The Recording Industry Association of America has certified “Bodak Yellow” as Diamond, meaning Cardi’s first mainstream hit has sold over 10 million units in the United States. She is the first female rapper to earn a Diamond single plaque.
Apparently, Atlantic Records told Cardi about her new Diamond award sometime last night. The 28-year-old entertainer posted a video on Twitter around 1 am ET where she teased a surprise for today (March 9) and thanked her fans for their support.
However, the Bardi Gang did not need to wait until this morning to figure out the good news. After realizing many of her followers were already aware of the achievement, Cardi returned to the platform three minutes later in shock that her fanbase was celebrating before the official announcement.
“WTFFF!!! How the hellllllll yall already [know]??? I can’t [weary face emojis]. I’ll be back later. DEUM YA BE KNOWING EERRTHANG!” posted the Bronx native. A few hours later, she added, “I need a moment guys… I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow and I’ll be reposting. I’m too emotional to see all these beautiful tweets.”
“Bodak Yellow” was Cardi’s major-label debut single as well as the lead single off the 2018 album Invasion of Privacy. The J. White Did It-produced track went on to spend three weeks atop Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart and picked up two Grammy nominations at the 60th annual ceremony.
Additionally, Cardi’s “WAP” featuring Megan Thee Stallion was certified 5x-Platinum. The controversial collaboration moved 5 million units in just seven months. Cardi B has sold more than 41 million certified single units in the U.S. since her breakout year of 2017. That total is the most for any female rapper in history.
Social media was consumed by the #SilhouetteChallenge during the early part of 2021. The challenge went viral on TikTok with Doja Cat’s “Streets” serving as the soundtrack for people showing off their bodies with a red light filter.
Doja Cat has now released an official music video for “Streets.” Ghanaian-American actor Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar, Girls Trip) plays a taxi cab driver and Doja’s love interest in the mini-film.
The Christian Breslauer-directed visuals incorporate elements of the #SilhouetteChallenge into the video. “Streets” appears on the 2019 album Hot Pink. The track peaked in the Hot 100’s Top 20 in February.
British entertainer KSI took to social media to offer an apology for some of his words. The 27-year-old “Don’t Play” performer responded to a Twitter user who accused him of showing disdain for transgender people.
“How am I transphobic?” the YouTuber/rapper born Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji asked a person on the platform that called him transphobic. Apparently, KSI used the term “tranny” in a public setting.
After a user claimed he misgendered a trans person in a MoreSidemen video, KSI responded, “Didn’t even mean [to misgender] lol. Just said that the person had a better beard than me, that’s all. And I honestly didn’t even know that tranny was a bad word. What’s the correct term to use?”
The Dissimulation album creator was informed that “transgender” is the preferred terminology. Eventually, KSI retracted any perceived transphobic comments that he may have said in the past. The part-time boxer wrote, “My bad for saying transgender slurs. Honestly didn’t even know they were slurs. I know now though.”
Have two of the hottest rappers out right now teamed up to make a body of work? Going by the social media accounts of Lil Baby and Lil Durk, rap fans could see a collaborative mixtape from the “3 Headed Goat” collaborators in the near future.
Lil Baby ignited the rumors when he took to his Instagram Story and posted a photo of the two rap stars performing together in Atlanta. His caption read, “Aye y’all tell @LILDURK let’s drop the tape fucc.”
Durk then uploaded Baby’s post to his own Instagram Story. The Chicago native added, “If we drop a tape the streets gonna be in a headlock fasho.” In a separate story post, Durk added, “The voice x The hero.” His Atlanta-based colleague responded, “Bra why the hell you playing @LILDURK [smiling face with tears emoji].”
After the friendly back-and-forth on IG Stories, Durk then turned his attention to getting his followers on board with the possible mixtape. A regular Instagram post by the OTF leader read, “100k comments me and @lilbaby gone drop our tape….. The voice x The hero.”
It appears there is a high demand for a potential Baby-Durk joint project. As of press time, Lil Durk’s “The voice x The hero” post on Instagram has more than 150,000 comments and more than 1 million likes.
If The Voice x The Hero does come to fruition, it would be a continuation of high-profile projects from both artists. Lil Baby’s My Turn album spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and Lil Durk’s The Voice album has remained in the Top 10 for nine straight weeks.
“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 story. How can someone tell my story without asking me?” tweeted Cardi on Monday.
She also posted, “But hey maybe the story will be good [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 and been influenced by a lot of bad s### since a teenager that when I’m ready I will like to talk about.”
The “Cardi B” episode of E! True Hollywood Story is scheduled to air on March 15 with commentary by Love & Hip Hop television producer Mona Scott-Young and Hip Hop artist Maino. Plus, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Beyoncé Knowles, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and other celebrities will be highlighted throughout the season as well.
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?
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 .
It’s been quite a month for Texas singer AJDaGuru, who has yet to disappoint his fans. A few weeks back, he shared his highly anticipated single, Seen It All, which will be the lead single on his upcoming album. Today, he returns to the spotlight with warm visuals to accompany the track.
Over the years, AJDaGuru has experienced a number of traumatic events in his life, but he is determined to move forward. In the new DLove directed video, the rapper/singer pulls at your heartstrings as he relives a dark time that resulted in a short stint in jail.
He also pays tribute to his late daughter, Dejanair Angel Sledge, who suddenly passed away in 2015. Sadly enough, his cousin was tragically shot and killed in his hometown of Connecticut about two months ago, so AJDaGuru takes the time to remember him as well. On a lighter note, his family makes a cameo in the video.
Aside from Seen It All, AJDaGuru has been dedicating most of his time to perfecting his craft. In December, he released his instrumental single, Sledge Family Rules, which instantly charted to no. 43 on the iTunes Top 200 charts in Africa. He later teased a snippet of his track, Sweep You Up, via Instagram. The song was well received, but has yet to arrive.
