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.”
It looks like Drake could end the seven-week reign of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” as the Hot 100 champion and secure his eighth #1 record in the process. Drizzy’s new single “What’s Next” is on pace to debut at the top of the chart.
“What’s Next” is part of the three-pack of tunes released as theScary Hours 2 EP. Drake also dropped “Wants and Needs” featuring Lil Baby and “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” featuring Rick Ross at the same time.
HitsDailyDouble reports that all three songs could cross the 1 million units mark by the end of the opening week. “What’s Next” presently leads the U.S. Spotify and Apple Music daily charts. The song scored the biggest global Spotify debut of 2021.
Some industry prognosticators are predicting the entire Scary Hours 2 tracklist could take up three spots in the Hot 100’s Top 5 following the full tracking week. Plus, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s “Leave The Door Open” is said to be in a race for #4 or #5. The duo’s debut single as Silk Sonic currently leads the iTunes sales chart.
Throughout his career, Drake has topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart on seven different occasions. 2020’s “Toosie Slide” was his most recent Number One single. 2018 saw three tracks – “God’s Plan,” “In My Feelings,” and “Nice for What” – hit the peak of the Hot 100.
Very early top 10 prediction for next week's Billboard Hot 100 (Mar. 20, 2021) pic.twitter.com/OS1j7CVuhY
— Talk of the Charts (@talkofthecharts) March 7, 2021
This time, the two brands are offering the sneakers along with a special contest. The winner of the Dreamer Contest will receive each of the Puma DREAMER shoes that are released in 2020 as well as a $20,000 cash prize.
Additionally, the winner and up to four guests will get a flight to North Carolina on the Puma jet, a surprise DREAMER experience compliments of Dreamville, a VIP meet-up with NBA star LaMelo Ball, and a private training session with NBA trainer Chris Brickley.
To enter, contestants must follow @PUMAHoops and @Dreamer on Instagram or @PumaHoops on Twitter and then post a photo and caption describing their dreams using the hashtags #DREAMER and #CONTEST. The Dreamer Contest is running until Tuesday, March 9, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Meanwhile, J. Cole has been teasing that new music is on the way. Last December, the North Carolina native hinted that “The Fall of Era” has begun. The Fall Off is reportedly the tentative title of Cole’s next full-length studio album.
People across the state of Texas were hit hard by the recent winter storm that struck the region. The February blizzard led to power outages, water shortages, and dozens of deaths.
On Saturday, Hip Hop recording artist Travis Scott gave back to his hometown of Houston during its time of crisis. The “Antidote” rhymer’s Cactus Jack Foundation partnered with the city and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner for a winter relief drive in the area.
Scott’s mother and siblings were present at Willowridge High School. The contactless-event was only available through drive-up pick-up. Over 1,000 families received fresh produce, canned food, water, masks, and PPE gear. HCA Houston Healthcare provided volunteers. Fort Bend Independent School District provided school campus police as well as student and staff volunteers.
“The mission of the Cactus Jack Foundation is to empower and enrich the lives of youth by providing access to education and creative resources to ensure long-term success. The foundation believes the youth should not be prevented from attaining their lifetime goal and is committed to extending educational opportunities to all, regardless of their circumstances to achieve their dreams,” read a statement from the organization.
In addition, elderly residents were given home deliveries. Meals were also delivered to first responders who assisted Houstonians during the COVID-19 pandemic and the winter storm. All meals delivered in District K were provided by Harvest Market and delivered on Harvest Trolleys. Besides Mayor Turner, several other local politicians were in attendance.
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter was already a billionaire at the start of the year. Nine weeks into 2021 and the Brooklyn-bred Hip Hop mogul has acquired even more wealth through two high-profile business agreements.
Over the last month, news broke that Jay-Z sold half of Armand de Brignac champagne to LVMH for $640 million. Then it was announced that Jack Dorsey’s financial services company Square bought Jay’s $297 million stake in Tidal.
According to Forbes, these two high-profile deals raised the 4:44 album creator’s net worth by 40%. Jay went from a $1 billion net worth to a $1.4 billion net worth. The publication crowned him Hip Hop’s first billionaire back in 2019.
Jay-Z reportedly made $149 million in cash and stock from the Square-Tidal transaction. He will keep a small percentage of Tidal and have a seat on Square’s board of directors. Other “artist shareholders” maintain minority ownership in the streaming service as well.
