Every year we are truly blessed to have made it through another year – 2015 was LIT! Similarly every year we are blessed with another recap of the year’s most notable events by VA rapper Skillz. It’s becoming a tradition so press play below and enjoy!
Her brother Jelani Maraj is accused of raping a 12-year old girl, but the charges levied against him are not stopping sister Nicki from standing in solidarity with him.
Nicki posted an image on social media captioned “Bowling con mi familia.”
Minaj reportedly helped her brother by giving him the $100,000 bail payment to get him out jail on bail.
Maraj was charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sexual conduct on December 1. Maraj was married over the summer and the pop rapper paid for it.
Mara has pleaded not guilty in the case that could get him a lengthy prison term.
On his latest project NY emcee MKU Flash wants to unapologetically remind people what true authentic Hip Hop sounds like. His “My Life A Movie” is right on time for 2016. Produced by the legendary Ill Will, there was no question that “My Life A Movie” was a hit. Currently taking over the airwaves at radio stations all across the country, fans have already began expressing their admiration for the new record and their appreciation for MKU Flash creating an organic record. Take a listen below.
New York Knicks forward, Cleanthony Early, was reportedly robbed and shot in the leg early this morning (December 30th) on his way home from a strip club in Queens. After hearing of the event fellow Queens native 50 cent took to IG to send his support and offer a helping hand.
According to Wall Street Journal, Early was in an Uber car accompanied by his girlfriend when the car was boxed in by two or three other vehicles in an “industrial” area. The Knicks player was then pulled out of the backseat of the Uber by two men one with a ski mask on and the other without and both yielding small semiautomatic guns according to officials.
A group of up to six men then ambushed the basketball player robbing him of 2 gold chains, cash and a cell phone. Following the robbery Early was shot in the right leg sending him to Elmhurst Hospital. The player has since been discharged. His girlfriend and the Uber driver were unharmed during the incident.
Upon hearing this news 50 let it be known that he is going to take matters into his own hands by getting the player his stuff back today if possible. Check out his IG post below:
Justin Combs, Diddy’s 22 year old son, is fresh out of UCLA and he’s ready to start following in his father’s footsteps. According to Page Six, the graduate and heir to the Combs fortune, is teaming up with his former classmate, Kene Orjioke, for this new business venture.
The branding company is set to launch in February of 2016 and while details are still vague the idea is to provide “enhanced social experiences” through musical performances in more intimate settings while maintaining a “charity component” within the business.
Young Combs’ plan is to use his “personal network and influence to boost quality, reach, and power of the brand.”
The apple doesn’t seem to fall too far from the tree considering Diddy launched Bad Boy when he was only 24 years old. Only time will tell if Justin has the same business savvy that his old man has.
Allegedly Rick Ross and Lira Galore have been taking a few breaks and the couple has been on and off. Supposedly Rozay hasn’t been with Lira in a month and he has been dating a girl named Jas who is supposedly a friend of Lira’s. Lira and her friend @BeanieMinaj jumped on Twitter to clown the girl for being a “side h*e” and for living in a dorm. Lira and Beanie went in on blogger Reezy Love from The Rarolae Blog for revealing that Rick is allegedly messing with Jas. Beanie said if this is the case, then Rozay needs to buy the girl a condo because living in a dorm isn’t cutting it. Reezy clapped back saying,
“If Lira don’t focus on keeping her man who keeps taking off his ring and chilling with home girl from Morgan.”
Who knows what’s really going on between Lira and Ross.
Born and bred in the heart of Connecticut, Hip Hop artist Izzy Velez is on a mission to bring his story to the world and to bring a return to raw, reality rap. While spending his early years living in a predominantly Puerto Rican area of South Norwalk, CT, gentrification of the area forced Izzy’s family to relocate to the city of Bridgeport. With this change in environment, Izzy spent his childhood exposed to a large spectrum of lifestyles and choices. While his family’s history is rooted in the streets, poverty and criminal activity, Izzy was able to witness success and wealth as he saw his father go from serving prison sentences to prospering in business.
This dichotomy is evident in his strong roots in Hip Hop. Izzy’s father, whose favorite rapper is Rakim, instilled both the principles of Hip Hop and the interest in classic ’90s artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., DMX and Izzy’s favorite emcee, Nas. From buying the hottest cassette tapes as a seven-year-old to buying blank cassettes to make his own mixtapes from late-night Hot97 mixes, Izzy took the values and expanded in his own curiosity.
