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Baton Rouge Rapper OBN Jay On Why He Remains Independent

By: Shirley Ju Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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Baton Rouge, Louisiana is home to a slew of greats in the rap game, from NBA Youngboy to Kevin Gates to Boosie Badazz.

OBN Jay, is here to give them all a run for their money. Arriving on the scene with his own unique style, swag, and braggadocious lyrics, the rising star continues to unleash bangers for his growing fanbase.

On his recent single “Take The Time” released earlier this year, OBN Jay spits, “Grew up ’round nggas dangerous and nggas head huntin’, grew up where they lacin’ cocaine up in every blunt. Moms and pops had disabilities, I raised my parents. Now I got that bag, I’m grocery shoppin’, fill they cabinet. I was in them streets, tryna find me a way for to eat, ’cause I didn’t have it. I was on my grind, I’m a multimillion boss I say it gladly.”

Last year, OBN Jay unleashed his critically acclaimed album titled No Commercial Breaks, spearheaded by lead singles “Dead Presidents (feat. Jackboy)” and “Trap Daily (feat. King Von).” With over 10 million streams to his name alone, OBN Jay has no plans of slowing down, most recently releasing his newest single titled “Rasta.”

Whether he’s spitting straight bars or adding melody to his flow, there’s no doubt the rising star remains in his own lane.

AllHipHop: How did you get your name OBN Jay?

OBN Jay: OBN means On Bro Nem, I made that name myself when I was in 8th grade. I’m an independent artist right now. I’m on EMPIRE, I’ve been working on a lot of new music. A lot of my singles blew up while I was independent just naturally so that’s really where my success and my career comes from, making singles and releasing them. That’s where a lot of my success came from and eventually got me signed.

AllHipHop: When I met you when you were with Columbia Records, what happened?

OBN Jay: That wasn’t the place for me. I still got people over there at Columbia that I rock with, it ain’t nothing crazy. It’s still all love. It just wasn’t right for me at the time. It wasn’t a big deal, me getting out of that. It wasn’t no crazy situation, it just wasn’t for me at the time. That’s how I feel, I’ma leave it at that for real.

AllHipHop: That was early in your career, right? How was your experience signing to a major?

OBN Jay: Yeah. Seriously in my career, I was about 10 or 11 months in, so it was real early. I started in January 2018, I was in high school. By November 2018, I was signed with Columbia so that shows you right there. It was crazy trying to transition everything so yeah, it was early in my career. It was a time where people were trying to capitalize off the story of OBN Jay, and they didn’t really understand who I am. I ain’t gonna say they didn’t know how to do their job, they just didn’t understand me. It’s all good, much love to Columbia and all them.

AllHipHop: What is the story of OBN Jay just coming out of Baton Rouge? Y’all got a lot of obstacles to overcome just personally.

OBN Jay: It was real trench life. It was real struggle life, I had to struggle a lot. Anything I really wanted, I had to go for it for real. My mama had 2 strokes and my daddy still got diabetes, so that’s 2 disabilities in my household. And my parents were separated so it wasn’t even 2 in one household. It was a disability over there, disability over here. Whatcha gon’ do type s###. My family went through a lot of different stuff, violence in the city, but I came out good.

All that made me build a mentality like “man, I’ve gotta learn to hustle right now. That’s all it really was for me, and that’s what a lot of fans like about me. I be going through my DMs sometimes responding — they’ll say something crazy just for me to respond. Sometimes I’m like “Oh, hold up! Wait, don’t do that.” They’ll say “I’m finna do this and that. Man, I want you to say something to me. Motivate me and keep my mind from doing all kinds of crazy stuff.” A lot of people be telling me that my music helps them in their everyday life. People be working at McDonald’s or Buffalo Wild Wings, they’ll post my music while they working. I’ma repost it because I’m really gonna make your day, it’s real.

AllHipHop: That’s love!

OBN Jay: Hell yeah, I do that type of stuff for my fans. Let ‘em know I see ‘em no matter what’s going on in my end of the situation.

AllHipHop: What about collabs? Have you been collaborating with people?

OBN Jay: Yeah, me and Money Man got a lot up. That’s gang for real, we got a lot of music. Me and Jackboy got new music. I got music with other people, but I can’t say their names just yet. To keep it exciting, you know?

AllHipHop: How is it recording in the Bay?

