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Lil Durk Announces “The 7220 Tour” For 2022

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Many Hip Hop fans listed Lil Durk as one of the top rap stars of 2021. Last year saw Durk partner with Atlanta’s Lil Baby for the #1 collaborative LP The Voice of the Heroes.

For 2022, Lil Durk is getting ready to release his forthcoming 7220 project. The Chicago-bred rhymer will also head out on a 17-city tour in support of the album.

“The 7220 Tour” kicks off Friday, April 8 at Phoenix’s Arizona Federal Theatre. Plus, concertgoers will get to see Lil Durk in other locales such as Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, and St. Louis.

Lil Durk plans to close out the trek in his hometown of Chicago this spring. The final date for “The 7220 Tour” is scheduled for Monday, May 2 inside the 20,000-seat United Center.

Before the Gold-certified The Voice of the Heroes arrived on DSPs, Lil Durk dropped his own solo albums like Remember My Name, Lil Durk 2X, Just Cause Y’all Waited 2, and The Voice. He has totaled over 51 career entries on the Hot 100 chart.

“Broadway Girls” featuring Country singer Morgan Wallen is Lil Durk’s most recent Billboard chart success. The single peaked at #14 on the Hot 100. It also topped the Hot Rap Songs chart, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and Rap Digital Song Sales chart.

Tickets for Lil Durk’s “The 7220 Tour” go on sale starting Friday, January 14 at 10 am local time on livenation.com.

Michael Rubin, Meek Mill & Kevin Hart Announce $15 Million Donation To Philly Students

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Philadelphia 76ers partner Michael Rubin teamed up with Philadelphia natives Meek Mill and Kevin Hart for a special cause. The three men are looking to help the local community in Pennsylvania’s largest city.

Michael Rubin, Meek Mill, and Kevin Hart donated a combined $15 million to 110 Philadelphia-area schools. The contribution will assist thousands of students from underserved families for the 2022-2023 academic year.  

This latest donation is an extension of Rubin and Meek’s recent philanthropic work. Previously, the Fanatics CEO and the “Stay Woke” rapper created a $2 million scholarship fund. It was used to support underprivileged Philadelphia students from Pre-K through high school.

Michael Rubin and Meek Mill are also Co-Chairs of the REFORM Alliance. The bipartisan non-profit organization is dedicated to criminal justice reform across the nation with the intent of creating common-sense solutions to transform probation and parole.

The REFORM Alliance’s Board of Directors also includes other prominent members such as Founding Partner Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Founding Partner Robert Kraft, Founding Partner Robert F. Smith, Co-Chair Van Jones, and Chief Executive Officer Robert Rooks.

Over the past two years, REFORM Alliance aided in the passage of new reformative laws in states like California and Michigan. The group has also taken part in pushing prison reform in Mississippi as well as organizing efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis inside American correctional facilities.

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Young Dolph’s Partner Mia Jaye Talks Losing Her “Soulmate” In New Interview

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. (professionally known as Young Dolph) was fatally shot on November 17, 2021. The self-proclaimed King of Memphis was just 36 years old.

Young Dolph’s surviving family members are dealing with his sudden death. Mia Jaye, Dolph’s longtime partner and mother of his children, spoke to ABC News Live Prime about the tragic loss.

“It’s been extremely difficult, just having to pick up the pieces and to find the strength for my children,” Mia Jaye told ABC anchor Linsey Davis. “We felt we had a duty to them, to really protect them, to raise them, to just do so much for them, and together.”

Jaye continued, “Now that he’s no longer here, it’s just very tough for me to be strong for them and also be strong for myself because that was my soulmate… We were doing things like planning our wedding… To find strength in it all is very, very difficult for me.”

Young Dolph was killed while buying cookies at the Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies bakery in Memphis. Law enforcement officials took 23-year-old Justin Johnson and 32-year-old Cornelius Smith into custody in connection to the murder. Authorities also charged Shondale Barnett, 27, with being an accessory after the fact.

Prior to his death, Young Dolph released numerous music projects such as 2016’s King of Memphis, 2017’s Bulletproof, and 2017’s Thinking Out Loud. 2020’s Rich Slave peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200, Dolph’s highest placement on the chart.

Young Dolph presented over a dozen solo mixtapes. He also frequently partnered with Key Glock for full-length, collaborative bodies of work. The duo dropped Dum and Dummer in 2019 which was followed by Dum and Dummer 2 in 2021.

