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88 Killa Talks ‘88 Special’ Album, Fatherhood, & Why Ft. Worth, Texas is Up Next

By: Shirley Ju Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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88 Killa is exactly what his name embodies: a killa on the mic.

Born in ‘88, the number simultaneously represents his favorite Dallas Cowboy player, Michael Irvin, “because it’s Cowboys for life out here.” Meanwhile, Killa is his ode to Dipset’s own Cam’Ron. He states, “Every time he’d say some cold-ass s###, he’d be like ‘Killa!’” When I was growing up, man, that s###’s super f###### tight. I fused those names together and it stuck.”

Pairing his relentless bars with his charismatic personality, 88 Killa was previously a member of Brain Gang, an influential punk-rap group that grew into fruition in the late 2000’s. Since then, he’s grown into his own as a solo artist, always bringing that old school hip-hop feel and pairing it with modern day elements.

The rising MC recently put out his newest single titled “Mink Coat Melody,” which arrives on the heels of, “Risk,” premiered exclusively on AllHipHop.

Flexing his versatility and ability to both rap and sing, 88 Killa’s goal is to put on for his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, while inspiring the masses that if he can do it, they can too. Now, he unleashes his newest project titled 88 Special, a project for the “G’s that ride in cars with leather interiors and keyless entry.”

AllHipHop caught up with 88 Killa, who was posted at work in Ft. Worth, Texas. Hailing from Ft. Worth, the blue-collar Metroplex sibling of the more glossy Dallas, has shaped Killa’s world and sound in every way. He stated, “I’m at work right now, I got one of my employees holding it down while I’m on this interview for a second. They play my stuff in the back so they know, they support the grind.”

AllHipHop: How would you describe yourself?

88 Killa: I’m a smooth-skinned, Black man living in America [laughs], wanting to rap and hold it down for the Gs. I don’t really have a sob story of being a loser or nothing like that when I was growing up. Always relatively had the juice, but I want to put on for the city. From a working-class city called Fort Worth, Texas, where we’re known for a little bit of being rough around the edges. We got a lot of cool gangster rappers out right now, but I want to hold it down for dudes that don’t really be on that type of time. Want to cruise and get money basically, and I’m a family man so I can’t really be out here on the streets being active.

AllHipHop: What was that like growing up in Fort Worth?

88 Killa: For the most part, it was cool. I got along with everybody. Grew up hanging with Mexicans, grew up hanging with the white boys that were into Jackass. Was real involved in high school band, so I was cool with the nerds. I mean, I’m a nerd myself in that regard. Knew a whole bunch of people. Fort Worth is real big on in-person, human-to-human contact. You really have to be about what you’re talking about because they see you and they’re going to call you out. If you get the support from them, it’s really special because they have a million and a half things going on to where they’re taking their time out of their day. You really gotta make them proud.

AllHipHop: You say there’s a lot of gangsta rappers out there. What artists you were looking up to?

88 Killa: I’ll get in trouble if I don’t mention a guy named Twisted Black. He’s the legend/mayor of Fort Worth. He’s been in jail. it’s been a rumor that he’s getting out. He’s one of our first acts where he was right on the cusp of breaking, then he went to jail. He’s really about street life. Someone more newer is a kid named Go Yayo, he was poppin’ it for a little bit. He still is, but I don’t really know what his whole realm is. I wouldn’t say I look up to him, but he’s definitely making a name for himself.

There’s another cat named Solo Lucci, he’s from here. Even though he gets portrayed being from LA or Hollywood, he’s from around the way. Everybody was super excited with him being on reality TV and doing records with Chris Brown. They put their flag in the ground and made a name for their perspective of the city, and I want to do the same for mine.

AllHipHop: What about artists you genuinely f### with outside of your area?

88 Killa: First and foremost is Cam’ron. That’s my hero of all time, #1 rapper despite them and their shenanigans in the last VERZUZ battle.

AllHipHop: Right? That was such a disappointment.

88 Killa: Man, don’t even get me started. Me and my homie, we’ve been sending each other records since the VERZUZ.” Yo they could have played this and it would have run off!” We still tight, but Camron for sure. It’s a Houston rapper named LE$, and Nipsey Hussle for sure. That was my guy before it was trendy. I took that one pretty hard when he transitioned away from us. Of course being from Texas, you gotta really do the whole UGK, SUC, screwed up culture. We really on that out here.

AllHipHop: What’s your favorite Nipsey song?

88 Killa: Oh my god, there’s a project he did with Bino Rideaux. It’s a project him and Bino did that kind of came out under the radar. It’s a song on there called “Never Gone Know.” Damn I’m terrible with song names, but really that whole project. It’s called the No Pressure EP. There’s this song with Dave East on there where Dave East rapped the best verse of his entire life on that song. Man, there’s too many songs. There’s “Keyz 2 to the City,” all of them.

AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound?

88 Killa: My sound is a little bit of a mix of DJ Quik and people have told me I sound a little bit like LL Cool J. I don’t see it, but I definitely see the Quik influence because that was my guy too. I love Quik, Suga Free, all them fools. I’m trying to fuse a modern-day Texas sound with those elements. There’s a weird connection between Cali and Texas, we have this love-hate relationship with each other. I fuse both of those cultures with my songs.

AllHipHop: When did you realize you wanted to do music for a living?

