The Georgia-based star took his own life on Tuesday (January 26th), according to state news services.
The sad news comes months after the “Faygo Dreams” hitmaker revealed he was battling COVID-19 after testing positive for the deadly virus.
“I’m a healthy dood tho so I should b fine,” he wrote. “Unfortunately this will put a delay on the album thx for rockin w me y’all.”
The singer, real name Chase Amick, had over 171,000 Instagram followers.
He hinted at mental health issues in November, when he tweeted: “If you have friends in the music biz call them and check on them. This rat race that we all are in is not cool.”
Lionel B knows a thing or two about Youtube, and he’s here to bring that same energy to the rap game. The celebrity Youtuber, single father, and hustler hails from Panama City, Florida, a true testimony of someone who came from nothing to something.
From being homeless to establishing his name as one of the most well-known Youtubers in the space, with over 87 million views and over 347K subscribers, Lionel is proud to be the face of his own Lionel B Show.
But don’t get it twisted, he’s a recording artist too. Growing up on 2 Live Crew and Luke, it was Biggie’s “Juicy” that changed his entire outlook on music.
Most recently, he unleashed his newest single titled “Shawty Go Low,” which strays from his usual bars and lyricism. Admitting he’s adapting to the current times, Lionel showcases versatility and talents to be able to expand out of the norm with this new record — which he deems super special to him.
AllHipHop: How was it growing up in Panama City, Florida?
Lionel B: It was crazy for me because being a kid, the area was so bad that I actually smelled crack cocaine being smoked before I ever smelled weed. I didn’t even know what weed smelled like until I was a little bit older. I used to smell crack and thought that was weed because ain’t no difference, I was a kid. When I got older, it confused me because damn, that’s not weed. People are looking at me like what? The upbringing was crazy, it’s a small city. It’s a run-down city. Either you go to prison for selling dope or you get killed, that’s what the area is.
AllHipHop: What made you fall in love with hip-hop?
Lionel B: I fell in love with Hip-Hop when my mom bought me my first cassette tape. It was the soundtrack to the movie Beat Street. When I heard it, I was only 3 years old and it changed my life. I never heard anything like it. Prior to that, it was Soul and R&B music. Also Hip-Hop-inspired artist Paul Hardcastle, who had a really dope instrumental song I heard and immediately had to have it! To this day, it gives me a dope vibe. The song is called “Rain Forest,” that beat alone inspired my Hip-Hop career.
Lionel B: I want people to know that I can rap. I’m not just a YouTuber, I don’t just talk stuff. Music came before YouTube. I’m letting people know that I can still rap. Maybe I didn’t pursue it before the YouTube game, at some point I got tired of music. I didn’t really have an ambition,it was a lot going on. My son at the time was 2, I knew it wasn’t that time for me so I fell back from everything. “Verbal Murda” was my reintroduction to let people know okay, rap has transitioned so much in the past 14 to 15 years, but I can still rap. I still remember my upbringing, I can still battle somebody. When I did the song, the first person I sent it to was Papoose. I sent it to Fat Joe as well, I don’t think they was too happy about the Lil Wayne line in there, but it is what it is.
AllHipHop: What did you say?
Lionel B: I didn’t hear from Fat Joe after that, I don’t think he was happy.
AllHipHop: What inspired “Shawty Go Low”?
Lionel B: “Shawty Go Low” was a transition, moving with the times. It’s cool to be a lyricist but that’s all it’s ever going to be. Trying to go with the times, more so getting into the new millennium, the 2021 vibes. It was a vibe, the record felt good. I remember I recorded till 4 or 5 in the morning one day. I changed my style up even with the hook. It’s funny because some people thought it was Mr. Cheeks from the Lost Boyz, that’s my homie. They’re like “yo, is that Cheeks on the hook?” Nah that’s me, but it sounds so different from anything I’ve done or anything that people have heard for me. To me, that record was super special.
AllHipHop: You stalked Wu-Tang Clan, can you bring us back to those days?
Lionel B: I was super inspired by their style as a kid, I’d accidentally scratch the CD and rebuy it over and over again. I didn’t necessarily stalk the group per say, but I was super intrigued by the movement. Back then, their songs were heavily in my rotation and still to this day. My teenage son absolutely loves the Wu-Tang TV show as well, so that was a great time to bond with him. Have him discovering the group in high school, like I did almost 30 years ago. [laughs]
AllHipHop: Talk about discovering Keyshia Ka’oir, how did it happen? What did you see in her?
Lionel B: I did my research on her after seeing her in the Drake and Timbaland video. Her publicist sent me multiple emails to get her booked with me. I saw she had amazing uniqueness, she had that “it” factor to her. Everyone isn’t a star, but she had this amazing glow about her that couldn’t be denied. Her personality and vibe was really down-to-earth and lit. When I met Amber Rose around the same time that year, she had that same glow about her.
AllHipHop: What is it that you want fans to get from your story?
