Chicago-bred emcees Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa will take their talents to Africa. The SaveMoney collective members will present the Black Star Line Festival in Accra, Ghana. They made the announcement at Free The Youth’s flagship location.
The forthcoming Black Star Line Festival is set to go down in the historic Black Star Square on January 6, 2023. Black Star Square is a monument to Ghanaians gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1957.
“When Vic and I started our careers and started touring, we did shows all over the US. Eventually, we started touring in Europe, we did shows in Asia, South America, Central America, but we never had a chance to play our music for the people who support us the most,” said Chance.
The Grammy winner continued, “When we came here and touched down and felt the love that we received and the fans that we got to connect with, the understanding for the need for the connection became apparent to us. We need a music festival bringing major artists to Ghana. This is what we’re working to create.”
Marcus Garvey Inspired The Black Star Line Festival’s Name
Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa named the Black Star Line Festival after Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line company. The shipping line connected America, the Caribbean, and Africa from 1919 to 1922. The Ghanian government later launched a fleet of the same name.
In 2022, Chance The Rapper released “Child of God,” “A Bar About A Bar” and “The Highs & The Lows.” The 29-year-old Midwesterner’s Star Line Gallery project will come out later this year. Chance’s 2016 mixtape, Coloring Book, won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
Black Star Line Festival An appreciation of us In the order of Marcus Garvey & Dr Kwame Nkrumah Jan 6 @ Black Star Square WE’LL SEE US THERE 🇬🇭🇧🇸🇬🇳🇯🇲🇳🇬🇹🇬🇹🇹🇧🇫🇸🇳🇺🇸🇧🇯🇨🇮🇹🇩🇨🇩🇨🇬🇪🇬🇰🇪🇩🇴🇿🇲🇿🇦🇷🇼🇪🇹🇪🇷🇿🇼🇲🇿🇦🇴🇱🇷🇱🇾🇩🇿🇹🇿🇲🇼🇧🇷🇩🇲🇦🇼🇧🇿🇨🇺🇬🇧🇫🇷🇧🇧🇭🇹🇨🇦🇬🇩 pic.twitter.com/f31mmLhOF1
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) July 19, 2022
Bill “Kodak Black” Kapri is in trouble with the law once again after getting arrested in Florida last week.
Law enforcement officials allegedly found 31 oxycodone tablets and almost $75,000 in cash in the rapper’s automobile. Authorities in Broward County charged Kodak Black with drug trafficking and possession of a controlled substance.
The Florida Highway Patrol also accused Black of driving an SUV with illegal window tints. Apparently, the “Super Gremlin” hitmaker’s Dodge Durango also had an expired tag. Kodak Black’s driver’s license had supposedly lapsed as well. Authorities freed the 25-year-old entertainer on a $75,000 bond.
According to TMZ, attorney Bradford Cohen says a doctor prescribed the oxycodone found in Black’s vehicle. Cohn claims his client is suffering from serious chronic pain after getting shot earlier this year.
Previously, Bradford Cohen filed a motion to the court in order to inspect the pills. The lawyer reportedlywrote, “It is impossible… to explore a defense on behalf of [Kodak Black] without being able to inspect, weigh, and independently test the substances.”
While seemingly joking about his latest arrest on Instagram, Kodak Black also took to Twitter to rail against the government and “lil dick ass crackas.” As part of a lengthy Twitter rant, the Pompano Beach native asked, “How [the f###] you send a n#### to jail for my own medication? Then tarnish my character like I’m trafficking OxyContin???”
Kodak Black has dealt with many legal troubles. He has been in and out of correctional facilities for most of his music career. One of the more serious charges stems from a sexual assault accusation in South Carolina. An 18-year-old woman named Black as the person who forcibly raped her in February 2016.
The Dying to Live album creator famously received a commuted sentence from then-President Donald Trump following a 2019 conviction for federal weapons charges. Black pled guilty to two counts of making a false statement on a governmental form in connection to the purchase of a firearm.
A new “investigative series” titled Caught In The Act: Unfaithful debuted on Monday, July 18. VH1 has already picked up the Tami Roman-hosted show for a second season.
The network ordered an additional 20 episodes of the program ahead of its Season 1 premiere. Caught In The Act: Unfaithful is part of VH1’s “Level Up Mondays” lineup.
Caught In The Act follows Tami Roman as she assists suspicious lovers trying to catch their cheating partners in the act. After the investigation, the suspicious lover can either team up with their partner’s other lover or take them both down in an undercover ambush.
.@TamiRoman is on a MISSION! These master manipulators got nothing on this dream team of experts. 🔍
“The fact that Caught In The Act: Unfaithful was renewed without the public ever viewing the first episode is a testament to just how special and needed this show really is,” says Tami Roman, Consulting Producer and host for the series.
The veteran television personality added, “I want to thank VH1 for entrusting me with such an empowering and entertaining series. We all want love but it’s always good to know the truth about who you’re trying to love. This show, if nothing else, will provide us with the insight into what to look for.”
"WHO am EYE to YOU?" If there's ONE thing @TamiRoman's gonna do, it's uncover a CHEATER!
Tami Roman previously starred on reality television shows such as The Real World, Basketball Wives, and Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars. She has also appeared in scripted programs such as Tales, Truth Be Told, and The Ms. Pat Show.
Sitarah Pendelton-Eaglin, Jennifer Aguirre, John Varela, and Executive in Charge of production Liz Kim for VH1 executive producer Caught In The Act: Unfaithful. Lashan Browning and Kim McKoy are Executive Producers for New Group Productions. Tami Roman also serves as consulting producer.
