Earlier this week Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane partook in an epic battle at Magic city, Atlanta. The battle was a part of the ongoing series by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland called VERZUZ. The numbers are staggering (over 2 million), because of the historic beef that these two men have had over the years. A man died!
One thing that happened that was a seminal moment for all watching was when Gucci performed the song called “Truth.” The song is raw and the re-upload just pushed a million streams on YouTube in just a couple days.
And that song is a scathing diss but more, it tells the tale of murder. In the Verzuz battle he called the murder of Pookie Loc a “free kill.” He said a bunch of other crazy stuff that showed that he’s definitely not over that run on his life. For those that don’t know, Jeezy had a song called “Stay Strapped,” where he ends the song putting a $10lk “bounty” on Gucci’s chain. Take a listen to “Stay Strapped.”
The question I have is, “Did Jeezy REALLY put that word in?” My sources say not exactly. Remember, Jeezy was closely linked to BMF, the Black Mafia Family. In fact, Jeezy was wearing a “Black Mafia Family” jersey on when he made that passionate speech of peace and progress. So, there may have been a double message when he was saying that healing speech.
My people are telling me it was actually BMF that sent the boys to “holla” at Gucci Mane. Pookie Loc – Henry Lee Clark III – was a rapper and friend of Jeezy Mane. He was shot and killed on May 10th 2005 at the age of 27 when he and others rushed into Gucci’s residence. They started assaulting people according to reports and, in one of the most infamous acts of self-defense, Gucci fired away. Pookie Loc was found in a ditch near a middle school.
Gucci Mane has continued to repeat that they were there to kill him. I have heard they were there to ROB him. I have also been told they were there to kill him as well, which is the prevailing notion. But, none of that matters now. For the record, Jeezy has vigorously defended himself in the court of public opinion. “Rest in peace to Pookie Loc, blame it on me never snitching/Lord knows I ain’t send the homie on no dummy mission,” he rapped.
Jay-Z has invested in an Israeli start-up company called K Health through his Marcy Venture Partners entity.
An extraordinary effort, K Health seeks to develop a mobile app that functions by using artificial intelligence to deliver primary care that is customized to the individual.
The “Can’t Knock the Hustle” billionaire entered into the company’s 4th round of funding and contributed to a $42 million investment with Startup Nation but led by Valor Equity Partners.
His investments are placed alongside PICO Venture Partners, Atreides Management, and existing backers Max Ventures and 14W.
According to Jewish Business, K Health will afford its users up-to-date health information that will align with other patients that have similar health experiences who are categorized on the app as “People Like Me” or “PLM.”
The company will also provide primary care and mental health services to clients so that they can start treatment straight from the comforts of the privacy of their homes or personal devices.
A Los Angeles Police department Sergeant is the Police Chief for millions for making comments about the murder of rap star Nipsey Hussle.
Sergeant Joel Saydanmaa filed the lawsuit against the LAPD, and Chief Michel Moore filed the lawsuit against his fellow officers after he was disciplined for discussing a variety of topics, including Nipsey’s murder.
Sergeant Saydanmaa says his First Amendment rights were violated, after he claimed Nipsey glorified gang violence shortly after the rapper’s murder on March 31st, 2019.
Nipsey was murdered by an alleged Crip gang member named Eric Holder, who has since been charged with gunning down the rapper in the parking lot of his Marathon Store during a brief argument over Holder’s status as an alleged snitch.
Sergeant Saydanmaa, who is a 24-year veteran of the force, says he commented about Nipsey’s murder on April 8th, 2019 for and a post that Drew over 1,300 comments.
One of those comments labeled Sergeant Saydanmaa a p****, while another branded him a f****** pig, a fascist, and a nazi.
LAPD Sergeant Sues LAPD For $1 Million Over Nipsey Hussle Comments
Sergeant Saydanmaa didn’t take the insults lightly and replied: “Here’s an idea. Next time you need help, call a crip, not 911.”
Sergeant Saydanmaa was brought before LAPD internal affairs Detective Sherry Cardona who labeled Nipsey and “inspiration to us all.”
On October 5th, 2020, Sergeant Saydanmaa was hit with a one-day suspension for his comments, which eventually triggered his lawsuit.
“A public employee simply cannot be subjected to discipline or retaliation consistent with our Constitution, for the statement SGT. SYDANMAA made about Nipsey Hussle. The LAPD cannot take the position that expression of opinions praising Mr. Hussle is allowed, but expression of opinions criticizing Mr. Hussle is prohibited and subject to discipline. Yet that is exactly what the LAPD has done,” according to Sergeant Saydanmaa’s lawyer Caleb E. Mason.
Sergeant Saydanmaa says Chief Moore ratified and personally participated in the disciplinary proceedings against him, regarding his statements about Nipsey Hussle.
Sergeant Saydanmaa is suing the LAPD for $1 million for retaliation based on his right to exercise free speech as a private citizen. He is also seeking general damages for mental and emotional injuries, distress, anxiety, and humiliation.