OBN Jay: It depends on my vibe. It depends on what I went through before I got to the Bay. I’m always thinking “Dang, how am I feeling today?” Because there were times where I was feeling too good… not that I can’t make songs, but I made less [songs]. When I go to the Bay, I might be there for 4 days or a whole week and I’ll come out with 12 songs minimum. Every time I go to Cali or some of these places and I record, I be trying to get a good amount of work done. I work fast so it don’t be hard. Sometimes I go to the Bay and I might have been chillin’ too much and not really active or going through stuff, I’ll make 4 or 5 songs. Some cool little songs, it all depends. But it’s a good environment to be recording in.

AllHipHop: Do you freestyle?

OBN Jay: I freestyle my songs. I punch my songs in, but I don’t freestyle right here, right here, right here. [laughs]

AllHipHop: You don’t write though?

OBN Jay: Nah, I could. Sometimes it depends on the song and how I’m feeling. If it’s real heartfelt, I’ll write. I’ll literally get me a pen and paper, go find it and write it.

AllHipHop: How was shooting the “Rasta” music video?

OBN Jay: Man, I was in Louisiana. It was supposed to be a little bit more in the video, but the police was stalling. We was riding dirtbikes and ATVs until they were chasing us, while we’re riding in the video!

AllHipHop: They were chasing you in the video?

OBN Jay: Yeah! That’s why in certain points, it’s an effect when I had the mask on in that open field. If you look closely, they got people on dirtbikes and ATVs. It’s way in the back of the field but if you look closely, they riding them across the field running from the police. [laughs] That’s something that people don’t know, but I told them like “don’t really bring that part out of it.” You can put it in there and make it look like it, and you barely can tell. They look like small figures just going across real fast, but if you watch it you’ll definitely see it.

AllHipHop: You’ve got another song coming out soon, right?

OBN Jay: Yeah, I’m supposed to have another song coming out October 8th. It’s called “I’m Him.” “N*ggas know I’m him” [singing] Global, it’s gonna be real big. The next one gonna be real big forreal, that’s all I can say about it right now.

AllHipHop: What’s the biggest bag you’ve dropped?

OBN Jay: Umm… a hunnid.

AllHipHop: On what? A chain?

OBN Jay: A truck. It’s literally right outside.

AllHipHop: You working on a project?

OBN Jay: I already got projects done, but I’m getting ready to put something else out there.

Man Who Burglarized Rihanna’s Home Sentenced To 9 Years In Prison

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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One of the men involved in the burglaries of Rihanna and other celebrities’ homes has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

A judge sentenced Tyress Williams to almost a decade behind bars for burglarizing the homes of Rihanna, Christian Milian, former MLB outfielder Yasiel Puig and NFL wide receiver Robert Woods. The 22-year-old pleaded no contest to one count of first-degree burglary with a person present and one count of second-degree commercial burglary.

Williams has been locked up since he was first arrested in 2018. Three others – Jshawne Daniels, Damaji Hall and Hall’s mother Ashle – were also involved in the burglaries of Rihanna and the celebs.

34-year-old Ashle Hall was the only member of the crew who wasn’t a teen at the time of the burglaries. Williams and Daniels were 19, and Hall was 18.

Rihanna’s home was just one of the targets in a series of burglaries that took place around the Los Angeles area in 2018. Ultimately, 31 people were indicted for burglarizing the houses of celebrities as well as elderly and Asian victims.

Williams is the 23rd person involved in the burglary ring to be sentenced to time in prison. He and his crew allegedly picked their celebrity victims by studying their touring and travel schedules along with keeping an eye on their social media activity.

Lil Wayne Drops Previously Unreleased Single “Ya Dig” From His Vault

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Lil Wayne went into his vault and dug up an old track titled “Ya Dig” for the world to hear.

According to Lil Wayne HQ, “Ya Dig” was recorded in either late 2007 or early 2008. Weezy didn’t explain why he dropped a song that’s well over a decade old at this point, but his fans now get to enjoy a previously unreleased cut from his most prolific run.

Lil Wayne’s “Ya Dig” single arrives just one week after he teamed up with Rich The Kid for the collaborative project Trust Fund Babies.

The 10-track album features production by Tay Keith, Murda Beatz, LunchMoney Lewis and MonstaBeatz, among others. YG makes the lone guest appearance on the LP.

In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Lil Wayne explained why he joined forces with Rich The Kid for the Trust Fund Babies project.

“Rich is like my little bro from day one,” he told Lowe. “Me and Rich had been rocking for years, and we always said we were going to do something.”

He added, “We might do a song here and there, but we locked it in, got in there and we put our mindset [to it] and did it.”

