Young MA is dope and getting mass recognition for her lyrical abilities, but a recent move has people scratching their heads. Now, a lot of people are saying that MA kicked the fan out for not having a phone, but that’s not exactly what happened. Apparently they were doing a social media event or something where everybody needed to pull out there phone. Shorty did NOT have a phone and was moved from the front row even though she had copped her ticket.
I guess its Young MA’s show and she gets her way! Check the Vid!
(AllHipHop Rumors) So, ya’ll just gonna let 21 Savage die, huh? Dude got on social media and put syzzzzzzzurp on his nice breakfast pancakes! This stunt got the rapper thousands and thousands of views on social media. But, was it helpful to his career? Who cares! are you not entertained by this 9 seconds of pure debauchery? Check it out and comment or just read the comments.
Andre Ward has the biggest fight of his career this Saturday (November 19) when he faces light-heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev. Even at 32 years old with numerous titles and a 30-0 record, it’s clear from talking with him that Ward still feels he has a lot to prove. After years of legal setback, 2016 has been his most active in-ring year since 2009. He headlines his first pay-per-view with the stakes not just being financial, but the chance to be universally recognized as the best Pound 4 Pound fighter in the world (a title some would say he’s never lost despite inactivity).
In this candid interview, Ward gives insight into his personal views on Kovalev, Black Lives Matter and the role of boxers, and the fine line between chasing greatness and sound business decisions.
AllHipHop: About your role in Creed, I wanted to get your stance on gym politics. In the movie, you knocked out the Creed character on a gym bet and got to keep his car. With so many cameras and media people around these days, is it a violation for the boxers involved to make something like that public?
Andre Ward: Personally, I come from the old school where what happens in the gym is supposed to stay there. It’s not like that anymore — it’s too many cameras and phones out there. People can’t wait to bust out the door and say something happened.
I like the old set of rules because things happen in the gym. You may have a bad day and not look good. That’s not something 20 people should know about. You get knocked down, things happen. Unfortunately, it’s a different era.
Speaking of it being a different era, the politics of boxing have prevented a few big matchups from going down this year. This is perhaps the one superfight in 2016 where we didn’t have a lot of back and forth in the media. Do you feel this fight has more significance in carrying the sport because so many great fights have fallen through?
Ward: Not really. Of course, I want to do my part to contribute to great fights, but I don’t get caught up in what fights didn’t happen. Boxing is here to stay. We may have a slow year, but next year is looking like a great year in the first quarter. I don’t put too much stake in that.
At super-middleweight, you were able to overwhelm a lot of guys with your physicality on the inside. At 175, I’ve noticed your game has become more about timing and finesse and picking your spots on slower guys. How much of that can be attributed to age and facing naturally bigger men?
Ward: I think it depends on the opponent and what’s needed that night. Just because fans don’t regularly see a particular style or nuance in my game doesn’t mean I’m not still working on it. It just means I wasn’t able to pull it off like I wanted or it wasn’t needed. That’s what makes a great fighter, someone who can show something different every time out. And even remind people of what they haven’t seen in a few years or show some new wrinkles out there.
Going back to this being a different era, I noticed Muhammad Ali is the background of your Twitter page. In his time, he fought tough fights regularly. In this era, Floyd Mayweather had the leverage to be selective in when he took a challenging fight because he controlled the business aspect. With you being the premiere athlete now, how does a boxer go about balancing greatness with financial smartness?
Ward: That’s a great question. It’s definitely up to the individual fighter and their team on what legacy means to them. Is it important to just make money or have a strong resume? It is such a fine line and there is no blueprint on how many tough fights you should have or tune-ups. It’s very tricky.
For me, I have a great team in my lawyer Josh Dubin, my manager James Prince, my promotional team, and trainer. Collectively we come together and make these decisions based on where I’m at, where I want to get to, and how much longer I want to be in the game.
The fine line comes if you continue to take tough fight after tough fight and guys are getting beat up, you’ll be criticized for not being smart. But if you’re real selective, you’ll get criticized for that too. You just have to do the best you can to make sound decisions.
Give me the science behind your jab. Most fighters get countered when they try to repeatedly jab to the body. But I can’t recall you ever getting caught consistently with that punch.
Ward: I definitely get countered from time to time, but I was once told that if you want to be a good fighter, don’t jab. If you want to be a great fighter, learn to use that jab. But it has to be an “educated jab.” Like you said, you go upstairs and downstairs, you fient with it. The jab will save you from a lot [of punishment], you can survive when you’re hurt. You can hide your big shots behind it.
