Last Friday, Normani returned to the spotlight by releasing a new single titled “Wild Side.” The sound of the Cardi B-assisted record had fans connecting the track to popular music by R&B icon Aaliyah.
Listeners almost instantly labeled Normani’s “Wild Side” as an homage to the classic 1996 song “One In A Million” off the album of the same name. The person who is currently managing Aaliyah’s catalog shared his thoughts about the comparison between “Wild Side” and “One In A Million.”
“[Aaliyah] always encouraged young women pursuing their musical and entertainment careers, to achieve their dreams,” the late singer’s uncle, Barry Hankerson, told TMZ. “I believe that Aaliyah would be very supportive of a young Black woman that chose to emulate her music and style.”
Reportedly, “Wild Side” does not actually contain a sample of “One In A Million.” It appears the credited production team, which includes Normani and Starrah, recreated the “Wild Side” beat as an original recording.
Blackground Records founder Barry Hankerson added, “I will not stand in the way of something that brings to light the incredible staying power of Aaliyah. So in that light, wishing Normani well with the song and overall career. God bless. I think Aaliyah would be pleased.”
Aaliyah’s relative Barry Hankerson is not the only person who was closely aligned to the Detroit-raised singer/actress to co-sign Normani’s “Wild Side” featuring Cardi B. “One In A Million” producer Timbaland recently praised “Wild Side” on his Instagram Story.
Normani eventually saw the video of Timbaland applauding her latest musical offering. In response to the legendary beatmaker, the former Fifth Harmony member from New Orleans tweeted, “I must’ve died when I seen this.”
The official Tanu Muino-directed “Wild Side” video is still trending at #1 for music on YouTube. Normani’s comeback single also peaked at #1 on the iTunes all-genre chart. It is presently projected to debut in the Top 40 on next week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2020 was a difficult year for many people around the world. A coronavirus pandemic, political strife, police violence, and rising prices were regular headlines throughout the year, but some musicians still managed to make a good sum of money over that 12 month period.
Billboardcompiled a list of the Top Paid Musicians of 2020. While millions of dollars flowed into the bank accounts of some of the most high-profile acts, the top earners’ collective revenue dropped from $969 million in 2019 to $387 million last year. The decline was mostly the result of live touring being shut down due to COVID-19.
Taylor Swift landed at #1 on Billboard‘s U.S. Money Makers rankings. The Country/Pop superstar reportedly racked up $23.8 million. Singer/rapper Post Malone came in second place with $23.2 million. Legendary Canadian singer Céline Dion made $17.5 million for third place.
Twelve R&B/Hip Hop artists made it onto the Top Paid Musicians of 2020 hierarchy which was the biggest gain for any genre. Several of those performers brought in enough take-home pay to touch down in the Top 10.
Drake’s $14.2 million (#6), YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s $11.9 million (#9), and Lil Baby’s $11.7 million (#10) helped them join Post Malone as one of the 10 highest-grossing musicians of the year. The Weeknd (#11), Eminem (#14), Lil Uzi Vert (#15), and DaBaby (#17) were placed in the Top 20.
Other rap stars on the Top Paid Musicians of 2020 list include Bad Bunny (#21), Future (#22), Roddy Ricch (#24), Rod Wave (#25), Kanye West (#30), and Travis Scott (#35). 2020 Billboard chart-toppers like Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Machine Gun Kelly, 21 Savage, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, 6ix9ine, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and 24kGoldn did not make the list.
There were rumors circulating that Kanye West’s upcoming Donda album would include some disrespectful bars about his estranged wife Kim Kardashian. However, a new report claims that West did not diss Kim K on the project.
Kanye West allegedly broke down in tears during a listening party in Las Vegas as he played a track titled “Welcome To My Life.” There were claims that a line on the song implies he was trapped in prison during his marriage to the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star.
According to Page Six, the leaked stories about “Welcome To My Life” are untrue. Insiders connected to West insisted the G.O.O.D Music label founder did not rap about feeling like a prisoner in his Calabasas home.
“Kanye actually played the song for Kim personally before the listening party,” a source told Page Six. “It’s emotional and personal. Not negative at all.”
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West reportedly reunited over the weekend in order to take their four children to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. The former couple was said to be having a good time as they took part in co-parenting North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm.
In February, Kim Kardashian formally filed for divorce after seven years of marriage. Kanye West is now reportedly dating model Irina Shayk. Kardashian is reportedly fine with her ex starting a new relationship.
Kanye West’s Donda studio LP is expected to arrive on DSPs this Friday (July 23). A special listening event is scheduled to take place in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday. Respectfully Justin host Justin Laboy, who said he was at the Las Vegas event, is already calling the album a “classic.”