Donald Glover Delivers A Message To People Talking Sh*t About Him

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover is usually not very active on social media. However, the Atlanta-raised rapper/actor returned to Twitter this week to deliver a message.

Apparently, Donald Glover has an issue with some people that have been talking about him online. He shared a simple request for his doubters, critics, and haters.

“Please @ me this year if u talk s### on me,” tweeted Donald Glover on Wednesday night. More than 27,000 people retweeted Glover. The post also collected over 114,000 likes.

https://twitter.com/donaldglover/status/1481438312627793921?s=20

Donald Glover is preparing for season 3 on FX’s Atlanta series. The dramedy will be back on the network beginning March 24. Cast members Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz are back for the upcoming episodes.

In addition to being a television star, Donald Glover is also a Grammy-winning musician known as Childish Gambino. His catalog includes 2011’s Camp, 2013’s Because of the Internet, 2016’s “Awaken, My Love!”, and 2020’s 3.15.20.

Kanye West, Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion & More Announced For Coachella 2022

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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The 2022 edition of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is set to take place on April 15-17 and April 22-24. Numerous Hip Hop stars will hit the stage in Indio, California this spring.

Organizers announced Chicago-bred rapper Kanye “Ye” West as one of the headliners. Pop singers Billie Eilish and Harry Styles will close out Friday night and Saturday night, respectively.

Coachella 2022 will also feature Lil Baby, Big Sean, Baby Keem, City Girls, Megan Thee Stallion, 21 Savage, Giveon, Brockhampton, Isaiah Rashad, Doja Cat, Run The Jewels, Ari Lennox, J.I.D., Vince Staples, and more.

AEG’s Goldenvoice canceled the last two scheduled Coachella events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, and Ariana Grande headlined the festival in 2019.

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Tupac Shakur’s Sister Sues Executor Of His Estate For Embezzlement

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Tupac Shakur’s sister filed a lawsuit against the executor of his estate on Monday (January 10).

Sekyiwa Shakur accused Tom Whalley, the executor of the estate since Afeni Shakur died in 2016, of embezzling more than $5.5 million from Amaru Entertainment.

Tupac Shakur’s mother Afeni founded the Amaru record label to handle the late rapper’s music. According to Billboard, Sekyiwa Shakur claims Whalley hired himself as the manager of Amaru despite a conflict of interest.

“He has effectively embezzled millions of dollars for his own benefit well in excess of what would be reasonably necessary to retain a properly qualified third-party to perform such services,” the lawsuit reads. “As a result, Whalley has unreasonably enriched himself at the expense of the beneficiaries and in bad faith by taking excessive compensation in a position from which he should properly be barred based on the inherent conflict of interest.”

Sekyiwa Shakur also took issue with Whalley allegedly refusing to release personal property held by the estate. Some of the items were inherited by Tupac Shakur’s mother Afeni after he died and hold “tremendous sentimental value.”

“It is clear that [Whalley] has used and abused his powers as executor and special trustee of the estate and the trust to convert the personal property belonging to Sekyiwa as a piggy bank from which he has drawn substantial funds for his own benefit,” the lawsuit contends.

Whalley’s lawyer Howard King denied the allegations against his client. King said Whalley became the manager of Amaru prior to Afeni Shakur’s death.

“These legal claims are disappointing and detrimental to all beneficiaries of the trust,” King told Billboard. “We are confident the court will promptly conclude that Tom has always acted in the best interests of Amaru, the trust and all beneficiaries.”

Third Suspect Charged In Young Dolph Murder Case

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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A third suspect was taken into custody in connection to the murder of Young Dolph.

Shundale Barnett, 27, was arrested for allegedly helping Justin Johnson, 23, evade the law.

Barnett was in the vehicle with Johnson when U.S. Marshals captured the Young Dolph murder suspect on Tuesday (January 11).

“Shundale Barnett is a person who we believe was providing assistance to Justin since we’ve been looking for him,” U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller said at a press conference on Wednesday (January 12).

Barnett has been charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. He is in custody at the Clay County Jail in Indiana but will be extradited to Shelby County, Tennessee for his role in the Young Dolph case.

Johnson was apprehended following a nationwide manhunt that saw U.S. Marshals searching multiple cities. Investigators checked in Indianapolis, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Hampton, Virginia.

According to the U.S. Marshals, authorities received more than 500 tips in the Young Dolph investigation. Last week, a warrant was issued for Johnson’s arrest.

