Like the previous shows, with “Ghost II,” the Queens native pulls together a web of characters to engage his audience with street tales dusted with icky New York politics, crooked cops, and a whole lot of hanky panky.
AllHipHop.com sat with members of the cast to get the low down on the upcoming season. Writer Nikki Duncan-Smith was able to get up close and personal with the cast, asking them questions about how their characters have grown, why is this story still so intriguing and find out if Tariq will stop getting caught up with girls — so he can get the bread to get his mom out of jail.
Check out the cast as they laugh and hint about the upcoming season, filmed at the tail end of the coronavirus pandemic.
Centralized around James St. Patrick’s son and the unscrupulous life is creating for himself on his college campus, it is abundantly clear is that this upcoming season is about legacy. It is also about the complicated nature of street wisdom, loyalty, and above all, influence.
When interviewing these three, they sheepishly grin while complimenting each other. They concur that Brayden is maturing dynamically.
Like most girls in the hood, Effie is brilliant and will showcase how she defies the troupes of the “homegirl in the crew.” They also agree that Tariq is his father’s son.
As he says in his interview, the crooked agent Cooper Saxe is still (as he says in his interview) intensely “creepy,” chasing the St. Patrick family down to fulfill a vendetta that he has deep in his bones.
And to the contrary, Councilman Tate, played by Larenz Tate, is still in angst because the family “keeps getting in his way.”
The Tejada Drug Organization, headed up by Mary J. Blige’s Monet, is strained this season. Generational mistrust, dysfunction, and the presence of an outsider have rocked their unit’s consistency.
There are numerous twists and turns that the audience will enjoy. Moreover, the plot this season is cliff-hanger-ishly complicated.
Tyler, The Creator delivered an epic rendition of his song “M####” at the American Music Awards on Sunday, (Nov. 21), at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Christmas was in the air as the eclectic rapper wore a puffer jacket and shorts while performing the track from his sixth studio album “Call Me If You Get Lost.”
The set was a full-on winter wonderland as the camera panned out to reveal Tyler performing on the porch of a snow-covered cottage in the woods. Viewers were treated to a visual spectacle with white-tipped trees swaying in the background and snow flurries blowing into the frame.
Then, the California native turned up the energy as the strobe lights kicked in and day changed to night, the camera honing back in on him. Then, for the finale, Tyler hopped onto the back on a Vespa and rode off stage.
Other performers on the night alongside Tyler the Creator included Silk Sonic, Oliva Rodrigo, Chloe, Diplo, and more. Megan Thee Stallion was set to perform with BTS, however, she withdrew citing “an unexpected personal matter.”
Tyler, The Creator Also Picked Up A Special BET Award
As he collected the award, Tyler paid homage to those who came before him and paved the way.
“I wouldn’t be here or upon the stage or have this silly hat or anything without the Q-Tips, the André 3000s, the Chad Hugos, the Pharrells, the Kanye Wests, the Missy Elliotts, who no one ever brings up. Busta Rhymes, the Hype Williams who just took it to this different world. I preach those names and others that I didn’t name ’cause I’m limited on time.
Well, over the weekend, the rapper shared some extremely positive news. He is heading back to school. In the spring, Boosie is planning on enrolling at Jackson State University.
The announcement was made with the help of Jackson State’s football coach, the legendary Deion Sanders.
“Coach Prime” was on hand with Boosie, who announced after Jackson State tigers defeated Alcorn State University.
“I’ve been coming to Jackson since I was 14, and I love y’all. Y’all love my stanky drawers, and I love y’all back. And I just wanna tell y’all that y’all always been supportive of me. And it’s a big secret I wanna let it out. I’m enrolling in Jackson State next semester.”
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana bred rap star earned his GED while he was incarcerated in Angola Prison in 2013. Boosie appears to be serious about pursuing his higher education.
Boosie said he could not wait to be on campus with the rest of the students so he could “talk to girls with a book sack on.”
