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Rayshawn “YFN Lucci” Bennett is now being housed in the Fulton County Jail in Georgia. On May 10, the Atlanta-based rapper surrendered to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office on racketeering charges.
That murder case was linked to the December 10 killing of 28-year-old Atlanta resident James Adams. Other suspects were arrested in connection to that death as well.
“The presumption of innocence is a fundamental constitutional right for every citizen. Beyond this, we have no further comment at this time,” said Lucci’s attorney, Thomas Reynolds in January.
In the racketeering case, police claim Lucci drove three alleged Blood gang members into a rival gang’s territory, a shootout took place, and James Adams was killed then put out of YFN Lucci’s vehicle. A second victim was reportedly shot in the abdomen.
Drew Findling, another lawyer representing YFN Lucci, says his client is not guilty of all charges. Findling told WSB-TV, “He’s not a gang member. What he is, is an internationally recognized musical artist that is a triple Platinum winner.”
In addition, Findling argued YFN Lucci was not committing a felony, therefore he cannot be guilty of a felony murder charge which requires the suspect to unintentionally cause death during the commission of a felony. Lucci’s legal team maintains he and his passengers were acting in self-defense.
The 105-count racketeering indictment involves the felony murder of James Adams. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the prosecution is based, in part, on YFN Lucci’s lyrics, music videos, and social media posts which the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office claim promote criminal gang activity.
Investigators say they have been working on the racketeering case for approximately six months. “Get It In Blood” rapper Justin “Bloody Jay” Ushery was also among the dozen individuals named in the gang-related RICO indictment which lists street gang terrorism as one of the charges.
The visuals for “Amari” arrived yesterday (May 17). Cole’s latest clip already amassed more than 2.6 million views on YouTube, and it is currently the #1 trending video on the platform.
Fellow North Carolina native Morris “Mez” Ricks II directed the MV. The Long Live The King mixtape creator was also the man behind the camera for J. Cole’s “Middle Child” video.
“With Great Pleasure, I wanna say I directed @realcoleworld Amari video. Super proud. Hope y’all enjoy. Love!” wrote Mez on his Instagram page.
“Amari” is one of the most popular songs hosted on The Off-Season. The track currently sits at #4 on the Spotify daily Top 200 U.S. chart and #2 on the Apple Music Top 100: USA chart.
J. Cole currently has five No. 1 albums in his discography. The Off-Season is likely to join a list of chart-toppers that includes 2011’s Cole World: The Sideline Story, 2013’s Born Sinner, 2014’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive, 2016’s 4 Your Eyez Only, and 2018’s KOD.
Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers III also debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in 2019. J. Cole appeared on several songs on that label compilation. Mez was featured on the Dreamers III songs “Sleep Deprived,” “Costa Rica,” and “Passcode.”
It looks like Troy Ave IS back and he’s coming back in full force. The rapper, known for shooting at the Irving Plaza venue in New York City, continues to make waves in the rap world. Now, if you remember, claimed self-defense in the shooting. In that shooting, somebody was killed and the result was podcast Taxstone in jail. Honestly, I don’t remember all the details. The shooting was caught on tape…
So presently Troy Avenue is still claiming self-defense and faces his charges of attempted murder during said shoot out. RIP BANGA. Troy have is still an artist though and he’s got a new project called “Kill Or Be Killed.” Say a lot, right? The project is causing quite a bit of ruckus because it goes directly at Casanova on the single artwork called ASSANOVA. On that single, it has a gorilla with a rat’s head on it & tail with a clown nose and a Casanova chain around the neck. It’s not any mystery who he’s talking about. On his Instagram he promoted the single with some of the bars.
