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Fat Joe Keeps It Real With His Kids: We’re Not Rich Like Jay-Z & Diddy  

Fat Joe has revealed he likes to keep his children humble despite his wealth.  

During a recent episode of the “I Am Athlete” podcast, the Bronx Bomber revealed he values being honest about your finances. Especially with your loved ones! 

“You should never lie to yourself. Don’t even lie to your family,” Fat Joe said. I tell my wife, I tell my kids, we are not Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs or Shawn Carter, Jay-Z. One day my son– he was like, 19 [years old], he’s like, ‘Yo dad, look at this!’ I look at it, he got Dr. Dre son on a private plane, you got Jay-Z. He’s like, ‘This is how the sons are moving now!’.”  

However, Fat Joe kept it real with his son and taught him the importance of living within his means.  

“I was like, ‘You ain’t f#####’ movin’!’.. We ain’t got that sh*t! So, stop lookin’ at them m####**ckas and stay the course! Stay in your lane, because a lot of—it can be women, too—but a lot of men lose themselves by not trying to keep it real with themselves.” 

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Elsewhere during the show, Fat Joe named what he thinks is the greatest rap lyric ever, and it comes from a fellow New York legend. 

“The hardest lyric in Hip Hop is on JAY-Z’s first album when he said, ‘Something something and we will be each other’s crutches,” he said referencing Hov’s “Feelin’ It” from “Reasonable Doubt.”  

Listen to the clip below where Fat Joe explains his interpretation of the bar.  

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Mary J Blige Teams Up With Dave East On “Rent Money”

Mary J Blige has dropped a brand new song with Dave East, “Rent Money.” 

The single will appear on her 16th studio album, the forthcoming “Good Morning Gorgeous.” The project is due to arrive on streaming platforms on February 11. Notably, Mary J Blige will perform at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show just two days later in Inglewood, California.   

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul worked with Dave East on the song “Know How I Feel,” from East’s 2021 “Karma 3” deluxe album. At the time, the rapper revealed that he and Mary J Blige were planning a joint album and had already recorded four songs. “When you’re such a fan of somebody, or grew up on somebody’s music or just tuned into them so long … it’s fire. It just put me in another zone knowing who I’m working with. Knowing the legacy that she already got and the fact that she even working with me.” 

Mary released another two songs from “Good Morning Gorgeous” in December, the title track and DJ Khaled feature, “Amazing.”  

Meanwhile, Mary J Blige had another reason to celebrate this week. She was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for her role as Monet “Power Book II: Ghost.”  

Sharing the good news on Instagram she wrote, “Monet ain’t playing with y’all out here!!! #PowerGhost.” Mary will find out on February 27 whether she has won the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.  

Mary J Blige spoke to AllHipHop.com about her role as Monet and discusses being hand-picked by 50 Cent for the role.  

Check out the clip below.  

DJ Khaled Reveals Virgil Abloh X Louis Vuitton X Air Force 1 Sneaker

DJ Khaled has unveiled a new Virgil Abloh designed Louis Vuitton X Air Force 1 collab sneaker. 

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He took to Instagram to share an unboxing video to celebrate their arrival. The shoes arrived in a monogrammed LV box complete with a matching tag and white strap. Khaled carefully removes the cloth protection bags to reveal the bright red sneakers. He then turns the shoe over in his hand, inspecting every aspect of the design.  

“Wow. Virgil is here and Virgil is still here,” he said, referencing the subtitle of LV’s posthumous fashion show tribute to the late designer. “This is so beautiful, nah this is unbelievable, look at this. Get a close up.”  

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A card with a note written from the visionary creative read, “Virgil was here. Sign of the times, the most authentic high-end sneaker ever made. Transcending fashion into an art object through craftsmanship.”  

Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton and Nike announced on Wednesday that 200 limited-edition Air Force 1 sneakers designed by Virgil Abloh will go on auction at Sotheby’s. The auction runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 8 with bids for the exclusive colorways starting at $2,000. Sneakerheads who miss out on the auction will have to wait until later this year when LV launches a commercial run with limited quantities available.  