Johnson and Cornelius Smith, 32, were indicted for first-degree murder in the shooting death of Young Dolph on Tuesday. Smith was already in custody after being arrested in Southaven, Mississippi on December 9, 2021.

Smith was apprehended on an auto-theft warrant involving a white Mercedes-Benz, which was used as the getaway car in the murder. The vehicle was stolen from a woman who got carjacked at a gas station in Memphis a week before the fatal shooting of Young Dolph.

Nicki Minaj Harassment Lawsuit Dropped … Husband Still On Lock

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Nicki Minaj and her husband, Kenneth Petty, have received a huge legal win. Sort of.

Jennifer Hough, the woman that accused Petty of trying to rape her when the two were teens, has withdrawn one of her harassment claims against the superstar rapper from the court.

New legal documents, according to TMZ, state that the Queens native no longer wants to sue the “Barbie Tingz” rapper for threatening, bullying and having others harass her, and allegedly there was no financial settlement made to make her go away. However, Petty still is named as a defendant.

The Young Money chart topper’s lawyer, Judd Burstein, is on the case and says that Hough’s team had been trying to settle for a minute and when they realized it wouldn’t work … they gave up.

An email sent to Hough’s lawyers from Team Nicki says in part, “In my view, your conduct in pursuing this case against Nicki represents the worst of our legal system: bottom-feeding lawyers who pursue frivolous actions against a celebrity assuming that they will be paid off if they throw enough dirt.”

Burstein further stated, “You forced my client to spend over $300,000 in fees to defend a case which even my labradoodle, Gracie, could see was frivolous on both the facts and the law.”

AllHipHop.com reported that Jennifer Hough believed that Nicki Minaj had people stalking her and her family and wanted it to end. She said that Minaj asked her to retract her story about Petty, but since she would not, sent the goons after her.

Hough’s case against Petty is still in motion and developing.

Rising Star OriJinal Shotta And Icewear Vezzo Hit Hard In The Trap And The Internet

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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Independent artist and natural-born hustler OriJinal Shotta is here to teach his audience about the art of hustle culture. Only having started his journey in November of 2021, Shotta has already given himself a big responsibility for his music career. He aims to be a voice for his city, as many underestimate and overlook the talent and tenacity of his hometown. Growing up in a city where everyone is aiming to level up and grow into something new and better for themselves, Shotta knew he had to take a chance on himself in order to evolve and reach new heights.  By promoting his new EP, Shotta wants to represent the overlooked talent his hometown possesses so that more of his peers will be able to branch out and into new spaces.  Utilizing his talents as an artist will serve as an important tool in teaching his audience how to use their skills and talents to make a name for themselves in whatever aspect they choose.

Shotta has given himself the title of Trap Coach, in which he teaches others the art of hustling, essentially coaching them on how to make money in their own way. He hopes that he can inspire his listeners to upgrade their lifestyles in order to become better, stronger people for themselves and teach the game to others in a ripple effect of sorts. He explains to his audience that even though utilizing their talents and skills can be a useful tool for making money, discipline, commitment, and consistency are necessary as a proper mindset into getting the work done.  Shotta is adamant about doing the work to achieve one’s goals and biggest desires, so it’s no doubt that his recently released EP is a playbook on how to level up in life.“I Got Plays” is Shotta’s way of laying out a blueprint of the hustle mentality, dividing his instructions into three parts. It is important to him that his audience understands what it means to make it out of the mud and into the spotlight taking up spaces they know they deserve to be in.

Though he wants to showcase the talent and abilities of his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska and help bring others up into the light, he still plans on keeping a low profile the way he is accustomed to. He simply wants to continue being the hustler he has always been, focusing on the goal of generating streams of income to live a better life and to help others achieve the same. His first EP, titled “I Got Plays,” was released on December 31st, 2021, and is now available for streaming on all platforms. The EP is currently accompanied by 8 preview videos that are available to watch on Youtube. Outside of his recent EP he has released multiple singles and visuals that are doing thousands of views! His latest visual with Icewear Vezzo has gained over 20k views in less than 4 weeks and the numbers continue to climb! Overall, OriJinal Shotta’s message is simple and clear: if generating money is the goal then there is always a way to get to it, and he will teach you how to do it the hustler way.