LAPD Sergeant Sues LAPD For $1 Million Over Nipsey Hussle Comments
LAPD Sergeant Sues LAPD For $1 Million Over Nipsey Hussle Comments
LAPD Sergeant Sues LAPD For $1 Million Over Nipsey Hussle Comments
LAPD Sergeant Sues LAPD For $1 Million Over Nipsey Hussle Comments
Atlanta’s own Ludacris has used his successful platform to conquer TV and film as an actor and a host, to become a notable community stake-holder in the City of Atlanta, and moreover has invested so much of his life into the well-being of young people near and far.
His love for the youth has moved him to launch KidNation, a safe space for children to be supported and elevated.
To push this effort forward, he has partnered with The Boeckmann family and their business, Galpin Ford, the #1 Ford dealership in the world for the last 29 years, and is creating the #DriveHop4Kids campaign.
The aim is to impact 10,000 kids who are members of the Boys & Girls Clubs in three major markets: Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York.
This move is proving to be crucial as cracks in the way those key cities operate their schooling systems have exposed serious deficiencies in how they educate underserved children amid the COVID-19 global pandemic who are struggling with virtual learning.
Studies have shown that it is those local Boys & Girls Clubs that stand as critical sources of support for them during these times — offering meals for those who face food insecurity, supplies, tutoring and so much more.
The Grammy Award-winner and KidNation will also host a sweepstake to raise awareness for the cause.
They will give one fan an opportunity to win a 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition. The vehicle currently has an 18-month wait-list and so this will be a come-up for anyone to win the jawn which is said to be “the most anticipated vehicles in automotive history.”
Donations from this campaign will fund a STEM Camp and provide meals for families in need. Out of this effort, college scholarships will be given to graduating seniors.
Lil Mike is here to change the narrative for black people all across the world. Hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia, the 26-year-old embodies the definition of an entrepreneur, with a huge unwavering passion for music, real estate, and prison reform.
With his dad from Brooklyn New York and his mom from North Carolina, both relocated to Virginia in their early 20’s. Residing in different neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, Mike comes from humble beginnings in the hood. Revealing he didn’t have much growing up, by the grace of God his parents worked so hard and diligently so they could live above the standards. Going to school back home as well, Mike’s living in almost every city in the 757 Hampton Rose area, including Norfolk and Portsmouth.
Given his own personal experience with the criminal justice system, Mike is adamant on justice and equality for everyone. Reeling in his own background throwing parties and A&Ring for Pusha T, Mike continues to prove his talents in areas far beyond music.
AllHipHop: How did your love for music come about?
Lil Mike: My love for music came because my dad used to have this group he used to help finance called Black Sheep. I grew up in that atmosphere, how my connections in the industry started. During that time, I started getting into parties and promotion. Always liked all types of music. Justin Combs, Lil Twist, all these individuals I’d bump into a lot of places, going to New York over the summer with grandma.
It started with me throwing parties and investing into the afterparties at a young age. You start meeting new people, people behind-the-scenes. Mark Pitts, thank you. Uncle Mo really taught me the game of the music world behind-the-scenes, that’s how I got into music. I never wanted to be the front face of it. My thing to make sure they stayed in the limelight, that’s how I got into the system of A&R business.
AllHipHop: Talk about A&R-ing for Pusha T and O.T. Genasis.
Lil Mike: Uncle Mo was very close friends with my dad, helped raise me. Him and Mark Pitts were best friends. I had a lot of people who rapped or sang. They started teaching me: “okay you got an ear for music, an ear for talent and sound.” At first, I’d send good music to people. It turned into “we don’t want the music, we need the whole package.” I took that same concept and used it everywhere I went. Bumped into Busta Rhymes, started sending him music. Worked with O.T. Genasis, one of the first main artists I started working with in the studio.
AllHipHop: I love O.T., he’s the best.
Lil Mike: That’s my man, shout out O.T. I started learning the process. At first, I was road managing between him, French Montana, Busta Rhymes. I was a part of the entourage, I wanted to do more. Fast forward, everyone that wasn’t from Virginia is what got me into the music world. Pusha T, Pharrell, Missy, they’re seeing what I’m doing in the outside world. I’m in the same place they are, it turned into a whole urge of incorporating me into the things going on. Now of course Pusha T and his new record label, I still play the position of bringing talent to whatever platform I see is accepting artists. Seeing what they require, the prerequisites they want of each artist.
Now I want to be a part of the whole aspect, not just bringing them there but wanting to have a piece of what they do. When I bring people to the table, I have a percentage of what they do and what comes out of each artist. That’s how the whole A&R business worked for me, being able to have certain connections and getting certain people on the phone is what put me in that position. Being seen in certain places, being respected in that world. Coming from where I come from, that’s really big. A lot of people come to me from who I was around, it happened overnight. I was doing it, not realizing that’s what I was doing. I started calling myself a consultant because I didn’t want to be tied to any direct label or any direct group. I wanted to be able to shock whoever I had with talent to major labels, get whatever best deal we can get for them.