It’s one of those things where it’s easy to get away from it because everyone wants to be a two-f##### fighter. That’s cool but all the greats that I’ve seen, they had a great jab and I want to be great.
A lot of attention is being given to athletes and the role of social protest in sports. Where do you feel your role is as a boxer? Since boxing is not a team sport, there hasn’t been a lot of talk about what boxers can or should be doing to push the discussion forward.
Ward: That’s tough. I’m a man who tries to be lead in whatever he does. I try not to make knee-jerk reactions to get press off of things. I’m also a man of inspiration. If I feel inspired and sought counsel on something, I’ll do it regardless of the backlash I’ll get.
It’s tough with the current things going on because obviously I have an opinion on it I want to share publicly. I think about it all the time. I’m African-American. My children are African-American. There are things they will have to face and deal with. I think before you speak, you need to educate yourself and have a plan with it so you’ll be respected in whatever you feel lead to do.
Having watched you interacting with fans, you’re very personable and friendly. That is contrary to how some portray you in the media. Do you think this fight has or will do a lot to dispel some of the claims of you being standoffish and hard to deal with?
Ward: I think I’ve always been who I am. People have to realize the boxing media is not very big. It’s very small and incestuous; this guy knows that guy and this guy. Unfortuntely, one person may have a personal vendetta for whatever reason. They spew out venom without the facts or coming to get to know a person. Other writers will follow up and do the same thing.
When I was younger, it used to bother me because I felt it was wrong and unjust. But as I get older and matured, I’m confident if an individual gets to meet me, they are going to get the person they’re supposed to get. And that is a person who’s appreciative, thankful and somebody who cares about people. So I don’t worry about that no more because the cream always rises to the top. The key is to continously be me.
A few months ago, we talked briefly about the alleged racist comments Sergey Kovalev had made back in 2013 and the Adonis Stevenson “monkey” incident. Recently, he also made a sexist comment to Claressa Shields about needing her to be in the kitchen. Although he said he was joking, do personal incidents like that give you more motivation going into a fight?
Ward: At the end of the day, I can’t bring his personal shortcomings, views on race, and life into the ring. The boxing ring is a very delicate place. I just make a mental note on the type of individual I’m dealing with.
When we get in the ring, we understand a fighter’s struggle, where they come from and their triumphs. We understand that so we can know who we’re truly dealing with. So when those things are said, we add them to the chalkboard to dissect the opponent we’re facing.
What’s your Hip-Hop playlist looking like these days?
Ward: I don’t listent to overall Hip-Hop anymore, but I do listen to gospel rap. There’s some hittas out there, man. Lecrae is one of my favorites. You have Tagoshi, Trip Lee, Transparent, Black Knight; the list goes on and on. These are guys that love God, have a positive message, bangin’ beats and a ton of talent. People definitely need to check those guys out.
Even though you’re not near retirement, when you talk I can sometimes tell you can see your life after boxing. After Kovalev, win or lose, do you feel this will be the climax of your career?
Ward: I feel I have a lot left in the tank. I speak to a lot of guys who are retired, and they tell me “you’ll know.” At the same time, I’ve seen a lack of preparation from athletes. When we’re young and doing good, we feel like it’ll last forever. Mentally, we don’t set ourselves up for the end. I’ve made sure that mentally I’ve prepared for it in every single way.
Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev airs live on HBO pay-per-view Saturday November 19. Friday’s weigh-in will be streamed live on BeatsBoxingMayhem.
(AllHipHop News) Fans of Hip-Hop music delivered Mike Pence a searing message last night (November 18), as the VP elect attempted to take in a performance of “Hamilton.”
At the end of the politically charged performance, lead actor Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr, offered up a message to Mike Pence.
“We are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir,” Dixon told Mike Pence. “But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us.”
The President, Donald Trump himself, directly responded to the message delivered to Pence by the “Hamilton” cast.
Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!” Donald Trump tweeted.
“The Theater must always be a safe and special place. The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!” President Donald Trump demanded.
“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manual Miranda seemed pleased with Dixon’s message to Pence.
“Proud of @BrandonVDixon, for leading with love,” Lin-Manual Miranda tweeted. “And proud to remind you that ALL are welcome at the theater.”
Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!
(AllHipHop News) According to reports, Game was on the losing end of a $10 million sexual assault lawsuit.
Priscilla Rainey sued the rap star, claiming he sexually assaulted her while filming a scene in a Los Angeles bar for his reality dating TV show “She’s Got Game.”
(AllHipHop News) Vandals defaced the Adam Yauch Memorial Park in Brooklyn, which was created in honor of late Beastie Boy member MCA.
