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Jilly Talks Debut EP ‘COPY & Paste’, Opening For 2 Chainz, And Love For Cooking

By: Shirley Ju Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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Jilly pretty much came out of the womb singing, dancing, and entertaining the masses since she can remember. 

Hailing from Houston, Texas, a city she’s extremely proud to be from, Jilly is the definition of a multihyphenate and Boss Babe, also the name of her own company she’s built from the ground up. While music may be her first true love, Jilly is a proud entrepreneur with her own cookbook and perfume line out.

Speaking on her roots, Jilly states, “The best thing is always reppin’ your city. I rep my city hard, not just because, but it’s really who I am. It’s where I’m from. Honestly, it’s the epitome of Jilly. It’s where it all started. For me, H-town will always be home. I’ll always rep it.”

Having released single after single throughout her career, the actress, recording artist, and entrepreneur is excited as ever to have finally unveiled her highly-anticipated debut project titled COPY & Paste. 

The title speaks for itself: Jilly being the blueprint for a lot of these upcoming artists who fail to give her her credit — while showcasing her true passion and talents for her craft.

AllHipHop: You’re originally from Texas, right?

Jilly: Absolutely, Houston to be specific. You gotta say Houston, there’s a difference. H-town!

AllHipHop: Houston is lit lit. 

Jilly: Yes, absolutely. Houston is the city of Texas, yes. [laughs] Call me bias, but that’s what it is.

AllHipHop: People say their records really take off because of the Houston nightlife scene. 

Jilly: Yeah, the best thing is always reppin’ your city. I rep my city hard, not just because, but it’s really who I am. It’s where I’m from. Honestly, it’s the epitome of Jilly. It’s where it all started. For me, H-town will always be home. I’ll always rep it, definitely.

AllHipHop: Did you grow up on the chopped and screwed movement?

Jilly: Yes, absolutely. Shout out to all the Houston legends. Slim Thug, Lil Keke, we got Z-Ro, everybody. Paul Wall, “let me see ya grill!” I could go on for days. 

AllHipHop: I know Destiny’s Child was big for you…

Jilly: Oh come on now, I was the #1 Destiny’s Child fan. I’m from Houston so I grew on them before they were mainstream. I literally went to every Destiny’s Child concert growing up, every Beyonce concert. I’m a huge, huge Beyonce fan.

AllHipHop: Favorite Destiny’s Child song?

Jilly: “Soldier.” “I need a soldier!” [sings]

AllHipHop: When did you start doing music? 

Jilly: Actually, early on. The stage was always my second home. I started doing competitive dance the second I could walk. I was two years old, my mom and dad put me in dance. That’s when I fell in love with the stage. Shortly after in middle school, I started taking vocal lessons and started doing cover videos. I started covering Drake songs, Rihanna songs, Beyonce, Destiny’s Child songs. 

Really early on around 16 is when I started doing original music. After that, I said “No, I really can do this. This is really what I do.” It’s so funny because people think now that Instagram is mainstream and I blew up on there, they’re like, “Oh wait, now you do music?” No, I’ve been doing music. I’m actually now coming back to my roots.

AllHipHop: Did you take a break?

Jilly: Yeah I did, not gonna lie. I took a two-year hiatus off of music and really focused on acting and entrepreneurship. I built my business which is Boss Babe by Jilly, which I’m grateful for. I have a cookbook that’s out, a perfume line. But nothing makes me as happy as making music and my art.

AllHipHop: Have you been independent this whole time? 

Jilly: I have. You know, it’s been amazing. I’m so grateful that I’ve gotten to as far as I can get and I’m expanding my team as we speak. Right now, it’s all about timing. Perfect place, perfect time. Finding those people who can believe in you just as much as you believe in yourself. Now, sky’s the limit.

AllHipHop: You just released your first project COPY & Paste, how are you feeling?

Jilly: Amazing! I’m so excited about it. I love it. This is my first body of work. All this time, all these years, I’ve put out singles. I’ve only put out singles. This is my first time putting out a body of work. It’s starting to really showcase more of Jilly as the artist. That’s what I’m most excited about, is people really finally hearing more of Jilly

AllHipHop: What inspired the title?

Jilly: COPY & Paste, no joke! I see a lot of me being the inspo to a lot of people and not getting credit. I don’t look for the credit, but you know how when you know? Okay, I definitely did that first. I’m setting these trends so you know what? I’ma subtly do it. It’s COPY & Paste because everything I do, it gets copy and pasted. So let me keep making more COPY & Paste. No pun intended, but very pun intended.

AllHipHop: I know you work with some dope producers on the project.

Jilly: Yes! Shout out to Lil Rich, shout out to Lab Ox. I’ve been so blessed to work with such great creative people. I’m blessed to have them on my side because at the end of the day, that relationship becomes family. It really becomes family. All that time spent in the studio, really getting intimate as far as talking about personal stuff, you can’t fake that. You can’t. It’s definitely a blessing to have such close relationships with such talented people.

AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?

Jilly: My Essentia water. Shout out to Essentia, I need a deal. I need my Red Bull, and I need my gummy bears. 

AllHipHop: What kind of gummy bears? 

Jilly: Haribo.  

AllHipHop: I like Black Forest!

Jilly: I got put it on to Black Forest just a few months ago. They’re really good, but I’ve been a Harribo person my whole life.

AllHipHop: The “Like That” music video hit over a million views in just 5 days. How did that feel?

Jilly: That felt amazing. It was one of those moments where it was hard work really paying off. The craft and the art that I love so much, it radiated. It was so incredible. I’m so excited for the next video and to see all of them — the next one I want to hit 2 million in 2 days. The sky’s the limit, it just feels great. For me, I never settle. What’s next? How can we get more in 5 days? What’s the next step? So it’s only the beginning. It was such an incredible milestone, but now I’m ready for the next one.

