August 25, 2021 marked 20 years since the death of Aaliyah Dana Haughton. The singer/actress, affectionately known as the Princess of R&B, released three albums before she passed away in a plane crash in the Bahamas.
Aaliyah’s One In A Million originally came out in August 1996, but the project did not become available on streaming services until August 20 of this year. Fans of the late Detroit native finally got to hear songs such as “Hot Like Fire” and “4 Page Letter” on Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.
Following the re-release on streamers, One In A Million was able to break into the Billboard 200 chart’s Top 10 for the first time. Aaliyah’s sophomore set re-entered the rankings of the best-selling albums in America at #10.
One In A Million brought in 26,000 equivalent album units over the most recent tracking week. Over 4.2 million streams equated to 11,000 units. The album also sold 13,000 copies in traditional physical units.
Previously, Aaliyah’s One In A Million peaked at #18 in 1997. The Blackground Records/Atlantic Records-released studio LP went on to be certified 2x-Platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Kanye West took over social media and streaming platforms on Sunday after he finally let loose his long-awaited Donda album. However, there was even more drama connected to the project dropping.
In an Instagram post, Kanye West claimed Universal Music Group put out Donda without his approval. He also accused Def Jam’s parent company of blocking the song “Jail Pt 2” featuring DaBaby from being on the project.
Sources at Universal told Variety Kanye West’s allegations against the global music corporation are “preposterous.” While no one spoke on the record about the situation, it appears UMG wanted some kind of denial in the public space.
“Jail Pt 2” did make the tracklist after Kanye West also accused DaBaby’s management team of not clearing the rapper’s verse. Arnold Taylor, DaBaby’s manager, called the allegation “cap” and blasted what he referred to as “social media b#######.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTK6NChoUIp/
Kanye West was supposedly set to release Donda several times over the last few weeks. Respectfully Justin talk show host Justin Laboy first hinted Donda would hit DSPs on July 23.
Donda includes contributions from Jay-Z, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, The Weeknd, Baby Keem, Travis Scott, Lil Durk, Lil Yachty, Young Thug, Kid Cudi, The Lox, and more. Meanwhile, Soulja Boy and Chris Brown expressed frustration for not being featured on the album.
According to HitsDailyDouble, the 27-track Donda is expected to debut atop the Billboard 200 album chart next week. Kanye West already has nine Number Ones throughout his music career.
Pusha T was at the red carpet re-opening event for Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in New York earlier this week and gave reporters a hint about his upcoming album.
Jay-Z was celebrating the 18th anniversary of the club with a lavish re-opening party in a celeb-packing evet. Pusha spoke to the media in attendance saying, “New album coming soon. Check for Donda.”
Pusha T says he has a new album coming soon at Jay Z’s party at the 40/40 club pic.twitter.com/1xlYIXzAVM
Pusha didn’t give any more details at the time but back in March, he did confirm that the project was complete. He gave further insight saying, “I haven’t titled it. Probably 12 [tracks]. I usually don’t do a lot of extras. I feel like I have some extras right now but I’m gonna keep 12. I gotta go sit in with ’Ye for a little bit but other than that it’s just these 12.”
Back in December last year, Push confirmed that Kanye would be producing the album and that the Neptunes, Pharrell Williams, and Chad Hugo would also have a hand in the project.
Coincidently, Drake is also due to release his upcoming album, now rumored to be on September 3. ESPN’s flagship program SportsCenter may have revealed the date in the show’s intro on Friday, August 27th. Their normal show opener was interrupted by some glitchy clips and warped vocals and the image of a cardboard sign which read: “CLB September 3.”
Did Drake just announce Certified Lover Boy’s release date of next Friday on SportsCenter? 😳https://t.co/nTq3s4OvpM
If the beefing rappers drop on the same day their respective fan bases will be in a frenzy!
Pusha and Drizzy have a long-running feud which was recently reignited when Drake took shots at Push and Ye on his recent collaboration with Trippe Redd, “Betrayal.”
Pusha took to his Instagram to celebrate the “DONDA” album release saying, “This is about power, money, influence and taste…nothing more, nothing less. Watching you “joystick the culture” makes us all proud. Continue to do things your way, congrats, and I’m honored to have been a part of the process. #DONDA.”
Kanye West’s long-awaited “DONDA” album is finally here and fans around the world rejoiced! However, it appears that not everyone is so pleased and a few of Ye’s peers took to their socials to vent their frustrations.
Soulja Boy was first – because of course he was – claiming he got left off the album after Ye had reached out and asked him to be on it. He shared what he says are screenshots of text messages between him and Kanye.
Yeezy asks Soulja to appear on “DONDA” and in an ad campaign for GAP. Kayne also tells the “Crank That” rapper that he loves him and calls him a genius.
Chris Brown was next, taking to his Instagram stories to post a message saying simply, “Kanye A Whole H*E.” He soon deleted the post but not before screenshots were taken and the image widely circulated.
