SZA didn’t know her ankle was broken when she attended the 2022 Grammy Awards on Sunday.
During the ceremony, the “All the Stars” hitmaker needed to use crutches as she walked to the stage to collect the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammy for “Kiss Me More,” her collaboration with Doja Cat.
Posting an update, the singer revealed that her ankle injury was worse than she’d realized.
“Lmao (laughing my ass off) welp it’s confirmed broken… I thought it was just sprained (crying emoji) I was NOT missing that carpet,” she wrote beside a video of her right leg being bandaged.
In her next Instagram Stories post, SZA shared a photo of an X-ray of her ankle and added, “Chipped the corner of my ankle bone right off doing NOTHING.”
Speaking one-on-one with the Grammys in-house press team on Sunday, she explained that she fell out of bed in the middle of the night when she was asleep.
“I fell very, very wrong, and it hurts, and I will be better soon. But I’m clumsy, so it’s okay. It’s like a normal happenstance for me,” the 32-year-old joked. “This morning I woke up and I was like, ‘I can’t walk.’ I was like, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do.’ I wasn’t sure if I was going to do the carpet but I had to because this (her dress) is vintage Jean Paul Gaultier.”
The Weeknd has been confirmed as the replacement for Kanye West as a headliner at Coachella.
A source told TMZ that the “Blinding Lights” hitmaker finalized negotiations and will take over the “Stronger” rapper’s spot at the upcoming festival in Indio, California after he dropped out earlier this week.
Discussions between organizers and The Weeknd reportedly “stalled” before, but they have now looking confirmed The Weeknd will take to the stage on Sunday, April 17th, with headliners, Swedish House Mafia.
Representatives for The Weeknd have not yet commented on the report.
Editors at TMZ report that the Red Hot Chilli Peppers are another act festival executives are pursuing, as the rock group is gearing up for a summer tour, and the event does not already have a massive rock ‘n’ roll band.
Organizers initially wanted Silk Sonic, but Bruno Mars allegedly declined the offer as he wanted more time to prepare for the show.
Harry Styles and Billie Eilish will headline the other two big nights at Coachella.
“When I saw it, I was devastated, I dropped my phone. My heart dropped into my stomach, I fell over and started crying because I was heartbroken,” she said. “I thought our future had nothing to do with another woman being pregnant. I found out their gender reveal was very last minute, and it just broke my heart.”
Aliyah told the outlet she had just seen Soulja Boy a few days prior to the gender reveal video, and that hairdresser Jackilyn, was aware of their relationship.
“I met the hairdresser maybe once or twice. I knew he was friends with her friends, I knew she did hair. When I came across her, she was very nice to me – she knew I was his girlfriend, we would kiss and be close with each other in front of her,” she continued.
Since the video was uploaded, the 31-year-old has reportedly “bombarded (Aliyah) with texts” and “begged her to continue their relationship.”
3X Grammy Award-winning super producer Hit-Boy celebrated his latest 3 Grammy nominations with a brunch at LAVO Las Vegas during Grammy weekend.
Dusse and VIWONE brought the vibes from signature cocktails to interactive headphone stations.
Last year, Hit-Boy took home a Grammy for Nas’ ‘King’s Disease,’ and this year the hitmaker was nominated for Album of the Year for H.E.R.’s ‘Back of My Mind,’ Producer of the Year, Non-Classical for Nas’ ‘King Disease II’ and ‘Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired’ album soundtrack.
Attendees of the celebratory brunch included Nas, London on the Track, Dreezy, BJ the Chicago Kid, Dom Kennedy, BRE-Z, Paul Pierce, Larry Hoover Jr., OG Parker, Ant Clemons, Tish Hymon, Tunji Balogun, Noah Sheer, Nicki Farag, Charlene Thomas and more.
Kim Kardashian is “very happy” and “at peace” with Pete Davidson.
In a sneak peek of her Good Morning America interview with Robin Roberts, the reality TV personality explained that she wants to “take her time” with the “Saturday Night Live” star.
