After delivering her successful debut track as a Babygrande Records artist earlier this year, Chelly Flame returns with her follow-up single titled, “Red Shirt.” The Guap God Kraft-produced track sees Chelly and Spinabenz trade-off fiery verses over a hard-hitting trap beat. Chelly kicks things off with a raucous verse before filtering into Spinabenz’s section, and he picks up with the same intensity and energy that Chelly left off with.
Alongside Spinabenz, Chelly puts on a special performance on her sophomore single with Babygrande Records. She’s not backing down from the moment; if anything, a feature from a high-profile artist like Spinabenz has motivated her even more. Earlier this year, Spinabenz made plenty of noise with his track, “Who I Smoke,” which went viral and significantly boosted his following. He’s an artist who does not move quietly: he’s very active on social media and has created plenty of buzz with his music.
“Red Shirt” premieres with a music video that brings the song to life, as Chelly and Spinabenz captivate their viewers. Directed by MontanaShotYa, Chelly puts forth an image that mirrors her ability on the mic – she always appears composed and charismatic. Chelly can compete with any rapper in today’s game: her wordplay is nothing short of elite-level and she packages each bar with impressive confidence.
It’s not often that a new artist emerges with such a commanding grip on their sound and style, but Chelly Flame has done exactly that. She stands out among the surplus of talent in the rap game, delivering her lyrics with the expertise of a savvy veteran. Between her debut single, “Big Flame,” and her new track, “Red Shirt,” Chelly is proving to fans and listeners that she’s here to stay.
ABOUT BABYGRANDE RECORDS: Babygrande is an American independent record label and creative collective comprised of musicians, filmmakers, photographers, painters, and writers. Founded in 2001 by Chuck Wilson, former Director of A&R at Priority Records/EMI, Babygrande has emerged as one of the premier independent labels operating today. Babygrande has a catalog of over 3000 albums, music videos, and online content that includes Hip-Hop, EDM, indie rock, and everything in between. Babygrande has helped launch the careers of new artists and has nurtured the careers of seasoned veterans. As it heads towards its 25th Anniversary, Babygrande continues to focus on quality music and working with artists whose work ethic, craftsmanship, talent, and sounds are superior.
Ashanti has dismissed rumors of a reunion with ex-boyfriend Nelly, insisting she’s in a happy relationship with someone else.
Fans were quick to start speculating about a potential reconciliation between the exes as Nelly was seen walking across the stage to hug Ashanti during Fat Joe and Ja Rule’s recent Verzuz battle.
However, as she spoke to Fat Joe, Ja Rule and Remy Ma on Instagram Live, Ashanti set the record straight about where things stand between her and Nelly.
“Listen, there’s nothing happening,” she said. “Now look, this is the crazy part. I had no idea he was gonna be there and I haven’t seen him or spoken to him since we broke up. Six years or something? So, I didn’t know what to expect. I seen him move you out the way.
“Listen, I wasn’t expecting it. And that’s the crazy thing! I seen his eyes get big and I didn’t know what was gonna happen. I didn’t know what to expect. It was positive.”
Ja then commented that “Nelly’s single now” – he recently ended his relationship with Shantel Jackson – to which Ashanti responded: “Yeah, but I ain’t! So…”
She also admitted that things are still complicated between her and Nelly, as she explained: “It’s a lot of stuff that happened. It’s a lot of stuff. It’s a lot of stuff unresolved. A lot of grey areas. A lot of confusion.”
Fat Joe then called time on the conversation, saying he wasn’t interested in getting “messy” with details of Ashanti and Nelly’s split.
On Lil Twin’s single “Innocent,” he spits, “I go stupid on a beat, b#### I’m illiterate. We came up from public housing and Section 8, now I make sure every ngga in my section ate. Bust down an AP and show up hella late, show them nggas that look up to me how to elevate.”
Lil Twin is here to bring all the vibes, creating his own genre titled ‘Trap & B’. Currently residing in Los Angeles, the rising star gained first notoriety as one half of musical duo Team Twin alongside his twin brother Twin Twin, releasing Platinum records such as “We Get Turnt Up” featuring Mr. HotSpot. Having built their fanbase organically online on both Youtube and social media, real name Taiyon Hector now steps into the limelight as his own solo artist.
In describing himself, Twin states he’s “just a young bull from Dayton, Ohio, later moved to Atlanta. Just a hardworking, basketball player ass n*gga. S###, music is my life. I rap, I sing. I put my all into this s###. I’m pretty simple. All I do is record music and f###### play basketball all day.”
Earlier this year, Twin unleashed his highly-anticipated new project titled Soufside
Hector 2
AllHipHop: You still hoop, did you play professionally at all?
Lil Twin: I actually turned down 15 full rides for chasing my dreams. I got tired of f###### reports and papers and s###, I didn’t want to do all that. I just wanted to play. It feels great because I know I’m still going into the league, I still got it. I hoop with professionals everyday. I train nonstop. I’m in the studio nonstop, all day, everyday. Just turning money around. I like to turn a dollar into 15 cents.
