Diddy, a former student at Howard University, will no longer hold an honorary degree from the prestigious HBCU.
The Howard University Board of Trustees voted to revoke the degree bestowed upon Sean Combs after their regular meeting on June 7, 2024.
A spokesperson issued the following statement.
“The Howard University Board of Trustees unanimously voted today to accept the return of the honorary degree awarded to Mr. Sean Combs in 2014. This decision effectively revokes all associated honors and privileges. Consequently, the Board has instructed that his name be removed from all official documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.
Mr. Combs’ conduct, as depicted in a recently released video, starkly contrasts with the fundamental values and beliefs upheld by Howard University, rendering him unfit to retain the institution’s highest honor.
The University maintains a steadfast stance against all forms of interpersonal violence.
Additionally, the Board has directed the administration to immediately implement the following measures: terminate the 2016 gift agreement with Mr. Combs, disband the scholarship program established in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and annul the 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
As of this date, no payments have been made under the $1 million pledge, and therefore, no funds are due for return under the 2023 pledge agreement.”
Howard University’s spokesperson said the university will make no further statement on the issue.
Jeezy’s ex-fiancée and a nanny defended his character in his legal dispute with his estranged wife, Jeannie Mai. Mahlet “Mahi” Gebremedhin, the mother of Jeezy’s eldest daughter, said he never abused her or his children in court documents obtained by Page Six.
“For almost four years, Jay’s eldest child lived with us and I was able to see their relationship grow every day,” Mahi declared. “At no point was Jay ever physically, mentally or emotionally abusive to his children or I.”
A nanny who worked for Jeezy and Mai also had nothing but positive things to say about him. The nanny referred to him as a “hardworking dad” in an affidavit.
“As a caretaker, I believe Mr. Jenkins gives his daughters the support they need as they grow into young women in the future,” she said.
A rep for Mai scoffed at the pro-Jeezy sentiments.
“It seems Mr. Jenkins is trying to distort the truth once more by employing people to file false statements and claims against Ms. Mai, attempting to contradict real-time evidence and factual events,” the rep told Page Six. “We are eager to present all the evidence in court.”
Mai accused Jeezy of abusing her on multiple occasions in their custody battle. Jeezy denied the allegations.
“The allegations are not only false but also deeply disturbing, especially coming from someone I loved,” he said. “This malicious attempt to tarnish my character and disrupt my family is ridiculous. It’s disheartening to witness the manipulation and deceit at play and at this time my main concern is being an active father to our daughter as I continue to fight for court-mandated joint custody. Rest assured, the truth will prevail through the proper legal channels.”
Jeezy filed for divorce in 2023, ending his two-year marriage to Mai. She gave birth to their daughter, Monaco, in 2022.
A sad spiraling saga of dispair continues for former NBA star Delonte West, once a teammate of LeBron James, after the baller has been arrested yet again.
Adding yet another chapter to his heartbreaking fall from grace, West was reportedly taken into custody after being found unresponsive by The Fairfax County Police Department. The harrowing details of his arrest reported exclusively by TMZ Sports reveals authorities administered Narcan in a frantic bid to save him, but it didn’t work.
It wasn’t until West was rushed to a local hospital and given another dose that he finally revived. After being released from the hospital, he was transported to the Adult Detention Center, where he now languishes in custody. His mugshot also proved to be almost more troubling than the news of his arrest as social media users expressed concern for West’s appearance.
A tweet from an NBA parody account on Twitter (X) featuring the mugshot, in which West appears to be struggling to keep his eyes open, generated more than two million views.
Delonte West was arrested in Fairfax County, per @fox5dc
Police say he was served a warrant for violation of conditions of release and charged with resisting arrest. pic.twitter.com/o03zsdkkT5
West remains behind bars on a $2,000 bond, with a court appearance slated for Friday. Details of the allegations remain scarce, but the visible toll on West is undeniable.
In 2022, West even attempted a basketball comeback, trying out for the Big 3 league. But hope quickly turned to despair as he faced multiple arrests later that year, including two within just two weeks in the fall.
Once again, TMZ obtained the exclusive on one of West’s run-ins with the police by releasing the bodycam footage of his bizarre anti-gay rant during his arrest. At one point he even drug his former teammate James into his belligerent rambling.
Delonte West’s struggle with the law have been closely linked with his battle with mental health, which has been a significant and tragic aspect of his post-NBA life. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder during his playing career, West’s mental health challenges have often manifested in erratic behavior and repeated run-ins with the law.
Despite efforts to seek help, including a high-profile stint in rehab supported by Mark Cuban, West has found it difficult to stay on a stable path.
Stay tuned as we follow this heartbreaking story, hoping for a resolution that brings peace to a fallen star.
Interscope Records, Hulu and others sought the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by producer Master Tee, who said he never received proper credit for his work on 2Pac’s song “Dear Mama.”
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, the defendants asked a New York court to reopen the case. The move would allow them to pursue a motion to dismiss after the litigation was paused for mediation.
The defendants claimed Master Tee made ridiculous demands in their settlement discussions. Digital Music News was the first to report on the latest developments in the case.