Donda is set to join a Kanye West discography that includes 2004’s The College Dropout, 2005’s Late Registration, 2007’s Graduation, 2008’s 808s & Heartbreak, 2010’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 2013’s Yeezus, 2016′s The Life of Pablo, 2018’s Ye, and 2019’s Jesus Is King.
Karrueche Tran won the Emmy for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Daytime Fiction Program at the 2021 Daytime Emmy Awards. The 33-year-old Los Angeles native made history last night.
By taking home the award, Karrueche Tran is the first lead actress of Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) descent to win a Daytime Emmy or Primetime Emmy. She was rewarded for her performance as Vivian Johnson-Garrett in Popstar! TV’s The Bay.
Previously, Karrueche Tran triumphed twice at the Daytime Emmy Awards by winning trophies for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series as a producer for The Bay (2016, 2017). She has also starred in other series such as Claws and Games People Play.
Karrueche Tran wrote on Instagram:
Y’all.. I.. really don’t even know where to begin… lol when I got nominated I was soooo surprised and grateful but was like nah there’s no way I’m gonna actually win.. the nom was more than enough.. but God had a different plan for me.. I’m still in shock! I have to thank @gregorijmartin for believing in me in the very beginning stages of my career.. for seeing something in me that most didn’t.. for giving me a chance to become someone I never thought was possible.. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart ❤️ The icing on the cake was finding out I’m the first AAPI lead actress Emmy winner in both Daytime Emmys and Primetime.. excuse me WHATTT??! I f###### made Emmys history.. that is HUGE and makes me extremely emotional.. to be a representation of a community that is so often overlooked and under appreciated brings me to tears.. WOW I am on such a high that I know will last for a long time.. I think the biggest take away from this blessing is not allowing it to get to my head or too comfortable.. this award motivates me to keep pushing myself beyond my limits.. to work even harder and become better than I was yesterday. I am so filled with love and joy you guys 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.
The music industry has seen a lot of new stars rising in the last decade. With so many new talents and creative music across genres, the world of music has reached new heights. Currently, digital platforms play a significant role in launching new talents into the music industry. The scene a decade ago was not something even close to what it is today. Ryan Hodge is a music sensation who has launched himself into music through the power of social media.
Ryan was born and brought up in the countryside of Virginia. His talent was evident in his performances at the local gospel choir. He used to stand out from the others. Little did he know that this talent would launch his career when he would least expect it. Coming from a humble background, Ryan had no big dreams. He started working at a retail chain and started as a bagger earning a few dollars every hour.
Eventually, he got married and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. He was earning just enough to pay his bills and fund his daughter’s education when things took a turn for the worse. During the pandemic, he lost his job and was left with no other option but to start afresh at 40 years old. A career change at that point seemed impossible but Ryan made it work. All through his life, music has been a stress buster for him. He used to sing and play music during his leisure time and never thought of pursuing it as a profession.
His daughter introduced him to the endless opportunities that the digital world offers to aspiring talents. Soon he launched his single “Never Give-Up” on various social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Almost instantly it went viral earning him huge recognition for his talent. The overwhelming response was the greatest encouragement for him to pursue his passion as a new career. Thereafter he went on a spree, releasing four new singles and one album “Half-Done”. All his projects have garnered a lot of appreciation from the audience of all age groups.
Today, Ryan Hodge is a rising pop star in the music industry. His country music combined with rhythms of jazz has captivated a lot of music lovers. He highlights real-world problems in his music rather than focusing on idealism. This helps audiences connect to his music at a deeper level. His debut single “Never Give-Up” mesmerized millions because it talked about the practical issues of common people whose lives suddenly turned upside down during the lockdown. It was relevant to the then ongoing pandemic situation and echoed with the struggles of many who were in a similar situation like Ryan.
Starting a career at 40 and that too in the music industry which is predominated by young talents was not easy for Ryan. He had to face several criticisms initially for his age and his lyrics but ultimately those became the unique factors in his music, setting him apart from others. There is no looking back for him now. Ryan Hodge wants to continue his journey in the music industry creating more motivational songs and inspiring more people to pursue their dreams.
One might think that 50 Cent would be too busy celebrating the successful premiere of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” on Starz this weekend to jump into any other drama.
And whoever thought that simply does not know Curtis Jackson!
Court filings reveal that the “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” rapper wants the courts to sanction singer Teairra Mari $6,385 for not paying him money that he has been awarded by a Los Angeles judge.
He is alleging that the “Love & Hip Hop” star is playing games to circumvent her judgment.
Teairra Mari missed her June 24 deadline to at least respond to try and make payment arrangements with 50 Cent’s lawyers.