“I mean, I am a relationship kind of girl, for sure. I wouldn’t be with someone if I didn’t plan on spending a lot of my time with them,” she told the host. “Obviously, I wanna take my time, but I’m very happy and very content, and it’s such a good feeling just to be at peace.”
On March 31, DMV rapper Wale traveled to Dallas for the latest installment of Walemania. His annual Wrestlemania Weekend event featured some big names from professional wrestling and the music industry.
Wale partnered with Spotify for this year’s Walemania in Texas. Former WWE writer Kazeem Famuyide hosted the rap/wrestling crossover event inside the House of Blues. Foot Locker sold merchandise at an onsite pop-up shop.
In addition to Wale being in attendance, Westside Gunn, Smoke DZA, and Yella Beezy also represented the Hip Hop contingent. Numerous figures from different wrestling companies intermingled with the rappers.
AEW’s TBS Champion Jade Cargill joined Wale on stage as the Warner Bros recording artist performed “Lotus Flower Bomb.” Plus, WWE giant Omos rapped Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” for the crowd.
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins from the WWE tag team known as The Street Profits danced to New Edition’s music. AEW wrestler/Hip Hop artist Swerve Strickland provided his own musical performance as well.
Other WWE main roster superstars, such as Cedric Alexander, could be seen at Walemania. Rising AEW competitors Daniel Garcia, Lee Moriarty, and Shawn Dean showed up in Dallas as well.
Impact Wrestling’s Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Chris Bey, and Tom Hannifan also attended Walemania 2022. NXT 2.0 standouts Carmelo Hayes, Cameron Grimes, Indi Hartwell, and LA Knight were in the building too. Several independent wrestlers were also present.
Hip Hop icon Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus Jr. will present a comedy show for Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival. Snoop Dogg booked several notable comedians.
Fans will get to see Katt Williams, Mike Epps, and Sommore at Snoop Dogg’s F*cn Around Comedy Special. One of the latest additions to the Netflix-backed fest will take place on May 5 at the Hollywood Palladiumin Los Angeles.
Netflix Is A Joke organizers also announced Bill Burr, Neal Brennan, and others as new editions to the lineup. Billy Eichner will host STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ Celebration as well.
Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, Damon Wayans, and David Letterman will also be at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival. Plus, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Larry David, Marlon Wayans, Pete Davidson, Seth Rogan, and Wanda Sykes are on the lineup.
Comedy Fans Will Get To See Legends And Newcomers At Netflix Is A Joke Festival
“We were so disappointed to postpone the event last spring and our line-up of comedians can’t wait to bring much-needed laughs to audiences in LA and around the world on Netflix,” stated Robbie Praw, Netflix’s Director of Original Standup Comedy Programming.
Robbie Praw added, “Netflix Is A Joke Festival is going to give comedy fans the opportunity to see the greats and discover new voices in one of the greatest cities in the world.”
Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival will feature over 250 live shows at over 30 different venues. The shows run from April 28 to May 8. All new tickets for the general public will go on sale Friday, April 8 at netflixisajokefest.com.
Daystar “Tory Lanez” Peterson is still dealing with a felony assault case in California. Fellow Hip Hop star Megan “Thee Stallion” Pete accused Lanez of shooting her in the feet back in July 2020.
On Tuesday, Tory Lanez attended a court hearing about the matter. Superior Court Judge David Herriford ruled the “Say It” performer violated an order of protection.
Rolling Stone reporter Nancy Dillion posted footage of Lanez being released from custody and entering a vehicle outside the building. When asked how he was feeling, the Daystar album creator responded, “Amazing.”
Tory Lanez just released from custody. He climbed in driver’s seat of waiting Lamborghini and drove off. Said he was feeling “amazing” pic.twitter.com/bKPvjH5Alp
Tory Lanez & Megan Thee Stallion Have Different Accounts About The Alleged Shooting
Law enforcement officials originally arrested Tory Lanez on July 12, 2020. Prosecutors eventually charged Lanez with felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, personal use of a firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
Lanez has repeatedly insisted he is innocent of all charges. If convicted, the 29-year-old rapper/singer faces a possible maximum sentence of 22 years and eight months in state prison.
While Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion continue to give conflicting accounts of the July 12 incident, the criminal case is scheduled to begin this September. Both sides have accused the other of launching smear campaigns in order to sway public opinion about the case.
“It was revealed in court [a] few moments ago that Tory Lanez DNA WAS NOT found on the weapon in the Meg Thee Stallion case,” tweeted Akademiks on February 3. He quickly deleted the post because the DNA test apparently concluded the results were inconclusive.
That one tweet by DJ Akademiks led to multiple back-and-forth exchanges between him and Megan Thee Stallion. During this week’s hearing, the prosecutors in Tory Lanez’s case brought up Ak sharing unreported information with the public.
“Lanez’s lawyer, Shawn Holley, argued that Lanez did not provide DJ Akademiks with any discovery in the case before Akademiks tweeted that ‘Tory Lanez DNA was not found on the weapon in the Meg Thee Stallion case,'” wrote Rolling Stone reporter Nancy Dillon on Twitter.
DJ Akademiks reacted to Nancy Dillon’s tweet by quote-tweeting her and adding his own comment. The controversial Off The Record podcast host simply posted, “I got it from Roc Nation… *shrug*.”
Is DJ Akademiks Telling The Truth About Roc Nation?
Megan Thee Stallion is part of the management roster for Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Tory Lanez implied there was a conspiratorial campaign against him. Some people online even suggested Roc Nation attempted to smear Lanez by manipulating the media.
DJ Akademik’s claim that Roc Nation leaked favorable court information for Tory Lanez is contradictory to Lanez supporters’ claims that Roc Nation is behind the plot to bring down the Canadian musician. It is very likely Ak’s accusation is more trolling than truth-telling.
Clifford “T.I.” Harris has been trying his hand at stand-up comedy. Some longtime comedians, like Godfrey, took issue with the Hip Hop artist jumping into their field of entertainment.
“Listen, as many times as you joke on that s###, I’m gonna check your m############ ass as long as it takes,” Tip told Knight. “N####, when you stop talking about it and stop playing with me and mine, I’m gonna stop saying something.”
The verbal altercation between T.I. and Lauren Knight went viral on social media. T.I. later went on Instagram to further address the situation.
“When it first became known I was doing comedy, she went up, got on stage, and was talking about some s### about allegations then. And I ain’t say nothing to her, but some people who did say something to her, they were just on some, ‘Why are you tripping? Why are you saying s### like that?'” said Tip.
T.I. added, “All that allegation s###, I ain’t never rape nobody… I ain’t that kind of n####. Dungeons? B###### in my dungeons? You’re telling me I’m keeping somebody beyond their will? I’m holding somebody?”
The 41-year-old rapper/actor continued, “She said all that s###, right? I kept it smooth. Mind you, it’s a whole f###### confession from a politician. Felicia Moore has confessed to the whole plot of all this. And none of y’all are talking about this.”
“She blamed me, Killer Mike, and Isaac Hayes III. She blamed us,” stated T.I. about Felicia Moore during his Instagram Live session. “What she said was, ‘T.I. should’ve got out of politics. And he should’ve learned his lesson by now because last time he said something against me, that’s what got him into it with all them allegations.'”
Mowgs is speaking up for the U.K. drill scene, claiming it’s superior to the sound coming out of New York today.
The rapper from Birmingham, U.K. took to Twitter to air out his grievances against the NYC sound.
“New York drill has nothing on Uk drill,” Mowgs declared. “N##### just out der shouting at the mic and dancing funny.”
While Mowgs received a mixed reaction to his claim, North London rapper RV added fuel to the fire with a hilarious comment. “Theyre so angry and so happy at the same time,” he wrote.
All I hear is ‘AY AY AY GET STURDY’ I hate hearing dat s### in da morning
When somebody claimed that U.K. artists “would be bullied” for rapping like their American counterparts, Mowgs agreed and used Kodak Black for comparison. “Bro imagine if we some one rapping like Kodak in uk imagine what people would say 🤷🏾♂️”
Bro imagine if we some one rapping like Kodak in uk imagine what people would say 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/FxB3oS0vqi
Meanwhile, Mowgs displayed his rapping ability in his new song “A Girl From Erdz,” paying homage to his hometown of Erdington. The song follows recent drop “Swerve Off,” featuring fellow Birmingham rapper MIST. Listen to it below.
