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YVS Village: Signing To KBeaZy & Debut Single “Rugrat” Going Up

By: Shirley Ju Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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YVS Village is only 19 years old and already getting some of the biggest cosigns in the game, from the likes of Kid Laroi and 24Kgoldn. Having been discovered by producer KBeaZy, the Philadelphia-born, Los Angeles-raised rapper uses music as an outlet to express himself — leading to an outpour of support from friends, families, and anyone who comes across his music.

He states, “I’m originally from Philly but came out here at 8 years old. I usually rep LA more because I was raised out here. I have memories and have family in Philly, that’s my hometown.”

Inspired by the likes of Lil Uzi Vert, DaBaby, and A$AP Rocky, Village creates energetic music for the masses to turn up and have fun to. With his debut single “Rugrat,” who’s music video is quickly approaching a million views on Youtube within a week of its release, he proves exactly why he’s about to be a problem in the rap game. The visual also starts with a comedic skit, showing his fun personality and sense of humor that’s instantly contagious.

AllHipHop caught up with Village who was posted in the valley where he grew up. Read below as we discuss

AllHipHop: Where do you get your influences from?

YVS Village: I get my influences from Lil Uzi because of his flow and his energy. You could really feel his energy through the music. A$AP Rocky because of his swag, how he’s talking, how he’s looking cool while he raps. He can spit, but he’s also fly. He’s dripped up. that’s my inspo from him. I can see the picture he’s painting in my head. Lastly, DaBaby because of his antics and his confidence. I believe him when he’s speaking.

AllHipHop: What’s the inspiration behind your name?

YVS Village: When I was 15 years old, I lived in Valley Village. A part in Studio City, LA. I remember I started rapping. I legit got a mic, was recording on Audacity trying to figure out what’s going to be my rapper name. I asked my mom, she said “Village, because you live in Valley Village. You’re all up in here, so why not Village?” I took The Village (that was my name for a little bit), then changed it to YVS.

YVS means a lot to me: Young Valley Superstars. It’s my platform and brand to show there’s great creatives like myself and great people from my same area who want to excel. I want to make that platform for them, give back and shoot for the stars. People in my city are talented and amazing, I want to help them as a stepping stone for where they want to be. I want to leave that legacy We all die, that’s the sad part but life goes on. I want be remembered as a person who helped other people.

AllHipHop: When did you realize music could be a career?

YVS Village: Most of my life, I played football. I wanted to go to Michigan and play runningback, then go to the NFL. I wanted to be a baller. A lot of manchilds out there. I’m 5’ 7”, I didn’t weigh too much. Most that I ever weighed was 160 tops. I was nice, I won MVP of my league. I was team captain, everyone loved me. I was really good, but football wasn’t there for me like music.

Recording at home in my living room til 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning, I knew I loved music. It’s there for me more than football.

It was speaking to me, I felt confident doing it. “Wow, this is really something I can get behind and make my career in.” I never felt confident in anything in my life. I never felt confident in anything in my life: school, anything! It’s fun, I enjoy doing this and I’m being myself. My sophomore year, I actually started rapping. I played football all throughout high school, but who cares? I’m still going to rap.

AllHipHop: How did “Rugrat” come about? Song’s a banger.

YVS Village: It was actually the first time me and KBeaZy ever met, we cooked up in the studio. I said “I’m looking for a West Coast sound,” he said “let’s get it.” We made the song, it was a hit. All the people loved it. I wanted the video to show people this is a party song. You get lit off the energy. I get inspired by DaBaby because DaBaby’s videos are really animated, like an old Busta Rhymes. How my swag and energy is like A$AP and Lil Uzi. Kids turning up, house in the hills, that energy. I want people to see that like “wow that’s awesome, that’s lit. I feel it, I want to live that lifestyle.” It’s a vision. They can see it, visualize it.

AllHipHop: Did you think it would go up like this?

YVS Village: I did, because I felt it. It was the energy. LA, the West Coast vibe is jumping. If you have a topic or a theme, the energy to bring to the record and that bounce? I knew it’d take off. When BeaZy made it and I was rapping it, it was crazy. I wrote the verse in Stats class in college, I’m a first year.” I’m failing Stats anyway, might as well write music. I wrote the hook on my best friend’s couch. At that time, living situations. My mom and I were transitioning from my grandma’s, my brother had to go stay with a family friend, I was staying with my best friend. Wrote the hook on his couch, I kept saying “this is a hit!” I felt it.

AllHipHop: How did KBeaZy find you?

YVS Village: From my SoundCloud, shout out SoundCloud recommendations. He hit me up like “You tryna lock in?” I said “bet, let’s lock in!” The first day, we clicked. Instantly ound that connection. We started building and making really great music. He’s 19, I’m 19. We come from different backgrounds, but that’s still my man. It’s so cool because we both like sports. We’re both Lebron fans, we’re both into video games. The age difference is not too far.

I admire Beazy so much because he’s a kid from the middle of nowhere living the lifestyle in LA. I really have so much respect for him. Our relationship is growing in great length, that’s my friend. If me and BeaZy were in high school, we’d be cool together. It reminds me of when I first started rapping, all my friends would come over. We started writing songs in the living room, recording on my cell phone. The energy and vibes I brought working with someone the same age as me, on that level, is a blessing. It clicked.

AllHipHop: Talk about getting the cosigns from Kid Laroi and 24KGoldn, that’s dope!

YVS Village: BeaZy. Cause BeaZy has produced with them. Since I’m his artist, he introduced me to them. They’re really vibing with the sound, really thought “wow, this is really good. This kid has talent.” Goldn’s a really cool dude, he’s 19. Laroi’s young too, just the connection. They gave me really great advice about this industry, about the hate, about the image you want to create for yourself, how your happiness is more important at the end of the day. Those dudes are really cool, I can’t thank them enough.

