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Doug. E. Fresh On His Relationships With Slick Rick & Biz Markie  

As one of Hip-Hop’s founding fathers, Doug E. Fresh possesses a wealth of knowledge about the early days of the genre.

In a recent in-depth interview with The New York Post, Fresh shared some tales of his humble beginnings and discussed his relationships with his peers, including Slick Rick and Biz Markie.  

He explained the origins of his moniker, the Human Beatbox, given to him by DJ Barry B from the Get Fresh Crew. He recalled Barry’s mother’s surprise hearing what she thought was “a nice beat,” as he was beatboxing at Barry’s apartment one day. 

“Then that’s when Barry said, ‘You should [be] the Human Beatbox. And you should call it that.’” His revolutionary style of recreating a beat using only sounds from his body was highlighted on his iconic 1980s collaborations with former crew member Slick Rick, “The Show ‘ and “La Di Da Di.” 

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Doug E. Fresh remained diplomatic while discussing their split. “[We were] creating new styles that never existed,” he said. “So what happened? … I think personally that we were young.” Noting that their egos got in the way he added, “We were two different entities who needed room to breathe.” 

However, there is no bad blood between the pair now and maturity has brought them to an understanding of each other. “We still family,” Doug E. Fresh explained. “We have grown, and we close.” 

Doug E. Fresh on His Bond With Biz Markie

The Hip-Hop trailblazer also detailed his close relationship with the late Biz Markie, dating back to 1982. The pair grew so close after their first meeting at a Long Island club the “Just A Friend” rapper would chill at home with his family when Fresh was not home.  

“He’s in the house with my mother and my grandmother … And then my grandma was like, ‘Yeah, I just sent him to the store to go get me some cigarettes’ … I was like, ‘Yo, how did you get so in the family that quick?’ After that, I could not shake him.” 

Earlier this week, to honor The Ruler on his birthday Doug E. Fresh posted a performance from New Year’s Eve 2013 where he and Slick Rick were rocking the stage with their 1985 classic, “La Di Da Di.” 

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Machine Gun Kelly Got Megan Fox’s Engagement Ring Straight Out Of The Mine

Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox decided to share their engagement news on social media to “control the narrative.”

The 31-year-old rocker popped the question last week, a year and a half after the two met on the set of the thriller Midnight in the Switchgrass.

In a new interview with Vogue, the Beyond the Lights star said the couple “released it to control the narrative” instead of allowing “someone just catching a weird cell phone picture of a ring on our hand and being like, ‘whoa!'”

“But yeah, I didn’t expect it. I just recorded it on my cell phone,” he recalled. “And it wasn’t like we had photographers or anything. It was just like me setting my phone against a cup.”

The rocker also shared more details about Fox’s custom emerald and diamond engagement ring, which he created with British jewelry designer Stephen Webster to mirror their “twin flame” energy.

“It was just carved into the teardrop, straight out of the mine. The concept is that the ring can come apart to make two rings. When it’s together, it’s held in place by a magnet,” he revealed. “And then it forms an obscure heart. And you see this right here? The bands are actually thorns. So if she tries to take it off, it hurts.”

Pierre Bless Is Ready To Takeover In 2022

Artist on the rise, Pierre Bless, has influencers all over Instagram sharing their zodiac sign. He has recently released his dope viral hit titled, “What’s Your Sign”. The catchy tune has gotten the attention of many powerful women influencers such as Amara La Negra and Jai Nice. “What’s Ya Sign” has gotten exposure from The Breakfast Club, On-Air with Ryan Seacrest, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, and The Sheryl Underwood Radio Morning Show.

Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the inspiring Hip-Hop artist started rapping in the seventh grade. Pierre began taking music seriously when he won a talent show at the age of 15 and used the prize money to buy studio equipment. From there, he has only continued to blossom into a successful up-and-coming musician.

Pierre Bless has dedicated a lot to his craft, getting influence from rap icons such as Nas, Rick Ross, and Jay-Z. He says, “I’m inspired by Nas’s lyrical ability and Jay-Z’s beat selection.” Pierre hopes to one day become an icon himself, stating “I want to become a multi-platinum selling artist…I want to use my music to spread positive energy to all of my fans. I want to impact the world.” 

Pierre is an artist that’s all about promoting good energy and the Law of Attraction through his “Spread Love Life” brand. Pierre wants to motivate people to spread love everywhere. When asked about what motivates him, he said, “My Daughter Zuri is my number one motivation. I want to make millions, billions even to create a clear pathway of success for her and her future siblings. I also just enjoy the process of growth. Experiencing myself mold into something greater over time is very gratifying.” 