AllHipHop: You came up as part of musical duo Twin Twin right?
Lil Twin: Yes, I have an actual twin brother. We made music as a duo, we do music as solo artists. We were born partners regardless, so it’s going to be there regardless.
AllHipHop: Are y’all still making music?
Lil Twin: Hell yeah, he’s on his way out here right now. He’s coming from Florida, he’s flying from Florida today.
AllHipHop: Is that how you got your name?
Lil Twin: Just being a twin and because I grew up on that Lil Wayne s###. He was a big influence on me so s###, I’m taking Lil Twin.
AllHipHop: Besides Lil Wayne, was there anyone else you looked up to?
Lil Twin: I’m a fan of good music. If the song’s hard, it’s hard. It was the Meek Mill’s, the Drake’s, the Big Sean’s, the NWA’s, the Snoop’s. I’m a fan of good music, Eminem, Pac, Big, m############ J.Cole. Even down to the new s###. I’m f###### with both the Baby’s: Dababy, Lil Baby. EST Gee, Gotti, Gunna, everybody in this s###.
AllHipHop: How did you create this Trap&B lane?
Lil Twin: S###, because I’m so exposed to the trenches all day. That’s my lifestyle. Everybody around me, I never seen nobody work the females like we do. I inevitably had to f###### do some s### that the women would like. That’s my lifestyle, I’d be lying if I wasn’t trying to cater to the ladies. I’d be lying if I wasn’t saying I ain’t in the trenches everyday. F### it, and a n*gga can actually sing? Alright bet, I’m going to incorporate my own little lane.
AllHipHop: Let’s get into “Woman’s Worth”! Was that inspired by Chyna or was that recorded before?
Lil Twin: It was recorded before, but it was a record in reference to my dreamlike lady. My dreamlike ordeal and I walked myself into that. A lot of the lines in there matched her figure, it’s almost like we had to do it.
AllHipHop: How did you guys meet initially?
Lil Twin: Music, in the studio,. We met in the studio here in LA, through a friend of a friend. One of my good peoples reached out and said “Hey, I’m over here in the studio shooting some PR work”. She was doing PR work for me at the time, doing PR work for Chyna. She said “I’m showing Chyna your s###, she wants to rock out on some music.” I said “Alright, fasho.” She said “Pull up.” I said “alright, just let me know when.” They sent the addy, I pulled up. We did 2 records that night.
AllHipHop: Was “Woman’s Worth” one of them?
Lil Twin: Nuh uh, we did 2 other records. We shoot the video tomorrow, it’s crazy. Facts.
AllHipHop: Is it her song, your song?
Lil Twin: It’s a collab, you gon’ see. [laughs]
AllHipHop: How was it shooting the video with her? It was so beautiful. Y’all on the beach. It was a vibe.
Lil Twin: It was easy! By the time we shot it, we were already in it. We were already in a relationship. It was smooth. It wasn’t “Hey, you’ve got to be a little more touchy-feely. Hey, you’ve got to sell it a little more.” That’s how we do it, we wake up and go to the studio everyday.
AllHipHop: Damn, y’all spend that much time together?
Lil Twin: Literally. Since the day we’ve met, we probably spend about 95% of our time together. To this day, that’s my baby.
AllHipHop: How does it feel to be in love?
Lil Twin: It’s a great feeling. Hell yeah, it’s a great feeling. Love’s supposed to be easy. A lot of m############ be like “Man, one of the toughest things in life is love.” F### it ain’t! That’s toxic, that’s some b#######. That’s somebody’s in it for the wrong reasons type s###. When y’all both in it for the right reasons, no motives, no hidden narratives, that’s s###’s supposed to be easy.
AllHipHop: Best memory from shooting the visual?
Lil Twin: Man, we’ve got a lot of great memories. Everyday spent with each other: going to f###### Mexico, Cancun, Jamaica together. She actually came to my hometown in Dayton, it was love.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSzmSXxlv7J/
AllHipHop: She met your family?
Lil Twin: Yeah, my family and my family in Atlanta. She be in Atlanta, all our little moments together be hard. We just had our one year anniversary.
AllHipHop: How did y’all celebrate?
Lil Twin: You know I did all that good. I got us a penthouse over the water in Dana Point. I decked it out with a whole lot of our pictures over the last year, rose petals, candles, right over the water. Had a private chef come through, do his little thing. Had a boat the next day, we drove the boat.
AllHipHop: What do you want fans to get from your recent project, Soufside Hector 2?
Lil Twin: Shoot, you get what you get out of it. It got a real trench feeling to it, it got a real trap feeling to it. The next project that I’m about to release within the next month or so, that’s going to be more revealing my feelings. The emotional side, I’m more catering to the ladies.
As far as Soufside Hector 2, that was for the trenches because I’ve been away. I’ve been out here in LA. In my trench where I come from, is damn near Ohio and Atlanta, but I ain’t been really in tune all the way. You know what, I’ve got to give something to my people, where they know me from. That s### was the best thing I did, they eating that s### up.
