San Antonio’s mayor has blocked Drake on Twitter out of loyalty to the hometown Spurs.
Drake drew the ire of Mayor Ron Nirenberg for snubbing the San Antonio Spurs in OVO’s new World Champions apparel featuring six NBA teams. The capsule collection includes the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and New York Knicks.
“#GoSpursGo,” Mayor Nirenberg wrote on Twitter alongside a screenshot of him blocking Drake.
San Antonio Spurs fans were annoyed by their team’s exclusion from the OVO collection, citing their franchise’s five world championships. The selection of the New York Knicks sparked complaints since the team hasn’t won a title since the 1970s.
The Toronto Raptors actually have the fewest championships among the franchises in the collection, but they are Drake’s hometown team. The Knicks have the second-fewest titles among those selected for the collection.
Drake and OVO partnered with the NBA for this World Champions capsule ahead of the league’s 2021-2022 season, which begins on October 19. The collection includes 59Fifty New Era fitted hats, wool and leather embroidered varsity jackets, heavyweight carded fleece, short and long-sleeve t-shirts, and cotton terry sideline towels.
Even in his advanced age, Dr. Dre isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
In a tweet posted earlier today, the rap legend announced that he’ll be performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, which will be presented by Pepsi.
“I’m extremely excited to share the stage with my friends for the #PepsiHalftime Show,” he wrote. “This will introduce the next saga of my career…Bigger and Better than Ever!!!”
The “friends” in question, according to the Tweet, are Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and of course, Eminem.
Check out the Tweet below.
I’m extremely excited to share the stage with my friends for the #PepsiHalftime Show.
This will be the first time that Dr. Dre will be performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Here’s a fun bit of Black history that most don’t know: In Living Color was responsible for the Super Bowl Halftime Show being what it is today. Prior to 1992, halftime shows often consisted of high school marching bands that left the viewers bored out of their minds. While the Super Bowl was and remains a ratings winner, the halftime show was a flop.
In 1991, the late Jay Coleman called Eric Gold — Keenan Ivory Wayans’ manager & In Living Color‘s production manager — and told him that he wanted to see MC Hammer (who was a hot rapper at the time) perform on Fox during the Super Bowl’s halftime show. And before Hammer’s performance, he wanted live In Living Color sketches.
To make a long story extremely short, In Living Color decimated the Super Bowl in the ratings. At the time, it was referred to as a “network coup,” because the Fox Network was then very fledgling. (It was being carried by The Simpsons and In Living Color, and was nowhere near the conservative juggernaut that it is today.)
The following year, the Super Bowl Halftime Show booked Michael Jackson to perform. And the rest, as they say, is history.
So…you now have a direct line between Michael Jackson, Keenan Ivory Wayans…and Dr. Dre. You’re welcome.
BET’s iconic television series Rap City is coming back for one night.
The network has announced a new special called Rap City ’21, which will air prior to the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards on October 5. The show’s former host Big Tigger hyped up its return with a photo of himself on the set.
“This is not a drill… This is not a throwback,” he wrote on Instagram. “#RapCity21 ‼️Details soon… #RapCityRaisedMe #ATL.”
Big Tigger will serve as the special’s host and executive producer. The one-hour program aims to recreate the magic of the longest-running Hip Hop show in television history.
“I’m excited at the opportunity to revive this legendary piece of culture!” Big Tigger said in a statement. “All your favorite stars and their bars on display.”
The upcoming special will feature never before seen performances from the booth, which was the home of Rap City’s memorable freestyles. Many of Hip Hop’s biggest stars stepped into the booth to spit rhymes for the home audience.
Viewers will also see exclusive interviews and memories of the series from its 19-year run. BET hasn’t revealed any of the guests booked for the special as of September 30.
BET’s Rap City premiered in 1989 and was canceled in 2008. It broadcasted a mix of music videos, interviews and commentary over close to two decades on the air.
The show went through multiple hosts but is probably best known for its years hosted by Big Tigger, who handled those duties from 1999-2005. He became the face of the series when it was rebranded as Rap City: Tha Basement.
Rap City ’21 is scheduled to premiere on October 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern. The 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards will begin right after the special at 9 p.m. Eastern.
50 Cent respects his fellow Queens native Nicki Minaj and could even see himself doing a romantic comedy with her.
Both rappers are known to dabble in acting (the South Jamaica king a little more) and probably would light the screen up.
But 50 thinks it’s a little more than her acting chops that would make her the ideal romantic opposite.
On Jalen Rose’s Renaissance Man Podcast the athlete-turned-host asked his rapper-turned-actor guest, “Would you ever do a romantic comedy and who would you do a love scene with?”
He continued, “I mean … when she does s### … I’m looking.”
Of course, 50 is looking. They have the same spirit animal or creature … it is called a troll. (Get it cause they be trolling)
“She’s tougher,” he shares knowing that he relates to her Teflon personality. “When she’s being an a######, [its] because she’s telling you, you’re not going to take advantage of her.”
“She’s going, ‘Don’t play with me’ before you play with her,” he breaks down.
50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, is clearly fond of the Barbie queen … and her son who just turned one today. Earlier this year, he posted her son on his Instagram.
He captioned, “look at them cheeks, we got another winner I would say south side but this baby rich. look at him i think he know he rich already.”
Rapper Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest hung out with Math Hoffa on the My Expert Opinion podcast and talked about battling Ol’ Dirty Bastard from the Wu-Tang Clan when he was in the 11th grade.