Lionel B: Perseverance. If you have a dream, a goal, or aspirations, anything you ever want is on the other side of fear. If I was a fearful person, so many things were telling me “don’t go on Youtube. Don’t rap, don’t do this.” If you listen to those little voices saying “don’t do anything,” you’ll never make it. With me being able to get 87 million views by initially getting on the platform, I was definitely afraid to even upload one video. Not only am I a celebrity vlogger where I’m talking about people’s lives, it’s a double whammy. You don’t want people to judge you, but you’re coming online and judging other people.
It takes a bold ass person to do that, to put yourself out there in the world every single day to state your facts and give people your perspective on things. That was one of my biggest challenges. Once I got beyond my fear, I was able to tell people my opinion. It’s not facts, this is my opinion. This is how I feel, you can like it or love it, but I always try to make sure my facts are aligned with what it needs to be. Go beyond your fear, don’t let anything hold you back. Stand your truth and success is on the other side.
AllHipHop: How do you view today’s rap game compared to when you were coming up?
Lionel B: I view the rap game today as really lacking the lyrics that we came up on. The beats are amazing sometimes, but the lyrics be super lackluster. I’d love to see more creative come back into the game. We need more Kendrick Lamar’s and J. Cole’s. Some of the stuff I hear be catchy and cool, but it’s not like it was back in the day creatively.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to tell us?
Lionel B: Shout out to y’all, check out “Shawty Go Low.” This year, I have a new single coming out with E.D.I. Mean from the Outlawz. Super honored to work with him, he’s the last living person on the “Hit Em Up” record. To me, that’s super dope because I’m a big fan of Tupac and Biggie. It’s crazy, everybody that heard this song says it’s absolutely crazy. It’s dope, we’re going up.
Today rising Watts, CA rapper TruCarr and Atlanta rapper Rich the Kid release the LOUIEKNOWS directed music video for their hypnotic new single “Lose My Mind.”
The JBFlyBoi produced track will be a part of his upcoming debut project Based On a Tru Story, releasing via Wack 100’s label 100 Ent/eOne, in March 2021.
The release of “Lose My Mind” comes on the heels of TruCarr’s recent interview with AllHipHop about his recent rise to notoriety sparked by his quarantine ready hit song “Outside,” which was later remixed by Blueface to critical acclaim.
But even prior to that, this California native was growing his fanbase in Los Angeles alongside one of the most notorious projects in Southern California, Nickerson Gardens.
“I’m from Watts, California, it’s like right next to Compton for all the people that don’t know. A lot of people know Compton, but its Hub to the (W) Dub, (W) Dub to the Hub. Watts is like a lil city in LA, it’s like the Motherland,” TruCarr explained to AllHipHop.com.
In fact TruCarr was making enough noise in Watts that he caught the attention of TDE’s Top Dawg who is known for throwing an annual TDE Christmas Concert in their shared hometown.
“I met Top Dawg a couple of times, especially being from the city, you gonna see Top Dawg all the time, especially on Christmas. Like he comes through on Christmas and he do things for the kids. Shout out to Top, he brung snow to the projects! Who does that? You feel me? He brought snow, to the projects,” TruCarr proclaimed. “He’s a dope dude, he has events every year and it’s like a Christmas event where he brings out dope rappers and he do it every year. Last time Rihanna was there but we couldn’t do it this year with Coronavirus.”
When asked about how he signed to Wack 100’s imprint and the influence that TDE’s Top Dawg had on the situation, TruCarr explained that Top Dawg and Wack 100 spoke about Wack’s desire to sign TruCarr to his newly formed label and Top Dawg gave his blessings.
“I’m from Watts and Top is from Watts and before somebody else get a chance at this kid, he [Top Dawg] was just giving his blessings,” TruCarr explained. “Like are you dealing with him? Or is it good if I do it?And then we went on, shout out to Top for giving him that okay and now we’re a go.”
Praising the role the Wack 100 has had in his life and in his career, TruCarr explained that Wack has opened doors for TruCarr that weren’t there before.
“I ain’t gonna like, we just getting started, but I ain’t get to do a lot of the stuff we just getting to do, you feel me? It’s like I can picture it, like how it’s already going to be. Then again dealing with Wack and dealing with this type of person is a different type of machine. You might think you’re about to do something and then it’s like a whole different thing. He comes with a game plan and his game plan might be different than yours, and he might put ends on it to where the picture is way bigger than I thought it was gonna be. So thats what we doing right now, we still working though.”
Leading up to the album release in March, TruCarr is preparing his new project Based on a Tru Story that features the aforementioned Rich the Kid, Coyote, a Latino rap duo from Wack’s imprint, Blueface and Bankroll Freddie who was featured on the previously released track “Up Wit It.”
“We got Based on a Tru Story about to drop in March, we going crazy right now, we just shot a couple of music videos. The tape got Rich the Kidd on it, it got Coyote shout out everybody from the 100 Ent team, shout out to Blueface, shout out to my boy Mikey and shout out to Bankroll Freddie. We got all those for the features but we just getting started right now.”
