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.
According to ColdHeartedAC or “AC” as his friends call him, this new track “Last of a Dying Breed” symbolizes everything that is “AC” as this West Coast, Los Angeles based talent proves he’s the “Last of a Dying Breed.”
“I am the Last of a Dying Breed, genuine people on this earth are scarce, mentors like Nipsey Hussle and Hollow da Don that put loyalty over money is a rare thing there’s only a few people left.” Knowing that I train my self to be the best I can be whether I’m running my car-rental, clothes , credit repair, or mobile tinting businesses.”
Getting love across the map, AC noted that Houston especially has been welcoming to him.
“I try to be the best at it while making movies on these beats it’s starting to pay off . The love I get in Houston from J Prince and Johnny Dang to New York from my switch the game up homies Hfrost and lilagz has nothing to do with music”
Tyler the Creator delivered a moving eulogy, his voice breaking with emotion as he spoke of Abloh’s manner of connecting people “of all colors, ages, backgrounds and religions.”
He added, “That’s what he did, he brought the illest people together.” The pain was audible as he shared a memory from the day he learned of Abloh’s passing.
Tyler, The Creator fights back tears while speaking at Virgil Abloh’s memorial. pic.twitter.com/QUUPj5yCMi
Kanye West stopped to spend time with his fans after the service. He met with a small crowd of people outside and signed autographs. Chicagoan Vic Mensa, who recently released a Virgil Abloh tribute song, “What You Taught Us” was pictured greeting Ye.
Kim Kardashian was in attendance, sparking rumors of a second reunion with Kanye West. The former couple was seen together with their daughter North West at Virgil Abloh’s final Louis Vuitton show in Miami last week.
Chicago Activist Englewood Barbie posted pictures and footage from the event featuring Kanye West, Drake, and Kim Kardashian.
“Only Virgil could have me sitting casually across from @badgalriri or behind @kendalljenner or across from Ye & Kim my mind was blown… I was touched that he reached these people & they pulled up for him…”
Recently male model and fashion designer Eric Brynne detailed his plans after an impressive run of shoots with Apple, Nike, Adidas, Amiri, Puma, Amazon and Boss Hugo over the last several years.
Born in Ghana and raised in Atlanta, model Eric Brynne has had a storybook experience in the modeling industry getting his start on a whim and establishing himself with some of the top brands in the world as a Mavrick Artists Agency Model.
“My modeling stuff took off even though I didn’t have a passion for it. So when I got into modeling I really didn’t like it. Even though it’s cool, I didn’t really like it because I felt like I was still trying to find myself,” Eric Brynne explained.
After standing in with a friend for moral support at a modeling audition, Eric Brynne was plucked from obscurity after being noticed by the agency’s scouts.
The contract offer was good but Eric Brynne was still attending school at Georgia State University. He turned down the offer and told them he had to finish his engineering degree, but they liked Eric so much they agreed to wait until he finished school.
Recently male model and fashion designer Eric Brynne detailed his plans after an impressive run of shoots with Apple, Nike, Adidas, Amiri, Puma, Amazon and Boss Hugo over the last several years.
Born in Ghana and raised in Atlanta, model Eric Brynne has had a storybook experience in the modeling industry getting his start on a whim and establishing himself with some of the top brands in the world as a Mavrick Artists Agency Model.
“My modeling stuff took off even though I didn’t have a passion for it. So when I got into modeling I really didn’t like it. Even though it’s cool, I didn’t really like it because I felt like I was still trying to find myself,” Eric Brynne explained.
After standing in with a friend for moral support at a modeling audition, Eric Brynne was plucked from obscurity after being noticed by the agency’s scouts.
The contract offer was good but Eric Brynne was still attending school at Georgia State University. He turned down the offer and told them he had to finish his engineering degree, but they liked Eric so much they agreed to wait until he finished school.
After finishing school Eric Brynne avoided the 9 to 5 jobs and moved to Los Angeles to establish himself as a model.
Eric Brynne Has Modeled For Some Of The Biggest Companies In The World Nike, Apple, Adidas, Amiri, Amazon, Puma and More
“In the beginning it wasn’t really great, I kind of had to learn. I learned all the grips of modeling and everywhere you put me I learned fast. My agency is Mavrick Artist Agency in Beverly Hills, they helped me land my first big gig with Adidas in New York,” Eric Brynne said.
“I realized modeling is pretty much the fashion industry and pretty much I love playing with clothes, like wearing stuff and putting fits together and creating. As a model you are a mannequin and people dress you, but I wanted to dress myself and bring out the creativity. So during quarantine I experimented with that and really learned that I love clothes and I love being creative. “
Eric Brynne’s experiences modeling and working with clothes helped him find another interest in design and creating his own brand, Hellfighter. During the COVID lockdown he experimented with that interest, even applying some of the skills he learned while earning his engineering degree.