AJDaGuru’s debut studio album, A Different Side Of Me, will arrive some time this year. An official release has yet to be announced. Every track on the project will be produced solely by the Texas musician, and features no guest appearances.
AJDaGuru wants to ensure his fans that new music is on the way, “I feel like release dates are played out. Just know A Different Side Of Me is coming 2021. I’ve worked hard on this album to provide my fans with a compilation of my best work. Please be patient, you will not be disappointed.”
They say that good help is hard to find … but faithful help (especially if you are a high-profile celebrity like Kanye West) is even harder.
Yeezy is finding this out (yet again) as another person close to his circle is selling his tales of working for the Chicago rapper to Hollywood studios and the media.
Steve Stanulis, a former NYPD officer and Chippendales dancer, is currently being courted by two big-name streaming services to produce and star in what is being called a “48 Hours” real-life documentation about his tenure of employment with the “Gold Digger” rapper.
The scandalous Stanulis told the press, “Two studios approached me. They see this as a ‘48 Hours’ for real or a ‘Lethal Weapon’ for real.”
“It comes from my mouth, I worked with [West] two separate times.”
He boasts that he had a front seat to the Saturday Night Live breakdown and once when his intoxicated boss almost got into a fight after walking into the hotel room of an Italian dignitary at the Waldorf (thinking it was his).
“Every day was a new adventure,” Stanulis told Page Six. “There are a ton of stories I haven’t told.” While many of these stories in his documentary are tapping other bodyguards who were hired to protect West in the full-time capacity, he also features one former cop who worked for only “five minutes.” But he too … has a story to tell.
Stanulis might sound familiar.
When he was fired five years ago, the alleged “rat” ran to tell the British press all of the sorted details by Kanye, who had recently been diagnosed with his mental disorder.
West’s team at the time released this statement, “This sad, parasitic maniac has violated every basic human tenet of decency with his story of lies.” They threatened to sue for $30 million.
Both parties disagree on whether or not a confidentiality agreement was signed.
In 2020, on the “Hollywood Raw” podcast he continued to bad mouth the star — taking the interview at the height of West’s presidential run, marital troubles, and bouts of manic behavior. #parasitic
Again, the West family shut it down with another $10 million legal threat.
“It starts off with $30 million lawsuit, and works backwards, with all the craziness. Why not address the elephant in the room? Stanulis said. “They threatened to sue me two separate times — once back in the day, and then on a podcast this year. It went viral, and they threatened to sue me again for $10 million, and my attorney countered and it just went away.”
“This way nobody has to ask me about this ever again. I swear to you — no matter what I do… somewhere along the line [the job with West] comes up.” Promising that with his documentary that there will be “nothing left to be said. I’m saying it all.”
It is reported that Stanulis hasn’t worked a security detail in years. Instead, he is now a content producer and director. When asked about whether he has been itching for this project, he insists he was not his idea.
“They came to me. I like the fact that I’m not … the director, the producer … the whole thing is going to be 1 hour and 20 minutes in a fun, chronological order.”
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak have pleaded with the Grammy Awards bosses to let their new band Silk Sonic perform at the upcoming ceremony.
The “24K Magic” star shared a note to the Recording Academy on his Twitter page on Sunday night (March 7th), following Anderson’s outrage that the newly-formed Silk Sonic were not included on the list of performers for the 14 March ceremony.
“Dear Grammys,” he wrote. “If you can see it in your hearts to allow two out of work musicians to perform at your show, we would really appreciate it.
“We just released a song and could really use the promotion right now. We have a lot riding on this record (and the Pelicans game next week, but that’s another story).”
Insisting that Silk Sonic would follow all the Covid-19 protocols in place for the event, Mars continued: “We haven’t been able to perform for a while and we just want to sing. We’ll send in an audition tape and take as many covid tests as we need to. I promise we won’t be extra. We just really want a gig again. I hope you’ll consider this request and give us the opportunity to shine.”
Mars’ letter to the Recording Academy came after Anderson urged his bandmate to “call me back” and address their absence from the performers list.
“YO @BrunoMars WHAT THE Fk?!? Did you see this?!?! Call me back!!” he wrote, before adding: “Nah fk that!” .Paak said in another tweet. “I haven’t seen my family in months!! I need this to work, You promised me!! Everybody join in!!! I need all of Twitter to help make this trend!! Come on @RecordingAcad #LetSilkSonicThrive.”
The Recording Academy has yet to respond to Mars and Anderson’s pleas.
If they were granted a performance spot at the Grammys, it’s likely they would perform Silk Sonic’s first single – Leave The Door Open – taken from their upcoming debut album An Evening With Silk Sonic.
E Bleu is here to put on for Texas the best way he knows how. Following previous collaborations with 24HRS, Kap G, and Eric Bellinger, the rising vocalist ends his year-long hiatus with his newest single titled “3AM.” Produced by DeVan “D1” H#####, the song invites listeners into E’s consciousness and the in-the-moment energy that keeps him moving — showcasing the Houston native’s impeccable knack for storytelling.
Speaking on the inspo behind the song, E Bleu states, “I’ve always been a night owl. The energy at night is just different to me. I remember being in an Uber on the way home mentally recapping the night and feeling like it’s somehow a pattern I fall into every night. I got home and recorded it in 15 minutes on my kitchen counter at ‘3AM.’”
E Bleu first hopped on the scene as a teen in a duo with Kevin Abstract, lead singer-songwriter of BROCKHAMPTON.
In 2018, he released his breakout solo effort “Me Time,” which caught the attention of Motown Records’ Shawn Barron who took an interest in him and began to help develop his sound. The K3yboarrdKid-crafted cut later spawned a high profile remix with Eric Bellinger and 24hrs, captipulting his career into overdrive.