88 Killa: It started when I was mad young, I was really into Michael Jackson. At the time, I came up with this idea. I was going to be the ultimate background dancer. I was going to be this epic dancer. I used to pop-lock in a little breakdance crew. My sister was hating and said “Man, ain’t nobody gon’ buy tickets to see you moonwalk on stage. You got to sing or rap.” I said “Alright then, I’ma come up with some raps.”

More and more, I started rapping in the halls, but I was extra trash. It really took off: I was dating this girl in high school. I found her kissing this fool under the stairs. I made a little diss track about this fool, passed it around to the school. Had the streets on smash, aka the hallway. [laughs] From there, it started up talking s###. It spiraled and people kept supporting, so we’re here now.

AllHipHop: Why did you change your name from Killa MC?

88 Killa: I made Killa M.C. when I was 16, I thought that s### was cool. It really started off as a thing with Run-DMC, I was into them at the time. I was a real Hip-Hop purist like man, Run-DMC’s the ultimate group. But ultimately I reached a plateau with that name. People weren’t really responding as I wanted them to, especially as I got older. I rebranded myself, pulled a Diddy and said “I’m changing my name and changing my look.” Ever since then, I started picking up way more traction. From the same people I was around and the same network I was running through, it breathed a whole new energy into my stuff. Who knows, in a year or two I might change my name again. [laughs]

AllHipHop: “Mink Coat Melody” out now. What was the inspiration behind this record?

88 Killa: There was a huge show a couple years ago when I was in this rap crew. I was relatively known locally for wearing crazy outfits or crazy jackets during performing. I found this mink coat at a thrift store last minute before this show. This show had sold out, it was a really big deal because it was nothing but local artists that sold out this really renowned venue. None of us had radio play, it was all word of mouth, so it was a big deal for us.

When I hit the stage, the crowd really erupted with me having this mink jacket on. Nobody remembers anything I rapped this show, they remember this jacket. I started collecting jackets throughout the years. I’d show up and do shows, it’d be a thing. “Damn, Killa’s in his mink.” Or “he might show up in his mink.” To where now, sometimes people think I’m going to be checking the mail with the mink on. There’s a whole attitude you have to be prepared for when you put it on, you walk out in the streets because it brings a lot of attention to you. If my mink coat could rap, this is the song it would make. This is the energy it is when you have it on.

AllHipHop: How’d it feel playing the piano in the visual, with the mink on?

88 Killa: The piano was cool, you know real sexy video. My child’s mother was a little tight that it wasn’t her on the piano, but she wanted to babysit so I had to get somebody else. Other than that, it was cool. Ironically, we recorded that song the day before we shot the video. That’s how fast me and my homies are moving right now trying to get it done.

AllHipHop: You say the song’s one of your personal favorites. Why is that?

88 Killa: Yeah! It’s one of those songs where it sums up me, it sums up my energy. The video was shot real well and classy. It was simple and sleek. Everybody who was involved from the model in the video who’s a well-renowned singer here locally in the area, to the crew that filmed it, we’re all super excited and motivated to get something done. It’s hard to have that energy with everybody on the same page, so it’s a real fun moment in life. For it to pick up the steam it has done around here, that’s exciting because everybody feels like things are moving upward.

AllHipHop: Do you feel like real Hip-Hop is hard to be seen nowadays?

88 Killa: Yes and no. You got to know what you’re looking for. There’s got to be a balance to everything. I used to be one of those people that felt real Hip-Hop was hard to find, but who are we to define what real Hip-Hop is? If it’s always been a microphone of what’s been going on in a particular area. There’s always been silly stuff from the disco era on to now. You have to learn with all types of music, especially rap out now. Even though I don’t understand it, I do try to listen to it to figure out why it appeals to certain people, different frequencies and waves that it’s speaking because there’s something to learn from every aspect of it.

AllHipHop: What are you most excited for with 88 Special dropping this Friday?

I88 Killa: t’s been a while since I’ve put out some s###, so letting fools hear it and seeing what I’ve been up to. It’s been such a process for me because I’ve been trying to put this out for a while. It seems like life’s been like throwing punches left and right. Last year, Corona. Right before Corona, we found out we got a baby on the way. Damn!” We had the baby, we had that Corona. There was that whole roller coaster. Now the baby’s here, I’m watching her crawl around the house and put stuff together. Watching her little brain get into stuff.

I took from her saying if she wants something, she’ll go get it. There’s no concept of her being too little or not able to get it, she’s going to crawl over there and figure that out. Damn! I need to apply that to my real life. [laughs] I need to go get that s###. It’s fun watching her grow up. I want to make some stuff she’s going to be proud to say, “Yo, that was my dad. He was on some G s###.”

AllHipHop: What’s the best part of fatherhood?

88 Killa: Watching her grow up. Even though she’s only 11 months, she’ll be a year in September. Watching her brain put things together. I’m in an interracial relationship. Her end of the world, she sees her mom. She sees me. That’s her parents. There’s not any of these racial, weirdo s### that’s going on now. It’s just love. “Yo, can y’all feed me?” I want to be able to give her the life that I wanted more out of. To travel, to see, to taste foods, do all types of things. The possibilities are endless with her.

AllHipHop: Do you have any goals?

88 Killa: Yes, ma’am. The goal is to stay black, straight up. Put on for the city, put on for my fam, maintain a high level of integrity. I don’t have a financial goal because there’s no such thing as having enough money. I want to live comfortably, I want to live on my own terms. I want to do things I want to do. Most importantly, I want to be in a position where I can help others. I ultimately want to be a Birdman where I’m an artist and I come on with a hand rub, give you a couple of lines, and let the young homies take it. I’ve always wanted to put people in a position and show them you don’t have to do corny s###, so that’s the goal.

AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let the people know?

88 Killa: Support me, share my s###. Hit me up, I’ll talk back. I’m not somebody that’s too cool to reach out. If you come to the city, if you find yourself in Dallas, look me up. I’ll tell you where to go and tell you where not to go. What to eat, what not to eat. Let’s do this, let’s build it together.

8rooklyn 8atman- “8ruce Wayne” Video

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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8rooklyn 8atman is truly an anomaly in the world of Hip Hop.

The Brooklyn native began as a dedicated Times Square rapper, often hustling his CD to tourists. An unfortunate sequence of events led to incarceration, however, it would prove to be constructive for the youngster.

After his release, he published a book, ‘Seeds In The Concrete,’ which went on to sell over 5,500 copies. With that said, 8rooklyn 8atman’s talents aren’t confined to literature. As an artist, 8atman has already begun to make his presence felt, having toured 30 cities in the past month and a half to gear up for the release of his sophomore LP Plague of a Dark Generation.

8rooklyn 8atman follows up his first single “Chiddy Bang,” which received over 150,000 views on Youtube, with his new fun-filled music video for “8ruce Wayne”.

Directed by 8rooklyn 8atman, the visual depicts the hero taking on Harley Queens as they initiate an unprovoked attack against Brooklyn’s dark knight.

The single has already been receiving local airplay at NYC’s premier radio stations Hot 97 and Power 105, along with being accepted for playlisting by MTV. Check out the visual below and be on the lookout for his DJ Whoo Kid-hosted album, slated for release on September 10th.

Nore Offends Wu-Tang Clan Affiliates!!!

By: illseed Updated Category: Rumors
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If you were around in the 90’s – YOU KNOW WU-TANG CLAN WASN’T NOTHING TO F WITH!

But, it wasn’t just the Clan. A whole slew of other artists went hard in the paint! There were affiliated acts like Killarmy, Brooklyn Zu, Cappadonna, Killah Priest, 4th Disciple, Mathematics, Sunz of Man, True Master, Streetlife and Shyheim The Rugged Child. I can’t even begin to list them all! It was an all-out industry bumrush! They were all talented! They were DOPE, but none of them achieved the success of the Wu-Tang Clan. There’s nothing wrong with that – nobody really did! That said, time has caused some people to forget.

I think Nore is one of those people! We love NORE! He has successfully transitioned into a podcaster and makes massive WAVES. As a rapper, he made waves too. He recently said something that offended some folks, most notably Shyheim. In the Mickey Factz episode of “Drink Champs,” Nore called the Wu-Affiliates “flunkies.” I know that Wu-Tang’s guys have not gotten the big accolades they deserve, but that’s no reason to call them flunkies! Also, many of them have better rhyme skills than Noreaga! This is facts.

Back in the day, Shyheim was known as the “Rugged Child,” But now he is the Rugged Man like RA. He’s got stray gray hairs coming out of his beard! He let Nore know how he feels about being called a flunky. Before you say something slick, remember Shy rapped with Jay-Z, Big Daddy Kane, Tupac, Biggie Smalls and Wu.

UPDATE: Dom Pachino of Killarmy speaks too.

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What do you think?

Ms. Kash- “2Faced” Video

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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There’s something about the West Coast sound that births the remix to Hip Hop’s New York roots some of us crave.

It’s the laid-back lyrical lemonade needed to quench our thirst. Setting authentic vibes and embedded in realness, we introduce Oakland, California’s Ms. Kash.

A pit bull in a skirt making boss moves and getting the job done is only one of many ways to describe this multifaceted Queen on the rise. Her talents ranging beyond her infamous pen and real spit. Ms. Kash is the future of Hip Hop.

She eats every time with no crumbs left; a flawless execution when she’s on the mic. No stranger to this, Ms. Kash delivers one melodic masterpiece after another creating a catalogue of hits, and survey says, she’s highly unlikely to ever miss.

Fresh off the heels of her “Bag Me Up” single, Ms. Kash is back and making her AllHipHop debut with her latest, “2FACED”. The track gives haters an unfiltered reality check and forces them to look in the mirror.

We’ve all had one or two who we thought had our best interest at heart but in reality, were our #1 haters: just plain “2FACED”.

Check out the official video below.

Yung Bleu Announces Release From Police Custody After Claiming He Was Racially Profiled

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Jeremy “Yung Bleu” Biddle was apparently arrested in Gainesville, Georgia for a suspended license. According to the “You’re Mines Still” performer, he was the victim of racial discrimination before being taken into custody.

Yung Bleu wrote on Instagram:

THESE GAINESVILLE, Ga POLICE OFFICERS are racially profiling us! They approached me and my team for absolutely nothing trying to buy a trailer for my tour at (Absolute Trailers) the owner was [an] old white guy who called the police talking about they suspect fraud! I was just trying to buy a trailer! The first officers walk up with hands on guns. Damn near drawn on us saying “What y’all doing here”… We have a brief back n forth and then as I leave the cop is sitting in the middle of the highway waiting on us. They trap and get behind me! Say my tag is obstructed but she clearly had her lights on [the] way before she saw the back of my car! 5 cars have pulled up on us since then! Saying we do fraud and all type of lies! I HAVE MORE VIDEO BUT I will use only as evidence. We did nothing wrong!

