WeTV’s#### reality series “Growing Up Hip Hop” has returned with its sixth season.
The network will premiere the first episode introducing three new celebrity cast members and the mega rap stars, possibly to replace Romeo and Master P.
With the additions of Cree & Uncle Luke Campbell and Savannah, Stevie Jr. and Stevie J, the producers of the reality show, Entertainment One and Datari Turner Productions, are hoping to mix up the storylines and add to the drama of the franchise.
The current cast brings back the following royal rap families:
The Simmons: Angela, Jo Jo, and Vanessa (children of Joey “Rev. Run” Simmons from the legendary RUN-DMC group).
The Dash Family: Boogie Dash (son of Damon Dash, the founder of Roc-a-fella Records, Roc-a-Wear, and key influencer to a whole bunch of other dope moments in Hip-Hop culture 94 until now).
The Denton-Criss Families: Egypt Criss (daughter of Sandy “Pepa” Denton and Anthony “Treach” Criss); Tyran (Pepa’s son); Tahira “Tee Tee” Francis (Pepa’s niece); Maureen Denton (Pepa’s sister); Pepa and Treach. Also connected to the family and the source of much of the drama is Sam, Egypt’s boyfriend.
The Isaacs Family: Brianna Isaacs (daughter of Kendu Isaacs and former step-daughter of Mary J. Blige).
Young Money Family: Lil Twist (rapper protégé of Lil Wayne).
The Wright Family: Eric Darnell Wright Jr. (son of the late Eazy E).
The sixth season of its reality series Growing Up Hip Hop on May 13th on WeTV.
Lil Durk is currently at the height of his career, and he’s taking his OTF (Only the Family) crew right to the top with him.
When it comes to the feature game, the Chicago rapper has his hands in damn near every hit song you can think of, from Drake’s “Laugh Now Cry Later” and Pooh Shiesty’s “Back In Blood” to Coi Leray’s remix to “No More Parties” as well as Megan Thee Stallion’s “Movie.”
Translation: if you have a Durk feature, that means you’re fire. Beyond his collaborations, the “Backdoor” rapper is the true “Voice of the Streets,” telling his story and truth while inspiring the masses that they too can change their life for the better.
Almost every rapper in the game wants to work with Durk, and day one fans have yet to be disappointed.
As the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are slowly but surely eased, (masks are still required), Durk threw his festival called Smurkchella, dubbed “the biggest music festival of 2021,” at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona.
On Saturday, April 17th, Durk sold out the venue with over 10K tickets sold, as guests like Pooh Shiesty and Coi Leray turned out to support the Chicago rapper’s festival.
Upon entering, fans were greeted with the letters ‘Smurkchella” spelled out in white balloons. Smurkchella attracted people from all walks of life eager to see Durk perform their favorite songs.
While the mayhem on stage ensued, mostly due to the overpopulation of individuals present, that didn’t stop Durk from performing all his smash records back to back to back.
“Re-Up” was one of the first records he started the show with, and fans belted out the lyrics word for word. “When We Shoot” followed suit, before Durk performed his song “Pressin” with the late King Von, who was an artist on Durk’s OTF label.
The crowd went crazy for damn near each song, including “The Voice,” and “Only The Fam” also featuring Von, from 2018’s Lil Durk Presents: Only the Family Involved, Vol. 2.
“Home Body” was the one that had the girls freaking out. At one point, Durk screamed “if you tired of a broke n####…”, hyping up the crowd for the arrival of Pooh Shiesty. The dynamic duo wasted no time in performing their viral hit “Back In Blood,” while Coi Leray popped out to perform the “No More Parties” remix with Durk.
But the real phenomenon happened abruptly when crowd-goers mistook a mic drip for gunshots. Suddenly, swarms of people began running away from the stage, causing a large majority of the patrons in the audience to flee as well.
Although this happened twice during the night, thankfully, there were no shootings of any sort and Smurkchella was a success.
Everybody walked away safe and had a Saturday evening for the books.
Millions tuned in to see the Jake Paul versus Ben Askren fight on Saturday, April 17 on the Triller Fight Club card, hoping to see if the social media influencer will emerge victorious. They also wanted to see if Snoop was gonna win that $2 million bet he made with Dana White.
Well, the action pack night made those folk very happy— as Jake Paul and Snoop won real big.
URKEL IS BACK!