AllHipHop: That video looked fun as hell. What was the best memory and where did you shoot it at?

Jilly: Ooh, the best memory. I shot in Houston, shout out to my director Karter K, right behind the camera right now. That was a long day! It was a day that you’ll never be able to tell on camera, but it didn’t even go as planned. We were supposed to be at a whole other location four or five hours prior, we lost all that time. The shoot was supposed to be done at 7pm or 8pm? We didn’t even end until 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. It definitely went way over time. 

But every time I shoot a music video, it’s such an amazing experience, I wouldn’t change anything for the world. People who I worked with, the choreographer I worked with Whylan, the dancers who I had on set, just the whole team. Everybody understands the vision, that’s the best thing. People who I work with, work just as hard as me. That’s so so important because I don’t play about my craft. I need people around me who see the vision just as much, that was the most incredible part. That was a whole new team of people I worked with on a music video. I had never worked with those people video-wise, it was a different aura. Just completely different, I loved it. I loved every single minute of it, and the video came out so amazing!

AllHipHop: Do you do all the creative direction?

Jilly: Yeah, I planned it with my stylist Frankie. We literally had a meeting about it and discussed everything, I went over what I want. I’m very hands-on with all my stuff, no kidding. I don’t ever get something thrown like “okay this is what I’m doing, tell me what to do.” No, no, no. It never works like that. I’m very picky. It’s me! It’s me. Even with my director Karter, I said “I have to be there with you to edit.” He’s like “Can I just get you a draft first?” Okay, but as long as I can… You may think this looks good, but I need this. Those knits and bits and pieces that I’m very very picky. I’m always gonna be super super hands-on with my stuff. 

AllHipHop: Secret to staying snatched?

Jilly: Really no secret, just taking care of yourself. Mind body and soul. That’s most important, especially with a lot of mental health going on these days. It’s really important. I wasn’t really a person who really knew what mental health was, I’ll be very honest. Until I had to understand what that was. If you take care of your mental, then it radiates through. Definitely taking care of yourself, stepping back away from the things that aren’t important. Social media isn’t important, so understanding that. It transpires, it radiates through. So definitely taking care of your mental for sure.

AllHipHop: Favorite thing to cook? 

Jilly: Ooh. Shout out to This Boss Babe Can Cookbook. It’s on my website, iamjilly.com. I’m Creole, all my family is from Louisiana. We cook gumbo, etouffee. My favorite favorite dish was this random dish that I made up: jalapeno garlic salmon. It’s definitely my go-to.

AllHipHop: You made it up?

Jilly: I made it up. I make a lot of this stuff up. I make a homemade Alfredo on the side, then It’s a jalapeno garlic salmon. It’s just [kisses lips]. I want some now. 

AllHipHop: How was it opening for 2 Chainz?

Jilly: Oh my goodness. That experience, if I really tell the truth… [laughs] Thinking about it right now, it was crazy. Long story short, I was actually supposed to open for Chris Brown.I had prepared months and months and months for the show. The day of, he goes on Instagram and he cancels. 

God bless Karter, again. I was sitting in my car devastated, and Karter ran out, right when I was about to leave and was like, “Yo, you want to open for 2Chainz?” Wait, what? Huh? I was so confused. He said “you wanna open for 2Chainz?” Yes, but give me details. He said “you have to be there in 30 minutes.” Mind you, I got pins in my hair. No makeup on. He said “Oh, you look fine. You can go as is.” No, guys don’t understand! I have a makeup appointment I have to go to. I said “Well, if I can go get my makeup done, then can we do it? What’s the time?” 

Basically long story short, because it is a long story, we had to rush. My makeup artist did my makeup in literally 15 to 20 minutes. I call my family. “Look, can y’all be at the Smoke Fest in 30 minutes?” Literally within 30 minutes, it was about 40 of my family members. All my dancers, my choreographer, my entire team literally there to see me perform at a whole entirely different location, and we killed it. I’m just blessed that I was still able to get on the stage that day.

AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself at this point in your career?

Jilly: Absolutely, I’ll always set goals for myself. I’ll never stop. At the same time, my goals are temporary goals because I like to reach them. At the end of the day, it’s continuing to do what makes me happy. That’s being on the stage, that’s putting out new music. That’s really waking the world up because I’ve kind of taken a backstage to my music. I think it’s unfair for me as an artist. Now, you know what? Keep putting out good s###, it’s gon’ have to get the credit it deserves. I’m on full go mode right now. The main goal for me at this very moment is just not stopping, not stopping at all anymore. I took two years off and now it’s time to come collect. 

AllHipHop: Talk about this dope thing you’re doing with MTV. 

vYes! Shout out to MTV, I’m so excited. I’m going to be doing an Instagram Live Jam Session with MTV, it’s gonna be on their account. I’m going to perform my entire EP COPY & Paste, as well as one of my old songs which is an old faithful called New Safe. I’m excited to perform it, especially since I haven’t performed my EP. This is my very first time performing COPY & Paste, so I’m excited. 

AllHipHop: Any collabs in the works? 

Jilly: No, not right now. My biggest thing with collabs was just not getting hidden behind another artist, because I really do this. At some point, I will be so ecstatic to work with someone else, but at this very moment, I’m focusing on me and that’s why COPY & Paste was only me. I don’t need to hide behind anybody else. The music speaks for itself.

AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound? 

Jilly: I‘d definitely say R&B Pop. I would never say I’m a rapper. I don’t ever want to confuse people.

AllHipHop: But can you spit bars? 

