When people think about the beef between Tupac Shakur and a prominent rapper from the East Coast, their minds automatically go to The Notorious B.I.G.
However, few people are aware that the “California Love” emcee was also beefing with Nas, the Queens emcee that responsible for the hit song 1996 hit, “If I Ruled The World” featuring Lauryn Hill singing the chorus.
Napoleon, a founding member of the Outlaws (a group that was down with Shakur), sat with The Art of Dialogue and detailed an incident between Pac and Nas around the 1996 MTV Awards, only a few days before the late rapper’s murder.
Apparently, at the after-party, the two entourages circled each other with the intention of getting it popping. Armed with their guns, the crews were waiting for the words to signal that they should set it off.
“Nas was there with his homies and they started walking towards Tupac. They was deep. This is this is an incident that should be more highlighted highlighted in the hip-hop world in general. It shows how two individuals diffuse something that could have been bloodshed,” Napoleon said.
Napoleon described the scene as Nas and Pac approaching each other like generals, having conversations like grown men, and ending their brief discussion with a brotherly hug.
“It was so loud I don’t know what they were saying, it was so loud from the music. We mean mugging they homies they mean mugging us, in the next thing I know we just seen Pac and Nas embrace and hug. They walk their way we walked our way,” Napoleon revealed.
He noted that when the “I Get Around” rapper returned to his homies, he shared that he had a great deal of respect for Nas.
Pac said, “I spoke to that dude. I got respect for him. You know, I thought he was dissing me on some songs. He made it clear wasn’t dissing me.”
He had vowed to remove all of the verses on his songs that came at the QB titan, however, he was murdered before that could happen.
Pac’s exact words was “when I go back to LA and go into the studio I’m going to remove Nas from every song that I diss hin on,'” Napoleon revealed. “Including ‘Against All Odds.’ Pac was going to remove every Nas song, but unfortunately Pac died a week later.”
This is another Hip-Hop story that could possibly show others how to handle beef peacefully.
People think Pac was a troublemaker, but he was also about the community. Much of the work that he did with Queens shero Erica Ford (The Code Club) <_ ileadwithlove.org=”ileadwithlove.org” erica-ford-2017=”erica-ford-2017″>, laid the foundation the “Peace is a Lifestyle” movement and Life Camp, Inc. Battle rapper C3 and the Super Cool Q/ Jakwad/ Urban Yogis came out of this program germinated from the man responsible for the concept of “Thug Life.”
“Starting my skin bleaching process today… it’s time for change,” Safaree wrote along with praying emojis – one set was brown skinned and the other was light.
🙏🏾🙏🏾 =🙏🏼🙏🏼
Starting my skin bleaching process today… it’s time for change 🙏🏾🙏🏾 =🙏🏼🙏🏼
After several weeks of intense backlash from the Twitterverse, Safaree has finally clarified what he meant. He revealed he was actually trolling, to promote his new line of skin care products.
“I just want to say that I would never, ever, ever in a million years bleach my skin. I only said that because I’m dropping a skincare line and pretty much, it’s to enhance your already beautiful skin,” Safaree said on IG. “So, that’s all it’s about.”
Safaree has been working on the business for the last year he’s unveiling it today to celebrate his birthday (July 4th).
The new line of skin products is called Paradise. The line includes a facial cleanser, facial oil, clay mask, body butter and a body scrub.
“I’ve been using it and I’m in love with it!” he said. “I can’t wait for y’all to be able to try it!! IT IS and SMELLS AMAZING.”
The “Love & Hip Hop” reality star recently celebrated the birth of his son with his estranged wife Erica Mena.
Nick Cannon continues his amazing run of making babies.
According to reports, “The Masked Singer” host welcomed his 7th child with his girlfriend Alyssa Scott. The baby was born almost 2 weeks ago, on June 23.
Nick and Alyssa decided to name the child Zen according to a post on her Instagram account.
Nick also shares a set of twins named Monroe and Moroccan with Mariah Carey.
According to reports, Nick Cannon is planning to relocate from the west to the east coast. The “Wild ‘N Out” creator purchased a $3.2 million mansion in Saddle River, New Jersey back in 2018.
The move comes as Nick prepares to launch his self-titled show on Fox, which is slated to start shooting this fall in Manhattan.
Rap star Kodak Black spent the 4th of July holiday weekend giving back to his old neighborhood in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Kodak Black was raised in the Golden Acres housing projects, where he was raised by a single mother. Jh
Kodak Black, real name Bill Kahan Kapri, bought a truckload full of air conditioners for the local tenants of the housing projects.