TruCarr’s new single “Lose My Mind” with Rich the Kid follows “She Got That” ft. Hardini, “What I See” ft. G Perico, “Up Wit It” ft. Bankroll Freddie, and the previously mentioned street single “Outside” which was remixed by Blueface for his album Famous Cryp (Reloaded).
Check out TruCarr’s “Lose My Mind” featuring Rich the Kid below:
Singer Trey Songz appears to be poking fun at his weekend run-in with police in Kansas City, Missouri after returning to social media following his release from custody.
The “Bottoms Up” star clashed with security officials at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, after allegedly refusing to follow the venue’s coronavirus safety regulations and wear a face mask as he watched the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Buffalo Bills for the American Football Conference title.
Police officials were called to intervene, and Songz was subsequently caught on camera without a face covering and brawling with one cop, who he is accused of punching and putting in a headlock.
He was eventually arrested and booked for misdemeanors of trespassing and resisting arrest, and hit with a felony for assaulting a police officer.
He was released from jail on Monday morning, and was soon back on Instagram, sharing photos from the game, which even showed him masked up as he posed with one member of the venue’s security team.
“Chiefs game was lit (fun) right?!” Songz captioned the images, appearing to mock his headline-grabbing arrest.
The Chiefs beat the Bills to secure their place in the 2021 Super Bowl. They will now face off with superstar quarterback Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa Bay, Florida on February 7th.
Rapper Slym B. has been making quite a name for himself over the years with an exceptional musical output.Looking to take things up several notches, he recruits fellow lyricist King Draino along with veteran emcee Mystikal for his latest track titled “Whatchu Want.”Produced by The Great Wizard, the thumping track finds all three men flexing their lyrical muscle. Jonesboro and New Orleans connection definitely shines here.Take a listen above!
The Blueprint Group is best known for managing prominent musicians such as Lil Wayne, T.I., Nicki Minaj, The Roots, Brandy, G-Eazy, Trippie Redd, Lil Nas X, and other stars at one point in their respective careers. The Atlanta-based company has now joined a new venture.
Tsū, Inc. is partnering with The Blueprint Group to distribute $5 million in company equity among creators who most actively support the social commerce platform dubbed the “Social That Pays.” BPG’s investment into the Norwalk-headquartered application will also expand the media presence of the management agency’s artists.
“The Blueprint Group has always been at the forefront of innovation, strategic partnerships, and brand alignment for our entire client roster. Partnering with Tsū allows us to not only continue that legacy with our in-house clients but to offer the same opportunities to other artists, content creators, comedians, entrepreneurs, and athletes,” says BPG Co-CEO Cortez Bryant and BPG Chief Marketing Officer Al Branch in a joint statement.
In addition, The Blueprint Group and Tsū co-produced the comedy series Trippin On Sundays – starring Nard Holston, OD Odell, and Sunshine – which streams exclusively on the app. Former NFL player Tiki Barber and veteran entertainer William “Ray J” Norwood Jr. have also been connected to Tsū. Music executives Ryan Haslam and Billy Jones supervise Tsū’s day-to-day operations along with The Blueprint Group executive team.
“Our community of creators is at the core of Tsū’s success. Today we’re expanding that community with The Blueprint Group’s incredible roster of talent. We continue to be the only platform treating our creators as partners and we have gone further than ever before by offering company equity. No other social media platform can say that,” adds John Acunto, Tsū’s co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer.
Tsū is offering influencers a pay-out rate of up to 50% from advertising revenue for content created and shared via the service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, content creators will receive a 100% award rate based on the revenue generated by the “Support Me” button after costs, expenses, charges, and other applicable holdbacks.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKB4471rndj/
According to the company’s website, the “three core pillars” of Tsū are listed as:
Awarding content creators based on an ad revenue
Enabling commerce at the point of discovery via a personalized storefront
Providing tools that inspire content creation
“While the largest social media players are favoring advertisers over consumers, Tsū believes in giving content creators, influencers and all our platform users an opportunity to earn advertising dividends from the valuable content they are creating,” stated Acunto in a 2019 press release announcing the company’s relaunch.
Acunto continued, “The new Tsū model will put content creators and influencers in alignment with Tsū on a revenue basis. We intend to release further information to our large and growing list of influencers that have begun to pre-register and build profiles soon. We are looking forward to a launch that shifts the social media paradigm forever.”
OVO Sound fans will have to wait a little longer to get Drake’s highly-anticipated Certified LoverBoy album. However, supporters of the Toronto-based record label could be getting new tunes from another roster member soon.
Three weeks ago, PartyNextDoor presented an image on Instagram that caused his followers to speculate whether he was getting ready to drop Colours 3. Creative director Adrian Martinez and photographer Amber Asaly were tagged in the post.