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

YVS Village: To be authentic. A lot of times people are gimmicks, want to put up a front. Be yourself. Me? I’m a kid who wants to have fun and live life. I want to bring energy. I’ma talk about my struggles and what I’m going through, there’s going to be a kid out there who can relate. I want to bring that West Coast vibe. You can feel happy when you listen to my music, this is authentic. I’m never talking about nothing that isn’t me. I’m talking about myself and what I’m going through, some kid out there understands me. People are dealing with the same thing, you don’t know who they are.

AllHipHop: Three things you need in the studio?

YVS Village: A hot warm tea, I always drink a hot warm tea before I get into the studio. My right-hand man, my cousin. He’s always giving great advice, he’s my second ear. Lastly, I need my fit right. I gotta look fly when I enter the studio. I need my cuz right beside me, a dope fit, and warm tea cause it helps my vocals.

AllHipHop: Goals for yourself?

YVS Village: If I’m going big, get an EGOT: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, a Tony. I want to be a superstar, get all those categories. John Legend, Whoopi Goldberg, those people won awards in every category. That’s what legends do. I want to be the ultimate entertainer. Another goal is to start a YVS brand. I’m really into fashion. I’m starting with my best friend and my cousin. We’re tryna blow up this brand, make it a platform for other artists like myself to grow. Really enrich our community and rep my city. At the end of the day, you can never forget where you come from.

AllHipHop: Anything else you wanna let us know?

YVS Village: This song is doing good, but I’m not done yet, I still got a lot to prove. I’m hungry and I’m humble. I’m a lion, I’ll never be a gazelle so I’m always coming every day. I never settle. It’s not in my blood. Not in my DNA.

AllHipHop: What can we expect next?

YVS Village: More singles features the energy. You’ll see me on KBeazy’s Youtube very soon, we got something cooked up. Catch me, I’m coming. My energy’s going to be there I’m going to be consistent with it, I never settle for less.

EXCLUSIVE: R. Kelly Must Stay Behind Bars Despite Prison Beating; Tupac’s Step-Dad’s Case Cited

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Exclusives
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R&B singer R. Kelly will be getting no breaks, even though his life is obviously at risk in prison.

Last week, the singer was beaten by a Latin Kings gang member in his jail cell at the MCC in Chicago, where he is currently being held on numerous counts of sexually abusing a number of teens and women over the past two decades.

R. Kelly’s lawyers have been trying to get him out of prison as he awaits two trials for racketeering and overseeing a sexual Enterprise that exploited young teenaged girls.

His three prior attempts to be released due to his fear of catching the Coronavirus has failed each time. 

In his latest attempt, R. Kelly’s lawyers cited the attack on his disgraced celebrity client as another reason he should be freed from the prison. 

However, in a ruling today (September 8th) Judge Ann Donnelly once again denied R. Kelly’s request for freedom.

Even though R. Kelly’s life is obviously at risk from other inmates, he is still just too dangerous to be released from prison, citing a May 15th ruling. 

“We perceive no clear error in the district court’s determination that the government has demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that Kelly presents risk of a danger to the community and by a preponderance of the evidence that Kelly presents a flight risk, and, moreover,
that no condition or combination of conditions could assure against those risks. Likewise, the court did not clearly err in determining that Kelly failed to demonstrate a “compelling reason” for temporary release.”

Ironically, Judge Donnelly cited a ruling that kept Tupac Shakur’s step-father Dr. Mutulu Shakur locked up because he too was deemed a flight risk, for his involvement in the armed robbery of a Brinks truck in 1981, which left one guard and two cops murdered. 

Dr. Shakur was eventually sentenced to 60 years in prison for the robbery and murders. 

Megan Thee Stallion Is Playing With Fire; Gun Comes Out In Drunken Party

By: illseed Updated Category: Rumors
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(AllHipHop Rumors) Megan Thee Stallion is on of the dopest rappers to come out of Hip-Hop in the last few years. She’s dominated the charts, gotten the love of big names like Jay-Z and also seen some controversial times. When Tory Lanez allegedly shot her in her feet, the energy changed around the Houston native. It was not her fault, but it is what it is! 

Now, it would seem like things are back to normal, but are they? I watched this entire video and at the end, I saw something that startled me. Her apparent bodyguard, Justin, pull out a GUN in the pool as they party. Talk about energy change! Now, lets pause for a minute. As far as  know, this has never been something Megan was about. So, I am led to believe this is a response to the situation with Tory. If you don’t want to watch the whole thing, just watch the last 2 or so minutes. 

I just cannot understand why they would be playing like this. Granted, Megan was pretty clear that she’s not with this, why even have this element around? I hope she straightened him out. Now, if something tragic happened, we’d all be singing the blues, but not taking responsibility as adults. 

Joe Budden And Cyn Santana Leaked Convo Has People Talking.

By: illseed Updated Category: Rumors
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(AllHipHop Rumors) Nothing is safe.

You cannot have a phone conversation and you cannot text. You are best sending emails, if anything. Anyway, one of our OGs is caught up in a situation and it does not look good. There is a 19-plus minute personal conversation that is now made public. 

I personally do not like hearing this, but this is the game. These guys play it well. So, I am listening to this and I admit, I almost caught up in the drama. Joe Budden seemed to be fighting for his family and being with Cyn Santana. She does not seem to be interested as I type these words. He wants to talk and she is not interested at all. She is talking about 1) child support and 2) visitation. 

Well, the initial chatter was that Budden was a crazed stalker and possibly abusive. But this does not seem to be that….

What this could be is some retaliation from Joe’s rant last week, because he went off on Charlamagne and others. It would seem like a set up! But, I don’t know. The timing is off. At any rate, if you want to hear a man and woman go back and forth….this is for you. 