Kodak was also on hand to help distribute the air conditioning units to excited residents.
“Kodak Black doing what he normally does every week without the press. Helping his community and people. Is he deserving yet? #kodakgivesback,” his lawyer Bradford Cohen tweeted.
The air conditioners could not have come at a better time, since May and June saw record-setting high temperatures in the area.
Kodak Black may have also discovered the next big artist to come out of Golden Acres as well. While he was there, he patiently listened, while a young girl freestyled for him.
Kodak’s philanthropy work in his old neighborhood was good for everyone. The locals will enjoy a cool summer thanks to Kodak, and the rap star continues to rehabilitate his image.
It’s Independence Day and there is no better way to celebrate than to look at one of the most exceptional indie artists in rap right now. It has become cliché to hear people say that they are “doing this for the culture.”
However, when it comes to the artist Arnstar, it probably is the only idiom that best expresses his genius; his gifting; his perspective on art. Out of all of his contemporaries mopping up and down the Billboard charts, he truly does it for the culture. Dropping music as an emcee and carrying the torch of dance handed to him from the womb by his father the legendary “Kippy Dee,” one of the original members of the pioneering b-boying troupe, the Rock Steady Crew.
The former Wild ‘N Out cast member makes music that invokes smiles, a little bit of cultural flossing, and an identity rooted in fun. His 2021 song, “We Out Here” featuring his blood sister Lil’ Mama, reminds the listeners that rap can be upbeat and lyrical.
His StarMix series consists of a few remakes from popular songs from artists that he admires. While the device has been used by many artists in the past, the clever way that he has deconstructed the song gives a flashback to old demos used from the founding fathers that made Hip-Hop fresh. His version of the Drake and Rick Ross “Lemon Pepper Freestyle,” showcases his creativity — and vision for himself as an artist.
While people throw the links on the grill, practice their “Wobble” and argue over who is gonna steal the show during Summer Madness (John John da Don or Tsu Surf), check out a true independent artist.
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One of the coolest features of this wireless speaker is that you can pair it with one additional speaker to amplify the sound quality even more. This basically lets you create a surround-sound setup anywhere you want. Don’t sleep on this chance to save big on this advanced and enjoyable speaker, which has earned rave reviews from users, earning it an average 4.6/5 star rating on Amazon.
The TRELAB HD-Max: Big Loud Bluetooth Speaker can be yours for $161.99, a discount of 14%. Whether you pick up a couple to pair together for a large gathering, one to take with you on vacations, camping and hiking trips, or more to take the party to another level — you can’t go wrong when investing in this fantastic Bluetooth speaker.
TREBLAB HD-Max: Big Loud Bluetooth Speaker – $161.99
Eminem’s new act GRIP breaks up with the new single “Gutter” and it takes Slim Shady’s whole swag to the next level.
The label, Shady Records, pulled out all the stops to share their latest act. The fanfare manifested on Twitter via a post that featured a clip of the single.
“Welcome ATL’s @Grip_SS to the Shady Records family! Check the first track #GUTTER off his forthcoming Shady debut now”
— Shady Records, Inc. (@ShadyRecords) July 2, 2021
“It was one of those full circle moments because I grew up on Eminem so to have him reach out and let me know how dope my s### is was so cool,” GRIP explained. “Excited to partner with Shady/Interscope and get the music out on a larger platform.”
GRIP’s new song “Gutter” is paired with a new video where he shows the artist in a “choose your own adventure” type funhouse where the goal is to find the path to the “perfect” record label.
The video, directed by Caleb Seales, was announced by Marshall Mathers himself.
— Shady Records, Inc. (@ShadyRecords) July 2, 2021
But who is this guy with this cool video and Rap God stamp of approval?
Paul Rosenberg, Em’s long-time manager and label head, says that he is “the type of artist that brings you into his world and expresses himself through a complete composed body of work. If true album artists in this era are a rare breed- then GRIP is a unicorn! We’re excited for him to join the Shady Records family”
Well, we are excited to hear from him, too. Let’s hope he is everything that his people say he is.
There have been few from the camp, Griselda, 50 Cent, Royce da 5’9, that have not been on point.
In his opinion, he believes that it would be great for the culture — particularly since Verzuz is not a battle but a celebration of two artists.
“I think it would be great for the culture. I think that when everybody heard Kim say it they took it the wrong way,” the “Crush on You” rapper shared.