After spending years building his sound and directing his artistic vision, Izzy is ready to release his first project, “Sophisticated Ignorance.” The project encompasses and narrates the juxtapositions in Izzy’s life—touching on poverty and fortune, humble beginnings and worldly ideas, rugged street rap and intimate introspection. Each song varies in its style and subject matter—from personal stories to motivational themes, violent rap to intricate storytelling—but each varying message resonates on a personal level. “Sophisticated Ignorance” is a multi-layered, multi-faceted project which brings to reality the income gap within Izzy’s environment, a microcosm for the larger disparity felt around the world. Izzy’s first single from the project, “Life Is For The Taken,” is a perfect example of this message. The song, filled with smooth synths over hard-hitting kicks and snares, provides a canvas for Izzy to speak to himself about his need to make it out of the streets and the potential brightness of the world around him if he works hard enough. The visual for the single, set in and around a bodega on a dimly-lit street corner, helps bring context to the song’s message and clarity to Izzy’s personal struggle. Check out the video for “Life Is For The Taken” below.
He plans to release “Sophisticated Ignorance” in February/March 2016.
Waka Flocka is still unhappy with his record label, and is once again criticizing them publicly. B.O.B, August Alsina, and Chris Brown weren’t too happy with their labels this year either. Waka has been tweeting about his animosity towards the label since April. He sent out a series of tweets in October also. What upset him the most is the fact that he felt his label wasn’t backing the release of his ‘Flockaveli 2’ album. Waka previously stated that record companies can often delay or even derail a recording project indefinitely, leaving artists in the lurch. Waka even posted Atlantic Record’s telephone number last month asking his fans to demand his album. Well, at the end of the year, Waka still is not a fan of his label as he tweeted,
“I just wanna say F### my major label #AtlanticRecords.”
Apparently Wiz Khalifa is known to be a wild boy and he has a way of partying. He has been linked to a few women this year from his ex Amber Rose, Rita Ora, a few mystery women, some known escorts, and now to p### star Jada Stevens. A video surfaced of the two smoking together. Could this be Wiz’s new lady, just a friend, or just a good smoke session. Hmmm it could’ve been a good night… We have heard that Taylor Gang gets it popping though.
The legacy of the 2010 decade will certainly include performers’ tendency to blend rap and R&B to present a hybrid sound. The musical trend that began in the 1990’s with genre-benders such as Lauryn Hill, TLC, and Missy Elliott has grown to include mostly male followers.
However, a shining female voice from Atlanta is adding her name to the new generation of artists to effortlessly switch back-and-forth between the two urban styles. Miloh Smith gladly grabbed the torch of her musical predecessors. While the Marietta, Georgia native can drop bars – like on the tracks “Extra” and “Ounces” – she still proudly represents the vocalist side of the music spectrum.
“I feel like I could be any one of five people, depending on the day. I grew up with a lot of different influences,” Smith tells AllHipHop.com. “From hanging out with a bunch of kids from Cobb County listening to indie bands to my own parents who come from the Disco and Rhythm & Blues era to my older brother who didn’t listen to anything outside of Gucci Mane for what might have been three years – it’s hard to pinpoint, but I would say my style is more so R&B because of the artists I grew up listening to.”
Lauryn Hill, TLC, and Brandy are among the acts on Miloh’s list of favorite childhood R&B stars, but being raised in the ATL also kept her in tune with the rap music sprouting from the south. Smith and frequent collaborator Wavy Wallace joined forces for “C-Murder.” The Chris Calor produced cut essentially serves as an homagé to the song’s namesake and his entire No Limit crew.
In addition, Smith’s “Until I Die” is an ode to the late Texas legend Pimp C of UGK. Rap veterans from her hometown offered inspiration as well. Grammy winners Clifford “T.I.” Harris, André “3000” Benjamin, and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton were among the Atlanta-based rhymers that paved a path for other entertainers coming behind them.
“Living in Georgia you can’t escape T.I., OutKast, and the southern influence of all the powerhouses,” states Smith. “No Limit was – and still is – a movement. They had hits, and everybody knows it. Cash Money, Lil Wayne, and New Orleans – I feel like they’re our neighbors in this.”