In addition to the fights, viewers were entertained by top-tier talent curated by Snoop Dogg, one of the Triller investors. The pre-show skits were hilarious but might have hinted at another business deal from the “Gin and Juice.” Jaleel White appeared as his popular TV character Steve Urkel. The spoof pretended that Urkel was an executive at Triller giving Snoop a contract. He also pitched a street fight component to Triller where people can upload hood bang-ups to Triller for fans to watch like a boxing Onlyfans app. This form of User Generated Content would make money for both Triller and the amateur brawlers and they would do a subscription-based revenue share.
White also took advantage of the throwback by promoting his cannabis line, Purple Urkel.
Plot twist of the decade so far is Jaleel White, who fought to be known as something OTHER than Urkel, embracing the character again for a new business venture lol https://t.co/OOf419IwIh
— A Simply Cecilia Stan Account (@PercivalPenman) April 18, 2021
The main event didn’t go on until almost 1 am, Sunday morning but the whole event was enjoyable from soup to nuts. Dashed in between the fisticuffs were performances. At 9 pm (EST), The Black Keys opened up the night.
While those Billboard Top 40 acts are attractive and sure to bring in a particular population, the real attraction (even over the fight) is the premiere of the Hip-Hop mega-group, Mt. Westmore.
Mt. Westmore is a collective made up of Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E40, and Too Short. All four of the stars have not only experienced an exponential level of success with songs that canvas over four decades, but they are also simply iconic.
First up was E40 who was stunting with a black and white Louis Vuitton bomber with a fur collar. Dripping with the Yay all over him, he performed some of his hits: “Choices (Yup)” and his part on Big Sean’s “I Don’t F**k With You.”
Next from the group was Too Short who did some of his party-starters, “Ain’t Gone Do it,” “Blow the Whistle,” and “Shake that Monkey” featuring Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz.
Ice Cube then took the stage to perform two songs from his catalog, “It Was A Good Day” and “You Can Do It.”
The last of the West Coast mega-group was Snoop Dogg, the person pulling everything together. He performed “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.” During the Pharrell-produced song, the Death Row superstar had pole dancers come out as he swagged all over the place with his personalized Snoop Lion mic.
Snoop also premiered a new song – “How You Feel Now.”
Now for the moment, everyone had been waiting for … the stage is dark and the fans see four black thrones with red lights illuminated from the back with the rap stars sitting from stage left to right: Too Short, Snoop, E40, and Ice Cube.
The performance was only the start, according to sources the group is working on a project — sure to revive the West Coast dominance that they established in the mid-90s.
Snoop will drop a project on April 20th — three days after this historic night — titled From Tha Streets 2 Tha Suites.
RIC FLAIR, PETE DAVIDSON, AND THE SLAP CONTEST
No one expected the two Staten Island brothers to have one of the most bizarre and entertaining portions of the show. The Hall of Fame wrestler, formerly a Horsemen from the iconic NWA wrestling league, said that he said that he heard that the women in Buckhead called him “Peter the Pumpkin Eater.” Clearly still a live wire from the 80s, he saw a young woman in a top and shouted with a loud “Woohoo, hey girl in the high school sweater!” To which Pete Davidson said, “You can’t say that!”
The duo were the hosts for the Slap Strike competition between Da Crazy Hawaiian and The Bear Man. Slap Strike is a contest where opponents slap each other in the face super hard and the winner is the one that does not respond. Fans took to Twitter to share how much they enjoyed this part.
— Información Real de Lucha Falsa (@Jaburoni) April 18, 2021
The winner was Da Crazy Hawaiian and let’s just say you don’t ever want to get him mad.
DOJA CAT DOES HER VERSION OF JANET AND JOSIE
Doja Cat ruled her performance when she and her background dancers came through with black double-breasted suit jackets on, sick choreography reminiscent of Janet Jo’s “Rhythm Nation” uniform. The outfits were perfectly tailored to show off their bodies and the itsy bitsy briefs underneath the jackets. Doja Cat’s hair was coiffed with a wet curly wig and her caramel-complected face was accented by violet-purple eyeshadow.
The next song that she did for the views was “Freak,” the single that has sparked the viral #silhouettechallenge. When you see the dancers, they are now stripped down to hot pink cheetah-print teddies, looking like the Black girl from Josie and the Pussycats. The next time we see the singer, born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, she is in a pink cheetah latex bralette with straps that connect down to matching bottoms with fishnet stockings with a Dolce Gabbana belt.
Another costume change was in order for when she did, “Kiss Me More” a new jam featuring TDE’s SZA. The South African-Zulu and Jewish-American mixed chart-darling rocked a cheetah bubble jacket over her bathing suit. It is clear by her performance that she is watching the vets.
