(AllHipHop News) Alicia Keys is the newest member of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. I am seeing this online in various spaces, but did not get the full confirmation until I went to RocNation.com
Alicia Keys is right there at the top of the management section on the companies official website. Keys is coming off the of a high as the host of the 2020 Grammys. She also successfully navigated through the sober mood and aftermath of Kobe Bryant’s death.
The Roc recently gave AK her props on her birthday, but have yet to formally announce her as a member of the winning team.
The singer recently announced her newest offered “ALICIA,” which has been bolstered by the singles “Show Me Love” and “Underdog.”
Alicia Keys and Jay-Z joined forces on the hit record “Empire State of Mind.”
(AllHipHop News) Damon Dash may be handed his nemesis some easy money in a $50 million sexual assault lawsuit.
Attorney Christopher Brown just filed new documents urging a judge to make Damon Dash give photographer Monique Bunn more than $50,000,000 immediately.
To make matters worse for Damon, Christopher Brown is asking for 9% interest from December 26, 2019, until January 27th, which amounts to $381,982.50 in penalties alone.
After factoring in some legal costs, Christopher Brown and Monique Bunn seek a total of $51,313,547.50 from Damon Dash.
Bunn alleges she spent the night at Damon Dash’s Los Angeles house for work on the night of April 18, 2019, after she was hired to shoot photos for his Poppington brand.
Monique Bunn claims Damon is surrounded by enablers, including “a specific maid follow him around all day just to make him drinks and roll marijuana for him, Dash simply yells her name and she comes running with refills of vodka and orange juice and joints.”
The following day, on April 19th, Damon Dash supposedly sent Bunn to an Apple store to purchase $3,000 worth of equipment, which was allegedly approved by Raquel Horn.
The next day (April 20th) all hell broke loose as Damon and Raquel Horn allegedly prepared to do mushrooms to celebrate the 4/20 “holiday.”
“Dash and Horn barged into the bedroom where I was sleeping and started yelling at me about the Apple Store purchase as Horn was unhappy with the amount,” Monique Bunn said.
“Horn’s eyes were excessively widened and she was clearly under the influence, irate and irrational,” Monique Bunn claimed, so she fled Dame’s house out of fear.
According to Monique Bunn, Damon kept a hard drive that contained over 100,000 pictures of famous rappers, R&B stars, and other celebrities, with each image being valued at an estimated $500.
Monique Bunn claims she’s about to lose the house her family has owned for 80 years because Damon Dash allegedly kept all of her equipment.
(AllHipHop News) Kelis signed up to “The Masked Singer U.K.” after her children begged her to go on the show.
The star was unveiled as the vocalist dressed as a Daisy on Saturday’s edition of the hit celebrity singing contest, with judge Rita Ora correctly guessing her identity.
Asked by British morning show host “Lorraine Kelly” why she agreed to appear, Kelis revealed her sons Knight, 10, and Shepherd, four, had nagged her until she agreed.
“They are like, ‘It’s the best thing ever. You should absolutely do this!'” Kelis shared.
Speaking about what it was like performing in her outfit, the star said it was “awkward” and, “hot,” but not as strange as keeping her identity secret from fellow contestants and the public.
“You are not even supposed to see anyone,” the “Milkshake” hitmaker added. “The weirdest thing is being there and not having contact with anyone at all. You have shirts on that say ‘don’t speak to me’. And you’re not allowed to talk to anybody.
“You have no idea what’s going on. That’s the most bizarre part of the whole thing about being there and being quiet.”
However, the star found it quite easy to keep her appearance from friends and family – as they are used to her being away on tour.
“That wasn’t the hard part as we are used to being on tour and most people don’t have a clue where we are at,” the 40-year-old revealed. “Most of my friends at least know, ‘She’s gone, oh she’ll be back’. So it wasn’t too hard.”
ITV bosses were also forced to apologize over Saturday’s episode of the show after panelist Jonathan Ross suggested the artist beneath the daisy mask could be Natalie Cole – who died, aged 65, in 2015.
Blizz Vito is back with a banger for his growing fanbase. The new single is titled “Opp Down aka Ricky Ricky Ricky,” inspired by John Singleton’s classic film Boyz N the Hood. This follows the Brooklyn rapper’s previous release for “Fake Friends,” inspired by real-life events.
With a “trapping to rapping” mindset, Vito proves you can make it out the streets as long as you work hard and never give up. The new single is a drill anthem, with a hard-hitting beat from 808 Melo and K.O.T.C. (Kidz On The Corners) you can’t deny. “Opp Down aka Ricky, Ricky, Ricky” serves as yet another impactful banger to add to his catalog.
