What do Will Smith, P Diddy, and Kevin Durant have in common?
The three superstars have all dumped money into a futuristic electric speedboat — and are now a part of what is called the “all-star team of new strategic investors” in a company called Arc.
According to Yahoo! News, the A-Listers, with Andreessen Horowitz, have led this current round of funding.
Smith’s Dreamers VC, Durant’s Thirty Five Ventures, and Combs’ Combs Enterprises will be the investment arms that will take their brands into the marine industry.
Combined, the collective has raised $30,000,000 in funding.
In speaking about their contribution of these superstar investors, the company said in a statement, “Along with being world-class in their respective fields, these individuals bring a wealth of experience in building brands, marketing products, and cultivating strong communities. Together, they’ll help Arc execute faster and amplify our impact.”
The first boat is something to marvel at and is considered a “Tesla of the High Seas” and called the Arc One.
The vehicle is 24 ft tall and has an electric powertrain that is pushing out at 475 hp.
The boat is extraordinary and is said to be able to stay charged between 3 and 5 hours per plug-in. The design could easily be plucked from outer space. Engineers, who were former employees at SpaceX, have worked on the prototype created in an aerospace design.
Interested in copping one for your backyard? The going price for the sleek and high-powered boat is $300,000.
If you’re looking for upbeat music, the go-to genre for the last decade has been EDM. DJ Rebuttal is an EDM and Hip-hop DJ from Wisconsin who so far has a few iconic records to date. One of his most popular is “The Come Up,” an up-tempo track that can get just about anyone dancing.
The song starts out with a long ambient intro that draws the listener in with its symphony-like synths. After this intro, DJ Rebuttal shows his production talent bringing in the drop, followed by steady four-on-the-floor drums. All of these elements mixed together make for a fully immersive song that can be played at just about any club.
Producing songs like this has helped the young Wisconsin DJ solidify his spot as one of the top producer prospects in the nation. Still no one’s crown yet, DJ Rebuttal is putting in work, working on his next big project.
Until then, check out “The Come Up” on Spotify below:
Hip hop is not just a genre of music; instead, it’s a culture that has influenced Americans for several decades. It is an amalgamation of several elements that never fail to enthrall listeners. Los Angeles has always been the hub of hip hop, embracing artists who are reviving the genre with their passion and energy.SpaceNTime is one such music artist who has been storming the Los Angeles hip hop circuit as a composer and producer. His real name is Varun Sharma, but he prefers to be known as SpaceNTime in the music world.
SpaceNTime stepped into the music industry to present listeners with original and fresh music that is both familiar yet cutting-edge. He believes in being authentic towards his craft, which is evident in the numerous hit tracks he has produced thus far. From composing lyrics to beats, SpaceNTime loves to create his music from scratch. He doesn’t mind spending hours in the studio creating one track if it represents his true talent as a hip-hop producer.
During his career in the music industry,SpaceNTime has worked with several A-list artists, but his collaboration with Pacman Da Gunman of All Money in Records fame is his most cherished. SpaceNTime has been Pacman Da Gunman’s in-house producer since 2015 and is still producing awesome chart-topping tracks for him. Other artists SpaceNTime has collaborated with include Dom Kennedy, Wale, IceWear Vezzo, Mozzy, The Game, O.T. Genasis, and Yhung T.O.
To date,SpaceNTime has produced some mesmerizing tracks for Pacman Da Gunman. The list includes “Never Go’n Change,” “How You Feel,” “Racing to the Grave,” “Do it for the Hood,” and “Gotti,” to name a few. The duo’s two recent releases, titled “One Piece” and “Did That,” have been well-received by the audience and gained an overwhelming response all over social media.
So far,SpaceNTime’s biggest achievement has been to see two of his projects ranking at #14 and #4 on Itunes’ Top 40 Hip Hop Chart. SpaceNTime has also hit the Billboard charts with the track “Money Power Gold 2” by Pacman Da Gunman and Yhung T.O., which was listed at number 25. The artist has garnered a lot of positive attention for Pacman Da Gunman’s recent album Esta Loca Vida Mia. It comprises 16 electrifying tracks, out of which SpaceNTime produced 9 tracks. The album escalated his popularity on digital music platforms almost overnight. Esta Loca Vida Mia has also climbed up several musical charts in America.
SpaceNTime is highly influenced by science fiction and horror genres to create unique music. He always focuses on perky nighttime sounds that resonate instantly with the listeners. His compositions also have pleasant lyrics and groovy tracks that combine to create a refreshing musical aura. This is the reason SpaceNTime is the most popular rising music sensation on the West Coast. His music has already been used as a background score for BET JAMS TV Network and MTV shows. His achievement has been featured on a couple of renowned music sites like All Hip Hop and Complex.