Jilly: Baby yes, of course. I’m not competing with Nicki, but at the same time I’m not in Whitney Houston’s lane. I’m in my own lane, I’m in Jilly’s lane. I know that’s why I’m gonna always win. So R&B pop for sure. 

AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let the people know? 

Jilly: Continue to watch me, stay tuned. All things Jilly is coming very, very soon. My EP is out now: COPY & Paste. Make sure you go stream it, download it. Tell a friend, tell a friend, and tell a friend. All my Instagram handles are @Jillyanais, then my website is iamjilly.com.

Is Jay-Z About To Drop?

By: Houston Williams Updated Category: Rumors
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Jay-Z!

Is Jay-Z up to something? Today marks the fifth anniversary of his 4:44 album. The seminal album, largely regarded as a classic, was released to an incredible fanfare. It was a deeply personal album and he put out a lot of information out there. In fact, he addressed numerous things including infidelity.

In 2022, Beyoncé just release a song that has almost ushered in an era of club music. Now, this only leads us to 2022! For quite some time, there have been rumors that Jay Z was working. But those musical dreams were not really supported by anything other than external stuff that was happening. So, for example, we saw Nas dropping projects and gaining traction in the legacy department.

Also, we have seen Jay Z drop several feature appearances, here and there. After his Pusha T feature, it really made me wanna hear more. So, the rumors have been there but mostly speculative I hope he returns because we still need him to “show us how to do this, son! “

This was a the opener.

This was not the closer, but it shook up the world!

Jay-Z, if you are seeing this somewhere from a big yacht or an underground bungalow, come back. Drop another one on your fans! Show us Hip-Hop can still perforate the top level.

Anyway, some people feel and speculate that 4:44 was his last, but I don’t agree with them. No!

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Fake Drake Calls Real Drake Out To Fight

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Izzy Drake, the celebrity imposter who impersonates the famous rapper, has called the real Drake out to fight over his clout-chasing identity.

According to TMZ, Celebrity Boxing owner Damon Feldman has inked a deal with the Fake Drake for a fight in the ring on Saturday, Aug. 27th.

Fake Drake called out his idol out, saying, “Yo … Yo … Yo… You already know, we outside. I just signed with celebrity boxing, on August 27th. I’m calling Drake out for a friendly boxing match.”

He continues in the clip giving his terms of defeat, “If I win, you gotta sign me to OVO … You gotta give me $1,000,000. If you win, I’ll change my name.

AllHipHop.com shared with fans that the man tricking people to believe he is the Champagne Papi has been making money out of his schtick.

Also, a Canadian native, the doppelganger says he gets paid big bucks to hustle the chart-toppers swag and good looks. #GodsPlan.

“People DM me like ‘Hey, you wanna come to my event?” he explained on a 2021 episode of Adam 22’s “No Jumper” podcast. “Because I can’t pay Drake, he’s too expensive. I’ll pay you $5,000’–$5,000 just to show up. They pay my Airbnb, they pay the flight. They hook it all up.” 

Back then, his bark was different about Drake, stating there is no contention between the two.

“Drake was just like ‘It doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t affect me, let the guy get his bag. It isn’t affecting me.’… He didn’t really give a f**k,” he said.

This story is developing.

Michael Jackson Turned Down Tupac!

By: illseed Updated Category: Rumors
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The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory is the best album Tupac put out. But this was his Death Row Records. Something crazy happened and BET unearthed something we have never heard before.

They created an oral history of Makaveli’s The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory and set it off.

QDIII produced “To Live & Die In L.A.,” one of my favorite songs on the album. Well, lets continue. There was a song called “Thug Nature,” which originally remixed “Human Nature,” the 1983 Michael Jackson hit!!!! Remember Quincy Jones is QDIII’s dad! Well, you know what is next! They wanted to get MJ on the song!

QDIII FLEXED and said, “So I set up a meeting at Neverland. I go up there and told Michael about it. And do you know what Micheal said? He liked Biggie.”

A year before, in the year of our Lord 1995, The Notorious B.I.G. and Michael Jackson collaborated on “This Time Around.” So, MJ was a ride-n-die type of dude. He sided with his man! Also, apparently Pac beefing with Jay-Z, Mobb Deep, Nas and others did not bode with for Pac.

QDIII said Pac was focused regardless and explained how he was in the studio.

“I would say he was manic”. “There would be moments that called for quiet voice and candles and all that and he would be screaming and smoking Newports. He was on fire with this manic push. He was always pushing,” QDIII said. Well, Pac did not need MJ for that one, but it could have been epic.

Salute Pac!

Salute Big!

Salute MJ!

And Salute QDIII!

Chuck D Defends Jeopardy Contestant Who Mixed Up Public Enemy With 90s White Pop Rap Group The Funky Bunch

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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A “Jeopardy” contestant confused the politically charged Public Enemy with Marky Mark’s 80s group, the Funky Bunch. Fans immediately dragged the Nancy Drew-haired white woman for her caucasity.

The clue was for $600 and read, “In the 1990s, Chuck D began fighting the power in this hip-hop group with Flavor Flav, a man who always knew what time it was.”

The woman speedily buzzed in and said, “Ahh … what is the Funky Bunch?”

The host, actor-turned-neuroscientist Mayim Bialik dryly said, “No.”

The correct answer would have been “What is Public Enemy?” which was given by another contestant.

Still, the mistake was unimaginable as PE is one of the most recognizable musical brands of the last 30 years, prompting the young woman Halley Ryherd, to take to Twitter to diffuse some of the reprimands with humor.

She said the mix-up sent her to her therapist.

While fans didn’t give her a break, the lead rapper from the group was a bit more gracious.