AllHipHop: What does it mean to be able to make music from the trenches? Because a lot of people don’t make it out.
Lil Twin: I know! It’s a great thing because one, some people aren’t even artistic enough to even create a vibe from being in the trenches. A lot of people want to rap but like a lot of people say, rapping ain’t for everybody. That’s not for you to be the judge of that, that’s for the people to judge that. For the people to be rocking with that s###: I be sitting in the hood, a m########### pull up on me playing my s### or somebody’s riding by me playing my s###, it’s a great feeling. They already know everything real he’s talking about. They really like some witnesses, they know.
AllHipHop: How’s the independent grind?
Lil Twin: S###, it’s great. It is what is. When the time’s right, when the situation presents itself, I’ll f### with a label. But for the most part I’m taking my entire process and I’m taking the heat. I ain’t rushing, I ain’t looking. Whatever’s meant for me, it’s gon’ manifest.
AllHipHop: Are you spiritual?
Lil Twin: I am, very spiritual. I go to church, we pray every night.
Lil Twin: A peaceful sleep, a restful mind when we are woke. We live in a ballistic world so we try to pray for our sanity. Pray for the kids, pray for our family, our well-being, prosperity, more fortune, everything.
AllHipHop: She told me she falls asleep because your voice is so soothing.
Lil Twin: Type s###, real talk. We’ll be tossing and turning for an hour or some s###, then she’ll come and say “Can you pray for me?” [laughs] I’m like “Alright, fasho.” I pray and next thing you know, [imitates snoring].
AllHipHop: Talk about having your own clothing line Schizo.
Lil Twin: If you ain’t crazy about what the f### you’re doing, then what the f### are you doing? Schizo man, it’s been amazing to me. A lot of people want to start a business or start a clothing line, but they got that spirit of laziness or resistance, getting s### done. When something is really you: if a m########### been doing hands and feets all their life, it’s going to be hard for them to open up a f###### Starbucks because that’s not their lane. If it was down to them saying “Hey, I want to open up a hands and feet nail spa,” it’s more of them so they’re going to do that s###. Me, I’m real life f##### up in the head so I had to do that s###. A lot of people are afraid to express that side. It don’t got to be a bad thing, you’re just like “hey, I’m f##### up in the head.” I’m here, we good.
AllHipHop: You’ve got some drip. Where do you get your fashion inspo?
Lil Twin: This light. Man, I really be picking s### out myself. I try not to be pulling from what people be doing. In order to be the one, you’ve got to be one. I can’t be the one trying to dress like Travis Scott. I can’t be the one trying to dress like Kanye or what Lil Baby got on. I probably follow like 50 people because I try not to be caught up in other people’s worlds. I respect everybody 1000%. I love how everybody gets their s###, but I try to be as original as possible.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
Lil Twin: Gummy bears, the vitamin C orange cough drops, and Hennessy. [laughs] No cap.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next?
Lil Twin: No Love Lost, that’s my Trap&B project that’s being cooked on right now. That s###’s going crazy. The single me and Chyna have, we finna drop.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from the video?
Lil Twin: Some crazy s###, that s### going to be crazy. We’ve been drawing out this video for the last month, it’s finally time now.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let the people know?
Lil Twin: Make sure you all get me on all social media platforms @LilTwinOfficial. This ain’t none of that gimmick s###, everything is original. I already know you’re going to f### with it. It’s on the natural side of things. I ain’t here to force nobody to f### with my s###. I know that naturally, my s### is fuckwitable.
First, let’s start out by showing you the preview of the video, which you can check out below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CT3obr5FOT5/
So, here’s what happened between the two, in a nutshell. Apparently, Asian Da Brat (Asian Doll) made a slick comment about Nikita Dragun. Dragun replied by telling her that she was wearing something she already wore before. This, apparently, got Asian in her feelings, and she blocked Nikita Dragun.
This prompted Dragun to go on a posting spree, where she shared comments from her fans, before concluding with “trans women are the future.”
If nothing else, that comment is going to drag (no pun intended) out the usual homophobic suspects. I’m quite confident that Boosie is already drafting up a remark, much to the chagrin of his long-suffering publicist.
But on another note, I don’t know why y’all can’t live and let live. What does other folks’ private business have to do with you? We’ve certainly tolerated enough misogyny in hip-hop (and other genres, for that matter) for long enough. No one had anything to say when women were being referred to as “b######” and “hoes,” getting disrespected, and getting killed. Future can commit reproductive abuse and he’s quoted in Instagram memes like he’s the g#ddamn Pope.
But let a trans woman say that trans women are the future — let that woman lift other women up — and watch the most otherwise ignorant of men turn into Dr. Umar Johnson with a sprinkle of Minister Farrakhan for good measure. I simply cannot.
Anyway, hit the slideshow below. And download Nikita Dragun’s “Dick.”
Hailing from Jacksonville, YunginReckless is determined to be the next hottest act to emerge out of Florida. At only 20 years old, she’s laid the foundation for a successful career in the rap game. Her most recent track, “Boy Sit Down” featuring Pastor Troy has become a strip club favorite in both Georgia and Florida and her new single “Reckless” serves as the latest release from the forthcoming A3C Festival compilation, A3C Volume 9.
