AllHipHop

homepage

Russian Teen Tats His Face Up To Look Like Tekashi 6ix9ine

By: Kershaw St. JawnsonCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) In this episode of what crazy wippo do to be like dumb rappers, 17-year-old Russian stan, Vladimir Roslyakov tatted up his face so that he can look like Brooklyn rapper and felon Tekashi 6ix9ine.

While not exactly a picture-perfect replica of the tattle-tale rap star, Roslyakov has easily 85% of his face inked with words, crosses, cobwebs, fake blood, and devil’s horns.

He too has some kind of number on his forehead.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ASwWtn9oj

At first glance, you wonder why this kid on the other side of the world would imitate the unicorn-colored media darling.

But then, when you find out that his mother paid for them all, you shift your inquiry to “What is wrong with Mom Dukes?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9v0OUmn9-b

Roslyakov, says that his mother paid for the tattoos because she knew he was set on getting them anyway (assuming she simply wanted to offer some quality control with the tattoo artists).

“She pays for them because she knows that I’ll do it anyway so it’s better for me that I have them done in a tattoo salon rather than God knows where,” he told The Sun.

He dedicated a rose to his grandmother.

Like 6ix9ine, Roslyakov is a rapper. His album will drop this summer.

Lil Wayne’s Sports Agency Signs Isaac Okoro

By: Maria MyraineCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) From college basketball to the pros.

That’s what Auburn’s freshman phenom Isaac Okoro is looking to accomplish after declaring his eligibility for the NBA Draft.

And what better way to take his athletic career to the next level than to sign with Lil Wayne’s, Young Money APAA Sports agency (established in 2016) in an official announcement made last night (May 1, 2020).

Okoro, who averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game in his most recent season, was named to the SEC All-Defense, All-Freshman and second-team All-SEC teams.

It’s no wonder he caught the attention and interest of sports agents.

Even with his signed commitment to the agency, Okoro is still an active NCAA college athlete.

Due to a new rule, he has not been able to forfeit his eligibility.

Having already entered the Draft, the freshman hopeful has until June 3rd to change his mind. In doing so, he would retain his eligibility to continue playing at the college level.

Prior to signing Okoro, Young Money APAA Sports inked a partnership deal with LifeStyle Sports Agency, owned by Omar Cooper.

Interestingly enough, Cooper is the father of Auburn’s point guard, Sharife Cooper, who is no stranger to Okoro.

Prior to college, the two played together at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA. They were also teammates in Nike’s EYBL circuit.

Drake Opens Up About His Son On Young Money Radio

By: Maria MyraineCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Drake recently joined Lil Wayne on a new episode of Young Money Radio.

In addition to discussing his newly released, “Dark Lane Demo Tapes,” things got intimate during the interview, as Drake revealed what fatherhood has been like for him.

Last month, Drake finally posted the first photos of his son, Adonis and the rapper touched on his son during his talk with Lil Wayne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOQuvsG8p-Q

“I posted those pictures. It was great, for me. It was great to just share with the world,” Drake explained. “This is just something that I want to do. I want to be able to go places with my son and share memories. I don’t want to feel like just because of my celebrity, I got to make everybody live under this blanket. So I just wanted to free myself of that.”

He also added, while directing his attention to Lil Wayne, “I’ve watched you be a functioning rap father for years, an incredible father. And that gave me a lot of confidence too.”

Drake continued to mention other Hip-Hop dads that he admired including 2 Chainz.

“He’s a great father. It’s really inspiring for me just to know that I can still keep pushing forward as a musician and be there for my son,” Drake reasoned.

Jimmy Henchman Loses Third Appeal Of Life Sentence For Murdering 50 Cent’s Friend

By: Maria MyraineCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Back in 2017, we reported on the overturned conviction of music artist manager and promoter, James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond.

He was convicted in the Fall of 2016 for his involvement in the murder of G-Unit associate, Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher, who allegedly smacked Rosemond’s young son at the height of a feud between Game and G-Unit in 2007.

The Feds Rosemond of accused of hiring a group of men to kill Fletcher – who was shot in the Bronx in 2009.

Fast forward a few years later, Rosemond’s conviction was upheld this past Friday, May 1, 2020, by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals.

The decision was finally made, despite his lawyer’s attempts at invalidating the stories of several witnesses.

Rosemond’s case was filled with many twists and turns.

Jimmy’s first trial over Lodi Mack’s murder ended in a hung jury. A second trial took place in 2015, which ended with his conviction and two life sentences.

A third trial last year took place in 2016, when after a judge improperly narrowed Jimmy’s defense team in questioning a key witness.

They say third’s time a charm, but not for Rosemond, who was convicted again and re-sentenced to life in prison.

Rosemond is already serving a life sentence for a drug and gun conviction as well. 

EXCLUSIVE: Dark Lo’s Health Deteriorates In Prison; Judge Refuses Release But Offers Hope

By: Nolan StrongCategory: Exclusives

(AllHipHop News) Philly rapper Dark Lo is languishing in prison due to previous health problems, and he will have to stay there until at least May 15th.

Dark Lo has a very slim chance of being released from the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, where he is awaiting trial for one count of witness tampering and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

The rapper is an artist on AR-AB’s Philadelphia-based OBH Records imprint. The Feds claim he wrote a threatening letter to a cooperating witness, who was testifying against the label’s boss, AR-AB.

The day before Dontez Stewart was scheduled to testify, he received a letter with a return address in Philadelphia from sender “Ron Harvey,” a murderous founding member of the infamous Philly’s Black Mafia.

AB ended up being convicted of running a Drug Trafficking Organization, while Dark Lo was hit with felony charges and thrown in jail for trying to intimidate Stewart.

Being in prison has been tough on Dark Lo’s body since he was still recovering from a stroke and heart attack in 2014 and a kidney replacement in 2019.

As a result, the well-known Philly rapper, who has worked with artists like Maino, Shy Glizzy, Benny the Butcher and Gillie, has to take a variety of pills every day for his cholesterol, kidneys, and heart, all of which have weakened his immune system.

“I have been in a depressed, stressed mindset about my high chance to catch the deadly virus. Although I am in pre-trial, I do not have a violent charge and believe that I am in a bad predicament,” Dark Lo wrote in his letter to Judge Mark A. Kearney.