“I said from the beginning that Tidal was about more than just streaming music, and six years later, it has remained a platform that supports artists at every point in their careers. Artists deserve better tools to assist them in their creative journey,” tweeted Jay-Z on March 4.
“Jack is one of the greatest minds of our times, and our many discussions about TIDAL’s endless possibilities have made me even more inspired about its future. This shared vision makes me even more excited to join the Square board,” added Jay. “This partnership will be a game-changer for many. I look forward to all this new chapter has to offer!
I said from the beginning that TIDAL was about more than just streaming music, and six years later, it has remained a platform that supports artists at every point in their careers. Artists deserve better tools to assist them in their creative journey.
The Recording Academy is set to present the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards live on CBS on Sunday, March 14 at 8 pm ET. A line-up of the night’s scheduled performers was revealed over the weekend.
Women in Hip Hop will be represented on stage by three different chart-toppers. Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Doja Cat have all been named as performers for the 2021 Grammys show.
2020 was a big commerical year for all three artists. Cardi and Megan hit #1 on the Hot 100 chart with “WAP,” Megan scored another #1 with “Savage” featuring Beyoncé, and Doja claimed a #1 with “Say So” featuring Nicki Minaj.
In addition, DaBaby, Lil Baby, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch, and more acts were also tapped to perform at the Grammys this year. Comedian Trevor Noah of The Daily Show will serve as host for the ceremony. Check out the nominees in the rap categories below.
Best Rap Performance For a Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.
DEEP REVERENCE
Big Sean Featuring Nipsey Hussle
BOP
DaBaby
WHATS POPPIN
Jack Harlow
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Lil Baby
SAVAGE
Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé
DIOR
Pop Smoke
Best Melodic Rap Performance For a solo or collaborative performance containing both elements of R&B melodies and Rap.
ROCKSTAR
DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch
LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
Drake Featuring Lil Durk
LOCKDOWN
Anderson .Paak
THE BOX
Roddy Ricch
HIGHEST IN THE ROOM
Travis Scott
Best Rap Song A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only..
New York native Marlon Craft has been holding it down for years and years, reppin’ the city he loves in a most unwavering manner. And he still does, all the while expanding his artistry in a way that remains authentic. Craft’s official sophomore album, How We Intended, touched down like a spaceship re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. He’s been here before, but things have changed.
How We Intended is a long time coming in the career of one Marlon Craft. The Hell’s Kitchen, New York native has forced people to take notice with his thoughtful, bar-dense lyrics coupled with a decidedly East Coast Hip-Hop aesthetic balanced out with a touch of jazz. The album, found on all streaming services, sees Craft entering into an elite space in the modern landscape of emcees.
Funhouse Mirror, How We Intended’s predecessor, was a pseudo major label release via Same Plate Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony. Before that, Craft made his bones through numerous mixtapes and EPs, touching down in 2015. His 2017 mixtape “The Tunnel’s End” was widely heralded as a classic album even though technically it is not. But it was these that but him in orbit high above the pedestrian bars in most popular Hip-Hop.
The other side of the Craft’s talents include the incorporation of politically-charged lyrics that differentiate him from his peers. He often tackles racism, classism, police brutality, inequities in wealth. His song, “State of the Union,” garnered him headlines and a coveted slot on Ari Melber’s popular show “The Beat With Ari.” The visuals, perfectly executed, came as insurrectionists (code word for domestic terrorists and white supremacists) bum-rushed the Capital looking to murder and kidnap politicians, among other terror-related matters. The depth and maturity of “State of the Union,” is a microcosm of why he’s collided back with the Earth.
Marlon Craft, the son of a jazz musician father and former basketball player, is one with the soil. “Hoodie Weather” and “Get Off My Yard” and others songs remain in orbit in a world where streams barely last a day or so. Craft talks to Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur about his career that seems to elevate at the same time his music is grounded in his native New York City.
The year that Lil Baby was born, Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” was the GRAMMY Awards’ Record of the Year.
Digital Planet’s song “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That)” and Dr. Dre’s “Let Me Ride” took home the Gramophone in the rap categories.
Now, 27-years later, the Quality Control artist has been invited to the big dance with two nominations for his song “The Bigger Picture” and an request to perform.
The Grammy would be the cherry on the top of a stellar year for his My Turn album, a project that boasts 14 records back-to-back on the Billboard Hot 100.
Son has been cooking and within the last three years, his work on the charts has allowed him to pass records established by Prince and Paul McCartney.
