The Lord works in mysterious ways. So, regardless of the exact reasons, to receive freedom following years of incarceration is a definite blessing. Accordingly, Terrance Williams, Birdman’s bro, teases a post-release parley!
Overall, for his previous actions, the youngest Williams brother gives the Feds over 23 years of his life. Consequently, while “rehabilitating” Terrance witnesses the evolution of Cash Money Records. Thus, the juxtaposition of accumulating wealth versus vanishing years, may resonate with the original Hot Boy.
To illustrate, Gangsta’s actions earns him legendary street credibility. In other words, at an early age he purportedly leaps off the porch. Of course, many rumors may still be swirling about the money.
Additionally, beaucoup of folks believe that Terrance Williams helps his family. Accordingly, they attest that from his illicit proceedings his big brothers — Slim and Baby — receives over $100,000.
Be that as it may, at the time, the Louisiana native continues to push the line. However, a popular saying stipulates that when one plays stupid games he wins stupid prizes. Unfortunately, Birdman’s baby brother scores a huge hit.
For example, “court records show [Gangsta] was plotting to kill a group of New York drug dealers in New Orleans to get paid for heroin they’d shipped by mail when the feds intercepted the package and listened as Williams hatched a murder plan.”
With this in mind, Williams wins a Draconian prison sentence. Correspondingly, he is hit with the heavy burden of Life plus 20 years. Eventually, things get interesting.
So, maybe by fortifying his faith — and perhaps some other more helpful tactics — God’s child receives favor. Then, all of a sudden his sentence drops to 27.5 years. Then — BAM — the breakthrough!
Notably, the top of 2022 completely transforms his circumstances. So, on Jan. 3, he begins to sing songs of freedom. That’s right, at 47 Mr. Terrance Williams rejoins society.
“I would like to address the critics,” Williams begins. “First of all, I [did] 23 years and 10 months. I apologize to you all if you thought I was gonna die in prison. I’m too shrewd, smart. However, I plan to answer all these questions that a lot of you social media guys, internet gangstas [that] had something to say about me.”
From there, he confides, “The interview coming soon, just be patient.” In essence, he adds, “But right now, I’m enjoying life…I don’t have to worry about standing up for count, I don’t have to worry about lockdown, I could eat what I want, I’m living; it’s all good.”
Mississippi-bred emcee/producer David Banner left his mark on Hip Hop with singles such as 2003’s “Like a Pimp” featuring Lil’ Flip, 2005’s “Play,” and 2008’s “Get Like Me” featuring Chris Brown.
David Banner decided to focus more on acting over the last five years as a new crop of rappers rose to prominent positions in the culture. Apparently, the 47-year-old Saints & Sinners star believes he and others could have done more to set up the acts that came after them.
“When the Migos first blew up and Offset had got into a little trouble. I saw him like a couple of days after he had got out [of jail], and I pulled over and he said something that was so powerful to me. He was like, ‘OG, I want to do better. I just don’t know how to,'” recalled David Banner during an interview with Ebro Darden for Apple Music’s The Message.
Banner continued, “I was like, ‘Damn.’ Because if you really think of that Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., J. Cole era, there are only about three or four more artists that came out of that generation. That generation of music was jumped over.”
The Mississippi: The Album creator went on to reflect on his generation’s mentoring role over the last decade. He also acknowledged the 2010s period did produce DIY acts that were able to achieve success in the music industry.
“We really spent so much time trying to maintain the game, that we didn’t usher in a new generation of artists,” said David Banner. “A few slipped through, but what ended up happening is kids found their way on their own.”
The Southern University graduate continued, “So once they found their way on their own, it ain’t time to listen then… it’s too late. So one thing that I want to say about these children is that they’re open.”
Many Kendrick Lamar fans consider 2012’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City the Compton emcee’s magnum opus. 2017’s Damnmade history by winning the Pulitzer Prize. However, Lamar’s 2015 album, To Pimp a Butterfly, is likely his most ambitious project to date.
New York Times contributor Alex Pappademas delves into the impact of To Pimp a Butterfly for the new Spotify podcast series The Big Hit Show. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground media company produced the special presentation.
For The Big Hit Show, Alex Pappademas spoke to Kendrick Lamar, his manager Dave Free, Top Dawg Entertainment President Terrence “Punch” Henderson Jr., music producer Sounwave, Hip Hop artist Rapsody, Funk legend George Clinton, and more.
The Big Hit Show Says Hello To The West Coast Wordsmith
The premiere episode of The Big Hit Show audio documentary is titled “Hello Kendrick.” For the first installment, Pappademas explores the rise of the emcee also known as K. Dot from an independent artist to arguably the greatest rapper alive.
The Big Hit Show‘s entire season covers the creation of To Pimp a Butterfly. It also details how Kendrick Lamar channeled the pressures of being famous and the pain of his generation into a career-defining masterpiece.
“When I revisit that record, it’s like 60% of sounds, vocals, words, tones, and lyrics that I don’t even know, when, where, or how they came. That’s how deep we were in it,” Kendrick Lamar tells Alex Pappademas about the making of his third studio LP. “It was a spiritual moment, a whole journey, seriously. But that’s the beauty of it.”
K. Dot’s TPAB Became An Undeniable Commercial & Critical Success
To Pimp a Butterfly debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 324,000 first-week copies sold. The album remained atop the chart for two weeks. The Recording Industry Association of America certified TPAB as Platinum. The tracks “I,” “King Kunta,” and “Alright” also earned Platinum plaques.
