Skillz is stepping into a new chapter, and he’s got some heavy-hitter projects under his belt to show for it.
In a conversation with AllHipHop, the Virginia rapper-turned-ghostwriter reflected on his post “Rap Up” career and some major milestones, including penning Jay-Z’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction speech.
Skillz famously launched his annual “Rap Up” series in 2002, a tradition he popularized with witty rhymes that summarized the most significant cultural moments of the year.
He retired from the recaps in 2021, although he did come out of retirement to summarize the events of 2024.
His retirement from the “Rap Up” allowed Mad Skillz to focus, resulting in his album The Seven Number Ones, which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album category.
The Seven Number Ones is a spoken-word poetry album that narrates pivotal moments in his life, each track symbolizing a key experience that shaped his path.
“The album is about seven different things that happened in my life that changed the direction of my life. Each song is a moment,” Skillz told AllHipHop during an interview with DJ Thoro. “The first song is about my parent’s meeting. The second song is when my mom used to play music in the house. The third song is when I first heard Hip-Hop, my first daughter, first time I fell in love.”
Skillz’s decision to step away from his annual “Rap-Up” tradition, which had become both a hallmark and a limitation, allowed him to channel his creative energy into ventures that showcased his broader talents.
“When I look at the things that have happened in my life since I stopped doing the year-end ‘Rap Up’…like writing JAY-Z’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speech. When he got inducted, I wrote that for Hov,” Skillz told AllHipHop.com in an interview with DJ Thoro. “I’m on to other things.”
There’s a development, and I want to show you this. The below is from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who uploaded a video discussing the matter on Instagram.
Now, if you log on to TikTok, you’ll see this:
“Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
First of all, Donald Trump is not president right now.
He’s a private citizen. He doesn’t have access to presidential powers. He doesn’t have the ability to do any of that.
Please understand that TikTok’s decision to name Trump in the notification is a choice. They are signaling that they have agreed to privately collaborate with Donald Trump and the Trump administration.
For all of those concerns that people were saying that TikTok is gonna be used as a propaganda tool by the Chinese, understand they’re using it as a propaganda tool for the right.
Now, I want you all to put all the pieces together because what this effectively means is that every mass social media platform in the United States has been taken over by the right wing, with the exception of Blue Sky (but Blue Sky is still very small, relatively).
So when I say put the pieces together:
Elon Musk took over Twitter, and there’s open reporting that they have artificially manipulated the algorithms to boost right-wing content on what he re-branded as “X” and to amplify harassment.
Then you have Meta. You have Mark Zuckerberg saying that they’re basically also bending the knee to Trump with their changes to fact checking, regardless of how effective that was in the first place.
Now TikTok is now saying, “Hey, we are agreeing we will use our push notification system for all 170 million American users to promote Donald Trump.”
Just understand that government announcements like this with companies, they never name politicians — they will usually name law or policy. TikTok is making an explicit agreement to do this.
And if I were a betting person, they probably are making a deal with Donald Trump to not just use these push notifications but also consider algorithmic changes, which is ironic. At the time when people voted for the TikTok ban, there was a lot of pro-Palestinian content. That argument was being used as being somehow “anti-American,” which I guess supporting human rights is somehow bad.
We are on the eve of an authoritarian administration. This is what 21st century fascism is starting to look like. Republicans model themselves after Viktor Orbán’s Hungary. You can look to Hungary to get a taste of how they will try to control media and companies in the United States. This is a kind of entrée to that.
As far as what we do:
This is a time of experimentation. A lot of people can and will still use platforms, but I also look towards places where you have more ownership and develop your audiences there — like Blue Sky. (Editor’s Note: We are also going with Fanbase.)
Snoop Dogg—yes, the Doggfather himself—landed in hot water with “the people,” but you know this. Snoop, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy and Nelly have aligned themselves with multiple pro-Trump inauguration events. The backlash? Nuclear. People are dragging them and they are getting the “Chrisette Michele treatment.” So let’s talk about the fallout.
Breathe deeply.
We’ve always held Snoop Dogg up as the people’s champ—a West Coast OG, Hip-Hop ambassador and the premier icon of our times. Remember, we gave him the person of the year for 2024. Now, folks are looking at him sideways. In 2017, Snoop had some real strong words for anyone rocking with Trump’s first inauguration. He made it clear: he wasn’t here for it and called those that do, all types of c-words.
