TMZ caught up with Remy Ma and the outlet’s cameraperson mentioned the City Girls/Nicki Minaj reconciliation. The conversation also included Remy being questioned if she would consider making up with Nicki Minaj in a similar fashion.
“I don’t have any issues with anybody. I’ve been chilling,” responded Remy Ma with a smile on her face. The Bronx emcee previously took a victory lap for her war of words against Nicki Minaj at the 2017 BET Awards.
Meanwhile, Remy Ma is preparing to present the inaugural Queens Get The Money battle rap event. The all-women showcase will take place on February 27 in New York.
“I see a lot of the girls out there doing their thing, spitting about their real experiences. I’m a big fan of that and supporting other women in this industry,” said Remy Ma.
The star of the Remy & Papoose: Meet the Mackies reality show continued, “Being a female rapper in this industry is tough, but we have made lots of effort to level the playing field.”
AJ Tracey shared the details of a chance encounter with Drake that helped shape the kind of artist he is today.
The West London rapper highlighted the influence Champagne Papi had on his career via his Instagram Stories.
“5 years ago today drake had me and the mandem in the club in a tracksuit,” AJ Tracey wrote. “The club that was 10 mins from the blocks i spent every day in. The club i could never get in.”
He recalled there was only one vacant table in the members’ section in a room packed with celebrities. However, AJ Tracey says Drake secured the table for the U.K rapper and his friends.
“On God I couldn’t believe it, the biggest rapper in the world hailing up my ting,” he said. AJ Tracey expressed his gratitude at Drake looking out at a time when he says, “very few of my peers or ‘olders’ in the scene wanted to show me love.”
Nonetheless, he says, “Fast forward – this is the same club I have now recorded multiple platinum records in & have a great relationship with, I don’t think the boy even knows how much this meant to me and how much confidence it gave me to cut tru and win.”
Ultimately the experience with Drake taught AJ Tracey” to always pay it forward” and to “show as much love as possible.”
Meanwhile, AJ Tracey is nominated for Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act at the 2022 BRIT Awards. The show goes down today (Feb. 8) in London, and he’s facing tough competition! Central Cee, Dave, Ghetts, and Little Simz are also in the running.
AJ Tracey got fans excited back in January when he tweeted, “new music pending.” However, on Monday (Feb. 6) he revealed that his plans have been delayed. “Haven’t dropped new music yet cos im still deciding what to drop,” he tweeted with an emoji suggesting he was feeling a little smug.
haven't dropped new music yet cos im still deciding what to drop 😌
Nicki Minaj steps up as a cop and interrogates an international criminal in this short film for her single, “Do We Have A Problem.” Make sure to watch this one all the way to the end as we get a lil Power cameo in this and a lil bit of acting from the one and only Pink Barbie. We won’t spoil this for you, but LIl Baby and Nicki Minaj are an team in this movie and they are combo that can’t be stopped!
Throughout her career, Azealia Banks became a regular example of a “canceled” celebrity. Her political views, witchcraft practices, and offensive remarks caused the 30-year-old New Yorker to be flogged in the public square on multiple occasions.
Joe Rogan is the latest famous individual to face widespread backlash. Critics blasted The Joe Rogan Experience host for supposedly spreading COVID-19 misinformation and for a video montage of the 54-year-old comedian saying “n#####” repeatedly.
In response, Azealia Banks is now questioning why Joe Rogan seems to be getting a pass for his transgressions after apologizing. The Broke with Expensive Taste album creator took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the situation.
Banks wrote:
Damn, Joe Rogan is about to get a slap on the hand for being grown and knowing not to say the n-word and continue to prosper. I’m still being punished in adulthood for things I said as a kid and have repeatedly apologized for. This is not any attempt to garner sympathy but if he gets the room to learn from “mistakes” and we are acknowledging that people deserve second chances and room to grow, I would’ve really benefitted from having those same opportunities extended to me when I needed them most. I definitely needed that compassion, good will, and support on multiple occasions. Not a pity party but just even the tiniest bit of support could have changed my life on levels deeper than music.
Kanye West has a new three-part documentary series that premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival last month. The project has been much hyped with two trailers circulating, the most recent was released just days ago.
Nevertheless, in true Kanye West fashion, he still wants to make changes to the film. Ye took to Instagram late on Monday night (Feb. 7) to announce his latest requirement for ‘jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy.’
Ye shared a text conversation about the film. He did not reveal who he was talking to but said, “I need Drake to do the narration.”
Then, Kanye West doubled down on his desire to have Drake involved writing “DRAKE WANNA NARRATE THE DOCUMENTARY,” in the post’s caption. Interestingly, Champagne Papi was clocked liking the post.
However, Kanye West recently had a dispute with the filmmakers over who gets creative control of the docuseries. Ye once again vented his frustrations publicly via his official Instagram account.
“I’m going to say this kindly for the last time. I must get final edit and approval on this doc before it releases on Netflix. Open the edit room immediately so I can be in charge of my own image. Thank you in advance 😊.”
Unfortunately for Kanye The film’s directors Coodie and Chike told Rolling Stone they would not be relinquishing control, although they were not surprised Ye wanted them to.
“If Kanye wasn’t as polarizing of a character as he was, we wouldn’t have an interesting doc,” Chike explained. “This just comes with the territory. This is Kanye’s personality, so you just embrace it and then it’s going to take us, take us wherever it takes us…. This is the person that we’re dealing with. We all know what we’re dealing with.”
Meanwhile, Kanye West has been spotted out on the town having dinner at Nobu restaurant on Monday in Malibu, California. Rumor has it he was there with model Chaney Jones, who he was also seen with last week.
Antonio Brown revealed he is the president of Kanye West’s new venture Donda Sports, sharing a $2 million invoice to highlight his boss moves.
“WE THE OWNERS NOW !” the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer declared on Instagram. Antonio Brown chose to notify his followers of his new appointment by posting an invoice for VIP and suite tickets for the Super Bowl.