Kendrick Lamar won multiple Grammy Awards for To Pimp a Butterfly including Best Rap Album. “These Walls” featuring Bilal, Anna Wise, and Thundercat also took home the trophy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Lamar has won 13 Grammys during his career.
Exactly, how did Malcolm X put it? Oh yeah, “The chickens are coming home to roost.” So, currently, Fif is reveling in a jolly assortment of memes. Effectively, 50 Cent begs the body shaming internet bullies, “Who did this?”
Actually, the posh SoFi Stadium sets nestled in Inglewood, CA. In recent past (on Feb. 13), an epic gridiron showdown transpires. For example, the combined creative genius of Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar is epic. With, the unexpected revelation of Mr. Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, Super Bowl LVI transforms from epic to astounding.
Thus, the upside down Fiddy causes the internet to rightfully implode. Almost immediately, the veteran jokester, learns of the ongoing social media shenanigans. Rather, than merely witnessing the merriment, the Queens lyricist playfully embraces the slight social media slander.
In summation, via his personal Instagram page, Senor Starz displays some of the most witty responses. Moreover, these reactions range from geriatric jokes to unbelievable suspension tactics. Certainly, one must scroll through and enjoy some of the lighthearted levity.
The Observations
“👀who the f### did this?, inquires the incredulous “Power Powder Respect” MC. Obviously, 50 Cent can take a joke. Somehow, he even seems to revel in the jest. Although, it may come at his expense, he refuses to hold back on the social media offerings.
Above all, the memorable meme which utilizes D12’s Bizarre is Internet Gold. So, here the girthy man serves as a quasi doppelganger for the “In Da Club” entertainer,
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ8PtMflDd1/
So, in conclusion 50 is definitely evolving into a more girthy and a more wealthy version of himself. If he likes it, the internet certainly loves it.
Live Nation Urban and The Roots announce the return of Roots Picnic. This is the first in-person Roots Picnic since 2019. The music festival will take place at The Mann at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia on June 4 and 5.
The Roots will back Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige for her headlining set. Blige is coming off a critically-acclaimed performance for the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show on Sunday.
The 2022 Roots Picnic lineup also includes Summer Walker, Wizkid, Kirk Franklin, Jazmine Sullivan, G Herbo, Tierra Whack, Masego, Muni Long, and J Period Live Mixtape featuring Black Thought, Rick Ross, & Benny The Butcher, and other acts.
Million Dollaz Worth of Game hosts Wallo267 and Gillie The King curated the Live Podcast Stage. Questlove Supreme by The Roots member Questlove, Rory & Mal, and Jemele Hill is Unbothered are also scheduled for the event.
“After a long two years, we are excited to announce the return of The Roots Picnic to Philly with two days of music and culture at the Mann at Fairmount Park,” says Shawn Gee, President of Live Nation Urban, The Roots manager, and co-founder of the event.
Gee adds, “This year, Black Thought, Questlove, and I attempted to curate a lineup that broke through the genre barriers that often separate us in Black culture. To be able to book Mickey Guyton, Kirk Franklin, G Herbo, Wizkid, Wallo & Gillie, and Mary J Blige on the same lineup was a dream come true.”
Roots Picnic 2022 will stream live on the Hip Hop group’s official YouTube channel. A Roots Picnic 2020 playlist is also currently available on the platform. The videos feature former First Lady Michelle Obama, West Coast rapper Roddy Ricch, and Quality Control Music co-founder Kevin “Coach K” Lee.
Rapper-turned-actor Will Smith took on the lead role of the classic 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Three decades later, Smith joined forces with Kansas City filmmaker Morgan Cooper to create the dramatic Bel-Air remake.
For Peacock’s new Bel-Air, Jabari Banks plays the 16-year-old “Will Smith” character. Fictional Will is a West Philadelphia native who is sent to live with his wealthy aunt, uncle, and cousins in California.
“I say it like this, if you took all of the characters from the 90s, but you dove into all of their diaries and all of their journals and what they were feeling internally, that’s what our show is,” Jabari Banks told Revolt.
The Hip Hop/R&B musician added, “So that’s going to be super exciting for old fans and new fans to watch and you’re going to see a lot of callbacks to the original, a lot of tidbits, and a lot of easter eggs, so that’s going to be exciting as well.”
Bel-Air also includes Adrian Holmes as Phillip Banks, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks, Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, Coco Jones as Hilary Banks, Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey Thompson, and Jordan L. Jones as Jazz.
Will Smith and Morgan Cooper are among the executive producers for Bel-Air. Cooper’s 4-minute fan film on YouTube inspired the drama reboot. The first three episodes of Bel-Air are now available for streaming on Peacock.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ran for six seasons on NBC from 1990 to 1996. The show’s cast featured Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana Ali, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, and Ross Bagley.
Not3s had an extra special treat for his fans on Valentine’s Day! Not only did the “Addison Lee” hitmaker release an EP, but he whisked ten ladies away for a Valentine’s dinner date.
Earlier this week, Not3s asked for single ladies over the age of 21 to DM him if they were interested in a date. He then upped the number and selected ten lucky fans for the occasion.
It looks like the North London artist followed through with his promise! Not3s shared a clip from a dinner surrounded by a table full of women on Wednesday (Feb. 15).