It’s unclear exactly what Chris is unhappy about but fans are suggesting his appearances on “DONDA” have been cut back.
Last to get in the mix was Donald Glover who took to Twitter in a very uncharacteristic move. The rapper rarely tweets but this thought was too important for him to keep to himself. “I love being influential,” he wrote.
Kanye himself has a problem with the album taking to Instagram to shout in all caps, “Universal put my album out without my approval and they blocked jail too from being on the album.”
The only other post on his Instagram page is an image of Kim Kardashian in a wedding dress, presumably from the “DONDA” listening event. Curiously, his profile picture is still the “loading” icon, suggesting the project is still, well, loading.
Young Thug was gifted a 100-acre plot of land for his 30th birthday earlier this month by his manager, Geoff Ogunlesi.
Thugger’s Atlanta Realtor, Trey Williams took to his Instagram to share the news and a glimpse of the plot saying, “Happy Birthday to one of my top clients @thuggerthugger1 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 was heard saying “100 acres of land you can build your own subdivision. This is how you invest your money,” prompting speculation that a whole Smile City subdivision was in the works.
Trey spoke to TMZ and revealed exactly what the plans for “Slime City” are. Young Thug wants to subdivide the property and build homes, a waterpark, and maybe even a camping site! He also plans to host his annual “Slime Fest” there and wants to construct a dirt bike trail on the property.
Jeffery “Young Thug” Williams has already enlisted the services of architects and engineers and is working on obtaining the relevant permits. Once everything is in place it’s full steam ahead!
Young Thug is getting ready to release his upcoming album in October titled “Punk.” As part of the rollout for the project, he collaborated with Adobe in a print design contest. Competitors have to design a jacket for the rapper and the three lucky winners will have their design made into a jacket for him. They also pick up a cool $3,000 cash prize and earn 12-months complimentary access to Adobe Creative Cloud.
Kanye West finally drops DONDA, his highly-teased album. He had numerous listening sessions and was paid millions selling perch against those listening sessions. Let me find out…Kanye West wanted to stretch this out more. The mentally challenged, the purported genius producer said that did not want Donda to drop yet. He posted as such on IG.
I think he was trying to do another event or sell more merchandise, but I could be wrong. One thing I have seen is that all the people around Kanye have been screaming for joy and revealing they had a role in the creation of the album. I have not heard it yet, but I know this, if Kanye wanted it off streaming services and even YouTube, it would be taken off. He’s just doing more trolling and stirring up the pot.
Well, it seems like so many of the songs didn’t make the “cut” like we thought. They should not feel so bad. Even Jay-Z was cut from the album. I also heard all the cusses were edited off of Donda, which upset some people.
According to Ye, the album was released without his consent.
“Universal put my album out without my approval and they blocked jail too from being on the album,” Kanye West claimed in an all-cap post on his verified Instagram account.
The first version of the song “Jail” is included on Donda, however, the second version featuring DaBaby was originally missing, although it has been added the Chicago rapper’s new opus.
Apparently, the North Carolina rapper’s verse on a “Jail 2” wasn’t cleared to be on the final version of the highly-anticipated album when it first dropped.
In a pair of since-deleted posts, Kanye shared a back and forth he had with his manager Bu Thiam over the song “Jail 2,” and another party, who is assumed to be DaBaby.
“On another Note, DaBaby manager isn’t clearing ‘Jail’ so we won’t be able to Upload unless we take him off what’s ur thoughts?” Bu asked in a text shared by Kanye.
“Why won’t he clear jail,” the Chicago rapper asked.
“I don’t know. and neither is answering there (sic) phone,” But replied.
Kanye West was adamant that DaBaby’s First should make the final cut.
“I’m not taking my brother off. He was the only person who said he would vote for me in public,” Kanye responded.
The next text was more telling.
“So the album is not coming out did you know about this” Kanye West asked DaBaby who shot back “hell nah I ain’t know Ima hit him now.”
Kanye said, yo manager cap they tried to stop you from coming in the people next to you trying to destroy you but god got a bigger plan.”
DaBaby then said, “A plan that can’t be stopped.”
Kanye seemed to imply he would delay the album until DaBaby’s verse was ready to go legally, but Universal must have had other plans.
DaBaby’s manager Arnold Taylor denied being the culprit behind holding up the rapper’s verse for “Jail 2.”
“This is cap I woke up this morning to the social media b#######. I never @_bu @johnmonoply I just received it today and Cleared it in 2 seconds,” Arnold Taylor fumed. “Why wouldn’t I want a hit song out when #SCMG is all about the growth and culture of hip hop and my artist!!! To all of the media blogs and outlets don’t believe everything you see in a post, thank you!!!”
The police in Dallas, Texas want to question the “Beatbox” rapper in regards to a 2020 homicide.
So far, police have no leads in the murder of a man named Reginald Agnew Jr.