Virgil Abloh’s Scholarship Fund

Women’s Wear Daily reported that the proceeds of the auction will be going to the Virgil Abloh “Post Modern” Scholarship Fund. The designer created the fund in 2020 for Black fashion students and told WWD at the time:  

”As a Black designer, I found my way through school, and a mixture of creative projects, and I had to make a name for myself. That took a lot of years and a lot of meetings and a lot of runway shows and a lot of work, and I wanted to make that door open for a younger generation to sort of have a pathway that stays open.”  

“I was a student on a campus that was largely not as diverse as the world is,” Virgil Abloh explained. “And it’s important to set up this foundation specifically for Black students who may feel like in the industry of fashion, they don’t see many people that they can identify with,” he added. 

Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky & Playboi Carti To Headline Smokers Club Festival

The Smokers Club Festival is returning with a lineup featuring Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti and more.

Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti will headline the 2022 Smokers Club Festival, which is scheduled to take place on April 30. The event will be held at the Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California.

This year’s festivities will showcase multiple acclaimed projects. Lupe Fiasco will perform his album Food & Liquor, Wiz Khalifa will revisit his Kush & Orange Juice mixtape and ScHoolboy Q will perform his album Oxymoron.

Other notable rappers booked for the returning festival include 2 Chainz, Ferg, Joey Bada$$, Curren$y, Rico Nasty and Earl Sweatshirt. Smokers Club is planning to add three artists to the lineup.

“Tag an up&coming artist we need to add to the line up,” Smokers Club announced via Instagram. “@jonnyshipes will be picking 3 lucky artists to add‼️”

The Smokers Club Festival hasn’t been held since 2018. The last event also featured Kid Cudi as a headliner.

Fans can register now for early access to tickets. Presales for the 2022 Smokers Club Festival will go live on January 24 at 10 a.m. PST.

Check out the entire lineup for the upcoming event below.

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Snoop Dogg To Co-Host Puppy Bowl 2022 With Martha Stewart

Snoop Dogg is going to be busy on Super Bowl Sunday.

The Hip Hop legend and Martha Stewart are returning to host the Puppy Bowl on February 13. Snoop Dogg and Stewart will also coach the teams in this year’s competition, which will air on Animal Planet and stream via Discovery Plus.

“I’m honored to be co-hosting the only sporting event on the planet guaranteed to raise the ‘woof’ with the magnificent Martha Stewart!” Snoop Dogg said in a statement.

Stewart added, “I’m so excited that Snoop and I are back to kick off Puppy Bowl XVIII and help a bunch of deserving pups find their forever homes!”

The Doggfather and Stewart previously hosted the Puppy Bowl in 2021. The annual event raises awareness for dog and cat adoption.

In addition to the Puppy Bowl, Snoop Dogg is going to participate in the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. The West Coast rapper will perform alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige on February 13.

Ahead of the big game, Pepsi released a trailer for the halftime show. Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg are all featured in the video directed by F. Gary Gray.

Watch the trailer below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3NhX6-5mO0

Denzel Washington Surprised By Grandmother From Viral Video

Denzel Washington was thrilled to be reunited with the grandmother from a 2017 viral video during a TV appearance on Monday night.

As part of an interview for the latest episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, the presenter played a clip from the video, which showed the “Training Day” actor looking for a barbeque place in Chicago before meeting a sweet family, including Juanita “Mother” Hubbard, who would not “let go” of him.

Jimmy then had Juanita appear via video link, with Denzel stunned to see her again.

Asking her age, she replied, “I am 91… acting like 19,” and insisted that the Hollywood icon hadn’t been in touch with her since their initial encounter.
“You didn’t give me your number!” he replied.

Juanita went on to exclaim, “Everyone was so happy to see him.”

“I don’t know how he go up on the porch that quick. It was like an angel just flew up,” she continued. “And I jumped up, and before I knew anything, I was holding him, and telling him I wasn’t going to let him go.”

50 Cent & Mona Scott-Young To Produce WE TV’s ‘Hip Hop Homicides’

50 Cent continues to expand his television empire.

According to Deadline, 50 Cent and Love & Hip Hop mastermind Mona Scott-Young are teaming up for a new show called Hip Hop Homicides. The unscripted series will air on WE tv and examine unsolved murders in the Hip Hop community.