It seemed like there was a setup attempt and Joe felt that. 

Big Sean Talks Recruiting Eminem, Royce Da 5’9″ & Other Detroit Artists For “Friday Night Cypher”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) At the moment, Big Sean’s Detroit 2 album is forecasted to debut at #1 on next week’s album chart. His latest musical effort was bolstered by numerous high-profile collaborators.

Hit-Boy executive produced the entire project. Plus, Detroit 2 contains songs with Post Malone (“Wolves”), Travis Scott (“Lithuania”), Young Thug (“Respect It”), Wale (“Guard Your Heart”), Lil Wayne (“Don Life”), the late Nipsey Hussle (“Deep Reverence”), and more. 

One of the standout records – “Friday Night Cypher” – included an impresssive lineup of Detroit-bred rappers. Sean drafted Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll, Cash Kidd, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Boldy James, Drego, Sada Baby, Royce Da 5’9″, and Eminem for the posse cut.

“It’s a part of rap community to do cyphers, to battle rap, all these things. That’s like a part of Detroit culture too,” Big Sean explained to Nadeska on Apple Music 1. “I came up just like how it is in Philly and New York. Detroit is heavy on the battle rap scene and heavy on the open mic scene.” 

He added, “But what’s unique about this is the beats change, so even though it’s one track it feels like it’s a little EP riding too. The beat changes like eight, nine times, different beats. Some classic beats people may remember that got flipped, some new beats. And it’s artists that people may not know and artists that people for sure know. But I wanted to just bring them all together. Some artists that got beef with each other had to resolve their beef… I’m definitely proud of the accomplishment of getting a lot of people on there and doing that for the city.”

Big Sean’s “Friday Night Cypher” samples 2002’s “Grindin'” by Clipse as well as 1978’s “My Music” by Samuel Jonathan Johnson. The latter song was also incorporated into Jadakiss’s “We Gonna Make It” featuring Styles P from 2001. Hit-Boy, Key Wane, Jay John Henry, and Helluva are credited as the producers for “Friday Night Cypher.”

Teyana Taylor & Iman Shumpert Welcome New Daughter Rue Rose

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Junie now has a little sister. NBA champion Iman Shumpert and singer/actress/director Teyana Taylor’s firstborn daughter was joined in the family by a new baby named Rue Rose on Sunday.

Taylor confirmed her second pregnancy in the music video for “Wake Up Love” which was released on June 12. On Monday night, obth parents celebrated the birth of their new bundle of joy with Instagram posts.

Iman Shumpert wrote:

At 3:28 am on Sept 6th 2020 Rue Rose decided that the baby shower thrown for her and mommy was too lit. She didn’t make the party but she managed to make the next day her birthdate!!! Now…when we buy homes, we always find a bathroom with great energy… but not in a million years would you be able to tell me we’d deliver both of our daughters in a bathroom without the assistance of a hospital! Our newest edition entered the world in the water and came out looking around and ready to explore! A healthy child. A little sister. Another daughter. Black love wins….again. Welcome babygirl…we love you! @babyruerose

Taylor posted:

We love you Rue, welcome baby girl @babyruerose ❤️
#Repost @imanshumpert •••••• At 3:28 am on Sept 6th 2020 Rue Rose decided that the baby shower thrown for her and mommy was too lit. She didn’t make the party but she managed to make the next day her birthdate!!! Now…when we buy homes, we always find a bathroom with great energy… but not in a million years would you be able to tell me we’d deliver both of our daughters in a bathroom without the assistance of a hospital! Our newest edition entered the world in the water and came out looking around and ready to explore! A healthy child. A little sister. Another daughter. Black love wins….again. Welcome babygirl…we love you! @babyruerose

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SZA Talks Working With Ty Dolla $ign & The Neptunes For “Hit Different” Single

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) It feels like SZA season is upon us. Last Friday, the Top Dawg Entertainment singer-songwriter dropped the new song “Hit Different” featuring Ty Dolla $ign.

New Music Daily’s Zane Lowe recently spoke to the music star for Apple Music. Lowe and SZA talked about her connecting with TD$ as well as teaming with The Neptunes for the track.

“I can’t really wrap my head around the experience and I think more so I’m fangirling off of having a track produced by probably the most formative producers and artists for me when I was growing up,” said SZA about her experience working with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes.

The 29-year-old performer continued, “I cried just explaining to Pharrell what he meant to me growing up here in the burbs – being one of five black people in my radius. It just was really crazy because you have your idols in your mind and I avoid mine all the time in case it don’t go well. And I just was really astonished. Chad was just perfect and Pharrell was just perfect. It was too perfect.”

SZA credits Ty Dolla $ign with the “Hit Different” hook. She told Lowe, “Ty just came through. He’s so effortless. He was like mumbling… and just said ‘Hit Different’ and it really hit me differently. And me and Pharrell, Chad and everybody – we just made five jams that we just love or six. And I just cannot f*cking believe that because it’s my childhood dream and I can’t believe that I made things that I f*ck with with someone that really changed my life.” 

“Hit Different” had a strong opening on the Spotify charts. The single racked up 1,106,414 streams on the platform in its first 24 hours. It added another 1,298,810 Spotify plays over the following two days. SZA and Ty Dolla $ign’s collaboration currently sits at #2 on the iTunes R&B/Soul songs chart.

“I just really want to put out more music and more — this body of work that I’ve been working on… everything sounds different. But it all sounds like me,’ stated SZA. “As long as the essence of me is in it I’m not really stressed about continuity or making sense to anybody. I’ve been making a sh*t ton of music. If you really leave it up to me, ain’t no telling when sh*t’s gonna come out because I have anxiety… I’ve never felt so loose in the world before.” 

