Was Chadwick Boseman robbed? The Black Panther, James Brown, Jackie Robinson, classic man actor was up for an Oscar last night. In fact it was the only opportunity the late, great actor would have to win an Oscar since he has not won one in his lifetime. So this was an opportunity for the Academy to bestow this man with that ultimate honor.
And he did not win. In fact, the honor went to Anthony Hopkins, another great actor who apparently went to great lengths to pave the way for Chadwick. This is what the streets are saying. Anthony Hopkins did not go to the Oscars, did not do a video to for Oscars, did not do a zoom in to the Oscars and he just was out doing his thing. He was drinking, I think! The rumor is, he wanted to pave a way to remove himself out of contention so that Chadwick Boseman could win the Oscar.
I have not seen the movie that Anthony Hopkins was nominated for “The Father”, which I heard is really good, but this is a special year. And even though, the Oscars were very respectful to Black people throughout the night…they were just giving awards to everyone! Glenn Close even danced to EU’s Doing Da Butt. BUTT, we did not let the fact that Chadwick Boseman did not win slide. People are upset, p##### even, that he will no longer have an opportunity to win! Now, the Golden Globes did manage to give him what he deserved earlier this year, and that is a wonderful thing! Also we are not necessarily looking to them for any validation because that’s our king regardless. But it would’ve been nice!
The family is not mad at all, according to a report from TMZ. RIP, Chadwick!!!
Lizzo showed off her famous curves in a body-positive new social media clip.
The star made a splash on Instagram as she shared the video, showing the “Juice” singer bent over on a chaise lounge by a pool and twerking in a skimpy bikini.
Behind her, a group of male onlookers sprayed her with several bottles of champagne.
Alongside the post, the “Truth Hurts” hitmaker, who wore a bikini featuring neon green strings, along with bands of knotted bright orange fabric, penned: “1000 DOLLARS TO WHO EVER HAS THE BEST CAPTION.”
Fans rushed to the comments section, including singer Lauren Jauregui, who questioned: “Lmfaoooo tf goin on over here?!?”
Hakim Green is back! The New Jersey OG returns with with another banger and this time he joined forces with his mentor KRS-One, the teacher of Hip-Hop. But aside from being a teacher, KRS is also known to be one of the most ferocious battle rappers known to mankind. He’s known as THE MC and he does not hold his tongue for anybody. Just take a look at the recent interview he’s done with AllHipHop.com and it’s AWESOME in its totality! Anyway, the pair of joined forces again as they have in the past with songs like “Mad-izm.”
But there is a particular line in the song where KRS one seems to be challenging somebody, but we aren’t going to speculate too hard. But we may be able to ascertain who he is talking to through the lyrics.
Now what do you think?
He said:
“THE GOAT THAT STEPS TO KRS IS THE GOAT THATS GETTING CURRIED”
As rap fans we FEEEEEN for the rap battle, and the Verzuz battle is no longer a battle. It is actually just buddies and fans convening around a celebration of talent. But KRS-One is built a little bit differently. He still lives for the battle challenging artist and seeing who is best. That’s what he does. Hakim Green is here STILL and he is joining forces with him but he’s not calling anyone out.
Kanye West has reportedly raised $1 million for late rapper DMX’s family through the sale of designer tribute shirts.
According to sources, West, via his Yeezy brand, commissioned designers at Balenciaga to work on the garment, which sold out within 24 hours over the weekend.
Jay-Z hopes his name will be up there with “Bob Marley and all the greats.”
The rapper has admitted he’s “not beyond ego” and would like to think he will have a place in history like the late reggae icon when he’s left this world.
He told The Sunday Times’ Style magazine: “I’m not beyond ego, right? Hopefully, they speak of me (with) the names of Bob Marley and all the greats. But that’s not for me to say.”
Elsewhere, the “99 Problems” hitmaker also spoke about how “frustrating” it is that racial injustice is still an issue in 2021.
He said: “As a human race we’re still on basic things. We’re still on Stop Asian Hate.