With a total catalog raking in 22 billion global streams, Lil Baby has had eight #1 singles on urban radio, he won the BET Award for Best New Artist and became Vevo’s Top Performing Hip-Hop Artist of 2020. Lil Baby was also named MVP on Rap Caviar, and was the Global Artist of the Year at the Apple Music Awards.
Winning the Grammy will most certainly be a blessing to the Atlanta native.
From the looks of his new “Wants and Needs” single with Drake, Lil Baby may be in the same position to be celebrated next year.
“Ohhhhh Sh*t @champagnepapi Just Lost It 🤯🤯 !! Yea It’s Gone Be One Of Them Years Again 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ !!”
Recidivism is a tough motherf##ker.Excuse my language.It’s tough to pronounce.It’s tough to spell.And apparently, it’s tough to avoid.Unfortunately, systemic racism, antiquated laws and the targeting by law enforcement of men of color (just to name a few) seem to work hand and hand making recidivism a bad motherf##ker.Excuse my language again, but that motherf##ker is something.Recidivism is the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend; to relapse into a previous condition or mode of criminal behavior.Coming from where I come from, Baltimore City, it’s hard for many males who look like me to escape it.Did I tell you that recidivism is a tough motherf##ker?
More than 10 years ago, I wrote an editorial entitled WWWD?The lettering stood for, What Will Weezy Do?It was right after Lil Wayne was released from New York Prison custody after serving time for gun possession.As a fan, I was concerned.To be honest, at the time, I was concerned more about his reported usage of drugs.You see, just a few years prior, two Hip Hop icons lives were reportedly cut short by narcotics, not long after returning back to society from incarceration.The two legends that I’m referencing are Russell Tyrone Jones and Chad Lamont Butler, professionally known as ODB and Pimp C, respectively.At the time, Weezy was a rock star.He’d went from the self-proclamation that he was the “Greatest Rapper Alive” to being hailed by his musical peers and pundits alike as the “Greatest Rapper Alive.”He also was a strong proponent of sipping lean and smoking the yettameans.I was concerned.
I hoped that he wouldn’t be our next star who would reportedly die.And by the grace of GOD, he didn’t succumb to the ills.But as fate would have it, though it appeared that he’d escape the perils of substance abuse, he wouldn’t completely avoid that unforgiven “r” word.As we all know by now, he was pardoned by Donald Trump, avoiding prison for once again getting caught with a firearm.He was facing a mandatory 10 year sentence.Around the time he was being pardoned, along with fellow Hip Hop star Kodak Black, GS9 compadres Rowdy Rebel and Bobby Shmurda were also due to touch down.Which they did.And they all came home to welcomed fanfare.Bobby Shmurda was the last of the referenced artists to come home.And for some reason, when I watched all of the videos of Bobby Shmurda after his release from prison, I thought to myself, “what’s next for him?”What’s next for them?What will Kodak do?What will Rowdy do?What will Shmurda do?
Something that brought delight to my heart when watching online television:Welcome Home Bobby Shmurda video was an exchange that Bobby appeared to have with fellow rapper Meek Mill on Facetime.I heard him say, “This time around, I felt bad, I felt ashamed this time because of the kids.I didn’t want them to see me like that.”To me, that speaks of maturity and enlightenment obtained during his incarceration.An acknowledgment that he is a man that our youth look up to and are influenced by.He’s a role model.He’s a role model to our children.He, along with his rap peers, are who today’s youth are influenced and inspired by.As I stated, Bobby Shmurda was conversing with a peer of his who has had his well publicized bout with the criminal justice system.A system that saw fit to place him on so much probation for a questionable crime committed as a teenager, that“unlawfully” popping a wheelie on a dirtbike netted him a two to four year prison sentence.In the same state where fellow Pennsylvanian Wallo267 is on probation until 2048, after serving a 20 year sentence.I don’t mean to digress, but gotdamn, how many comrades does that bad motherf##ker recidivism have?They make it damn near impossible to avoid her. Free Wallo267.
In all actuality, I really do hope all of the recently freed and pardoned rap stars remain home.Prayerfully, they’ll see the responsibility that they have to their community.And use their voices to make more than music.Welcome home gentlemen.And, f##k recidivism.
COVID-19 did not stop Griselda fans from storming a New York mall to get a glimpse of Westside Gunn.
The rapper’s new business venture “Buffalo Kids” opened its doors for the first time in the Walden Galleria in Buffalo New York. It promised to have available for sale gear and merch such as sneakers, baseball caps, sweatshirts, and shorts that have been curated to match the artist’s signature style.
