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Queen of The Ring Connects With Smack URL for an Epic Weekend of Co-Ed Battles

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: Features
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This weekend for the first time, an epic battle of the sexes took center stage in battle rap. Oh sure, there have been other cards that featured co-ed battles, but never one as epic as this.

On Saturday, October 17, the highly anticipated card Kings vs. Queens proved to be a crash collision between two of the largest forces in battle rap, the Ultimate Rap League and Queen of the Ring. The organizations had a lot riding on this collaboration. The question that was floating in the culture, “Is the world really ready to embrace co-ed sporting on such a high level?” With the world’s socialized bias that asserts that men are automatically better … The concern was real.

READ MORE: Next Level Stunting: How URL And Caffeine’s Partnership Made Battle Rap Exciting Again

While that might be a concern with physical sports, this is a match of wit and intellect. And fans let it be known that born gender identity has nothing to do with snatching that oh so coveted “W.” In fact, when owners Troy “Smack White” Mitchell and Babs Bunny hopped on the Sway in the Morning show to talk about the historic battle, it was the fan comments that dismissed the notion that gender would determine who would emerge superior.

And Babs, the female emcee who rose to international celebrity as a part of the Bad Boy/MTV curated mega-group Da Band, believed in her squad so much she even challenged fans to put a wager on it — instructing them to go to her DMs to put that bread down on the bet.

The Godfather of Modern Battle Rap didn’t shy away from the smoke either. Instead, in each opportunity to engage the fans, even on their own Wednesday evening show Primetime with Jay Blac, he was a gracious host to the sister league, welcoming them into this particular space of emceeing. He offered them a mat for them to wipe their feet, showed them to their guest room, making the accommodations comfy, and put them up on game: the victory will be hard felt because his roster is the most elite collective of emcees in the world.

GETTING THEM SITUATED WAS THE LEAST THAT HE COULD DO. After all, Caffeine is the house that SMACK built.

QOTR proved to be ready and could care less if people did not believe it. Sometimes, that is the time to watch out and if the guys on the card did not know that before the face-offs truly informed them.

The women won the face-offs (5-2) displaying a level of confidence and security that was not expected. Sure, you thought it was going to be a lot of slick talk. But these chicks came with flames on their lips. Their back and forth and lyrical jousting was the first sign that the weekend was going to be along for those who sleep on the line-up. There were two outstanding performances at the pre-contest stare down: C3 and Tsu Surf.

C3 was bankable as the Queens Get The Money emcee snapped on her opponent Rum Nitty. Nitty remarked about her childhood near-death experience— an attempted suicide that thankful was thwarted by angels that prepared her for such a moment as this. And the freestyle maven quipped back with the energy that no battle rapper ever wants in front of them: “I couldn’t kill myself, so how are you gonna kill me.” He then went to the reality that women across the workforce face, stating that he made more money than she did. Her rebuttal, “Then why are you a bum. Where does the money go? Your colleagues have houses and all you have are gold teeth and bookbags.” He attacked her sexuality since C3 is a proud lesbian and she responded by questioning his— “You should have been with us at Pride!”

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There was nothing that Rum could do with C in the face-off.

The best from the guys was Tsu Surf.

Surf poured out the charm that makes him not only a URL favorite but a battle rap sex symbol. There is something about him that makes the women swoon and whatever that potion is … he dosed the world with it. 40 BARRS, his opponent, was already set at the face-off table. Jay Blac was there also. The room was waiting for the “What Changed” rapper to appear. When he did, the game shifted. The last face-off of the night was just appropriate for the heartthrob because the stunt that he pulled no one else could have ever accomplished.

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He entered into the space wearing a dress shirt. Not as if he was meeting a woman that might bar his life away, a lady that has made diss tracks about him and lambasted him on every media she could, but as a man ready for a date.

He pulled out a red and white gingham tablecloth, similar to the Lady and the Tramp spaghetti scene, and then placed two glade candles on the table. After setting the lovely table, the prepared cuisine was top-notch chicken head, serving Lunchables with Reese’s Pieces Barefoot wine with no glasses (noting that they could take the drink to the head) and two Capri Suns.

The tough-talking femcee was no longer the mighty woman of battle rap that we have come to know her to be — but a schoolgirl standing in front of her favorite rap star. She blushed, pouted, and sheepishly smiled, stopping short of batting her eyes in front of his massive personality. This secured the guys one clear victory during the face-off.

That was Friday night… Come Saturday, would the tables turn? Not that much. The women matched the men in all attributes: aggression, style, performance, lyrical dexterity, and most of all wit. There were not as many gimmicks as expected, giving evidence that Bab’s slogan is really a declaration that this eight-year journey to respect is finally being met with the recognition that it deserves and finally the people have to “give it up for the ladies.”

Casey Jay and Swamp (Fan Vote: The Lady from Texas with the victory)

Swamp needed to beat Casey Jay and did not. What made this win so important goes beyond her femininity but is locked into a boasting point that purported that he has never lost a battle on URL. Welp, he can’t say that no more! The Bardashian did just what the name suggests: shorty came in and barred his life away. She made the new guy lazy southern drawl, sound like the new guy with stroke-drunk wino … a rapper ill-equipped to tame the Mama Bear … so would really have no chance to rock with his rival Bizzy.