Chuck D chimed in on the critics angry with her and in his own way “shut ‘em down.”

When @pjtourkid tweeted, “This person on #Jeopardy just thought Chuck D was in the funky bunch. She should get credit for being the most wrong she could possibly be. S### was amazing.

@Jeopardy @MrChuckD”

The six-time Grammy-nominated rapper replied, “Everybody don’t know everything… it’s why I introduce myself wherever I go and whoever I talk to … it’s just courtesy. But the sad thing is not knowing those other Chuck Ds.”

That’s why Chuck D is still bringing the noise all these years later.

Lil Reese Arrested In Texas For Aggravated Assault

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Tavares Lamont Taylor appears to be back behind bars once again. Harris County, Texas law enforcement arrested the rapper better known as Lil Reese earlier this year.

According to reports, authorities booked Lil Reese in the county jail on May 19. The charge is listed as aggravated assault against a family member.

Apparently, local authorities also booked Reese on a second count of aggravated assault against a family member on May 25. He was denied bond on the first charge.

Harris County Jail records show a $60,000 bond amount for the May 25 arrest. Lil Reese’s next court date is currently set for August 16. He has not posted on Twitter or Instagram since May 16.

Throughout his career as a recording artist, Lil Reese has had numerous legal issues. In May 2010, Reese pled guilty to burglary charges. He also faced other assault, battery, and marijuana possession arrests over the years.

In June 2021, Lil Reese had to deal with domestic violence charges. His girlfriend at the time reportedly called 911, accusing the self-described Supa Savage of hitting her in the face.

Nine years prior to that incident, footage of Lil Reese punching a woman spread across the internet. Champaign County, Illinois police arrested Reese for criminal trespass, mob action, and battery in 2013 in connection to the 2012 video.

Reese has also been the victim of gun violence on multiple occasions. In May 2021, a shootout in a Chicago parking garage caused Reese and two other men to be hospitalized.

“I’m not blind or s###. Don’t believe what you see on [the] internet. I don’t even know where [the f###] they getting all these fake ass stories from,” stated Lil Reese in response to the 2021 shooting. Rumors suggested he possibly suffered blindness from the gunfire.

Stormzy Signs Deal With WME Agency

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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British recording artist Stormzy has signed a new deal with WME in all areas. Stormzy continues to be represented by #Merky co-founder Tobe Onwuka.

WME originally formed in 1898. The company refers to itself as the “longest-running talent agency.” After William Morris Agency and Endeavor merged in 2009, WME acquired IMG five years later.

Stormzy comes off the release of his 2019 album Heavy Is the Head. That studio LP received widespread critical acclaim and spawned several popular singles. “Audacity,” “Crown,” and “Vossi Bop” live on the album.

2017’s Gang Signs & Prayer also garnered praise and commercial success. Gang Signs & Prayer became the first Grime project to reach #1 on the UK Albums Chart. The project hosts the hits “Big for Your Boots” and “Cold.”

Additionally, Gang Signs & Prayer earned a Mercury Prize nomination. The studio LP also won the 2018 BET Award for Best International Artist and the Brit Award for British Album Of The Year. A third Stormzy album is reportedly on the way.

Stormzy Joins A WME Roster Of Hip Hop Stars

Stormzy: Road to the Pyramid Stage premiered last week on BBC One. The documentary covers the London-born rhymer’s journey to being the first Black British solo artist to headline the Glastonbury Festival in 2019.

Apple Music 1’s Leading Vibe Radio with Tems recently caught up with Stormzy for an interview. During the conversation, Stormy explained why he famously deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts in 2020.

“Whether that be noise on the internet, whether that be noise in reality, whether that be noise in events. I’ll just make active decisions to not be around noise. Because I feel that noise doesn’t allow me to be normal,” stated Stormzy.

The WME music roster also includes 24kGoldn, 6LACK, Action Bronson, D Smoke, Danny Brown, Ella Mai, Future, Giveon, Gunna, Isaiah Rashad, Jazmine Sullivan, Kehlani, Nas, Nicki Minaj, OutKast, Pharrell Williams, Rick Ross, Roddy Ricch, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Summer Walker, Travis Scott, Tyler The Creator, Usher, Vince Staples, Willow, and Wiz Khalifa.

Showtime Casts Vince Staples In ‘The Wood’ TV Pilot

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Vince Staples will once again show off his acting chops. The 28-year-old Californian will be part of the upcoming television version of the coming-of-age film The Wood.

According to Variety, the Showtime network chose Vince Staples for The Wood pilot. The cast also features Xavier Mills, Karen Obilom, Melvin Gregg, and Essence Renae.

Richard T. Jones returns as Slim and Tamala Jones returns as Tanya for the TV version of The Wood. Both actors appeared in the original motion picture as the same characters.

Additionally, Rick Famuyiwa will direct and executive produce the Showtime pilot. Famuyiwa directed and co-wrote The Wood movie which starred Richard T. Jones, Omar Epps, and Taye Diggs.

Vince Staples will play an aspiring photographer named Jamal in The Wood. Previously, Staples had a role in the Rick Famuyiwa-directed Dope. That 2015 dramedy featured Shameik Moore, Chanel Iman, Tyga, Zoë Kravitz, and A$AP Rocky as well.

Besides working as an actor, Vince Staples also released numerous albums. The Long Beach native’s discography contains 2015’s Summertime ’06, 2017’s Big Fish Theory, 2018’s FM!, 2021’s Vince Staples, and 2022’s Ramona Park Broke My Heart.

The Wood generated over $25 million at the domestic box office in 1999. Many theatergoers of a certain generation view the movie as a cult classic. The Wood is often placed in the late 1990s-era pantheon of Black comedies such as A Thin Line Between Love and Hate and The Best Man.

