(AllHipHop News) Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts, and former President George W. Bush are to front a star-studded global live stream event set for this coming weekend May 1st.
The Call to Unite will begin at 7 pm EST on Friday and offer performances, prayers, and conversations about overcoming the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 24-hour special will also feature Jennifer Garner, Common, Questlove, Eva Longoria, Naomi Campbell, Mandy Moore, and Alanis Morissette, alongside cultural, spiritual, and community leaders.
The event will be live-streamed at www.unite.us and on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Twitch.
Brooklyn rapper, Young Picc drops his new electrifying single “Ice Water Dripping” featuring Rich The Kid produced by Dj Mil Ticket. This track is the follow up to his Anthem “Foreign Lifestyle” which features Tory Lanez.
“Ice Water Dripping” is high energy track in which Young Picc lays a captivating hook & a flossy verse to match Rich The Kid’s polarizing delivered feature. This track is sure to move the clubs & rock radio.
Be sure to check out this track & also look out for other releases from Young Picc
(AllHipHop Features) Talib Kweli Greene has been a respected staple in Hip Hop culture since the 1990s. As an emcee, he is responsible for solo studio LPs such as Quality, The Beautiful Struggle, Prisoner of Conscious, and Radio Silence.
Kweli initially became a force in the musical landscape in 1998 as one half of the Brooklyn-based duo Black Star with Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey). The Javotti Media founder also partnered with Hi-Tek (Train of Thought, Revolutions Per Minute), Madlib (Liberation), Res (Habits of the Heart), 9th Wonder (Indie 500), and Styles P (The Seven) for collaborative projects.
Since Summer 2019, Kweli continued his love for being behind a microphone by transitioning from recording artist to host of the People’s Party podcast. The lyrically-gifted political activist – along with actress/comedian Jasmin Leigh – has interviewed celebrity guests such as Bun B, Jemele Hill, T.I., Van Lanthan, Too $hort, Lil Kim, Don Cheadle, The Game, Rapsody, The Lox, and Chuck D.
As large parts of the world are practicing social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I got the chance to contact Talib Kweli via email. The exclusive Q&A covers the Reflection Eternal member’s latest entertainment gig, sparring with Donald Trump defenders on social media, and the highly-anticipated Black Star reunion album with Yasiin Bey.
AllHipHop: How are you handling the self-distancing situation?
Talib Kweli: Unlike many people, I am privileged and blessed to be quarantining with access to nature. This has helped my spirit tremendously. I’m humbled and thankful, because I know that’s not an option for most.
AllHipHop: Has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your recording of the podcast?
Kweli: We recorded People’s Party episodes at a breakneck pace as if the world was going to come to a stop anyway. We have many episodes in the can, probably enough to outlast social distancing.
AllHipHop: What was behind your decision to start People’s Party?
Kweli: Shout out to Jarret Myer from Uproxx/Rawkus, he approached me with the idea. I’d already tried to do a podcast before with TuneIn and I was planning on revisiting that at some point but partnering with Uproxx made it pop off quicker than I thought it would.
AllHipHop: Is there a particular conversation that has stood out to you so far?
Kweli: Ice Cube stands out because unlike most of the guests I didn’t really have a relationship with him prior to the show. He’s one of my favorite MCs and human beings and having a conversation with him is one of the best things that’s ever happened in my career.
AllHipHop: Are there any people that you haven’t interviewed yet that you would like to have on the show? Why that person?
Kweli: Bjork. She’s her own genre of music and I think an hour plus sit down with her would be awesome.
AllHipHop: Do you have any interest in possibly hosting a talk show on a television network or a streaming platform?
AllHipHop: You are very active on Twitter. Particularly, you have no problem engaging with MAGA and ADOS trolls. Would you be open to inviting a well-known Trump supporter on your show to discuss the 2020 election?
Kweli: I love the fact that you called ADOS trolls because that’s all they are. But yes, I once heard that fools multiply when wise men remain silent. I live by that code. I was raised to understand that pro-blackness means you never ignore bigotry if you see it. Bigotry is not logical, it doesn’t go away when it’s ignored. I also understand the paradox of tolerance which is why I will never invite people who are intentionally bigoted to my platform. My support for free speech doesn’t mean I support freedom from consequences. Only Trump supporter invited to my show would be Kanye West, and we would definitely have to discuss that.
AllHipHop: Would you be open to taking part in an Instagram Live DJ battle during the self-quarantine period?
Kweli: I am not a skilled enough DJ to battle anybody. I could do a playlist battle. I’d win that. Maybe a catalog discography battle with another artist. I’d do well with that as well.
AllHipHop: Are you still recording music? Do you have any plans to release another full-length album?
