Kanye West has asked his soon-to-be ex-wife for joint custody of the couple’s four children.
As a part of his answer to Kim Kardashian’s divorce petition, the “Jesus Walks” rapper parrot’s her request and asks for the following: joint legal and physical custody of the kids, that the two pay their own legal fees and that there are no spousal support awards to either party.
While he was in the hospital bed, the lawyers for both parties negotiated a $2 million a month advance for support ending in April.
This is not the case for Kimye. They’ve figured out how to respectfully dissolve their very public marriage — making sure that North, Psalm, Saint, and Chicago sees their parents always honoring each other.
Superproducer Swizz Beatz has remembered his late friend DMX as a “different type of spirit” who had the biggest heart and always stayed true to his roots.
Shortly after the “Party Up (Up In Here)” rapper died at the age of 50, Swizz shared an emotional video on Instagram, eulogizing the hip-hop legend as he shared a side of the star fans may not have been familiar with.
“My brother was a different type of brother – a different type of artist, a different type of creative, different type of spirit, different type of zone, different type of soul,” Swizz began.
“Since the day that I met him, he lived his life for everyone else… You ain’t never seen DMX with a Lamborghini, you ain’t never seen my brother with a Rolls-Royce, you ain’t never seen him iced out with no jewelry. He did not care about any of that…”
Touching on DMX’s spirituality and the personal pain he endured throughout his troubled life, which was plagued by substance abuse, the producer said, “He prayed for everybody else more than himself. He’d get on the stage and pray for 15,000 people, knowing that he needed more prayers than anybody that he was praying for…”
“He took everybody’s pain and made it his,” Swizz continued. “He would go to jail to escape his pain. That’s how much pain my brother had every day… He would win an award, an American Music Award, you name it, and didn’t understand why he deserved it because he knew and he felt that other people deserved it more than him. He never lived for hisself.”
Swizz went on to liken his fallen friend and frequent collaborator to a “prophet” who was constantly giving back to those in need, without ever publicizing his charity work.
“My brother would take care of everybody before he would take care of himself. I never seen a human like him,” he said. “The closest I’ve ever seen to a prophet.”
“He did more charity than probably every artist I know,” Swizz continued. “The only difference with his charity was he never talked about it. His humanitarian work should be celebrated…”
Just when you thought that the Future and Eliza Reign child support drama has been settled, she drops a bombshell request in court — hoping to get the judge to award her a higher monthly check for the care of their toddler.
Currently, Eliza is receiving $3,200 for the rapper’s youngest daughter. But in her opinion, that is not enough.
According to Radaronline.com, Eliza Reign is leaving no stone unturned to get the extra bread. Documents state that she wants to see his child support arrangement with his other children’s mothers and how much bank he is pulling in from his label as negotiated by his contract.
He pointed to her initial request from a monthly stipend of $53,000 a month to which he offered her a cool grand. The judge upped that amount to the current figure, $3.2K.
Aaryan Shah is here to prove he has the talents to make it in the big leagues.
The Indian-American singer-songwriter is a child to immigrants, born in the States after his parents migrated from India to Los Angeles. Going against the grain and dropping out of school at the age of 15 to pursue his music career, the rising star spends his waking hours in the lab perfecting his craft, oftentimes in the studio until 2am.
Currently, the 20-year-old artist and producer sings about everything from drugs to sex to depression — invoking emotion and passion with each release.
Most recently, he tapped TDE’s own Zacari on the remix to his 2017 smash “Renegade,” a collaboration that speaks volumes to who Aaryan is as a person and artist. Plus, he has yet to reveal his face to the public, preserving his mystique in hopes of listeners paying attention to the music wholeheartedly.
Currently, fans wait patiently for his forthcoming music video “Is This The Life I Chose?”
AllHipHop: How does it feel to be Indian American in the music industry?
Aaryan Shah: It’s crazy, I can see that I’m one of the first Indian American acts to come on the scene. A few really dope ones have been poppin’ for a little bit, Nav’s a great example of someone who’s already been doing it. In the R&B world especially, it’s a space that hasn’t been touched . It’s really cool. For me, everyday feels like we’re doing something new, like we’re breaking some new barrier. At the same time, there’s a lot of challenges that come with it too. People don’t necessarily know because there’s not a lot of Asians in the space, it doesn’t get talked about that much, but we’re here to stay and want to show the world what this looks like at the highest level.
AllHipHop: Your parents came to Los Angeles when they were 20. How was your upbringing in Los Angeles?