“Donda is about ownership, empowerment, and discovering the next superheroes,” AB wrote. “This is for the people who counted us out, for everyone who said we can’t— we say WE WILL.”
He continued, “As President, it was important to me to book the Donda Suite for this years SUPERBOWL LVI. This is a game meant to be watched together. This is the love and unity we need to push. THIS IS FOR THE KIDS, OUR NEXT GENERATION!!!”
Antonio Brown also revealed Donda Sports will host family events for the Super Bowl this Sunday (Feb. 13). “We will be hosting community events this weekend, and inviting kids with their families to the game, let’s give people the Donda Experience. It’s A Family Affair,” he added.
However, something appears amiss as the invoice Antonio Brown posted was dated February 7, 2021. It was also due on the same date, the day of Super Bowl 2021.
Earlier this month, Hollywood Unlocked shared a press release announcing Antonio Brown had joined Donda Sports. While his role at the company was not disclosed, the statement confirmed he brings “an athlete’s perspective to all aspects of the organization.”
Antonio Brown Says “Baby Boy the President Now”
Antonio Brown also shared a post at the weekend teasing his new role. “Baby Boy the President Now,” he wrote on Instagram. “You Got To Make AN Appointment.”
Meanwhile, AB has been hanging with Ye and his crowd for some time. The two were pictured together days after he was kicked out of the Buccaneers and numerous times since. Most recently, Antonio Brown joined Kanye West and a host of Black journalists for The Future Brunch.
Cardi B has made her daughter’s Instagram account private after becoming aware of the vile comments left under her posts.
The multi-talented businesswoman and entertainer discovered what was going on after being alerted by a concerned Twitter user. Someone had posted a series of screenshots featuring vile remarks about Cardi B and Offset’s 3-year-old daughter, Kulture.
Cardi B retweeted the post and had some things of her own to say about those who comment such hurtful things about a child. “Haven’t been checking my daughter account but now I’m going to lock her page,” she wrote. “I don’t know wtf is going on but I hope y’all moms die for giving birth to you hoe ass weirdos.”
She then doubled down on those sentiments in response to someone who has since deleted their tweet. “SUCK MY DICK !! I said what I said,” wrote Cardi B defiantly.
Cardi B stood true to her word and Kulture’s Instagram account, which currently has 2.3 million followers, is now private. Belcalis is a fiercelydefensive mother and just a day earlier, had expressed her thoughts about protecting her children.
“I be thinking too much and too hard cause I don’t want my kids to ever get in situations that I got myself into.”
I be thinking too much and too hard cause I don’t want my kids to ever get in situations that I got myself into.
Meanwhile, Cardi B hopped on Instagram Live recently and shared her concerns about the quality of Atlanta’s drinking water.
“Let me tell you something, and I’m gonna say I was afraid to say it,” Cardi B admitted. “But I believe that there is something wrong with the water in Atlanta. Because, while I was in Atlanta, my face just started getting so dry and irritated. I kept putting moisturizer to the point that it started getting so irritated that I started putting Vaseline on, the old school way.”
She then asked her followers for advice as her face was “still so f###### dry” a week after leaving Atlanta.
“Do any of y’all have suggestions of what type of moisturizer I should wear?” Cardi asked. “Because, bro, I feel like I’ve been trying everything. My face is so irritated, it just feels itchy and dry.”
I don’t know folks! First of all, let’s acknowledge that we still haven’t gotten to a resolution between Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion. The verdict is still out on whether or not he shot her. That said, I think that is going to come to a head shortly.
But there is new business as a relates to the Canadian rapper. I am getting word that Tory Lanez is expecting another child. And who might that be with? Certainly, I have not gotten a hard confirmation, But I am getting a slew of emails from my editor who has a source that says the mother is none other than Melii.
Melii is a bad NY chick. Honestly, I think that she could’ve gotten a lot bigger if Cardi B didn’t occupy a similar space that she did. Still, she is a really dope artist. However, she is recently started posting pictures of herself ALLEGEDLY pregnant. That then SPAWNED rumors that she is in fact pregnant by Tory Lanez. The source says that they are boyfriend and girlfriend!
Recently Mali took a slew of pictures and they are mostly on her IG stories. In the midst of those stories, there are a couple of shots that seem to show a baby bump. Most of them do not show any bump. If you go far enough into her stories you will see her slowly but surely address this rumor.
She begins to notice the chatter. So, she breaks down the boyfriend thing. And says she is not dating anyone. Without saying that she’s not pregnant, she addresses her sheep and says that she is just shaped like she is shaped and has always been like that. Subliminally, addressing the pregnancy rumors but does not directly say she is not pregnant. Peep it:
So, I am thinking this might be a bad rumor or she is manipulating the visuals to get us talking. If that is the case, it worked! One thing is for sure, all of these pictures can’t be from this same day or she would’ve had to do a bunch of wardrobe changes and also hairstyle changes!
I think she just has a new song coming up! And here it!
If Pusha T is rapping about coke when he turns 80 years old, we are here for it. After hearing his newest single, “Diet Coke,” we aren’t too convinced King Push has put the lyrical pyrex down. Pusha T is a rap veteran but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to talk about the past with Menace. Known for that white flow that torched tracks until they were charcoal black, Pusha T blows this track off the glass for numbing face agent sure to make your ears ring. Produced by Kanye West and 88 Keys.
Gunna created a “Pushin P” internet craze seemingly out of nowhere, eventually turning the phrase into a song. Now, the “Drip Too hard” hitmaker has taken it a step further. He made 🅿️ a permanent feature by tattooing the blue “P” symbol on his arm.
He took to Instagram to show off his new ink, posting a video of him in the chair as the tattooist gets to work. Gunna also shared a series of images, including a few highlighting his coordinating fit and layers of ice draped around his neck and wrists.
Gunna has spoken about the meaning of “Pushin P” several times. It essentially means “keeping it playa,” or “keeping it real.” He highlighted a few examples of P during a recent Instagram Live session.
