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.
Drama often attempts to devour greatness. Amongst his Hip-Hop peers, French Montana, is distinguished. Recently, he dropped his fourth studio album, They Got Amnesia. To the surprise of many, he openly dishes on his stagnated beef with, 50 Cent.
A sober “Shot Caller,” takes aim at the once lingering issues with 50. A quick trip to N.O.R.E and DJ EFN’s Drink Champs grants this reprieve. N.O.R.E. matter-of-factly manages, “At one point, you and 50 were cool. What the f### happened?”
To which, Frenchie responds, “Man, let me tell you something. Me, I have no problem with 50 no more — after –he dropped this BMF joint. That’s my favorite s###!” a strategic segue. The stammering continues. The They Got Amnesia rapper adds, “What me and 50 ever had — shout out to 50. Yeah, everything is over, after BMF. That’s his best work ever.”
Soon, Captain Controversy chimes in. Following two, dry-clapping hands emojis, 50 Cent quips, “That was the right answer French, well handled. What beef, I don’t remember.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXEjSOMjcr-/
“I mean, you know, we’re from New York, bro. When you come outside you’re going to snap on a n####. One day, you’re going to snap on each other, and this and that. It was nothing like physical. It wasn’t nothing like we got beef over, nobody got shot. Nothing like that. “
Shout out to 50, man. I actually love his music. I want him to drop another album. – French Montana
Hip Hop megastar Cardi B continues to expand her ever-growing entertainment empire. The Bronx native (born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) recently became the first-ever Creative Director In Residence for the Playboy brand.
Playboy hired Cardi to provide artistic direction for sexual wellness merchandise collections, digital editorial, experiential activations, and more. She will also serve as the Founding Creative Director and a founding member of Playboy’s creator-led CENTERFOLD platform.
“Cardi B is a creative genius and we are absolutely thrilled and honored to bring her immense talent and creative vision to Playboy,” said Ben Kohn, Chief Executive Officer of PLBY Group in a press release.
Kohn also commented, “Through her unapologetic commitment to free expression, her dedication to lifting up artistic voices, and her celebration of sex and body positivity, Cardi is the embodiment of the Playboy brand.”
Cardi B Expects To Feel Pressure To Deliver Sex Appeal Via ‘Playboy’
Billboardcaught up with the Diamond-selling recording artist to talk about some of her latest business ventures which include the vodka-infused Whipshots whipped cream. Cardi B is focused on providing old-school sex appeal as Playboy‘s new Creative Director.
“I’ve been meeting with [Playboy] since May. I gave them some ideas that I have because I want the brand. I want sex. Sex appeal. I’m a wild girl,” Cardi told Billboard. “And that’s what I want on the brand. I want to have conversations that people are afraid to have. I want beautiful women.”
The “Wild Side” rapper continued, “I just think of Playboy like back-in-the-day Playboy. That’s what I want. I want to bring that back. I’m excited but now I’m getting a little bit overwhelmed because I could get a lot of pressure, but I know that I could do it.”
Late magazine publisher Hugh Hefner founded Playboy in 1953. The monthly – later quarterly – men’s publication grew into the PLBY Group global media and lifestyle company.
Partially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ben Kohn announced the Spring 2020 edition of Playboy would be the final printed issue. The magazine is now a digital-only publication.
In addition to her connection with Playboy and Whipshots, Cardi B partnered with Reebok for an exclusive line of sneakers and apparel. The Invasion of Privacy album creator is also reportedly creating a cosmetics brand called “Bardi Beauty.” Cardi B is the executive producer of the Cardi Tries reality show as well.
Brent Coon & Associates filed cases on behalf of the Travis Scott Astroworld Festival victims. The tragic event took place in Houston on November 5.
Attorney Brent Coon is representing 1,547 Astroworld Festival attendees. The plaintiffs want $10 billion for the resolution of all cases.
In addition, Coon requested the Harris County District Court consolidate all of the involved cases into one trial. The goal is to ensure more efficient management of the docket. A hearing is scheduled for December 13.
“In addition to litigating high-profile mass tragedies all over the county the last 35 years, I also have run a concert promotion company for over 20 years and am very familiar with how you are supposed to plan these events,” states Brent Coon. “What happened at Astroworld was an unconscionable tragedy and it is important that justice is served for all those impacted.”
Coon continues, “I believe our firm is best suited to help lead this case, not only because of the number of victims who have selected our firm to represent them in this action but due to the fact that we possess the extensive legal experience as demonstrated by our lead counsel work on many plant explosions, product recalls, and other mass tort actions.”