Aaryan Shah: I was born and raised here, down south close to Orange County. It was really cool because my parents have always been a little liberal and down to go against the grain. As much as you can expect from immigrant parents. [laughs] I was always an artistic kid, always wanted to explore painting, singing, and dancing, all these different things. When I was 14 or 15, I wanted to do stuff for real. I dropped out of high school to do music. That’s when everyone said “no, you’re doing too much.” You have the support of everybody, but not when it’s on a real level. Not when you’re like “no, I want to do this.” I don’t have any family in entertainment, I don’t have anyone from extended family or family friends. The whole Indian community has always been business or medicine.
AllHipHop: Did you think it was a long shot?
Aaryan Shah: Absolutely, but it’s the only thing that I could imagine myself doing. If it’s not this, I don’t know what it is.
AllHipHop: Biggest influences that you listened to?
Aaryan Shah: Bruno Mars. Justin Timberlake was my first concert, I saw him at the 20/20 Experience and said “that’s what I want to do.” At that point, I started studying music and going back to some of the greats from the 80’s and 90’s. Freddie Mercury’s one of my biggest influences. He wasn’t comfortable telling people where he’s from because the world wasn’t ready for it. In a way that was the world I’ve grown up in, so he’s always been a big influence for me.
AllHipHop: How did you learn how to produce and record?
Aaryan Shah: It was a lot of learning on the job, a lot of getting there. I’d never written music before I was 14 so I was trying to surround myself with as many engineers and producers as I could. As they’re doing things, I’d try to learn from them. They could explain to me what they’re doing, why they’re doing it. Over the years I’ve been able to pick up a lot of the things. For me, I have such a specific vision with whatever I’m trying to do. Everything’s so conceptual so I need to have as much control over it as possible. I tried to learn the things especially that I didn’t know, so I could start executing those on my own.
AllHipHop: How has the independent grind been?
Aaryan Shah: It’s been really great, it’s a really good time to be an independent artist. Being an independent, there’s this freedom you get, mainly creatively. I can really make whatever I want to make. The biggest component to me always is my fans, how are they receiving it and how are they connecting with it? We weren’t even supposed to make this last album. I was taking a lot of acid, acid’s the best.
Megh (manager): Psychedelic Summer 2020 was our energy.
Aaryan Shah: That was literally it, it was an acid trip with him. We really spent a lot of time drawing parallels to history, looking at old art, the Roman Empire, and the falling of Julius Caesar, how it made Europe transcend into the dark ages for a thousand years. I said “h######## no, we should make this the f###### album.” We started from scratch. If I was in a label situation, they wouldn’t be as cool with being like “oh, he tripped acid and said he wants to make this whole album.” Everyone around us is supportive.
AllHipHop: Talk about getting Zacari on “Renegade,” how’d that happen?
Aaryan Shah: It’s crazy. My manager Megh, Integral, the whole team, they go back with TDE. I’ve been a fan of Zacari since I started making music. He’s been really starting to pop off, “Redemption Interlude” is one of my favorite records by him. In this last year, “Renegade” was starting to go a little crazy. It’s an old record from 2018, I made it when I was 17. “Renegade” is having its biggest days this year. We thought it’d be cool to bring it back to life with somebody we f### with and Zacari was always one of the first people who came to mind. It was really cool, we sent it to him and he was feeling the energy. He sent something back so quick. We got in the studio, he’s a really nice person. I’m glad he’s the first person I’ve ever actually worked with.
AllHipHop: What do you want fans to get from the record?
Aaryan Shah: As a whole, that record is who I am: being a f###### renegade in life. I’ve always felt black sheep energy around everyone. I was the kid that dyed my hair, pierced my ears, got tatted and dropped out. I did what I wanted to do and what felt right for me. That’s what the song’s about, and a lot of people are on that energy these days.
AllHipHop: Is there a visual coming?
Aaryan Shah: Nah, I think that one lives in its own era. We’ll probably leave it there. That one exists from my album The Arrival, it was a part of that whole world. Personally, I’m in a very different place now. I’m looking towards what we’re doing next.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next from you?
That’s a good question. I like to be as cryptic as I can ‘cause I want the fans to experience it as it comes. For me, everything’s very
narrative-based. The Dark Ages was an experience we tried to build for the fans. Whatever comes next will definitely build off of that. My goal‘s to bring something new every time I come back. I won’t be coming back until I have something new. [laughs]
AllHipHop: One thing you want fans to get from The Dark Ages?
Aaryan Shah: Dark Ages is a very personal story for me. From seeing the last 6 or 7 months of it being out, everyone has their own experience with the project,. they find a lot of comfort in the project and I hope it serves as a time capsule for a moment in their lives. 5 years, 10 years from now, I want people to be able to listen back and think “this was The Dark Ages of my own life.”