Snoop and the Triller team then announce their new NFTs based on Jake Paul’s last battle’s knockout and the one from that night. Within three minutes of the announcement, the auction of the first NFT was over $1 million.
Triller NFT 3 Hours Into The Auction
After this announcement was a touching tribute to DMX.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA COMMENTATES AND DROPS NEW FIGHT
Oscar de La Hoya pulled up to the “Triller Fight Club” to announce his new fight on July 3. While he did not say who is his competitor, he did say that it would be someone great. He also said that he was inspired by Mike Tyson to get back in the ring after 14 years of retirement.
He joined the team to analyze the Frank Mir and Steve Cunningham fight.
The highlight of this bout was that Frank Mir’s daughter Jennifer, an MMA champion, was in his corner helping coach and refresh between rounds. The professional boxer was up against former Navy vet, Steve Cunningham who in 2013 beat Tyson Fury, who was noticeably smaller than Mir (75 lbs. less).
Triller’s Fight Club is totally different from any other boxing league anyone has ever seen. Noticeably, the commentators were a mixed bag of funny. De La Hoya was leading the jokes as he appeared either drunk or high. In fact, one host said that they all have contacts from the weed in the air.
WAIT … JUSTIN BIEBER DON’T WANT TO BE BLACK NO MO’
There is something about these Justins (him and Timberlake) that jump in and out of Black music. As the anchor artist of the Triller Fight Club event, he basically told his “urban” fans that he ain’t care about which Biebs we wanted to see. He was gonna give us his new beige version, steep in his Canadian roots and not the swag Atlanta groove that put him on.
Justin Bieber gave us out-of-tuned versions of “Hold On,” “Somebody” and ending with the no longer R&B pop version of “Peaches.” Usher’s old protégé is pure vanilla, purposely not singing melodically (not caring about the soul-light runs he used to present).
He didn’t dance like he used to… alternatively opting for stomping across the stage in a stiff (dookie pants) shuffle. Orange beanie, white top and black skinny jeans, and pyro elevated by “I am really mean this” stomp with a slam-dancing prance across the stage.
Jake Paul, who has been under a cloud of frustration over the last few weeks, won with a knockout. Ten days ago, his bodyguard Shadow died. Just this week, he was hit with sexual assault allegations (one that Pete Davidson brought up to him in pre-fight banter). But the spirit of his friend must have been present because just as Shadow predicted, Jake Paul won in the first round.
Now, we know some of the details behind memorial services for Yonkers, New York Rapper DMX. We all know the recent story about DMX and his untimely passing, but we now know that there will be a massive celebration for him. If you need to know those specific details, check the link below. If you want some behind-the-scenes stuff, continue to read.
So, I have been privy to some information regarding the celebration of DMX‘s life. We are still mourning the loss of the great rap artist and actor but the celebration will not be thwarted. However, I am seeing that behind the scenes, there was a bit of a push and pull for where his celebration would be. Before TMZ said anything, I already knew that there was a massive celebration being planned. But I think that the Barclays Center in Brooklyn snatched the ceremony from Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. My original sources said that Swizz was working feverishly to have the celebration in Manhattan, but suddenly that changed.
Why? I don’t know. I have my thoughts but I don’t have any confirmations as to why. I know that Madison Square Garden is more in Times Square and perhaps less disturbance to the burgeoning tourist population, but I really don’t know. It also could be a money thing, maybe Barclays simply outbid MSG.
At any rate, like I said before Swizz Beatz is really making sure his man gets sent home in the grandest fashion possible. As you already know Swizz, and others helped orchestrate the audio backdrop to some of DMX’s biggest hits.
I am not sure exactly other details, but you can believe it’s going to be a star studded affair, and have a bit of exclusivity to it as well. It will not be like Nipsey Hussle, because the conditions around now with Covid are so different. But, you best believe the hood is going to come out and I am quite sure thatplayed a role in the location too.
Tennis superstar Serena Williams is inviting cameras into her life both on and off the court for a new Amazon docuseries.
The 23-time Grand Slam champ and businesswoman will lay bare her personal and professional life for the as-yet-untitled project, which she will executive produce alongside her longtime coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.
The show is part of a new first-look TV deal Williams has signed with Amazon officials, with whom she will collaborate on both scripted and unscripted content.
“I’m very excited to be partnering with Amazon Studios – they are developing some of the most inspiring and important content for a global audience,” the mother-of-one, who is married to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, shared in a statement.
“I have a lot of stories I’m eager to tell, including a continuation of my own, and I look forward to sharing those with the world.”
