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Gucci Mane Launches New Label and Gives Atlanta Rapper Ralo A Million Dollar Deal

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane is making moves as a business executive, with the launch of his new label 1017Eskimo Records.

Gucci Mane made the announcement tonight (February 12), along with the news that Atlanta rapper Ralo is the first artist on his new record label.

Gucci and Ralo have double the reason to celebrate, since today is also both of their birthdays.

Ralo also just dropped his new project “Famerican Gangster 2,” which features Young Thug, Lil Yachty, 21 Savage and of course the boss of 1017Eskimo, Gucci Mane.

“Aye yawl I just got another million dollars n my account, Could everybody please do me 2 favors… tell @laflare1017 thank him an happy birthday. This the greatest gift on earth,” Ralo said of the new signing.

Take a look at the announcement below and click here to get “Famerican Gangster 2.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQbU7j1BGxI/?taken-by=laflare1017

Prince’s Unreleased Music On The Way As His Catalog Finally Rolls Out Across Streaming Platforms

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) It’s has only been a few days since Prince’s estate announced a deal with Universal Music, to oversee and administer his lucrative catalog of music.

Now, Warner Bros. has announced that the late icon’s classic catalog owned by the label is finally rolling out across all streaming platforms today (February 12), just as the Grammy’s prepare tribute to the singer, who died of a drug overdose on April 21, 2016.

Prince signed with Warner Bros. almost 40 years ago and recorded his most influential and popular albums for the label.

His albums Prince, Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain, Around the World in a Day, Parade, Sign O’ The Times, Batman and Diamonds and Pearls were recorded for Warner, and are considered classics.

As part of the new agreement, Warner Bros. is going to reissue Purple Rain, along with two albums of previously unreleased Prince material, and two complete concert films from the Purple One’s vaults.

“Prince recorded his most influential and popular music during his time with Warner Bros. and we are deeply aware of our responsibility to safeguard and nurture his incredible legacy,” said Cameron Strang, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. Records.

“Warner Bros. is thrilled to be able to bring Prince’s music to his millions of fans around the world via streaming services, fittingly on music’s biggest night. We’d like to thank Prince’s estate, Universal Music Publishing, the Grammy Awards and all of the streaming services for their great collaboration in making this landmark event possible,” Strang added.

While he was alive, Prince refused to give his music away for free. He pioneered the NPG Music Club, which bundled his albums as downloads with concert tickets, and he also refused to place his music would streaming services.

Prince eventually struck a deal with Jay Z and Tidal to stream his newer releases, but shortly after his death in 2016, a lawsuit broke out over control of the late singer’s 65 albums.

In the end, Prince’s estate went with Universal Music.

.The remastered version of Purple Rain and the two concert films from Paisley Park are due to be released on June 9.

 

 

Cam’ron Says He Never Stole Millions From Jim Jones, But Admits He Owns Legal Rights To ByrdGang Name

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Harlem rapper Cam’ron kept his promise last night (February 11), and discussed a recent interview that former Diplomats group member Jim Jones conducted with Hot 97’s Funkmaster Flex.

Jim Jones became emotional and his interview with Funkmaster Flex, when he recounted the many things he sacrificed for Cam and The Diplomats to be successful.

The teary-eyed interview with between Jim Jones and Funkmaster Flex happened just after Jim Jones mended his relationship with former rival Jay Z, and signed a deal with Roc Nation.

During an Instagram live session, Cam’ron responded to Jim Jones’ interview.

During the lengthy interview, Cam recounted the entire history of The Diplomats and their beginnings in Harlem, to how both Juelz Santana and Jim Jones ended up signing their own record deals.

According to Cam, he was directly involved with Juelz signing with Def Jam, while Jim was still acting as a hypeman for the entire group.

“The story he tells, he was the muscle he was doing this, he was doing that…Jim would fight. I’m not sitting here saying Jim wouldn’t have a fight,” Cam’ron said. “But he was not my muscle. He was my man, I brought him on the road. He was my hypeman.”

Cam revealed that it was around this time that Jim landed his own deal with Koch in order to keep up with the growing success of Cam and Juelz.

Cam said no one believed Jim would be a successful rapper, until he landed deal with Koch on his own (with Cam’s co-sign) and released hit “Certified Gangsters” from Jim’s debut, On My Way to Church.