Mowgs x Mist – Swerve Off
Both songs are from his upcoming highly-anticipated mixtape, The Bare Necessities, which he says is universally “good music.”
“F### the hype! F### the clout!,” Mowgs told Complex U.K. about the new project. “When people hear it, all they’ll be able to say is: “Rah! This is good music.” It’s my life story. We really came up on the bare necessities.
Although Mowgs spoke out on drill, he steered clear of the sound on the upcoming tape. ”I’m doing straight rap,” he said, also ruling out Afroswing. “I’m good at bars and I’m good at verses, but with certain songs, you need a really good hook to catch the people. So I’ve done a few songs with singers, different rappers, people I make music with now. I’ve got Rimzee on there, S1mba, Country Dons, Ard Adz and one or two more…”
R. Kelly blasted his former legal team for their jury vetting in his sex trafficking case, claiming they failed to remove jurors who had seen the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries. The film details accusations of allegations of child sexual abuse against him.
New York Daily News reports the disgraced R&B singer wrote an affidavit to the judge criticizing his former lawyers. He says they failed to include him in the jury selection process and dismissed any of his concerns.
“At certain points during jury selection, I did hear that some jurors may have seen the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries and that concerned me greatly,” he wrote. “I raised my concerns with my attorneys but they shooed me off. I was nothing more than a bystander in the process.”
R. Kelly is currently incarcerated at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, awaiting sentencing. He was found guilty on all counts by the jury following a 25-day trial in Brooklyn Federal Court in September last year. Along with his new lawyer, he argues that two of those jurors saw the docuseries and should have never made the jury.
“There was no strategy involved in choosing the jurors that sat on my jury as far as I could tell,” R. Kelly continued. “At least there was no trial strategy that involved my input.”
Lawyers for the singer argued that the May 4 sentencing on his racketeering conviction in New York is postponed for R. Kelly to face another sex abuse federal trial in Chicago Federal Court in August. However, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly denied his request but did move sentencing to June 16. This is apparently due to a delay in receiving a pre-sentencing report, not in response to Kelly’s request.
August Alsina has dropped a new single once again, sharing his thoughts on his relationship with Jada Pinkett Smith, following his 2020 track “Entanglements,” which discussed their romantic affair.
“Well of course some s### was bound to go down when you’re tangled up with the world’s favorite,” August sings on the track. Elsewhere in the song, he addresses the situation again. “I heard I was canceled,” he croons. “Well, let’s speak on that/Red dot on my back, I became a target/And I’m flawed but flawless, that’s what makes me August.”
Announcing the song on Instagram, August Alsina wrote: “You know why I’m here ‼️[click the link in bio for NEW MUSIC] I’m On my way to take the trash where it belongs!!.. but I wanted to remind you that the world gone get SHOOK, regardless! 🗣 I’m GOD’s own. 🌎💥 … moving on 😏”
Later on Tuesday, August took to Twitter to address his critics. When one called the song trash and told the singer to take accountability for his actions, he responded:
“🥲ifeel for you and your ancestors brother. 🙏🏽C## u ain’t nevaaaaa had to lie this hard. 😂U know that s### hard boy! S### put u in a hypnosis soon as it drop! C## Got D##### 🗣 “I shake the wurrrrrrrrl” 🌎💥”
🥲ifeel for you and your ancestors brother. 🙏🏽C## u ain’t nevaaaaa had to lie this hard. 😂U know that s### hard boy! S### put u in a hypnosis soon as it drop! C## Got D##### 🗣 “I shake the wurrrrrrrrl” 🌎💥 https://t.co/uex8xEtAjy
The 29-year-old artist also responded to a user who praised his talent and told him to focus on making music. ‘I’m not a child anymore!,” he wrote. “& 🤨No need to remind me of me being talented, God gifted me that! I’m STiLL talking about MY life in my music, and Yal got a problem! 🗣 BE MAD! Black twitter is the new age slave owners! But Yal don’t own me! & u go stay mad about it”
I’m not a child anymore! & 🤨No need to remind me of me being talented, God gifted me that! I’m STiLL talking about MY life in my music, and Yal got a problem! 🗣 BE MAD! Black twitter is the new age slave owners! But Yal don’t own me! & u go stay mad about it https://t.co/AxmLNJUGTN
August Alsina also likened himself to Jesus in reaction to the hate he receives. “They Hated Jesus too Slime,” August tweeted. “Everybody wanna play Jesus, til its crucifixion time. ThankYou God, for sending your SUN (SoN) 🌞 🙏🏽 To come and pay for the price, & carry all of the spewn hate, projected hurt, & emotional pain within one, being transmitted thru words 2 another.”