C3 and Rum Nitty (Fan Vote: The EFB Member punches through for the W)

Rum Nitty, one of the greatest punchers in battle rap’s history embodied the spirit of the former welterweight champion Sugar Ray Leonard in his victory over the Queens rapper, C3. But if it can be said that he is as smooth as the former Dr. Pepper champ, Ceilise Craig, his opponent matched him blow for blow just like the Marvelous Marvin Hagler did in their legendary fight back in 1987 billed as the “The Super Fight.”

Jab after jab, these two stellar lyricists were the first evenly balanced battle of the night.

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E Hart and K Shine (Fan Vote: Harlem’s hurricane remains triumphant even over the Bronx boxer)

Round for round, K Shine may be the scariest, most talented, and winningest battler in the last four years.  And so, E Hart had a tremendous challenge in front of her when she stepped before the NWX founder.

https://twitter.com/xcel508/status/1317594381793316865?s=20

He came in and did what he has been doing for the longest — zipping his opponents up. In this battle, he was like a wrecking ball smashing over one of the premier voices in battle rap.

Viixen and DNA (Fan Vote: The Assassin left DNA all over her kill)

While it seems that the PG Killer didn’t respect the Midwest fire spitter, he didn’t approach the battle like she was going to be a walk in a park. And that was a good thing. Viixen came to the battle dressed like her name and rapping just as deadly also. She outperformed him and at no time brought the masculine energy usually associated with women in male-dominated sports. She simply finest him with a smile, dangling hair tendrils and comedic bars about her alleged entanglements with former URL talent scout and self-proclaimed architect of battle rap, street star Norbes. It is alleged that she slept with him to get on the URL. However, it is important to note that her dynamic debut was facilitated by hard work and her making her name on the QOTR stage.

Couture and Charlie Clips (Fan Vote: The NPossible emcee wild’d out on his ex)

https://twitter.com/fierce1tasha/status/1317615728325988352?s=20

Stevie J and Eve. Nicki Minaj and Safaree. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon. Anyone that has been with Jaguar Wright. Erykah Badu and Andre 3000, Common, The D.O.C., and/or Jay Electronica. The Couture and Charlie Clips drag out gets to live in the realm with those epic falling outs that were hmmm a little bitter but still relatively amicable (well, Jag might not fit there). While the freestyle maniac went up against his ex-girlfriend and the battle unpack their long-term relationships with a blended mixture of humor, personals, and weird un-sexual tension.

O’fficial and Arsonal (Fan Vote: Mr. Grape Street pulled out the big guns for this battle) 

Audio engineer and battle rap fan Greg Smith said that this Arsonal is better on the Caffeine stage than anyone who has stepped on it to perform, even better than Daylyt. Whether he is right or wrong, he showed the culture the reason why he has more views on YouTube than any other English speaking battle rapper in history. In his contest against the O’fficial, he proved that she was not gonna just be lyrically tossing him all over the stage like she does many of her opponents (almost all of the other men that she stood before). Instead, he showed up with fire in his belly and fire in his eyes, combined with dope rhymes, performance, disrespect, and a renewed love for the sport. O’fficial did not lose — he just came to the game in his bag with the arsenal that inspired his name.

40 BARRS and Tsu Surf (Fan Vote: The Queen of The Ring remains on the throne)

The headlining battle of the night was between BARRS and Surf, two of the biggest stars of their leagues. 40’s win was sweet as many counted her out from the door. With one of the most elite pens in the game, male or female, she stood in front of the man that charmed her silly the night before and knocked him off his game. Her third round was about his mother, one of the two great loves of his life, and that strategy was not only effective in securing her the victory, but also through her opponent off as he countered with a freestyle in defense of his mom.

Kings vs. Queens is the first official jump off to happen after the unique partnership between the Ultimate Rap League and Queen of The Ring. The merging of these monumental collectives promises to bring the top talent of the culture to stages for free. There, of course, are exceptions to the rule that is when these battles are app exclusives like the two co-ed battles on Born Legacy 9 (the next day after): Yoshi G vs. Bill Collector and Ms. Miami vs. Ill Will.

All battles are now available on the URLtv.tv app.

Sir Elton John Explains His Appearance In Teyana Taylor’s New Video “Lose Each Other”

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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Teyana Taylor just dropped the visuals for her new single “Lose Each Other” starring none other than Sir Elton John. The video is her latest self-directed video from the #1 R&B release THE ALBUM.

“When Teyana Taylor released her debut album, I became a huge fan. She was a guest on my Rocket Hour and I fell in love with her original spirit,” said Elton John. “Aside from her brilliant music, Teyana is one of the most visually dazzling artists working in music today. So I jumped at the chance to be in her latest video ‘Lose Each Other.’”

“Working with a legend like Elton was pure magic,” Teyana Taylor added. “I feel so honored to have worked with someone of such legendary stature. I am forever grateful to him for doing this for me! Although we physically could not shoot together due to Covid, him and his team were very responsive all the way from London.”

Aaria: The Singer-Songwriter Putting On For Detroit

By: Shirley Ju Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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When it comes to Detroit, there’s an endless list of legends that come out of the city. From Eminem to Big Sean to Royce Da 5’9” it seems like Motor City has bred some of music’s hottest names, with zero plans of slowing down. While it seems like the trend has been real spitters, Aaria brings her pop and R&B flavor into the mix — letting her talents speak for herself.