PND returned to IG to provide an even bigger hint to his next move. He uploaded what appears to be the cover art for a new project on Wednesday morning. The caption for the artwork was simply the artist’s palette emoji. A palette is used to hold and mix paint colors.
The original Colours extended play dropped in 2014. PartyNextDoor came back three years later with the sequel. Since 2017, the R&B singer-songwriter released the Seven Days and Partypack EPs. PND’s third studio LP, Partymobile, hit DSPs in March 2020.
While the “yellow bone that’s what he wants” lyrics did not sit well with some social media users, DaniLeigh insisted that she is not a colorist. Her video apology included DaBaby’s girlfriend saying, “I’m dating a whole chocolate man, and I have beautiful [melaninated] friends.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKhuN0Fg2tj/
Fellow rapper Dreezy appeared to offer her thoughts on the controversy. The brown-skinned Chicago native posted four photos of herself on Instagram with a caption that read, “Melanin that’s what he want [kiss mark emoji].”
Apparently, DaniLeigh found out about Dreezy’s IG message and reposted it to her Instagram Story. In response, the 26-year-old Miami-born entertainer is quoted writing, “Caption [smiling face with halo emoji] and ain’t nothing wrong with thattttt [crossed fingers emoji] @dreezy.”
At the moment, Meek Mill is not on two of the biggest social media applications on the planet. The Philadelphia-raised emcee seems to have stepped away from Twitter and Instagram for at least the time being.
It is not clear why Meek decided to deactivate those particular social networking accounts. His verified Facebook page and verified YouTube channel are still active as of press time.
The @meekmill Twitter account “doesn’t exist”
Throughout his career, Meek has dealt with wide-ranging negative reactions from social media users. The 33-year-old rap star ended his 2020 by offering a mea culpa for his aggressive behavior during a heated conversation in the Clubhouse app.
“Ima have a better reaction in 2021… I apologize when [I] snap out sometimes… then convos that stem from hatred, strike me hard from my upbringing! After that [Nipsey Hussle] s### my hatred level went up. I’ma boss up leave it in 2020!” tweeted Meek in December.
As far as his music career, Meek Mill has not released an official studio album since 2018’s Grammy-nominated Championships. The Quarantine Pack EP did land in November 2020. That project hosted the single “Pain Away” featuring Lil Durk.
In a series of tweets on January 21, Megan slammed the fake news that began spreading across social media. She also subtly called out Lanez by saying, “That whole team figures out ways to create doubt with my story every week and the media eats it up… Y’all still don’t see an ABUSER picking with me?”
AT THIS POINT IM GETTING ANNOYED ! STOP BELIEVING EVERYTHING YOU READ ON THE MF INTERNET. Imagine how I feel waking every day seeing people LIE and turn my trauma into a joke ? That whole team figures out ways to create doubt with my story every week and the media eats it up
Y’all can’t tell when s### fake news? Y’all still don’t see an ABUSER picking with me ? The first court date got pushed back bc of the inauguration but I can’t wait until the MF FACTS come out ! B#### you shot me AND MY STORY NOT CHANGING AND B#### YOU GOING TO JAIL
Apparently, Lanez’s public relations team pushed back on that narrative by circulating a motion to modify terms of a protective order to media outlets. The rapper/singer born Daystar Peterson supposedly wants a judge to allow him and his attorneys to respond to Megan’s public statements.
On November 18, Peterson was barred from addressing Megan Pete and from disclosing any evidence associated with the case. His attorneys now want the ability to speak publicly, especially since they claim Pete wrongfully blamed them for the incorrect reports about the charges being dropped.
Tory Lanez’s legal team also claims the prosecution has mitigating – and possibly exculpatory – evidence that could clear their client. The defense mentioned gunshot residue and witness statements indicate someone else could have been the shooter that night.
Trauma is real I’m still traumatized from loosing my mom dad and one of my grandmothers and on top of that being shot. I’m not open abt anything on the internet usually bc I like to keep my emotions private but I’m reaching my limit, Im going to keep staying positive.
However, Megan’s lawyer is suggesting that there is evidence that directly implicates Lanez. Attorney Alex Spiro told Page Six, “Did the motion fail to mention that there was gunshot residue on his hands or that he texted her ‘Sorry?’ I haven’t had a chance to read it.”
Megan The Stallion has repeatedly accused Tory Lanez of shooting her in the feet in a Hollywood Hills neighborhood last summer. Lanez pled not guilty to assault with a semiautomatic firearm and carrying an unregistered firearm in a vehicle. His next court hearing is currently scheduled for February 25.
Tip “T.I.” Harris finds his name being attached to serious accusations. His former family friend, Glam University Founder Sabrina Peterson, is alleging the Atlanta-based entertainer traumatized her with a firearm.