“Casanova crying folks he jus settin up stage to tell How the f## u crying broke wit jus 90 days in a cell U sold ya soul for protection They ain’t protect u to swell Damn caswell U the blood they extort on This occurrence is CLASSIK LIKE THE BOY U TOLD ON Dont make me retrieve da paperwork that u wrote on Can’t get a visit from None of them rappers Dick’s u rode on”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CO-x_H-FwXA/
His social media following met this turn of events with mixed commentary. Some people say that he’s being super petty and immature and contradicting his more or less positive outlook on life engaging in this type of pettiness. And others accused him of being ridiculously aggressive towards a guy that’s already in jail. Well in his defense, he was saying things when Casanova was out in the streets, but I don’t think most people cared so much as they do now. I could be wrong but that’s just what I think. Also I believe Casanova had some things to say to Troy when he was in his shooting situation. I gotta admit…this is working a little bit because I’m actually going to go listen to the new album from Troy Avenue, just to see exactly what he’s talking about. I can’t lie, the promo got me hyped because it’s based on the 90s era of music soooo he’s done his job.
Fat Joe has just blessed the family of his top lieutenant, Big Pun, with the music rights to his catalog.
One of the greatest rappers to ever come out of the Bronx was the Terror Squad’s Punisher. His untimely death, over 21 years ago on February 7th, 2000, caused a rift in the Hip-Hop world that has been unmatched.
It also caused a rift between Joe and the “Still Not A Player” artist’s family, most notably Big Pun’s wife Liza Rios, blamed him when her family had to move into a homeless shelter.
“For him to give so much to Terror Squad and….at his demise at his passing for them to turn their backs on his family, his kids… for me that was upsetting,” Liza Rios told AllHipHop.com.
On episode 261 of the Drink Champs podcast, Joey Crack declared that he doesn’t have control over anything related to Big Pun and that he makes no money off the deceased rapper, including a documentary on his contribution to the culture.
The founder of the Terror Squad said: “He passed away, I did something nobody ever did and I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but I don’t think Puff Daddy gave the rights to Biggie back, I don’t think they gave the rights to Tupac back.”
He continued, “So I said, ‘OK, you saying Fat Joe’s jerking you…[he’s] taken everything. Take everything, it’s not a problem, everybody got whatever they want, get everything. Fat Joe doesn’t own a dollar, no attach[ment]. I don’t have nothing to do with Big Pun. That’s what y’all wanted.”
Fat Joe discovered Big Pun in the early 90s, placing him on his 1995 album Jealous One’s Envy.
He also facilitated his career, signing him to Loud Records, working with him to produce major hits that ultimately led to a GRAMMY nomination, and helping him have the first solo Hip-Hop record by a Latino artist to go platinum.
Fat Joe constantly talks about Pun’s impact on his life and how much he misses him.
Lil Reese is still dealing with the ramifications behind the shooting that almost took his life. The details are extremely murky still but it seems like the Chicago rapper was caught in the middle of a dramatic situation that dealt with a stolen car. Lil Reese denies that he was ACTUALLY stealing car, but he has allegedly claimed that he was trying to buy weed. Well, weed is somewhat decriminalized now so that’s not as bad as trying to steal a car. Either way, what we doing now?
We know that the result of all of this was him getting shot, where Reese was looking really bad – leaking everywhere. He was bleeding profusely and a lot of that was coming from his orbital area well, it looks like his rap personas going to change a little bit. Because according to rumors Reece is going to be blind in his left eye which is where he was shot. That means he is now compromise in his vocal Tone and his visual as well. Maybe he can do like Slick Rick and Doe B.
My goodness, this is TERRIBLE! Lil Bro needs to get up out of Chicago and relocate to somewhere peaceful. He MUST get up out of there or else he is going to get killed. I know you remember a few years ago when he got beat down and they duff him out so good that he pooped his pants! All of this played out live on social media and YouTube for all to see. And I have to say, being a man of a certain generation, I’m glad I’ve never seen any of my favorite artists in that form. It’s just terrible! Get this boy HELP!!!
Where is Chief Keef when you need him to guide the youth?
With the immense amount of success, both nationally and internationally from Omen44’s ‘Hentai’ album, it only makes sense to keep fans at bay with a free downloadable ‘Hentai’ DJ Minoyama Mix. The mix available on Soundcloud, Mixcloud, and Audiomack includes an exclusive track by DJ Shark with Omen44 on drums and bass.