The North Carolinian is in the final leg of a national tour and has been on a regional tour, and a HBCU college tour in 2021. He’s been on main stages at SXSW and has opened up for Jacquees, Key Glock, Asian Doll and Toosii. He has accomplished all of this as an independent artist, signed to a Management deal with PTE’s CEO Miami Mike and Quality Control’s marketing manager, Mr. Too Official. 

Look out for his upcoming project, Vision Board set to release in 2022.

Make sure you follow him on all social media @PierreBless and you can listen to his music on all streaming services. 

Check Out “What’s Your Sign” below: 

Raekwon Enlists Diadora & Foot Locker For “Community Linx” Initiative

Raekwon has partnered with Diadora and Foot Locker to launch his “Community Linx” initiative.

The “Community Linx” collaboration includes the release of Diadora sneakers connected to local communities. In addition to offering shoes, the Wu-Tang Clan rapper’s initiative aims to help aspiring musicians.

“I concepted Community Linx because I wanted to bring music and sneaker culture together in a meaningful way,” Raekwon said in a statement. “I’m thankful that Diadora and Foot Locker, Inc. believed in my vision. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of music talent by providing them with tools and resources to hone their craft.”

Raekwon continued, “I can’t wait to hear their work. Every sneaker capsule represents the hustle of each city and hopefully serves as a reminder to keep chasing your dreams.”

The first “Community Linx” sneakers represent New York by featuring the colors of the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Starting on January 27, the shoes will be sold exclusively in men’s sizes at Foot Locker and Champs Sports.

Raekwon, Diadora and Foot Locker also selected 16 musicians from New York for a special program hosted by Scram Jones. The invite-only, four-week course gives the aspiring artists a chance to learn about the beat-making process.

The up-and-coming musicians will then get an opportunity to present their beats to Raekwon and special guest Dave East at a private event in New York. They will receive feedback from industry veterans, participate in a Q&A and take home a pair of the Diadora sneakers.

“Our latest collaboration with Raekwon is built on a shared commitment to community and passion for music and sport,” Diadora CEO Claudio Bora said. “We’re excited to provide young musicians with an opportunity to gain experience from some of the best artists in the business and each city with a sneaker that celebrates its unique qualities.”

Raekwon’s Community Linx initiative will be coming to Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Each city will have its own unique sneakers as well as showcase events at a local Foot Locker location.

Nas Among Investors Raising $20 Million For African Gaming Company

Nas joined venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, Google and others to invest in an African gaming company.

Carry1st, an African mobile games publisher, raised $20 million in funding led by Andreessen Horowitz. The gaming company received investments from Nas, Google, Axie Infinity and Yield Guild Games, among others.

“We are delighted to be making our first investment in an Africa-headquartered company in Carry1st, a next-generation mobile games and fintech platform,” Andreessen Horowitz’s David Haber said in a statement. “We see immense opportunity for the company to mirror outstanding successes we’ve seen in markets like India, China and Southeast Asia.”

Nas is no stranger to investments. Last year, he was one of the celebrities who helped raise $55 million for the NFT platform Royal. Now, Nas has expanded his portfolio as he’s become an investor in Africa’s burgeoning market for gaming.

“We’re excited to partner with this world-class group of investors who, in addition to capital, bring expertise across gaming, fintech and web3,” Carry1st’s co-founder and CEO Cordel Robbin-Coker said. “In 2021, we launched multiple games and digital commerce solutions achieving really strong growth. Together we can accelerate this growth and achieve our goal of becoming the leading consumer internet company in the region.”

Cardi B Plans To Pay The Funeral Experiences For Victims Of The Tragic Bronx Fire

Bronx native Cardi B said that she will pay the funeral and burial expenses for the victims of the massive fire that killed 17 people and displaced hundreds. The rapper shared that she doesn’t want anyone to “worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones.”

According to TMZ, Cardi’s heart is bleeding for those who lost so much during the Jan. 9  fire that ripped through a 120-unit tower in The Bronx.

She said, “I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal.”

Cardi teamed up with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to support the victims, some as young as 2 years old and as old as 50 years old.

New York City’s new mayor, Eric Adams, commented on the GRAMMY Award-winner’s generosity. Adams said, “We are grateful for Cardi B, a real superstar on and off the mic, for granting some critical financial relief to families of the victims.”