Kweli: I’m always recording. I have an album with Diamond D and a new Black Star album with Yasiin Bey on the way. I just dropped a quarantined video for the People’s Party theme song with Boots Riley, check it out on my YouTube.
AllHipHop: Can you give an update about that potential Madlib-produced Black Star reunion album?
Kweli: Trying to find the right deal for the Black Star album. There are a few on the table, but we have to choose the right situation and roll this out properly. The people deserve that.
(AllHipHop Rumors) French Montana is definitely doing the right thing – getting people talking. The situation with Fivo Foreign! isn’t really a new one, but it is now getting mainstream traction. Fivo went on an IG Live rant where he called French’s newest Coke Boy Mr. Swipey a background dancer in French’s video.
Now, we know that’s not true. Swipey has his own, but this French situation is going to take him to the next level for sure. Fivo may disagree. “He gon’ have Swipey spinning and dancing in every video life if he’s some type of back up dancer. He ain’t no backup dancer for you n#gga. You ain’t about to use drill beats and have n#ggas spinning, put that n#gga on a song.”
Some have maintained that Fivo maybe in his emotions since Swipey got “picked” and not him. But you did not hear that from me. I don’t know.
Mr. Swipey came back to counter what his homie said, saying he went about it all the wrong way. And then there is the fact that dude does have songs with French, just not THAT song.
(AllHipHop News) It looks like the three famous Ball siblings will soon be throwing up the Roc sign. Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball are reportedly signing with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s Roc Nation Sports agency.
“This was a family decision,” Jermaine Jackson, LaMelo’s manager, told ESPN. “This is now an extended family. They put together a beautiful game plan with Jay-Z. The basketball game is about to change. They are going to create something totally new.”
The Ball family rose to international prominence thanks in part to Lonzo’s time as a guard for the UCLA college program and the part-time rapper’s outspoken father’s promotion of his son’s on-court abilities. Ball Patriarch and Big Baller Brand founder LaVar Ball eventually led his three children to star in the Facebook Watch reality series Ball in the Family.
Lonzo was picked at #2 by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017 before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019. LaMelo is projected to be drafted in the Top 3 of the 2020 NBA draft. Roc Nation Sports is said to be negotiating the 18-year-old guard’s pending sneaker contract.
At the moment, Roc Nation Sports represents Kyrie Irving, Danny Green, Rudy Gay, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Justise Winslow, Chris Boucher, PJ Washington, and other basketball players. The company’s roster also includes other athletes such as Andre Ward, CC Sabathia, Dez Bryant, Jalen Rose, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Robinson Cano, Saquon Barkley, Todd Gurley, and Victor Cruz.
(AllHipHop News) Lil Wayne announced his One Family Foundation nonprofit organization partnered with Apple Music to donate$200,000 to the World Central Kitchen. The funds will help Wayne’s hometown of New Orleans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $200K donation was announced during the first episode of Weezy’s Young Money Radio on Apple Music. During the live broadcast on April 24, Wayne spoke to New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell about his contribution to the city.
Deion Sanders, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Babyface, and Jessie Reyez also joined the Young Money boss on the inaugural Young Money Radio show. Plus, Tunechi previewed two unreleased tracks featuring Jessie Reyez and Tory Lanez from the deluxe version of Funeral.
Yesterday, Lil Wayne released an extended music video for the Funeral tracks “Piano Trap” and “Not Me.” Ricky x Willis directed the 7-minute, skateboarding-focused visuals. It amassed more than 650,000 views on YouTube in one day.
(AllHipHop News) Run The Jewels’ “Ooh LA LA” visuals are currently one of the top trending videos on YouTube. Directed by Brian and Vanessa Beletic, the clip provides commentary about the state of class divisions and capitalism.
Killer Mike and El-P shot the MV in early March before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many businesses and led to over 26 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits.
RTJ stated:
We shot this video only a few weeks before the pandemic hit with no clue as to what the future held. The fact that we got the chance to do it is damn near miraculous in hindsight. In conceptualizing the video with our friends Brian and Vanessa Beletic we imagined the world on the day that the age old struggle of class was finally over. A day that humanity, empathy, and community were victorious over the forces that would separate us based on arbitrary systems created by man. This video is a fantasy of waking up on a day that there is no monetary system, no dividing line, no false construct to tell our fellow man that they are less or more than anyone else. Not that people are without but that the whole meaning of money has vanished. That we have somehow solved our self created caste system and can now start fresh with love, hope and celebration. It’s a dream of humanity’s V-DAY… and the party we know would pop off.”
Greg Nice, DJ Premier, and Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha make cameos in the “Ooh LA LA” video. The song recently debuted on the season finale of the Netflix series Ozark whichhelped make the track the #5 most Shazamed song in the country.