“I wanna feel normal. I miss that part of my life. I wanna enroll and be able to walk down the thing and go to class and try my brain cause I still have matter up there that needs to be explored,” Boosie said.
Boosie has yet to reveal what he plans to study.
The rapper, who turned 39 on November 14th, is currently preparing to release two albums: Back 2 BR and Mississippi.
The albums were supposed to drop on November 19th, but Boosie delayed the release out of respect for slain rapper Young Dolph.
A person was shot and killed in the Orange Mound section of Memphis earlier today (November 21st), and the cops fear it could be connected to the murder of Young Dolph.
The rapper was gunned down as he bought cookies inside a local bakery, Makeda’s Homemade Cookies.
The police released surveillance photos of the two suspects who committed the murder, who fled in a white Mercedes-Benz.
Now the Memphis Police Department is dealing with another homicide. Police are investigating a shooting earlier this afternoon, just hours after the vehicle was towed away.
According to witnesses, a dark sedan drove up and fired off at least six shots.
A young man who was just a few feet away from the house where the Mercedes-Benz was recovered was struck by the gunfire.
So far, police have yet to name suspects in the killing.
However, social media has been abuzz as internet sleuths claim to have identified Young Dolph’s killers.
According to unconfirmed reports, two local rappers who stole a Paper Route Empire chain from Young Dolph’s artist Big Moochie Grape, are behind Young Dolph’s death.
Although the reports are unsubstantiated, people commenting on both men’s’ posts are trolling them and calling for their arrests while tagging the Memphis, Memphis Police Department.
The two men in question denied involvement in the shooting during an Instagram live session.
But they gleefully showed off a PRE chain, although they could have been just seeking attention since many users claimed the jewelry was fake.
However, one of the men posted an ominous picture of him pointing a handgun on his Instagram story feed. During another Instagram live session, one of the men claimed there was “money on Young Dolph’s head.”
Two gunmen shot the rapper at point-blank range. One of the suspects shot Young Dolph with a handgun, while another wielded an assault-style rifle.
The 36-year-old rapper was killed immediately, while the gunman fled in a light gray Mercedes-Benz.
According to reports, the luxury vehicle used in the shooting was recovered at a residence in the Orange Mound section of the city.
It is unclear if the people who live at the house have been questioned or are considered suspects. However, investigators may be close to cracking the case.
“I understand social media is buzzing, however, nothing additional is available at this time. Once additional info is available to share, trust and believe that we will get that information to you,” Sgt. Louis Brownlee told The Commercial Appeal.
Investigators expect to recover forensic evidence from the vehicle in hopes of catching the two suspects wanted for Young Dolph’s murder.
The cops have been scouring social media and investigating hundreds of tips related to the rap star’s death, but so far, they have been unable to figure out a motive for Young Dolph’s murder.
Meanwhile, Dolph’s artist, cousin, and frequent collaborator Key Glock has finally broken his silence regarding the murder.
The rapper, who wiped his IG clean on the day of the murder, posted a somber message to his stories feed.
“STOP asking me if I’m ok Knowing damn well I ain’t…,” Key Glock said.
The woman who won a $7.1 million judgment against rap star Game claims he continues to create shell companies to avoid paying her.
Priscilla Rainey is attempting to seize earnings Game has made through the popular Cameo app.
According to Rainey and her lawyer, Game uses F12 & Associates to collect payments from Cameo, his company Trees By Game, and his performances.
Rainey insists Game, born Jayceon Taylor, made almost $20,000 between October 29, 2020, through January 28, 2021, which Cameo transferred to F12 & Associates.
Rainey is attempting to seize the company’s bank account to help satisfy the enormous judgment the rap star owes.
“In addition to [Game’s] repeated evasive tactics before, during, and after trial, Taylor has repeatedly flouted his obligation to pay Rainey,” her lawyer, Francis Curiel, told the court.
The issues between Priscilla Rainey and Game started when she was a contestant on his short-lived reality show, “She Got Game.”
