R&B star H.E.R. has been slapped with a $3 million copyright infringement lawsuit over her 2016 song “Focus.”
Just days after wowing viewers with her rendition of America the Beautiful at the Super Bowl on Sunday (February 7th), the musician is facing a lawsuit from songwriter and pianist Andre Sims, accusing her of unlawfully sampling his composition, Endless Minds, without permission or compensation.
The singer, real name Gabriella Wilson, is listed as a defendant alongside “Focus” co-writer Justin Love, co-producer Darhyl ‘DJ’ Camper, and label bosses at Sony Music Entertainment.
Sims alleges Camper previously boasted about finding the artist’s social media page in an Instagram Live video, and lifting elements of his track for a new composition.
Camper is quoted as saying, “I’m on Instagram, I’m scrolling… and then it’s a guy that I follow – crazy piano player. He had did this – it’s like a little warmup he had. And I’m like, ‘Man, this is crazy!’ And it’s kind of similar to like, the Focus melody, so I took that and it inspired me to play it like that, change it a little bit, put a beat, slow it down… BOOM!”
Sims claims he has been attempting to reach out to H.E.R. and her representatives for months, to no avail, so he’s been left with no other choice but to sue.
Officials for H.E.R. have yet to respond to the accusations.
Jay-Z has partnered with Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey to develop cryptocurrency in India and Africa, further establishing the rapper as a global humanitarian and businessman.
The old African adage says that “You give a man a fish and he eats for the day, but if you teach a man to fish, he will eat for the rest of his life.”
This is exactly what the Brooklyn Billionaire and Dorsey, plan to do when they create a new endowment fund that jumpstarts the nation’s Bitcoin industry with an investment of 500 BTC.
Now, Dorsey is looking to bring in three board of directors to help with the governance of the endowment. He took to Twitter to make that announcement on Friday, February 12 to say: “JAY-Z/@S_C_ and I are giving 500 BTC to a new endowment named to fund #Bitcoin development, initially focused on teams in Africa & India. It’ll be set up as a blind irrevocable trust, taking zero direction from us. We need 3 board members to start,” he tweeted Friday.”
JAY-Z/@S_C_ and I are giving 500 BTC to a new endowment named ₿trust to fund #Bitcoin development, initially focused on teams in Africa & India. It‘ll be set up as a blind irrevocable trust, taking zero direction from us. We need 3 board members to start: https://t.co/L4mRBryMJe
There is a reason why there is this interest in the Asian country.
India’s government has already made moves to dead the concept of digital money. Recently they passed the following legislation, “Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021.”
The financial industry is calling it the “Bitcoin killer bill,” but that doesn’t mean that Dorsey and Jay-Z will stop. Experts believe that The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021, though scheduled to be presented at the ongoing budget session of the Indian Parliament, will be tabled.
So … yes … there is room for Jigga to get in there and make a difference.
J.R.Clark is here to put Virginia Beach on the map, reppin’ the 757. Serving as the last artist to open for Pop Smoke before his demise, the independent rapper is passionate and motivated as ever to make it to the big leagues, spending every waking moment perfecting his craft in the lab.
From spending 4 years in the army and even getting his Masters degree in American Government, J.R.Clark serves as inspiration to never fall short of your fullest potential.
Having made music for 6 years now, J.R.Clark got his start as a studio engineer before transitioning to his own solo artistry. With a big studio, he was able to record everybody from the 757 area. He states, “If you lived in tidewater regions of Virginia, I’m quite sure I’ve recorded you at one point in time.”
Having collaborated with everyone from Smoke DZA, Stalley to Cookin Soul to Fendi P (Curren$y’s artist), J.R.Clark prides himself in his originality and unique sound that stands out in today’s oversaturated music industry. Most recently, he unleashed his newest project titled When Muzik Was Good, an 11-track project that pays homage to the foundation of Hip-Hop.
AllHipHop: What was the household like growing up in 757?
J.R.Clark: I lived with my grandma for a minute, my dad was in federal prison. He came to Virginia, I moved with him when I was 12. My mother’s family is Haitian and Dominican, but they’re from California. They grew up in California until the age of two years old, so I have an American side, Creole, and Hispanic side. When my dad was locked up, he always made sure I knew who he was. It wasn’t like when he came home, “who is this man?” Out here in Virginia, my dad‘s name was always good. He was a kingpin, he was on CNN back in the 80’s. A lot of people in Virginia said “oh I know your dad, he’s a solid dude and still is. Great peoples.”
My uncle as well, he came home last year from doing 35 years in federal prison. A lot of males in my family, their name in the Virginia area carried weight. That was never my lane, but a lot of people respected me from the upbringing I came from. The people I came from, I came from a real circle so they already knew how I was cut. I wasn’t with the funny s###, everything’s straight up and down. Whatever I’m saying is etched in stones. When you tell people stuff, you have to follow through with that. I don’t care what happens, if you tell someone you’re going to do something, you must do exactly what you say you’re gone do. That’s what I carried into the music.
AllHipHop: How so?
J.R.Clark: When I do stuff and how we move, it has to look professional. Keep your professionalism and your mannerisms. Be punctual and on time, it’ll get you a long way. Because of my upbringing, I took that and put it into my business side as a music person.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name, J.R.Clark?
J.R.Clark: My real name is Jerry, my last name’s Clark, my second last name’s Juneau. That comes from my mother’s Haitian and Dominican side. I wanted to come up with something that was simple but at the same time, I could still be me at the end of the day. A lot of the times, rappers’ names sound too street or it’s a hard time branding that type of name. I look at it from a Business standpoint, J.R.Clark is easy, rolls off the tongue. It’s not long and it’s my real name anyway. [laughs]
AllHipHop: Biggest influences growing up?
J.R.Clark: Rick Ross first and foremost, Nipsey Hussle, Curren$y. From an R&B Side, Alicia Keys and John Legend because they make that type of music where it feels good always. I like music that has substance. I like the other music I hear in the clubs, that trap music’s cool to hear in the club. When I’m in the car or at home in my circle, I need something that gets my brain going. Help me think different, I don’t want to hear you killing a bunch of people. I get it, you got your draco, you have your money phone to your ear, you have your Lamborghinis outside. That’s cool, give me something I can stick with.
AllHipHop: What was Curren$y’s influence on your career?
