Rapper Ice Cube is more than ready to tax Robinhood, for allegedly stealing his image and likeness.
Ice Cube is seeking millions from the stock trading app, for allegedly stealing his catchphrase “Check Yo Self, Before You Wreck Yo Self,” and used his image in a promotional email sent to the company’s user-base.
The beef between Ice Cube and Robinhood started on March 8, 2021, when the company sent out an email titled “Why are tech stock falling?”
The email featured a superimposed image of Cube taken from the movie “Are We There Yet?” along with the quote: a line from his hit song “Check Yo Self” which read: “Correct yourself before you wreck yourself.”
Robinhood swears Ice Cube is simply clout chasing, since the phrase “Check Yo Self, Before You Wreck Yo Self” has been co-opted many times over the years and should be considered in the public domain widespread use in sayings like: “Text Yo’self Beefo You Wreck Yo’self” and “Czech Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself.”
However, Cube’s high-powered lawyer Michael A. Taitelman just fired back at Robinhood’s attempt to dismiss the rapper’s complaint and it looks like the legal battle is going to be nasty.
Ice Cube Reply To Robinhood
[Robinhood] now seeks to evade responsibility for their misconduct by filing a blunderbuss motion that misses the mark,” Taitelman snapped. [Robinhood’s use of [Ice Cube’s] image and likeness is pure commercialization, executed without the consent of [Ice Cube] and [Robinhood’s efforts to hide behind the Constitution are in vain.”
Ice Cube says his name is a registered trademark, and Robinhood’s use of his image and likeness resulted in false advertising, which is not protected by the constitution.
“[Ice Cube] has alleged that [Robinhood] have misappropriated the business and goodwill value of [Ice Cube’s] celebrity persona and, as a result of [Robinhood’s] actions, he has “suffered and will continue to suffer substantial monetary damage to his business in the form of diversion of trade, loss of profits, and a dilution in the value of his rights and reputation,” Taitelman said.
Ice Cube Reply To Robinhood
Michael A. Taitelman also shot back against Robinhood’s argument that the phrase Check Yo Self, Before You Wreck Yo Self” should be considered part of the public domain, since Robinhood used the slogan to promote a commercial product, Robinhood Snacks.
Taitelman pointed to an eight-point factor test courts have used in the past, to determine whether there is a likelihood of confusion.
1. The level of recognition that the plaintiff has among the segment of society for whom the defendant’s product is intended.
2. The relatedness of the fame or success of the plaintiff to the defendant’s product.
3. The similarity of the likeness used by the defendant to the actual plaintiff.
4. Evidence of actual confusion.
5. Marketing channels used.
6. Likely degree of purchaser care.
7. Defendant’s intent on selecting the plaintiff.
8. Likelihood of expansion of the product lines.
“[Ice Cube] specifically alleges that his signature catchphrase has become an indelible part of his public persona, and that the public has come to understand that if Plaintiff uses his signature catchphrase, he “means business” and is serious,” Taitelman argued. “The Advertisement is ‘commercial speech,’ which is rarely, if ever, protected by the First Amendment…protection for noncommercial publication of matters in the public interest is associated with ‘freedom of the press.”
Taitelman also dismissed Robinhood’s assertion that Ice Cube didn’t own the copyright to the photo used in the newsletter, stating: “The basis of [Ice Cube’s] right of publicity claims under California law is the contention that [Robinhood] misappropriated [Ice Cube’s] persona for [Robinhood’s own commercial gain.”
Ice Cube says executives at Robinhood are simply out for revenge against the rap star’s business partner Jeff Kwatinetz, who has a separate class-action lawsuit against Robinhood.
On June 3rd, Judge Laurel Beeler will decide as to whether or not Ice Cube’s lawsuit will proceed or be tossed.
Journey Christine is only 7-years-old and already living out her wildest dreams. Oftentimes we ask the question: “what should we watch on Netflix?!”
A great choice would be “The Upshaws,” the new comedic sitcom centered around a modern-day family in Indiana. Created by Regina Y. Hicks and the legendary Wanda Sykes, the new series stars the hilarious Mike Epps, the incredible Kim Fields, and Wanda Sykes herself.
Journey’s adorableness and beauty do not go unnoticed, as she proudly steps into the role of the 6-year-old Maya Upshaw, Bennie Upshaw’s (Mike Epps) youngest daughter. The series showcases the dynamics we all experience within our families, paired with endless humor that will have you keep coming back.
AllHipHop: How does it feel to be here today at the Netflix “The Upshaws?”
Journey Christine: It feels amazing to really watch myself on TV, couple episodes and I’m so excited to watch it. It’s a blessing I get to be on this type of show with lots of famous people. Legends! Wow, this is crazy.
AllHipHop: Are you even familiar with these legends?
Journey Christine: Well, I didn’t know about them until now. My mom told me all about them. Wow, I’m really on a TV show with these super famous, legendary people. I’m so happy now.
AllHipHop: Greatest memory on set working with Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Kim Fields?
Journey Christine: They’re all super funny. They all make jokes in between the scenes. All their characters are so funny. We’re a working-class family, everyone’s trying to be a normal family. Sometimes it goes wrong, sometimes it goes bad. Just normal problems.
AllHipHop: What’s your favorite part about filming “The Upshaws?”
Journey Christine: My favorite part was when I said “mom, I’m a gymnast now!” And I fell. I said, “well this is my life now!” I ran back up and fell on the stairs. I said, “I’m okay!” It was so much fun. It’s so fun being with them.
AllHipHop: Did it hurt?
Journey Christine: No, that’s what I was supposed to do because they have a little pad. I stopped, then I went “I’m okay!” It was so funny because everybody thought I actually fell, but it was pretend.
AllHipHop: What can your fans look forward to watching this show?
Journey Christine: It’s on Netflix, you guys can check it out. I have some very good memories about it. I don’t even know what to say, it’s so amazing. It’s a blessing to have this happen to me. I wasn’t booking anything first, then my mom said “something bigger is gonna come.” And poof! Look at this.