Will Texas Pass New Laws Following The Deadly Astroworld Festival?
Brent Coon & Associates is also demanding legislative action in Texas. The potential new laws could include crowd control planning specialists to certify events, mandated training programs for event preparation, and criminal liability for any wrongdoing.
Dr. G. Keith Still will serve as part of the Coon & Associates legal team in this case. The crowd surge and stampede expert will also hold an advisory/consulting role on governmental investigative commissions such as Governor Greg Abbott’s State of Texas Task Force on Concert Safety Panel.
“We will roll over every rock in this matter. Everyone associated with these types of events has the power to halt conduct that is resulting in injury to attendees,” says Brent Coon. “It has been terribly disappointing that some defendants have already gone public misstating and down-playing their responsibilities that attach to events such as this. Anyone involved can at least temporarily stop an event when safety becomes a serious issue.”
Coon adds, “The fact that not a single company or individual involved in this incident EVER made an effort to do so here, when it was readily apparent things were out of hand, is shameful. Trying to publicly dodge culpability is irresponsible and inconsistent with what really goes on behind the scenes in these events. I know. I run them and I have had to stop one and did so before anyone got hurt. It’s part of the job.”
Ten people, including 9-year-old Ezra Blount, died as a result of the violent crowd surge at the Astroworld Festival. Dozens of people were hospitalized. Over 300 people were treated for injuries at the event’s field hospital on site. Travis Scott and others are now facing multiple high-dollar lawsuits.
Two of New York’s most prominent Hip Hop figures joined forces to create a collaborative body of work. Styles P and Havoc’s Wreckage Manner joint album arrived on December 3.
The 10-track project features production entirely by Havoc. Both emcees contributed verses to the LP. They also worked together to film music videos.
Visuals for “Nightmares 2 Dreams” hit YouTube on the same day as Wreckage Manner. The video already collected over 130,000 views on the platform.
Havoc rose to prominence as a member of Mobb Deep with the late Prodigy. The Queens-bred tandem is responsible for making the classic 1995 album The Infamous as well as other albums such as 1996’s Hell on Earth, 1999’s Murda Muzik, and 2014’s The Infamous Mobb Deep.
Prior to linking up with Havoc, Styles P is best known as one-third of The Lox. The Yonkers trio dropped 1998’s Money, Power & Respect, 2000’s We Are the Streets, 2016’s Filthy America… It’s Beautiful, and 2020’s Living Off Xperience.
Havoc also worked with The Alchemist for The Silent Partner which came out in 2016. Previously, Styles P teamed up with Talib Kweli for 2017’s The Seven and Dave East for 2018’s Beloved.
Let me know your favorite joint off of WRECKAGE MANNER !! @mobbdeephavoc and myself album.. if you ain’t up on it !! Get up with us …😭😭😭😭.. it’s organic and authentic!!!
Rihanna has spent the last few years building a colossal business empire worth an estimated $1.7 billion. Fans of her music have longed for something new from the Bajan singer whose most recent project, “Anti,” was released back in 2016.
However, it seems as though the wait could soon be over as Rhianna teased an imminent release during an exchange with the paparazzi.
As she was exiting a taxi she was asked: “Any new music? Anything?” Her reply of “Soon soon soon,” is sure to have her eager fans studying her every move in anticipation of a release.
Rihanna responds to paparazzi asking if she has any new music coming:
Meanwhile, Rihanna teased a hint of what to expect from her next musical offering back in September. During an appearance to promote her latest Savage X Fenty show, Rihanna told “Associated Press”:
“You’re not gonna expect what you hear, just put that in your mind. Whatever you know of Rihanna’s not gonna be what you hear.
“I’m really experimenting, and music is like fashion, you should be able to play,” she continued. “I should be able to wear whatever I want and I treat music the same way. So, I’m having fun, and it’s going to be completely different.”
“Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty has given service to Barbados which has been exemplified by visionary and pioneering leadership,” Prime Minister Mottley said during the ceremony. “May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation.”
Rihanna gave a brief speech declaring, “This is a day that I will never, ever forget. It’s also a day that I never saw coming,” she said. “I have traveled the world and received several awards and recognitions, but nothing, nothing compares to being recognized in the soil that you grew in.”
The ceremony marked Barbados’ transition from a commonwealth to a republic and saw the Inauguration Ceremony for the country’s first-ever President, Dame Sandra Mason.