Westside Gunn is known for his love for classic Hip-Hop foundational elements like wrestling and comic books, football, and fashion.
One fan purchased some customized Nike Air Force 1s that said “FLYGOD” for over $400 and plans to flip them for twice as much in the resell market.
So excited about the opening of the store, he took to Instagram to share with fans his personal reflections.
“The @waldengalleria said I had the biggest opening(line) of All-time that they’ve ever seen in 32yrs no jordan, no Yeezy, No Apple… NOTHING!!! This is what Culture looks like All races, ppl from All over the country, not 1 incident, just All ❤️ this pic was just just the first part of the line it was this x4 minimum.. I Thank U ALL who came and supported and even in line right now I promise to keep spreading as much ART as possible,” Westside Gunn said.
The “George Bondo” rapper is not new to the retail space. He has been selling clothing and other apparel online for a minute through pop-up promotions, pushing his brand further than just music and entertainment.
He also has his own fashion lines: Fashion Rebels (2014) and Fourth Rope (2019).
Both initialed FR, one complements his music label and the latter to celebrate his love for wrestling,
The website is up and running and it shares another unique aspect of this brick and mortar: they don’t accept cash.
In the profile’s bio, it says, “Buffalo Kids Gallery by @WESTSIDEGUNN inside Walden Galleria Mall lower level. 1 Walden Galleria, Buffalo, NY 14225. NO CASH ACCEPTED NO EXCEPTIONS!”
With his new video “Tone Deaf,” Detroit rapper Eminem gives the middle finger to American cancel culture.
Last month, a TikTok campaign brought attention to an old lyric from one of his chart-topping songs, “Love the Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna, that seemed to advocate domestic violence.
Gen Zers who were not happy with the controversial rapper, called the PC police on the “rap god” over the lines that say: “If she ever tries to f#####’ leave again, I’ma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire.”
Eminem’s new animated lyric video for a song off his Music to Be Murdered By – Side B and the second visual from the project) seems to mock those who want him canceled.
He raps, “I won’t stop even when my hair turns grey (I’m tone-deaf) / ‘Cause they won’t stop until they cancel me,” Eminem tweeted the key lyric when he dropped the joint.
Sociological research has already been done on the hypersensitivity of Generation Z.
Born between 1995 and 2007, according to a Forbes interview with Dr. Jonathan Haidt, these young adults are struggling to see life in terms that are not black or white, good or evil, this or that.
This refusal to allow shades of grey into situations does not allow them to understand nuances and yield their extreme views like cancel culture.
Haidt paints the scenario about this particular group, “Something has been going wrong on many college campuses in the last few years. Speakers are shouted down. Students and professors say they are walking on eggshells and are afraid to speak honestly. How did this happen?”
He says that for the most part, they see life with these three “Great Untruths,” which even colors their understanding of Eminem as an artist: 1) What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker, 2) Always trust your feelings, and 3) Life is a battle between good people and evil people.
Haidt builds on this by saying that these beliefs “contradict basic psychological principles about well-being and run counter to ancient wisdom from many cultures.”
“Embracing these untruths—and the resulting culture of safetyism,” he continues. “Interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. It makes it harder for them to become autonomous adults who are able to navigate the bumpy road of life.”
Haidt also notes that the power that they yield in their “intense digital worlds” adds to the painful rigidness and the awards of being champions of making huge and destructive mountains out of imagined molehills … respectfully.
Eminem never shrinks from this kind of fight. “Tone Deaf” is a rebuttal to their aim to cancel him that he hopes they hear loud and clear.
Ms. Knowles-Carter sang those lyrics (and more) to Lyric Chanel, the young girl who recently lost a two-year battle with brain cancer on Friday, March 5th.
After hearing about her passing, Queen Bey paid tribute to her life in a very sweet way.
In a collage of pictures, the singer created an acapella medley of “Brown Skin Girl,” “Halo” and “Love on Top.”
While the last song might seem a little odd to sing in honor of the 13-year-old, it was Lyric’s rendition of the song that caught Beyoncé’s attention last year.
In September of 2020, Lyric Chanel posted an old video of her singing the song — prompting the “Black is King” producer to become one of her 600,000 followers on IG, send her some flowers, and write her a sweet note that said the following:
“Honey, Honey. I can see the stars all the way from here. I can feel the sun whenever you’re near. I was so moved to see how these lyrics inspired you, not nearly as much as you inspired me.”