Back then, the young emcee did not go by the moniker that made him famous. He went by the slick handle of “J-Nice.”
The Abstract shared on the episode that because he had garnered a reputation for rap battling people would seek him out to catch wreck.
One of the people tracking him down was Ason Unique, the name the “Brooklyn Zoo” rapper received when he discovered knowledge of self in the Nation of Gods and Earths.
He says, “My man from my school said that this n####’s gonna get you.”
“My man Rob, we were in the lunchroom. It was seven period. He was outside.” He says that his friend told him that the guy is outside waiting on him. Tip continues telling the story, “ ‘Where’s J-Nice? Where’s J-Nice?’ and so I just said let’s go.”
He shares that everyone in the school followed him outside … old school style. Either it was going to be a battle or a fight. Whichever way it was diced, people were there for the show.
“It’s classic s###. We go outside, right in the front and its Ason, the Ol’ Dirty Bastard,” he reveals.
Mocking the iconic rapper, he barks, “Where’s J-Nice at?” He further states that RZA was there. “That’s how I first met them. So, we battle and s###.”
He says that he went first and actually spit his rap from the lyrical contest.
“MC J-Nice that is my title …”
And then Ol’ Dirty burst in and said that he needed his beatbox to go. It was RZA.
The rapper and producer responsible for so many classics in the Hip-Hop lexicon said that ODB was on his style “early” — meaning back when they were kids.
Q-Tip, who just celebrated the 30th Anniversary of his legendary album Low End Theory, said that he took the “L.” Still in losing, we all won. We got a great story about two legends and a glimpse into what the Golden Age of Hip-Hop looked like.
Rapper I.P. Da Man has been rapping since he was a teenager, and for the past few years he has been in the lab developing a new sound in Las Vegas.
Already with some success under his belt, I.P. has travelled the US performing on a 29-state tour with Interscope/Dynasty Records, and worked with notables in the rap game such as Lil Flip, X1, multi-platinum artist Kia Shine, Grammy-nominated producers The Audibles, super producer Pyro, R&B sensation JR Castro and many more.
A mix of Hip Hop, R&B, and pop beats, he is blessed to have a unique voice, and diversity in his music. His sound has been compared to heavyweights like Ludacris, Drake, and T.I. because of his powerful tone and genius wordplay.
His new single “Chop Stixx” has caught the attention of Drake for a potential remix and has gained thousands of views on social media with a substantial amount of shares and reposts.
IP says his music has to have substance, and you can tell he has been through things in his life by the way he raps.
I.P. a.k.a IMPATIENT got his name when recording as a teenager with his friend O.E., a.k.a. Tyerre White, who is famous 70’s disco crooner Barry White’s grandson. O.E. titled him “Impatient” one day when they were working in the studio because he was so eager to succeed and advance his skills, and he couldn’t wait to record. Ever since then, that name stuck with him.
Stay connected with I.P., and check out “Chop Stixx” below! Twitter: @ipdaman Instagram: @ipdaman
Suga J is a legend in his own right, and he continues to do legendary things. Coming up as a proud founding member of Ma$e’s supergroup Harlem World, the Harlem, New York native has since shifted into the fashion industry, dressing all the elites from Diddy to Ma$e to Nelly.
In describing himself, Suga J simply states he’s “an innovator from Harlem, born and raised, that’s into music, fashion and a lifestyle specialist. He’s been on the scene for over two decades, elevating the culture.”
Following in the footsteps of legends such as Dapper Dan and Guy Wood of 5001 Flavors, Suga J launched his own brand titled Members Club Clothing back in 2012, paving the way for the Respeckfully Brand which came into fruition during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new apparel line has been seen on everyone from Fat Joe to Jadakiss to Cam’Ron to most recently Busta Rhymes. Additionally, Suga J just released his new single aptly titled “RESPECKFULLY,” which embodies themes of originality, authenticity, and of course, respect.
Now, Suga J is excited to be dressing Nelly for the upcoming BET Hip Hop Awards, as he receives his I Am Hip Hop award. Their long-lasting friendship goes much deeper than meets the eye, and AllHipHop had the chance to catch up with Suga J to discuss what it was like during the peak of Nelly’s career.
AllHipHop: What does Harlem mean to you?
Suga J: Harlem is such a beautiful place. Harlem is the mecca of fashion, music and entertainment. Growing up in Harlem with inspirations like Dougie Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, , nights at Rucker Park and Ma$e put us on the map. Just showing us that it’s possible. You can be fresh, you can be fly, you can be culture..That’s Harlem. You could be in anywhere in the country and they’re going to know he’s from New York City. He’s from some part of New York that’s different. That’s Harlem. No matter where we’re at, we put our stamp down.
AllHipHop: What was a young Suga coming out of Harlem like?
Suga J: In ‘99, I was a young kid from Harlem just happy to be on. Ma$e gave us a chance and it was an honor. It was a blessing because Ma$e had got a member from each block of Harlem. When he put the Harlem World group together, we all came from different parts of Harlem. It was a collective that he handpicked. He believed in a young kid from Harlem and in that moment, Suga J was born.
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with fashion?
Suga J: Fashion’s always been in my DNA. I was raised by a beautiful queen that’s always been fashionable, which is my mom. She used to always dress me in Benetton and the Gap when I was young, so it’s been installed and embedded in me. I was always doing custom clothing for a lot of artists and entertainers. I didn’t know the recognition I was getting until other brands started mimicking the designs. In 2012, I decided to officially create my business and started a custom clothing line called Members Club. We took off from there, dressing the likes of Diddy, Ma$e, Nelly, Busta Rhymes, Floyd Mayweather, Jermaine Dupri, Fabolous, the list goes on and on. It was an honor to see I could transition and officially build a brand.
