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Too Short & E-40 Announce Bundled Album Ahead Of ‘Verzuz’ Battle

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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The E-40 and Too Short Verzuz matchup is set to take place this Saturday, November 19. Before fans get to experience the two Bay Area icons present their respective music catalogs, both rappers joined forces to release a bundled album on December 18.

Too $hort will be releasing his 22nd solo studio album, Ain’t Gone Do It, via Trunk Productions. E-40 will be releasing his 27th solo studio album, Terms and Conditions, via Heavy on The Grind Entertainment. Both efforts are dropping as one packaged 20-track project.

Ain’t Gone Do It will feature E-40, G-Eazy, Mistah F.A.B., Guapdad 4000, and more. Terms and Conditions will feature Too $hort, Freddie Gibbs, G-Eazy, Brent Faiyaz, and more. The AGDIT/TAC bundle follows E-40 and Too $hort’s collaborative History double album from 2012.

The next Verzuz event is scheduled to begin streaming on Instagram and Apple Music at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. To promote the forthcoming friendly faceoff, $hort and E-40 also filmed video spots with Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry and Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard.

Too $hort’s Ain’t Gone Do It Tracklist:

  1. “Ain’t Gone Do It” ft. E-40 (produced by ProHoeZak)
  2. “Oaklandish” ft. Guapdad 4000 and Rayven Justice (produced by Ekzakt)
  3. “Digital Trick” ft. Mistah F.A.B. (produced by Ekzakt and Syrum)
  4. “Pimpin’s All I Know” ft. Tiny MD (produced by AyDiosMio)
  5. “10k Remix” ft. Bosslife Big Spence & G-Eazy (produced by Drew Banga)
  6. “Real Oakland” ft. Reg Black (produced by Kamoshun)
  7. “Triple Gold Sox” ft. E-40 (produced by Any Banks)
  8. “Good P-ssy Walk” ft. Rayven Justice (Produced by Nonstop Da Hitman)
  9. “I Stay Up” ft. Zyah Belle (produced by Ryan Hartung)
  10. “F-ck Yo Speakers” (produced by Bosslife Big Spence)

E-40’s Terms and Conditions Tracklist:

  1. “Making a Play” ft. Turf Talk & Stresmatic (produced by Rick Rock)
  2. “MOB” (produced by The Mekanix)
  3. “Still” ft. Blxst & Drakeo the Ruler (produced By OG Parker & Smash David & Bass Charity)
  4. “Pass the Chalice” ft. Symba & Capolow (produced by Helluva)
  5. “Girl I See You Winning” ft. G-Eazy & Gashi (produced by Mally Mall & Diego Ave)
  6. “Swangin” ft. Brent Faiyaz & Too $hort (produced By Lil Rece)
  7. “Dapper Don” ft. Freddie Gibbs, Larry June & Kid3rd (produced By Scoop DeVille)
  8. “Dress Like a D-Boy” ft. Stresmatic (produced By Rick Rock)
  9. “Tricks” ft. Too $hort & Pimpin Ken (produced by Ekzakt & Julia Lewis)
  10. “P’s and Q’s” ft. Trae Suave (produced By Bedrock)

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Watch Roddy Ricch’s Full Apple Music Awards 2020 Performance

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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2020 was a breakout year for Roddy Ricch. He won a Grammy award for his contribution to Nipsey Hussle’s “Racks in the Middle,” spent 18 total weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 chart, and his Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial project moved 1.7 million units.

Ricch was also recognized twice at the Second Annual Apple Music Awards. He won the streaming service’s Top Song of the Year for “The Box” and Top Album of the Year for Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial.

 

In celebration of his Apple Music wins, Ricch performed a 16-minute set of his biggest hits. The Compton-raised emcee ran through “War Baby,” “Start Wit Me,” “Rockstar,” “The Box,” “High Fashion,” and “Ballin’.”

“My first phone was the iPhone. It’s crazy making music could get me to the point where a platform like Apple could honor me or put me on a pedestal. I just appreciate Apple Music to the farthest extent,” said Ricch.

The 22-year-old Atlantic recording artist continued, “Winning this award motivates me to work even harder. This is confirmation that I am on the right track and doing what I gotta do to be the greatest in my own right.”

Big Sean & Jhené Aiko Recreate Classic Black Movies In “Body Language” Music Video

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: Music
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Big Sean appears to enjoy drawing inspiration from 1990s entertainment. Previously, the Detroit native used the Martin television show as a blueprint for his “Play No Games” music video, and he is now paying tribute to classic Black cinema from that era.

The new visuals for the “Body Language” single featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Jhené Aiko is another homage to the Nineties. Sean, Jhené, and TD$ recreate memorable moments from the motion pictures Love Jones, Poetic Justice, Waiting to Exhale, and The Best Man.