Unfortunately, the Feds opposed Dark Lo’s release in a separate filing, claiming the rapper is a flight risk because he’s facing a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 19.5 years in prison.

Judge Kearney ruled in favor of prosecutors and denied Dark Lo’s release – for now.

Judge Kearney, dismissed the rapper’s motion without prejudice and gave the Federal Detention Center a deadline to test the rapper, or he will be able to re-file his motion.

Smoov’L Drops ‘Boy From Brooklyn,’ Says His Time Has Come”

By: Kershaw St. JawnsonCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Kings County teen, Smoov’L releases his debut album Boy From Brooklyn on Run Music/Interscope.

“I knew my time was coming,” Smoov’L told AllHipHop via a statement. “But what does that really mean? Everyone’s time eventually comes, right?

What the Bed-Stuy native means is that by dropping this 11-track mixtape, he will position himself to play with the big boys and he has no choice but to deliver.

After all, Bedstuy (or at least the five zip codes that makeup Central Brooklyn) is the home of arguably some of the best rappers to ever touch the mic. Storytellers, punchers, street spitters, drill rappers, or backpackers.

What B-Boy stance is he taking? Who is he speaking to? Who cares about this youngster?

Smoov’L is not afraid of those questions — remember he has been preparing for this time and that included developing a fanbase organically and patiently curating his lane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYdHz7l4U54

“I love to create a raw fan base. I started my own wave,” he said. “People think you have to be famous in order to be an artist, but you don’t. No matter if you got a fanbase or no followers, you just gotta keep your image and go with the flow. Eventually, people will believe in you one day.”

On Boy from Brooklyn, he addresses relationships of all kinds.

Songs like “Facetime,” “2020,” “Designer Warz” and “Just A Dream” tells you that Smoov’L has spent some time over his 19-years of life watching people and getting into what makes them tick.

We first heard about the kid last year when he dropped “New Apollos.”

In one month, he hit over 1 million views on YouTube. Now, the joint is over 10 million streams and that is less than 6 months in.

He might actually be right. #TimeisNow

Lil Tay Kisses And Tells On Chinese Kitty, But, What He Says…

By: IllseedCategory: Rumors

(AllHipHop Rumors) I had no idea these two were and item and I don’t really care. If I am not with Chinese Kitty, why do I care that Lil Tay is? Well, I wouldn’t but I guess the ways of the day are f##king and telling. That is exactly what tay did. Check this out. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Swazie (@swazietv)

Now, I agree that you cannot go around kissing and telling, but he may have delivered a mortal blow to Chinese Kitty! SIKE! I don’t even know how old old her son is, but I bet he’s very young! This is the sort of stuff that gets you MORE time and attention on social media and gets you a storyline on LAHH.

Battle Rapper Goes Viral Because He Hates His Black Skin

By: Kershaw St. JawnsonCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) When you are trying to come up in the battle rap industry, you might rely on your lyrical prowess.

Some people believe that having a cool image, bringing swag to the table, or linking with the right rap crew.

Few take the Arsonal da Rebel route and choose to do the disrespectful route. Problem is …

If you don’t know who you are and really how to finesse, you are gonna say something that will make you look like a fool.

In this case, a self-loathing-p##########-unoriginal perp trying to come up by talking about another Black man’s child in a way that indicative of how either how wack you are or how desperate you are.

WHO DOES THAT?

His name is Georgio Casper and get a good glimpse of his name because he will probably never be covered here again. #LeaguesTakeNote

What Casper (and there is something deep about that), a dark-skinned- Black man with locs, does is puts on front street colorism and sexism at its best.

Let’s be clear, as a culture, men are sexist in the many things that they say.

But there is a limit or special level of ignorance jacked in this particular battle that has made more than a few people stop and say, “Nah Bruh.”

https://twitter.com/MichaelVone/status/1254265924754059267

In the battle, homie talks about his girl and his child are both light-skinned and prettier than his opponent’s girlfriend and child.

Like so many others, he equates their complexion with their right to have a better quality of life and implies that they should not be exploited.

That’s that bulls##t.

There really is no win for him and social media dragged him. And even a vet in the culture gave him the smackdown.

https://twitter.com/HeckticGamef56/status/1255452738227494915https://www.instagram.com/p/B_jHArZhQ-c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4laJLCwXZU

Sammie Talks New Single “Friend Zone” And His New Candle Line

By: Shirley JuCategory: Features

Child star turned mature R&B singer, Sammie is back like he never left. The “I Like It” recording artist releases his new single “Friend Zone” and previews his fifth studio album.

Sammie continues to bless the R&B game with love records. The Miami, Florida native exploded onto the scene at 12-years-old, as his 1999 debut single “I Like It” became an instant viral hit.

But fast forward to today, the singer-songwriter is here to prove he’s not the same kid that audiences around the world witnessed during the peak of his teenage music career.

Having gone through and experienced his own life battles, Sammie arrives blessed, grateful, and humbled to be here.

After a string of projects, including 2016’s “I’m Him EP,” 2017’s Coming of Age, 2019’s Everlasting, the 33-year-old hypes fans up for the release of his highly-anticipated fifth studio album, slated to arrive this summer.

AllHipHop caught up with Sammie who was quarantined in Atlanta to discuss his candle line, his new album Such Is Life, the Millennium Tour, and more1

AllHipHop: Where are you located right now?

Sammie:: I’m in Atlanta. I stepped outside, I’m at a gender reveal for somebody really close to me. I can’t announce it yet because he hasn’t. I wanted a boy and we just found out it’s a girl, so a little princess is on the way. It’s awesome.

AllHipHop: How’s quarantine life treating you?

Sammie: It’s not bad because my life in Atlanta is pretty chill. I miss church, gym, and having the option to go to a lounge or a bar, but it’s not so bad. I’ve been creating more music, tapping into my poetry side, adding onto my candle line. Of course promoting my Such Is Life album that drops on June 5th, so I’m busy.

AllHipHop: I heard Atlanta’s opening up soon.

Sammie: Not for me, I’m not going outside. I don’t think it’s time, we don’t have enough answers on how to contain a virus. It’s a very bad decision on the governor’s side to open Atlanta up too soon. It’s not too smart so I’ll still be quarantined.