AllHipHop: Talk about all that you do: entrepreneur, real estate mogul, prison reform advocate.
Lil Mike: I started off doing parties, the revenue I made off parties I’ve grown I always had in my mind. It’s crazy because I was 18, me and shout out to the dude named Chris (Big C) out here in Virginia Beach.. I knew this lady named Ms. T who at the moment was managing French Montana. I call Ms.T, French Montana had that song “whoa, whoa, whoa” [“Ball Drop”]. I said “what would it be to book him?” My first show was with the Migos, but it was split. Secondly, I wanted to do it by myself. They charged me $10K. Normally for anybody else, they’re charging them $15K.
I told the people at the club I’m still paying them $15K, they gave me half of it so in reality I only had to come out of my pocket $3K. The show did pretty good, making over $100K that night. After the split, it was $50K or $60K. Me and French were so cool, he liked how I moved. With me being so young, he said “we’re going to go to Richmond then New York, you should come.” I hopped in my car and went. Mr. Johnson always was doing houses, my brain’s like “okay I’m paying rent.” I’m living by myself. I have my own property, a condo. I wanted to be in a position where I don’t have to pay no rent, I can own myself and always have that.
I’m doing a lot of parties. I came back home, there’s a property. He said “you want to get into property, you can buy property.” There’s one he had for $30K in Northern Virginia. I’m 18 at the time, I purchase it all cash. It’s a distressed home and I had it. I’m not focused on real estate, but I know in my brain I want homes. I’m making a lot of money at a young age so I buy a car. Still make sure every time we make a large amount of money, I go and buy a distressed property from Mr.Johnson. It gets to the point where I’ve got 3 homes and 2 lands, then I get locked up.
AllHipHop: What’d you get locked up for?
Lil Mike: I get locked up for marijuana. I come home, I start thinking I want to do something else. The club grind for me, I want to do something with the proceeds and not focus on that. I’ve had my own club, but people started playing with me. A lot of older dudes were hating so it was hard to get a show or a certain type of artist or to do something. I started to want property. I got with this other guy doing property, he’s looking at everything I have and said “you’ve got a strong hand. You can put these on the market and make $200K each one.”
That’s when I took the first property and put $30K into it. Got with a realtor, put it on the market and it sold for $185. Once I seen that check, it was all she wrote. Started doing that, went into all of the low income areas because I didn’t want to focus on the high end. I even started looking into New York, Virginia Beach, everything was so expensive. I always told myself I want to have something brand new and real nice in certain areas where I came from. This whole gentrification process going on in Northern Virginia, they started tearing down these parks and these hoods but I own the land here. I own certain homes, already building here.
I already have so many properties because from a young age, I‘m thinking “why don’t I own a home for $20K or $30K?” These certain homes, now they’re $60K, $80K to get distressed. The land is $40K. It’s been up since then. I met other guys who started getting into it. I appreciate Mr. Mohammed who’s now one of my managers, also a consultant for a lot of things I do. Mr. Mike Muhammed structured everything I had going on, because I was everywhere. Here doing the parties, here working as an A&R, road manager for this person, everything was so overwhelming.
AllHipHop: You guys came together to form Reform Virginia Now, what’s the premise?
Lil Mike: We formed that because I’m on probation, I had to stop doing the road management. I got a job offer from Diddy, I got a job offer from Khaled, I had a job offer from Special ENT. I couldn’t take it because my probation officer said “no you can’t travel, we’re not going to let you travel. This is probation, you can’t do what you want.” I was going to court trying to get him to let me travel and they wouldn’t allow it. Now, I have to focus on everything I had going on here. I had to stop and turn down a lot of great, life-breaking opportunities that a normal person wouldn’t get.
The whole focus of Reform Virginia is taking people in the system who’ve made mistakes and are fighting for their life. Whether you’re on probation or you got locked up for something, the whole stringent rules that probation holds on you is a revolving door. You get in there, they expect you to do all these different things that are hard. It pushes you back, it doesn’t allow you to advance in life. It doesn’t allow you to reform. For me to succeed with all this on my back, I told Mohammed “let’s do this.”
Shout out to Mohammed, he got me in front of governors, presidents, the mayor, everybody who hopped on board pushing the fact of what’s going on. I put my case on full blast. I had to prove to the world what my mistakes were, what I was locked up for, what I did. We used that as a stepping stool to open the door for so many different people following the same steps that Michael Rubin, Jay Z did using Meek Mill’s case. I was on probation in 2 cities for the same thing: marijuana. Dealing with them for months and months. The same day they freed Meek Mill off of probation, Chesapeake did that for me the following day. Mr. Mohammed put together a packet and a whole presentation that followed that same guideline and same path they’re using, but used it from factual data from Virginia Beach.
We’re very successful, we get so many cases. We have a team of 5 lawyers we work with. We’ve got a lot of people into office. I’ve learned a lot the legislation process. It’s been so knowledgeable and such a blessing because a lot of cases I’ve seen overturn, a lot of people we brought out from the system and jail that were sentenced to 25 or 50 years, it was ongoing. To see them freed, I know it’s worth it. It brought a light to a lot of situations. I started getting into economic development, opportunity zones. There’s a re-justification going on in many cities. In Virginia, there’s 14 opportunity zones and places of that.