Keep up with OriJinal Shotta on social media @orijinal_shotta

Travis Scott Sued By French Artist Over Fan-Made Compilation’s Cover Art

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Travis Scott is facing another lawsuit, but it has nothing to do with the Astroworld Festival tragedy.

Mickaël Mehala, a French artist who uses the name Black Childish, has sued Travis Scott over a fan-made compilation’s cover art. Mehala wants the embattled rapper to pay him for artwork used on a bootleg project called Travis La Flame, which has appeared on streaming services.

Although fans attached Mehala’s artwork to the unauthorized Travis La Flame, Mehala blames Travis Scott in the lawsuit. According to TMZ, the French artist believes his illustration was stolen by the Texas native.

Ed McPherson, Travis Scott’s lawyer, called the lawsuit “frivolous and baseless” in a press statement on Wednesday (January 12).

“Anyone with access to the internet can tell you that Travis never released an album named La Flame,” McPherson said. “The illustration in question was fan-made and was uploaded to streaming services by those fans, something that any user has the option of doing.”

McPherson noted, “Streaming services quickly removed it after they realized that certain people were trying to pass this off as a legitimate album cover. We look forward to responding to this case and obtaining a quick dismissal.”

Mehala filed the lawsuit in his home country of France. He is reportedly seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars from Travis Scott.

50 Cent Releases ‘Power Book IV: Force’ Theme Song With Lil Durk & Jeremih

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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50 Cent shared the theme song for his upcoming show Power Book IV: Force on Wednesday (January 12).

The G-Unit rapper enlisted the help of Lil Durk and Jeremih for the track titled “Power Powder Respect.” 50 Cent collaborated with two Chicago natives since Power Book IV: Force is set in the Windy City.

Power Book IV: Force is scheduled to premiere via Starz on February 6. The 50 Cent-produced spinoff follows Tommy Egan, one of the main characters from the original Power series.

“As Tommy leaves New York after losing Ghost, LaKeisha and the only city he’s ever known, he makes a quick detour to close an old wound that’s been haunting him for decades,” Starz revealed in its logline for the show. “What was supposed to be a quick stop turns into a labyrinth of family secrets and lies Tommy thought were long buried. One step leads to another and Tommy quickly finds himself in Chicago’s drug game, inserting himself between the city’s two biggest crews.”

The synopsis continued, “In a city divided by race, Tommy straddles the line, ultimately becoming the lynchpin that not only unites them — but holds the power to watch them crumble. As the first season unfolds at breakneck speed, Tommy uses his outsider status to his advantage, breaking all the local rules and rewriting them on his quest to become the biggest drug dealer in Chicago.”

Listen to 50 Cent, Lil Durk and Jeremih’s “Power Powder Respect” above. Watch a trailer for the new series below.

Battle Rapper Eazy The Block Captain Debuts As ‘The Bad Man From Philly’ In New Will Smith Series, ‘Bel-Air’

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Over the last couple of years, Philly rapper Eazy the Block Captain has ascended to new heights in his career and it doesn’t seem like he is slowing down anytime soon.

The battle rapper has emerged as a Top Tier emcee at the Ultimate Rap League, after proving to be “one of them ones,” delivering a gritty style seemingly unseen in the culture but reminiscent of the late 90s hustle style of the late DMX (who at that time was a battle rapper).

Maybe the DMX comparison is not too far fetch. The film of street aura on both of the men is perfect for cinematic expression. X was crazy in movies like Belly, Exit Wounds, Romeo Must Die and Cradle 2 the Graves … and now … Eazy is on his way to that level of stardom with a leading role in the revamp of Will Smith’s new Peacock series, Bel-Air.

Eazy will appear as the “Bad Man from Philly” that causes the new Will, played by Jabari Banks, to move from West Philadelphia to Bel-Air.

Online outlet OTFMZ reports that battle rap influencer and Champion host and owner, Jay Blacc also appears in the dramatic rendition of the hit 90s NBC sitcom, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Eazy the Block Captain is a Philadelphia native and the point for Gutter City, an emcee crew that popped ridiculously after he dropped the “Top Tier” Diss and “Top Tier” Diss Remix featuring Geechi Gotti, B Dot, Ave, Real Sikh, Loso, and Swamp.

After having the rap battle of the year with the Bronx rapper Chess at Summer Madness 11, he was invited to join Gun Titles. Gun Titles now includes Tsu Surf, Tay Roc, Chess, and adding Eazy the Block Captain and the crew’s first female member, Pristavia, in 2021.