To that, his attorneys noted, “Mari’s failure to provide any responses to Jackson’s Discovery Requests is a prime example of Mari’s misuse of the discovery process, and her overall gamesmanship permeating this entire lawsuit and the judgment enforcement proceeding.”
The judge has not responded — but be very clear— 50 ain’t gonna be quiet until she coughs up the dough. He has even asked that the court demand that her VH1 paycheck stubs be seized.
He’s gonna take her little check from Mona Scott Young’s#### show. Wonder if Mona is gonna help him?
In the tradition of the groundbreaking visionary artists that inspired him, C.A.M.P., (Calling All My People) stands head and shoulders (and locks) above his young peer group of today’s hottest young stars.
Creative, Amazing, Marvelous, and Prolific, C.A.M.P has arrived. In an industry that is measured in cosigns, none weigh greater than that of a multi platinum Grammy hitmaker Jerry Wonda and his Wonda Music Label.
Mr. Wonda, who’s discography includes over 200,000,000 records sold and multiple Grammy Awards, has one of the world’s most unique “Golden Ears”; signed young C.A.M.P. after being introduced by mutual friends; and so begin another epic artist journey from obscurity to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This dynamic duo’s first coproduction, “Blue Hearts” featuring Mr. Wonda’s longtime collaborator Wyclef Jean and Wonda Music’s Coka is a certified “Summer Banger”, which is sure to be heard bumping from
The Hamptons to South Beach and The Bay all summer long.
C.A.M.P’s success to date was inspired by his upbringing in Longview Texas, where he stood out from his peers as a performer and songwriter.
His breakthrough video and single “Bloody Mary” which went viral
late in 2018, was more than enough evidence of C.A.M.P.’s unlimited creative potential.
The release of this video ultimately led to his “discovery” by industry professionals and eventually Jerry Wonda himself.
The release of C.A.M.P. and Wonda Music’s “Blue Hearts” music video will mark the first on-camera collaboration between the legendary Jerry Wonda and Wyclef Jean.
“C.A.M.P is an incredibly talented artist and writer and even more so is a dynamic, electrifying performer”, said Jerry Wonda. “In the past few months we’ve done some amazing work together, including this record, ‘Blue Hearts,’ which we started at our home studios together with one of our producers Benny Wond3r in September 2020. C.A.M.P is our next generation of artist and entertainer. He is at the forefront of new talent emerging from Wonda Music.”
Former President Donald J. Trump’s name is in the news next to yet another famous rap star.
This time this is not a ploy to get Black people to vote for him but connected to death on one of his properties.
Troubled rapper NBA YoungBoy, a name that has had its fair share of legal woes over the last few years, was named in a negligence suit against one of the One-termer’s properties in South Florida.
According to court documents, in 2019, the “Bandit“ rapper was hanging out in front of the Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.
The rapper also stayed at the Trump branded hotel, since he was in town for a high profile performance during the Rolling Loud Festival.
Just before the concert and while at the hotel, there was a drive-by shooting. Individuals in a black Cadillac Escalade bucked shots seemingly at NBA YoungBoy. His squad retaliated.
As one might imagine, the Jradi Estate did not see it that way.
Thus, they are suing Kentrell DeSean Gaulden (the rapper’s legal name); his business entity, YoungBoy Never Broke Again; and Osama Eugene Manuel, NBA YoungBoy’s security worker.
They are also suing the resort’s operating company, 18001 Holdings LLC, and several LLCs tied to developers Michael and Gil Dezer claiming they were negligent in protecting their loved one.
The estate yields, that there were “reasonably foreseeable criminal attacks or other dangerous conditions on the property causing harm to [the] decedent” and “the premises was in a high crime area.” In their opinion, the resort did not have enough security.
This is not NBA YoungBoy’s first dance with incarceration.
As reported by AllHipHop.com, in September 2020 he was arrested and imprisoned in Louisiana, after cops found 14 guns, marijuana, and hydrocodone at his video shoot.
“The Donald” owns the Trump real estate brands, an enterprise that best multiplied his wealth inherited from his father.
And he is not directly connected to the case. However, the messiness of this shooting is still another dirty stain on his legacy.
Young MC is one of the first superstars in Hip-Hop. The rapper, born Marvin Young, changed the landscape of Hip-Hop and pioneered away for West Coast rap stars to be known globally. Born on the East Coast, specifically Queens, New York, Young MC soon moved to the West Coast to go to college and that is where he made his incredible mark on rap music. In this exclusive interview with Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, Young MC reveals never before heard facts about his historic legacy.