Listen to Lil Wayne’s “Ya Dig” above and check out Trust Fund Babies below.

TikTok Under Fire Over New Trend: “Slap A Teacher” Challenge

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Earlier this week, Facebook was under fire after an employee whistle-blower shared with congress that the company has been aware that content on the social media platform is destructive to young people’s self-esteem and civic identities.

Now it seems that TikTok may have to look at the content they allow posted on their popular video-sharing social media app.

Lawmakers and teachers are petitioning TikTok to actively crackdown on their users’ “dangerous content.” This move has been a long time coming, but most recently prompted by the new “Slap a Teacher” challenge.

Yes … you heard it right … “Slap a Teacher” challenge.

Students are encouraged to open-hand slap their teacher or school administrators while being filmed and then running away. This is similar to the “Knock Out” challenge first documented in the 90s, which had a wave in the early 2000s and returned in the summer of 2020.

The difference, this is not some gang initiation gone wild, but a social media clout exercise.

According to the Daily Mail, the “Slap a Teacher” challenge was organized to take place during the entire month of October, and at least two school districts have reported these disturbing incidents to authorities.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong believes that the social media platform needs to “commit to reforms that stop reckless content.”

He wrote to TikTok’s CEO the following:

“The last thing anyone needs right now is for children to be inundated by targeted social media encouraging lawlessness, self-harm, and reckless, dangerous pranks.”

“Viral TikTok videos have resulted in youth overdosing on medications, disfiguring their bodies, and engaging in a wide variety of physically dangerous acts. With new reports of the ‘Slap a Teacher’ challenge, it is clear that TikTok is unable to control the spread of harmful content. Simply put, whatever TikTok has been doing to enforce its terms of service has not been working and merits serious review and reform.”

TikTok responded by saying that the trend or challenge doesn’t exist on their app. In a statement obtained by the Daily Mail, a spokesperson said, “It is not a trend on TikTok, if at any point it shows up, content will be removed.”

Welp, Twitter says that if it is true … it could go left for a student that tried it.

Nick Cannon Has Never Watched Kim Kardashian’s Freaky Tape

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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Nick Cannon has never seen his ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s sex tape, revealing she broke his heart by lying about it.

The rapper and TV personality reveals he dated Kim and was “really into” her until rumors of a sex tape with her ex, Ray J, started circulating.

“People didn’t know (her),” Nick tells the Drink Champs podcast. “They were like, ‘Who’s that chick with Nick? She’s bad’.

“And then a year later, probably, when the tape came out, I believe the tape was made prior to me in my mind because it looks like to people I was with her first and then a year later or whatever the tape came out (sic). But I think that tape was an older tape, but it looks to the public it was Nick and then it was the tape. I believe Ray J knew her before I did.

“I was really into her, I was vibing… She broke my heart. It started being these rumors going around that there was this tape. When I asked her about it, she denied it. I knew that they messed with each other. I never watched the tape.”

Cannon went on to marry Mariah Carey – the mother of his twins.

During the podcast chat, Nick also revealed he is giving celibacy a go for the rest of 2021 after fathering four kids with three different women in less than a year.

Meanwhile, Ray J’s former manager recently claimed he’s in possession of more explicit footage from his ex-client’s intimate 2002 sessions with Kim.

The original sex tape was sold to bosses at adult film studio Vivid Entertainment after footage leaked online and now the One Wish hitmaker’s former handler, Wack 100, insists he has more steamy clips of the pair, telling news outlets the footage is “more graphic and better than the first one.”

Glen “Big Baby” Davis And 17 Former NBA Players Charged In $4 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Tony Allen, Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Sebastian Telfair are among the 18 former NBA players who’ve been indicted in a health care fraud case.

The ex-NBA players are accused of defrauding the league’s Health and Welfare Benefit Plan out of nearly $4 million. The scheme, which ran from roughly 2017 through 2020, involved the athletes submitting false claims for reimbursement for medical and dental services that never occurred.

“The defendants’ playbook involved fraud and deception,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a press release. “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, their alleged scheme has been disrupted and they will have to answer for their flagrant violations of law.”

Tony Allen’s wife Desiree Allen is the only non-player named in the indictment. Terrence Williams, the alleged mastermind behind the scheme, is accused of recruiting ex-players and supplying them with fake invoices. The feds say he received more than $230,000 in kickbacks.

The NBA veterans facing charges in the case include Milt Palacio, Antoine Wright, Darius Miles, Ruben Patterson, Eddie Robinson, Greg Smith, Jamario Moon, Alan Anderson, Shannon Brown, Will Bynum, Melvin Ely, Anthony Wroten, C.J. Watson and Chris Douglas-Roberts.

