YBN Almighty Jay has been on a crusade against ART@WAR label head James McMillan. According to the 21-year-old rhymer, McMillan played a role in him agreeing to sign what he now perceives to be an unfavorable record contract.
“This n#### James McMillan is a fraud. He [signs] n##### to janky deals and f### em over,” posted Almighty Jay on Instagram six days ago. He continued to publicly express his frustration with some of the behind-the-scenes forces.
On Tuesday, Jay took his complaints to his Twitter account. The Battling My Spirit creator tweeted, “Didn’t have a choice when I signed… N#### signed my rights away to Atlantic Records behind my back.”
In February, YBN Nahmir griped about unnamed “old n##### in the background” who supposedly contributed to the YBN crew being torn apart. The 21-year-old Alabama rapper also talked about the then-teenagers allegedly being taken advantage of and manipulated by older businesspeople when they first broke into the industry.
YBN Almighty Jay, YBN Nahmir, and Cordae are all currently signed to Atlantic Records. On March 5, Jay dropped his Battling My Spirit project through the Warner Music Group subsidiary. 2018’s YBN: The Mixtape was also an Atlantic release.
Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean and Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley announced a blockbuster business transaction this week. The two super-producers sold their Verzuz online music platform to the Triller Network.
The deal includes Swizz and Timb joining the Triller Verzuz management team and serving as brand visionaries. They are also now shareholders in the Triller Network. Additionally, all of the performers who took part in the Verzuz series acquired a portion of equity as well.
“There is no more disruptive and innovative brand in music today than Verzuz,” said Bobby Sarnevesht, Executive Chairman and co-owner of Triller. “Verzuz and music are synonymous, and both Triller and Verzuz share the ‘artist first, music first’ vision.”
While Tim and Swizz did receive widespread applause for the move, some critics complained about the sale. For example, Power cast member Michael Rainey Jr. – who plays Tariq St. Patrick in the Starz franchise – used his Instagram Story to call out the Verzuz co-founders.
“Can’t ever just have something of our own. It’s always about the money… Cool move but these n##### still sellouts,” wrote Rainey Jr. on his @whereis22 Instagram account. Hollywood Unlocked reposted the 20-year-old entertainer’s comments to their own IG page.
Both Swizz Beatz and Timbaland hopped in the comment section to react to what Whereis22 had to say. Swizz posted, “But we own Triller [person shrugging emoji and face with tears of joy emoji].” Timbaland added, “We own everything tell who done that.”
Many fans, media personalities, and other artists celebrated the Bronx-bred entertainer for achieving such a historic milestone. Kodak Black was one of those people. The Florida rhymer tweeted, “Bodak Yellow Went Diamond Dam Right @iamcardib.”
However, some of Kodak’s followers began slamming Cardi B because “Bodak Yellow” was clearly inspired by Kodak’s “No Flockin” single from 2014. Cardi then responded to a Twitter user who accused her of getting rich by stealing Kodak’s flow.
“[Kodak Black] got credit on the song. WE both getting rich with the song till we die. The song is called ‘Bodak Yellow’ for a reason. You hoes get on this app saying the dumbest s###,” tweeted Cardi, pointing out that the name of the record is a play on her fellow Atlantic recording artist’s stage name.
He got credit on the song WE both getting rich with the song till we die ..The song is called Bodak Yellow for a reason .You hoes get on this app saying the dumbest s### . https://t.co/3zShXV25Qxpic.twitter.com/Gt3GqoltUm
Forty minutes later, Kodak Black further addressed the success of “Bodak Yellow” and his role in the song’s creation. The 23-year-old Haitian-American quote-tweeted Cardi and simply added, “CardiYak [crossed fingers emoji].”
According to credits presented on Tidal, Dieuson Octave (Kodak Black’s birth name) is listed as one of the co-writers of “Bodak Yellow” along with Cardi B, Pardison Fontaine, and others. Kodak also appeared on an official remix of “Bodak Yellow” where he says, “You know why I f### with Cardi B? Cause they be thinking both of us crazy.”