AllHipHop: Talk about wearing a facemask and the meaning behind it.
Aaryan Shah: I started making music before I was wearing a mask. People were so focused on me being brown and the Indian aspect, it was always “terrorist, Muslim, blah blah.” The focus was on the wrong thing. It reached a part where nobody was paying attention to what I was saying, so I stopped showing my face and let people focus on the art and not me. The art, not the artist. Fans really latched onto it because people were able to relate to me without anything else outside of the music. My relationship with my fans has become strictly on the music, I wouldn’t have gotten without wearing a mask for the last 3 or 4 years.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
Aaryan Shah: I need my Xanax in the studio, depending on the energy. I need coffee because I get very tired, it cancels out the Xanax too though. It’s one way or the other. [laughs] Lowkey I need some Taco Bell because I be hungry as f###. Some Taco Bell will change everything.
AllHipHop: How does it feel to have people get tattoos inspired by you?
Aaryan Shah: It’s f###### surreal. It’s so surreal. It’s cool people will listen to my music and people are fans, but for someone to say “yo I’m taking this to the grave with me,” it’s big. It’s a big statement on what I’m doing. It’s validating to me almost, I’ve really made an impact on someone’s life.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from your upcoming music video, “Is This the Life I Chose?”?
Aaryan Shah: “Is This the Life I Chose?” is the closeout to the project and to this era. It’s become a fan favorite, which I love. I’m excited for people to see this video because it’s really a recap of our 2020 and the wild ass year we’ve had. I’m excited to close out The Dark Ages era with it.
The following day, she took to social media to remember the father of her four children as she reflected on her age milestone.
She shared a video montage of old photos, including some from her relationship with DMX, and in the accompanying voiceover, Tashera said, “Happy, happy birthday to me. April 10, 1971. Wow, what a ride. What a journey.
“As I close up the last 50 years of my life, I rejoice and I thank God for everything it has taught me. The journey that it took me through. The hurt, the pain, the triumph, the resistance, the resilience, the learning lessons, the relationships, the power.”
“I celebrate my life today grateful to God for the 50 years He has given me,” she continued. “But now I also celebrate my ex-husband, my best friend, my spiritual partner, my mentor. But I also thank God for his life and his peace. And his journey and his life lessons that were passed on and that will live on for generations to come.”
She further poured out her heart in the video’s caption, admitting she was struggling to keep her emotions under control as she mourned her ex, who she called “one of thee most important person in the world to me”.
“Happy 50th birthday to me. With much prayer, pulling. Crying and a roller coaster of emotions…,” she wrote.
“Everything we went through was necessary. It made me the woman I am today. As I enter a new chapter in life, I don’t walk in it the same. Life is so fragile and special at the same time! My life lessons have raised me up to be a Mighty warrior of God! Loving, resilient and strong!”
Tashera was married to the rap star, real name Earl Simmons, from 1999 until their separation in 2010, and they finally reached a divorce settlement in 2016.
Their relationship was rocked by DMX’s frequent infidelity, which eventually led to the rapper becoming a father of 15.
The 50-year-old rapper and actor passed away on Friday (April 9th) after spending a week in the intensive care unit following a heart attack at his home on April 2nd and Aaliyah’s mother remembered her late daughter’s “Romeo Must Die” co-star in an emotional post on Instagram.
Diane Haughton wrote: “Earl you had and still have a heart of gold. You and Baby Girl will meet again with all the beautiful people we have lost. Will never forget your kindness. NEVER! Blessing to your family! Eternally!”
DMX – whose real name was Earl Simmons – co-starred in the 2000 movie with Aaliyah and Jet Li – and he collaborated with Aaliyah for the film’s song “Come Back in One Piece.”
“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. 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.”
DMX – who was a father to 15 children – was a leading hip-hop performer, who achieved chart success with tracks including “Party Up” and ‘”X Gon’ Give It To Ya.”
Actor, rapper, and TV personality Nick Cannon is set to become a father of six.
The “Masked Singer’ host is expecting twin boys with his girlfriend, DJ Abby De La Rosa, who announced the news on Instagram on Sunday (April 11th) with a snap from her maternity shoot, in which Cannon appeared shirtless.
She captioned the image, “Our dearest sons – my miracle babies, Thank you for choosing me to be your Mommy.