SpaceNTime is putting his heart and soul into creating unique symphonies that blend soothing verses with fresh vibes. He aspires to produce more unique music, taking contemporary hip hop to another level.
Most devoted musicians know how challenging and unrewarding music can sometimes be. You can invest a huge amount of money and time in the art but only end with a few streams or playing to empty rooms or halls with only a few believing in your talent. This is a brutal and unforgiving experience that every musician may possibly face.
But no matter how tough or competitive the industry is, the most hard-working and resilient artists often end up finding success. Though success might have a different meaning from one person to another, the feeling of accomplishment is usually fulfilling and motivating enough to continue putting in the work.
Rising musician Elevated is one of the artists who knows what success feels like, and he loves to share his accomplishments and advice to motivate other artists. Elevated is a talented singer and producer and the brains behind the thriving Elevated Beats, a music brand known for having some of the “sickest” beats. The Surrey-based record producer, audio engineer, and musician has hit numerous career highlights and successes, including rising to the global music stage.
Elevated rose from uploading beats on YouTube for fun to working and collaborating with some of the top names in the music industry. He has worked with Central Cee, Fredo, Giggs, Jorja Smith, Jay1, Yxng Bane, Ynw Melly, and others. He also has unreleased music with many artists that will be aired in the coming days. Elevated says that working with these artists and musicians ushered him to a whole new level in the industry.
He never forgets the first-ever major project that placed him on the map opening the doors for more significant accomplishments. This was a special project by Octavian, the Spaceman mixtape that received significant traction in the music scene. Most of the beats on the mixtape were made on YouTube, with Octavian emailing him to set up a studio session to work together on even more significant projects. Elevated adds that it’s from that project that he got his current producer tag.
But among the many achievements, Elevated points out his biggest accomplishment as an artist was the opportunity to compose music for the documentary, “The Outsiders “ that Simon Fredrick directed.
“That was big for me because it was outside my comfort zone, and it was a chance to showcase my diversity as a musician. I love what the documentary was about and was honored to be involved, ” explains Elevated.
Elevated advises other aspiring artists to be the best in whatever they do. He challenges them to make music that is true to them and not for the money or fame. He believes that trends will forever come and go, but you need to focus on the music quality and what sounds best to you. He also encourages other artists to not be afraid to experiment and try new things beyond their comfort zone. As a seasoned producer, Elevated says that a lot of great music comes from accidents and mistakes in the studio. So, don’t be afraid to learn from your own experiences.
After three years, Faith Evans and Stevie J are getting a divorce.
However, the proceedings are not going as smoothly as one might expect. One of the biggest concerns is who is going to pay who alimony.
According to Radar the First Lady of Bad Boy is saying it ain’t gonna be her.
The publication received court documents that the two got married on July 17, 2018, in Las Vegas and were separated on October 19, 2021.
The docs also dropped the bomb when it indicated that Stevie J, one of the stars from “Love & Hip Hop,” is asking his soon-to-be ex-wife for monthly spousal support.
He also wants the courts to terminate Evans’ right to collect spousal support from him and be financially responsible for all lawyer fees (hers and his).
Evans believes that Stevie J is bugging and asked that the courts deny his claim.
The multiple GRAMMY Award-winner, in turn, asked for the courts to award her “all property acquired prior to marriage, by gift, inheritance, or devise, and after the date of separation.” It is unclear whether or not the couple had a pre-nuptial agreement before getting hitched.
The judge presiding over their case has not decided who will pay support.
Evans has been unlucky in love. The divorce from Stevie J will be the end of her third marriage. She was married and became the widow of Christopher Wallace, aka The Notorious B.I.G., and remarried Todd Russaw, divorcing him in 2011.
Faith is not letting this get her down. She is still making it happen and was recently unmasked as the Skunk on The Masked Singer.
Kodak Black doesn’t think it’s off-base to mention his name in the same category as Kendrick Lamar.
After comedian Lil Duval compared the polarizing rapper to Kendrick Lamar lyrically, Kodak Black addressed his social media critics. The Florida native suggested his skills are downplayed due to his behavior.
“I understand it be controversial S### behind me but I’ll appreciate it if y’all just worry bout me Fa my talent & not da other s### on social media !!!” Kodak Black wrote in an Instagram comment. “Thank You.”
Kodak responds to the criticism he received for being compared to Kendrick Lamar 🎯🐊 pic.twitter.com/0APhypB5rS
Although Lil Duval laughed at people saying he must’ve meant former NBA center Kendrick Perkins, the backlash didn’t stop him from firing back at Kodak Black’s detractors.
“No u trippin,” he told one Twitter user. “Kodak is most definitely spiritually tapped in. That’s what makes him special.”
Lil Duval suggested fans listen to the song “Before I Go” to understand Kodak Black’s talent.
