Lil Wayne has scored a victory in his legal battle with his ex-lawyer.
According to Radar Online, a judge has granted a motion to dismiss a $20 million lawsuit against Lil Wayne. The judge determined the suit was incorrectly filed in California when the case should’ve been litigated in Florida, where Weezy lives and works.
Ronald Sweeney, Lil Wayne’s former attorney, sued his ex-client for unpaid commissions. Sweeney, who began working with Weezy in 2005, maintains he became the rap superstar’s manager when Cortez Bryant was fired in 2018.
The lawsuit alleges Weezy “failed and refused to pay Plaintiffs his promised 10% of the recovery from lawsuits, 10% of the sale of master recordings owned by Lil Wayne’s record label and then 17% in general commissions that he owes to Plaintiffs in connection with Plaintiff’s day to day management activities.” These missed payments include Sweeney’s supposed work on the New Orleans native’s settlement with Cash Money Records.
The Young Money founder claims Sweeney was never his manager. He also contends Sweeney wasn’t even involved in the rapper’s settlement with Cash Money Records. Weezy says he hired other lawyers to handle it.
Lil Wayne, who insists he doesn’t owe Sweeney any money, has countersued his former attorney. He’s accused the lawyer of overcharging him in fees for years. Sweeney has denied those allegations.
Nicki Minaj and her husband Kenneth Petty are taking action after initially blowing off a $20 million lawsuit.
Jennifer Hough, Kenneth Petty’s rape accuser, sued him and Nicki Minaj for harassment and intimidation in August. The couple had been ignoring the lawsuit, but the threat of a default judgment against them seemingly changed their approach.
According to The Daily Beast, Jennifer Hough’s lawyer Tyrone Blackburn recently received an email from attorney Judd Bernstein on behalf of Nicki Minaj. Bernstein asked Blackburn to withdraw a request for a default judgment in the $20 million lawsuit and allow for an extension to respond.
“I said no!” Blackburn told The Daily Beast. “I told him to prepare his opposition to my request for default judgment and explain to the court why his client and her husband believe they’re both above the law.”
Jennifer Hough and her lawyer asked a judge for a default judgment in the case after Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty ignored the lawsuit for months. Hough has accused the couple of trying to get her to recant allegations against Petty, who was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in 1995.
Hough claims Nicki Minaj and Petty started harassing her last year when he failed to register as a sex offender in California. She says associates of the couple have also attempted to bribe her.
In September, Hough spoke out publicly for the first time on The Real. After relocating multiple times out of fear for her safety, Hough decided to file the lawsuit and reveal she was Petty’s rape victim.
“I’m tired of being afraid,” she explained on The Real. “I feel like the actions that were taken in regards to this whole situation have put me in a different type of fear, at my age, now. And it was wrong. And I don’t want to be afraid anymore. So, the only way not to be afraid is to continue to speak up.”
MasterClass is providing its subscribers with an opportunity to learn from Nas.
Nas and the online education platform teamed up to launch a Hip Hop storytelling course on Thursday. The class features one of rap’s greatest storytellers sharing his techniques as part of an inside look at his creative process.
“Quincy Jones told me years ago, ‘You never stop learning. You’re always a student,'” Nas said in a press release. “Going through my past works made me realize this class was something that I really wanted to do—I’m looking forward to bringing MasterClass members into my world. Whether it’s rap or any genre of music, I want people to embrace their creativity and listen to that voice inside their head. When you trust your gut and first instincts, you can’t lose.”
Nas collaborated with Hit-Boy to record the recently released single “Big Nas” for MasterClass. The course allows students to watch the legendary MC bring the song to life.
“With 14 Grammy nominations for his multi-platinum albums, Nas is simply one of the greatest artists of all time,” MasterClass founder and CEO David Rogier stated. “This class is the first time Nas breaks down his process and life story in this way. He also takes members through his writing process, literally creating a new song in real time.”
Nas joins artists such as Questlove, Timbaland and Alicia Keys in teaching on MasterClass, which costs a minimum of $15 per month. His class on Hip Hop storytelling is available here.
View the lesson plan for the course below.
• Telling Your Life Story Through Music • Rapping and Rhyme Schemes • In the Studio: Writing an Original Rap Song • In the Studio: Recording an Original Rap Song • Using Poetic Lyrical Techniques • Case Study: Writing Challenges • Learning From Hip-Hop Legends • Using Your Power and Voice • Nas’ Artistic Evolution • The Music Industry • Hip-Hop Is Our Universe
Wyclef Jean has started a new battle rap challenge and dropped some bars himself to kickstart the competition.