Times have changed in 2025, as Trump is about to return to the Oval Office. MAGA isn’t rolling out the red carpet for these guys. And they seem to respect Snoop Dogg less for flip-flopping. Elon Musk added his two cents: “The vibe shift is real.”
Look, if Snoop Doog had gone full MAGA from jump, we’d dislike him, but at least he’d be consistent. You know? Like Waka Flocka Flame. But to switch sides after taking a hard stand? That’s where it stings.
Here are some of the other comments:
We don’t want degenerates like Snoop in our circles. Manipulating our youth to think it’s cool to be addicted to smoking weed and calling women hoes. No thanks
“It takes no courage to come out and support someone *after* they [Trump] won.”
“I refuse to listen to his music or support him in any way. He is the bottom of the barrel.”
There are plenty more comments, but you get the vibes. People seem to feel like it’s less about politics and more about principles. Folding under pressure or cash? YUCK.
Nelly and Rick Ross aren’t escaping the smoke either. Social media is lighting them up, too. But let’s be real: Nelly has never represented a thing. And Rozay? He said he was doing a private shindig—not a Trump affair. But Snoop? This one hurts.
We can’t pretend to know what’s in Snoop Dogg’s heart, but one thing’s for sure: this is a reminder that even our most untouchable icons aren’t immune to scrutiny. Real Gs stand firm in their square—rain or shine. Say nothing if you aren’t ready for that heat. If you’re going to make a move this bold, own it.
Master P opens up about his relentless dedication to uplifting communities, ongoing contributions to Hip-Hop and plans for the future.
Master P, as usual, is on the move but checked in with AllHipHop to discuss his recent activities. The New Orleans-born mogul recently spearheaded benefit concerts to support families in need. The latest initiatives include a star-studded concert in Newark, New Jersey, his work with the Team Hope Foundation, and the importance of showcasing the positive side of Hip-Hop.
The conversation with Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur also delves into his ventures in film, with plans to revisit classics like “Bout It Bout It” and launch new projects, as well as his upcoming role as a college basketball coach.
AllHipHop: How are you doing, man?
Master P: Man, I’m good. You know, talking about the city of New Orleans, we’re holding on and holding strong. I just did a song with Mia X, Cymphonique, Trombone Shorty and produced by KLC. All the proceeds from that record are going back to families affected by the devastation on Bourbon Street. The name of the song is “New Orleans Keep Holding On.“
AllHipHop: I have to commend you. When it was time for someone to step up, you definitely assumed that leadership position. How are the people feeling, man? It seems like we’re constantly hit with tragedies.
Master P: Yeah, man, we’ve all been through something. I know New York has been through a lot, California with the fires and New Orleans has had its share, too. But we’re hanging in there. For those still here, we have to keep holding on.
AllHipHop: You’ve got this benefit concert coming up in Newark, New Jersey, at NJPAC. Shout out to NJPAC. What made you choose that venue? Tell us about the concert.
Master P: I’ve been doing a lot of work in Newark for the past five years, helping kids in the city. But I’ve never performed in Newark before. This will be my first time performing in New Jersey, so it’ll be history. I’ll be hitting the stage with The LOX and Dru Hill. It’s going to be one of those unforgettable nights. You’ve got to wear camouflage because it’s a No Limit party.
AllHipHop: That’s what’s up. And it’s also for a great cause, right?
Master P: Absolutely. Every ticket purchase goes back to the Team Hope Foundation to provide kids with school supplies and backpacks for next year. We’ve been doing this for over 25 years. This concert is bigger than just music—it’s a celebration for a great cause.
AllHipHop: I’m originally from Delaware, and you came down to Newark, Delaware, and spoke to the kids. The whole city appreciated that.
Master P: That’s what Team Hope is all about—preparing the next generation. We’re focused on financial literacy and bridging the gap. This is about building leaders and creating opportunities for the youth.
AllHipHop: How does this connect to Hip-Hop? The genre often gets a bad rap for being negative. What’s your perspective?
Master P: Don’t be afraid to grow in Hip-Hop. We all come from humble beginnings, but look where we’re at now. Hip-Hop has been around for over 50 years, and they said it wouldn’t last. People often focus on the negative and overlook the positive. Media outlets don’t always promote the good things we do. But look at what we’ve accomplished. In New Orleans, we created the NOLA Walk of Fame, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to honor trailblazers in business, Hip-Hop, and beyond. That’s a $6.5 million project—a first for our city.
