Atlanta rapper Offset kicked off the Christmas holiday by hosting a toy giveaway event to benefit needy children, despite the frigid temperatures.
The rap star, dressed in an all-black leather outfit to keep warm during the 16-degree day, hosted his first annual “Offset Toy Giveaway”
During the event, Offset, a member of the group Migos, expressed his desire to give back to the community and thanked the children for their support.
“I just wanted to give back to my community. Thanks to all the kids for always supporting me and always listening to me and always just being there for me, you know,” Offset told the gathering, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. “Y’all hold me up. You know we’ve been going through a tough time, but God is good.”
Offset was referring to the tragic death of Migos group member Takeoff, whose real name was Kirsnick Khari Ball. He was shot and killed on November 1st this year outside a bowling alley in Houston, Texas.
In the caption, he gave fans an update on how he is doing following the tragedy. “St not easy fake smiling and st tryna keep walking with my head up (sic),” he wrote.
Since Takeoff’s death, Offset has tweeted that he is “in a dark place” and “missing everything” about his relative.
So seeing Offset give back during such a rough time in his life was very inspiring to everyone in attendance.
During the event, local officials presented Offset with a key to Gwinnett County, and the Lawrenceville mayor also thanked him for his contributions to the community.
Offset stated that this would not be his last toy giveaway and praised other celebrities who give back to their communities.
I was able to catch an early screening of “Avatar: The Way of Water.” When I left, I thought the latest iteration of the blockbuster franchise was a good movie, but there were two prevailing thoughts that dominated my mind. First of all, I thought it was at least an hour or so too long. Secondly, I felt like I was seeing overt representations of Indigenous, African and Polynesians in the Na’vi (aka the Blue People). Actually, I knew that’s what I was seeing. Cultural appropriation accusations have dogged James Cameron’s and the Avatar franchise since the original in 2009
My friend and colleague Kathia Woods, a journalist and professional critic, saw tweeted the following:
“At some point we gotta talk about the cultural appropriation of Avatar and white actors cosplaying as poc. It’s just a mess and so not necessary & no amount of visual effects/CGI is gonna erase that. Bad Lace fronts/Dry synthetic braids. Jesus fix it.”
When I saw it I liked/retweeted/paused scrolling and, otherwise co-signed what she had said. Almost immediately, she was was met with a contingency that felt the need to threaten, bully and act subhuman in response to a social media post they didn’t agree with. It was necessary to speak to the Philly-bred scribe, who is a decorated writer with Cup of Soul, The Philadelphia Tribune, cinéSPEAK, NBC and others.
AllHipHop: What did you think when you saw “Avatar: The Way Of The Water”?
Kathia Woods: I thought the picture was technically brilliant, but the plot felt a bit dull and repetitious compared to the last.
AllHipHop: What compelled you to send that now-infamous tweet that called the movie out for cultural appropriation?
Kathia Woods: I constantly send tweets in response to movies. I’ve been harsher on other films, but this one felt whitewashed and still had the white savior storyline despite being inspired by so much native and indigenous culture. Cameron has stated on numerous occasions that he was inspired to write the story after visiting the Amazon. Furthermore, he made some extremely insensitive remarks about the state of Native Americans, specifically the Lakota tribe. Skully also integrated into the Na’vi tribe, but it came across as him teaching them how to embrace and survive their culture rather than the other way around.
Yes, there were actors of color cast, but Zoey’s role was reduced, and Kate [Winslet] played an indigenous queen. There was the possibility of hiring an indigenous or native actress. Yes, I am aware that they are fictitious characters, but the clothing, weapons, ceremonies, and so on were inspired by indigenous and native culture. If moviegoers come to see the greatness that is Avatar rather than the actors, why not hire someone from that background?
AllHipHop: You received a lot of hatred and contempt from the online peanut gallery. Are you safe?
Kathia Woods: It’s unsettling to see people wishing you death and to be sexually assaulted over an opinion. Being called a B [b####] and C, another word for v#####, and, of course, the N-word is what I sadly expected when YouTubers who claim to be anti-Hollywood and wokeness began making videos and stealing my Instagram pictures. I’ve kept everything in a folder in case someone does decide to cross the line, but for the time being, I don’t believe my life is in danger.
AllHipHop: What I find to be weird is how easy it would be before people to either ignore the tweet and simply carry on or allow it to be a teachable moment. But that is not what happened.
Kathia Woods: In our country, there is a culture war going on. You have a population that is predominantly male and white and does not approve of someone like me having a platform. They dislike the fact that our country is becoming more diverse; they believe racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination are fabricated.
People are literally making fake accounts in order to troll me. Even though my Twitter account is locked, these same people are attempting to follow me. They are irritated because I refuse to open my comments. Why would you want to be in my mentions or follow me if you don’t agree with what I said? It’s strange, but I’m supposed to be the crazy one. It’s also Christmas week, and instead of preparing for the holidays, they’re doing this. It’s beyond sad.
AllHipHop: Now, the tweet struck a chord with over 500 likes and over 3,000 retweets, but it also got you a lot of media coverage. It seems like they went through great lengths to dig in your past. What does that say about the understanding of the original message?
Kathia Woods: It was never about comprehending the message. To be clear, the news outlets that chose this are not credible. The Blaze, The Daily Mail, and Fox News are examples of tabloid media. The president of Ukraine visited the United States and addressed Congress, and Kennedy chose to discuss my tweet on Fox. That is completely insane. Several of the writers who contributed to these articles never responded and aren’t on Twitter. These were hit pieces designed to generate traffic, and if I got caught up in the process, so be it, because I’m not a person to them. I’m just something that will drive traffic to your site, which is why youtube videos full of lies are so popular.
AllHipHop: Did you want to restate anything to people about “Avatar: The Way of Water” that may have been missed or misunderstood on Twitter?