Peterson wrote on Instagram:
The sad part about being a woman & BEING A BLACK WOMAN IS THIS! The public PRAISES OUR PREDATORS! @troubleman31 you PUT A GUN TO MY HEAD IN FRONT OF CHILDREN & I NEVER CALLED THE POLICE ON YOU! But for years you have painted me as the VILLAIN! AS BLACK WOMEN! It’s hard to heal from RAPE, VIOLENCE OR ANYTHING BECAUSE YOU ARE PAINTED AS THE PROBLEM OR REASON THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU! [LET’S] NORMALIZE THE ALLOWING BLACK WOMEN TO HEAL! It’s so hard being the VICTIM OF RAPE & BEING PAINTED AS THE REASON IT HAPPENED! LETS TALK! @keishabottoms
YOU CANT HAVE A PERSON THAT HAS VICTIMIZED WOMEN SPEAK FOR US! [Let’s] have a real TALK!
She later added:
What started off a comment turned into a calling! Too many victims to turn my back! I didn’t know how many women he truly hurt & didn’t know what made me finally say something. Nonetheless, I’m blessed that I did. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, THIS ISH HAS GOTTEN REALLY REAL.
T.I.’s wife, Tiny Harris, commented on Peterson’s allegations:
Hold up… So you want your abuser to train your sons? He was just uncle 2 years ago… Now when did you say my husband assaulted you? Did you change your mind or change it back? What’s up wit you today Pooh? I’m confused. Stop Harassing My Family. You strange. Everybody know you been special (face slicing seminar lady). Please Get help. But LEAVE US ALONE!!
Peterson tagged Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in one of her IG posts. T.I. is a longtime political ally of Bottoms. The L.I.B.R.A. album creator was a member of the mayor’s 2018 transition team, and he spoke on her behalf at a press conference during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020.
Trey Songz is coming into his own as a man. I think that is a good thing generally. But, in this instance, I don’t think it will work out for him. I don’t know…I have heard different sides to the situation. Here is what we heard FIRST. We heard that Trey was being heckled by somebody at the AFC Championship football game. (I still ain’t watching the NFL, but I think it was the Chiefs playing.) A cop comes to the situation….for whatever reason and then Trey gets into it with the cop! Now, the early reports said that the cop was the aggressor and people were saying “arrest the cop!”
That is all well and good until you learn on other detail…the issue was over Trey Songz alleged REFUSAL to wear a mask at the game. I am sure Trey was doing something that warranted hum not wearing a mask him him eating bad food or a lite beer. Either way. they are saying the copper used excessive force.
Check out the vid.
The way I see it, cops have been video taped assaulting Black people and getting over forEVER, so IF Trey was the aggressor…well then LET HIM OFF! Who cares, that headlock didn’t cripple him like Jacob Blake or kill him like George Floyd. He, in fact, is very much alive! Not like Ahmaud or Breonna, you know.
You get the point.
Here is what the cops are saying:
Glad to know, Trey has not been charged! MAYBE THIS GOES AWAY!
Shortiie Raw is an independent female artist from Toronto, putting in the work and staying on her grind. Having been infatuated with music since the young age of 13, the rising star grew up listening to hardcore rap such as D-Block and Fabolous.
When it comes to female influences, look no further than Nicki Minaj and Lil Kim — the perfect explanation for her own artistry and sound.
Having collaborated with artists such as Jose Guapo, and Molly Brazy, Shortiie reveals trying to break through the music scene in Toronto. She states, “It’s a bit hard due to lack of resources that we have, of course.”
Blessing the fans with her newest EP titled Pree Diss, which she reveals is a call to action to listeners that she wants you to listen to her music versus watch her page, Shortiie emphasizes that every song of hers is a mood. Whatever time you’re on, she’ll have a record to match that exact energy.
AllHipHop: What sets you apart from other female rappers?
Shortiie Raw: I’m a very transparent person. I keep it real. I don’t sugarcoat things. I expect people to have that same energy with me. If people want some real dope music and good facts, listen to your girl.
AllHipHop: What’s one thing you want fans to get from the Pree Diss project?
Shortiie Raw: Although my music is fun, I don’t want them to let the lyrics go over their heads. There are a lot of issues I’m speaking about, in regards to things happening in my city as well. I want them to really understand the message behind the project. There’s nothing wrong with having fun or being a person who’s on social media doing all that extra stuff, but be careful. Have fun and live your best life, but don’t do too much to get yourself in trouble because it’s not worth it at the end of the day.
AllHipHop: What inspired “Mod Head”?
Shortiie Raw: Ooh, “Mod Head” was a song for the ladies. I had to because I haven’t ever really dropped a lady’s anthem, so I wanted to do something different. This one’s more of a club mood. You’re getting ready, getting ready to link up with your girls, you’re getting pretty in the mirror and you’re boppin’ to it. “Yeah if you ain’t talking money, I can’t talk to you. I got a pretty face, but my attitude is rude, okay!”
AllHipHop: What’s your recording process? How do you write or get prepared to record?