“If you felt like they had issues, this would be the time to get them both in the same room,” Lil Cease continued.
“Kim was just extending that invite. Saying, ‘I would rather go with her because I think it makes sense.’ It is not about the era; it is about two songs from two queens; One passing the baton and one showing love to ‘The Queen.”
Still, with all of that, the Brooklyn representative said that he had Lil Kim over Nicki Minaj all day.
While Kim would like to see her and Nicki go back and forth, and perhaps bury the hatchet, people are not really jacking it. Fans want that Kim and Foxy Brown Verzuz.
Check out the Twitter responses:
“lil kim just said she would do a verzuz with nicki…. but why???? foxy brown is right there…”
In an interview with Marc Lamont Hill, Judge Joe Brown says what he really thinks about laws set up to protect women, how “groupies” don’t have rights because they give head in hallway “closets” and why Bill Cosby should not be held more accountable for drugging the women since they “wanted them.”
When talking about the Cosby release (off of a technicality) after being convicted and sentenced, Brown said, “This never should have gone to trial. It’s a travesty. It is a violation of due process in American law. That is part of his mess that the mainstream media is trying to feed into the heads of the citizenry and poison them by saying that emotions and their feelings are supposed to have paramountcy over what happens within the law. That’s not the way it goes.”
Judge Joe Brown went on …
“What about these women being accountable for their own behavior? They were groupies. You know ‘sex, drugs, rock & roll,’ ‘sex, drugs, rap,’ ‘sex, drugs, baseball … football … basketball … movies … television!’”
“We forgot what that term meant: sex. drugs rock & roll. The b##### come to the parties. They hang out. They get drunk. They snort lines of blow, and they have a good time. They use the hallway closets to give head … the bathrooms to get down and you go in to get your coat off of the bed and they’re lying on top of it doing somebody.”
Judge Joe Brown even pinpointed when these problems led to Bill Cosby being accused of sexual assault and rape.
“Let’s be sanctimonious 25, 30, 40, 50 years later after something was in big-time style. This stuff started out with the sexual revolution was going on and a lot of women deeply.”
The TV judge did say that it is “horrible when women are done wrong,” but he seems to think that only certain women can be done wrong.
He even critiques the changes in laws over the last 25 years, noting that it takes the responsibility off women (who get drugged) because in this case, Dr. Cosby gave them drugs they would have taken anyway.
So why was Cosby freed?
He got off on a technicality. A Pennsylvania prosecutor went back on a promise to not charge him. WHAT?
Back in 2005, Montgomery County DA Bruce L. Castor Jr issued a whole statement that declared that he wouldn’t charge him with the crime if he sat for a deposition and would settle with a woman suing him. The settlement was $3.38 million.
But a DA that came after Castor, who would go on to be one of the defense attorneys for Donald J. Trump’s second impeachment, decided to charge him, not honoring the original arrangement.
The original arrangement was made so Cosby wouldn’t invoke the 5th Amendment, the protective device in the constitution that prevents people from self-incriminating. They used from this deposition, one he would not have honestly given if he hadn’t had the reassurance that he would not be charged, that in the past he gave women quaaludes in efforts to sleep with them.
Justice David Norman Wecht said, “We hold that when a prosecutor makes an unconditional promise of non-prosecution, and when the defendant relies upon that guarantee to the detriment of his constitutional right not to testify, the principle of fundamental fairness that undergirds due process of law in our criminal justice system demands that the promise be enforced.”
“I decided that we would not prosecute Mr. Cosby, and that would set a chain of events that would get some justice for Andrea Constand,” Mr. Castor said.
Cosby was released on June 30, 2021 after serving a little under three years.
Rapper 9lokkNine and the 24 others have been arrested on racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations (RICO) charges and conspiracy to commit racketeering under “Operation X-Force.”
The Orlando native was knocked after Central Florida law enforcement officials connected him to a multi-agency investigation that lasted several months.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina described the Cash Money Records recording artist, whose name is Jacquavius Smith, as a leader of Mercy Drive “Army Gang.”
Getting the 21-year-old artist was the step in authorities dismantling a nucleus of crime in this particular part of the Sunshine state.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, after a court reviewed hundreds of pages of records of violent incidents directly linking him to this case, the “Kriminal Mind” rapper’s bail has been set to $750,000.
Another rapper from an opposing gang named Hotboii (legal name Javarri Walker) has also been identified as a suspect.
His 438 gang, based in the Silver Star Road community, is under investigation too— with Walker wanted under RICO charges as well. He has not been arrested.