The cast of Netflix show ‘The Upshaws’ attend the a party in Los Angeles, California Featuring: Journey Christine, Page Kennedy/Credit: Guillermo Proano/WENN
AllHipHop: Is this your first big break?
Journey Christine: Yes, this is my very first big, huge thing. Usually, it’s a normal movie. Now it’s a legendary show with lots of big famous people in it. Wow, this is amazing.
AllHipHop: What was your reaction when you booked the show?
Journey Christine: We live in this apartment. I was so happy that I tried to jump on the bed but I couldn’t because it was a top bunk and a bottom bunk. I was on the bottom so I couldn’t jump or else I would’ve banged my head. I jumped on the pillow and I started screaming, “yayyyyy!” [laughs]
AllHipHop: What do you like to do for fun?
Journey Christine: I like playing with my brothers. I like swimming, but that doesn’t really happen all the time because I only get to go in the summer when it’s super bright outside and sunny. I like to color sometimes, I like to write. I really like hanging out with my brothers.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited about this year?
Journey Christine: Now that the world’s opening back up, well I’m still going to wear my mask. I’m still going to do all this, this, and that. I’m going to stay regular.
One of Hip-Hop’s favorite couples, Ludacris and Eudoxie Bridges, is expecting their second child!
The great news was revealed on the “What’s Your Fantasy” rapper’s Instagram on Friday to celebrate the proud momma’s 35th Birthday. The images in the post featured the Gabonese beauty rocking a full-length nude dress that compliments her perfect butterscotch complexion, basking in all her maternal glow.
“How is it YOUR Birthday & Your Giving Me The Greatest Gift? Joyeux Anniversaire Mrs Bridges 👼🏽”
The two have been married since 2014 during the Christmas holiday after the Fast and Furious proposed to her on a private plane. Talk about fast and furious, he asked; she said “yes;” they got married the same day!
The love birds were so thrilled that they posted the occasion on their respective Instagrams.
“She didn’t say yes. She said HELL YES! #milehighproposal.”
The new baby will complete the Disturbing the Peace artist’s familiar quartet. As a couple, they have a 5-year-old daughter named Cadence. The #GirlDad has another daughter, stair-stepping at 6-year-old named Cai, and a 13-year-old named Karma.
After receiving so much bad news this Spring, this is just the right news to make everyone smile.
Tamika Mallory, one of the greatest voices of civic engagement and civil rights activism over the last ten years is releasing her first book entitled “STATE OF EMERGENCY.”
The renowned activist’s first book is being released via Black Privilege Publishing, Charlamagne Tha God’s new imprint through Atria Books at Simon & Schuster.
— Tamika D. Mallory (@TamikaDMallory) May 11, 2021
From her grassroots early beginning under the watchful mentorship of Rev. Al Sharpton to her substantial contribution to the Women’s March at the dawn of Donald J. Trump’s presidency, Tamika Mallory has impacted how Hip-Hop sees itself.
“STATE OF EMERGENCY” breaks down the premise of what many have called “The Speech of a Generation” Mallory delivered last year during the George Floyd protests.
“STATE OF EMERGENCY’s” foreword is written by Angela Davis, who is quite possibly Mallory’s spirit mother in the movement. She says that the book is “a radical manifesto that will help to shape future generations of revolutionary freedom fighters.”
In addition to the 60’s icon, the perfect juxtaposition to the celebrated academic is Cardi B, who also writes a foreword for the book.
Tapping the Bronx rapper is a smart choice for Mallory to have made.
She is visceral, relatable, and not only represents the people that Mallory resonates most powerfully with, but is the kind of person that Mallory walks side-by-side with in the trenches.
Many anticipate it becoming a New York Best-Seller in no time.
Atria Books is working hard to make sure it achieves that goal. They have created a virtual tour for people on the fence (or who need a little more inspiration) to purchase the book.
Rapper Kash Doll is out of a fortune in jewelry after making a costly mistake in Los Angeles.
The rapper claims she left $500,000 worth of jewelry inside of her unlocked car, which ended up being burglarized.
Kash Doll said she was on set shooting a music video in the San Fernando valley when the incident took place. For some reason, the incredibly valuable hall was sitting inside of her car, along with a $50,000 Louis Vuitton box.
The caper was relatively easy to pull off – because Kash Doll forgot to lock her door, according to TMZ.
So far, the cops have no suspects and it’s unclear if her insurance policy – if she has any – will cover the theft.
Over the last year, Los Angeles has seen a massive spike in car break-ins. The thieves usually target rental cars or vehicles with out-of-state license plates.
However, unlike Kash Doll’s situation, most of the time the thieves smash the windows of their targeted vehicles to gain access.
In January, the cops busted a burglary crew from San Francisco and they claimed were responsible for the rise in car break-ins and warned that other gang members were stepping up to take their place.
For months, the cops have been warning tourists and residents to be aware of their surroundings and to lock their car doors.
NBA Youngboy dropped a touching letter to his fans, as he sits behind bars in Baton Rouge on gun charges.
NBA Youngboy has been locked up since March 22, when he was taken into custody by Federal Marshals in Los Angeles. The rapper was hit with federal and state charges for possessing weapons, stemming from a video shoot in Baton Rouge in September of 2020.
The cops raided a house in the city after they were tipped off that a bunch of alleged gang members were inside of a house shooting a video.
The police rounded up 16 members of the Bottom Boy Gorilla (BBG) and Never Broke Again (NBA) gangs, and confiscated a small arsenal weapons.
NBA Youngboy had managed to dodge charges for the better part of a year until he was indicted and taken into custody in a high-profile arrest in Los Angeles, where he tried to evade authorities.
In his open letter, NBA Youngboy revealed how lonely he has felt since becoming famous.
“i have a hard time paying attention i then gave and i then been there for people without having nobody to be there for me even with people i talk to now if they wasnt waiting to receive or been giving something already they wouldnt be here,” NBA YoungBoy wrote.
The one silver lining to NBA Youngboy’s situation comes from the support he is receiving from his most dedicated fans.