AllHipHop: You mentioned giving Lil Wayne his flowers and the Super Bowl. What’s the plan for the Super Bowl?
Master P: You’ll have to wait and see. Super Bowl Sunday is going to be unforgettable. If the [Kansas City] Chiefs make it, you know they love my song “Make ‘Em Say Uhh” anthem. It’ll be crazy. And speaking of “Make ‘Em Say Uhh,” I’ve got a drink called “Make ‘Em Say Un’” that’s going to turn heads too. [Shows the can.]
AllHipHop: You’re always creating. What’s next on the movie front? We have Bobby Yan is here too, the movie director that got his start with you. Any plans to remake “I’m Bout It”?
Master P: Bobby Yan’s a hard worker, and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. We’re making movies, and a remake of “Bout It Bout It” could be on the table. I’m also working on horror films and the “Ice Cream Man” TV series with Deon Taylor. Technology like AI allows us to do bigger things now.
AllHipHop: Man, I could talk to you forever, but do you have any final words?
Master P: Just get ready for my next chapter. I’m about to become a college basketball coach. I’ve coached players like DeMar DeRozan and Lance Stephenson from middle school to high school. Now it’s my time to step into college coaching. Stay tuned!
AllHipHop: That’s incredible. Thank you for pulling up and sharing your journey. You’re a true trailblazer, and we appreciate you.
Philadelphia streets aren’t right! Rest in peace to Gillie Da Kid’s son, Cheese (real name Devin Spady), who was shot and killed in 2023. Straight up. The tragic loss sent shockwaves through the rap community, largely because we had so much love for Gillie. Once upon a time, he would perform at AllHipHop shows. Over a year and a half later, no arrests have been made in the case involving Cheese.
There are many forms of justice in these evil streets. Sometimes street justice takes precedence, and the streets are saying this is what happened in a recent case of a basketball player-turned-rapper.
Cheese’s death could be a link in a larger chain of events. Hood reports suggest that 17-year-old Noah Scurry may have had a role in Cheese’s tragic death. We all know Noah was a star basketball player by day, but sources say he was an alleged gang-affiliated rapper by night. TF. These are kids!
Scurry was also reportedly known as Joker OTV (or OtvJoker). He was gunned down in a brutal execution-style killing outside his home in front of his mother as he was heading to school.
Scurry was a straight-A student with Division 1 basketball offers, but he allegedly had a dark side, rapping about violent acts and rumored to have claimed multiple lives in his lyrics. His newly released track, “Swing My Door,”hints at a really high body count. Some in the streets claim he was connected to the murder of Fat Dame…this is crazy.
Here’s where it gets even messier. Rumors are swirling that Cheese’s family believes Scurry was responsible for Cheese’s death. Scurry’s death appears to be an act of retaliation, according to the streets. They cops were unable to find Cheese’s killer, but they are reportedly acting swiftly in this case.
Law enforcement sources revealed they’re investigating at least three suspects in Scurry’s death, one of whom is allegedly Gillie’s nephew.
I didn’t see this myself, but it seems like the nephew posted a cryptic message on Instagram shortly after Scurry’s murder: “The body ain’t worth it if the streets don’t know you did it.”
What does that mean? He also reportedly posted: “Get your rest, Cheese. That boy gas now.” Don’t quote me. A lot is hazy, but one thing is clear: the streets don’t forget. These are kids. It doesn’t seem like the cycle of violence will stop. Meanwhile, Gillie and his family continue to mourn Cheese.
What do y’all think? Was this street justice, or is there more to the story? Let us know in the comments.
Nelly, Soulja Boy, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross faced serious blowback from the rap community after it was announced they’d be participating in Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Now, Nelly has responded to the criticism during an appearance Willie D’s YouTube Show. Nelly is expected to perform at the Liberty Ball, one of three official inaugural balls, on Inauguration Day but insists it’s not an endorsement for Trump—nor is it about the money.
“He’s the president,” he said. “He won […] He’s the commander-in-chief of what I would like to say is the best country in the world. That’s why I’m not telling you who to vote for. He’s the president of the United States, not the candidate for the United States. I respect the office. It don’t matter who is in office. If they can put their life on the line for whoever is in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever is in office.”
He added, “If President Biden would have asked me to perform, I would have performed. If Vice President Kamala Harris would have won and asked me to perform, I would have performed.”
“I’m not doing this for money.”