VH1 has begun casting for the second season of Caught In The Act: Unfaithful. Interested candidates can apply by visiting casting.vh1.com/unfaithful.
Suspect your partner is cheating? Let #VH1Unfaithful help.
Lethal Bizzle is all about transformations, making the move from grime scene pioneer to property developer, but his most recent change was one for his health.
The East London legend has been on a journey to improve his fitness following a series of health scares. He decided he needed to shape up a year and quit drinking and working on his diet and exercise. He documented his results on Tuesday (Jul. 19), showing off a before and after picture.
“On this day 1 year ago I quit alcohol. I’m 12 months alcohol free 😬!” Lethal Bizzle penned in the caption. “2021 was a wake up call year for me. Got Covid then my appendix had to come out. Had to change my life style. So I quit alcohol , changed my diet and started doing gym more regularly.
He continued, explaining that he hopes to motivate others to take their health seriously. “Health is wealth, too many people are dropping out of nowhere. I hope these pictures inspire u to look after yourself while u still can and get in that uncomfortable zone, coz the comfort zone won’t help u.❤️”
The post garnered a lot of attention from fans praising his journey and asking for tips. “I’m getting a lot of people asking questions about my fitness transformation.” he later shared on Twitter. “I will do a video later this week on it. Also might start filming my workouts 🤔”
A short time later, Lethal Bizzle shared his new fitness page where followers can learn how to “Live a healthy Dench Life Style.”
Though Lethal Bizzle has been focusing on his well being alongside making inroads in the Ghanaian property industry, he hasn’t neglected his fans. Last month he dropped the video for “Skint Gang.” Check it out below.
Alabama-bred recording artist Flo Milli decided to surprise her fans by releasing her debut studio LP today (January 20). You Still Here, Ho? hit DSPs this morning via RCA Records.
The 17-track project features contributions by Babyface Ray and Rico Nasty. Reality television icon Tiffany “New York” Pollard(Flavor of Love, I Love New York) appears on the album’s intro.
An official music video for Flo Milli’s “No Face” single will premiere at 12 pm ET. Spotify’s 2021 U.S. RADAR Artist previously let loose the “Conceited” visuals in June.
“My album creative is based on early 2000’s nostalgia. As queen of Gen-Z, this is the new age of the Roaring 20s,” states Flo Milli. “As a woman and creative, I feel so empowered, full of energy and full of life.”
The 22-year-old rapstress continues, “I’ve decided to use social media, technology, and my resources to uplift and inspire those who look up to me to use what they have, start where they are, and more importantly start today.”
You Still Here, Ho? is the follow-up to Flo Milli’s major-label debut mixtape Ho, Why Is You Here? That tape dropped in July 2020. Several outlets, including The New York Times and NPR, listed Ho, Why Is You Here? as one of the best projects of that year.
While The Game never shies away from naming the rappers he feels can’t outdo him in a rap battle, he recently revealed one artist who did just that, Kanye West.
The former G Unit rapper has been vocal about his contemporaries in recent months while promoting his delayed Drillmatic album. The Game recently showed love to Kendrick Lamar and his new Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers album, labeling it “incredible.”
However, he hasn’t been so kind to one of his peers, repeatedly claiming he’s better than Eminem and calling him out for a rap battle. He called Slim Shady out on Drink Champs, announcing, “I saying I want smoke with Eminem,” before challenging him to “get up and let’s rap” shortly after.
Kanye West vs. The Game Rap Battle
However, the braggadocios emcee does concede to losing a rap battle to another former collaborator. During a recent interview, he recalled the time he and Kanye West exchanged bars while at a party in California.
According to The Game, the pair began spitting, and it turned into a rap battle. “So yeah, me and Ye we end up freestyling outside of [the party],” he told All The Smoke hosts, Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. “My s### was all gangsta, but Ye had the punchlines and he had the women; so he beat me that night. So ever since then me and Ye we’ve been locked in.”
The Game went on to say it was a turning point for them, and Ye has supported him in every way ever since – a sentiment he echoed earlier this year when he claimed that Ye has done more for his career than Dr. Dre ever did.
Meanwhile, Kanye West continues to show love to The Game and pulled up to his Drillmatic launch party earlier this month. He took to the stage with The Game in a rare appearance to deliver their recent collab single, “Easy.”
Debuting from his upcoming EP ‘While You Wait,’ R&B singer-songwriter Vedo has released the visuals to his first single “Face Down” with super-producerOG Parker.
The sexual yet playful record has a familiar sound as it samples Jazmine Sullivan’s “Pick Up Your Feelings” which recently received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.
Directed by Jeffrey “J-Squared” Jackson, the visuals show a frustrated Vedo who’s ready to get home to his lady after a steamy conversation from the office.
Paired with sultry and sensuous choreography, Vedo steps out giving a playful interactive performance.
Vedo also recently joined Usher for his now viral performance of classics during his first NPR Tiny Desk concert.
Usher, Vedo and Eric Bellinger showcased their raw vocal ability during the fan-favorite session.
During the intimate performance Usher called both singers, who have written songs for the mega-star, “two of the most incredible voices of this time.”
Weeks prior, Vedo also joined Usher during his set at Pharell’s Something in the Water Festival during its first year in DC.
Additionally, Vedo is set to release his second single “Come First” which features Baby Tate this Friday July 22nd, and his album is scheduled to drop on Friday August 5th, 2022.
Check out the videos for “Face Down” and the NPR Tiny Desk below!