NBA Youngboy is hoping to avoid a lengthy prison sentence, so he can fulfill his dream of watching his unborn daughter grow up.
In April of 2021, it was revealed that the 21-year-old rapper is reportedly expecting his eighth child with Jazlyn Mychelle.
“i really just want to be there when my daughter borni want to be in the same house as her while she grow upi never had that experience,” NBA Youngboy said.
Check out the full unedited open letter from NBA YoungBoy below:
i have a hard time paying attention i then gave and i then been there for people without having nobody to be there for me even with people i talk to now if they wasnt waiting to receive or been giving something already they wouldnt be here,
“i have a hard time paying attention i then gave and i then been there for people without having nobody to be there for me even with people i talk to now if they wasnt waiting to receive or been giving something already they wouldnt be here. im a man before anything i had to apologize to myself for not protecting my heart and allowing most of this to happen i read letters from my supporters and find joy inside and yes i said that right (my supporters) yall are not fans we scream FA.N together (f### a n####) LOL but all jokes aside i aint got nothing against nobody i dont want no problem neither just stop speaking on me we dont concern each other i really just want to be there when my daughter borni want to be in the same house as her while she grow upi never had that experience Jaz im sorry (ma’ma) ipromise im sorry for every time i said something to another women for every time they ever gotten the chance to come around ill give you anything for you not to leave anything to have you when its all said and done other than that im chilling im cooling with the ones who feeling like aint nothing to live for that im in the dorm it aint too many im good though love you and the ones who really wish for the best for me too.”
Jaden Smith is set to open a restaurant to help feed the homeless in Los Angeles.
The 22-year-old actor and singer – the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith – will open a new restaurant called I Love You to help feed those living on Los Angeles’ Skid Row, after having previously run the I Love You food truck business.
Jaden’s food trucks have been giving free food to homeless people in L.A. for two years, but the new restaurant will offer a more permanent solution to offering aid to those in need.
The restaurant will offset costs by making those who can afford it pay a higher price to “pay for the person behind you.”
In a statement, Jaden said: “It’s for homeless people to get free food. But if you’re not homeless, not only do you have to pay, but you have to pay for more than the food’s worth so that you can pay for the person behind you.”
As of the time of writing, there is no opening date in place for the restaurant.
The news comes as the latest philanthropic effort from Jaden, who previously co-founded the 501CThree non-profit alongside Drew FitzGerald with the goal of solving problems relating to water, food, shelter, and energy using smart design and engineering.
Jaden and Drew then launched a mobile water filtration device called the Water Box through their charitable company, which in 2019 was used to help the residents of Flint, Michigan, have access to clean water after they spent years battling with a municipal water supply contaminated with lead.
Modern businesses need to approach digital marketing with savvy and intellect, an Instagram is one of the most important spaces for doing so. Crafting an account, posts, and strategy to drive clicks, conversions, and ultimately, sales, is a nuanced and elaborate process.
The 2021 Instagram Growth Marketing Bundle covers the vast world of Instagram and how to use it to your advantage. Valued at $1200, this collection of courses is available now for $19.99. The bundle includes 6 courses, which collectively provide 15 hours of lessons on content marketing, following, monetizing, and more.
Some examples of these courses, which are valued at $200 each, include: Instagram Marketing for Businesses & E-Commerce, How to Turn Instagram into a Business & Monetize a Following, and the Complete Instagram Marketing Course: From 0 to 10,000 Followers. The courses feature up to 8 lectures and an hour of content each, which subscribers will have access to around the clock.
Each course is taught by a different social media or digital marketing expert.
Instagram Marketing for Business & E-Commerce, for example, follows the guidance of instructor, Pouya Eti, who has a 4.4/5-star instructor rating. He is a digital Instagram marketer, author, and entrepreneur who has taught more than 100,000 students from over 180 countries. His expertise includes how to create a business, how to grow in marketing, and how to convince people to buy.
Bryan Guerra teaches How to Turn Instagram Into a Business & Monetize a Following. He is the founder of Invert Media, which is an online education company that specializes in information products that accelerate the success of entrepreneurs. He is also an expert on eCommerce, Online Marketing, and Customer Acquisition.
In a day and age where people look up a company’s social media accounts to learn about them, managing Instagram is key to both maintaining a reputation and building a customer base. Whether you’re a musician who is self-taught and trying to sell an album, an entrepreneur building a business from the ground up by themselves, or even a marketing professional, you don’t want to miss this opportunity.
After dropping her late-night release, Beam Me Up Scotty, Nicki Minaj has finally broken her silence about the tragic death of her father Robert Maraj.
The car never stopped and kept going. Though Maraj was brought to a hospital, he died from the impact of the car.
For months, understandably, she has been quiet and reflective about his killing but recently posted a letter to her heavily trafficked website to express herself on a few topics including his death.
Nicki Minaj described his demise as “the most devastating loss of my life.”
She continued: “I find myself wanting to call him all the time. More so now that he’s gone. Life is funny that way. May his soul rest in paradise. He was very loved & will be very missed.”
Though it was a hit-and-run, a man named Charles Polevich stepped up to take responsibility for the fatal accident. According to Detective Stephen Fitzpatrick, he also admitted to tampering with evidence.
She also shared that she was working on her full album and a documentary.
Check out the full open letter to her fans below:
My darlings, as I complete this album & documentary, I am also obsessing over “The Crown” on Netflix. The great Kenya Barris recommended I watch it & I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s safe to say I’ve watched every single episode of every single season at least 5 times each. Lol. Yikes. I know. 🥴 I can’t get enough of Claire Foy’s perfect face. I want to eat it. It just does the right thing in every single scene. Lmao. I also can’t believe how much I enjoy Gillian Anderson’s portrayal of Margaret Thatcher. Seeing as tho I’m such a Meryl StreepINISTA. I love Helena as Princess Margaret & Josh as Prince Charles, although let’s face it; he’s a tad hunkier than the real Prince ever was— and yes, I just used the word “hunkier”. Olivia Colman as the later Queen… she’s a great actress. I actually enjoyed her portrayal of Mrs. Thatcher’s daughter in the IRON LADY even more than I enjoy her in this role! Go figure. BRAVO to the entire cast, writers & directors.