“The city will be forever thankful to her and also to the grassroots donors and corporate partners who have been able to offer immediate support for our neighbors in need, to reestablish themselves during this difficult time,”

he continued.

Cardi hopes that her contribution can help them during their time of bereavement. She said, “I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.”

Emir Duru’s “Nightfall” Might Be A Hit For Rumor Records

Emir Duru has published a new EP with three outstanding songs. “Nightfall,” one of the most well-known tunes, may assist to generate a comfortable atmosphere. The calming rhythms will raise the listener’s mood no matter where they are.

Emir’s most recent EP consists of three tracks. All three tracks capture the listener’s emotions. It’s no wonder that you’ll want to listen to each song again and over again, given the compelling music. You can also detect if an artist’s songs are good by listening to them repeatedly.

Emir’s debut EP was released by Rumor Records. They should be commended for mastering and producing such high-quality music. “Nightfall” will have you up and dancing in no time.

“Nightfall” may be found at: 

To remain up to date, follow Emir on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/chefbear/

Young Dolph Murder Suspects Arraigned, Could Face Death Penalty

The men who allegedly killed Young Dolph made their first appearance in court on Wednesday (January 19).

Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith were arraigned at the Shelby County Criminal Court in Memphis, Tennessee. Their court hearing was originally scheduled for Tuesday (January 18), but it was pushed back because the case was transferred to a new judge.

The Young Dolph murder suspects did not have lawyers with them at the hearing. Both men declined public defenders, telling the judge they could afford an attorney.

Judge Lee Coffee ordered them to return to court on January 28 to make sure they’ve hired representation.

“This judge wants to make sure these defendants have an attorney sooner rather than later,” Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman said.

Johnson and Smith are charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, employment of a firearm during a dangerous felony and theft of property over $10,000. Prosecutors could seek the death penalty in the Young Dolph murder case.

“We wouldn’t be here without strong evidence against them,” Hagerman told FOX 13. “We are confident, and y’all saw the video from November 17. We had those people in court today.”

A third man named Shundale Barnett has been charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Barnett wasn’t involved in the shooting of Young Dolph, but he allegedly helped Johnson evade the law.

Barnett is still in custody in Indiana. According to the District Attorney’s Office, he remains there for security reasons.

Rapper Nazo Bravo – “Fadeaway” (Music Video)

LA-based rapper Nazo Bravo picks up his game with an interesting music video for the beloved track “Fadeaway.” The song is produced by GOLDMVN and mixed by Grammy-nominated multi-platinum mix engineer Ariel Chobaz, whose credits include Drake, Nicki Minaj, and DJ Khaled.

The music video opens up with a nostalgic drive through a tunnel. The visuals push his artistic views right in front of the camera. Spiraling from dark moods to the artist spilling his addictive verses, the song is truly emitting its best performance through the music video.

The artist is not so camera shy though. He plays a crucial character in the cast of The Family Business on BET. He is seriously reinventing his musical approach to be more of a rapper than an MC.

The music video for “Fadeaway” has been extremely well received by both fans and music critics, totaling a whopping 300K plays with Spotify and YouTube combined.

Nazo Bravo is on InstagramSpotifyYouTube

Silk Sonic Launching Las Vegas Residency In February

Silk Sonic is setting up shop in Las Vegas.

Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars announced a Vegas residency named after their debut album An Evening with Silk Sonic on Tuesday (January 18). The duo will be performing at the Park MGM’s Dolby Live theater in Las Vegas.

“THE TERMS ARE LOCKED AND VEGAS MIGHT NOT EVER BE THE SAME JACK!!” Anderson .Paak wrote on Instagram. “YOU’RE INVITED TO THE HOTTEST SHOW IN SIN CITY! HIT THE LINK IN BIO AND GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!”

Bruno Mars added, “Its happening! The sexiest party of the year! Them Silk Sonic Boyz are performing Live in Las Vegas!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CY5rdbrut9k/

Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars’ residency is scheduled to begin on February 25. Silk Sonic is booked for 13 shows in Las Vegas with their final performance taking place on April 2, the night before the 2022 Grammy Awards.

The timing works out well for Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars since the 2022 Grammy Awards have been moved to Las Vegas. Silk Sonic has received Grammy nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song.

Tickets for the residency go on sale to the general public on Friday (January 20). Presales are available now via Ticketmaster.