Steph Curry To Host 2022 ESPY Awards

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Four-time NBA Champion Steph Curry will serve as the master of ceremonies for this year’s ESPY Awards. The sports-centered presentation will air live from Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 20 at 8 pm ET on ABC.

Steph Curry is fresh off winning the 2022 NBA Finals with his fellow Golden State Warriors teammates. The former Davidson College standout also won NBA Finals MVP. Plus, he was the first NBA Western Conference Finals MVP this season.

“I’ve had the pleasure of attending The ESPYS but never imagined I’d have the privilege of hosting this special event,” states Curry. “As someone who loves the intersection of sports and entertainment, I look forward to delivering an exciting show for the fans while we celebrate the athletes who created the top moments of the year.”

The ESPY Awards celebrate major sports achievements and top performances. Steph Curry joins a list of previous hosts that include Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, LeBron James, Jimmy Kimmel, Justin Timberlake, John Cena, Peyton Manning, and Anthony Mackie.

Steph Curry Earned Multiple ESPY Award Nominations

“Steph has long been one of the brightest stars in the sports constellation, and we’re thrilled to have him share his passion for sports, his wit, and his boundless talent with The ESPYS,” said Rob King, Executive Editor-At-Large ESPN Content.

Rob King continues, ”Whether shining on the court, engaging with fans on social platforms, or demonstrating a commitment to communities through varied philanthropic acts, he’s a singular performer who’ll undoubtedly add luster to our celebration of some of this year’s most compelling moments.”

Steph Curry earned ESPY nominations for Best Athlete-Men’s Sports and Best NBA Player. He is also up for Best Record-Breaking Performance (passes Ray Allen for most 3-pointers made in NBA history). To see the full list of nominations and vote for the winners of the 2022 ESPY Awards visit espn.com.

Cardi B’s “Hot Sh*t” Snippet Goes Viral

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Belcalis “Cardi B” Almánzar will release her next lead single this Friday, July 1. “Hot S###” features Chicago-bred rappers Kanye “Ye” West” and Lil Durk.

In preparation for “Hot S###” hitting DSPs tonight at 12 pm ET, Cardi B shared a snippet of the song on social media. The 16-second clip went viral on Wednesday night.

The Twitter version of the snippet amassed over 600,000 views and 30,000 likes. Over on Instagram, Cardi’s “Hot S###” collected more than 11 million views and 1.5 million likes.


Additionally, Cardi B earned a co-sign from another female rap star. Gangsta Boo of the Hip Hop group Three 6 Mafia tweeted lyrics from “Hot S###”. She posted, “Still might slide on [an] opp, ‘IT’S ELECTRIC’ hating didn’t work so they lied -Cardi.”

The Invasion of Privacy album creator later responded to Gangsta Boo on Twitter. Cardi quote-tweeted the Memphis representative and added, “Ommgggg Gangsta Boo?!!!! Omggg I’m geeked!!”

Earlier this week, Lil Durk teased “Hot S###” by promising the track will shake the world. Cardi B replied to the “Voice of the Heroes” hitmaker by praising Durk’s contribution to the record. He then returned the favor, tweeting, “You got the hardest verse we all can agree.”

“Hot S###” will be Cardi B’s first lead single since the chart-topping “Up” dropped in February 2021. The Bronx native also featured on Normani’s “Wild Side,” Lizzo’s “Rumors,” and Summer Walker’s “No Love (Extended Version)” over the last year.

https://twitter.com/purposebardi/status/1542294303069847553?s=20&t=J96QILVewTu2DmCyku83aw

Usher Announces Intimate VIP Stage Experience For Vegas Residency In Aid Of His Non-Profit 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Usher has announced plans to give fans the “Ultimate On Stage Experience” at his Las Vegas residency – a seat with him onstage during the show. 

For each show, 14 lucky concert-goers will form part of the show’s cast as they sit on guest tables onstage while Usher performs. Proceeds of the ticket sales will benefit his Usher’s New Look organization.  

Fans will also have the opportunity to meet the R&B star before the show and will be granted VIP access, making them feel like a cast member. Click here for more information and tickets.

https://twitter.com/Usher/status/1527272868010070016?s=20&t=1gMhbnItFLsbx0s4D4Lm8A

Usher founded his non-profit organization with his mother Jonetta Patton in 1999. They were inspired to launch Usher’s New Look after witnessing failures in Atlanta’s criminal justice system. The organization tackles systemic barriers preventing teens from graduating high school and college in both Atlanta and Brooklyn. “To date, we’ve touched the lives of more than 50,000 youth!” the website proudly proclaims.  

Meanwhile, Usher is gearing up for the release of his new single, “Good Love,” featuring City Girls. The song is accompanied by a roller-skating-themed video that arrives on Friday (Jul. 1). He took to Twitter to share a snippet of the visuals for the upbeat R&B track. Take a look at the clip below. 

Though he hasn’t released a new album since Hard II Love in 2016, Usher revealed last year that a new project is on the way. And not just any project, but the highly anticipated sequel to his classic 2004 album Confessions. However, the deadline he gave himself has now passed. “I’m letting you know that the album is officially coming this year,” he said in May 2001.  

Saweetie Delays ‘Pretty B*tch Music’ Again; “Not An Album, It’s A Movement” 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Saweetie has pushed back the release of her debut album once again after promising fans earlier this year that the project would arrive before the summer.  

Releasing your first album is a daunting prospect for any artist, and in the modern era, musicians have to cope with fans’ demands for a steady stream of releases. Not so for Saweetie, who revealed she’s taking her time with her first major body of work.  