While we’re on the subject of acting, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was one of the best pieces of work I’ve had the pleasure of viewing in a really long time. GENIUS!!!! With a capital everything!!!! Just when I thought there was no way I could love Viola Davis any more… I MEAN!!!!! OMG. I LIVE!!!! Every single monologue. Every single one. She brought those words to life in such a way that I truly felt as if she could’ve been speaking about the music industry right now! The writing in the original play was just brilliant but she was able to even add a billion times more to it & I didn’t think that was even possible b/c August Wilson is the TRUTH!!! Chadwick, of course, was just exceptionally layered & riveting. His acting knows no bounds. I can’t believe he was taken from us so soon. The man was on his way to becoming a full-fledged ICON!!! I also really loved the actor playing “Cutler”. Colman Domingo.
FUN FACT: since becoming pregnant I can’t stop eating ice. I’m now up to about 20 cups per day. I eat them out of the red plastic cups. The cups must always be stacked in two. “Double cup love, you the one I lean on”. Lol. It simply doesn’t taste right when I eat it out of one lil flimsy cup.
I’ve also been completely overwhelmed with joy & fulfillment in the world of Papa Bear. Each day creates a new & fascinating, magical memory that I hide far away into a little cute compartment of my heart; vowing never to forget any of it. Like. He’s just a cute liddo marshmallow. I can’t take it. His favorite movie is Madagascar (Escape 2 Africa) 🥴 won’t stop watching it. LOL. He’s so smart, funny, sweet, competitive… it’s kind of crazy how they have a full personality so early on. Yesterday I made him say mama. Even got it on video. Just… Wow.
Tho I can’t really bring myself to discuss the passing of my father as yet; I can say it has been the most devastating loss of my life. I find myself wanting to call him all the time. More so now that he’s gone. Life is funny that way. May his soul rest in paradise. He was very loved & will be very missed.
I can’t wait to share these new vibez wit yall. It’s so important to always go back to basics for me. This world of smoke & mirrors can blind you. Be careful. Always important to step back & just really observe. “I look beyond what people sayin & I see intent. Then I just sit back & decipher what they really meant”. Still applies. But not only in what people say, but in what they do. There has to be more to this. Right?
Anyway, it’s been a min since I wrote a letter & I know how much u guys love them. I love you dearly. Miss you so much. Thank you… for everything.
P.S. The passing of DMX hit me like a ton of bricks. Losing him felt like losing someone I grew up with. I adored him. Blessings to his family.
Rihanna and Halsey have been blasted for wading into the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine with “reductive” tweets.
The pop stars have offered their takes on the ongoing war between the two nations, which boiled over again following a series of attacks after Israeli police officials blocked off the Damascus Gate, where Palestinian Arabs were planning to gather for the religious holiday Ramadan.
Rihanna revealed her heart was broken after the deaths of innocent children and she called for a resolution.
“My heart is breaking with the violence I’m seeing displayed between Israel and Palestine!” the singer wrote on Instagram. “I can’t bare (sic) to see it! Innocent Israeli and Palestinian children are hiding in bomb shelters, over 40 lives lost in Gaza alone, at least 13 of whom were also innocent children!
“There needs to be some kind of resolve! We are sadly watching innocent people fall victim to notions perpetuated by government and extremists, and this cycle needs to be broken!”
She was criticized for taking a “neutral stance”, with one commenter stating: “No @rihanna, if you stand with humanity you stand with Palestine.”
Halsey offered: “It is not ‘too complicated to understand’ that brown children are being murdered + people are being displaced under the occupation of one of the most powerful armies in the world. It is willful ignorance to conflate these simple horrors with religion + geopolitics.”
It is not “too complicated to understand” that brown children are being murdered + people are being displaced under the occupation of one of the most powerful armies in the world. It is willful ignorance to conflate these simple horrors with religion + geopolitics. #FreePalestine
The singer was criticized for the tweet and returned to social media to clarify her comments.
“My tweet is for my peers/white Americans who don’t concern themselves with middle eastern crises because they don’t care about what happens to POC, and can afford to act as such by writing it off as ‘too complicated’. I’m sorry I didn’t make the target of the tweet more clear!”
My tweet is for my peers / white Americans who don’t concern themselves with middle eastern crises because they don’t care about what happens to POC, and can afford to act as such by writing it off as “too complicated”. I’m sorry I didn’t make the target of the tweet more clear! https://t.co/KwwiQPKNpA
Israeli actress Gal Gadot also sparked backlash earlier this week after she addressed the latest conflict via Twitter writing: “My heart breaks. My country is at war. I worry for my family, my friends. I worry for my people. This is a vicious cycle that has been going on for far too long.
“Israel deserves to live as a free and safe nation. Our neighbors deserve the same. I pray for the victims and their families. I pray for this unimaginable hostility to end, I pray for our leaders to find the solution so we can live side by side in peace. I pray for better days.”
Journalist Tamoor Hussain was among her critics, writing: “Denying Palestinians even a shred of compassion by refusing to acknowledge them and their suffering is a common tactic employed by their oppressors.”
Veteran artist Popbelli just dropped his banging new single, “Animal.”
Winner of the 2018 DJ Power Summit new music competition, Popbelli is a Reggae Artist. His single “This One N That One” peaked at # 2 on Serato’s White Label Top 10, four consecutive weeks!
Known for his unique sound and controversial lyrics, Popbelli speaks about real life situations and love in an unruly fashion. Popbelli upholds the credibility in his recordings and looks to bring the audience great music.
This year, his first two releases are “Animal” and “U. R.” There are two words to describe these releases from Popbelli: “Party” and “Comedy.”