AllHipHop: How was it transitioning from music to styling these big names?
Suga J: It was natural. Coming from the music industry, I used my relationships. Everyone else were producers, artists, songwriters, etc. I chose the path less traveled. I used my creativity to start dressing these artists. Music and fashion always go hand in hand so I made the logical transition, tapping into that fashion and my creativity.
AllHipHop: How has fashion shifted from back then to now? We’re in 2021, it’s a new generation.
Suga J: It’s different, it’s the new generation. I’m here to restore the feeling, restore that era back to where it’s cool to get cleaned up and stylish. Wear clothes that break tradition, wearing leather outfits. I came from the era where they’re wearing shiny suits, they were laughing at it in Puff and Ma$e videos back then. Now, it’s coming back..colors, mixed patterns, originality is the definition of fashion in 2021. History repeats itself. All the glitter stuff, all the flashy wear, making rhinestone and sequin blazers and motorcycle jackets — “Billboard wear”. “Red carpet ready” is what I call it.
I tell people, own your look…Be responsible for your own. You don’t have to look like a mannequin. You don’t have to look like others. In Harlem, we put it together. We mix and match. We don’t have to have a whole singular designer outfit. We can put a major designer on with a white tee, some Air Force 1s and be alright. It’s a blessing I can see the curve and I stay true to who I am. Stay true to the fashion I was raised upon.
AllHipHop: What’re you most excited for dressing Nelly for the BET Hip Hop Awards?
Suga J: Yes, that’s big. Another big moment I’m happy to be a part of. I was proud to dress Busta Rhymes for the DMX tribute as well at the BET Awards, that was an honor. Rest in peace to the Great DMX, he was an inspiration in my life as well. This is another shot: BET Hip Hop Awards. This is big for Nelly and everything he’s accomplished in his career. Many may not know, but I started with Nelly, in 2001. After Harlem World, I went behind the scenes.
The same person managing Ma$e, Cudda Luv, started a production company called Fo’Reel Entertainment. We came across a CD that was the St. Lunatics. That was my introduction to Nelly. Nelly earned his solo deal and after his success, all the members earned solo deals. To revisit it 20 years later and being able to dress him and watch him receive the I Am Hip Hop award, that’s a blessing.
AllHipHop: Fondest memories from the St. Lunatics days?
Suga J: Man I tell people til this day, he doesn’t get a lot of credit he deserves. There’s very few that sold more hip-hop records than Nelly. That’s a big accomplishment and people don’t know that. He went Diamond on his first album, not many in hip hop have that accomplishment, especially for a young man coming from the Midwest. That was an honor, I’ll never forget that.
The videos from “Hot in Herre” to “Dilemma” to “Ride With Me,” I was there for it all. The video suits, the sets, it was totally different coming from the Harlem World days. He broke out the gate, went from St. Louis to worldwide.
AllHipHop: What does it mean to dress him now, as he receives the I Am Hip Hop award?
Suga J: Aw man, I know it’s huge for him. It’s huge even for me to be able to witness it. Hip-hop started on Sedgwick Avenue, a block that I was raised on: 1520. Seeing how far it’s risen, it’s amazing. I come from Sedgwick Ave. I come from hip-hop. To see that an artist I worked with and was a part of his journey, being recognized as “I Am Hip Hop” is huge. I’m definitely glad to be a part of it, I am sure it is a bucket list moment for him and it’s definitely a bucket list moment for me. That’s something that can’t be taken away. He’s one of the reasons this melodic flow really broke through. The singing and rap style, the mainstream successes which he hasn’t been getting credit for. Hopefully, he’ll be on that pedestal.
AllHipHop: What do you have him wearing on such a big night?
Suga J: Oh man, I can’t disclose that. [laughs] He’ll definitely be fresh, he’ll be dripped in Members Club. I worked with some of his stylists as well, but I really work directly with Nelly. It’ll be custom and. He’ll be owning his look.
AllHipHop: Talk about having your own brand, RESPECKFULLY. It’s your newest single too.
Suga J: If you don’t know, I have a song out now. It’s streaming on all DSPs. It’s not just a song, it’s a lifestyle, It’s a way of living. I’ve been raised respectfully. I have close friends that’s been living respectfully. I watched the first Black President become a president in my lifetime, and he did it respectfully. RESPECKFULLY, is a movement. Everyone’s screaming respeckfully. It’s a calm way of saying, “I’m cool”, disrespectfully. Or “thank you”, respectfully. We’re branding the lifestyle. It’s an honor to be a part of setting a trend, setting a wave for the future to adapt.
AllHipHop: Why’s the name spelled that way?
Suga J: I spelled it with a “k” most importantly, for us. For trademark purposes, and to separate it from the word. Respect with a “t,” is a word you can’t trademark. I trademarked it with a “k” to separate it. Anytime you Google it, you’ll know Suga J is a part of it. RESPECKFULLY with a “k,” that’s for us.
AllHipHop: What’re you most excited for next?
Suga J: Right now, I’m focusing on blowing this “RESPECKFULLY” record up. I have a big remix that’s on the way. A major remix that’s on the way with a lot of close friends in the industry.
AllHipHop: You gotta tell us who!
