(AllHipHop News) Rapper T.I. has reportedly settled a lawsuit with his former employees over pay.

Avery Lee, Kyle Vargas, Khori Vargas, and Shawn Yarborough sued the “Live Your Life” hitmaker and his business partner Charles Hughes, alleging they failed to pay them properly for overtime at the rapper’s Scales 925 Restaurant.

T.I. and Hughes denied the accusations but settled the case this month.

T.I. and Hughes agreed to pay their four former employees $39,000 each in the settlement.

They also paid $43,000 in legal bills.

In exchange, the quartet agreed not to seek any further litigation against T.I. and Hughes.

The restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia opened in 2015 but closed its doors the following year due to unpaid rent.

(AllHipHop News) Rap star Post Malone is heading out on the road with 21 Savage this spring.

The rappers are cashing in on the success of their #1 song “Rockstar” with a tour that begins this April in Portland, Oregon.

Post and 21, along with special guest SOB X RBE, will roll through 28 cities across North America including Seattle, Nashville, Toronto, Atlanta, and Austin.

The tour will wrap up in San Francisco on June 24.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public starting Friday, February 23.

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Take a look at the tour dates below.

Thu, April 26
Portland, OR
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Fri, April 27
Vancouver, BC+
Rogers Arena

Sun, April 29
Seattle, WA
ShoWare Center

Tue, May 1
Salt Lake City, UT
USANA Amphitheatre

Wed, May 2
Denver, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Fri, May 4
Sioux City, IA
Battery Park at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City

Tue, May 8
Nashville, TN
Nashville Municipal Auditorium

Wed, May 9
Simpsonville, SC
Heritage Park Amphitheatre

Thu, May 10
Jacksonville, FL
Daily’s Place

Wed, May 16
Charlotte, NC
PNC Music Pavilion

Fri, May 18
Raleigh, NC
Coastal Credit Union Music Park

Sat, May 19
Baltimore, MD
Preakness*

Wed, May 23
Philadelphia, PA
Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing

Thu, May 24
Boston, MA
Xfinity Center

Sat, May 26
Darien, NY
Darien Lake Amphitheater

Sun, May 27
Toronto, ON+
RBC Echo Beach

Tue, May 29
Detroit, MI
Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill

Sat, June 2
Cleveland, OH
Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

Tue, June 5
Chicago, IL
Huntington Bank Pavilion

Wed, June 6
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn

Sun, June 10
Atlanta, GA
Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood

Thu, June 14
Dallas, TX
The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

Fri, June 15
Houston, TX+
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman

Sat, June 16
Austin, TX
Austin360 Amphitheater

Tue, June 19
Phoenix, AZ
Rawhide Event Center

Thu, June 21
San Diego, CA
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU

Fri, June 22
Las Vegas, NV
Park Theater at Park MGM

Sun, June 24
San Francisco, CA*
Shoreline Amphitheatre

*SOB X RBE not supporting

• 21 Savage not supporting

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Lil Yachty has revealed details surrounding his upcoming mixtape “Lil Boat 2.”

Yachty took to Twitter to reveal the artwork and the release date for the mixtape, which will drop on March 9th.

The cover features a shirtless, silhouetted Yachty, behind a simmering orange sunset

Fans of the rapper will recall his first mixtape “Lil Boat” also dropped on March 9th two years ago, back in 2016.

Take a look at the artwork for “Lil Boat 2.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfcYEjLhyWK/?utm_source=ig_embed

(AllHipHop News) Snoop Dogg came to the rescue of a driver who was stranded in a broken-down car on a California freeway on Sunday.

Katrina Graham said that she was driving home from church on Sunday morning when her car broke down on a busy freeway in Riverside, California.

She was waiting in the vehicle for her brother to pick her up when the rapper knocked on her car window.

The “Drop It Like It’s Hot” star told Graham he told she was stuck in an unsafe spot and offered to give her car a push to somewhere safer.

He had apparently parked his own car off the exit ramp and ran back to help her move to a less dangerous space.

The hip-hop star, who was wearing oversized sunglasses and a black hat, gave her car the push and also posed for a selfie with Graham through the window before heading off.

Later that day, Snoop was seen sitting courtside at the NBA All-Star Game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which took place two days after he competed in the inaugural Hip-Hop All-Star Game in Los Angeles on Friday.