Besides “C-Murder,” Smith and Wallace have united on several other songs. Their catalog of collaborations comprises of “Mr. Wallace” and “Oprah.” Wavy also handled the production for “VHS Tapes” featuring Two-9’s Jace.
Smith actually credits Wavy with giving her the courage and support to pursue her dreams of becoming a recording artist. Listeners can expect the partnership to continue on any of her future efforts.
“Wavy is the first person to ever know I was going to put out my very first project,” explains Miloh. “I met him through Curtis [Williams] and Two-9, and then we kind of had this kindred spirit relationship. He’s a great producer, great writer, and great person. I’ve spent a lot of time working with him.”
That introduction to Wavy through Two-9 should not be viewed as surprising. Spend any time in Atlanta’s Hip Hop circles and you will quickly discover the Mike Will Made It endorsed rap collective has played a major role in the rise of numerous emerging artists from the city.
Over the last few years, members of the group have worked on tracks with fellow ATLiens OG Maco, Key!, Money Makin Nique, The Cool Is Mac, Rich Kidz, Childish Major, and of course Miloh Smith. The majority of Atlanta’s new crop of talent is all about building bonds and having that camaraderie transfer over to the music.
“I feel like all of my peers support me, and I support them. We’ve all recorded and performed together. Outside of music, we’re all really good friends,” says Smith.
One of those friends is another local Atlanta product named Brent Phillip aka Genesis. The longtime Trinidad James DJ and the promising entertainer have known each other since their high school days.
At the time, Miloh was writing songs for herself and her classmates. She had even been performing at talent shows as far back as the 8th grade, but DJ Genesis was the person that provided the initial opportunity that open greater doors for his gifted associate.
“He brought me out to a party in Atlanta from Marietta,” Smith recalls. “I met Curtis Williams and the rest of Two-9 there. I built a bond, and they started bringing me into their studio sessions. I took cues from them on recording music and putting it out.”
The eventual result of those recordings were the full collections Suite 404 in 2013 and Pulp Fiction in 2014. Earlier this year, Miloh returned with the sultry loose track “Pretty Dirty” featuring an unexpected chorus from a singing OG Maco.
“I said, ‘Who’s going to do this hook for me? I can’t say it, because that doesn’t make any sense.’ So I called Maco with my initial thought being he would be rapping on it,” reveals Smith. “I fed him the lines in the studio, but he goes in there and sings what I had just rapped. I think everybody was shocked. It became ten times better.”
Miloh’s connections with different artists around Atlanta also consists of collaborating with one of A-town’s elite lyricists. She linked with G.O.O.D. Music’s Cyhi The Prynce for her own track “Church” and the eastside rhymer’s “Black Pride.” The latter record was part of Cyhi’s standout 2014 mixtape Black Hystori Project.
“Cyhi brought me in for the Black Hystori Project he was working on,” says Smith. “That’s pretty much my lifestyle in a nutshell – that ‘Southern belle’ from Georgia. So I felt like it was a good platform for me to speak from.”
As the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a central location of the Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta will always be closely tied to the history of African-Americans. The Georgia capital’s distinction as a historical site for the fight for freedom goes back to the 1800’s. The city once burned to the ground by Union General William Sherman arose a little over a century later as a new black Mecca.
Even 150 years after the Civil War and 47 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1968, America still has ways to go to completely reconcile the social inequality and legal imbalance black people face in this country. Those important issues have been placed on the back burner by many music artists, but Miloh would like to see some of her more prominent peers address the racial concerns still plaguing the nation.
“The Hip Hop community almost has to be constantly voicing our opinions to be heard. Everyone has to speak up, not just some people. I think if everyone who is in a position of power said something, then maybe things could change a little quicker,” says Smith. “But as far as right now, there are some people over here in these segments and some people over there who remain dormant. And there are people who are not in positions of power that are screaming the loudest, but they cease to be heard.”
Miloh is in the process of presenting a new voice to the public which includes a near erasure of her internet presence. Right now there are only two songs on her Soundcloud page and two videos on her YouTube channel. Her Twitter timeline is down to just 114 tweets.
What does this digital deletion mean for the rising songstress’ future? She contends it is the start of bringing a fresh, stunning, unanticipated Miloh Smith to the masses.