“I know the Lord has destined me and prepared me for the gift of not one but two little angels. I pray that God gives you both the strength to walk brave and boldly in your individual truth just like your Daddy. That God bless you and your brother and guide you into living out your full purpose.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNifexkJDdd/
“Your Dad & I will always be here for you both; in complete unison and support,” she added. “No matter what this world may throw your way, know that forgiveness is key and what is for you – is for YOU! You both are already so loved and we can’t wait to meet you both (sic).”
Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer) was set to film his upcoming Emancipation in the former confederate state of Georgia. Those plans have changed following Georgia’s Republican legislature and governor enacting the Election Integrity Act of 2021.
While the name of that bill suggests its purpose is to strengthen elections in Georgia, critics claim Governor Brian Kemp actually signed legislation that suppresses the right to vote in the state, particularly for African Americans. Multiple civil rights and civil liberty organizations filed legal challenges to the law.
In addition, corporate America denounced the Election Integrity Act. Major League Baseball withdrew the 2021 All-Star Game from suburban Atlanta. Plus, Georgia-based Delta Airlines and The Coca-Cola Company publicly criticized the law.
According to Deadline, Fuqua’s Emancipation will no longer shoot in Georgia in response to the passing of the state’s Election Integrity Act. Hollywood and Hip Hop legend Will Smith (Independence Day, Bad Boys for Life) was cast for the main role in what is described as a “runaway slave thriller.”
A joint statement from Fuqua and Smith reads:
At this moment in time, the Nation is coming to terms with its history and is attempting to eliminate vestiges of institutional racism to achieve true racial justice. We cannot in good conscience provide economic support to a government that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access. The new Georgia voting laws are reminiscent of voting impediments that were passed at the end of Reconstruction to prevent many Americans from voting. Regrettably, we feel compelled to move our film production work from Georgia to another state.
Emancipation is based on the true story of a slave named Peter who escaped from a Louisiana plantation to the North where he eventually joined the Union Army during the Civil War. The real-life Gordon was cemented into history books because of an 1863 image known as “The Scourged Back.” The photograph showed Gordon’s extensive back scars from torture at the hands of the plantation owners and overseers.
Antoine Fuqua’s Fuqua Films and Will Smith’s Westbrook Inc. are the credited production companies for Emancipation. William N. Collage wrote the screenplay. Apple Studios purchased the motion picture for a reported $130 million. The production is expected to move from Georgia to Louisiana in order to begin filming later this year.
Despite all the hardships that emerged in 2020, up-and-coming rapper Chika had a breakout year. The Alabama native was selected as one of the XXL‘s 2020 Freshman Class members, and she earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
Apparently, that success did not stop Chika from experiencing tough times due to online hate. Last month, Chika had to deal with the wrath of Selena Gomez fans after she tweeted a shady comment about the Pop singer. It appears a gang of digital stans has not let up on the Warner recording artist.
On April 10, Chika posted a message on Twitter headlined “It’s really cool watching the world not give a f### and paint you as a villain.” The 24-year-old Once Upon a Time EP architect went on to write that she is dealing with mental health concerns and her time as a public figure has not helped that process.
“Today, I shared that I was thinking of retiring because the mental toll being in the industry has taken on me is not something you bounce back from easily,” wrote Chika. “I’ve told my team, I’ve told my therapist, I’ve told friends and acquaintances. Today I told Twitter. 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.”
She added, “When you have depression, the negative self-talk you have towards yourself is deafening. Now imagine a slew of weirdos dogpiling on top of thoughts you already have to fight off yourself. It’s not f###### cool, it’s not ‘trolling’ or ‘stan culture,’ you’re pushing people to a point of no return. And no, I don’t feel bad for wishing death on people who do s### like that. [Because] you deserve the same fate as the people you [affect]. With that said, I’m out. If it doesn’t work, I’ll try again. [I don’t care]. Have fun. I never liked it here anyway.”
That statement then got a public response from a fellow celebrity who has faced years of online torment during her run to the top of the industry. On Saturday, Hip Hop superstar Cardi B offered words of optimism to Chika in a series of quote-tweets.
Cardi posted:
Take it as this, Is the devil trying you or God testing your faith. I have won and accomplished so much and yet people try to strip everything I work hard for yet I have to think to myself do I quit & let people laugh for me being weak or get them mad by winning? You barely in the press, barely in blogs, barely in magazines but guess what? You was nominated for a Grammy for YOUR TALENT! Trust me people are watching and people are rooting for you. Block it out, work on ur marketing and keep going! IT TAKES ONE SONG That will change ur life. Trust me. I have to come every week on this app to clean up rumors, narratives, people talkin about my looks and discredit my accomplishment…Shiieett today the new rumor is that I’m a witch [rolling on the floor laughing emoji, face with tears of joy emoj]. You can’t have these people that are not love at home dictate your life & future.