What Snoop Dogg is to the rap game is exactly what Slink Johnson hopes to be in the comedy and acting world. Standing tall at 6’7”, it’s hard to overlook Gerald ‘Slink’ Johnson — and he plans to take over the entertainment industry as the King of Ad-Lib.
Born in Arkansas, the actor, producer, and comedian actually got his start as a rapper before shifting to his one true love: comedy.
You may recognize Slink from his standout role in Hulu’s comedy sitcom “Black Jesus,” or maybe his character portraying Lamar Davis in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V. Either way, it’s his quick wit and sharp humor that leaves a lasting impact on all those who are fortunate enough to cross paths with him. And when it comes to the marijuana consumption, he’s a proud founder member of his Smoke Yours Crew, which only the elites are able to join.
Most recently, Slink unleashed his new web series titled GTA V Real Life Comparisons on YouTube, with promo for the show going viral all over the internet and social media.
AllHipHop: How much do you smoke in a day? I know you love cannabis.
Slink Johnson: Man, I smoke a lot. I’m not sure. I can’t put a number on it. It depends on how much weed is around and what I’m doing that day, I really can’t put a number on it.
AllHipHop: How often would you say?
Slink Johnson: Everything depends on circumstance, I smoke blunts. On a normal day at home, plenty of weed in the house. In the course of the day from the time I get up to the time I go to sleep, I smoke about 8 to 10 blunts.
AllHipHop: Have you ever gotten too high?
Slink Johnson: Nah, too high is a relevant statement. It depends on the moment. I say no. It depends on what’s going on when you’re too high. Yeah I’ve gotten too high. Certain things I’ve done, I probably was higher than I should’ve been. Probably didn’t perform as well as I could. The other night I got high off the mushroom and I went to Ragnarök, that’s where Thor lives. I was outta here, I was high as a m###########.
AllHipHop: Shrooms are becoming more and more prevalent everyday.
Slink Johnson: I had some bomb shrooms the other day. No excuse me, Thor’s from Asgard, but I went to Ragnorak. I had some f###### shrooms though. Aw man, I was f###### fried.
AllHipHop: How was your trip?
Slink Johnson: It didn’t make me hallucinate as much as it did make me hypersensitive to everything. Every thought, feeling, emotion that went through my head, I was hypersensitive to it. When I get off shrooms like that, I get tourettes. I start blurting out s###. It’s cool though, I had a great time. I’ll do it again. It’s not something a n*gga do everyday, that’s once a year type s###.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGqtUX8s_Hf/
AllHipHop: How does it feel to have Black Jesus do what it did?
Slink Johnson: That s###’s crazy, they gave me a TV show where I play Jesus m############ Christ. That was absolutely a blast man, I’m waiting for them to come back. They didn’t say it was over, I’ve been waiting for them to call me back. Let’s do it, let’s get that s### crackin’. It was a blast to be able to be the most high and to play the most high.
AllHipHop: How did Black Jesus happen?
Slink Johnson: I was introduced to Aaron McGruder through a good friend of mine Jason Van Veen who was writing for Aaron, working with him. I did some sketches for Aaron through Jason, Aaron liked the sketches and saw it in me to do it. He had the idea for Black Jesus so he approached me and asked me if I’d like to shoot some sketches based on the character. I said “hell yeah.” He gave me the costume, I said “okay so what do you want me to do? Where’s the script?” He said “there’s no script, do what you would do. If you were Jesus, what would you do?”
AllHipHop: You improved all that?
Slink Johnson: Absolutely, the original sketches. The original adaptation of Jesus on film as far as I’m concerned, the sketch was improv. Because I had other people in them, but there wasn’t a lot of dialogue for them. They had dialogue, but it wasn’t really a lot. It was them being my friends, Jesus hanging out with his homeboys and his homeboys reacting to Jesus. I’m talking s### to these guys, they’re like “ah man, whatever.” It was dope, it was fun.
AllHipHop: Someone said “we need the comedy skits, Slink.”
Slink Johnson: I dropped one on Valentine’s Day called “Why She Keep Scratchin’?” Go to my YouTube page: youtube.com/slink or search Slink Johnson on Youtube. Subscribe to my channel, check it out. I dropped another video called “You Ain’t High Yet?” I’m high right now, but tomorrow morning I’ma ask you “You Ain’t High Yet?” After that, I dropped GTA V Real Life Comparisons. Y’all check my YouTube channel. I’ve got some s### on there. Check in there, tap in, stop playing with me. Stop acting so bougie with your little likes and your little subscription. Go subscribe to a n*gga, that s###’s free. Love me down, hit my Cashapp $SlinkJohnson.
AllHipHop: Plug yo s###!
Slink Johnson: I’m trying to say it man. M############ say “Slink I don’t know why you aint on yet,” because you don’t share my s###. You got to support my s###. F### with your boy, you want the real one to win right? Well here’s real n*gga s###, subscribe.
AllHipHop: I hate how YouTube doesn’t like marijuana anything.
Slink Johnson: Man, it’s against the guidelines. When you put your video up, it’s going to ask you “does it got recreational drug use?” First of all, this ain’t recreational. This is for my life. It’s medicine, it’s therapy. This is real life for my life. Second of all, it ain’t drugs. Third of all, it ain’t using. It’s enjoying. They should change the terminology off top. This isn’t recreational, this is mandatory. This is f###### first class. This is basic living right here, a basic necessity to my life.
You like Snoop? I want to be to comedy and acting what Snoop Dogg was to Hip Hop. I love and respect Snoop like a m###########, I want to be that to comedy and acting. ‘Cause the acceptance: Snoop along with B-Real and Cypress Hill, several other people championed marijuana through music and made it acceptable for us to enjoy like we do today, in states like California and many others across the country. God put it on earth for you and me, He gave it to us. It’s for us to have.
AllHipHop: Talk about the all-star cast in Black Jesus, I see King Bach in there.