Yungin’s delivery on the Rae The Ruler-produced track is captivating and the coinciding music video brings her lyrics to life. Directed by Creature, the video shows Yungin riding around with her crew, as they all turn up to the track. For such a new artist, she certainly has a grasp of how to present herself on screen – the visual is raw and exciting, showing that she knows how to entertain audiences.
As A3C and iHipHop Distribution partner together to deliver their 9th official album, “Reckless” serves as the fourth single released from the project. For the past decade, A3C and iHipHop Distribution’s compilation series has showcased the newest generation of talent from across the world and has featured artists including A$AP Rocky, G-Eazy, Action Bronson, Vince Staples, $NOT, Curren$y, Yung Bans, Rapsody, Kodie Shane, Buddy, Freddie Gibbs, Lucki, Robb Bank$, and many more.
Beginning on October 21st, the 17th annual A3C Festival and Conference will return to the Gathering Spot in Atlanta. The four-day festival and conference will feature performances by prominent artists, as well as panels led by distinguished professionals in the industry. Dave East and Deante Hitchcock headline the performances for this year’s festival, while speakers such as Cortez Bryant, Dia Simms, Al Branch, and Keshia Knight-Pulliam will lead various panels on developing brand success, expanding beyond the label, and A&R ROI.
To date, there have been three other singles released off of “A3C Volume 9,” including the breakout artist Clever’s “Madness” which gained substantial traction as the first single from “A3C Volume 9.” Additionally, Atlanta’s own Lil Scrappy put on for his hometown with the single “Drippin” and “Speak” by Alia Kadir was released earlier this year.
While listeners await “A3C Volume 9” to drop via iHipHop Distribution / A3C, they can now watch the official video for YunginReckless’ new single, “Reckless,” from “A3C Volume 9.”
On Wednesday (September 15), a funeral service took place St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where his late mother, Paula, lived.
The live-streamed service was attended by celebrities including Queen Latifah, “The Wire” co-creator David Simon and stars of the show Felicia Pearson (Snoop), Andre Royo (Bubbles) and Jamie Hector (Marlo), who joined the star’s close friends and family.
Johnathan Branam, funeral manager at Hooper Memorial Home, told local news outlet The Patriot-News: “He came to Harrisburg as often as he could.
“He loved his mama. Harrisburg embraced him as an adopted son.”
Marianna Shafran, his long-time representative, announced the sad news of her client’s sudden passing last week.
She said in a statement: “It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy-nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams. They ask for your privacy while grieving this insurmountable loss.”
Michael received his fifth primetime Emmy nomination for his work on the series Lovecraft Country and was due to be in Los Angeles this week to attend the big award show on Sunday (September 19) with his castmates.
TheOfficialBron (real name Matthew Lebron) has promised to deliver towards the end of 2021 and all of 2022. Although “Tough” was released back in December of 2020 on the album “The Come Up”, it quickly became TheOfficialBron’s top streamed song.
The album is full of hit songs that were made with ease from TheOfficialBron’s versatility skills, but this one song has a unique flavor to it. This song explains a specific situation that he was in back home when he had a close call with the authorities and was lucky to be able to get out of that jam.
Since the release of this album, he has not released any new music as he is doing other behind the scene important things at the moment that will help his music career, label “Alpha No Beta”, his military career and his educational career as well.
This multi-talented artist has a few tricks up his sleeve that will definitely have his fans understand the reason for waiting for new music.
Rap star Cardi B. just caught a break in her battle against a man who claims she stole his back tattoo. The rapper convinced the judge overseeing the case to push the trial back until February 2021.
The Bronx rapper is locked in a $5 million legal battle with a man named Kevin Michael Brophy Jr. Brophy claims Cardi launched her career off of his back – literally.
The rapper’s graphic designer superimposed Brophy’s distinctive back tattoo of a snake and a tiger on another model to make the cover of her debut mixtape “Gangsta B#### Music Volume 1.”
Brophy says his life was ruined and he was humiliated by the cover which features Cardi B. swigging at 40 ounce of beer while receiving oral sex from the buff model.
In a letter obtained by AllHipHop, Cardi wrote to Judge Cormac Carney begging him for more time for two different reasons.
First off, Cardi noted that she had just given birth on September 4th, and was worried about the impact traveling to California from New York, would have on her growing family.
She also said the risk of catching the coronavirus was too high, thanks to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.
The rapper is set to square off against Tasha K. on November 9th and the trial date of October 26th gave her little time to prepare for the battle with Tasha K, which is taking place in a courtroom in Atlanta.
Kevin Michael Brophy’s lawyers took a loss in this round, thanks to Judge Carney’s ruling. His legal team was hoping to have the trial set for December of 2021.
Brophy’s team argued that setting a trial date before the end of the year would incentivize the rapper’s legal team to settle.
The next round of settlement talks between Kevin Michael Brophy and Cardi B is slated for October 15th.