Camr’on also addressed Jim Jones allegations that Jim Jones was presented funny style paperwork when it came to running Diplomat Records.

“Me and Juelz had paper work. He was signed to me,” Cam’ron said. “Me and Jim never did a deal. Ever. Tell him to pull the paperwork wherever. I never made him sign papers cause he’s my man.

“I’m like ‘let me eat with you off the first album. After that, do your motherf##king thing.’ That’s what we did. We never had no paperwork with Jim Jones. So when he says Cam robbed us out of millions and I wasn’t really the President and CEO, that s##t is lies bruh. We had the same account and everything. Sharon Benjamin. She’ll tell you I never had any paperwork with the dude.”

Cam also said he was surprised when Jim started forming his own crew, ByrdGang, and he said he acted preemptively, and registered the rights to the name.

“He said he ‘nah’ we Dipset, ByrdGang, that’s just our nickname. So what I did was, and I’m just being totally honest, I copywrote [sic] the name ByrdGang. Because I’m like if you not trying to do nothing shiesty or try to separate yourself, it shouldn’t matter if I got it…if you want to branch off and do your own thing, that’s not a problem, but you told me you wasn’t. So I was like ‘I’ll put it to the side.’”

Check out the interview below:

Rapper Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose Hook-Up At Grammy Party One Day After She Dumps Her Ex

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) It looks like the romance between rapper Wiz Khalifa and his ex-wife Amber Rose is back on.

Just one day after Amber split with Val Chmerkovski after a five-month relationship, Amber and Wiz were seen together at Clive Davis’s annual Grammy party last night (February 11), in Los Angeles.

But they did more than just appear together on the red carpet.

They kissed each other and were also caught cuddling at various moments during the party.

Amber and Wiz divorced back in September 2014, and went through a two-year battle over alimony and custody rights for their son, Sebastian.

They reached a settlement in June 2016, where Wiz had to fork over $1 million under the terms of their prenuptial agreement, and they also agreed to joint custody of their son.

Other notable events during the evening came when Chance the Rapper Maxwell paid tribute to Prince,

Artists to hit the stage or attend Clive Davis’ annual bash included French Montana, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Chance, Rita Ora, Kris and Kourtney Kardashian, and others.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQZ8nW8joU-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQZ8eh4A-zO/

 

 

 

Anderson .Paak Celebrates His Birthday With Star-Studded Grammy Party

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Grammy nominated rapper Anderson .Paak had double the reason to celebrate this weekend in Los Angeles.

The rapper, who is in town to perform with A Tribe Called Quest and Dave Grohl during the 59th annual Grammy Awards, also celebrated his 31st birthday

A variety of people toasted Anderson and his accomplishments throughout 2016, which included a Grammy nod for his breakthrough album Malibu, in addition to preparing new albums with his group The Free Nationals and Flying Lotus.

Hip-Hop legend Too $hort honored Anderson .Paak with a speech and then launched into his classic songs “Blow the Whistle” and “Shake That Monkey.”

A variety of family, friends and celebrities were on hand to celebrate Anderson’s big day, including Big Sean and Jhene Aiko, Twista, School Boy Q, YesJulz and others.

Anderson .Paak also performing his own hit “Come Down,” which was also the subject of a short film officially produced by the Grammys this year.

Photos by: Israel Ramos and Edgar Medina:

Grammy Awards Shape Up As Clash of Pop Titans Beyonce, Drake and Adele

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) The Grammy awards are shaping up to be the ultimate showdown between pop’s two biggest female stars as Beyonce and Adele go head-to-head for song, record and album of the year on Sunday.

Despite 62 total Grammy nominations and 20 awards, Beyonce, 35, has never won the coveted album of the year, despite topping the charts with all six of her studio records.

With nine nominations, many fans are hoping Beyonce will overcome her Grammys’ curse with “Lemonade,” the personally and politically charged album many believe to be about the artist’s troubled marriage to rapper Jay Z, layered with themes of black and female empowerment.

Standing in her way, however, is Britain’s Adele, 28, who swept the Grammys in 2012 with six wins for “21.” She returns with five nominations this year for “25,” a collection of personal coming-of-age songs including the power ballad “Hello.”

The televised Grammy awards will honor winners in more than 80 categories, voted for by members of the music industry.