This is a huge week for Megan Thee Stallion. The self-described Hot Girl Coach is up for four nominations at Sunday’s Grammy Awards ceremony, including Best Rap Song (“Savage”) and Best New Artist. She is also slated to perform at the show for the first time.
Three 6 Mafia founding member Juicy J produced multiple tracks on Megan’s Fever mixtape and Good News album. In the lead-up to the ceremony, Grammy.com spoke to several industry insiders like Juicy about Thee Stallion’s rise to stardom.
“I was like ‘Man, I ain’t never heard no female rap like this,'” stated Juicy J. “She writes her own stuff, she’s in the studio telling the engineer how she wants her voice to sound, she’s hands-on with everything.”
The Academy Award winner also talked about Megan’s focus on elevating the public conversation around protecting Black women such as Breonna Taylor, the EMT who was killed in her home by Louisville police officers during a botched raid.
“She’s showing women empowerment,” said Juicy J about his “She Gone Pop It” collaborator. “We make music every day that’s good, but when you can actually give a message too? That’s dope.”
Megan Thee Stallion released her Suga EP in March 2020 prior to the Good News studio LP dropping in November of that year. The Houston representative also appeared as a guest feature on songs by Cardi B, DaBaby, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, and more.
The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards will be held this Sunday, March 14 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Best New Artist is one of the Big Four prizes of the night.
Eight acts were nominated for Best New Artist this year. Either Ingrid Andress, Phoebe Bridgers, Noah Cyrus, D Smoke, Doja Cat, Kaytranada, Megan Thee Stallion, or Chika will take home the golden gramophone.
This week, Spotify will release new Spotify Singles featuring the Best New Artist nominees. Each performer re-imagined one of their own songs and recorded a tribute to a past Best New Artist nominee.
Chika presented a new version of her 2020 single “U SHOULD” for Best New Artist x Spotify Singles. Plus, the 24-year-old Alabama native covered “My Future” by 2020 Best New Artist winner Billie Eilish.
“I picked ‘My Future’ by Billie Eilish as my BNA cover for Spotify because the song is beautiful and presents an interesting opportunity to talk about where I am as an artist, especially on the heels of this nomination,” says Chika.
She continued, “My present is moving so fast that each passing moment is practically the future already. And I’m in love with the ride I’m on.” D Smoke, Noah Cyrus, and Ingrid Andress will offer additional Spotify Singles x Best New Artist releases throughout the week.
AllHipHop.com has built our over 20 year legacy of preserving Hip-Hop and rap music by listening to the streets, working in conversation with key stake-holders of the culture and offering our readers resources to guide them along this journey.
Whether we are spotlighting the East coast, West Coast, the South or Midwest, there is one thing that keeps the art form growing — the craft of emceeing.
As a platform, we have recently started a series called “15 Things Rappers Need to Know” to help those who desire to hop on a track get busy and have a particular level of longevity.
Or at the very least, spit some fire rhymes with confidence.
The first edition features Danny Myers, a battle rapper from the West Coast, who takes this rapping thing super serious. Here are his top 15 tips that he believes rappers need to know.
Hitty is one of the fastest rising DJ/Producer in the global house scene, however he has found his own audience and has an amazing twist to his sound. If you dig around, you can check “Lost in the Woods” mix, which has everybody talking.
Rapper Rick Ross has a new banquet table thanks to “Coming 2 America” bosses.
The “Money Dance” hitmaker’s palatial mansion in Woosley, Georgia doubled as the royal palace in the fictional land of Zamunda for the new Eddie Murphy comedy, the long-awaited sequel to his 1988 classic.
Rick Ross’ own master bedroom was used in the film as that of the funnyman’s character, Prince Akeem Joffer.
The Hip-Hop star’s lavish dining room was also featured in the movie, and Ross reveals “Coming 2 America” set designers gave the space a little makeover to reflect the style of African royalty – and he liked it so much, he wanted to keep it that way.
“They changed the wallpaper in the dining room so I asked them to keep it up there,” he told Variety. “They also created that huge dining room table for a dining scene that seats 50 to 60 people, and they left that for me as a gift. It’s humungous.”