With her Trinidadian background and mom being a singer herself, Aaria’s been destined for music since she was birthed. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter considers herself a powerhouse artist, with an ability to style shift and transcend genres innately. With the release of her debut single “Thug Love,” which was paired with a sexy, spicy visual featuring Atlanta’s own Trouble as her love interest, Aaria gives only a small taste of what’s to come.

What can fans be excited for? The official “Thug Love” single featuring New York star DreamDoll. AllHipHop caught up with Aaria to discuss her roots in Detroit, definition of “Thug Love,” getting Trouble in the visual, goals, tattoos, and more!

AllHipHop: Being from Detroit, what was the household like growing up?

Aaria: There’s a lot of hip-hop. There’s a void, the city really needs to put out an R&B artist right now. We need good R&B music, which is what I’m bringing. My grandfather was a pastor. I wouldn’t say strict, but definitely grew up in a Christian household. That background started my singing, started singing in church. Being from Motown having Diana Ross and all the greats, studying them and applying them to my own music. Detroit has so much history and influence.

AllHipHop: I know your mom was a singer as well.

AariaMy mom’s a singer, my dad’s from Trinidad. I definitely want to tap into those roots in my music eventually, I love that part of me. I grew up in the studio with my mom, they called me a studio baby. [chuckles] Definitely a second nature environment.

AllHipHop: When did you realize you could do music for a living?

Aaria: Honestly when I was 20. I’ve been recording since I was 10, but really coming to me as an artist and getting my sound at 20. I went to school for musical theatre, was doing a lot of musical theatre work. I’m like “this isn’t as fulfilling, let me really tap in to myself as an artist.”

AllHipHop: So you were on stage already then?

Aaria: Yeah, I actually performed in Hong Kong overseas with Disney. I was Princess Tiana in a show called Mickey and the Wondrous Book, so that was cool. I still love doing live performances in musical theatre but you know, we go through phases. I’ll revisit that later.

AllHipHop: Who or what inspired the record “Thug Love”?

Aaria: I was sitting in the studio with my team, they asked “Aaria, what do you want to talk about. Guys usually approach me the same way, with what they have. I need more than that to get my interest. “Thug Love” is really just a love that’s real.

AllHipHop: Are you in love?

Aaria: [laughs] No, it’s a general statement that I’m looking for something. I haven’t found the right person yet.

AllHipHop: How was shooting with Trouble?

Aaria: We’re definitely friends. My team made that move happen. It was great chemistry on set , it was natural/ He’s a very cool guy. He’s good to look at definitely.

AllHipHop: You guys shot it in Atlanta, best memory?

Aaria: I have to say getting to see how quickly a visual can come together, I literally recorded it a day before. We wrote it, I recorded it in one session. “Okay tomorrow, we’re shooting the video.”

AllHipHop: Where does this drive and work ethic come from?

Aaria: It’s what I love to do. I have goals so let’s make it happen. [snaps]

AllHipHop: What are your goals?

Aaria: Right now, I definitely want to be a household name. I want to have a world tour, definitely wanna win some Grammys. Be able to build my brand and branch off into beauty and other things as well.

AllHipHop: What’s it gonna take to get there?

Aaria: Work ethic, definitely that. Building relationships with the right people.

AllHipHop: Are you doing everything independently?

Aaria: I have a situation with No Rules Entertainment, an indie label. A crazy situation how I connected with them, everything seemed to really align. They’ve shown me that there’s nothing they can’t do. When I put in the work, we make things happen. That’s the best situation for me right now.

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AllHipHop: Talk about getting DreamDoll on the “Thug Love,” that’s fire!

Aaria: That’s crazy. When “Thug Love” dropped, it was on a bunch of blogs: Hollywood Unlocked, Baller Alert. People were saying you look like Dream Doll.” I lived in New York for 4 years, she’s from there so I’d get that a lot out there already. Me and my team decided that’d be a good move to give people what they want. I’m excited to have that collab come out, get some visuals hopefully. It’s a surprise. [laughs] The first song was [1:30] seconds, so this will be a full song.

AllHipHop: Can you define Thug Love for us?

Aaria: Thug Love to me is somebody that’s trustworthy, humorous, understanding, and genuine, which switches up the negative connotation of Thug Love. Trustworthy, humorous, understanding, genuine.

AllHipHop: Is Aaria your real name?

Aaria: It is! My real birth name is Aria so we added another ‘a’. Still Aria.

AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?

Aaria: I love my hot water or lemon tea with honey. I do like a little bit of tequila or Hennessy. [laughs] I need the lights.

AllHipHop: What do you want fans to get from your story?

Aaria: I want my audience to be inspired, feel that they can do anything. Be confident in what you do and it’ll happen for you.

AllHipHop: What inspires you the most?

Aaria: Honestly, my mom because I’ve seen her try to do this. That’s definitely a motivation for me as well

AllHipHop: How proud is she of you?

Aaria: She’s very proud, very supportive.

AllHipHop: How was working with YFN Lucci?

Aaria: That was cool. He’s a cool laid back guy so yes that was fun. Definitely some fire, it’s going to be great. “My Way” comiNg soon!

R. Kelly Too Dangerous For The Streets Despite “Concering” Beatdown By Gangmember

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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A judge has denied R. Kelly’s request for a hearing after the singer was allegedly beaten in Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center in August.

R. Kelly’s lawyers had requested an “evidentiary hearing” following the beating, which apparently left the singer with “significant physical and psychological injuries.”

However, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber ruled that the “concerning” incident “does not warrant immediate release.”

“This single isolated incident does not suggest that the Bureau of Prisons is incapable of safely housing Mr. Kelly,” he added in his ruling.

Judge Leinenweber also wrote that Jeremiah Farmer – the inmate allegedly responsible for beating Kelly – has since been transferred to a different facility.

“In any event, release from custody is not the appropriate remedy for such a wrong,” he continued. “If Mr. Kelly wishes to challenge the conditions of his confinement or the MCC’s ability to protect him, he can bring those claims in a separate civil action following proper exhaustion of administrative remedies.”

The 53-year-old singer is currently awaiting trials in Illinois and New York on charges including sex-trafficking and child pornography, with Leinenweber adding that the courts still consider the disgraced star a flight risk and a danger to the community.

“Mr. Kelly has not demonstrated a change in circumstances that alters the court’s previous conclusion that pretrial detention is necessary,” he concluded.

Rahli And Kevin Gates Roam New Orleans In “Do Dirt Alone” Video

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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Check out the new video from Rahli called “Do Dirt Alone” featuring Kevin Gates. The track, which was produced by DJ Kronic Beats while the visuals were directed by 2trillphil for Motion Family.

Rahli has a huge buzz and he has racked up millions of streams and views, by collaborating with the likes of Quando Rondo, Duke Deuce, and Mozzy. Now, the St. Louis rapper comes hard again with “Do Dirt Alone” with Kevin Gates, as they roam around the trenches of New Orleans in the video.

We ducked off we at the crib watching the news/We just laying back tryna see which goofy we done blew/And no this thumpa that I’m toting not the one I used/Put the Draco up cuz that b#### hot just let it cool/This s### might have you more than nodding Sally Su/White girl whip it, we be living life just wonderful/Take one of ours me and my guys got dirt to do ARs and Macs just big ol’ straps when we come through/My lil homie just hit me he said that he see yellow tape out there all on they set/S### I’m already hip that somebody got hit, I just wanna know who done got stretched

Blacc Zacc Announces New Album And Drops Single “Tennis”

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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Check out the new video “Tennis” from Interscope Records recording artist Blacc Zacc. The rapper teamed up with Rico Love, who produced this banger along with Don Corleon.

The rapper is ending 2020 with his upcoming album 803 Legend, which is slated to drop Oct. 23. The Carolina Narcos MC’s new 13-track collection will feature by Kevin Gates, 42 Dugg, Foogiano, Fat Loc, and more.

Take a look at the video.

NSG M!les – “Did It Twice”

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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A native of Lithonia, GA, NSG M!les initially didn’t have any intention of pursuing a career in music, opting instead to focus on basketball. When his hoop dreams fizzled, he explored his musical talents and hasn’t looked back since. Although he’s only been rapping for a year thus far, NSG M!les’ talents outweigh his experience with music that displays futuristic melodies and unique flows. Currently enrolled at Morehouse in Atlanta, the newcomer looks to carve out his own niche on the rap scene. With that said, NSG M!les officially shares his new visual for “Did It Twice” via Supreme Regime.

 

Corio- “Phone Off”

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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Looking to join the ranks of Bluegrass State Hip-Hop staples Jack Harlow and Bryson Tiller, Kentucky based vocalist Corio makes his official debut with “Phone Off.”

Produced by Juicebox, the song details an erotic entanglement between the rising recording artist and a curious concubine.

When asked about the song, Corio reveals it was created to impress a taken love interest.

“This track is based on true events. I was involved with this woman who I strongly believe was in a relationship while entertaining me. The record conveys everything that did or eventually would have happened had things played out to the end,” said Corio.

Check out the video for “Phone Off” above!

 

Saweetie To Preview New Music

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Warner Records artist  Diamonté  “Saweetie” Harper is giving listeners the opportunity to hear new music with the launch of a new livestream series is set to include a preview of Saweetie’s upcoming single “Back to the Streets” which is scheduled for release on October 23.

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A post shared by 🫧🧼🌸🧊 (@saweetie)

 

During the stream, Saweetie will also host a trivia game and Q&A. “Flavors of Fall” will take place on October 22 on Saweetie’s official Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook pages.

Since bursting on the music scene with “Icy Grl” in 2017, Saweetie has managed to gain considerable radio play and digital streams with other singles like “My Type” and “Tap In.” The Bay Area rapstress is expected to drop her debut studio album, Pretty B#### Music, in the coming months.

Chuck D Chats With Jemele Hill About Ice Cube’s “Contract With Black America”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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The most recent episode of Spotify’s Jemele Hill is Unbothered podcast features the host speaking with Hip Hop legend Chuck D. The Public Enemy frontman was on the show to promote the group’s new album What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down? While chatting with Hill, Chuck D was also asked about one of the most discussed topics in Hip Hop at the moment – Ice Cube’s “Contract With Black America.”

Cube admitted meeting with representatives of Donald Trump in an attempt to get the President’s team to embrace his Contract With Black America. His decision to sit down with an Administration many people, including Jemele Hill, believe is being led by a white supremacist was met with accusations of selling out and ridicule for possibly being used as a political pawn for the Republicans just weeks before Election Day on November 3.

When Hill asked Chuck D about younger generations not having the same revolutionary political mindset of Gen Xers like Ice Cube, he responded, “Today it’s sight, sound, story, and style. It’s coming in all different directions. So there’s a lot of things that people are feeling at the same time. They express themselves differently. They express themselves through social media. They might express themselves with something they did, can’t text, type, or even portray in a visual.”