Beyonce and Adele have overlapping audience, says Billboard magazine senior editor Jem Aswad, adding that Adele fans likely skew older than the younger “Beyhive” that her rival draws.

“Adele has more fans who are casual music consumers – if they’re going to buy one album a year, it’ll be hers,” Aswad said. “Beyonce’s audience are more involved, more active and more interested in what she’s doing.”

“Lemonade” notched 3.1 million total sales in 2016 while “25” notched 3 million, according to figures from BuzzAngle Music, which measures sales data from retailers and streaming consumption.

Canadian rapper Drake however takes the crown for the year’s top-selling album – “Views,” nominated for eight Grammy awards including album and record of the year.

High sales do not necessarily translate into a Grammy win, as Beyonce learned in 2014 when her self-titled album, which had clocked more than 350,000 total sales units, lost out to a record with less than a tenth of the sales, Beck’s “Morning Phase.”

Among music heavyweights Beyonce, Adele, Drake and Justin Bieber’s “Purpose” are competing for album of the year, along with Americana singer Sturgill Simpson, who is “unquestionably” the dark horse in this year’s race with “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth,” Aswad said.

The joke is not lost on Simpson, nominated for album of the year and best country album, who is selling T-shirts with slogans questioning who he is on his website ahead of the ceremony.

Prosecutors Admit Troy Ave’s DNA Not On Gun In Irving Plaza Murder Case

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Rapper Troy Ave made headlines yesterday (February 10) for his flashy appearance in court, where he wore a bulletproof vest and a bright red hat promoting cooking up crack cocaine.

Prosecutors agreed to allow the rapper to perform under some strict regulations as he awaits trial for an attempted murder charge, related to a deadly shooting last May at Irving Plaza in Manhattan.

Troy Ave was involved in an altercation with popular podcaster Taxstone, which left four people wounded, including Troy Ave.

The Brooklyn rapper’s longtime friend and his bodyguard Ronald “Banga” McPhatter was struck in the stomach and fatally wounded during the shootout.

But the biggest break Troy received, was when prosecutors revealed they now believe the rapper is not the culprit who brought the murder weapon into the club.

“This defendant is not the individual who brought the gun into Irving Plaza, which has been ballistically connected to the murder of Ronald McPhatter and the shooting of three other individuals, including the defendant,” Assistant District Attorney Christine Keenan said during Troy’s hearing yesterday (February 10) according to DNAinfo.
The revelation could clear the way for prosecutors to charge podcaster Taxstone, born Darryl Campbell, with murder.

Taxstone was arrested last month, but he was only charged with illegal gun possession.
But police managed to tie the 9mm Kel-Tec gun used in the shootout in New York, to another shooting in Florida.

According to reports, the gun was also connected to another man, who claims he sold it to an associate of Taxstone.

Prosecutors now believe Taxstone brought the weapon to Irving Plaza on May 25, since they allege they found his DNA on the murder weapon.
Troy Ave, however, is not out of the woods for his role in the shooting, after a sensational video hit the Internet showing the rapper blasting away at Tax during a packed event that was supposed to feature Atlanta rapper T.I. as the headliner.

“This does not alleviate his criminal responsibility for his actions or for the guns found in his van. These are very serious crimes, but this additional evidence was not known to us at the time of our original bail request,” said assistant D.A. Keenan.

Troy Ave is currently free on $500,000 bail and faces up to 20 years if he is convicted of the multiple felonies, which included attempted murder and weapons charges.

Troy has pleaded not guilty.

Young Dolph Says Yo Gotti Should Apologize Or Stay Out Of His Way

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) It looks like two of Memphis’s biggest rappers’ feud will continue for the foreseeable future.

Last week, the beef between Yo Gotti and Young Dolph escalated a notch when Dolph dropped his single “Play Wit Yo B##ch” which is a direct diss to the CMG boss.

Yo Gotti and Dolph have been at odds for sometime now, reportedly over Dolph’s refusal to sign with CMG Records.

In a recent interview with DJ Holiday, Young Dolph said to he released the diss record, but only after Yo Gotti kept taking subliminal shots at him on his mixtapes.