@bleuvandross Instagram

In addition, The Shade Room reports:

Yung Bleu revealed he never made it inside the trailer store. He said he was outside of the place for about 10 minutes before police showed up. Yung Bleu learned that cops were called for suspected fraud due to an alleged run-in last week. After a brief exchange, he was allowed to leave the scene because the officers had no probable cause at the time. Moments later, the rapper was pulled over by another police officer.

@theshaderoom Instagram

Around 8:20 pm ET, Yung Bleu updated his Twitter followers on his legal situation. The 27-year-old Alabama native tweeted, “I’m iight, back free! F### em! Thank y’all.”

He also jumped in The Shade Room comment section to write, “They made that tag s### up to stop me. [You] pulled me over before [you] even got behind me dumb and smiling [because you know you’re] racist.”

Yung Bleu dropped the Moon Boy album on July 23 via Vandross Music Group/Empire. The 15-track project features contributions by John Legend, H.E.R., Moneybagg Yo, Kodak Black, Kehlani, Big Sean, Jeezy, Drake, Gunna, Chris Brown, 2 Chainz, Davido, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.

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Lizzo Celebrates “Rumors” Featuring Cardi B Becoming Her Highest Debuting Single

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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“Rumors” by Lizzo and Cardi B is a Billboard hit out the gate. The Ricky Reed-produced single opened at #4 on the most recent Hot 100 weekly chart.

Lizzo scored her highest Hot 100 debut with “Rumors.” Previously, “Truth Hurts” started on the tally at #50. That track eventually climbed to #1, giving Lizzo her only chart-topper to date.

In addition to “Rumors” and “Truth Hurts” making it into the Top 10, Lizzo also reached the region when “Good as Hell” peaked at #3 in 2019. Cardi B now has ten career Top Ten entries. Five of those records were Number Ones.

https://twitter.com/billboardcharts/status/1429900854618898434?s=20

“Rumors” racked up 21 million streams in its first week of release. It was the third most-streamed song of the week behind The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber’s current No. 1 “Stay” and Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby.”

Lizzo’s latest offering also placed third on the list of the most-sold songs over the tracking period (25,200 units). Plus, “Rumors” opened atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, respectively.

The first-week commercial success of “Rumors” led to Lizzo celebrating on social media. The Atlantic recording artist posted a short clip of herself dancing and lipsyncing to Cardi B’s verse which includes the Bronx-raised rapper saying, “My records live in the Top 10.”

Lizzo also tweeted, “B####!!!!! B####!!!!!!!!!!!!! @iamcardib WE DID IT SIS!!!!” In addition, the vocalist/flutist thanked her online supporters for streaming “Rumors.” This milestone Hot 100 moment came after Lizzo had to deal with being body-shamed and cyberbullied following the release of the “Rumors” music video.

Since the “Rumors” visuals arrived on YouTube, the video has amassed more than 20 million views. Lizzo and Cardi B’s “Rumors” also hit #1 on YouTube’s Top 100 Songs US chart, and it is still trending in the Top 5 for the platform’s music section.

Shaybo Drops “Queen of The South” Project Featuring Wale and Jorja Smith

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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The project has been over a decade in the making and meanwhile, the emcee has become best known for the viral freestyles she’s been putting out since 2001.  Her sound combines style, flow, and unique tone and is a fusion of her London upbringing and Nigerian heritage.  

The tape is a mature collection of songs and includes a feature from Jorja Smith on the track “My Sister,” exhibiting the gritty storytelling that Shaybo is well known for.  The song references overcoming a bad relationship and speaks directly to the victims of domestic abuse. The video for the song is out now.  

Shaybo’s “My SIster” ft Jorja Smith

Wale also makes an appearance on the project on the song “No Worries” as do Haile and Dreamdoll on the previously released collabs “Friendly” and “Broke Boyz” respectively.  

The Nigerian-born London rapper is one of the nicest to come out of the U.K. Shaybo started rapping at 13 years old and hasn’t stopped since. And although yet to release an official album she has a vast catalog of work in her collection.   

“People think I’ve come into the music industry and just blown overnight,” she says in an interview with HighSnobiety. “It’s taken me 11 years of making songs, people taking advantage of my dream, having the door slammed in my face, trusting the wrong people.” 

Speaking on the title of her album and its namesake TV series she says, “When I watch [the protagonist] Teresa Mendoza on Queen of the South, for me, it’s about a woman who was incredibly naïve, who literally managed to boss her way up in a room full of egos and men and rivalry and everything, and she managed to get to the top… that’s me.” 

Shaybo took to Instagram to share some scenes from her listening party.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSzdYwlsUK5/

Shaybo opens the tape with, “I feel like you lot don’t understand how much I take my art seriously.” The project is a testament to just how serious she is.  

Have a look at Shaybo as a very young rapper confidently freestyling in London’s Piccadilly Circus.  

A fresh faced Shaybo in Piccadilly Circus, London

And check out GRM EXCLUSIVE: HOW SHAYBO BECAME THE ‘QUEEN OF THE SOUTH’ to learn more about the U.K rap star and her journey to becoming “Queen of The South.”  

Hot 100 Chart Removes DaBaby As Credited Artist On Dua Lipa’s “Levitating”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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The fallout from DaBaby’s widely criticized comments at the Rolling Loud Miami festival continues. The latest chapter of the story involves Dua Lipa’s record “Levitating.”

One version of “Levitating” includes DaBaby as a guest feature. That rendition of the Future Nostalgia track has been living in the Top 10 of Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart for months.