AllHipHop: What are your goals?
Lil Mike: To bring a lot of events to the city of Northern Virginia Beach in order to rebuild these areas, which we’ve been doing. For us as black people in order to have that generational wealth, you actually own apartment buildings and homes. A lot of things we can do and places we can invest into and have money allocated to whatever we want to do from the city, from the government that we don’t even know we have access to.
AllHipHop: Touch on Black excellence and what it means to be a strong black American.
Lil Mike: Black excellence is taken from where you come from, who you are as a black man. How it’s been so hard for us for 400 years of slavery that we’ve had to endure and deal with. To be able to come from a certain type of background and having an outlook on what and how hard it’s been on with a black person in general to do and accomplish certain things. I look at Black excellence as a goal and an accomplishment, like “I did it.” You take me and things I’ve been through, where I’ve been through, doing all together 8 years and I still did it. There’s still a chance. We think because of our mistakes and the places we come from that we’re not eligible to do or accomplish certain things. When we do accomplish these things, it’s an excellence. It’s a vibe, it’s a whole aura it gives you. I did this and it’s black only, we’re getting this same respect that other ethnic groups are getting. That’s always a blessing, something to be proud of and boast about.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let us know?
Lil Mike: Whatever you put your mind into, whatever you put your heart to, be more whole-heartedly into it. Know that you can do it. Know that no matter what you’ve been through in life, there’s always a chance. A lot of people, we look at our downfalls. We look at what we’ve been through and allow it to pull us back, not realizing if you’re looking behind you, you can’t see what’s in front of you. Keep pressing forward and it’s going to happen.
Acclaimed rapper Jazz Cartier releases the second single from his forthcoming sophomore album, “Basement” as well as a self-performing hologram!
“Basement” details the turbulent journey that many rappers take as they try to make a name for themself in the rap game. The single encapsulates the entire journey from the beginning to now, learning who to trust and not as well as remembering to stay steadfast. “Basement” is me looking into the mirror, seeing how far I’ve come and knowing I still have more to go!” said Cartier. “Basement” showcases not only Jazz’s unique energy but his unparalleled perspective as someone who’s lived the lyrics he speaks.
Produced by Lil Rich (DaBaby, YG, Cousin Stizz), this track serves as the second single off of Jazz Cartier’s highly anticipated forthcoming sophomore album due early next year! In mid-October, Jazz released the first single, “Disclosure” which was produced by Coop The Truth (Wale, YBN Cordae, Summer Walker), BNYX (Ty Dolla $ign, Shy Glizzy), and Halfway (Guapdad 4000). Jazz has also collabed with the IOS App, Jadu to release a hologram, allowing fans to perform his latest singles, “Basement” and “Disclosure” alongside him, in the comfort of their own living room.
This past Summer Nas blessed us with the Hit-Boy produced record King’s Disease and now he’s delivering a new record via HBO’s new original special, Between The World and Me. Titled “Fallen Stars Flying,” the track fits in the end credit song for the special and was produced by ILLwayno and released via Mass Appeal. Between The World and Me is a gripping adaption of the New York Times #1 bestselling book by Ta-Nehisi Coates and the Apollo stage performance of the same name. The special debuts on HBO this Saturday, November 21st at 8:00PM ET/PT. If you haven’t had the chance to read Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, pick it up! The book is widely regarded as a must read for any Black father that has to have “the talk” with their kids about police brutality and what it means to be a minority growing up in the United States of Amerikkka.
This week Houston bred artist Cam Wallace delivered the new music video for his critically acclaimed track, “Retail.”Recently added toSpotify’s XOXO Playlistwith over 1.8 million followers and inspired by one of his favorite pastimes, Cam Wallace runs over the track as raps about all the fly women and fashion that inspired “Retail.” Cam’s hope is that women feel fly inside and out when this record comes on.
“Honestly I’m always shopping, it’s literally one of my favorite past times. I really dig fashion and style overall,” Cam Wallace said. “I love a woman with style and grace as Biggie would say, so when I heard the beat it really just felt like dressing room music or something you would hear in one your favorite clothing stores. It felt like something you get dressed too, I just kinda ran with that vibe and put it into words.”
After work with Beyonce, Chris Brown, Sevyn Streeter, Ciara, Omarion, Chaz French and a few others Cam Wallace is stepping into the spotlight with new music of his own.
“I’m from Houston Texas, I got my start in music honestly from my dad’s music collection. I grew up surrounded by music in the household so the interest started there as time progressed. I just started loving and learning the craft more,” Cam Wallace explained. “My sound is honestly not just one particular sound, it’s a blend of all the music and vibes I grew up loving. From neo-soul vibes to trap, to R&B to Hip-Hop it’s all mixed in there.”