This is not the first time Cardi B mentioned Chika on one of her social media platforms. Back in 2019, the Bronx-raised hitmaker encouraged her Instagram followers and Hip Hop media outlets to support Chika, Rapsody, Tierra Whack, and Kamaiyah.
Cardi’s endorsement of those rappers came in response to So So Def founder Jermaine Dupri’s controversial comments about modern-day female emcees mostly being strippers who only make songs about sex. Many observers labeled Dupri’s take sexist because he did not have the same criticism for male rappers that repeatedly offer sexual content in their rhymes.
Take it as this ,Is the devil trying you or God testing your faith .I have won and accomplished so much and yet people try to strip everything I work hard for yet I have to think to myself do I quit & let people laugh for me being weak or get them mad by winning ? https://t.co/L20C0mkn59
You barely in the press,barely in blogs ,barely in magazines but guess what ? You was nominated for a Grammy for YOUR TALENT! Trust me people are watching and people are rooting for you.Block it out,work on ur marketing and keep going ! IT TAKES ONE SONG That will change ur life https://t.co/L20C0mkn59
Trust me.I have to come every week on this app to clean up rumors , narratives ,people talkin about my looks and discredit my accomplishment…Shiieett today the new rumor is that I’m a witch🤣😂You can’t have these people that are not love at home dictate your life & future. https://t.co/L20C0mkn59
Puerto Rican rapper/singer Bad Bunny had an unexpected standout showing at WWE’s WrestleMania 37. After debuting at the Royal Rumble and appearing on the MondayNight Raw weekly series for several months, the Grammy winner officially stepped into the squared circle on Saturday.
Bunny teamed with Damian Priest to defeat The Miz and John Morrison at professional wrestling’s biggest annual event. The WrestleMania 37 Night 1 match included the music star throwing punches, diving off the top rope, and getting the pin for the victory.
On Night 2 of WrestleMania 37, Bad Bunny made another brief appearance in a pre-taped segment with WWE superstar/Executive Vice President Paul “Triple H” Levesque. This time the 27-year-old Latin Trap performer announced his El Último Tour del Mundo for 2022.
The trek is set to kick off on February 9 in Denver and hit other locations such as Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Toronto, Brooklyn, Atlanta, and Miami. Bad Bunny’s forthcoming tour comes off the back of his Billboard 200 #1 album El Último Tour Del Mundo which dropped in 2020.
The musician born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio also earned a #1 record on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart as a guest feature on Cardi B’s global smash “I Like It” along with Colombian singer J Balvin. That 2018 single has been certified 9x-Platinum in the United States.
If Bad Bunny chooses to retire from the music industry in the near future, he could have a nice run in World Wrestling Entertainment. His in-ring debut at WrestleMania 37 received widespread praise from fans and wrestlers with some people calling it the best “celebrity match” of all time.
.@sanbenito’s performance at #WrestleMania was simply … awesome. His months of incredibly hard work and grind in preparation for his performance showed his respect and dedication to @WWE and to our fans. He has truly earned all of our #Respect! pic.twitter.com/vcc1hb51s4
“[Bad Bunny’s] performance at #WrestleMania was simply… awesome. His months of incredibly hard work and grind in preparation for his performance showed his respect and dedication to @WWE and to our fans. He has truly earned all of our #Respect!” tweeted Triple H on Sunday.
In recent months, there have been several highly-publicized rap/wrestling crossovers on television and on social media. Cardi B jokingly called out WWE CEO Vince McMahon on Twitter after the promotion name-dropped her on an episode of Raw.
Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi shocked many viewers when he showed up on NBC’s Saturday Night Live this weekend wearing a dress. The “Sad People” performance had a lot of people talking.
The outfit was said to be a homage to the late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. The Grunge Rock legend died on April 5, 1994. On Sunday, Cudi took to Twitter to give further information about his divisive fashion choice on SNL.
“Virgil designed the dress for me. I told him I wanted to show love to Kurt [with] a floral print sundress and this man made a masterpiece. Thank You @virgilabloh ur a f##### genius!! Love you man we did it!!!” tweeted Cudi.
Cudi’s shoutout to Off-White fashion label founder Virgil Abloh was joined by another tweet that announced a new line of clothing from the two Midwest representatives. The Cleveland-bred rapper added on Twitter, “I’m [doing] a collection [with] Off-White and the dress will be included!!”
Virgil designed the dress for me. I told him I wanted to show love to Kurt w a floral print sundress and this man made a masterpiece. Thank You @virgilabloh ur a f##### genius!! Love you man we did it!!!