2017’s Ctrl was a breakout project for SZA (born Solána Imani Rowe). The New Jersey native’s debut studio LP was praised by professional music critics and earned the vocalist five Grammy nominations. Ctrl is presently certified 2x-Platinum by the RIAA.

Have Summer Walker & London On Da Track Broken Up Again?

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Not too long ago, Summer Walker had a lot to say about the alleged $53,000/month child support situation involving Eliza Reign and Nayvadius “Future” Wilburn. Fast forward a few days and now Walker seems to be dealing with her own relationship issues in public.

Walker took to her secondary Instagram page [@galactawhore] to seemingly air out her on-again, off-again boyfriend London On Da Track. The Over It album creator posted a cryptic message about having a rough time in 2020 which included allusions to her romantic partner. 

“I really thought this was gonna be a good year but it turned out to be the WORST YEAR EVER. Literally like the saddest day of my life. I have the worst taste in men, I like literally find my childhood trauma and then date it,” wrote Walker.

London On Da Track and Summer Walker split up back in 2019 before reconciling. At the time, the R&B songstress suggested that London was a “male chauvinist” while also referring to him as “a sweet man deep down inside.”

The latest apparent break-up involving the two musical collaborators comes after Eliza Reign clapped back at Walker for publicly commenting on her circumstance with the father of her child. Reign accused London of being an unsupportive father like Future, and she called on Walker to hold the record producer accountable for his treatment of women.

Big Sean’s ‘Detroit 2’ Album Projected To Debut At No. 1

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Since its release on September 4, Detroit 2 has received positive reviews. Big Sean used his fifth studio LP to express his feelings about the personal tribulations he had to deal with in recent years.

The result of Sean’s vulnerability on wax could be another #1 album. HitsDailyDouble reports that Detroit 2 is projected to collect 100,000-110,000 first-week units which should be enough to claim the top spot on the next album chart.

A few days ago, Tekashi 6ix9ine’s TattleTales was expected to land at #1 with upwards of 150,000 first-week units. However, industry prognosticators downgraded 6ix9ine’s predicted numbers to 40,000-50,000 units.

Detroit 2 featured a star-studded lineup of guest features. Sean connected with Hit-Boy, Eminem, Royce Da 5’9″, Post Malone, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Lil Wayne, Diddy, Ty Dolla $ign, Jhené Aiko, Wale, Anderson. Paak, and more for the 21-track project.

Sales Projections For 6ix9ine’s ‘TattleTales’ Album Drop Dramatically

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Initially, it looked as if Tekashi 6ix9ine’s TattleTales was on pace to move around 150,000 first-week units. Newly updated predictions now have the controversial “Trollz” rapper coming in far less than that number.

According to HitsDailyDouble, the TattleTales album is only likely to bring in 40,000-50,000 units in its first week of sales. The website did not provide an explanation for the significant drop in its early calculations.

In the past, 6ix9ine made fun of other artists that sold around 45,000 first-week units. Several of his longtime rivals – such as Lil Durk, Trippie Redd, and Lil Tjay – took the opportunity to clown the Blood gang affiliate-turned-government witness.

“That’s what [happens] when you go against the voice lol. Ima [outsell] him with my eyes closed,” wrote Durk on Instagram. Trippie posted an IG video of him laughing hysterically with a caption that just read, “B*tch.”

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Buttah B. Nova & VADO Are “Doing What They Want” In New Dope Video

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Sponsored Posts
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(AllHipHop Music) Uptown, Uptown!! The Bronx born microphone bully, Buttah B. Nova is officially announced to the world. Buttah decided to make a statement releasing his new single, “Doing What We Want,” with VADO. Additionally, Buttah is currently using the quarantine to build a solid repertoire of music, videos, press, and merchandise. Buttah B’s goal is aiming to achieve all the accolades a burgeoning star deserves. For example, Buttah B. received the honor of seeing his name in bright lights in Don Diva Magazine. Also on the horizon, Buttah has a live performance in Peekskill, New York, this month. Buttah B. will be releasing his home team’s compilation album with his label mates of Boss Baby Ent. before making his grand debut with a personal project. Check out Buttah B. Nova…

https://instagram.com/buttahbeezlyy?igshid=1gib7fzt6itnt https://open.spotify.com/artist/4MncssBnbtbY09ij9COlgG?si=JA9zY4mdRbaq858Ay-rNOw

Sexy Dyamond Doll, Tory Lanez And Legaxy Duke It Out In “Automatic”

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Rumors
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(AllHipHop Music) Over the past few years, female rappers began to dominate and establish their presence in hip-hop. Women introduced a different type of heat and flexed their accomplishments rightfully so. Dyamond Doll is the one to keep an eye on; she was a wholly independent artist who made a name for herself in the cutthroat Miami scene due to her persistence and diligence. Her vigor paid off when she met Dark Boy Records CEO, Joe B., who took her under his wing. The 27-year-old made a name for herself, performing locally in Miami at iconic events like Reggae Festival, or the legendary Club Liv, and Club STORY. Since Dyamond Doll came out swinging with the success of her “DWADE” single with TRINA. Now she has harnessed that energy and is using the momentum to accomplish her other projects, including the newly released EP “DYAMOND IN THE ROUGH”, which includes the controversial “Automatic” with Tory Lanez and label mate Legaxy.

@DyamondDoll on Social Media

Video Director Sues In Attempt To Get Rare Tupac Footage

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) In 1992, few people knew that Tupac Shakur was going to be the superstar multi-hyphenate that he had become four years later at the time of his demise.

One of those people to recognize Pac’s greatness early on was videographer and director, Stephen Blake.

In 1993, Interscope Records hired Blake to produce a video for Pac’s “Holler If You Hear Me.”