Suga J: A few of them were on VERZUZ. [laughs] It’s New York. I might just call it “AllHipHop.” We might have a “AllHipHop” remix coming your way. I’ll definitely debut it with you guys, y’all be the first ones to press play on it. I’m working on an EP. I have a few deals on the table, so we’re working on that. For Members Club, we’re still supplying the demand of the streets.
I come from a cloth that was responsible for a lot of hip-hop, which came from 5001 Flavors and Dapper Dan. Both are responsible for iconic looks for LL Cool J, EPMD, Puff Daddy and Missy Elliott, respectively. To be able to carry that torch and do my part with Members Club, is an honor. I respect the guys that came before me and paved the way.. You speak of Dapper Dan, you speak of Suga J’s Members Club. You speak of 5001 Flavors, you speak of Suga J’s Members Club.
Emerging San Diego based Asian-American hip hop artist Star2 is best known for his ability to heed generational cues, crafting music that’s bold, highly relatable, and masterfully fuses together a diverse mix of musical elements for a fluid sonic experience.
After releasing a string of singles and most recently, his latest EP entitled Love Story, the artist is back with his all-new track and visuals for “I Wanna Get F’d Up,” which features acclaimed hip-hop artist Luh Kel.
Premiered exclusively on AllHipHop, “I Wanna Get F’d Up” narrates a story that plenty of us know well: unrequited love, heartbreak, and painful breakup scenarios. The artist confides,
“I wanted to write a song with the backstory of the best relationship of your life that blows up out of nowhere leaving you wondering what happened- leaving you in pain and wanting to self-medicate. It was a dream come true to do a song with Luh Kel, my dude. Our song is the diary of a toxic relationship with a toxic shawty you loved heart and soul who cheated.”
Featuring raw lyricism, svelte-smooth vocals and even a French horn, the song rolls along smoothly for an immersive listening experience. In the accompanying visuals for “I Wanna Get F’d Up,” Star2 and Luh Kel both play alongside each other in a galactic, post- apocalyptic themed storyline that ties in with the feelings associated with the end of a relationship. The video features brilliant CGI, vivid imagery, and a full-bodied narrative.
Star2 further confides, “Making this video with Luh Kel was dope as hell. We used CGI (computer generated imagery) with a green screen to make Luh Kel’s car fly and to make me fall hundreds of feet backwards off a cliff into the ocean – swimming underwater.”
Originally from Thailand, Star2 was born into a refugee camp where he and his family escaped soldiers who took over their town and burned down their village. Star2 relocated to San Diego, California when he was a young boy after his grandmother was chosen in the lottery to migrate to the US. As an artist who’s found his true calling after overcoming opposition and hardship, we can’t wait to see what’s next for the rising artist.
Snoop Dogg is a legend. Martha Stewart is an icon.
They’re both very well paid.
So it makes sense that these friends and business partners have been successful on every project they worked on together. Fans can’t seem to get enough of the Harold & Maude-style pairing of these two entertainers who somehow work despite coming from two seemingly different worlds.
But all that chemistry has led some Twitter users to speculate whether Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart ever bumped uglies — ever did the nasty — ever danced the horizontal mambo.
In other words, did Snoop ever have Martha a##-down and face-up? Is that the way she likes to f##k?
Some Twitter users are pretty convinced they did.
Do y’all think Snoop and Martha ever came close and then stopped themselves like we can’t we’re business partners
I hope it ends with them in bed, Snoop in a deep a restful slumber nestled in the crook of Martha's arm. As she watches his head bob with her breathing, she whispers softly "It's a good thing."
Alas, those who are waiting for a “Snooptha,” “Snartha,” or (my favorite) “Marthdogg” super couple will be waiting a very long time.
Snoop Dogg has been married to his longtime manager and wife, Shante, for many years. They’ve been together since high school.
And even when they came close to divorce, the Doggfather realized that he had to get it together.
“I was trying to get a divorce, but I went back home and I fell back in love with my wife and kids,” he said. “I understand that I need my wife and my kids in my life—so I threw the papers away. I don’t want to get a divorce. So if you hear about a divorce, it’ll be my wife divorcing me. It won’t be me divorcing her…And I made a mistake, so I’m trying to get back right.”
Venom: Let There Be Carnage arrives in movie theaters on October 1. The Marvel superhero film will be accompanied by brand new music.
For example, Eminem announced he collaborated with three other acts for the Venom 2 soundtrack. Hip Hop artists Polo G and Mozzy as well as Pop singer Skylar Grey joined the Detroit-raised legend on the track.
“I’m back with @VenomMovie and this time I’ve brought some friends for the carnage – New song for the film w/ @SkylarGrey @Polo_Capalot @MozzyThaMotive out tonight at Midnight,” tweeted Eminem on Wednesday afternoon.
The original Venom motion picture came out in 2018. Tom Hardy stars as Eddie Brock/Venom. The English actor returned for Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Venom 2 also features Michelle Williams and Naomie Harris. Woody Harrelson takes on the role of villain Cletus Kasady/Carnage. Andy Serkis (Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle) served as director.
Robert “R.” Kelly, 54, is currently facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison. A federal jury in Brooklyn found the disgraced R&B singer/songwriter guilty of multiple crimes involving underage girls and young women.
The Chicago-raised entertainer was convicted on all nine counts of the indictment. Prosecutors were able to secure guilty verdicts for racketeering, bribery, sexual exploitation of a child, forced labor, and sex trafficking.