The Man on the Moon III: The Chosen album creator’s decision to rock a dress on the late-night sketch comedy show was met with mixed reactions. Some critics complained about a man wearing a woman’s attire just for potentially viral content while supporters thanked Cudi for breaking gender norms.
It even led to 40-year-old singer-songwriter Justin Tranter recalling an alleged encounter with Kid Cudi and his entourage during a tour in 2009. The GLAAD representative claimed someone from Cudi’s team called him a homophobic slur.
“I was serving one of my daily gender non-conforming legendary looks and someone on his team yelled ‘F#####’ and they all laughed and walked away,” posted Tranter in a now-deleted tweet. The former Semi Precious Weapons lead singer added, “Most importantly I’m so happy to see progress and he looks gorgeous.”
The Bronx’s Lil Tjay dropped his sophomore album, Destined 2 Win, on April 2. The 19-year-old rapper tapped 6LACK, Polo G, Fivio Foreign, Saweetie, Tyga, Toosii, Offset, and Moneybagg Yo for the project.
Destined 2 Win opened with 62,000 first-week units. That total was enough to land Tjay at #5 on the most recent Billboard 200 chart. The Columbia Records signee racked in 86 million streams for the studio LP.
“The reason I named the album Destined 2 Win cause I always felt like I had something in me that was going to be great. It’s just a body of work to highlight my accomplishments,” said Tjay.
He continued, “I’m still trying to figure out my lane. Whatever happened in my life is what got me here.”
Lil Tjay now has two Top 5 albums in his catalog. 2019’s True 2 Myself debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 with 45,000 units. The project has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Elsewhere on the Billboard 200, Rod Wave’s SoulFly slipped two spots to #3. The Weeknd’s The Highlights remained at #6, and Pop Smoke’s Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon held onto #7.
The hip hop community has been in a rave anticipating the upcoming release of Infamous Billa’s debut mixtape “Undefined” and the wait is soon over.
Rap’s lyrical giant, Infamous Billa, has been carrying the torch of NY drill that was sparked to life by the late Pop Smoke and doing so with perfection. Growing up in Harlem after misunderstandings between him and his family got him kicked out from home, Billa would find somewhere he belongs. With it, came inspiration from musical influences from hip hop legends like Tupac, KRS One and super producer Premo.
Dedicating himself to developing his craft to the point of perfection, he in turn realized his purpose. Billa would go on to stand in the face of injustice and inequality while still remaining humble in a genre in which he believes he’s a guest. Hip hop, however, has embraced the Emcee as a brother and continues to show him love. To date, he has had the opportunity to rap beside lyrical geniuses like Redman, Lil Fame, KillaMoe, Oran Juice Jones ii, Afrikillz, and Soho Loopy.
After taking a detour to launch his own cannabis company for which his most recent product, “Space Gas” was released, he was back dropping fire with the drill inspired single, “Horny.” That was the moment hip hop was waiting upon, for after it there was one thing on its way, Billa’s debut mixtape “Undefined.” As April 9th arrived so did deeper craving for Billa’s eagerly awaited mixtape. Fans have already began salivating at the ear to hear the gems of gold from the Harlem spitter.
The project will bring Billa in his purest form, raw, emotional, passionate, lyrical, a composition of pain and experiences intent on uplifting those that need it most. Billa is a modern-day activist that is using hip hop to change the world and lift NY back to the rap throne. He’s changing lives and spreading good karma over bad karma with his infectious vibe. If any artist should get undying support, it should be Infamous Billa. His respect and recognition are much deserved. Follow his movement and stay locked in for the masterpiece that is “Undefined.”
Some of our favorite films and shows over the years have left a lasting impression. But what ever happened to the starring actors and actresses? While some have gone on to bigger and better things, many have not been so successful in Hollywood. We’re looking at what went wrong for these stars in the fickle world of showbusiness.
There are all sorts of reasons why Hollywood stops casting a previously successful actor, and we’re going to look at them here. In some cases, actors have turned their back on the profession, but many others weren’t given another option. Find out where these once-hot celebrities have been in recent years.
Megan Fox Has a Big Mouth
Megan Fox
Actress Megan Fox rose to prominence in the Transformers film franchise. She had previously been relatively unknown before director Michael Bay gave her her big break, but she still had a lot to say about the guy. “He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is,” she said in an interview. She ended up leaving the franchise, but it’s pretty understood that she was given no other choice.