“We can’t sit and cry over spilt milk, but we do have to acknowledge that there’s milk, right? But yes, to answer your question, it’s very frustrating … Are we here today? No. Are we further than 50 years ago? Yes.”
The advert was signed by Jay, the parents of Botham Jean, DJ Henry, and Antwon Rose II – three young black men all killed by police – as well as Van Jones, Charlamagne tha God, and organizations including The Innocence Project and Until Freedom.
Floyd died in May 2020 when cop Derek Chauvin, who was convicted for his murder, knelt on his neck for several minutes, sparking global protests.
Two Distant Strangers may not have gotten the mainstream attention like more high-profile feature films released over the last year, but the 30-minute drama made an impression on the voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Directors Travon Free (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, The Daily Show) and Desmond Roe (Buzkashi Boys, We are the Champions) won the award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 93rd Oscar ceremony on Sunday night.
After accepting the Academy Award, Free called Sean “Diddy” Combs backstage at the event. Diddy is one of the producers for Two Distant Strangers. NBA All-Star Kevin Durant, media personality Van Lathan, and actor/activist Jesse Williams are also credited as producers.
Two Distant Strangers stars Hip Hop recording artist Joey Bada$$ (Mr. Robot, Boomerang, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Grown-ish) as an African-American cartoonist named Carter James. The movie centers around James unsuccessfully trying to get home to his dog because of repeated deadly interactions with a white police officer.
The cast also includes Andrew Howard (Watchmen, Tenet) as the NYPD cop and Zaria Simone (The Super Pops, Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!) as James’s date. Being awarded the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film was seen as a victory for everyone involved in the Netflix-distributed production. Diddy posted an Instagram video of himself celebrating the Oscar win with his friends and family.
“I’m incredibly blessed to WIN MY SECOND OSCAR as a producer for UNDEFEATED and now @2distantstrangers!! Words can’t describe how I feel right now winning alongside my brothers @JoeyBadass @VanLathan @Travon @nicholas_maye @MartinDesmondRoe @LawrenceBender @ijessewilliams @easymoneysniper. WE DID IT!!! #BlackExcellence #TwoDistantStrangers #OSCARS2021,” posted the Revolt network founder.
https://www.instagram.com/p/COHRQUkHnHt/
Other people involved in the creation of Two Distant Strangers shared their reactions on social media too. When the winner of the category was announced, Van Lathan tweeted, “OMG. What the f###?” He later added, “Covered in Champagne.”
The Best Live Action Short Film win for Two Distant Strangers also led to Kevin Durant tweeting, “Big time!! Congrats @TwoDistantFilm.” Earlier in the day, before the winners were announced, Jesse Williams posted a message on his Instagram page about the movie being nominated for an Academy Award this year.
“It goes down this evening! Thank you to each and every one of you for the sincere, consistent, and growing support for our one of many expressions of art, discipline, and healing,” wrote Williams. “There is no one way through trauma or story, but there is effort and execution. And we’re proud of both today. Whether we win or we win, we’re winning. Keep going.”
OMG. What the f###?
— Van “#1 Voice in Wrestling Media” Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) April 26, 2021
Sent this when we were trying to get money to make it. If you don’t believe no one will. pic.twitter.com/IxMeaJboQp
— Van “#1 Voice in Wrestling Media” Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) April 26, 2021
Covered in Champagne.
— Van “#1 Voice in Wrestling Media” Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) April 26, 2021
There are some Hip Hop fans and pundits that are ready to proclaim Lil Baby as the new King of the South. Over the last three years, the Quality Control Music representative picked up Platinum plaques for bodies of work like 2018’s Harder Than Ever and 2020’s My Turn.
The commercial and critical success of My Turn earned Lil Baby placement on numerous music publication’s best-of-the-year lists. His protest anthem “The Bigger Picture” also received nominations at the Grammy Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards.
With those many achievements, it is understandable why so many people believe the King of the South crown rests comfortably on Lil Baby’s head at the moment. It appears this is not the first time the rap star born Dominique Armani Jones has been considered royalty by others.