“F###### your partner’s main b#### ain’t P,” Gunna explained to his followers. “If you hold the door for a lady, that’s P. Arguing with your partner about money ain’t P. We ain’t doing that. We’re pushing P.”
Listen To Gunna Explain Pushin P
Meanwhile, Gunna took to Twitter on Monday evening (Feb. 7) to distance himself from an alleged Crypto scam. He previously promoted the cryptocurrency, which was then labeled a scam.
“Ay @pushinpeth making a crypto metaverse for us!” he wrote in a since-deleted tweet. “@shanemooncharts backing the project, I know this is gonna fly. IM TAKING THIS TO THE MOON JOIN THE TELEGRAM HERE.”
However, he claimed later he was “hacked” and apologized to anyone affected by the alleged scam.
“To my followers and fans ! I didn’t know anything about this ”pushin peth” Scam . Someone hacked my twitter and I immediately deleted the tweet ! I would never co sign any fraud or scams privately or publicly ! And I’m extremely sorry to anyone how was scammed !”
Nonetheless, fans were calling on the Georgia native to release a track he has with rising underground rap star Yeat. The Cali-bred rapper shared a snippet of Gunna on a track during a recent Instagram Live session.
NLE Choppa intends to reveal another side of his music.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, NLE Choppa expressed his desire to make love songs. The Warner Records artist said he’s focused on creating music for women in a series of Twitter posts on Sunday (February 6).
“Im finna make music for the women, R&B Choppa,” he wrote. “I make better love songs then hype songs on my life. I just haven’t gave y’all snippets of it. Time to treat my queens.”
I make better love songs then hype songs on my life. I just haven’t gave y’all snippets of it. Time to treat my queens 💜
NLE Choppa is fresh off the release of his Me Vs. Me mixtape, which dropped on January 28. The 16-track project includes collaborations with Young Thug, Moneybagg Yo, G Herbo and Polo G.
Me Vs. Me debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 after selling roughly 21,000 units in its first week. The mixtape is his second release to crack the Top 15 of the chart.
NLE Choppa’s debut album is still his highest-charting project to date. Top Shotta, which was certified gold by the RIAA, peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 in 2020.
An artist’s drive and competitiveness will be well-known in the music world because of an artist’s ability to remain consistent amidst a roaring industry. Some artists go undetected, no matter how hard they work every day. Only a few people can stamp a single mark–– one such artist, MITRI LAMAR, entered the music industry to upset the status quo.
Mitri Lamar is a Miami-Dade County, Florida, native who grew up in Richmond Heights. Since he was a youngster, Lamar has wanted to be a musician. It’s intriguing to learn about his experience as a music producer and singer. Lamar began his musical career at the age of 10, but it wasn’t until he was fifteen that he began to take it seriously and determined to make it a career.
Let’s look at the entire process of music composition right now. Let’s look at how he creates his songs’ fascinating rhythms. Mitri’s immediate reaction is to focus on the beat. He writes a catchy hook and verse and then improvises if he likes the beat. He composes much of his music while singing. He utilizes his notes as a guide when recording, but if the beat is magnificent, he can freestyle it.
Lamar also raised attention to the challenges and problems that independent musicians undergo, which most people are unaware of. Lamar does not consider himself self-sufficient, but he recognizes the reality. “It’s a lovely sense to be able to produce without delay as a musician,” he adds. “The simpler something is to do, the better it feels, and right now, I’m feeling terrific.”
Lamar also offers some tips for aspiring musicians just starting out in the music industry.
“Be cautious, undertake rigorous study, and confirm that this is the appropriate option for you,” Lamar advises. It requires hard effort, but it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a different world, so learn it as best you can; but, slow and steady wins the race; every opportunity isn’t the most incredible opportunity, and, if you’re anything like me, learn to defend your heart with your head.
Lamar’s favorite project he’s ever worked on is “TRAP MELODIES.” He claims that this effort illustrates who “Mitri Lamar” is or, to put it another way, imprints a bit of himself in it.
“Trap Melodies” showcases his variety and ability to change up his flow and melodies. It also illustrates his living situation and other events in his life.
Lamar knows how to keep calm when things don’t go as planned on a project. As a result of his experiences, he learned to remain serene over time, because stress is no longer something anyone wants to focus on. Consequently, he faces the matter head-on and does his best to deal with it. Even if he fails, he has given it his all. It is impossible to modify what already exists; all one can do is influence what will occur.
Because of his devotion and passion, Lamar received the “Miami Entertainment Award” for “Best Male Singer.”
Lamar’s most concrete achievement at the time was his honor.
You may find Lamar by searching for “Mitri Lamar” on your favorite search engine. He has conducted interviews in both text and video formats. Almost anything you need to know about Lamar can be found on the internet. The only other option is to obtain it straight from the source.
Julia Fox denied breaking up with Kanye West after her social media activity sparked rumors. The Uncut Gems star deleted some of her photos with ‘Ye on Instagram and unfollowed fan accounts, which led to speculation about a possible split.
“Guys, relax,” the actress said in an Instagram Stories video. “I unfollowed the fan accounts because I was tired of seeing myself, okay? Suddenly, Instagram was not a fun place anymore. And I took the f###### photos down because I read the comments and everyone was like, ‘Oh my God, you clearly only posted photos where you looked good in.”
Julia Fox referenced critics of her photo selection in a message posted on Saturday (February 5). The post included several pictures of her alongside Kanye West.
“And of course special thanks to Ye,” she wrote. “pics by @arnold_daniel. YES IM AWARE I ONLY CHOSE PHOTOS THAT I LOOK GOOD IN.”
Julia Fox began dating Kanye West in January. The couple’s romance has garnered lots of publicity at a time when Yeezy’s frequently lashed out at his estranged wife Kim Kardashian.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are currently in the middle of a bitter divorce. Julia Fox is a divorcee herself following a split with the father of her child in 2020.