Throughout the video, Sean switches back-and-forth between Larenz Tate’s Darius character in Love Jones and Tupac Shakur’s Lucky character in Poetic Justice. Aiko plays Nia Long’s Nina from Love Jones, Janet Jackson’s Justice from Poetic Justice, and Angela Bassett’s Bernadine from Waiting to Exhale.

“Body Language” lives on Big Sean’s fifth studio LP, Detroit 2, which arrived on September 4. The album also features Nipsey Hussle, Post Malone, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Royce Da 5’9″, Kash Doll, Dom Kennedy, and more.

Lil Baby & Stephen Jackson Help Throw A Birthday Party For George Floyd’s 7-Year-Old Daughter

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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After George Floyd’s death on May 25 while in police custody, Lil Baby released his protest song “The Bigger Picture.” The Atlanta rapper has gone beyond just music when it comes to uplifting the Floyd family this year.

According to reports, Baby partnered with former NBA player Stephen Jackson, to help throw a surprise birthday party for Floyd’s 7-year-old daughter, Gianna. They both worked with Restaurant Ten and Rosie’s Café owners, Ericka and William Platt, to plan the celebration.

Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal was also in attendance. Photos from the party inside Atlanta’s Pink Hotel were posted on Gianna Floyd’s official Instagram page. One of the posts’ caption reads, “Thank you so much @lilbaby_1 for coming and help me celebrate my 7th Birthday.”

46-year-old George Floyd was killed when Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes. Jackson, a longtime friend of Floyd, led Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality over the summer.

Chauvin was eventually charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers involved in the situation – Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kuen – were charged with aiding and abetting murder. All four defendants are tentatively set to go to trial on March 8, 2021.

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HBO Boss Says Dave Chappelle’s “Emotional Issues” Lead To “Chappelle’s Show” Being Pulled

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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Bosses at America’s HBO Max have bowed to comedian Dave Chappelle’s request to have his old sketch show removed from the streaming service.

“Chappelle’s Show” will be taken off the platform at the end of 2020, weeks after Netflix officials pulled the program from their online offerings out of respect for the funnyman.

During an appearance on Variety’s Virtual FYCFest on Tuesday (December 15th), Casey Bloys, the chief content officer of HBO and HBO Max, explained, “We had a conversation with Dave. I won’t get into it, but it’s very clear that it’s a very unique and specific and emotional issue he’s got.

“So, at the end of the year, December 31st, we’re going to honor his request and take the show down.”

“Chappelle’s Show” originally aired on U.S. cable network Comedy Central from 2003 to 2006, and reruns have proved popular ever since.

However, in late November, Chappelle revealed he had personally reached out to chiefs at Netflix – where he recently premiered a trio of stand-up specials – to drop Chappelle’s Show from their library.

The comedian said he is still annoyed by the deal he signed as a naive young man, granting Comedy Central producers and bosses at its parent company, Viacom, the rights and royalties to his show.

Jada Pinkett Smith Regrets Putting Her Kids In The Spotlight

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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Jada Pinkett Smith wishes she had “held off” on putting her children in the spotlight.

The 49-year-old actress shares Jaden, 22, and Willow, 20, with her husband Will Smith, and has said whilst she’s proud of the things her brood have achieved at young ages – including Jaden’s success as a child actor, and Willow’s#### single “Whip My Hair,” which was released when she was 10 – part of her also regrets how much her kids were “allowed to be in the spotlight”.

Speaking to Willow and her mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, on their Facebook Watch show Red Table Talk, Jada said: “Life is unfolding, you know? It really is. We wish we could know everything at once and have all the information that we need, especially when it comes to parenting, right? Fortunately and unfortunately, you just have to go into things to recognize or realize what works and what doesn’t.

“I knew that my children were creatives from day one, OK? I knew that they were not conventional children and that was just going to be a part of their reality because their parents are not conventional at all. You know, Will and I have never really lived conventional lives or had conventional ideas about life. But I would have held off a bit in regards to how much they were allowed to be in the spotlight.”

Despite their early rise to fame, Jada insisted both of her children were prepared for life in the spotlight thanks to the advice their famous parents were able to give them.

“I was very lucky of the combination of the fact that Willow and Jaden had themselves early and they had a certain fortitude to be able to have controversy, to have criticism,” she added. “And so when they came onto social media, they definitely have a different relationship than even I have to social media. They’ve actually taught me a lot in regards to what to pay attention to, what not to pay attention to. And they’ve really helped me navigate my relationship with social media.”

And although the family has faced scrutiny, Adrienne believes it has made them stronger together.

“It makes you stronger because you know what the truth is,” she smiled. “And it’s unfortunate. You have to kind of sit in it and accept it and deal with it. But it seems very unfair. But the world isn’t fair … I think you just learn over time that this is part of it, you know?”

EXCLUSIVE: Cardi B. Goes After Tasha K. AGAIN Over New Claims Rapper Has HPV

By: Nolan Strong Updated Category: Exclusives
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Grammy Award-winning rapper Cardi B. is still at war with a popular blogger who she claims cannot keep the Bronx rapper’s name out of her mouth.

