Kehlani delivers an artistic visual for her new track “little story” that pictures the Bay Area singer with her daughter at the end of the visual having fun and splashing in the water. Its been a year of ups and downs for Kehlani after losing close friends to tragedy but this song is a triumphant and expression of love and joy that many people will relate to.
In the last few months, a lot has been made of Kool G Rap‘s personal and business moves. For those that may not know, G Rap is one of the gods of Hip Hop, a pioneer in a lot of ways. He paved a tremendous road, along with Big DADDY Kane, Rakim, and others that presented Hip-Hop with a new hyper-lyrical style that had previously been unseen. Unlike his other counterparts, G Rap was a serious street dude through and through and presented that through his artistry. All of them were from the hood, but G was clearly a different animal with “Road To Riches,” “Ill Street Blues” and numerous collaborations.
Last year, the rapper, born in Corona, Queens missed a highly publicized Verzuz battle that had Big Daddy Kane and KRS-One going at each other. Apparently, G Rap was invited but declined for religious reasons. That fueled a lot of rumors around the goat. Well, it looks like he’s making a huge comeback.
What’s up?
Recently, Kool G Rap was seen in the studio with Brooklyn rapper Nems (Coney Island!) and Producer Domingo. AllHipHop’s Chuck“Jigsaw” Creekmur was there too. This instantly fueled and basically confirmed rumors that Kool G Rap was making his run back to the front. Not really, but we know that there is an album on my way. According to reports, there is a strong contingency that’s looking to see G Rap back in full force. And they will stop at nothing to see him get his respect. And then there’s G Rap who is spitting ridiculous!
He recently linked up with The Alchemist and they created some serious magic! Check out this song! This is basically the spearhead for a full-blown comeback!
A suspect in the murder of famed-Harlem drug dealer Albert “Alpo” Martinez has been taken into police custody and charged for the Oct. 31 fatal drive-by shooting.
According to the Daily News, the police tapped Shakeem Parker, a 27-year-old ironically from the same neighborhood as Martinez, as the alleged killer.
Parker was already locked up on Rikers Island for a different gun case.
Through information acquired in their investigation, NYPD detectives charged him with Alpo’s murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
The kingpin, made famous by Cam’ron’s portrayal of him in the movie “Paid in Full,” drove four blocks before crashing into a couple of parked cars across from the NYPD Police Service Area 6 on Frederick Douglass Boulevard at West 147th Street.
When police found Alpo, reports say that the officers found him struggling to breathe as he sat in his vehicle. An autopsy revealed he was shot six times in his arm, once in his chest, and sustained a graze wound on the left side of his chin.
EMS tried to save his life by taking him to NYC Health + Hospitals Harlem but to no avail. He was gone.
The 1980s drug dealer and staple in Hip-Hop culture was arrested in July 1990, went to trial in 1991, and sentenced to a 35-year sentence for 14 counts of murder.
Don Diva magazine stated that he was released in 2015 after being incarcerated at the ADX Florence federal supermax prison in Fremont County, Colorado.
The now-deceased federal informant, who turned on his friend Rich Porter in the early 90s, was 55 years old when he died.
An NYPD spokesperson said, “Detectives gathered information that he was the shooter.”
No details as to why Parker killed Alpo have been released.
Rapper Nicki Minaj’s heart is bleeding from the devastation occurring in Ukraine, and she took to social media to express how unimaginable the pain must be for mothers during this time of war.
Nicki tweeted to her 24 million followers, hoping the message will let those women in the now-daily-bombed European nation know she stands with them.
She wrote: “Saw footage of bombs dropping & in the background u could hear children screaming. When I tell u it broke my heart into pieces?”
Saw footage of bombs dropping & in the background u could hear children screaming. When I tell u it broke my heart into pieces? …To every mother fleeing w|your children, saying goodbye 2 your husband…I can’t imagine how afraid & alone you must feel. God, pls help them 🙏🏾🇺🇦
While empathetic Black people in America are donating money, advocating against the war, and praying for the people of Ukraine, Racist Ukrainians are blocking Africans from trains to escape the war torn nation.
On his Instagram Story, Young Thug posted, “If some of my rap brothers are in, I’m willing to help Africans get out of Ukraine. However, I can sense [they’re] not letting us pass. Whoever holds the info for these movements, please contact me ASAP. I’m ready.”
“Wish these world leaders stop tripping about power and really think about whose really getting affected (citizens),” she stated when asked about the war.
“Besides the whole world is in a crisis.War, sanctions,invasions should be the last thing these leaders should worry about.”
Wish these world leaders stop tripping about power and really think about whose really getting affected (citizens) besides the whole world is in a crisis.War,sanctions,invasions should be the last thing these leaders should worry about. https://t.co/25qemEtzF9
President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s leader, ordered troops to storm into Ukraine on February 24th.
Since then, the world has watched in horror and viewed the heinous atrocities of war, while anxiously watching to see America’s force-response to the crisis.