When asked in an interview about dropping Megan from the Transformers, Michael said, “She was in a different world, on her Blackberry (phone.)” He revealed that director Steven Spielberg told him to “fire her” after her dancing comment. From there, other studios continued to give her a chance at redemption, but every movie she was in got panned by critics and audiences alike. Basically, she’s not cut out for showbiz.
The predicament for Cardi started when her representatives hired an artist named Timm Gooden to create the cover of “Gangsta B#### Music Vol. 1” for $50, using pictures that were supplied to him.
The rap star’s reps were not satisfied with his design, so Gooden went back to the drawing board and Googled the words “back tattoo,” which is how he found Brophy’s distinctive back tattoo of a snake and a tiger.
Brophy got wind of the artwork and filed a lawsuit against the rap star in October of 2017, for stealing his back tattoo.
However, a judge presiding over the case disagreed and ruled that the artist had not made enough changes to Brophy’s distinctive tattoo, for the cover of “Gangsta B#### Music Vol. 1” to be considered a transformative work.
Last year, Judge Cormac Carney directed both parties to sit down and make a good faith effort to mediate the dispute, to come to a reasonable settlement, which was held on August 4th, 2020, during an all-day session.
But the first round of talks went nowhere.
In December of 2020, Judge Carney ordered them to go back to the table to try again. Unfortunately, neither party could reach a resolution during settlement talks held on March 19th, 2021.
“The plaintiff believes that further negotiations at this time are not beneficial. The matter needs to be set for trial,” according to mediator Bruce Isaacs, while Cardi’s team wants the talks to continue.
Cardi B Settlement Talks Break Down Over Mixtape Cover
Cardi maintains Brophy’s lawsuit is nothing but a money grab. During a deposition, she lashed out at his lawyers, claiming his “mental anguish” was nothing but an act.
“Do you have any proof that he’s distressed? This man works in a damn f##king surf shop. You’re not a model,” Cardi said during testimony she gave in April 2019.
“You haven’t, like, gone to no damn psychiatrist. How is this affecting your life? I want to know how is your client’s live [sic] is being affected. How? It’s ridiculous. It’s wasting my time. It’s wasting my money. Like, I could really be with my kid right now. Like, I’m really upset because I really have to be with my kid…All because of some bulls##t, trying to get money, and then $5,000,000. Are you f##king kidding me?” said an irritated Cardi.
You guys are going to start listening to me! I told you a few days ago that the nonsense about Jay Z buying DMX his entire catalog was bogus. First of all you guys have no critical thinking! Not all of you but most of you. So many people took a meme made up in somebody’s basement and ran with it.
Let’s just break this thing down for a second. First of all, DMX has sold tens of millions of records! He is one of the top two selling artist in Hip Hop. There is no questioning that! If I am correct, and feel free to fact check this, but only Eminem has sold more records than DMX. MC Hammer sold more in a single album than anyone but I believe DMX and Eminem are neck and neck. At any rate, DMX is catalog is worth far more than a simple $10 million. I know that is hard to understand for some of you, because you live in an air right now that is predicated on streams being valued at less than a penny. But DMX is rise is in a period of time where music had extreme value, and it still has extreme value.
That said, DMX is Producer the one who started with him Swizz Beatz has confirmed what I said days ago. He basically stated that the Memes in circulation, some being spread around by well-known rappers, is not true. He simply said it’s not true that DJ Zeke is about to buy DMX his catalog and give it to his 17 kids. Like I said, he doesn’t even have 17 kids! Again, there is no proof whatsoever from any outlet at all to substantiate such a report.
I hope and pray this summer you start to think a little more critically, because this is getting sad. I am starting to believe that folks are going to steadfastly fall for the banana in the tailpipe up here on because they can’t even understand simple common sense.
It might seem hard to believe, but blackface is still a thing in China.
For example, in February, the country’s state broadcaster, CCTV hosted a New Year’s gala which is reportedly the most viewed television event in the world.
During the gala, which is known as “Chunwan,” Chinese performers donned blackface and tribal garments to represent Africans.
Such practices are dated and cause outrage here in the United States. But apparently, ignorance is bliss – just ask Chinese rapper Vava, who recently threw on blackface in a “tribute” to Nicki Minaj.
Vava was one of three Chinese artists, who were “cosplaying” as Nicki, Ariana Grande, and Jessie J. in a recreation of the trio’s performance of their song “Bang Bang,” at the 2014 American Music Awards.
Vava, who was clueless as to how insulting her cosplaying was, posted an advertisement of the performance on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.
Most of her fans on the state-controlled social media site were excited by her tribute to Nicki Minaj, but over on Twitter, the reaction was much different.