“His last two mix tapes, he trying to sneak diss Dolph,” the rapper said. “It’s like you playing. You want to play? I ain’t finna to play how you want to play, we play how I want to play. I’m finna to get ready to go and expose you and let the facts be out here. Facts on top of facts. And that’s why he don’t even know how to respond. Because there ain’t no responding. What you gonna say? The whole city knows the truth.”

Although a collaboration between two of Memphis’ best rappers would be epic, it doesn’t look like it is gonna happen according to Young Dolph.

DJ Holiday noted that hip-hop community is a small world, especially when it comes to performing on the event circuit.

With events like NBA’s All-Star Weekend, CIAA and other major events coming up, both rappers are sure to be booked in the same city at some point.

Young Dolph said there was one way to reconciliation.

“I’m gonna tell you what’s gonna turn this whole thing. If he apologizes,” the rapper said.

Otherwise, Young Dolph he warned Yo Gotti to “stay out of his way” after using other choice language to describe Yo Gotti and the CMG crew.

Take a look:

Corey Finesse Assists Marc Mavrick In “Derek Fisher” Video

By: Mike DeBlasio Updated Category: Videos
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NuLa Entertainment has been making major waves as of late, standing out on the scene with their premiere artist, former GS9 member Corey Finesse, who’s breakthrough single “Vagabond” has been steadily building momentum, even landing a remix with Def Jam artist Dave East.

Today, NuLa Ent. showcases another artist on their roster, Marc Mavrick. For his debut single, “Derek Fisher,” the Manhattan-born rhymer is joined by label-mate Corey Finesse on the Ty Real produced track.

Watch below.

Chance the Rapper and Maxwell To Salute Prince At Clive Davis’ Grammy Party

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) R&B star Maxwell will pay tribute to Prince at music mogul Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy Gala on Saturday night.

The singer will join Chance the Rapper onstage at the bash, which will take place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

Davis tells Billboard, “I will confirm that Maxwell will be performing. I had the challenge of trying to decide what would be the best way to honor Prince’s memory, and having seen a video of Maxwell doing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U,’ I was so taken with it that I reached out to ask him to perform, and he very graciously agreed.

“I can’t wait to have him take over the stage, and I think we will all feel honored that we’ve paid appropriate tribute to Prince.”

Maxwell is hoping his tribute at the gala will be the last time he has to honor Prince for a while, stating, “I did (Prince song) ‘Adore’ and I did ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ earlier in the tour because I’d always change the years (in the lyrics) to be the actual day and time he’s been gone, so it gets a little hard and a little bit depressing for me, because I knew him.”

AHH Stray News: Yo Gotti Hosts Secret Party For Money Bagg Yo, DJ Khaled Sued, Troy Ave Can Perform

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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Yo Gotti and CMG just dropped new music from newly signed CMG artist MoneyBagg Yo. MoneyBagg’s new single “Wit This Money” features YFN Lucci and is featured on Moneybagg Yo’s mixtape being released next Tuesday (February 14). On Monday, Yo Gotti will be hosting the “Fake Love” private listening session for Moneybagg Yo in New York. Check out MoneyBagg Yo and YFN Lucci’s song “Wit This Money.”

https://soundcloud.com/user-661682213/moneybagg-yo-x-yfn-lucci-wit-this-money/s-HcOi1

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Rapper DJ Khaled has been sued by a producer for allegedly sampling his beat on 2016 single “I Got The Keys.” Chris Hill has filed a lawsuit claiming he produced a beat in 2008 which appeared on his record “Chris Hill Beats (Gangsta Boogie Vol 2),” which he allegedly gave Khaled later that year (2008) when he met him at a nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia, according to the lawsuit. Hill claims he never heard anything back from Khaled about his work but immediately recognized his beat when “I Got the Keys,” featuring Jay Z and Future, was released in July. It has since notched up more than 79 million views on YouTube.com. Hill is suing Khaled, Sony Music executives and various producers for a cut of the profits. Jay Z and Future are not named as defendants.

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Rapper Troy Ave appeared in court yesterday (February 10th), where a judge granted the rapper rights to finally make a living through live performances. Prosecutors in the case overturned a court order that banned Troy from performing at any live concerts. The terms were slapped on the rapper in May after a shootout with podcaster Taxstone in a green room at Irving Plaza in Manhattan. The shooting took the life of Troy’s bodyguard Ronald “Banga” McPhatter. As part of the his new conditions, Troy must give his lawyer a week’s notice before he leaves, and he must return to the city within 24 hours of his performance.
​

Kodak Black Is Still Not Here For Lil Yachty!