This morning, Lil Baby uploaded brief videos to his Instagram Story that featured pictures of a pre-teen Dominique. In one photo, the future three-time Grammy nominee is seen wearing a dark suit, a golden crown, and a blue sash.
Lil Baby’s caption for the clip reads, “Brown Middle School… real Atlanta. I been piped. Y’all n##### wasn’t Mr. 6th Grade!!” Moments later he posted a second throwback pic of himself from his days as a middle school student.
If the product of Southwest Atlanta continues to extend his impressive run as a Hip Hop superstar, his name may be cemented in the conversation about the greatest rappers of this era. Earlier this year, Lil Baby was asked who he thinks will be Hip Hop’s other Most Valuable Players for the 2020 decade.
“For the whole 2020s? Roddy Ricch for sure. DaBaby for sure. You take me out of there, Megan Thee Stallion. Them three is solidified,” said the 26-year-old hitmaker. “There might be three new of them three times before 2030, and with me? That’s four. So there’s gonna be four new of us 2030 the way it’s going. But the way we’ve solidified our spots, we’re here. That little crew, I think we’re the leaders of the new generation.”
It’s never been easier to bring the sounds in your imagination to the ears of friends, family, and listeners around the world. This special deal on The Complete Ableton Live 11 Music Production Essentials Bundle makes it even easier. Featuring lessons and courses on how to use and make the most of the incomparable Ableton audio engineering platform — this bundle is available now at an unbelievable price of just $35.99.
This entire bundle provides users access to eight different courses and 110 lessons. Among these many educational classes include: An Introduction to Ableton Live 11, Using Ableton Live 11 & Making A Song, and Recording into the Arrangement View.
Lifetime access to these essentials will help any aspiring musician, songwriter, producer, or viral content creator produce tracks or even entire albums. Some of the benefits of taking one of these courses include access to multiple lectures, insights on the workflow of Ableton Live 11, and walkthroughs on basic actions like track editing.
Each course in The Complete Ableton Live 11 Music Production Essentials Bundle is taught by Tomas George, a renowned music producer, composer, and audio engineer. The United Kingdom native has a 4.5 out of 5-star instructor rating and has been producing and writing tunes for over a decade.
The Ableton Bundle has received rave reviews from users, and one student described it as a “Great course! If you work in Ableton, it’s a must! Explained very well and understandably. It also showed the new features of A11 with a lot of tips and tricks.”
Each of the eleven courses in this bundle regularly costs $200, so considering the whole collection is available now for just $35.99 — audiophiles can’t possibly ask for a better bargain.
The Complete Ableton Live 11 Music Production Essentials Bundle – $35.99
Slime Language 2 is currently the most popular album in America. Young Thug and his Young Stoner Life Records roster linked up with Hip Hop pillars such as Drake, Travis Scott, Future, Meek Mill, Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, and Rowdy Rebel for the compilation.
Thanks in part to the star-studded line-up, Slime Language 2 opened at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The 23-track project collected 113,000 first-week units with nearly 143 million on-demand streams in the United States.
Slime Language 2 is just the third Hip Hop album to hold the #1 position on the Billboard 200 in 2021. Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red spent one week at the peak of the tally in January. Rod Wave’s SoulFly was a chart-topper earlier this month as well.
SoulFly slipped one position to #6 on the latest Billboard 200. The Florida-raised rhymer added another 46,000 units to his total this week. The Weeknd’s The Highlights dropped to #8. Pop Smoke’s former #1, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, remained in the Top 10 (#10) after over 40 weeks on the chart.
Young Thug’s YSL company now has three Number Ones in its history. Thugger’s critically-acclaimed So Much Fun topped the Billboard 200 in 2019. The label’s other flagship artist, Gunna, reached the pinnacle of the chart with Wunna in 2020.
Following the April 16 release of the Slime Language 2 standard version, a deluxe edition featuring DaBaby, Jim Jones, Don Toliver, Nav, and others was introduced on April 23. Young Thug also recently showed up on Cordae’s Just Until EP which hit DSPs the day before.
