Every artist has a unique journey and experience in the music industry. In most cases, the journey is usually very challenging, especially when you need the right connections. However, with determination and resilience, many artists can navigate the competitive industry and realize their dreams. Kedric Dewon Battee, commonly known by his stage name, Yung Dub D, is an American rapper from Dallas, Texas, taking the music industry by storm. His passion for music began when he was nine years old. He would sing with his cousins at his grandmother’s house, which was the first step toward his journey in the music industry.
Yung hails from a humble background of a single-parent family, as his father passed on when he was only six. His father’s death left him and his mother moving from place to place in search of a better life. However, the young music enthusiast did not let his background or past stop him from achieving his goals. He remained consistent and persistent in seeing his dreams come true.
A talented artist, Yung has produced hit after hit that has seen him gain a huge audience and increase his social media followers. Some notable accomplishments on his social media platforms include 100K views on YouTube for his video, “I Did”, 43K on Hush, 65K on Bloodline, and 20K on Codes. He was recognized in Los Angeles Weekly as number six of the “Top 10 Artists You Should Be Following on Instagram”.
Music enthusiasts yearn to listen to refreshing music that resonates with people’s daily lives. Yung’s latest single, “Heal”, has gained a cult-like audience. In this single, attaining love is something Yung created to help others in a healing process because it is relatable, and others need to know the importance of healing through relationships.
At times, listening to what others say about you can outweigh what you believe about yourself. You tend to limit yourself based on the perception of others concerning your life, which limits your potential and derails your dreams. This is an obstacle Yung struggled with because people did not believe in him or his career aspirations. However, he overcame this hurdle by listening to himself and not what others thought of him. He says realizing he is in charge of his life helped him negate the opinions of others.
Yung advises other aspiring artists to never surrender their passions, even if other people doubt them. He insists on taking control of the wheel of your life. You are the driver and not a passenger that rides along with what others dictate in your life. He also believes that you alone know your passion in life, and you should not let others discourage you and underestimate your belief in your dreams.
Yung hasn’t stopped dreaming and is continually working hard to see his dreams come true. His biggest dream and aspiration is to be one of the greatest rappers in history. He is currently working on two projects, and he is very optimistic that the future is even brighter. He dreams of his music creating a worldwide sensation and being globally recognized.
After dropping banger music videos to tracks like Keep Going and Intro, Theprinceofnc is finally back with a romantic music video for his track “Bed”. The track is featured on his new EP, Prince for President.
Many people would say Theprinceofnc sounds like a southern Drake with the smooth and distinctive punch lines he delivers effortlessly. Theprinceofnc and Redwrld1of1 teamed up for another movie which is just one of many videos the duo has released. Redwrld1of1 also filmed “Keep Going” and “Intro” which both turned out to be hit records! It is rumored that Redwrld1of1 will also be filming Theprinceofnc anticipated track “Massacre” in late January.
“Bed was initially written around 2 am when I was writing poetry about my girlfriend and how much I really just wanted her if you know what I mean?” said Theprinceofnc. The delightful music video shows him and another young lady bonding together in a romantic manner who is also rumored to be his girlfriend.
When it comes to Theprinceofnc’s music, it is easy to say that he is easily one of the most versatile artists out of North Carolina, constantly applying pressure. Hard work is one of Prince’s best characteristics, with him having to put his music career on hold due to a minor infraction with the law, he is currently releasing a new track called “Massacre” which is highly anticipated by fans from all over the country.
Just as the music industry has evolved in its style and sounds, audiences have also expanded their preferences. Music enthusiasts are always looking for fresh and unique sounds to feel enthralled and connected to. This consistent demand for a distinct style of music has paved the way for many new talents in the industry who are fearless in their style and never hesitate to experiment. Musician and rapper, Big Swapp, belongs to this new crop of artists, always working hard to bring something new to the audience.
Born in Haiti and raised in New Jersey, Big Swapp organically absorbed the diverse culture of music of these two places, and his love for music and gifted creative skills has further shaped his career as a rapper. He has a unique sound that quickly separates him from other contemporary rappers. He also stands out for his electrifying energy and infectious positive vibes that instill the groove in his tunes.
Big Swapp is known as a turnt rapper, identified for his swag. His music is a breeze of freshness that audiences do not just enjoy listening to but also feel connected to. He strikes a perfect balance between a positive attitude and good vibes with his personality and music that sets the stage on fire. His music is something that fans feed on and go crazy about. Big Swapp’s strong stage presence and unparalleled ability to read the crowd’s vibe ignites the music scene both virtually and also in live music shows.
Today, Big Swapp is a sought-after name in the music scene in New Jersey. However, his journey so far has been a challenging one that changed his perception of life. Migrating from Haiti to the US at 11, Big Swapp faced discrimination during his teens. Growing up in Everington, New Jersey, he was chased down on the streets for his Haitian origin. As an escape from these ugly experiences, Big Swapp chose to adopt the street life and crewed up with a gang of 12. However, he later realized his bigger dreams, which would not be fulfilled by living a street culture. That’s when Big Swapp decided to pivot his life positively.