As a result of the conviction, the city of Baton Rouge is rescinding its “Key to the City” honor given to R. Kelly in 2013. Former Baton Rouge Metro Council member Denise Marcelle told TMZ she now regrets giving R. Kelly the accolade.
Marcelle, now a Louisiana State Representative, suggested she was not fully aware of the allegations that had been leveled against R. Kelly for decades, including reports that then-27-year-old Kelly married 15-year-old Aaliyah in 1994. Additionally, Kelly went on trial in Illinois for state child pornography charges in 2008, but he was acquitted in that case.
R. Kelly Has A Long History Of Sexual Misconduct & Child Pornography Allegations
Rumors of R. Kelly being the head of a “sex cult” began circulating online over four years ago. The #MuteRKelly movement and Dream Hampton’s 2019 documentary Surviving R. Kelly helped bring widespread attention to the sexual misconduct allegations against the self-described Pied Piper of R&B.
Following the premiere of Surviving R. Kelly, local and federal authorities in several states began investigating the 3-time Grammy winner. Kelly was eventually indicted in the Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of Illinois. The latter case is still pending.
“This indictment demonstrates our office’s commitment to holding individuals such as Kelly accountable for criminal sexual abuse of minors, protecting the victims of such crimes, and punishing those who obstruct law enforcement investigations,” said United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John R. Lausch Jr. in 2019.
On September 27 of this year, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, stated, “Today’s guilty verdict forever brands R. Kelly as a predator, who used his fame and fortune to prey on the young, the vulnerable, and the voiceless for his own sexual gratification. A predator who used his inner circle to ensnare underage teenage girls, and young women and men, for decades, in a sordid web of sex abuse, exploitation, and degradation.”
Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty’s son is turning one today and the Barbz are celebrating one of Hip-Hop’s most popular (and stylish) toddlers. The adorable baby boy has already got a trending nickname, and is affectionately known as “Papa Bear.”
Just three weeks the cutie pie shocked the world as he said “Hi!” to her haters for the first time. Those precious moments are like candy to strangers, but for the parents whose faces were hilariously surprised, there really are no words.
Papa Bear’s famous mom has transformed right before rap music’s eyes. Instead of countless videos of her wardrobe of the snakes slithering around her throne, Minaj can be seen on her social media doting over her son and talking baby talk. #WellBabyTalkMightNotBeNew
“Happy 1st birthday Papa Bear. I remember this day, I screamed and cried cause
@NICKIMINAJ deserves ultimate joy and happiness after been through so much.”
Happy 1st birthday Papa Bear. I remember this day, I screamed and cried cause @NICKIMINAJ deserves ultimate joy and happiness after been through so much. pic.twitter.com/5qM8cDfWp2
At the time of posting, Nicki hasn’t made a public celebratory post. But on New Year’s Eve, she posted a caption of gratitude — endearing Papa Bear to the world even more.
“#PapaBear thank you so very much for choosing me to be your mama 🎀🦄🙏 Wishing you guys a happy & prosperous New Year. Thank you for your love & support throughout this journey. It’s meant so much to me. Becoming a mom is by far the most fulfilling job I’ve ever taken on. Sending love to all the superhero mothers out there. Big hugs to all the women who have been pregnant during this challenging time.”
In addition to Papa Bear’s birthday, Nicki is celebrating a social media milestone. According to a fan profile, “Nicki Minaj has reached 159 Million Followers on Instagram & 22.9 Million followers on Twitter today on Papa Bear’s bday.”
Nicki Minaj has reached 159 Million Followers on Instagram & 22.9 Million followers on Twitter today on Papa Bear’s bday🎉.
Boosie Badazz is still dealing with losing his Instagram page, but the Baton Rouge native is still getting love from a controversial figure on the platform. Bill Cosby popped up on IG to show Boosie some love.
Lil Boosie, I have always appreciated your truth and support. What I’m about to say, is not to compensate you because you supported Bill Cosby. My publicist, Mr. Andrew Wyatt told me about your film, “My Struggle” and I am encouraging all of my supporters and fans to make this American Citizen, Lil Boosie’s film, “My Struggle” a box office success. Thank you very much. #MyStruggle #BoosieMovie #BillCosby #LilBoosie
@billcosby Instagram account
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUawKP_Pgzf/
Boosie Badazz Reacts To Bill Cosby’s Support
Boosie got word of Bill Cosby promoting his independent movie My Struggle, and he shouted out the 84-year-old stand-up comedian on Twitter. The man born Torrence Hatch Jr. tweeted, “THANKS‼️ BILL COSBY MEANS A LOT COMING FROM YOU.😉.”
Not only did Bill Cosby endorse Boosie this week, but his spokesperson also recently defended convicted sex criminal R. Kelly on Cosby’s behalf. Andrew Wyatt claimed his client believes Kelly was “railroaded” when a federal jury found the R&B singer guilty on nine counts, including illegal sex with minors and sexual exploitation of minors.
Apparently, Boosie Badazz is also dealing with people bootlegging My Struggle. The southerner even went as far as to suggest that Civil Rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be “p##### off” that viewers are illegally streaming the movie without paying for it.
MARTIN LUTHER KING would be p##### off right now to see y’all mfs not supporting black excellence and buying my movie but going to YouTube and other websites making the WHITE MAN RICH ! #UncleTomAssNiggas
Houston’s Don Toliver is set to drop his latest body of work next month. Life of a Don will arrive on October 8.
Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack label representative let loose an official album trailer this week. The teaser features Don Toliver’s unreleased track “Xscape.”