It all began when the Fugees rapper shared a battle between Haitian Bedaffi Green and Queens emcee, Hollaluyah Jonez. He clearly wasn’t feeling the shot Jonez jokingly took at his country’s expense. “Random…why Haitians always got a first name for a last name?” Jonez asked his opponent.
Tagging Bedaffi Green in the caption he told his fellow countryman: “You can’t let @hollaluyahjonez talk about us Haitians like that.”
Earlier today (October 14) Wyclef posted another clip from the battle, this time with shots fired directly at him: “F### Wyclef! Lauren Hill my favourite Fugee anyway.” He also posted his reply, dropping a verse responding to Hollaluyah Jonez, and issued a challenge telling others to do the same.
“What would you do if you woke up one morning watching battle rap and out of nowhere @hollaluyahjonez went for your neck !!!!!!!!” he asked in the caption. “@bedaffi_green told me to fight back 🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹 and so it begins !!!!!#WyclefBattleWarriorChallenge,” and issued instructions on how to enter.
Within a few hours, Hollaluyah Jonez fired back and dropped his reply to the challenge. “Top of the 2nd On You! Lol…You Think u can Just Shoot at me and Nothing Happen?” He told Wyclef.
The Bay Area Hip-Hop scene needs the culture’s prayers, as one of their own has been diagnosed with cancer.
Berner, who is also an entrepreneur behind the cannabis brand Cookies, says that getting Cancer is one of his “worst fears.”
According to the legendary rap radio station KMEL the emcee will be spending the next month concentrating on his wellness, deciding the proper treatment for his cancer, and getting things in order for his popular weed franchise, Cookies.
He posted a message for his supporters, showing that not only is he brave but transparent.
“I think what made cookies so special and my music career so special was always being transparent and sharing my journey with you guys,” he began his message. “So, I figured instead of fighting this alone, I wanted the people who got me where I’m at today to fight with me.”
He then went into further detail about this diagnosis, “3 weeks ago they founded traces of cancer in a series of blood tests. Today I went in for a procedure hoping to get off easy and found out I have a major fight ahead of me. If you know me, this has always been my biggest fear, but I am content with where I’m at and what I’m facing as well as every possible outcome.”
He outlined what he believes will be the trajectory of the next few months, including a change of his diet and eliminating stress from his life.
“The next month or so will be focused on addressing this as aggressively as possible as well as spending time with my family, finishing my album { Gotti } and planning out the next steps for cookies. As I am strong and want to have as much faith as possible, I also am being realistic. I want Cookies to live forever and I want my team to have a clear direction of what my vision is, lots of menu planning to do with my breeders and with my partners. I want to focus on a Whole Foods plant-based diet and make sure that there is ABSOLUTELY NO STRESS in my life. I love all of you guys so much and feel so blessed to have been able to accomplish half the things I did and really hope to be able to stick around and do a bunch more. With that being said, if you are a friend, there is no reason to text or call, just send that good energy my way and let me get my mind right. I will probably miss a few events and will be back as soon as my mind and body permits.”
Like many who have experienced health trauma, he is urging people to take note of their bodies and the early signs that can be noticed with care.
“I really want to encourage everyone to pay attention to their body and health, if you have cancer in your family, there is blood tests you can take like I did to check for over 40 kinds of cancer, I’m so glad I did because knowing is half the battle .”
He concluded with an upbeat outlook on his prospects.
“It’s time for the biggest challenge of my life and I’m ready! Again thank you for every one of you! The reason I’m in such a good place mentally is because of you! We built something so powerful, organic, and genuine it still blows my mind. I’m extremely grateful to have such an amazing family and support system and team at cookies! Love you guys, it’s time to FIGHT.”
AllHipHop.com has had the opportunity to watch Berner’s career. Check out this exclusive interview with Chuck Creekmur and the San Francisco artist.
Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock has unfollowed Nicki Minaj on Instagram after the rapper attacked the Brit for accusing former bandmate Jesy Nelson of ‘blackfishing’ in her new “Boyz” video.
In a leaked text chain, new mom Pinnock appeared to suggest Jesy had darkened her skin and changed her hair to appear more black in the promo, prompting Nicki Minaj, who appears alongside Sean “Love” Combs in the video, to start taking shots.