The single’s artwork complaints Vito’s raw lyricism, bringing to life the hunger and drive of young males hoping to get out of the inner city. His bars and punchlines draws metaphors of not only his own life, but the characters in the movie. Regardless, the track shows his growth and ability to create catchy songs in today’s saturated world of music.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Yasiin Bey was forced to cancel plans to travel to the U.K. for a series of festival dates on doctor’s orders.
The hip-hop veteran, formerly known as Mos Def, had been booked as a headliner for the touring Beat Horizon Festival, with the first gig scheduled to take place in London on January 18th.
Bey had to bow out of that show on the eve of the performance, blaming a “minor respiratory issue,” but his representatives insisted he would still be able to join the line-up when the event touched down in Manchester.
However, that appearance was also canceled the day before the concert as the 46-year-old was still unwell.
In a message posted on Facebook Bey wrote, “Peace Folks. Was planning to travel today.Dr said i need more time to rest and heal.Sinus trouble is not pleasant and frustrating yet im grateful for the support of my family and team and that apart from my sinuses im fine.”
Vowing to make it up to his U.K. fans soon, he added, “Godwilling I’ll see you all out there when the time is right.Thank you and thank you again.Peace.”
Although Yasiin Bey was absent from the weekend festival stop, attendees were still treated to performances from Talib Kweli, British rap icon Goldie, and drum and bass pioneer Roni Size, among others.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper 50 Cent has vowed to quit trolling his enemies online and use his time more productively after Kobe Bryant’s life was cut short so unexpectedly.
Taking to Instagram, 50 revealed he planned to make some big changes in his life to ensure he doesn’t run out of time before he reaches his goals.
“i feel like i have to achieve what i want in life now after this,” he posted, alongside a gif of himself embracing Bryant after a basketball game years ago.
His change of attitude comes two days after he aimed at Henson for recent remarks she had made on rapper T.I.’s “expediTIously” podcast over the feud surrounding her show “Empire” and 50’s#### series “Power.”
“Our show has nothing to do with his show,” Henson told T.I. of their fall out. “We’re talking two different subject matters. Then again 50, do you know what the f**k I had to do to get here? Why tear down another black person? For competition? There are a million other shows you can compete with. To do that publicly? It’s embarrassing.”
“I saw @tarajiphenson on @troubleman31 (T.I.’s) podcast, this is my sincere apology I did not mean to hurt your feelings in anyway,” he began. “I love your work and I think you are amazing. I’m sorry no one is watching your show anymore (sic)…”
Taraji P. Henson has yet to respond to 50’s latest jabs, or his vow to stop picking fights online.
(AllHipHop News) The four suspects accused of assassinating revered rap star XXXTentacion will appear in court together this Spring as their trial approaches.
Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, Dedrick Williams, and Robert Allen have been ordered to a mandatory hearing this May.
The four men will face Broward Circuit Judge Michael Usan on May 15th, at 9:30 AM.
(AllHipHop News) Los Angeles Lakers superfan Ice Cube was so shaken by the news of Kobe Bryant’s death he texted the basketball great, hoping he’d reply.
“When I didn’t get it (text) back, you don’t immediately start to worry because he’s Kobe and he always gets back sooner or later,” Ice Cube told ESPN, revealing he’s still coming to terms with his hero’s death.
“Me personally, I don’t have too many heroes that’s younger than me, and that was one of them,” he continued. “It’s profound but I think more about his family and I hope the city wraps their arms around the family and embraces them as much as they embraced Kobe.”
Kobe and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in the crash.
(AllHipHop News) Rap star 50 Cent just called out Oprah Winfrey over her lack of response to a viral clip of an MSNBC news anchor supposedly using the “n-word” during a report on Kobe Bryant’s death.
MSNBC host Alison Morris was reporting the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna on Sunday (January 26th) when she seemingly labeled the Los Angeles Lakers as the Los Angeles “n##gers.)
The clip caused an uproar and even launched a petition on Change.org calling on MSNBC to fire Morris.
“This is the woman who said that about kobe in my last post ♂️where the f### is @oprah when this kind a s##t happens? i know me too is the movement but what the f##k,” 50 Cent snapped after watching the clip.
Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say “Nakers.” Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term. I apologize for the confusion this caused.
“Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I, unfortunately, stuttered on air, combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say “Nakers.” Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term,” Morris said. “I apologize for the confusion this caused.Social media will not cut her any slack and have been going in on her social media accounts.”
(AllHipHop News) The top rappers in the music business will descend upon Miami again, for Rolling Loud Miami 2020.
Rolling Loud will take over the city for the 6th time, along with headliners Post Malone, Travis Scott, and A$AP Rocky.
The three-day festival has curated a lineup for hip-hop aficionados, who will catch a glimpse of some of the most prominent names in the game.