It has been a while since Big Swapp left the street lifestyle and is living sober to build a solid career in the music industry. He left street life during his junior high school days and even pursued a college degree for a couple of years. He turned all negative experiences into positivity to fuel his goal and left everything for the love of creating music and singing. Professionally, Big Swapp is now making huge strides to take his voice to the international platform.
Big Swapp is gradually paving the foundation to accomplish his dreams through large-scale musical tours and even signing deals with record labels. This talented artist has not restricted his career only to music. He is a fitness enthusiast and entrepreneur who loves to spend quality time with his family. Currently, Big Swapp is basking in the success of his new single “Instagram”. The song is drenched in new vibes and is leaving his fans craving more. Big Swapp wants to continue making incredible music, expanding his audience base throughout the world so he can spread happiness and positivity everywhere.
Nicki Minaj’s husband Kenneth Petty must participate in mediation with his rape accuser Jennifer Hough, who filed a lawsuit against him.
Last year, Jennifer Hough sued Nicki Minaj’s husband for infliction of emotional distress, harassment and witness intimidation. Judge James R. Cho referred the case to mediation on Tuesday (December 6).
“The case is referred to Court-annexed mediation,” the court noted. “Parties to select a mediator by 12/20/2022 and complete mediation by 3/6/2023. Parties may participate in the mediation remotely.”
It added, “Parties shall file a joint status report two weeks after completing the mediation, but no later than 3/20/2023, whichever date is earlier.”
Both sides will engage in “limited written discovery that would facilitate settlement discussions.” If Jennifer Hough and Kenneth Petty cannot reach a settlement, the case will proceed to trial.
The court also entered the pretrial schedule for the case on Tuesday. Automatic disclosures must be exchanged by January 9, 2023. All discovery, including expert depositions, needed to be to completed by September 5, 2023.
Jennifer Hough accused Kenneth Petty of trying to intimidate, harass and threaten her in an effort to make her recant her rape allegations against him. She sued him and his wife Nicki Minaj, claiming the rapper took part in the harassment campaign.
Earlier this year, Jennifer Hough dropped her claims against Nicki Minaj. But Kenneth Petty remained as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Kenneth Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in 1995. He served more than four years in prison.
Nicki Minaj’s husband pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender in 2021. A judge sentenced him to one year of home confinement and three years of probation in July.
Kenneth Petty is currently pursuing legal action against the State of New York and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services over his sex offender status. Oral arguments in the case begin on January 6, 2023.
Seems like Kanye West’s antisemitic comments not only caused him to lose deals but also messed with his love life.
According to Page Six, the woman the rapper had been sharing time with, Juliana Nalú, has parted ways because of his negative comments about the Jews and his praise of Adolf Hitler.
After posting a pic on her Instagram, someone asked the Portuguese beauty in her native language how could she be down with someone who is “fond of Nazism,” she responded “I’m single. Thanks for caring.”
West and Nalú stated dating around the time the rapper took to Twitter and tweeted out he was going to go “Death con 3 on Jewish People.”
However, many say the two were dating to help him “drown out the headlines about anti-Semitism with other content.” This “new girlfriend,” who is half his age, was a strategy “to try and make people forget” some of the awful and bigoted things he was saying.
Another ex has tried to distance herself from Yeezy.
Amber Heard has filed to appeal the verdict of her 2022 defamation trial with Johnny Depp.
Deadline reported they had obtained an appeal filing by the “Aquaman” actress’s legal team over her defamation trial with her ex-husband earlier this year.
The appeal request, filed on November 23rd, seeks to reverse the decision which saw Heard lose $10 million to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star.
Recalling Depp’s defamation case against her, the appeal stated earlier this year the court “erroneously refused to dismiss this action… based on its mistaken conclusion Depp’s claims arose in Virginia because the Washington Post’s servers are located here,” implying that, if appealed, Depp’s case against Heard should be dropped based on the location of the court.
The filing continued, “The trial court also erred in overruling Heard’s demurrer, in which she argued that the challenged statements are non-actionable expressions of opinion and are not reasonably capable of conveying the alleged defamatory implication…
“That holding, if allowed to stand, undoubtedly will have a chilling effect on other women who wish to speak about abuse involving powerful men.”
Further, the filing suggested Depp’s case against Heard should be appealed and dismissed because Heard did not defame Depp – she told the truth.
“This case also should never have gone to trial because another court had already concluded that Depp abused Heard on multiple occasions,” it read.
“After Depp filed this case, the United Kingdom High Court of Justice ruled in a separate defamation action brought by Depp that Heard’s abuse allegations were true.”
Patrick Xavier Clark, the promoter of the strip club The Flame HTX who was arrested for murdering Migos rapper Takeoff, left a subliminal message on his social media a week after the fatal shooting that took the artist’s life.
Tweets from Clark’s alleged Twitter profile posted on November 2nd, a day after the shooting, read, “God got me he been had me.”
On November 8th, another tweet went out, sizing him up as a heartless victim, turned cold from people not honoring him.
“Been hurt so many times it’s hard for me to feel love,” Clark tweeted. In his later tweets on November 9th, he said, “I ain’t perfect, I’m solid tho.”