“When you try to bring someone down because you see them continuing to try and pursue their careers, you are a f###### clown,” Nicki Minaj raged. “Immediately that person has to wear a big red clown nose and big clown boots…
“There are lots of women out here in the United States that tan, get bigger lips, get all types of s### done to themselves. I wear blonde hair, straight blonde hair down to my feet if I want to when I want to, contacts, whatever, I do whatever the f### I want. As long as you’re not hurting anybody or speaking negative about anybody’s race or culture, you should be able to enjoy your make-up, your body however you want to.”
Nicki added: “Sweetheart, take them text messages and shove it up you’re f###### ass, because when you do clown s### I gotta treat you and talk to you like you’re a clown. It screams insecurity, it screams that you’re jealous, only jealous people do things like this and now you just look like a big jealous bozo.”
Pinnock hasn’t commented on Minaj’s attack, but she unfollowed the rapper on Instagram on Wednesday.
According to AfroTech, Houston’s favorite hot girl has negotiated a deal with Popeye’s chicken in what’s being called her “hottest deal yet.”
“I’m appreciative of Popeye’s commitment to empowering Black women and look forward to opening Popeyes Restaurants,” said Megan Thee Stallion in a statement. “Teaming up with Popeyes is such a milestone in my journey and evolution as an entrepreneur. I’ve always been a fan of the Popeyes brand and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to join the brand and help create the new Megan Thee Stallion Hottie Sauce for their line-up.”
The rapper now owns a franchise of the popular chicken chain, and will also be making her trademarked “Hottie Sauce” available in their lineup nationwide.
“Popeyes one-of-a-kind partnership with Megan Thee Stallion goes well beyond the average marketing collaboration. We are unifying two pop culture icons and Megan’s innovative, creative and entrepreneurial vision is at the core of everything we’re doing,” says Sami Siddiqui, President of Popeyes Americas, in a statement. “And, more than that, we are thrilled to welcome Megan to the Popeyes franchisee family and look forward to working closely with her over many years as she begins her journey as a restaurateur.”
Rapper and actor Ludacris almost missed the birth of his fifth child in July as he tried to get a flight out of New Mexico, so he could be in Atlanta on time.
“I’m on set, I was shooting a scene,” he tells “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” “I look at my phone and I was getting all these missed calls… and she’s like, ‘You need to come to Atlanta!’
“I’m like, ‘Baby, I’m shooting a movie, what are you talking about?’ and she says, ‘The contractions started and the doctor says you need to get here’.”
The “Fast & Furious* star couldn’t book a commercial flight, so he had to ask his own pilot to fly his private plane out to Albuquerque to pick him up.
“I have a Hawker 700 (plane) but it’s in Atlanta,” Ludacris says. “I have to call my pilot and I’m like, ‘Listen, you need to leave Atlanta and come to New Mexico right now… because everything is sold out’. He literally comes and gets me and I fly to Atlanta and I get there an hour before her water breaks.”
Little Chance Oyali Bridges arrived two weeks early on July 28.
Ludacris and Eudoxie also share Cadence, five, while the rapper is dad to three other daughters – six-year-old Cai, Karma, 13, and 20-year-old Shaila Scott.
The Hip Hop Museum of Washington DC celebrated numerous legends of Hip-Hop last week in Washington DC in a glorious event that was all Hip-Hop, all inclusive.
Rappers like Kool Moe Dee, Kid Capri, Nice and Smooth, Pete Rock, Rakim and others were honored at a grand induction ceremony, helmed by Hip-Hop Museum founder and CEO Jeremy Beaver.. The beloved rapper Heavy D and producer Chucky Thompson were posthumously inducted. All this grandeur took place at the Ivy City Smoke House.
However, even the names on the induction list don’t fully represent adequately what occurred on that night. The Hip-Hop Museum, DC, a pop-up experience of rap revelry, shows the breath and tenacity of the culture through DJing, production, concerts, graffiti, dance, History and other incredible aspects of this indigenous American movement.
The event had these legends walking among common people, chitchatting, taking pictures and conducting interviews in a carefree environment. Over drinks and food, people talked about the great days of Hip-Hop, some of which precluded the Golden Era.
Nevertheless, the show was honored by the mayor of Washington DC Muriel Bowser in a bold proclamation that cemented the importance of the Hip Hop Museum of DC. In the proclamation the mayor says, “ I am proud to join the nearly 700,000 “ of Washington DC in extending my gratitude to the hip-hop museum for putting together an event and offering my congratulations to the 2021 inductees.”