When the host suggested it must be difficult for artists to share their most intimate thoughts and experiences only to have their art critiqued by the masses, Logic disagreed.
“It’s amazing that you say this too,” he began before sharing his opinion on authenticity in Hip-Hop. “Like 99 f###### percent of rappers are a mask, they wear a mask that’s not really who they are.”
Logic Says Tekashi 6ix9ine Is The “Prime Example”
Logic continued, highlighting Tekashi 6ix9ine as “a prime example” of rappers lacking authenticity. “It’s very evident, right. I’m not talking s###, I’m just saying that he puts on this character especially if you judge based off what he said in court.”
Tekashi 6ix 9ine famously snitched on the Nine Trey Gang, testifying to the feds to help secure himself a lesser sentence.
“That’s not my f###### business,” Logic continued. The “44 More” rapper then clarified, “I’m not calling Tekashi 6ix 9ine out,” before explaining that fans get turned off by rappers fronting in their raps.
He continued and said when rappers’ lyrics are full of violent threats and references to drugs and murder, listeners become critical of them as a person rather than their music itself.
“If there’s somebody out there that’s like ‘oh his music is whack,’” Logic explained, “what they’re really saying is he’s whack.”
In turn, Logic says the rapper doesn’t care because they’re not portraying their true selves anyway. “But he’s like “I don’t give a f### because this isn’t even really me.’ You know what I’m saying?”
He repeated, “I ain’t trying to f###### start beef with 6ix 9ine. I’m just using an example that there are some rappers out there that are more about a persona and a personification and because of that when people s### on their music or s### on them it doesn’t matter because they’re not really portraying who they are on the record.”
Nicki Minaj’s verse of Kanye West’s “Monster” is arguably one of the most iconic female rap verses of all time and one of the Queens rapper’s best known.
However, according to Ye’s ex Amber Rose, Nicki wouldn’t be on the track if she hadn’t intervened, firstly to get her in the studio, and secondly convincing him to keep the verse after he admitted Nicki “killed him” on his own song.
The model recently launched her rap career, dropping her first single, “GYHO/Gotcha” last week. She pulled up to Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay’s Higher Learning podcast to discuss her forthcoming debut album, where she revealed, “I put Nicki on ‘Monster.’”
During the interview, Amber Rose explained that her move into Hip-Hop “was not an overnight thing,” adding, “I’ve A&R’d a bunch of amazing projects.” When pressed for examples, she claimed to have overseen projects for “all of my boyfriends.”
The model-turned-rapper has dated some pretty famous rappers, including Kanye West and 21 Savage. She married Wiz Khalifa, with whom she shares a son.
When asked if she has worked on anything for Ye specifically, she replied, “Absolutely! I put Nicki on ‘Monster.’ He didn’t know who Nicki was back then. I had Nicki pull up to the studio and I put her on ‘Monster.’”
Kanye West – Monster ft. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z & Bon Iver
The influencer recalled meeting Nicki Minaj early in her career while in the studio, noting “this b#### is f###### talented as hell.” She then returned to Ye, insisting he put her on “Monster,” but he refused and said he didn’t know who she was.
Nonetheless, Amber Rose convinced him to meet Nicki, and she pulled up to the studio. “She heard the song and then she came back the next day with the verse,” she added.
On the seventh anniversary of “Monster,” Nicki Minaj recalled how the song almost missed out on being on the album. She spent an hour on the phone convincing Ye to change his mind. As Nicki said, “He felt this verse would end up being the talk of the album.”
When Lathan acknowledged that Kanye West almost took the verse off the song, Rose agreed and said, “because it was too good.” She added: “He told me that the same day. He’s like, ‘How the f### did you bring in a b#### that killed me on my own song?’” Check out the clip below or watch the episode here.
In his new music single “Sentiment,” Kevin LW Feng analyzes the origins of his musical career and shows us his beginnings. The listener is taken on an emotional roller coaster by the music. The song quickly rose to the top of the music charts following its premiere. Kevin’s brilliance has already been recognized by fans all around the world.
“Sentiment” delves into the beginnings of house music while remaining true to its own sound. It pays homage to classic house production techniques while also including Kevin’s own style. As a result, you get music that is catchy and delightful to listen to, as well as music that makes you want to dance.
Kevin, an artist, is mindful of what his fans anticipate. He’s been exposed to the kind of music that fans appreciate, and he’s tailored his own music to match those expectations. All of his fans appear to be having a wonderful time.
Dylan Cornwell explores his musical career and shows us his beginnings through his new music track “Onward”. The song takes the listeners on a wild ride. Within a very short time of its release, the song has smashed the music charts. Fans around the world have now started to take notice of Dylan Cornwell’s talent.
An American resident, Dylan Cornwell realizes exactly what his fans needs. He has been exposed to the style of music that the people of LA prefer and enjoy and has suited his own music to meet those standards. As an Asian American, he shows us a sneak peek of his own culture and heritage through his music. And all of his fans seem to enjoy it.
“Onward” explores the start of house music by preserving its original style of it. It respects the classical techniques used while producing a house track and puts Dylan’s personal twist on it. The result of that is a piece of music that is catchy, enjoyable, and gets you dancing.
Jay-Z explained in a recent interview that he “never” charges for guest features, but works off relationships instead. However, Joe Budden had an entirely different experience when he attempted to get Hov on a verse.
The retired rapper turned podcaster recalled the time he tried to get a Jay-Z verse during a recent episode of Queenzflip and DJ G Money’s Flip Da Script podcast. Budden wanted the Hip-Hop mogul on the remix to his 2003 hit “Pump It UP,” but Hov quoted his A&R a price of $250,000.