“50 and I created this show in response to the disturbing number of murders in Hip Hop,” Mona Scott-Young said. “With this boots-on-the-ground investigative series, we will look to closely examine and explore leads surrounding these cases with the hope of finally providing loved ones with answers.”

The eight-part series will be hosted by Van Lathan. 50 Cent and Mona Scott-Young will serve as executive producers with the latter’s Monami Productions managing the show’s physical production.

“G-Unit Film and Television has thrived by telling real stories,” 50 Cent said. “As I continue to grow my current slate, premium non-scripted programming will be a major focus. Hip Hop loves things that are damaged. This series will shed light on the artists that didn’t make it through the struggle.”

Hip Hop Homicides is expected to premiere on WE tv later this year. The 50 Cent-produced series will also be available on AMC Networks’ streaming service ALLBLK.

Lil Nas X Nominated For GLAAD Media Award

Lil Nas X, Halsey and Demi Lovato will compete for the Outstanding Music Artist prize at the 2022 GLAAD Media Awards.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” finalist, Gottmik, announced the nominations via the organisation’s TikTok account on Wednesday.

Lil Nas X was nominated for Outstanding Music Artist for his album Montero, competing against nine other artists, including Lovato for Dancing with the Devil… the Art of Starting Over, Halsey for If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, and Elton John for his album The Lockdown Sessions.

Three of the year’s biggest films – “Eternals,” “West Side Story,” and “Tick, Tick…Boom!” – were nominated for Outstanding Film, Wide Release.

Mindy Kaling’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls” and “Hacks” were both tapped for Outstanding New TV Series.

The ceremony is designed to “recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and the issues that affect their lives.”

The show will be held on April 2nd at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. A second ceremony will be held on May 6th at the Midtown Hilton in New York City.

Tiffany Haddish Planning To Adopt A Child After Trip To Eritrea

Tiffany Haddish has opened up about her plans to adopt a child soon.

Last spring, during a conversation with E!’s Daily Pop, the “Girls Trip” star revealed that she was taking classes in preparation for becoming a parent.

And the 42-year-old, who is currently single, provided an update on her plans in an interview with the TV show on Wednesday.

https://youtu.be/orAHXAaPTtE

“I just went to Africa. I was just in Eritrea, and people were trying to give me their kids,” Haddish shared. “I was like, ‘Hold up now, I gotta get the paperwork right now. I can’t just be taking kids with me.'”

The comedy star added that she isn’t quite ready to adopt just yet, but “maybe at the end of the year, beginning of next year.”

Previously, Haddish explained that she preferred the idea of adoption to that of having a baby on her own, as she would have to start “giving myself injections and all that stuff.”

New Nicki Minaj Harassment Case To Be Filed In California, Same Charge Moved Across the Country

Despite current reports, Nicki Minaj may still be on the hook for harassing the woman that accused her husband of rape.  Lawyers are saying that the woman is planning to refile the lawsuit in California, the state where the chart-topping rap star lives.

According to Rolling Stone, Jennifer Hough is not backing away from saying that the “Barbie Tingz” rapper harassed her and her family for naming her husband in a man that sexually assaulted her when she and he were teens.

The first lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of New York. Jurisdictional issues require the woman to refile in the state where the accused has a legal residence, her lawyer, Seven N. Gordon, argues.

“We plan to refile it in a court with proper jurisdiction,” Hough’s lawyer said to Judge James R. Cho at the Thursday morning hearing.

In the new filing, Onika Tanya Maraj (Nicki’s birth name) and Kenneth Petty will be named.

The judge asked, “If you intend to refile the action in another jurisdiction, do you intend this case to follow as well?”

The New York case, reported by AllHipHop.com, includes counts of sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress still hovering from the 1994 Petty’s attempted rape case against the woman. The lawyer said that consolidating the two cases is possible.

He noted, “We are concerned with delaying discovery in this case any longer. We believe this court is proper for those causes of action and would certainly not consolidate.”

Nicki’s lawyer responded, “This is just a frivolous gambit to avoid a sanctions motion which I told them that I would be filing shortly and for which they refuse to set a schedule.”