Kathia Woods: Cultural appropriation has been a problem since the first film and will continue to be a problem until it is addressed properly. I’m not the only one who said it; I’m just the one who got the most attention. Many Native American groups have said the same thing, and Newsweek published an article breaking it down. Yes, it’s science fiction, but when you sit down for an interview and say your source material was indigenous and native people, as James Cameron did in a 2009 Guardian interview, you open yourself up to criticism. In the end, I never said people shouldn’t see the film, and each person must make their own decision, but that doesn’t change the fact that a group of people’s culture was exploited, and they received no benefit while the film grossed millions of dollars.
Thank you for let me tell my side of the story
Follow Kathia on social media on Twitter and Instagram…unless you are a troll.
After searching for a new home in Los Angeles for several years, Nicki Minaj has finally found a place to settle down.
According to TheDirt.com, the rap star spent $19.5 million on an extravagant estate in the exclusive neighborhood of Hidden Hills, known for its grand homes and affluent residents.
Luxurious Features Of Nicki Minaj’s New Estate
The house’s grandeur is evident in its spacious and meticulously landscaped backyard, which features a separate guesthouse, a poolside cabana, a saltwater pool with a spa, and grassy lawns that span an entire acre.
The home’s opulence is exemplified by its generous living space of over 11,000 square feet, with eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms!
The main house boasts patios and terraces, and the upstairs master suite offers a secluded balcony with a backyard view. The property also has a garage for three automobiles and plentiful privacy thanks to its significant landscaping.
Before purchasing this home, Nicki Minaj and her husband, Kenneth Petty, had been renting a house. Her previous residence, a lavish $10 million home in the Flats area of Los Angeles, was fit for a queen, featuring six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a generous 7,000 square feet of living space.
According to various reports, Nicki is a very wealthy individual with a net worth of over $100 million.
The Desirability Of Hidden Hills Neighborhood In California
Hidden Hills is a desirable neighborhood in California for several reasons.
Nicki’s new mansion is located in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and is known for its secluded, rural atmosphere, despite being just a short drive from Los Angeles.
The neighborhood is also home to many celebrities and wealthy individuals, which adds to its exclusivity and prestige. In addition, the homes in Hidden Hills are often large and lavish, featuring many amenities such as pools, outdoor living spaces, and ample square footage.
Overall, Hidden Hills is a highly sought-after location for those looking for a spacious, elegant home in a private, exclusive setting, which was no doubt a priority for Nicki Minaj, her husband, and their toddler, affectionately known as “Papa Bear.”
O.J. Simpson has denied being Khloé Kardashian’s father yet again.
During an appearance on the Full Send Podcast, the former American footballer denied allegations of a romance with Khloé’s mother, Kris Jenner.
While the 75-year-old admitted he “always thought Kris was a cute girl,” he noted that he was “dating supermodels” at the time.
“The rumor ain’t true. It’s not even nowhere close to being true,” Simpson added. “It’s just that I have never been attracted to her, and I never suspected that she was ever attracted to me, so that was never the case.”
When confronted directly about the long-standing conspiracy theory, Simpson flatly stated, “No. No, I’m not (her father).”
Following Khloé’s pregnancy announcement in 2018, TMZ interviewed Simpson and asked if he thought congratulations were in order, and he understood the implication of the question and did not indulge it.
The next year, O.J. released a video on Twitter, addressing the claims once more with practically identical talking points, particularly citing a lack of attraction between himself and Kris.
“Never, I want to stress, never, in any way, shape, or form, have I ever had any interest in Kris romantically or sexually, and I got never an indication that she had any interest in me, so all of these stories are just bogus and bad, you know, tasteless,” he said.
Limp Bizkit, Fred Durst, hip-hop news, gold school
Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst has offered up his band’s services to help Elon Musk as he struggles as the new CEO of Twitter. Read more!
Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst has offered to “help” Elon Musk with Twitter.
Earlier this week, the tech magnate stirred debate online when he asked users to vote on a poll asking whether he should step down as chief executive of the social media site.
Approximately 58 percent of more than 17.5 million users voted in favor of him exiting, and on Wednesday, Musk announced that he would resign from the position “as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job.”
In response, Durst reached out to the billionaire via Twitter.
@elonmusk good morning, sir. Myself and @limpbizkit are available for any help you may want or need at Twitter. Happy Holidays
“@elonmusk good morning, sir,” he wrote. “Myself and @limpbizkit are available for any help you may want or need at Twitter. Happy Holidays.”
Durst didn’t detail the capacity in which he is willing to support Musk.
Since taking over Twitter, Musk has been criticized over his plans to introduce new features to the site, with some users concerned his calls for greater free speech may lead to a rise in misinformation and harassment.
The Los Angeles District Attorney released a statement following the Tory Lanez’s trial verdict, in which the rapper was found guilty on all charges of shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
Tory Lanez, who had maintained his innocence, was convicted of assault with a firearm, possession of a concealed firearm, and reckless discharge of a gun.
The conviction is related to the shooting incident in July 2020. He faces up to 22 years in prison when he is sentenced in January 2023.
George Gascon heaped praise on Megan Thee Stallion, who testified that Tory was the gunman who shot her in the feet after the two had attended a party at Kylie Jenner’s home in the Hollywood Hills.
“I want to start by highlighting the bravery of Megan Pete. You showed incredible courage and vulnerability with your testimony despite repeated and grotesque attacks that you did not deserve. You faced unjust and despicable scrutiny that no woman should ever face, and you have been an inspiration to others across LA County and the nation,” District Attorney George Gascon said.
“Women, especially Black women, are afraid to report crimes like assault and sexual violence because they are too often not believed. This trial, for the second time this month, highlighted the numerous ways that our society must do better for women,” Gascon said.
Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, sustained injuries to her foot and required surgery. She later spoke out about the incident, stating that Lanez had shot her in the foot after an argument. Tory Lanez denied the allegations and claimed that he was trying to protect Megan from harm.
The case made headlines and sparked a conversation about domestic violence and how women, particularly Black women, are often not believed or taken seriously when reporting such crimes.