The video for the 35-minute album mix embodies the vision Omen44 created for each track and is impeccably highlighted with authentic Hip Hop cadences mixed with polished cuts and scratches, and gritty, yet soulful tones. ‘Hentai’ DJ Minoyama Mix is sure to have Hip Hop enthusiasts repetitively pressing play.
Dj Minoyama
Based in Yokohama, DJ Minoyama can be heard throughout Tokyo playing music ranging from Hip Hop, Soul, Funk, Disco, and Reggae. While in the states, you can catch him at prestigious spots like Knitting Factory in BK. He’s opened up for Camp Lo and other legendary artists.
DJ Shark
Acclaimed for winning numerous DJ competitions in Japan, DJ Shark is never without his own Technics mixer SH-DJ 1200. He’s worked alongside such legends as Grand Master Mell Mel, Grand Wizard Theodore, DJ Spinna, Large Professor, Jeru the Damaja, and that’s only naming a few.
Watch the video and download ‘Hentai’ DJ Minoyama Mix now on preferred platforms and connect with Omen44 below.
Fans have been dragging Joe Budden, calling him a horrible friend, a misogynist, all-around a######, and funky businessman.
Now, his character is taking an even steeper hit as sexual harassment claims have emerged and the call to cancel the “Pump it Up” star might be around the corner.
An influencer Olivia Dope that used to have a show in The Joe Budden Podcast Network has stepped up to share her experiences with him and the multiple times he asked her to sleep with him.
“I’ve been feeling stuck mentally emotionally. I’ve even had to have a conversation with my daughter on why it’s important for you to speak up when somebody crosses a boundary with you. Because there is now footage of her mother on the internet with somebody crossing a boundary with her mother,” Olivia Dope said.
During episode 16 on the “See, The Thing Is Podcast,” Olivia Dope claimed Joe Budden made inappropriate comments during the recording and then edited out his inappropriate statements.
Olivia Dope recalled one instance, “At 14:34, there’s an edit in the recording because Joe says he and I should speak more because ‘He’s been wanting to f### me since we met.’ Everyone in the studio, including production staff, laughed uncomfortably while one of my co-hosts confirmed that to be true.
“Another edit happened because Joe makes another suggestion to having sex with me,” she continued. “That scene is edited out and what is shown right after that is me closing my eyes saying ‘No’, and then he says, ‘Never
mind.’
Another time he disrespected her, she shared, he called her a b####. At 21:30, Joe tells me to ‘Hit a button b#### because I didn’t hit a sound effect fast enough. At 24:54, Joe makes a comment that I’m throwing my singleness in his face, and he thought we were going to be a network power couple. Once again, I’m trying to laugh all of this off as it’s transpiring. I replied.”
Ms. Dope also clapped back at those who criticized her for working with him.
“At the end of the day, that’s what sexual harassment in the workplace especially is…belittling someone, taking away their dignity in those moments of seeing them less than. So as much we can say these are jokes, I’m an employee. I didn’t have a previous rapport with this person before coming onto this podcast. I didn’t have any romantic relations with him, nor did I want to at any given point in time in my life.
“And many would probably ask ‘well if you know the history of Joe Budden, why would you sign on to do something like that.’ Let me tell you right now, if you’re going to work and your intention is just to go in and do your job, it should be just that no matter who’s there.”
Summertime is about to be a movie with the releases that Cheflodeezy has making the rounds and with projects waiting in store.
Miami has been riding the wave of their very own, Cheflodeezy. He has established himself as an artist who has the recipe for making tracks that are always a vibe. If it isn’t broken, why fix it? That’s Cheflodeezy’s mantra and it has been working at every turn in his career. He is consistent with the releases and only continues to raise the bar on quality. He has been getting praises for his three singles that have been going crazy on the airwaves and he is in the process of adding visuals to each.
The first to receive the music video treatment would be the Jeia produced single “Don’t Play With Me.” The second awaiting visuals is his radio hit, “F##### A Killer” which brings Jamaican R&B artist OpenSoul along to complete the track with his smooth vocal versatility. Cheflodeezy ups the ante for the upcoming visual, promising a spectacle of a music video for fans to enjoy. The last single awaiting its music video release is his third, Big Drip, which has been bringing him a lot of positive attention from its traction in the industry.