The lyricist/activist continued, “So you gotta be able to be, as an old head, to be able to detect that and then be able to guide that. Because at the end of the day, we, as the old guard, are going to be moving up and out anyway. And they gotta be moving up and you can’t use youth as no excuse and no matter what you do. If I’m talking to a 17-year-old, right, I’m putting the leadership on them saying, ‘Okay, you at least gotta look at people your age group and under.'”

 

Chuck D then specifically spoke about Ice Cube and his Contract With Black America proposal. According to the 60-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, he spoke to his “little brother” in recent days. He offered his thoughts on Cube’s mission and everyday citizens’ responsibility to bring about electoral change.

“When Cube is talking about a contract in the United States, a Black America contract, it’s like, we just can’t be played for the okie-doke. We’ve been saying this. It has to keep on being said. There’s not a time to take off,” said Chuck D. ” “When President Obama was elected in 2008, to me, it was one of these going on in my head. This is an hourglass. Obama, right? The sales were always ticking to me.”

He added, “I didn’t vote for [Obama] thinking he was going to be Jesus or a messiah. You bought some time and you got to get it moving. Meaning you got to start convincing people around you that as a collective that gets some things done and don’t be a beach. You know what a beach is? It’s something that just sits there that erodes waiting for s### to wave and wash up on the shore. Got to get active. At least in your local [elections].”

Kendrick Lamar Interviews His Protégé Baby Keem About New Sounds, PGLang Company & More

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Top Dawg Entertainment emcee Kendrick Lamar has been mostly absent from the Hip Hop scene throughout 2020. However, the award-winning emcee did tease his involvement in a new company with former TDE president Dave Free called pgLang without giving much more information about the brand.

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While K. Dot was mostly staying out of the spotlight, he quietly helped build the status of fellow California rapper Baby Keem. The 19-year-old Die for My B#### creator secured a Platinum plaque for his “Orange Soda” single and a spot on XXL‘s 2020 Freshman Class list.

Kendrick and Keem decided to give more insight into their alliance by engaging in a one-on-one conversation for the upcoming 40th Anniversary special issue of i-D magazine. They discussed first discovering a love for music, achieving success in the record business, and executing new sounds.

During one exchange in the i-D conversation, the two West Coasters stated:

KL: I get it, that’s what will take me so long to do albums (laughs). I spend the whole year just thinking about how I’m gonna execute a new sound, I can’t do the same thing over and over. I need something to get me excited. I see you get frustrated sometimes because you want some new s###.

BK: Because people don’t know that you on some new s### till you start doing new s###. And if you can’t do the new s### then they ain’t gonna know that you on the new s### and they’ll keep asking for old s###, but I think everybody knows now that I’m on some completely different s###.

Lamar also asked Bay Keem about being associated with the pgLang company:

KL: It’s a good thing to have people who understand your creative language. I always go back to the language and that’s how we damn near made this company. You have to be able to share and experience the same language, or teach another language. On the music side, you’ve been at the forefront of pgLang. What is your own personal opinion of what this company represents now that you know are in the mix?

BK: I’ve seen pgLang before it was even an idea that came to fruition. It’s sticking to and believing in something, even when you don’t know how it will be created, and it starts out as just a small idea. I believed in it, and I stuck to it and now everything is paying off. So I’ve seen it from when there was no idea, to now. So to me, pgLang represents loyalty and trust.

photo credit: Glen Luchford for i-D

Watch The Trailer For Chadwick Boseman’s Final Movie ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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The world lost Chadwick Boseman on August 28 when the acclaimed actor passed away from colon cancer at the age of 43. Before his death, Boseman starred in numerous critically-acclaimed movies like 42, Black Panther, and Da 5 Bloods.

Fans of the South Carolina native will get to see him on screen in a new film for one last time. Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is scheduled to begin streaming on the platform on December 18. A trailer for the drama is now available.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, directed by George C. Wolfe and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, is an adaption of August Wilson’s play of the same name. Boseman stars as Levee. Oscar-winner Viola Davis takes on the title role. The cast also includes Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Taylour Paige, and Dusan Brown.

The story is set in 1920s Chicago and centers around the rising tensions between “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey (Viola Davis), her horn player Levee (Chadwick Boseman), and her white management over control of Rainey’s music. Academy Award winner Denzel Washington is among the producers for the motion picture.

Meek Mill Announces He’s Dropping A New Album In 2020

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Many Hip Hop followers view Meek Mill’s 2018 studio LP, Championships, as a comeback project. The Philadelphia representative received positive feedback for the album and secured his second #1 on the Billboard 200 chart after 2017’s Wins & Losses was met with mixed reviews and peaked at #3.

It looks like Meek is close to letting loose his next collection of tunes. During an #AskMeek session on Twitter, a user questioned the Dreamchasers leader about when he plans to drop his follow-up to Championships. Meek replied, “This year lol.”

People also asked Meek for his thoughts and opinions about other topics like what is the hottest song right now (“To me I think ‘the voice’ from Durk!”) and whether he will make a sequel to the Charm City Kings movie set in Philly this time (“Good idea??? Idk if it’s a [part] 2 yet!”).