Set for release on his project 5IVE MICS which released online in late October, Cam Wallace uses “Retail” to keep the momentum going despite COVID-19’s setbacks. As such Cam is focused on developing content, shooting tons of visuals and promoting the project, he has encouraged fans to practice taking care of their mental health daily as he does while we ride out this COVID crisis.
“I had a whole solid plan and rollout lined up and COVID just kinda threw a whole plot twist in the mix. I just figured it has given me more time to prepare, and just really get the craft even more tight. I was really wanting to hit some stages this year and really get my feet wet on that side of things but COVID had other plans, so back to work I go! When it’s time, I’ll be even more ready than I was before.”
Bobby Brown has broken his silence following the death of his son.
Bobby Brown, Jr. was found unresponsive at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday (November 18th), with family members claiming he was struggling with flu-like symptoms in the days leading up to his passing, but insisting he isn’t a COVID-19 victim.
Over 24 hours after the tragedy, his father had released a statement, in which he asks fans to “keep my family in your prayers at this time.”
“Losing my son at this point in our lives has devastated my family,” Brown writes. “There are no words to explain the pain.”
Bobby Jr. was one of Bobby’s seven children. He was 28.
His girlfriend has posted a tribute on Twitter, which reads: “The heavens gained an angel, but I lost my soul mate.”
Bobby Jr.’s death came five years after his half-sister, Bobbi Kristina Brown, passed away in July, 2015.
She was found unresponsive in a bathtub in her Atlanta, Georgia home and placed in a medically induced coma. She died six months later.
Three years earlier, Brown was hit with another tragedy when Bobbi Kristina’s mother – his ex-wife Whitney Houston – was also found unresponsive in a bathtub at the Beverly Hills Hotel in February, 2012.
Accompanied by a smoked out visual with old schools and curvaceous women, Wale and Gunna have connected for a visual that is sure to heat up your speakers as we head into the Winter months and snuggle cuffing season. According to a written release to the press, “Flawed is a poignant breakup song cast in the misty middleground between rap and R&B. Together, Wale and Gunna capture the pain of reminiscing while you’re walking out the door.”
Directed by Joseph Desrosiers and Melissa Forde (Rihanna) the video concludes with a twist at the end, as Young Thug makes a cameo appearance in the sultry and somewhat dark visual about loves the way love can ebb and flow. The visual follows up Wale release earlier this Summer, as Wale released his impactful and timely The Imperfect Storm EP.
Like past Wale hits, “Flawed” is emotionally raw and insightful. Reflecting on a breakup, he outlines why this relationship won’t work, sadly but assuredly rapping and singing. Long after the song ends, his powerful hook resonates: “Everybody flawed, I could never need you.” Get it HERE.
Continuing to captivate culture with genre-breaking music, Baby Goth releases a new single and music video entitled “B OK” feat. Slim Jxmmi.
On the track, which is produced by JetsonMade, sunny production glistens underneath her melodic crooning before Rae Sremmurd’s Slim Jxmmi pulls up with a slick and smoked-out verse. It builds towards a hook everyone needs to hear right now as Baby Goth assures, “We gonna be OK.”
Meanwhile, the starlet personally co-directed the sexy accompanying music video with Alan Be. In the visual, she channels her inner pinup by reimagining iconic Bettie Page shoots with a whole lot of attitude and a little weed smoke.
Lead prosecutor Seth D. DuCharme turned over a plethora of evidence the feds have gathered against both men during the hearing yesterday.
Sources told AllHipHop that the evidence against the men includes video surveillance, a 911 call, and Sprint phone records.
Detailed information about the information the Feds have gathered Jordan and Washington is not readily available to the public, due to a protective order issued on September 17th, 2020.
However, the Feds claim Jay was murdered over 10 kilos of cocaine after he came up short on the money for the drugs.
“What we’ve alleged in that indictment, is that on October 30th, 2002 nearly 20 years ago, Mr. Jordan and Mr. Washington walked into a music studio in Queens, where Mr. Mizell and others were working, essentially hanging out, and they walked in and they murdered him in cold blood,” U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme said during a press conference.
Both men face life in prison, or worse, the death penalty if they are convicted of Jam Master Jay’s murder.
There were numerous witnesses present when Jay was gunned down.
Those at the studio that fateful evening were: Jam Master Jay, Michael “Mike B.” Bonds, Ureico “Pretty Tony” Rincon, Lydia High, her brother Randy Allen and Jay’s nephew Rodney “Boe Scagz” Jones.
Sources close to the case also AllHipHop that the Feds have been offering immunity to certain individuals, in return for testimony to get to the bottom of the murder.
So far, Jordan and Washington are the only two suspects to be charged in connection with the murder, but other unnamed suspects could also be facing criminal charges.
Jordan and Washington have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jam Master Jay.
R. Kelly’s sex trafficking and racketeering case in Brooklyn, New York is scheduled for early April of 2021.
District Judge Ann Donnelly ordered on Thursday (November 19th) the trial will begin by April 7th with jurors to be selected over the course of 10 days in mid-March.