Other legends were there as well. Grand master Caz, Hakim Green of Channel Live, Canibus, DJ Doo Wop, Das EFX’s Skoob and Master G from the Sugarhill Gang we’re also present and accounted for. Even AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur and Grouchy Greg Watkins were in attendance for the festivities.
The Fugees’ upcoming international tour dates could be in jeopardy as band member Pras Michel fights to get his passport back from U.S. Department of Justice officials.
The musician, real name Prakazrel Michel, is under criminal indictment from the U.S. Justice Department as part of a long-running probe into an alleged political influence campaign, involving a Chinese investment company, according to Billboard.
It is alleged Pras facilitated the transfer of millions for Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho.
Pras’ passport has been handed over to the authorities as a result of the case, and he is currently working to get it back, so the musician can travel outside the U.S. on the reunion tour.
A domestic violence charge isn’t the only legal issue for Tyga.
According to Radar Online, Tyga is also being sued for allegedly not paying for rental furniture. Showroom Interiors is suing him for $27,000 over a breach of contract.
The lawsuit claims Tyga hired Showroom Interiors to decorate his mansion in Los Angeles. He allegedly agreed to pay $5,000 for installation, $10,000 for a security deposit and $69,000 to rent furniture for six months.
Tyga ended up paying most of the $84,000 bill, but he’s accused of not making the final payment. Showtime Interiors says he owes $27,337.11 plus interest dating back to April 1, 2019.
So far, Tyga hasn’t responded to the lawsuit. It was filed a few weeks before he was arrested for domestic violence on October 12.
Tyga’s ex-girlfriend Camaryn Swanson accused him of assaulting her during an altercation at his home on October 11. Cops saw visible marks on Swanson’s face when she filed a police report.
Swanson displayed the bruising around her eyes in a series of Instagram Stories posts. She said Tyga put his hands on her when she tried to leave his house.
“I’ve been emotionally, mentally and physically abused and I’m not hiding it anymore,” she wrote. “I’m so embarrassed and ashamed it had to get to this but I have to stand up for myself.”
Tyga turned himself in to police on Tuesday. He was released on $50,000 bail.
The line-up is stacked with “dream matches” and the pairing of Battle Rap Mount Rushmore candidate Murda Mook with Philly’s Eazy the Block Captain was one of the most highly anticipated.
The Ultimate Rap League issued a statement explaining, “Despite exhaustive efforts by the URL, Drake and Mook to bring the God-tier emcee to the stage once more in 2021, the stars did not line up.”
The statement continued noting that Harlem legend Mook “did everything in his power to rise to the occasion for his fans, but during the negotiation for the battle, several mishaps transpired in securing him a viable opponent.”
They revealed that Mook’s original opponent “reneged on his verbal agreement” and that although “rising star” Eazy “stepped up to the challenge, all parties in good conscience could not go forward.”
URL assured fans of their commitment to giving “the culture the very best.” All of the battlers must be given the opportunity to be at their best to perform on a card of such “high calibre.”
The statement concluded by affirming the URL’s commitment to “preserving the integrity of the sport.”
The Dot Mob founding member took to his IG to give a different spin on the situation, baring his heart out to the fans about why he will not be on the card.
I understand fans aren’t wired to care about the behind the scenes pain and hard work. The day in and day out. The hopeless efforts at perfecting our craft to create BRAND NEW material for you all. Material that we have no way at certainty to know if it will carry over well or not. I understand that “perfection” may be a lot of gold at the end of a rainbow but nevertheless I ALWAYS strive and push myself beyond my prior constraints for, if nothing else, constant evolution of THIS CULTURE! . …I had TWO entire meticulously crafted round already written for someone who agreed to This battle some time BEFORE ME AND REED! Smh! I’m not sure what caused the sudden change of heart nor do I care to know! I found out literally 3 days ago that this happened! I attempted to “thug it out” for my fans by agreeing to a battle with @eazyblockcapt1 because I didn’t want to disappoint (Fans and Hecklers lol). The same day you all saw the trailer is the same day I was made aware My previous opponent backed out. As much as my warrior instinct is the reason for my success. It also can be a hinderance. So with a day to think I came to the conclusion that 2 and a half weeks to recalibrate was just too short time. with all that said, I HOPE WHAT I DO FOR THIS CULTURE WILL SOMEDAY BE TOLD BY THOSE WHO TRULY KNOW!!!!!!!! until then……… YOU KNOW IM ME RIGHT ????? 🤣😈😈😈😈 #FUCKTYPOS#FROMTHEHEART#THEBADGUY
Following the revelation that Mook would not be battling Eazy, a host of top names put themselves forward as a potential replacement, despite the short notice. With only two and a half weeks to go, it may be too late to find an opponent for Eazy. However, one of those up for the challenge is Queens rapper, DNA.