It hurt to see Black Rob die in such a tragic way. When it was all said and done, people had questions and demanded answers. How? Who? Where did money for Rob go? Even Jay-Z apparently donated to the cause? Where did Diddy come into all of this? BR’s manager Kal Dawson steps up to to address some of the others like former Bad Boy artist Mark Curry, the social media facade of it all, what Black Rob’s last days were like and what he tried to do for the fallen Harlem soldier. Moreover, he discusses the money…what happened with the money? He also speaks exclusively of the documentary they are making on BR’s final days. RIP Black Rob.
Amidst the insane amount of love and attention these two young rappers have been receiving globally, iann dior and Lil Ghost come together with their latest release “Prospect (Remix).”
The track combines elements from their respective countries, further boosting the globalization of their music.
iann dior was born in Puerto Rico and was raised in Texas. His hit 2020 feature in the track “Mood” with 24kGoldn became a huge success and TikTok sensation. The track hit #1 on the Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and garnered over ONE billion streams to date alone on Spotify.
Lil Ghost, who’s ALSO featured on the most recent remix of “Mood,” impressed Chinese viewers with his talents and personality on the survival show, Idol Producer. The show hosted by Lay Zhang gave contestants a chance to compete to be a part of a boy group. Lil Ghost was voted by oer 7.8 million Chinese viewers to be the 8th member of the group Nine Percent in 2018. Since then, the rap phenomenon has wowed audiences alike as a group member and soloist.
Lil Ghost has continued to attract audiences with his versatile and hard rap style and songwriting.
“Prospect (Remix)” combines the two rap styles of these future hip-hop icons. The rappers flow on a hard 808 trap beat accompanied by a Chinese zither. The combination of two very different elements work together nicely in this track.
The young stars rap about their success, referring to both their recently gained global fame.
Brandon Bill$ went from being a celebrity barber cutting hair for the likes of Travis Scott and Eric Bellinger, to going on tour with his sister DaniLeigh, to now collaborating with Dani on the official bop for the summer: “Unlimited Skills.”
Born in New York, raised in Miami, and going to high school in Orlando, Brandon sees himself as a rockstar. He states, “I got a lot of energy, I’m a rockstar. I’m a pretty fly guy. I’m pretty cool, I step into the room and people feel my presence. I get along with everybody. I’m a pretty likable person. I’m very confident, I see my vision. I’m very ambitious and motivational.”
The rising star has been surrounded by music his entire life, influenced greatly by the genres of hip-hop, rock n’ roll, and Latin music. Being 100% Dominican himself speaks volumes to his roots, and whenever Brandon wants something he’s going to get it. That’s how he’s always been.
You may have seen Brandon’s name featured on “Yo No Se” from DaniLeigh’s debut album, but he’s here to step into his own as a recording artist. AllHipHop caught up with Brandon via FaceTime, who was posted in North Hollywood, California.
AllHipHop: Being from South Florida, what was the household like?
Brandon Bill$: It was good. My mom was a realtor, my mom and dad owned restaurants all throughout my life. I started working around 8 or 9 years old with my mom and dad. I was working in the back of the kitchen, washing dishes, making pizza. My mom had a New York style pizza shop.
AllHipHop: I’ve met your mom before, she’s super sweet.
Brandon Bill$: My mom’s a super hard worker, she’s a hustler. Both of my parents were born and raised in New York, so I got that New York state of mind. Growing up, we’re not from the hood. We come from a good family. My mom moved out to LA when I was 17, so I stayed in Florida and started doing my own thing. At a young age, I was already paying rent and paying bills, which was good because I started early saving my money working. I’ve always been a hard worker. I’ve done construction, pizza, Blimpies (the Subways). I’ve barbered at barber shops, I’ve done it all. I’m a hard worker all-around.
AllHipHop: Talk about your celebrity barber days and what that was like cutting Travis’s hair.
Brandon Bill$: It was dope. When I first moved out to LA, I was a barber. I wasn’t even an artist. I started cutting up a lot of different people, people talking about me about my hair. I started cutting Eric Bellinger. I started cutting Travis Scott. I used to cut Travis Scott before he even blew up. I knew Travis Scott before everything. Just coming up, living in my boy’s house. He was super cool. I used to be in the studio with him and watched him create music.
That’s what really inspired me to do music, being around the Chris Brown’s, the Eric Bellinger’s, the actors. I loved being in the studio. I always thought of doing music, but I never thought I could do it. I never had an opportunity to be in the studio, see how artists create. Cutting hair gave me the opportunity to be in the studio and see how people create music, I thought “man I could do this, and I like it too.” That definitely built a lot of relationships for me, being a barber.
In the 2 years I did it in LA, it was great. I cut J Prince and his whole family, his brothers, his dad, the Rap-A-Lot people. I cut Travis Scott, a lot of actors on set. I worked with Meagan Good for a movie. I cut Trey Songz before in LA, it was dope.
I had to step out of the barber world after I became an artist, because people were putting me in a box, expecting me to be just a barber. I’d moved back to Miami, then came over here 3 years ago. From there it was only music.
AllHipHop: Who are your biggest influences?
Brandon Bill$: Definitely Drake. I always felt like “man, I can sing like Drake. I can do melodies like Drake.” Drake was definitely one. Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z, Tupac, Nas. The new school guys: Travis Scott, Post Malone, Gunna, Young Thug, Future, all those guys inspire me. I don’t listen to too many of them and their music, only when I’m out or doing something, but I definitely respect everything they’re doing.
Every one of those people have brought something new to the game, have changed the game in some type of way and bring a different style. I respect them, they all inspire me. I see myself as one of them real soon, taking over.
AllHipHop: New single “Unlimited Skills” with Dani out now. How are you feeling?
Brandon Bill$: I’m feeling great about it. It’s doing good organically, I’m not forcing it on nobody. I put it out, and people are loving the record. It’s a very hype record. It’s a record you can workout to, you can listen to in your car. You can be at a festival and listen to it as we’re performing it. In the club, it’s a great record. It’s uptempo, it’s fun. I don’t even curse in the whole song, so little kids can listen to it. Matter of fact my sister curses, I didn’t even curse.