This year, fans can expect performances by superstars like Young Thug, DaBaby, Gucci Mane, 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, and Rick Ross. Even Soulja Boy is on the bill!
This year, Rolling Loud organizers chose to concentrate on “elevating” female rappers with appearances by Megan Thee Stallion, City Girls, Young M.A., Rico Nasty, Doja Cat, Saweetie, DaniLeigh, and others.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Fetty Wap won’t be prosecuted for felony battery after the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office found “insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
In a cellphone video, a woman could be heard accusing Fetty of putting his hands on her and challenged him to do it again.
Fetty then appeared to smack the phone out of her hand.
She told the LAPD that Fetty grabbed her by the neck and tossed her against a wall. She also claimed that the musician did it for a second time, and made it hard for her to breathe as he applied pressure to her neck.
While the alleged victim is said to have initially told the LAPD she didn’t want to press charges, she then changed her mind three months later.
Officers also said that while there was a witness, she refused to provide any information they could use.
(AllHipHop Rumors) The rapper known as Sauce Money almost appeared in the rumors section not too long ago. There was a rumor that I caught wind of just recently. D-Dot aka The Mad Rapper aka Deric Angelettie said in an interview that Sauce Money helped write some of Jay-Z’s raps! Now, I like being cool with Jay in my brain even though he probably does not know I even exist….so I skipped the rumor. It was the Breakfast Club – the 9-minute mark.
Also, here is a song that Jay and Sauce did together as a point of reference.
That sh#t hard!
Anyway, these guys were thick as thieves, but a lot has changed. Sauce Money is bucking up in 2020. The squeaky wheel gets heard.
“Just watched Diddy Icon acceptance speech at the Recording Academy and I can honestly say I respect the message, just not coming from him,” writes Sauce. “He practices the same backdoor politics against his own people. Him and his friend Jay-Z. If the Grammys are on the clock, then ya’ll are too!”
What do you think of that? Remember…this is the dude that wrote for Puffy and gave the Bad Boy some of his biggest hits! That’s real. Last year, he actually dissed Diddy on a song called “Love Tap.”
Check that out here:
These guys made a good team. Check this out from 1998…over 20 years ago!
What do you think of this? Is dude just mad because he’s not in the mix anymore of does he have a legit gripe? I am waiting for me information. Honestly, I am thinking he would be less inclined to be upset if he was down with them and somebody else was getting shafted. Nevertheless, Sauce is a dope rapper. I hope it all works out for him.
(AllHipHop News) Jermaine Lamarr Cole was born on this date (January 28) in 1985. In celebration of the southern emcee’s birthday, his fans went on Twitter to declare the Dreamville leader as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
“Happy Birthday To The GOAT” was a top trending topic on the social media platform on Tuesday morning. Many users began posting and retweeting jubilant birthday messages along with photos, videos, and gifs of J. Cole.
The 35-year-old performer/producer was born on an American military base in Frankfurt, West Germany. His family later moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina where he was raised by his mother. Cole eventually attended St. John’s University in New York City before launching his professional music career.
Over the last 13 years, J. Cole released three mixtapes, five studio LPs, and three Dreamville Records compilation projects. The KOD creator has scored five #1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart and five Top 10 singles on the Hot 100 chart. He won his first Grammy Award this past Sunday for his contribution to 21 Savage’s “A Lot” (Best Rap Song).
J. Cole shares a birthday with two other Hip Hop legends. Rakim, aka The God MC, was born on January 28, 1968. Rick Ross, aka The Boss, was born on January 28, 1976. NBA coach Gregg Popovich, Memphis Grizzlies player Andre Iguodala, WWE wrestler Sheamus, and The Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood are also celebrating a born day.
Happy birthday to the GOAT @JColeNC, Cole World, Ya music defines culture with good Messages. Meanwhile January 28 playing…,🎵🎶💥💦 pic.twitter.com/aaKsyz4EsY
(AllHipHop News) The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards took place on January 26 at the Staples Center in LA just hours after the world found out about the unexpected death of Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant. Producers of the ceremony quickly incorporated a tribute to the basketball legend into the show.
Grammy host Alicia Keys and R&B group Boyz II Men performed a surprise rendition of “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” in honor of the 5-time NBA champion and 2-time Olympic gold medalist. Boyz II Men’s classic 1991 remake saw a significant increase in Spotify plays following the musical memorial to Kobe.
According to reports, streams of “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” by Boyz II Men soared more than 1275% on Spotify in comparison to the previous day. The original version of the song was recorded by Motown artist G.C. Cameron for the 1975 comedy-drama film Cooley High.