“As usual, they have decided to adopt a tactic without bothering to research the law,” he continued. “Had they done so, they would realize that re-filing their frivolous action in another jurisdiction will only result in another court sanctioning them.”

Petty’s lawyer, Steven David Isser said, ““The complaint lacks merit. That’s why there’s this rush for a default judgment. This case should be litigated on the merits.”

Damn … Nicki, you were almost out.

Florida Rapper Kodak Black’s Trespassing Case Dropped

Rapper Kodak Black is celebrating as his most recent legal woes have been dismissed. Trespassing charges, filed by his old housing complex, have been dismissed with a judge saying that they were “not warranted.”

The news was announced by the Haitian chart-topper’s attorney.

Bradford Cohen took to his Instagram to share the update with the artist’s fans and supporters.

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He captioned, “Case dismissed yesterday, the State agreed that this arrest and charge were not warranted Quick legal discussion….a cease and desist letter is not a trespass notice. A cease and desist to a corporation is not notice to an individual. An invitee to a home, by the legal renter/occupant, cannot be trespassed by a landlord.”

AllHipHop.com reported that the “Wake Up In The Sky” rapper, whose real name is Bill Kapri,

 was arrested on New Year’s Day in Broward County, FL. Residents were up in arms, stating that Kodak Black is welcomed and beloved, adding value by bringing gifts and joy to the community.

After the arrest, the lawyer took to Instagram and shared that his client was there to help five families in the Golden Acres housing community and make sure their bills were paid during the holiday.

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Cohen said, “Can you imagine being arrested for trespass in the neighborhood you grew up, gave away 20k in toys, 20k in turkeys and 15k in Ac units because the Pompano Housing Authority considered a cease and desist letter sent to a record label a trespass notice? Legally they are exposing themselves to a civil lawsuit. Trespass has to be after proper notice, proper notice was never given, yet BSO decided to make an arrest for trespass on the night Kodak took care of 5 families in Golden acres to make sure all their bills were paid for Christmas.”

How Dame Dash Returned To Rap Music; Thanks To NJ Principal Akbar Cook

When Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur and Principal Akbar Cook first talked about his new compilation album, Focus On The Love, he immediately brought in mogul Dame Dash to partake in the conversation. The Westside High school leader and the consummate American entrepreneur have joined forces to create an album. More importantly, the pair has solidified a relationship that extends into business and brotherhood.

Principal Akbar is more than the leader of West Side high school. He is a transformative figure that has been highlighted by Ellen and Oprah for his work with teenagers in Newark, NJ. Similarly, Dash is more than the guy that helped Jay-Z rise to the top. The Roc-A-Fella co-founder is a change agent that altered the relationship between the culture and business.

“Ak brought me out of retirement, you know what I mean,” Dame says from the comforts of his lavish West Coast home. Not only has Dame returned to music through this album, he also offered mentorship and counsel to the students.


Continuing, Dame explains, “[Akbar] said that he had a crew, I was like, I got to see them. If I’m going to really get behind this, I got to know if they’re really built for this. So automatically they went to BluRoc Bootcamp off the top. I put them in front of a camera, got them some therapy, gave them some therapy, all of that. And he’s here, he delivered, they passed the test, they are warriors. They are down with the BluRoc Warriors.”

Principal Akbar has gone so far as to add a Dame Dash Studios location in the school to allow for them to record in-house. The business joins numerous others including a laundry mat, an urban farm (thanks to Ellen), a bank, a beauty shop, and other ventures that allow kids to become entrepreneurs, college-ready, productive citizens, and, most of all, off the streets.

In this exclusive conversation, Akbar Cook explains his plight in vivid detail.

“I can’t wait until the summer to save these kids, they need saving throughout the course of the school year, he said. “Since we started doing [new progamming] in 2016, Chuck, I haven’t lost any more kids to gun violence. And it was all attributed to because of that.

Both men have intersecting vision and purpose. This is an amazing turn of events, but to fully understand, watch the interview below.

The conversation between Dame, Akbar, and Chuck spans numerous topics, not to be missed.

Click here to listen to Focus On The Love!

Wack 100 Claims Bobby Shmurda’s Disco Dancing Is “Losing The Streets”

Wack 100 pulled no punches while discussing Bobby Shmurda’s career.