J.R.Clark: Funny story, I was online when I first started rapping back in 2016, typing in “chill beats” on YouTube. I see Curren$y’s name keep popping up on YouTube. [laughs] I thought oh, he must be a beatmaker. One of my friends said “nah, he does music. He’s a rapper, the person probably made a beat to his style of music.” A month goes by, I end up going to D.C. from Virginia Beach. It’s about a 3-hour drive, let me listen to his music on the way. Dang, he’s talking about the same stuff I’m talking about: chillin’, fly s###, lowriders.
Where I live at in Virginia, a lot of people think I’m from Cali. I have two classic cars: lowriders with hydraulics. A lot of people ask “you from Cali?” Nah my peoples are from Cali, I took the culture and brought it here to Virginia. Everybody out here in Virginia has the big 24, 26 inch rims. I’ma pull up on a lowrider with the old school music so the OGs and homies that’s on the strip in Virginia Beach oceanfront; that’s where it’s going down at. It’s a vibe here for me.
AllHipHop: How has being a studio engineer helped transition into being a full-time rapper?
J.R.Clark: I know how music’s supposed to sound even before I started rapping. I couldn’t rap, it took me a long time. I knew what bars are, how a sound structure looked. Sonically, I know how it sounds. But putting the words to the beat, I didn’t have that so it took me some time. Going from a studio engineer to a rapper, I knew how a song’s supposed to sound. I know how it’s supposed to be mixed, I know what people listen to. I took all that and put it into being a rapper. Now, I don’t have to pay for studio time.
Only thing I have to pay for is marketing and videos. That’s a huge chunk really because a lot of rappers I see pay for a shitload of studio time. That money you put into studio time, you can buy your own equipment — but you have to know how to work it though. Anybody can buy equipment but you have to learn how to use it. You could buy a $10K mic, if you don’t know how to use it right, it’ll sound like a $50 mic. Knowing the ins and out of recording music and putting that into the rapper bag.
AllHipHop: What was the creative process making your album, When Muzik Was Good?
J.R.Clark: I was working on my last video shoot for my last album, 4eva Chill but Lit. That was in Atlanta, Coronavirus had just hit. They shut the airports down so we’re stuck in Atlanta for a day or 2, trying to figure out how to get back to Virginia. We’re in the airport working on music. Since everything is shut down now, when I get back to my house, I could really record all the music I want to. I can be online and reach out to other local artists from different areas.
A lot of people on this album, I never met a day in my life. I had the verse, had a spot up there for them to give a hook or verse. A lot of them checked out my previous work, “oh dang, he wasn’t bullshitting. His visuals are dope, song sounds dope.” A lot of them were sending me hooks and verses back within a week’s time. Being in the studio every day listening to beats. networking with different people on Instagram. Trying to make something that resonates with me but also trying to do things a little bit different. My core sound’s more of a chill type vibe, but I don’t perform chill songs. I’ma give you that turn up you really want to hear. Now when I got you at the show, you can go back and listen to all the other music like “oh dang, he makes good music.”
AllHipHop: What advice do you have for those who are seeking to make it in the music industry?
J.R.Clark: Do your research, know what you’re trying to get into. It’s like a job believe it or not. Let’s say you want to work for CNN but you didn’t go to school for journalism or marketing. You left the block and want to go apply at CNN. They’re not gonna hire you for one, but you didn’t do your research. You didn’t know what it takes to get to that position. As an artist, do your research. Learn the business first, the music’s easy. The music’s the 10% of it but learn the actual business aspect of it. When you go sit down at a table with record labels and business executives, the same stuff they’re talking about, you can comprehend and understand.
I hate to hear when rappers say “my record label screwed me or my manager took advantage of me.” No, you didn’t take time to make sure your business was right. Know your business first. Just because you see somebody that’s online poppin’, I guarantee you they have some type of machine behind them. Nothing’s organic. If you think something’s organic, it’s not. It’s some type of machine, nobody’s isn’t doing everything on their own.
AllHipHop: Do you feel like hip-hop is oversaturated nowadays?
J.R.Clark: F### yeah. Everybody’s doing music, but are you doing it the right way? There’s no right or wrong way, but does it sound like something? When people send their music to me, I always try to listen to other people’s music because I was that one guy at one point in time. I can remember passing out CDs like man, I can’t wait to be on that big stage. Virginia Beach Amphitheater, Wiz Khalifa came one year. Me and my homie passed out 3000 CDs, full cases. A few people told me how nobody uses CDs anymore, everybody’s streaming. This was 2015, I said “that’s cool, but I want you to have this.”
Out of those 3000 people, 2000 people tapped in and said “damn, you’re just getting started but what you’re doing is right.” The following year, I got a call from the radio station. They said “hey, we want you to perform at the main stage opening up.” I’m like oh s###. The dedication and making it look right, people looked at the content I was putting out and was like “he’s serious about his craft.” Yes it’s oversaturated. Artists are putting out music just to say they put out music, but they don’t invest in it. If this is what you’re doing, you have to put some money into it to make it look right. Only the real content cuts through. I never get discouraged by who’s poppin’ and who’s not poppin’ because I’ma keep doing what I”m doing.
AllHipHop: Who’s in your Top 5?
J.R.Clark: Rick Ross, J. Cole, Nipsey Hussle, T.I. and Pusha T. That’s the homie, I see him a lot. When I was young, we used to go to the same salon to get our hair braided. When he came out with “Grindin’,” I remember seeing him on the same block in the black on black Benz. Dang, that’s Pusha T. When I did the Shaggfest there in Virginia Beach, I went on right before him. As I was leaving the stage, we took pictures backstage, we chopped it up. Man going from being 15 years old and seeing you in the salon to walking off the stage, dabbing you up and taking a picture backstage. The music he puts out, it feels good. Iit sounds right. He doesn’t make Virginia look bad. [laughs] He definitely carries the torch.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited for in the new year?
J.R.Clark: I have a whole new album right now, it’s 13 songs. I probably won’t put it out until 2022. It sounds like a long time but I tell people, when you come from doing stuff on your own or you got your team, it takes time to make it look right. I’m in the process now, we’re listening to everything. We’ll process and engineer in April, shooting videos in the summertime, fall, winter. I have a whole album already ready, recording and everything for 2022. I try to stay a year head whatever I’m doing.
A new series based on Dionne Warwick’s life will star Teyana Taylor according to the legendary singer.