Despite officers locking Clark up and finding out that he applied for a passport and had plans to go to Mexico, his friends are sticking by him and claiming that officials have the wrong person.
According to the Daily Mail one of his friends said, “I know him. He’s not like that. I honestly feel like they got the wrong guy. He doesn’t get mad or hostile. He’s very nice and thoughtful. That’s all I have to say. I feel he is being framed.”
Another person, rapper Jmali, said the killing would be out of character for Clark.
“You could see by the reactions of everyone that we’re shocked because that’s not the type of person [Clark] is. He was about business, not violence,” he said. “Pat was similar to Takeoff in that he was quiet and just went about his business. That’s why this is so surprising to everyone here.”
In a candid Instagram post to mark the anniversary, Nick admitted that he would “never get over” losing a child.
“Physically I’m definitely on the mend but Mentally and Spiritually I’m broken,” he wrote alongside pictures of him and Zen. “I can’t believe it’s been a year already since the toughest day of my life occurred. Such a painful anniversary. Losing a child has to be the heaviest, most dark and depressive experiences that I will never get over. A mixture of guilt, pain, and sorrow is what I suppress daily.”
The 42-year-old confessed that he wishes Zen could have felt more of his love “while he was here on Earth.”
Over the weekend, Nick was hospitalized with pneumonia – the swelling of the tissue in one or both lungs – and he referenced his health battle as he concluded his post.
“I know a few days ago I wrote a post from my hospital bed saying I will be okay and I just needed rest so don’t waste your prayers on me but I can definitely use those prayers right now,” he wrote, alongside a heartbroken emoji. “Continue to Peacefully Rest My Son, Zen Scott Cannon. We Love you Eternally.”
Nick and Alyssa are currently expecting another child.
The new arrival will be Nick’s 12th overall – he has twins with Mariah Carey, three kids with Brittany Bell, three with Abby De La Rosa, and one each with Bre Tiesi and LaNisha Cole.
Stalley Sends Condolences To Takeoff’s Family, Drops New Album “Somebody Up There Loves Me”
If you like real, authentic hip-hop, then prepare to fall in love with Stalley’s newest album. Hailing from Ohio, Stalley has been paving the way for all the independent artists on their grind, proving you don’t need a major label to find success in the music industry. With tens of millions of streams to his name, Stalley is a pure lyricist, spitting nothing but truth in his bars.
In describing himself, Stalley states he’s “a spiritual father, family man, artist. In every sense of that word when it comes to music, fashion. An entrepreneur at it, a CEO. That sums it up.”
At the time of this interview, Stalley unveiled his debut self-directed visual for “Fresh Linen.”
The music video sees Stalley pushing forth positivity, as he raps, “Today will be great, throw on some fresh SBs., I’m feeling vintage today, drop down in sujood, tuck my troubles away. The world is in trouble, they say we need leaders here. I’m just tryna be of the light and try to lead us there. A beacon of hope…”
Most recently, Stalley delivered two singles, “Bakery,” and “Dilla Bap,” leading the way for his new album titled Somebody Up There Loves Me, out now from Mello Music Group on all streaming platforms. Clocking in at 12 tracks, the project is inspired directly by the 1956 film, “Somebody Up There Likes Me,” based on the life of Boxing Legend Rocky Graziano.
AllHipHop spoke with Stalley to discuss his roots in Ohio, his Top 5, new music, relationship with Takeoff, Kendrick taking him on tour, signing to MMG, goals, and more!
AllHipHop: Talk about being from Ohio, what was that like growing up? I know Trippie Redd is from Canton, that’s close to where you are right?
Stalley: Yup. It’s funny because Trippie’s grandmother lived in the same projects that I grew up in, so I’ve seen Trippie as a kid. We used to watch out for him in the neighborhood when he was running around. I know his uncle, his father too. Trippie, his family is like family. It’s a community like that when it comes to Massillon and Canton. It’s a rivalry, too, because of high school sports, but there’s a lot of love in that area.
Growing up, it was the average childhood. Being into sports, being into music. Running around, trying not to get in trouble, but getting into trouble. But it was definitely a great upgrade, I enjoyed it. It shaped me in a lot of ways, personality-wise. Just my grit and grind, my will to be persistent at everything. There definitely were a lot of lessons growing up in Massillon, Ohio.
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with music?
Stalley: I can’t put an exact age on it, but it was definitely at a young age. I used to listen to everybody from Michael Jackson to Marvin Gaye to Curtis Mayfield. Obviously, with hip-hop, it was everybody from Biggie to Tupac to Scarface to Nas to Wu-Tang to E-40. The list goes on, so definitely been a fan of all music. My grandmother was heavy into rock and country music, so I was also listening to everybody from Travis Tritt to Bruce Springsteen. A lot of that stuff shaped me as an artist.
AllHipHop: Do you have a Top 5?
