(AllHipHop News) Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam’s career never seemed to be the same after she was flayed in the press following her middle-finger salute during the 2012 Superbowl halftime show. Besides the public backlash, the British recording artist professionally known as M.I.A. was also hit with a $16.6 million lawsuit from the NFL.

The media-driven controversy is covered in the Matangi/Maya/M.I.A documentary. Hulk Magazine spoke to M.I.A. about the film, and she claimed Jay-Z advised her to agree to an unfavorable deal with the league.

https://www.google.com/sorry/index?continue=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6__K5Wrgvs&q=EgQs6nbMGPGCg_kFIhkA8aeDS66VBqvsqt-UxMwm2Q9rVCoGylMtMgFy

“If you’re talking about racism and sexism, that moment in my life showed the cracks in everyone I knew. I was at Roc Nation at the time and Jay Z was managing me,” said Arulpragasam. “The lawsuit was so ridiculous, it proposed that they would keep one hundred percent of my earnings for the rest of my life if I ever earned more than 2 million dollars. Jay Z was, like, ‘you should sign that sh-t’ and I was, like, ‘no.’”

M.I.A.’s biggest domestic hit was 2008’s “Paper Planes” which was sampled for the rap track “Swagga Like Us” by Jay-Z, T.I., Kanye West, and Lil Wayne. AIM, released in 2016, was her last studio album.

https://www.google.com/sorry/index?continue=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewRjZoRtu0Y&q=EgQi24toGPKCg_kFIhkA8aeDS_gcJZe9eCe-8S_21DAK93UH9e6FMgFy

(AllHipHop News) Some Soul/R&B fans continue to question the authenticity of Bruno Mars making “black music.” The Grammy-winning vocalist recently became a trending topic when Twitter users began debating whether Mars was guilty of cultural appropriation.

Bruno Mars has routinely acknowledged the musical forefathers – such as Babyface, Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis – that inspired him. Babyface showed appreciation for the Hawaiian-born, multicultural musician’s shout out, and producer 9th Wonder offered a defense for the “Finesse” performer against his detractors.

Singer-songwriter Ne-Yo was also asked about the topic during an interview with Genius. The creator of hits such as “Closer” and “Miss Independent” supported Mars’ modern take on Funk and New Jack Swing.

“Bruno Mars is ridiculously talented, and the songs that everybody’s talking about are just that damn good to where I don’t honestly feel like it would matter who else was singing them,” replied Ne-Yo. “If you were singing them the way he’s singing them and giving the character, charisma, and personality to them the way he’s giving them, then I feel like they’d be just as successful.”

He continued, “I don’t think it has anything to do with black music, white music, whatever nationality [Bruno Mars] is.”

Later in the conversation, Ne-Yo doubled down on his belief that music is supposed to be for all listeners, regardless of race. The 38-year-old entertainer then reflected on criticism he apparently received for making EDM-inspired tunes.

“God put music in me – not R&B music, not Dance music, not Pop music, but music. I could turn around and do a Country record if I feel like,” said Ne-Yo. “This is who I am, this is what I am. And I’m not gonna downplay that because a few black people are mad because I ain’t doing just R&B no more. The world is bigger than that.”

(AllHipHop News) Sonny Digital has been very outspoken about financial issues associated with the music business. The beatmaker for Future’s “Same Damn Time,” 2 Chainz’s “Birthday Song,” and ILoveMakonnen’s “Tuesday” called for a union to protect producers.

In a new interview with Montreality, Sonny discusses another economic concern in the industry. He claimed the illegal practice of “pay for play” still takes place when it comes to getting radio spins.

“That song going crazy on the radio, that’s payola. Somebody’s paying the radio station to play the song, so it’s not like its genuine plays or people genuinely like the music,” said Digital. “It’s payola. I see it.”

The Atlanta resident continued, “People are paying for the radio every day. I didn’t believe it until somebody was like, ‘Next week, this song right here is going to be #1 because they just cut the bag on this.’ Then, boom, next week it was #1.”

https://www.google.com/sorry/index?continue=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHvbX8IgKa0%26feature=youtu.be&q=EgQ0Gqq7GMfogvkFIhkA8aeDSzXtAzhmvXQh_LLE3IbZ_5Hg_c_BMgFy

Currently, Billboard chart placement for songs is determined by combining radio airplay, paid digital downloads, and on-demand streams. Drake’s “God’s Plan” tops this week’s Hot 100 while also leading the Streaming Songs chart (68.5 million U.S. streams), but the track is only at #4 on the Radio Songs chart (104 million in all-format airplay audience).