CC’ is an up-and-coming R&B singer from South Central California and is currently making a statement in the music industry today. At the age of 9, she was inspired by the legendary great voices of Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston. More recent CC’ gained her musical inspiration from great talented artists like Jazmine Sullivan, Brandi, and Lauren Hill. CC’ began singing for her local church and remembers feeling the anointing in the room while the other choir members sang. She believed singing was something she was called to do and always believed that someday she was going to use her abilities in the form of a career.
Growing up the support from her family and peers encouraged her to keep singing and striving in the direction of her passion. As the years went by she focused on her craft and dedicated her upcoming career to her family using her hard work and determination to make it happen. Last year, CC’ dropped her debut first single “Love Again” and immediately received recognition as the song skyrocketed in numbers. CC’ has quickly gained a vast fan base with her voice and was mentioned as Apple Music’s “Best New Song” landing her at the #6 spot.
“There are so many distractions in this world and many people are going through something, I believe every day is a new day to strive to be better than the day before. I want my music to create an atmosphere to place ease to a heavy mind in hopes to shed positivity for people who can relate to it. I hope to continue to make a positive impact on the R&B community as well as the world as a whole”, CC’ states when referring to the reason she continues to make music and what drives her when creating new material.
Recently CC’ released her new single “Cold World” which has garnered a buzz similar to her debut. Self-improvement is important to CC’ and as she releases new music she continues to have us in amazement as she never lets her foot off the gas. CC’ has just announced her upcoming new single “Uno” and “3 Days” will be dropping soon, so it would be wise to keep up with this star in the making as she strives for greatness within the R&B industry. Follow CC’ On Instagram here:
Justin Johnson, one of the men accused of murdering Young Dolph, is facing more legal trouble.
According to Action News 5, Johnson has also been charged with failure of a Tennessee sex offender to timely report or register. He told a judge he couldn’t afford an attorney to represent him in the case on Monday (February 7).
Johnson was convicted of aggravated rape in 2015. He’s required to report to police on a quarterly basis but failed to in December 2021.
A public defender will be appointed to represent Johnson for the sex offender registration violation. He’s still without a lawyer in the Young Dolph murder case.
Johnson and Cornelius Smith, the other man accused of killing Young Dolph, declined public defenders during their first court appearance in January. At their second appearance, a judge granted them an extra week to find lawyers.
Both men claimed they would be able to hire their own representation. The Young Dolph murder suspects are currently locked up without bond.
Johnson and Smith have been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, employment of a firearm during a dangerous felony and theft of property over $10,000. If convicted of murder, the two could face the death penalty or life in prison.
“The name Time and Space signifies the feeling of escaping reality – the moment when you’re going through a tough time and put on your headphones. Turn up the music and travel through time and space to another dimension where it all makes sense.” Headphones in, play. I listen to the handcrafted melody introduce itself — it immediately catches my attention. The build-up in ‘Intro’ lifted my brow, then put a smile on my face. Note after note, although encapsulated in one tiny EP, fills our ears with a timeless masterful collection. It’s rhythmic, electronic vibe on replay. The brilliant melody is bright and pleasing to the ear. Instrumentally, the song has a rich, full sound that could compliment almost any vocal track perfectly.
Overall, Frankie XY’s latest sounds are distinctive and original, available on all platforms now. Behind The ArtistFrankie XY is a musician who has swiftly climbed to the top after releasing a plethora of various musical influences, garnering critical acclaim. Always having a passion for music, Frankie XY began to officially produce music in 2017. From then on, he expanded his creative boundaries and stretched his own musical palette – his style and genre were described as unclassifiable. It makes sense, as his fanbase has grown around his timeless and appealing sounds. Marching to their own beats, artists like Chris Martin and Ye, were great role models for Frankie’s craft. The music and songs we often value you the most are those that stand out – these unique characteristics are possessed naturally by Frankie XY and seen so evidently in his art.
As the buzz around his upcoming release – Neatly produced for Drake is emphasized, Frankie XY is seen as more than just a Producer but also as an artist himself. He describes Time & Space as a ‘product of his creative energy and seeing how far he could push himself creatively, even drawing inspiration from personal life lessons. This body of work consists of tangible and intangible inspirations that were meant to inspire others. “Growing up in East L.A. it was unheard of to pursue your dreams. It was the classic, go to school, work construction, or work two jobs when you grow up.
Never made sense to me, so I decided to do what I wanted to do,” he explains, “I aim to do one thing: give people that courage to look past their own fears and go out and make their dreams a reality; like I did.”A musical genius, Frankie is an accomplished musician who has showcased a treasure chest of technical skills, creativity, and a forward-thinking approach to melody. Innovative and forward-thinking, his timeless music is sure to have a positive influence on whoever hears it. Find out more about Frankie XY’s, and do not miss out on his most recent releases and production works. Follow him on Instagram or Twitter and start listening on Spotify or Apple Music.
Haan, one of Australia’s most exciting up-and-coming producers, has inked a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music. Haan, a longtime collaborator of The Kid Laroi, assisted in the production of the big global hit “Stay,” which ripped up the charts across the world and recently set an unprecedented milestone with over one billion Spotify streams — the fastest song ever to accomplish so, in just 118 days.
Haan is only 19 years old, but he’s one of the few hip-hop producers from Sydney, Australia, in the American music scene. His father, who produced and played instruments as a hobby, exposed him to music at a young age. Around the age of eight, Haan began playing the guitar and keyboard, accompanying himself to songs on the radio such as the Fugees’ “Killing Me Softly.
From the recent interview between Genius and Haan, we got to know many things about his journey into the musical world. Haan added that he didn’t really start producing until January of last year. He was always into music and tinkering with things. He used to do vocals, record himself, and compose music with LAROI when he lived in Australia. He was actually DJing when he came out here [to Los Angeles] with him. He used to perform gigs and DJ parties. Then after a time, Laroi asked Haan, “you’re with me every day in the studio, why don’t you start producing?”.