Most rappers would slow down to celebrate and enjoy their success, but Cheflodeezy is still punching the clock on his career and keeping the energy coming. He has two mixtapes slated to be released, the first G.I. LO coming on May 21st, whilst the second, Kitchen Talks 2, will arrive in the following weeks. Cheflodeezy has had fans in an uproar for more full-length projects since his classic mixtape, Kitchen Talk. These two releases will be sure to put smiles on faces worldwide and set the stage for the release of his summer track that is in the works.
The only thing known to fans at the moment is that Cheflodeezy intends to be the talk of the industry for 2021 and it will continue into the summer with a feature from a rumored big artist that will celebrate his Jamaican roots. Fans have a lot to look forward to from the Miami artist, and Cheflodeezy isn’t going to disappoint.
Jack Harlow’s DJ is claiming that the woman that he is accused of killing during a Derby Event party tried to attack him, seemingly setting himself up for a self-defense, defense.
Still, his lawyers are fighting the good fight and constructing a strategy to get him off.
Attorney Robert Eggert wrote in a court filing, “There seems considerable evidence at this point that Mr. O’Bannon was attacked not once, but twice at Vibes Club by the deceased in this case.”
Eggert mentions that Nash attacked his client, who goes by the moniker Ronnie Lucciano.
The request is intended to reduce his $500K bond or release him on home incarceration. According to the legal counsel, this is “grossly excessive,” especially because he doesn’t have a long history of criminology.
They also contend that he is not a flight risk.
The “What’s Poppin” rapper was also at the nightclub during the evening. Reports say that he was only a few feet away from the shooting.
In a post to his Instagram story, he noted that he was “heart is broken” for Nash “and everyone else touched by this tragic death.”
Philly, you might just have another one on your hands with new artist Bang Bang. Known for being a street lyricist Bang Bang delivers some street inspired bars for this new single “Catch A Body” with one of the hottest in the streets right now EST Gee.
As EST Gee follows up his placement on the Billboard Charts with a sly verse on QC’s Lil Baby’s “Real As It Gets,” it’s pure musical magic when the Yo Gotti/CMG signee EST Gee connects with Philly street artist Bang Bang for “Catch A Body,”
Gifting this decorated Philadelphia street rapper Bang Bang with another fire 16, EST Gee has once again proven why his name is ringing bells across the industry. In the visual the two are seen together flexing right in BangBang’s hood as Bang flexes his credibility while bringing Gee to kick it with everyone in Uptown Philly.
Bang Bang describes his sound as trap rap and the street lyricist feels as if, “his style of music is a universal language to anyone with a similar background.” The resilient rapper is also, “always looking to ensure that all of his fans know that they can make it through whatever they put their mind to.”
The fiery new single will be a part of Bang Bang’s upcoming EP No Regrets 5. Fans of this single will be pleasantly surprised to know that the project is just as hard from start to finish.
Pressa is having a standout year, and he’s just getting started.
Hailing from Toronto and coming from the same area as Drake, the rising star explodes onto the music scene with his unique, standout voice that sets him apart from the rest.
Nowadays in a saturated music industry, work ethic goes a long way — and Pressa proves he has what it takes to become one of the greats.
He states, “I’m from Toronto and I’m bringing Toronto to America, from the mud and from the streets. I’ve been working so hard to get to where I am right now. I’m happy though, you feel me?”
And he’s got a lot to be happy about!
You may have seen Pressa flick it up alongside Drake and Giggs during the latter’s birthday party in Los Angeles, or maybe you’ve heard his explosive collaboration with Coi Leray on “Attachments.”
Either way, the Jamaican and Filipino recording artist carves his own lane, painting a vivid picture of his own experience having to overcome the odds coming from the trenches.
Which brings us to his critically-acclaimed “Gardner Express EP” released end of last year, tapping in the likes of Sheff G, Sleepy Hallow, and Jackboy.