Shortiie Raw: I usually write when I’m bothered, or I’m in my feelings and I need to vent. I probably am rolling a spliff listening to music before I start playing some beats. Depending on the sound of the song like something with energy, I might be dancing before I ever say anything and it comes to me. Something a bit more deep, I might have a thought repeating in my head that I try to make a hook off. If I don’t get it in 5 minutes, I leave the beat to refresh myself. Some songs come right off the bat but some you gotta think deep, actually making it catchy and mean something.
It’s like writing assignments or a poem. When it comes to the booth now, depending on the song ya girl gotta be lit. I have to be pretty as well, depending on the song. If it’s some deep stuff, I’ll go in there hair bun, tracksuit, but when I’m making the vibes you already know? I don’t like writing nowadays because the energy you get from freestyling a song in the booth is way better than when I’m at home making something that’s definitely fire, but it requires practice.
The way you might hear it doesn’t come out like that on the microphone. When I freestyle, I know what that s###’s about to sound like. It may not be as fire unless I’m on a wave but it sounds cleaner. I don’t know, maybe it’s the Düsse at that point. Oh yeah, I need loud, liquor if it’s after 3pm session, and a fruit bowl. Or mango smoothie and my engineer Jesse from Diamond Factory Studio.
AllHipHop: What song are you excited for fans to hear?
Shortiie Raw: I don’t have one specific song. All the songs are different moods so I want them to hear everything and stick with whatever is most relatable to them and enjoy it. Not gonna lie, “She Kute” and “So Fetch” are probably the hottest. “Heads Turn” was good but COVID made me lose my love for it seeing as it’s harder to do events and what not nowadays. If you really want me to be honest, I’m excited for fans to hear all the new s### coming out this year. It’s been a drought on my music and I’m giving them a waterfall this year, an endless supply of splash drip. [laughs]
AllHipHop: Top 5 artists of all-time?
Shortiie Raw: I gotta give it to Jadakiss, Jay Z, Fabulous, Nicki Minaj. That last one, oh my. I’ma give it to Lauryn Hill.
AllHipHop: What are your favorite brands for the girls asking?
Shortiie Raw: Makeup, I like my Fenty. Favorite brands I don’t really have none cause everything seems the same. I like how Dior and Rick Owens design stuff, Off-White has had some nice designs and Balenciaga as well, or maybe it’s the name it sounds sexy.
AllHipHop: Hobbies aside from music?
Shortiie Raw: Making money, I’m where the money resides. If I’m being lazy now I’m at home with a fruit bowl, some Reese’s pieces, a bag of kettle chips watching some Netflix series or an anime once in a while. I love the artwork in anime, I use a lot of those for reference on my covers. Like RawRaw’s World Cover was Shaman King-inspired.
AllHipHop: How important is social media for your career?
Shortiie Raw: Social media is obviously mandatory in this day and age for building a career. Personally, I know I gotta be a lot more active on it but I don’t care to. My fans understand this but I do plan on delivering more for them. People respect that. I’m cool with it though, I might start getting on TikTok once in a while and do some funny videos. Personally, I treat it like entertainment and use it whenever I’m tryna enjoy myself.
Instagram I take a bit more serious because there’s business on it. Even there, I post every so often while making connections behind the scenes, show love and get some laughs from the memes. This year though, I’ll have a lot more fun on the platforms.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next?
Shortiie Raw: First and foremost, check out Pree Diss. What you really gotta expect is everything coming after. “Pardon Me” will be my first video back, the song isn’t on the project but definitely something people will enjoy. Follow on all platforms, subscribe and support your girl!
Rap star Yo Gotti continues to flex as an entrepreneur with the expansion of his CMG record label.
Earlier tonight (January 26th) Yo Gotti signed buzzing rapper EST Gee to a $750,000 deal with the record label. Yo Gotti counted out $750,000 in cash in the recording studio, which he presented to the rising Louisville, Kentucky rapper.
EST Gee started rapping around late 2015, as he shuttled between Houston and Louisville, after getting involved in the streets. He caught a drug trafficking charge in 2016, and unfortunately, was shot five times in 2019.
Despite the setbacks, EST Gee stayed focused on his rap career, and developing his skills as an excellent storyteller.
In December of 2020, he released his standout project Ion Feel Nun, which featured guest appearances from Icewear Vezzo, Sada Baby, and Payroll Giovani.
The “Gram Life” rapper reloaded with a second version of the project called I Still Don’t Feel Nun, which featured Moneybagg Yo, Kevin Gates, 42 Dugg, and his longtime hometown friend, Jack Harlow.
Earlier this month, EST Gee and 42 Dugg dropped the video for their collaborative single “Members Only” and last week, he made a high-profile appearance with Jack Harlow on “The Jimmy Kimmel Live!” show.
Yo Gotti’s CMG imprint has some of the hottest rappers in the game signed to the label. In addition to Yo Gotti himself, Kush Money, Black Youngsta, Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg and now EST Gee.