It piqued Haan’s interest. He already had a solid understanding of music. He’s recently begun to put that into practice, going deep into production every day in the studio alongside Kid Laroi. Laroi pushed him to grow because he was always working with an artist and instead of generating beats, he was writing genuine songs.
Kid Laroi and Haan met in a concert in which they both were not allowed due to the age restrictions and then they both started hitting off the stage. Haan and Kid Laroi met up in Sydney, Australia. In comparison to America, it was a fairly minor scene back there. They were big fans of rap music, and there was a small scene in their neighborhood, but it was largely influenced by American and British culture. They were the only ones who made music at such a young age.
Now let’s talk about the song “Stay” ft. Justin Beiber and Kid Laroi which Haan produced alongside Charlie Puth, FnZ, Cashmere Cat, Omer Fedi, and Blake Statkin.
The concept was conceived eight months ago. Charlie Puth was invited to a studio session at the home of one of Haan’s close friends, Blake Statkin. Haan and LAROI had just pulled up to the house and were kicking it. “Let me record over that right now,” LAROI said as Charlie opened up this analog synthesizer and played the “Stay” melody. He came up with the idea and posted a snippet on Instagram, and it went viral.
After the song’s concept had been finalized. They left it alone for a few months before doing anything with it. “We should put the song out and put Justin Bieber on it,” [LAROI’s manager] Bibby said a few months ago. Because this was when LAROI was just getting started with Bieber and forming a relationship with him. Finally, LAROI requested that Haan complete this record, add something to it, and flesh it out. He went to FnZ, a producing duo from Australia based in Los Angeles. He connected them and began working on the song. The song’s final result is simply a mash-up of everyone’s ideas and variations.
Justin finally got on it approximately two months ago. They intended to release it at that time. Justin collaborated with LAROI on the track. LAROI had shown up at his studio and played him the record, and the two of them simply worked on the tune and finished it together.
“Yeah, this is a hit,” Haan said after hearing the song. The rhythm went crazy for Justin, and LAROI went crazy for it. Haan thought everything sounded finished when he put it all together
Haan also disclosed his favorite song in which he worked with Kid Laroi. “RUNNING,” from the first F-ck Love project, was one of Haan’s favorites. It’s really undervalued music; aside from Laroi’s core following, few people have heard it, but it’s one of his favorite recordings on the album, and it’s more of an R&B type song. And then there’s “NEED YOU MOST,” which is an interpolation of Ne-“So Yo’s Sick.”
Genius also asked why he has not produced for so long. The best advice is to be self-assured, not be afraid to be yourself, to form relationships, and to be extroverted. There have been moments when he wanted to stay in bed or avoid going to parties, but things like that absolutely help him. One must move in the manner of an artist.
R&B legend Syl Johnson, an artist heavily sampled by Hip-Hop artists, has died at the age of 85. His name might not ring bells, but his music will.
Songs like Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power,” Wu-Tang Clan’s “Shame on a N***a,” Eric B. & Rakim’s “I Know You Got Soul,” Kwamé’s “Ownlee Eue,” De La Soul’s “The Magic Number” EPMD’s, “It’s My Thing,” Boogie Down Production’s “Criminal Minded,” Kool G Rap & DJ Polo’s “Talk Like Sex,” RUN-DMC’s “Beats to the Rhyme,” Nas’ “Made You Look (Apache Remix),” and Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “The Joy,” starring the late Curtis Mayfield are jams that feature elements of his work, specifically the hit single “Different Strokes,” from his 1968 debut album Dresses Too Short.
In total, according to WhoSampled, more than 300 songs have sampled portions of that one song, making it one of the most important works in Hip-Hop culture.
His family confirmed his death in a statement that read in part, “Fiery, fierce, fighter, always standing for the pursuit of justice as it related to his music and sound … He will truly be missed by all who crossed his path. His catalog and legacy will be remembered as impeccable and a historical blueprint to all who experience it. To his fans around the world, he loved you all. A lover of music and a Chicago icon, Syl Johnson lived his life unapologetically.”
While many have used his work, it was not without cost to the culture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzPyTacV8iE
In 2011, AllHipHop.com broke the news that Johnson sued rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West for the unauthorized use of portions of his song in their composition, “The Joy.” The lawsuit would eventually seek a settlement and the song was able to stand using the sample. Other artists sued by Johnson for using his work without proper permission are names like Michael Jackson and Cypress Hill.
The artist’s daughter is R&B singer Syleena Johnson. Here is a tribute she previously did to her father.
Syleena Johnson singing her daddy's song Is it because I'm Black resonates as much today as it did in the 70s. R.I.P. Syl Johnson🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/wV6wo8utos
Since his death, she did not speak outside of the family’s statement. She did retweet a promotion for her father’s 2016 documentary Syl Johnson: Any Way the Wind Blows , an in-depth review of his career and life.
WattsHomieQuan is here to entertain the masses, spreading nothing short of good vibes and laughter from Watts to the rest of the world. Exploding onto the scene with his hilarious Instagram skits and accurate impersonations of all your favorite celebrities, WattsHomieQuan, real name Watts Hannin is an actor, comedian, director, writer, and rapper all in one.
In describing himself, he states, “I’m a young dude from Watts, Los Angeles. I basically maneuvered my way through the city and took my life’s experiences and created relatable skits dedicated to the people in the city that I’m from. The hood, I gave people from LA a voice by wanting to show the world who we are and what we do. Have some fun with it.”
WattsHomieQuan got his big break auditioning for Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘N Out, and proceeded to do 4 seasons of the show (Seasons 12 through 15). That instantly opened the door for even greater opportunities, such as being featured on Issa Rae’s “Insecure” and assistant directing for Beyonce’s “Black Is King” musical and visual album.
But his biggest passion project to date? His own comedy sketch show called Growing Up IN LA. The goal is to bridge the gap between black and Latino communities in Los Angeles while giving his community the platform to speak their truths.
AllHipHop: Being from Watts, what was that like growing up?