He talks about his relationship with Shock G, Tupac Shakur, Eazy-E and even working with Dr. Dre. “I knew Tupac when he was in Digital (Underground), before he went solo,” he says. “We’d do we do shows with him and Shock G and Money B and really that whole crew.” He also discusses his Jamaican upbringing, his intellectual side, and how it all fit (or didn’t fit) into the landscape in South-Central Los Angeles that often times was immersed in gang culture. Lyrically, Young MC was never a slouch and wrote some of the biggest hits that has ever gone through the culture, namely “Bust A Move,” a song with few peers. A Grammy Award winner, his pen also wrote Tone Lōc’s “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina.”
He discusses staving off tensions with Tone and why “Funky Cold Medina” is nothing like what Bill Cosby was accused of. Lastly, Young MC speaks on battling at EAZY-E’s request, the hate he received and being included on “All In The Same Gang” song.
Kanye West’s long-awaited Donda album is not only done but has been heard by a select few during an ultra-private listening party in Las Vegas over the weekend.
While many in Hip-Hop were watching the premiere episode of 50 Cent’s new “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” Yeezy was blowing people’s minds playing tracks from his new project Donda.
Popular influencer and host of Respectfully Justin, Justin Laboy, stunted on everyone with his opinions of the project.
“Kanye played his new album for me & @KDTrey5 last night in Vegas. Man listen! The production is light years ahead of it’s time, and the bars sound like he’s broke & hungry trying to get signed again. Any artist who plan on dropping soon should just push it back
#Respectfully”
Some suspect it could be this week after Laboy leaked the news to his followers on Sunday.
“Kanye West album is really done. When it drops this week, we probably not going to listen to anything else for a while.. Let me go enjoy all the current artist I’m listening to until then. God bless
#Respectfully”
Kanye West album is really done. When it drops this week, we probably not going to listen to anything else for a while.. Let me go enjoy all the current artist I’m listening to until then. God bless✌🏾 #Respectfully
Artists like Lil Baby, Playboi Carti, Post Malone, Baby Keem, and his Kardashian-Jenner connection Travis Scott are rumored to be on the project.
Even a video of him with Tyler, the Creator was leaked this weekend — a super smart way to drum up buzz for the release. In the video, Ye has one of his Gap facemasks on … really pushing the style trend he hopes will rake in millions of dollars during the fall
release.
Kanye has said nothing … but that also means everything.
According to Derek Watkins aka Fonzworth Bentley, Kanye will be doing a larger “listening event” this Thursday, July 22 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 8 PM. Tickets go on sale at 5:00 PM today (July 19) and are priced at $20 and $50.
Five members of Brooklyn rapper Tekashi 69’s security detail have been charged with first and second-degree robbery and criminal impersonation stemming from an August 2020 robbery.
The men named in this indictment are Egardo Cortez, Christian Cortez, Sammy Sprouse, and Kristian Fuhse. Daniel Lapuerta is from Central Valley and Egardo and Christian are both from Bridgeport, Connecticut.
NBC News gave a full account of the disturbing assault as described by the prosecution.
Lapuerta allegedly tried to make a complaint that the victim threatened the rapper and his entourage but a NYPD Lieutenant didn't buy it and Lapuerta withdrew his complaint, Vance's office says.
According to the Manhattan DA Cy Vance, the rainbow-haired artist’s bodyguards pursued a man for 20 blocks in their SUVs throughout the village of Harlem with the sole purpose of stealing his phone.
The cars raced through the streets flashing lights and sirens as a form of intimidation, hoping that they would get from the man a phone containing a video of Tekashi 69 that they didn’t want them to have.
The indictment says, eventually, they caught the 34-year-old man on 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard.
The man, clearly in distress, tried to “flag” down police. Laperuta claimed to be an officer and somehow convinced the police to leave.
It was then that someone opened the man’s car door, obtained the phone, and stomped it on the ground.
Vance even alleges that another person in the “GOOBA” rapper’s party pointed a TASER in the man’s direction, stopping only when unmarked police vehicles arrived.
Laperuta, who was once an officer on the force but retired before the incident last summer, was charged for “falsely claiming to NYPD officers and in a 911 call that the victim was threatening the defendants with a firearm.”
When the real police popped on the scene, Tekashi 69’s security team ran.
In a statement, Vance said, “As alleged, these highly-compensated vigilantes caravanned through the streets of Harlem with sirens flashing in order to track a man down and steal and break his phone.”
The call was not the only time that Laperuta said that the victim had threatened Tekashi 69 and his crew with a gun.
Laperuta actually went to the 28th Precinct to make a formal complaint. After being questioned about his account of what happened by a Lieutenant, he withdrew his complaint.