“My Favourite Valentine’s Day To Date 🤎🌹Glad I Got to do this with amazing beautiful people 👸🏽 Next year we go again? 😏 #3Roses🥀”
Meanwhile, during a recent interview, Not3s revealed why he waited so long to drop his most recent release, “Who Changed.” He held on to the song for a year and didn’t release it on his debut alum “3 Th3 Album.”
“I was waiting for independence. I’m independent now,” Not3s revealed. “I was with Columbia before. Now it feels like I have the freedom to release the stuff that I care about and I really wanna drop.”
He went to explain, though he didn’t want to “get on to the label, creative differences existed. He recalled situations where he had to pay for his video shoots and other expenses out of his own pocket, despite being signed, after disagreeing with the label. “It didn’t make any sense,” Not3s admitted.
Elsewhere during the interview, he told DJ Firestarr about his plans for 2022.
I’m dropping three tapes this year,” Not3s confirmed. I’ve got them prepared already. You can expect me on some features this year.” He also revealed he plans to make moves in Africa, and over on this side of the pond by the end of 2022. “I’m tryna do up world domination man,” he added.
West has also repeatedly targeted Davidson online in recent weeks. The Saturday Night Live cast member is currently dating Ye’s estranged wife Kim Kardashian.
Kid Cudi fired back at Kanye West on Twitter. The Man on the Moon III: The Chosen album creator tweeted, “We talked weeks ago about this. You’re whack for flipping the script and posting this lie just for a look on the internet. You ain’t no friend. BYE.”
We talked weeks ago about this. You’re whack for flipping the script and posting this lie just for a look on the internet. You ain’t no friend. BYE
Yesterday, Kid Cudi took to Instagram to share another message with his followers. While the 38-year-old rapper/actor did not mention Kanye West or the end of their friendship, the IG statement seemed to be a response to the ongoing drama involving the former colleagues.
“God… please watch over me and keep my mind sane. 🙏🏾 I could use it right now. To anyone who feels alone, I’m with [you] and I love you,” wrote Kid Cudi. He also turned off the comments for that post.
Floyd Mayweather has given the seal of approval to NBA YoungBoy, who shares a son with his daughter Yaya Mayweather.
He shared his thoughts on YoungBoy and his daughter during an appearance on The Pivot Podcast on Tuesday (Feb. 15).
“I’m proud of my daughter even though she’s a little young to have a baby,” Mayweather said. “She’s 21 and she’ll be 22 this year but I’m proud of her. I’m proud of NBA YoungBoy. Very, very talented young kid. One of the biggest artists, as far as in music. He got a cult-like following. … I look at him just like one of my sons. I only want the best for him and I don’t want him having beef with anyone.”
Floyd Mayweather shared that he wants YoungBoy to remain focused on his career and out of trouble.
“These kids beefing nowadays and don’t even know what they beefing for. So much talent. See what happens to these young kids, they dying on the regular — Pop Smoke. Just so many young rappers and young entertainers, period.
Furthermore, the boxing legend referenced the time NBA YoungBoy spent incarcerated.
“I only want the best for NBA YoungBoy”
“I feel like NBA YoungBoy went away for a while — I like to say went to college for a little bit — he’s back and I’m proud of him. I’m proud of my daughter. And I only want the best for NBA YoungBoy. I’m going to continue to push him and push her for both of them to be great.”
NBA YoungBoy and Yaya Mayweather began dating in 2018 and she gave birth to their son in 2020. Watch the full interview here.
Meanwhile, last week, NBA YoungBoy aired out his issues with his record label and issued a warning to fellow artists. “Don’t sign to atlantic,” was his message in a since-deleted Instagram post. Ready the full story on AllHipHop.com.
Moneybagg Yo announced the collaboration in a commercial for the brand. “March 16 I’m dropping my NFT’s,” he declared. “It’s only 10,000 of these so you better hurry up and snatch yours. This s### limited edition!”
Meanwhile, Soul Creations Management revealed, “We are taking it up a notch. #SCM goes metaverse with a @moneybaggyo#NFT experience!! @moneybaggyo is the first hip hop artist to have a NFT #cannabis brand “MIDNIGHT PATEK”. This is going to be a smokeable launch March 2022 We broke #history”
Earlier this month, sayBLOWE introduced Moneybagg Yo’s Midnight Patek Smokeable NFT and gave details on how to access it.
“Sayblowe is proud to announce our exclusive collaboration with @moneybaggyo!” the company wrote on Instagram. “In his first NFT Experience, “MIDNIGHT PATEK SMOKEABLE NFT” a collaboration with SCM Cannabis brand, the NFT we are releasing will be a redeemable token for REAL LIFE products at our smokable launch in March 2022! Go to sayblowe.io to create a profile, and gain exclusive access to this event!”
An earlier post from Soul Creations Management revealed an image of the Midnight Patek NFT.
“🔥 🔥 🔥 #SCM is launching its own #NFT attached to Moneybagg Yo and our #brands. When u purchase the NFT of “Midnight Patek” a QR code will be provided, giving you credit for one 1/8th of flower & 1 gram of liquid diamonds oil. Only 10,000 units are being launched.”
Prior to partnering with Moneybagg Yo, sayBLOWE teamed up with Bay Area icon Mac Mall. “MAC MALL is revolutionizing Hip-Hop once again, this time through NFTs,” went the announcement.