Little Brother released a deluxe edition of their critically acclaimed debut The Listening on Tuesday.
Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh dropped the expanded version after securing ownership of their first studio LP. Earlier this year, Little Brother advised fans not to stream the album due to a dispute with their former label ABB Records.
“The Listening (Deluxe Edition) is owned and operated by @littlebrother_nc and up now on all streaming platforms,” Phonte wrote on Instagram. “Tracklist contains the original album, remastered instrumentals, five Listening-era bonus tracks and two acapellas. Run this one and this one only. Thank you for your support! #LBbizness.”
A Twitter user asked Big Pooh if ABB Records “made it right” with Little Brother.
The veteran rapper responded, “This means we took what was ours.”
Phonte and Big Pooh also announced an upcoming documentary titled May The Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story. The project is a collaboration with Rap Portraits’ Holland Randolph Gallagher and Yoh Phillips.
“And in other @LittleBrotherNC news, we were announced as one of the recipients of the @SouthernDocFund for our upcoming documentary,” Phonte tweeted. “Shoutout to my brothers @vacayvacayvacayand @Yoh31. Let’s work!”
Phonte, Big Pooh and former Little Brother member 9th Wonder originally released The Listening in 2003. The highly lauded album featured contributions from fellow Justus League members such as Median and Chaundon.
Nicole Young has accused her ex-husband Dr. Dre of spending millions of dollars amid their ongoing legal battle.
According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, Young says Dr. Dre spent over $7 million monthly during the last five months. Young contends the Hip Hop mogul’s living lavishly while she’s down to $1 million with mounting lawyer fees.
“As it stands right now, the only financial resource Nicole has is the spousal support she receives from Andre,” her lawyer wrote. “Whereas Andre has unfettered access to $183 Million in cash accounts, which he unabashedly uses to fund his luxurious lifestyle, including extravagant purchases of fine art (in the last 5 months, he has spent over $7 Million per month).”
Young made the claim about Dr. Dre’s extravagant spending as she seeks to move forward with a trial. The former couple is battling over spousal support and the validity of a prenup agreement.
Although Young admits to signing a prenup before they got married in 1996, she says Dr. Dre tore up the agreement years later. The Aftermath Entertainment founder insists this never happened and wants it enforced.
Dr. Dre requested a stay for the upcoming trial, but Young objected to postponing the proceedings. She argues her ex has a significant advantage if it drags out due to his financial situation.
A judge hasn’t made a ruling on the trial delay at the time of publishing.
Acclaimed Hip Hop journalist Greg Tate has died at the age of 64.
A representative for the late writer’s publisher Duke University Press confirmed his passing on Tuesday. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Greg Tate was known as the “Godfather of Hip Hop journalism” for his work covering the culture in its early days. He began working for the Village Voice in 1987, playing a vital role in documenting the burgeoning Hip Hop scene when it was often dismissed as a fad.
The gifted wordsmith wrote for outlets such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, Rolling Stone and Essence during his illustrious career. He also published multiple books, including his highly-regarded debut Flyboy in the Buttermilk: Essays on Contemporary America in 1992.
In a 2012 interview with AllHipHop, Greg Tate was asked about the “Godfather of Hip Hop journalism” title given to him by The Source. When reflecting on his impact on the craft, the influential essayist cited his own style.
“Creating a style that fluidly combined critical theory and esoteric spiritual knowledge with a twisted personal take on street musicology,” he said regarding his greatest contribution.
AllHipHop extends our condolences to the friends and family of Greg Tate.
Revisit our conversation with the legendary Hip Hop journalist here.
Recently ATL based producer LuhTim spoke about his new project I Plead the 3rd and his new visual “Dream.” Also speaking on his career path and all of the trials and tribulations that lead to this point in his career LuhTim detailed his way to success. From flying out to Los Angeles on a one way flight, to moving to New York risking it all and then making his way back home where he’s from, LuhTim has earned his stripes as an artist in the game.
But before he was making his way in the studio producing and working on music with the likes of 808 Mafia, LuhTim was playing drums in the church, which was instrumental in the development of his producing career. By having a feel for the rhythm and the beat, Luh Tim could always make the people move so transitioning to producer was a natural progression for the Scottsdale upstart.
“I used to play drums in church and I was in a music choir, but from being a drummer I got my rhythm and sense for music,” LuhTim said. “On this project I’m letting n##### know this is who I am and this is where I come from. I got features from Weezy’s lil cousin. I made like 2-3 beats on the tape, we got 808 mafia on there a bunch of features. I havent dropped a tape with marketing and promotion in a minute, but once you have that passion for doing something it’s always gonna be there in the back of your mind.”