You never know these days, but reports say that the killer of Alpo Martinez has been found. But they really didn’t “catch” him as my headline says. The suspect was already in jail!
Alberto “Alpo” Martinez was living his outrageous life when he was hit in Harlem on Oct. 31. Well, some people mourned and others were indifferent. Either way, the controversial street figure was taken out. Cops say they have the killer.
Shakeem Parker, 27, also a Harlem native was already residing in Rikers Island on another gun case, when he was charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Detectives made this determination through their investigation.
Shortly after killing Alpo, the cops say, he got a gun possession case, which lead him to Riker Island (which I thought was closing). Parker has prior arrests for burglary, robbery and drug possession, police said.
This is in the rumors section, because I am no so sure I believe this! I am trying to connect the dots betweent this 27 year old with burglary, robbery and drug possession in his past to being a shooter in a HIT!
Alpo was a 55-year old former drug lord and informant, but his era was the 80s.
He was shot on Frederick Douglass Boulevard and drove his truck several blocks until he crashed it into numerous parked vehicles…right across from NYPD Police Service. WOW. You can’t make this up.
And yet, I am trying to figure out how dude makes that big leap. NYC is much different than back in the day. 1) Cameras are everywhere. 2) The cops are like a military. 3) The drug dealing game is not the same. So, I am dialed in to see if they are going to provide some video evidence or is it going to be something else…we can’t see.
One of the first fighters of all for the black community was the “black swallow of death,” Eugene James (Jacques) Bullard.
The first African American combat aviator, he was known for his courage during missions as much as his colorful life.
Born in Columbus, Georgia, on October 9, 1895, Bullard received little education in his early years and attended the 28th Street School in Columbus from 1901 to 1906, only completing the 5th Grade.
Running away after witnessing racial violence in 1906, he joined a group of gypsies and traveled with them.
Bullard was enamored with his father’s stories of France, where slavery had been abolished, and blacks were treated the same as whites. He also heard there was no color line in England, a story told to him by the gypsies.
He stowed away on the German freighter Marta Russ, arriving in Scotland, where he worked and trained as a boxer under the then-famous Dixie Kid. After a visit to Paris, BullES decided to settle in France.
Upon the outbreak of World War I, Bullard joined the French Foreign Legion and enrolled in the French air service in 1916. Bullard became known for flying into dangerous situations, amassing a distinguished record, including downing at least one German plane.
Eugene Bullard was removed from aviation duty after pressure from the United States to uphold the U.S. policy against black pilots joining, having already been refused entry into the U.S. Air Service.
After the war, Bullard fell into jazz, working as a jazz drummer and opening nightclubs, including purchasing popular jazz venue “Le Grand Duc,” where he became friendly with Louis Armstrong and Josephine Baker.
Bullard was so famous at this point that Ernest Hemingway based a minor character on Bullard in his acclaimed work “The Sun Also Rises.”
When World War II began in September 1939, Bullard agreed to a request from the French government to spy on the German citizens who frequented his nightclub.
After World War II, Bullard was a national hero in France, but he made a move back to the U.S, settling in New York City where he worked odd jobs, including selling perfume and even operating the elevator of the RCA Building, which was home to The Today Show (he was even interviewed on the same show).
The French government named Bullard a national chevalier (like a knighthood) in 1959, and French President Charles DeGaulle visited New York City to meet Bullard. Personally.
Bullard died in obscurity in Harlem on October 12, 1961, aged 66. He is buried in the French War Veterans’ section of Flushing Cemetery in Queens with military honors, in the same resting grounds as his friend Louis Armstrong.
A man who lived a colorful life in every way, Bullard was a great example of a man who managed to do almost everything with deft skill.
From a boxer to spy, entrepreneur to a jazz drummer, and a man of modesty in later life, Bullard’s gregariousness, entrepreneurial spirit, and the fact that he was an absolute hero makes him one of the most important outstanding examples we should all follow.
Rockstar Energy teamed up with music industry manager Cortez “Tez” Bryant to launch Rockstar Culture Labs. The PepsiCo brand and The Blueprint Group co-CEO established the new location in Atlanta, Georgia.
“The Rockstar Culture Labs is an exciting next step for Blueprint Group, which has been dedicated to educating, supporting, and amplifying the next generation of creative artists,” says Cortez Bryant.
He adds, “Partnering with Rockstar Energy to open this space in one of the country’s most happening music communities gives us another platform to create incredible opportunities for Atlanta’s Black artists.”