WattsHomieQuan: Growing up in Watts was an amazing experience for me because it taught me so many things. I was forced to grow up a lot faster — not in a bad sense, but being able to see what’s going on in the city and decide which sides I should go to. Should I go to the positive side or should I go this gang side? Where I see because it’s all around us. We don’t have too many opportunities in Watts. I allowed the things around me to shape and mold me into this person to be able to explain why we do certain things, or why someone would have this state of mind or that mindset.
Growing up in Watts, it was amazing. Things people don’t know about Watts, it’s a lot of love within the city too. You gotta get in there to know. If you hear it from somebody else, “Oh, Watts is dangerous” — it is. It has its moments, but it’s not like that. We have a lot of dope people that came from Watts, musical roots, all different stuff like that. It was an amazing experience growing up in the city.
AllHipHop: When did you realize you were funny?
WattsHomieQuan: As a kid, my mom used to have me doing dances that I knew and cracking jokes amongst the family. Grown people used to laugh at me, so I thought, “Okay, alright. I got a lil something.” It was really my personality. I never really thought about it at first, I was 8 years old like, “Alright, I’m just funny.”
AllHipHop: Who were your biggest influences?
WattsHomieQuan: Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, the Wayans, Jamie Foxx, Dave Chappelle, Katt Williams, Ice Cube, DJ Pooh. Bernie Mac, because my parents used to have all the VHS tapes of Def Comedy Jam. I used to watch that as a kid and say raunchy jokes. [laughs]
AllHipHop: What was your first big break?
WattsHomieQuan: My first big break musically was Diddy’s REVOLT TV. It was a time where they had a contest for Big Sean’s Dark Sky Paradise. I had to rap on stage with Big Sean, and I had to recite his lyrics. That was the first big thing I did. It helped push me because I had a chance to work with Big Sean, and then Wild ‘N Out was the next one. That was two years after that, but that’s what sparked for some people to remember me.
AllHipHop: How was your experience rapping on stage with Big Sean?
WattsHomieQuan: It was in Hollywood. It was amazing because Big Sean gave me dope advice, letting me know that it’s okay to be nervous but to be comfortable. Just have fun and do it. He said, “I don’t even remember half of my lyrics sometimes.” He’ll say a part of his verse and when he stops, I go. It was an amazing experience.
AllHipHop: Is your name from Rich Homie Quan?
WattsHomieQuan: Right. My real name is TyQuan, so the Quan is mines. Rich Homie Quan was dope. He was going crazy, everybody was listening to his music. I wanted to include the city in my name wherever I went, his name sounded hard so I said “Rich Homie Quan? WattsHomieQuan, that’s hard! Alright, cool.” And it stuck.
AllHipHop: Talk about how Wild ‘N Out happened. Nick [Cannon] is the kindest soul, so how was that experience?
WattsHomieQuan: That experience was crazy. It was during a tough time in my life where I was homeless, this was back in 2018. I was talking to God and I asked him to show me a sign, like “I need something to do.” When I got on Instagram, Nick Cannon posted, “Hey, who do y’all want to see on Wild ‘N Out?” So I took the last money I had, went to the Slauson, bought a Wild ‘N Out hoodie and got the dude to put the fake Wild ‘N Out logo on there. I did skits every single day to get his attention.
Then DJ Hed from the radio called me because that’s my partner. He said, “Aye, bruh, you got a chance to talk to Nick?” I said “nah, people are playing.” Because people were telling me that they’d introduce me to Nick. just to get closer to me and talk to me. Nobody really does it but Hed did it. He called Nick Cannon, put him on the phone. Nick said, “Hey, I ain’t seen your content, but people telling me to work with you. I can’t guarantee you’ll make my show, but I can give you an audition.” I told Nick straight up, “Bro, don’t give me nothing. Give me an audition and I’ll show you why I deserve to be on this show.” And I did it.
AllHipHop: Were you funny as hell?
WattsHomieQuan: Hell yeah. They made me do my own audition tape, and I‘d never really done that before. I went to the barbershop, I decorated the barbershop like the Wild
‘N Out audience. I got some girls to be the Wild ‘N Out girls, and I played this game. I did it back and forth: I played the red team, the black team. I made my own video with just me, doing all these different games. Two months after that, they called me and let me know that they wanted to fly me out to Atlanta to audition.
AllHipHop: How’d it feel getting the audition?
WattsHomieQuan: It felt good man, I was nervous. I didn’t believe that it was real until that first episode. I was in shock, because it’s a dude from Watts who’s from the hood, who doesn’t have any cosign, no representation, nobody to do that. I was able to do that. I felt good because my situation allowed people who come from where I come from to see hope and know that they can do it too, because I’m from the same spot they’re from.
AllHipHop: You’ve done 4 seasons right?
WattsHomieQuan: I did 4. Technically, I’m a senior at Wild ‘N Out.
AllHipHop: Favorite episode?
WattsHomieQuan: There’s two. My first episode, with Kandi Burruss and Lil Baby. The second one, I was able to give a Nipsey Hussle impression after he passed away. That was big for me and the culture because Nipsey was one of my partners, so it felt good to be able to do that.
AllHipHop: What was your relationship like with Nip?
WattsHomieQuan: I’m the only person that can do Nipsey’s voice, so I used to do his impressions on Instagram. Lauren London commented on it laughing, he commented on it. Plus the street s###, my family is associated with his section so he already knew about me. We’re talking like, “Hey, come to the set.” We started doing some s### together. 4/20, I did the impression in front of him and Lauren London. They laughed. After that, me and Nipsey became cool. Everywhere he was at and I was there, he’d walk over and say something. Or even if I’m somewhere and he’s doing something, he’d stop and come talk to me, just show me love.
AllHipHop: Talk about being in the new House Party remake!