Speaking on his project I Plead the 3rd, LuhTim said this project is a comeback and he’s right, it’s fully loaded. Featuring 310 Nuke, MilllionDolarKiddZay, Joe Green, K3, GSM Bubba and production from 808 Mafia, DbthePlug, Darko Hardaway and Stackboy Twauan this project doesn’t short anyone.
“This tape is me coming back to the rap game. This is the comeback. I have a passion for rapping, I got friends that want me to rap, some of them dead, some of them in jail, but they want me to keep pushing. I got the capabilities of a Pierre, I can do some Future stuff but none of this project is autotune.”
YelloPain is here to take over the rap game, one viral hit at a time.
Hailing from Dayton, Ohio, the rising star prides himself in creating music with substance, touching on everything from real-life occurrences and events to societal issues such as racism and equality. Having reeled in millions of views independently, YelloPain is the definition of a go-getter, someone who went after their dreams and turned them into a reality.
In describing himself, Yello states, “I’m a very transparent artist. I try to give my heart. I try to be as authentic as I possibly can. Yellow is a color that represents happiness, and Pain represent everything I go through. I try to paint my pain in a way that can help other people.”
YelloPain is a creative in all aspects of his life, which includes being a professional videographer, photographer, graphic designer, and even producing his own music. Exploding onto the scene with his record “My Vote Don’t Count” last year, which sparked an entire movement amidst the 2020 Presidential election, YelloPain has one goal: educating and motivating the masses any chance he can.
Most recently, YelloPain unveiled his new single and music video for “Yello Wonka,” holding fans over until the release of his highly-anticipated new EP titled Images, executive produced by the legendary DJ Mannie Fresh.
AllHipHop: When did you start the yellow hair? The yellow branding?
YelloPain: The yellow hair came in 2017. Matter of fact, the name and the hair came simultaneously. It was all one idea for real.
AllHipHop: You’re from Dayton right? What was that like growing up?
YelloPain: Yeah, 937! Growing up in Dayton, Ohio, it wasn’t a very big music scene. I’ve been rapping since I was 7 so you know, it’s a tough journey. But we here now.
AllHipHop: What was the turning point when you realized you could do music for a living?
YelloPain: It’s always been the goal, forreal forreal. When I started rapping, I wanted to do it for a living. I looked up to my older cousin, he was already cemented in it. I said “I want to do that.” He was getting the girls, he was getting money, stuff that I had not been exposed to. As far as financially, it was around maybe 2018 when I really started to see that it can pay forreal.
AllHipHop: How’s the independent grind?
YelloPain: It’s lit! To be honest, I love the independent grind because of the freedom. I say a lot of stuff and I’m bold, I try to be as much as I can. I don’t want to be restricted man, I can’t. God gave me messages and I got to get the messages to the people. I got people who look up to me. I got family that looks up to me and they need to hear my voice.
AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound?
YelloPain: It changes a lot. I got a deep voice so I get compared to different people like Kevin Gates, but then the messages be heavy so then I get compared to Eminem. My sound is unique because the sound more so than the intention behind the music. It’s really about shifting the mindset and shifting the way people think and people feel. Opening people’s minds to being able to see the world in a different light, see the way out. My sound is unique.
AllHipHop: “Yello Wonka” out now! How are you feeling?
YelloPain: I’m feeling good! Make sure y’all hit that up, it’s on YouTube right now. It’s on all platforms, executive produced by Mannie Fresh. We got a whole EP coming, I’m excited about “Yello Wonka.”
AllHipHop: Talk about creating that with Mannie Fresh, that’s legendary!
YelloPain: So with “Yello Wonka,” we was in the studio. Mannie Fresh produced the record when we was in the studio, I really didn’t have no words. I was on a plane back to Atlanta and I was listening to the song, the beat on loop. There wasn’t even no drums in the song yet. I was just rapping to a loop, that’s why it’s such an empty space in the beginning. I was really reflecting, the beat made me reflect. The first couple words is really the essence of the whole song. “I remember sleeping on the carpet, before I ever sat inside a plane and see how I departed.” I’m looking out the window of a plane and I’m remembering that time like “Dang, I remember sleeping on a carpet.” That’s how that song came about.
AllHipHop: At what point in your life were you at then, sleeping on the carpet?
YelloPain: Not giving too much information, but more in my adulthood when I was sleeping on the carpet. Because I’ve been so cemented in a dream, chasing it, that I really sacrificed almost a little bit too much. I sacrificed a lot! A lot of relationships, a lot of comfortability, in hopes that this day will come.
AllHipHop: What are your dreams?