If the dispute is not resolved after their next meetup, Judge Carney will preside over a trial, which is now on the books and officially slated for February 1, 2022.
The stakes are high for Cardi B. In addition to asking for $5 million, Kevin Michael Brophy is asking a judge to reward him a percentage of everything Cardi B has made since the release of “Gangsta B#### Music Volume 1.”
Cardi, born Belcalis Almanzar, claims Brophy is nothing but a disgruntled surf shop worker who is attempting to extort her.
“Chaney has been cast in the HBO limited series from executive producers from “The Wire” (David Simon, George Pelecanos) “WE OWN THIS CITY” Chaney will portray Gordon Hawk, a recent addition to the Harford County Narcotics Task Force, was working alongside Cpl. David McDougall on the early drug overdose casework that set the Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF) probe in motion.
Tray reunites 20 years later with same creators, producers, writers who believed in him and cast him as POOT 20 years ago.
Now he plays police officer Gordon Hawk (from drug dealer to police officer).
Tray Chaney recently just dropped his 24th music video on his Dedicated Father Series YouTube page as an independent artist titled “YOU PLAYED YASELF.”
“YOU PLAYED YASELF” which was shot edited and directed by @iamdonjuan, captures Chaney rocking a T-shirt dedicated to his “The Wire” cast member Michael K. Williams who recently just transitioned.
“Michael was a huge supporter of my music and always supported me as an actor/artist so even though he’s not here in the physical form I wanted to still carry his energy by wearing the T-shirt because he would have wanted me to keep going,” Tray Chaney said.
Chaney is represented By – J Pervis Talent Agency.
According to CNN, the gossip maven has tested positive for COVID-19. And because hers is a breakthrough case, she won’t be showing new episodes of her eponymous show.
“To allow Wendy time to quarantine and fully recover and to ensure that our production fully abides by SAG/AFTRA and DGA Covid protocols, we expect to begin the 13th season of The Wendy Williams Show on Monday, October 4th,” read a statement issued by Williams’ production company. “In the meantime, repeats will be scheduled.”
The outlet confirms that Williams’ positive COVID-19 test is a “breakthrough” case, which is what happens when someone who is fully vaccinated gets a positive diagnosis.
As we previously told you, Williams cancelled all her promotional appearances for the show, but didn’t specify why she’d canceled. Now, however, speculation has arisen about her COVID-19 diagnosis prior to this announcement.
“She went on to say that she’d be “back in her purple chair” on Monday, September 20, to begin filming the 13th season of The Wendy Williams Show,” AllHipHop.com previously reported.
In the past, there was some speculation about whether Williams had relapsed with her drug addiction, or whether she was experiencing the after-effects of her Graves disease. Now, however, we know it’s something completely different.
Though he hasn’t come right out and said it, Drake seems to be confirming that he’s involved with Instagram model Johanna Leia.
In an Instagram post, the Certified Lover Boy posed seductively with Leia, leading to speculation that their relationship was all but confirmed. Check out the post below.
Previously, Leia’s son seemed to confirm that Drake could become his new step-daddy when he posted a photo of his diamond studded, custom OVO chain with the number 10 pendant. Amari Bailey, for his part, is a rising star in the basketball world, as indicated by his ESPN profile.
Check out Bailey’s custom gift from the 6 God himself, below.
This isn’t the first time that speculation has arisen about Drake and his love life, but this is the first time that he seems to be all but confirming what he’s doing (something he hasn’t even done with his son’s mother, so take that for what it’s worth).
That said, all of us are hip to the “celebrity dating game,” and we know how these dudes move. If nothing else, this is just more promotion for Certified Lover Boy, and keeps people talking about Drake, which gets them to buy his album some more.
Lather, rinse, repeat. The game is always the same.
Although I really wish some of y’all would chill out with the thought that you’ll be getting yourself a piece of Drake in the bedroom. I’d give my left ovary to not log on to Twitter and see this nonsense when I open up the app:
Imagine if your girlfriend got this upset because Drake posted his girlfriend on IG pic.twitter.com/KzjjB0urOU
So So Def’s Jermaine Dupri recently made it clear he wants to step in the Verzuz arena against Sean “Diddy” Combs (fka Puff Daddy). Before music fans could even begin to debate that possible matchup, Diddy threw cold water on the proposition.
“Somebody let @Diddy know I’m @thegarden right now! And he gon need some training for me,” tweeted Jermaine Dupri in the wake of the Fat Joe vs Ja Rule Verzuz battle on Tuesday night.
Diddy quickly fired back, “Beloved, you my n#### but your arms too short to box with God!!! You ain’t got enough hits. I’ll smash you with just [The Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige]. But I do have the [utmost] respect on you as a musical legend – [Dr. Dre is] the only one can get in the ring [with] me.”
TMZcaught up with one recording artist that has worked extensively with Jermaine Dupri and Diddy to get his thoughts on the potential faceoff. Usher Raymond disagreed with the Bad Boy Entertainment founder’s statement.