Agnew was in the city to attend a party at a local venue called Club Tropics, when he was gunned down, according to Detective Patty Belew.
Belew believes SpotemGottem bragged about the murder in a video for his song “Again,” which he made on the social media site, Triller.
“That is very bold. You know that is like stepping like ‘hey we did this and the police don’t even know who did it and we’re going to get away with murdering this young man,” Detective Belew told Fox News 4.
The 19-year-old rapper was wanted for aggravated assault with a firearm. When he was apprehended, Spotemgottem was laying in bed with an AK-47 on his lap.
Spotemgottem was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
I thought it was all Wu-Fam and love! Just a few days AGO, the whole Killarmy, Sunz of Man, and all that was on Killah Priest’s podcast in solidarity. Suddenly, it blew up. I couldn’t figure it out, so I kept my mouth completely shut. But I can now see a bit clearer, so I am addressing it.
What I missed was that Killah Priest took the lead and got on Drink Champs on Facetime. Clearly, Shy was not happy with that. I think he was looking for more from Nore. On top of that, he called Killah Priest a “Judas” and then basically said he banned him from the crew. Not sure if he has that power, but KP seems befuddled about it. “Shyheim needs a hug,” KP said and said he’ll continue on his podcast. I always find it interesting when people “talk” through live videos and Instagram. Hopefully, it works out.
Shyheim has that aggressive energy. Ghostface is kinda just there, so I am not taking it as a co-sign. I honestly get where Shyheim is coming from. He was talking about a unified front and also getting paid! With Killah Priest jumping in front solo dolo, he undercut what Shy was talking about. There are about 8,9 years between these Wu-Brothers, but it seems like more. The energy is crazy!!!!!!!
It may be water under the bridge, because Shy already got the invite to be on the show. BUT, here is the bigger question: Will Killarmy or Sunz of Man be invited? That is what Shy was pushing Heavy! I guess we gotta wait and see. Remember, Dom P is still out there. Ninth Prince certainly deserves to get a seat at the table. This is far from over.
It seems like Nore is going to call into Killah Priest’s podcast to have an extended chat. Well…. let’s see!
Now, the rapper has taken to social media to ask his fans to support the #FreeRalo movement to get him out.
On Saturday (August 28) he posted a video on his Instagram petitioning fans to continue to ride with him by downloading new music.
The caption said, “ASSALAMUALAIKUM, I NEED ALL MY LOYAL SUPPORTERS TO POST AN GO TO ANY OF YOUR FAVORITE STREAMING SITES TO DOWNLOAD MY NEW ‘RALO POLITICAL PRISONER’ ALBUM ASAP.”
“I CHOSE THIS UNIQUE ALBUM COVER PRAYING IN THIS ORANGE JAIL JUMPSUIT TO REP FOR ALL THE MUSLIM BROTHERS AN SISTERS AROUND THE WORLD THATS GOING THROUGH THE SAME S### IM GOING THROUGH… #FREERALO#POLITICALPRISONER (Link in my bio),” the post continued.
As reported by AllHipHop.com, Ralo was arrested in 2018 after being caught at the small DeKalb-Peachtree Airport with 444 pounds of cannabis, worth $1 million.
The Atlanta native was arrested with eight others: Christian Harp, Michael Hunnicutt, Brenton Mitchell, Antoine Morrison, Bilal Muhammad, Shanquita Potts, William Rhodes, and Quintavis Scott.
Despite the enormous amount of weed he was caught with, many people have advocated for him.
Drake, Killer Mike, John Forte, Freeway, Meek Mill, Brad Furman, Dame Dash, T.I., 2 Chainz, Gunna, Dave East, Loon, Deion Sanders, John Wall, Julio Jones, and more wrote the following in a letter to President Joe Biden:
“On behalf of Terrell Davis and his family, we strongly urge you to grant clemency for Mr. Davis, who is serving federal time for nonviolent marijuana offense.”
“The undersigned— musicians, actors, athletes, filmmakers, current and former elected and appointed government officials, advocates, and business leaders—strongly believe that justice necessitates the exercise of clemency in this case. Our nation’s view of cannabis has evolved, and it is indefensible to incarcerate citizens based on the unduly harsh attitudes of past generations.”
Killer Mike took to social media to blast the sentencing and said, “At a time where so many young White people and others are capitalizing off marijuana’s new legitimacy to see this brother sit and suffer is sickening. He is a real one and helped his community and now he is hostage of the state.”
At a time where so many young White people and others are capitalizing off marijuana’s new legitimacy to see this brother sit and suffer is sickening. He is a real one and helped his community and now he is hostage of the state. 😒 https://t.co/eObEKc7FQp
After almost a 3-year delay, Kanye West highly anticipated album Donda has finally been released.
Donda was released to all of the digital streaming platforms earlier this morning (August 29).