“Ooh LA LA” is expected to appear on Run The Jewels’ forthcoming RTJ4 album. The project was recorded at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La Studios in California and the Jimi Hendrix- constructed Electric Lady Studios in New York.
(AllHipHop News) “Blinding Lights” is the #1 song in America once again. The Weeknd’s smash After Hours single has led the Hot 100 chart four times, nonconsecutively. He held off Drake’s former Number One record “Toosie Slide” (#2) for a second week.
Elsewhere on the Hot 100, DaBaby’s “Rockstar” featuring Roddy Ricch, off the Blame It on Baby album, debuted in the Top 10 at #9. Ricch also sits at #3 with “The Box” which previously led the rankings for 11 weeks.
Besides having the most popular tune in the country, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye is promoting his involvement with the Seth MacFarlane-created series American Dad!Fans of the TBS animated programwill get to see the Canadian singer on May 4.
According to reports, The Weeknd will premiere an original song on the 5/4 show. Tesfaye is also credited as a co-writer for the episode titled “A Starboy Is Born.” American Dad! airs Mondays at 10 pm ET/9 pm CT.
(AllHipHop News) “This Is Not A Battle. This Is A Celebration Between Homies of Over 50 yrs Combined Dropping Slap!!!” wrote DJ Paul on Instagram. The Three 6 Mafia member was referring to the upcoming “Faceoff” against Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.
Krayzie Bone also posted about the Instagram Live showdown set to take place on April 30. The Cleveland representative added on his own IG page, “Celebrating over 50 combined years of hits. Limited edition Collab merch available.”
Three 6 Mafia & Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: The Faceoff follows Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz series. Those two legendary super-producers curated Instagram Live battles such as Hit-Boy versus Boi-1da, Scott Storch versus Mannie Fresh, and Teddy Riley versus Babyface.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s catalog includes several Top 20 hits like “Thuggish Ruggish Bone,” “1st of tha Month,” and “Tha Crossroads.” Throughout their career, Memphis-based rappers Three 6 Mafia released platinum-certified records like “Stay Fly,” “Poppin’ My Collar,” and “Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body).”
(AllHipHop News) Drake. Rihanna. Jay-Z. And now, a member from the Atlanta based group, Migos, has added his name to the roll.
Offset steps up to the plate with a partnership with Facebook’s Oculus to raise money for the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) on Wednesday, April 29 at 4 PM PST. Cardi’s man took to Twitter to make the announcement:
“YO! I’M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OFFSET AND FRIENDS! I’M TEAMING UP W/ @youngthug @richthekid & @SAINtJHN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR @ACFB WE’LL HOST A VIRTUAL LIVESTREAM PERFORMANCE ON @oculus VENUES & FB PRESENTED BY SUPERSPHERE, WED, APRIL 29 AT 4PM PDT. VISIT https://ocul.us/offset
The four rap titans plan to do full half-hour virtual performances and possibly will have some special guests tap in.
What could make these performances special is if they take advantage of Oculus’ virtual reality capacity.
In 2014, Mark Zuckerberg acquired the company for $2 billion, pending regulatory approval.
While it has not been announced what technology will be on display, who wouldn’t want to see these guys get busy in 3D.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank distributes over 60 million pounds of donated grocery products a year to more than 600 nonprofit partner agencies throughout the city. Tune in on Wednesday to show your support.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper T.I. disagrees with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s decision to start lifting restrictions during the coronavirus lockdown.
The rapper told U.S. TV show Extra he believes it’s “premature” to begin opening non-essential services like hair salons and gyms, as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country.
“I think that it’s premature… to put it bluntly. We’re not at a point where we’ve flattened the curve yet,” he said. “I think it’s still hitting our hospitals pretty hard and I think it may have been a premature decision.
“The thing is, we have voices within our culture and the ecosystem of our city, and we speak for the majority when we say, ‘Man, we think it’s time to sit tight and wait on the next move.’ I think that’s kind of how people are going to follow through.”
The star went on to suggest the U.S. government’s handling of the pandemic has been flawed, as he reflected that, “Some of the things just based off what science is saying and common sense tells me that some stuff is kind of off the mark.”
The star insisted that, for now, he isn’t making any changes in his quarantine life despite the lift on some restrictions, affirming: “I’m going to keep it the same way I’ve been doing it, you know.”
T.I. is enjoying the time with the family at home, saying, “It’s been phenomenal. I actually appreciate the time to wind down and actually reacclimate myself to my home and spend time with the kids, family. It’s been great.”
He’s not the only star to call out Kemp on the move, with rapper Cardi B lashing out at the decision online, suggesting the Governor favored “capitalism” over the health and wellbeing of citizens.