“Being a part of the hits that he has, I can’t say that,” offered Usher about Diddy’s view of Dupri’s catalog. “JD has plenty of hits and I think that Diddy does, too. It’s hard for me, because they’re both my brothers.”
When asked if Jermaine Dupri vs Sean “Diddy” Combs would be the greatest Verzuz hits-for-hits clash of all time, Usher responded, “That could definitely be a great one.”
The creator of the Diamond-certified Confessions album added, “Verzuz has obviously made it great for our culture, but I don’t think one is greater than the other. If it were JD and Puff, or it was Dre and Puff, or it was Tip and 50 – that’s the one I really want to see… I want to see Tip and 50.”
So far, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have managed to put together epic Verzuz events featuring lineups such as Teddy Riley vs Babyface, Erykah Badu vs Jill Scott, Bounty Killer vs Beenie Man, DMX vs Snoop Dogg, Brandy vs Monica, Jeezy vs Gucci Mane, Ashanti vs Keyshia Cole, Bow Wow vs Soulja Boy, The Lox vs Dipset, and others.
Lil Nas X is preparing to drop his Montero project this Friday. After topping the Hot 100 chart, winning multiple industry awards, and causing controversy online, the Georgia-raised entertainer will present his debut studio LP on September 17.
Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe spoke to Lil Nas X ahead of Montero hitting DSPs. The conversation included LNX discussing the current commercial success of female rappers being a possible template for LGBT rappers.
“Just looking around and seeing all these other artists who are gay just pushed to this box, this bowl of gay artists and it’s like… you’re here,” said Lil Nas X. “I feel like especially right now with female rappers, I think that’s so dope that that’s happening because we haven’t seen this ever.”
He continued, “So many female rappers that are just killing it. And I feel like a decade from now it’s going to be the same with gay rappers or any rappers. I feel like there are going to be entire trans rappers and whatnot just killing it because, why not?”
Lil Nas X tapped popular female rappers Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat for his Montero album. Two years ago, the Columbia recording artist also collaborated with Cardi B for the 7 EP track “Rodeo.”
The Montero tracklist also features Jack Harlow on the Top 5 hit “Industry Baby.” Music legend Elton John and notable singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus contributed to the forthcoming body of work as well.
Even though Lil Nas X was able to secure features from women and white men, the 22-year-old star claimed a lot of Black men did not want to work with him. Kid Cudi later offered his services, but critics like Boosie Badazz have been very outspoken about their disdain for the openly gay entertainer.
“I definitely make sure I am picking my fights carefully. And I guess I try to pick out the ones that I’m like, ‘Okay, here’s something to actually talk about.’ Because if somebody is just like ‘trash gay’ there’s nothing there,” Lil Nas X told Zane Lowe.
LNX added, “But if somebody is like, ‘You’re pushing this and this is destroying Black men as a whole and emasculation’ – this is somebody who actually believes something versus just an insult. So it’s like, ‘Let me talk to this person.’ Because you never know whose mind is flickering. Because I’ve had a lot of views that I’ve changed within the last three years.”
“My album Expensive Pain releases 10/1,” tweeted Meek Mill. The Dreamchasers leader also shared the project’s cover art which features an illustrated collage of naked women, vehicles, and more.
What inspired the Expensive Pain artwork? Meek Mill was asked about the cover on Twitter. He explained, “[It’s] some heavy art s### that I like personally from Nina Chanel 💎.”
Expensive Pain will follow Meek Mill’s Championships which came out in November 2018. That studio LPdebuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 229,000 album-equivalent units.
Championships was eventually certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Meek Mill also earned his first Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album thanks to his fourth studio LP.
When asked by a Twitter user if Expensive Pain is his best work, Meek Mill responded, “Yeah this my zaza flow!! Lol.” He also confirmed at least one U.K. rapper will be featured on the album and a tour is planned for the future.
There could also be another high-profile Meek Mill/Jay-Z collaboration included on Expensive Pain. Jay-Z broke the internet with his verse on the Championships track “What’s Free” along with Rick Ross.
In July, Meek Mill posted an Instagram photograph with Jay-Z. The two emcees were seen speaking inside a recording studio. Last night, the Philadelphia native teased it was possible they could reunite for his latest body of work. Meek also tweeted that he plans to collaborate with Chicago-bred rapper G Herbo.
Two years ago, Netflix first announced television producer Kenya Barris (Black-ish) and Hip Hop artist Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi were teaming up for an adult animated music series called Entergalactic. Fans of Cudi have been patiently waiting for the show to arrive.
In January, Kid Cudi confirmed Entergalactic would land on the streaming platform in 2022. The program was said to be a companion piece to the forthcoming Entergalactic concept album.
“Becuz [that’s] when it drops. I just gave y’all an album yall gotta chill and be patient [for real] man I’m not [doing] an album every year,” tweeted Kid Cudi in response to a Twitter user asking about Entergalactic supposed 2022 premiere date.
Kid Cudi has now offered an even bigger tease associated with Entergalactic. The “Day ‘n’ Nite” rhymer posted a brief announcement video on his Instagram page.