Mina shared with the news outlet, “The ongoing feud that has been going back and forth between these gangs has been responsible for over 30 shootings and several homicides in a number of our jurisdictions.”
The sheriff, during a press conference, wanted everyone to know that these men are not just rappers but “violent criminals involved in violent gang activity.”
The 16-year-old was Taviah King, a close relative to the city’s Commissioner Regina Hill. The X-Force has already arrested several people connected to her death.
Another person killed was Dexter Rentz Jr. and one of the guns from his murder “was later recovered in the home of Jacquavius Smith.”
9lokkNine says that he is not a “gang leader.” FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ron Hopper is not buying saying, “Gangs think they’re smarter than us — they’re not.”
Aussie rapper Iggy Azalea has Black women losing their minds … again.
The white rapper with the Australian accent is accused of “blackfishing” with a strange early 2000s E.V.E. flow (and Ruff Ryder bike rides) in her new video for the song “I am the Stripclub.”
What in the name of “Fake-posterior and Kardashian-HIP-notics” is going on?
Twitter exploded on Iggy Azalea with claims of cultural appropriation African-Americans as well as an LGBTQIA jack. The social media site popped off crazy as the Billboard award-winner is seen rapping with black hair and what appears to be a darkly tanned face and body.
“So Iggy Azalea went from appropriating Black culture to just straight-up blackface?”
“Iggy Azalea look damn near dark skin in that blackface; no matter how much black c##k you suck you are a white Australian woman who referenced being a “slave master” in one of your numerous failed records. Stank
b####”
Iggy Azalea look damn near dark skin in that blackface; no matter how much b######### you suck you are a white Australian woman who referenced being a “slave master” in one of your numerous failed records. Stank b####
And guess what … the girl that once came after one of the greatest rappers and producers in Hip-Hop, Q-Tip, dared to respond.
“I didn’t see any comment about the work recreation look, or the single cover art. It’s all the same makeup… very weird behavior. Let’s do the black wig again tomorrow! Hhahaha”
“I’m the same color as the other white dancer in the room and not anywhere close to the color of the black dancers. People will say ANYthing to try and cancel me and it’s actually kinda funny to watch people so worked up over a black wig and Smokey eye,” she said defending herself from the allegations.
Sha’Carri Richardson, the swagged-out U.S. sprinter that went viral after sprinkling her Black Girl Magic all over the qualifying Olympic track, has been suspended for a month from trying out for any more of the big event’s categories.
The pretty girl from Dallas , who rocked the bright orange wig when she won the women’s 100-meter race is a mind-blowing 10.86 seconds received the suspension because she tested positive for THC, the chemical in cannabis.
In a statement, the agency said, “Richardson’s competitive results obtained on June 19, 2021, including her Olympic qualifying results at the Team Trials, have been disqualified, and she forfeits any medals, points, and prizes.”
USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart said, “The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels; hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her.”
The crazy thing is that this is a new rule made over the last six months … so maybe it wasn’t as clear as Tygart might think. Especially, since adult-use cannabis is legal in Oregon, where she ingested the drug.
Despite it being legal in that state, in 2021, THC became classified as a substance of abuse for the USADA and the Olympics. She will have the time during her suspension to prove that the THC did not enhance her performance. The suspension is for one month because she has “successfully completed a counseling program regarding her use of cannabis.” Usually, the suspension is for three months.
She admitted to using pot after being told by a reporter prior to competing in the Olympic Trials that her biological mother had died.
“I’m not making an excuse or looking for empathy in my case,” she shared.
“However, being in that position in my life, finding out something like that … Dealing with the relationship I have with my mother, that definitely was a very heavy topic on me.”
“I was definitely triggered and blinded by emotions, blinded by sadness, and hurting, and hiding hurt,” she said.
Regardless, the punishment doesn’t completely knock her out of the Olympic games, just the race that fans have come to love her for. She may have the chance to qualify for the 4×100-meter relay.
Kassandra Frederique, the executive director of The Drug Policy Alliance, shared her support via a statement, “Drug testing is yet another tool of the drug war, and it’s a failure.”
“Sha’Carri’s suspension serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder of how insidious the drug war is in our everyday lives, far beyond the carceral state. Drug testing does nothing to show current impairment. The USADA must undo this archaic, inhumane, and unscientific policy.”
Sha’Carri, and we love everything about her name, was supported by US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez via Twitter.
AOC posted, “The criminalization and banning of cannabis is an instrument of racist and colonial policy. The IOC should reconsider its suspension of Ms. Richardson and any athletes penalized for cannabis use.”