“Prior to entering into the parties’ stipulation to stay the action to accommodate settlement discussions and an MSC, counsel for plaintiff told the undersigned that plaintiff did not want to ‘hold anybody up’ and that a small writer’s royalty, a reasonable fee for use of ‘Dear Mama’ in the Dear Mama documentary … and a credit were all he wanted,” attorney Stephen Rothschild wrote. “Plaintiff’s counsel later repeated that position. That is why moving defendants promoted the idea of a settlement conference.”
The lawyer continued, “However, on April 23, 2024, plaintiff’s counsel sent the email proposing a $1.6 million cash settlement or a $200,000 cash settlement, an award of a 15 percent writer’s royalty for ‘Dear Mama,’ and a doubling of his producer royalty. The demand would be pure fantasy even if plaintiff’s claims were not more than 20 years too late.
“First, a 15 percent writer’s royalty would be nearly twice the Shakur Estate’s 8.33 percent royalty. Second, there is no basis to increase plaintiff’s producer royalty, as his producer royalty is set by a written contract that he signed in the 1990s.”
Interscope and its fellow defendants said they “urged plaintiff to examine the case and formulate a proposal that is realistic.” He hasn’t complied, per Rothschild.
Master Tee sued Interscope, fellow producer Tony Pizarro and more for copyright infringement, among other claims, in 2023. Master Tee argued he was cheated out of credit and compensation for “Dear Mama” by Pizarro, Interscope and Universal Music Group.
The producer pursued litigation months after the release of Hulu’s docuseries Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur. The documentary’s director, Allen Hughes, was included as a defendant in the lawsuit.
The man who broke into Bun B’s home and traumatized his wife Queenie was sentenced to decades in prison on Friday (June 7). A Texas judge handed down a 40-year sentence to Demonte Jackson for the 2019 incident, per multiplereports.
Bun B and his wife testified at Jackson’s sentencing hearing. Jackson pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and burglary with intent to commit a felony.
Jackson barged into Bun B’s home and put a gun to Queenie’s head in 2019. The UGK member grabbed a gun and ran down from upstairs after hearing his wife scream.
“I wanted to confront the person who put that fear in my wife’s voice when they forced their way into our home,” Bun B told the court. “She was very panicked in the moment. She was very panicked, she was borderline hysterical, and she just did not want me to go out that door and face the person with the gun.”
Bun B exchanged gunfire with Jackson, who was in the driver’s seat of a car in the rapper’s garage. Jackson fell out of the vehicle. The two started fighting.
Jackson was able to break free and flee the scene. Authorities found him suffering from a gunshot wound to his shoulder at a local hospital.
Bun B tearfully explained the violent encounter’s impact on his wife during his testimony.
“It still affects our life,” he said. “My wife had dealt with a lot of anxiety before … This was an entirely new traumatizing incident. It brought up a lot of older things … This is something that we still deal with to this day.”
He continued, “There are times when she gets closed off. She can’t communicate. And I just get so angry all [over] again because she didn’t deserve this. She didn’t ask for this.”
Queenie urged the court to send Jackson to prison. She wanted him to “see how it feels to get robbed of your freedom.”
Promoters rescheduled Mike Tyson’s much-anticipated boxing match against Jake Paul for November 15. The two were supposed to fight in Arlington, Texas on July 20, but promotors postponed the fight after Tyson suffered a health scare in May.
Tyson became dizzy and nauseous during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. First responders boarded the plane to treat him once it landed. His publicist said he suffered an ulcer flare-up about 30 minutes before his flight arrived in Los Angeles.
“Although we had to postpone the fight, I will resume training shortly,” Tyson said. “I am thankful to the medical staff that treated me and to MVP, Netflix and AT&T Stadium for working diligently to find the best reschedule date for all parties. While we have a new date, the result will be the same no matter when we fight. Jake Paul is getting knocked out.”
Tyson vs. Paul, originally scheduled for a Saturday, shifted to a Friday in the fall to work around conflicts with the NFL season. Promoters wanted to keep the fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
“Our team has worked diligently with all parties involved to reschedule this monumental fight to a date that ensures both Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are fully prepared, with equal training time, as well as allowing us to keep the event at AT&T Stadium in the midst of the Cowboys season,” Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said. “We appreciate the outstanding dedication, collaboration, and flexibility of our partners at Netflix and AT&T Stadium. Paul vs. Tyson is the most cross-generational sporting event in history, and we are committed to providing fans worldwide with this unforgettable night of boxing, live globally on Netflix.”
Tyson, one of the greatest heavyweight boxers, retired in 2005. He will be 58 years old when he faces the 27-year-old Paul in November.
HotBlock Jmoe wants to be one of the greats. Hailing from the South side of Chicago, home to some of the biggest names in rap, he carries his own unique sound and story, overcoming trials and tribulations before finding music to be his saving grace. With his standout melodies and smooth lyricism, Hotblock Jmoe wears his heart on his sleeve with each release.
Now, Hotblock Jmoe keeps the momentum going by collaborating once again with fellow Chicago rapper G Herbo, this time on a record called “Fasho.” In fact, G Herbo spearheaded the creative direction for the video shoot which took place in Los Angeles, California. It was a Chicago link up, with Polo G even pulling up to support.
“Fasho” is just the beginning for Hotblock Jmoe, with a forthcoming single titled “To The Grave” featuring G Herbo and Polo G following suit in the summer.