All of the former players and Allen’s wife have been charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. Williams is also being charged with aggravated identity theft.

“The health care industry loses tens of billions of dollars a year to fraud,” FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said. “Thanks to the work of our dedicated FBI agents and partners alike, cases like this demonstrate our continued focus in uncovering health care fraud scams that harm both the industry and the consumers of their services.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea added, “Today’s federal indictment represents the NYPD’s long-term commitment, working with its law enforcement partners, in making sure those accused of health care related fraud are held accountable. I commend those involved in the investigation, the FBI, and the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District in New York for its work in ensuring there is justice in this case.”

Cardi B Accused Of Lying Under Oath In Tattoo Lawsuit To Attend Paris Fashion Week

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: Exclusives
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Cardi B has been dubbed the “Queen of Paris Fashion Week,” but her triumphant return to the French capital could end up costing her money.

The man Cardi is battling over a stolen back tattoo is asking a judge to sanction the rap star, claiming she misled the court – under oath.

Kevin Michael Brophy is suing Cardi B for $5 million, claiming she swiped his distinctive back tattoo of a tiger and used it on the cover of her mixtape “Gangsta B#### Chronicles Vol. 1.”

On September 8th, after years of wrangling, the judge overseeing the case set a trial date for October 26th, 2021. However, Cardi convinced the judge to push the trial back until February 1st, 2022, since she gave birth to a precious baby boy on September 4th.

Cardi said she was concerned about catching COVID if she was forced to travel through airports and stay in a hotel in California to fight the allegations, so soon after giving birth.

However, two weeks after she filed her sworn declaration, Cardi B was spotted in Paris at Paris Fashion Week at numerous high-profile events.

Cardi B, born Belcalis Almanzar, garnered praise in the fashion world for her head-turning outfits. She attended Thierry Mugler”s exhibit, visited Balenciaga’s offices, and had a date night with her husband Offset under the Eiffel Tower.

“Her trip to Paris was documented in a steady stream of photos on social media and a variety of media publications showing off her fitted designer dresses at multiple public events,” Kevin Michael Brophy’s lawyer Lawrence Conlan snapped.

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“There is no reasonable explanation for Ms. Almanzar to suggest that she could not, and would not, leave New York because she needed to be with her children and that it was not safe for her to be in public places, only for her to appear two weeks later in Paris in multiple designer looks at extravagant events amongst crowds of people, at public parties and dinners,” Conlan quipped.

Kevin Michael Murphy claims he has been prejudiced by the unwarranted delay of the trial since “Gangsta B#### Chronicles Vol. 1” continues to be marketed and sold – while earning royalties – off his back – literally.

Kevin Michael Murphy’s lawyer says it is unlikely that Cardi B did not know she would be attending Paris Fashion Week when she filed her declaration under oath, requesting to delay the trial.

Kevin Michael Brophy is asking the judge to sanction Cardi B by setting the trial date for December 2021, or in the extreme scenario, entering into a default judgment against the fashionable rap star.

Holiday releases a new single, “Black and White”

By: Staff Writer Updated Category: Music
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From Los Angeles, Holiday releases a new single, “Black and White” a unique and intricate track with a fusion of RnB and Afrobeat, produced by Kenyan “ODDZ”.

Holidays intends to bring light to the deeper understanding of women and love. Holiday puts the spotlight on factors that come with sharing a passion with other individuals and the unknown circumstances when one is blinded with emotion.

“Most of my songs are created when I am feeling something. Whether it be happiness or sadness. Black and White tells a story about love I think we can all relate to. We all have that one person who we like to keep around even though we have no intentions of being with them long-term. That is why I say “it’s not Black and White”, because love isn’t always fun and colorful. Sometimes it can get boring and fade.” -Holiday

Holiday was on a fast track, rolling flawlessly as he had the opportunity to release his new track in perfect time for his upcoming show at “Milk Room” in Los Angeles with appearances from music icons such as DARKO!

To learn more about Holiday, check out his social media and listen to the lyrics of his music to gain a deeper understanding.

Second Alleged Gunman Busted In Deadly El Mula Banquet Hall Mass Shooting

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Authorities have arrested a second person in connection to the Memorial holiday shooting in Miami-Dade, Florida, that left three people dead and 20 others injured.

Law enforcement previously identified another man connected to the assault outside El Mula Banquet Hall and promised more arrests.