The criminalization and banning of cannabis is an instrument of racist and colonial policy.
The IOC should reconsider its suspension of Ms. Richardson and any athletes penalized for cannabis use. This ruling along w/ IOC denial of swim caps for natural hair is deeply troubling. https://t.co/Ao1Yu8Ax9G
In a recent interview, the 21-year-old said, “I want to take responsibility for my actions. I’m not looking for an excuse.”
“I would like to say to my fans and my family and my sponsorship, to the haters, too, I apologize,” she continued. “As much as I’m disappointed, I know that when I step on that track, I don’t represent myself, I represent a community that has shown me great support, great love.”
She also tweeted, “I am human.”
I am human
— Sha’Carri Richardson (@itsshacarri) July 1, 2021
Uhm, nah sis. You are superhuman and this is why they coming for you. This will not be your kryptonite.
Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky were the original inspirations for hit 2004 film “White Chicks,” according to the comedy’s star Marlon Wayans.
The movie starred Marlon and his brother Shawn Wayans as two black FBI agents who go undercover as white women when the heiresses they’re supposed to be protecting disappear.
“The original ‘white chick’ and I,” Marlon captioned an Instagram photo of himself with Paris Hilton, explaining how the premise for the project came about.
“Funny story, one day my brother Shawn calls me at 3 am saying, ‘Marlon we should play white chicks,'” he wrote. ” i replied ‘n####’, you high?” The next day he showed me a magazine with (Paris) and her sister on the cover and said we should play girls like this. I immediately got it.
“They were so big (in the early 2000s) and was the gateway to pop culture send up. We did that film in good spirit to celebrate a special time in all of our lives,” Marlon added of how he, Shawn, and their co-writer/director brother Keenen Ivory Wayans dreamed up ‘White Chicks” poodle-toting, mini-skirt-clad blondes.
“Thank you Paris and Nikki (sic) for being muses,” Marlon concluded the post. “Love ya. When we do #WhiteChicks2 ‘let’s go shopping.'”
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Apparently, Lil Uzi lived up to his name earlier today, when he pulled a gun out on his ex-girlfriend Brittany Byrd.
The rap star was allegedly involved in a confrontation with SAINT JHN earlier today (July 2) at the Dialog Cafe in Los Angeles.
Reports suggest Brittany Byrd and SAINT JHN were conducting a business meeting together when Uzi spotted them together as he passed by in his Escalade.
The rapper allegedly exited his SUV in a jealous rage and got into an altercation with SAINT JHN. Punches were thrown, and the rapper reportedly fell to the ground and dropped a handgun.
And if what happened next is true, not only is it disturbing, but it could land Lil Uzi in prison.
Sources said Brittany approached the Philadelphia rapper, and he allegedly jammed the gun into her stomach to intimidate her.
Uzi, born Symere Bysil Woods, also supposedly flashed the gun at the people surrounding Brittany and SAINT JHN’s table, causing everyone to flee.
Sources told TMZ that Brittany Byrd is planning to press charges against Lil Uzi. The LA Sheriff’s Department is also investigating the incident.
He dated Brittany Byrd from 2014 to 2017. He frequently mentioned her on his early releases, and she starred in the video for his big single”Money Longer.”
Lil Uzi emoted about the demise of their relationship in the song “Stole Your Luv.”
Lil Uzi’s jealous rage is a complete 180 from the loving behavior he showered on JT of the City Girls last weekend. The couple shared a smooch that went viral from the red carpet of the BET Awards.
Lil Uzi and JT made their relationship official in parts of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zayewave is here to start cause a wave and he is spreading it from Delaware to the rest of the world.
While he was born in Newark, the rapper was a military kid growing up, oftentimes telling people he’s “global” when asked his origin. Releasing his first ever music video at the young age of 11, Zayewave is the definition of a go-getter, continuing the grind as he turns his dreams into a reality.
In describing himself, he states, “I do a lot of introspection. I’m very goal-oriented. Once I put my sights on something, it’s over. I’m a very persistent, caring, determined person.”
WIth each release, Zayewave flexes his versatility to transcend genres and ability to switch things up. As evidenced on his most recent single “I Just Wanna,” the rising star creates music that’s easy to feel, almost as if he’s in a room talking to you. All his lyrics are inspired by real-life experiences, with healing power for himself and all those who listen.