However, the latest Hot 100 listing on the Billboard.com website shows DaBaby is no longer credited on “Levitating” which currently holds the #6 position. This development is in contrast with the most recent Hot 100 Top 10 chart posted to Billboard‘s social media accounts on Monday.

Billboard.com’s Hot 100 Top 10 for the week of August 28, 2021
@billboardcharts’ Hot 100 Top 10 for the week of August 28, 2021

DaBaby faced significant backlash for making perceived homophobic comments at Rolling Loud Miami on July 25. Numerous other festivals removed him from their lineups and he lost business deals as a result of his remarks.

“If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of [those] deadly sexually transmitted diseases, that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up,” DaBaby told the Rolling Loud Miami crowd on July 25.

The Blame It on Baby album creator added, “Ladies, if your p#### smell like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking a n####’s d### in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up.”

Dua Lipa expressed she was “surprised and horrified” by DaBaby’s on-stage rant. The Pop performer posted, “I really don’t recognize this as the person I worked with. I know my fans know where my heart lies and that I stand 100% with the LGBTQ community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance around HIV/AIDS.”

Dua Lipa addresses the DaBaby controversy

Additionally, there were reports some radio stations stop playing the DaBaby-assisted “Levitating” remix. The North Carolina native apologized twice for his Rolling Loud Miami comments, but he also repeatedly walked back his apologies. He even joked about becoming an R&B artist after being “canceled” from rap music.

DaBaby was able to perform at Hot 97’s Summer Jam concert on Sunday. In a pre-recorded video played before his set, the 29-year-old rhymer said, “[Hot 97] accepted my sincerity and all my apologies when I said I never, ever meant to offend anybody or say anything to make anybody feel any type of way live on that stage a few weeks ago.”

According to Lollapalooza organizers, DaBaby agreed to film a similar video message in order to keep his gig at the Chicago music event. That video was reportedly never sent to Lollapolloza and that was the reason DaBaby was removed from the festival’s lineup.

Baby Keem Teases “Family Ties” Collab With Kendrick Lamar

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Compton emcee Kendrick Lamar broke the internet when he announced his next album will be the final one released via Top Dawg Entertainment. It looks like K. Dot is ready to turn his full attention to the pgLang brand.

Lamar’s pgLang is already home to 2020 XXL Freshman Class member Baby Keem. The 20-year-old rapper is now teasing an upcoming collaboration with his more famous cousin/label head.

“Family ties. Thursday //9 pm PST,” wrote Baby Keem on an Instagram post uploaded on Monday. The caption was accompanied by what appeared to be music cover artwork featuring younger versions of Keem and Kendrick Lamar.

In June, Baby Keem explained, “I have a partnership with pgLang, creatively. They handle a lot of aspects creatively and management-wise and things like that for me. We work as a team to contribute to each others’ goals and things like that.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CS7p3s_h-Jw/

Back in February, Baby Keem had Hip Hop fans speculating whether a song with Kendrick Lamar was on the way. A now-deleted Instagram video filmed inside a recording studio contained a voiceover that sounded like it was done by Lamar.

Kendrick Lamar interviewed Baby Keem for a special issue of i-D magazine. That conversation included the two entertainers discussing pgLang, the “multilingual, artist-friendly service company” founded by Lamar and Dave Free.

“I’ve seen pgLang before it was even an idea that came to fruition. It’s sticking to and believing in something, even when you don’t know how it will be created, and it starts out as just a small idea,” said Baby Keem.

The “Orange Soda” hitmaker continued, “I believed in it, and I stuck to it and now everything is paying off. So I’ve seen it from when there was no idea, to now. So to me, pgLang represents loyalty and trust.”

Tory Lanez Tells Blogger “SMD” Over Megan Thee Stallion Report

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Tory Lanez received some bad news this week. The Canadian recording artist found out his bail in the Megan The Stallion shooting case was raised from $190,000 to $250,000.

A judge determined Tory Lanez violated a protective order by showing up during DaBaby’s Rolling Loud Miami performance. Megan Thee Stallion was apparently still backstage around the time of Lanez’s appearance.

The story of Tory Lanez’s latest legal trouble quickly spread across the internet. For example, an Instagram blogger named KenBarbie reported the news of Tory Lanez’s bail being increased by $60,000.

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“See when you do clownery, the clown comes back to bite. Now, Tory may not be able to get his toupee touched up this week,” wrote KenBarbie.

The self-described television/radio personality added, “Pint-sized rapper Tory Lanez thought he was standing tall and doing big things but he’s quickly learning the hard way that he is way too short to be above the law.”

Tory Lanez got wind of KenBarbie’s post. The Daystar album creator jumped into the @officialkenbarbie account’s comment section. Lanez stated, “SMD [suck my dick] 😂.”

The social media writer reacted to Tory Lanez’s message by reposting his “SMD” statement. KenBarbie wrote in the Instagram caption, “Now you know damn well you would have to be digging real deep in your pot of gold to ever luck up like that, little guy. 😂#megantheestallion #torylanez #jail.”

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A post shared by KenBarbie™ (@officialkenbarbie)

Tory Lanez (born Daystar Peterson) is accused of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet last summer. He was charged with one felony count each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, personal use of a firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle.

Since his arrest, Tory Lanez has maintained he is innocent. Lanez pled not guilty, and the 29-year-old Ontario native repeatedly suggested he is the victim of an unproven conspiracy against him.