YelloPain: I’m from a small city: Dayton, Ohio. The people that I grew up around, the environments that I grew up around, it’s not a lot of hope. It’s a lot of hatred, small town mentality. Especially in music, it’s no scene for it. I really wanted to be able to portray to people that there’s a way. Some of the heights that I reached, it’s not even the heights that I want to reach. We got so much abandoned buildings, so much abandoned companies. We got whole malls that used to be put up that’s abandoned, empty parking lots. To be able to inspire the people where I’m from and rebuild, it’s like Moses. It’s that type of mission.
AllHipHop: What were you trying to convey in the music video for “Yello Wonka”?
YelloPain: It was really more a before and after, to show people that they can do it. I don’t really like to usually show or exploit that type of lifestyle where it looks like I got the Rollie on, but I really wanted people to understand the before and after. What can come from consistent obedience. Even if people are judging you, even if people got bad things to say about you, even if people put you down — whatever you’re going through, especially dealing with people, because it’s a stigma we have to have. Especially in this day and age, we have to have the newest shoes, the newest clothes, the nicest jewelry. People kill and die to get those things. I really wanted to show people like “Hey, stay down. Stay true to yourself. Whatever your current financial state is, don’t worry about what everything else is going on in the world. Don’t worry about what people say, you could get it. You can come out on top!”
AllHipHop: RIP Dolph, that s### hurts man. In his hometown too!
YelloPain: Yeah, I just seen that. It seems like all the rappers die in their hometown right? That’s crazy. They’ve been trying to take Dolph out for a minute. I didn’t really read the backstory, but I’m really sad that it ended up coming out to that.
AllHipHop: Talk about making music with substance and how it has healing power for you.
YelloPain: Music was always therapeutic to me. When I first started my older cousin, he was rapping about girls, jewelry, money, so I looked up to that. Which a lot of people get into Hip Hop for that reason. Around 12 or 13, I felt outcasted. I didn’t have a lot of nice shoes, a lot of nice clothes, stuff that I talk about in “Yello Wonka” and this upcoming project with Mannie Fresh. I really felt like an outcast, so I turned to music. I was able to use that as an emotional expression, as a way to get the stuff off my chest. I felt like I didn’t have a voice in the world, nobody was listening.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
YelloPain: To be honest, I’m not one of them artists that needs to drink or smoke. I just need it to be dark. I need a dark vibe. I need to be in my feelings because I just don’t write words, I gotta be in my feelings. I need it to be dark. Most of the time if I’ma record, I need Sauce in there. That’s my producer, I need my dog in there and I’m in my best element.
AllHipHop: Talk about the new EP executive produced by Mannie Fresh, and why you called it Images.
YelloPain: We on Instagram right now, Instagram is a perfect example of images. We look up to so much fabricated BS. Some of the stuff isn’t even real, but we chase that. We don’t necessarily think about the substance or the morals in acquiring those types of things. Jewelry, clothes, we go after it because there’s so much pressure on us now. When I was young, it was pressure. How Instagram is now, we didn’t even have that kind of pressure. And I was still going through pressure, still fighting depression at 12 to 13 years old.
These kids now, I can’t even imagine the level. I just heard that this little girl in North Carolina shot herself in the head. I know that it’s rooted and she was getting bullied, a boy that she liked didn’t like her. It’s that repeated cycle of depression because people don’t fit in and they’re not getting the things that they want, but that’s a part of it. A part of my story is being able to show how I overcame certain emotional setbacks and how people can overcome it.
AllHipHop: You had a viral song, “My Vote Don’t Count.” Why was that so important for you?
YelloPain: I had really recently learned about the voting system. My cousin was running for Congress at the time, I had never really got into politics so I kind of dismissed it. So many times my cousin would ask me to make a song, I’m like, “cuz, I’m not really into that. I don’t really do that. The type of music I make, I don’t want it to seem like I’m fake at all. How sincere I am, I don’t want to just be getting on any social topic.” She broke it down to me in the same way that I broke it down in the video. When I understood how much of a voice that we have as people in America, we feel so casted out. What we say doesn’t matter. Once I understood that our voices actually do matter, it felt like an obligation to my community. I had to make it.
AllHipHop: Did you anticipate that it would go up the way did?
YelloPain: You know when I made the song, it was more so based around my community, because I was really focused on local government and Congress. I wasn’t really focused on the nation. I still have a fanbase that’s more worldwide, but I was really focused on my community. I even named a couple places in my community in the song, but thank God that it was a message that everybody needed.
AllHipHop: Who’s the biggest cosign you got?
YelloPain: Whew. Biggest co-sign, I’d say Oprah. I was on Entertainment Tonight, that’s the show. The girl who interviewed me on Entertainment Tonight was one of Oprah’s sister’s daughters. I got a great publicist and she set that up, that was amazing. As far as the cosign that meant the most to me, Meek Mill had retweeted me on Twitter. That’s my favorite rapper so to know somebody that you listen to so much even heard two bars of what I’ve got to say, “Aw yeah, that’s what’s up!”