“I don’t think that was a big number, I think that was his number,” Joe Budden explained in a clip released on YouTube. “‘That’s my number to rap on this new artist’s remix.’ It was just big in my world, but it wasn’t a big number.”
‘Pump It Up”
Budden continued, explaining he really had no clue how the industry worked back then. “Listen, again, I’m super young in that moment. I wasn’t in the studio when [Jay and Budden’s A&R Skane] had the conversation,” he added. “I knew that they had some type of relationship. It was a Just Blaze beat and I was green behind the ears. I just thought that it would get done. I didn’t know anything about the business and how things like that are supposed to go. That was par for the course.”
Ultimately, he didn’t have the quarter million dollars Jay-Z asked for, and so he couldn’t secure the feature. “It was big to me because it was unattainable,” Budden explained. “It was outside of my budget, but the blessing was that he gave a number.”
Nonetheless, Jay-Z was evidently a fan of the beat and would end up dropping a freestyle over the beat a month after Joe Budden released the official version. Hov’s freestyle appeared on his 2003 mixtape, The S. Carter Collection. He used the freestyle as an opportunity to fire back at the subliminal shots Budden had aimed at him. Check out the episode below.
Joe Budden Talks Jay-Z Charging $250k For ‘Pump It Up’ Remix
Red Bull BC One announced the 2022 schedule for its U.S. regional cyphers and All Star Tour.
Regional qualifiers for the breaking competition will begin in Philadelphia on July 23. A panel of breakers from each region will pick the winners who advance to the Red Bull BC One National Final in Los Angeles.
“As a breaker with a year and a half of experience, it was surreal to win a Red Bull cypher and it allowed me to recognize my potential and skills,” Las Vegas qualifier Jeyna Ponce said in a press release. “Both events introduced me to a supportive community that has helped me grow my knowledge and expertise. I look forward to showcasing my love for this dance while representing my crew Battle Born, my city Las Vegas and the females of breaking.”
The Red Bull BC One All Stars, which includes some of the world’s top breakers, will embark on their tour in August. Each stop will feature workshops, panels and exhibition battles.
“I’m excited to get back on the road and reconnect with the b-boys and b-girls bringing break to new heights,” Red Bull BC One All Star Ronnie Abaldonado said. “With breaking making its way to the 2024 Paris Games, mentorship takes on an important role. As the community expands and competition levels rise, this is the moment to inspire the next generation while ensuring the strong foundation of heritage.”
Check out the schedule for the regional cyphers and All Star Tour below. Find more information about Red Bull BC One here.
U.S. Cyphers: East Cypher [Philadelphia, PA]: Saturday, July 23, Cherry Street Pier South Cypher [Austin, TX]: Saturday, August 6, ACL Live Southeast Cypher [Orlando, FL]: Saturday, August 13, Celine Orlando Northeast Cypher [Boston, MA]: Saturday, August 20, The Sinclair Northwest Cypher [Seattle, WA]: Friday, August 26, Showbox SODO National Final [Los Angeles, CA]: Saturday, September 17, Eden Hollywood Camp [New York, NY]: Thursday, November 10 – Saturday, November 12, Capitale World Final [New York, NY] November 12, Hammerstein Ballroom
All Star Tour: Austin, TX: August 6 – 7 New York City: August 10 – 11 Philadelphia, PA August 12 – 13 Orlando, FL: August 12 – 13 Northeast/Collegiate All Star Tour Stops: August 18 – 20 Chicago, IL: August 23 Seattle, WA: August 25 – 26
Kodak Black is one of the modern day goats. Not for my generation, but the current era. A lot of people love him a lot of people also hate him. Moreover, most people feel he is the genuine article. Like it or not, this is Geechie Florida Rapper is one of the most well loved artists out. Whether or not you like him, is another story. Kendrick went out of his way to put him on his latest album.
As you know, he recently was arrested again. A lot of jokes came out of that. People were basically acting like, “Once again!” And, I admit I was one of them. Kodak Black has had so many legal problems, you just come to expect it. But he has released a new song and it is a telling song indeed. He does more than his normal, he gets extremely emotional and upset at how he was treated recently by the police.
The song “Haitian Scarface“ has him going off. He talks about the way he was treated. He says that the pills they found were prescription. He basically says that “I got shot a few months ago and need these pills to help me get through the pain. “
He also talks about being embarrassed about getting arrested again. And he also seems to really hate being persecuted over and over. It seems as though he feels targeted by police.
He starts this song off with the movie Scarface, a legendary segment from the movie. I actually can respect this one!
The comedian announced she’s filming a special for Netflix after settling a lawsuit against the streaming service. Mo’Nique commented on the reconciliation in a video posted on Netflix’s social media accounts on Tuesday (July 19).
“Can y’all believe this s###?” she asked in the clip. “I done came on home to Netflix.”
Mo’Nique continued, “I’m so excited to share that I’ll be shooting my first Netflix comedy special. Oh, and in case you didn’t hear, I’m also reuniting with my friend, my brother, director Mr. Lee Daniels, on the Netflix film The Deliverance. You won’t wanna miss either of them. So y’all stay tuned, and thank y’all my sweet babies. I love us for real.”
Three years ago, Mo’Nique sued Netflix for racial and gender discrimination. She accused the streamer of lowballing her with a $500,000 offer for a stand-up special.
Last month, Mo’Nique and Netflix settled the 2019 lawsuit for an undisclosed sum. The comic reached a settlement after finding an ally in 50 Cent, who has supported her for months.