Funded by Rockstar Energy, Rockstar Culture Labs will reside in a 4-story building located in the Atlanta University Center beginning in April. The space is set to empower the next generation of local Black artists by providing:
A platform and resources including fully equipped music production studios and sound stages, event and co-working spaces, and ongoing networking opportunities
The Rockstar Internship Program, a joint effort that builds on Blueprint Group’s history of developing education platforms and Rockstar Energy’s goal of driving purpose around creativity in youth culture
Event programming curated by Rockstar Energy including showcases, fireside chats, podcasts, and more
Chauncey Hamlett [VP/CMO Pepsi Beverages North America (South Division)], Ashaunna Ayars [Founder- The Ayars Agency], Cortez Bryant [CEO of The Blueprint Group] & Al Branch [CMO/Partner at BPG Records and Blueprint/Maverick Artist Management] (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for Rockstar )
Rockstar Culture Labs Is Looking To Highlight Atlanta’s “Real Rockstars”
“We’re proud to be launching The Rockstar Culture Labs, to provide space and resources that empower Black artists here in one of the country’s epicenters of creative culture,” states Chauncey Hamlett, VP/CMO Pepsi Beverages North America (South Division).
Hamlett continues, “With this platform, we want to highlight and elevate the ‘Real Rockstars’ of Atlanta, those who are hustling and putting in the work to pursue their dreams.”
Cortez Bryant’s The Blueprint Group has managed the careers of Hip Hop stars such as Lil Wayne, T.I., Nicki Minaj, The Roots, G-Eazy, and Lil Nas X. Earlier this year, the Atlanta-based management firm invested in the Tsū social media application.
With significant attention back on the two New York City-bred emcees, Talib Kweli is once again teasing the release of a new Black Star project. The duo dropped the classic Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star in 1998.
“The new Black Star album was recorded in hotel rooms and dressing rooms across the globe. I love how my brother @yasiinbey pushes me musically. #blackstarforever follow @blackstarkeepshining today…,” wrote Talib Kweli on Instagram.
Talib Kweli Previously Washed His Hands Of The Held Up LP
Back in April 2020, Talib Kweli spoke to AllHipHop about Black Star’s forthcoming Madlib-produced sophomore studio LP. The Brooklynite said at the time, “Trying to find the right deal for the Black Star album. There are a few on the table, but we have to choose the right situation and roll this out properly. The people deserve that.”
Three months later, Kweli blamed “too many interlopers and culture vultures” for the delay. The People’s Party podcast host stated, “This album been done for over a year. I paid for the whole album myself. Too many greedy people in the way stopping us from working with Madlib. I wash my hands of it at this point.”
Fans Should Not Expect The Black Star Album To Arrive On DSPs
Yasiin Bey also appeared to be frustrated about the process of releasing a body of work in the modern era of music. The rapper/actor expressed concerns about the pay rates from streaming services. Bey even told Black Star fans their desire for a new project does not pressure him to put out new music.
“You m############ don’t get to tell me what to do with what I make. It’s between me and God,” said Yasiin Bey on a 2021 episode of People’s Party. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but that s### is not a steering wheel on my back for you to start f###### spinning and doing donuts like I’m disappointing you. If you want the next Black Star album that bad, then you make it. Oh, that’s right, you can’t.”
In another 2021 interview with AllHipHop, Talib Kweli confirmed the long-awaited follow-up to Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star will likely not be available on DSPs. The Javotti Media founder said, “We are working on ways to creatively get this Black Star album out without being taken advantage of.”
Fans of Saweetie have been waiting for her debut studio LP for years. The Warner recording artist pushed back the release of the Pretty B#### Music album several times.
In November 2021, Saweetie stated, “[Pretty B#### Music is] dropping soon. Honestly, it was a body of work with no soul. So right now I’m working on the details because I really want the world to feel me.”
Saweetie is now providing more information about the expected release date for the project. She spoke to Billboard‘s Heran Mamo for a feature article where the Best New Artist Grammy nominee ensured a new collection of songs will be out by June.
“I’ve put my foot down. I’m going to finally lock in to record this album,” said Saweetie before adding Pretty B#### Music will land on DSPs “definitely before the summer.”
Saweetie recently let loose “Closer” featuring R&B singer H.E.R. The single debuted at #89 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart. “Closer” currently sits at #38 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs rankings.
Besides being up for Best New Artist at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, Saweetie’s “Best Friend” featuring Doja Cat is competing in the Best Rap Song category as well. Last year’s MTV Europe Music Awards saw Saweetie take home the Best New trophy.
Plus, Billboard named Saweetie as the recipient of the publication’s 2022 Women In Music Game Changer Award. Doja Cat (Powerhouse Award) and Summer Walker (Chartbreaker Award) are also among the honorees for the annual event taking place on March 2 at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.
The entire world is watching the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Many foreign policy experts believe the armed conflict in the European nation could cause a humanitarian emergency.
Multiple videos went viral on social media that appear to show soldiers preventing Black residents in Ukraine from getting access to leaving the country. #AfricansInUkraine began trending on Twitter over the weekend.
“Some people have gone to get buses, but they’re not allowing Black people basically onto the buses. They’re prioritizing Ukrainians. That’s what they say,” Korrine Sky, an African student in Ukraine, told Business Insider.