AllHipHop: I know Meek’s doing a lot for the community. What was your reaction?
YelloPain: I was at Chipotle and I think somebody sent it to me. I didn’t really believe it at first so I went back and refreshed it to see if it was Meek. I was lit. I was lit in that Chipotle, they heard me that day!
AllHipHop: What about the collabs? You got any collabs?
YelloPain: On the new project, no. I got the homie Vincent Berry II, he’s an amazing writer. He wrote for Beyonce and so many other people. Of course, I got Mannie Fresh on the joint. It’s a 6-song EP, but it’s some of my best work.
AllHipHop: How did you and Mannie Fresh tap in?
YelloPain: To be honest, I’ve been a fan of Mannie Fresh for a long time. In 2019, I had did this freestyle over a Mannie Fresh beat. When it was time to go to the next level, we were talking to my team about what direction we should go in. When they mentioned Mannie Fresh, it made so much sense to be honest. For the story of it, the manifestation of it, and the fact that it was able to come together. I’m super excited, it was a blast working with Mannie Fresh. It was one of the most euphoric musical experiences, just because the way he produced, it’s musicians around. Like a music conductor the way he put it together so it was a crazy experience.
AllHipHop: What’s the best encounter you had with a fan?
YelloPain: Man to be honest, the type of music I make right… it touches a lot of people. The “oh my God, it’s Yellopain!”, that stuff is cool, but it’s really so many stories when people come up to me. Some people cry and say “you changed my life.” I was in Denver in the airport and a girl ran up to me, she was crying and telling me how much my music affected her. It’s really the situations where I know that what I’m doing has a purpose. I know that people like me go through the things that I’ve been through or go through the things that I’ve seen people go through are able to be affected and change from the music. When I tell you it’s a daily thing: it doesn’t really matter how big or how excited the fan is, it’s really that genuine emotion. It’s all on the same level to me when it comes to that.
AllHipHop: What’re you most excited for next?
YelloPain: Man I got to replug it but it’s serious though, I’m very excited for this EP. It’s called Images, executive produced by Mannie Fresh. I really think this is some of my best work to be honest, so y’all gotta stay tuned in.
The Jussie Smollett trial has started its second week in Chicago, and the “Empire” star took the stand in his defense.
According to TMZ, Smollett shared with the court intimate details about his life, including what it was like growing up in his family, how much money he was making as a lead actor on the hit Fox show, and that he and one of the men involved in his scandal was his bed partner.
Jussie Smollett talked about growing up in an entertainment family. As one of six children, he noted that he started performing as a kid.
He then testified about auditioning for “Empire” for the role of Jamal. On the stand, he allegedly started out making between $25K to $35K per episode during the first season. By the fifth season, he made $100K per episode, the Huffington Post revealed.
But the real juice of his testimony was when he described his relationship with one of the Osundairo brothers, Abimbola (aka Abel). He said that they were lovers.
Jussie testified to meeting him in 2017 in a gay club. That night the two went to a bathhouse and did cocaine and marijuana as they performed sex acts on each other.
This directly conflicted with Osundairo’s testimony that claimed they had never had a sexual encounter. During their time on the stand, the brothers further stated that Smollett planned the entire attack for publicity.
Jussie Smollett claimed he never trusted Ola, the other brother, calling him homophobic.
They spent a substantial time explaining why they were not anti-gay during their testimony, citing the times they participated in the Pride parades in their city.
Everywhere you look, everyone from Wall Street to hip-hop is investing in NFTs.
On this site alone, we’ve revealed that everyone from Nas to Jim Jones has gotten in on the craze. And with the way things are going, NFTs shows no signs of slowing down in popularity.
But, unfortunately, as with all things, there are many misconceptions about what NFTs are — and what they aren’t.
So we decided to break down both of them for you.
What are NFTs?
The definition of “NFT” is “non-fungible token.” In a nutshell, what that means is that it’s a unique token that cannot be changed, modified, or otherwise destroyed.
Let’s compare it to something that is fungible — to give an example we’re all familiar with, let’s use a typical currency-based transaction.
When you walk into a store to buy some groceries, you exchange your money for the item of value. Let’s say a gallon of milk, for ease of comparison, is $2. You pay the cashier the $2, you get your milk, and you go about your merry way. That’s an example of a fungible transaction.
A non-fungible transaction, however, is a one-of-a-kind transaction. For example, let’s say — as is in the case of all your favorite hip-hop stars engaging in the NFTs market — you get a one-of-a-kind piece of digital artwork created by, just as an example, Snoop Dogg. When you get that piece of digital artwork, you’re engaging in a non-fungible transaction — because if you trade that Snoop Dogg piece of artwork for, say, a Kanye West piece of artwork, you’re getting two different things. What’s more, if you hold on to the Snoop Dogg piece of artwork, its monetary value can and will fluctuate based on the demands of the market.