“I started putting fits together and posting it on Instagram and people started following me. Right now that’s on pause for my real estate interest, but that should be back in effect early next year,” Eric Brynne explained. “I feel like the engineering degree helps me in terms of being creative in real life and it gives me courage and confidence in what I want to do. It helps me create and recreate in my life. We are all engineers of our lives as humans and we constantly grow and evolve and it’s not always smooth. But the degree has helped me go harder because I know that I always have something to fall back on.”
DaBaby is no longer facing a misdemeanor battery charge in Las Vegas.
Online court records reveal the battery case against DaBaby was dismissed with prejudice on December 1. That means the charges cannot be refiled, clearing him in the alleged assault of a Las Vegas driver.
According to multiple reports, the Interscope Records artist was ordered to pay $7,500 to the alleged victim to settle the case. Timothy Cobb, the accuser, claimed he was punched by DaBaby while driving the controversial rapper to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in November 2019.
DaBaby, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, denied assaulting Cobb. His lawyers David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld insisted he was ready to prove his innocence at a potential trial.
“Mr. Kirk denied the allegations and came to court prepared to fight the case at trial,” Chesnoff and Schonfeld said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “In court, the case was dismissed with prejudice.”
DaBaby has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons for much of 2021, making the battery case dismissal one of his rare moments of good news. His bad press includes a homophobic rant at Rolling Loud and getting into a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend DaniLeigh.
Kaalan Walker has been accused of sexually assaulting more than two dozen women.
According to Rolling Stone, over 30 victims have come forward with allegations of rape or sexual abuse against Kaalan Walker. Prosecutors informed a Los Angeles judge about the mounting accusations ahead his serial rape trial on Monday.
Kaalan Walker was arrested in connection to a series of sexual assaults in 2018. A total of 11 alleged victims are cited in the charges against him.
The Superfly actor/rapper has pleaded not guilty to six counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful intercourse with a minor and more felonies related to his 11 alleged victims. Walker’s attorney Andrew Flier claims his client’s accusers are all liars.
“Mr. Walker was in consensual and voluntary contact with every one of these women,” Flier told Rolling Stone. “There’s no abduction rape. There’s no forced rape. Purportedly, he is giving them information like, ‘Hey, I could put you in a movie. I could put you in a rap video. I could create a star.’ And that’s what gets them to do things they might not normally want to do.”
He added, “And now that the stardom and glory didn’t come to fruition, they’re lying and saying he assaulted them. We believe that every one of these young ladies is lying.”
Prosecutors wanted to call five more of Kaalan Walker’s accusers as witnesses at his upcoming trial. On Monday, the judge presiding over the case limited them to four.
Kaalan Walker’s trial is scheduled to begin on January 11, 2022. He’s facing a potential life sentence in prison if convicted.
LL Cool J has been honored with a unique sculpture in Queens, New York.
Artist Sherwin Banfield crafted a statue of the legendary rapper to put on display in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The installation features a musical component, implementing actual audio in the piece.
“Anything is possible,” LL Cool J wrote on Instagram. “Statue of me in Corona Park, Queens by the talented @sherwintheartist.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXJza2QpL3n/
The LL Cool J sculpture is located in David Dinkins Circle within Corona Park. Banfield’s creation will be on view through November 2022.
“A Sculptural Sonic Monument dedicated to the legacy of Queens Hip-Hop legend @llcoolj, his native Queens NY and historical performances at Flushing Meadows Corona Park,” Banfield wrote on Instagram. “This Monument is also known as The G.O.A.T. Monument.”
He continued, “Over the course of this installation parts of the steel structure will naturally rust by the elements of Queens @coronapark, a metaphor for the Queens neighborhoods having a profound impact on Cool J. Also, different audio playlists by friends and fans of LL will be activated.”
The sculpted tribute to LL Cool J gives him another reason to celebrate during the final months of 2021. In October, the Hip Hop pioneer was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His induction ended years of snubs after being nominated several times over the past decade.
Shay McCray lives by the belief that we predict our own life. She took the bull by the horns and plunged into the entertainment world taking it one step at a time. This Brooklyn native who relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, which has become the Hollywood of the South, has made a lane for herself in an industry where some dare to dream. She put in the work and landed two of the most sought after gigs in radio. She became the On-Air Personality of the iHeart Radio show, “The Takeover” on FUBU Radio Monday through Friday from 4pm to 6pm (EST).