In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Dionne Warwick revealed the project is “in the works”, adding that Taylor may also direct.
“Teyana is certainly a talented young lady with whom I’ve had the pleasure of interfacing…,” Dionne tells the publication. “She’s very excited about the prospect of being involved and she’s also going to be very, very much involved in directing it and putting together parts and parcel of how we see this going.”
Dionne first teased the project via Twitter in December, asking fans if they’d “really watch” a series about her life, adding: “This is a case for @netflix. Please don’t ask who I would cast to play me as it would obviously be @TEYANATAYLOR.”
Warwick has yet to confirm Netflix will be the home for the project, telling EW, “They’re not the only place that we’re looking at but Netflix seems to be the leading episodic (platform) to do something similar to what I want to do. There’s a lot of very exciting stuff going on right now!”
City girl Cardi B wants her family to live on a ranch.
The “Up” rapper, who was raised in the Bronx, New York, shares two-year-old daughter Kulture with husband Offset, and got to experience what it’s like living on a farm during a new episode for her Facebook Messenger Watch Together series, “Cardi Tries.”
The star – who dressed in cowboy attire – met up with country musician Mickey Guyton to see if she’d get on with life away from the city, as she admitted, “I’ve never been around farm animals.”
She told Mickey in the clip: “I really want to have a farm, and I’m trying to convince my husband that we can actually have a farm (on) our property, but I’ve never been around farm animals, you know, I’m a real city girl.”
Mickey then asked Cardi: “So you’re gonna teach me?, to which she replied: “No, you’re gonna teach me.”
However, it turned out the Texas-born star had little experience on the farm herself.
“No, no. I can’t teach you. I don’t know how to be a farm – a ranch hand or any of that,” she insisted.
The “WAP” hitmaker then held onto the singer’s pregnant belly and quipped: “Wapin’ got you here in the first place.”
And Mickey laughed: “It did get me here in the first place on this quarantine.”
Cardi Tries airs on Thursdays on the Facebook Messenger’s Watch Together feature.
Zayzayy is here to make a name for himself in the rap game. Hailing from Detroit but now based in the DMV area, the rising star is best known for his authentic hood anthems injected with clever bars and standout melodic harmonies. His voice not only speaks on the pain that stems from his environment, but provides healing power for all those who listen.
Now, he returns to unleash the official music video for “Courtside,” a track from his most recent EP titled Start Of Forever. The emotional record is brought to life giving fans a new perspective, as Zayzayy is dripped out enjoying the life he truly worked hard for.
Zayzayy reveals “Courtside” is inspired by all the times he sat down and watched other people shine. He states, “I was waiting and praying on my time to shine. Now it’s here and it feels good!”
With the visual, he shows success does not come easy. Watch above and get motivated!
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ son Justin is stepping into the late night spotlight with his own TV talk show.
Justin Combs, 26, has teamed up with social media star Justin LaBoy for Respectfully Justin, which will launch on Valentine’s Day (February 14th) on his dad’s media network Revolt.
The two namesakes will discuss everything from music and everyday life to relationships and sex, and even tackle socially “taboo” topics on air with special guests.
R&B star Chris Brown will feature on the first episode this weekend, which premieres on Revolt’s YouTube page
Respectfully Justin will continue for a total of 10 episodes, airing each Wednesday on YouTube, followed by a Friday broadcast on the Revolt TV channel.
The United States Senate is conducting former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial this week. Trump is accused of inciting his supporters to conduct a failed insurrection against the American government at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6.
While presenting evidence against Trump on Wednesday, Democratic Delegate Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands took to the floor of Congress and quoted two Hip Hop acts. She stated “The truth is usually seen and rarely heard. Truth is truth, whether denied or not.”
During my presentation in the impeachment trial yesterday, I made two references from the hip hop genre: "The truth is usually seen and rarely heard" from GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan and "Truth is truth, whether denied or not," from Run the Jewels. You can see it below: pic.twitter.com/uLUYp6H8nN
That first line was from Wu-Tang Clan member GZA’s “Breaker, Breaker” off 1999’s Beneath the Surface album. The second line was a reference to Run the Jewels’ “Early” off 2014’s Run The Jewels 2 album. RTJ’s El-P reacted to Plaskett borrowing one of his bars to make a point against Trump’s actions.
“Welp apparently I was quoted during the impeachment trial today and I can’t say I didn’t see it coming. Ok, I didn’t see it coming,” tweeted El-P on Thursday night. When another Twitter user pointed out that El-P is now “immortalized” in the congressional record, the New York City-bred emcee/producer simply responded, “Finally.”
Congresswoman Plaskett also made history when she became the first non-voting delegate to participate in a Senate impeachment trial as a House of Representatives impeachment manager. Since she represents the U.S. Virgin Islands’ at-large congressional district, the Brooklyn-born attorney does not have the same full voting rights in Congress as representatives from districts located in U.S. states.
In honor of Black History Month, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers’ (ASCAP) is paying homage to a wide array of Black artists, songwriters, and composers for their incredible contributions to ASCAP, music, and the world.
The month-long campaign began February 1, and will continue to feature a webpage dedicated to spotlighting a different group of Black agents of change weekly, www.ascap.com/bhm2021.
The change-makers will be highlighted through a playlist of Black music pioneers of all musical genres, editorial pieces, social media posts that feature honorees or historical events, all for Black History Month.
ASCAP’s Senior Vice President of Membership, Nicole George-Middlteon expressed the organization’s commitment to shining light on the achievements of Black songwriters and composers.
“ASCAP is passionate about recognizing the contributions of Black songwriters and composers who have created music that has made an impact on our culture and the world. During this month especially, it is our mission to shine the spotlight on ASCAP member pioneers, innovators and icons who have changed history, shaped music as we know it and given us the songs we love so much,” said Middleton.
Week 1 featured Black pioneers in music. ASCAP launched their Black History Month webpage and their curated playlist that celebrated Black music pioneers such as Quincy Jones, Charley Pride, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Eubie Blake & Noble Sissle, Duke Ellington, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Florence Price.