While empathetic Black people in America are donating money, advocating against the war, and praying for the people of Ukraine, Racist Ukrainians are blocking Africans from trains to escape the war torn nation.
Atlanta-based entertainer Young Thug is stepping up to try to help any Africans stranded in Ukraine during the crisis. The 30-year-old Hip Hop recording artist took to Instagram to ask for information on how to rectify the tragic situation.
“If some of my rap brothers are in, I’m willing to help Africans get out of Ukraine. However, I can sense [they’re] not letting us pass,” wrote Young Thug on his Instagram Story. He added, “Whoever holds the info for these movements, please contact me ASAP. I’m ready.”
According to Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko, close to 200 Ukrainians have died since Russia launched its attack. Sixteen children are reported dead. Over 1,000 people have been wounded. In an attempt to bring the conflict to an end, Ukraine and Russia have agreed to send delegations for talks held at a location on the Belarus border.
Last night, rapper-turned-actor Will Smith took home the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. SAG-AFTRA honored Smith for his turn as Richard Williams in the King Richardbiopic.
Will Smith accepted his SAG Award trophy inside Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar on Sunday. He used his speech to thank his King Richard co-stars as well as the Williams family including tennis player Venus Williams.
Entertainment Tonight‘s Nischelle Turner caught up with Will Smith after his first SAG Award win. The 53-year-old Philadelphia native broke down in tears while discussing his emotional reaction to his victory on Sunday.
“It’s all of these Black women that I get to protect and shine a light on, across the generations [like] Venus and Serena,” said Will Smith. King Richard tells the story of the legendary Williams sisters and their father.
The Big Willie Style album creator added, “I just feel such a responsibility. It’s like me and all Black women… It’s a responsibility I always wanted to shoulder. I want to be that man.”
In addition, Will Smith was nominated for Best Actor at the 94th Academy Awards. King Richard also stars Saniyya Sidney as Venus Williams, Demi Singleton as Serena Williams, and Aunjanue Ellis as Oracene “Brandy” Price.
Aunjanue Ellis earned an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s “Be Alive” from King Richard is up for Best Original Song. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated King Richard for Best Picture as well.
Remy Ma brought battle rap back to the big stage in New York City, shining a spotlight on the ladies of the culture on Sunday night (Feb. 27).
Hip-Hop stars including Remy Ma’s husband, Papoose, and Fat Joe came out to support “Queens Get The Money,” her first event as owner of battle rap league Chrome 23. Maino, Dave East, and Lil Mama also pulled up to the show which was live-streamed on Hot.97.
Remy Ma dazzled in a series of wardrobe changes, switching her fit in between each battle, upping the style stakes. She told the crowd she aims to change the misconceptions of female battle rap by showcasing some of the best talents in the scene, male or female.
Yoshi G vs. Pristavia
The highly-anticipated clash between Yoshi G from San Francisco and Brooklyn’s Pristavia kicked off the night.
Yoshi went first and opened the first-ever Chrome 23 card showing off her rapping ability using layered schemes throughout all three rounds. At times Yoshi was snapping on Pristavia, yet the crowd was a little underwhelmed, something which visibly affected her. She had to fight to win them back each round, turning up the energy to hammer home her more intricate raps.
Pristavia had the more explosive start and began her first round with a confident rebuttal. She got personal, talking about Yoshi’s father and kids with a string of aggressive punches. Pristavia addressed any questions about her being a Christian battle rapper who uses aggressive gun bars by hitting Yoshi with a barrage of aggressive gun bars. She clowned her in the third, flipping Yoshi’s “thot” persona by rapping about how she’s not “thotty” enough.
"One call for a hit, and you all could get killed Clip longer than ya fathers trip to the store to get milk!"
Both ladies confidently rebuttaled their opponent’s material to start their rounds. The battle was a real preference battle, with the commentators divided on who took the clash. However, the Hot.97 live stream viewers voted Pristavia as the winner with 71% to Yoshi G’s 29%.
O’fficial vs. Casey Jay
The second battle of the night was between good friends O’fficial and Casey Jay, both members of battle rap crew, The Bardashians. San Antonio, Texas native Casey Jay had injured herself shortly before the event, and the commentators announced she would be on crutches. She came out with a cast on her leg and had to spit her bars rooted to the spot, her mobility obviously reduced.
Her usual energetic delivery was affected by her inability to work the stage and sell her bars to the crowd. However, her pen was still on point and while she never got personal, she was rapping, hitting O’fficial with material that the crowd slept on.
“Handicap match? I’m battling a b#### from The Boot in a boot.. I ain’t plan on this.. Of course I could’ve sat out the Battle.. But why?? When I’m a stand up b####!”@realcaseyjay 🤯🤯🔥🔥#QueensGetTheMoneypic.twitter.com/wFOkTpADjP
“Gun Bar Queen” O’fficial was able to take advantage of Casey’s handicap using maximum movement and energy as she performed her material, rocking the crowd throughout her rounds. The New Orleans rapper started strong and stole the momentum back each time with her fast punch rate and digestible material. However, she raised a few eyebrows by pulling out her phone on several occasions before her third round, leading viewers to wonder if she was reminding herself of her material.