50 Cent spent much of 2022 campaigning for Mo’Nique to receive more opportunities in Hollywood amid blackballing allegations. But Mo’Nique also generated controversy by feuding with fellow comic D.L. Hughley over a headlining dispute. The comedians still haven’t resolved their issues after publicly clashing in May and June.
Juceno was born in Queens, New York, he has spent most of his life traveling the world thanks to his job as a military soldier with the United Nations. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington, where he owns and operates Boogie Luxury, Boogie Apparel, and Dabuzzz Media Group (DMG). He has recently started travel vlogging.
Who is Juceno?
Juceno is a fashion designer, business owner, and YouTube star. He was born in Queens, NY, and has built a successful career in the fashion industry. He owns Boogie Luxury, Boogie Apparel, Dabuzzz media. Juceno records his hobbies on a travel vlog on YouTube that records his adventure of food entertainment and his travel destinations worldwide. While on duty with a US military soldier he traveled to many countries such as Japan, Korea, Australia, Jordan, Singapore, and Germany. Kehlani and Fatboy SSE were two of the celebrities he hosted in Japan under the alias Juizbad. He also helped plan and host shows with other famous artists like Wayne Wonder, 24hrs, and Da Buzz.
Introduce him as an entrepreneur
Juceno is not only a fashion designer, but also a successful business owner and YouTube star. In the next five years he sees himself as someone who has his merchandise in malls internationally. The combination of his design background and business skills has given him an edge that many of his peers don’t have. His drive to be successful in this industry helped lead him to where he is today. He wants to make sure other entrepreneurs know they can succeed too. He understands how important it is for people to get their voices heard through social media platforms like YouTube. His show, Grind With A 9-5 Podcast is a resource for anyone interested in being an entrepreneur.
Give more insights into his passion for fashion
Throughout his life, Juceno has been passionate about fashion. As a child, he loved creating outfits for his friends and family. As a high school student, he started a clothing line with his childhood friend Justin Clutch Harris. He later founded Boogie Boy Clothing in 2016. Juceno has chosen to rebrand Boogie Boy to Boogie Apparel in 2021. He has also expanded the venture to include a luxury division called Boogie Luxury.
His thinkings about fashion designing
He’s always been interested in fashion and design. As a kid, I would often watch my mom sew clothes for my sisters and me. I was fascinated by the way she could take a piece of fabric and turn it into something beautiful. After high school, I decided to pursue my passion for fashion by studying design at the Fashion Institute. Today, I’m a successful fashion designer with my own label. I love what I do and feel grateful that I get to do what I love for a living. My favorite part about being a designer is watching people try on the clothes I create. Seeing someone become excited about an outfit that’s just been created makes all the hard work worth it!
Merchandise in malls internationally
Juceno has already made a name for himself in the fashion world. His designs have been featured in magazines and his merchandise will soon be sold in international malls. He has always been passionate about fashion, but never dreamed that he would make it his profession. His biggest dream is to spread his creations throughout all of America, Europe, and Asia. I just want people to buy my clothes and enjoy them, says Williams-Cox. I’m not really competing with other designers because I’m trying to do something different.
Westside Webb is here to prove he can rap just as good as he can produce. While he started making beats, even landing a coveted plaque alongside Atlanta producer Sonny Digital, the rising star has since discovered his talents behind the mic, putting together rhymes, bars, and lyrics inspired by real-life experiences.
Webb describes himself as “a super dope artist, he’s just all about leveling up and motivation. Staying down with your team, being with them and progressing forward.”
Born in Long Beach but spending his time all over the city of Los Angeles, Westside Webb is directly influenced by the greats, from Jay-Z to Nipsey Hussle to anything old school. From them, he takes nothing short of motivation: with every day being a hustle to improve yourself and your situation, and the greater picture to always take care of your loved ones.
Fast forward to today, Westside Webb unveils his newest project Player Games Pt. 1, the first installment to the self-explanatory series. Each track builds off the themes present in his own life while balancing all the things such as work, relationships, and being a father to his two beautiful kids.
AllHipHop caught up with Westside Webb in downtown Los Angeles to discuss his roots, love for baseball, how he learned to produce, working with Rich The Kid early on, meeting G Perico, getting his name from Que, the new project, relationship with Sonny Digital, studio essentials, fatherhood, merch, and more!
AllHipHop: What was it like growing up in Long Beach?
Westside Webb: Growing up in Long Beach was fun. You get the best of everything. You got gangbang culture, you got people skateboarding. You got the beach right there, you got sports. It’s a mixture of everything. Growing up in Long Beach, I wouldn’t trade it for nothing.
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with music?
Westside Webb: When I was born. I caught on to music from early on, my god mom is a musician. She’s a jazz musician. She sings, she plays every instrument. As a young dude, I was just running around in her house, beating on sh*t. That’s when I really fell in love, but music talks to me. Ever since I was a little kid, it be talking to me. So it was something for me. I never thought I’d be here though.
AllHipHop: What did you think you would be doing?
Westside Webb: For sure I was going to be a professional baseball player. Fasho fasho.
AllHipHop: Were you nice with it?
Westside Webb: Yeah, I was super nice. I actually was in Seattle, I just left the game. One of my homies, he plays shortstop for The Mariners. He told me to pull up to the game because he got me some tickets. I love baseball, it’s my favorite sport.
AllHipHop: What happened? Why’d you stop?
Westside Webb: I stopped because baseball is a real political ass sport, and I wasn’t really into that part. But the music started taking over. Between the music and the streets, you need a lot of time to play sports and I didn’t really have enough time for it.