Publicist Lynn Hobson states, “Shay McCray is killing it on radio. However, she had featured roles on BET’S#### series, ‘Being Mary Jane’ and the highly acclaimed ‘Green Leaf’ on OWN Television starring Lynn Whitfield and Keith David. She also played the daughter of Maxine Jones (former member of EnVogue) in the movie ‘The Hills’ just to name a few. Although she gained popularity working as a Red-Carpet host early in her career, she has taken her position in front of the cameras on the same red carpet. The tables have turned. Now the host wants to know what she is wearing.”
Juice WRLD Day 2021 will include a few surprise appearances and performances by some of the Billboard-charting artist’s closest friends.
People who get to the Windy City to see the event live will get a chance to cop souvenirs in the form of exclusive merch collabs. Those who cannot show up can purchase through the Amazon Music app and the Amazon Music Artist Merch Shop at Amazon.com/JuiceWRLD.
Later, police said they retrieved 70 lbs. of cannabis on the aircraft. In his lifetime, he dropped two albums: Goodbye & Good Riddance (2018) and Death Race for Love (2019).
His estate released his third album Legends Never Die posthumously in 2020.
As mentioned in the above tweet, he has an upcoming album, Fighting Demons, which will be released on December 10th. He also has an upcoming Juice WRLD documentary titled “Into the Abyss,” dropping on HBO before this year’s end.
His camp is keeping his memory alive with a whole month of activations.
Juice WRLD Day 2021 will be live-streamed on the Amazon Music app and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch at 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 9th.
Travis Scott is now taking a different approach to the overwhelming lawsuits coming his way after the Astroworld tragedy.
The Houston rapper is now saying through his attorneys that he does not believe he is liable for all of the trauma and has filed the first counter to one of the many cases.
According to TMZ, Jessie Garcia has filed a civil lawsuit against Scott, Jack Enterprises (his company), and the Cactus Jack Foundation.
The news outlet says that Scott is issuing a “general denial” to this case and many others.
According to the Legal Dictionary, it is “a statement in an answer to a lawsuit or claim by a defendant in a lawsuit, in which the defendant denies everything alleged in the complaint without specifically denying any allegation.”
His team is building a strategy to alleviate some of the massive potential financial losses coming his way through all of these lawsuits.
Last week, his team filed a motion to combine the 275 filings into “multi-district litigation.”
According to Heygood, Orr & Pearson, in the state of Texas, multi-district litigation is “a special legal procedure designed to speed the process of handling complex cases such as a single airplane crash or other disaster involving numerous claims or a large number of similar product liability suits.”
The law firm further states, “a Texas MDL must “state the common question or questions of fact involved in the cases”; provide “a clear and concise explanation of the reasons that transfer would be for the convenience of the parties and witnesses and would promote the just and efficient conduct of the cases” and “state whether all parties in those cases for which transfer is sought agree to the motion.”
No update on if the courts will honor his requests.
Tommy Fury backed out of his boxing match Jake Paul in a sudden shake-up.
Now, after mixing it up in August, the YouTuber-turned-professional fighter will meet Tyron Woodley II in a highly anticipated rematch bout.
According to a press release, Jake Paul and Woodley are going to connect in the ring on Saturday, December 18th in a one-on-one called “Leave No Doubt.”
Paul, who can boast that he has never been defeated in his professional boxing career, says he does not care whom he fights.
He said, “When my team woke me up on Friday to tell me Tommy was pulling out, I told them I’m ready to fight anyone on December 18th. Troy, Trey, Trevor, Travis. I don’t give a damn who it is.”
“So, as I predicted Tommy Fumbles,” he jabbed. “And Tyron is there to pick it up, stepping in, and contractually he is getting an extra $500,000 if he knocks me out. First time I outboxed him. This time I’m gonna punish him and leave no doubt.”
He then took to his Twitter to talk trash.
“Tommy Fury has pulled out of the fight due to a ‘medical condition’ and Tyron Woodley is stepping in for December 18th for the official rematch.”
Tommy Fury has pulled out of the fight due to a “medical condition” and Tyron Woodley is stepping in for December 18th for the official rematch. pic.twitter.com/t1OFVQQBBt
Wondering why he is talking all that boss talk? That is because Jake Paul owns Most Valuable Promotions, one of the producers of the event.
Woodley, not to be outtalked, said, “I didn’t expect him to eat my punches like that. But the fact that one judge only gave me two rounds is insane. Forget that Tommy Fury fight. Let’s run that back.”
“The ropes held him up when I hit him,” Woodley confessed. “I could have had that knockdown. I landed power punches and he missed shots all night.”
The two first met each other on August 29th in Cleveland, Oh.