Balla is the “Top Opp,” and he’s here to put his hometown of Washington D.C. on the map. Arriving with his own relentless bars, gritty punchlines, and vivid storytelling in his lyrics, the East Coast rapper creates heartfelt music inspired by real-life experiences and events. Coming from the trenches to where he is now, Balla proves you can achieve access while staying independent.
Signed to indie label MajorLife Music, Balla states, “A lot of people love, a lot of people hate me, but I’m going to take what comes with this. That’s what Balla is, the Top Opp. It’s not a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you are looking at it. You can get good outta the Top Opp or bad outta the Top Opp.”
Most recently, Balla unleashed his newest single and visual for “Goat Talk,” talking his s### per usual while bringing the record to life. This builds off the momentum of his previous collab, “Rock N Roll” ft. Big Scarr, which accumulated almost 500K views on Youtube in less than a month.
AllHipHop: What was a young Balla like growing up in Washington D.C.?
Balla: Trials and tribulations, the struggle. Wasn’t all bad though. You gotta go through stuff to be who you are. Growing up in D.C. is exactly what you see. I’m from the Simple City, the heart of the Southeast. The heart of the trenches. I went through stuff and that’s what I talk about in my music.
AllHipHop: Biggest influences coming up?
Balla: One was Lil Wayne, he’s my favorite rapper. Lyrically, he’s the best rapper ever. 2, Meek Mill because I can relate to everything. He’s influential to me. 3, Jay-Z because of his business mind. He’s the pioneer to me, of this rap stuff. He’s showing everybody a way.
AllHipHop: At what point did you realize this music thing was forreal?
Balla: Honestly, when I was 15 or 16. I started rapping, but I went to jail for a period of time. When I was in jail, that’s when I decided “yeah, this is what I want to do. I can do this.” Because I’m tired, I know how to do it.
AllHipHop: How long were you locked up for?
Balla: 6 Years, 72 months. I was 19.
AllHipHop: What did you learn from being behind bars?
Balla: I learned a lot. When people say jail, everybody looked at it as you’re locked up. It’s jail, it’s a lot of good things that come from being in jail. It’s a lot of good stuff that comes from being in jail. It’s bad you’re in there because of the situation, but it showed me how to be a man. I had to take care of myself, without my mother or my brothers. I had to figure everything out by myself. It taught me how to think without acting. It taught me a lot. At the end of the day, jail really helped me right now. It gave me something to talk about.
AllHipHop: How’d you find your way to Major Life Music? How’s that journey been?
Balla: It’s fun. It’s something I like to do and I’m doing it with my family. It’s nothing better than that. It’s a good thing. Independent? Somebody asked me, is it good to be an independent artist or not? I can’t speak for nobody else, but for me, I love it. I’m not saying I won’t sign, but being independent, you can do what you want. How you want it. It gives people a better look at you as a person.
AllHipHop: What was the inspiration behind your name?
Balla: My brother Dawg, who got killed when I was in jail. When we’re rapping when we’re young, we were on money. In one of his songs, he said Dre Balla and it stuck. Ever since then, my name’s Balla. We were little kids.
AllHipHop: So you’re doing this for him?
Balla: For sure. This would’ve been him right here.
AllHipHop: “Rock N Roll” video out now, how are you feeling?
Balla: I feel great! It’s at 442K views. I love that video. Everything about that video, even the song. Big Starr and I were in the studio. He’s poppin’, I’m poppin’. It was organic. We had to link so when we got in the studio, we linked. We vibed. Outta that, it was history. That’s bro, I love bro. We made “Rock N Roll.” We’re feeling like that in the studio: let’s rock n roll! [laughs] So we made that song, that’s history. I’m still locked in with him, me and bro talk everyday.
AllHipHop: Was that done in D.C.?
Balla: It was in Atlanta and D.C. it was both. We was in Atlanta when we did the song, then I brought him to D.C., to the trenches. Let him see what’s going on with the Topp Opp, and we shot the video there.
AllHipHop: Best memory from the video shoot? Looked like a movie!
Balla: The whole video shoot was lit. That was the longest video for real. The best moment was when we’re on stage shooting. We’re having fun, it was a whole vibe. Everyone was having fun. Everybody was lit. Everybody was partying. It was more behind-the-scenes that really happened that was fun about the situation. It was a fun video, one of my funnest videos.
AllHipHop: Are you a rockstar?
Balla: For sure, I’m definitely a rockstar. I feel like a rockstar doesn’t mean you’re a rock n roll artist or nothing like that. I’m a rockstar, I’m a star. I love the crowd.
AllHipHop: What is it you want fans to get from your story?