How Do NFTs Work?
The Verge has a great, brief explainer on how NFTs work.
“At a very high level, most NFTs are part of the Ethereum blockchain,” they report. “Ethereum is a cryptocurrency, like bitcoin or dogecoin, but its blockchain also supports these NFTs, which store extra information that makes them work differently from, say, an ETH coin. It is worth noting that other blockchains can implement their own versions of NFTs. (Some already have.)”
Are they worth it?
With all the money floating around in the NFTs marketplace, the question still begs itself: are they worth the investment?
And the short answer is, it depends on who you ask.
Some experts believe that they’re the wave of the future. “Collectibles are an integral part of wealth. There are financial funds invested in digital collectibles,” said Bettinna J of BettyMedia. “Art is a BIG business. What I do see is it will definitely help the art world and artists, and digital art will be an even bigger business. Digital art has been around for a long time. Digital art offers artists to be as creative as they want to be, to explore in so many ways while maintaining and tracking their works on the blockchain. If someone purchases an NFT, the new owner can resell, distribute or license the digital asset. Here’s the beauty of NFTs, a creator can add programmable code and set direct terms and limitations of the NFT. They can choose how it can be distributed, where, to what platform and the artist or creator of the NFT can get royalties directly every time it’s resold.”
But other experts are a lot less sanguine about the future of NFTs.
“The concept behind blockchain and NFTs is that, when something is done once and or created specifically in a certain way once, it can be 100% unique and if anyone tries to create anything like that again, the blockchain itself will know that this thing already exists,” said Damon Abramson of Harmony Technologies. “Works of art that are unique and non-replicable, that’s the concept behind this, but realistically, anyone can make a perfect digital copy of a piece of art and send it anywhere to display it anywhere.”
So, as with any other investment, discernment is key — and talking to a professional before you spend your hard-earned money is a common-sense move.
Kyle Rittenhouse is winning. Recently, America’s Favorite went on a tirade, blasting, none other than, LeBron James. This follows King James’ honest reactions to Kyle’s wretched testimony.
His skin, in conjunction with his malperformance on the stand, secures his freedom. Why would the Kenosha Killer be angry? After all, he is wh — willing to risk it all.
“I liked LeBron. And, then I’m like, ‘You know what, f*** you, LeBron.'” this according to The BlazeTV. Killer Kyle then admits, “I was a Lakers fan, too — before he said that. I was really p##### off that he said that.”
The gun totting, peaceful-protest crashing, Antagonist is upset. Last month, in response to Rittenhouse’s wretched testimony, LeBron hopped on Twitter and joined the discussion. A malfunctioning soul and dusty tear ducts mocks the Kenosha Killer’s alleged emotional intelligence.
James contends, “What tears????? I didn’t see one. Man knock it off! That boy ate some lemon heads before walking into court.” Three crying faced emojis emphasize his point.
What tears????? I didn’t see one. Man knock it off! That boy ate some lemon heads before walking into court. 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/LKwYssIUmD
In 2021 you may have heard a lot of pain music, club music, and trap music, but what’s been rare is straight authentic, truth music; the type of music that really explains real life in environments you can relate to. As we close out the year, we are starting to see music like this surface again by an artist cut from a different cloth.
ATC Dmoney is a rare artist that brings you the type of music that we have been missing for a long time. “Made Me Mad” is a record produced by Tillagoinin that chronicles staying focused on his goals, his money and making sure nothing stops the money flow regardless of the situations in front of him. Lyrically he delivers bar for bar separating himself from fake people and anyone that’s not on his mental level.
ATCdrops jewels to make sure people don’t get caught up in situations that make them lose focus. The streets are real, and things can get crazy, but he explains that one should never get distracted.
Check out the Rated GP-directed visual for “Made Me Mad” below!
Nick Cannon has revealed that his youngest son, Zane, has died suddenly.
The infant child, which was the product of a relationship with Alyssa Scott, died after doctors discovered a malignant brain tumor growing in the skull.
Nick Cannon, informed his talk show studio audience, that the child died over the weekend. This is why he was not on his live talk show yesterday even though he was trending. At the onset of the show, Nick talked about his nether regions trending on social media, which made it even more surprising that he made the revelation about his son.
Nick spoke directly to counselors on the show as a way of coping with the tragedy.
Alyssa Scott and Nick Cannon welcomed their first child together in July of this year. It was his seventh child. The pair shared numerous pictures of the baby in the first week of his being born.
Early on, many internet sleuths’s theorized that Cannon was the father, but it was confirmed later that he was.