They Hated Jesus too Slime. Everybody wanna play Jesus, til its crucifixion time. ThankYou God, for sending your SUN (SoN) 🌞 🙏🏽 To come and pay for the price, & carry all of the spewn hate, projected hurt, & emotional pain within one, being transmitted thru words 2 another
Pusha T and Jay-Z are back with a new collab single, “Neck & Wrist,” produced by Pharrell, released at midnight on Tuesday (Apr. 5).
The pair haven’t jumped on a track together since the iconic 2016 hit, “Drug Dealers Anonymous,” and rap fans have missed them. Pusha-T raps about living the high life while Hov gets into his past marriage woes with Beyoncé.
Pusha announced the song on Tuesday, sharing the cover art and one of Jay’s lines: “We got different Saab stories, save your soliloquies…” Listen to the song below.
This latest offering will join the previously released “Diet Coke” and “Hear Me Clearly” on Pusha’s forthcoming album, the follow-up to his 2018 LP, Daytona. He previously claimed the project will be album of the year when it drops.
Pusha T revealed how eager he is to get the new album out during a recent interview. “I really want to get this album out,” he told Complex. “I want people to love it. Then I want to get onto the next because I’m on my next s### already.” He added: “I’m always looking to heighten what it is I do in the rap game. This is a legacy thing with me. This is all about being great.”
Furthermore he claimed: “This is all about making sure that the subgenre of street rap is seen at the highest levels, and can compete with everything that’s popular. This is the realest real estate in hip-hop, and I’m the Martin Scorsese of it.”
Meanwhile, it looks as though Pharrell – who Push credits for pushing him outside of his comfort zone on the album – was enjoying his 49th birthday in peace and ignoring his phone.
“Nothing is making me madder than @Pharrell being sleep and not answering me and @StevenVictor in group chat…” Pusha T tweeted.
Pusha T may have to wait a little while longer for a response. Skateboard P is enjoying Aries season in Dubai, according to his Instagram.
A clip emerged online on Tuesday (Apr. 5) showing T.I. unloading on the comic and telling them to “shut the f*ck up.”
T.I. Lashes Out
“Listen, as many times as you joke on that s###, I’m gon’ check your m###########’ ass as long as it takes.” T.I. ranted. “N####, when you stop talking about it and playing with me and mine, I’m gonna stop saying something.”
He continued, “N####, ain’t no m###########’ case, ain’t never been no m###########’ case ’cause I ain’t did nothing wrong and my wife ain’t did nothing wrong. And if you keep on playing with me n####, I’m gonna m###########’ continue to confront you publicly, verbally…”
The comedian attempts to placate T.I. reminding him that she’s a comedian and free to make jokes before the pair hug it out onstage.
T.I goes off on comedian for joking about his sexual assault allegations at a Comedy show pic.twitter.com/NLVXcS6Gpn
Meanwhile, the comedian shared her side of the story, adding context to what happened before T.I. began snapping at her.
Lauren Knight says she was wrapping up her hosting gig at an open mic event where T.I. had performed a 30-minute set earlier in the night. However, she claims the rapper kept cutting her off and hackling her. “It’s crazy you keep going and I can’t say nothing to you,” she said in defense of her actions. T.I. began shouting at her to “take your wig off right now.” After repeating it multiple times, she responded, “I’ll take my wig off when you speak on the allegations.” She also says nobody called him a rapist and that only T.I. took offense to her joke.