Nelly responds to backlash for agreeing to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration celebration and challenges critics to show proof that Donald Trump is a white supremacist.
Soulja Boy was more defiant in his response. Taking to Instagram Live shortly after his performance at the Crypto Ball on Friday (January 17), he fired back at his detractors and said it was all about financial gain for him.
“They paid me a bag,” he said. “Obama ain’t never put no money in my f###### pockets. Kamala ain’t never put no money in my f###### pockets. Trump put money in my pockets. Y’all want me to not answer the phone for the f###### president? This n#### the president of the muthafuckin’ United States. Trump wasn’t even there. It wasn’t even a Trump event. It was the Crypto Ball for crypto. And I’ll go again.”
Soulja Boy responds to the hate for performing at Donald Trump’s inaugural party:
“Obama never put money in my pockets, Kamala never put money in my pockets, Trump put money in my pockets” pic.twitter.com/7yL9hANvOS
Once again, Chrisette Michelle was dragged into the conversation. As one Twitter (X) user pointed out, “Chrisette Michele has yet to recover from performing at Trump’s inauguration in 2017. Yet, Snoop, Nelly, Soulja Boy and Rick Ross will be fine.” Another person said, “Watching Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, Nelly, and Snoop Dogg all perform at Trump’s inaugural event adds an extreme amount of validation to what Malcolm X said about some black celebrities being puppets.”
Soulja Boy later admitted to feeling deceived about the event’s nature: “I ain’t going to lie, though. Them folks did try to trick me, though. Halfway, I was like, ‘Man, f### this n#### Trump.'”
The official inauguration events are scheduled for Monday (January 20) featuring additional performances by Carrie Underwood, Christopher Macchio and The Village People.
Snoop Dogg, meanwhile, is getting absolutely destroyed on social media for his switch-up. He is the same rapper who pretended to shoot Trump in the head for a 2017 BADBADNOTGOOD video for the single “Lavender.” But after Trump pardoned Death Row Records co-founder Harry-O, he changed his tune.
The pot is getting stirred. Playboi Carti has been catching heat from Iggy Azalea. She claims that he’s not stepping up as a father to their son, Onyx. If you missed it, Iggy put him on blast for being M.I.A. in their child’s life. And in true social media fashion, Carti responded. But, his response was a weird one. He shared some words of wisdom from Erykah Badu, the queen of vibes.
Playboi Carti posted a screenshot of Badu’s message on his IG stories, where she seemed to offer some encouragement. Although the full message did not seem to be revealed, it was enough to share it with the world. It appeared to be a co-sign. Perhaps, we don’t know the whole story. Badu is one of the mystic mothers of the culture.
It’s nice to see Carti reflecting and seeking positive energy, but will he step up to the accusations? Iggy seems to be about responsibility. Be a father, man. Hopefully, all of this is just a misunderstanding, because it would be weird if Badu is supporting a deadbeat.
It’s a messy situation, no doubt. Hopefully, Carti takes Badu’s words to heart and steps into the father role Iggy is calling him out for. By the way, some say the man-eater has her next prey, but I’m gonna leave that alone.
Stay tuned, because you know this saga isn’t over.
By the way, it would be nice if Badu came back to the forefront of music. We love her so much as a singer. I will say this, the comments of various platforms have not been kinds. I hope they just fix it so she can get back to cosmic grooves.
Mere hours after TikTok went dark in the United States on Sunday (January 19), the popular video sharing app was back, leaving many people scratching their heads.
According to reports, there was nothing that could be done until President-elect Donald Trump took office on Monday (January 20). But soon, the Chinese company confirmed it was in the process of restoring service in a statement posted to Twitter and, once again, praised Trump for his part in restoring it.
As TikTok Policy tweeted, “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”
It continued, “It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
A new message on TikTok reads: “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S. You can continue to create, share and discover all the things you love on TikTok.”
TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, was given nine months to either sell the platform’s U.S. business or be banned from the country, something they failed to do. In a post shared to Truth Social, Trump vowed to issue an executive order that would extend the deadline by 90 days.
People are both confused and skeptical about the app’s sudden restoration.
As one person pointed out, “Congratulations, Democrats. The TikTok ban was initiated by Trump, passed through the House and Senate along bipartisan lines, yet because President Biden signed the bill into law, Democrats allowed Trump to be the hero on this, politically. Absolute malpractice by leadership.”