In a previous order, Donnelly said the jury would be anonymous and partially sequestered, explaining: “The government has established that empaneling an anonymous and partially sequestered jury is warranted.”
She added that U.S. Marshals would escort the panel in and out of the Brooklyn federal courthouse each day and sequester them during breaks to protect them from outside influence.
Prosecutors requested the extra measures be taken, insisting the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer has a long history with pressuring accusers and others to escape justice.
In 2008, his child pornography trial in Chicago ended in an acquittal after the singer allegedly personally tried to influence the jury, prosecutors in Brooklyn wrote.
They added three associates of the singer were recently arrested trying to bribe and threaten R. Kelly accusers.
The “Ignition” star has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering and conspiracy.
He is accused of grooming underage girls attending his concerts for sexual abuse.
The singer is also facing a string of federal sex counts in Illinois, where he has been held behind bars since last year.
He has repeatedly failed in his attempts to be released on bail, and was denied a hearing regarding a new request in October, two months after suffering a jail cell beating by another prisoner.
YID is here to represent for his hometown of Oakland, in the best way he knows how. The West Coast artist arrives on the scene with undeniable talents, spitting his truth over hard-hitting trap beats. Raised in the Acorn projects of West Oakland, the rising star comes from humble beginnings, as a child even witnessing his mother’s ex assaulting her which led to him fleeing his home with his brother.
If that’s not enough, YID lost his brother/best friend recently in a fatal car accident. When it comes to his music, the West Coast spitter injects pain, emotion, and frustration, giving fans nothing but the real. Having made his first beat at 7 years old and his first song at 12 years old, he went on to release his first project at 16 which did numbers organically.
Most recently, YID released the official music video for “ALL CAP,” another banger that calls out all the fake s### happening within the music industry.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name, YID?
YID: I got my name in jail. That’s when I started rapping, about 2016. Really no meaning behind it. It was but then I said I wasn’t gon’ run with the meaning no more. It was the “Youngest In Dis” because I’m the youngest person in my generation of people I grew up with. That’s what it was for, but then I took the acronym off of it and kept YID.
AllHipHop: When were you locked up?
YID: 2015 to 2016. Really been a couple times. I got out when I was 17 years old. I was in a camp, Camp Sweeney, for about a year or so. I started music in there, then came out and started doing it. Started taking it serious.
AllHipHop: What were you locked up for?
YID: A couple things. For that time, it was violation really. I kept violating, then they sent me to a placement.
AllHipHop: Biggest lesson you learned from behind bars?
YID: Man, it ain’t worth it. Anybody should want to be free and enjoy their freedom. Everything on hold in jail, you can’t do nothing. It’s best to stay out of it.
AllHipHop: What was the household like growing up in West Oakland?
YID: Me, my brother, and my mom. I didn’t really grow up with my father like that, it was us 3. We had to make the best of it.
AllHipHop: When did music come into play?
YID: Music’s always been a part of me. I always like the music. I grew up off music. My mom used to stay playing all the old jams, so I always loved music. I started really taking it seriously when I was in jail and then when I got out.
AllHipHop: Who were you bumping coming up?
YID: The Hot Boyz. My mom used to play a lot of female artists like Monica, all that. A bunch of different people really.
AllHipHop: What happened when you got out? How did you change your lifestyle?
YID: I already had people in my neighborhood doing music so I was already familiar with how it goes, but I took it by myself and ran with it. I had an older dude that did music, he used to take me to the studio with him. I got on a song before. We did the video and it did good. It’s at 400K views right now, my first video ever. After that, I kept making music. I fell in love with it.
AllHipHop: “ALL CAP” out now, bring us back to when you recorded this one.
YID: I recorded that a month ago. Shout out SpaceOnTheBeat, the producer. He sent me the beat, I went from there. I was at an Airbnb In Discovery Bay when I made the song. I wrote that song fast, I got done with that b#### real quick.
AllHipHop: What was going through your head?
YID: I was sitting down thinking about a lot of stuff: a lot of people, a lot of fake going on. I was reflecting basically. I was on social media looking, people were doing a lot of fake stuff.
AllHipHop: What does it mean to be real versus fake?
YID: To me, being real is being true with yourself. Not being a follower, having your own mind.
AllHipHop: You say your visuals are moving each time, how involved are you in the creative process?
YID: I love my videos. At first, I was more creative with the videos as far as storyline. I want to get back to that. Videos are a big part of doing music to me, giving your fans something to look at and have them be interested in what you’re doing. I love it, I gotta make a movie every time.
AllHipHop: What happened at the video shoot? You were arrested?
YID: I got arrested after the video shoot. I wasn’t even done with the video, we were at the gas station. I was trying to get the car. This car I was using, it kept cutting off on me. I guess the police saw us at the gas station. We tried to leave and go back to where we’re at, then they pulled us over. Made us get out the car, searched the car.
AllHipHop: What were you arrested for?
YID: I was arrested for allegedly having firearms, but I never had no firearm on my person. They found firearms around me. I’m on 3-year probation, so that’s the reason they took me.