The massive estate, formerly the home of boxing icon Evander Holyfield, boasts over 109 rooms and 235 acres of land, and previously served as the location of 2018 film “Superfly.”
In addition to challenging Meek Mill to a fight, 6ix9ine hit up Instagram to show off his custom car collection, and his pricey watches.
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“Listen I know n##### be showing off they cars but I don’t believe these be their cars. Ya Heard? I believe them s#### be rentals, yaheard? Look at my f###### lineup,” the rapper said showing off his collection of pastel-colored Lamborghinis and Bentleys.
“I own all these s####. These my s####. I don’t rent from nobody. These my f###### cars but neither here nor there, yaheard? Listen y’all n##### tell Meek Mill come fight me. Tell Meek Mill I want to fight that n#### one on one. And don’t even gotta trip about money and all that cuz I got more money than a n####. Look at my lineup. Look at these watches. This is $250,000 to a $1 million a pop n####, look, I don’t gotta fake front for you n#####. These all my s####, these all my cars. And for y’all little n##### that be getting Lambo trucks? For every rapper that get a Lambo truck it’s cuz they can’t afford this s###,” Tekashi 69 bragged.
In a follow-up post, Tekashi 69 laid out a brief timeline of his career trajectory and revealed he has banked $20 million since being released from prison in April of 2020.
“2017 : I was delivering food
2018 : I took over the rap game
2019 : I was facing 47 years to life
2020 : I got out of jail 20 million dollars richer
Jon Hope is exactly what his name insinuates: giving hope to the masses all around the world. Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, the rising lyricist uses his music and content to help inspire and improve other people’s quality of life. With hip-hop giving him the confidence to tell his story, Jon prides himself in being a multifaceted artist, with his own clothing line and hip-hop educational initiatives called Hope Scholars.
Describing himself as a “hip hop artist, educator, and creative,” Jon is the proud leader of The Hope S###, utilizing music, a piece of content, or public speaking to leave people feeling inspired and motivated in all their endeavors.
Most recently, Jon released his highly-anticipated new project titled Hope All Is Well, with a standout feature from Jim Jones.
AllHipHop: What is THS and how did it originate?
Jon Hope: That Hope S###. You know what, it started out as a thing I did at my shows. It was a call and response, then it started to flow. Every time after shows, people said “yo, that’s that hope s###! That’s that hope s###!” So alright, let me run with this. Now we’re in a time where artists create worlds. In this world, the idea of hope isn’t really some type of Disney or romanticized type s###. Even the dichotomy of like Hope and S###, it’s more or less acknowledging that despite your circumstance, you gotta start with a mindset. You can have all the tools, the resources and the relationships you want, but if your mindset isn’t about trying to go out and get it, then you assed out. It’s all about that mindset.
AllHipHop: Growing up in Providence, Rhode Island, what was that like?
Jon Hope: Being in Providence man, it’s a beautiful thing. Right now, we’re like, the world’s best kept secret. I’m one of many talented artists coming out of there that are really impacting on a national level. We have this complex identity of yo, we’re not trying to be like Boston. We’re not trying to be like New York. We have our own culture, the way we talk. Right now, the industry is prime for a new perspective, and you see that frame of reference with Grizelda and Buffalo. People want to hear okay, what ya’ll talking about? It’s not necessarily a New York City type thing. You’re gonna see that with artists like myself, coming out of literally the smallest state in the world. We have a chip on our shoulder because we’re trying to carve our own niche and be taken seriously. I’d like to think I’m one of those people that’s trying to present that type of message.
AllHipHop: Biggest influences coming up?
Jon Hope: I’m a big Nas fan. Nipsey, then life in general. The type of music I write, life is my biggest muse. I lived a lot of life whether when I was in foster care, being a professor, doing all kinds of different type s###. I take on that, so it could be a conversation that influences me or what have you. It’s weird, I’m an open-minded person. It could be anything from Lil Baby to EPMD, I have that type of openness.
AllHipHop: When did you realize you could do music for a living?