Slink Johnson: There’s Corey Holcomb, Antwon Tanner, Andra Fuller, Valenzia Algarin in Season One, oh my gosh. Charlie Murphy, John Witherspoon, excellent cast. Outstanding. God bless Charlie and John, such a pleasure working with those dudes. That s### legendary and I can say that because I worked with them guys. It’s some hot s###, much love to their families. I have a great time with my cast. We all good, they my family. F###### Angela Gibbs, I love her to death. Ms. Tudi, I love her to death.
AllHipHop: What was the best part of shooting?
Slink Johnson: Best part of shooting was shooting, living the dream. I’m up there getting paid to play make believe. It was good. It was fun to be working there with the crew, all the hard-working people who made sure the s### looked good and ran smoothly. All the good people behind-the-scenes: the art department, the lighting, sound guys, PA’s, production, caterers. Everybody there, it was such a f###### great vibe. Everybody was so cool, the greatest part was being able to work with a bunch of cool ass people that got you. It was always bittersweet wrapping. They’re so fun, just great people.
AllHipHop: Someone said “Slink got good karma,” is that true?
Slink Johnson: I’ll take it, thank you. I try to pay s### forward. I’m by no means perfect. I’ve got a lot of f##### up imperfections, bad habits and ways about me that’s not cool, but on a larger scale, I do try to do things and pay it forward. I saw a post Charlamagne tha God put up that said “do good things, don’t worry about it coming back or where it’s going to come from.” Pay it forward and it’s going to come back to you. It might not always come back from the person you paid it to. Just be cool, g#####. S### don’t gotta be that serious. Smoke some weed and talk about it later.
AllHipHop: Talk about the new comedy tour you’re putting together.
Slink Johnson: Absolutely. We Smoking Yours, we hitting the nation with the I Know Your Mama comedy tour. To quote 2 Chainz: “old enough to be your daddy, young enough to f### your mama.” I’m at that perfect age right now where I’m good for uncles, sisters and aunties. I consider myself part of the hip hop culture and the culture in general. Being the elder statesman in the Hip Hop culture, I could reflect and look back on times now. I see all these young guys coming up. I’m looking at all these little faces, these guys tell me they’re born in ‘93, ‘94. Damn my ngga. Looking back at the times in ‘93 and ‘94, the ladies I was having that time with could very well be some of these nggas’ mamas. So I say, “n*gga I know your mama. Let me tell you about some of the fun times I had with your mama before you came along.”
AllHipHop: How was it lending your voice to the cast of Space Jam 2 with Lebron James?
Slink Johnson: Space Jam 2, f###### amazing, outstanding opportunity. S### man, that’s a juggernaut of a franchise to be a part of in any way. It’s definitely a blessing man. I got a chance to lend my voice, my face, and my body. I had fun and I acted in the m###########, so that s### was off the chizzain!
Slink Johnson – Photo credit: Tom Griscom
AllHipHop: Can you tell us the story behind the Smoke Yours crew?
Slink Johnson: The Smoke Yours crew is an organization of friendship based on cannabis or cannabis based off friendship, either way you want to call it. Being friends, cannabis brings so many people together, it makes people aware of each other and brings people close. I’ve been running with the idea for years and years and years, before it was actually Smoke Yours. Around 2013, I’m hanging out with my man Deloor James, who’s a fellow weed aficionado like myself. Him and I, we have very colorful conversations. Use very very innovative lingo, things of that nature.
The theme has always been in both of our hearts. We call each other first thing in the morning and see who’s got the weed because if I don’t have it, he has it. We always try to beat each other to call each other in the morning: “yo, you got some weed? Smoke your s### up. I’ma come smoke all yours.” Eventually, we broke it down. We call each other first thing in the morning: “what’s up ngga, smoke yours. You got some, smoke yours.” From there, we started running with it and nggas was liking it. The crew grew, the hashtag blew. S###, we smoking yours.
AllHipHop: Damn, I want to be in the crew.
Slink Johnson: Well, it’s got some stringent guidelines and approval process. However, I’m sure you’re more than capable of meeting the standards because it’s a very prestigious organization. Usually we ask that you donate a pound of high grade Indica to the group. I can automatically give you an honorary I.D.
AllHipHop: You gave me a grey shirt today!
Slink Johnson: The shirts go in colors. You start at the bottom with the white, then you move up a level to gray. When you get the black shirt Smoke Yours crew, okay wow. You’re on the top floor, you’ve got access to the cafeteria and everything. Right now, you’re in the lobby.
AllHipHop: Talk about your character Lamar Davis from GTA V.
Slink Johnson: He’s a f###### idiot. Lamar is an idiot, he plays Franklin’s best friend. We talk about actors and characters, people be getting it messed up sometimes. Lamar’s an idiot, Slink’s not. Lamar’s an idiot and he plays Franklin’s best friend. Franklin’s one of the 3 protagonist playable characters in the game. Lamar’s always into some s###, but you love Lamar. Lamar always into some stupid s###.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let the people know?
Slink Johnson: I want to let the people know they need to smoke their weed. Relax a little bit, man, and stop being so mad about s###. Stop saying such hurtful s### all the time because you mad, because you gotta back that hurtful s### up or live on that hurtful s###. Stop doing that s### man and ultimately, stop f###### up. Don’t let temporary feelings and emotions lead to a longtime consequence in your life, whether it’s jail, injury, or losing respect for somebody. Move past emotion. Y’all youngsters. I understand this about life: we only know as much as we know. We only know as much as our experiences allow us to so it’s hard for us to understand somebody else’s aspects, somebody else’s point.
My point being, y’all 20 year-old m############ think you know everything, there’s a whole lot of life in front of you. Slow down and listen. Stop feeling like you’re mad and you do some s### that gets you in some situation that’s going to last you way longer than those emotions you’re feeling at the moment. You’re only going to be mad about that for a day or 2, but you f### around sit in prison for over 30 years. Relax.