AllHipHop: How did you bounce back?
YID: I got bailed out, hopefully it gets dropped though. I gotta go back next month on the 12th, hopefully everything turns out. I just got released, I got bailed out again a couple weeks before that for another firearm case. I’m fighting for my freedom right now.
AllHipHop: How does music help you cope?
YID: Music’s therapy for me really, that’s my own thing I run to. All day I play beats, I think of new melodies. I think of new things to say. My life, I put everything in music. All the stuff I deal with, I put it all into my music. I don’t have anybody to talk to. I’m not good with talking about my problems to nobody, so I deal with it with music.
AllHipHop: I know you lost your brother too, what happened?
YID: He passed in a car crash, him and his best friend. This happened on April 4th. It’s crazy, the car crash happened on the 4th. His birthday was April 8th, then he passed away April 9th. Right after his birthday. That’s the hardest pain ever, I’m still coping and dealing with that. I got a way of dealing with my own pain, but it’s more seeing my mom go through it and trying to help her deal with it. It’s a lot for me. Also my little sister and his daughter. I have to deal with a lot of stuff.
AllHipHop: What do you do for self-care?
YID: I try to deal with my anxiety the best way I can. I try not to think about too much. When I think about too much, that’s when my anxiety starts coming and everything starts hitting me. I try to stay busy, stay moving.
AllHipHop: What is it you want fans to get from your story?
YID: My life’s real, it’s authentic. I’m not out here rapping about nothing. I want everything I say to really mean something. I want someone to take something from me that’s going through the same thing I’m going through.
AllHipHop: What do you need in the studio to record?
YID: I don’t like being too deep in the studio with a lot of people, but I need at least 2 or 3 people in the studio with me. I really don’t need nothing really in the studio with me, honestly.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from “Wins & Losses”?
YID: It’s a follow-up from “ALL CAP.” Every music I put out right now is really reflecting on my brother. I mention my brother in a lot of my music, so that’s what they gon’ hear a lot. I’m explaining the wins, the accomplishments I have doing music. Then the losses I took, that I’m dealing with. I’m in movie mode, I got a video coming for people to visually see. Personally I love the song, it’s dope. I hope everybody else enjoys it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQ70zYM5yc/
AllHipHop: Talk about the independent grind.
YID: As far as me starting out, it’s been really me behind everything. From my project to everything. I never had no manager so I do everything on my own, still to this day. I’m still learning the business side, that’s really what I got to get in tune with because I don’t really know too much about the business side. Being independent, you really got to come out the pocket with a lot of money though. That’s the only thing. You got to know where to spend your bag at who to go to. It gets frustrating, but I’m cool with it. I like it honestly.
AllHipHop: Have people tried to manage you? I would imagine.
YID: Yeah, I ran through a few managers but it didn’t work out. They had other clients, etc. Some people will put you on the backburner… you got to make sure you’re a priority. I want to be a priority wherever I’m at. I don’t want to be on the shelf. My work ethic’s crazy so the stuff I do, I want a manager to be on the same type of time I’m on. The same type of hype I’m on. If not, I can’t deal with it.
AllHipHop: Goals for yourself at this point in your career?
YID: Right now, I’m still proving my point. Trying to get my story across. I’m real underrated on that. I’m trying to prove my point right now.
AllHipHop: Dream collab?
YID: That’s hard. As of right now, I’d say say Rod Wave. I rock with Rod Wave’s music. Not gon’ lie, I play him all day. We on the same type of wave, we talk about the same stuff. I could listen to his music if I’m going through something, I play a song that he’s talking about. No Cap too, there’s a few people I like.
Over a throwback beat from DJ Infamous, Kash Doll tears right into confident and charismatic bars before a hard-hitting hook. Mulatto comes through with a fiery cameo, while Griselda rapper Benny The Butcher delivers a vice-grip verse of his own. “Bad Azz” was written by Hitmaka & London Jae and produced by OG Parker & Smash David.
Kash Doll continues to make waves. Receiving critical acclaim from Vulture and Marie Claire, Essence praised, “If there’s one rapper who can teach us a thing or two about remaining confident, it’s Kash Doll.” Meanwhile, she guested on “Friday Night Cypher” from Big Sean’s chart-dominating Detroit 2 and joined forces with HoodCelebrityy for “So Pretty.”
Rap icon Missy Elliott has surprised a cash-strapped bride-to-be with an early wedding gift after covering the costs of her dream dress.
Aspiring model Ireanna Bradshaw shared her financial woes on Twitter, revealing she and her fiance, Roderick Purdie, were planning to tie the knot in March, while also trying to move into their own home together – and the stress of the situation had left her “excited but overwhelmed.”
“I have been saving money; but its still a struggle,” she continued. “I found my dream dress and I want to get it so bad but between saving for the move- i dnt think it will be possible…..”