The other draw will be the seven-division world champion and current unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano. She will face 135-pound titleholder Miriam Gutiérrez.
Other fights on the card are three-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Deron Williams, who will go against San Francisco 49ers running back, and No. 3 all-time leading rusher Frank Gore in a four-round heavyweight clash.
The telecast opener will feature undefeated IBF, and WBO top-3 ranked junior welterweight contender Liam Paro, and the unbeaten top-10 ranked 140-pound Puerto Rican prospect Yomar Alamo. They will go for a 10-round contest.
“Leave No Doubt” will air live on SHOWTIME PPV live from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida., on Saturday, December 18th (9p ET/6p PT).
The streaming giant has announced Dave Chappelle as one of its headliners for Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival. The 11-day comedy event will run in Los Angeles from April 28 to May 8, 2022.
“It’s absolutely thrilling for Netflix to be hosting a comedy festival of this magnitude in Los Angeles, ” Netflix’s director of stand-up comedy Robbie Praw said in a press release. “We were so disappointed to postpone the event last spring and our line-up of comedians can’t wait to bring much-needed laughs to audiences in LA and around the world on Netflix. Netflix Is A Joke Festival is going to give comedy fans the opportunity to see the greats and discover new voices in one of the greatest cities in the world.”
Dave Chappelle has been booked for the festival despite generating controversy for the streaming service. The award-winning comedian faced backlash for making transphobic jokes in his stand-up special The Closer, which was released by Netflix in October.
Amid criticism, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos defended Dave Chappelle. He later said he “screwed up the internal communication” when transgender employees and allies organized a walkout in protest of the special.
Netflix’s festival will take place across more than 25 venues, including Dodger Stadium and the Hollywood Bowl. The star-studded lineup features Amy Poehler, Chris Rock, Conan O’Brien, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Tina Fey, Wanda Sykes and many more.
Tickets for Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival go on sale on December 10. View the complete event schedule here.
An associate of rapper Casanova, one of the 18 Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation members charged in a RICO indictment, is pleading with a judge for mercy.
Jordan “Flow” Ingram was indicted with Casanova and other members of Gorilla Stone in a sweeping indictment in December of 2020.
Ingram is accused of distributing large amounts of crack cocaine around Peekskill, New York, along with the gang’s alleged Godmother, Naya “Baby” Austin.
He is also charged with the violent robbery of a rival gang member in Peekskill in June 2020, along with another Gorilla Stone member named Dezon “Blakk” Washington.
The Feds also claimed Ingram was one of the main suppliers of guns for the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation.
In July of 2021, Ingram decided to accept a plea deal in hopes of avoiding a mandatory sentence of at least two decades.
He recently wrote a letter to Judge Philip Halpern asking for leniency and apologizing for the error of his ways, for associating with the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation.
“I only want to say that I am standing now as a young adult who is taking full responsibilities for my own actions. Most of the charges I have been given does not fully pertain to myself. I do admit that I have done wrong and apologize for any damage I may have helped cause with the people I had previously associated with,” Ingram told Judge Halpern.
“I honestly want the court to take into consideration that I had a few bumps with the penal system but nothing of this measure. I am still finding my place in society. One thing I am certain of is that this is not where I see myself. People I looked up to in the past has been leading me astray and this process has opened my eyes to the dangers I may have [caused] if my life was to continue down the path it was leading.”
Ingram did not mention anyone by name.
Nevertheless, Ingram said he was blinded by peer pressure and a need to fit in as he asked Judge Halpern for mercy since he was facing a mandatory minimum of 22 years in prison before accepting a plea deal.
“I believe that most of the time I was doing it to be in good grace of my friends/associates. I say associates because I realized that we may all been used [for] someone else’s gain. The love I thought I had with the people I was around may or may not have been genuine. But I realized that it’s not worth the cost.”
Drake has done something unprecedented. In the past we have seen rappers and others even boycott the Grammys. However, we have not seen an artist, to my knowledge, with a draw their Grammy nominations. That is exactly what Drake did today. The rapper with Drew three Grammy nominations for his latest album, certified lover boy, today.
But the big question is, why?
Last year, they cut his mic off when he was talking. Bet that won’t happen again.
A Recording Academy representative confirmed this news to Variety magazine. They have not determined why the megastar would do such a thing when his new album is nominated for Best Rap Album. The crazy thing is, they are not going to offer the now absent nomination slot to anyone else. That Lloyd Banks album needs a look! There were only be for nominees for the spaces that Drake is no longer involved in.
In the past, Drake has had a lot to say about the Grammys and said that people of the culture need to create something new. He also said that his fellow Canadian the Weeknd should have been nominated for some of those Grammys this year.