“What did you hustle him for?” She asked Julia Fox. “A bag and some Lucien’s? You absolutely did not come up because if this is how women who ‘always date billionaires’ behave when sh*t goes south, threatening tell-all books… You can kiss your days as a low-rate escort goodbye, sis.”
While Julia Fox kept quiet about the remarks last week, this time, she responded. Azealia Banks shared screenshots allegedly from Julia blasting her for mentioning her son and threatening to expose her.
Azealia shared her response, “Okay, your son is a crackbaby…….what next?” Julia then shared her own screenshot of Banks allegedly asking her for a New York City plug that “sells Molly and Percocet.” Julia Fox replied, “So it has come to my attention that this troll keeps calling me a junkie umm sis do u recall @azealiabanks.”
Elsewhere Julia Fox attacked Azealia Banks for her remarks about drug addiction.
“I’m open about my issues with addiction because I want to destigmatize it! Not al addicts are ‘junkies’,” Fox wrote. “That is so horrible to say. It’s a real f*cking disease. And I’ve also been open about my recovery journey!!! But nobody wants to mention that right….. If this troll says one more thing about my parenting or my son…”
Julia added, “I was too nice to her cuz I felt sorry for her but now I realize why she spends all the holidays alone. Nobody wants that energy sis!!!”
While Julia Fox has since deleted the posts from her Instagram story, Azealia has not.
Snoop Dogg made a major announcement about Death Row Records on Tuesday (Feb. 15).
The record label’s new owner revealed his plans for Death Row to become the first NFT record label. Snoop let slip the news while chopping it up with his fans on Clubhouse.
“Death Row will be an NFT label,” Snoop Dogg said. “We will be putting out artists through the metaverse. Just like we broke the industry when we was the first independent [label] to be major, I want to be the first major [label] in the metaverse.” Listen below.
https://youtu.be/BoELGzKbzXw
Last week Snoop Dogg released his new album “B.O.D.R.” (Bacc on Death Row) in partnership with blockchain gaming company Gala Games. The album was released on Friday (Feb. 11) on all streaming platforms and on the blockchain as “Stash Box” NFTs on the Gala Music Store.
“If anything is constant, it’s that the music industry will always be changing,” Snoop said in a statement. “Blockchain tech has the power to change everything again and tip the table in favor of the artists and the fans, and we’re going to be right at the front of the pack with this Gala Music deal.”
Snoop Dogg Could Make $125 Million in “B.O.D.R. NFT’s
The Gala Music version of the album comes in at $5,000. Reports suggest Snoop Dogg has made over $40 million in “Stash Box” NFTs in the days since “B.O.D.R.” was released. If all 25,000 sell out before the sale ends on Thursday (Feb. 18) at midnight, the West Coast legend’s NFT’s will have generated a cool $125 million.
“I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value,” Snoop Dogg said in a press release. “It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members.”
The music and entertainment industry is brimming with incredible talent from all corners of the globe, making it a difficult market to break into. Gold Franko, whose actual name is Marquise Garcia, is determined to get his music acknowledged, no matter how difficult the road may be.
Gold Franko, who grew up on the East Side of Watts and the West Side of Los Angeles, California, describes how growing up in both areas influenced his musical approach, which is a blend of west coast music and east side slang. Gold Franko was a part of a group called Marvel, Inc when he was fourteen years old, and they were responsible for smash hits like Bang It Like a Cholo, 69 Me, and WOW, which had over a million listens and gave him the motivation to pursue music more professionally.
Drakeo the Ruler, whose characteristic laid-back flow and shameless charm helped define current West Coast rap, is one of his key rap influences. With his new project, Gold Franko maintains that infamous LA vibe alive, describing how he paid respect to Drakeo on F Baby with the single “Weirdos.”
“I would say the track that speaks to me the most is Weirdos. I sampled Drakeo the Ruler, where he’s talking about loyalty on an Instagram live and how people switched up on him, and I felt that exact way, especially with him passing away. I wanted to do a tribute and keep his words alive.”
The latest project, F Baby, according to the aspiring musician, is all about taking him to the next level, allowing him to buy designer attire, allowing him to do anything he wants while being loyal to his origins, and honoring the individuals who helped him get to where he is.
R&B singer Trey Songz is again in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Earlier today, (February 15th), Trey was hit with a $20 million lawsuit by another Jane Doe. According to the unidentified woman, she was in a consensual sexual relationship with Trey in 2016.
However, in March of 2016, Trey Songz allegedly turned into a “Savage rapist.” during an incident at a house party in Los Angeles.
According to TMZ, Trey invited the woman upstairs for some consensual sex. She claims Trey was hell-bent on having a### sex with her, a request she denied repeatedly.
However, when they entered the bedroom, Trey Songz allegedly pinned the woman down on the ground, overpowered her, and inserted his penis into her a### without her permission.
According to the lawsuit, someone entered the room during the sexual assault, but they quickly left the room upon realizing what was happening.
The woman says she escaped from the house after Trey finished his rape. She fled the home and caught an Uber. The driver noticed the woman was in distress and took her to a hospital.
A medical exam showed “severe a### tearing that could require surgery.”
The woman claims she never told the police that Trey Songz was the aggressor because she was in shock and feared for her life.
Trey Songz claims the entire lawsuit is nothing but a money grab because the latest Jane Doe’s lawyer, Ariel Mitchell, also represents two other women suing Trey Songz for sexual assaults in Miami and New York.