Streaming has become the most popular method of consuming music. It accounted for 41% of listening time in 2017, according to a Nielsen Music report. Terrestrial and Satellite radio made up only 24% of listening time in that same year.

There have been accusations that paid manipulation influences popular streaming services as well. However, that practice is not illegal. Spotify even experimented with adding “sponsored songs” from labels to users’ playlists.

Payola scandals have tarnished the music business going back to the 1950s. In 2005, Sony BMG agreed to pay $10 million following a “pay for play” investigation by then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

(AllHipHop News) Tekashi69 promised Charlamagne Tha God that his sit down with The Breakfast Club would be watched by more people than any other interview in the radio show’s history. Nearly a week later, the episode with the Brooklyn rapper has quickly racked up over 6.6 million views on YouTube.

That colossal total puts 6ix9ine in second place for total views on the Power 105 program’s current YouTube channel. The über-viral video passed 21 Savage (4.4 million), Cardi B (4.2 million), Kodak Black (4.2 million), Beanie Sigel (3.9 million), and Tyga (3.8 million).

Tekashi’s TBC interview is second only to the 2-minute clip of Birdman blasting “all tree” hosts before walking out of the studio. The intense exchange with the Cash Money boss has collected over 14 million views since April 2016.

The 6.6 million views for the self-proclaimed “King of New York” only reflects YouTube clicks. That number does not include the millions of plays on social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgqdPzOg4PE/?hl=en&taken-by=breakfastclubam

(AllHipHop News) Cardi B and Offset share more than just a loving relationship, which has reportedly produced an unborn child.

Cardi recently inked a deal with Quality Control, the power label/management company which also counts Migos, Lil Yachty and Rich The Kid as artists signed to the company.

The rapper, who was previously represented by KRS Group in New York, is preparing to release her debut album Invasion of Privacy.

According to sources, Coach K. and CEO Pee are now handling all aspect’s of Cardi’s career, which includes movies, television, and even fashion.

(AllHipHop News) The woman who accused rapper Nelly of rape has landed in the hospital over the intense publicity the case has been receiving.

Monique Greene was briefly hospitalized last week citing “severe emotional distress” related to allegations and “the aftermath.”

According to sources, a friend of Greene’s became concerned for her health after a disturbing phone call. The call led to friends convincing Greene to voluntarily visit a local hospital, where she was treated and released.

Nelly was detained in Washington in October of 2017 after Monique Greene told police he had sexually violated her on his tour bus.

Greene declined to testify or press charges against the hip-hop star, resulting in King County prosecutors formally dropping the case.

Nelly, who adamantly disputed the allegations, is countersuing for defamation.

(AllHipHop News) Prosecutors sentenced DMX to one year in prison in his tax evasion case.

The rap star admitted to hiding $1.7 million dollars in wages, from the years 2011-2013.

“I was in a cloud,” DMX told the Judge. “I wasn’t thinking straight.”

DMX hatched a scheme to use the bank accounts of surrogates instead of his own, to conceal his earnings from the government.

In December of 2017, prosecutors dropped 13 of the charges against the rapper, leaving X to face one count of tax evasion

But the rapper, boring Earl Simmons could not stay out of trouble while he was out on bail.

He violated the conditions of his bail on two different occasions, including once when he tested positive for opioids, cocaine, and marijuana.

This led to his imprisonment until his sentencing earlier today.

DMX had hoped to take another try at rehab, even though several stints at various facilities over the past decade have not been able to help the rap star.

The rapper also has to pay $2.7 million in restitution.

(AllHipHop News) Pharrell Williams has signed a new multi-year deal with bosses at his longtime publisher Sony/ATV Music.

During his two decades with the company, Pharrell has enjoyed a string of hits as a songwriter, musician, and producer, and according to editors at Billboard magazine, he will now use that experience to mentor young songwriters signed to the publisher.

In a statement, the Happy singer praised Sony/ATV Music Publishing chief Martin Bandier and head of marketing, Brian Monaco.

“It’s incredible to think that it’s now 20 years since I first signed a publishing deal with these guys,” he said. “I look forward to continued success with Marty, Brian Monaco and Sony/ATV.”

The two executives also spoke of their respect for Pharrell, who has provided them with huge hits with his band N.E.R.D., as a solo artist, and as a sought-after collaborator.

Expressing his respect for the 44-year-old star, Martin said:

“Pharrell has been part of my extended music business family for two decades and his talent, creativity and songwriting abilities are only exceeded by his humanity. We are delighted and proud to continue to work with him and his team.”