Jeezy And Jeannie Mai Welcome Baby SNO Into The World

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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There is a new baby in Hip-Hop. It seems that Atlanta’s Snowman and his fashion-plate wife have given the world a beautiful “Baby Jenkins.”

Rapper Jeezy and The Real’s Jeannie Mai are now the parents of a new child. While the gender of the infant has not been revealed, the TV show posted a maternity ward crib with a neutrally colored baby blanket with tiny little footprints over it on Instagram Tuesday, Jan. 11.

The beautiful caption read, “I asked God for a life of love and happiness. He sent me my family. Baby Jenkins is here 🍼❤️”

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A post shared by Jeannie Mai (@thejeanniemai)

Tons of celebrities hopped in the comments to celebrate the birth of the couple’s first child. Gabrielle Union said, “CONGRATULATIONS!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️.”

Her fellow co-hosts all chimed in too. Adrienne Bailon said, “CONGRATULATIONS 🤍🤍🤍 so happy for you!!! Can’t wait to meet Baby Jenkins. Xx.”

Comic Loni Love also is excited about seeing the baby.  “Can’t wait to meet boo boo!!! I’m happy for you and hubby!!! #auntieloni” Love was careful not to reveal the sex of the baby like she did with Nicki Minaj’s child when he was born in 2020.

Former Real host Tamera Mowry dropped several heart emojis, welcoming her friend into the “motherhood club.”

In December, as reported by AllHipHop.com, the pair had a glamorous White Christmas-themed baby shower with friends and family in their home. It was the second shower for the Baby SNO, who is sure to be spoiled with love.

Kanye West Still Wants Kim Kardashian … Despite Dating New Girlfriend

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Kanye West and his children’s mother, Kim Kardashian have split and seem to have started new lives separate from each other. But that doesn’t mean Yeezy ain’t missing his wife.

Forget about him moving across the street from the Armenian bombshell (and their quartet of mini-mes), he is also telling people he wants to be in a relationship with her.

According to People, the “Jesus is King” rapper is “still telling people that he wants to have Kim back and he is willing to make appropriate changes to do so.”

Many people are questioning, “But ain’t he is dating Julia Fox?” He is.

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The source close to the outlet says he is still kicking it and “has no plans at this time to start a long-term relationship.” They say also that for him, she is “kind of like his muse” and “loves her smile and attitude,” noting Kanye “isn’t looking for anything serious” and “is much into work projects right now. He has big visions for this year.”

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Someone needs to share this with Fox. She is clearly smitten. She said in an Interview mag “Date Night” editorial, she wrote six days after meeting him, “I met Ye in Miami on New Year’s Eve and it was an instant connection.”

 “His energy is so fun to be around. He had me and my friends laughing, dancing, and smiling all night.”

As a way of wooing her, the Chicago native did a styling session for her … dressing the doll up the way he likes (eh hem … he did that with Kim).

“Ye had an entire hotel suite full of clothes. It was every girl’s dream come true. It felt like a real Cinderella moment,” she shared. “I don’t know how he did it or how he got all of it there in time. But I was so surprised. Like, who does things like this on a second date? Or any date! Everything with us has been so organic. I don’t know where things are headed, but if this is any indication of the future, I’m loving the ride.”

Julia… watch out … he still loves Kim.

‘Whole Lotta Red’ Becomes Playboi Carti’s Third Gold-Certified Project

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Atlanta rapper Playboi Carti’s discography contains 2017’s Playboi Carti, 2018’s Die Lit, and 2020’s Whole Lotta Red. The Recording Industry Association of America has certified all three projects at least Gold (500,000 units).

Playboi Carti reached Gold status in January 2018. Two years later, the 15-track mixtape crossed the 1 million unit mark. The RIAA also awarded Die Lit with a Gold plaque in 2019.

Whole Lotta Red is now Gold-certified as well. After dropping on Christmas Day in 2020, Playboi Carti’s second studio LP earned a Gold Award on January 11, 2022.

In addition, the Playboi Carti singles “Shoota” featuring Lil Uzi Vert (Platinum), “Wokeuplikethis” featuring Lil Uzi Vert (2x-Platinum), and “Magnolia” (3x-Platinum) earned RIAA certifications. “Lookin” featuring Lil Uzi Vert and “New Choppa” featuring A$AP Rocky are Gold.