Stalley: Man, it changes all the time. Off the top of my head, obviously I gotta put myself in there. But I’d say Nas, Mos Def, Ghostface, Scarface. I think that’s five, right? [laughs] Somewhere around there. But it always differs. It can definitely change, depending on the day, depending on the mood I’m in. Again, I’m a fan really of everybody. I listen to everything, especially when it comes to hip-hop.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
Stalley: Stalley derived from a child, being somebody running around. People used to call me Stallion, but it also came from playing sports and being a stud on the court. Being a horse or a workforce or whatever. That’s really where it came from, it just got broken down to Stalley. You know how we do in our communities, we shorten everything. That’s where Stalley came from, it just stuck.
AllHipHop: What were you on recording “Fresh Linen”? I love hip-hop records like that, where it’s just smooth.
Stalley: It came to me like that too, just naturally. The beat spoke to me in a way where I wanted to get things off my chest. The beat felt fresh. It felt like I was just recycling through my thoughts. I was rebuilding and rebranding myself through the music. That’s what I wanted people to feel, just that feeling of clear space, clear mind. That’s the energy that the record gives and that’s the energy I wanted to give out with “Fresh Linen.”
AllHipHop: What can we expect from Somebody Up There Loves Me? That’s a very powerful title.
Stalley: Thank you, definitely. You can expect a lot of battling. I don’t want to say it’s a rebirth, but it’s reenergizing myself for my fans and showing them a different side of me. Also reminding myself and knowing that I’ve been through a lot in my career. I’ve been counted out, I’ve been counted on, but I know that somebody up there loves me. Somebody up there is watching over me and somebody is keeping me going.
Because there’s many times we can all give up and quit, or we can all hit a rough patch and get down on ourselves, but knowing there’s somebody up there that’s protecting me, that’s really where the title came from. And from the movie, he went through the same things. Going to prison and going through hardships, but coming out and still having the will and the strength to become a world champion and a heavyweight champion. I’m coming out on top every time, because somebody up there loves me.
AllHipHop: Talk about the independent grind and how you’ve been able to do this independently.
Stalley: It’s been a beautiful grind. Like they say, a beautiful struggle. It’s a lot of ups and downs, a lot of figuring things out and learning. I love to learn, and love to learn as I go. And I’ve been able to do that with being independent because as you know, working in music, just being around it and being a fan of it, it changes daily. With social media, with streaming, it’s always something new to learn. It’s always something new to tackle and master.
Whether it’s something as small as the algorithm or something as big as growing your fanbase, keep continuing to grow. Continuing to tap into new fans, new listeners, continuing to tap into the youth, and just growing your brand. That’s the beauty of it. It’s hard at times, but it’s also a beautiful reward at the end.
AllHipHop: I know you collaborated with Takeoff on “Bag.” What was your relationship with Takeoff? It’s just tragic.
Stalley: Yeah man, super tragic. I just can’t send my condolences and prayers out enough to those guys and the family, it’s been tough. Takeoff was such a great individual, such a humble person. I got to be in the studio with those guys and see how they work. They’re amazing at their craft. They take it very seriously, it’s just unfortunate man.
I was blessed enough to be able to do two records with Takeoff: one with the Migos, one with just me and him. It was an honor. That’s all I can say for real, it’s tragic. It’s hard to see any of your fallen soldiers or people that’s a part of your community of peers die so suddenly at that young age, really for nothing. That’s not what we get into it for.
AllHipHop: Talk about working with Kendrick Lamar. How did that happen?
Stalley: Oh man, shout out to Kendrick. Good dude, I’m forever indebted to Kendrick. Met Kendrick a while ago at SXSW. He was doing the Music Matters Tour before Good Kid, M.A.A.D City came out. We spoke and talked about going on tour together. Right away, he’s like “yeah, come on. Stalley, I f### with him. Let’s go.” That was a beautiful thing, because a lot of artists don’t open up like that. A lot of artists don’t share their stage with up and coming artists.
For him to take me in and take me on, the whole TDE to take me on that tour and treat me like one of theirs, it was a beautiful thing. Always love to those guys. Kendrick is, as we know, incredible. At that time, the big record that he had buzzing was “Swimming Pools.” To see him perform that every night, then Good Kid, M.A.A.D City comes out, it just takes off and he’s on a whole other level, that was a beautiful thing to witness too.
AllHipHop: Did you learn anything from that tour?
Stalley: Yeah, work! [laughs] Put in that grind and it pays off, put in that time and it pays off. That’s definitely what I learned. I learned from TDE just the tight ship that they ran, with all their artists top to bottom. Very professional, very humble.
They treated everybody like they wanted to be treated and in return, that’s what they got. That’s what I learned the most from them, just being great individuals. Being good guys and still making great music. Knowing that you don’t have to have any type of ego or chip on your shoulder or anything, and you can still be successful. So again, always love and shout out to them because of the way they carry themselves. Not as artists, but as individuals. As people, as human beings.
AllHipHop: What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not doing music? I know you like cars.
Stalley: Yeah, I love cars. I love sneakers. I love video games. Anything to occupy my time and my space, keep my mind going. Or sometimes I like to put my mind idle, and that’s why I love to play video games. Get on the game with some homies, laugh and joke and have a good time.
AllHipHop: What was it like signing to MaybachMusic Group? How did that happen?