“I’ve been working on a lot of things like getting my own company together, publishing, and merchandise,” informs Smith. “A lot of things are coming with these next few projects I’ll be releasing in 2016. They’re going to be a resurgence all at once. I wanted it to be done right, so I had to just pull it.”
She adds, “That’s why I took everything down. I’m all about surprises. I don’t know if everyone likes them, but I’m totally into surprises.” With the new year approaching, the entertainment world should keep an eye out for the next revelation from Miloh Smith.
Big Sean has a message for the people who robbed his home while he was in Dubai, it seems like he isn’t affected, 2015 was a great year, and he’s ready for 2016. Big Sean posted a message that said,
“To whom it may concern 2015 was the best year of my life. We counted a lot more wins than losses… and to me that’s worth more than damn near anything. BTW you took the wrong hard drive.”
Because we live in a time where people will rob you and post it on social media, someone claiming to be one of the people who robbed Big Sean posted a response saying,
“Sorry for what I did to homie #BigSean….I know you counted more wins then losses but a…u took uh lost the other day.. #FindYoStash #FuckUhHarddrive #EatingGood.”
It’s crazy out here with crime and people’s mindsets. At least Big Sean still has that music!
(AllHipHop News) Rap legend KRS-One returned with his most recent digital album Now Hear This in November. At 50 years old, KRS is now an elder statesman of Hip Hop, and the Teacha has experienced the culture undergo many changes over the last three decades.
The Village Voice interviewed KRS about his new LP which covers topics such as mass incarceration, racism, immigration, and other concerns of what he calls “Hip Hop’s real citizenry.” The South Bronx native also discussed how technological advances have affected those citizens of the culture he represents.
“Original Hip Hop manipulated technologies of all sorts; it was not manipulated by the technology itself,” said KRS. “Today, however, it is technology that is attempting to manipulate Hip Hop. Today’s young hip-hoppas being so dependent upon their computers and not their own minds have missed the whole point as to why one would practice Hip Hop in the first place. Hip Hop is a human skill, and the practice of real Hip Hop should remind us of our humanity.”
KRS-One plans to re-release Now Hear This in 2016. The CD version will include new songs, remixes, and videos. The current LP features production by KRS, Mad Lion, DJ Predator Prime, DJ Static, Hellmaf, The Beat Miners, Nick One, MK Zoo, Linsey Vona, and Narayan.
(AllHipHop News) Kendrick Lamar is ending his amazing 2015 with new visuals. The To Pimp A Butterfly album creator released a 7-minute mini-movie titled God Is Gangsta. The flick includes the Top Dawg Entertainment emcee performing the songs “U” and “For Sale? (Interlude).”
Jack Begert & the little homies handled the direction for the “U” segment. “For Sale? (Interlude)” was directed by PANAMÆRA & the little homies and filmed in Paris at Le Silencio.
(AllHipHop News) The story of DMV rapper Shy Glizzy’s chain continues. Reports began circulating Yo Gotti’s artist Blac Youngsta paid $10,000 to get the jewelry back from a group known as the Memphis Cartel. However, Glizzy took to Twitter to announce he did not give up any of his personal money.
In fact, Glizzy suggested his chain was never taken. He posted on the social media site, “They ain’t take sh*t and I ain’t pay sh*t!”
These new developments comes just days after Glizzy dropped the diss track “Cut It.” The record featured the 2015 XXL Freshman Class member addressing the alleged chain snatching and the media reaction to the situation.
they ain't take s### and I ain't pay s###! ? #cutit
(AllHipHop News) Bill Cosby is now set to face a court of law for an alleged sexual assault against a former Temple University employee in 2004. The numerous accusations against Cosby have led to endless debate about a legendary entertainer using his influence to take advantage of women, the merits of the women claiming he assaulted them, and the media’s motive to expose the comedian’s supposed sexual misconduct.
Fellow stand-up comic Eddie Griffin spoke with VladTV about the claims Cosby was involved in drugging and sexually assaulting more than 50 women over the last 40 years. The star of Undercover Brother and Malcolm & Eddie claimed Cosby is thevictim of a conspiracy to tarnish the image of famous African-American men.
“There is a systematic effort to destroy every Black male entertainer’s image. They want all of us to have an asterisk by our name,” said Griffin. “Nobody leaves the business clean… You’re not going to die clean.”