“I’d also like to thank the jurors for their time and thoughtful deliberation and our trial team for their tireless pursuit of the truth. You spent countless hours away from your families during the holiday season preparing this case and finding justice for Ms. Pete. Your sacrifice is appreciated,” George Gascon added.
Tory Lanez has 30 days to file a notice of appeal of the verdict.
Tory, who had pleaded not guilty to multiple charges stemming from the alleged shooting of Megan Thee Stallion in the Hollywood Hills in July 2020, faces up to 22 years in prison after being convicted of all charges.
The 27-year-old hip-hop star had faced intense backlash and public scrutiny since identifying Lanez as her shooter, and the trial had been a long and emotional journey for her.
The jury’s decision was not without controversy, however. Tory’s defense team had claimed that Megan’s then-best friend Kelsey Harris was actually the shooter and had attempted to cast doubt on Megan’s testimony.
But in the end, the jurors seemed to believe Megan’s version of events, in which she insisted that she saw Tory Lanez with a gun in his hand as he shot her feet.
“To any woman, especially ones of color that has suffered an injustice, I feel for you,” Pardison wrote in a Thursday Instagram Story. “When you do find the courage to speak up… it seems you will be ridiculed… your credibility will (be) questioned… your entire past will be held under a magnifying glass… in an instant you can go from victim to defendant in the eyes of the public.”
He continued, “To anyone with a daughter, sister, mother, niece or aunt… I pray for their protection… I pray for their covering. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”
The verdict was met with mixed reactions from the public. Some applauded the jury’s decision as a victory for justice, while others expressed disappointment and disbelief.
Pandemonium broke out in the hallway after the verdict was read as Tory was handcuffed and taken into custody. The rapper’s mother and father were kicked out of the courtroom due to outburst, where they called out the court system.
His father also blamed Jay-Z and Roc Nation for sending Tory Lanez off to jail. Tory Lanez is scheduled to be sentenced in January of 2023 after being convicted of assault with a firearm, possessing a concealed firearm, and reckless discharge of a gun.
Louisiana native rappers NBA YoungBoy and Fredo Bang shocked the rap world when they put aside their long-standing beef and teamed up TG Kommas for a toy drive for kids in Baton Rouge on Christmas Eve.
According to reports, the rapper’s settled their differences on a phone call, which took place earlier this week.
The drive-thru event, which will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the BREC Admin Building, will feature donations of over 1,000 toys, bikes, coats, and athletic shoes.
In addition to these generous donations, the event organizers are hosting a private dinner and providing gifts for families in Baton Rouge who have recently lost their homes in house fires.
“I know it’s hard times out here, so you know we trying to help y’all out and make sure your kids have something for Christmas. We also missing a lot of rappers in the city and rap labels. Trill Ent., Mouse On Tha Track, Webbie, Boosie, Level, we need all yall rappers to pull up and pass one toy out, you heard me Don’t be too gangster for the kids,” Fredo Bang said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmhSavJugs5/?hl=en
The show of unity is significant for the city of Baton Rouge.
Fredo Bang and his frequent collaborator Lit Yoshi, are allegedly members of the Top Boy Gorilla (TBG) crew. The pair were rumored to have been involved in a drive-by shooting in 2019 near the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.
The shooting left YoungBoy’s girlfriend injured and a bystander dead, with YoungBoy being the suspected target.
No one has been charged for the killing, but prosecutors in Louisiana believe that TBG may have been connected to the death of Mohamad Jradi, the Hertz rental car employee who was killed in the shooting.
The shootings were reportedly related to gang activity.
As for NBA YoungBoy, he will not be attending the event. The rapper, born Kentrell Gaulden, has been on house arrest in Utah since October of 2021.
The conditions of NBA YoungBoy’s bail include home incarceration, a location monitoring device, and pre-approved visitation. However, he will soon return to Louisiana to face a pending gun case.
It was unexpected and heartwarming to see these artists coming together and giving back to their community during the holiday season.
In related news, NBA YoungBoy, just released a new project called Lost Files, which is his eighth full-length release of 2022.
The Universal Hip Hop Museum is one step closer to opening its doors, after receiving a multiple million-dollar federal funding nod from the United States Senate.
Led by New York junior senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the Senate has voted to release $3 million in funding in the year-end omnibus package to go toward the construction of the museum, which is currently being built in the Bronx— the recognized birthplace of Hip-Hop.
“The Bronx has historically been a creative incubator for so many wonderful genres of music, ranging from doo-wop to salsa, but few genres have left a greater mark on mainstream culture than Hip-Hop music,” said Gillibrand.
“It is amazing to see that what started as a party in the basement of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue became a global phenomenon that spawned artistry and entrepreneurs like Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, and 50 Cent,” she continued.
“With the 50th anniversary of hip hop right around the corner, I am proud to have secured funds to help the Universal Hip Hop Museum celebrate everything that is beautiful about hip hop culture.”
While this is exciting, the $1.7 trillion omnibus package must go through Congress before releasing the money. That’s a technicality, the Congress plans to sign it into law by the end of this week.
Kaash Paige is on her way to becoming the biggest artist in the world. The Dallas, Texas native stands and shines in her own lane, with her own unique voice, style, swag, and sound that fans can’t get enough of. And if you’re a fan of Kaash’s mesmerizing vocals on Don Toliver’s “Euphoria,” there’s a lot more where that came from.
With 3.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, Kaash Paige returns with her highly-anticipated new album titled S2ML (Soundtrack 2 My Life). The 12-track project is spearheaded by lead singles “24 Hrs” featuring Lil Tjay and “Miss My Dawgs” featuring 6LACK. This arrives on the heels of 2019’s Parked Car Convos, home to her viral smash “Love Songs.”
Beyond the fire music, it’s her down-to-earth personality and contagious energy that organically spreads love to the masses, no matter which part of the world she’s in. Most recently, she blessed London at Wireless Festival, getting the most fan love she’s ever received at a show.