“I can’t wait to meet you one day and I’m so happy you’re home safely. You are a survivor. God bless, B.”
The Houston rap community is mourning one of their own, after a tragic shooting in Atlanta over the weekend.
Veteran rapper Chucky Trill was gunned down in Atlanta early on Friday morning, just as the NBA’s All-Star Weekend was kicking off.
Chucky was in Atlanta to further his career, through a performance and networking since so many celebrities, and rappers are in the city.
Unfortunately, his life came to a tragic end sometime around 3:30 a.m., just after Gwinnett County Police responded to a shooting on I-85.
When police officers arrived on the scene, they found one vehicle resting in the road.
As they approached, they noticed a man in the vehicle had been shot.
First responders rushed Chucky to a local hospital, where he died from his gunshot wounds.
Police detectives have launched an investigation, but as of press time, no arrests have been made in Chucky Trill’s murder.
Chucky Trill’s death sparked an outpouring of grief from several Texas legends, including Bun B, Lil Flip, and Carl Crawford of 1501 Certified.
“Damn. This was a good man,” Bun B wrote on Instagram. “Humble. Hard-working. Loyal. Determined. Focused. And he had the talent. Queen saw him and told @boneafied ‘That boy is good. If he don’t have a manager you should do it.’ And he did, putting everything he had in it. We are heartbroken this morning and send our deepest condolences to D, Bone and all of his family, friends and supporters. Buy or stream his music and let’s keep his memory alive. #RIPChuckyTrill.”
The biggest sporting event of the weekend is supposed to be in Atlanta … but after Saturday’s Super Fight, many might contend that the location of the real “throwdown” was on the Caffeine app.
The Ultimate Rap League is on a roll. Already, the league that tags itself as the “Most Respected Emcee Battle Arena in the World” is well into this year’s programming. And with each card, they are setting the tone for 2021.
At first look, the Super Fight didn’t seem to be one of those cards. The match-ups seemed to be a really cute Rookie vs. Vets event — possibly set up to give some of these newer guys a look. But (first) looks can be deceiving and this contest proved to be a competition that was worth way more than the free watch fee that fans purchase.
A VIRTUAL 4-0
Each battle was spicy. Poised in such a way, against the best Caffeine set to date (they figured it out), all of the competitors pushed their opps’ pens to the limit.
California spit kicker Danny Myers dropped in from his parallel universe to make sense out of Kid Chaos. A galaxy of lyrical dexterity, Danny offered up a “Gentlemen’s 30,” proving that there are tricks that the vets know how to do that are only learned through experience. That said, Kid Chaos is the future of battle rap, creating universes with the stroke of his ballpoint. Once he learns to edit and consider writing to win, he will be not only dangerous but a potential icon.
Fans see it just like we do.
Openly Black & Proud says, “@urltv#SuperFight is off to a great start. Danny Myers just beat Kid Chaos, and Kid was damn good. I won’t call it a body, more like a Gentleman’s 30.”
Danny Myers just beat Kid Chaos, and Kid was damn good. I won't call it a body, more like a Gentleman's 30.
— The Black HeeHaw Agenda (@KoffeeNKarma) March 7, 2021
Pioneer Battle Rap Influencer Drect Williams says, “Cant ever count Danny Myers out. one of the most consistent. Kid Chaos is the future … along with a few others”
Cant ever count Danny Myers out. one of the most consistent.
But Black Compass Media’s Tony Bro nailed it on the head by tweeting, “Kid Chaos puts a lot of work into the setup bars before the punch. It’s a unique trait but I’m not sure how effective that is long term. Unorthodox style and still has a high ceiling he just ran into a dope Danny Myers IMO.”
Kid Chaos puts a lot of work into the setup bars before the punch. It’s a unique trait but I’m not sure how effective that is long term. Unorthodox style and still has a high ceiling he just ran into a dope Danny Myers IMO.
Rum Nitty, the battle rap’s Mayweather, faced the Ultimate Madness I champion, Holmzie da God. Few thought that the Loud boy was going to be able to hang with the league’s best puncher. But he did. Truly a preference battle, many edged Rum because he is simply an alien who never takes a day off. Holmzie should feel validated as hundreds of fans gave him the “W.” The new class talked a lot tough sh*t and realized quickly that the bigger stages are not as easy as they look from the PGs. We gave the battle to Rum, another Gentlemen’s 30 but would not be shocked with 2-1.