AllHipHop spoke with Hotblock Jmoe in Los Angeles at his video shoot for “Fasho.”
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
Hotblock Jmoe: It’s where I’m from. I wouldn’t say we’re a gang, it’s more like a family ’cause everybody who I hang with, we’re literally related. It’s funny. It makes up three families: my family, my cousin’s best friend, and… how can I describe bronem? They just always grew up with us, another family that grew up with us. It’s funny how we got the name. So our area was hot, like a red zone. It was just bad over there. The police stay coming over there.
The police had pulled up one day and one of my friends was outside, he’s tweaking. They pulled us all over for no reason. He’s like “Man, why y’all messing with us?” He’s like “Because it’s a hot block!” And we ran with it ever since.
AllHipHop: Favorite artists that made you want to do music?
Hotblock Jmoe: It’s a few people. One of them, it’s funny because I’m doing a feature with him right now: G Herbo.
AllHipHop: How did you and G Herbo tap in?
Hotblock Jmoe: Through mutuals, just knowing mutual people. One of my close friend’s big brothers grew up with his big cousin. Then when I started rapping, we were playing. I met Herb through his cousin, A1. Shouts out to big bro fasho. I’ve been knowing bro for six months years now. Genuine, real genuine. Love everything man, he’s a star for sure.
AllHipHop: I know y’all have collaborated before…
Hotblock Jmoe: Yeah, we got probably five, six songs now. This the second one we finna drop, “Fasho.” Then I got something else coming with him featuring Polo.
AllHipHop: I saw that too. Did someone leak that song?
Hotblock Jmoe: I think they tried to. I don’t know if it was the whole version, people be crazy. It ain’t out for sure though, but we got that coming too.
AllHipHop: Talk about shooting the video for “Fasho,” G Herbo just pulled up!
Hotblock Jmoe: This s### crazy. I’m in the process of doing “Fasho.” I ain’t gon’ lie, I love shooting songs with my brothers. I can honestly say bro one of my brothers too, because he’s a genuine guy. It don’t feel forced or nothing. You just have a good time, tweaking in front of the camera.
AllHipHop: What do you like about G Herbo?
Hotblock Jmoe: I’ve been a fan of bro since — I can say fan because n*ggas know I ain’t no dickriding. I’ve been listening to bro since he came out. I watched all his whole transformation and all the steps he took, so it’s crazy to be in this position and seeing it this up close.
AllHipHop: How was “Fasho” made?
Hotblock Jmoe: It’s funny, we were in Chicago for a show. I had a show with my brother Teeski. I just got to the studio. Usually before, I always do that just to pregame before. I didn’t even know the bro’s in Chicago, he had pulled up. He called me like “I’m finna pull up to the studio, you in there?” As he was coming in, I was already in the process of doing the song. The beat was so crazy. It reminded me of — anything under that category gon’ fall under his flow. He be walking in and down.
He came in, he heard how crazy I was going. My CEO said “I ain’t gon’ lie, you gotta hop on this.” He already said, “I was already 10 steps ahead of you.” He went in there, walked it down! Crazy. I just kept playing it. Everybody’s listening to it, and he’s listening to it. Ain’t gon’ lie, we gotta shoot it. Actually, he came up with the treatments.
AllHipHop: What’s the treatment?
Hotblock Jmoe: You gon’ see.
AllHipHop: Do you do the melodies while he’s rapping?
Hotblock Jmoe: Both. I’ve been doing a little bit of both, definitely heavy now. Especially because of the season. It’s kind of a turnt season. I try to go off the vibe of the world, all from here to the end of the summer. But I love doing the melodic s###, so I always try to mix that in too. I don’t steer away from that, because that’s me. But I just so happen to be versatile, thank God. So I can do both.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from “To The Grave” with Polo G and G Herbo? Were y’all in the studio?
Hotblock Jmoe: I made that, I was with a close friend. One of Herb’s close producers/engineers, OzOnTheTrack.
He’s from Chicago, we’ve been locked in for a minute now. He had came to L.A., he was working on something. I pulled up in the studio. We started on a few songs and he played that beat for me. I just knew, it gave me a New York drill type vibe, mixed with Chicago. I knew it was going to be a hit, so I had to do it right. I ain’t gon’ lie, I recorded that song twice.
But I kept it all the same, it was the energy. I wanted to make sure the energy was right. I sent a lot of stuff to bro, s### I think he’d f### with it or s### I want his opinion on. But I was playing that one, he’s like “that s### hard. I’ma hop on that one.” I’ve been trying to get Polo on the record for a while. It ain’t that I reached out to him, it’s just something I always wanted.
S### f### it, see if you can get bro on it. Bro reached out and he made it happen. I pulled up on them both at the studio one night in Burbank. Herb did his verse, then Polo did his verse. That s### was crazy, The energy was crazy. It was phenomenal, the energy. They both did it right there in front of me, and they walked it down.
AllHipHop: Off the dome?
Hotblock Jmoe: Man. Punch in, crazy. N##### different for sure. I’m real grateful for that though, because we both from the same city.
AllHipHop: What does that mean to be Chicago through and though?