Oh well!
I think it’s a good look in a rebellious sense of the word. I think that Drake is making a very bold statement and I also think that the Grammys have made extensive efforts to be more inclusive. They have included a large number of new recording Academy members to ensure that there is more diversity in the voting process. So there’s that! There have been numerous scandals and the CEO of The Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr. is working really hard to clean up the past and bring them up to speed.
I guess we will just have to wait and see what the next development is. But Drake has said what he has said and that’s that.
A little birdie told me there may be an epic Verzuz on deck: T.I. and Lil Wayne! YEP! That is exactly what I was told. Wouldn’t that be amazing? T.I. was looking for a Verzuz with a few people. They had him locked in with Jeezy and then they found a way to get Gucci on it. The Kang had to let that go. Then Tip basically made fun of Busta for wanting to Verzuz with him. Remember how hard Rick Ross laughed?
That sh#t was HEE-LAR-EE-US!!
Anyway, I was looking at the epic Three 6 Mafia and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Verzuz and out came Lil Wayne! That was pretty refreshing and unexpected. Three 6 was not playing NO GAMES! They did not seem to care about those Tupac and Biggie features! Anyway, a day or so later, I got the word that there’s a T.I. and Lil Wayne Verzuz on deck! How dope would that be? They are “even keeeeeeeled” in the words of Rick Ross! And I think it would be very competitive. There’s just one issue…
It ain’t happening! Before this could hit the rumor page, my people here at AllHipHop decided to check in with Tip’s people. Those folks shot this rumor down fast! They did say that they wished it was true. At some point, they are going to get somebody for Busta, Tip, Wayne, Missy and others deserving of a Verzuz! Verzuz was a big highlight of 2021!
IF T.I. and WEEZY battled…who do you think would win!?
P.S. I am still hearing stuff about Kim and Foxy…by the way.
Regardless of its style, age, or artist, exceptional music has one unifying and universal factor that transcends language barriers, cultures, and generations to speak to something in our very souls. And that elusive and mysterious factor is pure, unbridled emotion.
Artists need to channel their emotions to renew their talent and become prominent at some point in their careers––this is something that seasoned recording artist JXHN PVUL has been tackling. These past few years, commitment and heartfelt devotion are what you’ll discover at the crux of his artistry.
JXHN is a visionary, dream chaser, and zealous about utilizing his God-given abilities for the greater good. Because of this mantle of responsibility, he’s no stranger to the nuances of well-executed craftsmanship. While wearing many hats, it’s evident that he’s accomplished much more than most artists in the industry––at this pace, we expect more from him in the public eye, nationally, and worldwide.
If you’re tuned in at all to 50 Cent’s new TV show, BMF, then you’re probably familiar with Myles Truitt.
Based in Atlanta, the actor, producer, and philanthropist plays the standout role of B-Mickie, a main character who is vital to the overall story.
Not only does Myles play the third OG in Big Meech and Terry’s drug crew, but it’s his boldness in standing up for himself that causes friction amongst the Flenory family.
Myles describes himself as “wise and inspiring.” He states, “I’m just motivating, because I motivate myself a lot. I channel energy that I don’t really get back, so I want to reciprocate it back onto me.”
Growing up in Georgia, a young Truitt decided to try out theater and immediately felt at home on the stage, as he fine-tuned his skill sets for his fruitful career to follow.
After joining the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, he was handpicked by casting director Robi Reed to play Little Ronnie DeVoe on BET’s The New Edition Story, showcasing his talents on the small screen to audiences all around the world.
Regardless, it’s his passion, work ethic, and intuitiveness that leads him to these highly-coveted roles.
Plus, fans can expect to see Myles in the new season of Stranger Things on Netflix.
AllHipHop: What was a young Myles like growing up in Atlanta?
Myles Truitt: I’m from the Eastside. I was doing theater as a kid. When I was 11 or 12 years old, I was going to different theater programs and camps. That’s when I was learning the basics and inner-workings of acting. Once I learned that I can make it a job and get paid for it, I continued and stayed consistent in it. Here I am.
AllHipHop: Who made you act? Were there people that you looked up to?
Myles Truitt: I can’t say I didn’t watch people as a kid, because as a kid, who wouldn’t? My mom was really the most inspiring person because she was the one that put me into acting and convinced me that “hey, your options are to go to work with your grandma this summer, or you can go to this theater camp.” I was like “ooh, I’ll go.” That’s when I learned to find out I loved it and enjoyed being there.
AllHipHop: Do you remember your first big break?