Despite his 20 years in pop, the musician is showing no sign of slowing down, and he recently helped pen nine songs on Justin Timberlake’s new album “Man of the Woods,” as well as Camila Cabello’s chart-topper “Havana” and Migos’ track “Stir Fry.”

(AllHipHop News) Tyga has attempted to put an end to rumors he’s the father of Kylie Jenner’s baby with an impassioned plea on Twitter.

Following the news that Kylie and rapper Travis Scott had welcomed their baby girl into the world on February 1, it was reported that Tyga, who split from the reality star last April, wanted a paternity test.

While the allegations have been dismissed by Kylie’s mother Kris Jenner, Tyga took to his social media on Tuesday to address the speculation.

“I’ve never said anything about someone else’s child or family insinuating my involvement; and will never do so,” he tweeted. “Please, Stop spreading false stories and attacking people’s families. I have nothing to do with any of that. People should be able to live in peace.”

Kylie has never directly addressed the rumors herself, but momager Kris labeled them “silly” when she appeared on Australian radio show Kyle and Jackie O recently.

When host Kyle said, “Tyga was chiming in saying maybe it was his baby…”, Kris replied, “Oh no, no no. I think that was just a bunch of silly rumors as usual.”

“Yeah you guys know better than that,” she added.

Tyga and Kylie dated from October 2014 until April 2017.

Following news breaking of Kylie’s pregnancy last September, Tyga took to Snapchat to write alongside an article about the baby news: “Hell nah that’s my kid.”

He quickly deleted the post, but not before fans had seen it and started to speculate about the tot’s paternity.

(AllHipHop News) Usher, Common and The Roots are to perform at the launch of a memorial to African-American victims of lynching.

The stars will hit the stage to mark the opening of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice at the Riverwalk Amphitheater in Montgomery, Alabama next month on April 27.

Bluesman Gary Clark, Jr., Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard, and Kirk Franklin will also be part of the gig, dubbed the Concert for Peace & Justice.

The memorial will be located on a hill above Montgomery where lynchings were once frequent.

Officials at the Equal Justice Initiative, who have organized the concert, have documented more than 4,000 instances of African-American men, women, and children being hanged, shot, drowned or beaten to death by white lynch mobs between 1877 and 1950.

(AllHipHop News) Ja Rule has decided to cooperate with a bankruptcy probe relating the failed Fyre Festival in the Bahamas last April.

According to reports, Ja has agreed to work with the trustee representing The Fyre Festival, in order to avoid coming under his microscope.

According to Gregory Messer, Ja agreed to cooperate in exchange for “the withdrawal of an extensive information request” into his role in the festival, which the rapper claims were minimal.

Gregory Messer is representing anyone who declares they are owed money from The Fyre Festival.

In August of 2017, a judge forced Fyre Festival into bankruptcy, after a number of lenders claimed they had invested tens-of-millions of dollars into the festival and lost all their money.

Organizers of the event are also facing a $100 million class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of all the festival attendees of the Fyre Festival, which was thought to be a luxurious event held in the Bahamas last April and May.

Tickets for the festival, which included headliners like Blink-182, Pusha-T and Lil Yachty were sold for $1500-$250,000.

The event was scrapped not long after guests started to arrive at the Great Exuma, Bahamas site in April of 2017, after finding a lack of food, accommodation, and poor facilities.

It looks like Ja Rule will avoid criminal charges, but his business partner Billy McFarland is not so lucky.

McFarland is facing between 8-10 years in prison, after recently pleading guilty to defrauding over 80 investigators, by falsifying documents to get more cash to put on the ill-fated concert.

“I deeply regret my actions, and I apologize to my investors, team, family, and supporters who I let down,” McFarland said.

A hearing regarding Ja Rule’s cooperation is slated to take place on 4/26/2018.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Cardi B has asked the media to stop making sales predictions about her debut album Invasion Of Privacy because it is giving her “bad anxiety.”

On Monday, the “Bodak Yellow” hitmaker announced the title of her debut studio record and shared the artwork, which features her sitting in a yellow chair wearing a high-fashion monochrome outfit and a yellow wig.

The artwork has a recording sign in the corner, implying that Cardi, who licks her teeth for the cameras, is being taped.

The album is set to drop on April 6, and the star has now admitted on Twitter that she’s feeling anxious about its release, especially after reading reports predicting huge interest.

“I’m also seeing predictions on sales and numbers. Please STOP!” she wrote. “I’m already having bad anxiety. Let the s##t drop and do what it do.”