Hotblock Jmoe: That’s everything, especially coming from Chicago? Usually people don’t… yeah, I could say that. Usually, we really not big on collaborating with other artists in the city, because there be so much going on in the streets. But now, I can honestly say: the artists that’s coming up — even with Durk, Herb, Polo too — they ain’t really been giving a f### about that. They’ve been sending the ladder back down for us. That’s real n#### s###, I appreciate that. Especially in my position coming up.
AllHipHop: Tes [manager] said you dropped out of high school, and you took music serious after your friend died. How long ago did that happen?
Hotblock Jmoe: I dropped out, damn when was that? 2015. I’m kinda old, I’m 26. [smiles] I started rapping a year or two after that. I’m finna break it all down to you. When I say started rapping, I realized: I think I want to rap. I was telling one of my close homies. He’s like, “S###, try it.” So I used to always write s###, spit it to him back and forth. He’s like “I ain’t gon’ lie, that s### hard. You should let bronem hear it.”
I even went and made a song, record it and everything. Never let nobody hear it but the guys though. Everybody, they all f###### with it. “You going crazy!” Bro always pushed me, my man.
He’s like “You need to take that s### serious. Just drop something, get that reaction.” When he passed away, that’s all I can hear him saying in my head. “Man, you need to take that s### serious bro. It’s that time for you to really take it there. You got it.” Ever since then, I’ve just been locked in.
Nick Cannon—the king of procreation—has taken out a $10 million insurance policy on his family jewels. Cannon, who has 12 children with six different women, used Dr. Squatch’s Ball Valuation Tool, which evaluated size, favorite features and bedroom maneuvers, among other factors. He now holds the title of “Most Valuable Balls.”
Dr. Squatch, a natural men’s soap and personal care company, took out an official policy via MMA/Momentous. Cannon said in a statement, “Haters say it’s time for me to stop having kids and put this super sperm to rest, but I’m doubling down on these valuable balls and my future kids. Shoutout to Dr. Squatch for giving my balls the credit they deserve and hooking me up with the protection I need to keep this family tree rolling.”
Cannon shares twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey. He also has sons Golden and Rise and daughter Powerful with Brittany Bell; twins Zion and Zillion and daughter Beautiful with Abby De La Rosa; son Legendary with Bre Tiesi; and daughter Onyx with LaNisha Cole. Cannon also shares two children with Alyssa Scott: son Zen, who died at 5 months old in December 2021 after being diagnosed with brain cancer, and daughter Halo Marie Cannon, who was born in December 2022.
Cannon flirted with the idea of having a vasectomy in 2022. As he told E! News “Daily Pop” show at the time. “I already went and got my vasectomy consultation. I ain’t looking to populate the Earth completely, but I’m definitely looking forward to taking care and loving all the children that I currently have.”
But by the following year, he’d already changed his mind. He told Howard Stern he only considered the vasectomy due to societal pressures.
“It’s a scary thing,” Cannon said when asked about the consultation. “I felt pressured. I felt the world was trying to make me get a vasectomy. I don’t operate well under pressure. My body, my choice. You ever know what it’s like to be walking down the street and just a random stranger be like, ‘Man, you need to go get snipped?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t even know you.'”
Cannon even tried a bout with celibacy, but that didn’t last long.
“I got depressed with the loss of my son,” Cannon told the “Lip Service” podcast. “So in December, everybody saw I was so down. So everybody was like, ‘Let’s just give him a little v#####, and that’s gonna cure it all.’ I fell victim to it ’cause I was in a weak state. So December, especially right before Christmas, I started f###### like crazy.”
J. Cole has had a turbulent 2024. After bowing out of a potential battle with Kendrick Lamar, many rap fans slammed the North Carolina native’s recent verse on “Grippy” with Cash Cobain.
However, J. Cole continues to make music with other artists. Nigerian singer/songwriter Tems recruited him as a guest feature on her debut studio LP. Cole provided bars on the Born in the Wild track titled “Free Fall.”
“Toxic, who would’ve thought what’s coming was a plot twist. Soon as you let mе in, you start hunting for the locksmith. Now the key I oncе had to your heart does not fit. I got three choices, batter your door or lock-pick,” J. Cole raps over the P2J production.
At one point, J. Cole found himself in the middle of the Drake versus Kendrick Lamar feud. Lamar called out the other members of the so-called Big 3 of Hip-Hop on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” single.
J. Cole fired back at Kendrick Lamar on “7 Minute Drill” off his Might Delete Later mixtape. However, the Dreamville leader actually deleted the “7 Minute Drill” diss track from DSPs and publicly apologized to Lamar during a live show.
J. Cole is living his best life after bowing out of a potential rap beef with Kendrick Lamar, and his recent trip to a Tesla dealership is certainly evidence of such—despite his (alleged) experience.
Even if a clout chaser behind a smartphone and camera would lead us to believe otherwise, it appears as if Cole’s days of riding his bike around New York City unbothered are behind him.
Long story short, earlier this week a video began circulating on social media of the “Crooked Smile” lyricist nonchalantly perusing Cyber Trucks at a Tesla dealership. Cole can be seen pacing the showroom floor with his hardwired headphones in as he appears to be taking a call while browsing.
Despite the viral TikTok video insisting that J. Cole was being snubbed by management, a user on Instagram, who allegedly has close ties with the dealership said it was actually the opposite.