In a statement to TMZ, a representative for Trey said “the timing of this lawsuit is suspect, to say the least, this suit is filed by the same plaintiff’s attorneys whose integrity was called into question earlier today.”
Kanye West wants to reconcile with Kim Kardashian, but she’s ready to move forward with their divorce.
According to Radar Online, Kim Kardashian served Kanye West with papers in an effort to legally become single. Last year, the reality star’s attorney Laura Wasser filed documents to have her client be declared single in the eyes of the law.
The socialite is currently dating comedian Pete Davidson, yet Kanye West thinks he can win her back. He sent her a truck full of roses on Valentine’s Day after breaking up with actress Julia Fox.
Kim Kardashian has expressed no interest in reuniting with her estranged husband. Their marriage is over in her eyes.
“No counseling or reconciliation effort will be of any value at this time,” she said in a court filing.
The divorce proceedings have stalled though since ‘Ye is unwilling to work with Kim Kardashian on a settlement. They agreed she’d keep their Hidden Hills mansion but haven’t made progress on anything else.
Since Kanye West is still hoping to repair the relationship, Kim Kardashian is seeking help from a judge. She’s asked a judge to terminate their marriage, separating their marital status from other matters in their divorce.
“[Kanye] and I both deserve the opportunity to build new lives,” she said in court documents. “Therefore, I am asking that my request to bifurcate and terminate our marital status be granted.”
Kim Kardashian filed for divorce in February 2021. She married Kanye West in 2014 and had four children with him.
Walshy Fire has one thing on his mind: that second Grammy win for his group Major Lazer, and not for no good reason.
Composed of founder Diplo, Walshy Fire, and Ape Drums, Major Lazer is best known for their ability to transcend genres, breaking down boundaries between reggae, dancehall, reggaeton, soca, house and moombahton.
This year, they are nominated for best Dance/Electronic Album for their Music Is The Weapon (Reloaded) project.
Walshy Fire spends 90% of his day on music, and that exact love, passion, and dedication has bled through his art since the day he started. With roots in both Florida and Jamaica, with an unwavering love for both places that birthed him, Walshy has the innate ability to turn up a crowd in any setting, playing all your favorite tracks while MCing on the microphone and connecting with you on a personal level.
Ever wonder how Koffee’s “Toast” came out? You can thank Walshy Fire for that. In fact, his contributions to Koffe’s project Rapture deemed him his first Grammy win, for Best Reggae Album at the 2020 Grammys. For the rest of his catalog, peep his own Walshy Fire Essentials playlist on Spotify.
He also played a key role as a member of Black Chiney, a DJ crew based in Miami known for their standout, innovative mixtapes that blended Hip Hop and R&B with dancehall and reggae.
AllHipHop:Last time we talked, you had released your album ABENG. How have you been since?
Walshy Fire: I’ve been great, my life has been great. Life has been wonderful. Working on many projects. Executive produced a couple projects, working on some other people’s projects. Working on the second ABENG, I’m going to do a Florida album too. Straight Florida vibe and energy that is missing and was important at one time. It was very popular at one time, but it hasn’t been heard from in a while.
AllHipHop: You were raised between Jamaica and Florida. What do both places mean to you?
Walshy Fire: It’s exactly what it is, right? Jamaica and Florida are both in the Caribbean. Let’s be clear, Miami is where I grew up. Going between both of them my whole life — summers in Jamaica, school in Miami — you get to understand just how much Caribbean culture and south Florida culture play off each other. That’s how me and Wes (Diplo) did the same thing, we both grew up in that. That’s why we’re able to handle culture globally because there was so much going on in those places.
AllHipHop: Fondest memories from being a part of the DJ crew Black Chiney?
Walshy Fire: So many man, just seeing dancehall spread throughout the world and be a big part of that. See people in Japan and Germany and all over the world love Black Chiney, say “Yo, we love this thing.” How much we brought reggae and dancehall to the world, I miss it so much.
AllHipHop: There’s a rise in dancehall more than ever. I know it’s been around forever, but how does it feel?
Walshy Fire: It’s always been there, right? I don’t know if it’s risen and fallen and risen again. It’s fundamentally an underground thing so it’s never really gone away from underground. Sometimes it does become very popular, gets a big club night on a big strip somewhere, but it’s never really gone anywhere because it’s usually more an underground thing. So I love it. I love where it’s reached. I hope it continues to grow because it’s a very big, important part of my life. I love to see it get a chance to be on those big stages every now and then, but I also love the fact that it stays underground sometimes and people don’t notice it.
AllHipHop: I interviewed Izybeats, I can’t believe how “Koffee’s “Toast” came about. His manager sent you the beat on accident?
I
Walshy Fire: asked him to send me some beats, but the beat wasn’t for Koffee. I later found out that he did have another song with that beat, so maybe he did send it by accident. Which was also a good song, but there was another song on the beat. I knew it was a great beat, I was just waiting for the right time to play it. That’s how that worked out, I said “I’m waiting for the right time.”
AllHipHop: Did you anticipate “Toast” would become what it is?
Walshy Fire: No, you never know man. All the Major Lazer songs, all my old songs, you never, ever know. When it won a GRAMMY, it felt so good. You never know, you just know it’s a good song. That’s the goal, to keep making good music, keep making good music, keep making good music.
AllHipHop: How did it feel to win the GRAMMY?
Walshy Fire: Amazing man. I think this year, I’m going to win another one with Major Lazer. I really feel it’s going to happen. Should I say it’s going to happen to speak it into the universe? Let’s manifest it.