By bringing in Warneric Buckner, the investigators on the case believe they are keeping their word.

According to MSN.com, Buckner, who is 20-years-old, is said to be one of the shooters.

He has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and 20 counts of attempted murder.

After being taken in for questioning, Buckner confessed to being a passenger in the car, sitting in the front-right seat, and being “armed with a large firearm.”

He also said that he “fired into the crowd but could not recall how many shots he took.”

Buckner is one of the three men that ambushed El Mula during a rap concert. He is alleged to be one of the ski-masked shooters who drove up in a stolen Nissan Pathfinder captured on video blasting as he jumped into the SUV for the escape.

Buckner would also be responsible for the deaths of Desmond Owens and Clayton Dillard III, both 26, and Shankquia Lechelle Peterson, 32.

As previously reported by AllHipHop.com, another man named Davonta Barnes confessed to being the lookout for the mass shooting.

Only two years Buckner’s senior, he too, is now sitting in a Miami-Dade jail anxiously waiting on a trial.

The incident is believed to be gang/crew/group related – stemming from a previous rivalry. It is also one of several violent shootings that happened in Miami over the summer.

Pooh Shiesty Faces LIFE In Prison For His Alleged Role in Two Shootings

By: Bernadette Giacomazzo Updated Category: Rumors
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Lontrell Williams, better known as rapper Pooh Shiesty, is looking at life in prison.

According to Rolling Stone, lawyers for the embattled rapper now say they no longer want a delay on his federal armed drug-trafficking conspiracy case, and it will instead proceed as expected on October 25th.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says that according to the complaint, Pooh Shiesty “fled the scene with two others, a Louis Vuitton bag stuffed with $40,912 in cash fell out of the driver’s seat of the McLaren; investigators say the serial numbers on one of the recovered bills matched a $100 bill flashed on Williams’ Instagram account days before the robbery.”

In a separate incident, Pooh Shiesty “allegedly pulled a semi-automatic pistol from his waistband and waving it around the King of Diamonds club in Miami last May, allegedly firing a shot that hit a security guard in the ankle.”

If he’s convicted of all the counts he’s facing, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. It’s important to note, however, that the 21-year-old has a presumption of innocence, like every other potential defendant in the United States, and he is considered innocent until proven guilty.

We will keep you posted with any updates on his case.

Snoop Dogg Explains Special Bond With Martha Stewart

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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Snoop Dogg is thrilled his enduring friendship with unlikely pal Martha Stewart shows “love is love.”

The hip-hop icon has opened up on the special bond he shares with his former “Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party” co-host and he thinks the two can teach the whole world a valuable lesson about unity and acceptance.

He told Extra: “Me and her together, it’s always beautiful, we always enjoy each other’s company. It just shows the world that love is love!

“If you get a chance to sit around somebody, talk to them, understand them, you can become friends with them no matter what color they are, where they come from, how old they are, race, background, religion.

“And that’s what we doing, we break all the stereotypes when we’re together.. We make the world feel like it’s OK.”

Although the pair’s friendship started with a “great business opportunity” its personal relationship quickly blossomed.

He added: “It’s more personal now. I think in the beginning, it was business. I think we seen a great business opportunity, and shooting on set, we loved it each other.

“And then it was opportunities that came up. I would do a commercial and I’m like, ‘Yeah, you wanna do one?’ ‘Yeah!’ ‘OK, let’s do this!’

“And she would bring me opportunities, I would bring her opportunities. And then it became, ‘I don’t wanna do it unless Martha in’, and then she would say, ‘I don’t wanna do it unless Snoop in!'”

The pair is now set to reunite for new Peacock series “Snoop and Martha’s Very Tasty Halloween.”

“We did a little thing we got where we got some people that’s baking. Me and Marth, we’re the judges – we taste the food, we judge it, we say what they do,” Snoop explained.

Chris Rock Cracks Jokes About Battle With COVID During Set With Dave Chappelle

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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Chris Rock has made a surprise appearance at a New York jazz club with pal Dave Chappelle to joke about his battle with COVID.

Rock, who announced he had a breakthrough case of the virus last month, showed up with fellow comedian Chappelle and turned a show at the Blue Note Jazz Club into an impromptu comedy set.

“I’m back from the dead! I had COVID. I had motherf**king COVID. G########,” he said at the opening night of musician Robert Glasper’s residency at the legendary jazz spot.

According to one attendee, even Glasper had no idea the two comedians would be there.

“They just showed up unannounced, and introduced him,” the insider told Page Six.