AllHipHop: Did you pick up any new hobbies or interests during this time?

Sammie: I don’t watch TV a lot, so I’ve been getting a lot of Netflix in. I literally watched 7 to 8 shows. I finished Money Heist yesterday so now I’m sad. Money Heist was amazing. I plugged back in my Xbox, played 3 seasons on Madden 2K. Just being a guy: eating unhealthy, drinking liquor everyday. I have gin in my cup because I’m at the reveal.

Sammie:: I’m losing weight though, because I have to lift weights to keep my little solid size on. I’m getting skinnier now and I don’t appreciate that. I have a high metabolism so I can eat eat eat and I won’t gain anything. Now I’m becoming a skinny guy. I’m living an unhealthy lifestyle until quarantine is over. I eat everything. I’m definitely not getting a pudge, I’m disappearing as I eat. The more I eat, the skinnier I get. It’s stressful. [chuckles]

AllHipHop: Favorite quarantine snack?

Sammie:: I love carrots. Little carrot sticks dipped in ranch, that’s one of my go-tos. I balance, because I eat some chips right after. I went to Publix and stumbled into cotton candy grapes, they’re green grapes but they taste like cotton candy. They’re the best thing in the world. When I die and go to heaven, I need to holla at God and have him lead me to where the cotton grapes are. So good. As soon as you buy them, it’s the taste of cotton candy. I like strawberry applesauce, I’m a big kid. I want to take it back to Lunchables and Capri Suns.

AllHipHop: Congrats on your new single “Friend Zone.” What or who inspired this record?

Sammie:: Thank you, the feedback’s been awesome. Can’t say who, but one of my besties. I have 3 to 4 female best friends but one in particular, we’ve always had a little crush on each other internally. We’ve never taken it out of the friendzone, we’ve always kept it healthy. I’ve always been there for her, she’s always been there for me. From an unbiased perspective, it’s from pure love and I want to write about it.

Every man has been friendzoned at some point, every woman has been friendzoned. This situation, it’s mutual to keep it where we are. Because if you cross that barrier and it doesn’t work, you can never go back to being besties. It’s something that I felt like finally letting out. She’s known, I’ve known, so I let her hear the record before it came out. Now it’s out to the world.

AllHipHop: What is your take on relationships?

Sammie:: It’s beautiful. I’ve yet to have a successful one. I’m 0 for 3. I’ve been in 3 serious relationships, but i’m still hopeful. It’s about timing, it takes work. I can’t do it by myself, she can’t do it by herself. It’s a willingness between 2 individuals to be committed to one another everyday, and that’s my happy ending. I don’t care how much money I have, fortune or fame. If I don’t have a wife and a tribe of my own when it’s all said and done — I won’t say fail because then again, marriage is not in everybody’s card. But it’s something that I decided, so I look forward to running into my lioness and creating my own kingdom with her forever. I’m still hopeful that she’s still out there.

AllHipHop: What inspires you to make music today?

Sammie:: Life. Everyday is a song, you simply have to seek it. I take my life experiences and that’s when I tell on myself. I don’t answer the questions or the comments but in my music, I’m very vulnerable and transparent. Unapologetically vulnerable, so I have to live life. That’s why there’s always gaps between my projects because I have to go through things. I have to love, I have to hurt. I have to feel, then I’m able to release and truly create a body of work that resonates with the world. The more I live, the more music that bottles up inside of me and I’m able to let it out.

AllHipHop: What can we expect from your fifth studio album Such Is Life?

Sammie:: June 5th, Such Is Life will be available everywhere in the whole wide world, on all digital platforms. It’s a beautiful R&B project, I did this strictly for the R&B lovers. For anybody who said “if it doesn’t feel like nighttime, I don’t want it,” this is the album. I didn’t chase DJs, I didn’t chase the radio. I never chase these things anyway but sometimes I make sure I make a balanced project to where one record can go on the radio or do well in a strip club. This one is strictly for all those people who miss that Boyz II Men, Jon B, Joe, or Brain McKnight, the Usher’s, the Tank’s.

If you really want real singing, real substance and storytelling, music that’s going to make you believe in love again, music that’s going to help you heal again, then Such Is Life is for you. We’re all quarantined and chillin’, so it’s the perfect time. God’s so awesome, although my heart goes out to those directly or indirectly affected by this virus. This is a sad time in the world but there’s also some beauty in it. We’re getting very, very creative and becoming more innovative. We’re tapping into things we didn’t have time to do, because now we have time. I’ve seen a lot of unification. Music is healing, I want to give people music during this time to vibe to.

AllHipHop: Best memory on the Millennium Tour?

Sammie:: We only got to 6 out of 32, but every city holds a dear piece of my heart. I wasn’t on the first one so life is full circle, God is the equalizer. I’m blessed to be a part of the Millennium Tour 2020. It’s watching grown women who were once little girls, they tell me they used to put my magazine pictures on their wall or their locker in elementary or middle school. Now we’re grown together and still very much in love with one another. I’m in love with my fans, that’s why I call my squad the Sammie lovers. Because we’ve grown up together, there’s no disconnect.

The highlight by default was Indianapolis because I brought my birthday into that city and they made that whole night about me. I got to go around that entire arena, touch people and hug on them. Lloyd my big brother, he gifted me with a cake. Threw some cake in my face, it was good vibrations. I got to ring in my Jesus year in that city, but every city was beautiful. The rub downs during the Meet & Greets were nice.

AllHipHop: The rub downs?!

Sammie:: Yeah, I tweeted something one day being silly. “If you get a Meet & Greet, I’ll pick on one girl to oil me up before I go up on stage.” It went viral. It went crazy, all these girls started sending me… I like hands by the way. One of the first things I look at in a woman is their hands. I can tell a lot about a woman’s hand and her touch so I said “could you rub me down?” Now all these girls buy M&G’s. Every city, they’ll be like “are my hands good?” They’ll send me DMs of their manicures so I’d let them oil me down. A very intimate time. Johnson & Johnson should give me a whole endorsement deal because I definitely had a lot of baby oil in every city.

AllHipHop: Who’s in your Top 5?