By: ClassicOne Updated Category: Rumors
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(AllHipHop Rumors) Kodak Black certainly has time to troll.

Kodak Black has been mocking other rappers he hasn’t been getting along with this week. First he mocked Hurricane Chris, after Chris sent some shots and threats his way in defense of Lil Wayne.

Now Kodak has let us know that he apparently still isn’t rocking with Lil Yachty that much as he took time out to mock him as well.

Remember E-40 had to take the kids to Hip Hop school when Kodak Black accused Lil Yachty and others of jacking his lingo.

Kodak Black and Lil Yachty seemed to have had a mix up about who can use the lingo of “broccoli” when referring to weed in their music.

Remember Kodak called Yachty a square, and Yachty replied saying that he isn’t one and that he had always given Kodak his props.

E-40 came through with the facts, and informed them that in 1993 he referred to weed as broccoli, and in 1998 he made a song called “Broccoli”.

Apparently E-40’s lesson wasn’t enough to make Kodak let it go. Apparently Black thinks Lil Yachty is wack period, as he recorded a video imitating Yachty’s style and flow.

To most, they both are garbage though…..right along with some of their rap peers. LOL Carry on.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQT5jyyASa2/

Meek Mill Brings Out Hip-Hop Royalty During Concert At Wells Fargo Center

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Rap star Meek Mill hosted his star-studded “Meek Mill and Friends” concert last night (February 10), in his hometown of Philadelphia.

In addition to previewing a number of tracks from his new album DC4, the rapper showed his clout within Hip-Hop by bringing out a number of superstar rappers.

During the night, artists like Rick Ross, YG, T.I., Nipsey Hussle, Jadakiss DMX, Tory Lanez and fellow Philly rapper PNB Rock hit the stage during the evening at the Wells Fargo Center.

Meek took a few shots at Donald Trump and his rival Drake, during the concert.

Meek took a direct jab Drake before introducing he introduced Tory Lanez as “the realist in Toronto.”

He had some words for the crowd about his relationship status as well: “I’m back on my own again…f##k these b##ches,” the newly single rapper said.

Meek also dissed Donald Trump before performing “FDT (F##k Donald Trump)” with YG and Nipsey Hussle.

Take a look at some of the footage below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQYF8nRj32o/?taken-by=revolttv&hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQYeH3LDIIw/?tagged=meekmill&hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQW751vFReT/?tagged=meekmillandfriends&hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQYT3erhHht/?tagged=meekmillandfriends&hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQYSsivANFI/?tagged=meekmillandfriends&hl=en

Chance the Rapper Wins Outstanding New Artist At NAACP Awards

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) It looks like Chance The Rapper is going to have an award winning weekend.
​

The Chicago rapper is out in Los Angeles, where he’s nominated for seven Grammy Awards.

But Chance was also nominated at the 48th Annual NAACP Awards, which took place at the Pasadena Conference Center.

Chance snagged Outstanding New Artist at the award ceremony, during the non-televised category.

The remaining nine categories, including Entertainer of The Year, will be announced tonight (February 11), during a two hour live telecast hosted by Anthony Anderson.

Other winners during the evening included Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce, who snagged an award for their song “Freedom,” as well as Jussie Smollett, who took home an award for his role in “Empire.”

Naturi Naughton took home Outstanding Supporting Actress In a Series, for her role in 50 Cent’s drama on Starz, “Power.”
​The show will start at 9pm EST on TV One.
​Take a look at the full list of winners below:

 ​Television Categories

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Laurence Fishburne – “`black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Tichina Arnold – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jussie Smollett – “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Naturi Naughton – “Power” (Starz)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special

“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special

Courtney B. Vance – “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special

Regina King – “American Crime” (ABC)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

“BET Love and Happiness White House Special” (BET)

Outstanding Talk Series

“Steve Harvey” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series

“Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN)

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)

“2016 Black Girls Rock” (BET)

Outstanding Children’s Program

“An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win”(Amazon)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)

Marsai Martin – “`black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety Program (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Roland S. Martin – “NewsOne Now with Roland S. Martin”(TV One)

Recording Categories

Outstanding New Artist

Chance the Rapper (Chance the Rapper)

Outstanding Male Artist

Maxwell (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Female Artist

Beyoncé (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

“Freedom” – Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment)

Outstanding Jazz Album

“Latin American Songbook” – Edward Simon (Sunnyside)

Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)

“One Way” – Tamela Mann (Tillymann, Inc.)