Eazy The Block Captain hopped on Instagram Live with DNA after the call-out and agreed to the match-up. However, the decision lies with Drake and SMACK/URL so fans will have to wait and see if it happens.
Brizz Rawsteen, who was originally pegged to battle Mook, has not released a formal statement. He did, however, reply to URL on Twitter.
He also retweeted a fan’s response to the cancelation, seemingly motivated from the fact that (legend or not) a lot of people don’t care to see Mook battle again.
I haven't seen a single person disappointed that Mook won't be battling 😂😂
In a recent video about the cancellation, blogger Vada Fly said that he spoke to the NC/Delaware rapper about the statement and revealed that he was not happy because he felt that the league “threw him under the bus.”
Fortunately, although Mook won’t be able to show out on the card, the event is packed with electrifying matchups and is being dubbed “the biggest ever battle rap card.”
It’s been six years since Dr. Dre dropped his third studio album Compton. It’s been four years since Kendrick Lamar dropped his fourth studio album Damn. Are both performers close to dropping another album in the very near future?
According to Los Angeles-based producer/deejay BattleCat, his fellow LA natives could be planning to release new music in the coming months. Battlecat posted a schedule for the so-called “Aftermath Takeover.”
The purported lineup included information about Dr. Dre’s protégé, Snoop Dogg, releasing an album on November 12 followed by Dre letting loose new music in December. BattleCat also suggested Kendrick Lamar’s next LP is coming soon.
Apparently, Xzibit’s King Maker project is also on the way. A body of work by the rap supergroup known as Mt Westmore (Snoop Dogg, Too $hort, Ice Cube, E-40) is supposedly on deck as well.
DJ Battlecat wrote in the caption:
P.S.A FROM twitter hmm 🤔 yIKES 😳💥☄️⚡️✨⭐️💥🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 JUST HIT THE PRESS FROM TWITTER POST🥁📰 THOUGHT I GIVE YOU WESTCOAST HATTERS A GLOBLE WARNING ⚠️🚒🚑🚨THE ROOF IS ON FIRE 🔥 MF LOL 😂 🎥🎬📺📻 SHOW TIME ⏱ DONT QUOTE ME IT JUST SOUND SO GOOD TO ME LOL 😂
@djbattlecat Instagram
If “The Aftermath Takeover” is real, the campaign will likely run through 2022. The final climatic conclusion could take place in February at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Next week, ABC will broadcast The Real Queens of Hip-Hop. The one-hour program features interviews with female rappers from different generations.
MC Sha-Rock, Da Brat, Eve, Trina, Yo-Yo, and City Girls discuss their biggest career moments. Plus, Angie Martinez hosts a panel discussion with Lakeyah, Lil Mama, and Roxanne Shanté.
In addition, Salt of Salt-N-Pepa served as the narrator for The Real Queens of Hip-Hop. MC Lyte provided an original spoken word performance, and WondaGurl created the original score.
“I grew up listening to and loving the pioneering work of female emcees and was amazed by how much I learned when previewing this special,” stated Marie Nelson, senior vice president of integrated content strategy for ABC News.
Nelson continued, “With projects like The Real Queens of Hip-Hop, ABC News and ABC Entertainment are working to super-serve culturally diverse and multigenerational audiences with authentic and relevant storytelling that widens the lens and places their experiences at the center.”
An all-female leadership team at ABC News produced The Real Queens of Hip-Hop. Fatima Curry directed the special. Melia Patria and Curry are co-executive producers for the show.
The Real Queens of Hip-Hop: The Women Who Changed the Game – An ABC News Special will air on Monday, October 18 at 10 pm ET. Viewers can watch The Real Queens of Hip-Hop the next day on-demand and on Hulu.