AllHipHop: Best Dance/Electronic album for their Music is the Weapon (Reloaded), how’d it feel to get that nomination?
Walshy Fire: It felt great to get nominated. It was dope. It’s always dope to be acknowledged and it feels good. It’s amazing.
AllHipHop: How did you celebrate?
Walshy Fire: Well, I wouldn’t say celebrate as in something different happened. I try to celebrate every day. I try to be like “yo, today’s another great day.” It’s just another great day.
AllHipHop: You contributed a lot to Koffee’s Rapture project. What did that mean?
Walshy Fire: She’s amazing. I don’t know if you’ve gotten a chance to listen to her new music as well, she’s so good. She’s such a great artist. She put out about 3 songs in the last couple months, all good. She’s a great artist.
AllHipHop: What’s the dynamic in the studio?
Walshy Fire: Just great talent man. She used to come over to my house and we’d make the songs on the dining room table. It was awesome. I’m glad to see she’s a big, big artist right now.
AllHipHop: Spotify came out with your own playlist about all the songs you worked on. How is it seeing just all that in one place?
Walshy Fire: So good, it just feels good. You put your work together, sometimes you don’t realize how much work you’ve put in until you see something like that and you’re like “oh s###!” It feels good, it feels amazing.
AllHipHop: What songs are you most proud of?
Walshy Fire: It’s like which kid is your favorite. [laughs] I pick all of them. Ain’t no song that I’ve done that don’t have no memories tied to it, every one of them.
AllHipHop: Talk about linking with Ghetto Kids.
Walshy Fire: Dope man. Shout out to everybody in South America, I’ve worked with so many people there. Ghetto Kids was a great one, man. We shot the video in Mexico City. Great vibe, good energy. Great, great, great, so dope.
AllHipHop: Best memory from the video shoot? Because that looked lit.
Walshy Fire: Yeah man, just the drone shots. The dude with the drone was so good with it. He was able to fly in between your legs and go… it was so dope.
AllHipHop: What’s the craziest place you’ve ever been to? That made you think “Wow, I worked my ass off for this”?
Walshy Fire: It’s a hard question because there’s so many moments like that. Ethiopia was like that. Kenya was like that. Ghana was like that. South Africa was like that. Nigeria was like that. You really are sitting there like “Yo, I’ve dreamt of this day and here it is.” So many moments like that.
AllHipHop: How’d it feel to be chosen for Youtube’s Black Voices Songwriter Class of 2022?
Walshy Fire: That was cool. I didn’t expect it at all. It goes to show: man just do the work and good things happen. I felt really good about that. I felt really, really happy about that, so dope. I appreciate them so much. Hopefully, I’ll drop lots of music just for that purpose. I have something coming out on February 25th.
AllHipHop: What is it?
Walshy Fire: It’s a song called “Validé.” It’s with a Haitian artist named J Perry, another Haitian artist called Michael Brun, then another artist from Bonaire, which is the ABC Islands named Ir-Sais. He had a really big monster hit a couple years ago. Can’t wait, February 25th.
AllHipHop: How does it feel to play this A&R role?
Walshy Fire: It’s a natural progression. You do DJ, you’re curating for an audience. You’re buying records, it only makes sense that you eventually curate all the way up the ladder.
AllHipHop: Favorite song to drop on a DJ set?
Walshy Fire: It changes a lot. There’s so many. The song that I personally get hyped up whenever I play it, where I’m like “I gotta get on the dancefloor!”, is Aly-Us “Follow Me.” It’s a soulful house record. So good, it’s so good. Any Black person immediately looks up. That’s what I think I like so much about this song, it’s just one of those songs. For instance, “Percolator.” You ain’t gotta wonder what a Black person is going to do when that song comes on. You know that song? “It’s time for the Percolator!”
AllHipHop: I know City Girls’ “Twerkulator.”
Walshy Fire: Yeah, they copied a song. The original is “Percolator.” It’s one of those songs where if you didn’t know there was Black people in here, you finna know. Because immediately they start to look up like “it’s time for the Percolator!” It has a dance to it where you have to knock your shoulders like this, and they start to point at you. It’s one of those picnic things.
“I Wanna Thank You Heavenly Father” is another song, amazing. Soho “Hot Music.” You put any of those songs… Soho is probably the one that’s not “we can just rock with it.” It’s like “I love music and that’s how I know that song.” You’ll see some Filipino pop out of nowhere like “you and I love music, and that’s why you’re playing that song.”
AllHipHop: I saw you said music is 90% of your day, what’s the other 10%?
Walshy Fire: I’m trying to learn a lot of things. I want to read. I read, I get into rabbit holes. I’m really into linguistics, so I’ll find a word or or pick a topic and I’ll get deep. Somebody the other day was saying “yeah, you know the Latin GRAMMYs.” Then I was in a 6 hour rabbit hole on why it’s called Latin.
AllHipHop: What did you find out?
Walshy Fire: It’s a wrong term. I understand how it became the term, but to understand how it became the term, everybody has to agree and admit that it comes from colonization. If nobody wants to agree or admit that, then I won’t have the conversation. If you can admit that yes, that Peru was colonized, that Colombia was colonized. If you can get there, then you’ll immediately go “that’s why you call yourself Latin.” It’s not a term you chose. You chose your tribe, your native.