In addition, Don Toliver is currently on a nationwide tour. The “Don’t Go” performer will be in Pittsburgh tonight (September 30) before hitting New York City on October 2.
Don Toliver released the “What You Need” single in May. He recently appeared on Kanye West’s Donda album and Baby Keem’s The Melodic Blue album as well.
The trailer for the fifth and final season of Issa Rae’s Insecure arrived online yesterday. Rae tweeted the 2-minute clip to her 1.5 million followers.
“Can’t believe this is the last #InsecureHBO trailer I’ll ever share. See you October 24th!” read Issa Rae’s caption. The comedy-drama series returns to HBO next month.
Insecure first debuted on the premium cable channel in 2016 to critical acclaim. Three more seasons played out between 2017-2020.
Besides Issa Rae, the Insecure cast also includes Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, and Amanda Seales.
The show has been nominated for NAACP Image Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, Black Reel Awards, and Satellite Awards.
Season five of Insecure is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, October 24 at 10 pm on HBO.
Meek Mill’s highly anticipated new album is set to drop on Friday (October 1) via Maybach Music Group/Atlantic Records. He’s been receiving a lot of love from many of his fellow rappers promoting the project ahead of its release.
One post that has been garnering attention came from “Maybach Music Group” boss Rick Ross. He posted Meek’s album cover art to his Instagram post. The caption read “Lil bro @meekmill New Album “Expensive Pain” drop 10/1” followed by a “fire” emoji.
The post raised a few eyebrows because back in May, professional pot-stirrer, DJ Akademiks implied there was beef inside the MMG camp. According to Ak, the tension arose when Meek had Rick Ross barred from entering his birthday party over a label dispute.
“There’s an artist who’s signed to another artist,” Akademiks ambiguously claimed in May. “People saw when the artist who’s signed to the other artist was having a party, the artist they’re signed to allegedly tried to enter the party and go about certain places and I heard there was a big issue.
“One of your favorite artists who’s claimin’ that they lit, they a boss, they do whatever — they’re signed to another n-gga. And allegedly, they beefin’ with the other n-gga because they’re trying to get off the label. That’s what I heard.
“I don’t even want to say names because I’m in disbelief. I hear they want off the label. This has been an ongoing conversation. The n-gga that they signed to showed up to their party and they were not happy. When that person showed up, there was issues.”
Rick Ross hasn’t thrown any shade in Meek Mill’s direction and now he’s promoting his album, it looks like the rumors of a problem between the pair can be put to rest.
Jay-Z is hoping to help one of his fans who is currently in prison serving 20 years on a marijuana charge. It is reported that back in December 2007 Valon Vailes was found guilty for conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute more than one ton of marijuana from 2003 to 2007. He received a sentence of 20 years in federal prison with an additional 10-year supervised release. 55-year-old Vailes has been incarcerated since. Back in February this year Vailes reached out to Jay-Z, penning an emotional letter from New York’s Otisville Correctional Facility. According to “Page Six” Jay-Z’s legal team has twice reached out to a North Carolina judge to plead for the fan’s “compassionate release.” “Page Six” reports that they obtained an exclusive copy of Vaile’s note to Jay-Z, where he highlights the fact that he is serving time for marijuana charges while others legally profit from it on the outside. Jay-Z himself owns the cannabis company “Monogram.” “This correspondence is a plea to ask for your help with the intent to campaign for my clemency,” the letter read. “13 and a half years is a long time to be still incarcerated over a substance that has become the ultimate green rush.” He explained that while incarcerated he has lost his mother, grandmother, nephew, and best friend who all passed away. He added, “I have four children, the youngest is 1.4, and 3 grand-daughters.” Vailes said that was moved by Jay-Z’s advocacy for the “underprivileged and voiceless.” He says that he has made a lot of changes in his life and has a newfound view of society,” and so “I pledge to my family, my children, and myself that my incarceration would not be in vain.” He concluded by saying he feels “some type of way” about serving time on marijuana charges while ongoing reform of marijuana legalization is happening. “It is a bittersweet reality that I am a casualty and a commodity of this system filled with injustice,” he wrote. The passionate request resonated with Jay-Z who got Spiro and his team at “Monogram” to file a petition on the prisoner’s behalf. The first motion for a compassionate release request filed in April noted that Vailes had been “a model inmate.” The motion also noted that Vailes’ family “desperately needs his support and assistance, and he does not present a recidivism risk.” Jay-Z’s team argue that the motion was incorrectly dismissed and Spiro asked the judge to release Vailes on a sentence of time served. “Mr. Vailes has exhausted his administrative remedies with the [Federal Bureau of Prisons]; extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant compassionate release in his case; the relevant factors support release; and Mr. Vailes is not a danger to the community,” the attorney argued. He added, “Mr. Vailes is the sole available caretaker for his mentally ill brother whom is in desperate need of Mr. Vailes’ support.” The attorney concluded, “It is unjust to allow Mr. Vailes to remain in prison when, if sentenced under the current law, and with his good behavior credits, he would have already been released.” A Change.org petition also advocating for Vailes’ release has over 2,000 signatures as of Wednesday evening.
The lucky ten had Eminem serve up $9 cartons of spaghetti (or $12 with meatballs), $11 “s’ghetti” sandwiches, and $14 cartons of spaghetti with vegan meatballs.