Many believe it was nothing but a publicity stunt to make Trump look good. Another person noted, “LMAO this TikTok ban is nothing but a stunt for Trump to come in and ‘lift’ and pretend he did something for us. Stop falling for this crap please.”
Another comment reiterated, “As Trump prepares to “save” TikTok, let’s not forget all of this started because Trump wanted to ban TikTok during his first term. He breaks it. Then he takes credit for fixing it. Trump’s entire life can be summarized in this manner,” while yet another person added, “Crazy PR stunt. Praising Trump for bringing back tiktok after a day when he didn’t do s### to stop the genocide and hasn’t done anything to help end the LA fires.”
Whatever the case, TikTok is back for its 170 million user, but it’s unclear for how long. Stay tuned as the sage continues to develope.
Dave Chappelle hit the Saturday Night Live stage on Saturday (January 18) with heavy doses of truth serum. He jumped right in the deep end, tackling everything from Diddy’s drama to Palestine to a plea to Donald Trump. Chappelle didn’t hold back, calling out the Bad Boy mogul’s current legal woes.
“I’ve been in a lot of trouble in my day,” Chappelle quipped, “but Puffy—buddy, this guy is in an enormous amount of trouble.” The audience laughed, but the truth was caught.
Chappelle joked about missing out on Diddy’s “freak-off” parties. “Oh my God—I’m ugly,” he said, drawing huge laughs. He made an off-color joke about “Carl Winslow,” which may get him “seen” by the Family Matters star.
“Can you imagine finding out everyone in Hollywood had an orgy behind your back?” he said. “None of y’all called me?”
He then directly addressed Donald Trump with a two-part message.
“The presidency is no place for petty people,” he said. “Whether people voted for you or not, they’re all counting on you. The whole world is counting on you.”
Although Chappelle was critical, he also offered an olive branch, saying, “Do better next time. Please, all of us: Do better next time. Do not forget your humanity, and please have empathy for displaced people, whether they’re in the Palisades or Palestine.”
Joe Budden has condemned Drake for suing Universal Music Group (UMG), branding him a hypocrite over the lawsuit.
The outspoken rapper weighed in on Drake’s explosive legal filing during the latest episode of his podcast, addressing allegations in the lawsuit that the label promoting Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” encouraged attacks against the Toronto superstar.
“I’m not with the violence,” Budden stated, referencing incidents at Drake’s home. “I’m not with nobody crib getting shot up.”
However, Budden continued, explaining that the location of Drake’s Toronto mansion was well known, having featured in multiple publications. He also emphasized Drake had been vocal about stalkers trying to break into his home log before his battle with Lamar.
“I assume that that comes with being one of the biggest stars in the world,” he added.
Joe Budden References His Feud With Drake
Budden went on to reflect on his own past feud with Drake, accusing the rapper of endorsing the very behavior he is now condemning.
“Whenever him and I got into whatever we got into, and them fans showed up to my house, he incentivized that. He cheered them on, he put them on a public platform. He applauded that behavior.”
Joe Budden then labeled Drake a “Karen” and called him out for “code-switching,” mentioning his association with another Toronto rapper who has publicly threatened Lamar’s life.
“I’m not naming no names,” Budden continued. “But you know who you running around with and you know what you’re doing and you know what you threatening. So if you that, then be that. But don’t be that and also Karen out.”
He added, “That’s part of the “Not Like Us” foundation that [Kendrick Lamar] was building,” stating that Drake is “playing both sides. It’s nasty and I don’t like that.”
Joe budden says drake is code switching by saying he fears for his safety after the Kendrick Lamar not like us song . When he was clowning him after them kids came to his house pic.twitter.com/3Lt0RGf4vR
Drake filed a defamation and harassment lawsuit against UMG on January 15 in New York federal court.
The lawsuit concerns UMG’s release and promotion of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” Drake claims UMG spread a “false and malicious narrative” by promoting lyrics that falsely label him a pedophile.
The suit alleges UMG prioritized “corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists.”
Drake claims the song led to violent incidents, including a shooting at his Toronto home on May 7, 2024.
A massive fire engulfed a 95-foot yacht near a strip club close to Miami International Airport in the wee hours of Sunday morning (January 19).
The vessel, reportedly rented by renowned producer Metro Boomin, was fully ablaze when the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) team arrived at approximately 4:05 a.m. at the 3600 block of Northwest South River Drive.
Firefighters tackled the blaze from both land and water, facing challenges due to the yacht’s size and substantial fuel load.