The 93rd Oscar ceremony was delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the event finally took place last night (April 25) in Los Angeles. Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored some of the best films, filmmakers, actors, actresses, and other film industry artisans.
Nomadland was the top medalist of the night by winning Best Picture, Best Director (Chloé Zhao), and Best Actress (Frances McDormand). Judas and the Black Messiah was one of the seven motion pictures to win multiple Oscars on the night.
Director Shaka King’s biographical drama about FBI informant William O’Neal’s betrayal of Fred Hampton, the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, earned two trophies. H.E.R.’s “Fight For You” was named Best Original Song, and Daniel Kaluuya won Best Supporting Actor for his turn as Hampton.
Kaluuya gave his acceptance speech as his mother and sister watched on from a socially distanced audience in London. At one point, the 32-year-old British national made an off-the-cuff comment that did not seem to go over well with his mom.
After acknowledging King, his co-star Lakeith Stanfield, The Lucas Brothers, the cast and crew, the Hampton family, and the slain revolutionary he portrayed in Judas, Kaluuya said, “We have to celebrate life. We’re breathing, we’re walking. It’s incredible. My mom met my dad, they had sex. It’s amazing. I’m here. I’m so happy to be alive.”
At that moment in the speech, the camera cut to Kaluuya’s loved ones seated inside the British Film Institute. His mother appeared to be visibly shocked, and his sister instantly put her face into her hands as the crowd laughed at the joke about his parent’s sex life.
Kaluuya was asked about the on-stage quip several times during a backstage interview. The star of other movies like Get Out, Black Panther, and Queen & Slim tried to play down the light-hearted remark and insisted his mother will not be too upset about the viral moment.
He replied, “Is that [speech] going to live on. I think that’s pretty obvious that all our parents had sex. [laughs]… My mom’s probably going to text me some stuff… I’m going to avoid my phone for a bit. I think my mom’s not going to be very happy. But she’s going to be cool. She’s got a sense of humor. We give it to each other.”
Gabriella “H.E.R.” Wilson is now an Oscar winner. Last night, the 23-year-old R&B musician, along with songwriter Tiara Thomas and producer Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, picked up the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
H.E.R.’s “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah was selected over “Speak Now” from One Night in Miami…, “Hear My Voice” from The Trial of the Chicago 7, “Husavik” from Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, and “Io sì (Seen)” from The Life Ahead.
With the addition of the Oscar, H.E.R. has two out of the four trophies that make up the prestigious EGOT honor (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). The RCA recording artist already earned four Grammy Awards throughout her career.
Several Hip Hop and R&B acts were named Best Original Song recipients over the last twenty years. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem won in 2003. Three years later, Three Six Mafia’s Frayser Boy, Juicy J, and DJ Paul won the golden statue for “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp.”
Rapper Lonnie “Common” Lynn and singer John Legend took home the Best Original Song Oscar for “Glory” at the 2015 ceremony. Music legends such as Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie have triumphed in that category as well.
The 93rd Annual Academy Awards also saw Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste win Best Original Score for Soul. In addition, Judas and the Black Messiah scored another Oscar when Daniel Kaluuya was announced as Best Supporting Actor.
Plus, Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe’s Two Distant Strangers won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. The 30-minute drama stars Brooklyn-bred Hip Hop star Jo-Vaughn “Joey Bada$$” Scott.
Rap star Saweetie shut down the internet over the weekend, with some jaw-dropping photos.
Saweetie showed off some sexy looks to promote Call Of Duty’s free-to-play game “Warzone.” She is part of a new campaign that just launched called “Squad up the World,” which was directed by young visionary Gibson Hazard.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CODmtWtsLT4/
“I loved the experience on set. I’ve always been around gaming but some of my recent collabs and other gamers got me even more interested in checking it out myself,” Saweetie explained. “This was my first Call of Duty game and it was harder than I expected. I loved it, I’m competitive about everything so when a challenge comes my way, it’s a wrap – I’m there until I master it.”
In addition to Saweetie, the campaign features influencers like Jack Harlow, Druski, AJ Tracey, Young Thug, Swae Lee, and Gunna.