Nonetheless, she maintains she “made a joke, just like he did,” and there is no beef between her and T.I. Check out her response in full below.
Goldberg, a member of the Academy’s Board of Governors and a former Oscar host, said that she believes his career will make a comeback.
“Some of Will Smith’s future projects are in question,” she said. “The question is, does he have a path back? Yes, of course, he does! He will be fine. He will be back. No worries.”
Her co-host Ana Navarro added that the slap should not “define his career” and nobody should be judged by their “worst moment.”
“This is going to be with him the rest of his life. It’s going to be in his obituary. This is not going away,” Navarro stated. “But should it define his life? Should it define his career? No, absolutely not. So I think Netflix and all those are making a mistake, and I hope they reconsider because we should be able to separate his art from what he did.”
Elsewhere, Smith’s “Bad Boys” director Michael Bay was asked for his reaction while promoting his new film “Ambulance.” He argued there should be more important topics, such as the war in Ukraine, dominating headlines.
“First of all, it’s wrong to begin with. That’s all people are talking about and I don’t really care. Hollywood gets very self-absorbed. There are babies getting blown up in the Ukraine right now. We should be talking about that so I really don’t care,” he declared to Yahoo!,before noting the slap was out of character.
“He’s not that guy. I’ve never seen him lose his cool like that,” Michael Bay said.
Smith has apologized for his “inexcusable and unacceptable” behavior during the Oscars and has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Tatyana Ali’s “heart aches” over her The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars.
The 43-year-old, who played Will’s onscreen cousin Ashley Banks on the TV sitcom, told her Twitter followers that she believes in her co-star, although Chris Rock did not “deserve to be hit” for making a joke about Will’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith on March 27th.
I love #WillSmith very much. @chrisrock didn’t deserve to be hit. Period. My heart aches for what has happened. I don’t know what caused that chaos & confusion, but I do know that Will has a big heart. I’ve seen him many times try his best to do what is right. I believe in him.
“I love #WillSmith very much. @chrisrock didn’t deserve to be hit. Period,” she wrote. “My heart aches for what has happened. I don’t know what caused that chaos & confusion, but I do know that Will has a big heart. I’ve seen him many times try his best to do what is right. I believe in him.”
Tatyana and Will Smith starred alongside each other in all six seasons of the TV show between 1990 and 1996.
DJ Khaled is being immortalized with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce selected DJ Khaled to be the 2,719th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A ceremony to unveil his star will be held in Los Angeles on April 11.
“DJ Khaled is one of the most popular and ever-present impresarios of the rap industry and we are thrilled to honor him with his own star on the Walk of Fame!” Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said in a press release.
The Epic Records artist’s star will be located near the Amoeba Music record store on Hollywood Boulevard. DJ Khaled joins Hip Hop artists such as Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J and Missy Elliott on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
DJ Khaled celebrated his impending addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in an Instagram post on Tuesday (April 5).
“THEY AINT BELIEVE IN US , GOD DID !” he wrote on Instagram. “Grateful, Thankful. KEEP GOING @wethebestmusic STILL.”
The upcoming star ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. PST on April 11. Fans can livestream the event around the world exclusively on the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s official website.
When you have a moniker like TrapGameCrazzy, the name speaks for itself.
Hailing from Columbus, Mississippi, the rising star prides himself in being both a trapper and rapper, detailing his life experience in his rhymes and inspiring his fans along the way. Being independent and having to overcome endless obstacles that come with life in the streets, TGC is the definition of self-made.
In describing himself, TGC states he’s “the livest trapper in the industry, the most active. I put my all into it, that’s all I do everyday. I’m a Godly person. I’m an entrepreneur, I’m a hustler. I’m loyal, I’m adventurous. I’m one-of-a-kind, a person you don’t meet every day.”
Most recently, TGC unveiled his new project titled Legalize Trapping, a 10-track project dedicated to his lifestyle and motivating listeners all around the world. The mixtape is spearheaded by lead single “Trap,” where TGC reveals he saw a hundred racks at the young age of 16, reminiscing on his come-up and how far he’s made it. “Trap” also was paired with a visual treatment.