Myles Truitt: My first big break was The New Edition Story playing Ronnie DeVoe in the BET miniseries. 24 million views in 3 nights, their biggest TV show they ever put out. To be a part of it alongside legends filming and going through the process for the first time, that was one of my best experiences.
AllHipHop: Someone said you have one of the most iconic lines. What line is that?
Myles Truitt: “Love you to boo.” [laughs] I know exactly what they’re talking about.
AllHipHop: How was that whole experience on set? Was their pressure given it’s such a legendary group?
Myles Truitt: I wouldn’t say it was too much pressure for me because me growing up, going through the experiences, going through the process of performing on stage and being in front of large audiences, the filming process was different. Being in front of a camera provided a way more comfortable environment than performing in front of people LIVE. I honed in more on the acting aspect, learned and educated myself rather than being nervous in front of people and worrying about messing up. I could make mistakes in the film world, they could say “cut.” A director can come to me and give me some notes that I need to pick up on. But in theater, you only get one take. I went through theater for two to four years, going through stage process, doing different performances, and I only get one chance. So it was easier for me going to the film world and being in front of the camera, because I knew I had a more opportunities to get it right.
AllHipHop: How does it feel to be such a great series such as BMF? Shout out to 50 Cent, the GOAT.
Myles Truitt: Man, it’s amazing. I think it still hasn’t hit me yet. The fact that we’re going into season two, it’s amazing as well. I think that’s when it hit me: when we started filming and going through the process. I get to see everybody’s faces again after season one and the premiere that we just did, knowing that we’ll be back together. It’s an honor. It’s a classic. Kids 20 years from now, 30 years from now, are going to be able to look back and educate themselves on who these people are and what they did to gain the caliber and power that they did. People in the culture.
AllHipHop: You play the ruthless B-Mickie, how vital is your character to the show?
Myles Truitt: B-Mickie is the right-hand man, and the left-hand man when it comes to any situation or problem that needs to be handled. When it comes to Meech, Terry, and The 50 Boys, he’s insane, but then sane as well. He’s got the yin yang, that lover boy with that killer inside of him. Him keeping the world behind him, having that love secrecy with Kato and that character. Keeping that behind Meech’s back and him not knowing. On top of that, Lamar. It was fun being that character!
AllHipHop: How was the casting process? How did you end up in the role?
Myles Truitt: Man, I told my agents through the audition process in the past couple years that I want to be part of a project that is able to illustrate a true story that hasn’t been told yet. I got to read over the dialogue in the script and understand the characters, while learning their true backstories. This made me want to be a part of it even more. Once I got to filming it, being a part of the project, meeting Lil Meech and hearing Meech’s voice, meeting Terry and meeting all the real people that we’re going to be illustrating on film, I was educating myself even more through the process of it. It was cool. Rather than watching videos and reading different articles, I was just there. I went to Detroit. I went to the house, I was on the streets that they walked. I got that feeling, and I got to pour into it when it came to that camera.
AllHipHop: What is your relationship with Lil Meech? Before and after?
Myles Truitt: Lil Meech is a character, man, for sure. He’s very monotone but at the end of the day, he’s charismatic. Very genuine. Got that little sinister smile when he looks at ya, but he’s a cool cat. I have so much respect for him, because of how I saw him elevate through the process and so on. And not only that, I got to see him work through it. Him doing them 3 years of acting, then coming to this environment that was made for him and do it so precisely to a tee — a challenge for most, but he did it. Illustrating his father and imaging so perfectly, it was amazing to see. Shout out to that man right there.
AllHipHop: How did you prepare for the role?
Myles Truitt: I didn’t really know too much about BMF before I got the part. I was born in 2000. Really honestly, I feel like I should’ve been born in ‘94, ‘95. I got a real old spirit. When it came to the project, “oh well cool, I get to go back in time. Cool, let’s do it.” When I was reading over the dialogue and the script, I had to analyze and understand the trials and tribulations that they went through. Not only Meech and Terry, but the family. Their little sister, the mother, Monique. Just a lot of the characters, they had so many stories and dynamics that were chained to the story, that I had to understand and pour into B-Mickie’s character as well. His mom being sick, him coming back to us and giving people drugs, on top of that trying to balance his love with this other character that has this evil side to her, and he’s not even all mentally there. It’s a lot for an actor and a real person to maintain, hold in through the process and try to illustrate it perfectly. It’s a process for sure.
AllHipHop: The season finale just dropped, how does it feel to close out season one?