AllHipHop: When did you start?
Westside Webb: I started playing baseball at 8 years old. I stopped when I was 17, right before I went into my senior year.
AllHipHop: What’d you play?
Westside Webb: I played shortstop.
AllHipHop: Damn, that’s a hard position to play! I had Quincy on Shirley’s Temple, and he was saying he still has dreams of going to the MLB. That never wavered, even though he’s doing music and acting.
Man, you know what’s crazy? You remember how Michael Jordan was such a star at basketball, he said “f### it, I’m a go play baseball”? I be thinking that s**t. I just want to get to the point in music where I can say “yeah, I’ll go play for The Yankees for a year.”
AllHipHop: Quincy wants to play for them too! What is it about the Yankees?
Westside Webb: That’s my favorite team. I mean, I played shortstop growing up, so my favorite player was Derek Jeter. Ever since I was a kid, so I always liked the Yankees.
AllHipHop: How did you start off producing? How’d you learn?
Westside Webb: I started off producing around the Jerkin’ era, like ’09, ’10. All my homies made music, they was rapping and making beats. I wanted to make beats. I always used to be in the programs, making videos and doing all types of s**t. I f**ked around with FL Studio. Like I was telling you, just by having a musical background, it started coming naturally. I really got intrigued with doing beats, like this s**t fun. I’m taking my laptop everywhere, I’m not going nowhere without having no beats.
AllHipHop: Do you remember the moment where music really became real for you?
Westside Webb: Actually, it’s crazy because the first person to ever have a beat of mines besides the homies was Rich The Kid. But this was way before he was Rich The Kid, this was 2011. I was f###### with Rich The Kid on Twitter. I used to give him beats all the time. He used to take the beats to the studio and be f###### with other n*ggas, so they’d hear me. And they was way in Atlanta. I forgot exactly how it happened, but I had got a song with Lil Scrappy.
AllHipHop: Shoutout Lil Scrappy!
Westside Webb: Shout out Lil Scrappy, him and Cap 1. That’s when I knew like alright, I could do something for real.
AllHipHop: How did that happen?
Westside Webb: Honestly, I think the dude who Rich The Kid was messing with, who he was trying to get features from and do songs with — because he was a little bit more booming at the time, his name was Montana The Mac. He was already f###### with everybody, so then I started f###### with Montana too. Giving him beats. They probably ended up in the studio one day, gave it to Scrappy. He hit me up talking about “you got a song with Scrappy,” I’m like alright cool. At this time, it’s 2012. I’m a senior in high school. I’m like oh yeah! I’m going to school, yeah I got a song with Lil Scrappy. It’s lit! After that, I realized this is what I want to do.
AllHipHop: I know you’re also So Way Out. How did you meet G Perico?
Westside Webb: S###, I met that fool on 108th and Broadway. At the studio. When I started going over there, he was still in jail. He was in prison. My homie Freeze On The Beat, shout out Freeze, he used to take me to the studio. You know just dealing with the people in the music industry, when you’re young and small in the music industry: you find a studio to work at, you’re going to take advantage of that s###. So that was somewhere for us to work out of for free. I’m over there everyday, then he came home from prison and we locked in.
AllHipHop: Are you signed to him?
Westside Webb: I never was signed to him. I’ve always been independent. I’m still So Way Out though, So Way Out is a family. It’s a label too, but it’s a family. I never been signed to him though. People be thinking that, but I’ve never been signed to nobody. I’ve always been indie.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name Westside Webb?
Westside Webb: Que from Atlanta. You know the song “OG Bobby Johnson?” Que gave me my name. He got that song “Too Much” with Trey Songz. He from Atlanta though. I had f##### with Que and did some music for him, then I ended up going to Atlanta for 3 months. Staying at his house, other houses. Everywhere we’d go, he’d be like “this my homie Webb, he from the Westside.” He said “n*gga, I’m finna start calling you Westside Webb.” I said “that s### actually catchy. I’m running with that, it’s over with.” For real. Really I went back home and within a week, everybody was calling me that. “Westside! Westside!” When I see people, I’m like yeah, it’s over with.
AllHipHop: You just released Player Games Pt. 1.
Westside Webb: Yeah, Player Games Pt. 1 out everywhere. Go check that out.
AllHipHop: Why Player Games?
Westside Webb: To me, it’s a bunch of different things. It meant to me: we’re all players, playing this game called life. I don’t really feel like everybody got it figured out, especially where we at. I’m just trying to give people a little game and motivation on what they can do from what I learned. We all playing this game called life, we gon’ figure this s**t out together.
AllHipHop: So Pt. 1 meaning there’s a Pt. 2 obviously?
Westside Webb: Hell yeah, there might be a Pt. 10. [laughs] You just gotta wait on it, you feel me? But definitely a Pt. 2 coming soon. I got something coming in between that though.
AllHipHop: What’s coming in between?
Westside Webb: You gonna have to see. I’ll let you know first though, I’m a let you know first when it happens.
AllHipHop: I was watching the “Different Goals” visual, what were you on recording this one?
Westside Webb: “Different Goals,” we was in Vegas. We do that often with the So Way Out crew, we always take trips. We went to Lake Mead, gambling out there, just doing the thing. Riding jet skis, riding boats. I had brought my cameraman with me like “we’re gonna have fun, and we finna shoot a video. Let’s go viral.” So we did that all throughout Vegas, then came back here and shot the rest of the scenes. All my music videos, I just try to make them fun. Some real lifestyle, s### you can relate to.