“It wasn’t quite as hard as being black, but it was close… That’s why everyone’s trying to avoid it man,” Chris Rock quipped.

The source shared, “Everyone was cracking up watching them.”

Chris then revealed, “I think I got it on this Civil Rights movie,” most likely referring to upcoming biopic “Rustin,” starring Colman Domingo as gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, a close friend and ally of Martin Luther King Jr.

“That’s a noble way to get COVID,” Dave added.

The star-studded crowd included actors Jeffrey Wright and Hill Harper and rapper Talib Kweli.

After the show, Rock and Chappelle met up with Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, and “Saturday Night Live” star Michael Che, to celebrate Kweli’s birthday, as well as Dave’s new Netflix special, according to the outlet.

“Birthday party was magical… legendary night… thank you,” Kweli wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday, (October 6), posting snaps from the event.

Lupe Fiasco’s ‘Food & Liquor’ Earns Gold Certification 15 Years After Release

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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One of the greatest debut studio LPs in Hip Hop history is now officially Gold. The RIAA certified Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor with the plaque on October 1, 2021.

Food & Liquor originally came out in September 2006. Its 2012 sequel, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1, also earned Gold certification this month.

“Double Trouble. 😊🙏🏽,” tweeted Lupe Fiasco in response to Food & Liquor and Food & Liquor II going Gold. The Chicago-raised wordsmith also posted, “The Cool should be platinum soon. 🙏🏽.”

Lupe Fiasco’s sophomore album, The Cool, dropped in 2007 before it reached Gold status the next year. He followed that body of work with 2011’s Lasers which is currently certified Gold as well.

Several singles by Lupe Fiasco have also obtained certifications from the RIAA. The Lasers track “The Show Goes On” is 3x-Platinum. “Superstar” with Matthew Santos off The Cool and “Battle Scars” with Guy Sebastian off Food & Liquor II are both Platinum.

“No blackball is stronger than good music with substance, bulletproof fans, and devotion to the craft. Just takes longer. Marathons always do. #TheMarathonContinues,” tweeted Lupe Fiasco.

In 2019, Lupe Fiasco celebrated the commercial, critical, and cultural impact of Food & Liquor during a live performance at Red Bull Music Festival Chicago.

Fiasco’s sister and poet Ayesha Jaco as well as photographer Chuck Anderson spoke to AllHipHop.com about that special night in the rapper’s hometown and their respective contributions to the classic album.

Dave East Taps Fabolous, Dapper Dan & More For “Just Another Rapper” Video

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Last July, Harlem emcee Dave East and Brooklyn producer Harry Fraud teamed up for the Hoffa collaborative album. The official music video for the Hoffa track “Just Another Rapper” arrived on October 6.

Fellow Hip Hop artists Fabolous, Maino, and Nelly make cameos in the “Just Another Rapper” visual. Dave East also tapped iconic Harlem-based fashion designer Dapper Dan to make an appearance.

“Shouts to the legend Dapper Dan for everything, he brought this video to life and I’m thankful for his continued friendship. I had to have my brothers Fab, Nelly, and Maino pull up too,” says Dave East. 

The 33-year-old New Yorker continues, “I’ve been working with Grizz Lee, the director of ‘Just Another Rapper,’ for damn near a decade. We always cook up something special! And salute Harry Fraud for producing a masterpiece with Hoffa!”

Dave East and Harry Fraud’s Hoffa features G Herbo, Benny The Butcher, Jim Jones, French Montana, Curren$y, and more. Hoffa landed after East dropped Survival in 2019, Karma 3 in 2020, and Pablo & Blanco with Millyz in 2021.

Previously, Harry Fraud joined forces with Curren$y for projects such as Cigarette Boats, The OutRunners, and The Director’s Cut. This year also saw Fraud linked with Jim Jones for The Fraud Department, Benny The Butcher for The Plugs I Met 2, and Dark Lo for Borrowed Time.

Besides releasing videos associated with 2021’s Hoffa, Dave East is starring in season two of the Hulu drama Wu-Tang: An American Saga. The rapper/actor born David Brewster Jr. plays Wu-Tang legend Method Man on the RZA-created biographical series.

Ray J Once Again Files For Divorce From Princess Love

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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William “Ray J” Norwood is currently fighting a pneumonia diagnosis as well as family trouble. According to multiple reports, the hospitalized entertainment industry veteran is seeking to end his union with Princess Love.

An article on TMZ claims Ray J filed divorce papers in L.A. County Superior Court on Wednesday. The latest development in the couple’s relationship came around the same time Ray J was complaining that he was left alone in a medical facility.