The IG caption read, “First taste of Entergalactic!!! Music produced by Dot Da Genius and Plain Pat, 2022 only on NETFLIX 😈 @netflix.” Kid Cudi has worked with Dot Da Genius and Plain Pat throughout his career.
After establishing himself in the music industry with studio LPs such as 2009’s Man on the Moon: The End of Day, Kid Cudi also tried his hand at acting. He appeared in movies such as Entourage and Bill & Ted Face the Music as well as TV shows such as How to Make It in America and Westworld.
For the past week, Nicki Minaj has been caught up in controversy. The Queen album creator decided to share her thoughts about the COVID-19 vaccine by claiming someone she knows became impotent after getting vaccinated.
“My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied,” tweeted Nicki Minaj.
My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied
"The answer to that, Jake, is a resounding no" — asked about Nicki Minaj's tweet regarding her cousin's friend's balls, Dr. Fauci says there's no evidence the Covid vaccines cause reproductive issues pic.twitter.com/2wuqy14fDi
While many people online rebuked Nicki Minaj, she did get some public backing from another recording artist. R&B singer Tank took to Twitter to express his support for the Young Money Entertainment representative.
“I stand with #NickiMinaj 💙,” tweeted Tank on Wednesday night. The “Maybe I Deserve” performer did not clarify if he agrees with Minaj’s disproven take on vaccinations causing fertility issues or if he is simply defending Minaj in general.
However, Twitter denied the company is preventing Nicki Minaj from tweeting at the moment. In addition, a White House spokesperson said Minaj was only offered a phone call with a doctor to “answer questions she has about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.”
The White House has invited me & I think it’s a step in the right direction. Yes, I’m going. I’ll be dressed in all pink like Legally Blonde so they know I mean business. I’ll ask questions on behalf of the ppl who have been made fun of for simply being human. #BallGate day 3 https://t.co/PSa3WcEjH3
A White House official tells @cnn’s Jeff Zeleny that “As we have with others, we offered a call with Nicki Minaj and one of our doctors to answer questions she has about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.” https://t.co/C3eN1jK2Wa
Styles P offered his take on the Drake and Kanye West beef that has consumed social media for what seems like forever. On a visit to “I am Athlete” he explained why he thinks “It’s a worthless battle.”
Speaking to Chad Ocho Cinco and Brandon Marshall Styles said “It’s really an egotistical and prideful battle. Think about what we’re doing right now, one guy is saying I’m a certified lover boy, one guy titled the album after his dead mom God bless the dead, much condolences, why are we comparing it?”
Styles P praised both projects saying in his opinion, Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy” is the better album sonically though Ye’s “DONDA’ has better content. He said they are very different projects and people can like both and so the comparisons are pointless.
“This guy’s relating to his mom talking about Christ and all types of other s###,” Styles said. “This guy is talking about rich s###, money, chicks he forgot, people mad at him, how much money he got, chicks he love, who left him. [Drake’s] singing, [Kanye’s] singing, [Drake’s] singing about girls [Kanye’s] singing about Christ. I love them both.”
Styles warned against the “crab in the barrel” mentality, pitting them against each other. However, he doesn’t think the two will ever come to blows, no matter how much the public might want to see them fight.
“They’re not going to fight. They’re going to try and dress better than each other, buy better watches, date better models, buy better cars, mention paintings I definitely don’t know about and I’m tired of it.”
He ended with brutal honesty saying, “They ain’t even fighting or arguing. Go the f### around the corner to square up or f###### hug. I’m tired of that s###. You want me to be honest? They should both shut the f### up.”
Swizz Beatz revealed earlier this week that there were talks about a Kanye West and Drake “Verzuz” battle. Speaking on the “Angie Martinez Show” he revealed that although they came close it’s not on the cards at the moment.
Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Flavor Flav go way back. They have a rocky history with ups and downs going back to the 80 but always seem able to remain friends. However, they haven’t performed as a group since 2017 when Flav sued Chuck D and BTN Eastlink.
It doesn’t look as though they’ll be performing together any time soon either, however, it’s unclear exactly who’s at fault with both rappers making conflicting statements earlier this week.
TMZ caught up with Flav at the Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday (September 14) and asked about the possibility of a Public Enemy reunion.
“There’s some things that Chuck D needs to work out with me. Once he comes up to the table and signs this partnership agreement, then we can work. If he doesn’t sign this partnership agreement, then we ain’t working. That’s my boy and that’s my family, but business-wise we ain’t seein’ eye-to-eye. I’m trying to get Chuck to come see eye-to-eye with me. I’m not the hold up with this Public Enemy project,” he said. “I’m not the hold up. Chuck D is the hold up, and I want everybody to know Chuck is the hold up and not Flavor Flav. Everybody, tell Chuck to sign the partnership!”
Chuck D responded in a statement to “HipHopDX” stating:
“Come on y’all. This is tired and stupid. Flav and I communicate on our own, so I normally don’t address these things in public. But I’m tired of the circus of airing news that ain’t news and am going to keep it factual here. Flav sues the folks he works with, so in 2017 he decided it was my turn. He lost when the judge dismissed the suit with prejudice in 2020, which means it’s permanent. Over. He can’t file again. He lost.