The second week features Black musicians and notable Black moments in ASCAP history as part of ASCAP’s 107th birthday celebration. ASCAP will highlight civil rights activist, author, poet, and lyricist James Weldon Johnson (“Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”) and his story. Week 2 will also highlight special moments from ASCAP’s history and also celebrate ASCAP’s 107th birthday with classic shout outs in Hip Hop tracks from artists such as Timbaland, Gucci Mane, Wale, Blackalicious, Ma$e, Ice T, Nelly and more, with AllHipHop exclusively having this list. This week’s celebration will also celebrate ASCAP’s first Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, formerly known as the Black Music Celebration.
Week 3 will celebrate and highlight iconic ASCAP members who played pivotal roles in social, political, and cultural moments that changed the world. The iconic Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bob Marley are among those that will be recognized.
Week 4 will wrap by celebrating ASCAP members that are currently creating compelling works and breaking records and barriers across music.
For ASCAP’s 107th birthday they got the itch to search their own name in the Genius search bar and found that ASCAP had a number of mentions. Check out a list of some of ASCAP’s Hip Hop shout outs below!
1.“Feel So Good” by Ma$e (1997)
“With a jet ski attached to a SE, smoke my Nestle / No mad rap – ASCAP, where my check be?”
2. “Bia’ Bia’” by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz (2000)
Chyna Whyte verse: “All my thugs let ya wood swang, b*tches make ya ass clap / I’m takin’ all y’all ASCAP and BMI / Catch me drivin’ DUI / Look cause I don’t give a f###, n***a I’m livin’ to die.”
3. “The Star” by Wale (2008)
“We got this that, the third and that that /Producers and what not, and we on ASCAP / And we got a studio, engineers on all that / So if you swing by, we’ll throw you a couple tracks.”
4. “When Ya On” by Chamillionaire feat. Nipsey Hussle (2011)
Nipsey Hussle verse:
“That’s how we play it, we living with the fast cash / To all my haters, consider this the last laugh / I’ve been the greatest in my city, now I’m past that / It’s all money ASCAP, broke b*tches bag back.”
5. “Jump” by DaBaby feat. NBA YoungBoy (2020)
NBA YoungBoy verse:
“I make it jump like, like crack in the ’80s / Baby, these btch as n****s ain’t crazy / Broke a*s, ASCAP go straight to my baby.”
6. “Part 1” by Noname (2017)
“No sadness, we was past that, me money get the last laugh / Me ASCAP, get cash back, see Venmo, see Cash App / Weekend flight San Francisco knowing that you couldn’t match that / But everything is everything, I’ll merch that, I’ll tat that.”
7. “Ashes to Ashes” by Blackalicious (2015)
“I got talent these critics do not have / Still they write like some type of authority on rap / Really like they opinion is worthy / I’m like after you make worthy music / Then come and be that cat jack / Plummeting raps at you that’s that? / Period done then get checks from ASCAP.”
8. “Black Magic (Make It Better)” By Little Brother (2019)
“Black skin, black faces, black people make black magic / So pay me every f*ckin’ dime and add taxes / Cop a feel in a room full of brass tactics / I been about that work, boy, I been ASCAP’in / You been lyin’ ’bout yo bread, n***a you Axe Cappin’ / You really ’bout that life or you just hashtaggin’?”
9.“Hazmat Rap” by Czarface (2013)
Inspectah Deck verse:
“This is Hazmat rap, scratch that / When this is rocking see n***as droppin’ like the NASDAQ stats / Black popping like a ass that’s fat / Trapping that cash, on top of that I’m getting ASCAP stacks.”
10. “Servin’” by Gucci Mane (2012)
“Touch down in ya city where the pass at/ Where the pass at? You make a n- laugh black/Need a pass for you n-, you’ll get blast at/You just a mid-grade n- like my last pack/ I’m just a money makin’ n- you can call ASCAP.”
It is now official. Texas-bred rapper Erica Banks has signed a contract with Warner Records. The deal was finalized as a partnership between Warner and the Houston-based independent label 1501 Certified Entertainment.
“My gift for recognizing talent put Erica Banks on my radar, and I knew I wanted her to be a part of what we’re building at 1501 Certified Entertainment,” said Carl Crawford, CEO of 1501.
The former Major League Baseball All-Star continued, “Texas has such rich culture for music, and I’m happy for us to play a role in its continued evolution alongside the Warner Records team.”
“I have a good ear for music. I know what’s best for me,” stated Banks. “I make turn-up music, so that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to continue to push it. What’s better than that?”
Currently, Erica Banks’ discography includes 2019’s Art of the Hustle, 2019’s Pressure, 2019’s Cocky on Purpose, and 2020’s Erica Banks. The first three mixtapes were self-released. Her eponymous effort was the first project released under the 1501 umbrella.
The Stefan Kohli-directed visuals present Grande, Megan, and Doja wearing lingerie as they sip on champagne and read magazines by a pool. Set in a luxury hotel, the 4-minute presentation only features the artists.
“34+35” peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 chart last month. Prior to the release of the official video on February 12, the single sat at #4 on the most recent Billboard rankings of the most popular songs in America.
If “34+35 (Remix)” is able to climb to #1, Ariana Grande would score her 6th chart-topper. Megan Thee Stallion has two career Number Ones with “Savage” featuring Beyoncé and as a guest on Cardi B’s “WAP.” Doja Cat’s
“Say So” with Nicki Minaj reached #1 too.
With the release of her new song “Up,” Cardi B sparked a debate about what exactly does “if it’s up, then it’s stuck” mean. Some people say the phrase is about success. Others claim it’s about beef not getting settled.
The latter meaning does seem to fit with one of Cardi’s most famous Love & Hip Hop quotes: “If a girl has beef with me, she’s gonna have beef with me… forever.” The “success” definition works as well considering the rapper has four #1 singles, numerous award show trophies, and multiple record-breaking accomplishments.
Cardi was asked to explain the thinking behind her “Up” chorus during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The A-list celebrity born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar offered an answer that shocked the late-night talk show host.
“[Offset] says that a lot,” stated Cardi about her Atlanta-raised husband. “I don’t know if that’s a down south thing because after the song came out, I thought it was a Georgia thing, but people were like, ‘No, we say that in New Orleans. We say that in Florida.'”
When Fallon specifically asked for a definition of “if it’s up, then it’s stuck,” Cardi replied, “Have you ever taken a poop and it don’t come out? It’s just up and it’s stuck.” Her tongue-in-cheek explanation was followed by brief silence as Fallon looked around his desk. He eventually responded, “Wow.”