AllHipHop: I want to jet ski so bad!
Westside Webb: That s### fun, super fun. It’ll bring the inner kid out of you.
AllHipHop: What was it like getting a plaque with Sonny Digital? Love him.
Westside Webb: You already know, that’s my boy. Sonny, that’s my guy. I be speechless sometimes talking about my bro, because Sonny’s one of the most genuine n*ggas I’ve met in the music industry. I don’t even really call him my bro, that’s really my brother. His kid is my god kid, so that’s really my dawg. We close close, like really close.
We was out here in LA at Drofe house. We in the room, Sonny started cooking up a beat. And if y’all know Sonny, you’ll know he’ll fall asleep fast. Sonny will work, he’ll get 40 beats done, you’ll look over and he’ll be dead. It be funny because he’ll just be dead. So I looked up in the middle of the beat, bro is just dead. Then he got up out the chair and slid over onto the bean bag, ready to go to sleep. Like knockout.
I just jumped on the computer, started finishing up the rest of the beat. He woke up out of his sleep because he heard it, he’s like “yo this s### hard.” I guess he finished that, added some more s### to it. Right before we was about to go SXSW a few years back, he called me like “you hear this s### in the back?” I’m like “who is that?” He like “bro this Tee Grizzley, he just went crazy on our s###.” I’m like “yeah?” He’s like “yeah, he’s about to put it on his project.” Next thing you know, we here.
AllHipHop: What song was it?
Westside Webb: “Catch It” It was on Tee Grizzley’s first project, that s### was big.
AllHipHop: How did you and Sonny Digital Meet originally?
Westside Webb: I met Sonny from Que, they used to rap together. They were a combo. When I met Que and they came here to LA, they was working. I pulled up over there. Next thing you know, Sonny asked me like “wassup bro, you wanna cook up?” And we been locked in ever since.
AllHipHop: Seen you with Fki 1st also?
Westside Webb: I love 1st, that’s my boy. That man’s beats are crazy. It’s funny to me because a lot of these people, I been listening to them. 1st made all of Travis Porter’s first hits, that’s what we was going to party to when we were 16. People getting they first lap dances to Travis Porter and 1st beats. These the homies now though, 1st is a legend.
AllHipHop: When did you decide to rap, if you’ve been producing this whole time?
Westside Webb: I never wanted to rap, like ever. That was not my goal. I guess people like my voice, but I always hated my voice. Polyester The Saint is the reason why I rap. I was at Polyester’s crib one day, he’s doing his songs. He told me to talk over his song, pop some s###. I talk, he’s like “bro your voice sounds good over beats, you need to rap.” I’m like “no, f### that s###. I’m not rapping.”
2 weeks later, we on the phone talking. He was telling me he needed another beat for his project, I told him “yeah I got you right here.” He’s like “alright, I’ll take the beat but you gotta put a verse on it.” I’m like “n*gga, I just told you 2 weeks ago I’m not putting no verse on that.” He like “alright, I don’t want the beat,” and he hung up on me. Straight up, boom click.
AllHipHop: First of all, how you gon’ hang up on me?!
Westside Webb: Polyester really one of my closest friends too, so I low key felt some type of way. Got me f##### up. I called him back immediately like “what you doing today?” He said “nothing.” I’m like “come to my house right now. We’re finna go get a mic, some Pro Tools. I’m a put a verse on this s### ’cause you not finna not rap on this beat.” Then boom, we got a song called “Cuz It’s Like That.” That was the first song I rapped on. He said “this s**t hard bro, we gon’ have to keep going.”
AllHipHop: Is it hard for people to take producers turned rappers seriously?
Westside Webb: For sure. You got the best of both worlds. You got most people who looking at you like “oh okay, you just want to rap?” Then you got the other people who feel like you’re stepping on their toes. I went from trying to give beats out to people to now people hitting me for beats. I don’t make beats for people anymore.
AllHipHop: Oh so you don’t produce anymore?
Westside Webb: I do, but for who I want to. For me or the homies homies, if people really need something. But I ain’t out here shopping beats anymore.
AllHipHop: You got something with Seddy Hendrix?
Westside Webb: Yeah, me and my boy Seddy. I’m not gon’ lie, you just took the cat out the bag. That’s what’s in between Player Games Pt. 2. Y’all gonna get these songs from me and Seddy. Me and Seddy got a couple songs that I want to show the world, that s**t fire too. Fire.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
Westside Webb: Quietness, peace, weed. All my equipment like my tools, my laptop, my keyboard, s### like that. I’m real simple, I don’t like party vibes in the studio. I like it just me honestly.
AllHipHop: You got a merch pop-up coming out?
Westside Webb: Yep. I got merch, I got a pop-up. I got the little samples in today, we got a whole little pop-up coming. We gonna do hard copies of the CDs. It’s going to be out of 100, labeled all 1 through 100. Each one is specifically for that person. It’s going to come with a hard copy of the CD, and it’s gon’ come with the t-shirt too.
It’s going to be a Meet & Greet, we’re going to package it all up in one deal. You sell it for one package. It’s going to be more of a futuristic type of thing too. It’s on some Nipsey Hussle Proud to Pay type s**t. In the future, it’s going to have something on it where you’re going to be able to tap it and get free tickets to the show. You’ll get free merch or free exclusive songs.
AllHipHop: How important is family life to you?
Westside Webb: I got 2 kids, they my best friends. My daughter turned 5 on Friday, then my son is 2. He’ll be 3 in October. They the ones who keep me motivated. They the ones who keep me doing this music s###. In the direction that I’m going into, I can’t really be posting guns, drugs, and do all this other s**t that a lot of other artists be doing.