On the 45th episode of Shirley’s Temple, Kaash Paige discusses why she stopped smoking, getting a crib back home in Dallas, mental health in the music industry, going through 10 managers, competing track against Sha’Carri Richardson and more.
AllHipHop: I know you haven’t been smoking, how long has it been now?
Kaash Paige: It’s only been 7 days, but I’ve been the best I’ve been honestly. Weed’s not really doing nothing for me right now. I used to smoke every single second of the day, and I wouldn’t be as productive. As far as singing, it would cloud on my lungs too.
When I went to rehearsals earlier today, because I got an hour set, I’m like damn, I can actually breathe and stay on stage. Man, I gotta keep this up, and my clarity’s been way better.
But the thing is, if I was just a producer and I didn’t sing, I think I’d be gassing all the time. Sometimes it’s super harsh on my voice. I love getting high, but I still do shrooms.
AllHipHop: How were you able to just stop? Because that takes discipline.
Kaash Paige: I’ve been saying that for a long time though, then I’ll get around somebody and I’ll start smoking. With me, I’m entering a different stage in my life right now. I’m about to move back to Dallas.
AllHipHop: Are you?
Kaash Paige: Yeah, the crib I got is f###### sick. I just got it today, it’s pretty nice.
AllHipHop: Congratulations!!
Kaash Paige: I appreciate that. If you want to come out there, let me know. I’ll show you the house.
AllHipHop: I remember you telling me you want to move back to Dallas.
Kaash Paige: I did. My life likes to repeat itself, but in different ways. Whenever I went back to Dallas that time, it was because I didn’t know nobody in LA. Whenever I got back to Dallas, then I got a call in right to LA. Now I’m living in Hollywood Hills, I’m linking up with everybody. Now, it’s draining. Everybody in LA wants to be a star. There’s so many stars amongst stars. It’s exciting, it’s so many opportunities out here, but everybody in their life has a different chapter. I’m creating this new chapter in mine.
AllHipHop: You used to run track. Do you exercise now?
Kaash Paige: I don’t really exercise now. Whenever I get back out there to Dallas, I’m a purchase a bike. I was running miles every day, then I stopped because I was gassing before my miles too. [laughs]
AllHipHop: I got high one time before a run, it was the worst run of my life. Time was going so f###### slow.
Kaash Paige: Exactly, you’re ready to go home. Damn.this is the first lap and I’m ready to go. Because you’re geeked and you’re like, why am I doing this?
I ran track, I wasn’t fast, but I was so bad they put me in the 400.
Damn, they wanted to see you fail. The 400, that’s the horrible f###### race. Because I’m a sprinter. Whenever my coach will put me in a 400, I’m like damn you a hoe. You a hoe bro. You know I can’t run this s###. You see me in track class getting dusted by everybody, and you over here trying to put me in the 400. Because I ran 4 x 100 meters relay, 110-meter hurdles, then 200-meter dash.
AllHipHop: So you’ve always been popping?
Kaash Paige: Yeah I guess. I’ve always wanted to fit in. I could always adapt to any crowd, adapt to anybody literally. Middle school, high school, can hang out with anybody.
AllHipHop: Shirley’s Temple has a focus on mental health. How are you doing?
Kaash Paige: I feel like I’ve been through a lot. What everybody has to realize is a lot of this s###’s temporary. A lot of emotions are temporary. When we’re sad and we’re happy, we’re angry, it’s temporary. You’re not going to stay in that vibe. And if you are in that vibe, you need to be around people that can get you out of that. It’s hard to even say that sometimes because depression is real. I have this one saying I always say: it’s always a rainbow after every storm, no matter how much it rains. It’s always knowing that better days are coming.
AllHipHop: Now that you don’t smoke weed, what do you do to help your mental health?
Kaash Paige: Honestly, I would say creating music. I feel as if I create more songs now. I’m going in the studio, cutting about 4 records. Because we were sitting there, cut about one, smoke and be like “that s### hard bro.” Just be chillin’ and not really get to another song. Now, I have more creativity in my mind as far as energy to do that.
I’m going through this phase right now, my house is all boxed up and empty. You come back to the house like, damn, I just sleep here. It’s not a home anymore. Trying to figure out what I want to do is weird too, but I watched the Woodstock documentary last night. It was crazy. It was fire.
AllHipHop: Musicians are 3x more likely to experience anxiety or depression than the general public.
Kaash Paige: Of course, because you don’t know who’s really for you. You’re around so many different energies, you’re around so many different team members. Everybody has an opinion, and not everybody’s opinion can be trusted. You’re always pulled in so many different directions, then you don’t know who’s really your friend or who really has your best interest. I’ve been in so many different situations where I had to fire management. I probably had about 10 managers.
AllHipHop: You were with Roc Nation for a second right?
Kaash Paige: Yeah, Roc was a great situation though. In my mind, it was just a transition. I never want to be in the same place as I was last year. I’m always like that. A lot of people don’t f### with that because they say, “aw, you can switch up.” It’s not about me switching up, it’s about me wanting to be great. It’s about me wanting to grow up. Who wants to be the same person they were yesterday? That makes zero sense.
AllHipHop: This is why I love your energy. How do you know who to trust?
Kaash Paige: You know what’s so crazy? I used to always think about, who can I trust? That’s so much f###### energy. It’s so much energy. Damn, he was acting weird the other day. I don’t know if I can trust bro. Or she did this, I don’t know if I can trust her. That’s a lot of energy. You know what? You gon’ cut yourself off. I don’t even gotta cut you off. My prior managers, they cut themselves off recently. A lot of people cut themselves off out of my life.
It’s always what’s done in the dark that comes to the light. No matter what day and what time it is, it’s gonna happen. Don’t stress yourself out trying to figure out and find a problem. I was off shrooms the other day.
You know how whenever somebody wants to tell you something, and they’re like, “aw nevermind.” You’re like, what do you mean? You want to know it so bad. He said, “why the f### do you want to know it so bad? You didn’t even think about that 5 minutes prior to when they said that.”