He served as team captain for the game and had players including Chris Brown and The Game on his side as they competed against 2 Chainz’s team, which consisted of Migos star Quavo, Wale and Machine Gun Kelly.

Snoop’s team emerged victorious.

(AllHipHop News) R&B star Frank Ocean has launched a lawsuit in an attempt to block a producer from cashing in on his Blonde album.

The “Thinkin Bout You” hitmaker, real name Christopher Breaux, claims he hired Om’Mas Keith to produce master recordings for the album – and now he has registered 11 of the tracks with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) alleging he co-wrote them.

According to TMZ, Ocean wants to make sure his former producer does not receive credits for writing the tunes.

The 30-year-old claims he already paid Keith a flat fee and he insists he didn’t compose the music, so he is not entitled to royalties or credits.

(AllHipHop News) Jeffrey “Ja Rule” Atkins stood with New York City citizens protesting the Housing Authority. Public housing residents have complained about going long periods this winter season without heat and hot water in their homes.

“Let’s come out and let’s fight this cause first. Let’s shut the city down. We ain’t paying no more rent until these situations are dealt with. No heat, no hot water? No money, no rent,” said Ja Rule at a rally held on the steps of City Hall.

City Council members joined the Queens-raised rapper and local activists at the press conference on Tuesday. According to Councilwoman Alicka Ampry-Samuel, 80% of families living in New York City Housing Authority buildings went without heat this winter.

The politicians, tenants, and activists are calling on NYCHA to renovate the heating systems at their public housing complexes. Attendees at the rally could be heard chanting “shut it down, “enough is enough,” and “turn up the heat.”

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(AllHipHop News) Towkio’s debut studio album, WWW., will soon be available for Earthlings to stream or purchase. Before the LP official drops on the planet’s surface, the Chicago rapper plans to first release the effort from a helium balloon 100,000 feet above the ground.

“I’m going to be the first rapper—the first artist—to go to space. I’m gonna drop my album and listen to it from space,” Towkio told DJ Booth. “I’m not scared because if I’m not supposed to be here, He would’ve got rid of me already. I have no fear in my heart.”

He continued, “This is my legacy. Even though it’s a small fragment in the timeline of the earth, it’ll still be one to inspire change. If I can inspire one person, that’s it, but I’m inspiring the whole planet.”

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Yesterday, the American Recordings/Republic artist also tweeted about the upcoming daredevil feat similar to Felix Baumgartner’s Red Bull Stratos freefall. Towkio posted, “[February 21] @ 11:11 am cst I make history. I go up 100,000 ft dropping my album from space. Pray for me. I love u.”

WWW. features contributions from Teddy Jackson, Grace Weber, and fellow SaveMoney representative Vic Mensa. The Hip Hop collective has also included Chance The Rapper, Nico Segal, Joey Purp, and Kami.

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(AllHipHop News) Black Panther’s opening weekend ticket-sales totals greatly exceeded pre-release expectations. Over the four-day stretch, the Disney/Marvel production brought in $242 million.

Moviegoers helped cement the motion picture in the history books. Black Panther now holds several box office records, including biggest February opening weekend, biggest non-sequel opening weekend, biggest Monday gross, and biggest opening weekend ever for an African-American director.

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler expressed his appreciation for the movie’s success via an open letter. Marvel posted the Oakland native’s note to social media.

It reads:

I am struggling to find the words to express my gratitude at this moment, but I will try. Filmmaking is a team sport. And our team was made up [of] amazing people from all over the world who believe in this story. Deep down we all hoped that people would come to see a film about a fictional country on the continent of Africa, made up of a cast of people of African descent. Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out this strong. It still humbles me to think that people care enough to spend their money and time watching our film- But to see people of all backgrounds wearing clothing that celebrates their heritage, taking pictures next to our posters with their friends and family, and sometimes dancing in the lobbies of theaters– often moved me and my wife to tears. For the people who bought out theaters, who posted on social about how lit the film would be, bragged about our awesome cast, picked out outfits to wear, and who stood in line in theaters all over the world– all before seeing the film… To the press who wrote about the film for folks who hadn’t yet seen it, and encouraged audiences to come out… And to the young ones, who came out with their parents, with their mentors, and with their friends…Thank you for giving our team of filmmakers the greatest gift: The opportunity to share this film, that we poured our hearts and souls into, with you. Sincerely, Ryan Coogler P.S. Wakanda Forever

Black Panther also scored the second biggest Sunday gross, second biggest four-day gross, and the fifth biggest opening weekend of all time. In an interview with Variety, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige stated that he would like to see Coogler return to direct another installment in the Wakanda-set superhero flick.