(AllHipHop News) Earlier this month, New Jersey rapper Hard Luck released the diss track “Can’t Go” directed at fellow Paterson native Fetty Wap. Luck recently spoke with M.Reck of Forbezdvd about his decision to call out the hit maker.
“That’s a Paterson thing. That’s a Jersey thing. That’s something the town’s been wanting. They don’t want no f###### fu-fu ass n*gga representing us,” said Luck about his Fetty Wap/Remy Boyz diss track. “Somebody had to get him the f*ck outta here. So why wouldn’t it be me? The f*cking bad guy.”
While he acknowledges Fetty’s success, Luck insists the “Trap Queen” rhymer repeatedly sneak dissed him in the past and refused to give him credit for helping to put him on. He claims Fetty and his close associate Monty were once under his wing.
“Them were my sons at the end of the day at one point,” stated Luck. “Bum ass n*ggas like Fetty Wap and Monty – when they didn’t have nowhere to sleep and no food to put in their stomach, they got it from me.”
Luck added that he is not the only person in Paterson that has issues with Fetty. According to the Boss Mob representative, a lot of the people that helped Fetty before his career took off are upset he has not done more to help the city. Luck even reveals the person that owned the home where Fetty’s “Trap Queen” video was shot has since been evicted and the house is boarded up.
On November 29, AllHipHop.com had the pleasure and privilege of being on the set for the video shoot of Lazarus and Royce’s “Underdog” clip. Between rapping next to flaming barrels and hitting listeners with punch lines as hard as hooks inside an actual boxing ring, the two Detroit lyricists chopped it up with us and discussed everything from the video itself to D12’s recently released mix tape, and even Billboard’s controversial list of the 10 greatest emcees of all-time.The connections between rap and boxing are undeniable, and the “Underdog” video will serve as another outstanding example of how they’re kindred spirits. The clip officially drops January 1st, and here are Laz and Royce talking about, among other things, why it’s something not to be missed. Check it out!
New York Knicks player Cleanthony Early, 24, was robbed and shot leaving a strip club in Queens New York. The NYPD said Early was leaving City Scapes Gentleman’s club when three other vehicles boxed in his Uber and six men with ski masks robbed him, the driver, shooting Early in his knee. According to the New York Daily News, the robbers made off with cash, his iPhone 6, jewelry, and the caps on his teeth. Early was taken to Elmhurst hospital and is in stable condition. While most are appalled, 50 Cent seems to want to take matters into his own hands as he posted on Instagram,
“They hungry out here man, you in the league, you made it, you gotta chill. He only 24 he gonna want to party, I’m a see if I can get his stuff back. TODAY!”
Knowing 50, getting Early’s personal items back can go down in a number of ways.
Quentin Miller, Drake’s alleged ghostwriter, released a track called “Potential” that has people thinking he’s taking shots at Drake again. Miller raps,
“N*ggas gonna put on that hat and act like it wasn’t me doing it… N*iggas stealing the swag and think they gone get away with it.”
He also said,
“How many albums that went platinum this year that dont got my name on it – I’ll wait on it.”
Well, Drake’s ‘If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late’ album did go platinum, and Miller is credited on four of the tracks. Could Quentin be in his feelings because of him reportedly being paid only $5,000 for his contributions to the album. Fans felt Quentin dissed Drake on “Cease & Desist” too, but he said he’d never diss Drake. So who is Quentin talking about?
With the firing of Chip Kelly in Philly yesterday, all eyes are on the city of Philly, so its perfect timing that we line you guys up with one of the hottest songs in the “City of Brotherly Love.” This isn’t just something people are claiming is hot, this is an actual movement going on. In this case we are taking note of the “Pop A Perc” track by Philly rapper Boone, that seems to be “the hottest song in the city,” according to the influential Philly Hip-Hop Awards founder Jimmy Da Saint.
While you may be shaking your head, its worth noting that in typical 2015 fashion it started on “IG.” Starting from Instagram posts and comments from Chris Brown and Meek Mill respectively, both have taken note of the song bringing it nationwide attention. At one point Boone had a regional hit, but it’s expanding beyond the Tri-State region and it worth a few good spins, especially if Nicki puts it on IG and then deletes it.
Check out the IG posts from Meek and Chris and Chris turning up to the song below.