Whole Lotta Red came out via Interscope Records and A$AP Rocky’s AWGE label. The Billboard 200 chart-topping album includes appearances by Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Future. The album opened with 100,000 first-week units.

Playboi Carti has been teasing an upcoming project tentatively titled Narcissist. The 25-year-old rhymer, previously known as $ir Cartier, also contributed to Kanye West’s Grammy-nominated Donda album. Carti also showed up on Lil 1 DTE’s 2021 single “Homixide.”

Fat Joe Launches Relief Fund For Victims Of Deadly Bronx Apartment Fire

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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A fire in a 19-story Bronx apartment building over the weekend caused multiple casualties. The medical examiner’s office determined seventeen people passed away as a result of smoke inhalation.

Bronx native Joseph “Fat Joe” Cartagena is rallying the public and his celebrity associates to raise money for the victims’ loved ones. The veteran rapper teamed up with the New York City Mayor’s Fund for the fundraiser.

So far, Fat Joe has secured commitments from fellow Hip Hop representatives Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and DJ Khaled. To make a financial contribution to the Bronx Apartment Building Fire campaign visit fatjoe.me/donatebronx.

A description on the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City website reads:

Donate to help victims of the January 9th apartment building fire in the Bronx. Your cash donation will enable the distribution of emergency relief supplies and provide support for the victims and their families. Your entire donation will go towards helping those impacted by the fire.

www1.nyc.gov

So far, the New York City Police Department confirmed the identity of fourteen victims. At least seven of the people who died from the Twin Parks North West Complex tragedy were under the age of 13. In addition, thirty-five other people supposedly suffered life-threatening injuries.

New York firefighter union representatives reportedly confirmed the building was not required to comply with city fire codes. U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) pledged to create a task force of local and federal officials to investigate the causes of the fire in order to produce new legislation.

“We have to clarify in federal law that federal developments, federally regulated and subsidized developments, should be subject to local fire codes and housing codes and building codes. That every American have access to safe and affordable housing, including housing that’s safe from fires,” said Congressman Ritchie Torres.

Juice WRLD’s Mother Talks Her Son’s Inner Circle Enabling His Drug Use

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Jarad “Juice Wrld” Higgins reportedly passed away in December 2019 from oxycodone and codeine intoxication. The late Hip Hop artist routinely wrote lyrics about drug usage, the perils that come along with addiction, and mental health struggles.

Juice Wrld’s mother, Carmela Wallace, appeared on The Tamron Hall Show this week to discuss her son. In particular, Wallace spoke about the people who surrounded the “Lucid Dreams” performer before his death.

“I just felt like his best interest wasn’t being looked out for. I think people had their own agendas,” said Carmela Wallace. “I think they liked the lifestyle. And they were young too, so I have to give them that.”

Wallace continued, “They’re young so they don’t see things the way we would see it, but I just think that he just didn’t have the people in place to just tell him to stop or to know [what was really wrong]. He just didn’t have that support system in place.”

Recently, fellow rapper Nicholas “Lil Xan” Leanos also sparked a conversation about celebrities’ handlers being partially responsible for the stars’ drug abuse. Lil Xan publicly threatened to sue his former manager, Stat Quo, for supplying him with illegal narcotics.

Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss Hit HBO In December 2021

Director Tommy Oliver explored Jarad Higgins’ life story in HBO’s Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss. Close associates of Juice WRLD, such as Lil Bibby, Polo G, G Herbo, and The Kid Laroi, appeared in the documentary. Carmela Wallace was a producer for the film.

Into the Abyss arrived around the same time as the posthumously released Juice WRLD album Fighting Demons. The project debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Eleven songs off Fighting Demons debuted on the Hot 100 chart during the LP’s debut week.

“I was very honest with him about my fear. I remember there was an incident when I was done working and I was doing errands and I said, ‘I want to put on one of his songs.’ This one particular day, I was listening to a song [‘Maze’] and I just began to weep,” Carmela Wallace told Tamron Hall.

Wallace added, “I just wept and this was months before his death. I was so scared and I told him that. I shared my experience with him. I told him, ‘If you ever die like that, it would change my life forever. I just wouldn’t be the same.’ I just could not stop the tears [when listening to the song] because I knew ultimately the end of that is either you get help or you’re not gonna make it.”

The Weeknd’s ‘Dawn FM’ & Gunna’s ‘DS4Ever’ In Close Race For No. 1

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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It seems The Weeknd is set to score his fifth #1 album with Dawn FM. However, Gunna’s DS4Ever is reportedly right on the heels of Dawn FM‘s projected first-week sales.