AllHIpHop caught up with Zayewave via FaceTime to discuss his roots around the world, biggest influences, how he got his name, the inspiration behind TSUNAMI, Tee Grizzley reaching out to him via DM, working with Zaytoven and more.
AllHIpHop: What was it like being a military kid?
Zayewave: When people ask me where I’m from, I say I’m global because I was a military kid, so I grew up all over the world. I was born in Delaware, left a month after I was born and grew up all over the world. A whole bunch of different states, different countries. Then we came back here, I was living in a bunch of places: Middletown, Wilmington, and Newark, Delaware.
AllHIpHop: Biggest influences coming up?
Zayewave: The person who made me pick up the pen and start writing was Eminem when I was really young. He’s the person who made me pick up the pen, I respected his lyricism and artistry as an emcee. I used to sound like him and everything. I was always flexible with the things I wrote about in my art.
It got to the point where people couldn’t really fully digest it because it was too much to take in. I had to dumb It down. Besides him, it was 50 Cent and Lil Wayne. Now, I can say people like Future and Money Man are my top 2 influences right now. I’d have to put The Weeknd in there too, he definitely influenced a few of my projects.
AllHIpHop: At what point did you realize this music thing was forreal?
Zayewave: When I realized I was good at it. People gravitated towards my music and would always tell me I was really good at it. I just had that talent, so I kept on going. Kept on being persistent, investing a lot of my money and effort into it. Now I’m at where I am now, still have a long way to go.
AllHIpHop: What was the inspiration behind your name?
Zayewave: There really wasn’t a whole lot. People nowadays would say it had something to do with that artist Rod Wave, but I got the name before I knew who he was. I got the name because I did a song called “ZayeWave.” It was a while ago, I was 16. In the song, I talked about being on the Zayewave. Zayewave is a movement. I’m Zaye, I go by Zaye. My supporters are the wave, they’re the ones who keep things pushing.
The wave is really about being on your grind, being on your purpose. Those who are on their purpose, with me as well, I claim to be on the wave. When they listen to the music, they can understand the things I talk about and the energy I put out makes you want to get up and do something.
AllHIpHop:TSUNAMI album out now, how are you feeling?
Zayewave:TSUNAMI took about 6 months to make. I wanted to really take my time with it. I consider it to be my first serious album. I dropped an album back in November of 2020, but that was more of a mixtape that somehow turned into an album to me so I didn’t really have the same serious type feeling going into it.
TSUNAMI is very personal, it’s like you’re looking into a microscope on what goes on in my mind and what I’m really doing in real life. It helps people understand where I’m at mentally. TSUNAMI is based off of my name Zayewave, being that it’s the biggest wave. It’s terrifying, it comes at you very quickly. There’s nothing you could do but be consumed by it. That’s what I plan to do, consume everyone.
AllHIpHop: Bring us back to when you recorded “I Just Wanna.”
Zayewave: I went to a $2.1 million dollar beach house. I have some family friends, who were nice enough to let me go out there and record the video. I help them out from time to time, I hook them up. They let us come record it, they gave us the whole house. I had my cameraman come out there, took care of them. It was an hour-long drive to get down there. The house was beautiful, the video came out pretty well. My first ever music video too.
AllHIpHop: Really? How was that experience?
Zayewave: It was very awkward at first because everyone’s behind the camera, you‘re the only one in front of it and all the attention is on you. I’m not really that type of person, but that’s weird to say being an artist. A lot of positives though: the team was very cool, very genuine. They were hard workers, they were about it.
AllHIpHop: Best memory from the video shoot?
Zayewave: Being outside on the balcony by the pool, because you could see the beach right from there. Basically, we’re on top of the beach. We’re on the sand. Being outside and feeling that natural environment, the energy around there, how quiet it was, and the fact it was a $2.1 million house. It was shot on Slaughter Beach, Delaware.
AllHIpHop: What is it you want fans to get from your story?
Zayewave: The main goal really is for my energy to stay here on this planet. The reason I started making music is because I’ve always felt I had this purpose, I want to be remembered for something by a lot of people in a positive light. I want to be able to touch people. The only way I could think of doing that was through music.
As long as one person’s playing one song of mine, even after I’m long gone 6 feet under the ground, I’ll still be alive. Because that’s how I see the other legends like Kobe RIP to him and Pop Smoke, their energy is still lived through others. They’re still alive. Until all that’s done, then they’re dead, but that’s the main thing. As far as the supporters, I want them to have someone that knows how they feel. That knows what they’re going through, that’s able to get them through that and inspire them to really do their best in whatever they decide to do.
AllHIpHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
Zayewave: I need a water bottle because my voice goes hoarse a lot. Some songs, we may do a lot of takes. I’m yelling in there sometimes, it’s always a good time. Definitely water, I need some good lighting. I like for it to be dark, but I need to be able to add some colorful lights around me.
I like the color blue because psychologically, it promotes creativity in the human mind. There’s probably some other things, but my mother might read the article. [laughs] I like to be sober when I’m recording. I like to be focused and sharp. Most times.
AllHIpHop: Can you touch on your Isolation mixtapes?
Zayewave: Part 2 was released this past January, the day after my birthday. This is going to be part 3, it’s going to be something special. One of my brothers is executive producing our tape, he made all the beats. It’s 70% complete right now, I have everything written down on my whiteboard. It’s going to be special, that’s all I can say. I don’t like to talk too much about upcoming music, I like to have some mystery behind it.
AllHIpHop: Talk about how you make music now, versus how you used to.
Zayewave: Now I’m spending anywhere from $200 to $300 on a couple of songs in the studio and thousands on other related things to elevate myself. The vibe is always right. I’m very controlling about the studio, people know I take it serious. Anyone who’s in the studio with me knows I’m about business when I’m in there. I want to use every single minute of every hour I’m in there. I want things to come out right and how I envisioned it.
My engineer is amazing, he gets it out exactly how I hear it. Now compared to when I was a lot younger at 14 or 13 even, I was in the garage in my room dealing with this real cheap Dell laptop. I used to record with Apple earbuds with a little mic on the side of the wire. I didn’t have a legitimate recording software, I used Camtasia which is used to edit videos for YouTube. I made it work!
AllHIpHop: How’d it feel getting the Tee Grizzley cosign?
Zayewave: Oh man, that was crazy. That was this past January too, right before I released Isolation. The day or maybe the day after I released it, he hit me up. He reached out to me via DMs on Instagram, we started talking business. He wanted to use his platform to push me, so we made that happen.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CO8XLRTJTY8/
AllHIpHop: I seen Zaytoven on your page!
Zayewave: Zaytoven came through from Tee Grizzley’s team. Tee Grizzley’s team reached out to me, texted my phone and told me the whole situation. Originally, I was supposed to get on the livestream with Tee, but a lot of problems came up. His wife was pregnant at the time, his brother got into some legal trouble, a lot going on.
His team and Zaytoven’s team are linked so they reached out. He and I talked, we developed a relationship. It’s to the point where I could hit him up and ask for advice, he’s a real genuine guy. Real amazing.
AllHIpHop: How did you guys tap in initially?
Zayewave: Tee Grizzley’s manager hit me up and told me Tee Grizzley’s situation, said “we’re gonna reach out to Zaytoven’s team for you.” He really is the one who made it happen because I wasn’t even planning to work with Zaytoven. Truth is, I didn’t know a whole lot about him at the time. He reached out and told me. Truth is, I didn’t really know too much about Zaytoven then. I knew he was an amazing producer, I knew his history, but I didn’t know what he’s capable of. I didn’t know he really was the pioneer of trap music, until I did my research.
A lot of people in my generation don’t know that, so I did all my research on him. I like to know who I’m talking to. Tee Grizzley’s manager told me “I heard some of your music, it’s real dope. I think you and Zaytoven on a track together would sound amazing.” He hooked me up with Zaytoven, he checked out some of my music. He liked it. From there, we made a song together.
AllHIpHop: Relationship with Grouchy Greg (AllHipHop Founder)?
Zayewave: A real personal relationship. I know him, I’ve been to his house multiple times. His kids are like my little nephews. When my mom was young, she had this girl she was real best friends with to the point they call each other sisters. That sister grew up and married him, that’s how we know him. He’s a family friend and a very genuine one at that.
AllHIpHop: With the world opening back up, what’re you most excited for?
Zayewave: Really, I haven’t really been doing anything different. The one thing I’m most excited about is being able to not wear a mask anymore at the gym. Makes it hard to breathe.
AllHIpHop: Who you bumping in the gym?
Zayewave: I bump myself. I bump Future. Sometimes, I’ll listen to interviews while I’m in there. I like to listen to Kevin Samuels a lot, his livestreams where he talks to people. He’s funny. I listen to Marlon Brando, Vito Corleone, I was listening to one of his interviews. He was a very outstanding guy. I listen to some rappers too of course, but a lot of actors and people who are inspirational. Denzel Washington, people I really respect.