Rainey claimed Game sexually assaulted her during a taping of an episode, when he put his hand up her skirt, rubbed her bare v#####, and “juggled her breasts.”
Instead of defending himself, Game skipped out on all court dates, infuriating the judge presiding over the case.
In November of 2016, Priscilla Rainey was awarded $1.13 million in compensatory damages and awarded an extra $6 million in punitive damages.
Game was sanctioned for millions for disrespecting the court and insulting Rainey by calling her a “thirsty Gatorade mascot of a transvestite” who was involved in “Tranny Panty” activity.
So far, Game is sticking to his promise never to pay Priscilla Rainey after being hit with the massive default judgment.
“People out here dying from the rona . . . n blogs out here creating false narratives for this Waffle House roach who doing anything her thirsty ass can try n take money from me,” Game said in a since-deleted post.
“He’s broke, she got all his money, what he gone do now, better go record another album, etc.”…… Y’all been saying she got 7 million for 7 years & yet here I am, laid up tipsy off my 5th quarantini watching Tiger King lol …. they’ll find Carol Baskin’s husband before she ever get a penny from under my car seat….coming up next, a stop by the bank to dump this s### in….,” the rapper said.
His refusal to pay Priscilla Rainey is costing him dearly.
The French government has identified twelve individuals in the October 2016 robbery of Kim Kardashian.
During her marriage to Kanye West, the reality star was targeted in a $10 million jewelry heist. According to Page Six, the investigation, which lasted five years, will finally be sent to trial.
While no trial date has been set, the authorities have a “range of charges” connected to the robbery that terrorized the billionaire.
Kim Kardashian shared that the people who robbed her of her jewels, including a large diamond ring given to her by Ye, burst into her Parisian apartment.
The robbers, who gained access to Kim’s hotel by posing as police officers, tied her up at gunpoint, gagged her, and placed her in a bathtub.
In French, he wrote, “After observing your emotion and realizing the psychological damages I inflicted … I decided to write to you, not to obtain from you some sort of indulgence.”
He continued, “Know that I fully sympathize with the pain you are enduring, your children, your husband, and your close ones. I hope that this letter will allow you to forget little by little the trauma that you suffered by my fault.”
Back in the 70s, the King of New York’s Hip Hop scene who spat hustler and party rap in a fly sharkskin suit was DJ Hollywood.
He was an emcee and a DJ; opening the doors for DJs like Lovebug Starsky, Kid Capri, and Biz Markie and rappers like Doug E. Fresh and Kurtis Blow. He epitomized control of the crowd and party rocking by bridging clubbing and the streets.
Double Trouble went down on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, 1981 at the T Connection in the Bronx, New York 💯 Double Trouble featuring Little Rodney C and KK Rockwell, who appeared in the classic Hip Hop movie “Wild Style,” were among the hosts for the weekend 🔥
Pioneer Spoonie G, one of the few Hip Hop artists to have popped off in the 1970s, was one of Friday’s special guests along with the legendary Hip Hop group the Cold Crush Bros 🙌🏾
Raven Winton, the daughters of the Pamela and Maurice Hill, the founding owners, said, “It has been a challenge. We’ve had a couple of sleepless nights since this happened. We just want the city to know that we are so, so sorry you guys had to endure this and see this.”
“Please pray for his family,” she shared. “That’s just unreal to me. I can’t even imagine what they’re going through.”
Young Dolph was not simply just a celebrity. To them, he was family.
“He was family to us. Every time we saw him we didn’t treat him like a rap star, a rap artist. we weren’t trying to get autographs. Hey, it was basically…What’s up, Dolph,” she said.
“That man did not deserve that. He was just in there to buy cookies for his family. It’s terrible that we can’t even step outside of our house and feel comfortable in the neighborhood that he knew and loved and supported.”
And like real family, Winton’s deepest concerns are for his real family, saying, “Young Dolph’s wife, she’s supported us. We appreciate that. She’s backing us saying he enjoyed the cookies and was there to pick up cookies for us all the time. So Please back them up, support them.”