Eminem spent several minutes manning the alley window of #MomsSpaghetti on Woodward Avenue, treating the first 10 fans in a blocks-long line to takeout boxes of spaghetti and selfies as he inaugurated the new restaurant inspired by one of his hit lyrics.https://t.co/sPVFZfIdLK
The famously camera-shy rapper also took the opportunity to take some pics with ecstatic fans, one saying it was “the best day of my life.”
A special guest showed up at the opening of #MomsSpaghetti and personally served the first few people in line, including Erin Farrer of Detroit. "This is the best day of my life," she said. Story coming to @detroitnews. pic.twitter.com/4P74slZQpo
Later in the day, Eminem went to his radio station, “Shade 45” on Serius XM radio for an interview with Rude Jude.
“The boss @Eminem stopped by the @AllOutShow on #Shade45 to chop it up w/ @rude_jude about his new restaurant #MomsSpaghetti that opened today in DetroitSpaghettiCheck out the interview on the @SiriusXM app tonight + hit up the spot during your next trip! #AllOutShow”
Speaking to Rude Jude live at the opening Em was asked if he recommends the spaghetti sandwich. Not only did Eminem suggest diners opt for the dish, but he also gave very specific instructions for eating it!
“Don’t even eat a bite of your spaghetti until you put it in the bread. Then eat it. Because otherwise you’re gonna’ ruin the whole f###### thing. That’s stupid. Don’t be stupid. Do the f###### bread, before anything else you put your spaghetti on the bread. If I f###### catch you doing that without the f###### bread…I don’t know what I’m gonna’ do. I’m not trying to offend anyone but if you’re not a f###### idiot don’t eat ‘Mom’s Spaghetti’.”
My phone stopped recording for a bit between the 1st & 2nd vids so a little is missing. pic.twitter.com/ftgiXVUlBK
Eminem previously worked with “Union Joints” restaurant group on his “Mom’s Spaghetti” pop-up stores and Em’s manager Paul Rosenberg had this to say:
“We’ve had a lot of fun putting this project together with the folks at Union Joints, and the response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We are really pleased to announce the arrival of the walk-up restaurant and adjacent upstairs store, called The Trailer, where fans can experience a uniquely-curated environment and obtain merch and other items from Eminem and his new pasta operation.”
Urbanworld partners with Hulu, spotlighting season two of Wu-Tang: An American Saga with the creator, Executive Producer and original Wu-Tang Clan member, RZA, along with key cast members. Host, AllHipHop.com’s Chuck Creekmur digs into the crates with the actors and RZA to learn more and explore the music that inspired everything.
Featured Guests: RZA, Executive Producer, & Cast Members Ericka Alexander, Shameik Moore, TJ Atoms, Zolee Griggs
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: Definitely. So I’m a fan of Wu-Tang already, as you all probably know. At the original premier, I was in heaven, it was crazy. Let’s talk about this season and how these characters are evolving. So, RZA, I want you to talk about it first and then let each individual cast member talk about their character and how they’ve changed a little bit since season one.
RZA: Well, thanks for doing this. In Season 2, you’ll see us – the Wu-Tang Clan – really form and create their album 36 Chambers. The journey that these characters are going through is relevant to young people of any generation. I think this cast – the way they absorbed the material and digested it back in front of the camera – is amazing. Making a TV show is very difficult, but we also did it in the midst of COVID-19, a pandemic. People had to quarantine before they come to set and all these different things. And I have a strong cast and a strong group of people who are willing to overcome challenges. This cast done that.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: How has Linda Diggs, Bobby’s mother (RZA) evolved and how has the mother/son relationship evolved.
Erika Alexander: I think the mother’s consistent. That she evolved as the mother, that Linda Diggs is consistent to her children…to her child. That she sees him as people that need to be uniquely protected because I think she sees the whole of who Bobby Diggs is. He is an artist, he’s sensitive, he has strengthened powers that are beyond understanding, and she sees that he needs protection. He’s in the basement creating and created a safe space for them to have stability and to bring their friends and to have a place for them to try out things and experiment. Where she’s a consistent mother is that she also has a point of view that if he does not change his ways, that he will go down the hard way. She says that to Bobby, but the whole time trying to create a way for him to come back from a dark place.
I think that her being a light, but also sort of… not sort of, but telling him the truth and not sugarcoating it is important because if you have any awareness of strong men and especially strong black men you know they’re going to go their own way. You have to allow them to have that space to make mistakes, but you don’t want to have them make the mistake of doing something that they can’t come back from. She’s afraid of that like any mother. She’s moved to Cleveland and to Ohio, and she’s going on to her old life, but her problem followed her there because if any of her children are in trouble she’s involved. So she’s very much involved in their children’s life, but she’s also telling him that he must make a decision. He has a path, and he can either go down the way that she believes that he’s born to do, his destiny, or he can choose to join everyone else, which is a dark way to go.
RZA: So let me comment on that real quick, Chuck.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: Okay.
RZA: Watching the show as a viewer…well, with my family and sitting there, my father missed that part of my life, right? He’s now going on 78, 79 years old. When the second episode hit, something happened in my household, that was really good for…(us). When Erika delivered the line (as his TV mother Linda Diggs) that she heard Confucius saying, “Everyone has two lives but the second life begans when you realize that you only have one life.” The whole room, just kind of just dropped like everybody’s light bulb went off. Even my stepmother, she did one of those church things. She was like, “Mmm-hmm (affirmative),” like it was gospel. To me, that’s one of the beautiful things about the (Linda Diggs) character… Mothers know where kids are going, but they always there to protect them and it’s always that moment with them that hits you with that spoon full of wisdom. That’s universal. That hopefully will change the child. And for me… I thought I had to jump in and say that. So I passed the mic back.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: TJ, I’ve always sung your raves in the last season, but this season we see Ason or the ODB character gets get some adversity. I’m like, “Whoa, whoa, I didn’t know this stuff was happening.” How was it for you as the person that has to deliver that to people that may have never seen them before for the Ol’ Dirty (Asun) character that actually gets hands put on them and stuff?