Balla: That everything ain’t all bad. When you go through trials and tribulations, I want them to know it will shape you to be better. Don’t always look at it as bad, just because it’s a bad situation. You gotta make good outta that, and you can come out on top. Don’t get me wrong, if you like being at the bottom, to each his own. Some people don’t like being on top, they’re comfortable with their position and I respect that. Don’t always look at a bad situation and think it’s all bad.
AllHipHop: You linked with Big 30 (Pooh Shiesty) on “Top Opp,” how did that record come about?
Balla: Brrrrrrr. That was a cool little link up too. Me and 30 actually, we clicked better than me and Scarr clicked when we’re in the studio. They came in there, he seen what type of person I was and I guess felt that. I seen what type of person he was, same thing. We were locked. We shot the video “Top Opp.” He was going through a lot of Top Opp stuff, I was going through a lot of Top Opp stuff, so why not make a song?
AllHipHop: How did y’all tap in?
Balla: We tapped in through mutual partners, same thing as me and Scarr. We both poppin’ in our cities, it had to happen. Big 30, Top Opp, it had to happen. D.C. to Memphis!
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
Balla: This. [holds up joint] I need that. It’s wax in there too. I gotta have me a joint. I gotta have a Vitamin Water at the studio, that’s a necessity. And I gotta have a couple of the gang members, for the vibe.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from your album?
Balla: Everything y’all want. The Top Opp situation, I take everything that comes with it. Everything I take, I’m sliding on. In my music, I’ma give y’all something you can laugh to. I’m not gonna lie to y’all, nothing like that. Y’all going to get the album and keep playing it. Tap in, it’s coming soon.
AllHipHop: How’s your hometown presence compared to elsewhere?
Balla: They love me and hate me. I got a lot of fans. One thing I learned about love and hate, we still get a fan whether they hate you or not. Because they still gon’ watch you. In my city, I’m loved and hated, but I’m mostly loved.
AllHipHop: What’s your relationship with Asian Doll?
Balla: Gang. That’s gang, I ain’t gonna hold you. When everybody thinks about her female-wise, dude-wise, she’s real cool. She’s real down-to-earth. She’s not bougie, she cool. She was a vibe. I still talk to her too everyday.
AllHipHop: How did y’all meet initially? What is y’all relationship?
Balla: Through my engineer, My engineer booked her or something. I came to the studio and we linked up. Outta that, it was “let’s make a song, this and that.” She messes with my vibe, I mess with her vibe.
AllHipHop: Anyone that you want to work with?
Balla: A lot of people, I’m trying to work with everybody. I want to be at the top. Lil Baby, Future. Pooh Sheisty, all of ‘em. I’m trying to work with everybody. I ain’t too shy. I’m not against working with nobody, I’m with it.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from your album?
Balla: Album of the year. Expect to hear what y’all want to hear. Everything that the streets want right now, I’ma give it to ‘em. In that album, I’ma give it to ‘em. People can relate to it, so be prepared to relate. There’s a song for everybody, even you. Females, all that.
AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound?
Balla: Different. I’m versatile. I don’t wrote. I can go in, you can turn any beat on and I’ma figure it out. I’ma make it something, so it’s unique.
AllHipHop: What do you like to do for fun?
Balla: I like to take flights, money. Anything that has to do with money, I love it.
AllHipHop: What are you spending on?
Balla: Everything. Cars, houses, jewelry…
AllHipHop: What’s that on your wrist?
Balla: A 41 Rollie. We was in Atlanta, when I made the video for “Regla.” Y’all need to go check that out too, that’s on YouTube. When I shot that video, we went out there. I had this chain and I had this Cuban. We went to the jeweler to get it cleaned and when I went in there, one of my brothers was picking up watches and I seen that joint. I had to get that, my wrist was feeling a little naked. My last Rollie messed my aim up. [laughs]
AllHipHop: Goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?
Balla: I want to be the richest person in the world. I don’t want a mil, I want 100 mil. I want everything the bank makes, I want everything.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let us know?
Balla: Tap in: @activeballa on every social. It’s MajorLife Music, I gave y’all everything y’all want. Top Opp!
“Boardwalk Empire” and “Blue Bloods” actor Isaiah Stokes might be spending the rest of his life in prison.
The actor is looking at 25 years-to-life, after being arraigned on charges of murder and weapon possession.
Isaiah Stokes was indicted for the crime in a Queens, New York court on Friday (July 16). He was officially charged with murder in the second degree, and two of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
The 41-year-old actor is accused of the February 7 murder of a man named Tyrone Jones. Investigators say Stokes ran up on Jones’s white Jeep Cherokee at the intersection of Linden Boulevard and 200th Street in Queens.