After a video went viral with Florida rapper Gunplay blasting off some pretty awful racial epithets and bigoted slurs, many in the Asian-American community are calling him out.
The clip shows the Maybach Music Group rapper saying that the Asian person might make his IG Live catch the coronavirus.
“You f###### Chinese g###. You Lo Mein, Lao Mein, corona-having ass m###########. You’re the one who f##### up this whole s###. Get off my Live, g### … your race F’d up the world.”
He later back-tracked to clarify his statements.
“Number-one, because they got me on there hating on Asians, dawg when I love Asians,” he shared.
“I watch Japanese p###, so shut the f### up first of all. Second of all, m########### you didn’t see when the m########### was trolling me, calling me n#####, the whole time. Trolling me the whole time. So if you come with a knife at a fight, I’m gonna shoot you in the f###### front of your forehead with my words. I f### with the Asian community…I have no problems with Asians. I would love to f### an Asian b####. I’ve been to the m############ massage place and f##### one before. They got some good Asian p####…”
Chinese rapper, China Mac responded to his ignorance in a reaction video.
“I don’t know who he is talking to … because he is not just talking about Asian people like period … he is talking specifically to somebody.”
“Just watching that clip … I wanna say to him is I hope that’s not his true feelings towards a whole set of people … I hope that [he said this] just out of anger … I hope that that was out of being coked-up drugged-up and not in the right state of mind,” he rationed.
“I hope that that is not how you truly feel but if you do … f### you, suck a dick…I hope that he did it in a way where he was upset ’cause I know a lot of people saying crazy [things when they are upset],” he continued. “I’m not condoning this.”
No one is.
After the former president started to link the COVID-19 global pandemic to the Asian community, violence has spiked substantially in the United States.
So much so, the new administration has empowered the Department of Justice to combat hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Island (AAPC) communities.
Acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin, who hosted the meeting said, “No one in America should fear violence because of who they are, what they look like or what part of the world they or their families came from.”
He continued, “The Department of Justice and our component agencies are committed to bringing all of our tools to bear in supporting AAPI communities as we address the horrific rise in hate and bias incidents occurring across the country.”
Gunplay better watch it. He might bring some unwanted Federal attention with his hot temper.
Simmons College and Kentucky State University, two Black institutions of higher learning, will be receiving half a million dollars courtesy of Atlanta’s own Jack Harlow.
The rap artist posted about the donation after his two-on-two basketball match with local rap stars: his partner Quavo, 2 Chainz, and Lil Baby.
The win was a cool $500K and he and the Migos member —who many say is the best hooper in Hip-Hop— easily snatched the purse with a 21-7 win.
I’ll be donating $500k to Kentucky State University and Simmons College of Kentucky 💜💜💜💜 https://t.co/YV7c8p2Y6f
Students at Simmons and KSU will delight in the gift.
All of this NBA All-Star weekend was dedicated to lifting Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
107 colleges in the United States are identified by the US Department of Education as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These schools were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to serve people of African descent (during and after slavery).
Many people have attended HBCUs including Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, Stacey Abrams, Cedric Richmond, and the first Africa-American and woman Vice President, Kamala Harris.
The NBA’s attention this weekend had the aim to bring more awareness and dollars to the schools. According to DiverseEducation.com, in 2015 lawsuits in South Carolina and Maryland were filed on behalf of South Carolina State University and Morgan State University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Coppin State University, and Bowie State University because they have received less funding and inequitable program offering compared to predominantly White institutions in those states. This historically in our nation has been a reality: Black schools get less.
Coupled by the misnomer that HBCUs are ghetto schools that teach Blacks to be “Black,” the NBA’s notion to celebrate the excellence in these schools was met with resounding approval.
Jack Harlow’s gift will help the students at the schools, but fans can do so much more.
TDE’s most renown female vocalist returns with a clean new visual from her critically acclaimed song “Good Days.” The visual is psychedelic to the max with mushrooms, contemporary dancing and all types of nature vibes. Enjoy!
When I first heard the news that Jay-Z sold 50% stake of Armand De Brignac (Ace of Spades) to the world leader in luxury brand making LVMH I didn’t immediately celebrate. Not just for the obvious reasons like, my bank account still read zero zero zero holdup, without the one in front. My financial setup is a far cry from when Jay Z told us money ain’t a thing. Also, I didn’t know exactly what to applaud. So I asked myself, “how does the culture benefit from this move?” I waited a couple of days until more information was revealed. There has since been reported speculations from reputable sources such as Forbes that Jay Z netted more than $300 million dollars in the deal. That’s fantastic for him. Though I commend him for that savvy business move, that increase in his personal finances didn’t prompt my admiration anymore for him as an artist and a business, man. Instead, it wasn’t until two weeks later when it was reported that Jay Z sold majority ownership in Tidal to Square Inc. For those who don’t know, they own CashApp and created the Square Device allowing credit card transactions to be made by connecting to a mobile device audio jack. Peep this, just two years ago, according to public information, Square Inc. revenue was stated at $4.7 billion dollars. Though successful, TIDAL numbers are miniscule in comparison. So we know what he gave up to Square Inc. (majority stake in TIDAL). What did he gain? And through his gain, how will the culture be impacted?
In addition to compensation, Jay Z gained a board seat. Most people who don’t understand business have no clue how influential a seat on the board is. I know, I know recently a lot of people became financial wizards and started buying “partial” shares of companies using tech apps like Cashapp. And because of that, they now think they are 21st Century Gordon Gekko’s. I’m not a business man to Jay’s caliber, but I’ve studied and am degreed in business, man. Board of Directors are the influencers of any business. They are the decision makers. Some people would argue that they’d prefer to be the head of their own Board of Directors of a company worth $600 million dollars. While someone else, such as Jay Z, would probably like to gain a partner, share responsibilities/expenses/operational costs, still maintain minority ownership, make about $300 million dollars in the sale and take a seat at a table of a company worth several billion dollars. And growing exponentially.