When someone inquired about which presidential candidate Meek is backing in this year’s election, the 33-year-old entertainer did not mention Democrat Joe Biden or Republican Donald Trump. He just replied with multiple grimacing face, eyes, folded hands, and hugging face emojis. Earlier this year, Meek used a Trump soundbite on his song “Otherside of America.”

 

 

24kGoldn & Iann Dior Score Their First No.1 Song With “Mood”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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2020 has been a huge year for Golden “24kGoldn” Jones. The 19-year-old rapper from San Francisco won the fans-voted 10th spot on XXL‘s Freshman Class list, and now he has the #1 song in America.

24kGoldn’s “Mood” featuring Puerto Rican performer iann dior hit the top spot on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart this week. This is the first Number One for both artists.

“Mood” totaled 20.3 million streams, 7,000 downloads, and 62.9 million radio airplay audience impressions during the tracking week. That puts the record at #4 on the Streaming Songs chart, #6 on the Digital Song Sales chart, and #6 on the Radio Songs chart.

Elsewhere on the Hot 100, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s former #1 “WAP” rose back to #2. The track tops the Streaming Songs chart and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for a ninth week.

Drake and Lil Durk’s “Laugh Now Cry Later” climbed one spot to #3. The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”  jumped two spots to #4. Internet Money and Gunna’s “Lemonade” featuring Don Toliver and NAV made it into the Top 10 by leapfrogging from #12 to #10.

50 Cent Supports President Trump After Learning Of Biden’s Tax Hikes On Rich People

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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50 Cent just pledged his allegiance to President Donald Trump in the upcoming race for the White House, and it’s all about the money.

The Queens rapper took lit up social media after he went on Instagram to announce his support for President Trump and to denounce President Joe Biden, over his plan to tax rich people in New York.

👀WHAT THE F###! (VOTE ForTRUMP) IM OUT, 🏃‍♂️💨F### NEW YORK The KNICKS never win anyway. 🤷🏽‍♂️I don’t care Trump doesn’t like black people 62% are you out of ya f###### mind. 😤

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGiai3nHu9f/

According to CNBC, people living in New York, New Jersey, and California earning more than $400,000 could end up paying more than 60% in income taxes when the state and local statutory rates are combined under Biden’s plan.

But the same report also said most taxpayers never pay the full rate, when factoring in write-offs, deductions, and credits for their income.

CNBC’s report also said the richest people will pay even less if Republicans and Democrats agree to remove the $10,000 cap on local and state deductions.

However, as it stands, Biden’s policy would be the highest wealthy citizens have faced in over three decades, which is enough for 50 to throw his weight behind President Trump.

It is unclear if 50 was just trolling, based on his follow up post. “I just remembered i’m bankrupt, so i’m looking for a gracious loan can anyone help a brother out. LOL.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGidVMsH7Fd/

Dr. Dre’s Wife Says Hip-Hop Producer Is Running A Smear Campaign In Divorce War

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Dr. Dre and his partner at the Record One studio, Larry Chatman have both accused Nicole Young of stealing over $353,571.85 from the company’s corporate account.

While they were able to produce a copy of the withdrawn check, Nicole Young contends that this is all a smear campaign against her to be used in their divorce proceedings. 

Nicole Young’s attorneys believe that this accusation further pushes the narrative that she is a money-hungry gold digger.

According to reports, the soon-to-be ex-wife maintains that this is just another schism that feeds into her husband’s manipulative behavior. She said that Dre is “abusive coercive control” and has committed “rampant and repeated marital misconduct.” 

In a 121-page document, Nicole Young details in great lengths various ways that the almost billionaire basically tried to “beat her into submission.” 

This was done by leaking stories about her spending and “stealing” to “friendly media outlets.” Dr. Dre and Nicole Young were married for 24 years. 

Earlier this summer, they announced the dissolve of their marriage and it has progressively gotten nastier and nastier before all of Hip-Hop.

Diddy Gets Props For Backing Armenia In Escalating War With Turkey

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Fans may know that Sean “Diddy” Combs has been extremely vocal about getting the Hip-Hop community out to the polls for years.

Speaking out on the vote, politics, entrepreneurship, self-empowerment, and social justice has been something that he has never shied away from and now he is adding international awareness to the conversation.

Recently, the Bad Boy posted on his Instagram story a note about Armenia, a small nation that was once part of the former Soviet republic, in the mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Europe.

The country is now in the throes of war since an invasion launched last month. “Armenia is under attack,” Diddy posted to millions of his followers.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) extended their gratitude to the music mogul.

The organization took to Twitter and wrote, “Thank you P Diddy for sharing the news on IG – to your 17+ million followers. From Senators to celebrities – we need to raise the roof until America acts to stop the slaughter of Armenians”

Azerbaijan invaded Artsakh on September 27th, with support from their ally Turkey. Heavy fighting broke out between Armenian and Azerbaijan forces over control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

These attacks directly impacted the “civilian infrastructures” of the two nations. Reports say that not only are the soldiers coming from Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also Syria.

Austin Sexton – Artist First, Producer Second, Engineer Third

By: Shirley Ju Updated Category: Features
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Austin Sexton is an artist first, a producer second, and an engineer third. The Pennsylvania native has been in the music industry for what seems like forever, working behind the scenes and contributing to numerous hits. Learning how to play piano at the age of 5with the ability to play 10 different instruments, he currently serves as Head of Production at Playback Los Angeles studio in Van Nuys.