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, added, “Serena has transformed her sport and become one of the most inspiring athletes, entrepreneurs and women of her generation, admired not only for her unmatched prowess on the court but for her dedication to advocacy as well.
“We’re incredibly excited to share her journey in this new series, and to work with her to create new original content for our Prime Video customers worldwide.”
A launch date for the docuseries has yet to be announced. It won’t be the first time Williams has opened up on camera – she released the HBO documentary, “Being Serena,” in 2018.
Just weeks after the passing of rapper DMX’s death, another rap legend has transitioned.
Former Bad Boy rapper Black Rob has died from kidney failure, after suffering a variety of ailments. Most recently, the rapper had revealed he had suffered from four strokes brought on by high blood pressure.
“Lord knows i tried to get help …… I’m sad to say RIP to Black Rob ….. Passed away in the hospital in Atlanta,” confirmed DJ Self, who broke the news about the rapper’s health woes last week, when he posted a video of Black Rob sending his condolences to the late DMX, who died on April 9th.
Last weekend, Black Rob, born Robert Ross, took to Instagram to reassure his fans that he was doing ok, but tragically, his illness took his life fast than anyone imagined.
Bad Boy alumni/rapper Mark Curry had been providing updates on Rob’s situation on his own Instagram page and revealed he was supposed to undergo dialysis after fans launched a GoFundMe to raise money to help the rapper with his medical bills and living arrangements.
The GoFundMe had raised over $27,000 out of a $50,000 goal at the time of Black Rob’s passing.
Black Rob was 51-years-old when he died. He leaves behind a solid legacy and a respectable catalog.
The Harlem rapper was featured on a variety of records with artists on Bad Boy, including G. Dep’s “Special Delivery,” as well as the remixes to Total’s single “What About Us,” Faith’s “Love Like Us,” Mase’s “24 Hrs. To Live” and others.
Black Rob released four albums over the course of his career. Life Story was released in 2000, followed by The Black Rob Report in 2005.
Black Rob was released from prison in 2010. He delivered his album Game Tested, Streets Approved in 2011, followed by his final full-length, 2015’s Genuine Article.
I’m shocked… Robert has a daughter I’m looking for… iona Ross … Robert Ross jr… I need you https://t.co/QmY0I2WxU3
In addition to the Triller partnership and dropping new music with The Isley Brothers, Snoop is taking care of his acting career too.
It was recently announced that Snoop Dogg is starring in a new Netflix-produced movie with Jamie Foxx and Meagan Good called “Day Shift.”
The film will be the directorial debut of American martial artist, action director, actor, and stuntman, JJ Perry, best known for his work as a second unit director and stunt coordinator on movies like “Fast & Furious 9,” “The Fate of the Furious,” and “Bloodshot.”
A vampire thriller, “Day Shift” was written by Tyler Tice and revised by Say Hatten. Foxx will be the lead, appearing as a hard-working dad with a blue-collar job (he’ll be playing a pool cleaner). Like most parents, he is grinding super hard to provide for his 8-year-old daughter…at least that is what he wants us to think.
His real job is tracking down blood-sucking vampires with his crew of international posse of vampire hunters.
There is no word yet on Snoop’s character.
According to his IMDB, the cast is currently filming. It also shows that he has been getting busy this year on the acting tip.
Snoop Dogg has revived his role as the voice of “It” in the untitled Addams Family sequel and will play Professor Dominologist in another film called Domino: Battle of the Bones.
According to Benjamin Montemayor, he decided to go down to protest the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other victims of police brutality after seeing YG’s post on Twitter.
LA meet me. Hollywood Blvd & Vine tomorrow Tuesday 12 noon BLM – George Floyd
Montemayor said he was one of more than 10,000 people who showed up that day to peacefully demonstrate, after the brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin, on May 25th, 2020.
During the protest, Montemayor and a friend walked with a large, hand-painted banner measuring 7.6 feet by 3.8 feet, which read: PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES, DEFUND POLICE, BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
The filmmaker said he and his friends marched peacefully in Hollywood for hours until all HELL broke loose – thanks to the LAPD.
Montemayor said that Los Angeles Police Department officers outfitted in riot gear indiscriminately unleashed so-called “less lethal” chemical and projectile weapons on the crowd as they marched on Hollywood Boulevard.
“Without announcement or warning, Los Angeles Police Department officers targeted and attacked Mr. Montemayor and his friend because they were holding the banner—one officer ripped the banner from Mr. Montemayor’s hand, and a second officer violently shoved him,” explained Montemayor’s lawyer Shaleen Shanbhag of the law firm Hadsell, Stormer, Renick & Dai.