The title pays homage to the imaginary freeway he made him, from back home in Toronto to Los Angeles.
AllHipHop: I saw you out in LA with Giggs, Drake, and everyone. How was that?
Pressa: Yeah, Giggs is my brother too. I f### with Giggs hard. I met him on Drake’s tour, back a couple years ago. He’s been showing me love, I show him love. That s### was lit! We were listening to some Jamaican music, that s### was fire. They played some old songs that I never heard in a long time.
AllHipHop: Are we going to get like dancehall music from you?
Pressa: From me? No not really, but I mess with Dexter Daps heavy. If I were to ever go to the islands, I’ll do something with him.
AllHipHop: Bring us back to when you made “Attachments.”
Pressa: That song’s dope. When I made “Attachments” in the studio, it was easy. I made that fast, in 20 minutes. I was in Paramount Studios when I made “Attachments,” I had the Sony mic. One of my partners played the beat, I said “yeah, this s### is fire.” I came up with the hook. One of my homies, he walked out to the studio. He wandered around the studio and by the time he came back, my verse was done. He said “yo this s###’s so hard!” It be like that, the best songs be quick as s###. You go in there, bang it out. When you overthink a song, it starts getting complicated.
AllHipHop: You knew you wanted Coi on it? How did that collab happen?
Pressa: I like her sound, she’s unique. She’s got that whole vibe. She’s the flyest girl in the game, her swag. I needed her on my record. The video’s coming soon, it’s some superhero s###. She’s going to be Storm.
AllHipHop: Do you freestyle everything?
Pressa: Yeah, I freestyle everything.
AllHipHop: What inspires you the most?
Pressa: Wanting to be better and wanting to be a better person. I want more in my life and my family. I’m Filipino and Jamaican. My mom’s Filipino, my dad’s is Jamaican.
https://www.instagram.com/p/COkAzczJyht/
AllHipHop: What do you want the fans to get from your project, “Gardner Express”?
Pressa: “Gardner Express” is basically the highway from Toronto to LA. It’s an imaginary highway I made up. In my city, it’s really called the Gardiner Expressway. Gardner is my last name, then Express has Pressa. All my releases are going to be somehow around my name, Press or Pressa.
AllHipHop: How was it shooting the concert film for the project?
Pressa: Oh yeah, it was lit. I like that little show, it was dope! It was very different.
AllHipHop: What was your creative process with this project. You got features from Jackboy, Flipp Dinero, Sheff G.
Pressa: That tape came together real fast honestly. I had some records in my Notes. I said “this sounds hard, this sounds hard. Pick a song, put it together.” ‘Cause I got a bunch of songs with everybody that just be sitting in my phone.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next?
Pressa: I’m excited for the video that’s coming out, “Attachments.” I’m excited for the record Attachments as well, it’s doing great. I got my deluxe coming in June, you gotta wait for it.
AllHipHop: Give us something!
Pressa: I got Tyga and DDG. On some LA vibes, we’re all out in LA.
This time Kevin Hart is talking about Joe Budden. He has a different perspective. He basically speaks on Joe because Joe has apparently bashed HIM in the past. On his podcast, Straight From The Hart, he says:
“I actually was a supporter of the progression of him and his podcast. From afar. I’m a fan of your growth, I’m a fan of what you’re doing and the conversation behind it. It’s dope. He’s not doing business here, he wants to own it, he wants to control it…that’s dope,” he said Hart. “But to see you publicly sh#t on the guys that was with you, that’s an example of poor leadership. That’s an example of why you are where you are. This is why. Here’s the answer. Point blank.”
“You wanna be by yourself, you wanna be King. You can’t do that. You can’t do that. Wealth should be shared, not owned. Facts. So this is a shoutout to Rory and Mal, you guys were dope as f##k at that job, once again I was a fan of that f#cking podcast. It’s a sad day to see this sh#t end when you guys were on your way to what seems to be higher levels of success. I won’t sit up here and promote the negativity, wish there was a world where you could work it out. But you need a good f*cking leader that understands it’s not just him. I don’t think Joe has that. I also don’t like the firing on air.”