In a conversation on the Clubhouse app, the rap manager offered a harsh assessment of Bobby Shmurda. Wack 100 criticized the Epic Records artist’s actions since getting out of prison, including his penchant for dancing.

“I’ma be real, I don’t know what kind of fans he got,” he said regarding Bobby Shmurda. “He really ain’t proven product. He only had one song.”

Wack 100 continued, “And I think he f##### up by what he should’ve dropped. When that n#### got out, he was supposed to let something go … I don’t know what he was thinking running round – like, he’s supposed to drop before [NBA] All-Star Weekend [or] something.”

In the eyes of Wack 100, Bobby Shmurda didn’t capitalize on his post-prison release buzz. The industry veteran also had an issue with the drill rapper’s dancing.

“He might have waited too long,” Wack 100 said. “I think the n#### gonna go double wood. On top of that, he losing the streets with all this disco money dancing he doing.”

Over the past year, Bobby Shmurda’s dance moves have often been mocked on social media. But last month, Cardi B defended his dancing on Twitter.

“Y’all really be trying Bobby cause he be dancing,” she wrote. “And no lie when I used to do visits in Rikers Bobby & Rowdy were always in OBC solitary confinement cause they was really getting it rockin. Them boys ain’t punked out in jail really stood on their s### unlike a lot of rappers.”

Listen to Wack 100’s differing opinion below.

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GRAMMY Nominated S-X Talks New Single with Trippie Redd, Debut Album Out Later This Year

Critically acclaimed producer turned popstar S-X is coming in hot in 2022 with the release of his new single “All Night” with multi-Platinum selling rap sensation, Trippie Redd.

A silky new single charged by an electric production, the heart-on-sleeve track will appear on S-X’s forthcoming debut album later this year.

Dubbed “the Wolverhampton wonderkid” by The Guardian , S-X spent years making a name for himself as a producer, working with the likes of Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper, and J. Cole, earning Grammy nominations, gold-selling records, and international tours with Lily Allen.

But the debut album marks a new chapter, a testament to a forward-thinking artist who continues to push his art into new dimensions and that proves he’s an unstoppable artist in his own right.

“All Night” follows the release of his critically acclaimed mixtape, which Complex praised for its “unique melodies and vocals that haven’t been heard in the pop-R&B sphere before him.”

AllHipHop: Congratulations on the release of “All Night”! How did the collaboration with Trippie Redd come to be?

S-X: Thank you! It feels good to be dropping music from my debut album. “All Night” started in Miami, early 2019. Me and Rico Love were in the studio writing for a few days, and this was one of the songs we did. I always knew it was a special song, so I didn’t want to rush to release it. After sitting on the song for a second, we knew we wanted a feature on this one. Me and my manager M### brainstormed and thought Trippie would sound fire on this, so we made it happen and the rest is history!

AllHipHop: How do you think that your songwriting and production work has changed over the past few years?

S-X: Until I became an actual “artist” in 2017, I felt like I was quite boxed in with my production, despite working with so many different artists. But being an artist has unboxed a whole new world on that side. I was listening to my first mixtape the other day and it’s crazy how much I’ve grown as an artist and writer, but that same essence is still there. That’s my wave.

AllHipHop: This past year has been tough. How has the experience of lockdown impacted your work?

S-X: It’s a weird one. I’ve had some personal issues as well as the negatives of not being able to tour and drop music properly. But the lockdown really allowed me to make lots of music and experiment, which I feel has made me a better artist. So I’m excited for my album.

AllHipHop: How does it feel to be finally releasing your debut album after years making hits for other artists?

S-X: It feels right. It’s time for me to drop an album now. My first song I ever wrote and recorded was the first song I ever dropped, in March 2017 “Wrong For You” so you can really see and hear the progression. I’ve dropped four mixtapes since then so it’s time for the album, on top of a decade of producing for other artists.

AllHipHop: You recently started working as an A&R consultant for Wolves Records. Tell us about that new position?

S-X: It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, I know I have a good eye and ear for talent and music so I’m super excited to be working with my hometown football club to showcase how my vision is set. We have some super exciting stuff coming very soon!