Sammie:: I’m all over the place. I got the Jhene Aiko album going crazy, somebody please give her a Grammy. It’s so beautiful, press play and let it go. A masterpiece. Shameless plug, my sophomore project Sammie is now available on all digital formats. It hasn’t been for forever. We peaked in the Top 10 on the R&B charts, which is awesome. I got a little Sammie going of course.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_N_t5oB001

AllHipHop: Was that a longtime in the making?

Sammie:: I’ve been on Dallas for years trying to get him to do it. Dallas is so everywhere. He had to find out if he had the rights to it, then call Motown and get files from 14 years ago. It was a whole process, but we got that out. Who else do I listen to? I always have Drake in rotation, no matter if it was old or new. Brent Faiyaz, that s##t’s a vibe. I got that going. Dvsn dropped an album, I can’t get enough of it. That’s my guy. The Muse project, he can’t miss. I always look forward to his projects.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_KfPIohewN

AllHipHop: Talk about your candle line Pure Love and Pure Honey.

Sammie:: I’m a candle lover, always been. My mom kept one lit up when I was a kid. It sets the vibe, it sets a sense of peace and calm around your place. An opportunity came across my lap where I was supposed to host a grand opening of this candle shop. In the candle shop, you get to create your own candle. When they told me that part, I said “how about this, I’ll give you one better. I’d like to partner with you guys and create my own candle. I dropped this project Send Nudes, I have a song called ‘Pure Love.’ That’s a dope name for a candle.”

I went in, tried a different assortment of essential oils. I learned a lot about wax, soy wax, beeswax, coconut wax, all kinds of waxes and wicks. They educated me on how paraffin is unhealthy, it’s not eco-friendly. We really put in the time to make it healthy for you to inhale. It’s been beautiful. We did a soft launch party brunch, I sipped mimosas with my fans. They showed out and bought candles, I signed autographs. You can get it at popandpearlcandle.com. I’m actually working on a new fragrance to add to the collection, called Indigo. Blue’s my favorite color, I’m obsessed with blue. If you use blue dye for the wax, it taints the scent I’m looking for. I’m fascinated. I put in the same energy into my candles as I do my music. I’m hands-on. I had the apron, I had to sniff coffee beans because my nose was taking in too many scents. It’s a whole thing but I love it.

AllHipHop: Do you need candles in the studio to record?

Sammie:: Candles, wine, and female company so I can watch how she moves when I’m singing. If it’s a love song, I need to see it in her eyes. Every time I go to the studio, not a whole lot of girls, really need one. I need some candles, some type of liquor or wine, and a woman so I can feel that she’s connected to what I’m creating. They’re the best people to judge. If I’m singing a heartbreak song, she’ll make a facial expression if it resonates. If it’s a sex song, she’ll give you some body language. I like to look at a woman when I’m creating, I can tell if I’m onto something.

AllHipHop: Who are these lucky females?

Sammie:: I got some homies I can trust to give their honest vibes. I know they’re not going to leak the music, they’re not going to be on their phone. They’re going to sit with me and converse. It’s a real healthy thing for me. I sing to the women first, so I always need some beautiful energy around me.

AllHipHop: Any acting gigs?

Sammie:: Yep, I shot this pilot for this show called Misunderstood. I am playing this 29-year-old guy named Noah from Carson, California. Iit was awesome because I was thrown into the fire by my publicist. I always wanted to act but I never acted a day of my life, except for visuals which isn’t the same. I had to go to acting class and learn to be more vulnerable. Implementing some natural things about my human side of being Sammie into the character, so it was awesome. I miss the cast, they were family over those 3 to 4 days. I saw how tedious it is, it was 12, 14 hour days. I have a whole new respect for the craft of acting. I definitely want to merge into the big screen one day. I’m starting to get my feet wet now.

AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let us know?

Sammie:: I love everybody man, I want everybody to be safe. Stay positive, keep your head up. I think the earth is detoxing from humans right now and when we go back to earth, I hope we’re kind to her. That’s another thing to put into perspective.

YG Gives Details On New Album “Laugh Now Kry Later”

By: Kershaw St. JawnsonCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Since many are quarantined, YG has decided to treat his fans to new music and visuals to help get us through the shelter-in-blues.

With his latest single, “Laugh Now Kry Later,” the Compton rapper turned actor gets to flex on other rappers releasing videos during this social distancing season.

Rolling down the coast in a beige Lambo, he rhymes “Feels like I’m always going through the storm*/I got beef with Mother Nature.”

“This song is the title track from my upcoming album Laugh Now Kry Later,” YG explained. There’s more heat coming when we’re back outside again but wanted to give my fans something to vibe to while we’re all inside. Stay home, stay safe, and stay dangerous.”

While the culture is bubbling over the song, some people are paying attention to the rapper’s personal life.

People started talking about YG’s relationship between rapper Kamaiyah and singer Kehlani.

The two women are no longer friends and the internet has suggested that’s because the two were both involved intimately with the rapper.

Kamaiyah previously signed to YG’s label and Kehlani and YG were romantically linked in 2019.

Kehlani and YG broke up because YG was caught kissing a different girl in the street.

Either way, we see who is laughing now … answer is … YG … all the way to the top of the charts!

Brandy Talks About Her “Baby Mama” Single With Chance the Rapper

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Singer Brandy is hoping to return to the charts with a new Chance The Rapper collaboration.

The R&B singer and actress just unveiled her new single, “Baby Mama,” with Chance.

The 41-year-old, who is mom to 17-year-old daughter Sy’rai, has revealed the track serves as a celebration of mothers.

“It has such a message. “It’s celebrating mothers out there who are out there doing their best for their children and striving in their independence, in their strength, in their power. I just wanted to come out with a powerful message like that,’ Brandy explained.

The track will feature on Brandy’s next studio album, her first since Two Eleven was released in 2012.

What In The Name Of ‘Don Demarco?’ URL Fires Norbes

By: Kershaw St. JawnsonCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) Over the last 11 years, Norbes has been associated with SMACK/URLtv just as closely as DJ Don Demarco’s validating name sample, Smack White’s beard, or its top tier talent.

Unexpectedly, an era has come to an end with the dismissal of Norbes.

And the league is set to move into their next decade with brand new franchises, talent, executives, and vision.

The battle rap league blew up over the last couple of days as D. Velez (professionally known as Street Star Norbes) was fired from the Ultimate Rap League (URL), arguably the emcee battle platform that he helped rocket to the forefront of the culture.