The small Black-owned business has taken a substantial hit since the fatal shooting, earlier this week. The bakery has started a GoFundMe for support.
The owners applied an insurance claim, but were denied. for In addition to the windows being shot out and the continued slow-down caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many are simply afraid to come by.
Hopefully fans that love Young Dolph will support.
Kanye West and Drake did the unthinkable last week when they reconciled and ended their long-standing beef.
And now, in an amazing plot twist, the pair are about to share the stage during a concert next month in Los Angeles.
Kanye West just posted a flyer to his Instagram account announcing the “Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert.”
In a nod to Drake, Kanye posted a flyer for the concert with the caption “God’s Plan,” one of the Toronto rappers’ biggest hits.
“I believe this event will not only bring awareness to our cause but prove to people everywhere how much more we can accomplish when we lay our pride aside and come together,” said Ye.
Drake also hosted J. Prince and Kanye West at his massive Toronto mansion. They posted a video of themselves bro’ing it up.
Now their peace treaty is official with the upcoming concert for Larry Hoover, who is serving six life sentences at the ADX Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWgclvlJsgL/
Larry Hoover is serving a 200-year sentence for a 1997 murder in addition to conspiracy, extortion money laundering charges.
The Feds claim Larry Hoover still leads the Gangster Disciple gang from prison.
Over the years, Kanye West has advocated for Larry Hoover in many ways. In October of 2018, he asked President Trump to grant Larry Hoover clemency during a luncheon.
And on his latest album DONDA a message by Larry Hoover Jr. is featured at the end of the song “Jesus Lord.” Larry Hoover Jr. also appeared alongside Kanye West during his high-profile Drink Champs interview with N.O.R.E. AND DJ EFN.
“He’s [Larry Hoover] been away for my whole life. My kids are grown. My daughter has never touched her grandfather, she’s 22. My son never touched his grandfather, he’s 14.” Larry Hoover Jr. explained. “It’s all because of Kanye. And you see how he’s open and not scared to address situations. Also coming from Chicago, to bring up the fact and give me the platform to speak on my father and keep putting information out there with the narrative that needs to be put out there. You may have heard of Larry Hoover’s leader of the Gangster Disciples. You never heard of Larry Hoover as the leader in the community that was an organizer that brought people together.”
The “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert is going down on December 9th, 2021 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
As the United States prepares to celebrate the nation’s annual Thanksgiving holiday, one might think that friends of the late rapper Young Dolph would be too sad to celebrate.
However, that is not the case. Those closest to the “Preach” rapper have decided to express their love for him by giving back … something he enjoyed.
According to WFMZ, the bereaved collective gave out Thanksgiving turkeys in his honor at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee on Friday, November 19.
For years, Young Dolph held a Turkey giveaway for people in his Memphis community
Rather than cancel the event after the rapper’s death, his artists continued it in his honor pic.twitter.com/5c31kkT9VG
They gave out more than just turkeys. His signees, Undaunted, Paper Route Empire, church volunteers, and community activists gave out a whole dinner menu to the needy. In addition to the turkeys, people were given stuffing mix and cranberry sauce in a COVID-19 contact-less drive-by pick-up.
Bee Bee Jones, one of his label’s employees, helped to organize the effort. Still grieving, he said, “When I hear his music, I just break down. The truth in all of it, and where he came from, that’s what really gets to me sometimes.”
But Jones is still pushing on, sharing that by making sure that marginal people of the community were taken care of during this holiday season would align with who Dolph was as a man.
“This is what he would want us to do right here, still keep on giving,” the 38-year-old revealed. “He came from nothing, but he wanted to make sure everybody got some.”
Both victims were airlifted to a local hospital, where they were treated for their wounds and eventually recovered.
Text messages Crisler sent another member of Gorilla Stone were intercepted by investigators.