The 25-year-old also told fans that she was seeing fake track listings for the album on the Internet and assured them that she would release the official one on her account soon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgzn1KYBZDc/

In addition, she hit back at haters who criticized her quick success, noting that she went to Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology in New York and released mixtapes Gangsta B##ch Music Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 in 2016 and 2017.

“I will never let nobody discredit me, before i sign(ed) to Atlantic i put 2 mixtapes out and i was pushing FOREVA by myself,” Cardi tweeted. “I went to Renaissance HS for musical theater. I been love music. After high school i Stopped wanna know why? cause music DONT PAY YOUR F##KING BILLS A JOB DOES (sic).”

In the run-up to her album release, the star has also teamed up with dating app Tinder for a ‘swipe-off’ competition.

She will perform a free concert for students at a school or university who achieve the most right swipes by April 4.

(AllHipHop News) Heineken has pulled a commercial for its light beer after it was criticized by Chance The Rapper for being racist.

The hip-hop star took to Twitter on Sunday night to slam the TV commercial, which features a bartender sliding a bottle of alcohol down a bar, past black men and women, where it arrives at a lighter-skinned woman, before the line “something, lighter is better” pops up onscreen.

The “No Problem” hitmaker, real name Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, criticized the commercial on Twitter calling it “terribly racist.”

He also said he thought that some companies were purposely “putting out noticeably racist ads so they can get more views.”

“That s##t racist/bogus so I guess I shouldn’t help by posting about it,” he added. “Im not saying (boycott) them or go off,” the “Cocoa Butter Kisses” rapper continued. “I’m just noticing how often it happens and I think they baiting consumers and tweeters”.

Heineken has since removed the ad and said in a statement that while the commercial was referencing Heineken Light, “we missed the mark.”

“For decades, Heineken has developed diverse marketing that shows there’s more that unites us than divides us,” the statement read. “While we feel the ad is referencing our Heineken Light beer – we missed the mark, are taking the feedback to heart and will use this to influence future campaigns.”

https://www.google.com/sorry/index?continue=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2wymLiEtxI&q=EgQi24toGP-Wg_kFIhkA8aeDS16S7TMv4gu6rbtZb11a5G0e8wGhMgFy

By: ykyles Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)

(AllHipHop News) Cardi B is preparing to let loose her debut album, Invasion Of Privacy, on April 6. The Bronx-raised entertainer is also promoting a nationwide competition connected with Tinder.
The Twitter account for the dating app tweeted, “Is your school worthy? Start swiping if you want a performance by [Cardi B]. Remember, the school with the most right swipes wins. #Swipeoff Open to select colleges/universities. Ends 4/17/18.”

In addition, the “Finesse” performer showed up in a video where she called on “bollege students” to sign up for the contest. Tinder will announce the first round of 64 schools on March 30, and the final winner will be revealed April 18.

By: ykyles Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)

(AllHipHop News) Last year, news broke that Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover was set to produce an animated TV version of Marvel’s Deadpool for FX. The show is no longer in production, and some outlets suggested Glover’s schedule had something to do with the cancellation.

The Atlanta creator took to Twitter to give his side of the story. He posted several pages from a Deadpool script after tweeting, “for the record: i wasnt too busy to work on deadpool.”

By: ykyles Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)

(AllHipHop News) The reported bad blood between Logic and Joyner Lucas goes back to 2016 when tension rose between the two rhymers over guest verses on Tech N9ne’s “Sriracha” song. Their alleged feud recently came to a head when Logic dropped “Yuck” off the Bobby Tarantino II mixtape.

Many rap fans took lines from the song as indirect shots at Lucas, and the Massachusetts native apparently felt he was being dissed because he tweeted in response, “Say some names next time. scary ass.” In an interview with Hard Knock TV, Logic denies “Yuck” is a lyrical assault against Joyner.

“I’m a man. If I really feel some type of way, I’m not even gonna say your name on a song or the internet. I’m gonna f-cking call you. Like if I’m really upset, I’m gonna call you,” insisted Logic. “But if you’re just talking, it’s all good. I don’t give a sh-t. To me, it’s just not important. It’s not worth it. I’m just happy and I’m not gonna live in that light.”

The 28-year-old Def Jam artist added, “It’s not a diss song. If it was a diss song, I’d say somebody’s name… This is probably the closest it is ever going to happen. I would never do that. It’s just not who I am. This is the closest I would ever diss the entire industry that talks sh-t about me. Every single person in one, that’s it. I would never focus on one person or one this or one that, because I feel sorry for anyone who would try to beef with me.”