With me, I’m totally different. My dad, my mom been working their whole life. My daughter, she’s cool. She never gotta worry about nothing, but I don’t want to add another one on then I gotta go 10 times harder. Nah, I’m cool right now.
AllHipHop: At the end of the day, that’s what life is all about! Making sure your kids are good.
Lil Rekk: For sure, take care of my family. The whole family, that’s what we do. Take care of families.
AllHipHop: What were you going through recording “So Bipolar”?
Lil Rekk: I was going through something with my daughter’s mom. One of my mans, he’s going through something with his baby mother. With his girl though, they’re still together. I took our problems and put it into one song. When I first did it, I wrote it for my man. I wrote it for bro. I went back, put and changed some things to make it more relatable to a lot of other people too. On the tape, that’s one of the best songs streaming: “So Bipolar” and the 42 Dugg feature.
AllHipHop: A huge part of this show is mental health, what do you do for self-care?
Lil Rekk: Forreal forreal, I go to the studio and express myself through my music. I talk to my mom a lot about what I be going through, but I never really want to stress my mom out because she’s stressed out about me enough. I’m really heavy studio type bull, I go to the studio. I got certain type of music that’s for the club, but most of my music is emotional for people to relate to and feel me.
AllHipHop: One thing you want fans to take away from 1ONE?
Lil Rekk: I want everybody to understand my story for real. I’m an emotional type of person, I make my music off my emotions. So my first tape was emotional, this tape is more gritty. I show people a different side of me. I want people to know everything I be doing and saying, I really seen and I did. We really living. Even though where we’re at now, it still be hard to stay away from that stuff because we’re so used to it. I want people to know hard work pays off, because I put mad hard work in. I ain’t gon’ lie, I came from the mud for real for real. I never thought I’d be sitting here with Shirley. [laughs] I want them to know everything I do and say is genuine. A lot of people don’t want to be themselves. I’m a always be myself, no matter who’s in the room. That’s me.
AllHipHop: I hear a lot of artists don’t like their biggest songs.
Lil Rekk: “Manhattan Vibes,” I made that song playing around and I was drunk. It was crazy though ’cause when I made this song, I was joking around with my engineer like “I can make a New York type song.” “You can’t make no New York type song. You think you got all the flows, you can do whatever you want on a mic.” I said “bro, look up an A Boogie type beat.” He looked up an A Boogie and J.I. type beat. He pulled it up, it was the first beat. I clicked on it and we got it, we downloaded it and everything. I hopped on it. The first time, I did it straight through but I was humming it. The second time, I started doing it. I used to record straight through, but now I punch in now. My engineer said when I made the song, “this one of them songs bro, you gotta shoot the video to this.” I had the song for 6 months, then I met Highbridge.
AllHipHop: How was that first A Boogie encounter?
Lil Rekk: When I met Boogie, it was regular for real. The first time I really seen bro, we were going to Atlanta on a private jet. He was in his car, he called me over like “you want to go to Atlanta bro?” My first time meeting him and really being around him, chillin’. I said “yeah,” he’s like “come on, we out.” We went to Atlanta and he shot the SAINt JHN “Monica Lewinsky, Election Year” remix.
I was on the private jet, he went Live. [laughs] I was sleeping in the Live. We only went to Atlanta for 2 hours. We flew there, came right back. Everybody goes home after we land, I went home. I woke up in the morning, my phone going off like “you were with Boogie!”
AllHipHop: How much were y’all smoking?
Lil Rekk: [laughs] We weren’t smoking. When we’re on the set though, we’re smoking all day. He had the trailer so we’re in there smoking crazy, but on the plane we weren’t smoking. It gets bad on the plane when you smoke, they be acting funny.
AllHipHop: Talk about launching your own weed strain, Rekking Runtz. That’s lit!
Lil Rekk: Definitely. It’s crazy, me and my folks came up with that in 30 minutes. After I dropped my tape, he was out here for a couple days. I called him like “yo bro, we need to get my own strand. It’s recreational down there so it’s easier, we might as well do it.” He’s like “I’m a call you right back.” He called me right back 30 minutes later with the bag, the gas, all of that. It’s ready to go so as soon as I get home, it’s ready to go.