The “Icy Bae” took to her Instagram Stories on the last day of June to inform her followers of the news. Saweetie explained she’s grown a lot over the past few years and now has reached a place of understanding.  

“I have realized my purpose with the platform God has given me,” she wrote. “Which is why I have taken my time with releasing music this time around.” 

Saweetie added, “Through hours of self-reflection I have realized that Pretty B#### Music is not an album.” She went on to describe it as “a movement,” “culture,” “language,” and “a lifestyle.” 

As such, Saweetie is in no hurry and will share the project when she’s ready. “We not rushing art, we taking our time!” She added. This ain’t no microwave s###! It’s baking & will definitely be worth the taste.” 

Back in November 2021, Saweetie claimed the project would be “dropping soon.” She doubled down in February, confessing, “I’ve put my foot down. I’m going to finally lock in to record this album,” before announcing Pretty B#### Music will arrive “definitely before the summer.”  Read her statement in full below.

Instagram: Saweetie

In the meantime, Saweetie has remained busy with music and other ventures. Last month the Icy Baby Foundation she founded with her grandmother launched a financial literacy program for underserved youth. 

In March, she received the Game Changer award at the Billboard Women In Music Awards. Later that month, the branding queen added another partnership to her collection. She was announced as the first-ever Global Culture Consultant of Champion and the global face of the brand.    

Australian Burger Joint Owner Claims Kanye West Threatened Legal Action Over His Logo 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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A Kanye West fan was recently forced to remove his restaurant menu and logo after the rapper’s lawyers threatened legal action. 

According to Mark Elkhouri who owns a burger eatery in Melbourne inspired by Kanye West, he’s had to undergo a thorough redesign following a cease-and-desist letter from Ye’s attorneys. The Yeezy mural inside the store has now been painted over, while the teddy bear logo is covered with a sign. The notice reads,” Insert logo here. OK thanks bye.” 

Instagram: College Dropout Burgers

College Dropout Burgers is named after Kanye West’s debut album. The store’s burgers named after the rapper’s songs will have to be renamed.  

“It’s pretty hard being a Kanye West fan with this situation, we have to respect his wishes and move forward,” Elkhouri said. The store owner believed “he was a fan of us.”

The name College Dropout Burgers will remain, but the meals will now be named after other famous college dropouts. However, Elkhouri remains undeterred in his fandom for the Donda hitmaker, who he labeled “the biggest artist of our time.” 

He added, “I have to still support him,” and acknowledged a silver lining in the situation. “Moving forward, I feel like it is a bit of a blessing in disguise,” Elkhouri said. “Because let’s face it, not everyone is a Kanye West fan.” 

Machine Gun Kelly Smashes Glass In His Face During Show; Continues To Perform Dripping in Blood 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Machine Gun Kelly got a little wild on stage on Tuesday night (Jun. 28) following his show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.  

After the MSG gig, the rapper turned rocker turned up with his fans during the afterparty at Catch. Machine Gun Kelly took to his Instagram Story to share some of the night’s highlights.  

In one, the musician is on stage with a champagne flute in one hand and a microphone in the other. He yells to the jam-packed room, “I don’t give a f###, bro. I don’t give a s###,” before smashing the glass into his face. “And this is when things turned…” MGK explained in the caption. Take a look at the clips below.

However, though covered in blood, he continued to perform. Machine Gun Kelly posted a gruesome photo of his injuries with others showing his bloodstained hands and clothing.  

“NYC you’re my bloody valentine 🩸❤️‍🔥,” he penned in the caption, referencing his 2020 song. 

Instagram: Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly Documents Suicide Attempt In New Hulu Documentary

The new MGK documentary “Life in Pink debuted on Hulu earlier this week. One of the most talked-about moments from the movie came from Machine Gun Kelly revealing a suicide attempt. He recalled being on the phone with his fiancée, Megan Fox, as he grieved the loss of his father. 

“I called Megan. I was like, ‘You aren’t here for me.’ I’m in my room and I’m, like, freaking out on her. Dude, I put the shotgun in my mouth. And I’m yelling on the phone and like the barrel’s in my mouth. And I go to c### the shotgun and the bullet, as it comes back up, the shell just gets jammed. Megan’s like dead silent.” 

However, Machine Gun Kelly admitted earlier this week that he didn’t want that clip in the doc. “I didn’t want to include that part,” he explained to Billboard. “Though the whole point of this is to be more raw and more vulnerable than an artist who is pushed by a machine, or something that just seems catered to making them look great. I think I’m an experiment of what it can be when an artist is just human.” 

Ludacris’ Manager Chaka Zulu Allegedly Fired Back In Self-Defense In Deadly Shooting 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Chaka Zulu was scared for his life and fired back in self-defense during the Atlanta shooting that left him in a critical condition and resulted in the death of another man. 

The co-CEO of Luda’s Disturbing Tha Peace Records was leaving a Bankhead restaurant with his daughter on Sunday night (Jun. 12) when he was shot. According to TMZ, surveillance footage shows Chaka Zulu walking through the parking lot with his daughter and a friend before being approached by another man. 

According to sources who viewed the footage, Chaka and the man begin exchanging words. The conversation soon escalates, with the interaction visibly intensifying. The other man allegedly kept his hand near his waistband throughout the incident.  

The outlet reports that a female then steps in and pushes the other man away from Chaka Zula, but he doesn’t back down. He approaches the man, who then appears to bump Chaka before Chaka grabs him by the collar.  

The situation then intensifies as another group of three or four men becomes involved. They allegedly rush Chaka and knock him to the ground before kicking and stomping on him.  

Then, one of the men pulls out a gun and lets off at least two shots. Sources say Chaka Zulu got back on his feet and fired at least one shot in return.  