Kanye West held four different listening sessions for Donda in which he previewed multiple versions of a variety of the songs on the album and made tweaks along the way.
The final version of Donda features 27 songs and clocks at 1 hour and 48 minutes.
There are also alternate versions of a variety of songs that were previewed during the four previous listening sessions.
Donda is also jam-packed with guest appearances from artists like Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, Pusha T, Travis Scott, Jay-Z, Lil Durk, Baby Keem, Playboi Carti, and others.
Kanye also had some issues with DaBaby’s management.
The rapper is featured on the second version of Ye’s song “Jail.” One version features Jay-Z and the other remix features DaBaby.
According to Ye himself, DaBaby’s manager refused to clear his verse for the song, but Kanye said he was going to put him on the album anyway.
Kanye’s manager Bu Thiam said he had no clue as to why there were issues, since DaBaby’s manager, or the rapper were picking up their phones.
Ye’s response was classic.
“I’m not taking my brother off,” Kanye shot back to Bu. “He was the only person who said he would vote for me in public.”
As for the album cover’s artwork, it appears as though Kanye scrapped the unique red and black cover with a stick-figure-like drawing, and went with a solid black background – with nothing else as the design.
Kanye is also innovating with the release of his 10th studio album.
Over on his official website, Kanye West is also selling a STEM player, which will give his fans the ability to isolate tracks and remix Donda on their own. The STEM player will help the rapper rake in more money.
"And if I talk to Christ, could I bring my mother back to life? And if I die tonight, will I see her in the afterlife?" #DONDApic.twitter.com/sv9P7TKtMk
Despite Florida having the largest single-day death since the COVID-19 pandemic, Miami’s mayor, Dan Gelber, has decided the shut down the nightlife because of the city’s outlandish rise in gun violence.
According to the [Daily Mail]{https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9933123/Miami-mayor-says-South-Beachs-iconic-nightlife-SHUT-wake-growing-gun-violence.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490), Mayor Gelber is going to radically halt all of South Beach’s parties, clubbing, and restaurants because violent crimes are at an all-time high.
He said, “We need to get rid of all-night bars and turn South Beach into something else!”
Mayor Gelber could easily point to the uptick in shootings, stabbings, etc. over the last year, but is especially concerned after this week’s horrific killing of a young father, Dustin Wakefield.
Wakefield was killed after he leaped to cover his one-year-old after a man high on mushrooms shot up the La Cerveceria de Barrio Mexican restaurant on the famous Ocean Drive.
The mayor said, “The area has become too turbulent and too disorderly.”
“In fact, sometimes it is just ungovernable. It should be obvious to us that we’ve got to quit. We need to get rid of the all-night bars and turn the area into something else,” he continued.
“It is disgusting, it’s horrific,” he said of the violence that took a daddy away from his children. “There is no aspect to it that doesn’t make your heart sink. Mr. Wakefield came to our city to create a special family moment and instead became a casualty of a horrendous and despicable act… no revenue is worth this pain.”
Gelber also said, “This horrible tragedy had a level of randomness to it that doesn’t provide any solace to Mr. Wakefield’s family. But that said, we are obviously attracting people who are coming to buy drugs, to fight, or who are carrying guns. And that’s a problem. I am not going to be a mayor that sugar coats this. It clearly often feels dangerous there”
“I am not going to ride this out. We have to respond to it. We urgently need action as failure to act ensures nothing changes,” the mayor added. “I’m not going to be the mayor in Jaws and say everything is great in the water. For tourists coming here right now, I would say, exercise caution.”
The restaurant closed for one day but was back open on Thursday.
He told CNN, “I’m on calls with Department of Health officials where they will read something and members of mayors and some local officials will literally say, this happened just a few days ago, Chris. We said, ‘Could you give us a copy of that?’ And they said, ‘We’re not allowed to give local officials this information in writing. I’ll read it to you, but I can’t give it to you.’ So, it’s gotten to the point where we’re flying blind in the midst of what is really a huge surge that is costing lots of our residents. I think we’re having a hundred or more deaths a day in Florida right now, and in just my county of Miami-Dade, we probably have 2,000 people in the hospital at this point. These are all new records in Florida.”
They say “business never personal,” but this sh!t sure sounds personal! Fat Joe goes in on his haters and breaks down the allegations against him. Most notably, we know now that former Fat Joe affiliate and Terror Squadian Cuban Link amplified snitching allegations presented by Star. Wellllllll…it did not take Joey Crack long to respond. I actually thought he would ignore it, but ALAS he has responded with a lengthy speech. He takes a whole hour to “holla back.” I did not watch it all, but I think I got the jist of it. He says they are basically haters that are looking at the ONLY way to tear him down – his street rep.
It does not seem to be working out for Cuban. He has said something back to Joe, but I am not sure if this is a direct response. But, if you look at the comments, people are telling him to let it go.