In fact, J. Cole even snapped a photo with the aforementioned individual in which he was sporting an ear-to-ear smile. The latest J. Cole sighting is similar to when he was spotted last month chilling at the beach mere weeks after he apologized to Kendrick Lamar for releasing his diss song “7-Minute Drill Freestyle” in response to Kendrick’s “Like That” verse.
Even though he may be whipping a Tesla sooner than later, Cole has managed to turn his hobby of riding his bike into a unique and effective marketing strategy, seamlessly blending his passion with his professional endeavors.
J. Cole often documents his bike rides, creating engaging content that he shares with his fans on social media. By sharing clips of his bike rides through various cities, he creates a sense of intimacy and connection with his audience, inviting them into his everyday life. Maybe now we’ll see J. Cole pulling up to parks across the tristate area and showing love to fans in his new Cyber Truck.
Something went awry a the premiere of the 10th season of 50 Cent‘s#### series “Power” on Thursday (June 6). Before the after party started, actor Malcolm Mays “had to be escorted out by the police,” the internet said. His image and likeness were splattered all over gossip sites and social media platforms.
But what really happened?
I’ll state that it’s kind of crazy that before we get the facts, somebody is condemned online. However, the reality is very simple. First of all, Malcolm Mays was not arrested nor was he escorted out. He’s a major superstar, writer and actor in Hollywood. He’s doing very well. But it almost feels like some people don’t want him to do very well.
Let me get off my soapbox and explain. First of all, he was in the comfort of the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City celebrating the 10th year of the beginning of “Power.” In fact, he was sitting in the same row as AHH’s own Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur and famed director Bobby Yan. I talked to them, and they saw him right there. His name was on the chair like this pic of 50 Cent that Jigsaw sent me.
Anyway, for some reason or another, Malcolm Mays left the venue out front. When he attempted to go BACK inside, the New York City Police Department stopped him from re-entering the ballroom. Here’s where it gets a little bit muddy.
First of all, we all know the New York City Police Department is known for operations that can skew on the violent side. With all the drama around police brutality, they have been a little more accommodating, but the energy is the same.
I don’t know who didn’t give them a list of all the celebrities in the building, but they should have had that. There’s no reason why Malcolm should not have been allowed to re-enter the venue considering he’s a major star in the franchise.
Now, they have him posted on EVERY gossip-driven site, making it appear like he was a criminal. That is not the case. It was very simple: he left the venue and tried to get back in. If you’ve never dealt with New York police, you might not understand.
I’m not sure if he actually made it to the after party because it was really popping. 50 Cent was in his element that night. He was passing out drinks to all the cast members and friends of the franchise in full celebration mode. Other cast members were in the house, like Mary J. Blige, Larenz Tate and numerous others. There were also a lot of rap stars in the place to be, including Ghostface Killah, Uncle Murda, Tony Yayo and more. I was excited to hear that they were all in the house and doing very well.
SoundCloud has transformed the music industry, especially for hip-hop and rap artists. In just over 10 years since it was founded in 2007, SoundCloud has emerged as one of the leading platforms on which musicians can release their music to the audience. This article is going to delve into why hip-hop and rap artists use the platform and how Soundcloud propels musicians to stardom.
1. Accessibility
Amongst a variety of other reasons, ease of access is what drew most hip hop and rap artists towards SoundCloud. They can easily upload their songs on Soundcloud and share with listeners who would then offer immediate feedback. This is different from conventional streaming media like Spotify or Apple Music which require subscription fees but SoundCloud offers free services that are beneficial to upcoming art among other factors.
2. The Feeling of Belongingness
It is common for people to refer to SoundCloud as a community oriented site, isn’t it? Hip-hop and rap artists have a chance to locate and communicate with similar-minded musicians, producers, or even loyal fans within an online multicultural society. These are fundamental pillars of hip-hop culture since they foster collective works such as joint projects. A number of renowned personalities like Chance the Rapper and Post Malone gained fame via interactions with fellow users on SoundCloud which built their fan base through this network effect.
SoundCloud networking goes beyond mere interaction. It is important to note that this platform allows artists to reach out to the professionals within the industry who can help them grow further in their careers. This is because, whether it is through collaborations or mentorship, the connections made on SoundCloud are very instrumental for an artist’s journey.
3. Viral Potential
There are a number of reasons why SoundCloud has strong viral potential. As a result, if they love your song friends and followers can easily send it out which enables quick spread of music. The hip-hop world relies on viral music distribution as one of its key success drivers as fast exposure can lead to huge leaps in career growth.
Many musicians turn to professional SoundCloud promotion services so as not to waste this potential. They are crucial for boosting the visibility of individual songs on platforms like this and making them more noticeable by popular curators who shape tastes and disseminate things widely.
4. Direct Fan Engagement
Artists have an ability to directly interact with their fans through SoundCloud. Musicians can receive real-time feedback and build loyal fan bases by means of comments and messages from listeners. This direct interaction fosters a sense of community among fans thus generating long-term support in an artist’s work.
Alternatively, using SoundCloud promotional tactics can intensify this involvement. The more visible a track is made, the more individuals may listen to it and leave comments or interact with it in some other way. Tracks gaining plays on SoundCloud can be accelerated and as such attracting fan engagement.