Myles Truitt: Man, like I told you it hasn’t hit me yet. It feels like we just got done filming and I’m waiting for the season to be over with, and that’s a good thing. It’s the fact that I’m hearing BMF, BMF, BMF so much in people’s mouths, and not just on screen. I’m hearing Black people saying BMF. It’s defining Black, Mafia, Family. My Black culture, my people. It’s just a start. To get some representation in the world, then to be seen and heard, it’s a start though. The fact that this man is able to tell his story from a jail cell, at the exact same time having a story being illustrated on camera, on film — a TV series at that, not a movie. At the same exact time that he’s incarcerated in jail, that’s crazy. No one else has done that, no one.
Any mafia person is either dead and they had to pick from different false sources, different true sources at that. But this man is on the phone talking to his son, saying “hey, this is what happened. This is what I did.” Terry from Detroit, talking to Da’Vinchi saying “this is what I did. This is what happened.” Talking to the writers in the writers room, saying “this is what happened.” The real people. There’s a TV series happening at the exact same real time that they’re telling it, and they’re alive till this day. It hasn’t happened yet. It hasn’t been done. The fact that I got to do this, man thank God.
AllHipHop: I love the positive reception, everyone’s saying you played your part so well. How does it feel to have everyone praise your talents in such a big moment?
Myles Truitt: It’s good. At the end of the day, I see what I do as an artform. A craft. I wouldn’t be satisfied at the end of the day, I wouldn’t have settled. The fact that you guys are saying you love what we did, I knew I was satisfied with what I put out. I didn’t settle, and that proves that. So thank you guys, I appreciate that.
AllHipHop: What are those convos with 50 Cent?
Myles Truitt: Man 50, he’s a quiet man. He has his cliques, you can’t blame him. He’s 50 Cent at the end of the day. But working with him, it was a pleasure. Down-to-earth man, knows what he wants. It was real cool to see how he was able to jump from the culture in the Hip Hop world, straight into the film and cinematic environment so easily and swiftly. And he’s a rapper, he had no formal film education before the music. The fact that he educated himself and he went from rapper to actor to executive producer and director in a matter of that timespan of years, props to him.
Working with him and seeing his face, dapping him up saying, “thank you man, it’s an honor. I appreciate you.” He told me, “I’ve been seeing you work, keep it up man.” I see him face to face every now and then, at the premieres and on set, but at the end of the day for me, it’s work. I don’t really build too many relationships, because it’s work. These are my co-workers! You feel me? That’s why I see them. When you build the relationship, you build ‘em there. It was a pleasure working with him. Down-to-earth man. So caring, so genuine.
AllHipHop: People want to know if you’re single. [laughs]
Myles Truitt: [laughs] Everybody asks if I’m single. If I say I’m single, people are gonna be in my DMs. You guys want me to say that so you can come in my DMs? ‘Cause then if I say I’m not, they’ll be like, “alright, well…” so here it is…I have a dog (smiles).
AllHipHop: One of your fan pages says you’re not single?
Myles Truitt: Oh, that’s what they know then. Which fan page? There’s so many fan pages. They crack me up. I love them. I’ve had fan pages since New Edition Story. They’re real loyal for sure.
AllHipHop: Talk about joining the cast of Stranger Things on Netflix.
Myles Truitt: Stranger Things comes out Summer of 2022 next year. I’ll be playing the role of Patrick, he’s a basketball all-star that will be a junior at Hawkins High. He’ll be befriending Lucas, which is the character portrayed by Caleb McLaughlin, one of my best friends. What’s crazy is we manifested this s### from New Edition Story, because he played Rickie Bell. He’s one of the first actors that I worked with. It’s full circle now I’m doing Stranger Things with him and we’re friends in the actual film. Summer 2022, hopefully you’ll enjoy it.
AllHipHop: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Myles Truitt: Man, lots of self-reflection time. Meditation, go play basketball. I got a Y card so I go to the YMCA, shoot some hoops. Play the game. You gotta slow your motor down, your generator down to understand the process that you want to accomplish. I had to realize that you got to slow down and take a breath, at least step back to take a step forward. I spend that time just chillin’ out. ‘Cause when you working man, you filming and it’s all go, go, go, go. Slow the process down for sure.
AllHipHop: What is your favorite movie?
Myles Truitt: I like The Harder They Fall, that movie just came out. There has to be a part two, has to be! You see how she had her hat at the end? Did you peep? She saved Idris out the train, Regina King. Remember when she got hit with the bat, when they were fighting? She wasn’t dead. She wasn’t dead. You saw the hat and the cape. I loved it. Wowww, she didn’t die. I gotta be a part of that, that’s what I’m gonna tell my agents next.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited for next?
Myles Truitt: Stranger Things honestly, and season two of BMF. That’s my main priority right now. Of course I’m still auditioning. It’s all a process, but I’m getting there. Hopefully you guys stay tuned to my career and what I got going on next.