Beyond the music, he’s a businessman and investor, whose goal is to spread the message of ownership and self-improvement. In fact, his trucking business currently funds his music career.
AllHipHop: What was it like growing up in Columbus, Mississippi?
TrapGameCrazzy: It was cool, it is what it is for the location. It’s not really country, but it’s not really city either. I brought a lot of things to Mississippi, a lot of trends. I made a lot of moves so it was cool on my behalf. For anyone, it could be slow. There’s not really too much to do. You have to create your own entertainment, create your own vibes. There really ain’t too many places to go for going out.
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with music? Who were you listening to?
TrapGameCrazzy: I always loved music. When I was younger, to be honest I really didn’t think music was real. I thought it was some Santa Clause type s###, the celebrities and all that s### when I was growing up as a kid. As I got older, I started meeting certain people. I had relatives that was doing the music thing and they were really talented, that really opened my eyes up and made me realize it’s really possible.
AllHipHop: Any artists you listened to that you loved?
TrapGameCrazzy: I like R&B music to be real. I like vibe type music, but I grew up to Boosie, Jeezy, and Gucci. A lot of artists, but I just liked their music. I wouldn’t really say a name or a person that I really f##### with like that, I f### with all good music. Gucci, Boosie, Jeezy, I listened to them more out of all the artists growing up.
AllHipHop: Talk about the inspiration behind your name. How did you get your name?
TrapGameCrazzy: I really was trapping. Trapping was a business or a hustle of making ends meet. I always went crazy when it came to making ends meet. I was making things happen for myself, putting food on the table. Where I’m from, I broke records for trapping, just like artists break records, getting money and making fame happen. I’m a legend where I’m from, as far as getting money and putting people on. So I just said TrapGameCrazzy, because my trap game crazzy!.
AllHipHop: You just released Legalize Trapping, how are you feeling?
TrapGameCrazzy: It’s a good tape overall, front to back. I got a couple strikes against me. I can’t really take another strike or where I’m at, they’ll try to give me a life sentence. It’s really nonsense. I can see how they look at the s###, but I don’t think it should be a thing for a person to get a life sentence. I know somebody that got a life sentence for their third strike and they just got caught with a half ounce of marijuana, not even a whole ounce. There are a lot of people that are incarcerated, they used to give out crazy numbers on certain charges. I don’t think it’s the home for them for real, so Legalive Trapping. Trapping should be legalized.
AllHipHop: What would happen if trapping became legal?
TrapGameCrazzy: It’d be a lot less balanced, stuff going on. More people get to be home with their family and raise their kids. But really, trapping is legal to the government. The government trap all the time, just like a pharmacy. Pharmacy got pills, got drank, all types of stuff. But you get caught with it in the streets or try selling it in the streets, that’s when it becomes illegal. It’s not as serious as people make it to be, in my opinion, there are people doing way worse things or more serious crimes. Where I’m at, we got a big prison system in Mississippi, and the prison’s are completely full. I got a lot of partners in prison, it’s full. People are sleeping on the floor, there’s sometimes 4 people in one cell. That’s more of an issue. So,no, I don’t think it’s that serious, as people make it.
AllHipHop: You released the music video for “Trap,” where are you going through recording this one?
TrapGameCrazzy: Actually, I was on probation. I got in trouble out of town. I thought I was gonna be gone for a long time, but God brought me through it.
What made me make the song “Trap” was when I heard the beat, it made me think of me as a person. I’ve been trapping since I was 10, so I said a few things, reminiscing in a couple things that I witnessed in my life growing up. Basically, the transformation and transition from back when I was a kid to my current situation. I really didn’t get a chance to shoot the video like I wanted to because everything was last minute, but it turned out alright. It did what it did.
AllHipHop: What inspired your new video “More”?
TrapGameCrazzy: The “More” video, it’s more on a scale I like my videos to be on. It’s more put together, better quality, and better production. The “More” song is always wanting more. I want more now. You know how when you reach goals, you really move the post and set new goals. To me, it’s about wanting more and progressing. A little struggle, just really making it through the struggle. Making it past the struggle.