Depois da controvérsia racista do ano novo de gala da CCTV e. 2018, eu realmente pensei que nunca mais veríamos o blackface na televisão chinesa novamente. Bem… eu estava errado. VAVA apareceu apenas "fazendo cosplay" de Nikki Minaj na Hunan TV. https://t.co/wlDNecEFO0
Jim Jones is taking his passion for fitness to another level.
The rap star is known for showing off his workouts and his chiseled physique on social media.
And now, he’s turning his passion into a business as he expands his VampLife brand into the world of fitness.
According to Jim, he’s opening up his own line of gyms, which will be known as VampFitt Gym.
According to The Dipset Capo, he has partnered with businessman Kev Zamora, to launch his first workout facility with Iron Reign Crossfit.
“Just wanna say God is good through hard work and dedication anything is possible. I [am] grateful to announce my first Gym partnership #VampFittGym is not a dream any more it’s a reality,” Jim Jones said. “I’m lookin for some of dope trainers male/female if ur interested hit @vamp.fitt dm. If u lookin for a great meal prep hit @spartanmealpreps. More info on the vampfitt gym soon come #incaseyoudidnt I got the gym for us.”
Health is real wealth for Jim Jones, who started ramping up the business at the start of the quarantine, after the coronavirus pandemic locked down the world.
In March of 2020, Jim started sharing his workout routines with his ex-million followers.
Jim also offered up advice and tips for meal plans in addition to encouraging his fans by posting himself working out regularly.
Atlanta rapper Jeezy is using his social media account to highlight another shocking instance of police misconduct.
Last December, police in Windsor, Virginia, drew their weapons on and pepper-sprayed a second lieutenant in the U.S. army at a gas station during a traffic stop.
The officers approached Lieutenant Caron Nazario’s Chevy Tahoe like rabid dogs, even though he was in full uniform. When the Black and Latino man asked what he was being arrested for, one of the cops replied:
“What part of this is protecting and serving! After you went and fought for the country. It’s like they wanted to take his masculinity to feed egos!!” Jeezy fumed.
“Let’s see what the government do about this. See no threat, only a man that was confused and understood protocol. He asked the right questions. They didn’t have any answers. S#### break my heart to see a grown manhandled like [an] animal. Only in America,” Jeezy added.
Lieutenant Caron Nazario has lawyered up over the confrontation, which could have easily turned deadly thanks to the officers misrepresenting the stop.
According to his lawsuit, the two officers involved called in to state that they were stopping a suspicious vehicle with tinted windows, and no tags, that was trying to “elude police.”
Nazario’s lawyers opposed the officers’ characterization of the traffic stop. Nazario says he was not dodging police, he slowed down and pulled into the gas station to get to an illuminated area.
And, he said his new Chevy Tahoe had valid temporary tags displayed in the rear and passenger side windows.
The New York Daily News had a perfect moment to honor one of Hip-Hop’s kings, DMX, and they blew it.
On the cover of their Saturday edition, they opted to minimize the iconic multiplatinum artist and actor to a “brilliant but troubled musician.” Even though DMX was is a record-breaking, chart-topping, game-changing creative, they opted to highlight the negative, next to a man that married his third cousin, Queen Elizabeth II.
New York Daily News Cover, April 10, 2021
Early this week, as the Ruff Ryder Lieutenant struggled for his life, the New York Post took a jab at him. The conservative-leaning newspaper ran a vile story about DMX’s history of financial woes. Highlighting various foreclosures and his drug addiction, the so-called “journalist” created a piece that painted a narrative that was racist and profoundly insensitive.
The rap world like Chuck D, DJ Pooh, Method Man, URL, AllHipHop.com’s own, Illseed and more were up in arms and took to social media to address this awful and mean-spirited article written by Sarah Paynter, who recently deleted her social media account.
DJ Pooh posted on his Instagram with the following caption, “WHY? This is tasteless af while this man is fighting for his life right now!🖕🏽@nypost”
The Kung Fu Dracula put it in its rightful context when he replied to the Public Enemy frontman, “This was particularly mean spirited. But people are going to be talking about DMX for a long time, while this is probably the most press #SarahPaynter is ever going to get.”
But after the community clapped back, in response to the New York Daily News calling him “the rapper” on the cover, next to a so-called royal.
On its Saturday, April 10th cover, the lead splashed across the front says, “Sorrow From Britain to Yonkers.” It later said, “Beloved royal is gone at age 99, The Prince & The Rapper, Brilliant but troubled musician dies at 50.”
The internet did what it does and fixed the headline to properly represent what DMX meant to scores of fans.