According to industry forecasters, “Up” is expected to debut in the Top 5 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart with a good chance it could open at #1. The song has already peaked at #1 on iTunes and Apple Music in the United States. “Up” is Cardi B’s first solo single since “Press” was released in 2019.
Many fans were excited when Chappelle’s Show became available on streaming services. However, Dave Chappelle used his monologue on Saturday Night Live in November to let the world know he was not making any money from his creation being on those platforms.
Chappelle’s Show was eventually taken down from HBO Max as well. In a new Instagram stand-up clip uploaded on Thursday titled “Redemption Song,” the legendary comedian gave an update about his classic television show. The sketch comedy series is back on Netflix.
In addition, Chappelle thanked his supporters for not streaming the show. He also thanked Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and ViacomCBS executive Chris McCarthy. The IG video ends with the 47-year-old entertainer offering a message for Chappelle’sShow‘s original network home.
“When you stopped watching it, they called me and I got my name back. And I got my license back. And I got my show back. And they paid me millions of dollars. Thank you very much,” Chappelle told the audience. He later added, “After all these years, I can finally say to Comedy Central, ‘It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.'”
Bay Area Jeweler Tim Da Jeweler Gains Attention With Diamond Set Hats; Launches Newly Opened Luxury Showroom With 3D Imaging For Customers
Tim Da Jeweler’s New Iced Out Hats
With Lil Uzi Vert putting a diamond in his forehead, there seems to be no bounds to the places where people put diamonds. From earrings to chains, to watches and eyeglasses, as we all know there’s countless ways to wear your ICE. Check it out as we sat down with Bay Area Jeweler Tim Da Jeweler to discuss his new micro pave hand set diamond encrusted fitted hats that are making waves in the Bay Area.
Recently Bay Area Jewelry designer Tim Da Jeweler announced his groundbreaking work on his new line hats fully iced with with of hand set diamonds. The hats are designed and created in his new luxury showroom in Concord, CA where he’s worked with a host of upcoming artists in the Bay.
After spending time in the insurance industry for several years trying to find his calling, Tim Da Jeweler began to sell simple jewelry at an economic rate online to build his business until he was able to quit his insurance gig.
“I had bought some square earrings off of eBay and I thought about how I could easily sell and make them myself. I started off making square earrings that was the popular style at the time and I was doubling and tripling my money. I was making five times more than I was at the insurance company, so I quit the insurance business to do what I love and I started TSV Jewelers.”
After establishing TSV Jewelers as a place where people can buy economical jewelry for less than a few hundred dollars, online Tim Da Jeweler established TDJ to provide the Bay Area community with high end custom pendants, earrings, rings and more.
“I wanted to be able to cater to all markets. ” Tim Da Jeweler explained. “Starting off my customers need to have a design or I can make the design for a small deposit. I can always spice up someone’s design, but once they approve the design we give them a 3D rendering of the work we are ready to produce.”
Recalling some of his favorite pieces Tim Da Jeweler explained that he always looks for ways to upgrade and augment the look of his customer’s design.
“One time I worked with a client on this pirate piece that says West Pittsburg and it was rose and white gold. We just vibed out when we were just adding details here and there it and it just came out to be a masterpiece. It’s not too crazy but everything just fits and we really worked together to make it perfect,” he said.
Seeking to educate his customers as well, Tim Da Jeweler often speaks to his customers about the limited resell value of diamond encrusted pieces. By educating his customers on the jewelry, Tim Da Jeweler hopes to create a space where everyone can get what they are looking for within their budget.
“It’s expensive to remove diamonds out of the jewelry and it takes time ” Tim Da Jeweler said. “Many people think their is a resell market for custom jewelry but in reality their isn’t it takes a lot of work to get the diamonds out so you’re really only going to get 20-25% of your money if that after you melt the gold and remove the diamonds out. That’s why we want to make sure they are happy with every piece so they would never want to melt it down.”
Now fully equipped with a showroom, Tim Da Jeweler can give all of his clients the celebrity treatment no matter their background.
“I just opened up a showroom where customers can come in and we can consult and we set up private appointments so we can just talk and brainstorm ideas. I offer promotional packages where we can have a videographer and photographer come in and it’s kind of a luxury feel and celebrity treatment for the everyday customer, you don’t have to be a celebrity to get the star treatment.
Director Shaka King’s Judas and the Black Messiah film arrived in theaters and on HBO Max today (February 12). The critically acclaimed biopic about slain Black Panther leader Fred Hampton is accompanied by a star-studded soundtrack.
Thealbum includes tracks with H.E.R., Nas, Black Thought, Nipsey Hussle, Jay-Z, Lil Durk, G Herbo, Pooh Shiesty, Polo G, SiR, A$AP Rocky, Rakim, and more. Hit-Boy, Dash Sherrod, Ryan Coogler, and Archie Davis executive produced the project.
Judas and the Black Messiah stars Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton and LaKeith Stanfield as FBI informant William O’Neal. The motion picture’s cast also includes Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, Martin Sheen, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Lil Rel Howery, Algee Smith, and Jermaine Fowler.
Pronto SpazzOut is coming for all these rapper’s necks. The name itself alludes to someone who spazzes out, and that’s exactly what he does on the mic. Hailing from the West Side of Chicago, the rising star can deliver a spitfire flow in any given situation or circumstance, spitting nothing short of the real.
Growing up where he calls the Out West Illinois, Pronto is rapper, father, and sports lover, with his father being his biggest influence growing up. With his pops going to jail when Pronto was 4 years old and coming back home around 13, the Chicago native claims his father is the reason he raps.
Pronto states, “I didn’t really get a chance to look up to too many people, I really only knew my pops. The first time he ever came home from jail, he wanted to be a rapper so I gravitated with that. It just so happens, I got real raw with the s###.”
After going viral with his “Donk” freestyle inspired by Soulja Boy, Pronto has continued to bless his fans with only the hardest slappers. Most recently, he released “Boyz N Da Hood,” inspired by the late great Eazy-E.
AllHipHop: Just talk about growing up on the West Side of Chicago.
Pronto SpazzOut: It was for sure fun. It was definitely an experience. I lost a lot of people on the way. The stereotypical… I grew up decent. It was typical. I say it was fun, but along the way I lost a lot of people. You know, typical Chicago s###. They say you come from violence, ran from violence. That’s usually what they talk about and say.