Soon as he came back, I pulled up on him. He had the Rekking Runtz, I opened it up like “oh yeah that’s Za.” That’s his best selling weed on his menu. He ran out the second day. As soon as I posted it, he got a thing where you gotta be a family friend type thing. Somebody gotta recommend you, but that even made it crazier that it sold out. He was getting it and people was holding it, selling it to other people.
AllHipHop: I gotta try this!
Lil Rekk: Fasho, the Rekking Runtz is from California! I gotta get you some.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited for?
Lil Rekk: I’m about to drop another tape soon. We’re about to put this tour together: New York, Boston CT. We’re in motion right now, we’re working. We’re trying to make the money come. We ain’t trying to sit around and wait for it, we’re in motion with it right now. That’s my main objective right now, my main focus.
In a recent interview with AHH, we sat down with Pedro and asked him about his plans to tour this year. It was evident that he was eager to get back on tour considering the wave of restrictions. Pedro said he has a ton of unreleased music he has not performed yet, so fans will be in for a surprise.
Pedro Reis knows it’s essential to create something you can be proud of. For example, when Pedro Reis discovered his passion for songwriting, his fan base grew exponentially as people could feel his authenticity and fidelity to his craft. Unfortunately, the honesty that compels his lyrics is very palpable. As a result, it is pretty effortless for an audience to instantly perceive the openness and the depth that fuels the artist’s remarkably dynamic vision.
Pedro Reis is committed to honing his craft in a factual matter; that way, he can promote a platform that’s honest and open toward his fans. He Humbly aims to keep maturing as an artist and human being, trekking the lane to success and musical eminence for as long as he can. It can be challenging to let go and be yourself as a creative artist, especially within a fast-paced industry, over-saturated with new trends every month.
Pedro Reis sharpened and developed his craft after a few years of experience within the music scene of trendsetting. Now, he can take his emotions and perspicuity and transform them into vibes that his fans love.
Pedro Reis looks forward to communicating stories and inspiring people, giving the world a diverse take on contemporary hip-hop music that is far removed from the usual stereotypes and cliches of the genre.
Kodak Black wants to be romantically involved with Kim Kardashian, who recently became legally single.
The controversial rapper publicly expressed his interest in Kanye West’s ex-wife in an Instagram post on Monday (March 7). Kodak Black’s attempt to woo Kim Kardashian came less than a week after she regained her single status in the eyes of the law.
“You Need A Real N#### Out Dat Pompanoya Bae,” he wrote. “Ain’t Even Gone Play Real Gangsta @kimkardashian.”
Kim Kardashian filed to divorce Kanye West in February 2021. Last week, a judge granted Kim Kardashian’s request to be legally declared single. The ruling separated the former couple’s marital status from other matters in their divorce.
Kodak Black shooting his shot at Kim Kardashian might not sit well with Kanye West, who’s been threatening her current boyfriend. ‘Ye has repeatedly targeted Pete Davidson since the Saturday Night Live cast member started dating the reality TV star.
Kanye West infamously went after Pete Davidson in a music video for “Eazy,” Yeezy’s latest collaboration with The Game. The animated video depicted ‘Ye kidnapping and burying the comedian.
Kodak Black has lusted over celebrities before, which has caused problems for him in the past. Most notably, he faced widespread criticism for remarks about his desire to be with Lauren London following the death of her partner Nipsey Hussle in 2019.
The West Coast artist is so dope with the controllers that he has been invited to the Board of Directors to FaZe Clan, a digital lifestyle and media platform rooted in gaming and youth culture.
The rap star will also join the company’s talent roster, rocking the moniker “FaZe Snoop.”
Mr. “Gin and Juice” is not just lending his name but also helping to “co-create content, participate in key business initiatives, and launch merchandise with the brand while appearing across FaZe Clan’s platform.”
As a member of the company’s board, Snoop Dogg aims to bring industry experience to the gaming world.