Stalley: To make a long story short, Ross reached out to me. I met him shortly after he reached out. He told me he wanted me to be a part of MMG, and we worked it out. I became part of MMG, had an amazing time. Learned a lot again. Ross is a great dude. Someone who I’m always in debt to, as well as someone who changed my life. Helped me get on the right path and see that I can live off of my dream. He made my dream come true, so shout out to him.
It didn’t work, not for any particular reason. It just was something that I felt independence was better for me. Me controlling my own destiny and controlling the way I release music and do music, it was just better for me. That was really it. It’s all love. It’s all respect. It’s always appreciation for how he set me up to be where I am.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself at this point in your career?
Stalley: Yeah, continue to get better. My goal is to always get better with every verse, with every record, with every album. I love to grow, I love to learn. As long as I continue to get better and have fun, love what I’m doing, I’m succeeding. As long as I’m able to take care of myself and my family, I’m succeeding. It’s been a blessing. It’s been over 10 years that I’ve been able to live off of music and making music. Shout out to my fans, shout out to everybody who supports me.
I know I can be hard to support sometimes because I’m such an introvert. I’m not someone who’s always in the faces of the people, but people always follow and tend to find me when I’m releasing things. Shout out to them, I love them to death. My goal is to continue to grow, continue to grow my brand, continue to grow as a CEO for Blue Collar Gang. Help other artists to become superstars and live out their dreams as well.x
Watch the fresh new music video “Dilla Bap” directed by Stalley below:
Stream Somebody Up There Loves Me via Mello Music Group out now on all platforms:
We all know the music scene to be competitive and brutal, where not only the talented but the hardworking, dedicated, and gifted thrive. You need to possess more than talent and passion but also unrivaled creativity and authenticity. This is essential to set you apart from an ever-growing pool of artists competing for the same audience. Identifying a unique niche that identifies with your style of music and personality is also essential for success, as is seen in the story of Jared Henry.
Jared is a prolific artist rising into the mainstream. He is known for his originality, from his style of music to his branding as an artist. He is an exceptionally gifted talent and a master of his craft. Jared’s authenticity has seen him rise against all odds to build one of the fastest-growing fan bases in the country. He is also clocking notable career highlights with gigs and performances across the country. The prolific artist has also captured the music industry’s attention, with various producers and directors showing interest in working with him.
Like any other considerable talent, Jared also works with an exceptional team that helps him refine and deliver to his fans. This team handles the other side of music as he largely focuses on creating classic and timeless tracks. However, Jared also highlights that putting such a team together was challenging. “Building a team by showing people that I care about them and not only what I can get from them can be challenging,” he says. Thankfully, his professionalism and warm personality made it easy to hire the right talent for his brand. He now stands out as a promising artist with one of the most supportive teams.
Chasing your dreams can sometimes be frustrating, but Jared wants you to know that nothing comes easy. You must consistently fight for what you believe in and constantly push your limits. More importantly, Jared knows that not everyone will believe in your ability and talent. You are likely to face betrayal from some of the people closest to you, but no matter how tough it gets, never doubt your potential. Keep working hard, learning, and building from every setback. Additionally, Jared encourages artists to associate themselves with people who push them to be better. The music scene, for instance, is a competitive industry with every person striving to be the best, and you need positive energy to thrive.
Though he is yet to hit the mainstream, Jared stands out as a top talent to watch out for in the coming years. He aims to release more pop music in collaboration with other top artists. Jared also wants to grow and expand his brand as a pop star, amassing an expansive fanbase beyond the country’s borders. Social media has taken over the music scene, and Jared is working round the clock to ensure all his music is available on various streaming platforms. A self-nurtured talent, Jared Henry is also looking forward to helping other artists grow their skills and chase their dreams.
As a songwriter, FLO knows that good music brings people together. The rapper/songwriter has built a supportive online community around him through social media, but the biggest story to tell about FLO is that he’s just an ordinary person like everyone else. He never came from money, and everything he has, he had to go out and earn. Through his music, he’d like to share that you can just be yourself and still thrive if you are consistent with your efforts. As far as what makes him stand out, his versatility as an artist makes all the difference.
FLO is a multi-talented artist who can uniquely attack any beat or track. He aims to compile complex rhyme writing with simple hook concepts while rapping fast or even singing. The songwriter is still working on his singing, but ultimately, that’s his vision. His biggest dream while making music is for people to see that he’s just like them.
He wants his fans to know that they are not alone in the world. Whether it’s writing sad or fun songs, his primary goal is to write in the present so that when people are on this journey of life, they can feel they are in the present moment and that he has also been through the same. “Hopefully, it will inspire them to keep fighting for something bigger or to be able to let loose and have fun,” says FLO.
FLO says that the biggest challenge he has had to overcome was his friend’s and family members’ drug and alcohol addictions. The songwriter has several family members who were addicted to heroin and other friends and family with alcohol issues. It was a big hurdle to overcome to try and stay focused on bettering himself when he had a lot of distractions weighing on him heavily.
FLO also struggled in the early days of his music career because he was so determined to be successful that he ended up being too hard on himself. In turn, his life and music suffered. The songwriter is now enjoying the creative process without pushing it, and it is working for him.