The criminals plastered Swastikas around the park yesterday (November 18), in an attempt to disparage the group’s Jewish heritage.
Additionally, the cowards behind the act also spray-painted “Go Trump” messages around the memorial park.
The Brooklyn bred emcee passed away from throat cancer on May 4, 2012. The news comes on the heels of The Beastie Boys celebrating the 30th anniversary of their ground breaking album for Def Jam, License To Ill, which was released November 15, 1986.
So far, no one has been arrested for vandalizing the Adam Yauch Memorial Park.
(AllHipHop News) Cult soul star Sharon Jones has died at the age of 60.
The Grammy-nominated singer and leader of the Dap-Kings lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on Friday (November 18) at a hospital in upstate Cooperstown, New York, surrounded by her bandmates.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that Sharon Jones has passed away after a heroic battle against pancreatic cancer,” a statement on the singer’s website reads. “She was surrounded by her loved ones, including the Dap-Kings.”
A former guard at New York’s notorious Rikers Island prison, Jones also drove armored cars for Wells Fargo Bank before realising her dream and releasing her first album at the age of 40.
As the singer with the Dap-Kings, she released seven albums, and she was nominated for her first Grammy in 2014 for Best R&B Album (Give the People What They Want).
Paying tribute to the late soul revival star on Friday evening, fan Whoopi Goldberg tweeted: “The fabulous Sharon Jones has passed tonight she & her band The DapKings made great music together & she sang her butt off. Condolences RIP”, and producer Nile Rodgers wrote: “#RIPSharonJones – You are incredible and mighty. Condolences to your family.”
The Roots drummer Questlove posted a photograph of Jones on Instagram and wrote: “Thank You Sharon. Thank You. #2016.”
Jones was diagnosed with stage two pancreatic cancer in 2013 and spent much of that year undergoing invasive surgery and chemotherapy to treat the disease. With her cancer in remission, she made a triumphant return to music, and her journey was documented in the film Miss Sharon Jones!, which premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival in Canada.
The screening was bittersweet for the star, who took to the stage and revealed her cancer had returned and spread to her lung, liver and lymph nodes.
She told the cinema crowd, “I’m gonna keep fighting. We got a long way to go… I’m going to do what I have to do. I’m going to sing… This won’t prevent me from giving the people what they want.”
She continued to perform and was slated to take the stage with the Dap-Kings as part of the South by South Lawn music event in Washington, D.C. on October 3, but she had to pull out of the gig when she fell ill, telling fans on Facebook: “I’m home in Augusta (South Carolina) recovering from pneumonia and am too sick to travel.”
(AllHipHop News) A Tribe Called Quest has achieved a remarkable event in its already storied history, their first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart in more than 20 years.
We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service is predicted to to push about 120,000 equivalent album units and a fitting swan song for the group’s final studio album.
The album also marks the final time fans will hear the late Phife Dawg spitting bars. The rap legend died in March from complications from diabetes.
The No. 1 slot comprises of traditional album sales, track equivalent albums and streaming equivalent albums. The formal sales charts will emerge. Nov. 20.
Beats, Rhymes and Life was the last time the group hit No. 1 and that was on Aug. 17, 1996. Previous albums were critical hits, but didn’t gain that mainstream, pop notoriety.
In other news, Phife Dawg will get the just respect he deserves by New York City.
Councilman I. Daneek Miler and a bevy of artists will honor Malik Izaak Taylor p/k/a Phife Dawg for “his contributions as an innovator and trendsetter in the Music/Entertainment and Media Industries,” per a release.
A street naming ceremony in Phife’s native Jamaica, New York will happen tomorrow at Linden Boulevard & 192nd Street in Queens.
A Tribe Called Quest members Q-Tip & Jairob will be in attendance.
Phife’s mother Cheryl Boyce-Taylor said, “I’m in awe as an immigrant mother. My family came from Trinidad to the US in the 50’s and 60’s. We worked as housekeepers, nannies and home attendants to educate ourselves and our children. For a moment I lost faith in this country. The renaming of 192nd St. & Linden after my son Malik, has made my American Dream come through. I am so happy. He was an incredible child. I was blessed to know and love him.”
The event is open to the public and takes place Saturday, November 19th at 1:00pm EST.
(AllHipHop Rumors) Although Bey-Z couldn’t get Hillary Clinton in the White House, this doesn’t mean all hope is lost.
In fact, Jay Z may have some political aspirations of his own.
According to RadarOnline, the Hip Hip mogul is preparing to run for political office in New York.