BREAKING: Metro Boomin’s rented yacht went up in flames overnight shortly after he arrived at @BoobyTrap247. Sources tell me Metro was in the club when a speaker onboard sparked the fire. No one was injured & the boat sank after firefighters put out the flames
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. According to WPLG-Channel 10, Metro Boomin and about 15 guests and crew members aboard the yacht were safely evacuated. Staff from B#### Trap on The River, the nearby strip club, confirmed Metro Boomin’s presence among the evacuees.
“Around 3 o’clock the boat arrived, it was Metro Boomin,” Michael Marhefka, director of security at the B#### Trap on the River, told Local 10 News. “The boat pulled up and they were on the boat maybe 30 minutes at the dock and we noticed what sounded like fire alarms going off. When we looked at the boat we did see some smoke inside the boat. We made the determination to evacuate the boat immediately.”
Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters worked to contain fuel runoff using specialized oil spill response equipment. They quickly deployed oil-absorbent booms—sleeves made of highly absorbent material designed to soak up oil and surface sheen and got it under control.
TikTok went dark in the United States at 12 a.m. ET on Sunday (January 19), leaving roughly 170 million users wondering if the move will be reversed.
While President-elect Donald Trump said he will “most likely” figure out a way to save the popular app, he didn’t take office soon enough to prevent it from going down. But if TikTok has its way, Trump will be its unlikely hero—and they have made that clear by pandering to the incoming commander-in-chief.
When someone goes to the app in the U.S., a message pops up that reads: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”
The ban was upheld by the Supreme Court last week. It stems from national security concerns related to TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
In response, many users have expressed their frustration and sadness on social media platforms, with some posting tearful farewell videos. Influencers such as Emily Senn and Madilynn Cameron—whose income depends on the app—have voiced concerns about the impact on their livelihoods and communities.
The shutdown has prompted a significant migration of users to alternative platforms. Many are exploring apps like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and newer platforms such as Clapper and RedNote. The movement, called the “TikTok refugee crisis,” saw more than 2.7 million users sign up for RedNote in protest of the ban. However, users have noted that RedNote enforces stricter content moderation policies, including censorship of topics critical of the Chinese government.
As noted, Trump has indicated a willingness to address the situation. He wrote, “SAVE TIKTOK!” in a recent Truth Social post and suggested he might grant a 90-day extension to negotiate a deal that could reinstate the app. Despite this potential intervention, the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains shaky, leaving users and creators in a state of limbo.
ALLHIPHOP CANCELS ANNUAL GRAMMY WEEK CELEBRATION, PIVOTS TO SUPPORT CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE RELIEF EFFORTS
AllHipHop.com, the leading platform for Hip-Hop culture and news, has made the decision to cancel its highly anticipated Grammy Week celebration. The move comes in response to the catastrophic California wildfires that continue to ravage communities in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
The platform’s co-founders, Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur and Gregory “Grouchy Greg” Watkins, announced the pivot as a show of solidarity with those affected.
“Film, TV, music, and other industries, such as technology, are well within our wheelhouse, and we want to show sensitivity and compassion for our industry family in this terrible time,” CEO Creekmur said.
For the past two years, AllHipHop’s Grammy Week event has become a must-attend celebration, bringing together celebrities, influencers and executives from music and entertainment. Last year’s event garnered significant buzz, honoring women in Hip-Hop, with trailblazers like MC Lyte, Yo-Yo and Big Lez.
However, in light of the devastation caused by the wildfires, AllHipHop is taking a different approach. Instead of hosting its glamorous event, the company is channeling its resources into direct support for wildfire relief efforts.
Collaborating with grassroots organizations and frontline activists, AllHipHop is establishing an online hub to provide critical resources for those displaced, including emergency food, shelter and clothing distribution information.
“This is an extension of our life’s work, which has always been infused within our profession,” Watkins said, underscoring the company’s long-standing commitment to giving back.
In addition to amplifying on-the-ground efforts, AllHipHop’s resource hub will share details about volunteer opportunities and fundraising initiatives to aid those impacted by the wildfires.
How to Help California Wildfire Relief Efforts
For those inspired to join AllHipHop in supporting wildfire recovery, here are some organizations making an impact:
Trey Songz has reportedly been given a chance to plead his case after a Las Vegas judge dismissed a $11.2 million default judgment against him on Friday (January 17).