The league dropped a statement on their social media stating:

“While we have enjoyed the time of our professional engagement with Norbes,” URL management says in a statement, “the new decade has brought forth many changes that do not afford the team allowances to continue with some of the relationships we have had in the past.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SMACK/URLTV.TV (@urltv)

“The decision to discontinue [at this time] a professional relationship with Norbes is a consensus that our team unanimously agreed upon. We’ve wished him all the best in his new journey.”

Norbes was responsible for creating/and or growing the Proving Grounds franchise.

Commonly known as the “PGs,” this was the entry-level battle process rappers went through to get on the big stage, reserved for top tier talent.

A talent scout and often a manager, Norbes brought many of the league’s greatest draws to the table. Popular PG Alum who have made a name for themselves are Ryda, Jerry Wess, Ave, Chef Trez, Geechi Gotti, Nu Jerzey Twork, Chilla Jones, B Magic and the most famous alum of them all, John John da Don.

URL made the announcement days after posting about their newest initiative, “The Crucible,” which will be the only way that a new artist will be able to enter into the URL elite professional family.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SMACK/URLTV.TV (@urltv)

URL further states that from now on (or at least until another announcement is made) they have restructured how they will scout new and emerging talent.

“All submissions and inquiries should be sent to current official URL staff to review for placement or inclusion. For more information on how to become talent with the Ultimate Rap League please follow the brand on its social media platforms: Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.”

Questlove And Meghan Trainor To Headline Series Honoring Healthcare Workers

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

Questlove is doing some good for the healthcare workers from now until Memorial Day.

(AllHipHop News) Drummer and DJ Questlove and Meghan Trainor are to front a live stream series honoring U.S. healthcare workers.

The duo and acts like Gavin DeGraw will perform from home every Monday night leading up to the “Side by Side: A Celebration of Service” television special on Memorial Day.

The #HealthcareHeroes Concert Series live stream will debut on Monday with a DJ set from Questlove.

The series, which will also include conversations with healthcare workers and experts about the COVID-19 pandemic, will stream live via Northwell Health’s YouTube channel at 7 pm EST.

The health organization’s bosses are also behind the Memorial Day concert.

Northwell Health launched its first Side By Side event last year, with performances by Boyz II Men and Imagine Dragons.

Wow… R. Kelly Hit With New Sex Trafficking Charges

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

(AllHipHop News) R. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to a string of new sex trafficking charges in New York.

The “I Believe I Can Fly” singer, who is currently behind bars at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Chicago, entered his plea on Thursday (April 30th) via online communication from a federal jail.

The new indictment adds several allegations of abuse from a victim referred to only as Jane Doe 5, including knowingly spreading the herpes virus to two people.

If convicted, two of the new counts carry minimum sentences of 10 years, prosecutors have said.

Kelly, who has been held in Chicago on federal charges since last year, has also been charged with racketeering conspiracy in the U.S. District Court in New York.

He is accused of grooming underage girls attending his concerts for sexual abuse.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, a federal indictment has seen the “Ignition” star charged with conspiring with his longtime manager Derrell McDavid and a former employee to rig his 2008 child pornography trial. McDavid has denied the charge.

He also faces additional charges in Minnesota, which claim he solicited a teenager who asked for his autograph in 2001 for sex, as well as allegations he bribed an Illinois official to obtain a fake identification for the singer Aaliyah, so they could get married. She was 15 at the time.

Kelly has denied all allegations.

Claressa “The GWOAT” Shields: The Boxing Beast Wants All The Smoke: From Laila Ali To IG Trolls!

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur)Category: Features

Claressa Shields is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers out, period. In January, she made history and she made a proclamation. “None of these girls are ready for me – I’m the GWOAT (greatest woman of all time),” the Flint, Michigan native yelled at the end of her last fight, brutally beating Croatia’s Ivana Habazin in Atlantic City.

It was at that time that 25-year old Claressa “T-Rex” Shields became the fastest boxer in history to win world titles in three weight classes. Since, she has continued to ascend, gaining a massive fan base and her fair share of haters too. One of her critics includes Laila Ali, who made comments that sparked a verbal bout between the two, and may lead to a fight. At 42, Ali is almost 20 years older than her boxing peer. Nevertheless, Ali remains an enduring name in boxing and a fight between the two would be huge.

Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, AllHipHop’s resident boxing junkie, talks to Claressa about her career goals, how she’s dealing with coronavirus, how she deals with social media haters and also, how a PPV fight looks like with Laila Ali.

AllHipHop: Now first things first. How are you doing in this environment? Pandemics don’t come around the way too often and everybody’s dealing with it in different ways. How are you dealing with it?

Claressa Shields: It’s been like a vacation for me. I get to stay at home. I got my gym in the basement. I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family and it’s more of like a vacation for me. So I’m actually enjoying it, not enjoying everybody being sick and stuff, but more enjoying I finally get some downtime because my life is always going like a hundred miles per hour. So I’m happy that it just slowed down a bit.

AllHipHop: Now you were in the middle of training, right? You were in camp, am I correct?

Claressa Shields: No, I was getting ready to start camp.

AllHipHop: You were getting ready to start camp.It’s all speculative, but what are they saying as far as when we’ll be able to go back to fights and sports and…

Claressa Shields: I haven’t heard a thing. I think that my manager told me we’re looking at … he said we may be looking at the end of June for me to fight against Marie-Eve Dicaire, but I’m not really sure. They’re saying on the national news that they may not be having large groups and stuff and they’re even canceling concerts til next year, 2021. So I don’t have any idea when I’ll be in the ring again. But I know he did say something about fighting with no crowd. I was like, “Look, you put me in a ring to fight, you pay me my check, I’ll fight anywhere, but I’m not going to fight with no crowd influence. You could take me somewhere else to have a fight, but I’m not going to fight without a crowd here in Flint.”

AllHipHop: Wow. That’s dope. That’s dope. I love that you represent Flint because that means everything to, I’m sure, the people of Flint but also some of us outside of Flint knowing the struggles that they’ve been through. We’re always rooting for Flint even when it’s not in the headlines. So big salute to Flint and everything that you do to bring attention to the city.

Claressa Shields: Thank you.