“We always say we work on one movie at a time. If you have any good ideas, put it in the movie you’re making. If you don’t, you might not be able to make another one,” said Feige. “That said, Panther has been around for more than half a century in the comic books and there are many, many stories to tell.”

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

(AllHipHop News) Offset, Takeoff, and Quavo will join the long list of Hip Hop acts that have performed on Saturday Night Live. Migos are scheduled to hit the NBC late-night program’s stage on March 3.

The Atlanta-based trio will be part of the same show hosted by NBA legend Charles Barkley. Black Panther and This Is Us actor Sterling K. Brown will lead the following week’s episode.

Migos dropped their third studio album, Culture II, in January. The full length debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 199,000 units.

Season 43 of SNL has featured musical guests such as Jay-Z, Eminem, and SZA. The previous season included sets by The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Solange, A Tribe Called Quest, Chance The Rapper, Big Sean, and Alessia Cara.

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(AllHipHop News) Previously, Lina Iris Viktor expressed her issues with Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “All The Stars” music video off Black Panther: The Album. The artist is now suing the Top Dawg Entertainment performers over specific imagery in the visuals.

According to The New York Times, Viktor filed a lawsuit claiming “All The Stars” copied the “unique look and feel” of her “Constellations” painting series. She also alleges that representatives from the Black Panther movie contacted her twice about using her work in the film, but the British-Liberian denied giving them access to her creations.

Black Panther: The Album is already experiencing commercial success. The soundtrack opened at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and the “All The Stars” single hit the Top 10 on the Hot 100 chart.

Viktor is suing for damages. She also wants an injunction to stop Kendrick and SZA from using her artwork to promote the album.

https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/p/BNex_EuAtcS/?utm_source=ig_embed

(AllHipHop News) Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli chose not to take his talents to Kansas City’s Riot Room following the venue’s decision to book TAAKE. The metal band is accused of supporting racism, Islamophobia, and white nationalism due, in part, to a photo surfacing of their frontman Hoest with a s####### painted on his chest.

Kweli released a statement about the matter:

My position is that the venue should not want to host that band whether the band cancelled or not, and should issue an apology for even booking the band. The response I received was that the venue did not want to choose sides between a band that sympathizes with racism and bigotry and me. I think it’s time to choose a side. I find it appalling that the Riot Room refuses to apologize for booking this band. I wouldn’t feel safe bringing my team, family and fans into a venue that is sympathetic to white nationalism, so I’ve cancelled the show. It’s a shame because I was really looking forward to performing in Kansas City.

TAAKE has denied being racist. Following the cancellation of a recent show in New York, Hoest posted a message on Facebook:

I have clearly explained many times throughout the years that me wearing a s####### once at a German concert was not at all meant to show support for the nazi ideology. It was all about doing something extreme for the sake of it, which certainly backfired. But it has now been 11 years and the band has even performed in Israel (!) Anyway, similar incidents have not happened in Taake’s 25 year long career and will obviously not happen again. But certain parties seem to find this cold case unforgivable nevertheless, insisting on wilful misunderstanding. So, once and for all, Taake is not a racist band. Never has been, never will be. Still claiming so is as ridiculous and unfounded as are the attempts at sabotaging our highly anticipated shows.

Kweli calling off his K.C. show is not surprising because he regularly voices his opinions about racism and social justice on Twitter. The “Get By” emcee is known to engage with other users with opposing views, and he posted several tweets responding to the controversy involving the Riot Room.

(AllHipHop News) A woman is accusing R&B star Trey Songz of hitting her at a Los Angeles event. According to TMZ, the alleged assault took place during NBA All-Star weekend.

The website reports:

Law enforcement sources tell us the woman filed a police report claiming Trey hit her in the face Saturday night while they were attending a Hollywood Hills party. She claims Trey got upset because she was talking to another man, and hit her during an argument. We’re told she left the party on her own to go to a hospital, and talked to police soon afterward. We’re told her injuries were minor.

In 2016, Songz was charged with assaulting a police officer after an incident at a Detroit concert. The Tremaine the Album creator pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation and anger management training.

The L.A. case is reportedly being reviewed by the City Attorney. It is still being determined if the singer will be charged. As of press time, Trey Songz has not publicly addressed the accusations.