And then there is Olivia Dope, who is a DJ that was down with Joe Budden – for 3 months. She accuses Joe of a myriad of things, most notably that he’s a sexual offender. This lines up with a lot of the rumor and speculation around Joe. To my knowledge, he has not commented on this but she’s not mincing her words. Check out “Why I quit the Joe Budden Network.
Then there is this person…Anthony Saleh…long time manager of Nas, now down with the investment team said…
Nelly has been named in an ongoing lawsuit against T.I. and Tiny Harris, with an anonymous woman claiming the couple “forced” her to have sex with the singer back in 2014.
The unnamed woman, known only in the papers as “Jane Doe 4” is among numerous women making shocking sexual assault allegations against the celebrity couple.
According to documents, Jane Doe 4 alleges she was made to have intercourse with the singer by the pair, with Nelly apparently allowing the situation to go ahead.
The woman also claims the couple frequently forced her to have sex with other women, and also made her take extreme doses of ecstasy.
The case is said to be heading to court soon, according to reports.
T.I. and Tiny have denied the claims against them, saying in a statement via their lawyers: “The Harrises are still waiting for the accusers to reveal themselves publicly. By continuing to hide behind anonymous allegations, the unnamed accusers effectively render themselves not credible and unworthy of belief. We say: let the light shine on their identities so we can go about disproving these scurrilous accusations.”
Nelly is also yet to respond to the claims, or file a counter response.
Consequence hasn’t been in the rumors in quite some time. But now he is back and he’s BACK…with a vengeance. Somehow he’s gotten wrapped up in the Joe Budden versus Mal and Rory situation. I still really don’t know what’s going on with these guys, nor do I care. But when the beef pops off, well, that’s when I show up. And this one is getting good…fast thanks to Cons to the Quence.
Here is what he said:
I don’t know what the F**K n##### think is going on
OVER HERE
Some of you might have forgotten, back in the day Joe Budden and Consequence got into a physical altercation during a taping of Love & Hip-Hop New York. At that taping, behind the scenes, something happened and they got into it. I am about to pull the YouTube up and see exactly how it went down.
I always thought this was Cons that punched Joe in the head…but was it somebody else?
Here they are talking….
In the meantime, but we didn’t know was that his homey MAL help facilitate a counterattack on Consequence. At least that’s what Mel says. Now did it really happen like that? Consequence says absolutely not! He says that Joe Budden‘s former podcast her body is getting the credit for something he simply didn’t do. Also, he’s bringing up all beef that really has no bearing on the current situation. According to the streets, Joe Budden unceremoniously cut off his friends and walked away with the bag.
Consequence went nuts on big Homie, and he didn’t hold back in jail. Check out what he saying and you be the judge!
Atlanta rap trio Migos have finally confirmed their highly anticipated album Culture III will drop this June.
Migos had been teasing the album for quite some time, leading fans to believe the album would drop in 2020.
However, solo careers, guest features, and touring put Culture III on the backburner, until group members Quavo, Offset and Takeoff decided it was time to apply “pressure.”
And last week, the rollout for Culture III started with the release of their new single “Straightenin.”
“We came to remind them. We came to take them down a modern day stroll. They seemed to forgot. So, it’s time to bring the boys back together and come back strong. Stronger than ever,” Quavo said in a recent interview with Zane Lowe.
Fans of Migos expect to get their hands on Culture III on June 11th, Quality Control Music confirmed today.
Culture III is the first group project from Migos since 2018’s Culture II, which moved over 2 million units and produced hits like “Stir Fry,” MotorSport” featuring Nicki Minaj & Cardi B,” and “Walk It Talk It” featuring Drake.
For the last decade, many rap fans have routinely named J. Cole, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar as the leading voices of their generation. Each artist has attained #1 albums, Platinum plaques, industry awards, and the respect of their peers.