It’s a dope record. It’s fun. “Unlimited Skills,” let me see your Trillers and TikToks. Let me see your skills. It’s so easy to become a trend where people can show their skills: you interviewing people, other people cutting hair, boxing, and playing basketball. Anything! Everybody has a skill. It’s a great record, it really has potential to blow up and go global. I love it.
AllHipHop: How’d the record come about?
Brandon Bill$: The funny part is I did this song way before COVID, a year and a half ago. The producer, my boy Milian, after recording it for a couple of months — it was during COVID Dani recorded on it. He said “yo bro, you should get your sister on this. She sounds hard on this.” I listened to it and said “You know what? You’re right, I could see her on this. I’ll have her rap on it, not on some singing.” She don’t really rap like that, so I wanted her to rap on the record. We recorded it during COVID in the studio. She did her verse in 30 minutes. We did it, it was fun. It was organic.
I’ve been planning it out this whole year during COVID, waiting for the right time to drop. I dropped it at the right time. Last year wasn’t a good time to drop with COVID and everything going on. I dropped it at the perfect time. The summer’s coming, everything’s starting to open back up. Hopefully by summer, LA’s completely open. It happened organically with my sister for sure.
AllHipHop: Where did you shoot the video?
Brandon Bill$: We shot it in Dominican Republic. We shot it in La Cabanas, that’s what it’s called. It’s a little house in DR. DR is pretty big, if you drove around DR it’d take you 10 to 12 hours. Where we drove was 2 hours from where we were at. We Airbnb’d 2 different mansions. We wrote a treatment, I came up with the treatment with my mom. She helped me direct the video.
I had an idea, she helped me put it together. We shot it in 2 days: one part in one house, then the other part in the other house the next day. It was fun, we killed it. It was a 4-hour shoot each day, we edited it in 2 days and it was done. I had that video ready to go for the past 6 to 8 months, waiting for the right time to drop.
AllHipHop: Why’s now the right time to drop?
Brandon Bill$: Dani had dropped her album, so I didn’t want to drop anything during her album. I wanted all her attention on her album. It was my birthday, I wanted to do something special for me. I dropped it April 9th, it was only right. In the song, Dani says, “we’re going to kill the summer with this song.” Summer’s in June, songs don’t blow up overnight. In the next couple of months, this record has potential to blow up. I thought it’s the perfect time to drop now.
Leading into the summer, millions of people know the song and are vibing to the song. By June or July, people will know the song already. It’ll be going global hitting the charts, Billboards. I like to speak s### into existence.
Brandon Bill$
AllHipHop: How did Dani’s ascent in the music industry affect your artistry?
Brandon Bill$: It’s dope, it’s awesome. All the time, the sweat, the money, everything you invest, it’s good to see it all coming back. As an artist, we put in so much work. Sometimes people don’t realize how much work artists put in. Money, especially for independent artists. An independent artist like me, I’m the one putting up the bread. I don’t have a machine or a label behind me. If we really want to talk about it, all the money I’ve invested in the past 3 to 4 years, I’d have a house and a barbershop. It’s alright because at the end of the day, it’s all going to add up and be worth it at the end.
Seeing her grow and become the superstar she is, it’s awesome. I’ve also learned a lot from her being signed to Def Jam: being in the label, being in the office, seeing what she goes through as an artist with the label. I’ve learned so much. I’m 29 years old, I’m not a little kid. I’ve been through a lot in life.
Before the industry, I was doing other stuff. My trials and tribulations, I lost everything. I had my ups and downs, I had to go through mad stuff. It’s great seeing everything starting to come and fulfilling our dreams, just go crazy. It’s great.
AllHipHop: Best memory touring with Dani?
Brandon Bill$: The best memory was every city doing a show, that to me is the best part of being an artist. I remember performing in every city, seeing which city shows the most you love. Ohio, Cincinnati, Cleveland, they showed us mad love. Texas showed us mad love, New York City showed us mad love. I’ve learned so much while on tour.
Tour is fun and it’s hard work, but at the same time, it’s not hard work if you love what you do. You have to stay consistent. You gotta make sure you have the right team because everybody has to play their role while on tour. If you got somebody that’s not playing their role, it’s going to f### you up as the artist. You have to make sure you have everybody on your team doing their part. If not, you’re not going to level up as an artist.
People like that you can’t have on your team, you have to cut them off. That’s the reason why my circle is so tight and so small. Everybody around me plays their part. I can’t wait to go back on tour and start performing again. Doing festivals because that’s the best part, being able to perform.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next from you?
Brandon Bill$: A project. I’m going to be promoting this song for the next couple weeks, months. Either you’ll be getting a single or a mixtape from me, for sure. I already have all the songs done. I already have the name of the tape, I’m not going to say because I don’t want anyone to jock my title. It’s a mixtape, 9 or 10 songs. Straight trap. It’s going to be hype, and mellow at the same time. Different types of vibes. All my new listeners want to hear more of what I got so expect a tape from me real soon. This month I’ll be getting everything ready, everybody can listen to the tape during the summer.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let us know?
Brandon Bill$: Go stream “Unlimited Skills”, go do your Tik Toks, go do your Trillers. Let’s go up, let’s get it on Billboard. Be ready for what’s coming because Brandon Bill$ got a lot in store. I got a lot going on, we working.
The “When We” star, real name Durrell Babbs, took to Instagram to reveal his heartbreaking situation to fans.
“So I’m going through something right now and I want to use my situation to encourage your situation,” he said. ”I’m going completely deaf in my right ear and I’m kind of losing sound in my left. I’m dizzy (and) can’t walk a straight line. All of this (is) out of nowhere, (I) don’t know how or why. I’m seeing a doctor, (I) got MRI’s going on and medication and, you know, all of that.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CO1LzuzCi19/
“But, it still hasn’t given me a reason to give up. It still hasn’t given me a reason to stop feeling like I can do and be everything that I’ve set out to be. The goals are still the same: to be great, to be the greatest. And I want to say that to you too. No matter what you’re going through, no matter where you find yourself. Whether your body is failing you, whether your mind is failing you, whether your spirit is failing you: keep going, keep pushing.”