“I been in here all by myself for a week,” Ray J told Hollywood Unlocked. “No family members came to see me not even my wife.”

The Everything You Want album creator went on to later add, “God is good 👍🏼- Family with me – just can’t be [in] here too much sickness.”

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This is the third time Ray J and Princess Love moved toward getting divorced. Princess tried to end the marriage in May 2020 before the two reality show stars reconciled in July.

Then Ray J filed for divorce from Princess Love in September 2020. He dismissed the legal request five months later. They first tied the knot in 2016 and now have two children – 1-year-old Epik and 3-year-old Melody.

Ray J recently caused a stir among celebrity watchers when he added “separated and single” to his Instagram page bio. The 40-year-old artist and his presently estranged spouse have appeared together on television programs such as Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, VH1 Couples Retreat, and The Conversation.

Hit-Boy Celebrates Winning Second Consecutive Producer Of The Year Award

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Chauncey “Hit-Boy” Hollis continues to establish himself as one of the most successful production minds in Hip Hop history. This week, Hit-Boy added another accolade to his long list of accomplishments.

Hit-Boy won his second consecutive Producer Of The Year trophy at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards. The California-bred beat maker competed against DJ Khaled, Metro Boomin, Mustard, The Alchemist, and Tyler, The Creator for the honor.

“Producer of the year 2 years in a row @BET this [is] my 4th Producer Of The Year award overall and all I keep thinking about is elevating my craft. You can do it too,” tweeted Hit-Boy on Wednesday afternoon.

Over the last two years, Hit-Boy worked with artists such as Jay Electronica, Big Sean, Benny The Butcher, and Polo G. The Roc Nation managed entertainer earned significant praise for his production on Nas’s King’s Disease in 2020 and King’s Disease II in 2021.

In addition to his multiple BET Hip Hop Award victories, Hit-Boy has taken home three Grammy Awards. He earned one of those golden gramophones when King’s Disease was named Best Rap Album earlier this year.

2021 saw Hit-Boy win Outstanding Producer Of The Year at the NAACP Image Awards as well. Plus, Hit-Boy took on the role of executive producer for the critically-acclaimed Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album.

Hit-Boy’s catalog also consists of his own solo projects like 2017’s HITstory and 2020’s The Chauncey Hollis Project. Other rap acts collaborated with Hit-Boy for joint efforts like Courtesy of Half-A-Mil with Dom Kennedy and Family Not a Group with SOB X RBE.

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Jay-Z & Beyoncé Bring Glamour to London For “Harder They Fall” Premiere

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Jay-Z and Beyoncé surprised Londoners by making an unannounced appearance at the premiere of Black Western, “The Harder They Fall.” 

Bey took to her Instagram to share a series of photos of her and hubby Jay-Z loved up in the car on the way to the event and the red carpet. The superstar singer looked stunning in a full-length black velvet strapless gown, honey-colored tousled curls tumbling down her shoulders, her husband in a classic back tuxedo by her side.  

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“The Harder They Fall” stars Idris Elba and Regina King and tells the story of real-life figures from American History, including Black cowboys.  

Speaking at the premiere at the “BFI London Film Festival” yesterday (October 6) Jay-Z, the movie’s producer, spoke about the need to “see us represented.” 

“It is almost odd, people think that it’s like a caricature, that they are playing roles, but they’re not playing roles.  

“These names like Stagecoach Mary, all the actors in this, they really existed in this time, so just see us represented and see that we have voices.” 

British actor Idris Elba expressed similar sentiments. He explained to the PA news agency: “It’s really interesting that these characters really existed one time. No one ever knows about them.   

“Any western fan would be like ‘Really? I never heard of Rufus Buck’ but he was a real guy so it’s very special.” 

As the movie garners some Oscars buzz, the possibility exists that Jay-Z could become the first Oscar nominee to compete against his wife, Beyoncé!

Watch the trailer for “The Harder They Fall” below.  

National Black Justice Coalition Calls For Netflix To Remove Dave Chappelle’s ‘The Closer’

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Legendary comedian Dave Chappelle returned this week with his latest Netflix comedy special. Once again, Chappelle’s The Closer caused a lot of commotion over jokes he made about the LGBTQ community on the show.

The National Black Justice Coalition is one of the LGBTQ organizations that took issue with what Dave Chappelle had to say in his stand-up routine. According to Deadline, the NBJC is calling on Netflix to remove The Closer from its platform.