Hov & Bey are openly supportive of the Democratic party as Beyonce sung the National Anthem at President Obama’s 2012 inauguration, and the power couple both performed at a Cleveland rally for Clinton during her presidential campaign.
A source close to the couple is claiming that Clinton’s unfortunate defeat made him consider running for office in NY.
“Jay Z is really considering running for political office in New York and Beyonce is 1000 percent supportive of her husband’s decision,” said the insider.
If Jay’s delusional and estranged “brother” Kanye West thinks he can and should run for President in 2020, we are surely behind Hov running for political office in NY. Actually if there’s any truth to it, I think Jay could be a good politician.
The source also told RadarOnline that the Obamas always encouraged Jay to run.
“They told him that he would make a great leader. Jay Z not only has star power, but he would have a ton of support from his fans, as well as from past administrations.”
Should Jay run for office? What are your thoughts?
(AllHipHop Features) Standing on a balcony of the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, Vaquan “HighDefRazjah” Wilkins looks out onto the city’s radiant skyline. The lights pouring from the skyscrapers’ windows drown out the glow from the heavens, almost like a reflection of the young producer’s own inner powers sometimes being overshadowed.
“Where I come from you don’t see this. It’s probably like seven buildings there. So when you see abundance, it’s more than just the view. It’s seeing people’s hard work to put those buildings up,” says Razjah. “So I see opportunity and hope every time I look out. It’s like [the buildings are saying,] ‘Keep going.’”
HDR has come a long way from his adolescent days playing basketball in Suffolk, Virginia. An unfortunate injury ended his hopes of taking his athletic talents further.
So instead, Vaquan connected with childhood friend-turned-mentor Lex Luger, the super-producer behind hits like Rick Ross’ “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)” and Jay Z & Kanye West’s “H•A•M.” The two VA representatives have been building together ever since.
“What I can tell you from my experience knowing him all my life and being his understudy, he’s an amazing person. He’s smart, a great father, a great teacher,” declares Razjah about Lex. “He will wake me up at six in the morning like, ‘Alright, bro. Let’s work.’ He’ll have a phone call with PartyNextDoor or Juicy J. I’ll ask, ‘You’re talking to Juicy?’ He’ll say, “Yeah, it’s nothing. It’s work.’”
A photo posted by P###. Of Take It Or Leave It (@highdefrazjah) on
Razjah can now list his own notable production placements. His credits include “Far Away” on Jay Pharoah’s The Resurrection and “Take It Or Leave It” on Rae Sremmurd’s SremmLife 2.
However, it was an A$AP Ferg cut titled “Let It Go” on the Harlemite’s Trap Lord album that sparked the fire within the 24-year-old creator to take his new profession seriously.
“‘Let It Go’ was my first album placement. I was like, ‘Wow, this is it. I’m on.’ I didn’t really know the business then,” Razjah explains. “After I went through that and got paid, the money was gone. I realized: You still got a lot to do. That’s just one song. It’s just this amount of money. It can be gone.”
He adds, “Once that happened, it motivated me because I love living like this. I have to work to eat. It’s written. A man that don’t work, won’t eat.”
The initial payout for his work with Ferg was a nice financial introduction to the music industry, but it also served as a wake-up call to the fact that funds come and go just as quickly as the latest trending topic.
An adjustment was orchestrated. Patience, trust, and communication became the three pillars to the up-and-comer securing victories as a breadwinner in the entertainment biz.
“Without patience, you can rush something. Without communication, you don’t know what’s going on and both sides can over think,” states Razjah. “It’s pivotal to keep those things in mind.”
Spend enough time with Vaquan and it becomes clear the need to maintain the reins of his own consciousness is a fundamental part of who he is.
While drugs and alcohol serve as self-medicating remedies HDR uses to cope with his introversion [he openly admits to taking shrooms in order to be comfortable enough to conduct our interview], books such as The 48 Laws Of Power, Behold A Pale Horse, and The Ancient Secret Of The Flower Of Life feed his hunger for alternative knowledge.
The Literature Shaping The Thoughts Of The Rapper-Producer
For Razjah’s spiritual wellness, meditation and manifestation are regular routines. The practice of promoting positive energy is another form of connection to a higher power.
“It’s crazy that I’m now realizing things that are right in front of your face that you’ll never notice until you focus on it. That’s why I say anything is possible,” HDR proclaims.
That bright outlook is clearly embedded in the person who released the Psychedelic EP. But there is a faint dimness to the glow surrounding Razjah. It’s almost as if he has not fully tapped into the dynamism that’s lying dormant somewhere in his soul.