Jon Hope: Man, I’m one of those seasoned artists. Once everything really started clicking, probably 4 years ago. But I’ve been going at it for a while, 4 years ago it finally turned. When I see frames of references like Ross, 2 Chainz, or even Griselda, those guys have been [killing it]. Nip too. I’m in that realm where it’s new, but it’s seasoned.
AllHipHop: Hope All is Well out now. What’re you most excited for?
Jon Hope: I’m really excited for people to get a firm understanding of what this hope s### is all about. We got Jim Jones on there, Ot the Real. Working with Bongo By The Way, that’s the homie. He’s day one, he’s from Providence. People are gonna be pleasantly surprised with hearing this music. It’s a springboard for a lot of different things to come. I’m definitely a multi-faceted artist. I have my own clothing line, my hip-hop educational initiatives, Hope Scholars, and TV. There’s a lot of dope stuff coming.
AllHipHop: How did the Jim Jones collab happen?
Jon Hope: Shout out to my man Poem! His man Poem, we had a relationship. I had done something for Poem separately. When they started Quarantine Studios, I said “hey, let me tap in.” Jim was great man! Jim doesn’t get enough credit.
AllHipHop: He’s a GOAT!
Jon Hope: He’s a legend, as a hustler though. The way he’s been able to navigate during this time, it’s very inspiring. Ge definitely blessed me with the intro on the album, “Where We Come From.” It was dope.
AllHipHop: Where was the video shot?
Jon Hope: We shot half of it in Providence, in my old neighborhood. A housing complex called Arbor Glen. We shot the other half in Harlem, showing the tale of the two worlds but we’re similar. People didn’t really expect that type of synergy, ‘cause he does his thing and I do mine. Really, it goes to show, as the old cliche goes, real recognize real.
AllHipHop: How is the independent grind?
Jon Hope: I love it! I’m starting to see the fruits of my labor because I’ve been putting it down. The world is really starting to recognize, my numbers are going up and things of that nature. You know how it is man, for some reason people place value on the numbers and the views, this that and the third. For me, the content’s always been there. The message has always been there,everything’s starting to align now. Now, there are opportunities coming. It’s been really dope.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
Jon Hope: In the studio, I need my engineer Brady. That’s my dog, he knows the sound that I need. See I’m a different type of n*gga. I need my f###### seltzer water. I need good vibes man, I don’t really need much. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink. I just need good vibes. I’m a workaholic. I’m in that studio all day, all night.
AllHipHop: What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?
Jon Hope: If I wasn’t doing music, I’d probably be a full-time professor. Really trying to try to work with the youth in my city, and all across the world because I speak across the country.
AllHipHop: When did you realize you could educate?
Jon Hope: That’s always been a thing, man. Even when I first started, it was always Jon Hope but my nickname was the Project English Teacher. For me, my approach towards education has always been off the cuff. I believe that lived experience is just as valuable as a f###### master’s degree, and I have that. I got a Master’s degree, but that s### is elitist. I try to inspire students and youth, to let them know that their experiences themselves are valuable enough. You don’t need a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree to be seen as an expert or some type of valuable person.
I’ve been doing it for a long time. For the longest, I’d compartmentalize. I didn’t think that the world that I lived and with hip hop can live in here. 2017 to 2018 is when I started fusing everything because my students would come and ask “yo, are you Hope?” I’d have to be like “ Nah, I don’t know…” Because I didn’t think I could live in those worlds. Now, I get booked to speak about the marriage between hip hop in education.
John Hope
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself?
Jon Hope: Yeah, go on tour when the pandemic ends. Right before the pandemic, I was on tour. The Hope All is Well Tour, I was supporting J. Stone. Get back on the road. Get this pilot lit, I’m shooting a pilot for a TV show. Grow in all aspects, and be a better father.
AllHipHop: How is fatherhood treating you?
Jon Hope: Fatherhood is good, my daughter’s name is Hope. She just turned 2. Hope is amazing, it’s beautiful man. I’m co-parenting so I’m learning a lot. There’s a lot of layers to it, but it’s dope man. Hope has really taught me a lot in terms of living in my purpose. I know I’m making the right decision now.
AllHipHop: Anything else you would like to let us know?
Jon Hope: Hope All is Well out now! That’s it, THS!