AllHIpHop: Anything else you’d like to let us know?
Zayewave: All I can say is I feel extremely blessed. I can attribute all of my success I’m getting this year so far, which has definitely been my best year for multiple reasons, to people praying for me, to my support. Very very extremely appreciative of all my support I’ve been getting, it’s been real and love.
AllHIpHop: I get supporters calling me from all over the world. I had someone call me from California the other day, all the way across the country to tell me he really appreciates what I’m doing. It’s crazy because I appreciate you even tuning in. Without them, none of this would be possible. I wouldn’t be doing it without these people. I credit all of my success to everyone who’s been praying for me and supporting me. I mean that with every bone in my body, that’s all it is.
Cokah is here to put on for all the female rappers in the world.
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, the rising star wears her heart on her sleeve, a true creative in every form of the word.
From singing to rapping to dancing to performing, the overall entertainer arrives with big dreams, proving the sky is the limit when it comes to your calling.
Now, she returns with her newest single titled “Show Love,” paired with a cinematic visual to match.
Real ones show love, and that’s all that matters in the end. Chillin’ in the studio with her boys Court St and Kay Wonder, Court St.
Speaking on how the record came to be, Cokah states, “I was in the studio with my boys Court st. and Kay wonder. Court st. played a loop he created, it automatically caught my ears and we all caught a vibe. I started singing ‘I DONT WANT NO SCRUBSSSS’. I don’t know why but it felt right. Both Court st. and Kay are both talented writers, Kay tossed a few lines at me and we’re like ‘nah, this gon’ be a hit’.”
With “Show Love,” Cokah hoped to create a song that wasn’t oversexualized, something fun.
The song brings back that nostalgic 90’s vibe that’s been missing. Listen above and get ready for Summer 2021!
Big Trip is the definition of a go-getter, and he brings that same energy into the music industry.
Raised in New York but relocating to Denver, Colorado, the rising star got his start playing drums, which quickly took over his predestined career and followed in his father’s footsteps as an athlete playing baseball.
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising star was able to find his footing in both music and his personal life, leading up to the creation of his debut album Going Postal, released today.
The highly-anticipated project clocks in at 13 tracks, transcending the genres of modern trap and classic hip-hop, with Big Trip’s own style and flow.
Going Postal reels in features from Fenix Flexin from Shoreline Mafia and Marc E. Bassy, with the latter providing all the vibes for that perfect summer romance anthem.
The project’s lead single “Baseball Money Rich” is paired with a cinematic visual to match, paying tribute to his previous life as a baseball player.
Big Trip speaks on the meaning behind Going Postal, his favorite songs, and what he wants fans to take away from the project.
AllHipHop: What inspired the name of the project?
Big Trip: After having some modest success as a group (Low Hanging Fruit) in the music industry, I knew it was time to take it to the next level as a solo artist and “go postal.” Not like go crazy postal, but meaning to fully take it to the top and be all around the map.
AllHipHop: What do you want fans to get from it?
Big Trip: I want them to hear my story, feel my energy and really understand the impact that I am trying to make in people’s lives. I live EVERY word I say, so I hope that people could take what I’m saying and run with it.
AllHipHop: Favorite songs and why?
Big Trip: “Luxury” and “Delivery Notice.” “Luxury” because of the instrumentation and the vibe of the song. I feel like I’m in the 70’s at a Playboy mansion party. To get Marc E. Bassy on the song as well is really a blessing, he’s one of my favorite artists and right up there with Timberlake for me in terms of R&B artists!
“Delivery Notice” because of the authenticity and timing. Everything I said on the outro of that track really happened that day, we were all in the studio together. I really almost died shooting a video, it was surreal! I’ve had so many close calls with death for a person my age that I’m on my eighth life, and this is my final delivery notice to live this life with purpose!
You may think a smartphone is all you need on the go, but smartwatches can do many things that your smartphone can’t. For example, this C-MAX Chrono-Max SmartWatch can actually enhance your health and well-being.
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Trapland Pat’s first single of the year, “Big Business”, just went over 3M views and he and the crew are celebrating with an NYC takeover in the form of his latest video release, “Adlib.”
Shot in and around the city of New York by @shotbyjolo, “Adlib,” which was produced by @pepperjackzoebeats, is Pat’s second biggest single from his “Thru Da Door” project.
Signed to Fredo Bang’s Bang Biz Entertainment label and listed as one to watch by HipHopDX, DJ Booth, Popdust and more, Trapland Pat is currently on tour with Robb Bank$.