TJ Atoms: I ain’t going to lie though when I was reading (the script), I’m like, “Nah!” I was literally like, “Yo! I know they not about to do me like this.” But I heard that’s a true story. It was dope like really portraying [Asun’s hard times]. I heard that ODB really took a shotgun out of somebody’s hand and that actually really happened. But at first, I was like, I wasn’t feeling it, man. I was not fixing to get hands put on me. Now, everybody’s talking about it. My dad even said like, yo, he told my brother to watch over me because I got beat up in the show. I’m like, come on man. No cap.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: How about you, Zolee? You play Shurrie, who is Dennis’s (young Ghostface Killah) girlfriend. Now this… I’ve noticed the Black woman is very powerful in this show and it’s not almost explicitly stated because we’re all focusing on the Wu-Tang, but can you speak on her role as that backbone?
Zolee Griggs: Of course. Shurrie knows that she has a lot of responsibilities, whether it’s trying to make her mom proud, but staying true to herself, taking care of her brothers. But also trying to figure out her own life and where she wants to go with it. I think she’s so engulfed in her love life with Dennis (Ghostface), because she does want to be with him and her responsibilities are even greater now that she has a child with him. But she’s still trying to navigate herself in her womanhood and figuring out like, “Okay, I support him in his endeavors, but what do I want to do?” So that’s kind of what she balances in this season is figuring out her own life path while also taking all the responsibilities as a new mother in these crazy circumstances with her baby father like they’ve endured some crazy stuff.
I’m really excited for this season because there are a handful of new women that you see as a backbone and just… that the men get to come home to, or get to confide in. So you’ll see some of those ladies later on, and then you already saw Mecca (Bobby/RZA’s girlfriend) from the first couple of episodes and even to see Bobby with a partner. And seeing him happy and just kind of a vulnerable side has been really nice. So yeah, it’s good to see the ladies.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: Shameik, You play the Raekwon character or Corey Woods. He’s difficult in this season. I got a little frustrated with him. I’m like, “Look, we got to get this Wu-Tang thing… Let’s get it going!” How does your character evolve?
Shameik Moore: I think what you see is what you get, my brother, you know what I’m saying? I think the evolution is coming from really being focused on just getting money. I mean, we still… I’m still focused on getting money, but now it’s… I’m going to try my best, not to keep cooking. You know what I’m saying? I’m going to… I’m going to cook up in the studio instead and that’s what it is. Now I’ve got my man’s Bobby, he out of jail or he back, you know what I’m saying? I didn’t even know he was here. I’m finding out from my homie, I’m finding myself and whatnot and it’s all just coming together. You know what I’m saying? Either way, at the point we are in the story now, is just like, I’m going to do this regardless. So, and I think that’s, the evolution is getting over that hump with Ghost and that’s pretty much… It’s time to make some money.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: Yeah. I love how the intersections exist in this show. There’s obviously numerous family intersections, but then the music you really get a sense of what was going on at that time. I don’t want to spoil it, but you for example, pop in the studio with a legendary producer. RZA for you… How important was it for you to highlight those influences like EPMD and the Hit Squad or those other people that impacted the Wu-Tang Clan?
RZA: In Season 1, we showed how I came to the Park Villa with Erick Sermon and EPMD. Basically, they came to Staten Island. They actually ended up hanging out and never forget Erick was telling me and telling Rae that we had something special. But, [in season 2, we highlight] not just what’s happening in New York, you hear a lot of West Coast beats dropping, you know what I mean? Ice Cube, Snoop, Dre… Because Hip-Hop was making this growth everywhere. But it just felt like New York was being left behind and somebody needed to bring that energy back from New York, which we considered the Mecca of Hip-Hop.
Leaders of the New School, Tribe Called Quest, all combined together [for “Scenario”]. That idea usually happened on a track or on somebody’s album or some remix, right? But what if the whole community can make music like that continuously? I think the show is trying to show that Wu-Tang looked at what was happening around us and realized that our story deserves to be up here in the Pantheon of Hip-Hop history.
A man that punched and tossed across the arena a recent college graduate at a Pitbull concert in August, leaving her legs temporarily paralyzed, has been arrested. While the young woman is just starting to walk, she remains traumatized by the assault that happened to her at the August 29th concert at the Bank of NH Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire.
The 22-year-old Keene State Alum, whose name is Madysen Audet, says that he beat her up after arguing over a spilled or stolen drink.
According to UnionLeader.com, the man who assaulted her was 33 years old and is named Gregory Joseph. He was charged with a single count of second-degree assault by the Rochester Police after a full investigation was done. This included 20 interviews and video recordings of the assault. The man was released on his own recognizance, however, the Belknap County Superior Court has not set a date for his arraignment.
During his wait, he can toil over the fact that the Class B felony carries a sentence of 3½ to 7 years in the New Hampshire state prison.
As of this weekend, her mom shared on social media that Audet is no longer in a wheelchair. The great news is that her recovery is going well as she can walk and dance.
“A few more therapy sessions and I think she will be back on her way to her normal life,” said her mother, Candace Jelley.