Although FLO has had its share of challenges, it has emerged top of the table many times. Working with Twista, who was his idol growing up, was a big moment for the rapper. Collaborating with Twista was humbling for FLO as it meant that dreams do indeed come true. The artist has also worked with and collaborated on songs with Crucial Conflict, Lil Flip, Lil Wyte, Do or Die, Kobe Honeycutt, and many more. FLO hopes he can look back from the future and see the significant mark that he left on people in terms of his music.
To get in touch with FLO, you can reach out to him through his socials. The rapper has just released an album called Versatile. It’s a project idea he came up with years ago that shows how versatile a songwriter and artist he is. From rap to country, blues, hip-hop, and even some pop-style vibes, he feels that this album brings out the best in him.
Five new women have accused comedian Dr. Bill Cosby of raping and drugging them.
The new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, states the women, Lili Bernard, Eden Tirl, Jewel Gittens, Jennifer Thompson and Cindra Ladd, all worked with the Philadelphia native’s#### NBC series, “The Cosby Show” at the time of the alleged sexual assault.
They all say that Cosby positioned himself as their mentor who would help them navigate their careers in entertainment during the 80s and 90s. However, he used his power and influence over vulnerable women to exploit and sexually assault them.
The complaint alleges states in a 1992 episode of the show, Bernard guest starred as “Mrs. Minifield,” and while rehearsing and filming, she claimed he drugged and assaulted her multiple times.
One time she mentioned in the claim she woke up in the middle of the rape, and he was trying to smother her with a pillow.
When she said she was going to tell the police, Bernard alleges Cosby tossed her down a flight of stairs and kicked her out. The powerful industry vet warned if she said anything, he would destroy her, and so she never reported his action out of fear of being ruined.
Tirl played a cop on the show and was escorted back to his dressing room. While there, he locked the door, groped her breasts, kissed her neck, and then pushed his penis into her back, saying softly, “This is making love.”
Another plaintiff, Gittens, said Cosby drugged and assaulted her also. This time the crime happened at his home while the two talked about her coming onto the show.
Thompson’s story said the “Fat Albert” creator forced her to masturbate him, while Ladd says he drugged her (saying he was giving her a pill for a headache) and then sexually assaulted her.
Dr. Cosby’s rep Andrew Wyatt says this is “all about money” and that lawsuit is “frivolous.”
Rapper Jay-Z, the self-proclaimed King of New York, has joined SL Green and Caesars Entertainment to open a casino in the middle of Times Square right at the old MTV office.
According to NY Post, the Grammy Award-winner is not coming into the venture alone – his Roc Nation brand is backing him.
On Monday, December 5th, SL Green announced at its annual investor conference.
In addition to linking the “Blueprint” emcee with the project, now called the Caesars Palace Times Square, reps for SL Green stated the new high-tech and glammed-out casino will be located at the company’s 1515 Broadway office tower.
This trifecta of a partnership will go up against half of a dozen other proposals submitted to the state for the first casino in New York City.
Jigga, a billionaire, is an attractive partner not just because he has money but because he has clout and will oversee entertainment programming at 1515 Broadway and other SL Green properties at the “Crossroads of the World.”
SLG is currently the city’s largest commercial landlord and has interests in six Times Square properties, owning more than four million square feet. The casino would take up only eight floors in the 54-story tower between West 43d and 44th streets.
The casino will not be on the ground floor, which has been set aside for non-gaming uses, including an entrance to the Minskoff Theater, the Broadway theater which is the home of “The Lion King.”
SLG chief executive officer Marc Holliday said, “We are putting theater at ground level.” The Broadway world, led by the Broadway League, is unhappy about the change, saying it will be “dangerous” for the old white way.
Others are down. Owners of restaurants such as Carmine’s, Bond 45, and Junior’s and by Actors Equity and hotel and construction unions see how it can bring them more business.
Jay-Z seems happy about the partnership.
He said, “New York is the epicenter of culture. We have the opportunity to create a destination at the heart of the true crossroads of the world. My partnership with SL Green and Caesars has all the promise and commitment to economic opportunity, growth, and enrichment for the community and everyone that visits the Empire State.”
Kim Kardashian has been granted a restraining order against an alleged stalker.
According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, lawyers for the reality TV star applied for the protection order after Andre Persaud showed up at her home three times in August.
Kardashian insisted she was concerned for her safety as he claimed to be armed.
In addition, the SKIMS founder’s legal team also alleged Persaud had written about her on social media.
In one post, he “claimed that I had been communicating with him telepathically.”
Kardashian was granted the five-year order on Monday.
Persaud was banned from contacting the 42-year-old and ordered to stay at least 100 yards (91 metres) away from her. He was also prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
The mother of four has not yet publicly commented on the case.
I literally have never bought Balenciaga a day in my life. In fact, I have never bothered to consider them anything that I would ever wear. If I was homeless, I might consider it as chic. But, other than that, nope. They did have some cool kicks that shook up the game, in my opinion. Beyond that, it’s a big NO. For the longest, Balenciaga was a huge brand for the affluent and those that want to be affluent.