We patiently waited on Friday for there to be this grandiose apology to Killarmy, Shyheim, and others, but all we got was a muted response. Apparently, NORE spoke to Killah Priest – the original Jay Electronica – and the Drink Champs host reportedly said “sorry” for calling various Wu-Tang Clan affiliates “flunkies.” If you were not there, this may not be the situation for you to comment on. But, the Wu Fam was ridiculously large back in the day and DOPE. So, Shyheim, Sunz of Man, Killarmy, and others were not as big as Wu, but they definitely were not flunkies.
It seems like Nore determined that Killah Priest was the guy to apologize to get everybody in one fell swoop. That really did not work. Killah Priest talked to Shyheim. It was all jokes. Check it out.
So, this thing is spiraling out of control. I don’t know if you actually watched it, but basically Shy says he’s not accepting the apology, especially since they say it was a “non-apology.” According to this, Nore admitted to being wrong, but didn’t actually say “sorry.” The other thing is, he didn’t reportedly offer to put the guys on his show, which is what I thought would happen. It didn’t.
My sources have told me that Nore may not be safe in New York now and a recent post suggests this.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTGX4b8Nvj8/
I think this could have been fixed fairly easily.
Get the so-called Wu-Affiliates on “Drink Champs
Nore apologizes.
Let them tell their stories.
That’s it! I know Shy mentioned some sort of monetary compensation, but I don’t think that was required. Anyway…uh…Dom of Killarmy fam said his next move is on the mic and in the booth. I don’t know if others will go that route, but I do know some are not worried about the rapping…more about the action.
I truly hope it does not get to the level of violence. I think this was all avoidable.
The sneakers, which reimagined a pair of Nike Air Max 97s, were done in collaboration with the company called MSCHF complete with pentagons, as well as a quote from a Bible verse in a nod to the devil.
Nike got wind of the unauthorized collaboration and sued MSCHF and Lil Nas X. They ultimately agreed to stop selling the Satan Sneakers.
So, when Lil Nas X found out Tony Hawk was selling a “Blood Deck” board he took to social media to express his opinion that there was a double standard at play.
The rapper implied the lawsuit came about because he is a gay black man.
Shortly after Lil Nas X tweeted his dissatisfaction, he also replied to a comment about Tony Hawk on Instagram with the phrase “nah he tweakin.”
Yesterday, Tony Hawk held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for his Blood Deck board, where he addressed Lil Nas X.
“I understand his perspective, and I respect it. Yeah, obviously there’s a disparity there, but I think the issue with him more was that there was a copyright infringement, from what I understand,” Tony Hawk told KSL.com. “But by no means was I trying to capitalize on his success or even copy him.”
According to Tony Hawk, he was inspired by a rock band that was popular way before Lil Nas X was even born – KISS.
The band’s bass guitarist Gene Simmons is well known for spitting blood and fire as part of the legendary rock band’s stage gimmick.
In 1977, the band teamed up with Stan Lee and Marvel Comics. The band members mixed their blood with red ink for a limited edition issue titled “A Marvel Comics Super Special!: Kiss”
According to Tony Hawk, this is where the inspiration for his Blood Deck board with a company called Liquid Death came from, not Lil Nas X.
“It came from Kiss. Kiss did a thing in the ’70s where they put their blood into ink used in a comic book, and I was a Kiss fan. I was alive when it came out. I wanted one so badly, but they were obviously snatched up,” Tony Hawk revealed. “So when Liquid Death asked me about doing a collaboration, I thought about that, and thought, ‘Well, I’ve given enough blood in skateboarding, why not just add some to the paint?'” Hawk said.
As for the “nah he tweakin’ phenomenon, Instagram made an statement, claiming they have finally gotten the bots under control.
“Some people experienced trouble loading comments on Instagram (except, it appears, for “nah he tweakin” 🧐). We’ve resolved this issue and all comments should now be back,” Instagram’s official account on Twitter stated.
Today some people experienced trouble loading comments on Instagram (except, it appears, for “nah he tweakin” 🧐). We’ve resolved this issue and all comments should now be back.
Fans are taking sides when it comes down to Kanye West and Drake, dividing Hip-Hop down the middle and it is getting ugly.
In fact, according to social media, those who are rocking with the Champagne Papi have tried to violate West’s home hoping to rep for their favorite rapper.
A post on Twitter shows a picture of Yeezy’s childhood home with a series of signs posted up on the steps.
The caption above the small white two-story house tells it all, “Kanye West’s childhood home is vandalized by Drake fans.”
Though @StrappedHH calls it vandalism, it really was not.
Vandalism might have included tagging up the home with graffiti. However, the fans were actually quite polite and used posterboards to share their messages.
One signed said, “4544 Burnt Out (blueish/ purple devil).” The other signed said, “F##k Justin Laboy.” And the last one is “CLB coming soon.”
This is yet another in the episode in the “When The Record Gonna Drop” saga between the two superstars.