The Hip Hop heavyweights are often pitted against each other as fans debate who is the greatest emcee to emerge from the 2010s. Plus, it is perceived that each man is striving to hold the GOAT crown for himself. Cole spoke about that competition during an appearance on Kevin Durant’s The ETCs podcast.
“These are the guys that push you, and you gotta push them,” said Cole. “But what I’ve been trying to do for the past few years – I think I was so competitive. I don’t know how they feel, you’d have to talk to them – but I know for myself, I was so competitive earlier on, even though we were all friends and friendly, I never been a ‘reach out’ [person], especially when it’s competition involved.”
He continued, “It’s almost like working out together. I guess like in the NBA in the past, that was unheard of. ‘Why would I work out with this n####? I’m trying to destroy this n####.’ That was kind of like my mentality early on. But as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized, ‘Actually… Noone is truly my peer or can relate to what I’m going through in life more than these people right here.'”
The 36-year-old Fayetteville, North Carolina native added, “I’ve been trying to make an effort as time goes on to strip the competition from it. Y’all n##### are cemented forever. I would hope that I’m cemented forever. And if not, I will be when it’s all said and done. In my mind, that’s how my mentality is… There’s just less competition in my mind. Cause n##### is old, bruh.”
J. Cole, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar have worked with each other on various projects over the years. Lamar’s Section.80 track “HiiiPoWeR” was produced by Cole. The Compton native then showed up on J. Cole’s “Forbidden Fruit” off 2013’s Born Sinner album.
Kendrick Lamar also provided the solo track “Buried Alive Interlude” for Drake’s Take Care in 2011. Drake returned the favor by being a feature on Lamar’s “Poetic Justice” from 2012’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. In addition, J. Cole and Drake linked up in 2010 for the Friday Night Lights mixtape’s “In The Morning” as well as “Jodeci (Freestyle)” three years later.
Many Hip Hop followers had been patiently waiting for J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake to each release new bodies of work in 2021. Cole became the first of the pack to drop a new project when The Off-Season arrived last Friday (May 14).
The Off-Season is already a breakout commercial hit. Cole’s sixth studio LP topped the iTunes all-genre album chart. “My Life” featuring 21 Savage and Morray has led both the Spotify and Apple Music daily songs charts. The album is projected to move 280,000-310,000 first-week units which could give J. Cole the biggest debut sales week of the year.
To the displeasure of some boxing purists, Jake Paul and Logan Paul have become two of the biggest names in modern-day prizefighting. The controversial YouTubers-turned-athletes continue to bring in huge numbers of eyeballs and rack up big paydays whenever they enter the ring.
Jayceon “The Game” Taylor is apparently looking to face off against the Paul brothers in an even more non-traditional way. The 41-year-old emcee directly called out Logan and Jake on social media.
“Yerrr, @jakepaul, @LoganPaul… meet me & my little brother downtown LA in front of staples center and let’s just fight head up fades…. no gloves, no money needed…. just on some me & my brother will f### you & your brother up s###!!!!” tweeted The Game on Sunday evening.
It did not take long for Jake Paul to answer The Game’s challenge. The 24-year-old internet personality replied back by referencing one of the rapper’s most popular songs. Jake wrote, “Hate it or love it you would get knocked the f##### out.”
While the younger Paul sibling mentioned 2005’s “Hate It or Love It” single featuring 50 Cent for his clapback against The Game, Logan Paul kept his response simple. The Impaulsive podcast host tweeted, “You gonna need your entire family.”
Logan Paul is scheduled to take on undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather on June 6 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The exhibition match will headline an event that will also see former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson fighting a yet-to-be-named opponent.
In 2018, Logan Paul fought fellow YouTube star Olajide Olayinka Williams “JJ” Olatunji (aka KSI) to a draw in an amateur fight. The two met again a year later in a professional bout, and KSI vs. Paul II ended with Olatunji winning by split decision.
Jake Paul recently took part in the highly-publicized Triller Fight Club showcase at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium in April. Former MMA fighter Ben Askren was knocked out by Paul in the first round in under two minutes.