You’re taking so much energy out of your mind and out of your time to figure out what’s about to be said, and who knows if it was negative or positive. Obviously you’re about to get into this mood now, or you’re about to go into this little conversation that you probably didn’t even care about. He said sometimes, we gotta not care. We gotta stay in our own energy.
AllHipHop: Do you believe in any religion?
Kaash Paige: I’m into spirituality. I’m not into religion though. I wasn’t raised in religion. My mom went to Catholic school. But our whole thing is: treat people how you want to be treated. I respect that. I don’t like dark ass energy. I’m only about light energy. I don’t judge nobody based on where you come from, what you do in your life. As long as you treat people how you want to be treated and live your true self, hey I love you and I respect you. Nobody’s better than anybody. Everybody’s so judgemental.
AllHipHop: I’m just like, be a good person.
Kaash Paige: Yeah, just be a good person. That’s not hard to do. And if you’re not a good person right now, that doesn’t mean you’ll never be a good person. You just need to grow up and figure something out.
AllHipHop: How was it celebrating two years of Teenage Fever?
Kaash Paige: Man, I didn’t really celebrate it to be honest. One thing, I’ve never celebrated any drop. I haven’t been around people that celebrated with me. It’s more so when I got my plaques, they’re like “alright bet, cool. Let’s get some more.”
AllHipHop: I respect that.
Kaash Paige: Sometimes I respect it because it makes you go hard, but also it puts you in that mode where you don’t really appreciate anything. They don’t allow you to be in the moment. I’d get a plaque and m############ be like, “aw that s### fire. Let’s get another one.”
AllHipHop: How many plaques do you have now?
Kaash Paige: I have two. I’m trying to get my other plaques from RIAA, because I was a part of Moneybagg’s s###. I was the intro to his album.
AllHipHop: “Memphganistan” is hard!!
Kaash Paige: “All my n*ggas gangsta.” We performed in Columbus, Ohio. Moneybagg’s hard.
AllHipHop: I was so proud to see your name on the album. It’s hard to stand out in the music industry.
Kaash Paige: I would say that, but also it’s about timing. I’ve only put out two projects. I can’t expect everybody in the world to know about me yet because I still gotta build on my catalog. It used to bother me at first, but that’s because I soaked up the industry’s value. When you drop a song, you’re like, “damn, it ain’t going #1.” Now you think that you’re not successful or nobody f#### with you. In reality, it’s not that. Anything that you put out is a success. Anything you make is a success.
You can’t soak up other people’s values and morals. It’s more so letting it be known that it’s patience, and this s###’s a marathon. When you’re gonna be the biggest artist in the world, that shouldn’t don’t come too easy.
AllHipHop: How did the Moneybagg Yo situation happen?
Kaash Paige: It was with Skydiddy, his engineer had reached out to me. Him and Baroline reached out to me. They said “yo, we want you to be a part of Moneybagg project. Where you at?” I said s### I’m in LA. They’re like, “pull up.” Mind you, the song never sounded like that and I didn’t even know it was going to be the intro. It was a whole different beat and everything, I put the “all my n*ggas gangsta.” Alright cool. Then when they sent it to me, they said “oh s###, you the intro.” I’m like damn, that s### fire. Same thing that happened with Don [Toliver] and Travis [Scott]. Alicia Keys, everybody.
AllHipHop: Moments like “Euphoria” where Don hears the single, he wants it for his own s### and puts Travis on it.
Kaash Paige: That was such a big decision in my life too. That was supposed to be for my project, but I said it’s all good, I’ll make more songs. It was the Texas connect, it made sense. I’m from Dallas, they’re from Houston, alright cool. That put me onto the Cactus Jack fans.
AllHipHop: Even with the Moneybagg song, did you gain his fanbase? Did you see your numbers?
Kaash Paige: Honestly, I don’t even f###### know. Everybody said, “this song should have been longer. This is s### for that.” People were mad that it wasn’t longer, but they’re like, “this s###’s hard!” I was getting really great feedback from it though.
AllHipHop: How was working with Alicia Keys?
Kaash Paige: It was so crazy because I’m really goofy and I just cracked jokes. When I walked in, she was playing the piano. I said, damn, I’m walking to a wedding? She started laughing. Man, this s### is crazy. I’m thinking it’s going to be on some chill s###. But no, she really plays the keys 24/7. It was a dope ass vibe.
I already had my verse cut. S###, I’m going to pull up my s### ready. F### that, I ain’t finna pull up and cut s###. I’m pressing play. Swizz showed me hella love. I was so in my mind about what they would think sounded good, let me already go ahead and cut it. So whenever I get there, they can tell me what they like and don’t like. Alicia was like, “nah this is crazy!” We have videos I never posted, but we turnt as hell. So f###### turnt in the studio where we heard that s###.
AllHipHop: Were you nervous going in?
Kaash Paige: Nah. I’ve met a lot of people. I’ve been in the room with Marilyn Manson. I’ve been in multiple rooms with Beyonce. It’s been a lot.
AllHipHop: Anyone in the music industry that influenced you?
Kaash Paige: A lot of people. Nirvana, Flatbush Zombies, SZA. Old SoundCloud SZA fasho. Erykah Badu is one of them. Drake, The Weeknd. Who else? I’m really a huge Gorillaz fan, I love Gorillaz. You heard me listening to Linkin Park —
AllHipHop: She was listening to Linkin Park on her phone in the green room!
Kaash Paige: [laughs] I love alternative rock. It’s super vulnerable. I feel as if when you mix R&B, hip hop, with alternative rock and so many different genres, it feels euphoric. It feels like you’re expressing something that nobody’s heard before too.
AllHipHop: You dropped “Miss My Dawgs” with 6LACK. Was the “Love Songs” remix so fire, y’all had to run it back or what?