HitsDailyDouble reports The Weeknd’s Dawn FM is on pace to bring in around 157,000 units in week one of its release. At the moment, DS4Ever is estimated to open with 144,000 units.

That 157,000 total would be a significant drop from The Weeknd’s last studio LP. After Hours debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 444,000 album-equivalent units in 2020. It went on to earn 2x-Platinum certification.

Gunna also hit #1 on the Billboard 200 with 2020’s Wunna. The Atlanta-raised rapper’s second studio album brought in 111,000 first-week units. Wunna is presently certified Gold in the United States.

https://twitter.com/theweeknd/status/1481131367270273024?s=20

With a tight race for #1 on next week’s chart, The Weeknd appears to be trying to amass more potential first-week units for Dawn FM. The Canadian singer-songwriter added three tracks to the Dawn FM (Alternate World) edition.

Dawn FM‘s original 16-track version includes credited contributions from Tyler, The Creator and Lil Wayne. Legendary musician/producer Quincy Jones and legendary comedian/actor Jim Carrey made appearances on the album as well.

Gunna’s DS4Ever features Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Chlöe, Lil Baby, G Herbo, Nechie, Yung Bleu, Chris Brown, and Roddy Ricch. The project is said to be the fourth and final installment of the Drip Season series.

Casanova Wants Fans To Stop Asking Him About Jay-Z’s Help

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Caswell “Casanova” Senior is facing a serious federal case. Prosecutors claim the Behind These Scars album creator is a member of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang.

Before being charged with racketeering and drug offenses, Casanova signed with Warehouse Music Group which is an imprint under Jay-Z’s Roc Nation record label. Some fans have questioned what Jay-Z is doing to help Casanova with his legal situation.

Casanova recently took to Twitter to address people that have complained about Jay’s lack of public involvement in the case. Cas tweeted, “Stop asking me what Jay-Z is doing for me… he did enough already, he gave me a shot.”

Back in 2020, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced the indictment of Casanova and seventeen other individuals. For example, Brandon “Stacks” Soto was charged in connection with the murder of a minor in Poughkeepsie, New York.  

“As alleged in the Indictment, members of Gorilla Stone committed terrible acts of violence, trafficked in narcotics, and even engaged in brazen fraud by exploiting benefits programs meant to provide assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated then-Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss. 

Last year, Casanova was also charged with attempted murder for a violent incident that took place outside Miami’s King of Diamonds strip club in 2020. The 35-year-old Brooklyn native reportedly pled not guilty in that case.

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Jay-Z’s Team Roc Claim Feds Refuse To Release Inmate Over Some Chicken

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Jay-Z and Team Roc have suffered a setback in their attempt to get a reduced sentence for Valon Vailes.
TMZ spoke to Team Roc lawyer Alex Spiro about the latest developments in the case.

“They’re not looking at him like a human being and they never were,” Spiro said. “He’s an African American man who gets a 20-year sentence for weed.” 

The lawyer then pointed to the disparity in the system, “That same case handled by different lawyers, in a different jurisdiction, if there was more empathy for the person being charged…if he was whiter, if he was different in a number of ways, maybe he gets 5 maybe he gets 8.” 

Furthermore, the attorney explained that federal prosecutors now refuse to release Vailes over two minor infractions during his 15 years behind bars.  

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Team Roc Says The Feds Are Denying Vailes his Moment In Court

He continued, “I just don’t believe they view him as an independent human being worthy of independent assessment.” He said the court is not giving Vailes applications the proper attention because they view him as simply “an inmate number” and cannot identify with him. He concluded by saying the feds are denying him “his due moment in court.”  

Additionally, TMZ reports that while Team Roc says Vailes is eligible for compassionate release, the new court filings reveal the feds have turned him down over some “ticky-tac” prison rule violations. The government says in the filings Vailes once snuck some left-over chicken from the mess hall into his cell and also used his prison uniform as “workout equipment.” 

AllHipHop reported on the case of Valon Vailes who is serving a 20-year sentence for intent to distribute weed. He reached out to Jay-Z and Team Roc to help him appeal his sentence. He wrote to Hov about his frustration at the hypocrisy of a system that now allows for billions to be made from legalized cannabis.  

Team Roc’s lawyers are asking the judge to reduce Vailes’ sentence to time served and release him immediately.