The North Carolina resident went on to share how she had overcome her body confidence issues to find love, and posted her profile name on mobile payment platform Cash App in the hopes of scoring a few donations from her followers – but the results exceeded her wildest expectations as Missy Elliott came across the tweet, and decided to grant her $1,300 wedding dress wish.
Responding to Bradshaw’s post, Missy wrote, “Your Dress is paid for now… I don’t know you but I saw you said the dress of your dreams & figured I would help when I saw you post ya cash app… May Blessings pour on your Beautiful Wedding Day with your Future husband”.
The plus-size model was in a restaurant with her mother when she read the message from her longtime self-love inspiration Missy – and she burst into tears of gratitude.
Fans were quick to praise the Work It hitmaker for her generosity online after the news emerged, with one devotee reminding people the Hip-Hop veteran is always performing quiet acts of charity, including helping him pay for an operation for his pet dog.
Early Congratulations🙌🏾🎊 May God Bless you both with an Unbreakable Union and full of Love & Happiness🙏🏾
Chief Keef and Mike WiLL Made-It have teamed up for a brand new single ‘Status’. This song is the second collaboration song from their highly anticipated soon-to-be-titled joint album from the duo.
It’s been about three months since the pair released their first critically-acclaimed single, ‘Bang Bang’ which was a twist of the earlier sounds of drill mixed with his signature adlibs and trended all over the virtual airwaves of Youtube. It proved that this pair is a force to be reckoned with.
The duo have been working together since 2012 when Mike WiLL Made-It produced some of Chief Keef’s early records including ‘No Tomorrow’ from his debut studio album ‘Finally Rich,’ and Keef featured on ‘Chief Keef Speak / On It’ from Mike WiLL Made-It’s ‘Est in 1989, Pt. 25’. ‘Status’ is four minutes of classic Keef laying out his mandate of speeding in foreign cars, destroying his enemies, and, of course, being rich.
Chief Keef sets the tone as he opens the song with asking Mike WiLL Made-It what the game plan is and entering a haunting horrorcore-lite beat produced by Mike WiLL Made-It.
Indian Trap is the artist moniker for super-producer J2, who’s produced and remixed songs for notable artists such
as LL Cool J, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Madonna, and more. He also co-wrote and produced Shakira’s#### single, “Dare La La La”, which was reworked and released as the official theme for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Now, Indian Trap reveals his latest collaboration with VivaSwan titled “Whatever It Cost.” The infectious, catchy song arrives with an array of vocal styles, pushing the boundaries of music with colorful textures in Vivaswan’s voice as he delivers a hard-hitting, empowering, unforgettable rap performance. The beat is equipped with hard-hitting tribal drums, custom 808’s, and powerful chants from the Vedic culture, sure to transport you to the jungles of South East Asia all while having your trunk rumble with unbelievable bass.
Speaking on the release, Indian Trap states, “We hope listeners hear something they’ve never heard before and this song takes them on a spiritual and musical journey. We’ve included authentic Vedic chants as well as traditional healing sounds and instruments, we hope this resonates with listeners while giving them a glimpse into our culture.”
15 years ago, J2 came up with the idea for Indian Trap: an amalgamation of diverse musical influences including traditional Indian, Hip Hop, trap, Latin, Afrobeat, world rhythms, Bollywood Punjabi sounds, and reggaeton. He states, “We have almost 2 billion Indians around the globe and not a single mainstream artist representing us, that’s why I created Indian Trap and iTrap Records for the Brown artists.”
The label follows the same blueprint as Machete Records did for Latin artists in the 2000’s, Diddy and Bad Boy Records did for Black artists, and YG/JYP Entertainment are doing today for Korean artists.
Surgeons have saved rapper Boosie Badazz’s foot after a gunshot wound sparked amputation gossip.
The star is already back home recovering after multiple surgeries to save his foot.
Bullet fragments were removed and surgeons added screws to the bones in his foot to make sure the rapper heals. Boosie was shot in the leg over last weekend in Dallas, Texas.
The 38-year-old and his entourage were fired upon in the parking lot of Big T’s Plaza shopping mall, during a visit to pay his respects to late rapper Mo3, who was shot and killed days before.
Boosie had reportedly been driving through Dallas in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van before the shooting at the mall and, after shooters opened fire on the vehicle, the musician was struck below the knee and taken to a hospital.
It’s hard to believe YSN Flow is still 16 years old, and he continues to prove why he’s a force to be reckoned with in this rap game.
Hailing from Ohio, the recording artist exploded onto the scene with his breakout hit “Got Beef,” and has been steadily climbing the ladder since.
Now, he returns with his highly-anticipated new mixtape titled Long Story Short, pairing it with the official music video from “Playin It Cool.” The 12-track project is produced entirely by frequent collaborator Iceberg, gifting his fans a full masterpiece.
With zero features and nothing but YSN’s signature flow and bars, Long Story Short showcases growth and nothing short of bangers.
From recording in a tiny closet in his apartment to raking in millions of streams and views, the Republic Records signee is living out his dreams on the daily. Watch the visual to “Playin It Cool” above, and remember no dream is too big if you work hard and stay passionate.