Cardi has been at war with Tasha K., over some salacious comments she made on her YouTube channel unWinewithTashaK in videos accusing Cardi B of being a prostitute and having herpes.

In Cardi’s original lawsuit, which was filed in April of 2019, the rapper claims Tasha K. posted over a dozen videos defaming her with the unfounded allegations.  

Tasha K. responded in kind with her own $1 million lawsuit, claiming Cardi B’s fans came at her with gang-related threats, which caused anxiety, stress, insomnia, and depression. 

Their legal war continues a few weeks ago, as Cardi filed an amended complaint claiming Tasha K. is still spreading lies to ruin her reputation. 

The rapper says that on September 18th, 2020 Tasha K. posted comments reiterating her belief that Cardi was nothing but a prostitute who was sleeping around on her husband Offset, and worse, that she had HPV.

In another video titled “Cardi BABY girl. I MEAN baby Bird!” published on September 21st, 2020, Tasha K. supposedly admitted her stories about Cardi were false but she published them anyway.

Cardi B sues Tasha K over new outrageous comments
Cardi B sues Tasha K over new outrageous comments
Cardi B sues Tasha K over new outrageous comments

“You know what’s funny, I make up stories out of thin air, Tasha just makes up stories,” Tasha K. admitted according to the lawsuit. “I knew the s### was fake….I knew they was m############ fake…I still made that s### go m############ okay.”

Cardi B’s lawyer Lisa Moore said Tasha K.’s “defamatory statements have caused embarrassment, humiliation, mental anguish, and emotional distress” and have damaged her profession and industry, including but not limited to among her fans and with prospective business relations.”

Cardi B is asking for at least $75,000 in damages for slander, libel, invasion of privacy (no pun intended), and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Cardi also wants all of Tasha’s profits from the videos, and an order preventing Tasha K. from publishing any statements claiming the rapper has or had herpes or HPV, uses or has used cocaine; that she was engaged in a “debasing act with a beer bottle;” that she has been unfaithful to Offset, or that she was or is a prostitute. 

Cardi is also asking the judge to make Tasha K. pay for her attorney fees and a full retraction of her comments. 

Lizzo Struggling To Fix Her Broken Relationship With Food

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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Lizzo is “still trying to mend” her relationship with food.

The 32-year-old star had to deal with social media backlash this week after sharing a recap of her detox process on Instagram, despite already insisting she wasn’t “doing it for a dramatic weight loss”.

“Your body is perfectly yours, even if it ain’t perfect to anybody else. If you only knew the complexities your body possesses you would be so proud of it…” she said.

“I’m so proud of you. For making it this far in a society that gives us a head start into self-loathing, that hands us a dysmorphic mirror and leaves us desperate to catch up with who we think we should be,” Lizzo said.

Lizzo Can’t Stop Thinking Negative Thoughts About Her Body

“I’ve spent so much time in this body and I am no different than you — still struggling to find balance, still trying to mend my relationship with food, my anxiety, my back fat. It gets easier. I’ve spent my hardest days trying to love me,” the rapper continued.

In another post, the “Truth Hurts” hitmaker noted she “did not starve” herself, and encouraged her followers to “do what you want with your body.”

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She wrote: “I detoxed my body and I’m still fat. I love my body and I’m still fat. I’m beautiful and I’m still fat. These things are not mutually exclusive. To the people who look to me, please do not starve yourselves. I did not starve myself.

“I fed myself greens and water and fruit and protein and sunlight. You don’t have to do that to be beautiful or healthy. That was my way. You can do life your way. Remember, despite anything anyone says or does DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH YOUR BODY.”

Bay Swag: From “Saucin” To Records With Young Thug & Lil Baby 

By: Shirley Ju Updated Category: Features
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Bay Swag’s newest single “Loyalty & Love” asks the ultimate question: loyalty or love? In weighing out the pros and cons of both, the rising rapper is already onto the next one. He states “I can’t wait until you hear the new s### man, I’ve been working working. It’s about to be crazy.”

Exploding onto the scene in 2018 with his critically-acclaimed single “Saucin,” the New York native showcases his ability to make a banger, while wearing his heart on his sleeve. A raw and vulnerable record dedicated to his father who was sentenced to 85 years in prison, Bay Swag turns his pain into fuel and drive to become the best he can be in both music and his everyday life.

Having toured with the likes of Smooky Margiela and Comethazie, Bay Swag has been staying out the way locked in the studio perfecting his craft, getting better and better with each passing day. Currently signed to Tha Lights Global, the 21-year-old returns to close out the year with a bang — teasing forthcoming records with 2 of the hottest artists in the rap game: Young Thug and Lil Baby.

AllHipHop: How is it in New York?

Bay Swag: It’s real cold, I’m bouta get outta here. It’s too cold for me. I don’t even got a jacket on either, I get sick real quick. It’s 40 degrees. 

AllHipHop: “Saucin” was a big record for you, what are your fondest memories from those days? 