AllHipHop: What should we expect from the full-length album later this year?

S-X: Classic S-X, mixed with an experimental pop side. But ultimately it still feels like S-X. Like I said that’s my wave, my sauce. I can’t lose that. It is a graduation from that 2017 S-X. I’m ready!

AllHipHop: Anything else you’d like to tell your fans?

S-X: I appreciate your support and thank you for sticking with me. It means more than you’ll ever know, especially during a time like this. I can’t wait to see you on tour and the album is coming!!!!!!

Cardi B Gets Breathing Room In $5 Million Battle With Humiliated Tattooed Guy

Rap star Cardi B will get a break from court after her skirmish with Tasha K wraps up.

The superstar rapper is currently fighting Tasha K in a high-profile defamation case taking place in Atlanta.

Cardi was supposed to suit up for a legal war with Kevin Michael Brophy next month, on February 1st. Brophy wants $5 million from Cardi B, insisting she wrecked his life and belittled him by using his unique back tattoo on the cover of her mixtape “Gangsta B#### Music Vo1 1.”

The cover features Cardi chugging down a 40 ounce of beer in the back of a luxury vehicle, as a man sits snugly between her wide open legs.

Tattoo Cardi B allegedly stole
Tattoo Cardi B Allegedly stole/exhibit

He originally wanted to battle Cardi in December of 2021, but the rap star successfully argued that her court squabble with Tasha K, in addition to her hectic work schedule, would be too much on her and her growing family.

Brophy tried to have Cardi sanctioned when she trekked to Paris for Fashion Week, claiming the rap star lied to have the court date pushed back.

His attempt was futile, and the judge set the trial date for February 1st. Now, Kevin Michael Brophy is going to have to wait even longer to get his day in court with Cardi B.

Thanks to the COVID emergency in California, all jury trials in the state have been postponed.

Earlier this week, the judge presiding over the case decided to delay the trial – indefinitely.

All parties will reconvene on February 4th when a judge will assess the situation and set a new trial date.

Cardi B Tattoo Trial Delayed AGAIN
Cardi B Tattoo Trial Delayed AGAIN

EXCLUSIVE: James Rosemond Could Be Released From Prison Next Month

Incarcerated rap mogul James Rosemond is one step closer to gaining his freedom.

In a remarkable turn of events, Rosemond, who is serving nine life sentences for drug dealing and allegedly ordering a murder, could be released from prison thanks to former President Donald Trump.

The former POTUS commuted Rosemond’s sentence on December 18th, 2020 during a conversation with former NFL running back/activist Jim Brown and his wife Monique Brown.

The Browns had undertaken a multi-year campaign to obtain clemency for Rosemond, who was convicted of running a drug trafficking organization, in addition to ordering the murder of 50 Cent’s associate, Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher.

The killing was for an incident after the G-Unit member, along with Tony Yayo, smacked Rosemond’s young son at the height of a feud betwen Rosemond, who represented The Game, and 50 Cent back in March of 2007.

The Feds claimed Rosemond paid members of his drug trafficking organization a kilogram of cocaine as payment for killing Fletcher on September 27th, 2009.

The Browns submitted sworn declarations to the court asserting President Trump “looked at everything” and declared that James Rosemond would be home for Christmas in 2021.

However, when President Trump divulged the names of people he was pardoning, Rosemond’s name was not on the list.

President Trump never sent a record of the clemency to the Warden of USP Hazleton, where James Rosemond is serving out his life sentences.

In October of 2021, Rosemond filed for a writ of habeas corpus.

In a never before used argument, Rosemond said a President merely has to state in public that he is granting a prisoner clemency, for it to be effective. Rosemond insists that his incarceration is unconstitutional.

Rosemond has been attempting to serve Richard Hudgins, the Warden at USP Hazleton, as required by law.

Yesterday (January 19th,) a judge hearing the case ruled in favor of Rosemond and is permitting the unprecedented argument to proceed.

Jimmy Henchman Gets Another Win In Quest For Freedom
Jimmy Henchman Gets Another Win In Quest For Freedom

Now the Warden must submit an argument as to why Rosemond should not be released.