Kaash Paige: Yeah, I personally love 6LACK. He’s somebody in the industry that’s literally real. He’s super real. Whenever he’s around you, he won’t have his phone near him. He’ll leave his phone far away and just be in a conversation with you, so I really respect him a lot.
AllHipHop: And that was him hitting you to get on the remix, right?
Kaash Paige: Yeah, he added me on Twitter like, “where you at? What we doing?” I’m like, oh s###, wassup? It popped off, everybody’s like “aw, this is crazy!” I remember I was leaving Genius whenever he did that, it was a big moment for me in that era. When I was 18 and “Love Songs” dropped, I didn’t fully get to appreciate it because I was taking s### so personal. I remember telling my label, telling everybody “this is going to be a big song.” This is going to be a big song.” Everybody’s like, “eh cool. We don’t really want to drop it. We don’t want to put any money in it.” I said you’re going to regret that s###.
Then it popped off and everybody’s like, “I’ve always known this is going to be the biggest record ever.” And I’m 18, I just got out of high school. So in my mind, I’m like you fake as f###. I haven’t been in the industry, so I’m not understanding this is how the industry works. You gotta play the cards that you’re dealt with. In my mind, I was so personal with everything. I didn’t want to do nothing for the record because I’d known that people didn’t believe in it.
AllHipHop: First of all, how was it signing a major label deal at 18? What’s going through your head?
Kaash Paige: Proving a point. I didn’t take my SAT, my ACT, nothing. I remember at Thanksgiving telling my family, I’m going to be in the music industry. I’m a be huge. Not my immediate family, but my cousins said “I think you should stick to track. I don’t see that happening, you’ll be better off being a doctor in college.” I said mom, we should leave. We left. S###, they hit me up all the time now. I forgive them because I put that battery in my back to prove a point to them.
AllHipHop: How did it feel to put out “24Hrs” with Lil Tjay?
Kaash Paige: It was fire because he was the first artist to bring me on tour. We went on tour last year, it was pretty dope. It was dope because his fans really love music. They were really supportive of every artist that he was bringing out. This artist named Rosandra, other up and coming artists from different cities. He always had a great crowd, they didn’t really care if they didn’t know you or not.
Cardi B has responded to a user who mocked her for commenting on the economic recession.
The “Bodak Yellow” rapper clapped back at a user who highlighted her wealth after Cardi made a sarcastic quip about the economy on Twitter earlier this week.
One of her followers swiftly replied by writing, “Says the rapper worth 40 million,” accompanied by a GIF image of an irritated man shaking his head and rolling his eyes.
The 30-year-old responded by pointing out that the estimate of her wealth was too low, but she still needs to manage her finances to afford her lavish lifestyle.
I’m worth more then that and guess what ? If I don’t save ,work and budget I could lose it too! What makes you think that no matter how much money you got you can’t lose it all if you don’t manage your money correctly.I too have bills,responsibilities and people I have to help. https://t.co/QWIaj5Lpma
“I’m worth more (than) that and guess what ? If I don’t save ,work and budget I could lose it too!” she tweeted. “What makes you think that no matter how much money you got you can’t lose it all if you don’t manage your money correctly.I too have bills,responsibilities and people I have to help (sic).”
The hip-hop star is married to Migos rapper Offset and they share two children – four-year-old daughter Kulture and 15-month-old son Wave.
On December 17th, the City of South Fulton’s police department and Walmart canceled the 5th Annual “Great Giveaway” event hosted by Atlanta rapper Gunna.
But, they did not let that stop the “goodwill toward all,” which should fuel the season.
Jasmine Crowe-Houston, the CEO of Goodr, released a statement regarding what would have been the 5th Annual Gunna’s Great Giveaway and what the organization did for the people impacted by the recent events.
Crowe-Houston said, “As many of you have seen, stories of the 5th Annual Gunna’s Great Giveaway being canceled last Sunday, I wanted to inform you that we contacted all 1,000 families this week.
“Working with the City of South Fulton, every family received their gift cards and gifts today,” she continued. “It’s important to note this event is in its 5th year.” Since 2018, we have worked with Gunna to host his $100K Christmas Giveaway— this was not a first-time event.”
Crowe-Houston says the organization “received hundreds of emails and social media messages from families and seniors across Metro Atlanta” who depend on this holiday blessing over the last week.
“So many were in dire need of food or trying to put gifts under the tree for their children. It was essential to Gunna, his Great Giveaway Family Foundation, and Goodr to make sure that families received the assistance promised to them no matter what,” she explained.
“Every family was so grateful and appreciative of our efforts to make this right. Thank you for being patient as we worked on a solution and ensured everyone was served in time for the holidays,” Crowe-Houston said.
Looks like Akon has jumped to the defense of his buddy Nick Cannon, who recently faced some criticism for being the proud papa of twelve little ones with six different mothers.
Now, we all know that Nick’s a busy guy with hosting “The Masked Singer” and his own radio show, so it’s no surprise that he’s got a lot on his plate.
But Akon’s here to remind us that it’s not fair to judge a person based on their family size or how they prefer to live their lives.
During a recent interview for “The ZeZe Millz Show,” Akon has spoken out in approval of Nick Cannon, saying that the criticism is unnecessary and that people should not be judged for the number of kids they have.
Akon started trending today (December 23rd) on Twitter after he reasoned that women should bear the primary responsibility for raising children and that men’s role is to procreate and populate the earth.
“A man has his role. And a woman has her role. But the day the woman believes that the man is supposed to share her role with her, then that means she’s lacking,” Akon said. “I don’t go pull my wife out to the construction site to go pull nails and two-by-fours because that’s not her place.
“Just because you as a woman believe that that job is simpler in the house because that’s easier for a man, its a lot harder. A guy ain’t got time to be in the house all day with no kids!” Akon exclaimed.
Akon also pointed out that having a gigantic brood can be a positive thing and that it is necessary for people to support and encourage each other rather than rebuke and judge.