SuperDope Q Discusses His Business Hair Dope, And New Music

SuperDope Q has been putting in that work, and he’s excited as ever to be releasing his own hair color line called Hair Dope, which has been in the works for almost 3 years.

From styling everyone including Keke Palmer, Jaquees, Latto, and the Migos, Q knows a thing about fashion and beauty… and the fact that hair can be the accessory to take any outfit to new heights. With his vegan, cruelty-free products, you can color your hair daily with either makeup or a semi-permanent version that lasts for days.

A true multi-hyphenate, SuperDope Q embodies what his name states. Hailing from Milwaukee but now based in Atlanta, Q is the definition of a hustler, most notably known for his role on VH1’s Black Ink Crew, going from personal assistant to cast member. Now stepping into the entrepreneur role, SuperDope Q doesn’t just work hard, but he looks good while doing it.

With his Hair Dope line, costumers can purchase hair brightener, pre-shampoo, Hair Juice, and Hair Sauce.

On the music tip, Q just unleashed his most recent single “Don’t Play.” AllHipHop caught up with SuperDope Q virtually, who was in high spirits back to the grind after the holidays.

AllHipHop: How you been since the last time we chatted?

SuperDope Q: I’m good, I can’t complain, I’m working, working. We gotta get back to it, we gotta get back to the grind. It’s the top of the year. I’ve been focusing on my new product line and working on Hair Dope.

AllHipHop: I feel like last time we chatted, you were telling me about this.

SuperDope Q: Yes, I was telling you that I have something coming and it was Hair Dope. It’s been 2.5 years, long ass time.

AllHipHop: Do you have Hair Dope in your hair now?

SuperDope Q: I have a little bit of the bleach. I’m lifting my hair right now with the brightner. My hair was black yesterday, I just started putting it in. It went orange from the brightener. I’m gonna lift it one more time later tonight so it’ll go blonde, then I’ll dye it silver.

AllHipHop: I love how cute the products are, they’re so handy. What does it mean to finally have this out?

SuperDope Q: It feels so good because it’s been in the works for almost 3 years. It was stuck in customs when it first happened during quarantine so we couldn’t get products out to people. There were a lot of things going on. I’m so ecstatic about Hair Dope because not only is it my own, but I’m also the first black-owned hair dye company here. I linked with Cre8or Global to create this awesome product. We’ve been going back and forth testing the hair colors, it’s been a long process. I thought it was going to be something quick: I can just slap the label on but I couldn’t. We’re vegan, we’re a vegan product.

AllHipHop: Are you vegan?

SuperDope Q: I’m not vegan, but I love vegan food. I’m not against it, I could be vegan. I’m super excited for it to be here. Hair Dope is my treasure, my baby. This is something I cherish.

AllHipHop: Hair Dope products are vegan, cruelty-free, salt-free, paraben-free, ammonia-free, hydrogen peroxide free. Why is that important to you?

SuperDope Q: Especially in the black community, they say a lot of products damage our hair. People in general, all types of races, don’t like to dye their hair because they feel like it’s gonna damage their hair. The first thing a person says is “I don’t wanna dye my hair!”, but it’s safe. It’s a safe thing, you don’t have to damage your hair. It’s cruelty-free, it’s ammonia-free. It’s everything. You can use it on your dog, that’s what I like too.

AllHipHop: What’s the reality behind getting the company off the ground? How’d you know it was ready?

SuperDope Q: I knew it was ready when we finally did the packaging and I saw the line sheet. I tested out a lot of different colors. People don’t know we had different tubes of color I tried, like purple, blue. We tried different colors, and I picked the first 4 sets that I wanted to drop. We had to see how long it would last: how long would it stay in my hair, how many times I needed to rinse it. I had to really go through a process of learning these products to be able to sell it to the next person to let them know my experiences. Also when you bleach or dye your hair, you can lose hair. But with Hair Dope, my hair stays healthy, stays thick. That’s one thing that I love about the product, it doesn’t damage my hair at all. Getting Hair Dope off the ground is just crazy.

AllHipHop: What does it mean to collab with Cre8or Global?

SuperDope Q: Cre8or Global came to me with this amazing idea, they helped me launch this off the ground. They’ve been working with me going on to 2 to 3 years on this project. If it wasn’t for Cre8or, I wouldn’t know what would happen with these products because they’re pushing me to the limit. We have plenty of Zoom calls every morning. Every week we talk, everyday. “We have to try this, we have to do this.” We’ve been sampling and doing s### from the drawing board back and forth. My team, I love them. I love everyone who is a part of Hair Dope because they’re making me take this to the next level, to be at the top of the market with all other top hair products.