“Summary dismissal of the same is not warranted. Therefore, the Warden shall have twenty-eight (28) days from the date of this Order to show cause why the writ should not be granted,” United States Magistrate Judge James W. Mazzone ruled.

If Rosemond is granted a writ of habeas corpus, his next step will be to stand in front of a judge who could vacate his prison sentence and set him free.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar Headline Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show

Super Bowl LVI is about to rock the world on Sunday, Feb. 13. While many people are excited about the new multi-million dollar commercials set up to air throughout the game, others are excited about the star-studded Half-Time show.

And now that Jay-Z has taken the helm of the production of musical events, like the half-times sponsored by Pepsi Cola, there are more Hip-Hop artists rocking the mainstage.

This year, five artists are set to entertain the viewers. The NFL dropped the trailer that crosses all of the “G” categories: gender, generation, genre, and gangsta.

The trailer for the half-time show infuses the metaverse and special effects with the cool that each artist is known for.

https://twitter.com/pepsi/status/1484167872410796032?s=20

Eminem opens up the video battling himself and passes it over to Snoop. Snoop is in a lowrider all the way Cali’d out and then passes it over to Mary. Mary is glammed and beautiful with people fussing over her, and the scene passes over to Kendrick Lamar. K-Dot feverishly is writing down lyrics when the scene takes us to a newly singled Dr. Dre walking  across the beach with piano keys playing, “Still Dre.”

The backdrop to this trailer is Dr. Dre moving all the chess pieces, connecting the fact that he has produced for them all. At the end of the commercial, the five chart-toppers team up like an extraordinary supergroup of rap/ Hip-Hop superheroes.

It really seems like it is going to be one of those musical events, you just won’t want to miss.

Ja Morant Names His Favorite Song Reference By Moneybagg Yo, J. Cole, Or Lloyd Banks

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is one of the bright, young stars of the National Basketball Association. As is the case with a lot of NBA standouts, Morant has become a regular muse for rap lyrics.

The verified Memphis Grizzlies Twitter account asked the team’s fan base to share their favorite references to Ja Morant in music. That tweet garnered nearly 50 quote-tweets and 70 replies, including a response from Morant.

“rookie of the year,” replied Ja Morant, naming Memphis-raised rhymer Moneybagg Yo’s tribute song to the 2020 NBA Rookie Of The Year winner. Morant edged out fellow finalists Kendrick Nunn and Zion Williamson for that year’s ROTY trophy.

The Memphis Grizzlies’ original tweet included a screenshot of a Spotify playlist showing several tracks that referenced Ja Morant. For example, J. Cole’s “My Life” with 21 Savage and Morray was one of the songs listed.

Lloyd Banks’s “Death by Design” was also an option presented in the Twitter post. The photo displayed two other songs by Moneybagg Yo – “Least Ian Lie” and “Me Vs Me” as well. Plus, Money Man’s “No Talking” made the cut.

Ja Morant followed his award-winning rookie year with two more exceptional seasons. The 22-year-old Murray State University student-turned-#2 overall draft pick is currently averaging 24.7 points and 6.9 assists per game. Morant is among the Top 15 scorers in the NBA this season.

Jay-Z’s Team Roc Releases Open Letter About Alleged Police Corruption In Kansas City

Team Roc, the social justice division of Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s Roc Nation company, is demanding the United States Department of Justice thoroughly investigate the Kansas City Kansas Police Department.

After contacting U. S. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta in October 2021, Team Roc and Midwest Innocence Project Executive Director Tricia Rojo Bushnell have taken further steps to bring awareness to the alleged corruption of the KCKPD.

This week, Roc Nation uploaded a video titled “We See You” to the brand’s official YouTube channel. The public service announcement includes victims’ families recounting several reported incidents of sexual and physical abuse by KCKPD officers.

In addition, Team Roc started a Change.org petition calling for the Justice Department to open a pattern-or-practice investigation into the Kansas City Kansas Police Department. The Midwest Innocence Project and Team Roc also issued a second letter to U.S. Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

The new open letter reads:

Associate Attorney General Gupta,

TEAM ROC and the Midwest Innocence Project demand that the Department of Justice (DOJ) intensify its investigation into vast claims of corruption, coercion, rape, and murder committed or facilitated by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department (KCKPD).