Last November, Jake Paul was part of the undercard for the exhibition boxing match between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. in Los Angeles. Former NBA player Nate Robinson went viral online after he was dropped multiple times by Paul in their fight. The longtime vlogger was declared the winner by knockout at 1:24 of the second round.
Yerrr, @jakepaul, @LoganPaul…. meet me & my little brother downtown LA in front of staples center and let’s just fight head up fades…. no gloves, no money needed…. just on some me & my brother will f### you & your brother up s### !!!!
The 2021 version of Beam Me Up Scotty contained three new tracks – “Fractions,” “Crocodile Teeth” with Skillibeng, and “Seeing Green” with Drake and Lil Wayne. “Seeing Green” debuted at #17 on Spotify’s daily U.S. Top 200 chart with 1,404,657 streams, and it topped the iTunes all-genre chart.
A 32-year-old actor/musician is suggesting “Seeing Green” sounds very similar to a record he released back in 2010. Khleo Thomas took to Twitter to post a montage of his “In My Soul” music video alongside Minaj’s new collaboration with Drake and Lil Wayne.
“2010…seeing green….2021…..seeing green. I’m just happy new Nicki music is out!” tweeted Khleo Thomas on May 14 not long after Beam Me Up Scotty hit DSPs that morning.
“In My Soul” and “Seeing Green” sample Heather Headley’s “In My Mind” from 2005. Both records incorporate the idea of seeing “green” at some point, but most of the lyrics from all four artists (Thomas, Minaj, Wayne, and Drake) are completely different.
2010…seeing green….2021…..seeing green. I’m just happy new Nicki music is out! pic.twitter.com/EMZcho04PB
Thomas’s “In My Soul” was produced by June G. In contrast, Govi and Kid Masterpiece are credited as producers for Nicki Minaj’s “Seeing Green.” Lil Kim is also listed as a composer for Minaj’s track because Drake recycles a line from the Brooklynite’s “Queen B####” off the 1996 album Hard Core.
Earlier this year, Nicki Minaj settled a copyright infringement lawsuit with singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman over Minaj sampling the 1988 song “Baby Can I Hold You” for the leaked track “Sorry.” The rapper agreed to pay $450,000 to Chapman.
There is no indication at the moment that Khleo Thomas is considering legal action against Nicki Minaj or anyone associated with “Seeing Green.” The Anchorage-born entertainer, who starred in films such as Holes and Roll Bounce, released numerous mixtapes and EPs between 2010 and 2015.
Unfortunately music almost drove me crazy. I had to make sure I could live a happy fulfilling life. I miss it every now and then. https://t.co/jrMFoHo4Bw
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽. Means a lot man, thank you. Either the world will catch up, or I gotta force my self to slow down to fall right in the pocket of life lol. https://t.co/8VDTET1HB0
It is virtually a certainty that J. Cole’s The Off-Season will be the #1 album in America next week. The only real question is whether the Dreamville Records boss can secure the largest sales week of 2021.
According to HitsDailyDouble, J. Cole’s The Off-Season is projected to open with 280,000-310,000 first-week sales units. He is now on pace to pass Taylor Swift’s re-recorded Fearless album which debuted with 291,000 units in April.
The Off-Season was released on May 14, and the studio LP has dominated the major streaming service ever since. J. Cole’s latest body of work earned the biggest streaming album debut on Spotify in 2021 with 59 million streams.
Songs from The Off-Season occupy most of the Top 10 for Spotify’s daily Top 200 chart and Apple Music’s daily Top 100 chart in the US. Currently, “My Life” featuring 21 Savage and Morray leads both the Spotify and Apple Music rankings.
“Interlude” was the first offering from J. Cole’s new collection. The official YouTube audio for that song has amassed more than 8 million plays since it arrived on the platform on May 7. It trended on YouTube for several days.
The Off-Season is set to become J. Cole’s sixth #1 album. 2011’s Cole World: The Sideline Story (218,000), 2013’s Born Sinner (297,000), 2014’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive (371,000), 2016’s 4 Your Eyez Only (492,000), and 2018’s KOD (397,000) each broke the 200K mark for first-week units.