As AllHipHop.com reported, Kanye West’s highly anticipated album Donda has been promised to fans for months, evening hosting three album release parties to tempt the fans’ appetite for what he believes is a masterpiece.
But fans have also been waiting for Drizzy’s Certified Lover Boy album.
Ivy Shades is a whole vibe, and she brings that same energy to all her endeavors. Born from Los Angeles, raised in Houston but now based in Atlanta, the celebrity eyewear designer, rapper, and entrepreneur is the definition of a go-getter, someone who refuses to take no for an answer and inspires the masses to do the same.
In describing herself, she says, “I’m a hard worker, very humble, care a lot about people, and want to see a lot of women win. In a nutshell, that’s who Ivy Shades is.”
Her name comes from her own celebrity eyewear brand, a standout, unique line of luxury custom shades that cover your entire top half of your face in a way that’s classy and stylish — ones that will have you feeling like that b####. To align with that, Ivy unveils her newest single and visual for “Photo,” inspired by that feeling of confidence after buying her first pair of red bottom shoes. Being a self-made female entrepreneur, Ivy invests in herself to make her wildest dreams come true.
AllHipHop: What was a young Ivy Shades like growing up?
Ivy Shades: The young Ivy Shades was actually born in Cedars-Sinai Hospital here in California. I moved to Houston when I was 12 years old. The 12 years I was here, I saw a lot of gangs. I remember police officers used to walk me from one corner to the other one to get to my school. Really Cali is my hometown, H-town is my hometown, now Atlanta is my hometown. But really LA is my roots, this is where I started from.
AllHipHop: Biggest influences coming up?
Ivy Shades: I have really two. Really #1 and #2: Missy Elliot and Lil Kim. Lil Kim really inspired me to see how bold she was, she didn’t give a s###. She didn’t care. She’s like “I’ma say that s### and I’ma do what I want to do.” Missy came out and really made me feel comfortable because I’m so weird. I’m really not weird but they call me weird, “are you really going to wear that?” Missy made it okay to be yourself. Doesn’t matter what anybody thinks about you, just do you and be yourself. Definitely Lil Kim, Missy Elliot, I want to do a record with both of those ladies. I don’t know if it’s going to make this album. Lil Kim and Missy Elliot if y’all are listening, please feel sorry for me and do a song with me. [laughs]
AllHipHop: What inspired you to get into music?
Ivy Shades: I was 15 and I got really into listening to the radio, really inspired. Later on, I saw Lil Kim. I can sing too, but I really don’t like to call myself a singer because Adele is a singer. Whitney Houston is a singer. I can do hooks all day. I can hold tunes, but I was singing. You don’t really know any better but when you hear people like Whitney Houston, “ay b#### you don’t sound like that.” But you still can sing though! I took it seriously at 18. I started writing my little rhymes, and doing my little hooks. They say I’m one of the best that’s about to blow.
AllHipHop: “Photo” out now, how are you feeling?
Ivy Shades: [Claps] “Photo” is so great. I love “Photo” because for me it’s so different, it’s a commercial type of record. People who know me know I’m from LA, they know I’m from Houston. Grew up with nothing and figured it out all myself. I wasn’t some bougie ass “oh my god, my parents have a Rolls Royce.” I didn’t have parents, you feel me. “Photo” was really cool because I tapped into something else. I bought my very first pair of red bottoms, went to the studio. I walked in, people said “yo G, are those red bottoms?” I said “hell yeah.” They said “how much you paid for them?” I said “none of your business.” I was really being goofy in the studio: I kept lifting my feet up, red bottoms.
I really wanted to make a song about red bottoms so that’s how “Photo” really came about. It’s so weird but that’s the most commercial record I have, period! I rap for real for real, I’ll come for their ass. I really love “Photo” because I got to be colorful. It’s a real record but it’s so commercial, it’s so cool. Who doesn’t take pictures? When you’re done talking, take a picture b####!
AllHipHop: The video was so beautiful, what was your favorite look?
Ivy Shades: My favorite look definitely would be the all black. It didn’t get that much playtime because for me, it was so crazy. I have to be so honest with you, I have 3 people working on my costumes for the video. I sketched not everything, but I gave them the ballpark. When I came up with that, it’s really a blacked out look. I couldn’t see s###. The hood came here, I’m in there dancing with the dancers. I pulled up like “did I do it right? Am I in line with them? Do it again!” That’s why it’s my favorite thing because it was the unknown. I want to do this and they’re like “why Ivy?” Because I want to do it. I couldn’t see s###, it was dark. When you saw that, is that Ivy? That’s my favorite look.
AllHipHop: Where did you shoot?
Ivy Shades: In Atlanta, in Studio Space ATL. My gorgeous dancers, it was a lot of people on set. It was like a movie premiere. I don’t really like a lot of people on set like that, but they’re so happy because I’ve been gone for a minute. We came back, shot the video. We had a whole audience watching us shoot the video, it was cool.