He also hopes that his passion, gaming, and culture will help the company prepare to go public.
Snoop said that the deal was a perfect fit for him.
“It only makes sense to partner with FaZe Clan as both a team member and on the Board of Directors,” said Snoop Dogg. “The youth identifies with their brand, and that’s something my son Cordell knew, which is why he brought us together.”
The new owner of Death Row’s interest in the company was piqued by his son, Cordell Broadus.
Cordell, who is a Creative Consultant for Channel 21, said, “As I’ve been watching what FaZe Clan has been building in the gaming space, I knew there was a natural connection with what my dad has been doing.”
“When I look at the two brands, I was inspired by the synergy they could create, so I brought them together in this partnership. I can’t wait for the world to see what we are about to do.”
Kai Henry, Chief Strategy Officer of FaZe Clan, said that the relationship between the brand and Snoop is organic and “has been building for years now.”
“We are thrilled to officially welcome FaZe Snoop to the family,” Henry stated. “As the original internet kid and first-generation gamer, Snoop has always understood the cultural connection between music, lifestyle, and gaming.”
“Today, Snoop is a prominent voice in the emerging Web3 community, and we have exciting plans to create together in the metaverse, driving new engagement opportunities for both of our fanbases.”
Snoop’s star power has already opened doors for the brand. During Super Bowl weekend, they hosted their first collaborative community outreach effort.
FaZe members played in a co-branded FaZe Clan x NFL flag football game. Each team participated at a $25,000 fee, and in turn, the brand donated that money to Snoop Dogg’s Youth Football League.
Snoop is one of over 85 members on the talent roster at the company.
Other members are NFL star Kyler “FaZe K1” Murray, Lebron “FaZe Bronny” James Jr., Lil Yachty aka “FaZe Boat,” and Offset aka “FaZe Offset.”
When Juvenile comes through you know we gotta support it. Check it out as the “Ha” rapper links up with NewOrlafornia recording artist Merk and Kango Slim of Partners N Crime on a new visual titled “It Don’t Matter.” The track is a single from the album International Ghetto Pass dropping this Spring as Merk shows us what the New Orleans ladies are twerkin with.
Since last July, Lontrell Williams has been incarcerated. Although, he has been off the scene, the Memphis musician is still asserting his presence. Moreover, today (March 7), Pooh Shiesty allegedly appears in a new jailhouse picture.
Regardless of any “snitching” allegations, The Shiester, seems to be maintaining his peace. In the purported photo, the man resembling Pooh Shiesty stands between two other men. And now, a noticeable beard accentuates his jaw.
According to DJ Akademiks, the snapshot is in fact, a “new pic of Pooh Shiesty.” If so, he seems to be exuding a calm demeanor. Back in January, for his involvement in a federal firearms case, he accepted a plea deal.
Rather, than taking it to trial, Slim Lil Dude took some control of his fate. So, this prevents him from being wiped out. The previous charges that The Shiester was facing carried up to a Life sentence.
As a matter of fact, next month the platinum-penned artist will learn the exact length of his prison sentence. Often, God interrupts. Through this circumstance, hopefully he is fortifying his faith and his future plans.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CX0ZvQAOX_3/
Creativity can not be caged. However, loneliness is real. To stay connected to Pooh Shiesty go ahead and reach out.
Sovereign Brands just launched a legendary roundtable discussion with Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled and Wiz Khalifa, as the four music moguls have never been in the same room for a conversation like this before. The four shared stories the world has never heard about how they each met, their individual paths to success and their business ventures. One of the best parts is when they start discussing books and audiobooks. Check it out and learn from these greats!