AllHipHop: Definitely. Now, I know this goes without saying, but do you, at this point, assuredly, a lot of times we use the word self-proclaimed, but in terms of being the greatest woman of all time, you feel definitely that you’re the greatest of all time as a woman in boxing?

Claressa Shields: Why not ? Of course, I do. I think that I kind of get offended when people say self-proclaimed because I spoke it into existence. When I first started my pro career, I didn’t say nothing about it. It started when I won my first world championship, when I knocked a girl who was 17-0 versus me, who was 4-0. She wasn’t just to 17-0, but she was 17-0 with nine knockouts. I went in there and knocked her out in the fifth round at 168 pounds in my fourth professional fight main event on Showtime.

That’s where it GWOAT came from. Did I feel that way about myself before then? Yes, but I didn’t have enough confidence to actually speak it out there because being worried about how much I hadn’t achieved. But to be the fastest woman to win a world championship, being the first woman fight main event on premium television on Showtime, knocking out a girl was undefeated, to me, that’s where it started. I’m not the only one that call myself the GWOAT. It’s a lot of people now that consider me the GWOAT. It’s not just me.

AllHipHop: Yeah, of course.

Claressa Shields: It’s a lot of people now and I just continue to break barriers. I think people hear the word three-time division world champion and they kind of go, “Oh, she only got three belts?”. “Nah, that’s three divisions, homie.” I got nine world titles

AllHipHop: And that’s men or women. That’s not just limited to women.

Claressa Shields: So I’m the fastest three-time division world champion in history. I beat Lomachenko’s record at having 12 fights and doing it. I’ve done it in 10. I’m also a nine-time world champion overall. I came from one 168 fighting at 154 now and possibly going down to 147 for a big fight against the Cecilia Brækhus to become a four-time division world champion and also be throned the other undisputed champion at welterweight. So I’m the GWOAT because I’m willing to take on any challenge against anybody and I’m willing to go in there and put it all on the line. I think that’s where GWOAT comes from. Muhammad Ali fought against everybody. He fought everybody, even after he got older. Anybody that wanted smoke, he was there.

AllHipHop: Right. Speaking of Ali, you have been very, very vocal about Laila Ali, his daughter. What is it about her that is so interesting to you as someone to potentially fight?

Claressa Shields: You know what? At first, for a long time, it wasn’t. I never used her name to push my own career. I’ve always just had it just Claressa Shields, Claressa the GWOAT, Claressa the T-Rex. I never tried to use Laila Ali to help build my own career or get extra fans. She came at me and when she came at me, I was a little shocked. But then again, I was like, “Well, what did you expect? You’re the greatest women of all time and before you came, that was her. She was the greatest woman of all time, who everybody considered to be that.” So when I seen her talking a little smack about me, how she wasn’t supporting me and stuff. At first, I was thinking like, “I’m thinking too much about it.” But then when she came out on The Breakfast Club and said she’ll come out of retirement, but there’s no girl good enough to give her a challenge, basically, like we’re all too easy. She’ll knock anybody out, all the champions.

I was like, “Whoa.” To me, I felt like it was a direct shot to me. Then I just responded. I respond to everybody. Anybody who want to fight me, anybody that want smoke, I just respond. So I think she thought with her saying that, that I wasn’t going to respond because she was so used to other girls kind of just letting it be the Ali way and it’s more like whatever she says goes. She’s the boss. She’s in charge. She’s the greatest. I just was like, I’ve never felt she was a better fighter than me and that’s even back when I was in the amateurs. So of course, I was just like, “If you going to talk like that, we can fight.” Then from there, so kind of got really upset and took it to where, oh, she wants to fight and she’ll knock me out. She’ll do this, she’ll do that.

I’m a person that can say, “You can say whatever you want, but I want you to come do it.” That’s why we are talking about the fighting. I would never fight that interesting because she’s older. But just because she’s older don’t mean she’s not a good fighter. I’m just saying, I know I have more boxing experience than her. People can say, “Oh, she was pro nine years and you were pro only three.” I’ve been boxing for 14 years total now, 11 to the age of 25. She boxed since she was from the age of 20 to 29, big difference.

AllHipHop: Big difference. Do you see it happening? Do you think it will happen? Do you think this fight will get made?

Claressa Shields: She keep making a big deal about this $5 million, about the money. I need somebody just go on ahead, get with us and they should be sponsoring the 5 million to her. I feel like for a fight to get made, we have to cater to her and it’s like you don’t have to cater to me because I want to fight. I’ll fight whoever, whenever. But it’s like to her, she wants to be catered to. She wants to feel like she’s the bigger name. You got to feed her ego type of deal. So I need somebody to be like, “You know what? I’ll feed her ego. I’ll give her five million, five million for you to fight Claressa.” Then we have to come to an agreement about the split between us as far as in the Pay-Per-View numbers, which if she’s getting 5 million upfront, I would have to get the biggest split as far as in the Pay-Per-View numbers, whatever they are. I feel like we can do big numbers because this fight is huge and we can promote it to be huge.

AllHipHop: No doubt. It’s funny, I met Laila a long time ago and at the time I was gung ho, I guess you could say. So the first thing I said to her is, “Why won’t you fight Ann Wolfe?” I was like, “Yo, why did I do that?” It was comedy for me because I was so hyped up because she and Anne Wolfe were supposed to fight and Ann Wolfe was the beast at that … she was crazy with it at that time. But, I don’t know, she gave me some answer related to money, so a lot of this comes down to the money.

Claressa Shields: But that’s the thing, though. It’s like, “Why do everybody got the same story for you?” How come everybody always saying, “Oh yeah, we called her out,” but then your excuse is, “Oh, but the money. Oh, but the money.” It’s like everybody not lying on you. Didn’t nobody duck you. Wasn’t nobody scared of you. It’s more than just Ann Wolfe who said that Laila Ali wouldn’t fight her. It was a girl named Leatitia Robinson who said the same thing. It’s a few other girls too and it’s like, why does everybody have to be picking on you or lying or you?It’s not like that. If the 5 million was out the picture, if she would just say, “Okay, doing the Pay-Per-View split, we got to go 50- 50.” I’d be okay. All right, 50-50, let’s go. Whatever the numbers is, we split that down the middle and go on about our day, but she wants to make it difficult.