Bay Swag: It was a vibe. It was so lit around that time. I was young, I’m getting older. Not going to lie my live performances and touring, I’m only getting better and better. Sh-t about to be crazy. Got some new music, some crazy sh-t about to drop.

AllHipHop: “Loyalty & Love” out now, what were you going through recording this? I really felt you.

Bay Swag: Thank you, I appreciate it. When I recorded that, a lot of things happened to me in life. Just life, ups and downs. Whenever I’m going through things, I go in the studio and let it all out. I was going through a lot, my dad got locked up for 85 years. I be dealing with a lot, so I go in the booth. 

AllHipHop: Has your dad heard the record? How’s he doing?

Bay Swag: Yeah, he heard it. He likes it a lot. I sent him the video in there. You know they can’t watch it, so I got to send him everything. He’s good. He’s going to be home real soon, God-willing. Everything good, though. 

AllHipHop: How important is loyalty and love to you?

Bay Swag: I’ve got a question for you. What would you rather: loyalty or love? That’s what I’m saying. I’d rather loyalty because love isn’t forever. You could say you love somebody, but you won’t love them forever. I feel when you’re loyal to somebody… loyalty is forever. It’s a crazy question. I’d rather loyalty, personally. When you’re loyal to me, you’re one hunnit with me forever.

AllHipHop: How tight is your circle now?

Bay Swag: Real tight. [laughs] Real tight, only day ones. That’s it.

AllHipHop: How many day ones you got?

Bay Swag: It’s about 15 of us, that’s it. These my real brothers from the mud. A lot of things going on out here right now, you’ve got to be on game. Rest in peace King Von, Pop Smoke, all those who died. It’s crazy out here right now, you got to move right.

AllHipHop: Do you ever get sick of your songs that blow up?

Bay Swag: I always do. Even songs I ain’t drop yet, I listen to them so much I don’t want to hear them anymore. [laughs]

AllHipHop: What’s one thing you want fans to get from “Loyalty & Love”?

Bay Swag: Watch your circle, watch the people you’re around. Watch who you bring around, watch who you share your information with because people be hating on the low. They be jealous, they be envious. You’ve got to be careful. 

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AllHipHop: How did you celebrate your 21st birthday?

Bay Swag: I was with the fam. My birthday landed on Thanksgiving this year so I was chillin’, catching up with the family. I’m lying! I went to Puerto Rico after that. Puerto Rico was super lit. It was a vibe, definitely fun. A lot of things were shut down at an early time but it was cool, I had fun. 

AllHipHop: Talk about recording “Tarzana.”

Bay Swag: I made that in Tarzana, in that area. When I was making the song, I was thinking you know, Tarzana’s where all the rich people at. It’s a lot of motivation over there. You see all the nice cars, the big houses. That’s somewhere I want to move my family to one day. Facts.

AllHipHop: Best memory from the shoot?

Bay Swag: Definitely shot in Tarzana. It was crazy, I was on the top of the truck. They’re doing 60mph, but I was on the top of the truck wildin’. [laughs] I was a lil bit [scared], I was holding onto the safety bars.

AllHipHop: Who’s in your Top 5 currently?

Bay Swag: Young Thug, Future, Meek, of course me, and Gunna.

AllHipHop: What’s your favorite Thugger song?

Bay Swag: The new sh-t that we’re about to drop.

AllHipHop: You got a song with Thugger? When’s that coming?

Bay Swag: Yessirskiii, it’s coming real soon. I don’t want to give out no dates, but it’s coming real soon. We did it in LA, it’s about a year old. So crazy, we did that a year ago. It’s ready to get out the stash, I’m ready. 

AllHipHop: What was the energy like in the studio?

Bay Swag: It was a vibe, I learned so much from Thug. He’s different, he’s really a GOAT. He teaches me so much about life, about everything. In the studio, he records himself. I watched him record himself, it’s so many things I learned from him. Shout out to Thug, that’s my big brother. We’ve got some sh-t we’re about to drop, about to be crazy.

AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?

Bay Swag: I need fruit snacks, my brothers, and my engineer. That’s it, the only things I need. My engineer is going to make sure we get some hits. My brothers are going to give me the vibe, that’s all I need. I don’t like drinking liquor or smoking, none of that. I’m good, I just need my brothers with me.

AllHipHop: Best encounter you had with a fan?

Bay Swag: A girl cried when she saw me before. I was shopping at Rodeo, it’s on Youtube. She caught me, I was with YK Osiris and Lil Tjay. She saw us, it was crazy. She started singing my songs.

AllHipHop: Goals for yourself as an artist at this point of your career? 

Bay Swag: After I drop my next couple songs, I’m getting plaques. That’s what I want. I want plaques on the wall, make everybody proud.

AllHipHop: Are we getting a project anytime soon?

Bay Swag: For sure, I’ma drop two more singles. I’m about to drop the Thug song, and I’ve got this song with Lil Baby I’m about to drop too. I’m about to come heavy on em, I’ve got some sh-t.