Kanye West helped raise the profile of Balenciaga to The Blacks and others. He was also a big part of their aesthetic. There’s a new collection with Adidas and I bet Kanye had something to do with that. Well, all these good things happen and then there’s some huge bad stuff that happened recently. Balenciaga has been accused of some heinous stuff regarding inappropriate stuff with kids!
I thought people were trolling, but nope. It’s real. Maybe this is why Balenciaga left Twitter. They don’t want to be held accountable. Yes, these are children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage outfits. pic.twitter.com/zBlACUiZjo
The little girl above rocks a T-shirt from Balenciaga as she holds a strap while linked to a Teddy bear with some wild B###-looking gear on. They had another kid with a similar set up. First of all, who are these kids’ parents? Secondly, who at Balenciaga approved this? Needless to say, people have been fired, apologies have been made and Balenciaga has gone so far as to sue the ad agency for $25 million to absolve themselves of liability (IMO). So, the point of all this is that some have noticed that the brand has had some sales recently. Now, there are some sale for as low as 50%.
Most people feel this is probably normal sale-stuff. They are doing a cleaning house-type thing to make way for the next “season” of clothing. We aren’t generally used to seeing Balenci-anything on sale so it seems weird. But, from what I understand, they do have sales. And free shipping…who rich is thinking about free shipping? This is stuff broke people think is a sign of weakening! What do you think?
Lizzo finished 2022 as one of the most commercially successful musicians of the past twelve months. The Special album creator also closes out the year as TikTok’s top artist in the United States.
The social media platform revealed its “Year on TikTok” list for 2022. Lizzo landed at #1 on TikTok’s rankings of the most popular recording artists in the United States.
Bella Poarch (#2), Bad Bunny (#3), Charlie Puth (#4), and Doja Cat (#5) rounded out the Top 5. TikTok’s Emerging Artists list in the U.S. featured Ice Spice, Steve Lacey, GloRilla, Latto, and Muni Long.
“We’re honored to celebrate our global community who shaped this year’s trends, shared new ideas, learned from one another, and turned their passions into careers and livelihoods throughout 2022,” says Vanessa Pappas, Chief Operating Officer, TikTok.
Vanessa Pappas continues, “It’s been truly inspiring to see over a billion people around the world show their creativity and come together to experience joy and find a sense of belonging on TikTok.”
Willow & Armani White Join Lizzo On TikTok’s Top U.S. Songs Playlist For 2022
Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” (#4) was among the top trending content on TikTok’s For You feeds in the United States. “About Damn Time” also made the most-popular songs playlist from the video hosting service.
Lizzo earned her second #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “About Damn Time” off the Special studio LP. The 3-time Grammy winner picked up multiple Recording Academy nominations this year for “About Damn Time” and Special.
“Sunroof” by Nicky Youre & dazy was the top U.S. track. Clips using the Pop song collected more than 8.9 million views. Willow’s “Wait a Minute!” came in at #7 in that TikTok category. Plus, Armani White’s “BILLIE EILISH” made the final list at #9.
“People flock to TikTok to be entertained, but so much everyday magic transcends the platform; establishing careers, building brands, and opening the door to real, tangible success,” states Marisa Hammonds, North America GM, TikTok.
Hammonds adds, “This year’s recap encompasses the many paths to discovery that help us enrich our lives with creative learnings. Congratulations to all the creators, artists, and small businesses featured in this report, and thank you to our community for making 2022 a momentous year!”
Brooklyn natives Bobby Shmurda and Rowdy Rebel broke into the music business together as part of the GS9 collective. The “Computers” collaborators also plead guilty in the same New York conspiracy case from 2014.
Now that Bobby Shmurda and Rowdy Rebel are out of prison, the two rhymers have refocused on their respective recording careers. However, Rowdy has also taken time to speak on the legal situation involving two other rappers.
“Everybody that’s dying out there is because there’s no n#### to be like, ‘Nah, my fault. I’m sorry,'” said Rowdy Rebel on a recent episode of Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion podcast.
Rowdy Rebel continued, “When King Von died, that Lul Tim n####, he didn’t have to get out of the car and start squeezing right away… His mind off the rip went to kill. How you went to kill? How much hate do you have already to kill this man?”
Bobby Shmurda Also Sits Down With Math Hoffa
During his own conversation with My Expert Opinion, Bobby Shmurda offered a different take on the killing of Chicago-bred rapper Dayvon “King Von” Bennett. Welcome to O’Block album creator King Von lost his life on November 6, 2020, following a dispute with Quando Rondo’s crew in Atlanta.
“I felt like that s### came out wrong. He meant it in a good way, like that he wished that none of that s### would’ve happened because he’s a fan of both,” said Shmurda about Rowdy Rebel’s comments. “But sometimes, you can’t talk on other people’s s###. Period. Rowdy knows he’s in the wrong for that.”
The “Hot N*gga” hitmaker added, “It’s like sometimes these emotions are going to come out. So when emotions are high, you don’t want to talk on situations. Sometimes, you gotta say, ‘Man, I just wish the best for everybody.’ And that’s it. Keep it at that. Shut the f### up and don’t say s### about the situation.”