AllHipHop: True. Well, I hope it happens. Now one thing I want to ask you about is you and social media. Social media is, man, it’s an interesting thing. You definitely stir the pot up. Oh man, I’ll put it like this. I’m not saying you stir the pot up, but when people comment you respond and-

Claressa Shields: (Shows shirt) Not sorry.

AllHipHop: Well, I just be observing. I’m like man, I don’t know how you deal with it. To me, it’s stress.

Claressa Shields: Yeah, it can be stressful sometimes, but I’m a person that like I take on confrontation head on. I’m not a person to run away from it, walk away from it. I’m more of a, “If you got a problem with me then let’s discuss it. Let’s talk about what your problem is.” If the trolls get too disrespectful, I’ll block them, for sure. But I be wanting to hear what people got to say. All I do is come back with facts. When I come back with facts, some people get upset and I’m like, “Look, it’s just a fact. I’m not lying here. It’s not my opinion. See what you said to me was your opinion. I’m talking about facts right now.”

Trap Beckham Is Hoping to “Make America Shake Again”

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: Features

Trap Beckham aka “Mr. Lil Booties Matter” recently caught up with AllHipHop Atlanta and updated us about his life now as an independent artist with one of the hottest singles out.

His big single ‘Birthday Chick’ debuted in 2016 when he was still signed to Def Jam, and was recently featured on HBO during Issa Rae’s show, “Insecure.”

Trap admitted he knew “Birthday Chick” would gain traction, but he was shocked by how much it exceeded his expectations.

Originally from Jacksonville, FL, Trap Beckham is known as a party-club artist who created an official “birthday anthem.” Yet, he told AllHipHop that he has a multitude of collaborations and different sounds waiting in the vault.

Now as an independent artist, Beckham has the freedom to explore a new sound.

“Honestly, I really took the time to learn the business side of things. The great part is I’m still making just as much money, but now I’m with an independent label,” Beckham explained.

His EP, “Make America Shake Again”, is set to be released this year, and he is hyped to share the new music with his fans and supporters.

Currently, his song ‘Back It Up’ ft. Alabama rapper Flo Milli, is expected to be the “song of the summer” with their hype southern sound. Their [Back It Up Challenge] has now gone viral, and there is a cash money prize for the most creative video.

All details on how to participate are on Trap Beckham’s Instagram. Trap Beckham sat down with AllHipHop to discuss his new music, his career, and more.

AllHipHop: I’m here with the one and only Trap Beckham. How are you doing today?

Trap Beckham: Hey, I’m good, I’m good, vibing. You know what I’m saying?

AllHipHop: So what have you been up to?

Trap Beckham: I’ve been working. You know what I’m saying? Traveling a lot, working on this new project called “Make America Shake Again,” so that’s going to be crazy. I just released a new record, it’s called “Back It Up” featuring Flo Milli, produced by Colby Mix. That is a club record of course. And yeah man, we just been banging out records, hitting the streets.

AllHipHop: I love it. So I did want to… Before we get into all the music and everything, let’s start with your name. I know that’s the real crazy. Right?

Trap Beckham: Hey, yeah.

AllHipHop: But the first time I heard Trap Beckham, of course, I thought about the elite soccer player, David Beckham. So what’s the inspiration behind your name?

Trap Beckham: The Beckham was something I added in 2011, on some like Gucci Mane, the Flair, Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em. I was just like, Young Trap Beckham.

AllHipHop: To add a little style to it?

Trap Beckham: So yeah. And then I dropped the Young when I signed because I couldn’t be Young Trap no more.

AllHipHop: Okay.

Trap Beckham: So that’s how the Beckham stuck. But yeah, it of course came from David, but yeah, I just thought it was cool. For real. Yeah.

AllHipHop: Okay. So Trap Beckham. Outside of the music, who are you as a person? How do you want people to know you?

Trap Beckham: I want people to know I’m cool. You know what I’m saying? A lot of celebrities or superstars or people with the clout, they don’t be cool or personable. You know what I’m saying? So that’s number one. I’m super-cool, you hanging out with me, I just… I like to chill. I’m not really that wild unless it get like that. You know what I’m saying? But yeah, that’s number one. I like dope music. I like to travel. Yeah. s##t, regular, regular, good things. I want y’all to know the good stuff.

AllHipHop: I like that. So we got to talk about “Birthday Chick.” We’re not going to say the other one.

Trap Beckham: One time for the Birthday Chick.

AllHipHop: Yes. You have really started with like, a club anthem.

Trap Beckham: Yeah. It’s an epidemic. It’s an epidemic. It’s crazy. We just got the numbers back and now we eligible for a gold plaque now.

AllHipHop: Wow.

Trap Beckham: So don’t tell nobody, but the gold plaque coming soon. You know what I’m saying? Super soon, like I’m talking about it’s already got.

AllHipHop: Okay. So that being said, when it was released in 2016, did it ever cross your mind it would have this much traction?

Trap Beckham: Yeah. I mean, yeah but no. I did. I knew it, but I didn’t know how it was going to happen or who it would affect, and how far it would go. So yeah and no. You know what I’m saying? I knew I believed in the record, but I didn’t know it was going to be part of the culture.

AllHipHop: So from 2016 to now, how do you feel like you’ve evolved as an artist?

Trap Beckham: I feel like my songwriting abilities are better. I feel like now, I’m producing. In 2016, I wasn’t producing so much. Now I’m producing a lot of my beats. So I leveled up just that, just picking up a whole production, picking up a whole another credit. You know what I’m saying? So…

AllHipHop: So speaking or producing, I do want to say, well your song “Birthday Chick” was featured in “Insecure” on HBO.

Trap Beckham: Boy, I got so many people… I had so many people just tagging me this stuff, texting me and it was my because it was one of the first syncs, TV syncs that I had. So and then it’s HBO. So the check was nice and the show was doing great that season. So it was part of a legendary season. So I was happy, man.

AllHipHop: Do you enjoy making music for just the club scene or do you ever want to kind of branch out one day?

Trap Beckham: Yeah, I got lots of vibes in my dropbox. It’s like, you just got to feed the people. You got to feed the people, and you got to inch your way to that. So like for me, I like to drop the club records because that’s just like my niche. But then outside of that, I got like some slow vibes, some island vibes, some… but yeah, I got some vibes in the dropbox, for real.