AllHipHop: What unreleased music are you sitting on?
Ivy Shades: Are you going to stick around for a little bit today? Everything playing today is going to be new, it’s about 75% of my album. Really uncut and raw, I’m really excited about people hearing it. Some people might hear “Photo” on another level, like “she’s a cute commercial artist. She’s so cute.” But don’t get it twisted b####.
AllHipHop: How did you end up starting your own celebrity eyewear line?
Ivy Shades: So Ivy Shades, the Shades part started really when I was young. I used to buy Chanel glasses and Bulgari shades. It really wasn’t doing nothing for what I want, trying add stuff to them like “nah this is corny.” Why spend $500 on your brand and it’s really not what I want? I said s### I’m finna order some stuff and make what I want for myself. I can draw too so I started sketching stuff out and ordering s###. I started making them, people started buying them off my face in a club in Houston. For real, that’s how I was encouraged to put out my brand. If you gave me $350 for these shades I just made yesterday, I done sweated in them after performing and you still want them? Watch me work. Okay then hunny. [laughs]
AllHipHop: What was the reality in launching your own brand?
Ivy Shades: That was one of the most difficult challenges because at the end of the day, nobody gives you guidance. Nobody tells you what to do, how to start a company, what these products work. Setting up vendors, setting up an entire company, getting a warehouse, or hiring employees, nobody really told me “Ivy, this is what you should do.” I took it upon myself to try s###, that’s why I got a formula now because I did everything myself. Some stuff works and some stuff didn’t you know. S###, I’m powerful as hell right now. You can’t tell me nothing.
AllHipHop: How’d you get that legendary Pimp C feature?
Ivy Shades: One of few artists to lay claim to a feature with the late great Pimp C, Ivy Shades has her sights set on rising up the charts alongside some of her biggest influences, such as NickI Minaj, CardI B and Megan Thee Stallion.
AllHipHop: I do, it’s called “25.” The remix is called “Throw A 100.” Shout out to my bro, RIP Chad Butler. A lot of people don’t know the story. I was mad young around these n*ggas in the studio. I used to walk around them, looking at them with all their jewels and diamonds on. I’m walking there like “I’m going to be a rapper too, yeah!” My voice was deep, he’d say “man, you’re cool. Work on that s###, don’t be scared of your voice.” I said “my voice sounds like a man.”
“No you don’t lil sis, some of these b###### jugular.” I’m like “what is a jugular?” He said “don’t be shy, keep your voice the way it is.” I took vocal lessons to be perfected. Later, I got the record after he already passed away. It was hurtful, like damn he’s not even here. We got a record together and I’m his lil sis. I used to follow this n*gga around the studio like “listen to this verse Pimp!” He’s like “that’s hard, but you can say it like this.” That was a blessing.
AllHipHop: What did you learn from working with Pimp C?
Ivy Shades: One thing for sure is don’t be insecure, because I thought my voice was too deep. I naturally have a deep voice, my voice is so distinct. If I call you, you’ll say “Ivy what up?” You’ll know. When I rap hard: “sitting back on my castle, people kiss my a######. Cutting w##### like zeros, but I’m catching planes like Alesso.” I can’t really hide my voice, he told me “don’t be scared of that. Be who you are and go hard.”
AllHipHop: What inspired you the most when you’re recording?
Ivy Shades: The track. It’s all about the music for me, just like all about the shades for me. If you’re a dope producer, I walk in and you play tracks for me, I may pick a couple. If the track’s real hard, hot, I don’t write. I may have people record me for an hour.
AllHipHop: You freestyle everything?
Ivy Shades: Oh yes, I’m like “take that back. Let me hear that, okay we gon’ keep that.” I’ll keep going, but it’s all about the music for me. If you’re s### not hot, who are you? You want me to do what? I’ma send it to my little cousin.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
Ivy Shades: Definitely would be hot ass track #1. #2 an engineer that knows what they’re doing. Even not only my shades, my whole life is weird. Where I live, what I drive, everything’s really on the same vibe. If I say “hey I need this to do this” or “I need this to do that,” I need somebody talented enough to say “I don’t know but I’m feeling you, let me try this.” A good engineer. Last one would be, when you done talking, my cell phone. [laughs] that’s not that hard right?
AllHipHop: What’s the reality of the independent grind?
Ivy Shades: It’s a challenge everyday, it’s a lot. It’d be a lot for anybody because I have my own record label so essentially, I’m not showing up like the artists. I have so many calls, so many things on my plate with everybody. My manager doesn’t even work for my label, but he manages Ivy Shades. He gets a lot of stuff but I’m really swamped all the time. It’s a challenge but I wouldn’t change this s### for the world. If someone offered me $10 million to take, nah kill yourself. Lose it. I’m Ivy, that way.
AllHipHop: Why’d you name your label, P by Tha Pound Records?