Rowdy Rebel Wants The World To Know Shmurda Is Still His Brother
Bobby Shmurda’s response to his GS9 brethren gained a lot of attention on social media. Rowdy Rebel then took to his Instagram Story to address his relationship with Shmurda and the backlash sent his way by internet users.
“I said what I said 🤫,” posted Rowdy Rebel. A couple of hours later, the Rebel vs. Rowdy mixtape creator returned to the platform to write, “I [could] never beef with my brother Bobby. He [freed] me from a whole bid. But [you] other n##### [heard] what I said. 😩.”
In a 2016 interview, Bobby Shmurda revealed he took a seven-year prison sentence instead of a five-year plea deal in order for Rowdy Rebel to receive a seven-year sentence too. Last year, Rowdy praised Shmurda for helping him avoid serving 12 years behind bars.
Hip Hop producer Metro Boomin dropped his sophomore studio LP, Heroes & Villains, on December 2. The Boominati Worldwide label founder also continues his humanitarian work in conjunction with his latest music project.
Metro Boomin officially launched the“Single Moms Are Superheroes” campaign. He partnered with the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation to invite 26 single moms and their children to watch theAtlanta Falconsversus Pittsburgh Steelers game on December 4.
The special guests also took part in the Atlanta Falcons Anthem Program. This initiative allowed the families to sing the national anthem while standing next to the players on the sideline inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Metro Boomin and the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation previously supported 150 women at the Single Moms Enrichment Retreat. Plus, the campaign provided one mother with a $25,000 scholarship to continue her education.
“Our mission is to ensure the needs of the whole family are met and we know that the most important part of that nucleus is the mom,” says Sharon Page, Executive Director of the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation.
Heroes & Villains features contributions from John Legend, Future, Chris Brown, Don Toliver, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Young Thug, The Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, Takeoff, Gunna, and more. The LP follows 2018’s chart-topping Not All Heroes Wear Capes.
Metro Boomin also scored a No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with Savage Mode II in 2020. That collaborative project was the sequel to Metro and 21 Savage’s Gold-certified Savage Mode EP which peaked at #23 in 2016.
A California jury will likely decide the fate of Daystar “Tory Lanez” Peterson in the coming weeks. The Canadian musician pled not guilty to assault and firearm charges.
The pending case stems from Megan Thee Stallion accusing Tory Lanez of shooting her in the feet in 2020. The incident allegedly happened after the two rappers attended a party at Kylie Jenner’s home.
According to Rolling Stone reporter Nancy Dillon, billionaire reality show star Kylie Jenner could play a role at the trial. Corey Gamble, the boyfriend of Kylie’s mother Kris Jenner, may have to take the stand too.
“Tory’s lawyer told the judge that Kylie Jenner and Corey Gamble are on his list of possible defense witnesses because they were present at Kylie’s pool party before the July 2020 shooting,” tweeted Nancy Dillon on Monday night.
Earlier in the day, Dillon reported, “Tory Lanez released from house arrest as his trial for allegedly shooting Megan Thee Stallion begins with jury selection in L.A.” The judge in the case overruled an objection by the prosecution.
Tory's lawyer told the judge that Kylie Jenner and Corey Gamble are on his list of possible defense witnesses because they were present at Kylie's pool party before the July 2020 shooting
Tory Lanez, Megan Thee Stallion & Kylie Jenner Appeared On IG Live Together Before The Alleged Shooting
It seems clear that Tory Lanez, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kylie Jenner partied together on the night of July 12, 2020. All three celebrities appeared together poolside on Instagram Live at the time. Lanez’s attorney claims the argument between Tory and Megan started at Jenner’s house.
Many people around the world are still engrossed in the tale of Casey Anthony, a Florida mother accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter in 2008. Hip Hop star Cardi B appears to be one of those people.
Last month, the Peacock streaming service premiered a new docuseries titledCasey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies. The three-part program features Casey Anthony providing her side of the story.
Cardi B Suggests The Anthony Family Knows What Happened To Caylee
Apparently, Cardi B has been following the latest media attention on the death of Caylee Anthony. The Invasion of Privacy album creator took to Twitter to share her thoughts about the Anthony legal saga.
“I don’t give a [damn] how they flip it, switch it, turn it, toss it – Casey Anthony is a disgrace of a mother and she shouldn’t have a uterus,” tweeted Cardi B on Monday afternoon.
The NYC-raised Grammy winner continued, “I don’t feel bad for her or for the daddy. YALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED to that baby!!!!” Cardi’s tweet collected over 4,300 retweets and 39,000 likes.
I don’t give a deum how they flip it ,switch it,turn it ,toss it Casey Anthony is a disgrace of a mother and she shouldn’t have a uterus.I don’t feel bad for her or for the daddy YALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED to that baby !!!!
A significant portion of Netflix’s Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness centered around speculation that Carole Baskin killed her husband and fed him to big cats. Baskin denies those allegations. She later criticized Cardi’s “WAP” music video for supposedly glamorizing private tiger ownership.
“I’m not gonna engage with Carole Baskin on that,” said Cardi B in an interview with i-D at the time. “Like, that’s just ridiculous you know? Oh, Lord. Like, girl, you killed your g###### husband.”