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AllHipHop: How does it feel to have your product on Amazon? That’s huge!

SuperDope Q: Having it on Amazon, listen I was stomping in the car when they called. “Wait wait, lit!!” I was stomping around and dancing. I’m super ecstatic. This right here, Hair Dope is my billion dollar ticket. Excited!

AllHipHop: How’s the reception?

SuperDope Q: They love it. I have men, I have people buying it for their children. I have people buying it that just want to try the color. I have a wax that you could put on your hair and rinse it out later. You don’t have to choose the semi-permanent if you don’t want to go that route. The reaction is crazy, the support is crazy, I didn’t even know the support was going to be like this. Especially since I’m selling hair dye, but a lot of people love color so they have people they can buy it for. People they know who wear color, things like that. It’s super lit! I’m ecstatic.

AllHipHop: Being a celebrity stylist, how does it play into your work in fashion?

SuperDope Q: I switch it up with my looks, with my style. It draws attention to people. When I go somewhere: “who did your hair? What color?” Yo I did it, it’s my color. You can do it yourself at home, you got my color. You don’t need to have anybody dye your hair. You can do it yourself with these products. You can try different colors. If you want to try a look for a date: 24 hours, one hour, you can rinse it out. It’s something dope for people to try, people to get the experience, who wanted to step out of the box. You have people who are scared as hell: “I want to try this, but my husband will kill me.” Some people say “she wouldn’t like this.” Look, try it. See if she likes it. If she doesn’t, rinse it out.

AllHipHop: Most proud celebrity you’ve styled in your career?

SuperDope Q: I have a couple of people. I was most proud of styling Mulatto, I was proud of that. I love Mulatto, love her. My cousin Jacob Latimore, shout out to Jacob. The Migos, proud of them. They’re on a whole other fashion level rockstar. That s###’s crazy, to see them say “what’s up! I see you.” It’s just organic.

AllHipHop: Are you excited about any new clients?

SuperDope Q: Yeah, I’m excited about a couple different artists I’ve been seeing. I’m also trying to tap into the athlete world. I’m trying to get some NBA players, football players, and different clients.

AllHipHop: Talk about your new single “Don’t Play.”

SuperDope Q: I just dropped a little track called “Don’t Play,” something light. I didn’t drop a song all last year, I’ve been so busy working with Hair Dope. On the top of the year, I’m going hard at the music, at the style, and with the products. It’s all tied in one. I dropped this single called “Don’t Play,” everybody check it out on platforms. It’s lit, let’s go!

AllHipHop: Any goals for the new year?

SuperDope Q: I have a goal to get Hair Dope in stores this year, get everything out. That’s the main goal, take Hair Dope to the next level. To see my face everywhere on billboards and the cover of Forbes, take over with this Hair Dope. I’m really tapping into this entrepreneurship with hair and hair products, because nobody’s really tapped into hair color. I’m trying to become a colorist. I’m trying to take this on tour right now where people could talk about products in different states and pop-up shops. I’m pushing for this right now.

AllHipHop: Is Atlanta your biggest market?

SuperDope Q: Atlanta, Milwaukee, New York.

AllHipHop: Favorite product from the line?

SuperDope Q: My favorite products in the line are Hot and Spicy, the red, and the shampoo. The pre-shampoo is great if you need to refresh your hair. It’s tingly and it feels good. It keeps it silky and looks fresh. It keeps your hair fresh and non-dry.

AllHipHop: From a girl’s perspective, it’s hella expensive to get your hair done. How does Hair Dope help that?

SuperDope Q: My products help that because it’s an easier tube. It’s a portable tube: you can throw it in your purse, throw it in your bag. It’s a fashion fun size. You can do it at home easily, do it yourself. It doesn’t damage your hair so it doesn’t matter how long it takes. Someone who’s scared, you can rinse it out. You can try the wax and don’t worry about it over-processing your hair. You don’t have to worry about these products over-processing your hair at all.

AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let us know?

SuperDope Q: I want people to know to follow Hair Dope @hairdope_dye on Instagram. www.hairdope.com. Follow me on instagram @superdope_q. Support, repost, show love, I appreciate all the love, from small and big. The comments, I see them. Let’s go. What city do you want me to come to? I’m there, let’s get it. I want to thank you for having me on here, it’s lit.