Our condolences go out to Nick Cannon and Alyssa Scott. Rest in peace Zen.
Its been a controversial year for Boosie having to defend his personal views about Lil Nas X, getting shot and losing Mo3, but none of that has slowed down his hustle. Pushing his own cognac, his own cologne and his brand further and further each year, Boosie is SELF MADE.
You can pretty much take this all the way to the bank! We already know that Dr. Dre is going to be the cornerstone of the next Super Bowl halftime show:
Well, it won’t be enough to have a celebration with Snoop Dogg, Mary J Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and the good doc in the Roc Nation-fueled halftime party. It looks as if we are about to get a new album from Dr. Dre!
I have heard from two reliable sources that Dr. Dre is going to release another album this month! DECEMBER! 2021! That actually will pre-date the Super Bowl festivities so that when we do party like it’s 1999 and all the nerds catch on, the album will already be out! Now, is the question how will this happen!?!
I am being told by said sources that the album will come out through Grand Theft Auto, the tremendously popular video game. It will not come out like a normal album on streaming services, at least not immediately from what I hear. Now that could be partially wrong, but I do know that it will be a part of this video game staple. Now, we have been waiting forever for an album from the good doctor. Detox may be a memory, however, I will take this! This is amazing! By the way, there were rumors that he was working on Detox earlier this year. You think all those pics in the studio were all fun and games?
I have been waiting forever to get some new music from Dr. Dre! I am hoping that the all-star cast is also a part of the project. You guys already know this, the music industry is not what it used to be. Also, the record labels are now in control of the various digital service providers. This venture is a way for him to cut out the middleman and go straight to the masses. The video game industry is bigger than pornography. It generates billions and billions and billions of dollars. I actually believe this may take Dr. Dre into clear and present billionaire status. It’s a way to monetize in a real fashion.
Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins found herself in the crosshairs of Nicki Minaj’s fanbase. The Barbz began dragging the TLC member because of a comment left under an Instagram post.
The Jasmine Brand uploaded footage of Cardi B arriving at a party in Miami. In the clip, Cardi can be heard telling the bouncers to let more Black women into the club.
In response to that video, T-Boz’s Instagram account commented, “Poor Nicki Minaj 😂😂😂😂.” Cardi and Nicki were engaged in a years-long rivalry that included an altercation at a Harper’s Bazaar event in 2018.
T-Boz later added another message under The Jasmine Brand post. She wrote, “MY ACCOUNT WAS HACKED I’M ON A ZOOM CALL/MEETING SO I DON’T KNOW WHAT WAS SAID OR WHAT’S HAPPENING YET BUT I SAID NOTHING ABOUT @nickiminaj AT ALL.”
The Atlanta-raised singer reiterated her claim that she was hacked. T-Boz shared a statement on her own Instagram page. She called for social media users to stop harassing her about the alleged comment about Minaj.
“Hey guys, my account has been hacked and I never made that comment about Nicki Minaj,” posted T-Boz. “I have no problem and never have had a problem with her at all. That’s not like me to even comment on a blog and be messy so all the blogs and unnecessary comments can stop. Thank you.”
While Nicki Minaj and Cardi B have not clarified if their long-standing feud is over, several celebrities have suggested people should stop pitting them against each other. Chance The Rapper, Megan Thee Stallion, T.I., and Lil Nas X have all called on fans to give both successful women their respective flowers without attempting to diminish the other.
Two emcees with close historic ties to Eminem appear to be on opposite sides of an issue at the moment. Em’s Bad Meets Evil colleague Royce Da 5′9″ called out Em’s rap protégé 50 Cent.
A few days ago, Royce Da 5′9″ took to Instagram to question why 50 Cent publicly apologized to Pop icon Madonna for making fun of her online but failed to do the same for Hip Hop legend Lil Kim. 50 targeted both women in recent weeks.
“My brother 50 Cent, who is one of our kings, if I’m a young person coming from another genre or come from another walk of life, and I’m following the way things are right now, I would think Madonna is worthy of an apology, but Lil Kim is not,” stated Royce.
The creator of the Grammy-nominated The Allegory album added, “That ain’t the message we want to send, is it? Nah, that’s not the message we want to send.”
50 Cent Deletes Apologetic Tweet Directed At Madonna
Last week, 50 Cent offered Madonna a mea culpa after he cracked ageist jokes at the Material Girl’s expense. Madonna fired back by accusing 50 of being a fake friend and thirsty for clout.
“I must have hurt Madonna feelings, she went and dug up [an] old MTV photo from 03🤷🏽♂️. Ok, I’m sorry I did not intend to hurt your feelings. I don’t benefit from this in [any way]. I said what I thought when I saw the picture because of where I had seen it before. I hope you accept my apology,” posted 50 Cent in a now-deleted tweet.