Outstanding Music Video

“Formation” – Beyoncé (Columbia Records/ParkwoodEntertainment)

Outstanding Song – Traditional

“I See A Victory” – Kim Burrell and Pharrell Williams (I Am Other/Columbia Records)

Outstanding Album

“Lemonade” – Beyoncé (Columbia Records/ParkwoodEntertainment)

Outstanding Song – Contemporary

“Freedom” – Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment)

 

Drake Issues Statement Denying He’s Against Muslim Women

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Drake is calling out the media over what he has labeled “fake news” in regards to comments he supposedly made about Muslim women wearing hijabs.

​Reports of Drake being anti-muslim started to spread, after a video went viral featuring the rapper telling four of his United Kingdom female concert goers to “remove their hot-ass scarfs.”
​
“You got on that hot-ass scarf right there, you might want to take this off,” the rapper said, inciting rumors that he was Islamophobic.

Even though the women’s religions were not known, Drake decided to release a statement shooting down the reports.
​
“I make a point every night to end my show on a time of unity and love, so to find out that I am being utilized in a fake media story about me disrespecting Muslims is devastating to me,” the rapper said in a statement.

The rapper said his comments had nothing to do with religion.

He simply saw four women who were wearing winter jackets and scarfs, and asked them to take it off because he was about to turn up at his show.

“I am well aware of what a hijab is and I would never make a disrespectful comment like that in my life towards someone who is wearing one,” Drake said. “I am proud that my closest friends and fans come from all different religions and races, perhaps whoever made up this story should spend more time learning about other cultures and less time trying to divide us.”
​

Rae Sremmurd Perform “Black Beatles” Live On ‘The Late Show’ (Video)

By: Mike DeBlasio Updated Category: Videos
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Fifty-three years ago yesterday (2/9/64), The Beatles made their television debut on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.’ In honor of the historic mark, Rae Sremmured honored the legendary group with a performance of their popular single “Black Beatles.”

Watch Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi rock out below.

Female Rappers Help Essence Celebrate Erykah Badu During Grammy Award Weekend

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) A variety of female rap stars turned up to help Essence celebrate Erykah Badu at the 8th annual Black Women in Music event.

The annual event takes place during Grammy week each year, and pays tribute to a trailblazing female artist.

This year, Erykah Badu was honored for her influence in the fields of R&B, pop music and fashion.

“From the time that she first hit the scene we all fell in love with the genius that is Erykah Badu,” said Essence editor-in-chief, Vanessa De Luca. “It is only fitting that we honor the accomplishments of our neo-soul queen whose remarkable artistry still moves us 20 years later.”

The Grammy Awards will air this Sunday, February 12th.

Prince’s Estate Goes With Universal Music Group In Battle Over Exclusive Rights To Unreleased Works

By: Mike Winslow Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Prince’s estate has granted Universal Music Group the exclusive rights to a vault of unreleased works.

The French-American music giant, a subsidiary of conglomerate Vivendi, has closed a lucrative deal with administrators of the Bremer Trust, which was formed after the performer’s death last April to represent his estate.

In the deal, UMG has been granted exclusive licensing rights to Prince’s albums made under his label NPG Records, including Emancipation, Musicology and 3121, as well as a prized collection of works from throughout his career, including outtakes, demos and live recordings.

In addition, beginning next year (2018) UMG will obtain U.S. rights to certain renowned Prince albums released from 1979 to 1995.

“Prince was one of the greatest musical talents of all time – an incomparable genius as a performer, recording artist and songwriter,” said UMG’s chairman and chief executive Lucian Grainge in a statement, adding the company was honored to be selected by the “Purple Rain” singer’s estate to be the home for his music, as well as his publishing and merchandise.

“UMG is committed to honoring Prince’s legacy and vision by creating the highest quality products and experiences.”

During a four-decade career, Prince, born Prince Rogers Nelson, sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, making him one of the most successful artists of all time.

Prince was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, his first year of eligibility.

His earlier works are licensed by Warner Music.