O’fficial scored an 84% win on the Hot.97 vote in a battle where both rappers delivered a bar fest without any personal attacks. Casey Jay proved herself a warrior, fighting through her injury to put on for Chrome 23
Next, Remy brought out battle rap legends Smack White and Murda Mook for the coin toss and revealed the event was trending No. 3 in the world on Twitter. However according to reports, Chrome 23 hit the top spot.
QB Black Diamond made her return to female battle rap against Boston’s 40 BARRS. The two ladies have a long acrimonious history with a faceoff that left fans wondering if the women would get through the battle without coming to blows. Less than a day before the event, 40 BARRS accused QB of being a woman charged with falsely accusing a man of rape in a 2009 report. Both women were sure to address the issue in their material.
40 BARRS began the first round predicting QB would try to beat her using her trademark vulgar disrespect, expertly diffusing QB’s approach ahead of her round. She was a commanding presence on stage, deploying her intricate writing and lyrical delivery to break down her opponent. The crowd was rocking with her, especially when she turned on the aggression, putting the bass in her voice and barking in QB’s face.
The Bridgeport, Connecticut rapper responded with a round opener of disrespectful insults playing into 40’s breakdown. She clowned the Boston rapper’s appearance and teased her for being “battle rap’s first grandma.” She also had some bars for 40’s dead relatives and boasted about being paid “to stand and talk here about your kids for money.” She seemed to get little reaction for this, although the commentators said a lot of the audience was feeling it, and Lil Mama said: “they had a really good spar.”
40 BARRS flipped the disrespect on QB in the third round with some savage bars attacking QB’s deceased family members. She blamed their deaths on karma, claiming QB “tried to end one man’s life,” then lost three from her family. She got into the angle she raised the day before, which QB rebuttalled at the beginning of her third.
QB denied lying about being assaulted, claiming she was raped and beat up but cops didn’t believe her. She then gave 40 an intervention telling her to get her priorities straight and set a better example to her kids. She rounded off by reminding the audience that she’s a Queen of the Ring legend who raised this generation of female battlers, including 40. “It would be no me if it wasn’t for you, so I still won,” was her parting shot though the Hot.97 voters called it 86% in favor of 40 BARRS. Furthermore, her three rounds were voted best of the night, and her win the biggest body of the night, earning her an extra special bonus.
Harlem New York’s Ms. Hustle had a very civil lead up to her battle against Couture who hails from Providence, Rhode Island by way of Liberia. The pair had a lot of respect for each other’s skills which showed as neither woman came to play in the clash that was ultimately crowned battle of the night.
Ms. Hustle laid out her credentials as the first female battler on SMACK early on in the first round. She said she wasn’t worried about Couture’s infamous personal angles before joking about her former relationship with battle rapper and Wild ‘N Out star, Charlie Clips. She won the crowd immediately with her electrifying stage presence and delivery.
Her energetic performance and aggressive punches, which she barked out in rapid succession, kept the crowd entertained for the first two rounds. Hustle then switched it up in the third, which she said would be “the pettiest” ever. She brought turned the tables on her opponent’s detective-style approach and tendency to use props brining out an actor, followed by one of Couture’s former opponents, who also had a few lines for her.
In contrast to Ms. Hustle’s captivating star-power, Couture engaged the audience with unwavering poise and composure, fighting back each round. She won them back early with her opener, dismissing the “First Lady of URL” claiming Hustle’s always in drama and her stock’s dropped. The crowd listened as she set up the angles she’s known for, coming for Hustle, who she says ditched rapper Cassanova when he got locked up.
She accused Hustle of being a Remy Ma groupie in the third round and broke down the differences between Ms, Hustle, the rapper, and Ebony, the woman. Hot.97 viewers were big fans of Couture voting her performer of the night and awarding her the win with 68% of the vote.
Watch The Chrome 23 Stream
Remy ended the night thanking all the ladies who showed out for her first Chrome 23 event and promised the league is here to stay.
Prosecutors claim they have an airtight case as they prepare to try two men for the murder of Run-DMC group member Jam Master Jay.
Two men have been charged with murder for killing Jam. Master Jay, who was gunned down inside of his Queens, New York recording studio in October of 2002.
One of Jay’s long-time associates, Ronald “Tinard” Washington, and Karl “Lil D” Jordan, are accused of ambushing Jay in the studio.
Prosecutors claim Jam Master Jay was executed after cutting Washington out of a drug deal.
Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, allegedly bought 10 kilos of cocaine from a supplier in the Midwest to distribute the drugs in Maryland.
Prosecutors believe Washington was buzzed into the studio and provided cover for Jordan, who is accused of being the trigger man who shot and killed Jay.