When I learned he was getting a board seat, I immediately looked to see who was on Square Inc.’s board. Not to my surprise at all, like most corporations, there wasn’t a black face in sight. But guess what? Now there is. And who would we rather have sitting at the table representing us? A black man. From Marcy Projects. Brooklyn, New York. A man who faced similar challenges that most black males have encountered and endured in inner city America over the last 50 years. Though he stumbled during his youth, he didn’t succumb and become victim to societal ills that thwarted the lives of so many of us. He maintained, remained solid and sturdy. Now he’s walking into doors that’s been forever locked and bolted to us, taking a seat at tables where his voice matters. Which means our voices matter there. Making money is great, but gaining access is even more important. With access you create your own opportunities and by leaving the door slightly cracked, you also create opportunities and ultimately positive change in the lives of others.
Thank you Jay-Z for entering into the doors that Tupac so eloquently and passionately described us knocking on, before threatening to break down. Thank you for not conforming. Thank you for still representing Hip Hop and for being Hip Hop. And please, continue to overcharge them for what they did to the Cold Crush. Now before I depart, I want to wrap up what we witnessed in a matter of 30 days, to give some perspective. On February 7, 2021, Super Bowl LV (like Luis Vuitton) halftime show was curated by Jay Z. A seat at the table. Approximately two weeks later he did the deal with LVMH. A seat at the table. Did I mention that on the day of that announcement the LVMH stock closed trading at $542.90 per share? That was their 52 week high, until about 2 weeks later when the multi-million dollar TIDAL/Square acquisition was announced and the LVMH stock broke a new high closing at $543.00. Board seat at the table. A true depiction of the term coined by multi-faceted businessman Steve Stoute, “The Tanning of America.” Thank you Jay Z.
Chadwick Boseman’s widow gave an emotional speech as she picked up her late husband’s posthumous Best Actor gong at the Critics’ Choice Awards on Sunday (March 7th).
The actor – who died of cancer last August – was honored with the Best Actor accolade for his work on Ma Rainey’s “Black Bottom,” but his wife Taylor Simone Ledward admitted it was hard to find a “celebratory feeling.”
Accepting the award on behalf of Chadwick, she said: “You know it has to be said aloud that for those of us who know Chad intimately, personally, professionally, those he taught, those he gave a word for advice, those who taught him: it is so hard to find a celebratory feeling in these moments.
“As proud as we are of him, yes for his work, but even more just for who he is as a person, but his work deserves this. His work in this film deserves this – he deserves this.”
Taylor went on to imagine what she thought the “Black Panther” star would have said if he could have been there, and she felt he’d have stressed the “importance of Black voices telling Black stories”.
“And so, he would always thank God first and foremost in everything,” she continued. “He would always honor his mother and his father. He would always acknowledge those who came before him, those who charted the path, those who gave him their gifts.
“He may say something about the importance of this story, about the importance of Black voices telling Black stories. He may take this moment to give honor to August Wilson, one of the greatest playwrights of our time.
“And as I recently read, societies grow great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they may never sit. And our society may be a far cry from great, but I know that the seeds you planted will grow into forests, and one day we too will be tall enough to reach the heavens.
“Thank you Critics’ Choice and thank you, Chad.”
Chadwick had also been recognized in the Best Supporting Actor category for “Da 5 Bloods” but lost out to Judas and the “Black Messiah” star Daniel Kaluuya, and both “Da 5 Bloods” and Ma Rainey’s “Black Bottom” were shortlisted for Best Acting Ensemble, but the prize went to “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
Battle rap is a sport of the mind: one where brawn is not an obstacle that handicaps women when they are up against the opposite sex. If you didn’t believe that before, the second KvQ card between the Ultimate Rap League and Queen of the Ring definitely proved it.
Split down the middle, the performers gave fans 2-2 and 1 debatable, ending the #URLALLSTARS weekend with a bang. Not to mention, through the relationships of the event’s producers, super couple Remy Ma and Papoose were in the building, dropped an exclusive freestyle, and put an additional stamp of officiality!
Remy noted that she has been down with Smack since the bearded host and URL owner had a 5 o’clock shadow.
“I want everybody to get the bag,” the “Ante Up” rapper noted. “I told somebody yesterday … I’ve seen a lot of people in this game that’s trash,(like their fking horrible) make a lot of fking money. I’ve seen a lot of people that are so f**king talented with that pen and they never seen the fruits of their labor.”
“So, I want this platform to be what it is now … and [get] even bigger and better.”
She continued, “People can start really start getting that bag. N**gas got bills … they got kids. [They] have the talent and deserve to see compensation for that.”
Her husband, Brooklyn’s own Papoose, noted that he saw this coming all along and that was why he shouted Smack out back in the day in a song.
In his song, “Monopoly” released in 2005, Papoose predicted Smack’s current success. He said in the third verse, “He got a DVD flow. They need to give me man, Smack, his own TV show. The voice of the jails, voice of the streets.”
In another song was called, “F**k the Hip-Hop Police,” seven years ago in 2014 he rapped, “Smack shootin with his camera for the DVD. I’m shooting with my mac, show wanna be on my mac DVD.”
The two Hip-Hop vets and battle rap enthusiasts dropped their freestyle, but also cheered on the battlers as they put on the show.
People said that this was a mirror match, pairing the Pontiac rap god JC against the Richmond newcomer Fiirst Ladii Flamez. But very few cultural doppelgangers resemble when they are standing next to each other. Ariana Grande sounds like Mariah Carey until someone pulls up “Vision of Love” and hears the Butterfly singer’s five-octave range. They thought Action Bronson sounded like Ghostface; Shyne sounded like Big; Casanova 2X and Pop Smoke sounded like 50 Cent; a Chrysler 300 looks like a Phantom until — yeah not really.