Here’s How Joilson Melo is Rocking the Stage as a Multitalented Enigma:

When people look at present-day artists, they are looking for something more than just talent. They need to have a common understanding with the person before they are invested in their music. Joilson Melo is one such person people really like listening to, full of passions, talent, and an unwavering effort to do his best. By profession, he is not only a hip-hop, rock, and indie artist but also a lawyer based in Sinop-MT Brazil.

Recently, Joilson Melo shared how wonderful of an experience it was to record these tracks, come up with them and go through the entire process of piecing together the entire album. “Music is a very important part of my life, and I say this not because I am a musical artist, but because it has impacted my life in general. So many Brazilians will feel the same, which is one of the main reasons why I am motivated every day to face any challenge. It is my belief that I can create music that can make everyone vibrate in positive energy. Whether it is at the beginning of the day, or as it is about to end, everyone deserves to feel relaxed. My music is meant for this exact purpose. I want to share my experience of music with everyone else, and help them accomplish greater things”

It is not easy being a multi-talented individual, people often assume life becomes automatically convenient when a person is investing their time in two or more things. Although difficult in practicality, Joilson Melo has mastered the art of dividing his time to prioritize the need of the hour and work accordingly. To sum it down, it is not always possible for him to divide his time definitely because music does not come at his pacified time, instead it must be natural to be really a work of art. This is why Joilson Melo has dedicated a lot of his time to producing music albums, never backing down on his dream, despite working constantly and consistently towards his professional law career too.

Joilson Melo has worked extremely hard in the past year to come up with 13 unique tracks from the album genesis mystery. With great enthusiasm, Joilson Melo had made a lot of effort in the year 2021, however, the release had been postponed due to the pandemic situation. Even in these difficult times, Joilson Melo has managed to keep his spirits up and keep working for what he has always dreamed of. Releasing in January without any further delays, music lovers finally get to experience the true beauty of unparalleled talent. One of the only artists managing to pull off electronic music flawlessly, this album genesis mystery is going to become a phenomenal hit among Brazilians, as is deserved. You must tune in to join the audience who have been waiting for this breakthrough in electronic music!

NBA Youngboy’s New Song Aims At NLE Choppa, Lil Durk, Fredo Bang & 21 Savage

NBA YoungBoy has come out the box (no jail pun intended) with a new song that targets several rappers, living and deceased.

I can’t lie. There is a ton of tension there is going on between these new rappers. NBA YoungBoy is one of the most popular rappers of the current day. As you know! And his fanbase is crazy. Louisiana is not playing with their homey. They love him! Remember, just the other day some dude allegedly attacked NLE Choppa in the name of NBA Youngboy.

So, NBA is now in Utah sequestered away from most of us. He is on strict house arrest for a number of pending legal matters that he must face this year. He has gun charges in both Louisiana and Los Angeles, but he was still granted bond. His house arrest terms are pretty strict as he faces illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition charges. This house arrest is 24 hours!

So, while he’s on house arrest, they have a studio for him to keep working on music. He’ll also be monitored by authorities so he can move around and he must restrict his visitors to three. That is what closely resembles a prison schedule.

At any rate, he has a new song that is dissing NLE Choppa, Lil Durk, Fredo Bang, 21 Savage, and others. He has a whole beef with O-Block in Chicago! He has a whole beef! Luckily, nobody will see each other in real life. So this song, “Know Like I Know”,” is all we have now.

Check out the song.

Filming of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ After COVID-19 Delays

After a couple of setbacks, filming on the new “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” has started up again.

The Marvel sequel was shut down after the omicron COVID-19 variant started to surge in the country, specifically Atlanta where the show is being filmed. The coronavirus delay is the most recent pause for the production.

At one point the production was delayed after several cast and crew members have tested positive for the virus, including Lupita Nyong’o.  Production was also halted because Letitia Wright got injured,  fracturing her shoulder and receiving a concussion while doing stunts on set.

In August of 2020, the cast and crew were rocked after the star of the franchise Chadwick Boseman lost his battle with colon cancer.

Ryan Coogler, the co-writer, and director of the films had to figure out what was next for his vision. The suspicion was he would take a page out of Reggie Hudlin’s Black Panther graphic novel in 2017, where T’Challa’s scientist younger sister Shuri takes over the mantle.

Shuri was played by Letitia Wright in the first movie and may return to be the lead.