Though an experienced director, Blake took particular interest in Tupac as an artist and a personality.

He is now alleging that Universal Music Group, the distribution company that now owns the masters and properties associated with Tupac’s art, will not honor a handshake agreement that gave ownership of parts of the footage that bears the images and likeness of the now-deceased rapper.

Blake filed a lawsuit on September 1 with the Van Nuys Superior Courts. In his suit, he claims that UMG has ignored all of his attempts to retrieve what he believes is his property.

According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the footage in question is of high value to Blake as Tupac is prophetically speaking on issues that still go on today, expressing his anger about “wrongful deaths that he had witnessed.”

The produced video was edited to about 4 ½ minutes, the suit alleges, but he actually filmed a total of three hours of exclusive unseen footage of the former Death Row artist in his mother, the late Afeni Shakur’s home.

He wants the footage to put up for auction, hoping to grab a hefty bag.

Here is the rub: while Blake claims that the former Interscope executive, Tom Whalley, verbally agreed to let Blake have the raw footage and recorded audio interview footage in 1993.

Under the written contract, he was hired to produce, direct, edit, and compose the music and all three hours of the video by Interscope. No matter how attached he was, the contract is clear.

Thus, no one from UMC’s business affairs and the legal department has even gotten back to him.

He is suing for the right to possess and sell the footage.

Tupac Shakur was shot on September 7th in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. He died on September 13th, 1996.

September 13th will be the 24th anniversary of his death. He would have been 49 had he survived — and surely he would have had something to say about the nation’s current space of civil unrest.

Top Rap Stars Pay Tribute To The Late Mac Miller

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) It has been two years since the Hip-Hop world lost Pittsburg spitter, Mac Miller, who died from a drug overdose.

Celebrity friends and fans took to social media to pay tribute to the “Circles” emcee.

The date was September 7th, 2018 when the world lost this young rapper, who had only lived 26 years but touched so many.

Stephen Andrew Walter, Ryan Michael Reavis, and Cameron James Pettit are accused of being involved in a conspiracy that ended with Mac Miller’s death from a drug overdose.

Today, as the world reflects, the tragic pain felt by his demise is still present. This is evident by the hundreds of doves, praying hands and RIPs attributed to his name.

Thundercat posted: “You have two families, the family you’re born with and the family you choose…The family I chose, Not a day goes by I don’t feel it. I know y’all feel it too. Only bumping Mac Miller today.” Janelle Monaé posted a heart under the loving tribute.

Other notes were left throughout the day.

Wu-Tang’s Streetlife Recalls The Time Tupac Jumped On Biggie’s Car During Beef

By: Shirley Ju Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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Streetlife describes himself as “one of the most known, unknown WU members,” which is a completely accurate description.

Streetlife befriended Method Man when they were young men on Staten Island. The two would go on to form an unbreakable bond that stays strong to this day.

Having been around since the Wu-Tang Clan first came into fruition, the Bronx, New York native made his debut on Method Man’s debut album Tical in 1994.

Since then, he has been on each of the legendary group’s albums, minus their debut, Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers).

On the topic of working out, Streetlife states, “I learn from the best: Meth. Smoke, you gotta just go do it.”

This grind mode mentality is instilled in each of the Wu-Tang Clan members, including Streetlife himself. Last year, he released his single “Time Is Now,” which was created ironically before George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis by the police on May 25th, 2020.

Streetlife followed up “Time Is Now” with a banger titled “Squad Up” featuring Meth and produced by Havoc of Mobb Deep.

And, the song serves as the official theme song for the New York Yankees!

Read below as Streetlife recalls epic stories from meeting Biggie and Tupac, love for Wu-Tang Clan, and the creation of “Time Is Now” and “Squad Up.”

AllHipHop: Any epic memories from meeting Biggie?

Streetlife: Both were epic actually. 

One day Meth had got his new car, a truck. We’re going to the place in Jersey to get it detailed. When we got to the spot, we see Biggie. “Oh that’s Big right there, yo get in!” So he jumps in. He had the Range Rover which had the middle and back seat, we had to take out that middle seat so Big could get in. He’s sitting from the third row seat all through the middle, had to get up in there. He’s laid out in the back, the funniest s##t. We’re sitting there smoking, getting high.

Some dude runs up to the side where Meth was: “Meth, what’s good with you? I’m a fan. Yo wassup with that Biggie s##t? He let Pac diss his girl? He gotta represent!” 

He’s dissing Biggie, but Biggie’s in the back. Meth’s like “why don’t you tell him?” He looks in the back and sees Biggie, he’s like “ohhh Biggie, I’m your best fan!” Biggie said “yeah n##ga, get that d##k out your mouth. f##k Tupac.” 

That s##t was funny as hell because dude was tryna s##t on Biggie, but he’s in the back of the jeep.

AllHipHop: What about Tupac?

Streetlife: Me and Meth are in Vegas, it’s mad s##t going on in Vegas. The East Coast/West Coast beef, it’s bad. 

Me and Meth right in the heart of the House of Blues, we got all these Blood n##gas over here, Crip n##gas. This s##t’s crazy.

Boom out of nowhere, somebody runs up right into Meth’s chest. A lil n##ga too. They said “that s##t that happened between my boys and your boys, it’s peace.” 

Before that, a couple of my people and his people had a fight in Vegas. We’re in Hollywood on Sunset strip, but they had the beef with them in Vegas. He runs up to Meth, he’s not even looking at Meth. He’s talking about that incident between the homies in Vegas.

Meth’s a little startled, I’m a little startled. I look up and see Suge Knight and damn near half the Bloods over there. Me and Meth are standing there like “what the f##k was that s##t all about?”

At this time, we don’t even know they had the fight. He [Tupac] came over like “don’t disrespect me, we ain’t gotta worry about nothing.” 