Tee Grizzley has persevered through a lot over the past few years. From losing people close to him and fearing for his own life to the music its seems like the ‘First Day Out” rapper is finally in the clear and dropping dope music once again. Looking forward to hearing more from Tee in the coming weeks and months, this sounds like a Tee Grizz. Stream “Beat The Streets” on all platforms: https://teegrizzley.ffm.to/beatthestr…
Wale is currently on tour tearing across the country and hitting various festivals and spot dates, but he still had time to give us this dope new visual filmed in the heart of Fairfax’s streetwear corridor. This one was shot right at Diamond Supply and shows owner Nicky Diamonds and Wale choppin it up on the avenue. Enjoy below:
Last month, on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 13), Hip-Hop changed the world — again! So, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dog, Eminem, 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar, came together and created a historic event. However, this epic situation would not have happened if it were not for Jay Z. In fact, he shrewdly negotiated to save the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime show.
Often, America is hateful. Usually, to its minorities, the United States degrades and diminishes. While, it celebrates certain cultural aspects, it categorically villainizes others. However, Hov refused to deliver an assimilated aesthetic.
Of course, the National Football League allegedly was working to censor Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg. Furthermore, it is reported that both lyricism and different cultural components were facing bold restrictions. Be that as it may, Jigga was not going to allow any shenanigans to take place.
So, between Snoop’s C-walking on center stage, in Crip colors and K-Dot lyrically explaining why “we hate po po,” the NFL was supposedly growing more anxious. Thus, Mr. Carter stepped forward and saved the day.
It is important to realize that, Jay’s Roc Nation is working in with the NFL. Accordingly, Roc Nation serves as an “entertainment and social justice partner.” These duties definitely include assisting with the halftime show. At the same time, J-Hova was still willing to sacrifice this professional relationship.
The Plan
As a result of unfounded fears, before the performance, the NFL appears to have been contemplating some sort of creative sanctions. However, Jay Z — who was physically in attendance — was not having it. So, the astute businessman extended an ultimatum that could not be ignored.
To combat any push back, the threat to end his partnership worked brilliantly. Recently, Snoop Dog sat down with Elliott Wilson of TIDAL. The legendary lyricist speaks on how the astute businessman effectively saved the super bowl halftime show.
The Reaction
A reminiscent Snoop recalls the circumstances. He explains how Iceberg Slim remained calm and delivered. “So then [JAY-Z] came down, and soon as he came in he hugged me. We hug each other tight. It was as if we won a championship,” he offers.
“Like, you know when you’re genuinely happy for each other? People don’t understand, me and him are the ones. He’s the one on the East. I’m the one from the West, he states before adding, “We love each other. Like, not secretly, like publicly, we love each other.”
Simply put, Jay is a man of his word. “It is what it is, so it’s like for him to go to bat for us and tell the NFL, ‘F*ck that. They perform or I quit,’ that was the most gangster s### out of everything. Then with attire and kneeling and all this … you can’t wear your gangbang s###? JAY-Z hit me like, ‘Wear what the f*ck you want to wear. Peace to the Gods.’”
Snupe Bandz continues the PRE legacy and pays tribute to Young Dolph in his new visual “I Know Why.” From the ice to the crispy visuals, the graphics on this music video are top notch and shows the way PRE is coming with every release. Long Live Young Dolph the album is out now via PRE / SONY, make sure to go support that! RIP Young Dolph!
Mickey Factz seems to know what is at stake. The Bronx native has bobbed and weaved through an industry that tends to knock out more talents than it creates. Factz looks like he is mounting a comeback even though he never left. He returns with a short, mental song called “Never Rest,” which sounds like a grind-a-holic’s anthem. When you listen, the vibe is different. The song is and eccentric, sexy take on relationships that owns both the pretty and the petty equally. Factz is often know exclusively for his bars, but “Never Rest” puts his versitility on full display. Tap in.
Normani is pressure. Even before, releasing her debut album, the acclaimed entertainer has topped the charts. So, now she reveals a “raw” new single, “Fair.” Of course, the accompanying itty bitty bikini is demanding as much attention as her alluring vocals.
To begin with, the former Fifth Harmony member has always been a stand out. Just last year, the Cardi B-assisted “Wild Side” shot up the charts. In fact, it earned distinction as “No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart,” this according to Billboard.