“As Mr. Montemayor stood there, unarmed, not resisting arrest, posing no threat whatsoever to anyone around him, and having just been violently shoved, a third officer less than ten feet away aimed his green 40mm launcher at Mr. Montemayor and intentionally shot him in the groin with a high-speed plastic, hard foam projectile,” Shanbhag revealed.
Montemayor crumpled in pain from the impact of the eXact iMpact ammunition fired from the 40mm launcher, which caused Montemayor’s right testicle to immediately swell to the size of a grapefruit.
Montemayor had to be rushed to an emergency room due to the severeness of his injury. He had to undergo surgery the same day, to piece back together portions of his testicle, which exploded due to the impact of the projectile shot by the LAPD officer.
After the surgery, Montemayor could not sit, sleep or drive his car due to the excruciating pain in his groin and lower back, thanks to a bulging disc caused by the projectile.
Montemayor, who was physically fit and biked, hiked, and engaged in other activities before the shooting, also lost several production jobs because of his inability to lift heavy items on the sets.
Benjamin Montemayor maintains he suffered emotional harm, severe emotional distress, loss of sleep, loss of enjoyment of life, anxiety, fear, and anger.
Even though every time Montemayor sees a police officer, he has flashbacks of being attacked, he plans to continue to exercise his constitutional right to freedom of speech and association by engaging in expressive activities in Los Angeles.
Montemayor is suing the City of Los Angeles, Chief Michel Moore, and unnamed LAPD police officers for compensatory, general, and special damages for assault, battery by a police officer, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress
In the fall of 2019, Godfather of Harlem debuted on Epix (and also appeared on the streaming service Philo) as an American crime drama based on the extraordinary life (and legend) of 1960’s New York gangsta’ Bumpy Johnson.
Starring Forest Whitaker as the Sugar Hill legend, the series received critical acclaim as Bumpy’s character was humanized and developed as a benevolent leader in the village — versus the cold-blooded criminal that other reports have said. Now the series is back with season 2 with even more action than before.
Dropping on Sunday, April 18 at 9 pm, viewers will catch up with Johnson who is now in the scope of five of New York’s crime families. Made men like Vincent “The Chin” Gigante, Frank Costello, and Joe Bonanno are conspiring to do Bumpy grimy since he popped one of their guys in the first season set only four months prior to the season 2’s opening.
Godfather of Harlem (Epix)
The Black mob boss is nervous as there is a bounty on his head and moving from bedpost to bedpost each day in secret not to get caught. He sends his wife and granddaughter down south for safety, while his daughter has established herself as a member of the new socio-political religious group, the Nation of Islam.
One storyline in the series is his venture into the heroine drug world creating a pipeline called the “French Connection.”
This promises to be interesting because this is a primary Italian plug and Feds are creeping in to break up all the underworld regime terrorizing the Big Apple in the sixties.
The first season (show and Whitaker) was nominated for several awards from BET, Black Reel Awards for Television, and the NAACP Image Awards. And the setup for this second go-around promises to be just like fire. Watch is on Epix or Philo, starting April 18.
Hip-Hop has always been about great stories and when it comes to that their aren’t many as unique as Infra Redd.
Straight out of Compton with Irish roots, his music is an ode to old school West coast.
With collabs from heavy hitters such as Snoop and Kurupt and opening up for the late Nipsey Hussle, Infra Redd has been steadily building a buzz.
And now with his latest single “OHUMAD” he looks to break the doors down in the industry.
For many years, West Coast Hip-Hop has a solid hold on the rap game. Infra Redd has been a student.
With his slick delivery reminiscent of the old G-Funk era, it is obvious where his inspiration to rap comes from. Using his “Bompton” esthetics, Infra Redd is way more than proud of his hometown.
As a student of DJ Quik, you will notice the delivery, neighborhood, and the color red is something they both have in common.
With 2021 starting off big for Infra Redd, AllHipHop will keep you in tuned with what’s in store from the Cali native and what is next on his journey to becoming the next West Coast legend.
Former Source owner and Almighty RSO founder Benzino seems to always be at the root of public displays of dysfunction.
As a cast member of “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” and “Marriage Boot Camp,” his relationships with women seem to always be in serious flux. But nowadays, he has been going back and forth with his daughter, and instead of hopping on a cable network and getting paid to clash with a female that he loves … he is doing it for free.
Recently, Zino and his daughter have been talking about their turbulent relationship on social media. To be fair, Coi Leray, his oldest child, released a song in January with Lil Durk called “No More Parties.” This song was emotionally cleansing about her dad, whom she alleges wasn’t there for her.