Megan Thee Stallion publicly named Tory Lanez as the person that shot her in July 2020. Her attorney, Alex Spiro, claimed gunshot residue was discovered on Lanez’s hands on the night of the incident. Tory Lanez is now barred from attending events where Megan will be present.

Kanye West Recreates Childhood Home for “DONDA” Listening Event

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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The latest details surrounding the “DONDA” album listening party were revealed on Twitter by a Kanye fan account. The fan page posted an image of construction going on inside the stadium.  

Kanye is hosting a third listening event this Thursday for the much-delayed “DONDA” album.  The project is titled after his late mother and is said to have been inspired by her. Now, the home Donda raised Kanye in will take center stage in Kanye’s performance showcasing the album. 

According to his mother’s 2007 memoir, “Raising Kanye: Life Lessons From the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar,” West lived there with his mother for about eight years. Donda sold the home after Kanye had some problems with local boys who tried to steal his bike.  

Donda West bought the Chicago property in the early 1980s and sold it in 2004 before Ye repurchased in 2019.  

Kanye recently scrubbed all of the images from his Instagram account and posted an image of the home where he grew up with his mother. He then posted a series of cryptic images prompting a frenzy of fans attempting to decode any hidden messages or clues as to what the rapper may have in store.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CS0cCsooNL_/

According to Kanye’s manager Abou “Bu” Thiam, “DONDA” is “absolutely” dropping following the listening party on Thursday. 

The performance will be live-streamed on August 26, 9 p.m. CST (10 p.m. EDT) exclusively on Apple Music. 

Snoop Dogg and Stephen A. Smith Clash Over Weed

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Snoop Dogg urged the NBA and the NFL to stop punishing players for smoking weed. He says they’re falling behind other leagues who adopt a more progressive approach to drug testing policy.

Snoop appeared on “The Jimmy Kimmel Show” last night, guest hosted by Stephen A. Smith in place of Kimmel. Smith asked him whether he agrees with Smith’s well-known stance that athletes “stay off the weed.”

“I agree with your position when it comes to the athletes who have commissioners and rules and regulations and tests… things that could stifle them from getting their money. But when I’m speaking to entertainers and people like myself, we don’t have a commissioner, we don’t have none of that, so we don’t get drug-tested.”

Athletes, he said, “Can hang around with the rappers, however [they] can’t do what the rappers do.”

When asked whether it makes sense for pro sports leagues to conduct weed tests and punish those who fail with fines and suspension, Snoop disagreed saying, “What happens is you have these players who take these pills, and they get addicted to these pills, and it still doesn’t give them the relief that they need as far as the pain or whatever they’re going through.”

The Cali rapper suggested that weed would be a better alternative to painkillers and wouldn’t have the side effects. “I push for that in sports because baseball doesn’t test for marijuana [and] hockey doesn’t test for marijuana, so it should be the same with basketball and football.”

The important conversation is especially current with the recent instance of U.S sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson missing out on the Tokyo Olympics. Sha’Carri tested positive for cannabis after smoking it following the death of her mother.

Young Thug Gifted 100 Acres of Land to Create “Slime City” Subdivision

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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The Atlanta rapper was gifted 100 acres of land by his manager and real estate agent, Trey Williams for his 30th birthday last week. Williams took to Instagram to post a video of Young Thug and friends surveying the land.  

“Happy Birthday to one of my top clients @thuggerthugger1,” he wrote in the caption. Revealing the gift was a surprise he said, “his manager @geoffo212 and I secretly locked down 100 Acres of land for his birthday and now he’s about to build Slime City! This is hands down one of the best ways to invest your money! Thank you @geoffo212 for trusting me to get this deal done‼️” 

A voice on the video can be heard saying, “100 acres of land you can build your own subdivision. This is how you invest your money!” Sounds like Slime City could be en route to becoming a subdivision!  

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A post shared by Trey Williams (@atlantaluxuryhomes_)

 The post gave few details as to where exactly the property is located but the post location says “Atlanta, Georgia” and appears to be a rural wooded area featuring a small lake.  

On top of the plot of land Thugger, born Jeffrey Williams, also received a slew of luxury gifts from his celebrity friends including a pink Bentley from fellow Atlanta rapper, Gunna. 

Watch Gunna gift Young Thug with a pink Bentley

Young Thug premiered the video for his latest song, “Tick Tock” earlier this week.  His next studio album, tentatively titled “Punk” is slated for release on October 15, 2021.

The official “Tick Tock” video from Thugger


The 3rd Annual Angela Yee Day Event Going Down in NY on Saturday

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Hosted by Angela Yee and iHeartMedia New York, the day of celebration takes place at Restoration Plaza, New York this Saturday. The event will feature live performances from hip-hop and Caribbean artists Naomi Cowan, Shaneil Muir, Noah Powa, HoodCelebrityy, Romain Virgo, Adrian Marcel, Erick the Architect, Capella Grey, and Alison Hinds, among others.

The outdoor community event is free and open to all ages and to come to eat, drink and celebrate! The day’s sponsors will include Chick-fil-A, Drink Fresh Juice, Miss Jessie’s, and more.

Festivities will begin at 12 pm with an official welcome coming from Angela Yee at 12:30 pm. The performances go down between 1:30 and 4:15 pm and the event will come to a close at 5 pm with Yee’s closing remarks.