I found out Latin is a group of people called the Latins. They lived in a place called Latiun, which was in Rome when Rome had many tribes.
They were the ones that eventually became the scientists, mathematicians, top military, and top of the church. Therefore their language, even though the street people might not have spoken it, it became the language of the hierarchy. As Rome began to spread, Latin became a language that spread with it.
When people find out that Latin is a tribe, an actual group of people, then you have to ask yourself “are you?” Because you’re not. You’re not from Rome, you’re not from Italy, and you’re not from this Latium place. It’s like when you see Indians in America: guys, we know this was wrong. We know this was a mistake, but still we’re going to call y’all Indians? No, that’s ignorant at this point. I think the word Latin and the word Hispanic will eventually become ignorant as well.
AllHipHop: Really?
Walshy Fire: On everything. One day, you’ll come back to me and say “yo, I can’t believe this is happening.” It’s impossible to blanket all of South America, all of Central America, all of Mexico, all of Carribbean America with this word. If you are an African person, an African descendant living in Venezuela, how does this word pertain to you? It doesn’t. If you’re native, think about it. When you look at those people in Peru, what’s Latin about them? Mexicans, what’s Latin about them? Nothing! Other than the colonized language and some traditions that got forced on them, like religion.
We’re going to have a day of reckoning for that word Latin and Hispanic. I think everyone’s going to begin to say “Nah, we need to come up with a new word that better encapsulates all of the people that speak a certain language.” Maybe we can call ourselves the Spanish-speaking people, but even still. F### man, do I want to be considered the English-speaking people? If they were to do that to us, do I want to be in a crew that’s “We’re the English people!” Nah.
They’ll have to figure it out but there will definitely be a day where words like Latin and Hispanic are going to go away. Think about it, oriental. Nobody says that anymore. It was the only thing people said, and now no one says it. Same thing’s going to happen for Latin and Hispanic. It’s just they’re the last ones to really look up and be like “wait a minute.” Everyone else was like “yo, let me do some research. Okay no, I don’t like this.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZSPa1nJhav/
AllHipHop: How was working with KYLE on “Irreplaceable”?
Walshy Fire: So cool, such a great talent. Unbelievable talent, the dude’s a genius. The whole album is fire. Every song he’s done is so fire.
AllHipHop: What was the studio session like?
Walshy Fire: So good, such a great vibe. The dude is a f###### boss. He’s a top artist. He’s only going to grow and now he’s doing it independently, no label. He’s going to grow organically, real fans that really love him and really understand that he gives his all on every single record. The dude is amazing.
AllHipHop: How did David and Beam get on those tracks?
Walshy Fire: So I walked out the studio at 5 in the morning, apparently Beam walked in at 5:15am. I just missed him. The next day, they texted me like “Yo, Beam got on the song. He came right after you left.” I’d been in the studio for 6 hours that night, then same thing with Craig David.
AllHipHop: That’s legendary.
Walshy Fire: That was insane. I had nothing to do with that. It was all KYLE harassing Craig David via Twitter at night. [laughs] He was constantly like “Yo, I’m a do a song with you. I’m a do a song with you. I’m a do a song with you.” Finally, Craig’s team responded “let’s get it.”
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times.
Walshy Fire: Good energy, good people, good engineer.
AllHipHop: Talk about your relationship with Diplo.
Walshy Fire: That’s my G man. That’s my best friend man, love that guy. What happened here?
AllHipHop: I got in a car accident, fractured my wrist. I had to get surgery.
Walshy Fire: I’m so glad that you’re fine though.
AllHipHop: I go to yoga everyday trying to make this better.
Walshy Fire: Don’t ever stop. I have a neck injury from stage diving, I’m going to have to do this for life. I’m going to have to do therapy for life. And it’s what I should do. I shouldn’t just go “Oh I feel good today, that’s it. I’m not going.” Don’t sleep on physical therapy.
AllHipHop: What do you do, just exercises?
Walshy Fire: I have to do a bunch of things that elongate my neck to pull the C4 and C5 off the nerve, because it’s pinching my nerve.
AllHipHop: Talk about that stage dive though. Where were you?
Walshy Fire: SXSW. Big, big, big performance. I really felt like I had to go all out. Didn’t see there was this speaker right above me. So I ran, jumped, hit the thing.
You can still see a scar right here.
AllHipHop: Was it worth it?
Walshy Fire: No. The physical pain? No, of course not.
AllHipHop: I’m sure the fans were excited.
Walshy Fire: Yeah, my face was bloody. Everybody’s like “Yeahhh! Rock on!”
Walshy Fire: It’s my baby man, every Tuesday night in Miami. You need to take a trip, it’s such a great party. Everybody should come out, Tuesday night. It’s the best. You should always go. Don’t miss it.
AllHipHop: I saw you opened a vinyl bar called Dante’s Hifi also.
Walshy Fire: It’s all vinyl, all tunes. No laptops getting played in there, and great drinks. It’s in Wynwood. It’s another reason to come through, definitely. You gotta take a trip.
AllHipHop: I saw you say this is your first major investment.
Walshy Fire: It is, and I so love it. It’s the best thing I ever did in my life. Great team. It feels great, it’s a huge accomplishment. You always go to a bar or you always are DJing at a bar, then one day you own one. It’s the best feeling in the world. It’s a bar that matters to the community, to the music lovers.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited for next?
Walshy Fire: Just the albums I’m dropping. I’m really excited about dropping lots of music this year, and making it a big year.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself?