“My daddy let me down … But I promise you I won’t let up … I wanna say f### that man … But this s### won’t make me better”
Back and forth, the two went over the disparaging lyrics, leaving both of them venting and ranting on Instagram lives that have left messy “fans” reveling in the familiar dysfunction.
On Friday, April 16th, 2021, it seems that Coi tried to extend either an olive branch to her dad or just wanted to impulsively share how she felt on Twitter.
“So not only is the internet the place to tell someone you got beef, but it’s all the place to tell someone you love them? How bout using the same phone for the keypad and call button. S#### fake asf.”
“It’s funny how all the internet people react emotionally when you make a comment in your best interest but since it’s not what they want to hear or how they see it then they attack. They don’t even know you or the situation. Each one of y’all can suck covid dick and take a nap.”
Fans started to check him, letting him know he is looking crazy tweeting like this.
“U moving like a woman bro where’s ur testosterone real men don’t let their emotions control em,” says Jorge Pastora.
Then the profile ….Take it or Leave it responded, “especially not over they daughters.”
especially not over they daughters
— 3 Take it or leave it… (@Dreadheadtajie) April 16, 2021
Thankfully, Benzino did a 180 and issued a heartfelt apology to Coi for not being there for her as she was growing up. Zino dropped a lengthy message to his daughter, as well as his 1.1 million followers on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNv2LSPsplA/
Despite the social media drama, Benzino vowed he would be there for Coi and promised to heal their fractured relationship as well.
“I’m far perfect but I man up when it’s time and the most important thing is to PROVIDE, so as a street guy with no trade or degree, I got to go get it from the streets,” Benzino said. “I understand when it was the Source era it was worse. 😞 I get it and I’m so sorry. All that took up time and realize my it’s my time is what a daughter needs. So I understand how Coi was frustrated and angry, so all I can do is try and make it better and move forward…Just want a relationship with my daughter and here for her 24 7 for anything. ❤️”
Fans will have an opportunity to say their final “goodbyes” to rapper DMX on Saturday, April 24th in Downtown Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
The arena holds up 19,000 people and the logistics are being flushed out by his management team, led by music executive Steven Rifkind.
One of the biggest concerns will be to determine how many people will actually be allowed in due to the state’s COVID-19 restriction.
According to TMZ, Yonkers’ mayor, Mike Spano, wanted to host the rapper’s homegoing celebration at the Yonkers Raceway — in the town that he grew up in.
Since this is a no-go, the city is thinking about naming a street after him or creating a statue in his image and likeness.
The private funeral for family and friends will be in an undisclosed church in the New York metro area on the next day, April 25th. Those details will not be made public.
“Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him,” the family noted in a public statement. “Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time.”
His unexpected death has left a hole in the heart of Hip-Hop that will never be filled.
AllHipHop.com has been following the NBA YoungBoy’s federal case very closely, tracking the rapper’s current woes that are linked to a music video shoot in Baton Rouge in September 2020.
Now, we can report that the Louisiana native, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, has pled “not guilty” to his two federal weapons charges: one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.
He appeared via video in front of Magistrate Judge Scott Johnson from the St. Martin Parish jail where he was transferred to earlier this week.
As previously reported, NBA YoungBoy will be on-lock in this facility without bond on a federal hold for the U.S. Marshals Service.
His trial date is set and he will be able to defend himself in the middle of June.
These are not his only legal woes.
The troubled rap star is also looking at some state weapons and drug charges and will return to a court on April 20.
Attorney James Manasseh is representing the hitmaker. Though he has been charged with “possession of firearms by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record,” Manasseh contends that these charges can’t stick because his client did not have the weapon “on his person.”
Cardi B believes that police should be treated the exact way civilians are when they commit a crime.
The Bronx bomber took to Twitter (in a post that has now been removed) to weigh in on how to deal with America’s problem with racism with law enforcement as it is manifested through police-involved violence.
The 28-year-old mother of one posted, ““I’m so tired of police brutality & entitlement. We are sooo tired of it. When will it end?”
Sam Son Soulash @fentymiletti commented simply, “Defund the police” to that post.
Her response to him was thoughtful and actually one that is commonly expressed through many Black and Brown circles.
“We need cops and that’s facts we just need strict laws for cops. If you shot someone just like civilians you will go to jail that same day, get charge, wait for bond and go to trial. That will make you think twice about shooting anyone.”
Advocates for the Defund the Police movement took exception with the “Up” rapper’s perspective, however, Sam followed up and chose to enlighten her.