AllHipHop: Who were your biggest influences coming up?
Pronto SpazzOut: For sure, my pops. He tried to keep me on the right track even though he was in and out of jail. He went to jail when I was 4 and came back home when I was around 13. I didn’t really get a chance to look up to too many people, I really only knew my pops. That’s one of my biggest influences. My father is the reason I rap. The first time he ever came home from jail, he wanted to be a rapper so I gravitated with that. It just so happens, I got real raw with the s###.
AllHipHop: Do you remember recording your first song?
Pronto SpazzOut: Yeah, fasho. It was on my sister’s hip camera. Yoo know the cameras they used to carry around on their hips to the malls? I didn’t have no studio so I had my speaker. I’d plug my speaker into my computer, put on a beat, and record off the camera. That’s how I used to do my songs.
AllHipHop: And how did you get nice with it?
Pronto SpazzOut: I kept rapping. I always kept the mindset, even right now. Every song gotta be better than the last one, or my next big thing gotta be better than the last one. I always went off that.
AllHipHop: At what point did you realize you could do it for a living?
Pronto SpazzOut: 2019 when I dropped my hit song “Jiggy Music,” it went up. It was one of them throwaway songs. I really wasn’t even going to do it, but I put it out. Everybody said “nah do it, it’s hard.” My brothers the Heavy Steppers had another hit song that went up, so right behind them my s### got to going up. Definitely around the time I dropped “Jiggy Music,” that year 2019.
AllHipHop: Can you define “Jiggy Music”?
Pronto SpazzOut: Jiggy music is a mix between that turnt, drill s###. The s### you can talk your gangster s### on but at the same time, make it into some positive fun s###. Because you go around people’s vibes, there’s too much gangster s###. N*ggas be trying to be too gangster. Nah, have fun gang. Be gangster later on!
AllHipHop: How much is positivity a part of your life?
Pronto SpazzOut: I try to stay positive through everything. It’s definitely something I always try to work best at. Staying positive is major. I’m definitely big on positivity, that’s how I get through most of my days. Not gonna lie, there’s a lot of b####### that comes with this music s###. If you stay positive, if you try to find yourself while you got yourself, you’ll be good. Positivity is definitely major.
AllHipHop: Pronto means fast. How’d you get the name?
Pronto SpazzOut: I got my name from a Soulja Boy song I used to listen to. “Pronto,” no funny s###. No b#######, it was my favorite song at the time. It was hot. I could’ve been D-Man, but I wanted to be different than everybody. I heard it, I ain’t see nobody picking up on that. Nah, my name Pronto now. Everybody clicked and stayed with it.
The SpazzOut part came from a brother I lost along the way. Not my blood brother, but a close friend. Taught me everything while my father was incarcerated, locked away. He had a name, AOK SpazzOut. He passed away around 2017 I believe. I took the name SpazzOut, attached it. Now, that’s an even bigger part of my story.
AllHipHop: Does it have to do with you spazzing out with the bars?
Pronto SpazzOut: For sure, I definitely made it that. It started with my brother, but then I really got to spazzing on s###. Now I’ma make it a way of life. Make sure his name never dies, make sure my name gets up. They know: you dealing with Pronto, you gon’ spazz out.
AllHipHop: Speaking of Soulja Boy, your “Donk” freestyle went all the way up. How was that?
Pronto SpazzOut: My “Jiggy Music” song got a lot of attention, a lot of different feels. Mostly the female fanbase, a lot of people were twerking to “Jiggy Music.” It wasn’t even a twerk song, but they made it a twerk song. Everybody always hits you with that “you need to make something for the ladies, make a twerk song.” Everybody was doing they old beats, DCG and them had done the “Coffee Shop.” Uhhh, I don’t think nobody did the Soulja Boy beat”. Actually, I take that back. It was one of my homies from the hood. He wanted to do the song with me, but it so happened that when I made it to the end and heard myself on it, I spit in it and it went from there. I went along with it. My fan base, females, it made sense.
AllHipHop: Talk about your love for the ladies.
Pronto SpazzOut: I’m single right now. I don’t got nothing bad to say about the ladies, I’m single and looking.
AllHipHop: What was Soulja Boy’s influence on your career?
Pronto SpazzOut: S###, he was the first to do a lot of s###. You know everybody’s going to try to discredit, he definitely did a lot. He definitely played a major part in this internet s###. All this same s### that’s going on right now, I can see Soulja Boy. He really was the first to do a lot of s###. Twitter, Facebook, going viral on Youtube. Who was doing that s###? Soulja.
AllHipHop: Talk about remixing Pooh Sheisty’s Back in Blood.
Pronto SpazzOut: Honestly, that came about from Laka Films
<https://www.instagram.com/lakafilms/?hl=en> and No More Heroes. He called me one day. It’s crazy because he’s a music consultant with me now. He’s really trying to get me out of the habit of doing industry beats and freestyles. It was just one, he said “bro, I hear you on this.” Bro, I thought you said we’re going to cut out the freestyles? “Nah, bro I hear you on this so do it. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it. You’re going to scrap it, but I want you to do it. Alright bet. I do it, it goes up. I honestly didn’t think it’d do that much, but it’s definitely going crazy right now. Go stream it by the way.
AllHipHop: Talk about the video too, looks like you’re having fun.
Pronto SpazzOut: That’s what I do, I spazz out. For sure, have fun. You’re going to see that in a lot of my videos: a lot of movement, a lot of activeness, a lot of turntness. I’m trying to come different from everybody else and stay turnt, stay in my own lane.
AllHipHop: What is it you want fans to get from your story?
Pronto SpazzOut: To be yourself. Be yourself, always speak your mind. Never be afraid to speak your mind. As far as the street side, if we speaking to anybody, don’t snitch. I’m extremely snitch K. I understand, but that’s definitely a major story. [laughs] My father is incarcerated in federal prison right now because somebody told on him, and it was somebody who was close to us. I’m heavy on the no…stay away if that’s your activity. Everybody knows what we’re out here doing. We’re grown, just don’t tell. Don’t snitch, it’s not good for your health.
AllHipHop: How does your father feel? I’m sure he’s proud.