WattsHomieQuan: Oh my God! It was directed by my boy Calmatic, executive produced by Lebron James. It’s a dope film, we have a lot of amazing stars in there. I play myself, but also the hood character I play on Instagram. It’s ScammerQuan, and I’m pretty much a hood dude who hasn’t really been out the hood. I’m exposed to this fantasy s###. I’m thinking about flockin’ the house so I’m asking “how much does this cost?” [laughs] Pretty much I’m a hood dude inside the movie.
AllHipHop: How does it feel to be acting and doing all these projects in that world?
WattsHomieQuan: Amazing man, amazing. This is something that I’ve dreamed for, that I wake up everyday saying, “Lord, this is what I want to do.” To be able to get in a New Line Cinema film, it’s truly amazing. A blessing, and it’s the start amongst many more.
AllHipHop: Talk about doing an episode of Insecure as well.
WattsHomieQuan: I was playing myself, WattsHomieQuan. It was a scene where Issa Rae’s boo thing, sneaky link, whatever you wanna call it, Nathan was in a barbershop and his friend got mad at him for taking his barber client. He exposed that he’s bipolar to the shop, I walk in in the heat of the moment. The sad thing about it was I had to get my hair cut by the dude who was angry, so I got a f##### up haircut. It was an amazing experience though, to be able to have fun and improv, be on the set for the last season of an epic show. Issa Rae really worked hard. I watched it on Youtube before it got picked up so to see that and be a part of history, it was a fun experience for me.
AllHipHop: You were also the assistant director for Beyoncé’s Black Is King! That’s huge.
WattsHomieQuan: I was 2nd’s assistant director. I got the alley oop from a dope director named haitianev. He works on a lot of music videos and dope stuff for celebrities. He gave the opportunity to my son’s mom, Myeka Williams, another director inside the DGA. She’s a dope director, directs promos and videos for TV shows. We got the call, and we didn’t know it was Beyoncé until we got there.
AllHipHop: Who did you think it was?
WattsHomieQuan: I just knew it was a high-profile artist. They gave us the shot list, they gave us everything. They said “Oh by the way, it’s Beyoncé.” I’m like, “What?” They said “Yeah, Beyoncé requested you guys.” We’re like, “Oh s###, okay.” We get in there, it was amazing to see her work in person. We’re able to see her in front of us, perform, dance, set the whole choreo up. She was so sweet to everyone. She thanked the whole crew, she took her time out to say thank you to everyone. She gave so much love. I had the chance to chill with Blue Ivy. Her favorite snacks are Cheeto Puffs and Capri Suns. [laughs] It was funny, a dope experience. I was blown away because I’m from the hood, I’m here working in front of Beyoncé. She chose us to work. Man, it was crazy.
AllHipHop: Talk about starting your own comedy sketch, Growing Up In LA!
WattsHomieQuan: My TV show, it’s on Youtube. 5 episodes. I wanted to create a sketch show because we don’t have anything of that nature from the hood standpoint. It’s tied into many things that inspired me as a teen growing up until now. It’s a variety of sketches about my experiences growing up in the hood and trying to maneuver throughout the city. It’s also a way to do regular content that’s suited for everyone around the world with the TV. What I’m watching on the TV is the skits I’m reenacting. TV shows like Cops, Cheaters, Reno 911, I’m watching myself act. I’m portraying all these characters through the TV, that was a way to be able to bridge all the comedy sketches. I did it all myself: took the last money I had in my bank account, and made it happen. No budget, no other, back support. Just made it happen.
AllHipHop: Talk about uniting the Black and brown communities as well.
WattsHomieQuan: That was very important to highlight because in the city, no one’s really showcasing or highlighting that. We have differences between both communities, but people that are really from here know that we get along well within the community. There’s a chosen few that we did some stuff on our end, they’ve done some stuff on their end, and they’re tryna push a narrative. But I wanted to do something different by showing it because we live in the same neighborhoods, we go to the same grocery stores. We have to interact and work with each other. I wanted to bridge that gap because I love everyone, and I want to push more peace in the city amongst the Black and brown community, to show them that it’s okay. It’s okay to love each other, it’s okay to not be ashamed of it. Because if you go to a Snoop Dogg concert or an Ice Cube concert, who’s there? It’s us. I wanted to show love and bring us together.
AllHipHop: What’re you most excited for next?
WattsHomieQuan: Everything, everything in my life has to unfold. There’s certain things that I’m going to do that I’m not sure of as of yet. Big things are gonna pop up, but I’m excited for it because this is what I want to do. I want to do more films, TV shows. Write more, direct stuff. I’m excited for everything. Whatever’s gonna come, I’m excited for.
AllHipHop: Goals for yourself?
WattsHomieQuan: My goal is to continue to be an inspiration to those who are around these areas, who don’t see a way out. I want to be a voice for us, to show us that it is possible to do so. My other goal is to continue to move in who I am and become a dope actor. I want to get another role in a feature film. It could be a Western, it could be an action film, it could be a love story. It could be one of those old, Black, singing documentary-style movies. I want to do it all. My goal is to work, work, work, and inspire.
AllHipHop: Anything else you’d like to let us know?
WattsHomieQuan: You can find my content, besides Instagram, on Youtube at WattsHomieQuan. All my skits will pop up there. You’ll find my TV show inside of a playlist, all 5 episodes. Instagram @WattsHomieQuan, TikTok @WattsHomieQuan1.
I’m thankful for y’all to be a part of this and watch my journey. Also believe in yourself wholeheartedly! Whatever you want to do, whatever creative, trust yourself. Trust in the journey. You don’t need validation because if you got it in your spirit and God gave it to you, that’s the only validation you need. Push hard, keep going. Those no’s aren’t no’s, they’re just no’s for you right now because you’re not supposed to enter that door.
You’ve got another path to go through. That way, you’ll understand and know what it takes to get there. Don’t worry about the time. Push and make that s### happen because one day it’s gonna come true, and nobody can f### that up but you.
In 1851, a concert soprano named Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield embarked on a national tour that upended America’s music scene.