 

After playing an open mic while intoxicated on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, he was asked to play for the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce — while he was there on vacation. At that point, he knew it could be a long-lasting career. With no knowledge of the process, he went to a studio and dropped his entire life savings into recording a 6-track EP, eventually teaching himself how to record and produce himself. Now, he celebrates a certified Gold record after working with SuperDuperKyle on “To The Moon.”

Having released music as his own solo artist for 2 years now, Austin prides himself in his unique sound blending the likes of R&B, funk, soul, and honesty — baring his soul with each release. Now he returns with his newest single “Roses,” pairing it with a standout visual that only marks the beginning of a film to come. Fans can look forward to his forthcoming sophomore album titled The Closure You Seek.

 

AllHipHop caught up with Austin in downtown Los Angeles to discuss his upbringing back in Pennsylvania, getting his first Gold record, the inspiration behind “Roses,” endorsements, goals, and more!

 

AllHipHop: You’re from Pennsylvania, what were you seeing growing up?

Austin Sexton: A very small white town, maybe 60,000 people. I was one of 4 black kids in a school with 200 in the entire population from pre-kindergarten all the way through 12th. Not a whole lot going on in the arts. I was born in 1990, I was there for 20 years. The older I got, the more the arts started to develop with my family and throughout the county. It was a bit of a culture shock moving out here because Pennsylvania’s old in the sense that it’s one of the original states. You come out to California, it’s a whole melting pot and culture shock out here. I was very close-minded to a lot of things including music, until I moved out to California.

 

AllHipHop: When did you come to California?

Austin Sexton: 2011. I was 21.

 

AllHipHop: How did you learn how to produce on your own?

Austin Sexton: To play piano and all the instruments I had teachers over the years. To produce, I was taught by a mentor at that studio I went to and dropped that bag on. He saw all the talent, he said “it’s not about the money. I need you to actually be by my side, I’ma show you how to do this.” He took me under his wing to this day. Now we have a recording studio in Van Nuys called Playback Los Angeles, that’s where all of my production’s done. All my self-production. If I’m engineering for people or producing for people, major label or indie situations, it all falls through there.

 

AllHipHop: How long have you had that studio?

Austin Sexton: We’ve had it for a year and a half now. Fairly new, took a year to build. A lot of really dope names through the building already. My mentor OT, that’s how we have our mutual friend Demrick. Demrick and OT were recording together 6 or 7 years before I knew OT, that’s how I got introduced to him. He became a big brother to me.

 

AllHipHop: You’re a certified Gold producer, what record was that for?

Austin Sexton: SuperDuperKyle, a record called “To The Moon” that was on his Light of Mine album. Me and my bro Sunny Norway produced it. I met Sunny through KYLE’s brother, UGLY introduced us and we started working on production. He said “I’m working with KYLE, let’s lob some ideas.” It worked out that way.

 

AllHipHop: How does it feel to get a Gold record as a producer?

Austin Sexton: I still haven’t gotten the plaque yet, haven’t had time to do it. I actually ordered it yesterday. It’s going to be dope to see it on the wall. It’s dope to be part of a really big album that’s helped define KYLE. It’s the itch: once you get one, you want to keep going. I’m always doing some stuff. Since I’ve done it for somebody else, I want to do it for myself.

 

AllHipHop: Is it hard to be taken seriously as an artist, since you’ve been more behind the scenes?

Austin Sexton: I have a core little group of people who definitely support my music, that’s dope. When you’re not huge and not making a crazy amount of money, you’re doing it independently and you’re not signed to a label so you don’t have that advance, it gets a little discouraging at times. You have to sit behind the engineering chair, you have to produce all the time. You’re in there like “yo lemme get a shot,” but you have to play your role. I’m working with a couple homies now for the next 15 days, doing 12-hour engineering shifts for different majors and artists. I’m a really good engineer and a really good producer. “Oh, we need you to do these things.” Dope, but I just dropped a single and I’m trying to promote that.

 

AllHipHop: The bag’s probably great too.

Austin Sexton: You can’t turn down the bag. The money’s right in front of you, you take that money.

 

AllHipHop: New single “Roses,” who or what inspired this record?

Austin Sexton: The inspiration behind it was a relationship. I was dating somebody for a really long time and right before I left for tour, we ended up splitting up. As an independent artist, I’m engineering and I’m producing all the time. I’m trying to make it myself, but the bag’s inconsistent. She was looking for security. She ended breaking up with me because she said the life she envisioned for herself is harder with me in it. That s### crushed me.

 

Granted when I first moved to LA, I was living with me and all the homies. Turning 27, splitting a room with somebody trying to lower rent. She’s looking for bigger and better things, I’m out here grinding trying to make it for myself. It inspired not only the single, but a whole album of 11 songs. No songs on the album that weren’t used, that’s the first one that came out. It’s an ultimatum. The chorus goes “roses are red, hundreds are blue, money can’t show my love for you. Roses are red, hundreds are green, is love enough to stay with me?” Can we make this work without having to worry about money? It’s 2020, s### gets crazy. We’re in LA, relationships are a dime a dozen.

 

AllHipHop: Who’s idea was it to get kidnapped in the visual?

Austin Sexton: It was my concept. Me and my boy Austin Cantu, he definitely knows how to bring my ideas to life. I’m a real big movie guy, I love cinematic stuff. A lot of videos these days are real fast, everybody’s flexing money, but I like to tell stories. I’m inspired by Quentin Tarantino and the big movie guys. I wanted to do something different and cinematic.