Pronto SpazzOut: Really, I only talk to him damn near once a month now. Last month was the most I done talked to him in one month. He called me 4 times and one time, it was off somebody else’s number. I don’t know, but he made a way. He’s the reason why I can honestly say that I stayed myself. He kept me on the track of be yourself. That’s all I can really say, never be scared to be yourself.
AllHipHop: What’s the reality of the independent grind?
Pronto SpazzOut: It’s long, I can say that much. It’s a lot that comes with independence. Honestly, if that’s what I gotta do right now, that’s what I gotta do. I’m not in it for the money. I’m in it to make better music, to get better at my music. If it’s not something I can be comfortable with, I’d rather not have it. Independence is definitely a key part of my story too. It’s not about the money with me, it’s definitely about the music. I see my music can influence my city and a couple of these states, imagine what I can do with the world?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKr7QMyg3Xa/
AllHipHop: I saw you in the studio with LilJuMadedaBeat. You talking about twerk records earlier, that’s his specialty.
Pronto SpazzOut: Yeah, the GOAT. We got locked in through Instagram. He did a couple of tracks for the Heavy Steppers so we been rocking like that. I came out to LA to work with Laka Films, my manager hit Gwop. S###, we gettin some s### done. We sat down with Lil Ju. I got 3 in with him. Definitely a cool, smooth dude. He kept me on a decent mindframe.
AllHipHop: Talk about the video that went viral on PornHub. You went viral for..?
Pronto SpazzOut: Eating coochie. My boy dropped my s### on Facebook. We play too much, that’s how we play. It was on some playful s###, but he ended up playing too much and dropped my s###. Somebody caught it and put it on PornHub.
AllHipHop: How did you feel about that?
Pronto SpazzOut: I got a lot of coochie off that video so I’m not the one to complain. I look at it now like damn, my kids may run across that s###, but I don’t give a f###. [laughs] S###, it’s the times I had with the video.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
Pronto SpazzOut: Water, some weed, and my phone. If not my phone, a pen and a pad.
AllHipHop: You write?
Pronto SpazzOut: I’m a big writer. I hate freestyling. That’s why my s### be so raw, no b#######. That’s why my s### be so raw because I write. Certain s###, I go back, I proofread. I did it so many times before I came to the studio, I know it’s gon’ sound crazy. [laughs] I know it’s gon’ go crazy. I’m big on writing for sure. I’m trying to get my freestyling up, but that takes doing a lot. You’ve got to travel and see s### nonstop. With that, you’ve got to be in the studio all the time. No days off if you’re freestyling, if you take the freestyling route.
AllHipHop: What inspires you the most?
Pronto SpazzOut: My kids, my mother, s###, my guys, my team. There’s a couple people playing a part in my story right now.
AllHipHop: Talk about fatherhood during quarantine.
Pronto SpazzOut: I mean I was already like this. It’s to the point where I’m on the road back and forth now, it’s going to take some getting used to. I’m going to make it happen. I’ve been making my way so far, so why stop now?
AllHipHop: What can we expect music-wise?
Pronto SpazzOut: Versatility, different. I was driving on the “Jiggy Music” a lot, but I can show the world a little different. Something better than that.
AllHipHop: Talk about your new singles featuring 1TakeJay & DCG.
Pronto SpazzOut: Me and DCG just dropped “For Me” remix going crazy right now. This my first time in Cali by the way. This my first ever time in Cali. 1TakeJay, he hit me on Instagram not too long ago. We’ve locked in back and forth. He seems like he got a decent head on his shoulders too. He been calling me everyday since I’ve been out here. We did something in an hour. Soon as I made it to the studio, we laid it down. He laid the hook, I laid my verse. The next day, we shot it. That was a real big moment for me, for sure.
AllHipHop: Talk about the video that went viral on PornHub. You went viral for..?
Pronto SpazzOut: Eating coochie. My boy dropped my s### on Facebook. We play too much, that’s how we play. It was on some playful s###, but he ended up playing too much and dropped my s###. Somebody caught it and put it on PornHub.
AllHipHop: How did you feel about that?
Pronto SpazzOut: I got a lot of coochie off that video so I’m not the one to complain. I look at it now like damn, my kids may run across that s###, but I don’t give a f###. [laughs] S###, it’s the times I had with the video.
AllHipHop: What goals do you have for yourself at this point?
Pronto SpazzOut: To make it. Stay out of the way. Prove everybody who doubted me wrong. That’s definitely a big partl, I try to stay at that everyday. Get some Platinums. I want to see some Platinums this year. Honestly, I want to see finally my first Platinum. I’ve already gone Platinum in the streets off of Youtube views, but I want to really see Platinum. I want to see how far I can elevate in one year.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited for in the new year?
Pronto SpazzOut: New music, for sure. New music, new things, new places. I’m definitely going to do a lot more traveling this year. I’ve gotta see the rest of the world. Stay out the way. Stay tapped in, get more tapped in with my family and my peoples. There’s so much s### going on where you need them the most right now.
Nicole Young, the soon-to-be ex-wife of Dr. Dre, has shifted her attention back to the producer’s alleged jump off.
As she continues to dig for dirt on her hubby, reports state that she wants to know if he has been paying the living expense of the women she claims are his girlfriends.
Legal filings note that it appears that the women have stalled presenting their depositions to Nicole’s attorney, waiting for a judge to determine the validity of the Youngs’ prenup agreement.
Nicole and her lawyers believe that this information from the “girlfriends” can tilt the case in her favor … their holding up is just a game to jam her legal team.
Nicole, a brilliant legal mind in her own right, and her team are investigating how one woman purchased a $2.15-million house “free and clear” in 2019. They assert that the World-Class wrecking crew doctor paid for it out of his near billion-dollar estate.
Now, why is this important?
Well, if the prenup is not upheld, then that means anything that he bought with “their” money is a property that she also owns … at least half. TAKE NOTE DUDES WHO PAMPER SIDE JAWNS.
She and her team have maintained, since the beginning of all of these divorce shenanigans, that the important contract was null and void after the Aftermath founder destroyed it in a fit to prove his love to her.
Are we really to believe he loved her thaaaat much?
There is something very strange going on … and maybe the girlfriends might give the prying public a clue.
Recently, Wendy Williams gave this tidbit to the prying eyes of the public.
She said that Dre was spotted on a date with Apryl Jones, who starred on “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” and was recently linked with Lil Fizz after having two kids with Omarion.