Check out Yo Gotti counting out the life-changing fortune below:
In fact, he is moving full steam ahead by expanding his extensive business portfolio with his cannabis enterprise, GKUA Ultra Premium.
As the weed brand’s co-founder, Tunechi is kicking off his successful strains and products in select dispensaries on the Colorado market on Wednesday, January 27.
Weezy says that the brand is about inspiring people.
“GKUA is about inspiring people, it’s about a feeling. Now Colorado will get to experience the quality and potency of that GKUA,” Lil Wayne explained.
That would seem to be a true statement.
After three years on the market, GKUA has rocked the California landscape with all kinds of offerings. The flower is said to have an extremely potent level of THC, that chemical in the bud that gets you buzzed.
But like any good enterprise, the founders understand that real business is achieved with partnerships. Their cooperation with Harmony Extracts, an award-winning Colorado brand, will afford them shelf space in The Centennial State and assist in sharing the signature taste of their terpene-rich strains, along with incredible oils, live sauces and live concentrates in a new market.
“We are thrilled to bring GKUA Ultra Premium to our third state,” Beau Golob, President, and co-founder of GKUA Inc. shares. “Harmony is known for its incredible portfolio of cannabis products. They are the perfect partner for GKUA in Colorado. Their cultivators and expert lab teams know exactly what specific qualities, purity, and potency are needed to produce GKUA products. Colorado is the oldest adult-use market in the U.S., and we’re excited to bring an ultra-premium product to customers who know and appreciate quality.”
Because Lil Wayne believes in the 360 experience, he has enlisted Lil Twist, his Young Money Entertainment artist, to help promote the brand.
Casanova’s lawyer is fighting back against Federal prosecutors, who claim the rapper is a flight risk and a danger to the community, in their response to his motion for bond.
Casanova, born Caswell Senior, has been accused of racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy (crack cocaine and marijuana) and possession of a firearm and furtherance of narcotics conspiracy, and aiding and abetting.
If Casanova is granted bond, the rapper agreed to home detention, electronic monitoring, and geographic restriction of his travel. He has also surrendered his passport.
Prosecutors are seeking to keep Casanova locked up, alleging he is too dangerous to be released from the Westchester County jail, where he is currently being housed until his trial.
The Feds argued Casanova used his since-deleted Instagram account to “shamelessly promote a violent street gang.” They also submitted photos of guns from his IG and pointed to his song “Gripped Up,” to prove he was a menace to society.
But Casanova’s lawyer James Kousouros is hitting back on behalf of his embattled client, claiming prosecutors are targeting him simply over his persona as a rap artist.
“Mr. Senior’s persona as a rap artist is not his personal persona…after seeking to debunk our claim that Mr. Senior is being prosecuted based on his career as a rap artist, the Government submitted a post of a weapon with the caption “Gripped Up.” “Gripped Up” is a rap song that was recorded by Mr. Senior days prior to the posting,” Kousouros argued.
Feds present new evidence to keep Casanova in jail as he awaits trial for racketeering
Feds present new evidence to keep Casanova in jail as he awaits trial for racketeering
“This is not a gang related post. It was a promotional post for the song. There is no evidence that this is a real weapon, Mr. Senior is not depicted in the photograph and again, it is a reference to a recently recorded rap and not to his membership in any gang or his actual possession of a weapon,” James Kousouros argued on behalf of Casanova.
Casanova Fights for Freedom; Denies He’s A Danger To The Community
In their opposition brief, the Feds cited the statements of a co-defendant named Walter “Shells” Luster, who claimed Casanova once accidentally fired a gun during an illicit poker game and he was also known to be strapped at all times.
Shells was caught making the statement thanks to a bug prosecutors installed at the Auburn Correctional Facility, to eavesdrop on Gorilla Stone leader Dwight Reid AKA “Dick Wolf” and his conversations with other gang members.
However, Casanova’s lawyer says Luster’s statements should not be held against the rapper, and that prosecutors have not presented enough evidence to prove that Casanova ever committed the acts in question. Kousouros also maintained there is nothing illegal about his friendship with Dick Wolf.
“Mr. Senior’s relationship with Mr. Reid was not, as the Government asserts, evidence of any criminal relationship or conspiracy and other than simply stating that it was, the Government has provided no support for this sweeping allegation,” Casanova’s lawyer said.
Last week, AllHipHop broke the news that prosecutors had arrested Jarrett “Jayecee” Crisler, a Florida-based Gorilla Stone gun trafficker.
The Feds insist Jayecee allegedly shot a Crip and another person on behalf of Casanova in front of a strip club in Miami after a dispute broke out because the rapper was flashing gang signs.
Casanova allegedly threatened the unnamed Crip who questioned him by saying: “u wanna die tonight[?]”
The beef escalated into a double shooting when Jayecee shot the Crip in the stomach, and wounded another victim. Both people recovered from their wounds, but prosecutors submitted text messages Jayecee sent, alleging the incident was done to protect Casanova.