AllHipHop: Was that song with Lil Baby done in person?

Bay Swag: Nah, I did a verse then we sent it over to him. Shout out to Mally Mall, he put that play together. I’m bouta let all that go though. Top of the new year, I’m coming strong!

AllHipHop: What’s the Lil Baby song called?

Bay Swag: It’s called “All Night Long.” It’s for the girls, for the females. I switched it up a lil bit.

AllHipHop: What’s one thing fans may not know about you?

Bay Swag: I’m real smart. I’m into different things. I’m weird but in a good, smart way. Got to be street smart where I’m from, you’ve got to be. 

AllHipHop: Anything else you’d like to let us know?

Bay Swag: Stay tuned. I’m about to come real strong, I’ve got all this music dropping. Don’t forget I told you 2021, it’s my turn. I’ve been chillin’, I’m back though. I’m back.

Moneybagg Yo Gets His Own Line Of Hot Onion Rings With Rap Snacks

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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Moneybagg Yo will be the latest artist Hip-Hop fans will be able to find on the shelves of Walmart and Kroger.

The Memphis rap star is the latest artist to land a deal with popular brand Rap Snacks.

Moneybagg Yo’s is launching a hot onion rings line for Rap Snacks, which he hopes will be seared into fans’ memory.

“Shout out to Rap Snacks. When you see this s### in the store, the bag with a n####’s face on it, aye cop my s###, don’t be hating. Cop my s###, I come from nothing, let’s go,” Moneybagg Yo said, as he munched on his new hot onion rings.

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Rap Snacks is a popular line of potato chips, onion rings, and pork grinds owned by Philadelphia entrepreneur James “Fly” Lindsay and rap mogul Percy “Master P” Miller.

The brand already has almost a dozen Hip-Hop superstars with branded lines of the flavorful potato chips.

Romeo Miller has Bar-B-Quin with My Honey; Migos faces are on Sour Cream With a Dab of Ranch and Fetty Wap’s supporters can enjoy his Honey Jalapeno chips.

Superstar Cardi B has four flavors, Bar-B-Kurr with My Honey, Spicy Vinakurr, BBQ Cheddar, and a recently launched line of pork rinds.

Other artists who have personalized brands of chips include Boosie, Trina, Migos, The Notorious B.I.G., and Lil Yachty.

Rap Snacks is also expanding into healthy snacks, through a partnership with Slutty Vegan to produce a vegan chip option for the health buffs.

Rap Snacks was founded by James “Fly” Lindsay in 1994. The company relaunched in 2017, with the backing of Master P.  

Currently, Rap Snacks are available in over 4,200 Walmarts around the country, and as previously mentioned Kroger, through a brand new partnership.

“Rap Snacks is so important to us because it’s for the culture. This is something that James visualized years ago that nobody believed, and was able to bring this to life,” Master P said. “This is for our culture, this is about building an empire. This is building entrepreneurship. Most important, giving back to the community. Educating our people on ownership.” 

 

Is it Time for Arsonal and Goodz to Deliver Their Benediction in Battle Rap? (VOLUME 6 Recap)

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: Features
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December is almost over, leaving battle rap fans to reflect on the last year of events.

An unprecedented spin-around-the-sun, the culture was sent in a whirlwind trying to find footing during a season of mandated social-distancing rules. No battles meant for some a disconnect to that which gave them meaning. Since battle rap has gained momentum over the last decade, it has become a religion for some, fueled by rap mega-sized congregations yielding millions of views.

In the Ultimate Rap League’s case, this Hip-Hop church is lead by Smack White as the officiant. The host of emcees show up as the liturgical players and the pew is occupied by the fans, the audience, those that used to pay hundreds of dollars to stand for hours to see the “lyrical choir” perform. Just like any other house of worship, you might find on the corner of any urban city block, leagues had to adjust. The owners, who produce these competitions, had to shift their model to virtual, returning to small rooms that were void of the celebratory thunder of crowds.

After a year of figuring out how to make their huge marquee events work in a small setting, URL has brought out the latest edition of their actual small room franchise card, VOLUME 6. And like the politics of any good church, there were some elders on the card determined to keep their position in the front as the artists closest to battle rap glory.

New Jersey’s Arsonal da Rebel and the Bronx’s Goodz da Animal are elders in this culture’s church, reaching as far back as the mid-2000s.

Both have served fans top-level performances throughout their careers, but is it time for them to deliver their battle rap benediction and call it quits?

If fans are basing the decision to retire the two pioneers off of the December 12th card, then the resounding answer has to be “HELL, NO!”

The outstanding performances from Ars and Goodz, men that have dedicated their lives to elite-level competitive emceeing in two different decades, should set the record straight: age actually adds to the whole of what true emcees offer context-wise. Their last matchups proved that lyricism is not merely a contest only for the younguns’, but for grown men that understand the craft.

Ars’ foray against Jerry Wess stands as evidence that the culture still needs him.

Jerry Wess proved to be formidable. The Brooklyn scammer came ready to spar with the big dawg, but with punchlines that landed flat or not hitting as hard as envisioned, his extraordinary effort was no match for the poise and little man-ing that the U Dubb owner was able to demonstrate. *Eff the poise, *Wess was no match for Ars’ performance, witty wordplay, and aggression. While he did not kill homie from ‘We Go Hard,’ he reminded him why he is arguably one of the top ten (maybe five) best battle rappers to ever walk this earth.

VOLUME 6 also afforded the fans an opportunity to see Goodz do communion and baptize his opponent Geechi Gotti in his sacred swag. While this battle was closer than Ars and Wess, it still showed the staying power of slick talk god.

 

Geechi Gotti, arguably the top battler of the last three years, approached this battle with brilliantly constructed rounds. He continued to demonstrate why he is a fan favorite, carries the West Coast on his back, and was worthy enough to stand in front of a burning bush and not flinch. With a cup of Hennessy in hand, Goodz sipped in remembrance of the other battle rap god (the boul from Philly) that died in his presence and steadily stirred the display towards a Gentlemen’s 30 or a debatable 2-1.

The senior statesmen of the industry were not the only ones showing off.

If it can be said that the pioneers like Ars and Goodz built the House of Smack, then it is also possible to say that their Lionz Den brother K-Shine was right there building walls, hanging drapes, and keeping the lights on.

 

King David vs. Goliath Illustration from Kyle Baker

The “Hurkin’ and Lurkin’” star was set to battle the Great Canadian in an epic David and Goliath contest. Pat Stay has a legendary style. Most of his peers fancy him an anomaly, as he has bars, humor, and crowd control like someone hardly anyone else.

After a year in the making, flubbed up by the 2020 coronavirus, he stood before the NWA founder —ill-prepared to handle the barracuda standing before him. He literally was, as he pointed out in the battle, another “six-foot-w**ger with a death wish.” K-Shine killed Pat Stay with five lyrical stones that basically ended it for him. He literally looked like the Kyle Baker rendering of the old testament story.

 

Two other junior classmen, who’ve been around long enough to be vets but not yet old enough that people ask why they are still there, were Ill Will and Danny Myers. Ridiculously pegged to be the first battle of the night, these two gave the battle of the night. Seasoned enough by win after win, Ill Will just cannot be stopped. He just is a champion. How he moves, how he engages with others, the charm that follows him during interviews, and even in battle … point to why he just is unbeatable as a contender. After all, he was the UFF champion. Danny was not bowled over. He stood toe-to-toe and tried almost everything in his might to establish his presence in the battle. But Ill Will’s elite pen, performance, and predatory-style of delivery just were not letting up. This is why he and K-Shine are probably the best contenders for Champion’s COTY.

Speaking of COTY, the names B-Dot and Chilla Jones have been at the forefront of the conversation. But after this weekend’s verbal warfare, that honor was sifted from B-Dot, the battler that has been killing it all year. This win for Chilla keeps him in the conversation for the title but was not dynamic enough for him to surpass the work of K-Shine and accolades of Ill Will. What it should do for the Boston King Pen is push him higher up with the collection plate. Let’s get Chilla, the former KOTD champion, a substantial battle on a card where he can move his stock toward the levels of others in his battle rap class.

VOLUME 6, the greatest small room battle event in the culture, rounds off the year on a high note and reminds all of those watching that age ain’t nothing but a number — and with it comes wisdom, work ethic, and drive. Those Lionz Den muthas are proof of that. Let the church say “AMEN!” The card premiered on Caffeine.tv and is now airing as VOD exclusively on the URL.tv app.

Zonnique Pullins Gives Birth, T.I. And Tiny Welcome New Baby Girl To The Family

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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Celebrity Couple T.I. and Tiny are officially grandparents. 

T.I.’s daughter stepdaughter Zonnique Pullins gave birth to a healthy baby girl last night (December 15th.)

The rapper’s wife/reality show star Tamika “Tiny” Cottle revealed the news on her Instagram along with a sweet message.

“My Gbaby is so fat & cute!! Just as I dreamed she would be!! I told y’all Today was a very Blessed day straight frm God!,” Tiny wrote.

In August of 2020, Zonnique revealed she was expecting the baby with her boyfriend, Baltimore rapper Israel “Bandhunta Izzy” James. The celebrity couple learned Zonnique was expecting a child on her talk show “The Mix.”

During an interview with AllHipHop, T.I. revealed he was very proud of Zonnique and how she has grown into an independent woman over the years.

“She’s a woman, she’s an adult, she works and takes care of herself and has her own business,” T.I. said.

There is no doubt T.I. is happy to be a grandfather, however, he cautions people against using the term, since he is only 40-years-old. He opted for a different title instead. 

“Ain’t nobody gonna call me no damn, ‘Granddad,’ ain’t gonna be no ‘Grandpa.’ I’m too young, too fly to be a Granddad. I can’t do that…I can be a ‘Big Dawg’ though,” T.I. joked to AllHipHop.com.

 

Jeremih Discusses His Near-Death Battle With COVID-19

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Chicago-raised singer-songwriter Jeremih is still recovering from contracting COVID-19. The 33-year-old R&B performer is out of the hospital, and he is now able to take part in interviews.

Jeremih made a remote appearance on the Sway in the Morning radio show with Chance The Rapper. The two recording artists are promoting their Merry Christmas Lil Mama: The Gift That Keeps On Giving collaborative project, but Jeremih also reflected on his month-long fight with coronavirus.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIk7kETDvLy/

During his conversation with Sway Calloway and crew, Jeremih recalled waking up twice to see “a white light” as he was recuperating from medical treatment in Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s intensive care unit. The Def Jam signee also explained some of the physical complications he suffered as a result of contracting COVID-19.

“I ended up having, and I don’t mind sharing it because now I’m here, but it’s called multiple inflammatory syndrome, MIS, which is a rare case of cause and effect of COVID,” explained Jeremih. “All my organs became inflamed. It was going down. My heart went out and started beating irregularly, my kidneys went out, my liver started to go bad. I know all that now. Mind you, I didn’t know what was going on at the time. I was out.”

The iHeartRadio Music Award winner added, “I’ve never been to a hospital in my entire life either – not for a broken bone, not for nothing. So just to be in there, I look at it as somewhat of a blessing. As crazy as it might sound, I needed to sit down. I needed to take a break.”

According to Jeremih, he also had to learn how to walk again as a result of MIS. The Late Nights album creator also talked about how surviving this near-death experience will serve as a catalyst for him to advance his career to the “10th power” upon fully regaining his strength. He referred to his coronavirus hospitalization as a “setback for the big payback.”

Teyana Taylor Reacts To Dionne Warwick’s “Runs In The Family” Tweet

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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R&B icon Dionne Warwick is currently one of the most-talked-about people on Twitter. The “Walk on By” vocalist is building a following on the platform by sharing her thoughts on modern-day entertainers.

Warwick has tweeted about Chance The Rapper, The Weekend, Snoop Dogg, Megan Thee Stallion, Questlove, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and others over the past few weeks. On Tuesday, she turned her attention to singer/songwriter/actress/director Teyana Taylor.

“It runs in the family,” wrote Warwick on December 15 with a photo of Taylor. The 80-year-old music legend was referring to memes that suggest she and the 30-year-old “Wake Up Love” performer look similar.

After getting wind of Warwick’s post, Taylor added a quote-tweet response that just simply read “Period” with a brown heart emoji. Her reaction tweet received more than 10,000 likes. In the past, Twitter users have claimed Offset of the Migos resembles Warwick too.

The Game Reunites With Lil Wayne For “A.I. With The Braids” 3-D Animated Video

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Jayceon “The Game” Taylor and Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter have collaborated numerous times over the years. The Game once again recruited the Young Money leader for his new Mike Zombie-produced single “A.I. With The Braids.”

The song pays tribute to legendary Philadelphia 76ers star, former NBA Most Valuable Player, and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson. The Game’s “A.I. With The Braids” also drew inspiration from Junior Mafia’s 1996 classic “Get Money.”

“A.I. with the braids is almost single-handedly responsible for most if not all trends you see in Hip Hop and professional sports these days,” says The Game. “Every kid including myself wanted to be Allen Iverson, from the baggy jerseys with the diamond chains, to the designs in his braids and whole swagger.”

The Compton-bred emcee continues, “Girls were in love with him and he was pound for pound the best player in the NBA. A.I. went from being my idol as a kid to being my brother in real life, so it’s only right I pay homage.”

Game created a 3D-animated visual for “A.I. With The Braids” which is serving as a precursor for the follow-up project to 2019’s Born 2 Rap. The 41-year-old industry veteran adds, “[Iverson] didn’t care what anyone in the world thought of his style, he just did him… and back then we had a little ‘A.I. with the braids’ in all of us.”

Lil Baby Named Vevo’s Most Watched Artist Of 2020 In The United States

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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As the final weeks of 2020 wind down, fans, media outlets, and streaming services are taking a look back at the most successful recording artists over the last 12 months. Lil Baby is a name that repeatedly comes up in those conversations.

For example, the major label-owned Vevo revealed its list of Most Watched Artists of 2020 in the United States. The Atlanta rap star born Dominique Jones leads that ranking. Lil Baby is followed by Future at #2, Chris Brown at #3, Billie Eilish at #4, and Luke Combs at #5.

The video hosting platform released its list of Most Watch Videos in the United States as well. Future’s “Life Is Good” featuring Drake topped that Vevo tally. Lil Baby and 42 Dugg’s “We Paid” came in at #2. Plus, the #3 spot went to Lil Baby for his “Woah” visuals.