AllHipHop: One thing you want fans to get from the project?
TrapGameCrazzy: Basically inspiration and motivation. Tap in with me a little bit. Get to know what type of person I am, what stuff I be on. I really wanted to motivate people and give people a push, those who want to accomplish their goals and their dreams. Inspire people, give people good vibes.
AllHipHop: How’s the independent grind?
TrapGameCrazzy: The independent grind is kind of hard, but it’s easy. It’s a lot of work. You gotta educate yourself. You gotta reach out to certain people and try to connect with the right people because the music industry’s crazy. So much finesse going on, so much promises be going on so you gotta lock in with the right team and make the right decisions. You really gotta have your bag right. The independent thang is cool so long as you got the right resources, the right type of budget, and the right plan.
AllHipHop: Talk about being a businessman and the importance of ownership.
TrapGameCrazzy: I always want to mess with the music, but I’m trying to win regardless. No matter what happens, no matter how things go in the end, I want to be on top. I still want to be stable and everything so I always try to play on different sides of the field. Business is good, different little ropes to it. Different knowledge that could help you, that determines the level you reach with it. I always feel like people should always have their hands in multiple streams of income so you always have something to fall back on.
AllHipHop: You own a trucking business as well?
TrapGameCrazzy: I ain’t really big into trucks so I really got into it because I had thought of a little plan, a way to have a budget for the music. I’m thinking take a $50K ball and get a truck, work it like that. Everything I got from the truck, I invested in the music. When push comes to shove or worst case scenario, I’ll always still have a truck. The truck ended up growing into two trucks, and so far. I got a partner I went school with, he really big into the trucks.
Him and his father drive trucks, so I really tried to kill two birds with one stone. I was trying to help him fulfill his own dream to have his own truck, do this do that. I tried to take him away from the company he was with and bring him into a family type situation with me. So he’ll feel comfortable and everything, him just driving the truck. He inspired me to get into it because he loved the truck so much. I know he knows the ins and outs, so I tried to kill two birds with one stone. Get in business, make some money, help a friend, we all come up together.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
TrapGameCrazzy: I need some exotic marijuana, some drank, and good vibes.
AllHipHop: How was SXSW this year?
TrapGameCrazzy: It was it. It was turnt, it was cool. A lot of artists chillin’ out there, grinding. One thing I realized about this music: there’s a lot of talent and a lot of people who got talent, a lot of people can make good music and all that, but you gotta have your bag right. That’s what’s gonna make the difference: the bag and the budget, and the plan. There’s a lot of people out there, so it makes me look at it like: what’s going to separate me from them? What do I gotta do differently? Everybody’s trying to do music, everybody’s trying to blow. I started looking at it like what makes you the one?
Members of Goonew’s family defended their decision to prop up his lifeless body at a Washington, D.C. nightclub.
Concerns arose after Goonew’s corpse was displayed at an event held at Bliss Nightclub on Sunday (April 3). His mother Patrice Morrow and sister Ariana Morrow spoke to FOX 5 about the controversy, dismissing any criticism.
“For all the negatives, people probably don’t even know nothing about us,” Patrice Morrow said. “They have no idea. People just saying what they want to say and that’s fine. That’s perfectly fine. I’m pleased with how I sent my son away. I wish people would just let me grieve in peace.”
Ariana Morrow added, “We’re not trying to clear anything up. We don’t care about anybody and what y’all have to say negative. Nobody. We don’t care.”
Bliss Nightclub issued an apology after footage showed Goonew’s dead body propped up at a party. The venue claimed it didn’t know what the event would entail.
“Our deepest condolences to Goonew’s family, friends and fans,” the nightclub said in a statement. “Bliss was contacted by a local funeral home to rent out our venue for Goonew’s home-going celebration. Bliss was never made aware of what would transpire. We sincerely apologize to all those who may be upset or offended. Please keep Goonew’s family and friends in your prayers at this difficult time.”
The 24-year-old rapper, whose real name was Markelle Morrow, was shot and killed in Maryland on March 18. Police are still investigating the shooting and offering a $25,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest.