Jordan was 18-years-old at the time of the slaying.
Jordan was also accused of dealing kilo-level amounts of cocaine. And in some of those transactions, he sold cocaine base to undercover agents, who recorded the sales.
Jordan said he had put together a $1 million bail package, which included property from various family members and $20,000 his friends raised for him.
Jordan says two people will testify on his behalf. He maintains that he was at his pregnant ex-girlfriend’s house at the time of the murder.
The ex-girlfriend and a former corrections officer will take the stand in support of his alibi when the trial kicks off.
Jordan’s alibi will be tested – thanks to unnamed “conspirators” – who will testify against Jordan during the upcoming trial.
Karl Jordan Jr. allegedly caught in a drug deal
“The evidence adduced at trial will be substantial, including eyewitness and co-conspirator testimony establishing Jordan’s relationship with Washington, his involvement in the underlying narcotics conspiracy, and his role as Mizell’s shooter,” United States Attorney Breon Peace wrote in opposition to Jordan’s request to be granted bond.
“While Jordan claims that there is little evidence linking him to Mizell’s murder, he ignores the fact that a grand jury has heard evidence – twice – and voted an indictment charging him with these crimes,” Breon Peace added.
Last week, AllHipHop broke the news that Jordan asked a judge to release him to house arrest until his trial.
In their rebuttal to his motion, prosecutors also claimed Jordan was just too risky to release.
First, they pointed to his drug-dealing escapades and noted his proclivity to carry guns while selling drugs. They also pointed out several violent incidents involving Jordan, even though he has no adult criminal convictions.
In one incident, Jordan was accused of firing a shot off in the air. The cops recovered one spent shell casing and 83 live rounds from the scene. Although he was initially charged with a felony, the only eyewitness refused to cooperate. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charge.
In 2003, Jordan shot an individual in the leg on Hollis Avenue, but the charges against him were dropped because, once again, the victim refused to cooperate. The victim was Jam Master Jay’s nephew, Boe Skagz.
On November 1st, 2004, Karl Jordan Jr. was involved in a shootout on Farmers Boulevard. During the gun battle, bullets struck houses, cars, and even a church.
The charges, in that case, were eventually dismissed.
Prosecutors also accused Jordan of intimidating at least four of the witnesses in the Jam Master Jay case. They also claim Jordan communicated with people illegally from inside prison after being caught with a contraband cell phone.
Prosecutors are asking the judge to keep Karl Jordan Jr. locked up until the trial.
Kim Kardashian keeps a bag of old hair stored amongst her most treasured possessions.
In a new video for Vogue, the reality TV star offered a tour of her minimalist mansion and gave fans a glimpse at some of her art and “favorite things.”
To begin, Kim pulled out a bag of her hair that her late father, Robert Kardashian, had cut and packed away with a letter almost 34 years ago.
Admitting it was “a little creepy,” she proceeded to read the letter her dad penned when he worked at a talent agency.
“My dad used to work at MCA, so it’s on his letterhead, and it says, ‘Kimberly, I cut your hair on April 11th, 1988.’ And there’s my hair,” she explained. The famed lawyer passed away in 2003.
Kim went on to list her unique objects, such as the personalized scrapbooks she has made for her four children and her fleet of matching luxury vehicles.
And as for the chic interior design of her home, the 41-year-old noted that she wanted a neutral palette with a relaxing vibe.
“I find there is so much chaos out in the world; when I come home, I want it to be just really quiet, and I want everything to feel calming… shockingly, four kids hasn’t messed up my cream house,” she smiled.
Star power is something you either have or you don’t. The ability to light up every room you enter, transforming its occupants into a receptive audience, captivating them with every word and gesture.
Shotty Horroh is that star, nay superstar as he proved yet again in Manchester on Saturday evening (Feb. 26). The legendary U.K. battler and recording artist made his return to the scene following a three-year break and lit up the stage like he was born to do it.
Manchester’s Premier Battles would put forward their squad to face a team from London’s No Loose Chat. Fans picked their sides and battlers from both leagues went back and forth online for months ahead of the event. Diss tracks were made with everyone throwing shots at the opposing team and anticipation was high going into Sunday’s card.
The card began with a one round battle from Quill, representing team PB and MOAK one of NLC’s new gunners. The pair had a tough task, having to warm up the crowd with only one round to engage the audience. MOAK kicked off the clash looking comfortable on the stage, breaking down his opponent’s style and exposing some behind the scenes antics.
Quill came to the battle with a shovel in hand ready to dig a plot for MOAK in Shotty Horroh’s infamous graveyard. He gave a room shaking performance using current events references to clown his opponent and surprised the audience with a highly imaginative twist at the end.
Next, No Loose Chat’s first champion, Tek made his Premier battles debut against the more experienced Northerner, Darpa. Big Tekky quickly engaged the crowd with his relatable punches and slow-paced delivery. He looked comfortable on his first time battling in Manchester and showed he’s getting more comfortable with the big stage setting.