“Cardi. Defund the police does NOT mean ABOLISH the police. It means reallocating money from the police to local municipalities … Stop sending military weapons used in war to police.”
Cardi. Defund the police does NOT mean ABOLISH the police. It means reallocating all the money from the police to local municipalities. To social workers. Housing, education, employment, mental health care, and youth services. Stop sending military weapons used in war to police
Rising star Chika has announced her retirement from music, citing the “mental toll” the industry is taking on her.
The 24-year-old rapper, who is nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s Grammy Awards, took to Twitter to reveal her decision, writing: “The mental toll being in the industry has taken on me is not something you bounce back from easily.”
Chika added that after mentioning the prospect of retiring from the business before, she faced immense backlash from her fans.
“Today I told Twitter (about retiring),” she continued. “What followed was a hoard of psychotic fans rejoicing in the decline of my mental health, harassing me as if I spoke to them first. It’s not f###### cool, it’s not ‘trolling’ or ‘stan culture’, you’re pushing people to a point of no return.”
She concluded: “With that said, I’m out. If it doesn’t work, I’ll try again, idc (I don’t care). have fun, I never f##### liked it here anyway.”
And when one of her followers responded that she had to “grow a thick skin” to survive in the music industry, Chika angrily hit back: “stop f###### telling me what the f### got me@upset, i was cleaely upset BEFORE they started f###### with me. WHY else would i say i’m retiring. y’all are so f##### dense that you think a stan can turn someone suicidal, no n####, i BEEN here. they just make it worse (sic).”
She was quickly inundated with messages of support from many fans, with one writing: “I’m sorry you’re going through this. If you need to get off social or out of your career for your mental health, whatever keeps you alive is okay. I hope you feel better; and I hope you get better at feeling better, because it’s work sometimes, but worth it in the end.”
Speaking as part of WSJ Magazine’s The One series, Kim’s mom insisted the pair’s children are the number one priority.
“I think the most important thing I learned through my experience, both of my experiences, is that the kids come first,” explained Kris.
The mom-of-six divorced her late first husband, Robert Kardashian, in 1991, and second spouse Caitlyn Jenner in 2015.
“If you keep that in the front of your mind and know that they are going to get you through, the love is going to get you through… no matter how much you’re hurting.
“I used to put everybody to bed, and then I would be upset or go to my room and cry myself to sleep. But I didn’t want to have a pity party in front of the kids.”
J Young MDK continues to make history. With his 2019 solo album Now Or Never, executive produced by superstar singer/actor Jamie Foxx, J Young MDK showed the world that his musical talents run strong.
The Fresno-bred, Atlanta-based rapper/singer/songwriter/actor/director continues to demonstrate that the grind never stops when you’re a creative doing what you love.
“I’m ultimately someone that’s gonna work hard wherever I need to be,” said the self-described hustler and entrepreneur.
In 2020, he began an ambitious effort to release 50 songs in 50 weeks, and also dropped two albums the same day (the R&B album Aqua and the Hip-Hop release Black). He also appeared in Netflix’s The App That Stole Christmas and the film Sorry About That.
AllHipHop: Who are some of your bigger musical influences?
J Young MDK: I listened to so much music coming up, starting with my mom who listens to so much old school music: Mary J. Blige, Curtis Mayfield, Ice-T, Biggie. So many different things. I love everything: country, I listen to Garth Brooks. Oh, Sade. Tupac, Jay-Z, Outkast, it goes on and on.
AllHipHop: Are you going to do a country album?
J Young MDK: Man, I’d love to. As long as it sounds dope and it’s authentic, I’d do it in my own way. I wouldn’t fake the accent though.
AllHipHop: What does it mean for Jamie Foxx to produce your albums?
J Young MDK: It’s insane. For him to even like your music is one thing, to actually be a part of something is a whole other thing. Imagine looking at this guy growing up and loving what he does and what he represents. Being a fan, then being able to work with him.
AllHipHop: What was the biggest role he played in “Now or Never”?
J Young MDK: It was telling me yay or nay, what he thinks could be done differently. I definitely respect his opinion, especially his musical and film opinion. It’s dope to have someone like that. That’s like Jay-Z or somebody telling you his opinion.
J YOUNG MDK
[At this point in the interview, Foxx interrupted to give a shout out to the BSB BOYZ, a new musical collaboration featuring both of them plus other entertainers from their circle of friends. The name is inspired by BSB, a sweet bourbon that they all enjoy. Listeners should look for more info about the group soon, along with a fourth album by J Young MDK.]