Rapper Cardi B has called out TV network bosses at E! for turning her rise to stardom into the subject of the revamped “True Hollywood Story” series.
The “WAP” hitmaker is annoyed she didn’t have a say in the way her life was presented onscreen, and made her disdain clear in a pair of Twitter posts.
I love E! And I always been grateful for all the love but I did not approve of the E Hollywood story .My life is my https://t.co/shgKGUrfWQ can someone tell my story without asking me?
“I love E! And I always been grateful for all the love but I did not approve of the E Hollywood story,” she wrote. “My life is my story.How can someone tell my story without asking me?”
Cardi admits she hasn’t been given a sneak peek at the show, but she plans to one day chronicle her own success story, from her upbringing in the Bronx, New York to her life as a stripper, to cementing her status as one of hip-hop’s top artists.
But hey maybe the story will be good IDK 🤷🏽♀️ I mean I haven’t seen it .However I would love to tell my story myself when I’m ready.I been thru & been influenced by a lot of bad s### since a teenager That when I’m ready I will like to talk about .
She added, “But hey maybe the story will be good IDK (I don’t know)… I mean I haven’t seen it .However I would love to tell my story myself when I’m ready.I been thru & been influenced by a lot of bad s##t since a teenager That when I’m ready I will like to talk about.”
Cardi’s rise to fame will kick off the new season of the rebooted True Hollywood Story series on March 15th.
Today active Bay Area mainstay and reliable turn up machine, Priceless da Roc returns with his new spirited album TurnxUpGod.
Produced by himself with the help of Bay Area production team Slight Work, Priceless Da Roc also got a little help from his friends on this project getting the assists on verses from Guapdad4000, Nef The Pharaoh, ShooterGang Kony, Lil Bean, D-Lo and Azjah to name a few.
“This project I got is called TurnxUpGods and the reason it’s called that is because being in the Bay area with all the movements we’ve had out here it just fits with who I am, so with this project I wanted to put it all together and make it fun. When I first started working on the project Coronavirus hadn’t happened yet, but I just started working on beats and working on the keys more, I just got deep into the quarantine session. Then I just made the project over, being in the house I challenged myself to make it better. I produced most of it and it’s one of the best projects I’ve put together,” Priceless Da Roc proclaimed.
Known for taking over the stage, dancefloor or any other entertainment venue where he gets the mic, Priceless Da Roc brings liveliness to the listener’s speakers with an action packed project full of Bay Area lingo and enthusiasm that is difficult to match. Accompanied by a host of talent that’s rising on the West Coast, Priceess Da Roc has put together a solid effort that will be perfect for performances once live venues re-open.
“My music is high energy diverse music – some songs you can jump around, some songs you get the bars, but I feel like my music is thrilling music as a whole.” Priceless Da Roc said. “I’ve always really done music, I just didn’t take it 100% seriously until I got older. You know you gotta bring the energy and the fun to The Bay. I kinda always had the passion and love for music, I guess I was the guy that would come and dance in a circle and do the moves, I always had a love for entertainment and so as I got older I found a way to make a career out of it.”
Spending time all over the country but finding his real home in The Bay, Priceless Da Roc spent a lot of time in San Francisco and Daly City where he had a studio. Born in Lompac as a military kid, Priceless Da Roc spent some time in D.C but with most of his family being in San Francisco, it’s where he ended up settling for good.
“I get my energy from just being out at events and always being out – I was always the one hitting the dance circle and it’s always been my personality to pop out at you and it’s just my personality as a whole. It transcended into the music. My style is a little unorthodox and it pops out at you, but it gets what you need to get,” Priceless Da Roc said. “I think The Bay is known strongly for being an independent rap scene and fans know songs out here that have never left The Bay. In The Bay it’s about just being yourself it’s a little bit easier to make money and make music when you are being yourself.”
Going forward, Priceless Da Roc is planning on releasing a host of videos from the project with his goals set on dropping 10 videos from the project.