Fans of the long-feuding rappers were stunned when it was announced that Ye would be hosting a benefit concert in aid of Larry Hoover featuring Drake. As to be expected, the pair have something monumental in-store and it appears major construction is underway in Los Angeles.
CBS Los Angeles photojournalist John Schreiber shared aerial footage from the Memorial Coliseum where the show is set to take place.
“Massive build out tonight for the Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Drake concert set for Dec. 9th at the LA Coliseum,” he wrote. “Looks like a circular mound is being built with sand and concrete or stucco. At first, thought this was a monster truck rally setup. @CBSLA#Ye#Drake#KanyeWest”
He continued, “The concert is the “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert and will be Ye’s first concert in five years. Event page says it’s to ‘Raise Awareness and Support for Larry Hoover and the Cause of Prison and Sentencing Reform.’”
The concert is the "Free Larry Hoover" benefit concert and will be Ye's first concert in five years. Event page says it's to "Raise Awareness and Support for Larry Hoover and the Cause of Prison and Sentencing Reform."
Additionally, reports began to circulate on Twitter that the concert will also air in select IMAX theatres. While Kanye West has featured several performances on Apple Music, there is no word yet whether the Larry Hoover benefit will be streamed on the platform.
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The "Free Larry Hoover" concert is going to be played in iMAX theaters.
Kanye West and Drake have been beefing for years and tensions hit peak levels when they both released albums this summer. J Prince intervened to help the pair reconcile and they were pictured together last month in Toronto.
Meanwhile, both superstars were among the celebs in attendance at the tribute to the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh. Kanye West and Drake paid their respects at the memorial in Chicago on Monday (Dec. 6).
50 Cent has plenty of reasons to celebrate this week after 66 out of the 75 students enrolled in his “G-Unity Business Lab” program secured employment.
The multimedia mogul took to social media to share the success of the enrollees. He posted a picture of some of the students and proudly referred to them as “my kids.” He wrote:
“66 of my 75 kids have a job now @gunitybusinesslab. Houston i’m so proud of this program 3 ward, 5 ward let’s get it 💰”
50 Cent started the program after moving to Houston back in May. 75 students joined the G-Unity Business Lab for a 12-week course where they receive an MBA-level curriculum taught by volunteers.
“When you grow up under circumstances that I grew up under, it starts to feel like the biggest restraint is a financial restraint,” the G-Unit rapper said. “I just want to be able to help provide programs that allow you the information to do it the right way.”
50 Cent initially invested $300,000 into the program. His partner in the project, Houston Independent School District, matched the figure taking the total to $600,000.
50 Cent Wants To Empower The Youth
The rapper turned TV star shared his motivation for the scheme during a press conference to launch the program back in May.
“These opportunities are huge opportunities that I didn’t have,” 50 Cent said. “Being able to provide that in the early stages, I think it changes the direction and the choices that they will make. It prevents them from making some of the mistakes that I made.”
The students from three high schools meet twice weekly where they learn from professionals in the field. At the end of the year, they have the chance to pitch their business idea to investors. The successful candidate will win financial support for their start-up. Judges including 50 Cent will determine who the victorious budding entrepreneur will be.
29-year-old Aariel Maynor from Los Angeles is facing multiple charges in connection with the death of the wife of music executive Clarence Avant. Maynor has been charged with philanthropist Jacqueline Avant’s murder and the attempted murder of the Avant’s security guard who was reportedly shot at during the robbery though not wounded.
Maynor is also facing charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of residential burglary. He was on parole at the time of the shooting on Dec. 1 and has previous felony convictions for assault, robbery, and grand theft.
Maynor is due to appear in court for the first time today (Tuesday, Dec. 7) at the Airport Branch Courthouse in Los Angeles County. It has not yet been reported whether he has legal representation.
Police were called to the home Jaqueline Avant shared with husband Clarence on Dec. 1 after a call was made reporting a shooting at 2:23 a.m. She was taken to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries. Later that same night LAPD officers received reports of another shooting in the Hollywood Hills, about seven miles from the Avant’s home. Mayor was taken into custody after being found at the scene, suspected of burglary. According to reports, Manor accidentally shot himself in the foot during the commission of the alleged burglary.
According to a police briefing last week, the suspect had an AR-15 in his possession at the time of his arrest. They believe the weapon was used in both crimes. Furthermore, they said they had surveillance footage of Maynor’s car placing him in the Beverly Hill area at the time of the shooting.
“Mrs. Avant was a treasured member of our community. Her generosity and goodwill touched so many lives,” District Attorney George Gascón said.