Initial reports stated the unknown gunman fired off at least nine rounds during the incident, striking three. The men were transported to hospital where one of them died from his injuries. 

TMZ reports a source close to Chaka Zulu claims he was shot at least once with the bullet coming close to his heart. They add that he’s currently in critical condition.  

SRT Big Shugg Creates Legacy For South Side Chicago

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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SRT Big Shugg was born thirty-miles south of Chicago, Illinois under the name of Romerio Bounds in a two-parent household. His mother is an educator and his father is a retired production line supervisor.  He has a brother, Paul, a sister-in-law DeShanna, a sister Kelly, and two nephews Carter and PJ whom he loves dearly.  SRT Big Shugg went to O. W. Huth middle school and then later graduated from Rich Central high school at the age of seventeen and enlisted into the U.S. Army as a supply specialist.  After serving in the military SRT did several semesters at Chicago State University majoring in Finance/Accounting.  

The school wasn’t really cut out for SRT Big Shugg even though college was for his parents. Not because he couldn’t keep up academically but because his heart was not there.  Since he was in O.W. Huth middle school he found joy as a sound engineer for his friends.  

“It feels like yesterday when Frank Vibes and SRT Kazzy would come to my home after school to be recorded on substandard equipment.  So, when my homie Justin moved to California it only made sense to follow my dreams.  I recall telling my mom, I had to leave Chicago to pursue my ambitions in the music industry.  I can honestly say it was the right move for me.  Since being in Cali I’ve made phenomenal musical connections.” 

SRT Big Shugga has worked with the following producers (Chase Davis, Southsidee, Steve J., b1onthat, and 1blua); artists (Lil Mouse, Pablo, Rio Da Yung Og, BG Lonnie Bands, BabyFace Ray, SRT Kazzy, MP, SRT General, Pablo, Big Grind); engineers (David A., Ari, Marcus Porter, Leo Carpenter, Will a Fool); production companies (Azae Productions, Jimmy Whisperz, Film Barrel Studios).  

As a result, his music has been heard worldwide across multiple demographic ages. For example, “Lil N####”, “DaRaq”, “Overkill” are songs for individuals between the ages of 18-34 years old.  For those more seasoned, 35 years and older he has “Pride”, “Loose Ends”, “Rain”, and “Impatient”. 

Be sure to check out the new EP which drops July 18th pre-sales start July 4th! 

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/srtbigshugg1/forever-shugg?fbclid=IwAR2ubon8kS2w4j7tHkv-Rg1JkR2EBsW4RcsDg4ztKWVd5KCJQOdTjsakaZA&fs=e&s=cl

Youtube Channel:  https://youtube.com/channel/UCqFFm4Y4vuKVVgZYBozMyAw/videos

Instagram Page:  https://www.instagram.com/srt.bigshugg/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/shugg.srt/

How Darien Joseph Overcame Criticism to Storm the Internet with his Music

By: Brxton Lee Updated Category: Uncategorized
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The growing popularity of social media has unlocked several opportunities for budding artists to showcase their talent. Artists are no longer dependent on producers or labels to find an audience. On the flip side, social media also brings loads of criticism to artists just when they think their career has started taking off. Rising music artist and producer Darien Joseph has been there too. He overcame ugly criticism to prove his talent is original and gifted.

Darien has loved listening to different genres of music since childhood, but only during the pandemic-related lockdowns did Darien discover his true passion for music. Besides pursuing a degree in finance, Darien used to work as a part-time DJ at a local club in NYC. With clubs and pubs shut down, Darien desperately sought a job to support his family. The idle time took a toll on him because Darien was pressured to financially support his mother and younger siblings. During this time, Darien sought solace in music and knew he would pursue it as a full-time career.

Depression was not the only thing Darien overcame at the start his career in music. In March 2021, Darien dropped his first instrumental on his YouTube channel, which went viral almost overnight. Within a week, the video had earned more than 800K views, but this limelight was short-lived. A well-known music band on the platform red-flagged his video as plagiarized. Darien faced allegations of being a fake artist who copies music from others to find an audience. This ordeal went on for a while, and the platform deleted Darien’s debut release due to the outrage.

Within a few weeks, Darien could see his subscriber base going down, and his social media account was flooded with hateful comments. As a budding artist, it was not easy for Darien to recover from such a traumatic situation, especially when his creation was indeed his own. He eventually moved on from the situation as a better musician and began honing his craft. Darien was determined to become a one-man-band where he would not need anyone to create music.

Over the next 6 months, Darien became a powerhouse of talent. He wrote songs, composed music, sang, and even produced them. By the end of 2021, Darien dropped his first single, “Sunshine,” which exploded on the internet. The song ushered in a fresh wave of unique and cutting-edge music. It showcased Darien’s original talent as an artist, shutting down all online criticism.

Today, Darien is counted among the top rising pop artists on social media. He has a huge fan following on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. With an average of 5K monthly listeners on Spotify, Darien is set to take the music scene by storm. His recent release, “Autumn,” which dropped in May 2022, became a huge hit on digital streaming platforms. The song went viral as social media influencers started recreating dance covers and even used the music as a background score in their content.

In an industry dominated by young talent, Darien has managed to stand out as an artist with a purpose. His real-life experiences have changed his perspective on life; now, he wants others to experience the same with his music. Darien wants to create music that leaves the listeners with a ray of hope or sense of positivity.

How Artist Marcus ‘Churchboi’ Askew Is Taking His Career to the Next Level

By: Brxton Lee Updated Category: Music
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The great and powerful Grammy-nominated Marcus ‘Churchboi’ Askew is making his mark on the industry and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. For quite some time now, Churchboi has been putting in the work to develop and perfect his craft, helping him to stand out from the rest. 