Stokes unloaded on Jones, 37, through the driver’s side window. Jones’ life could not be saved and he was subsequently pronounced dead by paramedics.
Investigators are still trying to figure out what led Isaiah Stokes to commit the murder in broad daylight.
“The defendant is accused of unloading nearly eleven shots during this brazen afternoon shooting Gun violence is all too prevalent in our neighborhoods. We will not allow it to become the norm,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
Isaiah Stokes is next due in court later today (July 19).
Stokes’ other acting credits include “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” episodes of “Power,” “American Gangsta,” “The Americans,” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” while he has also recorded music under the stage name I$AIAH.
Isaiah Stokes discussed his rap career during an interview with AllHipHop.com in 2007, just as his star was rising.
“The way I look at the situation is, believe it or not, the rapping fuels the acting, and the acting fuels the rap. To be on set, and you talk about the other movies you been in or how long you been acting, that’s really a dull conversation amongst a bunch of actors and a bunch people that do films all their life,” Stokes told AllHipHop.com. “But if you can be on set and talk about how you’re a rapper and you have your videos being played on BET, and you did shows here and you got your music here and there. Now it’s like you stand apart from all the other actors, and it kind of makes you shine a little differently.”
Keyshia Cole family is experiencing an unthinkable tragedy after the death of her mother.
According to reports, the R&B singer’s mom Frankie Lons overdosed on Sunday (July 18). Tragically, Frankie was celebrating her 61st birthday when she overdosed on drugs.
Frankie’s battle with addiction was well documented through a variety of reality shows including her daughter’s#### show “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is,” as well as the series “Keyshia Cole: My New Life.”
In 2009, rumors spread that Frankie had died, although the gossip at the time blamed her death on an automobile accident. The rumor spread so fast that Imani Entertainment was forced to release a statement denying the reports.
Frankie also had her own spin-off series, “Frankie & Neffe,” which focused on her recovery journey along with her other daughter, Neffeteria Pugh.
Cole had a tumultuous relationship with Frankie, who was her birth mother, but they seems to have mended their relationship in recent years.
Frankie gave Keyshia up for adoption at the age of two, and she was raised by family friends Leon and Yvonne Cole.
Keyshia Cole did not confirm her father’s identity until 2016, after a test confirmed Virgil Hunter as her dad, well after she had established herself as a famous singer in the music business.
The Chicago OG rapper Shorty Sixx has been in the industry for over 12 years now and has recently been recording with new young artists.
Having the opportunity to record with the younger generations is one of his favorite highlights from being in the industry.
“Just being an OG that has been able to record records with Chief Keef, Lil Durk, FBG Duck, Fredo Santana and a lot more of the younger artists.” In the future he hopes to continue creating music with other fresh artists. “I would like to work with Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo and Rick Ross,” he said.
Though he has had a long successful career in the music industry, Shorty Six isn’t finished. He has an aspiration to help bring new talent into the industry by creating his own recording label.
“In the next five years I see myself running a record label, signing the next big artist, giving back to the world, and making sure my kids and family are straight,” he said.
He also shared some words of encouragement for youth who would like to pursue a career in music.
“My advice would be to never give up, don’t let anyone get in your way and stay out of trouble.”
When Shorty Sixx isn’t in the studio he enjoys spending time with his kids and playing spades.
Check out the video for his single “Roll” below, and stay connected with Shorty Sixx on Instagram @Sixx288.
Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi has maintained a presence in the entertainment news headlines over the last several months. His embrace of a traditionally feminine style of dress has garnered both support and criticism.
Over the weekend, Kid Cudi found himself as the target of online hate once again. The Cleveland-born rapper/actor shared an Instagram photo of himself with blue and orange painted nails which apparently upset some social media users.
“Turned my comments off on Instagram. Seems people really have a problem [with] me painting my nails. I got tired of [blocking] so many accounts. I really need [you] to understand, if [you don’t] like me [doing] this or anything I do, please [don’t] buy my albums, [don’t] come to my shows. F### way off,” tweeted Kid Cudi on Saturday.
Turned my comments off on instagram. Seems people really have a problem w me painting my nails. I got tired of blockin so many accounts. I really need u to understand, if u dont like me doin this or anything I do, please dont buy my albums, dont come to my shows. F### way off.
This latest backlash aimed at the 37-year-old We Are Who We Are cast member happened after he was met with negative reactions for wearing a dress during his performance on Saturday Night Live in April. Kid Cudi was accused of pushing an agenda to purposely feminize Black men.
In addition, Kid Cudi found himself playing both the hero and the villain when he decided to blast supporters of 83-year-old Bill Cosby being released from prison in July. The Pennsylvania State Supreme Court overturned Cosby’s aggravated indecent assault conviction and ruled he should be set free.