(AllHipHop Rumors) I like calling her Carole Baskins, but anyway. I know some of you are going to be like, “AllHipHop is trippin! They got this elderly white woman in the rumors!” But if you watched “The Tiger King,” you get me! So, let us begin!
The way Carole Baskin’s hubby was murdered has been found. Before this, it was very speculative and still is to many, but Carole Baskin’s rich ex-husband was done like a foe of Scarface.
Remember this scene?
Don Lewis’ (Carole Baskin’s ex) was strangled and thrown out of an airplane over the Gulf of Mexico over 20 years ago, his lawyer maintains. In an exclusive interview with The Daiy Mail, lawyer Joseph Fritz said the poor guy was likely lured to his death. He may have been looking to buy an airplane. Remember, dude was supposedly cheap af and that allegedly upset Carole Baskin…
“What I had heard was that he was strangled from the backseat of an airplane over the Gulf [of Mexico] at 50 feet and dropped out over the Gulf. Don Lewis, he was terribly cheap while he was very wealthy. He was cheap beyond belief,” Fritz said. “What would have lured him more than anything else is a good deal on an airplane. So that’s what I assume happened — that he got lured up to the Pilot Country Estates to look at an airplane.”
WHAAAAAA…does this somehow get (((spoiler alert))) Tiger King Joe Exotic out of jail? NAH! But, it may validate some of his claims.
AllHipHop News) A judge has refused to allow the individual who orchestrated Tekashi 6ix9ine’s kidnapping to be released during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
And there is probably no one is happier about this decision than Tekashi 6ix9ine, who is currently out on home confinement and serving out the rest of his term from the comfort of his couch.
Anthony “Harv” Ellison, a high ranking member of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, is considered such a bad actor in society that regardless of his health concerns, the government can’t afford to let him out.
“His leadership role in an incredibly violent gang, his participation in a gunpoint kidnapping and robbery, and his horrific slashing of an unarmed and unsuspecting victim – all illustrate the continuing danger Ellison would pose to the community if his application were granted,” said prosecutor Michael Longyear.
Harv Ellison was convicted by a jury in October 2019 over the gunpoint kidnapping of Tekashi 6ix9ine, who exacted his revenge by testifying against his old gang and getting a slap on the wrist despite pleading guilty to multiple RICO charges.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper and mogul Drake has demonstrated that he cares about the millions of people who have been impacted by the novel coronavirus over the last few months.
He has joined various challenges, donating a few causes and even hosted the “Stronger Together,” “Tous Ensemble” special on Canadian television.
But in his last words during the broadcast, he revealed that while he has been helping others there are some who have helped him.*
“I want to send all my love, all my gratitude, all of my support out to the frontline workers, the first responders, the healthcare workers. I actually ended up in the hospital the other day due to a foot injury,” Drake revealed to the show’s viewers. “Just to see the morale, the smiles, the high spirits on everyone’s face that I got to encounter in that situation, despite everything going on, was just incredible to see people who have to leave their families every day and go to work amidst this crisis as dangerous as it is.”
The “Tootsie Slide” singer did not reveal the extent of his injuries. Instead, he opted to parrot the recommendations of various health professionals across the globe and saluted those abiding by their respective city’s quarantine restrictions.*
“To the people who are at home right now, abiding by the rules, self-isolating, who feel unaffected or not yet affected by the situation directly. I know it can still weigh on your mental health. I want to urge everybody that’s in their own space to find the silver lining in the times we’re living through right now,” Drake advised.
“Now is a time for self-reflection,” he continued. “I hope we all emerge better people, a more unified people.”
(AllHipHop News) Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is working to make fans’ dreams of a virtual beat battle between himself and fellow rap mogul Dr. Dre come true.
The Bad Boy Records founder, also known as P. Diddy, has emerged as a favorite to take part in a future round of the viral Verzuz challenge, created by producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, that pits two artists up against one another as they go hit-for-hit online.
Previous remote rounds launched to keep music fans engaged during the coronavirus pandemic, have featured hip-hop stars such as T-Pain and Lil Jon, RZA and DJ Premier, and most recently, Teddy Riley and Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, and Swizz recently suggested Diddy and Dre go head-to-head on Instagram Live for a real superstar clash, just like pay-per-view fights on TV.
“We need Dr. Dre versus P. Diddy pay-per-view for the culture. Let’s bring the two kings in and give back to the people,” Swizz declared, insisting it would be a “celebration, not a battle”.
Diddy has since expressed his interest in getting involved, and he’s reached out to Dre to discuss the proposal.
“We’re definitely talking about it,” Diddy shared during an Instagram Live chat with rapper Fat Joe on Friday. “You heard it here. You heard it here on the show.”