The 2020 Grammy Awards also helped boost the Spotify streams of other acts. A star-studded tribute to late emcee/entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle led to more than a 740% jump of DJ Khaled’s song “Higher” which features Nipsey and John Legend. “Higher” won the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
Tyler, The Creator took home his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album (Igor) on Sunday. He also hit the stage for a performance of “Earfquake” and “New Magic Wand” with Boyz II Men and Charlie Wilson. The Spotify streams for “New Magic Wand” surged over 500% following the telecast.
(AllHipHop News) Jarad “Juice WRLD” Higgins died from an apparent drug overdose on December 8, 2019. While many of Juice WRLD’s followers are still grieving his death, they can celebrate the fact that he is still achieving success on the Billboard charts.
Eminem’s latest album, Music to Be Murdered By, includes the track “Godzilla” which features Juice WRLD. The song debuted on the Hot 100 chart at #3. That gives Em his twenty-second Top 10 record and Juice his third.
In addition, Eminem saw 11 other songs from Music to Be Murdered By make it onto the Hot 100 this week. Mac Miller, another rap star that passed away in recent years, charted 10 songs off his posthumous album Circles on the tally.
Hip Hop continues to dominate the Hot 100 in 2020. Roddy Ricch’s smash hit “The Box” led the rankings of the most popular songs in America for a third straight week. Future’s “Life Is Good” with Drake maintained its #2 position.
(AllHipHop News) On Sunday, 41-year-old Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, and seven other people passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Fans of Kobe are finding different ways to memorialize the late icon.
One admirer of the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar started a petition to call on the National Basketball Association to change its official logo to honor Bryant. A description of the appeal reads, “With the untimely and unexpected passing of the great Kobe Bryant please sign this petition in an attempt to immortalize him forever as the new NBA Logo.”
As of press time, more than 1.5 million individuals have signed the Change.org petition. The current goal is to get 3 million signatures, so the petition is halfway to reaching its objective.
Presently, the NBA’s logo includes a silhouette of fellow Lakers legend and the team’s former general manager Jerry West. In 2017, West expressed approval of the league modifying the image on the logo. He is quoted saying, “If they would want to change it, I wish they would. In many ways, I wish they would.”
Following Kobe’s death on January 26, West spoke to ESPN about acquiring a 17-year-old Kobe Bryant in 1996 from a trade with the Charlotte Hornets. That move, along with the free-agent signing of Shaquille O’Neal, led to an LA Laker three-peat championship run from 2000 to 2002.
(AllHipHop News) Kobe Bean Bryant passed away on Sunday, January 26. The 5-time NBA champion was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant and seven other people also lost their lives in the accident.
The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon used his program on Monday night to celebrate the life of #24. While telling a story about partying with a 17-year-old Kobe when he was a rookie on the Los Angeles Lakers, Fallon began crying live on television.
Before his passing, Kobe Bryant appeared on The Tonight Show several times. The legendary NBA All-Star and Academy Award winner was on the late-night program in March 2019 where he discussed being a coach for Gianna’s basketball team.
(AllHipHop News) The world is still mourning the untimely death of NBA great Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others. Many celebrities have offered public condolences for the future basketball hall of famer after the tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
NBA superstar LeBron James has now shared his thoughts on Bryant (aka Black Mamba). The current Los Angeles Laker posted a message about the former Los Angeles Laker on Instagram.
James wrote:
I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!! . Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation and it’s my responsibility to put this sh*t on my back and keep it going!! Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There’s so much more I want to say but just can’t right now because I can’t get through it! Until we meet again my brother!! #Mamba4Life❤️ #Gigi4Life❤️
LeBron passed Kobe for third place on the NBA’s all-time career scoring list the day before Bryant’s death. Kobe’s final tweet was a congratulatory statement about James’ recent accomplishment.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644
(AllHipHop News) Rising rapper Lexii Alijai died of an accidental drugs overdose, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office has ruled.
News of the 21-year-old’s tragic death was announced on New Year’s Day on Facebook by her cousin.
Now, following an autopsy, the medical examiner’s office has revealed Alijai passed away as a result of a lethal mixture of fentanyl and ethanol – with her death ruled an accident.
After news of Alijai’s death was revealed, Kehlani – who teamed up with the late star, real name Alexis Alijai Lynch, on 2015 track “Jealous” – paid tribute to the singer, who she called her “little sister.”
“jus got the worst f**kin news ever. my heart is BROKE. F**K,” Kehlani began. “weakest saddest way to start a new year. i’m off this happy new year please please please please be safe out here.”
Kehlani is now planning a benefit concert in honor of Alijai, which will be held at First Avenue in Minneapolis on February 19.
Alijai first rose to fame by rapping over songs by stars such as Drake and Nas, with her videos frequently going viral on social media.
She dropped out of school to pursue her music dreams and released her first full-length project Super Sweet 16 to celebrate her 16th birthday.
Her debut studio album Growing Pains dropped in September 2017.