“So far with the project dropping on the 5th, we already got about 4-5 videos done, we are gonna try to do like 10 videos in total. We want everyone to see the culture and how we do in The Bay and the style here on the West Coast and everything. I like to have fun in my visuals to make sure it’s entertaining, we have stories and we have fun. The videos are full of entertainment and it gives people the energy of how we felt when we made the song. We only dropped one so far and the others come out when the project drops, but we got a lot of videos for the fans.”
With giveaways and some online parties planned, Priceless Da Roc is bringing the entertainment to the fans like only he can, trying to capture the spirit of his live performances online.
“It’s not the same but we want people to have some fun and get a lil turn up in their system!”
Some rappers tell you how rich and successful they are … Rick Ross shows you.
The Florida rapper doesn’t shy away from stunting on the masses and his most recent purchase is an example.
He recently purchased Amar’e Stoudemire’s Florida estate, dropping $3.5 million on the beautiful crib. That’s not the biggest floss. He paid for it all in cash.
According to People magazine, the Ross/Stoudemire deal made history as “fastest closing in the history of the Landmark Ranch Estates section, an isolated section west of Fort Lauderdale in Southwest Ranches.
When talking about his new estate, Rick Ross dotes, “It’s a sprawling estate in a very secluded area.”
“From the moment I stepped inside, I appreciated the high ceilings and rich detail.”
This is not the first property that the “B.M.F.” rapper owns. Remember the palace from the new film, “Coming 2 America,” Eddie Murphy’s new star-studded movie? That’s his 45,000-square-foot Georgia mansion. No wonder Rick Ross looked so comfortable in his pop-up role!
Check out why Rick Ross dropped some much money on the house.
AllHipHop: Keemo. We’ve been hearing about your series “Wild Wednesdays” where every week, you are dropping a new track. The first one we heard was “Boujee”.. tell us about this new single and how the concept for “Wild Wednesdays” came about?
Keemo: Well, with my new single, Boujee, I really wanted to showcase my versatility as an artist. “Boujee” felt like the right word to start 2021. I gotta get Boujee, I gotta elevate, I gotta do me. Wild Wednesdays, stemmed from my first single, that I set the temperature with, called “Wild.” I’m paying homage to it. Plus, it fits my current vibe, because I plan on wildin’ out on my upcoming records.
AllHipHop: When we heard “Boujee” it put us in mind, sound wise, of a Tory Lanez or Bryson Tiller. Who produced the track? It has a R&B AND Hip-Hop feel. Can we expect any Hip-Hop bars from you or is R&B your lane?
Keemo: I get that a lot and I rock with both of those artists heavy. The track was produced by Gibbo, a producer I stumbled upon on IG. Gibbo is dope. Can fans expect Hip-Hop bars from me?!! I would say to expect the unexpected, because the unexpected is always expecting you, Lol. That’s one of my favorite sayings I came up with. You will have to just wait and see!
AllHipHop: Being from Miami Gardens, who are some artists from your hometown in Miami that influence you musically?
Keemo: Being from Miami, FL, some of my hometown influences are mostly Rozay, Billion Berg, Old Brisco, Greezy, Trick Daddy, and Lil Dred. I love the culture of Miami music. I salute all Miami artists that have been grinding and putting in work.
AllHipHop: As a rising artist, are you still moving independently? How has the pandemic changed or guided your music path..
Keemo: As of right now, I’m still independent. The pandemic hindered the process for a bit, but it shifted my focus. It gave me insight that I need to go harder and dig deeper. Now, it’s become more apparent that I’ve got to find new ways to stay relevant and reach a broader audience.
AllHipHop: What’s the next song to drop from “Wild Wednesdays?” When can fans anticipate a debut project?
Keemo: I’ll be dropping a few freestyles, then we’ll lead into my single, “ZeroTwoOneFour” which is a love song, with my lil twist to it. I’ve got a lil’ eight bar at the end, to finish it off. The album is slated to drop this summer.
AllHipHop: Thanks for your time Keemo. Before we wrap up, tell us where AHH readers can find you. What’s your IG/Twitter?
Rap star Megan Thee Stallion is offering up a new round of scholarships and grants worth $1 million .