Mike aka IamHBY noted, “For the 2nd battle of @urltv’s #SuperFight, Rum Nitty vs. Holmzie Da God, I gave that to Nitty 3-0, no body. Holmzie had some creative approaches to angles and solid punches, but Nitty’s punches were more powerful. Good battle with a lot of replay value though.”
For the 2nd battle of @urltv’s #SuperFight, Rum Nitty vs. Holmzie Da God, I gave that to Nitty 3-0, no body. Holmzie had some creative approaches to angles and solid punches, but Nitty’s punches were more powerful. Good battle with a lot of replay value though.
Going into this battle, many did not have Shotgun Suge as having an ice cube’s chance in hell against B Dot. But that is exactly what makes Suge so dangerous. Yes, he is a bully and leans on that a lot in battles. Yes, he is no lyrical miracle, metaphorically metastasizing the man in front of him with meteoric rhetoric. Yes, he is a gang banger from Newark, whose “Whatcha Life Like” is just as famous as his signature pocket check (that he did not do in this battle). But he also can rap. He rapped enough to make this battle the first real debatable of the night.
B Dot came to win and everything about the way he wove his words together was masterful. It was simply memorizing to listen to his craftsmanship. Like the ancestors building the pyramids, the blood, sweat, and tears of effort meeting with divine talent were simply undeniable. Which is why it was chest shuttering that Suge was able to blur his win.
This is a classic and tied for battle of the night, sealing a solid victory for not just the card but the brand. 2-1 either way, AHH edges the battle to Suge (his last round was just too hard and battle rap is more than being a gifted writer).
“Yoooooo that B dot & shotgun battle was Legendary Suge turned up dot got it but she at that lvl is scary fam #Legendaryrapbattle@BDotTheGod@RealShotgunSuge” tweeted Dr jewelz B petty the 3rd.
Yoooooo that B dot & shotgun battle was Legendary Suge turned up dot got it but she at that lvl is scary fam #Legendaryrapbattle @BDotTheGod @RealShotgunSuge
— Dr Jewelz Jiuliani E.F.B. Petty (@JewelzPetty) March 7, 2021
The final battle of the night was between Mike P and Real Sikh was the other tie for battle of the night.
The back and forth was much anticipated as it was Mike P’s return after a very complicated 2020. His promo leading up to the battle was A1, as he mocked the newcomer Real Sikh, imitating the Jersey native’s love for Hip-Hop culture. While it seemed that Pulice was all fun and games, he did not come to play with Sikh. He couldn’t. The Punjabi’s love for the culture is too great and his skillset is too stellar.
Outside of his muscular physique, Sikh is a quiet intensity that makes you believe the “religious warrior” talk that he be rapping about. His confidence made the “vet talk” that MP was reciting less believable. What we did appreciate is the NY-to-FL transplant’s ability to bounce back from his Bill battle with a level of vibrato that he had going into his Ryda thingamajig last summer.
Mike P dropped jewels and gave a strong performance, but in this really a preference battle.
Sikh’s passion for the sport, setting the tone on his identity (as an Indian and Rap music lover, despite the teasing his opponent was doing), and lyrical ability made it waaayyyyy closer than what the more established battler may have wanted.
MIKE P’s THIRD ROUND WAS SOOOO CRAZY … IF ANYONE DID TONIGHT… HE WENT UPSTAIRSSSSSS!
It was a great battle with extreme replay value and probably for many the first wins for a rookie out of the whole night. We call it 2-1 debatable with an edge to Real Sikh.
Almighty_Sun_Ra said, “Mike P vs Real Sikh was dope! Real Sikh got a new fan over here.”
Mike P vs Real Sikh was dope! Real Sikh got a new fan over here.
The Super Fight was an excellent exhibition of competitive emceeing. If you missed it, all four battles will drop soon on the URL App. It is worth the $7.99 a month to watch this show. Not only yawn … we promise.
The Nation Of Islam has consistently been accused of killing the great leader Malcolm X in lore, documentaries and even in academic settings. Demetric Muhammad, the Student Minister of the Nation of Islam Research Group, has crafted a definitive counter narrative to movies like “Who Killed Malcolm X?” with a 400-page book called “But Didn’t You Kill Malcolm?” The book tackles numerous notions that have take on new life in the court of public opinion, but the book cites facts and sources on nearly every page. Brother Demetric makes a compelling argument especially with the recent death-bed confession from a former officer that the NYPD and the Feds were complicit in the assassination of Malcolm X. Brother Demetric even addresses the Minister Farrakhan / DJ Vlad controversy that swept the Hip-Hop nation.