Darpa’s contrasting style made for a great clash with his energetic fast paced delivery. However, he dropped the ball stumbling through parts of his material giving Tek the upper hand and the win on his impressive debut.
Fellow Premier Battles league owner Bison Briggz was up next against an opponent fans have requested for years. After waking up at 3 a.m. to find a new venue because the place he booked flooded during the night, Briggzy could be forgiven if his performance was a little off. However, he showed no sign of tiredness, barking out the gate with three rounds of aggressive put downs that would have damaged the most prepared Joker Starr.
However, this was not the best verion of the U.K. veteran who lacked the motivation to put up a fight. Briggzy may have just hastened Joker Starr’s retirement plans.
Finally, came the moment everyone was waiting for. The crowd roared and chanted his name as Shotty Horroh emerged from back stage and made his way to the crowd. Both battlers are known for their introductory slogans to open their bars. The crowd answered Tali’s call and response of “I’ don’t wanna hear…No Loose Chat,” while the building roared as Shotty Horroh reminded them “what the talk is about.”
The two vets went from round to round, trading angles and insults while they battled for their fans and their respective leagues. Tali made an impressive debut winning over the crowd and scoring big reactions in the room. Nonetheless, the star power of Shotty Horroh held strong as he captivated the crowd from his opener. An aggressive series of multisyllabic rhymes that he barked in Tali’s face. Tali fought back each round bringing regression and energy to engage an audience who were largely enchanted by the legend of Shotty Horroh.
In turn the Manchester spitter demonstrated why he is the most accomplished U.K. battler by a country mile, delivering three powerful rounds of expertly crafted material. Furthermore, he called out several battlers and named potential opponents including No Loose Chat’s Tek suggesting Shotty’s staying outside this year. He also had some words for Shuffle T, teasing a match up that many U.K. heads have been eager to see for years.
The Rebuild
The energy in the building epitomised the spirit of The Rebuild with fans from up and down the country cheering alongside each other creating an unmatchable vibe on the day. Premier Battle and No Loose Chat pulled out all the stops to stage an event to drive the culture forward.
Pioneers come in many shapes and forms. Daniel Hale Williams was a pioneer in surgery and is best known for performing one of the world’s first successful open-heart surgeries in 1893.
Born on January 18, 1856, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Williams lived with family friends in Baltimore, Maryland, after his father’s death.
Between 1866 to 1878, he was a shoemaker’s apprentice and barber until deciding to pursue his education.
In 1880 Hale enrolled in the Chicago Medical College after developing an interest in medicine, working in the office of a Wisconsin surgeon, receiving a degree three years later.
Notably, his education was funded by Mary Jane Richardson Jones, a leader of Chicago’s black community. After graduation, he opened his own medical office in Chicago, Illinois, where his patients were white and black.
Black doctors were not allowed to work in private hospitals, which led him to found the Provident Hospital in 1891, which provided a training residency for doctors and training school for nurses in Chicago.
Although Provident was established for the benefit of African-American residents, it is noted that it was one of the first hospitals where staff and patients were integrated from the beginning.
In 1893, Daniel Hale Williams became the first African American on record to perform pericardium successfully (open heart) surgery to repair a knife wound on a young black man, James Cornish, who had received severe stab wounds in his chest and performing this surgery without penicillin or blood transfusion.
With limited surgical equipment and medicine, the operation was successful, and without Cornish dying from infection, he recovered within 51 days and went on to live a long life.
In 1893, Daniel Hale Williams was appointed surgeon-in-chief of Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., a post he held until 1898. During this time, he strived to set high standards for doctors from all over the world.
Many traveled from all over the planet to witness his operations. He also made massive changes to the hospital, starting a training school for black nurses, employing multiracial staff members, and providing staff opportunities for many black physicians.
Williams worked with other hospitals during the early 20th century, including Cook County Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago, until his retirement after a stroke in 1926.
He lived out his retirement years in Idlewild, Michigan, an all-black resort community, until his death on August 4, 1931, in relative obscurity at the age of 75.
Recognized for many honors in his life, including becoming the first black member of the exclusive American College of Surgeons in 1913, it is the achievement of performing the first open-heart surgery where Daniel Hale Williams’s legacy lies.
Police are hunting for a suspect who shot and killed rapper Snootie Wild in Houston.
The Memphis rapper was shot in the torso and the neck around 2:00 a.m. on Friday (February 25th). According to HPD, the rapper was found mortally wounded on the side of a road in a ditch.
The police released some of the details in the shooting courtesy of a witness they interviewed as the investigation unfolds.
An unidentified woman at the scene said she was attempting to remove her car from a ditch with the help of bystanders. The woman contended Snootie Wild pulled up and pointed a gun at her for unknown reasons.