Just because I got 2 little people looking at me as an example. I don’t want them to be looking at Youtube like “damn, my dad was over there high or got guns.” That’s cool too, but I like to push motivation. I want my kids to be better than me, so when they look on the screen, they think “oh, y’all was popping that s**t. Y’all was fly. Y’all got the foreign cars, y’all got big cribs. We gotta do that s**t too.”
AllHipHop: Anything else that wanted to let us know?
Westside Webb: Player Games out already. We just shot the “Membership” video in Seattle, probably the tightest video that’s going to come out this year. As far as scenery at least, because I’m all about scenery. We shot on the big Puget Sound, the skyline of Seattle. “Membership” video coming out soon, keep running up those Player Games streams. Listen, it’s a Webby summer.
NBA YoungBoy seeks to end his house arrest after his acquittal on a gun charge in Los Angeles.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, NBA YoungBoy’s legal team filed a motion to modify his bail order from October 2021. The Atlantic Records rapper’s lawyers requested his release from house arrest in light of a jury finding him not guilty of felony gun possession on July 15.
“Since the Court authorized the defendant’s release, two key events have transpired causing a material change in circumstances,” his attorneys contend. “First, this Court has suppressed critical aspects of the Government’s case casting doubt as to whether the weight of the admissible evidence favors the Government.”
They continued, “Second, [NBA YoungBoy] was acquitted in a parallel prosecution concerning the firearm found inside of his car when he was arrested on the underlying warrant in this case. As such, we believe that a modification of bail is in order and that the current release conditions are more onerous than necessary to assure his appearance or protect the commencing from danger.”
NBA YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, is serving his house arrest in Utah. The conditions of his bail include home incarceration, a location monitoring device and pre-approved visitation.
The multi-platinum selling rapper’s lawyers think these restrictions aren’t necessary. They want a court to amend the conditions, which would help NBA YoungBoy’s career.
“As this Court is aware, Mr. Gaulden is a prominent Hip Hop artist and has the potential for a lucrative career in both producing music and performing live events,” his attorneys note. “The proposed modifications would allow him to both record music with third parties at professional studios located throughout the country and would allow him to perform at live events.”
They added, “Considering the legal posture of the two prosecutions, undersigned believe that lifting these restrictions still satisfies the Bail Reform Act and that, continuing with the full gambit of these restrictions, is greater than necessary to assure Mr. Gaulden’s appearance in Court and the safety of the community.”
NBA YoungBoy still faces gun charges in his hometown of Baton Rouge. He awaits trial after pleading not guilty to the charges.
Jason Derulo believes singing competition shows fail to find many stars because they’re too focused on a contestant’s voice rather than the whole package.
The “Talk Dirty” hitmaker discussed long-running TV talent shows such as “American Idol” and “The Voice” in an interview with Billboard and insisted that judges should be looking for the “spark” and “special thing” in each contestant as well as their vocal ability.
“I think a lot of times in these competition-based shows, they’re not looking for a special thing about a person but they’re looking for the best voice. Unfortunately, that is not what makes a star. It’s a special something about somebody that makes a star,” he explained before going on to give a specific example.
“Cardi B, before she put out any music, people were into Cardi B, she had that special something,” Jason Derulo explained.
“American Idol” has been running on and off since 2002 and has produced stars such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Adam Lambert, and Jennifer Hudson.
“The Voice” has been on the air since 2011 and has produced no big-name stars.
“That’s why when you’re watching these shows like ‘American Idol’ and ‘The Voice,’ no star is coming out of them (except) very few and far between. Kelly Clarkson, yes, Carrie Underwood, yes. But how many seasons have there been?” Jason asked.
Jason gave the interview to promote his partnership with the Tuborg Open campaign, for which he has mentored six unsigned international rising artists.
West Coast Hip-Hop fans are jumping for joy as one of the most beloved groups in the culture has reunited for at least one song.
Fatlip, a founding member of the Pharcyde, is dropping a new album. While the album is sure to be fire, a couple of gems on the project promise to fulfill a two-decade-old dream of true rap lovers — a reunion.
A press release says that all four members of the group that gave the world two groundbreaking and classic albums, “Bizarre Ride To The Pharcyde” and “Labcabincalifornia,” will appear on Fatlip’s new project called “Torpor.”
Do you all remember this?
Torpor will feature two songs with all the originals whose names are (Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3 (Trevant Hardson), B##### Brown (Romye Robinson), and Fatlip.
The release says, “One of the group’s songs is “My Bad” which shows the members apologizing to each other for their years of fighting. The song also features Butch Cassidy on the hook and is co-produced by Jellyroll.”
While the songs don’t promise another album with all four members (there were two other albums the group put out, Plain Rap and Humboldt Beginnings, that didn’t have everyone on it, and fans felt the gaps), it will be a piece of culture crack the folk has been fiending for.
In addition to the Pharcyde songs, two singles from the Torpor album feature notables in rap culture.
“Dust In The Wind” featuring Krayzie Bone and “Wake Up” with RBX are standouts on Fatlip’s album.
Fatlip’s solo project has been produced by Sccit & Siavash The Grouch and is his awakening out of years of being sleep sorta.
“This record was a long time coming,” says Fatlip. “Get ready for a beast to come outta hibernation.”
The Torpor album is scheduled for a July 29th release exclusively on CD as a limited edition collectors’ item. A digital release is slated for August 19th.