The same could be said about this JC and Flamez. What can’t be said is that they both weren’t fire.
JC was the O.G. masterfully constructed rounds that demonstrated three things: 1) he really is different when it comes to his pen, 2) he is fin to smoke anyone regardless of gender, and 3) he respects Flamez and would not disrespect her giving her a “Swamp-like” showing.
For her part, Flamez showed up barking on the diminutive emcee, often using her size advantage to shadow her with her aggression and believable gangsta persona. She too came to rap, making sure that you heard creatively thought-provocative bars that can only come from the mind of a genius. While she did not win the battle, losing respectfully in a Gentlemen’s 30, she accomplished something way greater than a “W.” In this first battle of the night, she established herself as her own “unique gift” to the culture. Comparisons be damned: JC 3-0
JC and First Ladii Flamez was 🔥. But JC was Up there. Crazy performance. Kings 1-0
Loso blends the sacred and secular in such a way that sometimes you forget that he is a Christian battle rapper. He doesn’t rap like an usher. He doesn’t rap like the old deacon or “Willing Worker.” What he does he do …through his unique skill set … is seems to have created a redemptive hermeneutic through battling. When he mic’d up, don’t expect a sermon but perhaps a homiletical demonstration of rhyme turning each round into aural hymnals. The church boy got bars.
He has more than that. He raps smart. The church thing was there … but with that anointed pen he did what no one thought he was going to do — beat Viixen.
I BETTER GET APOLOGIES FROM ALL OF YALL ALL FREAKING NIGHT!!!!
Female Champion of the Year, she had all the “rah rah” behind her. It was there for a good cause. Viixen is dangerous. For the battle, she brought to the table the passion of someone who has gotten some shine but wants to keep her name. Her aggression was there (despite a rebuttable stumble that made it super hard to recover from) but was not enough to eclipse the lyrical miracle-ness and perfectionist performance of the Horseman.
Before that battle, the Queen of the Midwest enjoyed an overwhelming amount of celebration. During the battle, despite showing levels in her pen game, she did not conduct the same electricity that she had against DNA. The lesson that Loso taught her is that battle rap is an “any given Sunday” type of sport.
She was good, but not enough to knock off his halo; Loso humbled her on this stage. But he did not kill her. Loso 2-1.
#URLAllStar#battlerap last night’s kings vs queens battle was a classic. The Loso vs Vixen was insane 2-1. Loso ate that battle. Vixen did her thing she was hard.
Out the gate, this battle had earthquaking-energy. Dramatically picturing what hood love looks like in so many cities across the nation.
“But they are not a couple,” you might argue. They are not. Still, the movie created in their battle resembles Tamika and Ray Ray, Shaniqua and Mike Mike, or Pudding and Knowledge Born Justice Jenkins.
Coffee immediately jumped-in snapping in T-Top’s face like an angry baby mother. She was not playing with him, getting close up in his face and pointing her beautifully manicured fingers in his face. He took it, smiling through his mask while holding his head down. The top-tier sportsman that he is allowed him the posture to not snap. Or that could be the street conditioning from growing up in Fuquay-Varina. He knew he would get his time. And when it came, the bear barked.
The fan vote gave it to T-Top. However, honestly, this was the only debatable of the night. Both put on a show. Both talked about the street stuff that fans love hearing from them. Some took points away because Coffee’s rounds were a little long and others took off because T-Top used a fake angle. Either way, similar to the two before, this battle was fire. THIS IS WAS THE BATTLE OF THE NIGHT!
T-Top Vs Coffee Brown live recap from last night! @yuLoveCoffee you made me a real believer last night, your presence and conviction along with your material was levels about what I expected, salute!!!! 💯💯🙌🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/XiKux7i6zh
Aye Verb has built a social media platform and persona based on his chauvinistic views. Originally scheduled for Valentine’s Day, many thought he was going to be a battle where he would play off of relationships — and women’s inability (unworthiness) to be in one with him. But this battle was done in March, women’s month. So … that changed everything.
Ms. Hustle, the First Lady of URL, stepped up and showed all hundred thousand plus watching on the Caffeine.TV app what women could do.
Hustle was phenomenal.
There was not one moment where she did not look like a star. She was polished and beautiful, but by no means is that what kept our eyes locked on her. It was how bar after bar she stripped him of everything bit of toxic masculinity that he dressed himself in.
The new wardrobe he was left wearing is now decorated with the badge that says: “I got beat by a girl … badly.”
And he wore the defeat gracefully. HUSTLE WAS THE BATTLER OF THE NIGHT, GETTING THE BODY OF THE NIGHT.
Tay Roc, the known face of URL and the last one to battle against Aye Verb, also took a loss to a queen. The battle against O’fficial has been one in the works since she took shots at him last year during the Royalty card.
At that time, no one believed that she could win… but the Bardashian knew something about her ability. She knew how she would pop off. She knew how to play to the camera. The new redhead knew how to punch and land, blinding any gender-based bias.
But Tay Roc was not a bad rapper … this was just not his day … and to her benefit, the Gun Bar King tried to do something new that did not go over well with the fans.
All in all, without dispute, Kings vs. Queens II was another fire event from the Ultimate Rap League. 2-1 O’fficial.
The fans agree.
JC spazzed on Flamez 😳🔥 Loso gave Viixen a hospital bed 🚑 O'fficial smoked Tay Roc 🪦 T Top & Coffee had a FIRE debatable 🎯 Ms Hustle cooked Aye Verb 🍽️#KingsvsQueens2 overall was a good event 👍
One of the doper rappers to never really pop off his Lil Mama, the Brooklyn beast that was sidetrack early in her career as a rapper. But she has made a great transition into acting and other forms of entertainment. But, she just posted a picture of herself pregnant in a hoodie throwing up the middle fingers.