This was 4 or 5 days before Tupac gets shot. Meth comes to me like “yo I didn’t know that was him at first.” I said “yeah he looks different. I’m looking him in his eye, he ain’t even there. That wasn’t even Tupac talking to you.”

Tupac’s going through so much s##t in his life, it wasn’t even him. He wasn’t even Tupac at that time. You know that look when you look in somebody’s eyes? It was a deep darkness, he’s soulless and cold. He wasn’t there. I told Meth, “I don’t even think he’s gonna make it.” 

This is right after they had the Source Awards in LA, Biggie just won. Tupac was there, but nobody seen Tupac.

After the cameras went off, Tupac came like “yeah motherf##kers, I’m here!” He jumped on top of Biggie’s car. It was so much s##t going on back there. That Tupac s##t was cold because I seen a soulless person, he was gone.

A situation you’re so deep in, you can’t get out. You might as well go all the way with it or be missing. He wasn’t a person that could be missing because he’s too famous.

He wasn’t a secondary B, C, D n##ga, you the A n##ga. Anywhere you go, they know you. He was there till the death in a sense.

AllHipHop: What was your guys’ reaction when Pac actually did pass?

Streetlife: I had more of a reaction when Biggie passed, being that he was from New York. The night before that, we’d seen Biggie and Lil’ Cease and them at the Billboard. We hung out with them. They had bodyguards, everything running around them. I’m thinking man, we don’t run with bodyguards. Me, Meth, and whoever we with, that’s who we with.

Every single person had at least 5 bodyguards, I can’t understand how that happened. He got shot up, there’s no return fire or none of that. It was a tough one. I had more of a reaction to that than Tupac. In order to settle that beef or to die down, they both had to go. After the Tupac s##t, Biggie’s like “we’re going back to Cali.” You hear it on the album. That one hit me more because I seen him the night before.

AllHipHop: Why did WuTang get so much love in LA in the 90’s?

Streetlife: Whew, they always love you further away. It was all a shock. I remember with Meth, the first time he went out there on the stage, he didn’t have to work for them to give him that “ahhhh!” He went out there and they f##king went crazy, it startled him for a second. I can’t even explain it.

I don’t know if it’s a cultural thing because if you go anywhere Spanish or Latino, they love Wu-Tang. Even if you go Asian, it’s a different love than your home love. They look at you differently, but we aren’t doing anything different. We do what we always do.

AllHipHop: It’s crazy you put out “Time is Now” before all this s##t happened.

Streetlife: Me personally if I would’ve came into the rap game on that note, I would’ve stayed on that note because it’s more conscious rap. I like doing that, but I had to slap and beat people up with the words first versus them trying to understand and listen. Motherf##kers don’t listen. That was easy to me, I always came in that current. I always felt that.

I’m a rebel, I’m fighting against the system. Police brutality, that s##t’s always been. Nothing new. At that time when I heard the song, something made that get out of me. Me trying to rhyme and put the illest words together, I wanted to come more from the heart, like the soul.

I remember the cops killed one of my dudes. A year or so later, this s##t happens. It’s the perfect song because nothing changed. More people, the people who weren’t paying attention or caring, the media platforms are woke now. It’s affecting their daily walks of life. It’s bigger now, but this s##t’s always been. They been killing us. They been shooting us, been doing whatever to us. Everybody has one of them stories to tell. If you hear my song or somebody else’s with that substance, it’s almost all the same things we’re saying. If you pay attention, it’s “they’re killing us for no reason.”

AllHipHop: That’s why I was shook you released it last year!

Streetlife: It is what it is, it’s always been. I didn’t write it because this situation made me write it. Everybody’s doing s##t because of that, but this has been happening.

AllHipHop: The “Squad Up,” collab is legendary in itself, featuring Meth and Havoc from Mobb Deep. How did that come into play?

Streetlife: My man Distro put all that together. Havoc sent over a package of beats, I picked the beat and sent it to Meth. Meth’s like “ooh!” He did his verse. I didn’t know what verse Meth did at the time, I already did my verse, we sent the beat over to Havoc to do his verse. We all got up at the video shoot. It worked out, the s##t felt right. Now you get the Meth and Havoc album coming out soon.

AllHipHop: I didn’t know the whole album was produced by Havoc.

Streetlife: Yeah, I got a track on there.

AllHipHop: Were you in the club heavy before quarantine?

Streetlife: I’m not a heavy club dude. But yeah when I became a heavy club, I was all up in the club. They said “you can’t smoke in here.” It’d be so many of us, we’ll do s##t like form a circle with our backs to everybody and smoke in that circle. You see the smoke come up through the circle, the security guard’s trying to get in. “You can’t be smoking!” Break this circle if you want to n##ga. It’s gon’ be problems if you break this circle! Motherf##kers would let us smoke.

Cardi B And Hennessy Carolina Take On Trump Supporters Over Parking Space

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Rapper Cardi B took to Instagram to snap on a group of “racist” Donald Trump fans who “harassed” her sister Hennessy Carolina over a parking space.

Cardi showed footage of the argument and called out the President for feeding into the alleged offenders with his rhetoric.

“Meanwhile not only you got racist mags supporters that are linching ,racist cop shootings and killing black men all cause their leader make them feel like they could do so,” Cardi wrote.

https://twitter.com/iamcardib/status/1302749388213637121

“My sister couldn’t even park her car today with out this man harassing her girlfriend soon as the camera cane out they started being sweet .TGIS BRAVENESS IS COMING FROM THEIR LEADERS ENERGY.”

In the expletive-filled footage, two men – one of whom is wearing a Make America Great Again cap – and one woman engage in a heated back-and-forth with Hennessy, yelling, “Get your vehicle out of here”. Hennessy replies: “Get the f##k out of my face!”