The “Savage” sensation has teamed up with officials at Fashion Nova, with whom she has her own clothing line and encourage interested applicants to sign up for the Women on Top initiative.
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“@FashionNova and I are excited to announce ‘Women on Top’ – a new female empowerment initiative that will give away $1million dollars in grants and scholarships over the course of this month to amazing women entrepreneurs, female students, women-owned businesses, and women-focused charities.
“Each recipient will receive $25,000 or more to invest in their future and we will be highlighting these incredible women and organizations each day.”
Megan revealed the very first recipient of the fund will be the Houston, Texas branch of female empowerment nonprofit YWCA, formerly known as the Young Women’s Christian Association.
“To kick-off the program, it is my honor to announce the first $25,000 recipient – an organization close to my heart – YWCA Houston,” she explained.
“YWCA has a program called Center for Women which helps homeless women and girls advance through life and career by providing much needed housing and resources. Make sure to check back in here or on fashionnova.com/cares to hear about the other inspiring women and organizations doing great things!”
It’s not the first time Megan has used her platform to provide financial aid to worthy causes.
Following last week’s release of his new album “Page,” actor and lyricist Page Kennedy and Xzibit have teamed up for Kennedy’s new video single “Setup.” Produced by Aftermath producer Focus, Page and Xzibit go bar for bar telling a vivid story.
Page Kennedy utilizes his bar-for-bar lyrical prowess to tell stories celebrating and examining the Black and Brown experience through the lens of his personal experiences on this project. The album is releasing following his co-starring lead in the 530.2 million worldwide box office hit “The Meg,” and ahead of his co-starring role alongside Wanda Sykes and Mike Epps in the highly anticipated Netflix original series “The Upshaw’s,” which is slated for release later this year.
Page Kennedy explains “PAGE”:
“I’m known for hard beats, bars and storytelling. Thanks to Focus and Mic West on production that is no doubt achieved here as they laid the perfect musical canvases for me to paint my thoughts and frustrations with 2020 upon. As a Black man and father, the injustices of 2020 hit hard and close to home. While my projects don’t usually have much social commentary in them, I felt compelled on this album to not only give a conscious view of issues permeating society and the racial and socio-political trauma affecting Black and Brown communities, but to also celebrate the things that keep us going as a people despite it all.”
PAGE includes production from Mic West and Grammy-award-winning Aftermath producer Focus featuring guests Xzibit, Ali Caldwell, Method Man, Elzhi, Chief Wakil, and more. The album is available to stream.
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have sold their massive brand Verzuz to Triller for an interest in the brand.
The Triller network has acquired the powerhouse, virtual movement that was created in a pandemic. Swizz Beatz and Timbaland will now oversee music and company strategy.
Verzuz has been one of the biggest winners in the pandemic, effectively monetizing an audience that had nothing to do outside. Initially, it seemed as though Apple would be the company that would buy in, as they acting as an audience extension after limitation on Instagram became apparent. But that didn’t happen.
Timbaland and Swizz are now “large shareholders” in the Thriller network, in exchange for selling their company. Initially, the pair used their network and relationships to host “battles” between artists on the Instagram platform. Later, they streamed it on Apple TV as the company grew and the production value increased.
On top of it all, many of the 42 artists involved with Verzuz are now shareholders in Triller too.
Triller Network’s new partners and shareholders include include John Legend, DMX, Alicia Keys, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, Too $hort, Patti LaBelle, Gucci Mane, Jeezy, E-40, Bounty Killer, D’Angelo, Ludacris, RZA, The Dream, Babyface, Nelly, Jagged Edge, Fred Hammond, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Brandy, Monica, Gladys Knight, Boi-1da, Hit-Boy, Ne-Yo, Johnta Austin, Scott Storch, T-Pain, Lil Jon, DJ Premier, Mannie Fresh, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, 112, Kirk Franklin, Sean Garrett and D’Angelo.
In a series of statements, Swizz, Tim and executives at Triller explained their excitement for the deal.