This is prompted gossipmongers like myself and others to determine whether or not she is actually pregnant. First of all, I don’t know how I just refer to myself as a gossipmonger! I don’t do gossip, I do rumors! Anyway, the Internet is seemingly a blaze because of the rumor that she is actually about to drop a baby.
However is she?
The internets have determined that she immediately deleted the post that showed her inside position, as well, she has been very tightlipped about whether or not she is really pregnant. Generally, when someone is pregnant they post a very flowery and beautiful picture, with a super deep caption that talks about the greater part of motherhood. But Lil Mama did just the opposite.
This has lead people to believe that she is just posing for a role that she is about to play. For those I don’t know, Lil Mama‘s rap career never ended but she has been able to pivot heavily into acting. I actually watched one of her movies recently and she played a very good hood roll of a woman trying to escape the trappings of the drug game. As I think about that role, it leads me to this picture and the validity of the pregnancy. I suspect this is simply for a movie roll and she dropped a little promo picture to get people talking, and she’ll clarify later.
They are saying that perhaps she is pregnant but deleted it because there is another woman that is dragging her. Seems like Lil Mama is dealing with a woman’s man or ex and she is still bitter about it. I don’t know, because I am not deep into the weeds with Lil Mama‘s business but it’s very feasible! Lil Mama might just have a man! If she does, this all makes sense. If she’s doing it for a movie roll, it still makes sense!. Shout a Lil Mama for staying out there!
A mascara named in honor of a hard-core rapper from Brooklyn? That’s RIGHT! T’yanna Wallace, daughter of the late rapper- Notorious B.I.G. releases a mascara named “Big Poppa”- one of the many names her dad went by.
T’yanna is not only jumping full force into the makeup industry- she’s adding another level to her ever-growing empire. She is also the founder of Notoriuss- a streetwear line that draws its inspiration from her dad’s life and legacy
The release of this cosmetic collaboration is bitter-sweet. March 9th marks the 24th anniversary of Biggie’s death. It’s also a great reminder of just how far the HipHop culture has come; especially in mainstream America.
The Collaboration
“My dad’s legacy is timeless,” T’yanna Wallace
AllHipHop caught up with T’yanna to discuss her new collaboration with Wet n’ Wild Beauty, her father’s legacy and so much more.
How did your collaboration w/ Wet N Wild come about?
Wet n Wild had the concept planned out before contacting me. Yet- they felt it was only right for me to be a part of it since I am the daughter of Christopher Wallace AKA Big Poppa.
Was the name “Big Poppa” your idea?
No – it was the idea of Wet n Wild. Their creative team came up with the name.
Although your dad’s legacy is music-based- how do you feel this collaboration adds to his existing legacy?
It proves that my dad’s legacy is timeless. He has me and my brother here to continue the legacy. I’m sure he’d be proud of the things we’re doing.
Will you be releasing additional products?
Hopefully in the future but there’s nothing as of yet.
What else are you working on?
Along with doing an exciting product giveaway with Wet n Wild, I will be releasing a very special limited edition T-shirt on March 9th that will be available on my website, Notoriouss.com.
“Coming 2 America” took over the world last weekend. That is something that is hard to do in these days and times. But, they did it. One thing that shocked me was the original movie,”Coming To America” was supposed to be an all-black cast. But, guess what they were not going to have? AN ALL BLACK MOVIE! So, they were allegedly forced into putting somebody white in the movie. Arsenio Hall talked about it in a recent movie.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! put the word out there.
“I love Louie, but I think we were forced to put Louie in it. We were forced to put in a white person,” Arsenio Hall said.
Eddie Murphy said, “They were like, ‘There has to be a white person in the movie.’ I was like, ‘What?’ So who was the funniest white guy around? We knew Louie was cool, so that’s how Louie got in the movie.” Paramount Pictures INSISTED the film not have an all Black cast!
“It was official. I had a list. They gave me a list with three white guys. They said, ‘Who would you rather work with?’ I said, ‘Louie.’” Louie also appears in the sequel of the movie, making IT TOO a non-all-Black-everything cast.
The movie had just about everybody talking! It “leaked” a day early. But, then it seemed like there was a civil war of opinions that had everybody either hating or loving the movie! I thought it was cool! Nothing was going to top the original, so this was ambitious to begin with. I think some people looked at this – a movie made 30 years ago – and felt like that exact magic could be recreated. Not possible. They toned down the rating, because is NYC really R-rated like it was back in the day? Not so much! The new movie is representative of the times.
According to Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, the seeds of their upcoming Silk Sonic collaborative project were first planted while on the “24K Magic World Tour” in 2017. Mars’s phone call on Paak’s birthday further cemented the union which eventually led to them recording music together in person.
The two singers/instrumentalists dropped the first Silk Sonic single “Leave The Door Open” on Friday. They also spoke to Zane Lowe on Apple Music’s New Music Daily about the musical merger that also touts Funk legend, Bootsy Collins, as a special guest host. Collins actually came up with the name Silk Sonic.
“For me, Bootsy is the definition of a superstar, just for everything. The songs, the vibes…” said Mars. “There are so many artists that you could see that grew up on him. And me and Andy being a couple of guys that just grew up loving that.”
The 35-year-old musician continued, “We thought it’d be incredible if we could dream up a dream setlist. That was our model in the studio: ‘Alright, well let’s create the setlist of doom, who would be the ultimate host that could thread all these songs together?’ And thank God for Bootsy.”
After the release of “Leave The Door Open,” many Paak and Mars fans began envisioning seeing the two men on stage together performing their duets. The COVID-19 pandemic shut down most of the touring industry for a majority of 2020, but Silk Sonic hopes to hit the road in the near future.
“We going to be ready. That’s for sure. Yeah. Because man, we would love to do a show. I’d love to present it,” stated Paak while emphasizing it would not happen until the coronavirus shutdowns are over. Mars added, “We need it, man. We need it. I mean, if the terms are right. Yeah. The terms got to be locked, though, Andy.”