“Before there was civilization, and we were just cavemen, before the responsibilities and the holidays, and the piano recitals and the ballet recitals before any of that existed. A man would do what’s naturally comfortable to keep the earth preserved, and that’s to populate the earth. He’s going to mate, he may go from one side of the equator all the way to the other side of the equator. There was no child support, there was no man’s responsibility toward his children. It was just about life being created,” Akon said.
It’s worth mentioning that Akon is not only a talented musician and philanthropist, but he’s also a father of nine little ones. And let’s just say, he takes the whole “dad” thing pretty seriously. In fact, he’s been pretty vocal about his commitment to being a responsible and supportive parent.
Nick Cannon, the host of the television show “Wild N’ Out,” recently discussed his struggles with balancing work and family life during an appearance on Paramount+’s “The Checkup with Dr. Agus.”
Nick Cannon, who is expecting his twelfth child with Alyssa Scott, admitted that he often feels remorseful for not being capable to spend enough time with all of his children due to his hectic schedule and the demands of parenting numerous children.
He said, “Being a father of multiple kids, it’s always the biggest guilt on me is that I don’t get to spend enough time with all my children. One ’cause I’m constantly working and two because I’m just spread thin.”
Now, the Broadway League, which includes theatre owners and producers, is upping the ante.
Charlotte St. Martin, the organization’s president, said in a press release, “The proposed plan to bring a casino to Times Square would introduce widespread economic and operational disruption, unprecedented congestion, and decreased safety and security.”
The Broadway League is not alone. The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center at the Urban Institute also thinks the casino is a bad idea.
In November, Lucy Dadayan tweeted, asking the question, “Do the benefits of casinos outweigh the societal costs? History says no.”
My latest on the proposed #casino expansion in New York City.
In a piece published by Crain’s, Dadayan wrote, “Supporters argue that casinos promote local economic development, create jobs, and provide a voluntary expansion of entertainment options. But casinos can lead to higher crime and bankruptcy rates in a local community as well as addiction among some gamblers.”
“The jobs they create may not include useful or transferable workforce skills that can be applied elsewhere,” she continued.
“Clearly some of the arguments made by proponents and opponents can be true, and gambling isn’t the only legal activity with negative externalities. Communities, however, need to figure out if the benefits outweigh the costs,” Dadayan continued.
This ain’t gonna be the slam dunk he thought it would be.
Philadelphia hometown hero Meek Mill has linked with two of the city’s sports teams to address prison reform through a day of holiday cheer.
According to Page Six, Meek Mill and his Reform Alliance worked with the Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers to brighten the day for 30 kids whose parents are incarcerated on minor probation violations.
The event was called an “Eagle for a Day” at the NovaCare Complex, where the kids were able to sign one-day contracts with the team and receive their own jerseys.
Meek and Rubin gave the children and their families merchandise and other cool stuff.
The young people also competed in a “Jr. Combine” experience at the practice facility. While there, they received wisdom from head coach Nick Sirianni. In addition to this, the children got to play quarterback with Mill, throwing and catching passes.
Another exercise they did was sprinting in a 40-yard dash alongside Rubin, Meek, and Eagles players. Afterward, the group traveled to the Wells Fargo Center for the “76ers VIP Gameday Experience.”
Once they linked with the basketball players, they sat with head coach Doc Rivers and participated in a question-and-answer session. The guests saw the 76ers play against the Kings when that was over.
Shout out to Jalen Hurts, Darius Slay, Dallas Goedert, Howie Roseman, Josh Harris, and David Adelman for sharing their time with the children.
Gunna is out out. And, boy is this ugly! I cannot believe Gunna is out and about living his best life in the free world! Shout out to HIM and the other the caught plea deals. Some of these guys may be called to testify and others will not. Are they snitches? I don’t think they can totally be that unless they testify and aid in convicting Young Thug. Thugger is going to trial. They ain’t.
When you see this, it will certainly shock you, but Gunna wasn’t doing any drugs, he was stressed out and he wasn’t able to get at the amenities of fresh. Now that he is out and about, he’s looking quite different. What’s funny is when people start talking about snitches, you always think of scenes like “The Godfather” or some movie where the snitch gets his in the end. The most I have seen Gunna do is inform that YSL was a “gang” and not a record label like advertised. That, to me, is a clear distinction and harmful to the cause of Thug’s freedom.
In the clip below, you see Gunna doing his thing. A few dudes around him, but nothing major. they could be going shopping or going to a probation officer.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmfpC8wLBqc/
The crazy thing is, Tekashi 69 agrees on the idea that Gunna hurt Thug.
69 said, “Put it like this: A month previous, [if] we take it a month back, the whole internet was saying YSL was not a gang. It’s not a gang. Young Thug’s lawyer went in court and said ‘this is a music label,’ right?’” When it was all said and done, the plea countered that. He said it was a gang and it was committing crimes.
LaNisha Cole responded to online trolls who insulted her for her relationship with Nick Cannon.
In an Instagram post, the model and photographer addressed criticisms of her relationship with television personality Nick Cannon.
LaNisha shares three-year-old Onyx with Nick – one of twelve children he otherwise fathered with other women.
“For the people who still feel the need to be nasty towards me and send me disrespectful messages,” LaNisha told users in her post, “Yes I’ve made mistakes. Yes I’ve put myself through unnecessary pain and heartbreak (which we’ve all done in the name of love. You have too!).”
She continued, “But I’m choosing to do better. Calling me baby mama #538 every time I say the sky is blue is uncalled for and it’s getting old. I get it. My life plays out publicly but there’s a lot you don’t see.”
Continuing that “this isn’t the time” for clearing the air about what fans don’t usually get to see about her life, LaNisha shared that she’s “made peace with every decision” in her life, adding, “I pray that you make peace with whatever is causing you to be so bitter towards a person you don’t know.”
In another slide, she reiterated that “I’ll talk about my journey one day.”
Four days prior, LaNisha appeared to respond to Nick posting a holiday card with his three children from Abby De La Rosa.