“We outside the strip club and Cas taking pictures with the n##### n the crop [sic] n#### gonna grab Cas hand talk about yo homie wrong sign. Cas asked him u wanna to die tonight, he reached on his hip n I just booked [shot] him. Everyone got missin Onik skirted off and I let another one go hit jit in the stomach,” Crisler bragged in text messages obtained by authorities.
Two days later, Jarrett Crisler was bragging about his role in the shooting again, saying, “I ain’t miss a shot.. greatest shot in the world.”
The superseding indictment charged Casanova and Crisler with attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.
Casanova and another co-defendant named DeShawn “Don” Thomas were also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering due to a separate incident on July 5th, 2020.
Now, Jarrett Crisler is in the process of working out a deal with the Feds AllHipHop can confirm.
“The defendant and the government have reached a tentative agreement. The parties are working to finalize the plea in this matter,” United States Attorney Damian Williams said.
Casanova, born Caswell Senior, was arraigned earlier this week, and he pleaded not guilty to the new charges.
“I have been given a copy of the indictment containing the charges against me and have reviewed with my attorney,” Casanova said. “After consultation with my attorney, I wish to plead not guilty.”
Casanova has been locked up in the Westchester County, New York Jail since December 4th, 2020.
The rapper is one of 18 Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation members charged in a sweeping RICO case against the gang for drug dealing, running guns, assaults, and murder.
With the success of Starz’s “BMF,” Demetrius Flenory Jr. is on the verge of superstardom. Already a hood superstar, Lil Meech is known to many as the son of Big Meech. The bigger Meech was known infamously as the face of BMF, regarded as one of the most legendary crime crews. “BMF” is one of the best shows in 50 Cent’s clip of hits. Oddly, AllHipHop was around when BMF was running the streets and was included in the best selling book “BMF: The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family.”
Lil Meech, born in 2000, was still a toddler when his dad went to prison, but recollects fondly when Rick Ross “showed love” after his hit song named after the crew. Lil Meech is different from his father, but impressive for different reasons. He is focused and driven. He’s new to acting but grinded hard to be good. He’s going for great, which is commendable. He aborted a rap career, he’s so bent on mastering acting. And more. He is learning from 50 Cent, who is mentoring him as a young entreprenur. There’s so much more, but check out Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur’s convo with Demetrius Flenory Jr. aka Lil Meech.
Music mogul and always a #1 stunna, Birdman, knows how to live. Always has. Just check out his old Miami Beach mansion — so fabulous that it has served as the location for some of your favorite videos.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, the New Orleans native’s former 19,970-square-foot waterfront mansion is back on the market with the listed price of $33.9 million.
The brokerage firm, Douglas Elliman Real Estate (DERE), says that property was used as a set for the visuals of a few the Cash Money owner.
While DERE did not disclose which videos were shot on the property, the company celebrated the luxurious Palladian-style home.
Broker Associate Lourdes Alatriste from the firm said, “Palm Island is one of my favorite islands because of the privacy, the location, and the lifestyle.”
Lourdes went on to describe the listing in detail, saying, “There are tennis courts, basketball courts, and a park, so you can walk around in the neighborhood, but you’re 15 minutes away from Brickell.”
The “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” artist purchased the home, located on Palm Island, in 2012. He dropped a cool $14.5 million on it, but he only kept it for approximately eight years.
President Joe Biden made Kamala the first female president in history. #NoForReal
According to Politico President Biden temporarily granted Executive power to his second-in-command for a brief time on Friday morning.
On November 19th, the 46th president underwent a colonoscopy procedure at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that required anesthesia. He temporarily transferred the Presidency to Kamala Harris.
This rite was bestowed on her less than one year after her being sworn in office.
President Joe Biden has reassumed authority after briefly transferring power to Vice President Kamala Harris while under anaesthesia for a routine medical procedure, the White House said on Friday pic.twitter.com/krsAjwvSYy
The Howard University graduate followed the protocols set up by the George W. Bush administration. During his presidency, “W” briefly transferred his Executive power to the Republican #2, Dick Cheney, in 2002 and 2007. Ronald Reagan did the same for Bush’s father in George H.W. Bush in 1985.