 

AllHipHop: This is the beginning to more films, right?

Austin Sexton: Yes! We have 4 or 5 singles coming before the album, all the videos and visuals are based around that first visual I put out. It’s a mini-movie.

 

AllHipHop: What can we expect from the album?

Austin Sexton: I wouldn’t call it an album, I’d call it an idea. It’s the same premise as Frank Ocean Blonde where it all goes in and out of each other. It’s really a story. There’s skits and different sequences. It’s a start to finish, 1 to 11. Get in your car, you press play, you’ll zone out until the end in the best way possible. It’s an idea, a concept album.

 

https://soundcloud.com/austinsexton/sets/austin-sexton-goodsex

 

AllHipHop: Talk about your endorsements: Gibson Guitar, Native Instruments, and Blue Microphones 7.

Austin Sexton: When I was recording in Santa Barbara, we moved the studio I had to down here. When we’re closing up shop to look for a new place, the owner of the studio let me use his guitar. I didn’t have a guitar at the time. It was a PRS, the guitar I used to make my very first projects. He’s taking the guitar back with him to NY. I put my first album out called GOODSEX at the time, meaning good music from Austin Sexton. This woman reached out to me via email, her name was Rae Vinton. She’s still my Gibson rep today.

 

She said “hey want to let you know out of the blue I came across your album, I absolutely love it. Do you have a guitar? What kind of guitar were you using?” I said “Oh PRS, I don’t have it anymore.” She said “I work with Gibson, would you like to come down to the showroom?” Literally the day the guy left with the guitar. It was a blessing in disguise that now I’m endorsed with them because they love my music and the way I play, my genre. Native Instruments, I met through Rae as well. They endorse the studio with hardware and software. Anything we need, we tag them. Blue Microphones, it’s all the people and networking. The music industry’s very small. You meet one person, you have 25 mutual friends.

 

AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?

Austin Sexton: Guitar, a MIDI keyboard, and I need a Puff bar. I chain smoke like a m###########. The studio will already have the computer, I’ll already have all my drum sounds. I might sub out the Puff bar for a nitro cold brew, catch a little vibe with that.

 

AllHipHop: What are some goals you have for yourself?

Austin Sexton: To sustain my standard of living, strictly off of the music I make and the support I have. To get myself a plaque based off my own individual music, and to help and communicate with people based off the music I make. I want to be relatable. I want people to understand, feel, and relate.

City Girls Turn Heards In Moneybagg Yo’s “Said Sum Remix” Video With DaBaby

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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Moneybagg Yo recently dropped his “Code Red” mixtape with fellow Memphis rapper Blac Youngsta.

The 13-track project features the track “Said Sum,” which has garnered over 65 million views on YouTube and has already reached gold status by the RIAA. Moneybagg is breathing more life into the song by teaming up with City Girls and DaBaby to collectively send a clear message to their haters.

Check out the new video for “Said Sum Remix,” which was directed by Ben Marc.

JT slays the opening with a memorable verse:

F### n#### I wanna hear it/Aint talking a bag I cover my ears/I hop in a lamb I switching the gears/My b###### is ballin make these n##### shhyea/Audumar baguettes with the crush face/I leave a b#### mad with the stuck face/Who the f### y’all hoes playing with anyways/Citys girls make em wish like Ray J/

 

T.I. And AllHipHop Team To Give $12,000 To One Lucky HBCU Student

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Forget the government. T.I. and AllHipHop’s L.I.B.R.A. Stimulus Package is moving the needle forward in social entrepreneurship and community investment during these times of dire straits, more than anyone has ever expected.

At the top of the month, AllHipHop announced that in celebration of the Grand Hustler’s latest project, The L.I.B.R.A (The Legend Is Back Running Atlanta) that dropped last week on October 16th, the rapper would give away $1,200 to 10 lucky participants, over ten days.

Day after day the winners were announced. 10 lucky people received cold hard cash from the King of the South and enjoyed the best music of his career by voting on the hottest song from each of his ten albums.

The response was overwhelming, showing both the mogul and the platform that this idea was far more than just a promotion, it was a lifesaver for some of the winners as well. 

Now T.I. is dropping even more money. 

This time, $12,000 will be given to one student from a Historically Black College or University. There is a need there as prices for HBCUs have been rising over the last 30 years.

According to Larik Dais, an executive at a popular shipping company, a member of Phi Beta Sigma and a graduate of Morehouse College, the tuition at his alma mater was under $6000 in 1991. 

Now it is almost ten times that amount. 

So great has student debt become with Black college grads, that billionaire Robert Smith offered to pay over $34 million in outstanding student loans for the graduating class of 2019 at Morehouse.

T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, joins the club of miracle makers. 

His gift of $12,000 could have gone to a nice Rolex, a new Birkin bag for his wife, or a few new toys for his kid, but it will not. 

What it will serve is as a down payment for some young woman or man’s future — stimulating the economy in a very tangible way.

Super dope that he has chosen AllHipHop, one of the most consistent sources for Hip-Hop culture, to be his partner. Head over to AllHipHop.com/ti or click here to read the rules and enter the contest!

If you are ready, go ahead and enter the contest below!

Submit Your Video And Tell Us Your Favorite Track On “The L.I.B.R.A.” And WHY It’s Your Favorite Track