In comments on his post, Tank got prayers and well wishes from stars including Monica, LeToya Luckett and Colby O’Donis.
He returned to the social media site on Thursday to share an update, revealing an MRI he had “didn’t see anything crazy” about his brain function, but did discover he had a deviated septum, which he is planning to get “taken care of.”
“Back to the ear. This ear is actually worse. I tested lower today in terms of the things I can hear,” he sighed. “Hopefully that starts to turn around quickly and I can get back out there and do what I do, man. I love what I do.”
Former “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” cast member Mally Mall was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison on Thursday in a Federal court in Las Vegas for pimping.
The Hip-hop producer and rapper, born Jamal Rashid, has produced for people like Too Short, E40, Trippie Redd, Tyga, French Montana, Blueface, XXXtencion, and Teyana Taylor.
According to a tweet by Investigative Reporter Vanessa Murphy for the local CBS affiliate 8 News Now, prosecutors believe that “he manipulated victims” into following his personally “imposed rules.”
And during the trial multiple “victims discussed … threats of surveillance, verbal abuse & actual violence.”
#BREAKING: Jamal Rashid aka “Mally Mall” is sentenced to 33 months in prison.
Prosecutors: he was pimp for 100s of women for at least 12 years in Vegas, he manipulated victims, imposed rules.
Victims discussed “threats of surveillance, verbal abuse & actual violence.” @8NewsNow
The judge governing the case at first was unsure about accepting his plea, and wanted to give him the maximum number of years for his hands in this prostitution scandal.
Murphy reports, “She talked about how victims are traumatized & how his actions were heinous. She called him a monster in the past & said victims went through a form of imprisonment & enslavement.” Three of the most horrendous claims that emerged from the case include the story of a victim’s therapist, who had to actually go see a therapist.
Another one involved his sex workers, who had to beg the big-time producer to go to a gynecologist when they had issues or wanted check-ups. Finally, other sex workers alleged that they also had to plead with him to get “a coat when it was cold in Chicago.”
Mally Mall admitted he was sorry in a canned statement to the courts.
“I apologize to the court, the government, and most importantly, the women involved.”
Known for infectious musical collaborations with Billboard chart-topping artists like Chris Brown, Walé, Summer Walker and Ari Lennox, Afrobeats writer and producer KDDO, formerly known as Kiddominant, will release his debut extended play album entitled Too Late Too Lit on Friday, May 14, 2021. The EP will be distributed via Pentlife Music and Sony Music Entertainment on all digital platforms.
Created to be a feel-good body of work for fans, according to KDDO, it was at the height of the pandemic, having been locked down for several weeks that the hugely celebrated writer and producer realized the importance of cherishing every moment and creating good memories every chance we get, and decided to write and produce this album.
“This is one of the main reasons I put this album together. I want people to be able to create great memories with my music, as I want my music to be the soundtrack of people’s lives,” says KDDO.
Too Late Too Lit is an 8-track project that spotlights Africa’s basking sound templates with features from some of the world’s best artists across various musical genres, including Afrobeats superstar Davido, R&B sensation Jidenna, and Sudanese-American rapper Bas, just to name a few!
The road to the EP began with the premiere of eWallet, a stellar Amapiano production with now over 5 million streams across DSPs and 6000+ spins on African radio. The commercial success of eWallet set the tone right for a sequel release entitled Beamer Body, the lead single from Too Late Too Lit, featuring KDDO frequent collaborator Davido on a record that affirms body positivity.
Noteworthy too, is KDDO’s appreciable vocal effort on the project as he settles into his own element. Having written and produced some of the biggest music hits in Afrobeats history, KDDO is now confidently honing his singing prowess, and, at the same time, offering a spice of variety with super talents featured on his new body of work.
Rapper Drake has shared his pride after learning a fan he had awarded a 2018 college scholarship to has since graduated with a master’s degree.
The “Hotline Bling” star surprised Destiny James with a check for $50,000 while he was shooting his “God’s Plan” video in Miami, Florida, where she had been studying public health at the University of Miami.
The funds helped her obtain her bachelor’s degree in 2019, and she went on to pursue her master’s at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she will soon officially graduate from the public health program.
James shared her excitement at the academic achievement in an Instagram post earlier this week as she counted down to graduation day, captioning a photo of herself dressed in her ceremonial clothing, “Mama, I mastered it. Daddy, I did it… 4 days until I am officially UNC Alum.”
Among the followers applauding the news was Drake, who proudly commented, “LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DES (sic),” prompting James to reply, “THANK YOUUUU (sic)!!”
James, who also made an appearance in the “God’s Plan” promo, previously admitted how important Drake’s scholarship had been for her, after fearing she wouldn’t be able to complete her studies following the loss of her dad to cancer in her first year of college.
“If you would have told me my freshman year that I would be graduating from here today, I probably wouldn’t have believed it,” she wrote on the University of Miami’s website in 2019.
“I’m meant to be doing this work,” she continued. “Everything I went through was so worth it. Thanks to Drake, I’m probably stressing about classes and work, but I’m not stressing about tuition. I’m here to tell future ‘Canes (University of Miami students) to not be afraid of change and trust the process.”
RCA recording artist Gabriella Wilson (professionally known as H.E.R.) began performing in the Bay Area as a young child. The Northern California locale was also the early stomping grounds for future stars Kehlani Parrish and Zendaya Coleman.
According to H.E.R., the three women were nearly part of the same music group prior to their ascension to national stardom. The I Used to Know Her creator spoke about her history with Kehlani and Zendaya with OZY founder Carlos Watson of The Carlos Watson Show.
“Dylan Wiggins – who is D’wayne Wiggins’s son from Tony! Toni! Toné! – we used to be in a band together. We used to perform together when we were really young,” H.E.R. informed Watson as part of her “How Music Moves Mountains” conversation taking place at this weekend’s OZY Fest.