Both Biden and Bush had very similar conditions and operations. Reagan was treated for colon cancer.
Reports from the White House reveal that the president is doing well and recuperating in the facility. In a tweet from Jen Psaki, the
administration’s press secretary, the world found out just how short the power transfer was: 85 minutes.
She wrote, “@POTUS spoke with @VP and @WHCOS at approximately 11:35 am this morning.
@POTUS was in good spirits and, at that time, resumed his duties. He will remain at Walter Reed as he completes the rest of his routine physical.”
.@POTUS spoke with @VP and @WHCOS at approximately 11:35am this morning. @POTUS was in good spirits and at that time resumed his duties. He will remain at Walter Reed as he completes the rest of his routine physical.
On November 20, 2021, the Universal Hip Hop Museum and AllHipHop.com are set to celebrate the original rap music VJs, who brought Hip-Hop to us through television.
The international proliferation of Hip Hop culture was not only through the audio consumption of dope music but also through the visual representations of the music videos and the VJs that introduced the electric artists of the culture that has defined our lives.
We have to first give respect to Uncle Ralph McDaniels, who gave us the first Hip Hop media outlet ever with his Video Music Box show.
Fab 5 Freddy broke down the doors with ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ for people like Doctor Dre, Ed Lover, and Sway Calloway to take their radio experience to MTV and Chris Thomas (The Mayor) did that for Prime, Prince Dejour, Joe Clair, Big Lez, Big Tigger, Mad Linx, J-Nicks, Q-45 with ‘Rap City.’ Their contributions even opened the doors for AJ & Free at 106 & Parks.
Those pioneering faces on TV varied in representation and were the precursors to every music show (streamed, televised, on Tik Tok or IG) that features rap music, style, and influence.
There would be no Joe Budden Podcast, Drink Champs, or DJ Akademiks without their initial grind. Salute.
And shoutout to Michael Holman on Hip Hop’s 1st tv episode with Graffiti Rock.
Auditions for the Hip Hop movie “Beat Street” were held on November 21, 1983, at the Roxy in Manhattan, also the setting for many of the film’s dance scenes.
The movie was produced by Harry Belafonte and paid a whopping sum of $500 for the script. After he secured the screenplay, he needed a cast that was authentic and would resonate with the streets. So, the call went out for groups, solo boogiers, MCs, poppers, DJs, and breakers to try out for a part in the musical.
Jazzy Jay and Bambaataa were among the film’s consultants and also made cameos in the film.
This classic flyer masterpiece was created by the one and only Phase 2.
Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies is receiving community support following the death of Young Dolph.
The bakery’s Airways Blvd. location in Memphis has been closed since Young Dolph was shot and killed there on Wednesday. Owners Pamela and Maurice Hill said they’ve been grieving as the late rapper was a frequent customer.
“We’re hurting… it’s not so much on the business,” Maurice told The Commercial Appeal. “We’re hurting because of the loss of life and the tragedy of it all… And so we’re just trying to hold each other up and trying to press on.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Makeka’s in wake of Young Dolph’s passing. The fundraiser is seeking to raise $150,000 to cover the shop’s repairs, pay the staff while the Airways Blvd. location is closed, hire security and cover expenses for grief counseling.
As of Friday night (November 19), the GoFundMe has raised over $50,000. Makeba’s has also been receiving an influx of online orders from people looking to provide financial aid to the Hills.
“It’s overwhelming to us that people do care about us in this city,” Pamela said. “They are grieving and they are supporting us, in spite of him losing his life.”
No arrests have been made in the Young Dolph shooting. A photo of two gunmen has been made public, but the suspects haven’t been identified.