According to Screen Rant, most of the cast is returning. Angela Bassett will be back as Shuri and T’Challa’s mother Queen Ramonda. Danai Gurira will be back as Okoye, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Lupita Nyong’o as T’Challa’s former lover Nakia and Martin Freeman as CIA agent Everett Ross.

Joe Budden Is Still Unhappy With Earl Sweatshirt

“I put the phone down and go live life.” – Joe Budden

Earl Sweatshirt

Joe Budden is a funny dude, but he is doing things at the same time. He’s a whole podcaster. Anyway. A few years back Earl Sweatshirt did a lil skit and sort of mocked (understatement) Joe Budden. I actually never saw the skit, but did see screenshots from it and it looked funny. Joe was probably serious about not messing with Earl, but he’s not really into rap like that anymore. Why would he be into Earl? And saying no girls listen to that sort of music is not even a diss. That’s facts.

At any rate, I had to see the skits! I mean for goodness sake, that was a long time ago, when Earl was still a kid to me. So here is the skit.

This is hilarious.

This is not beef.

This is hilarious.

By the way, here is the whole podcast.

Fashion Icon André Leon Talley Dead at 73

Fashion icon André Leon Talley died on Tuesday at a hospital in White Plains, N.Y. at the age of 73. While the cause of death has not been revealed, it has been confirmed on his personal Instagram page.

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A beautiful black and white image of the influencer staring out into the abyss was accompanied by the following caption:

“It is with great sadness we announce the passing of André Leon Talley on January 18, 2022, in New York. Mr. Talley was the larger-than-life, longtime creative director at Vogue during its rise to dominance as the world’s fashion bible.

Over the past five decades as an international icon was a close confidant of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso, Diane von Furstenberg, Bethann Hardison, Manolo Blahnik and he had a penchant for discovering, nurturing and celebrating young designers.

His byline appeared in Vanity Fair, HG, Interview, Ebony and Women’s Wear Daily and he was the editor of Numero Russia. Mr. Talley wrote several books, including Valentino, A.L.T.: A Memoir, A.L.T. 365+ and Little Black Dress for Assouline, and contributed to Valentino: At the Emperor’s Table and Cartier Panthère. He was the subject of the documentary The Gospel According to André and his recent memoir, The Chiffon Trenches became a New York Times Best Seller.

In 2014, he was named artistic director of Zappos Couture, and he has been on the Board of Trustees of Savannah College of Art and Design since 2000. Mr. Talley was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Republic in 2020 and the North Carolina Governor’s award for literature in 2021. He was a long-standing member of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church.”

He leaves to mourn of a legacy of Black fashion children, some that he knew and some he did not.

Trae Tha Truth Released From Hospital Following Car Crash

It appears rapper/activist Trae Tha Truth suffered injuries from a collision on the road and had to go to a local medical facility.

The Houston Hip Hop legend, born Frazier Othel Thompson III, shared photos and video from the crash on his Instagram page. His Mercedes-Benz SUV was damaged in several areas on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Trae Tha Truth wrote in his IG caption:

One Thing After Another… The Devil Couldnt Stop Me If He Wanted To… And The Evil Certain people Who Tried To Pray Evil on Me.. Tell em Imma Look At That S### and Walk It Down… Out The Hospital Back To It.. #GodSent

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2022 has been off to a rough start for Trae Tha Truth. The Life Goes On album creator also recently posted an Instagram message about his three-year-old daughter Truth Izabella Imani Thompson.

Trae Tha Truth stated:

Been Fightin My Whole Damn Life , Lost Everything and Never Gave Up… Ill Be Damn If I dont Fight till My Last Breath For My Only Daughter!! On everything i Love She gone know Her Daddy Will Give His Last Breath Behind Her… As A Loving Father They Just Woke Up The Right One !! Thats On God!! 💔 #BabyTruth I Will See You Soon…

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Last year saw Trae Tha Truth get recognized for his philanthropic work. The 41-year-old Relief Gang representative was the recipient of the Change Maker Award at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, and he was presented with Joe Biden’s Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.  

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BG’97’s “Transporter” Transports Listeners To Another Place

“Transporter,” a new song by BG’97, takes listeners on an emotional journey. It delves into the thoughts of fans in order to realize their musical dreams. Considering that it was just published a few months ago, the song has done very well. With the publication of “Transporter,” BG’97’s musical career appears to be brighter than ever.

BG’97 is a native New Yorker who knows his way around the city. He is aware of their musical requirements and makes every effort to accommodate them. In a city that never sleeps, BG’97 understands how to mix and match his music to keep the party going. When his music is playing, every gathering is a blast.