Walshy Fire: Yeah, I want to buy a farm in Florida. I’m sure by next time you talk to me, I’ll have that.
She alleges in her lawsuit that at first, the two were at Diddy’s end-of-the-year party in Miami and then went to a different nightclub called E11VEN.
At E11VEN, Jeffries stood up on the couch to get her wiggle on, and the “I Invented Sex” singer stuck his finger inside of her v##### without her consent.
Now, Trey Songz, who has maintained his innocence all along, says in newly filed documents that Jefferies’ team has tried to bribe a key witness to support their story, according to TMZ.
He wants the judge to dismiss the case.
The witness, who is currently unnamed, said that she was approached by Jefferies’ lawyer, Ariel Mitchell, to become a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit. Mitchell told her that she would receive, should she switch, between $100k-$200k, depending on if the Virginia native settled.
She told them “no,” and went back to the singer and dimed them out.
This witness, the singer believes, can clear his name if she tells her story.
She and his defense team claim that she was there and can attest that no one was assaulted that night, not her nor the plaintiff.
Mitchell also represents Dylan Gonzales, another person charging Trey Songz more severe accusations: assault and rape.
The Republic Records artist revealed she’s going on a hiatus and doesn’t know when she’ll return. Coi Leray didn’t specify if she’s stepping away from music or social media in a Twitter post addressed to fans on Tuesday (February 15).
“To all my trendsetters, I’m sorry I let you down,” she wrote. “I don’t have it in me to keep pushing. I feel like I’m brain dead. I pray that everyone continues to keep setting trends and striving. Don’t know when I’ll be back but I don’t even want to think about it. I love you for life.”
The announcement comes a few months after Coi Leray publicly vented about the music industry on her Instagram Stories.
“I’m tired of thinking for everybody!” Coi Leray wrote last year. “I’m tired of people taking the credit for my ideas. Tired of being manipulated. Tired of fighting for my life. Tired of [people’s] opinions, I’m tired of people holding s### against me.”
She continued, “I’m tired of people looking for sympathy when they just don’t get the job done so they find reasons to make you feel bad: s### is sad [for real] this industry is sad [for real]. Tired. I’m just tired. This life is draining. I’m so hungry and motivated. Any label would love to have an artist like me. Sad man. Sad. It’s really a mental sacrifice.”
Coi Leray is fresh off the release of a new single titled “Anxiety,” which arrived in January. Last week, she dropped a music video for the track.
Shaun King spoke out against Kanye West’s treatment of Kim Kardashian on Tuesday (February 15).
The activist accused Kanye West of emotionally abusing Kim Kardashian. Shaun King listed a number of reasons why he’s concerned in a detailed post on Instagram.
“@KanyeWest has crossed a line into abuse,” he wrote. “And here’s the thing. He’s a brilliant artist. He sometimes says smart s###. And makes good music. But he has crossed a dangerous line that I personally find very problematic and is common with abusive men.”
Shaun King mentioned Kanye West’s social media activity, which included threats of violence and publicly revealing Kim Kardashian’s texts. The former New York Daily News writer said ‘Ye’s behavior reminds him of Donald Trump.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaAeGzUPdz2/
“So let me tell you the ONLY other famous person I know that does this… DONALD TRUMP,” he wrote. “Who memed about violence over and over. And alluded to it over and over. UNTIL people got violent. It’s not funny. At the root of it, is Kanye (and Trump’s) extreme narcissism. And his admitted problems with mental health.”
Shaun King also criticized Kanye West for using pro-Black statements to shield himself from scrutiny. The North Star founder argued ‘Ye makes people avoid “troubling warning signs.”
About an hour before Shaun King shared his thoughts on Kanye West, the polarizing rapper addressed his recent social media antics. ‘Ye claimed to “take accountability” for turning his personal life into a public spectacle.
“I’ve learned that using all caps makes people feel like I’m screaming at them,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’m working on my communication. I can benefit from a team of creative professionals, organizers, mobilizers and community leaders. Thank everybody for supporting me. I know sharing screen shots was jarring and came off as harassing Kim. I take accountability. I’m still learning in real time. I don’t have all the answers. To be good leader is to be a good listener.”
The Verzuz battle between Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild won’t be stuck behind a paywall.
Fans were upset when Verzuz directed them to sign up for the “TrillerVerzPass,” which costs $2.99 per month, to watch the R&B battle. Verzuz responded to the backlash by making the event available for free on multiple platforms on Tuesday (February 15).
“We heard you!” the web series announced. “You can watch TONIGHTS #VERZUZ with Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild on a platform that is convenient to you! See you at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET.”
Verzuz co-founder Swizz Beatz also addressed the outrage in an Instagram post promoting the Anthony Hamilton vs. Musiq Soulchild battle. He denied being involved in the decision to put the event behind a paywall.
“See y’all rite here tonight on insta @verzuztv,” he wrote. “Who y’all rocking with @anthonyhamiltonofficial or @musiqsoulchild ? You can also watch in HD on verzuztv.com . I was out the country don’t ask me who did it it’s fixed bless up love y’all.”
Last year, Verzuz was acquired by Triller Network. Triller also owns FITE TV, which is the streaming service offering the TrillerVerzPass.
A 14-day free trial is available for the TrillerVerzPass, which boasts “premium access.” But fans don’t need to sign up for it since Verzuz will be streaming on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and more.