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“This film was an excellent experience. I got a chance to tap into my acting bag a bit, and did some stunts for the first time. Having my good friend Druski starring alongside me made the whole thing even better,” rapper Jack Harlow said. “That dude is one of the funniest people on Earth. I’ve seen Gibson’s come up over the last couple of years and I’m a fan. He has a great vision and it was fascinating to work with him. I gotta say the best part of all this was sharing the whole experience with my best friend & roommate, Urban, who was on set and got to be there for the entirety of the shoot. He is a COD fanatic. It was also a really dope moment for my boys back home to see me in a COD film because they’ve all been playing COD for years.”
Rap star Kanye West is doing his part to ensure the financial well-being of DMX’s family.
The Chicago rapper has commissioned Balenciaga to create a limited run of long sleeve shirts to honor the rapper, who died on April 9th.
The shirt features original DMX artwork with an “In Memory” portrait of the rapper on the front, while the words I”n Loving Memory” are printed on the back.
DMX’s birthday (12.18.1970) is printed on the right sleeve, while his death date (04.09.2021) is emblazoned on the left sleeve.
The shirts are retailing for $200 and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to DMX’s family.
According to reports, DMX died after taking a lethal dose of crack cocaine laced with fentanyl.
Over the weekend, the rapper was given an amazing homegoing ceremony during the “Celebration Of Life” event at the Barclays Center.
Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir performed during the event, which featured tributes from Swizz Beatz, Nas, Eve, Jadakiss, Drag-On, and DMX’s children.
Head on over to https://dmx-tribute.com/ to cop your limited edition Balenciaga shirt and honor of DMX.
Today marks the official home-going service for Earl “DMX” Simmons.
Unlike yesterday’s service at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, today’s service at a church in New York City is limited to the rapper’s closest family and friends.
A well-known rapper from Charlotte, North Carolina has died unexpectedly.
According to reports, Cam Coldheart died last night (April 24th) of unknown causes. Cam, who was just 33-year-old at the time of his passing, leaves behind several children.
In 2019, Cam Coldheart went viral, after he got into an altercation with fellow Charlotte native DaBaby. The men were engaged in a war of words when they ran across each other in the Louis Vuitton store, inside of the South Park Mall in Charlotte.
Cam was assaulted and knocked unconscious by DaBaby and his bodyguard, who fled the scene, but not before posting the footage of the fight on social media.
Fans of Cam Coldheart have been flooding his Instagram account with RIP messages on his last post, which was put up just two days ago.
Rap star 50 Cent continues his furious pace of producing TV shows for the Stars Network with his latest project on the life of Cyntoia Brown.
Fif and La La have teamed up to executive produce a new drama titled “The Case of Cyntoia Brown.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the pair are working with Santa Sierra, the writer for “Power: Book III,” to bring Brown’s amazing story to Starz.
Cyntoia Brown was being sexually trafficked by a pimp named Kutthroat, when she was just 16-years-old, in the early 2000s. In 2004, Brown murdered a man she was pimped out to for $150 in Nashville, Tennessee named Johnny Allen.
Brown claimed she killed the 43-year-old and self-defense, however, prosecutors declared the man’s death was a robbery gone wrong.
In 2006, Brown was tried as an adult, and convicted of murdering the real estate agent. She was sentenced to 51 years in prison for the murder.
Brown’s case started receiving media coverage with the rise of the #metoo movement and her plight became a national topic, after Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, T.I., Snoop Dogg, and others began calling for her release from prison.
In 2017, Kim Kardashian, who’s currently studying to become a lawyer, went to work, as an advocate for Brown’s release.
The system has failed. It’s heart breaking to see a young girl sex trafficked then when she has the courage to fight back is jailed for life! We have to do better & do what’s right. I’ve called my attorneys yesterday to see what can be done to fix this. #FreeCyntoiaBrownpic.twitter.com/73y26mLp7u
The rap mogul continues to churning out television shows at a mind-numbing pace.
In addition to new spin-offs of his franchise “Power,” 50 Cent just wrapped up shooting Season 1 of the true-life crime series, “B.M.F.,” which will also air on Starz.