She goes on to shout numerous times for the two men to “back the f##k off my car,” prompting the female member of the group to approach her. “You’re blocking some people,” she exclaims, to which Hennessy replies: “I hope you know that you will be online and your husband.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE0aWjpAB8p

The woman then flashes her middle finger at Hennessy’s camera and begins chanting “Trump” repeatedly. Before the video cuts off, Hennessy focusses the camera on herself as she breathes heavily with rage.

“This f##king racism and police brutality still going on in 2020 is f##king insane!!!!” she penned on her Instagram Stories following the incident. “F##k Donald Trump (and) suck my d##k if you support that n##ga and you racist (as f##k).”

In a follow-up post, she took the time to thank those who supported her and she echoed her sister’s sentiments about Trump’s rhetoric.

“I can’t believe (the people in the video) are openly harassing a lesbian and being racist while wearing a Maga hat literally super confident knowing the president is permitting and encouraging them to yell at people ‘go back to your country’,” she stated.

Chanel West Coast Has A Temper Tantrum With Police Over Canceled Pool Party

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Imagine if Cardi B … No … Remy Ma … having a party with over 100 revelers during the coronavirus pandemic in a city that just started to see a decline because of mandate social distancing.

And then cops showed up … and either one of them barked slick to the “Po Po” … the same lineage of “Po Po” that inspired the 1988 hit song, “F##k the Police” by N.W.A … it probably would not have ended so well.

We know it would not have, because there is a litany of names of Black and Brown skinned people that we can name to substantiate that statement.

So imagine the surprise the Hip-Hop world, one currently entrenched in calling out the police for their common practice of inequity of race relations, when videos started to surface with Chanel West Coast “berating” officers who were called, according to TMZ, by 11 neighbors for having an unruly pool party.

The splash bash, if pictures serve as evidence, shows that she was in violation of LA’s Mayor Eric Garcetti’s assigned COVID-19 protocols.

A video went viral of the “Sharon Stoned” rapper lambasting officers who interrupted her 32nd birthday party.

Reports say that there were between 100 to 200 people there and that party lasted from the late afternoon well into the night. The police emerged around 10 pm.

She not only snapped on them but told them to go up the way to another party that had more people in attendance. Then, she criticized them for not doing their job, claiming that her teenage boyfriend, possibly from a decade ago, was murdered and his case remains unsolved.

Nope… before you say it … she did not mention the 29-year-old man, Dijon Kizzee, who was shot 20 times and killed in South Central Los Angeles by sheriff’s deputies in South Los Angeles last week near Budlong Avenue and 109th Place.

Studies have proven that the size of the gatherings (at least in southern California) doesn’t matter as much when it comes to spreading the virus.

The Los Angeles Times reports, “While much attention has been focused on large parties teeming with young, potential ‘superspreaders’ in places such as the Hollywood Hills, experts say small gatherings among friends and family can quietly be just as dangerous.”

Even if that is the case, Chanel West Coast’s skin color and gender privilege allowed her to behave in a manner that no other Black female rappers could ever, ask Megan Thee Stallion, who refused to say SHE was shot in the foot, because she thought the cops my kill her and the people she was with.

50 Cent Hosts Posh Drive-In Screening To Launch “Power Book II: Ghost”

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Rapper 50 Cent hosted a drive-in screening for the launch of his latest TV show, “Power Book II: Ghost” over the weekend.

Fif held the premiere for “Power Book II” in the Hamptons on Saturday (September 5th), which drew a variety of notable guests who were on hand to celebrate at the socially-distant event.

50 hosted guests like Don Lemon, Christie Brinkley, John Leguizamo, Jill Rappaport, and Candace Bushnell.

Additional notable guests included Christie Brinkley, John Leguizamo, Don Lemon, Jill Rappaport, and Candace Bushnell.

“Power Book II: Ghost” debuted last night (September 6) on Starz.

This season’s series stars Method Man, Mary J. Blige, Naturi Naughton and Michael Rainey Jr., who discussed the latest spin-off during an interview with AllHipHop.com.

“My father grew up with Method Man. Their neighborhoods were parallel, my dad lived in Stapleton, and Method Man lived next door,” Michael Rainey revealed to AllHipHop.com. “They’re literally right next to each other so they have a history together. From that to working with him is dope. Been cool with each other, now me and him are on the same show. It’s dope, especially because we’re both from Staten Island. Staten Island is the forgotten borough of New York. Us being on the show, we’re representing two people from Staten Island. We’re working, I love it.”

Check out some photos from the event.

Kanye West One-Up’s Jesus And Walks On Water With His Whole Family

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Kanye West may be unorthodox in how he presents God to the world, but are his illustrative and liturgical efforts bringing people closer to the God of the text?

Many believe so.

Recently, Yeezy ministered in Atlanta with a beautiful lake as his pulpit during Sunday Service.

Without saying one word, he and two of his children, North (7) and Saint (4), and his gospel Sunday Service choir, took a page out of the Book of Matthew and synthesized the moment when Jesus encouraged Peter’s faith by walking on water.

The visual was stunning as they all walked in a single file to the center of the lake.

Once there, the choir started to sing the songs of Zion in celebration of the Sabbath, and the victory of God. Kanye, as the maestro, created the illusion by installing a translucent floor for them to stand on that gave the appearance of the miracle.

This production was punctuated by Pastor Joel Osteen who referenced the biblical story for those congregated. The legacy mega-church preacher waxed homiletics:

“’I’m watching these fine men and women singing, looks like they’re walking on the water. And my mind goes back to that time where Jesus invited Peter to walk on the water. I could imagine Peter thought, ‘Jesus, what are you talking about? That’s impossible! I can’t do that,” Joel Osteen exclaimed.