A few moments later, the woman claimed she heard gunshots ring out. As of press time, it is unclear why Snootie Wild would have pointed a gun at the woman unprovoked.
So far, police have no suspects concerning the rapper’s murder.
Snootie Wild was an artist on Yo Gotti’s CMG imprint. He is best known for his 2014 Gold-selling single, “Yayo,” featuring CMG boss Yo Gotti.
The life of a musician although one quite demanding is one that Edward Cerda, an artist based out of the San Francisco Bay area has truly made his own. As someone who believes in being the best at everything he does, learn how Edward Cerda climbed the ladder to success as a part of the musical industry.
Although today Edward Cerda’s biggest claim to fame is his musical career he began his journey as a professional not in the field of music, but as a social media branding and promotion expert. Many businesses and individuals require professional help to make their ventures stand out among a sea of competitors. Although it is not easy to beat so many talented people and strike out as one of the best it is safe to say that Edward Cerda truly deserves the title as one of the leaders in the social media marketing and branding industry by providing genuine services to genuine customers.
Edward Cerda has worked with a lot of brands and influencers ranging from deals worth $500 to $10,000 and has more than doubled their audience by working on their online image and social media reach. By building a reputation in the industry and connecting with powerful forces Edward Cerda has been able to find the support as well as the funding to give birth to his dreams of following his true passion and becoming a musician.
As of today, it has been quite some time since Edward Cerda made his debut in the world of melody. He has already worked on quite a few tunes and has built his own following on an international scale. However, growing familiar with the industry doesn’t make the process of creating music any less of a challenge. Like any other creative process, those who make music are at higher risk of facing burnout from constantly having to put in their best. This is why many artists have the talent but get burnt out early on and leave the musical scene.
Edward Cerda did not want this to happen to him and instead decided to take a break from making music for a couple of years. At present, he is once again active and focusing on creating instrumental pieces. Now that he has re-joined the industry Edward Cerda has already made everyone aware of his presence by releasing 5 singles in the past year.
In the future, Edward Cerda plans on releasing a full-length album by August of 2022. For all those who wish to know more about Edward Cerda and want to get inspired by him follow Edward Cerda on his social media profiles linked below:
JJ Gerow knows that music unites people, and there’s something special about fans singing along to the lyrics you’ve created. He believes that being an artist is more than a platform but a mantle of responsibility requiring stewardship. As an artist, people look up to you and live by every word you say, regardless of whether you are aware of it or not. He shares:
“There’s no better feeling than remaining true to who I am when I’m writing lyrics. I love that I can create what I want and how I want. If people resonate with my music, then that is wonderful. If they don’t, then that’s not something I can force them to do.
JJ Gerow is committed to giving his audience an experience of constant rehearsal before hitting the stage. He loves the electricity one feels at a concert when people from all walks of life have gathered for the common purpose of watching an artist perform. Everyone is connected at that moment.” and Gerow calls that a “beautiful thing.”
While tapping into several creative avenues, including music and devising a celebrated catalog of the original composition, it’s apparent that he’s accomplished much more than most artists in his lane. Although the past couple of years were unprecedented, JJ Gerow only leverages this winter season to discipline his artistry and, like a chess player, strategize his next steps––it’s evident that 2022 will be one of his most fruitful endeavors to date.
Here’s an artist who is leveraging the ‘pandemic blues’ for the benefit of others. Meet Auctavius Bennett, also known as ‘Auctavius.’ His music is perfect to accompany our grey days. It warms our hearts and comforts our souls. Auctavius has a certain magic in his music that transports the audience into an ocean of emotion. Auctavius has an excellent voice. His delivery is casual, yet he has a natural gift for timing. The lyrics in his music roll beautifully from start to finish. The subtle sonorities highlight Auctavius’s unique artistic personality with strong rap cadence
As is often the case with many of the best vocalists (and artists in general), honest music often stems from difficult moments in our lives. Nevertheless, our experiences through life can propel our artistic efforts in a vulnerable way that reflects our creative output. It’s safe to say that sincere lyricism is what will most likely turn a listener into a fan––this is exactly what rising artist Auctavius executes so well in his career.
When the world never ceases to emit bad news, it’s a positive message that can turn a hopeless situation into one of power and vision, this is exactly what Auctavius aims to do with his music. He’s already garnered the attention of his local community with reflective lyricism and positive messages laced in his songs. This is what we could all use right now, a little inspiration for the ‘pandemic blues.’
His music combines the experimental rhythm and catchy melodies that create an uplifting atmosphere, while the dynamic and cinematic delivery is relatable and has heartfelt wordplay. Fading to the raw roots of the song with the rhythm section, Auctavius comes full circle, never ceasing to amaze. Honestly, we were surprised and amazed by the vocals, melodies, and artistic cadence, delivering professional, creative, and memorable work. The artist’s musical side is enjoyable and engaging. Auctavius is genuinely original, and It’s undeniable that the world will be hearing a lot more about this artist in the years ahead.