The day to honor the award-winning media personality and co-host of “The Breakfast Club” was officially designated in 2018. The New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio assigned Angela Yee Day as a platform that celebrates Yee’s Caribbean and Brooklyn roots and supports local businesses. The media maven’s philanthropy centers around providing the community with information and access to culture, nutrition, financial literacy, and education.

Angela Yee recently launched her socially conscious Coffee Uplifts People (CUP) brand. The brand aims to address discrimination that marginalized people of color often face in countries where coffee beans are harvested and manufactured.

The third annual Angela Yee Day event takes place on Saturday 12-5 pm at Restoration Plaza – 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216.

Tory Lanez Gets Final Warning From Judge To Stay Away From Megan Thee Stallion

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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Tory Lanez surprise performance with the baby at Rolling Loud in July is going to cost him some big money.

The Canadian rapper/singer is accused of shooting Megan thee Stallion in the feet after a house party in Los Angeles back in July of 2020.

The rapper pleaded not guilty to the crime and was released on $190,000 bail. Plus, a restraining order barred him from coming within 100 yards of Megan.

Tory popped up during DaBaby’s July 25 performance at Rolling Loud, just 30 minutes after Megan thee Stallion had left the stage. 

Prosecutors hauled Tory into court today (August 23.) His bail was increased by a significant amount as punishment for breaking the restraining order.

The rapper was ordered to fork over another $60,000 since his bail rose to $250,000 for him to stay free.

According to TMZ, Tory Lanez’s bail condition was also modified to keep him from any event where Megan thee Stallion might be attending.

Tory was also given a final warning – if he violates the restraining order again, he will be thrown in jail until his criminal case goes to trial. 

 Tory Lanez has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Paying the extra amount of loot should be no problem for Tory, who claims he sold 1 million copies of his NFT album *When It’s Dark* in under a minute. 

Earlier this month, Tory also went on a shopping spree and bought two cars worth $750, 000 – including a new 2022 Mercedes Maybach which has yet to hit the market.

“I Lost Her!” Prayers Going Up For Battle Rapper JC, After The Death Of His Mom

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Pontiac, Michigan rapper and influencer Julian “JC” Carter has lost his mother.

The notable battle rapper posted the sad news on his Twitter profile, only a day after requesting for his followers (fans, friends, and family) to pray for her.

He posted, “Keep my mother in your deepest prayers. Please.”

Two members of battle rap’s Christian crew reached out to the Hebrew Israelite swiftly, letting the lyrical miracle know that they are supporting him. A Ward said, “Got it” with the prayer hands and Th3 Saga said simply, “Absolutely.”

However, the preachers weren’t the only ones from his peer group sending their prayers up. Geechi Gotti, Ace Amin, and Fonz commented on the thread, promising to as a Higher Power to intervene.

Unfortunately, despite the earnest prayers from his colleagues and loved ones, Mama Carter was called to glory. JC revealed the news saying, “I lost her” followed by a broken heart and a sad face.

Condolences immediately started to pour in.

https://twitter.com/BDotTheGod/status/1429842523690717186?s=20

JC has set up a www.GoFundMe.com to support his mother’s funeral costs.

“ANYTHING HELPS AND WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED! THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS AND WISHES FROM EVERYONE! I REALLY NEED IT! I’m raising money for Help JC lay his mother to rest!.”

Despite people’s condolences, the rapper stated in the body of the crowdfunding page that he didn’t believe that people would give as much as he needs.

“Anything helps. I just lost my mother, and we now have to properly lay her to rest. The 10k goal isn’t realistic it’s just there. Honestly, ANYTHING HELPS and will be much appreciated! Thanks to all who support me! I’ll make my return soon. RIP MAMA CARTER”

Three hours after it the ask was made public less than $1500 was raised. Hopefully, the goal will be made before the evening of Tuesday, August 24.

The Bible, Shakespeare Saves Offset, 2 Chainz And YG From Theft Lawsuit Filed By Rapper

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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Rap stars Offset, 2 Chainz, and YG can thank god – literally – for saving them from a potentially costly lawsuit over their song “Proud.”

A rapper named Slugga marched into court in February of 2020, claiming the trio ripped him off and stole his song “Proud” and made a tune with the same name.

Slugga argued that the two songs have similar lyrics and music, as well as the same hook – “I’m just tryin’ to make my mama proud.”

The rapper said he released his version of “Proud” in 2015 and that the trio could have easily heard his song, which was featured on a variety of hip-hop sites and digital streaming platforms.

Offset, 2 Chainz, and YG released their version of the song in 2018, leading Slugga to believe his track was co-opted by Offset, 2 Chainz, and YG.

However, the judge overseeing the case disagreed and threw the lawsuit out of court.

“The two compositions share no other lyrics, and the only other similarities cited by Plaintiff are the vague facts that both use call and-response, have a 2/4 time signature, and begin with a sustained note or chord played by an organ. A 2/4 signature and organ instrumentation are common to music,” U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled. “No inference can be drawn that Defendants had access to Plaintiff’s composition because they both used a 2/4 time signature and an organ.”

Slugga, born Solomon Clanton, was defeated by the wisdom of another famous Solomon – King Solomon, author of Proverbs in the Bible, as well as William Shakespeare.

“The sentiment of trying to look good in the eyes of one’s parents or to make them pleased— [is] a notion common enough to human relations as well as to art and literature for millennia,” Judge Liman explained, citing Proverbs in the Bible, (“A wise son maketh a glad father,”) and William Shakespeare (“Though soft-conscienced men can be content to say it was for his country, he did it to please his mother.’).