David Johns, the Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, stated:

It is deeply disappointing that Netflix allowed Dave Chappelle’s lazy and hostile transphobia and homophobia to air on its platform. With 2021 on track to be the deadliest year on record for transgender people in the United States — the majority of whom are Black transgender people — Netflix should know better. Perpetuating transphobia perpetuates violence. Netflix should immediately pull The Closer from its platform and directly apologize to the transgender community. Make no mistake: Black LGBTQ+ and same gender people exist – and have always existed. The fight against oppression is not a zero sum game, and the pervasiveness of white supremacy in the United States is not an excuse for homophobia or transphobia.

The National Black Justice Coalition’s Executive Director David Johns

Dave Chappelle shared his comedic thoughts about the LGBTQ community throughout The Closer. The 48-year-old Washington, DC native even referred to himself as a TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist) which is often considered a term to describe anti-trans activists.

The Closer also included Dave Chappelle discussing his late friend Daphne Dorman. The transgender comedian apparently took her own life after dealing with online criticism for backing Chappelle against previous accusations he was transphobic.

Chappelle ended The Closer by telling the LGBTQ community, “I am not telling another joke about you until we are both sure that we are laughing together… All I ask from your community – with all humility – will you please stop punching down on my people?”

Boosie On “My Struggle” Premiere: “Nobody Came Out To Support The Way They Should”

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Never one to hold back on his opinion, Boosie discussed the support he received from his peers at the premiere of his film “My Struggle.” The film premiered last month in Atlanta, the day before 50 Cent’s star-studded “BMF” premiere, also in Atlanta. This caused a discussion as to whether Boosie got the love he deserved.

“Nobody came out to support the way they should,” He explained to “VladTV”. “I ain’t going to just say Atlanta. People think I was trying to go against 50 [Cent]. F### no. Hell no. That’s why I did it a day earlier. I’m a marketing genius. Come on, bro. I went a day before 50.” 

“I reached out to a lot of people, but it didn’t disturb me at all, really, because I felt so much love in there,” he went on.  

“The love was crazy so it didn’t disturb. Duval did open my eyes,” Boosie said of the comedian, who spoke out about rappers who didn’t show Boosie the same love they gave 50.   

After attending the premiere Duval took to his Instagram to share his thoughts.   

“Every celeb you can think of was at ‘BMF’ premiere,” Duval wrote after attending Boosie’s event. “But at @hesbackagain2021 premiere, I only saw @qcmceo_p @troublemmb and @iamdesibanks. All I’m saying is we gotta support the streets the same way we support the mainstream stuff. Especially in the south. Cuz they really don’t f### wit us they just deal wit us. #staywoke.” 

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Watch Duval, on the “My Struggle” red carpet, explain his support for Boosie below.  

Meanwhile, after being removed from the “Legendz of the Street” tour following brawling on stage and his Instagram account being taken down again, Boosie decided to give fans a virtual tour around his bedroom, feeling “BLESSED.” 

See Boosie’s interview with Vlad TV below. 

Kanye West Launches DONDA Academy, Recruits Top HS Basketball Players

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Kanye West is reportedly expanding his empire, opening a prep school in Simi Valley, California. The focus is said to be creating a high school prep team that can compete with heavy hitters Sierra Canyon Trailblazers.  

Kanye’s association with Adidas is well established and the brand will sponsor the DONDA Academy team, set to be led by Jalen Hooks. The 6’7” junior from Indiana has offers from Kansas, Michigan State, Purdue, Illinois, and more. 

“It’s just one of those things you can’t pass up,” Hooks said to the Indianapolis Star. “It was more of a family decision, too. All of us just felt like it was a chance to reach my full potential and grow and get ready for the college level.” 

Hooks will be joined at DONDA academy by five-star junior Robert Dillingham of North Carolina with Jahki Howard from Georgia and Zion Cruz of New Jersey named as possible recruits.  

Currently, the team has no head coach but Yeezy is said to be personally reaching out to prospective players.  

Referring to Kanye, one player said to Yahoo Sports, “It’s crazy that he reached out but he’s building a good team with players that I want to play with and it’s out in LA in a good market so it’s something me and my family have to think about.” 

Rumors are flying about a possible Sierra Canyon and Donda Academy game going down at the Staples Centre in February. The game could see the likes of LeBron James’ son, Bronny and Amari Baliey take on team DONDA.  

Kanye is also merging his new enterprise with an existing one, debuting a new YZY basketball sneaker.   

Kanye also picked up his first diamond certification for his 2007 single “Stronger.”