5. Test-bed for trial
The boundary of music gets pushed by hip-hop and rap artists who test new sounds and styles. In this regard, SoundCloud is an ideal platform since it allows quick release of music thereby enabling artists to gauge audience’s reaction before making their final decision like most conventional musical releases do not have the same restrictions as traditional ones in terms of time taken before releasing. For instance, there are no restrictions on fans’ preference unlike when musicians release albums through traditional channels where they will only produce songs which they think are relevant at that particular moment.
This freedom fosters originality and innovation among artists, encouraging them to work on perfecting their sound while shaping their unique style of music.
They can try promoting their experimental music via different social media platforms hence collecting valuable feedback from the audience.
6. Algorithm Versus Discovery
Discovery of new music is heavily reliant on SoundCloud’s algorithm. By studying user listening habits and preferences it helps them discover what might interest them more which then enhances opportunities for upcoming stars being noticed by possible fans around the globe. This implies that hip-hop and rap artists’ music can reach a larger audience without having to engage in massive marketing campaigns.
For the reason of enhancing discoverability, artists often invest in SoundCloud promotion. Through promoting their tracks, they can improve chances of appearing in playlists or recommendations. This is especially helpful for new artists who are trying to establish themselves in the industry. Besides, purchasing SoundCloud plays may also increase a track’s algorithmic ranking thus making it more likely that it will come up during searches as well as recommendations.
7. Monetization Opportunities
Although initially SoundCloud was known as a free platform, there are now several monetization opportunities available for artists on this website. Artists can now earn money from their streams just like other music platforms through programs such as SoundCloud Premier. This ability to monetize provides an incentive for them to keep creating and sharing their music on SoundCloud.
8. Independence and Control
The most attractive feature of SoundCloud for hip-hop or rap artist is the level of independence and control it offers to them. They can put up their music without having to be signed by a record company, maintain artistic vision in their music, and run their careers on their own terms. This independence is particularly critical for hip-hop that highly values genuineness and its self-expression.
9. Analytical Tools and Insights
SoundCloud has provided musicians with many types of analytical tools that provide insights regarding how the music is performing. These instruments help artists know who they are playing for, watch over someone’s growth as well as make prudent choices concerning music and marketing strategies.
10. Global Reach
Through reaching out worldwide, sound cloud brings together rappers and hip hop artists with listeners from all parts of the globe. For artists wishing to take their followership outside just the local scene, such international exposure is priceless.
SoundCloud promotion services can help artists reach specific target areas or individuals, which will ensure that their songs are heard by the right people. By tactically pushing their tracks, they can create a diverse and dedicated fan base. Artists can also have promotion SoundCloud option to get internationally recognized quickly and start getting offers for global tours and collaborations.
Conclusion
For hip-hop and rap artists, SoundCloud is very attractive because of its ease of use, viral potential, direct fan interaction and monetization prospects. This allows them to distribute music freely, experiment with different sounds as well as develop an ardent fan base without conforming to traditional music industry norms.
The platform’s extensive features and tools together with strategic SoundCloud promotion provide artists with a valuable way to succeed. To date, community engagement, viral potential or direct fan interaction still make SoundClod an important platform for hip-hop worldwide.
By using SoundCloud promotion services and options to buy SoundCloud plays, artists can significantly enhance their presence on the platform, ensuring their music reaches a broad and appreciative audience.
The official soundtrack for the latest addition to the Bad Boys movie franchise arrived on Friday (June 7), the same day the Will Smith and Martin Lawrence-led Bad Boys: Ride or Die landed in the theaters.
In addition to starring in the Adil & Bilall-directed motion picture, Will Smith contributed to the music project. The Academy Award-winning actor linked with dancehall singer Sean Paul for “Light Em Up.”
Sean Paul also collaborated with TRUENO on the eponymous “Bad Boy” track. Plus, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die Soundtrack features Black Eyed Peas, Becky G, El Alfa, Bia, J.I.D, Flo Milli, Shenseea, 21 Lil Harold and more.
Alabama-bred rapper Flo Milli made the 10-track album with her “DUH!” record. Massachusetts native Bia and Georgia native J.I.D worked together for the “Lights Out” collaboration. “Oh No” by Bia also made the tracklist.
Bad Boys: Ride Or Die is the fourth installment of the buddy cop action comedy. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence returned as Detective Lieutenant Mike Lowrey and Detective Lieutenant Marcus Burnett, respectively.
The cast also includes Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nuñez, Eric Dane, Tasha Smith and others. Hip-Hop personalities DJ Khaled, Joyner Lucas and Trae Tha Truth make cameos in the film.
“I like freaky-ass n#####, but no, not like Mr. Graham. Don’t buy Baby Tate on Temu, lot of these b###### a scam,” Tate raps in her “BOW (BOA Remix)” freestyle.
Kendrick Lamar labeled Aubrey Drake Graham as a “freaky-ass n####” on the “Not Like Us” diss record. The two music superstars’ highly publicized rap battle dominated Hip-Hop and mainstream coverage for weeks.
Previously, Baby Tate used another freestyle to address allegations connected to Drake’s Young Money/Cash Money labelmate, Nicki Minaj. Some fans accused Tate of stealing Minaj’s animated delivery style.