“Copyright does not protect ideas or themes,” Judge Liman ruled, dismissing Slugga’s lawsuit with prejudice, meaning the rapper cannot file an appeal, and the case is permanently closed.

The Younger Brother Of Royce Da 5′ 9″ Disses TF Outta Lupe Fiasco & Mickey Factz!

By: illseed Updated Category: Rumors
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Here you go!

“I know they want Nickle to shake the Earth,” Kid Vishis says on “2 Snaps In A Circle.” This maybe the closest we get to a diss from Royce Da 5′ 9″ so let’s enjoy.

By this time, you already know what happened about a month ago between Royce da 5′ 9″, Lupe Fiasco, and Mickey Factz. There’s really little reason to go back and rehash all of the details. However, we can, but what is the point? At this time, Royce did not respond and his younger brother returns with a diss about three weeks late. Now, hearing it I actually really like it and it would’ve been a really nice curveball to have heard after “Wraith.”

But that didn’t happen! And the truth is, we are really anxiously awaiting Royce to go hard at both Mickey Factz and Lupe. I’m still looking forward to it even though I know the chances of that happening are about as likely as a polar bear vacationing in Jamaica. Not happening! Everybody has pretty much moved on from this entire situation, which makes the dis all the more odd timing-wise. Maybe this will help Kid get his name out there a little bit more like it helped Mickey Factz go up a few notches in popularity.

I haven’t really heard much else from Royce, because he is indeed the star of the show. I am hoping that this all jumpstarts a reunion for one of my favorite groups – Slaughterhouse. Will that happen? I’m not sure but it does seem like they are recording material sans Joe Budden. I don’t think he’s ever coming back to Hip-Hop. They should add someone like Chino XL to the group and give it some spice. Hell, add Royce’s brother! Or a female! There are plenty of women out there that can bar it up! Check out Sa-Roc!

By the way, I rememeber Kid Vishis had words for Eminem on “Malcolm X,” which was badsh#t crazy!

GIF eminem royce da 59 complex mmlp2 royce da 59 eminem - animated GIF on GIFER

Is Virgil Abloh Stealing From Pioneer Designer April Walker?

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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April Walker is accusing Virgil “Off-White” Abloh of stealing her swag and classic designs.

On Monday, August 23, she posted on her website www.iamaprilwalker.com that she will be suing not only the Louis Vuitton director and others who are benefiting from her work.

She wrote, “I’m taking legal action against Virgil Abloh’s company Off-White, Saks Fifth Avenue, Farfetch, and all other relevant parties and for the record, taking a stand not just for myself, but for all women and black and brown creators across the world.”

Walker, who started her Walker Wear brand back in the 90s, was one of the premier clothing companies celebrating Black and brown street culture to make millions of dollars in sales. She alleges that one of the pieces that Off-White and Saks bootlegged one of her designs and refused to stop selling them or break bread with her.

She posted her classic black and white double “W” sweatshirt and juxtaposed it with the jacket that is currently on sale in the luxury department store.

“When we raised this with Off-White and Saks and asked them to stop, they dismissed our concerns and made clear that they would neither address the harm they have already caused nor stop taking our designs,” she wrote. “The ‘take and make and regurgitate’ attitude of this fashion industry, with designers like Off-White and sellers like Saks and Farfetch taking from independent designers and selling our magic back to us with a price tag, has to change. Honestly, this incident resurfaced my PTSD as a Black/Mexican woman in this fashion industry, I distinctly remember what I didn’t miss about it. Double oppression. Gender and Race.”

The designer has linked with the WilmerHale law firm and filed a complaint in Federal Court.  She has also launched the hashtags #virgilsvictims, #offwhitestolrefrommetoo, and #saksnobetter.

It’s Here! The Smithsonian Releases One Of The Largest Hip-Hop Anthologies Ever

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Hip-Hop is almost 50 years old, is the number 1 genre of music in the world, and has huge sections in the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of African American women. The culture even has its own institution being created in the Bronx, the Universal Hip Hop Museum.

Now, as reported by AllHipHop.com, the Smithsonian is dropping a seminal work that will include 120 tracks nine CDs, a 300-page book with 11 essays, extensive track-by-track liner notes, and images of your favorite rap stars that have never been published.

The Andrew W. Mellon Director of NMAAHC Kevin Young stated in a press release, “Born in the Bronx and raised across the American West and South, Hip Hop is one of the most influential genres of music in the modern era.”

 “Through beats, dynamic rhymes, and pointed lyricism,” Young continues. Hip Hop has provided a platform for communities and generations to voice their ongoing struggles and has changed society and culture around the world.”

Spelmanite Shani Jamila, one of the project’s advisors, worked on the project and made the announcement earlier this summer. Other contributors include historian Bill Adler, the man behind so much of the early day publicity of Def Jam and Rush Management artists, Chuck D, the lead emcee in Public Enemy, Adam Bradley, Janette Beckman, Joe Conzo and Martha Cooper, and art direction from Def Jam’s first creative director, Cey Adams.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSKXec0FO8K/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The music will start with the first recorded track of the Fatback Band’s track “King Tim III (Personality)” and the Sugar Hill Gang’s 1980 classic “Rapper’s Delight (7″ Single Version).” It ends with songs like Kanye West’s “Blood on the Leaves” and Drake’s “Started From The Bottom.”

How appropriate!!!! The culture definitely started from the bottom and now … WE HERE!