At first, it seemed as if Nicki and Cardi would be a formidable one-two punch for female rap unity. Both New Yorkers appeared together on Migos’s “MotorSport” single in 2017. However, the relationship devolved from there.
One of the individuals who played a significant role in the rise of Nicki Minaj supposedly had a vision for the Queens native to work with Cardi B. At one point, Debra Antney served as Minaj’s manager. Antney recently sat down with Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion podcast.
Debra Antney Shouts Out Cardi B For Supporting Other Women
“For so long, I wanted to put the whole thing together with women. But everybody always got something to say about the next woman,” stated Antney. The mother of Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flame also took issue with established women not doing more to elevate younger women in the industry.
The My Expert Opinion panelists then mentioned Cardi B working with other female acts such as City Girls and GloRilla. Debra Antney responded, “Cardi is very good when it comes to stuff like that… She’s very, very good… That’s Cardi.”
Cardi B & Nicki Minaj’s Feud Goes Back More Than Four Years
The My Expert Opinion discussion later turned to the bad blood between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. Over the last four years, the two hitmakers have engaged in heated back-and-forths via interview appearances, social media battles, subliminal lyrics, and infamously at a 2018 New York Fashion Week after-party.
“I don’t get into that beef s###… See, the one thing that an artist gotta understand, it costs money to go to war. You don’t wanna spend that money,” said Debra Antney.
She also added, “I really thought Nicki and Cardi were really gonna lock into each other. They’re two different people. I wanted that so bad. I wanted that bad to see them two get into each other.”
Jurors in the ongoing Daystar “Tory Lanez” Peterson felony assault case have begun deliberating. The Canadian singer/rapper is on trial for allegedly shooting fellow Hip Hop star Megan “Thee Stallion” Pete two years ago.
Megan Thee Stallion outright accused Tory Lanez of firing a gun at her on the night of July 12, 2020. Kelsey Nicole, Megan’s then-friend and eye-witness, also pointed the finger at the Sorry 4 What album creator. Lanez denies the allegations.
While the facts of the case have been murky, at best, because several people reportedly testified to different accounts of the incident in question, some of the media coverage has still been more favorable to Lanez than Megan.
Instagram and Youtube bloggers have also seen their content go viral as they shared analyses and opinions about the Tory Lanez case. However, Megan’s legal team is pushing back on some of the unfavorable, and possibly untrue, narratives about the Houston native.
One Blogger Admitted Her Coverage Of The Trial May Not Be Factual
According to NBC News, attorney Alex Spiro warns that lawsuits against media sites or individuals spreading misinformation about Pete could be coming. Spiro said his client is “exploring all legal options” against any content creators that purposely promote inaccurate reports.
The NBC News article highlighted gossip commentator Milagro Gramz who has been tweeting updates about the trial. Gramz admitted that her coverage is not intended to be taken as a “factual statement” but it “might have a comedic effect.”
Jordan Siev, another lawyer for Megan Thee Stallion, confirmed that some of Milagro Gramz’s tweets had been reported to Twitter. Apparently, the social media site did restrict Gramz’s Twitter account for eleven hours due to rule violations.
Will Megan Thee Stallion Follow In Cardi B’s Footsteps By Suing Bloggers?
There is a precedent for a recording artist to sue a blogger for intentionally publicizing false information. Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” collaborator, Cardi B, successfully won a defamation of character lawsuit against a YouTuber. A judge ruled that Tasha K must pay Cardi B $4 million in damages.
While Megan Thee Stallion has been positioned as the villain in some people’s stories about the Tory Lanez case, she did get support from an unlikely source. Far-right, Donald Trump supporter Candace Owens put her disgust for “WAP” aside in order to call out “Black culture” for mocking Megan’s traumatic ordeal.
Megan Thee Stallion’s boyfriend also publicly backed the Traumazine rapper and other female victims of violence. New York emcee Pardison Fontaine indirectly addressed anyone questioning the validity of Megan being shot.
“To any woman, especially ones of color, that has suffered an injustice I feel for you,” posted Pardison Fontaine on Instagram. “When you do find the courage to speak up it seems you will be ridiculed. Your credibility will [be] questioned. Your entire past will be held under a magnifying glass. In an instant, you can go from victim to defendant in the eyes of the public.”
It appears Orlando Brown has more legal trouble on his hands. Someone has apparently accused the 35-year-old actor of causing them physical harm.
Authorities in Lima, Ohio took Brown into custody on Thursday. The former star of Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven faces one count of domestic violence – cause belief of imminent physical harm by threat of force.
Lima Police Department officials arrested Orlando Brown around 10:29 am local time. He was later booked at 10:52 am. The domestic violence charge against Brown is listed as a misdemeanor.
According to TMZ, the alleged incident implicating Orlando Brown may have also involved one of his family members or another person living at the residence. Further details about the situation are not available at this time.
This Is Not The First Time Orlando Brown Has Been Accused Of Domestic Violence
The four-decade veteran of the entertainment industry has had numerous run-ins with the law in recent years. A previous girlfriend also accused Orlando Brown of domestic battery in 2016. He allegedly struck the woman in the parking lot of a California police station.
In 2018, Brown appeared on an episode of the Dr. Phil talk show. The Trade It All album creator caused some concern among viewers because he seemed to struggle to remember the names and ages of his children.
Brown Insinuated He Had Sex With Bow Wow
This year saw Orlando Brown go über-viral after he made some sexual comments about fellow ex-child star Shad “Bow Wow” Moss. Those remarks arose from a conversation about BET’s106 & Park music video show which ran from 2000-2014.
“The last [time 106 & Park] was hot. When Lil Bow Wow was on there,” said Brown back in July during an interview. “I ain’t gotta problem with Lil Bow Wow. Lil Bow Wow got some bomb ass p####.”
Bow Wow responded by stating, “Tweaked out… but you know dude really need help… That’s why we ain’t trippin on em. Nobody taking him serious. It’s sad because he had potential to be great. It’s sad. Dem drugs!”