Needless to say, the captivating chanteuse hopes to build upon her success. In order to do so, “Fair” must organically resonate with the public. To emphasize her artistic growth the Pop princess shares her “vulnerability.” Moreover, she says as much.
For instance, from this single, fans can expect both “vulnerability” and “raw Normani,” reports Vibe. The evolving artist goes on to offer that her talent demonstrates, “a different layer that you’ve never see before.” Particularly, Normani expounds upon her perspective.
“I’m just really excited because this captures a point in my life that was really honest. For me, it’s big and it’s growth, the fact that I’m able to share with everybody else,” she gushes. With this in mind, the beautiful visuals for “Fair” are nearly as captivating as her haunting vocal ability.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cak5jW6vh0F/
Above all, be sure to show Normani some support. On March 18, the anticipated single will be readily available.
The Hip Hop world lost New York rapper Courtney “Capital Steez” Dewar Jr. in 2012. Six years later, the Hip Hop world lost Florida rapper Jahseh “XXXTentacion” Onfroy.
Brooklyn emcee Joey Bada$$ spent many years working with his Pro Era comrade Capital Steez. Bada$$ also had the opportunity to collaborate with XXXTentacion on “Infinity (888)” off 2018’s ? album.
During a recent interview with Montreality, Joey Bada$$ spoke about both late rhymers. The star of the Oscar-winning Two Distant Strangers short film reflected on the similarities between XXXTentacion and Capital Steez.
“X was special, he reminded me a lot of Steez. I remember going to Miami and working with him at his crib. Super humble, super competitive too. I haven’t felt that competitive nature with another artist since Steez,” said Joey Bada$$. “We just started surfing on YouTube for beats, we found the beat for Infinity, and we literally just made that s### right then and there.”
The 27-year-old entertaineradded, “The imprint that [XXXTentacion] left in that short amount of time is going to influence the next generation. My generation was able to influence his, and he was able to influence the next one. He was a special artist because he had so much range, to me, that’s what makes an artist special, likeKanye West, Kendrick Lamar, X. I miss his heart, I miss his spirit, that was my dawg, R.I.P. to X. I know him and Steez is like kicking it, that makes me happy.”
Once again, Kanye “Ye” West had a lot of people upset. His new music video for “Eazy” with West Coast emcee The Game sparked outrage in some circles.
The visuals feature an animated Kanye West assaulting, kidnapping, decapitating, and burying a fictionalized version of Pete Davidson. The Saturday Night Live star is currently dating West’s estranged wife Kim Kardashian.
Critics have slammed Ye for his antagonizing conduct towards Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson. For example, political commentator Marc Lamont Hill stated, “This is unhealthy behavior, this is dangerous behavior, this is violent behavior.”
Kanye West has now responded to the specific backlash over his “Eazy” video. The 44-year-old billionaire took to Instagram to offer a statement about concerns he is promoting violence.
Ye wrote:
Art is therapy just like this view
art is protected as freedom of speech
art inspires and simplifies the world
Art is not a proxy for any ill or harm.
Any suggestion otherwise about my art is false and mal intended 🖤
@kanyewest Instagram
Kim Kardashian apparently expressed worry that someone could attack Pete Davidson because of Kanye West’s constant aggressive posts directed at the 28-year-old comedian. In response, Ye told his followers not to “do anything physical” to the man he disparagingly refers to as “Skete.”
In summer 2021, DaBaby was riding high as one of the most commercially successful Hip Hop artists on the planet.
As a feature on Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” single, DaBaby lived in the Hot 100’s Top 10 region for most of the year. Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby’s “Cry Baby” also made it into the Top 40 that February.
“I grow every day, but, above all, I’m just more knowledgeable about the tolerance of the business I’m in got for certain things. It’s a learning process,” DaBaby told SiriusXM’s Mina Say What. “We go from doing this and that. And then, well, I’m speaking for myself, go from doing this to being an artist, 24/7 full time.”
The Blame It on Baby rapper continued, “Not only that, I was an artist at the highest level. Like I made it to the highest level of this s###. So it’s like you get there, there are adjustments that you gotta make, just like becoming a grown-ass man in life.”
Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus Jr. is an iconic Hip Hop artist. The 50-year-old entertainment superstar is also a top record executive.
Snoop Dogg currently serves as a creative consultant for Def Jam Recordings. That gig included the D-O-Double-G curating the Snoop Dogg Presents: Algorithm compilation. He also helped sign Benny The Butcher to Def Jam.
DJ Whoo Kid’s connection to Benny The Butcher played a role in the Black Soprano Family member joining the legendary record label. In an exclusive interview with Tidal, Snoop Dogg talked about his part in securing Benny’s signing.
“I’m like, ‘What’s up with you and Def Jam?’ [Benny is] like, ‘Oh man, they lowballed me.’ I said, ‘Lowballed you? They don’t know who you is?'” recalled Snoop. “He’s looking at me like, ‘Damn, you know who I am?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I know exactly who you is and what you worth. I’m over at Def Jam now. Who was you talking to?'”
Snoop Dogg continued, “[Benny] told me who he was talking to. [I said,] ‘We’re not going to talk to them. I’m going to call the boss. You’re going to tell the boss what you want, and he’s going to give you what you want and you’re going to sign.'”
Snoop Dogg Now Owns Death Row Records, The Label That Launched His Recording Career
“To be in control of the brand means that I got all of the pieces that I need to do what I got to do, from the masters to the publishing, to the IP, to the label, to the logo, to everything. It’s all mine,” Snoop told Tidal’s Chief Content Officer, Elliott Wilson.
Snoop added, “2Pac’s masters came back to him last year. But I got a great relationship with his estate, and I’m pretty sure we’re going to be able to work something out… to continue some Death Row 2Pac business now that Snoop Dogg is in control of Death Row. Same with Dr. Dre and The Chronic. I got The Chronic album. I got Doggystyle, Tha Doggfather, Murder Was the Case, Dogg Food, Above the Rim. I got all those records.”
The Dayvon “King Von” Bennett Estate released What It Means To Be King on March 4. The late Chicago rapper’s posthumous studio LP will be the top debut on the Billboard 200.
HitsDailyDoublecrunched the numbers for the first-week sales projections for next week’s chart. What It Means To Be King will amass 60,000 to 65,000 units in its first seven days of release.
What It Means To Be King features G Herbo, 21 Savage, Fivio Foreign, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Tee Grizzley, Dreezy, and more. Chopsquad DJ, Hitmaka, TM88, and others provided the production.
Besides Welcome to O’Block and What It Means To Be King, King Von’s discography also includes the Grandson, Vol. 1 and Levon James mixtapes. He also contributed to the Only the Family Involved compilation series.
King Von died after being shot outside a hookah lounge in Atlanta on November 6, 2020. He was 26 years old.
Kojey Radical has released his long-awaited debut album, Reason To Smile.
The 15-song project includes features from Kelis, Wretch 32, Masego, and Tiana Major9, among other artists.
“It’s been a long time coming but I can finally say my debut album REASON TO SMILE is officially OUT NOW!” Kojey Radical announced. “I am so proud of this body of work and i’m eternally grateful to everyone who helped make this dream a reality. This is album is about us. Me and you, the family we’ve built so far. And everything in between. This album means absolutely everything to me ❤️” He added, “We did it. We finally made it. Please support the album, please help real music rise to the top. Please BUY THE ALBUM. This is hard food, not fast food and finally the album is served.”
Meanwhile, Kojey Radical revealed that he has high aspirations for his career, both in music and beyond.
“I just keep saying put me in the game coach,” he told GRM Daily. “I love everything. For the scene for UK Music, I see how well all my peers are doing. And I’m there like you’re just put me in a game coach. Let me play a couple of matches, let me show what I can do. Because there’s still so much untapped potential that everybody can see in terms of what I’m capable of doing.”
The UFC tapped Kojey Radical to write a track marking their return to London. He shared a commercial on Sunday (Mar. 7), exclaiming, “I bet you didn’t know the boy got hands 🥊 new name alert. ROCKY RADICAL”