Once again, Kid Cudi had harsh words for anyone that disagreed with him about Bill Cosby no longer having to serve out the three to ten years prison sentence. Cudi tweeted, “People that are celebrating Bill Cosby being released are f##### idiots.”
Willow Smith is getting a lot of attention online at the moment. The 20-year-old daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith caught people’s attention thanks to her concert on Facebook Watch.
During the “WILLOW IN CONCERT: lately I feel EVERYTHING” performance, Willow Smith closed the set by shaving her head as she played a Punk Rock version of “Whip My Hair.” The moment went viral on social media.
“My favorite song in the set right now just because of how it feels to sing would probably have to be ‘Whip My Hair,'” said Willow before the hour-long show.
She added, “This is gonna be my third time in my life shaving my head. I’m always shaving my head at monumental times in my life when things are really changing and this is definitely one of those moments.”
Willow Smith’s bald head reveal on Facebook came a week after Jada Pinkett Smith posted an Instagram photo of the two of them with no hair. Jada wrote, “Willow made me do it because it was time to let go BUT… my 50’s are bout to be Divinely lit with this shed❣️😜.”
“Whip My Hair” peaked at #11 on Billboard‘sHot 100 chart in 2010. Willow Smith went on to drop three studio albums – 2015’s Ardipithecus, 2017’s The 1st, 2019’s Willow, and 2021’s Lately I Feel Everything.
Willow Smith’s Lately I Feel Everything was released on July 16. The Roc Nation recording artist recruited Travis Barker, Ayla Tesler-Mabe, Tierra Whack, Avril Lavigne, and Cherry Glazerr as guests on the project.
Pop Punk stars Travis Barker and Avril Lavigne joined Willow Smith for “WILLOW IN CONCERT: lately I feel EVERYTHING.” The setlist included Smith running through her song “Grow” alongside Barker and Lavigne.
4-time NBA champion LeBron James can now claim to be a blockbuster movie star. James was the lead actor of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Space Jam: A New Legacy which is currently the #1 movie in America.
Space Jam: A New Legacy brought in $31,650,000 at the weekend box office. The live-action/animated sports comedy surpassed the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Widow for the top spot.
LeBron James reacted to the news of the opening weekend numbers for the sequel to 1996’s Space Jam. The Los Angeles Lakers All-Star posted an article about the box office numbers with a caption that simply read, “Hi Haters! 😁.”
Besides LeBron James, Space Jam: A New Legacy also starred Don Cheadle, Cedric Joe, Sonequa Martin-Green, Khris Davis, Ceyair J. Wright, Harper Leigh Alexander, Ernie Johnson Jr., Lil Rel Howery, and Wood Harris. Plus, the voice cast includes Jeff Bergman, Eric Bauza, Zendaya, Gabriel Iglesias, Rosario Dawson, and more.
NBA players Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, and Klay Thompson also contributed to the new Space Jam. Malcolm D. Lee (Roll Bounce, Girls Trip) directed the motion picture. Space Jam: A New Legacy is presently available in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service.
The original Space Jam grossed $90 million at the domestic box office and $140 million at the international box office for a total of $230 million. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan led that Looney Tunes-supported movie.
Space Jam: A New Legacy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) contains songs by 24kGoldn, Lil Wayne, Chance The Rapper, John Legend, Saweetie, Salt-N-Pepa, Kash Doll, Lil Uzi Vert, Saint Jhn, SZA, Dame D.O.L.L.A, and other music acts. Lil Baby and Kirk Franklin performed “We Win” at the 2021 BET Awards.
The latest posthumous album from the late Bashar “Pop Smoke” Jackson came out on July 16. Faith followed 2020’s chart-topping Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon.
HitsDailyDouble has crunched the early numbers to determine the first-week sales projections for Pop Smoke’s Faith. According to the outlet, the project is predicted to move 110,000-120,000 units in its initial week of release.
That total is expected to be enough for Faith to land at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. If the HDD projections play out accurately, Pop Smoke will join Rod Wave, Young Thug, Moneybagg Yo, DJ Khaled, J. Cole, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Polo G, and Tyler, The Creator as Hip Hop artists to score a Number One album in 2021.
Faith includes features by Kanye West, Pusha T, Rick Ross, The-Dream, 42 Dugg, 21 Savage, Takeoff, Lil Tjay, Swae Lee, Future, Chris Brown, Dua Lipa, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, Quavo, Kodak Black, and others. Production was provided by beatmakers such as Rico Beats, Jahlil Beats, Kanye West, Jake One, The Neptunes, Tay Keith, and Swizz Beatz.