Bizzy D Williams is a buzzing Hip Hop artist in the DMV area earning attention from his popular video “That’s Life.“The DJ Reason-produced track’s visuals are gritty and compliment the meaning behind his style and melodic flows.Be sure to stay connected to Bizzy on instagram @Bizzy_d_williams and @redbottleinc to keep up with new music updates![embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uoeK-9jk6o[/embedyt]
By Kershaw St. Jawnson and Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur
DMX’s legions of fam, fans, and his Ruff Ryders crew traversed from his Native Yonkers, New York over the bridges and through the streets today to send the rapper off at a memorial in Brooklyn at The Barclays Center.
The view was magnificent with DMX’s casket hoisted high atop a monster truck with hundreds of motorcycles of all varieties riding behind. The truck was emblazoned with “Long Live DMX” on the side. Some of the cyclists popped wheelies as they watched the man known as Earl Simmons took one final ride through the streets that loved him so.
The procession was met with cheers and adoration for the rapper that died earlier in the month from a heart attack that put him in a coma.
The memorial started well over two hours late. Sources close to the event suggested that a myriad of issues caused the delay, including COVID-19 precautions, set up, and other matters related to a celebration of this magnitude.
The ceremony opened with the viral video clip of DMX with one of his daughters on a rollercoaster at an amusement park.
Then as the audience silenced itself, his broken voice permeated the air with a prayer from his album, It’s Dark and Hell is Hot.
After the prayer was completed, Kanye West’s Sunday Service choir opened with a rendition of Soul II Soul’s song, “Back to Life (However Do You Want It)” and “Keep on Moving.”
After the two popular songs from the late 80s and early 90s, the choir sang “Perfect Praise (How Excellent)” by Walt Whitman and Soul Children of Chicago,
As they sang red lights cascading over them, while black and white pictures and maps of Yonkers flashed across the trapezoid-shaped stage and screen.
One of Dark Man X’s family members came out to remind the crowd that he lived his life for his fans — hoping to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in his most unique way. She also noted that all that he ever wanted was to have all of his children together and their mothers get along.
And for this occasion … they were on one accord … honoring one of his last wishes.
While the music was moving, nothing beat all of his children lined up across the stage. His son, Xavier was first to speak. The family dressed in crimson and cream thanked the audience and acknowledge that their father was a king. “I am so honored to have a father like we have. This man deepened my ability to love. ‘You think you know what love is son … walk with me.”
A younger song also spoke.
One of his daughters broke out an original rap. “Yo, I’m growing and earning my daddy still holding my hand so I got to stand up.”
Sunday Service returned to sing the Clark Sisters, “You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life).”
“I’m a witness that Jesus He’ll make a difference in your life I’m a witness that Jesus He’ll make a difference in your life I’m a witness that Jesus”
The following voice was another angel. They played Whitney Houston’s version of “Jesus Loves Me,” accompanied by the choir that surely brought tears running.
Belly co-star and long-time friend, Nas came and gave remarks, remembering times when he and his brother were at the Tunnel night club at the start of their careers. He sent his support to all of the artists that shared the Ruff Ryder banner with him — ending with “I said my piece.”
A video of X appeared on the screen with him reciting “The Prayer VI,” reminding fans of his powerful ministry. And appropriately, Kanye West’s ministry followed the prayer. The choir performed an excerpt of “Ultralight Beam.”
Various members of the Ruff Ryders Family came to the stage.
“You not an artist, you are our brother.”
Joaquin “Waah” Dean introduced his brother Darin “Dee” Dean, Eve, The Lox, and also Tip who “brought DMX” to the company. Dee shouted out Swizz and Drag-On, calling him “DMX the Great.” After explaining that they never turned their back on X and also announced that they had new music coming out soon.
Eve, the First Lady of Ruff Ryders, came to the front to share that she was the luckiest woman to have adopted into the RR fam. She also struggled to express how she considered herself blessed to be his friend. “This is so hard, y’all.”