Bobby Sarnevesht, Executive Chairman and co-owner of Triller:
“There is no more disruptive and innovative brand in music today than Verzuz. Verzuz and music are synonymous, and both Triller and Verzuz share the “artist first, music first” vision. We view this acquisition as more of a partnership than an acquisition, as Swizz, Timbaland and the other 43 artists who are all becoming shareholders and partners in Triller Verzuz from this day forward become our voice.”
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland:
“This is a momentous occasion not only for Verzuz and Triller but the music business as a whole. By putting Verzuz in the Triller Network ecosystem and expanding the Verzuz brand to be side by side with the powerful Triller app, we will be able to continue to grow and evolve the music business as a whole, as we have been doing. To have partners in Triller who share our vision, specifically to celebrate and elevate the amazing artists who continue to shape culture around the world and give the consumer more direct access, is game changing.”
“We couldn’t be happier to be elevating Verzuz and Triller and to recognize, in a very real way, all of the artists who have helped make Verzuz the global phenomenon it is today. Our dream, the artists’ dream, today is realized, which is no small feat. Triller Verzuz is a company that’s by the artists, for the artists and with the people.”
Bobby Sarnevesht and Ryan Kavanaugh, Triller Network co-controlling shareholders:
“Verzuz isn’t just a company, a platform or an event, it is a cultural movement and phenomenon. In our generation, Verzuz has made a bigger impact on music than any other company we know. With this acquisition, Triller continues its evolution to be at the center of culture and the center of music. Who better to help shape Triller’s music future than the top artists in the world overseen by Timbaland and Swizz?”
There are now six more women that maintain they were taken advantage of sexually by T.I. and Tiny.
The revelation comes as numerous others have made similar accusations to which the couple has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing.
Theses new alleged victims have come forward to attorney Tyrone A. Blackburn, a New York-based lawyer that already represents several women levying heinous accusations at the celebrity couple.
The new claims were made by Blackburn to The Daily Beast. The lawyer has already called for an investigation in California and Georgia, where the alleged victims claim they were assaulted in a myriad of ways, including sexual assault, unsolicited drugging and more.
“If I was a prosecutor, I’d have brought charges already,” Blackburn said. The charges also include a man that claimed the famous pair made “terroristic threats” to him.
In a previous press conference, Blackburn laid out his case.
“I understand that at a virtual press conference today, attorney Blackburn claimed the Harrises reached out to him through me to supposedly make a deal. That is patently false,” Steve Sadow told AllHipHop.com in a statement.
“I reached out to see if he would share any information since his name was posted on Instagram as the attorney for Sabrina Peterson. Blackburn repeatedly refused to provide the names of his accuser-clients or any corroborating or supporting evidence of his groundless claims. The Harrises repeat that they are confident if a thorough and fair investigation is conducted, no charges will be brought,” Steve Sadow concluded.
Back in 1997, Lil Kim got together with fellow rap stars Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes for “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” off the Nothing to Lose soundtrack. The posse cut is now considered a Hip Hop classic.
Brooklyn’s Lil Kim influenced two generations of women looking to break into the male-dominated world of the Hip Hop industry. “Best Friend” rapstress Saweetie is one of those artists that looked to the Queen Bee for inspiration.
Saweetie spoke about her appreciation for Lil Kim during an Apple Music interview for Issa’s Raedio Show hosted by Insecure creator Issa Rae. The West Coast representative mentioned a particular line from the original Hard Core version of “Not Tonight” featuring Jermaine Dupri.
“Lil Kim’s ‘Not Tonight’ – I think this is the best bar in female history. I like when she says, ‘Tryin’ to impress me with your five G stones. I’ll give you 10 G’s, n####, if you leave me alone,'” Saweetie told Rae.
The Warner Records signee continued, “When I heard that, I was like… I felt it. I knew what she meant and that’s just the most boss thing someone could ever say. I love that line.” While “Not Tonight” is a sleeper album track, Lil Kim’s remix became a mainstream hit by peaking at #6 on the Hot 100 chart and earning a Grammy nomination.
In addition, Saweetie named Foxy Brown, Missy Elliott, Trina, and Nicki Minaj as rappers that she grew up listening to before stardom. She also shouted out her modern-day contemporaries Mulatto (aka Big Latto) and Jasmine Armani.