As 2021 comes to a close, music publications are starting to release their annual end-of-the-year lists. Billboard magazine also presented its year-end charts. Hip Hop megastar Drake found his name atop multiple tallies.
Drake came in at #1 on Billboard‘s 2021 Top Artists chart. The Canadian rapper/singer beat out Pop newcomer Olivia Rodrigo (#2), R&B veteran The Weeknd (#3), global superstar Taylor Swift (#4), and Country singer Morgan Wallen (#5).
Previously, Drake landed at #1 on the Top Artists chart in 2018. Not surprisingly,Billboard‘s Artist Of The Decade for the 2010s also made the Top 10 of the Top Artists in 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
In addition, the OVO Sound label leader took the #1 spot on the 2021 Top Rap Artists list. Drake was followed by Brooklyn’s Pop Smoke (#2), Atlanta’s Lil Baby (#3), Chicago’s Juice WRLD (#4), and Chicago’s Polo G (#5).
Billboard listed Drake at #1 on the Top Male Artists year-end chart as well. The outlet crowned Olivia Rodrigo as the Top Female Artist, Top New Artist, and Billboard Global 200 Artist for 2021.
Drake also sits atop the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Male Artist, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artist, R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs Artists, Top Rap Artists, Hot Rap Songs Artists, Rap Streaming Songs Artists, Hot 100 Male Artists, and Billboard 200 Male Artists rankings.
Plus, OVO Sound ended the year at #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Imprints chart and Hot Rap Songs Imprints chart. Drake’s Toronto-based record company also reached #4 on the Hot 100 Imprints year-end chart.
Fellow Canadian The Weeknd finished in first place for Top R&B Artists and Top R&B Albums (After Hours). Doja Cat led the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Female Artists chart. Giveon led the Top New R&B/Hip-Hop Artists and Hot R&B Songs Artists charts.
“Leave The Door Open” by Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) clinched the pole positions of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot R&B Songs charts. “Mood” by 24kGoldn and Iann Dior concluded 2021 at #1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.
Migos are #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Duo/Group Artists chart. Late emcee Juice WRLD is #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artists and Top Rap Albums Artists charts.
Pop Smoke’s Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon is #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts. The deceased Victor Victor Worldwide signee captured the No. 1 slot on the Rhythmic Artists chart as well.
Top Dawg Entertainment’s SZA is ending 2021 with another potential smash record. The St. Louis-born vocalist dropped “I Hate U” on December 3, and the song collected large streaming numbers on its first day of release.
“I Hate U” debuted atop Spotify’s Top 200 United States chart and Apple Music’s Top 100: USA chart. The new song racked up 1,615,102 first-day streams on Spotify.
As of press time, SZA’s latest single is still leading both streaming services’ daily charts. The officially released track collected an additional 1,436,995 Spotify streams on December 4.
In addition, SZA reuploaded “I Hate U” to her verified SoundCloud page last week. The song has amassed more than 402,000 streams and 32,000 likes on the platform since December 3. The YouTube version currently sits at 846,000 plays with the official lyric video sitting around 767,000 plays.
SZA also reached the Top 10 as a feature on Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” which peaked at #3 in July. That collaboration has spent over 30 weeks on the Hot 100 rankings and received three Grammy nominations (Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best Pop Duo/Performance).
Dwayne “Lil Wayne’ Carter’s name is once again connected to a news story about firearms. The Young Money boss was allegedly involved in a violent incident involving an assault rifle.
According to TMZ, a member of Lil Wayne’s security detail accused the rapper of pulling out an AR-15 during a heated dispute at Wayne’s Hidden Hills, California home. The argument supposedly stemmed from Lil Wayne accusing the guard of leaking photos to the press.
However, sources close to Lil Wayne reportedly claimed the situation never took place and the 39-year-old Funeral album creator does not have a gun. Police are still investigating the matter.
The outlet reports:
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … one of the rapper’s guards told cops he and Wayne got into a fight at Weezy’s Hidden Hills, CA home, and cops say they were told the altercation escalated to physical violence and a brandished firearm. We’re told the guard claims Wayne told him to get outta the house after the initial dispute, but the guard went to the bathroom first and he claims that’s when Wayne dramatically escalated things.
TMZ
Apparently, law enforcement investigators are suspicious of the bodyguard’s account because he did not have any physical injuries from the alleged altercation. He also chose not to immediately press charges against Lil Wayne.
In October 2009, Lil Wayne pled guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon in New York. He was sentenced to one year behind bars. Wayne was released from the Rikers Island Correctional Facility in November 2010 after serving eight months.
Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump@potus besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership. He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done. 🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/Q9c5k1yMWf