A broken Drag-on confessed to the arena full of strangers, “Straight bottom line, I don’t exist without this man. And I am trying my best not to cry right now. But I am not sh*t without him. He taught me everything I know.”
The LOX were then called to the stage.
Jada Kiss called out to Y.O. saying “This is different for me … this is not easy to digest. He is the one that brought us to D and Waah … I saw him in all kinds of different phases of his life. Anyone that saw him in the last year, knew he was the happiest in his life.”
“DMX was the ghetto-est person to have ever existed,” Styles joked. “What made it special is that we go on first. He did nothing but push us.”
He continued, “He accomplished something that no one else could accomplish and he was in pain the whole way.” Styles talked about being in jail with DMX and how the artist, even while incarcerated, set up a jam session with other rappers and actual musicians.
When Swizz Beatz stepped up, he noted that “words can’t describe their loss.”
He joked about the celebration started late because he knew the Dog was up in heaven causing trouble. He further challenged people to love others while they are here and not when they are gone. This is in reference to those people who have come around after DMX transition— urging everyone to get a will. As he noted that this was not a fashion show, he promised to make sure that his family (children) would all be set for the rest of their lives.
He started the “Ruff Ryder Anthem” and the crowd erupted in a traditional call and response … in this unorthodox church service.
The part of the program culminated with DMX’s classic song and video, “What Y’all Really Want” and the same viral moment with his daughter that it opened with.
“Stop, drop, open up shop. OOOOOh, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll.”
The benediction was also committed by Kanye’s choir and worship leaders. With words intended to be a balm and sweet salve to ease the broken hards of those in attendance and watching it streamed live on YouTube, he offered up a prayer. The leader thanked God for allowing people to have this homegoing gesture as the “oil of joy … for our time of mourning.”
Within the prayer, he quoted 1 Thessalonians 4:13, holy scripture from the Epistles of Paul, “We don’t grieve as those who have no hope.” While we don’t, Hip-Hop as a whole is crying. We lost one of our greatest (though troubled) kings. #RIPDMX
The DMX celebration ceremony was so well put together . RIP to the Dark Man 🙏🏽🐾
The war between Ice Cube and financial services app Robinhood is raging on, now that the company is hitting back at the rap star’s claims they stole his image.
Cube sued Robinhood after they used his image in one of their newsletters, called “Robinhood Snacks” in a mailing called “Why are tech stock falling?” on March 8, 2021.
Cube says the company used his picture and flipped a line from his hit song “Check Yo Self” which read: “Correct yourself, before you wreck yourself”
The rapper was mad because he has no ties to Robinhood, and he felt the company’s users would be misled into thinking he was endorsing the company, which he doesn’t.
Last week, Robinhood replied to Ice Cube and denied he had any grounds to sue, claiming their newsletter is protected by the First Amendment. Furthermore, Robinhood’s lawyer says the rap star doesn’t even own the right to the photo in question.
Robinhood Fires Back At Ice Cube; Say He’s After Publicity With Lawsuit Over His Image
Robinhood Fires Back At Ice Cube; Say He’s After Publicity With Lawsuit Over His Image
Robinhood Fires Back At Ice Cube; Say He’s After Publicity With Lawsuit Over His Image
“He conveniently leaves out that the photograph is actually a still shot which depicts his character from the movie, ‘Are We Done Yet’ – copyrighted work he does not own,” explained Robinhood’s lawyer, Mitchell J. Langberg.
“Remarkably, [Ice Cube] does not identify a single lost sale or other particular damage resulting from Defendants’ alleged misconduct, despite the fact that he is required to do so to establish standing under both federal and state law,” Langberg further stated.
Robinhood also blasted Ice Cube for claiming they stole the phrase “Check Yo Self, Before You Wreck Yo Self,” maintaining the phrase is now in the public domain for anyone to use.
“Because of its widespread use, they been used in numerous parody variations, the phrase does not and cannot identify any one individual, including [Ice Cube]. A simple online search of the phrase shows just how ubiquitous the phrase has become. The phrase is used in scholarly articles,19 popular movies [and] online blogs,” Mitchell J. Langberg said.