Westside Gunn Teases 2020 Release For ‘Hitler Wears Hermes VIII’

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Griselda Records’ grind is not slowing down anytime soon. Alvin “Westside Gunn” Worthy just dropped his Pray for Paris studio album on April 17. The Buffalo-based artist/executive is already hinting at dropping a mixtape this year too.

On the latest episode of Smoke DZA’s Independent Thinking, Westside Gunn teased the eighth installment in his Hitler Wears Hermes series. HWH7 just hit streaming platforms in November 2019, and the somewhat controversially titled tape is apparently close to getting a sequel.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Tw9d9FVdN

“Not for real. Not as much as people think. Some of the Hitler covers – they were just like, ‘Yeah, we can’t rock with the cover,'” answered Westside Gunn when asked if he has ever faced flack for naming the tapes after the notorious Nazi Germany dictator of the 1930s and 1940s.

Gunn continued, “I think I explained it so many times that it was just clear. Like, I’m not around here on no skinhead sh*t talking about ‘Heil Hitler’ with military boots tied to my knees. Y’all know the vibe. It’s a spin-off of [the 2006 movie] The Devil Wears Prada.”

After responding to Smoke DZA’s question about Hitler Wears Hermes, the Roc Nation managed emcee added, “It’s not like I’m wildin’ with the Hitler sh*t. It’s a title, and I’m coming out with part VIII this year. If it was that bad, it wouldn’t be eight of them.”

French Montana Talks Working With Tory Lanez On “Cold” Single

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) A month ago, French Montana went head-to-head against singer/rapper Tory Lanez in a hits-for-hits battle on Instagram Live. Lanez later admitted French got the win that night.

Instead of the two Hip Hop stars continuing to feud after their faceoff, they released the new song “Cold”. Montana discussed the Lanez collaboration with Zane Lowe on Apple Music’s New Music Daily.

“We was playing songs back to back. And we were like, ‘How come none of these songs we have with each other? How come me and you never had a moment? Cause I knew Tory Lanez when I was first coming up, before I dropped my first album. So I’m like, ‘How we don’t have not one song together?’” said French.

He continued, “People don’t know. He’s been rapping for a minute. About as long as I’ve been in the game, but he was also helping a lot of people behind the scenes. I’m just so happy that we finally, after knowing each other for over a decade, we could finally get in the studio. So we’re dropping this record called ‘Cold.’ It’s a smash.” 

“Cold” follows other recent French Montana singles such as “Salam Alaykum” and “That’s A Fact.” 2019’s Montana is the Epic recording artist’s most recent studio album. The project included the tracks “Writing On The Wall” featuring Post Malone, Cardi B, and Rvssian as well as the duel Drake-assisted cuts “No Stylist” and “No Shopping.”

Mayor Announces Houston Will Present Beyoncé & Megan Thee Stallion With Honorary Days

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) Both Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Megan “Thee Stallion” Pete proudly put on for H-town. The two stars recently united for the “Savage Remix” with the song’s proceeds going to Houston’s Bread Of Life nonprofit organization.

Bey and Meg’s philanthropic support for their hometown during the COVID-19 pandemic earned praise from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. The Democratic politician announced that the city plans to honor Knowles-Carter with a “Beyoncé Day” and Pete with a “Megan Thee Stallion Day.”

Mayor Turner tweeted:

#Htown’s @Beyonce & @theestallion dropped a new remix that is just #Savage. Because of both artists contributions to uplifting our communities, holding down #HTown, & for helping us remain #HoustonStrong our city will present both artists with their own respective days. It’s great to see proceeds from the single’s purchase will support Bread of Life. Let’s purchase & support this organization’s efforts. I look forward to connecting with both artists teams to find the appropriate time to make these requests a reality. #HoustonStrong

Previously, Megan Thee Stallion teamed with Amazon to donate supplies and money for the residents and staff at Park Manor Skilled Nursing Facility in Houston. Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD has raised COVID-19 relief funds for United Memorial Medical Center, Dia De La Mujer Latina, World Central Kitchen, and NAMI – Greater Houston, and other organizations.

Spotify Launches ‘The Last Dance’ Playlists In Connection With ESPN’s Michael Jordan Docuseries

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

(AllHipHop News) The 10-part documentary series, The Last Dance, has quickly seized the attention of both diehard basketball fans and pop culture in general. Director Jason Hehir’s reflection on NBA icon Michael Jordan and the 1997–1998 Chicago Bulls team sparked lively discussions on social media and among talking heads on sports networks.

In partnership with ESPN and Netflix, Spotify has launched two curated playlists connected to The Last Dance. Music from and inspired by the series was curated into an official collection of tunes. Plus, fans can listen to the After The Last Dance podcast playlist.

Spotify’s The Last Dance includes songs by The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, Diddy, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Big Pun, A Tribe Called Quest, Mobb Deep, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Eric B & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions, Gang Starr, Common, Pusha T, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, Chance The Rapper, YBN Cordae, and more.

“It’s an honor to join forces with ESPN and Netflix to curate a playlist supporting this critically acclaimed series, currently serving as a sport’s fan’s favorite part of the week,” states Carl Chery, Creative Director, Head of Urban Music at Spotify. “The list of songs, updated in tandem with the episodes, is an ode to the music that defined the 90s.”

Cherry continues, “From Hip Hop to rock to R&B, the tracks were specially curated for streamers to discover and experience the culture of this influential time. We’re grateful to have a hand in bringing together music, entertainment, and sports fans during a time when we need community and a dose of sports content the most.”

After The Last Dance compiles digital shows that dive further into the docuseries. Episodes of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Jalen & Jacoby The Aftershow, Skip and Shannon: Undisputed, The Ringer NBA Show, and ESPN Daily are part of the playlist which will be updated once a week.

“This has been a monumental team effort spearheaded by Jason Hehir and our editors. In putting together the music our main concern was having the songs help tell the story for each episode, but we’re thrilled fans have responded to the soundtrack as a standalone. Hopefully, younger fans will have gained a newfound appreciation of not only MJ but also the great music from his era,” says Rudy Chung, The Last Dance Music Supervisor. 

The Last Dance began airing April 19 on ESPN in the United States. New episodes premiere on Sunday nights through May 17. The series will also be available on Netflix outside of the United States.