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Though done in a highly elevated style (since you know… Kanye West is a billionaire and flossy by nature), illustrative sermons are not only theologically sound, but are probably the way Jesus would have taught Torah had hem you know, not been homeless.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon in his book, The Art of Illustration says that the reason that this preaching style is used is to make the sermon “pleasurable and in­teresting, to enliven a congregation and quicken atten­tion, to cast light upon the subject at hand.”

Kanye West with all his giftings, his a natural connection to God, and an instinctual ability to translate his understanding of the scriptures to his fan base.

He connects to his fans in ways that many ordained and seminary-trained clergy cannot.

His ministerial partnerships with Joel Osteen, Derek “Fonzworth Bentley” Watkins, Faune A. Chambers, and more have set him up with a foundation to actually start a church.

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NON-SPOILER REVIEW: Christopher Nolan’s Tenet Is A Latest Mind-Bending Journey

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Features
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By Chris “Boogie” Brown

(AllHipHop Features) “Tenet” is the latest film by Christopher Nolan who over the course of eleven films, has proven himself to be one of the greatest directors working in Hollywood today. Known for his love of helming thought-provoking concept films based on time, fate, space, and multi-dimensions, “Tenet” is his most complex and challenging film to date. The best way to describe “Tenet” is that it is an espionage thriller anchored by a heavy science fiction concept that Nolan has regarded as inversion. If you’ve ever wondered what a Christopher Nolan-directed James Bond film would look like, “Tenet” is your answer. If I had to compare this movie to any of his previous works, I would say “Tenet” will remind you most of certain themes from “Memento” & “Inception” but is far more ambitious and complicated in nature.

For this reason, “Tenet” may be a film that viewers will either love for it’s heightened cerebral approach or reject because of the mental investment required to digest the material. Much of the film’s plot is told through heavy exposition and character dialogue during interactions that demand your complete and full attention. Nolan does not simplify matters and chooses to throw viewers right into the story without a clear understanding of the who’s, how’s or why’s. However, this is the type of film that rewards patience as things begin to make sense about halfway through as we comprehend the bigger concept unfolding before our very eyes. Once you realize what is happening, your mind will want to race back to previous scenes to extract the clues you didn’t realize where there. However, there is no time for that as Nolan continues to throw a barrage of concepts, ideas and information at the viewer that all tie into the final act of the film. I would say this is not a film for passive viewers as the bonus is truly on the audience to keep up with Nolan here. He does not do any spoon-feeding or hand-holding with “Tenet”. Be prepared to work.

From a pure filmmaking perspective, “Tenet” is a visually stunning and technical achievement on every level. Aesthetically speaking, seeing the film unfold is like watching poetry in motion. From the use of colors, shot selections, scenery (Tenet was filmed in seven different countries), to the immaculate fight choreography & action set-pieces that are both breathtaking and head-scratching to watch. Many of the high powered action scenes (featuring a mix of practical effects and CGI manipulation) are filmed using both wide tracking shots and closer handheld shots that place you right in the middle of the action. All of the thrilling action takes place over the backdrop of a pulsating score by Oscar Award-winning composer, Ludwig Gorranson (“Creed”, “Creed II”, “Black Panther”, “The Mandalorian”). Ludwig’s engrossing score completely matches the tone, feel, and mood of the tension in the scenes. Believe me, this score is like another character of the film altogether. Amazing!

As far as the casting, John David Washington (“The Protagonist”) is fantastic in this role and carries the movie on his shoulders with the nuance of a seasoned veteran. I’ve only been familiar with his work from HBO’s “Ballers” and Spike Lee’s “Black KKKlansmen” but Washington more than holds his own as a leading man here. He has the charm & charisma to play the part and handles the physicality needed for the role extremely well. In addition, Robert Pattison also continues to expand his range in challenging roles giving an excellent performance as “Neil”, an operative agent who works alongside Washington to complete the objective of their mission. Together, Washington and Pattison have great chemistry on screen and play off one another very organically. All the rest of the supporting cast such as Elizabeth Debicki (“Kat”) and Kennegh Brenagh (“Sator”) provide great performances across the board as well.

If I had any criticism of the film, it would be that there isn’t a lot of character development for Washington’s character here as Nolan thrusts us right into his plight and mission from the opening scenes of the movie. I would say the same applies for Pattison’s character as well. I know certain aspects about these characters are kept mysterious for a reason, but I feel that if we had been given more of a back story on each, the audience could relate to the characters on more of an emotional level. Other than that, I would say that at certain moments of the film, the sound mixing can be problematic. There are certain moments of dialogue that can’t be clearly understood either due to the score or sound effects smothering the conversations. This was an issue in some scenes in “Interstellar” & “Dunkirk” as well but appears to be a technique that Nolan purposely uses for his own reasons.

Overall, “Tenet” is an amazing film to behold that acts as an engaging and engrossing Action-Thriller featuring the concept of time manipulation. While it could be viewed as unnecessarily complicated, fans of Nolan’s work will be inclined to rise to the challenge of researching, discussing, dissecting and analyzing the film for full clarity as we’ve done many times before with his previous films. Because of the complexities of the story, it may require repeated viewings to completely grasp the plot, catch the details in the exposition, and understand how the brilliant concept of “Inversion” truly anchors the film from start to finish. While I wouldn’t call “Tenet” Christopher Nolan’s best film, I will say that it is his most ambitious effort and further solidifies his standing as one of the greatest directors of our time.

This one comes highly recommended with the caveat that you be prepared to utilize those brain cells for the full length of the movie in order to keep up. However, if you remain patient and stick with it, the answers will eventually come and the reward is surely worth the wait. Whether it’s at the Theater, on VOD, or eventually on Blu Ray/4K, die-hard cinephiles absolutely need to see this film!