Even after all of this, even after all the years of Flav giving the situation minimum while always asking for the maximum, I still work with him. But it’s time to change. Everybody in the situation can’t be burdened with picking up his slack. The key word in ‘Brothers Gonna Work It Out’ is the word ‘work.’ We’re always gonna be brothers regardless, but Flav’s gotta do the work and there ain’t no getting down without the work. Simple as that.”
Tuesday night (September 14) saw Fat Joe and Ja Rule go head-to-head in their Verzuz battle at Madison Square Garden. The consensus is that Ja Rule beat the “Terror Squad’ emcee clearly but that’s not the only loss Fat Joe took that night.
During the back-and-forth, Ja joked that Fat Joe needed help from Remy Ma to save him. “Ya’ll see somebody come out here with me? Me neither. You had to bring Remy to save you, this is fu*king pathetic.”
Ja Rule hadn’t yet brought out his special guests but they still caught some shots from Joe Crack. Caught up in the moment he said, “Oh, them dusty bit*hes. You had to go to the crack house to find them bit*hes.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CT3Hvbbp4Wa/
Ja was eventually joined on stage by guests Lil Mo and Vito to perform their 2000 hit “Put It On Me.” It was assumed that Fat Joe was referring to the two women.
It appears that the ladies were unaware of the comments on the night. Vita addressed the comments via Instagram the following day posting a selfie with the caption “@fatjoe Yooooo bro I was wondering why U was apologizing to me last night N @jarule Dressing Room🧐🤦♀️😩😂 Accept his apology or Naw??? What y’all think???”
Fat Joe took to Twitter to apologize saying “Shout out to the ladies very sorry if i disrespected i love vida and lil Moe I’m super sorry love my sisters.”
Shout out to the ladies very sorry if i disrespected i love vida and lil Moe I’m super sorry love my sisters
Lil Mo showed how she felt about it responding to a clip of Fat Joe making the disparaging remarks with four “broken heart” emojis and “#disappointed.”
Then, on an Instagram Live with Ja Rule and Remy Ma he doubled down on the apology, with Remy and Ja holding him accountable.
All may be forgiven from Lil Mo’s perspective; it appears she changed the caption of her earlier post to: “What a beautiful night at the GARDEN everyone gave me my FLOWERS. NO MORE NEGATIVITY. It’s ONLY UP from here. 🌟🤞🏾💰🤲🏽”
To most people, September 16 was just another Wednesday but to Nicki Minaj, it was “#BallGate Day3.” If we’re following Nicki’s calendar, “#BallGate” began with Nicki tweeting her concerns over the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine and its possible side effects.
She revealed that she wouldn’t be attending Monday’s Met Gala because “They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now.” She added, “In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one 🙏♥️”
They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one 🙏♥️
After receiving a tidal wave of backlash Nicki attempted to justify her skepticism revealing that, “My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied.”
She did recommend others get the vaccine replying to a tweet with, “A lot of countries won’t let ppl work w/o the vaccine. I’d def recommend they get the vaccine.”
I know babe. A lot of countries won’t let ppl work w/o the vaccine. I’d def recommend they get the vaccine. They have to feed their families. I’m sure I’ll b vaccinated as well cuz I have to go on tour, etc. https://t.co/7SK5Df0yBf
However, the damage was done and “#BallGate Day 2” prompted responses from health and public officials worldwide. The response of the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson drew a hilarious response from Nicki Minaj.
I love him even tho I guess this was a diss? The accent ugh! Yassss boo!!! 😍😍😍😍😍😅😂🥴 https://t.co/kXdKteVc7j
The Health Minister of Trinidad and Tobago debunked Nicki’s claims as did Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the United States.
The black woman lied on me & made ppl attack me. But I can’t quote this man who did the opposite. Okay. F### HIM. YASSSSSSSWOOHOOOOOOOOOO happy now? Brain dead https://t.co/kgZuuR19Y9
She also stated that she had been invited to the White House to speak on the topic saying, “The White House has invited me & I think it’s a step in the right direction. Yes, I’m going.”
The White House has invited me & I think it’s a step in the right direction. Yes, I’m going. I’ll be dressed in all pink like Legally Blonde so they know I mean business. I’ll ask questions on behalf of the ppl who have been made fun of for simply being human. #BallGate day 3 https://t.co/PSa3WcEjH3
However, a White House official said that “As we have with others, we offered a call with Nicki Minaj and one of our doctors to answer questions she has about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.”
“As we have with others, we offered a call with Nicki Minaj and one of our doctors to answer questions she has about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine,” a White House official says. https://t.co/WYvfjqV9qr
Twitter says Nicki’ Minaj’s tweets were not in violation of their policy but didn’t comment on whether or not her account had been frozen. “Twitter did not take any enforcement action on the account referenced,” a spokesperson for the company said in an email to The Times on Wednesday.