Langberg also said the phrase has already been parodied in such variations as “Text Yo’self Beefo You Wreck Yo’self,” “Stretch Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself,” and “Czech Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself.”
“In short, Ice Cube filed this action looking for publicity and without regard for the merits of his claims,” Langberg said.
Robinhood wants the entire lawsuit to be dismissed on June 3, when Judge Laurel Beeler will listen to more arguments from both sides.
SMACK URL’s tournament, Ultimate Madness 3 (first round) takes place on Saturday, April 24 and with this season, quite a few special surprises have come to play.
First, there are women in this competition. Second, the staff has tapped some of their most elite talent to hop in the ring. Then Drake comes in and sponsors a cash prize to the winner of $100,000. But then they announce the judges: Tony Bro, Battle Raps Fanatic (Polo), Minnesota Luke, and the chart-topping rapper Freeway.
Yes … you read it right … the young bouhl from Philly … one of the illest voices in Hip-Hop history … State Property gunner … businessman … faith-leader … survivor … and battle rapper …
AllHipHop.com got to chop it up with Freeway about Smack leaning on their almost 20-year-old friendship to bring him to weigh in on who should cop that big bag.
Many in the battle rap community question whether or not he is locked in. Their only reference for him in battle rap is his battle with Cassidy. But that’s because they weren’t at the teen club Dances when he met Beanie Sigel. He had the Broad Street bully pull him on the stage to battle with him.
He also talks about his history in the culture, battling Queensbridge’s Cormega and being on deck to battle anyone looking to sign with The Roc back in the day.
“I’ll be in the room and Jay would give the head nod and I would be like (growl), I had to chew them,” he shared. “A lot of people hated me for that. I shut down a lot of opportunities.”
“On the same token, it was dangerous for me too because someone could embarrass me in that jawn.”
He continued, “Especially at that time, a battle could break out at any moment. Now the battles are set up two or three months so that you can prepare for your opponents.”
So locked in, he identifies both K-Shine and Tay Roc are some of his favorite battle rappers (also stating that some of his favorites are in the tournament and so he can’t actually name them now).
Folk know that Free has made anthems, during our interview he mentions who he would make a fire record with if given the chance. The posse cut would have to have K-Shine, Rum Nitty, and O’fficial on it and he is gonna make that happen. Speaking of new music and making it happen… he dropped two jewels: Beanie Sigel has a new project coming and State Property (all seven members) are on the same page and will be putting out music soon. #NotDrawling
Well, the question that everyone wants to be answered… “What is he looking for as a battle judge?”
He says it is more than just bars. Free will be looking for delivery, bars, energy, can they keep the crowd tuned in, stand out performances, clarity, and overall precision, “There are a lot of talented artists on the card and it is definitely going to be interesting.”
“It’s gonna be hard. It ain’t gonna be easy to judge.”
Free also talked to us about the importance of Islam and growing up in a multi-faith family: his mom was a Christian and his dad was in the Nation of Alkebulan. He talks about how in February of 2019, the rapper successfully received a kidney transplant and how that process has changed his life.
Since then, he has become a celebrity ambassador for the National Kidney Foundation, works with Gift of Life, and founded the Freedom Thinkers Academy/ Freedom Thinkers, Inc.
The “8 Miles and Runnin’” rapper explains how Freedom Thinkers Academy focuses on music, health, education, and culture — and how they have some new musical projects coming out in the future.
The Kenny Gamble of this generation, Freeway pushes for empowerment and wellness, even as he deals with his personal struggles. In October of 2020, he suddenly lost his son Jihad Pridgen (a young rapper named Snow Hadd). This came a month after his daughter Harmony was diagnosed with cancer. His faith has helped him support her as she fights the disease.
It is also his faith and love for the culture that keeps busy: this weekend alone he is the UM3 judge, has a concert with The Lox, and will attend the funeral for his Def Jam labelmate, DMX.
There is work to do — and the bouhl is locked in and ain’t missing nothing. #PrayersUpAlways