Kousouros denied Casanova had anything to do with the shooting and noted that the rap star was never charged with a crime.
“In fact, Mr. Senior did not instigate or promote this shooting. As indicated in the Complaint, he was taking photographs. He was unarmed and was not charged in this Complaint,” James Kousoros said.
Casanova has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges leveled against him. A hearing is slated for January 28th.
Casanova Fights for Freedom; Denies He’s A Danger To The Community
Casanova Fights for Freedom; Denies He’s A Danger To The Community
As part of the terms of the conditions of his pre-trial release, Tory Lanez is barred from speaking about the case.
According to TMZ, Tory Lanez is hoping to get his side of the story out, because Megan keeps blabbing about the case, which is making him look guilty.
Tory’s lawyers claim they have ample evidence to refute Megan’s claims that he was the triggerman who shot her in both of her feet, but due to a protective order, he’s been unallowed to share his side of the story.
Earlier this week, Megan responded to growing rumors that charges against Tory Lanez had been dropped.
“The first court date got pushed back bc of the inauguration but I can’t wait until the MF FACTS come out!” an a furious Megan Thee Stallion tweeted. “B#### you shot me AND MY STORY NOT CHANGING AND B#### YOU GOING TO JAIL
Y’all can’t tell when s### fake news? Y’all still don’t see an ABUSER picking with me ? The first court date got pushed back bc of the inauguration but I can’t wait until the MF FACTS come out ! B#### you shot me AND MY STORY NOT CHANGING AND B#### YOU GOING TO JAIL
Tory has denied he was the culprit who started the rumor that the charges against him were dropped.
Tory Lanez believes his silence and inability to respond to Megan is making him look guilty, and he’s asking a judge to lift the gag order against him.
Tory is charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
Taking his rhyming skills to the Miami golf courses, Nas drops his visual for “27 Summers” with a little bit of help from Miami’s chief ambassador DJ Khaled and Steve Stout. Hitting golf balls off of Hennessy bottles and cruising the city in a Rolls Royce, Nas enjoys the good life after giving us 27 Summers of music. Whether you like every Nas album or not, the Queensbridge alumni delivered with his last project King’s Disease which was exclusively produced by Hit-Boy himself. Tune in below:
If there’s one thing Joey Bada$$ is gonna do its kick dope lyrics and his new visual “Let It Breathe” is no exception. Blessed with a Statik Selektah beat and donning a clean Pro Era letterman jacket, Joey Bada$$ leaves no doubt about his lyrical prowess. Starting off the visual buying a lime green sports car, Joey then delivers his verses from an airport hangar somewhere in New York City. Then before you know it Joey is high up in the sky kicking his verses from a helicopter. To some it’s nothing more than an extravagant display of wealth when it’s all said and done, but we wouldn’t want anything less for Joey as he continues to reach new heights in his career and this visual.
Kobe Bryant’s widow Vanessa Bryant paid tribute to her late husband on the one-year anniversary of his tragic death, along with their daughter Gianna.Kobe and Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash on January 26th, 2020. They were among the nine passengers in his Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, which crashed into a mountain after encountering dense patches of fog in Calabasas, California.
The LA Lakers star was 41 when he died. He is survived by his wife Vanessa and their three children. Natalia, Bianca, and Capri, who is almost 2-years-old.
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“Will never understand why/how this tragedy could’ve happened to such beautiful, kind & amazing human beings. It still doesn’t seem real. Kob, we did it right. Gigi, you still make mommy proud. I love you,” Vanessa Bryant said in a touching tribute to Kobe and Gianna.
Last night (January 25th), Lakers superstar LeBron James dropped 46 points and grabbed eight rebounds against his original team the Cleveland Cavaliers, in a performance that was fueled by Kobe’s memory.
“It’s a saying that time heals all and as devastating and as tragic as it was and still is to all of us involved with it, only time. And it takes time, everyone has their own grieving process,” LeBron James told reporters over the weekend.
“It’s a lot of things that die in this world, but legends never die, and he’s exactly that. So it’s all about representing that,” LeBron concluded.
LA Lakers coach Frank Vogel gave the undefeated team (10-0) the day off today, to give the team a chance to mourn Kobe and Gianna’s death. Meanwhile, tributes poured in for the late NBA-All Star player.
Magic Johnson labeled Kobe his “brother for life,” while Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving showed up to the team’s game against the the Miami Heat, rocking a Kobe jersey.
“Thank you God for allowing me enjoy Kobe Bryant for 20 years as a great basketball player, athlete, husband, father, philanthropist, mentor & teacher of the game to many men & women of all ages,” Magic Johnson said.
Meanwhile, a city in Northern Italy named Reggio Emilia will debut the “Largo Kobe and Gianna Bryant.” The new plaza is named after Kobe because he spent a few years there as a kid, while his dad Joe played for the city’s Cantine Riunite, Reggio’s pro basketball team.