We are committed to holding these so-called public servants accountable for alleged rampant acts of brutality and exploitation and request a meeting with the DOJ to discuss our findings—findings we hope will move you to act. These allegations require the urgency that the Kansas City, Kansas community deserves.

This is a critical time in and for our nation. The DOJ’s continued inaction tells targeted minority communities held hostage to the whims of the carceral state that justice does not exist for them, that their lives do not matter.

In the 8 FBI investigations that were conducted in the early 1990s, there is significant evidence of depraved acts by KCKPD. In the documents we procured via FOIA, and available for the public on https://kckcorruption.info/, the FBI’s recommendations concluded with a powerful message: “Until this office does convict several police officers and hopefully gain the cooperation of some of these police officers, the situation in Kansas City, Kansas, will only deteriorate.” The DOJ’s inaction since the FBI’s warning 30 years ago proves that the DOJ has harbored the practices and patterns of crimes and discrimination committed by KCKPD.

Local organizers and journalists have sounded the alarm about KCKPD’s systemic misconduct for years. As John Baldwin once posited: “How much time do you want for your progress?” We ask the DOJ similar questions now: How long must Black and brown Kansas Citians be denied justice?

How long will their calls for freedom be met with apathy? How long will KCKPD—a police department that, for decades, has allegedly misused every ounce of its power to protect those in its ranks accused of false arrests, murder, sex-trafficking, and rape—be allowed to terrorize Kansas City’s most vulnerable? How long will KCKPD be allowed to hide behind the promise that it will fairly, fully, or vigorously “investigate” itself? Or that the DOJ will seek justice for the children in Kansas City, Kansas?

On December 20, 2021, attorney Alex Spiro, acting on behalf of Team Roc, sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, urging the DOJ to open a pattern-or-practice investigation of the KCKPD, and to date, there has been no response from the DOJ to the letter. There is no excuse that can justify the DOJ’s silence. This is not a select group of bad apples within KCKPD.

To be silent is to admit to victims and survivors of pervasive police violence in Kansas City,
Kansas, and across this nation that the entire system is guilty.
Sincerely,

TEAM ROC

Tricia Rojo-Busnell, MIDWEST INNOCENCE PROJECT

Brittany Renner Blasts “Fresh & Fit” Hosts On DJ Akademiks’ Podcast

Brittany Renner’s takedown of Myron Gaines and Walter Weekes was so scathing it flipped the script. For once, the hosts of the “Fresh & Fit” podcast gained attention for being on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing, rather than the other way around!  

Their controversial takes on women have garnered lots of attention and they frequently clash with the female guests on their podcasts. Joe Budden recently spoke out against the pair, issuing a lengthy statement after Asian Doll’s viral appearance on the podcast. Budden also addressed Gains’ resurfaced remarks disparaging Black women.  

Britanny Renner is one of the many women in the industry Gaines and Weekes have criticized in the past. The model and author addressed them head-on during an episode of DJ Akademiks “Off The Record” podcast. 

“You said you warn guys about girls like me, so tell me about girls like me,” said Renner. Gaines responded with, “Just women in general…” However, Brittany Renner wanted him to be direct. “Don’t ‘women in general’ ’cause you literally, specifically said before we got on here, you did say that you warn guys about girls like me. So, now that we’re face to face, what kind of girl am I?”  

Gaines responded. “You’re not special. You’re like other girls.” Renner then asked Gaines what made him special and continued when he didn’t have a reply for her. She questioned what he gets from telling girls they’re not special. “How does that make you feel?” she asked. “ ‘Cause if I say, ‘You’re a b*tch ass n*gga,’ that does something for me, right?”   

“If I insult you or if I tell you you’re not special, you’re forgettable, what does that do for me?” Renner went on. Her clap back continued as she told them she turned down their podcast with its “underwhelming” name because it was “forgettable.”  

Watch Brittany Renner Confront The “Fresh & Fit” Hosts Below

https://twitter.com/Akademiks/status/1484013560510488578?s=20

While Gaines and Weekes failed to offer up much of a response, the reactions on Twitter were quick to praise Renner.  

https://twitter.com/theHoeSaint/status/1484053806669303808?s=20