She continued, “Kehlani was actually in our band. We all used to sing together. Zendaya was going to be in it at one point. They all grew up together. I came into the picture in Oakland and we used to perform together.”
Even though the young performers eventually went their separate ways, all three women were able to achieve mainstream success in the entertainment business. For example, Kehlani has scored two Top 5 albums (2017’s SweetSexySavage and 2020’s It Was Good Until It Wasn’t) during her career.
The 26-year-old vocalist from Oakland has created hit records with Cardi B, Justin Bieber, G-Eazy, Jhené Aiko, Charlie Puth, and others. In 2016, Kehlani picked up a Best Urban Contemporary Album Grammy Award nomination for her You Should Be Here commercial mixtape.
H.E.R. is quickly becoming one of the most-awarded entertainers of her generation. She already has four Grammy wins, including taking home the Song Of The Year honor for “I Can’t Breathe” at the 63rd annual ceremony in March. “Fight For You” from Judas and the Black Messiah also earned the 23-year-old singer-songwriter her first Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The 2021 OZY Fest is scheduled to stream live on May 15-16 at ozyfest.com. H.E.R.’s “How Music Moves Mountains” will close out the virtual event on Sunday, May 16 at 8:30 pm ET. The lineup also includes Chance the Rapper, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Condoleezza Rice, Mark Cuban, Malcolm Gladwell, Sevyn Streeter, Big Freedia, Rev. Al Sharpton, Deepak Chopra, Representative Maxine Waters, and more.
Queen of the Ring is back and this time they have a whole new stable of girls that are sure to take the culture by storm.
Mother’s Day weekend birthed a new crop of female battle rap emcees who really should not be slept on. And like always, QOTR has curated the raw talent of today that will be the superstars of tomorrow with their Sparring Sessions.
Setting the day off were the Sparring Sessions that feature first and second-time battlers looking to add their name to the brand’s roster.
Some of the new fire-spitters that are leading the pack are St. Louis’ Aye Beezy and Philly’s Uno. Sure Aye Verb and Hitman Holla have retired, but with her lyrical depth and ferocious scheme ability, she is picking up the mantle that they set down for a minute. I mean … Verb … is she over there on that warrior island you be talking about because she is a straight beast.
Also repping crazy for her city is the drip-crazy Uno. Imagine … Ms. Fit’s swag but with the gutter greasy lingo that artists from Illadelphia have been known to spit. Yeah, that’s her. Her first time battling ever, she managed the stage like she had been born to perform on it. Then she choked but recovered with one of the most seasoned freestyle responses ever and so NO ONE EVEN CARED!
The pretty Mosca Flux mothered TikTok star Bishop Ziah, and it seemed like Aeon sonned the prepared and professional Hope Trilly with the nasty no-show. Another person stood up was Gates of the Garden’s Gatekeeper Pristavia. Perhaps the Christian rapper’s bars were going to be too anointed and manifested a true exorcism (even as she was practicing her bars with her brother Th3 Saga), casting down Diablo before the battle even came to be.
I really wanted to see @PristaviaD go crazy on QOTR last night 🤦🏾♂️
Hopefully @debovision can line something up soon so she can show the world what she can really do‼️
Them rounds were gonna get spooky
— SAGA ✞ (Play Bout Me- OUT NOW) #PraiseGod 🕊🇵🇷 (@Th3Saga) May 9, 2021
Redbangz’s son Lil Slap went viral about a week ago, but her Sparring Session was the opportunity for her to present herself to the QOTR battle rap community on her own and Karma was the perfect opp for her.
The new roster of ladies seemed ready to grab that throne usually occupied by 40 B.A.R.R.S.
Evidence of this, showcasing new rhyme styles and personalities, was the battle between OG Prana and Breezy. O.M.G. You be the judge.
Evolution 5 also brought back some seasoned faces that set the perfect example as to how top-tier battle rapping is supposed to be done.
E5 was a full card. Lady J vs. Nemesis and Shiest Raw vs. Morawsha had good standings, but the battles people wanted to see was the return of two vets: Krissy Yamagucci and Cee the (g######) Boss.
These two put on a show and reminded us why the original girls were such a beast in that ring. Both ladies were still as focused, talented, and dangerous as ever. Krissy. Krissy. Krissy. Damn. Damn. Damn. It was magical watching her … no … enchanting … as she did what all those Harlem girls do when they hit the stage … she cooked with an unorthodox yet charming lyricism … the crowd could not get enough. They simply missed her.
The crowd missed Cee the Boss too. She was like a rabid dog, crazed and possessed. She lyrically attacked Krissy like she didn’t even know the girl. To quote Vada Fly … “When you start rapping like that?” An instant classic, they took their welcome back to the right like the Queens that they are.
Lady Caution stepped in at the last minute for Zan to perform a one-rounder with the Fly KingI. Each one in this intergender match-up had only one week to prepare. Still, it had one of the most entertaining rounds of the night as the Fly KingI made sure that his QOTR debut was memorable.
The last of the highlighted battles is Queens native C3 vs. Long Beach’s BR14. This battle was fire. BR14 is a brilliant thinker and constructs her rounds with the ease of a seasoned thought-leader. Her rhymes weren’t so cerebral that no one could follow, but they were intricate enough to remind us that the West Coast shorty doo-wop should be battling more (don’t retire again).
While the Zeta came ready to represent ACEs all across the Divine 9 in her contest, she fell a little short to the seasoned Goonie. This was a different C3 and perhaps BR14 pushed her pen to a different limit. C3’s freestyle ability and swift wit just are unmatched. She also had a glow around her that only comes with a) experience, b) skill sets, c) being comfortable with the entire environment, and most of all d) a desire to re-establish herself as one of Debo, Vague, and Babs top gunners. Welp… with this extraordinary performance, she did it!
Indeed, give it up for the ladies. Also, give it up to Debo, Vague, Babs, Coffee Brown, and Fred from M3S3 for producing one of the best female battle rap events of the year.