AllHipHop: What was it like making history by dropping two albums on one day?
J Young MDK: Everything I do, I try to think, “What could I do to separate myself? Something different that nobody’s done?” Because I don’t feel like nothing is 100% original, but you could tweak some things and make your mark. I’m all about making a mark.
AllHipHop: How’s the ’50 Songs in 50 Weeks’ campaign?
J Young MDK: I’m at song No. 38. Every week, I’m throwing a new song out there. I started it during quarantine, thinking, “What could I do to stay active, keep from going crazy and feel like I’m doing something?” Let me do 50 songs, 50 weeks. That’s what changed my career.
AllHipHop: What’s the best advice Jamie Foxx has given you?
J Young MDK: It’s not the advice he gives, it’s the leading by example. Jamie takes care of his whole family, man. He takes care of his friends, everybody around him. He puts everybody in positions to win.
How could you not respect and love that? I learn so much watching him. He tells me a lot of advice as well, but I learn so much from him alone.
Keep up with JYOUNG MDK on social media @jyoungmdk, web jyoungmdk.com and all digital streaming platforms.
Konshens has been featured on tracks by Nipsey Hussle, Cardi B, Doja Cat, Rick Ross, The Chainsmokers and E-40, but the Jamaican artist is best known for his own melodic dancehall anthems like “Bruk Off Yuh Back,” which was remixed with a guest feature from Chris Brown after becoming a worldwide hit in 2017.
For the second drop from his upcoming album Red Reign, Konshens returns to “Bruk Off Yuh Back” territory with the melodic, summery “Pay For It.”
Joining him on the track are Spice, the reigning Queen of Dancehall and current star of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, and Jamaican producer Rvssian, whose credits include Bad Bunny’s “Krippy Kush,” tracks for Juice WRLD, Lil Tjay and French Montana, and endless hits for incarcerated dancehall don Vybz Kartel.
The official video, directed by Xtreme Arts, takes viewers to the heart of Kingston, Jamaica, where Konshens plays a hustling bus fare collector who shoots his shot at an upscale passenger played by Spice.
Things don’t go quite as Konshens would have hoped, but the playful banter between the two artists makes for an entertaining watch.
“Pay For It” follows the introspective “Can’t Stay Sober” in the rollout for Red Reign, which is due out later this year on Oakland’s Ineffable Records.
Hailing from Queens, New York’s “Cut Block,”, the fast-paced living, multicultural environment, and diversity, is what formed the talented Zoe Gawd: writer, rapper and talent. Zoe Gawd began sharpening her artistic abilities at the age of 8 years old, with her top talent being poetry. As the youngest of three children,, she found that poetry and writing was an outlet, as she was on her own often. Slowly transitioning into rap during her teen years in high school, she began to find motivation within herself during her time in and out of studios. In 2016 she finally recorded her first freestyle to Kendrick Lamar’s higher power. She fell in love. 2016 was the year her professional career in music budded, with her debut freestyle to Kendrick Lamar’s “Higher Power” being released.
Influenced from old school 90’s hip hop/rap, artists like Jay Z and Nas are a couple that Zoe Gawd found inspiration from. In addition, she was introduced to her greatest influence, Kanye West, after her older brother introduced the artist.
Proudly announcing newest single, “Bad Things”, a Dillygotitbumpin production,
she is also welcoming new projects in the coming months, as Zoe Gawd’s focus is the future and continues to build towards greatness. With her musical skills sharpening, she consistency impresses her audience. “Do You”, a recent song, was one of the favorites hits to be released. “It was the first time seeing my whole vision come to together between the song and video,” Zoe Gawd shares.” It was the catalyst for me to really motivate me to keep doing what I was doing.” This was a form of validation to the Jamaican Queen.
Kendrick Lamar’s long-serving engineer has hinted the hip-hop megastar might drop his long-awaited fifth studio LP in 2021.
The Grammy-winning rap star hasn’t released a studio album since Damn in 2017 but, earlier this year, Top Dawg Entertainment president Punch claimed fans would likely hear some new material from him very soon.
Punch made the claims whilst replying to podcast host Karen Civil on Twitter, after she invited the music mogul onto her Girl I Guess podcast, and at the same time asked if her listeners could hear a new Kendrick Lamar song.
She wrote: “Now you know your always invited! Can we play that new Kendrick you played me?!”
And Punch replied: “YES! Soon.”
His engineer, Derek ‘MixedByAli’ Ali, had also previously teased that Kendrick has enough new material for “six albums.”