Ivy Shades: Do you know what P by the Pound stands for? Take one guess. If you get it right, I’ll give you 5000 pennies.
AllHipHop: P####?
Ivy Shades: Yes, it’s P#### by the Pound. My entourage used to be in ATL, Houston, back then we were all broke and struggling, then got a little money. You got to switch it up so I switched it up, now we Female Money Team. Everybody essentially doesn’t have bread, but they’re going to get it because I’m helping them with their companies. It’s all about women empowerment. Nobody taught me s###, so I’m giving them all the game for nothing. You know they say I’m a pimp in Houston? They say that but I’m really not, girl I can’t even pimp. How she did that? You never see somebody with so many females following her.
AllHipHop: Goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?
Ivy Shades: #1 goal is to chart, that’s my #1 goal right now. Be on the charts, you gon’ hear it everyday from me. I want to chart chart chart chart, what are we doing? Get this done. Why am I not here? Let’s go, chart. Everything else has fallen into place, I’m really blessed. My goal right now is to chart, period. Point blank, that’s it. When they’re done talking, I’m leaving. [laughs].
Lil Baby continues to prove he is one of the most community-minded rappers in the game.
The Atlanta native was in the Oakland City section of his hometown to help the local community refurbish a deteriorating basketball court.
The rapper teamed up with Footlocker once again to fix up the courts, which will be the centerpiece of the Oakland City Park in the hood where he was raised.
But Lil Baby did not stop there.
He also helped give out 200 bikes to local children and teenagers to promote physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle for the kids.
These types of philanthropic acts are nothing new for Lil Baby.
In November of 2020, the rapper announced he would be giving away the millions he earned from the proceeds of his single “The Bigger Picture.”
In total, he has committed over $1.5 million to charity.
Since then, Lil Baby has done a variety of charitable endeavors for the locals in Atlanta.
“I don’t want to donate to just any organization, but I will be letting my fans kno exactly we’re the money goes. Lawyers ,Bonds , Play Grounds , Jobs , youth activities , things that WE can really benefit off of.”
Trouble seems to follow rapper Tekashi 69 wherever he goes.
In a new video that has gone viral, the New York rapper appears to have gotten into a scuffle at a mall.
In the video, you can see Tekashi 69 yelling at an unidentified man, asking the man to “run it back” as an unidentified person in his entourage mouths off as well.
Clothes are scattered all over the floor in the background of the unidentified store, which appears to be a JCPenney’s or a Macy’s department store.
The rapper, who has been bragging that he travels without security, confirmed he was in a fight during a chat on Clubhouse with his new buddy, Wack 100.
“You seen the video?” Tekashi 69 asked Wack 100, who replied chuckling “yeah yeah I see the video, this n#### was fighting in the mall.”
“That’s what I’m saying ain’t no f###### security in the f###### mall n##### want to act up you see what happened right?” Tekashi 69 feuded.
Tekashi 69 is still on probation after getting caught up in a racketeering trial with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.
Tekashi 69 was freed from prison early in April of 2020, after cooperating with the government and testifying against his former gang associates.
Another rapper is canceled for stretching the boundaries of creativity.
After Joyner Lucas dropped his new single “Dreams Unfold” featuring Lil TJay, a whole controversy around what’s inappropriate for kids started to spew up.
The ramblings became so loud that YouTube eventually took the video down, even though the it keeps popping up on other channels.
One of the reasons people pressed pause on the visual was because it incorporated adult themes into popular children’s programs. An example was taking Blues Clues and flipping it to Booze Clues.
Another example was taking the popular anti-narcotic slogan, “Say No to Drugs” and flipping it to “Say Yes to Drugs.” The video also showed a jolly ole’ St. Nick and his elf getting drunk and puppets watching strippers dance on a pole.
But Lucas’ video was not removed only because of the content, but because it seemed to be marketed to children.
It violates YouTube’s Child Safety policy. The policy is clear that content with “misleading family content” and includes “sexual themes, violence, and obscenity or other mature themes not suitable for young audiences” will not be accepted.
It further states in its directions for content creators the following:
“Family-friendly cartoons that target young minors and contain adult or age-inappropriate themes such as violence, sex, death, drugs, and more. Make sure your titles, descriptions, and tags match the audience
you’re targeting. In addition, ensure your audience selection accurately represents the audience your content is suitable for. You can also age restrict your content upon upload if it’s intended for mature audiences.”
The Massachusetts-born rapper took to social media in a since-deleted post, to tell fans that he has been censored.
“Been on calls going back and forth for the last 24 hours. Smh I’m all set. You got that. ‘My escape’ dropping 9/3..”
In the image, he was more direct and said, “Smh wow. They tryna sensor me now. Smh It’s all good tho I’m not going back and forth Nomore about it… I got more videos in the can anyways. ‘My escape ‘dropping 9/3 .. … …”
Wondering if the next single will be a little tamer.