Throughout his career, Churchboi has had the opportunity to work with other Grammy-nominated musicians and writers as a composer, artist, and pianists. Plus, he has recorded and collaborated with other Grammy award-winning musicians and writers. From this robust roster of experience, it’s clear that Churchboi has become a significant player in the industry. 

He knows that all of his recognition and success is more than just luck–he’s put in the work to get where he’s at today. Some of the major highlights of his career have been ghost-producing two Grammy-nominated albums with Urban Rockstarz, which gave him the confidence to move to Los Angeles to continue pursuing his career in the music world. 

Growing his platform largely through word-of-mouth referrals, his innate talents in music production, song composition, and piano technique speak for themselves through his long list of accomplishments and impressive collaborations. 

To hear more from Marcus ‘Churchboi’ Askew and stay up-to-date with his latest projects, you can check him out at the following links:

https://www.instagram.com/marcus_churchboi/

Rapper Ray Rich Signs Worldwide Distribution Deal with Foundation Media.

By: Brxton Lee Updated Category: Music
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Ray Rich FMG is no stranger to the music industry. He has been making music for the last 10 years and has released hit singles such as his most recent track, “LiT” which has earned him a lot of recognition. “LiT” has been praised as a high-spirited song and has gained over 500,000 streams in less than two months. The track has also opened room for more opportunities in Ray Rich’s music career — the latest one being a worldwide distribution deal with Foundation Media.

According to Ray Rich, this new chapter will help him concentrate more on music-making as it has lifted the burden of the distribution process.

“Working under Foundation Media is a great opportunity, and it will allow me to share my story with the rest of the world and introduce my sound to people outside of the US. Having a strategic partner in marketing and distribution is key in today’s streaming business and having a distribution partner to pitch the DSP’s editorial teams gives me the best chance at reaching the audience my music deserves to be in front of” says Ray Rich.

As a youth, Ray Rich focuses on writing music with a soulful and insightful message, and this has gained him a loyal fanbase. Ray Rich is creating a safe space in the music world, and just like music has always been his second home, he is providing his audience with a place to call home.

He has also been sharing his journey through music as a way to encourage young artists to do the same. Ray Rich uncovered his passion for music at a young age. The lessons he learned from watching his father now help Ray Rich write unique and timeless tracks that redefine modern hip-hop. A fine demonstration of this is the fact that Ray is one of the first artists to focus on making more commercially viable drill music. He has mixed Chicago drill with NY drill to bring a new twist to the sub-genre available to the world through Foundation Media.

While his journey toward this new chapter has not been easy, Ray hopes to inspire other artists to redefine music and fight for their dreams. Challenges are part of life, and to unlock the next chapter, these are hurdles you must pass through, says Ray.

In the last ten years, Ray has encountered numerous obstacles. He has had so many doors closed on his face, lost money, and even had to deal with a lot of hate comments from his critics. Despite all these, he has not given up on his passion for music. Ray has chosen to focus on the positive and to believe in his talent as he works hard, which has earned him a top spot in the US rap scene.

In an industry that is brutally competitive and overly crowded, Ray Rich has continued to capture the public’s attention with his unique sound. However, this doesn’t distract Ray from the real prize. The worldwide distribution deal between him and Foundation Media definitely furthers his career, but more importantly, it furthers his cause to introduce this new brand of music to the world. 

DJ Turned Artist Ryan Vandal Is Taking Over the Airwaves

By: Brxton Lee Updated Category: Music
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Over the years, DJs have grown to become key stakeholders in the music industry. Their influence is beyond entertainment as they can also drive agendas. DJs play the music that appeals to the audience but also use their influence to introduce new sounds or artists. But also, DJs have proved to be multi-talented artists transitioning from disk jockeying to the booth. There are notable DJs, including the celebrated DJ Khaled, who started as a DJ and has now become an artist and producer. This paved the path for other multi-talented individuals, including Ryan Vandal, to pursue their dreams.

Ryan Vandal is a talented DJ and producer turned artist. He is notable for his exceptional music production and DJing skills. He discovered his talent at a young age and worked hard to bring his dream to life. Over the years, Ryan nurtured their passion to become among the top celebrated DJs in the country.

He has achieved numerous career highlights, including being the DJ on Apple TV series, We Crashed, starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. One of his proudest moments includes spinning for notable personalities such as Richard Branson. He has also worked with top music talent, including Jay Z, Chris Brown, Leonardo Dicaprio, Kat Graham, and many others. Additionally, Ryan was featured as a resident DJ on Starz PowerBook II: Ghost.

Recently, Ryan made headlines after successfully launching his career as an artist. The experienced DJ has proven to be a highly-talented artist outshining many widely-celebrated musical names. His unique lyrics are perfectly complemented with catchy and thrilling beats, enabling him to stake his formidable presence in the music scene.

Though breaking early into the music scene provided many advantages, Ryan says success came with its own challenges. His major obstacles were was to stay positive, consistent, and focused on his dream despite the negativity and challenges he faced.

“When I was born, I was a pound and 6 ounces. I was horrible at sports and got made fun of throughout school. When I started to DJ and promote for events, that all changed. Being in the industry at such a young age and going against what most kids were doing at that age, I kept my head down and stayed consistent,” Ryan explains.

A self-made success story, Ryan’s biggest lesson is the power of never giving up. He solidly believes in trusting your potential and working to realize your dreams no matter how big they might be or what other people say to bring you down. When you take a career path different from most, you are bound to get some criticism or hate. “Keep doing your thing and keep pushing. The best investment is in yourself at the end of the day,” Ryan says.

Ryan now wants to release his music and have more global tours.