Once you catch wind of Vina Love, it’s hard not to fall in love. Hailing from Harlem, the singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer, reality TV star, and overall entertainer, creates her own version of feel good R&B and hip-hop. Her music exudes lyrics inspired by real-life experiences we can all relate to.
As daughter of the legendary Kid Capri, who paved the way as one of the pioneers of DJ and hip-hop culture, it’s no secret talent runs in the family.
You may have caught wind of Vina for her role on WE tv’s “Growing Up Hip Hop,” but the 24-year-old has since stepped into the limelight as her own recording artist. She unleashed her highly-anticipated debut single titled “Owe Me” at the tailend of last year.
Fast forward to today, Vina returns with her newest single titled “N.F.S.,” which stands for the slang “No Funny S###”, a term deeply rooted on the East Coast. When it comes to upcoming music, Vina reveals she’s only getting started.
AllHipHop: What was it like growing up in Harlem?
Vina Love: It was great actually. When you’re from here and you live here for so long, of course at some point you try to move out and see the world. Being from here gave me so much of my culture to always have with me and to embed in my career. The way we dress, the way we talk, our demeanor, everything’s a vibe. Growing up here, I had the best of both worlds. It definitely molded me into the woman that I am, and I’m thankful to be from Harlem.
AllHipHop: Who were you listening to growing up?
Vina Love: I listened to Mary J. Blige, that’s my favorite artist. I listened to Faith Evans and throwbacks from the 60’s. Everything my family listened to, that’s what I got into.
AllHipHop: Was there a turning point where you felt you could do music for a living?
Vina Love: When I got to high school, I started acting, dancing, and singing. I was 16 years old and my mother said “You are not going to California by yourself.” So, I took a year off from school and I started making music. Really going in the studio, really recording, and making videos. I was in a group previously and we put out a song that went viral, that was the beginning of my music career. Now, we’re here in 2021 and I’m still going strong.
AllHipHop: How’d you get the name Vina Love?
Vina Love: That’s my real name. My name is Davina Amore Love, I just took the “Da” out and left everything else.
AllHipHop: “N.F.S.” out now. How are you feeling?
Vina Love: I’m so happy. You know when you’re trying to introduce yourself and you’re still trying to find yourself at the same time? You’re unsure of how people are going to portray you or how they look at you.
So I recorded “N.F.S.” it was really “Okay this is the real me. I don’t have to be this all the time, all day. I don’t have to be 100, I can be soft.” I never want to catch anybody by surprise, I want people to know who Vina is. I love “N.F.S.,” I love the response to it, and I love the video. Everything about it I love.
AllHipHop: What does NFS stand for?
Vina Love: No Funny S###. I don’t know if people say it anywhere else, but I know in New York it’s something you say to let people know you’re really serious. “No funny s###, that food was mad good.” It’s of that realm, when you really want to emphasize something. That’s what the song was: no funny s###, don’t play with me. I’m fire, I’m fly. I love y’all but if you don’t like me, I don’t like you either.
AllHipHop: What was your creative vision with the video?
Vina Love: Real New York. When you come to New York in the summertime, that’s what you see. You’re in the corner store because you’re getting chopped cheeses, you’re surrounded by people you care about and love. She’s a princess, but she’s also Vina from Harlem. So trying to get the best of both worlds out the video and I think we did really well.
AllHipHop: What was the best memory from shooting?
Vina Love: All the dirtbike scenes because all my friends were around and we were really being ourselves. In the video, my best friend/cousin Brianna says “Do you see her? She’s fire!” That’s my favorite part because that’s what we mean to each other: to encourage each other, build each other up, hype each other up. If your girls aren’t hyping each other up, you can’t expect anybody else to.
AllHipHop: What inspires those outfits and looks?
Vina Love: My mom is my stylist, she’s also my manager. Being the hood Marilyn Monroe, I wear the gloves all the time. Always have the designed up gloves, matching my bustier or whatever else I’m wearing. One outfit is really sporty and the other outfit is really classy, sexy, and dressy.