Specifically, Big Tigger wanted to know who Fat Joe sees as the 2021 version of Tupac Shakur. Fat Joe replied, “I don’t know. It’s hard to be these guys. You’re asking some crazy stuff. I would say DaBaby.”
A week later, DaBaby posted a clip of Fat Joe’s comments to his Instagram page and said he agreed with the observation. The Rap City conversation went viral with social media users weighing in on the 2Pac/DaBaby comparison.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CU8EFlgFtVL/
There were a lot of disagreeing takes about Fat Joe saying DaBaby is the new 2Pac. The Terror Squad frontman addressed the negative reactions on Instagram Live.
Fat Joe insisted he was put on the spot and wished Big Tigger never asked him the question. Joey Crack also made it clear he only gave an answer because it was for Rap City ’21.
However, do not expect an apology from Fat Joe any time soon. The 51-year-old “Lean Back” hitmaker said, “I’m not making excuses. I’m not saying sorry. None of that.”
Fat Joe later added, “I’m thinking DaBaby is a real one, certified real one. Whether you like him or you don’t like him, I believe he lives what he raps. And that’s very much like Tupac. But is he Tupac Shakur? No! No one will ever be Tupac Shakur.”
Following the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, 50 Cent declared he would stop arguing with people online. That declaration did not last long, and 50 went right back to his social media antics.
50 Cent’s latest target is New York City rapstress Lil Kim. The G-Unit boss posted a video on Wednesday of his “Magic Stick” collaborator dancing alongside a clip from the Leprechaun movie franchise.
“I’m sorry I know it’s early, but I don’t know why 🤷🏽♂️s### like this is funny to me. LOL,” wrote 50 Cent under the Instagram video.
Lil Kim fired back at 50 Cent with a lengthy message that included the Hard Core album creator suggesting 50 was “obsessed” with her. She also told the Hip Hop mogul to “get off my p####.”
50 Cent deleted his post about Lil Kim before re-uploading the video again yesterday evening. The new caption stated, “All I said was I thought this was funny 🤷🏽♂️😆 LOL.”
Six hours later, Lil Kim commented, “And all I said was ur Obssesed with me and ur proving it. Where’s the Lie? 🤷🏽♀️ #DONTFORGETTOPREORDERMYBOOKMEMOIRSOFLILKIMTHEQUEENBEE Yup I got time today 😎.”
That online exchange was followed by 50 Cent promoting what he called the “sexy Leprechaun challenge” where social media users imitate Lil Kim’s onstage dance. He reposted one IG user named Carolina Catalino who referred to the dance moves as the “Lil Kim walk.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CU_bHIUNBbO/
Mr. Papers Has Jokes For 50 Cent
In addition, Mr. Papers stepped up to defend his partner Lil Kim. The father of the Queen Bee’s 7-year-old daughter used his own Instagram page to respond to 50 Cent.
Mr. Papers uploaded images and clips from 50 Cent’s 2011 direct-to-video film All Things Fall Apart. 50 reportedly lost over 50 pounds to play the role of a cancer patient.
One of the captions for Mr. Papers’s clapbacks read, “Now this sh*t is funny old man @50cent 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.’
The legendary tale of the making of Jay-Z and UGK’s “Big Pimpin’” is well-known by now.
The short story of how the track came together is that the late Pimp C hated the beat so much that he refused to rap on it, saying, “It sounded like a pop record to me.” He had to be coaxed into it after Jay-Z told him it would be the biggest record of his career. Even after agreeing the “UGK” rapper still no-showed the video shoot in Trinidad with Hype Williams. The team had to find a beach in the U.S that would look like a tropical location so that Pimp C could rap his verse.
Bun B has shared another interesting tidbit from the experience. He previously disclosed that while he put his all into his raps Pimp C refused to spit more than an 8-bar verse “and nothing more.” Nevertheless, Bun B called the verse “8 of the most iconic bars in history.”
During an interview with B High ATL he said,.“That’s the genius of him, he tried to be the least involved in the record, and became the most important part of the record”
He then broke down the story behind the video shoot after Pimp said “I’m not going to no m###########’ Trinidad to shoot no g###### video.” A reshoot was set up on a beach in Miami so that Pimp could feature in the video.
Bun B said Pimp “showed up in the Benz” when they were filming in Miami. He turned up wearing a Mink coat even though the temperature was more than 90 degrees. “They’re like, ‘Pimp, you’re really gonna wear this coat?’ Jay-Z was like, ‘My n***a you know it’s hot out here,” he continued. “Pimp looked at him and said, ‘TV ain’t got no temperature.’ And walked off. Jay-Z looked at me and said, ‘Your brother’s a m############ star.’”