(AllHipHop news) “God’s Plan” by Drake is once again the #1 song in the country. With over 75 million streams in the U.S., the single leads the Hot 100 for the fourth straight week.

Drake also holds another Top 10 position on the Billboard chart as a guest feature on BlocBoy JB’s “Look Alive.” The track debuted at #6.

The respective videos for both songs spent time trending on YouTube. “God’s Plan” has collected over 28 million views on the site in just five days, and “Look Alive” has surpassed the 26 million mark since being uploaded on February 8.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s All The Stars” off Black Panther: The Album rises to #9. This gives the soundtrack its second Top 10 hit after Lamar and The Weeknd’s “Pray for Me” opened at #7 last week.

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(AllHipHop News) Kendrick Lamar has compared the creation of his latest Nike sneaker line with the process he follows when making music.

The 30-year-old hosted an NBA All-Star Weekend event in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, where he unveiled his recent Nike collaboration, the Kendrick Lamar x Nike Cortez Kenny II collection.

When asked how designing footwear compares to crafting hit songs like “Humble,” the rapper divulged that he viewed the two as similar processes.

“It’s almost like the same process for me… a lot of detail,” Kendrick shared at the sports gathering, reports Billboard. “I like to have every little nick and nack counter or apart from each other, so people can appreciate that.”

The songwriter, who bagged four Grammys at this year’s ceremony, went on to describe his sneaker line as having “a classic L.A. feel” and also shared that his collaboration with the sportswear brand was inspired by teenagers.

“Being in their shoes, I was once in a place where they were at — a lot of dreams and aspirations,” he mused. “Looking at them and wondering where I want to go, and I can see that vibe and I can see they have a lot of energy for walking out here. That’s something I respect.”

The “Damn” record maker disclosed that Nike Air Max “97 and the 95s” are his shoes of choice, and additionally opened up about his desire to take his writing talents to the film industry one day.

He also revealed that he is his biggest critic when creating music and footwear.

“I got to be comfortable with it 100 percent. I got to feel good about it. I got to feel like I can wear something on the daily and something I can listen to on the daily,” he stated. “Then, give it out to the world, and hopefully they feel the same.”

(AllHipHop News) Skepta and Rag’n’bone Man are among the British stars who have paid tribute to U.K. grime star Stormin, who has died following a battle with skin cancer.

The musician, a founder member of pioneering grime collective N.A.S.T.Y. Crew, who was also known for his work with drum and bass MCs Skibadee and Shabba D, announced he had beaten the disease in 2016, but his friend and collaborator confirmed his death on Monday.

“So gutted to be typing this,” the DJ wrote. “My brother Stormin sadly passed away this morning. He battled till the very end. The strongest person I’ve ever known.”

U.K. artists were quick to pay tribute to the star, with another grime legend, Skepta, simply writing on Twitter, “R.I.P Stormin” and singer Rag’n’Bone Man adding, “Very sad news! RIP Stormin” in a post on the social media site.

Fellow U.K. rapper Devlin thanked Stormin for his influence on his career, writing, “Woke to terrible news today and tearing (up) while I write this…Thanks for encouraging me and showing me love when I was starting out brother (heart emoji) R.I.P The LEGEND MC STORMIN”

Other U.K. DJs and rappers who have paid tribute to the musician include AJ Tracey, DJ, and producer Toddla T, Boy Better Know member Frisco and DJ Target.

Stormin indicated he was again unwell earlier this month by posting a picture of himself in a hospice on Instagram and writing that he was, “keeping strong and fighting hard.”

(AllHipHop News) A man who falsely claimed to represent Migos to scam an HBCU out of tens of thousands of dollars, has been caught by the Department of Justice.

Octaveon Woods was indicted for wire fraud and money laundering after he allegedly robbed $37,500 from Emory University.

The 26-year-old claims his company Global Talent Agency represented a number of top rappers, including Migos, Lil Uzi, Lil Yachty and others.

In reality, Octaveon Woods was just a thief with no connections to the artists he claimed to represent, according to U.S. Attorney BJay Pak.

Woods also ripped off The University of Missouri and he managed to steal a total of $66,000 from both of the schools.

The feds claim Woods laundered the money through various bank accounts, in order to withdraw the illicit proceeds and cash.

According to reports, Octaveon Woods was released on $10,000 bond last week and has pleaded not guilty.