“Hold on, b####, I’m blown. I just got up on the internet, they said I’m a clone. Now I was born in 1996, so of course it’s some s### I done picked up on,” Baby Tate rapped during her “From The Block” performance in April 2024.
Additionally, the Warner recording artist rapped, “They say I blink like Nicki, dress like Kimmy, get real freaky on a track like Missy, cocky like RiRi, rough like E-V-E. I don’t understand why n##### won’t let me be me.”
At just 24 years old, Lagos-born singer-songwriter Candy Bleakz is making waves with her infectious melodies and empowering lyrics. Based out of the vibrant city that inspires her, she’s on a mission to spread a message of resilience and hope through her music.
“I want people to know that you can find happiness in your sadness,” she explains. It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with her own journey, as she turns his pain into melody, transforming life’s challenges into art. For Candy, music is not just a creative outlet but a means of survival, a way to navigate the complexities of life with grace and dignity.
But despite the struggles she faces, she remains undeterred, fueled by an unwavering determination to chase her dreams. “No worries,” she declares, “as long as I’m alive, I keep going to get what I want.” It’s this tenacity that defines her approach to life and music, driving her forward even when the odds seem stacked against her.
And when she drops new music, the response is nothing short of amazing from her community. “They know Candy,” she says with a smile. “I want people to be able to relate and get one or two vibes. This is awesome, sweet. It’s been getting amazing feedback.” Her songs strike a chord with listeners, offering a glimpse into her world and leaving them hungry for more.
When asked about his musical inspirations, she cites his environment as a primary influence. “I turn my pain into melody,” she reveals. “Even when I’m not happy, I use everything around me to make music.” But she also draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, listening to their stories of success and resilience. From Burna Boy to Olamide, Davido to Asake, she finds wisdom and motivation in their journeys, urging others to keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles they face.
With her latest EP, ‘Better Days,’ out now, she’s spreading a message of hope and optimism to all who will listen. Featuring eight tracks including features from prominent artists such as Bloody Civilian and Vector to name a few, it’s a testament to her unwavering belief in a brighter future. And as she continues on his musical journey, she’s determined to keep inspiring others to do the same, reminding them that the best is yet to come.
Sukihana recently sat down with Math Hoffa for the battle rapper’s My Expert Opinion podcast. The conversation included Suki explaining why she does not date men in the industry.
“I haven’t really talked to nobody in the music business. I be liking street n#####, for real,” Sukihana told Math Hoffa and the rest of his crew.
The Love & Hip Hop: Miami alumna also stated, “A lot of n##### in the music industry f### n#####. Do I wanna f### somebody that f### n#####? Nope.”
Additionally, Sukihana said, “Everybody’s gay… A lot of people are gay behind the scenes. No shade. I be gay sometimes too, so I would never judge nobody.”
Like Sukihana, several notable female rappers came out as bisexual. Male rappers like Lil Nas X, Isaiah Rashad and Taylor Bennett have spoken publicly about their same-sex attraction.
While homosexuality has been a taboo topic in Hip-Hop culture, some modern-day straight men have been more supportive of the LGBTQ community.
For example, Sukihana’s “S### Me Out Remix” collaborator NLE Choppa responded to speculation about his sexuality with a positive response.
In 2022, NLE Choppa tweeted, “I LOVE all so I don’t mind attracting both genders, but most importantly my sexual preference is women.”
Rick Ross has major expansion plans for his self-made zoo and has ordered a pair of elephants and some giraffes for his “Promise Land” zoo.
On Thursday (June 6) the MMG honcho took to his Instagram story to announce his plans. According to Ross, he’s ordering new animals and is taking steps to make his zoo legit.
“I just ordered two elephants, two elephants, a male and a female. Promise Land, get ready,” Ross began. “I’m a have and own two elephants that I can take care of and nurture that’s why I’ve already filed for my Zoo license.”
Rick Ross revealed he wants to “rescue an elephant” so he can nourish the animal and intends to have a “young lady rubbing [the elephant’s] undercarriage.”
Ross initially intended to start his zoo back in 2020 with giraffes but had to settle for buffalo. Now he’s gearing up to bring the creatures, the tallest terrestrial animals on earth, to the 235-acre estate in Fayetteville, Georgia.
“It takes time but guess what I am buying right now? Two giraffes,” Ross added. ”You going to have to climb up somewhere real tall to feed them things.”
Furthermore, once the elephants and giraffes arrive, Rick Ross wants Eddie Murphy to film Dr. Doolittle and Coming To America sequels at the Promise Land.
Rick Ross Extending Estate To Address Car Show Issues
After announcing his zoo plans, Rick Ross turned his attention to the controversy following his annual car show earlier this month, claiming he’s extended his property to accommodate the large crowds.
“I wouldn’t be the biggest if I didn’t address this,” he said. “For any and everyone that couldn’t make it into that Rick Ross car show, I just bought another 100 acres I’m chopping all the trees down.
Rick Ross may have some issues with his neighbors once the elephants and giraffes are housed in his zoo. He got into hot water with locals last year after allowing his buffalo to roam free, causing the enormous beats to traverse onto an adjoining property.
Jaguar Wright has been going viral recently after making wild accusations about industry figures, but now the singer is making headlines following reports she’s been arrested.