In antebellum America, operatic and concert songs were very popular forms of entertainment. European concert sopranos, such as Jenny Lind and Catherine Hayes, drew huge crowds and rave reviews during their U.S. tours. Lind was so popular that baby cribs still bear her name, and you can now visit an unincorporated community called Jenny Lind, California.
Greenfield, however, was different. She was a former slave. And she was performing songs that a burgeoning field of American music criticism, led by John Sullivan Dwight, considered reserved for white artists. African-American artists, most 19th-century critics argued, lacked the refined cultivation of white, Eurocentric genius, and could create only simple music that lacked artistic depth. It was a prejudice that stretched as far back as Thomas Jefferson in his “Notes on the State of Virginia” and was later reinforced by minstrel shows.
But when Greenfield appeared on the scene, she shattered preexisting beliefs about artistry and race.
‘The Black Swan’
Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield was born into slavery in Natchez, Mississippi, around 1820. As a girl, she was taken to Philadelphia and raised by an abolitionist.
Largely self-taught as a singer, she began her concert career in New York with the support of the Buffalo Musical Association. In Buffalo, she was saddled with the nickname “the Black Swan,” a crude attempt to play off the popularity of Jenny Lind – known as “the Swedish Nightingale” – who was wrapping up one of the most popular concert tours in American history.
In 1851, Colonel Joseph H. Wood became Greenfield’s promoter. Wood, however, was an overt racist and inhumane promoter known for creating wonderment museums in Cincinnati and Chicago that featured exhibits like the “Lilliputian King,” a boy who stood 16 inches tall. With Greenfield, he sought to replicate the success that another promoter, P.T. Barnum, had with Jenny Lind.
Joseph H. Wood’s museum in Chicago. Encyclopedia of Chicago
In a letter to Frederick Douglass, Martin R. Delany, a physician, newspaper editor and Civil War hero, wrote that Wood was a fervent supporter of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and would not admit black patrons into his museums or at Greenfield’s concerts.
For Greenfield’s African-American supporters, it was a point of huge contention throughout her career.
Critics reconcile their ears with their racism
In antebellum America, the minstrel show was one of the most popular forms of musical entertainment. White actors in blackface exploited common stereotypes of African-Americans, grossly exaggerating their dialect, fashion, dancing and singing.
The cover of Zip Coon. Library of Congress
For example, the popular song “Zip Coon” portrayed African-Americans as clumsily striving for the refinement of white culture. The cover of the sheet music for “Zip Coon” shows an African-American attempting to mimic refined fashions of the day and failing. The song goes on to mock its subject, Zip Coon, as a “learned scholar,” while putting him in situations where his apparent lack of intelligence shows.
Greenfield’s performances, however, forced her critics to rethink this stereotype. The Cleveland Plain Dealer described the confusion that Greenfield caused for her audiences:
“It was amusing to behold the utter surprise and intense pleasure which were depicted on the faces of her listeners; they seemed to express – ‘Why, we see the face of a black woman, but hear the voice of an angel, what does it mean?’”
Critics agreed that Greenfield was a major talent. But they found it difficult to reconcile their ears with their racism. One solution was to describe her as a talented, but unpolished, singer.
For example, the New-York Daily Tribune reported that “it is hardly necessary to say that we did not expect to find an artist on the occasion. She has a fine voice but does not know how to use it.” (We see a similar phenomenon today in sports coverage, in which black athletes are often praised for their raw physical athleticism, while white athletes are praised for their game intelligence.)
By performing repertoire thought too complex for black artists – and by doing it well – Greenfield forced her white critics and audiences to reexamine their assumptions about the abilities of African-American singers.
A star is born
On Thursday, March 31, 1853, Greenfield made her New York City premiere at Metropolitan Hall.
Originally built for Jenny Lind, it was one of the largest performance halls in the world. The day before the concert, the New-York Daily Tribune carried an ad that read, “Particular Notice – No colored persons can be admitted, as there has been no part of the house appropriated for them.” The ban resulted in a citywide uproar that prompted New York City’s first police commissioner, George W. Matsell, to send a large police unit to Metropolitan Hall.
Greenfield was met with laughter when she took to the stage. Several critics blamed the uncouth crowd in attendance; others wrote it off as lighthearted amusement. One report described the awkwardness of the show’s opening moments:
“She was timidly led forward to the front of the stage by a little white representative of the genus h###, who seemed afraid to touch her even with the tips of his white kids [gloves], and kept the ‘Swan’ at a respectful distance, as if she were a sort of biped hippopotamus.”
Despite the inauspicious beginning, critics agreed that her range and power were astonishing. After her American tour, a successful European tour ensued, where she was accompanied by her friend Harriet Beecher Stowe.
A singer’s legacy
Greenfield paved the way for a host of black female concert singers, from Sissieretta Jones to Audra McDonald. In 1921, the musician and music publisher Harry Pace named the first successful black-owned record company, Black Swan Records, in her honor.
But these achievements are byproducts of a much larger legacy.
In Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” one of the slave children, Topsy, is taken in by a northern abolitionist, Miss Ophelia. Despite her best attempts, Ophelia can’t reform Topsy, who continues to act out and steal. When asked why she continues to behave as she does – despite the intervention of implied white goodness – Topsy replies that she’s can’t be good so long as her skin is black because her white caregivers are incapable of seeing goodness in a black body. Her only solution is to have her skin turned inside out so she can be white.
Stowe’s argument was not that we should begin skinning children. Rather, Topsy is a critique of the act of “othering” African-Americans by a dominant culture that refuses to acknowledge their full humanity.
After Greenfield’s New York concert, the New-York Daily Tribune recognized the monumental nature of Greenfield’s heroics. The paper urged her to leave America for Europe – and to stay there – the implication being that Greenfield’s home country wasn’t ready to accept the legitimacy of black artistry.
But Greenfield’s tour did more than prove to white audiences that black performers could sing as well as their European peers. Her tour challenged Americans to begin to recognize the full artistry – and, ultimately, the full humanity – of their fellow citizens.