AllHipHop: How would you describe your fashion sense?
Vina Love: My mom has really molded my whole entire fashion sense. Leave it to me, I’d wear sweatsuits everyday, but I do love dressing up.
AllHipHop: What do you want fans to get from your story?
Vina Love: You can really do whatever you want, no matter what. I’ve literally been through every emotional state you can possibly think of. I’ve wanted to give up so many times. I’ve been in a place where I didn’t feel I was fully capable of doing the things I dreamed I could do. I’ve had hiccups. I’ve gone through all of those things and it’s still possible for me, so it’s still possible for anybody.
When you’re sure of what you want, you’re gonna be successful. To also be positive. Be very very positive, even when things are looking down. You have to believe that it’s possible. If you don’t believe it, nobody else will.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
Vina Love: First, marijuana. It helps the creative process. Second, you definitely always need to have water near. Some water, tea, honey, or ginger around. Keep sniffing it, feeling good and clean. Lastly, I like when the lights are low. In the studio, I love when the lights are down. It sets the mood.
AllHipHop: How was it having your father (Kid Capri) inducted in the Hip-Hop Museum?
Vina Love: Insane, absolutely insane. And about time! It’s been a long time coming. It was a beautiful experience, the event itself was so organized. Everybody was really excited to see each other, be supportive of each other. To see my dad get his award, be honored and him give his speech, it was really dope to see. It’s almost a blueprint for what my career is going to be. To see him do it and be such a beautiful example in front of me is really crazy.
AllHipHop: Do you feel any pressure, given your dad’s stature?
Vina Love: No, surprisingly I don’t. I’m one of those people who’s going to do what I want no matter what. I know that I’m destined for something amazing so there’s no pressure. Just be yourself, be who you’re already made to be.
AllHipHop: KRS-One is a real spitter, are we going to be getting any bars in the music?
Vina Love: Absolutely. When it comes to rapping, I write. I’m not a freestyle rapper. I’m a writer. I can really write a country song, write a R&B song, or write a rap song because that’s what writers do.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited for next?
Vina Love: I’m going to be releasing an EP, I’m also releasing an album. The EP name is The Hood Marilyn Monroe, and my album name is Love Talk. I’m fully prepared to blow everybody’s minds. [laughs] I’m really excited to get all the music out there.
AllHipHop: Do you have any features on the project?
Vina Love: Yes I will. I’m not gonna tell you who, but I’m definitely going to have some features for y’all. I have some songs with Capella Grey coming out. I have a video with Fergie Baby to our song “Toxic” that’s out now. You guys can listen to it, we’re about to release that video too. I’m about to release 3 more songs and I have a song with Angelica Vila coming out.
Dr. Dre is pulling in a ton of money on a monthly basis.
Court documents obtained by Radar Online revealed Dr. Dre is making an average of $228,000 each month. He disclosed his finances amid a bitter divorce battle with his ex-wife Nicole Young.
According to Dr. Dre’s financial records, he’s made millions by selling off Apple stock over the past 12 months. The acclaimed producer sold the stock for a total of $73,725,773.
The Aftermath Entertainment founder has $182,744,809 in cash and his checking/savings accounts. He’s got an additional $6,262,311 in stocks/bonds as well as $269 million in property.
Although the D-R-E is making a lot of money, he’s got some major expenses too. In estimates provided by his account, the former N.W.A member spent at least $17 million over the past year.
Dr. Dre’s expenses include $3.2 million on mortgages and $2.3 million on entertainment. He also spent $7.8 million on what’s listed as “gifts,” including financial support for minor children.
The Hip Hop mogul also racked up an estimated $156,000 in health care costs; $248,000 on groceries; $21,000 for cell phone bills; $104,000 in auto-related payments and $177,000 for charitable donations.
Dr. Dre’s lawyer noted he didn’t account for taxes or litigation fees. Payments owed to his ex-wife and expenses for residences occupied by family members were excluded as well.