On Thursday (June 6) several outlets reported that Wright was accused of theft of property between $30K-$150K. She was booked in Dallas earlier on Thursday and is believed to be behind bars.
While further details surrounding her arrest are scarce, rumors are circulating on social media that Wright was nabbed for stealing a truck.
Wright allegedly called into the Sean Davie Way Show during a livestream, claiming there is “no charge” to keep her locked up. She also blamed blogger Tasha K for her arrest and vowed to sue. Furthermore, Wright asked the host to contact CNN in light of the situation and claimed she was arrested to prevent her from speaking out.
In recent months, Wright had touted various theories across a range of appearances, making accusations about Diddy, Jay-Z and Beyoncé and many others.
Earlier this week, Wright joined forces with reality TV personality Tokyo Toni, where the duo claimed Justin Biber performed a sex act on Odell Beckham Jr. at one of Diddy’s swanky parties.
Wright also claimed Nicki Minaj was responsible for leaking alleged audio of Diddy and Meek Mill. Additionally, Wright recently insisted that Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion have a hidden past despite the beef. According to Wright, Meg and Nicki made a sex tape, and she’s seen the proof, having watched it herself.
50 Cent is taking tips from Tyler Perry after expanding his ever-growing entertainment empire with the launch of G-Unit Film & Television studio in Shreveport, Louisiana.
On Thursday (June 6), 50 Cent was in his hometown at the Power Book II: Ghost season 4 premiere. Fiddy and the cast were also on hand to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the original Power show, which debuted in 2014.
AllHipHop was in attendance during a speech from the G-Unit honcho reflecting on his journey into film and television, promising much more to come. 50 Cent also revealed he’s taking advice from media mogul Tyler Perry to avoid potential pitfalls with his new studio.
“So I talked to Tyler on my way here,” 50 Cent told the crowd. “Tyler is no joke. He’ll f### you up if you think he ‘Madea.’ He don’t talk to me like that. I don’t know if he’s tougher when I’m he’s talking to me, but it just feels like I can learn some things from him.
‘So I’ll be out in Atlanta shortly to look at his facility so I can not make some mistakes that I could potentially make,” he added.
50 Cent also teased further projects in the works and wants Perry’s help to elevate into a “premium space,” in the industry. “There’s so much more to come. I’m standing in front of you, I currently have 34 shows across 10 different networks, you only aware of four,” he added.
“So my idea that to push diversity, it’s going to work. It’s been working to this point, it’s going to continue to work,” Fiddy continued. “But the idea is to bring in the premium space. I want to see myself in that kind of show. I don’t want to see myself in the cheaper [space].”
50 Cent’s G-Unit Studios reportedly became the second-largest Black-owned production studio in the world after Tyler Perry’s studio. After launching, fans jokingly compared Fiddy to Perry for following in his footsteps.
Lil Wayne won’t perform one of his rare deep-cuts featuring Kendrick Lamar, and it’s not what fans may think. At a recent concert, Lil Wayne addressed a fan’s request to see him perform “Mona Lisa” featuring K. Dot. But rather than address the bivouac elephant in the room, being that Kendrick and his protégé Drake were just involved in a fierce rap beef, Weezy spoke candidly, which in turn, created a moment that highlighted both his humility and dedication to his craft.
“People in front, listen, listen,” Lil Wayne said in part. “This is the second time I seen this within my last three shows. Somebody had a sign that said to do ‘Mona Lisa.’ I’m not sure if that means you, if y’all said y’all real Lil Wayne. So if you real Lil Wayne fans, do you know I don’t know the lyrics to my s###.”
As he continued, Wayne explained that there was more too the situation than just taking the time to perform the record—at least on his end.
“Do you know how hard that f###### song is, girl? You know what I mean?” Wayne continued, highlighting the difficulty of performing the song live. “I don’t like to rap the words, but I’m going to learn that s###. I’m going to learn it. I’m going to learn. I got you.”
Among his many songs, “Mona Lisa” stands out as a particularly challenging and noteworthy track. Released on September 28, 2018, “Mona Lisa” features Kendrick’s guest verse and was produced by Infamous and Angel “Onhel” Aponte. The song, part of Lil Wayne’s critically acclaimed album Tha Carter V, is widely considered a storytelling masterpiece that explores themes of deceit and betrayal through a gripping narrative. With intricate verses that weave a tale of a femme fatale, the track showcases Wayne’s lyrical prowess and storytelling ability.
The track “Mona Lisa” is renowned not only for its compelling story but also for its technical complexity. The song contains a staggering 94 bars, divided between Lil Wayne and Kendrick, with each artist delivering intense, rapid-fire verses that leave little room for error. Some of the lyrics that stand out include Wayne’s opening lines, “I got a story to tell, you know that I cherish these/Hop up in the coupe and I vanish.”
Despite the challenges of performing such a lyrically dense track, Lil Wayne’s promise to his fans was clear. Not to mention one could conclude that Wayne doesn’t have a dog in the fight concerning Drake and Kendrick’s conflict, despite his close relationship with Drizzy.
“This is for her and for the ‘Mona Lisa’ lovers. But this ain’t ‘Mona Lisa,’ but this for y’all. Let’s go,” he concluded, offering a different song in place of the requested track, but ensuring his audience felt appreciated and acknowledged.