Watch the interview below as Bun B also explains how Pimp defied Jay-Z and the crews’ expectations in other ways.
While Meek Mill has not directly commented on the outrage, he recently posted a photo of himself with a larger version of the Expensive Pain image. The Instagram caption read, “EXPENSIVE COVER ART @ninachanel that thanggggg!”
Nina Chanel Abney is an African American, female artist. Last month, Meek Mill tweeted about the cover, “Some heavy art s### that I like personally from Nina Chanel 💎.”
Expensive Pain officially arrived on October 1. The project debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart by earning 95,000 first-week units. It racked up 110.53 million on-demand streams.
Ten tracks off Expensive Pain made it onto the Hot 100 chart with “Sharing Locations” featuring Lil Baby and Lil Durk peaking at #23. Meek Mill’s fifth studio LP also features Kehlani, Lil Uzi Vert, Moneybagg Yo, Young Thug, A$AP Ferg, Brent Faiyaz, Giggs, and Vory.
Jay-Z doesn’t do anything by halves and his induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2021 is already looking on brand. His selection for the Inductee Exhibit is a bold and distinctive one, much like the man himself.
Jay-Z pictured with wife Beyonce in London last week.
HOV’s inclusion in the legendary Cleveland-based museum was announced back in May. The ceremony is set to take place on October 30 in Cleveland. Jay-Z will be inducted alongside The Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, Carole King, Foo Fighters, and Todd Rundgren, as well as specialty award recipients Kraftwerk, Charley Patton, Gil Scott-Heron, LL Cool J, Billy Preston, Randy Rhoads, and Clarence Avant.
Jay-Z has chosen a single item to represent him in the annual Inductee Exhibit, the exhibit where artists showcase artifacts from their careers. Inductees often opt for instruments or iconic stage outfits but the Roc Nation boss has selected something a little different.
The legendary rapper has loaned the museum a 72-inch by 96-inch oil portrait by New Orleans artist Jerin “Jerk” Beasley titled “Tree of Life.”
“We sent photos of what we’ve done in the past and Jay-Z’s team shared what his interpretation was of his success and what it means to him,” says Nwaka Onwusa, vice president and chief curator at Rock Hall. “It’s so in line with who he is now, and his fans will appreciate and understand that. Music is art and art is music in a way. You don’t get to Jean-Michel Basquiat without talking about Charlie Parker, for instance.”
The artist shared a video showing the making of the piece with the caption “The growth process of “Jay-Z Tree of Life” painting.”
Down Special premieres his anticipated debut song, “DAMNED (feat. Chevy Woods),” which blends pop, rap, and rock. The musician, songwriter, producer, and engineer has teamed up with one of Taylor Gang’s finest and most accomplished rappers, Chevy Woods, to attack a guitar and snappy 808 based beat. The track is hip hop at its core, but with an emotional twist about someone who has lost but all hope – or in other words is “damned.”
Pittsburgh’s own Chevy Woods has toured around the world and has been featured several times on tracks and performances with Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, A$AP Mob, Juicy J, among many others. The connection down special has with Chevy Woods isn’t random, he’s always been a fan since learning about Chevy through following Taylor Gang. The musician reached out, got lucky, and now the duo is making a statement together.
Prior to this release, Down Special was focused on honing his artistic abilities through releasing music under a couple of different aliases. Along with working as an intern at Pilot Creative Services, attending New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, and he used to teach guitar to kids in his hometown of Fairfax, VA. All aspects have molded down special’s signature sound that he showcases on “DAMNED.”
This signature sound in “DAMNED (feat. Chevy Woods)” is a mixture of tough 808 grooves that are juxtaposed against a bed of melancholic chords, laying a perfect base for down special and Chevy to spit their game. The track starts slowly then it smoothly transitions into the emotional and uniquely talented vocals of the verse. The chorus is very catchy, like a Max Martin or Dr. Luke tune, and Chevy’s verse brings a new more traditional hip-hop dynamic to the song. Both artists infuse various influences that, when together, make a song that looks to stand the test of time for down special.
“DAMNED (feat. Chevy Woods)” dropped October 14th, for more information and to check the track out see the links below!
Check out “DAMNED (feat. Chevy Woods)” out now on Spotify:
