With one of the most thrilling projects to arrive in the Dancehall and Reggae genres this year, and with over 100 million cumulative streams since its release, Popcaan’s FIXTAPE further cements his legacy as one of the foremost global superstars.
Today, he unveils the first video from the project for “UNDA DIRT” featuring Masicka and Tommy Lee. A sinister visual complete with black clad outfits, a priest, flames and a hearse to drive home the message, Popcaan is truly Unruly.
Chali 2na isn’t letting 2020 slow him down in the slightest. Exploding onto the rap scene as a member of iconic hip-hop group Jurassic 5 and Grammy Award-winning Ozomatli, the legendary spitter continues to exercise his passion for music and visual art. Now following the release of his last single titled “Keep Goin” released at the end of October, Chali returns with his final track of the year: “Righteous Way (2020 Version).”
Serving as the final piece to his 2020 Fish Outta Water campaign, “Righteous Way” serves as his most transformative release yet. The updated version reveals a momentous neo-soul makeover, infused with nostalgic R&B tones and paired with raw vulnerability in the lyrics. Touching on everything from fatherhood to his own experiences as both a son and father, the 2020 version of “Righteous Way” finds Chali excelling in its modern take on the classic song.
Speaking on the record, Chali states “I want fans to not only feel the love that I have for my family, but to also be inspired to feel and show love for the human family as a whole. It means everything to me to close out the year this way, especially honoring my father who passed away 8 years ago and my son who turns 30 in 2021.”
Stream “Righteous Way” and end the year on a high note!
Some battle rap fans believe that 2020 has been one long and continuous Volume card.
The year-end signature marquee event that made the small room sexy again was trumped this year by the coronavirus’ social distance protocols. All leagues (not just the URL) have resorted to small intimate contests, where lyrics are at the center of the production and the crowd gas is minimized. But after “the world’s most respected league” announced this heavy-hitting card (with names that could easily have been on a NOME or Summer Madness), many were reminded why the Volume Series stands out: it is literally a rap-sodical battle royale that no one wants to miss.
The card is crazy and promises to have fans on edge with representation from almost every class of battle rap since the inception of this modern-day era.
PIONEERS
Rappers Goodz and Arsonal can trace their heritage to the very early days of street-corner emceeing and terrorizing pioneering leagues like Lionz Den, Fight Klub, and Grind Time. To get in the ring with them in 2020 is a badge of honor, as their careers have afforded them access to rap royalty and celebrity in three different decades (2000’s, 2010’s and now 2020). And yet, their love for the culture has not wained and they continue to wreck stages when invited. From an artists’ perspective, they are part of the foundation as to why battle rap is the most exciting element of Hip-Hop.
VETS FIRST CLASS
K-Shine and Chilla Jones have been pushing forth at URL almost since the very beginning. While both have experienced an arduous journey, oftentimes having to redefine who they are in the culture. Now, few can dispute that either is worthy of the many accolades that fall at their feet. Their styles are different, but it is that kind of innovation that justifies why they are still here.
THE CHAMPS
As competitors, T-Top and Ill Will are elite. Both served as champions on the Ultimate Rap League’s collaborative effort with 106 & Park’s Ultimate Freestyle Friday tournaments, where they beat (badly) all of the top rookies in their class. But this is no “Al Bundy” story. These two continue to strike fear in their opponents — accomplishing what often seems incredulous to even fathom as an artist.
THE GOLD RUSH
There is a reason why California is called the Golden State. Because in the crux of the state’s urban oasis, URL has mined emcees that are valuable to the culture as the precious metal. Geechi Gotti, B Dot, and Danny Myers proudly represent a legacy of lyricism that has made SoCa dangerous in battle rap. Geechi Gotti rocks in the direct genealogy of the old Ice Cube. B Dot could be called the grandchild of the Souls of Mischief. And few would deny Danny Myers the mantle left swinging by Ras Kass.
THE NEXT GENERATION
Folk may want to call Jerry Wess and Eazy the Black Captain rookies, but they are not. They are the next generation of superstars. Calling them rookies diminishes their work or significant efforts to get to this level. At the same time, Jerry Wess’ resume is respectable and there is still much to prove for the rising Eazy the Block Captain.
THE FOREIGNER
Hip-Hop was birthed in the belly of this nation’s struggle and battle rap is the remnant of that hunger that made Rakim, Jay-Z, and pens like Black Thought the notable pens that they are. ALL OF THAT IS AMERICAN MADE. But in 2020, rap is the #1 musical genre in the world and so that means internationally, some enthusiasts desire to jump and immerse themselves in the culture. That would be the Canadian Pat Stay. But the thing is … despite being from up North … he spits as if he has boogie down Bronx roots and fits in comfortably in the Ultimate Rap League roster of killers.
Twelve emcees are thrown together in a gumbo of sportsmanship. Let’s see who will step forward as victorious. The card is as follows:
Goodz vs. Geechi Gotti
K-Shine vs. Pat Stay
Arsonal vs. Jerry Wess
Chilla Jones vs. B Dot
Ill Will vs Danny Myers
T-Top vs. Eazy, The Block Captain
Volume 6 seems to be the perfect card for the Ultimate Rap League to end this hectic year. Hopefully, it lives up to the hype and delivers up to its promise. To watch it live for free, download the Caffeine.TV app and tune in Saturday, December 12 at 8 pm EST/ 5 pm PST.
As a producer, you can only dream of working with the greats such as Roddy Ricch, Lil Durk, and Polo G. Insert Sonic, who produced 5 standout records from Roddy’s most recent debut album, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial: “Moonwalkin” featuring Lil Durk, “Perfect Time,” “Gods Eyes,” “Prayers to the Trap God,” and “War Baby.”
As a kid, real name Eric Sandoval was into sports, getting his start playing baseball. With his parents owning a CD store in Chi-Town, he began listening to everything from Hip Hop to R&B to even Spanish music. The eclectic mix of genres inspired him to start making music himself, until 6th grade when he started listening to Waka Flocka Flame. From there, he knew music would be his end-be-all.
Now going on a decade of making beats and grinding, Sonic continues on with his main goal in life: to inspire and motivate the masses. AllHipHop: Being from Chicago what was the house like growing up?
Sonic: For me at least, there were a lot of ups and downs. When it came to family, everyone has their own problems. Where I grew up, it wasn’t too hard but it was always strictly work hard and get what you want. Everything else will come to you in life.
AllHipHop: Biggest influences growing up?
Sonic: Dr. Dre for sure. Drumma Boy, D. Rich, Shawty Redd, and Lil Jon.
AllHipHop: How did you teach yourself how to produce?
Sonic: I watched a lot of Youtube videos. Everything that I know is pretty much self-taught. I stayed up long nights learning different ways to get better and this is what it’s come to in the last 10 years. I figured out how to download everything my 6th grade year. I figured out everything, how to get everything working together.
AllHipHop: What was the inspiration behind your name?
Sonic: I’d play a lot of Sonic as a kid growing up on my Gameboy, that’s what they’d call me. As years went on, I found out that sonic is a soundwave. It goes together so I ran with it and stuck with the name.
AllHipHop: How did you get tapped in with Roddy Ricch?
Sonic: Oh man, this is crazy. I was working at a job at Menards and one of my guys called me, he said “yo I need you to come meet this artist in LA, his name’s Roddy Ricch.” At that point, I had placements with Money Man, I had placements with Durk, but I still wasn’t in position to stop working. I was down to my last couple dollars. I flew out to LA, I met Roddy and we locked in for a week or two. I ended up losing my job because I didn’t go back.
AllHipHop: How does it feel to have Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial go double-Platinum?
Sonic: It feels good, that’s actually my first Platinum plaque. For it to go double means a lot to me. It shows you where hard work can take you, at least for me.
AllHipHop: You say it’s something new with Roddy everyday, in what way have you guys evolved?
Sonic: Just wanting to be different. Wanting to always experiment, take his time with music. The same way I do, I like taking my time. I don’t really like rushing music. We make music for ourselves and everybody else, so we want everybody else to always feel the music.
AllHipHop: You and Lil Durk are both from Chicago, how’d you meet him?
Sonic: Crazy, I was 3 weeks into college and I flew out to meet Durk. Durk let me stay at his house for a week, we cooked up a bunch of records. That’s how I built a relationship with Durk.
AllHipHop: What was it like working with Juice WRLD and Bibby?
Sonic: In the studio, I pulled up. Pulled up beats, Juice was going crazy. That’s the first time I actually met him. He did 10 songs that night. From that first day on, I thought “whoa this kid’s a star.” I showed him in the studio to my manager and he said “whoa, who’s this kid? Sure enough in a matter of a month or two, he took off. I love the experience of creating with new artists.
AllHipHop: What’s your take on the music industry?
Sonic: It’s cool. I don’t really think about that sometimes, I go with the flow. I see it for what it really is. If you go too deep into it, it’s too much thinking. I really do it for the music.
AllHipHop: What advice do you have for upcoming producers?
Sonic: My main advice would be networking. Whether it’s through social media or music events like A3C, getting your face out there. Going all in, don’t half ass s###. Take your time, trust the process, and never give up on yourself. At the end of the day if you work, everything else will come with whatever you’re chasing in life.
Chief Keef’s cousin and Glo Gang signee, Tadoe just dropped a new track and video called “CPR” feat. Chief Keef.
The new banger is featured on Tadoe’s upcoming album, No Guts No Glory, which is due out next week on Friday 12/18.
The Damian Aku directed video shows Tadoe and Chief Keef tucked away in the suburbs, turning up in front of their high performance muscle cars as they breeze through verses that float atop the minimal production of 808 Mafia.
Atlanta rapper T.I. is the latest entrepreneur to put his money into the legalized cannabis business.
According to reports, Tip is an early investor in a brand called Harvest Connect.
Harvest Connect has been in business since 2019. The business already owns and operates the CBD Store and More, which has several locations around Atlanta.
In addition to investing in the company, T.I. is planning to start marketing his own line of cannabis sometime in 2021.
“After hearing about Kevin’s vision for Harvest Connect … and their desire to focus on Georgians and underserved communities, I knew I wanted to be involved, T.I. said in a statement to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. “I believe my team and I can knock down certain barriers, helping further their vision. We’re excited to be a part of the team.”
Harvest Connect is counting on T.I.’s deep connections to help reach underserved communities in Georgia and around the nation.
According to Harvest Connect CEO Kevin Quirk the brand is still looking to raise an additional $6.5 million to fuel its expansion.
The news of T.I.’s involvement in the legalized cannabis industry comes on the heels of the launch of Jay-Z’s new brand Monogram, which is expected to reach over 90% of California consumers.
Lil Wayne appeared in Miami a Miami court today (December 11th), and despite his lawyer’s proclamation of his client’s innocence, the rap star said otherwise in front of a judge.
The rap star stood in front of U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams and took responsibility for bringing the gun with him when he left Los Angeles for his residence in Miami.
Wayne escaped further charges, even though he was also in possession of ammunition and a small amount of marijuana.
Lil Wayne could face up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced. The sentencing phase is slated for January 28th. He remains free on $250,000 bond.
The rap star, real name Dwayne Michael Carter, already has a felony for criminal possession of a weapon, after he was caught with a gun in July of 2007.
Rapper Pepa of revered rap group Salt-N-Pepa is involved in a legal war she hopes to put “behind” her soon.
According to reports, Pep has filed a lawsuit against a doctor who bungled her butt job three different times. Pep was involved in a car accident in 2018, which shifted the butt implants she received in a previous operation.
The rapper hired Dr. David Sayah in 2019, in an attempt to ease the extreme pain she began to suffer in her hips and back.
Dr. Sayah came up with a strategy to remove the original biopolymer implants she received and performed liposuction on the rapper, which only made things worse.
Pepa, real name Sandy Denton, went back to the doctor for corrective surgery for the liposuction, which only made her gluteus maximus harder, making it tough for her to perform during her shows.
Pepa submitted to a third surgery with Dr. Sayah, but still, experienced extreme pain and discomfort.
Pepa ultimately decided to get rid of the doctor and consulted with another physician, who disclosed she still had a large amount of the earlier implants stuck in her behind.
The rap star says her booty is permanently disfigured due to Dr. Sayah’s negligence, and she wants him to pay.
Megan Thee Stallion teamed up with bosses at dating app Tinder to become a love coach.
The “Savage” hitmaker is spearheading a new Put Yourself Out There Challenge on the app, which encourages lonely users to update their profiles.
“I want everyone to be comfortable sharing their authentic self online…,” Megan says. “By celebrating those who are already doing the hard work, we want to encourage more people to feel confident in who they are.”
Those who sign up will get the chance to share in a $1 million windfall. Submissions will be accepted until December 31st.
Covid-19 put many industries on pause, but Kleb Records and Big Mechoo didn’t stop working. KR and Mechoo team up again for their second single together, “Groovy Night“
Led by KR’s energetic production assisted by Dom J and k-iLL beats, Mechoo delivers this party track with real heart behind it. This has been a tough year, and all of us could use a groovy night to keep our spirits high. Together, Kleb Records and Big Mechoo got the vision to put 2020 behind us.
The record started with a beat made in Chicago. Knowing it was a hit, the Kleb Records team geared up with masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves and drove the beat over to 25-year-old rapper/singer Big Mechoo for recording at Blueprint Studios, MD—where much of the upcoming F*ck Mechoo 2 project was recorded.
Stream “Groovy Night” on all platforms here and stay peeled for this powerhouse duo’s upcoming F*ck Mechoo 2 project. 2020 is about to be in hindsight, and we can’t wait to see what KR and Big Mechoo’s 2021 vision looks like.
1. Sued For Reposting Teairra Mari’s Leaked Sextape, But Wins The Lawsuit
50 Cent and Teairra Marie
Teairra Mari’s attempted to sue 50 Cent was fruitless – and costly. Teairra went after 50 Cent in court for re-posting a raunchy graphic image from a sex tape, which was originally leaked to her social media page. The singer lawyered up when 50 Cent started trolling her and she lost an attempt to get a restraining order against the Queens rapper, who did nothing but ramp up his attacks. Teairra was ordered to pay $30,000 to cover Fif’s legal bill to defend himself from the lawsuit, which he labeled as a publicity stunt to promote “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.”
Benny The Butcher is a realer dude than I thought.
Brother got shot in Houston in the year 2020. I never thought I would be typing these words on this website. Also, I AM! Benny does the thing differently than other rappers in the past. Rappers back in the day wore getting shot like a badge of honor and even bragged about it. Remember 50 Cent? He didn’t exactly brag, but they marketed the hell out of it. The Game said, “Homey, I took 5!” and he wasn’t talking about robbing somebody for $5!”
Benny The Butcher, a rapper from the Griselda Gang, starts off “3:30 In Houston” differently. Last month, he got shot at a Wal-Mart in Houston, making headlines all over the world. He starts off with addressing Karma…the Karma of doing past wrongs and it coming back to get you. I thought that was a mature way to approach it. I think, based on what I have seen online, it will pay dividends.
Taraji P. Henson will make her feature film directorial debut with the drama “Two-Faced.”
The “Empire” star will also take on a supporting role as the mother of a black high school senior who takes on her popular principal after uncovering evidence of his racist past.
The screenplay, written by recent UCLA Screenwriting Program graduate Cat Wilkins, won first place in the feature comedy category at the 2020 UCLA Screenwriters Showcase.
“After two decades spent in front of the camera, I’m thrilled to finally jump behind it for my feature directorial debut,” Taraji tells Deadline. “It’s important that stories be told from a woman’s point of view… I can’t wait to bring this hilariously heartfelt script by Cat Wilkins to life.”
A few years ago, rap star Jim Jones issued a warning to rappers to think twice about their career choice.
Jim labeled the job as one of the most deadly jobs on the planet and said his job was more dangerous than being a soldier at war, which prompted massive backlash directed at the Harlem M.C.
“[A] Couple years ago I told you that being a rebel was one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and even my peers gave me flack for that, told me that I was bugging,” Jim Jones said. “I got a lot of backlash for saying that. Got people from the Armed Forces calling me telling me I’m bugging. But actually, I wasn’t. So now in the light of everything that’s been going on, R.I.P. to everybody that we lost. And I hope you get healthy quickly, to everybody that’s been affected or injured in this past few months. We get to see everything that I was talking about.”
Rappers have also been targeted by the Feds this year.
Later today, Lil Wayne will appear in court for possessing a gun and ammunition on his private jet, and the Feds could send him to prison for up to 10 years.
“We are a target. Do we make ourselves a target? Sometimes. Is it fair, not at all. But, nevertheless, to all my artists, to all my rappers, stay safe and stay dangerous, and I hope you don’t have to get dangerous,” Jim Jones said.
Brooklyn rap star Fabolous concurred with Jim Jones’ comments in a separate post commenting on the dangers of the profession.
“Respectfully.. being a rapper has become the most dangerous job in America,” Fabolous said. “Black men are surviving the trenches, constant battles in a war zone environment…make something of themselves as artists, become famous make millions of dollars, change their lifestyle.. and somehow still end up dead or in jail.”
The first seasons of The Real Blac Chyna and Joseline’s Cabaret will broadcast on linear television for the first time. After debuting on the subscription-based Zeus Network streaming service, both shows will begin airing on the WE tv cable channel next year.
Thirteen hour-long episodes of The Real Blac Chyna will premiere on Thursday, January 7, 2021, at 10 pm ET. The seven hour-long episodes of Joseline’s Cabaret will start running on WE tv later in 2021.
“WE tv is focused on telling real stories about real people and real relationships, which makes the addition of The Real Blac Chyna an obvious fit for our network,” said Lauren Gellert, WE tv’s EVP of Development and Original Programming. “We’re thrilled to partner with Zeus and bring Blac Chyna’s and Joseline’s compelling, larger-than-life stories to our audiences for the first time ever on linear tv.”
On The Real Blac Chyna, Angela “Blac Chyna” White exposed the behind-the-scenes dynamics of her life, including the sometimes challenging relationship with her mother Tokyo Toni. Joseline “Puerto Rican Princess” Hernandez’s Joseline’s Cabaret follows the former Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star’s return to her hometown of Miami in order to help turn around a struggling strip club. Both women are credited as executive producers for their respective shows.
“Zeus is constantly pushing the envelope with authentic, raw, and provocative, original content including, The Real Blac Chyna and Joseline’s Cabaret,” said Zeus founder and CEO Lemuel Plummer. “Both shows were critical hits when they premiered on the Zeus Network and have had tremendous success with our audience. We’re thrilled to license these compelling properties to WE tv. We are confident this partnership will bring new audiences to our networks.”
The Zeus Network is also home to Tokyo Toni’s Finding Love ASAP, One Mo’ Chance, The Conversation, Doses Of Draya, You’re My Boooyfriend, Dr. Blackson, The Millennium Tour Live!, and more original programming. WE tv currently presents Growing Up Hip Hop, Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta, Growing Up Hip Hop: New York, Waka & Tammy: What The Flocka, Marriage Boot Camp, and Untold Stories of Hip Hop.
After the passing of Chadwick Boseman on August 28 to colon cancer, many of the award-winning actor’s fans were questioning if they would have to see another face as T’Challa in the upcoming Black Panther 2 movie. Walt Disney Studios, the parent company of Marvel Studios, announced that will not happen.
“Black Panther 2, opening July 8, 2022, is being written & directed by Ryan Coogler. Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy & portrayal of T’Challa, @MarvelStudios will not recast the character, but will explore the world of Wakanda & the rich characters introduced in the first film,” read a tweet from Disney’s verified Twitter account.
Black Panther 2, opening July 8, 2022, is being written & directed by Ryan Coogler. Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy & portrayal of T’Challa, @MarvelStudios will not recast the character, but will explore the world of Wakanda & the rich characters introduced in the first film.
The original Coogler-directed Black Panthershattered box office records in 2018 and went on to become the fourth highest-grossing motion picture of all-time in North America ($700,426,566). Its total global gross exceeded $1.3 billion placing the Best Picture Oscar-nominated superhero film at #2 at the worldwide box office that year.
Chadwick’s T’Challa/Black Panther character also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Captain America: Civil War,Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. The Howard University graduate made his final film appearance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottomwhich is scheduled to premiere December 18 on Netflix following a limited theatrical release in November.
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s popular music series Verzuz partnered with NTWRK to produce exclusive official merchandise. Several items connected to this weekend’s R&B showdown between “Foolish” singer Ashanti and “Love” singer Keyshia Cole is now available for purchase.
The Verzuz collection includes two hoodies, two short-sleeve tees, and a long-sleeve tee. Ashanti’s younger sister Kenashia Douglas and NTWRK co-designed all of the merch. The pieces are priced between $30 and $60.
NTWRK previously presented a Jean-Michel Basquiat-inspired capsule. The retail app partnered with the Rome Pays Off brand and the Basquiat Estate to offer fans limited-edition t-shirts, hoodies, face masks, jigsaw puzzles, and more featuring the late visual artist’s In Italian, Hollywood Africans, and St. Joe Louis Surrounded By Snakes.
Since its launch in March as an Instagram-based cultural reprieve from the COVID-19 pandemic, Verzuz has continued to grow on IG and even beyond social media. By July, Swizz and Timbo had formally aligned with Apple Music in order for the streamer to be the exclusive music partner for the showcase.
Kid Cudi is currently the #1 trending topic on Twitter in the United States. The Midwesterner dropping his Man on the Moon III: The Chosen album, as well as the introduction of his new VADAWAM 326 shoes for Adidas, has the rap star trending on the social media platform higher than prominent Pop singer Taylor Swift’s brand new album.
With a new project hitting the internet today (December 11), Cudi took part in an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music. The Cleveland-raised rapper and the New Zealand-born music journalist spoke about Man on the Moon III, but other topics came up as well. For example, Lowe asked Cudi about collaborating with longtime musical ally Kanye West.
“When I’m working with Ye, it’s always like, ‘I hope he likes this s###.’ It doesn’t matter how excited I get or the people in the room around me get. If he doesn’t f###### like it, then I got to f###### rewrite it,” admitted Cudi. “But in the whole entire history of me and Kanye West working, I’ve never written something where he’s been like, ‘Rewrite that.’ Never.”
The 36-year-old musician/actor continued, “We bounce ideas and s### even when we were writing on Kids See Ghosts, I would write the verse and he’d take it, read it, and say, ‘All right, cool.’ And record it. And I would just be like, ‘Holy f###. h########, that was close. I just had to f###### write a rap for Ye. Like h########. I’m glad he liked it. He could’ve said this sucks right at the beginning.”
Kanye West is not the only Hip Hop icon that joined together with Kid Cudi on a record. Back in 2009, Jay-Z released The Blueprint 3 album which included the West-produced track “Already Home” with Cudi. The Grammy winner reflected on that collaboration with Yeezy’s Watch The Throne partner.
“I’m working on these beats that he gave me. He gave me about eight beats. He has this one beat that I love. It’s the first beat in the pack that he sent me. And I’m just like, ‘Oh my God, this beat is amazing. This is like the Kanye West beat. Holy f###, I got to do something to this. I got to make something amazing. Like, h########, Jay-Z’s waiting on this.’ So then I’m sitting there, I come up with an idea. I’m out there for maybe all of 10, 15 minutes. Kanye comes out. He’s like, ‘So what you got?’ I’m like, ‘Oh my God,'” Cudi told Lowe.
He added, “I’ve got eight beats he gave me, I only have one idea. And I was just like, ‘Hey, yeah man, I got this one idea. I don’t know if you like it or not, but this is it.’ He’s like, ‘Tell me. Tell me.’ So it was like [singing]. ‘Record that right now. Record that right now.’ I was like, ‘You’re sure?’ ‘Yes, yes, yes. Record it. Let’s go to the studio right now.’ We went in the booth, I recorded it. I’m nervous as s###, but like in the live room, all I see is just people jumping around dancing, going crazy. The response was wild. And I was just in the booth like, ‘Okay. Right. I have to do this a million more times.’ It wasn’t a moment where I was like, ‘Yes, I did it.’ I was like, okay, now I got to do this like a million more times. Every time they come to me, I got to come with that s###.'”
Last night, Billboard held its annual Women in Music event. Hip Hop superstar Cardi B became the first female rapper to receive the outlet’s Woman of the Year Award.
The mother of Breonna Taylor, Tamika Palmer, virtually presented Cardi with her trophy. Palmer also spoke about Cardi’s advocacy for Taylor, the 26-year-old African-American EMT who was fatally shot by plainclothes Louisville police officers in her own apartment in March.
“One of Breonna’s most outspoken advocates for justice over the last 9 months has been Cardi B. From the start, Cardi has used her platform to spread the truth about what happened to Breonna and to reaffirm that Black women’s lives matter,” said Palmer.
In June, Cardi called on her millions of followers to help bring awareness to Taylor’s story and demand accountability for the three cops that were involved in her death. Three months later, the “WAP” rapper blasted Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron after he announced LMPD officers Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove would not be charged for Breonna’s murder.
Cardi later wrote on Instagram, “Thank you so much @Billboard for this honor and @tamikalpalmer for presenting it to me! I am also extremely grateful to @tamikamallory and @aliciakeys for inviting me to the call where I got the chance to meet Tamika Palmer and hear [Breonna’s] whole story for the first time. So many Black men and women are wrongfully killed [every day] with no consequence. Every one of you women inspire me! Thank you!”
According to reports, Tommy “Tiny” Lister passed away on Thursday at the age of 62. Lister was best known for portraying neighborhood bully Deebo in 1995’s Friday and 2000’s Next Friday as well as his time as the professional wrestler Zeus in the WWF.
Friday creator and legendary Hip Hop artist O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson posted a tweet about Lister’s passing on Thursday night. The WWE (formerly WWF) also released a statement about the actor’s death.
RIP Tiny “Deebo” Lister. America’s favorite bully was a born entertainer who would pop into character at the drop of a hat terrifying people on and off camera. Followed by a big smile and laugh. Thank you for being a good dude at heart. I miss you already. pic.twitter.com/jIl8yEZU9c
“RIP Tiny ‘Deebo’ Lister. America’s favorite bully was a born entertainer who would pop into character at the drop of a hat terrifying people on and off camera. Followed by a big smile and laugh. Thank you for being a good dude at heart. I miss you already,’ wrote Cube on Twitter.
World Wrestling Entertainment posted on its website, “WWE is saddened to learn that Tom ‘Tiny’ Lister, known as Zeus to the WWE Universe, passed away today at age 62… WWE extends its condolences to Lister’s family, friends and fans.”
WWE is saddened to learn that Tom "Tiny" Lister, known as Zeus to the WWE Universe, passed away today at age 62.https://t.co/ZhueFZ2hDw
Besides starring in the Friday series, Lister played his Zeus character in the 1989 wrestling movie No Holds Barred. His filmography includes The Fifth Element, Jackie Brown, The Wash, The Dark Knight, and other movies as well. Lister also appeared in numerous music videos such as Chamillionaire’s “Ridin'” and 50 Cent’s “Many Men.”
As of press time, Tommy Lister’s official cause of death has not been revealed but it appears he passed away from natural causes. Los Angeles County authorities are expected to conduct an autopsy on the late actor.