Now Diddy’s taking the matter to court in a $60 million breach of contract/common law trademark infringement lawsuit.
Sean “Diddy” Combs established a non-profit called Citizen Change in 2004, and registered the trademark for the slogan “Vote Or Die” for his nationwide voter participation campaign.
Diddy has used the slogan for town hall meetings, in nationwide advertising campaigns, and on merchandise, to encourage people to register to vote.
Diddy sold his namesake brand Sean John to a company called GBG Global in 2006 and things seem to be smooth up until 2016.
In December of 2016, the “Vote Or Die” mark was administratively canceled by a technicality, for failure to file renewal documents. But Diddy never abandoned usage of the phrase, and he continued to use the trademark in commerce all the way up until 2020’s presidential election.
According to Diddy’s lawyer, GBG Sean John is attempting to capitalize on the administrative mistake.
In November of 2019, GBG Sean John applied for the trademark and started to sell merchandise, to make it appear as though the rap mogul was still associated with the brand.
Diddy claims Sean John basically lied to the USPTO and hijacked the legal rights to the “Vote Or Die” trademark.
Diddy is suing Sean John for at least $60 million in damages for breach of contract, unfair competition, common law trademark infringement, deceptive practices, and unjust enrichment.
The news comes on the heels of another blockbuster lawsuit Diddy filed against Sean John last week.
Hailing from Atlanta, Chelly Flame is ready to set the industry on fire. The zealous 20-year-old artist overflows with an infectious charisma, and imbues her music with a galvanizing swagger. This magnetism caught the attention of the New York-based independent label, Babygrande Records, which has officially announced its signing of the exciting artist. “Our commitment to empowering and working with female artists across all of our labels and imprints is well documented.
Chelly’s range as both a singer/songwriter and astute street lyricist made this an easy decision—she’s got the goods,” says Chuck Wilson, CEO and Chairman of Babygrande Global. Commemorating the record deal, Chelly Flame has released her debut Babygrande single and video, “Big Flame.”
On some songs, Chelly explores the contemporary R&B/Rap genre with her enchanting singing voice; on others, she unleashes an artillery-like rap flow. With “Big Flame,” Chelly decisively opts for the latter. From the start, producer ecg703’s chilling “Big Flame” keys and bassline set an ominous tone that rolls out the red carpet for Chelly Flame’s grand entrance.
Chelly matches the production’s dark atmosphere with a captivating presence that positions her as a force to be reckoned with. The ascending artist deploys a barrage of blunt bars that slice through the beat like a hot knife through butter; Chelly doesn’t mince words — she simply doesn’t have time for that. On “Big Flame,” Chelly makes it perfectly clear that she’s arrived, and that she isn’t here to play games.
Chelly Flame’s vivid lyricism paints a vibrant picture unto itself, but her allure truly comes to light with a visual counterpart. Introducing fans to this enthrallment, Babygrande Records enlisted Atlanta’s GT Films for the “Big Flame” music video.
Capturing the song’s menacing ethos and Chelly’s palpable star power, the “Big Flame” video is a gripping cinematic experience. GT Films uses a contrasting color palette of fiery imagery and dark tones to showcase Chelly’s scorching hot persona. Commanding the camera with her entertaining bravado, the Atlanta artist raps with a purpose that will engross viewers as she moves through the various scenes with her unwavering energy.
Chelly Flame might be a newly-signed artist with Babygrande Records, but her sound and marketability make her an immediate artist to watch. With so much talent and poise, Chelly is keen on branding the game with her signature style — and she hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface of her potential. “Everybody sounds like somebody; I’m just trying to separate myself. I’m happy to be a part of the Babygrande family. It’s up!” says the Atlanta artist. The best from Chelly Flame has yet to come.
Credits:
Artist: Chelly Flame
Song Producer: ecg703
Director: Chris “GT” Ferguson
Video Producer: Melissa Ferguson
Production Company: GT Films Productions LLC
Editor: Chris “GT” Ferguson
Photography: Fulani Jabri
Stylist: Nickie Williams
For more information on Chelly Flame, please visit:
https://linktr.ee/ChellyFlame
ABOUT BABYGRANDE RECORDS
Founded in 2001, Babygrande Records is one of the premier independent record labels operating today. With twenty years in the music business during the most volatile period in the history of recorded music, Babygrande has a unique perspective on the music industry. Babygrande has a catalog of over 3000 albums, music videos, and online content that include Hip-Hop, Indie-Rock, EDM, and everything in between. Babygrande has helped launch the careers of new artists and has nurtured the careers of seasoned veterans. As it enters into its 20th Anniversary, Babygrande continues to focus on quality music and to work with artists whose work ethic, craftsmanship, talent and sounds are superior.
For more info on Babygrande Records, please visit:
https://linktr.ee/babygrande
Demetrius Big Meech Flenory received some bad news today (February 11th).
A panel of judges for the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit have upheld a lower court’s ruling, and denied Big Meech’s appeal for compassionate release.
Big Meech received a 30-year sentence, while Southwest T was hit with 25 years in prison.
In April of 2020, the Flenory brothers filed for compassionate release, fearing they were susceptible to catching the coronavirus behind bars.
In May of 2020, Southwest T was released from his 25-year-prison sentence due to his elevated risk of catching the coronavirus, but a judge denied Big Meech’s request.
Today, Circuit judge Alice M. Batchelder upheld the lower court’s decision to keep Big Meech imprisoned.
The court claimed Southwest T was released to “home confinement,” which is different than compassionate release, which is a “sentence reduction.”
The court also revealed Big Meech wasn’t much better health than his brother, who suffers from blindness from a detached retina, takes daily medication, and wears prescription compression socks.
Furthermore, the appeals court ruled that Big Meech’s role as the top leader of BMF made him too much of a risk to be put back out onto the streets.
“None of the facts about Flenory’s brother (or his similarity to Flenory) changes any of the factors the court relied on: namely, protecting the public from further crimes, upholding the seriousness of the offense, promoting respect for the law, and deterring criminal conduct,” the Appeals court ruled.
“A court does not abuse its discretion by refusing to place sentencing disparity alone above the other factors. The district court did not misapply the law or rely on clearly erroneous facts in finding that Flenory did not show extraordinary or compelling circumstances,” according to the verdict.
The news comes as a highly anticipated crime drama on BMF is being produced by 50 Cent for Starz.