The fog could be left over from a childhood which consisted of peers putting him down for doing well in school. As a result, Vaquan may still have a pocket-sized chip on his shoulder for anyone ignoring his abilities, including the man in the mirror attempting to overcome his own insecurities.
Razjah says, “Stuff will be right in front of my face, and I don’t even know it. I don’t want to say I downplay myself, but I like to earn my worth. I’m just starting to realize it now.”
A struggle with a health concern also shepherded a change of focus in HDR. He learned to balance the complications happening in his life.
In addition, there is clearly a constant battle between immense confidence and hindering anxiety raging in Razjah’s head. The former combatant appears to be on the verge of claiming victory.
“My biggest fear is over thinking what I can’t do. Can’t nobody defeat me but me,” he says. “The music game is crazy. It can draw you away from things. It can draw you toward things.”
Razjah continues, “I was living too fast. After ‘Let It Go’ I was exposed to the life. I started doing drugs more. I was in parties with girls I never thought I’d be around. It’s a confidence booster. People look at you different once you give something to culture.”
HDR is not done offering art to the universe. The rising performer promises he will no longer let personal issues block the formation of the music.
A video for “The Art Of Psyche” has arrived and a body of work called The Frequency is on the way. Besides his own project, Razjah has sent tracks to G.O.O.D. Music’s Pusha T and LVRN’s Raury. His close collaborator Asia Mari is up next as well.
As Razjah progresses through the ascending levels of the music game, he knows history will ultimately define his place as an artist. The legacies of prominent figures such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Jay Z, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, and Rick Rubin are career goals for HDR.
“I want to let the world know I’m here, just know that I exist. When I walk up to a place, I want any race, culture, alien, human, fish – I want them to know me for being a great person. That’s all that matters in the end,” says HighDefRazjah. “[I want people to say,] ‘He made me smile today. You helped me get through my day. You helped me get through my year. You helped me get through my life.’ I want to get to that point. I don’t just want to turn you up.”
Once again Razjah steps out into the Atlanta air stories above Centennial Olympic Park. At the moment, the Omni Hotel serves as a palace for the Virginia-bred prince as he overlooks an artistic kingdom ready to be conquered.
Vaquan Wilkins reflects, “Looking at the [SkyView Atlanta] Ferris wheel, I think about my daughter… Looking over here, I’m thinking: Where can I put my building? When I’m out here and nobody’s here, that’s what thoughts go through my head. What’s about to happen next?”
Termanology just released his song “Top Shotta” with Joey Bada$$ and now he finally delivers his fully album More Politics.
Term assembled an all-star lineup for his new album “More Politics,” with legend like Sheek Louch, Bun B., Styles P. and KXng Crooked making appearances.
(AllHipHop News) Ludacris opened his new chicken-n-waffles business and he gave followers a quick tour of the restaurant in a short video clip.
“It took me three years, but it’s finally coming to fruition,” he said in the footage. “Anything that’s worth waiting for is worth having. And we are finally here. Chicken + Beer.
“I’ve seen it come from my third album, triple platinum album, all the way to a restaurant. Concourse D, D-5,” Luda said reffering to the restaurants location in the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield.
“I’m talking about great food, great drinks, great energy, and my employees are the best employees in the world,” Ludacris said.
Chicken + Beer welcomed its first customers yesterday (November 17), and Ludacris was on site to greet hungry fans.
“Our first two guest (sic) at the opening!” he captioned a photo of two guys at the eatery, before joking, “And ironically one looks like he could be my damn cousin. Lol.”
In the lead up to Thursday’s big launch, Ludacris also shared pictures of the menu, which features traditional Southern favorites like shrimp and grits, Luda’s chicken and pecan waffles, battered catfish, sweet potato mash, and Southern fried apple pie.
(AllHipHop Rumors) Lately there has been much talk about the possibility of Nicki Minaj and Young M.A. ever hooking up…. to do more than ummmm music.
Young M.A. is an openly gay rapper, and Nicki Minaj has rapped some LESBIhonest lyrics a time or two suggesting that she may in fact play on both teams.
Young M.A. recently did an interview with FUSE where she touched on Nicki Minaj having a thing for her, and what she felt Nicki really meant by that.
M.A. says she felt like Nicki was really just giving her props instead of saying she has a “real thing” for her.
Before M.A. addressed it, rumors already hit the fan suggesting that there may have been more going on between the two female rappers.
We suspect Meek Mill may have been giving Nicki the side eye as she took to her Instagram to shut down the rumor that she “had a thang” for Young M.A. Nicki posted,
“I love a good joke, But s/o to the ONLY human I have a THING for.”
Meek Mill must be putting it down because we certainly didn’t expect their relationship to last this long.