“Life Is Good” and “We Paid” also made the Top 3 of YouTube’s Top Trending Music Videos for 2020. Lil Baby’s “The Bigger Picture” (#10) rounded out that annual listing from the Google subsidiary. Drake’s “Laugh Now Cry Later” featuring Lil Durk was included in the Top 10 of both the Vevo and YouTube stats.

Rowdy Rebel Declares Himself The Real King Of New York Following Release From Prison

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Over the last few years, several New York City-based rappers have claimed to be the reigning King Of New York. 6ix9ine, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, and even female rapper Cardi B planted their respective flags in order to take ownership of the NYC throne.

Now that Rowdy Rebel of GS9 is a free man following his six-year stint in prison, the Brooklyn native is declaring that the crown belongs to him. He made his proclamation in a video posted to social media on Tuesday.

https://twitter.com/mymixtapez/status/1338954685328330756?s=20

“Tell n##### the real King of New York is back! If they don’t like it, tell them n##### to do what they gotta do. You see my guys with me,” Rowdy can be heard saying while standing on top of a vehicle.

With NYC being the birthplace of Hip Hop culture, “King of New York” has long been viewed as a description that represents one of the top rappers on the planet. Previously, names of legendary emcees such as The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, 50 Cent, and Cam’ron were attached to the KONY title.

CupcakKe Disses Lil Baby, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez & More On “How To Rob (Remix)”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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CupcakKe decided to take a move out of 50 Cent’s playbook. Back in 1999, 50 dropped a controversial song titled “How To Rob” which featured the Queens rapper sharing the many ways he would hypothetically mug other rap stars.

Fast forward 21 years later, CupcakKe took the baton from 50 and released her own “How to Rob (Remix).” This time, the Chicago rhymer took aim at her Hip Hop peers like Lil Baby, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez, Migos, Lizzo, DaBaby, Lil Durk, City Girls, and many more.

CupcakKe easily became a top trending topic on Twitter this morning as social media users began debating “How to Rob (Remix).” Some people praised the 23-year-old Eden album creator’s lyrical skills while others complained she was being a divisive clout chaser.

“I think it’s a beautiful thing & [anyone] upset with it it’s just [used] to the mediocre. Understand it’s not male rappers complaining it’s female rappers. Sit back & enjoy talent at its finest & for the last time it’s all love to all the rappers mentioned. Don’t be sensitive,” tweeted CupcakKe after the song came out.

Once 50 Cent’s “How To Rob” hit the streets, the G-Unit leader eventually faced responses from acts such as Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Big Pun, and others. A different scenario played out in 2013 when Kendrick Lamar used Big Sean’s “Control” to call out his contemporaries like Drake, J. Cole, and Meek Mill. It was mostly emcees that were not named on “Control” that fired back at Lamar.

https://twitter.com/CupcakKe_rapper/status/1339061332335857669?s=20

Lil Durk’s Artist JusBlow600 Charged With 2017 Murder 

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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Lil Durk suffered another blow last week when an artist on his record label was charged with murder.

Justin M. Mitchell, AKA JusBlow600 is an artist signed to Durk’s Only The Family record label. 

Last week, JusBlow600 was charged with participating in a robbery turned homicide back in 2017 in Hammond, Indiana. 

According to The Times of Northwest Indiana, the rapper and two associates, Lucky Tyler and Paradise Haynes robbed a man and an apartment in Hammond, Illinois. The robbery turned deadly during a shootout, which killed a 19-year-old man named Khalil Carter. 

JusBlow600 was charged with murder and six other felonies after his co-defendant Haynes entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors.

She is facing 10 to 30 years for participating in the robbery, while the rapper and his co-defendant Tyler are facing anywhere between 45 to 65 years in prison.

JusBlow600 has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The news comes on the heels of the murder of OTF member King Von, who was shot and killed on November 6th in Atlanta outside of a hookah lounge. 

In June of 2014, OTF artist OTF Nunu, who was Lil Durk’s cousin, was shot and killed as he sat in an SUV in the parking lot of the Chatham Village Square Mall. Police labeled his death a gang-related killing.

OTF boss Lil Durk is still facing legal challenges of his own, for a February 2019 shooting in the parking lot of a restaurant in Atlanta called The Varsity. 

Lil Durk was released on a $250,000 bond as he awaits trial.

The Library With Tim Einenkel, Chuck D. And AllHipHop

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: The Library With Tim
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Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and HIp-Hop legend Chuck D sits down with Tim Einenkel and AllHipHop.com’s co-founder, Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur to discuss Public Enemy’s newest album, What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down, future projects which Flavor Flav as a producer, stories about the late Jam Master Jay, DJ Premier, and DMC from Run-DMC. Chuck also touches on The Beastie Boys, a conspiracy against the Pro-Black Hip Hop movement, the dismantling of the White Power structure, fascism under Trump, watching an African dictator zoom off in a jet, America’s standing amongst the rest of the world and so much more.