His song “Transporter” has distinguished him from his contemporaries. He’s collaborated with a wide range of musicians. He has learned diverse methods and approaches from all of his partnerships in order to improve his music. As a result, he is able to write hit songs that become popular quickly. When you listen to “Transporter,” everything comes through loud and clear.

On Spotify, you may listen to “Transporter” and more of his work: 

Follow him on Instagram to stay up to date on his travels and musical happenings: https://www.instagram.com/diddydaddy/

Jim Jones Declares New York City Hip Hop Is Back On The Rise

There has been a lot of conversation about the state of New York City Hip Hop over the last 20 years. While there have been mainstream breakout NYC stars like A$AP Rocky, Cardi B, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Lil Tjay, the Atlanta scene has still mostly dominated the era.

Veteran New York rapper Jim Jones apparently believes his hometown is recharged for the new decade. Jones joined NYC-based radio personality Ebro Darden on Apple Music 1 to discuss his Gangsta Grillz: We Set The Trends collaborative project with DJ Drama.

The Apple Music interview also included the Dipset member talking about New York Hip Hop. Jim Jones shouted out Fivio Foreign, the Brooklyn Drill rapper that earned a Gold plaque for his “Big Drip” single featuring Atlanta’s Quavo and Lil Baby.

“I feel like we’re coming back wholeheartedly with the Fivios and all the young energy that they’re putting out there,” Jim Jones told Ebro Darden about the state of NYC Hip Hop. “With the Drill music and how the Drill music is starting to move further down south into the west coast. We took something from Chicago and made it our own. Now it’s New York Drill.”

Jones continued, “It’s a sound that we’re known for, it’s just so much going on. So I like the way that the music industry is going in as a whole. The money is better, the stream’s work in our favor. New York, we back on the rise. No disrespecting nobody else, but we been in a black hole for a long time and people have been throwing stones at us. So now to see us rising above that black hole makes me feel very good.”

Jim Jones and DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz: We Set The Trends arrived on January 14. The project hosts the “Crunk Muzik” track with Fivio Foreign and Ditta. We Set The Trends also boasts features by Dave East, Fabolous, Maino, Migos, and more.

The U.K’s Young T & Bugsey Announce Blxst Collaboration: “Nice”

UK Hip-Hop artists Young T and Bugsey linked with L.A rapper Blxst for an upbeat transatlantic banger, due out on Thursday (Jan. 20). 

The Nottingham duo scored huge international acclaim with their viral 2020 hit “Don’t Rush,” featuring Headie One which spawned one of the most popular “transformation” challenges. They teased the upcoming collaboration via Instagram, sharing a snippet of the new song.  

“NICE featuring @blxst from our mixtape “TRUTH BE TOLD”. Run up the comments and it’s yours! #TruthBeTold 🫀💎.” Blxst responded in the comments section with, “my bruddas , let’s go 🥂” 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CY4fsi4hN_j/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Earlier this month, the pair dropped the tracklist and a pre-order link to their forthcoming mixtape, “Truth Be Told.” Some of the biggest names in the U.K feature on the 15 song project, including M Huncho, Aitch, Unknown T, and Nafe Smallz. In addition to Blxst, Jamaican reggae singer Chronixx provides an international flavor on “Blessings,” which dropped on January 6. Young T and Bugsey took to Twitter to announce: 

“TRACKLIST ✍🏾 ‘TRUTH BE TOLD’ MIXTAPE OUT JANUARY 21ST!! 🗣🔥 Luv to every1 supporting, couldn’t be more grateful!🤞🏾🖤.”  

Young T and Bugsey will release “Truth Be Told” on streaming platforms on Friday (Jan. 21) and is available to pre-order now.  

Meanwhile, check out the full tracklist and watch Blessings ft Chronixx below.  

  1. Truth Be Told 
  2. Big Bidness 
  3. Oh Lordy featuring M Hunco 
  4. Caliente featuring Aitch 
  5. Halls OF Fame 
  6. Home Run 
  7. Blessings featuring Chronixx 
  8. Tense 
  9. Nice featuring Blxst  
  10. Roberto C featuring Unknown T  
  11. Glitter Ain’t Gold 
  12. Celly featuring Jasmine May 
  13. 5th Not Atlanta 
  14. Prada bae featuring Nafe Smallz 
  15. Outro 

Young T & Bugsey – Blessings (Lyric Video) ft. Chronixx