The judgment stemmed from a 2023 battery lawsuit filed by Maryland Capitol police officer Tyrelle Dunn.
Dunn alleged that the singer, real name Tremaine Neverson, attacked him in November 2021 at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas when he tried to rescue his wife from Songz’s hotel room.
Songz’s legal team argued that the singer was unaware of the lawsuit until late November 2024, when fans informed him via Instagram messages.
The singer’s attorneys claimed that the summons was improperly served to guards at Songz’s gated community rather than to him directly.
Songz’s lawyers emphasized that enforcing the judgment would be “devastating” and “ruin his life.”
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department had previously conducted an investigation and found no wrongdoing by Songz, clearing him of criminal charges.
Dunn’s legal team opposed Songz’s request to overturn the default judgment, arguing that the process server had properly served the singer.
Clark County District Court Judge Jacob Reynolds gave Trey Songz’s legal team 30 days to reply to the original lawsuit, per 8 News Now.
Dunn’s attorney, Craig Drummond, released a statement expressing his client’s disappointment at the ruling.
“While we had hoped that the judgment would stand, we respect the court’s decision and look forward to conducting discovery regarding Mr. Songz and the security personnel who attacked my client,” Drummond told the outlet. “We plan to zealously move this case forward and will move to bring in all of the security entourage as Defendants once Mr. Songz produces their names and addresses.”
After having some silly beef, E-40 and Richie Rich are back like they never left. The bring the coldest heat in “We Different,” the latest drop from RR’s critically acclaimed comeback album, RICHARD. Check out the the bop. And watch our interview with Richie Rich below.
Beanie Sigel is making it known that he doesn’t believe any detail of the allegations JAY-Z faces, which also link him to incarcerated Bad Boy mogul Diddy.
He stepped forward with his skepticism in defense of JAY-Z following reports he has been named as a co-defendant alongside Diddy in a Jane Doe civil case accusing the pair of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2000. Sigel not only vigorously pushed back against the anonymous allegations accusing the legendary New York rapper of sexual assault, he outright denied them. Speaking with The Art of Dialogue, Sigel outlined why his skepticism about the claims lie in a larger ideology about both the accuser’s and the world’s motives.
“I mean, you got people like me that don’t believe it,” Sigel said, addressing the allegations. “You got other people that believe anything. You got some people that want it to be true.”
Beanie Sigel breaks his silence on Jay-Z being accused of s*xual assault and calls out Jay-Z's accuser for hiding her identity.
While acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the situation, Sigel made his stance clear, “I can’t, I don’t believe that sh*t.”
The former Roc-A-Fella artist also voiced frustration over the anonymity of the accuser, stating his thoughts that their unwillingness to come forward is a dead giveaway in and of itself “Who is this?” he questioned. “Who is she? She don’t have to reveal her identity? All right, then. Then you go right there.”
He stressed that JAY-Z has the right to face his accuser, bluntly questioning, “Where is this little b*tch? How? Jay got the right to face his accuser.”
Sigel also raised concerns about the circumstances described in the allegations, questioning how a young girl could have been present in such an environment. “13-year-old, what was she?” he said pondering the situation. “What a 13-year-old doing in one of them parties anyway? How’d she get there? Who was her mother and her father?”
He added, “Don’t nobody believe that sh*t—N*ggas want that sh*t to be true.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Sigel suggested the situation extends beyond JAY-Z, remarking, “Just from me paying attention, what’s going on is bigger than Jay.”
Sigel’s impassioned argument in support of JAY-Z outlines yet another important chapter in their rocky shared history. Back in 2009 Sigel dissed JAY-Z and Memphis Bleek and Roc-A-Fella in a diss song entitled “What You Talkin Bout (I Ain’t Your Average Cat).” The diss was so scathing, it prompted HOV to respond while he was making an appearance at a Canadian Press conference. In his statement about Sigel, he stressed his belief that he helped him out immensely during his early career.
“Beanie Sigel, to be honest and you can look it up, just to be honest…was driving two Bentleys. I don’t know how,” JAY-Z said. “Its impossible to drive two cars at the same time. With his momma in the sticks, selling 800,000. I don’t know what more you can do for somebody.”
However, in 2015 the pair appeared to make up at the Tidal X concert during which was highlighted by the Beanie Sigel and State Property reunion.
Nelly isn’t holding back in his legal fight with former St. Lunatics bandmate Ali Jones, taking a no-nonsense approach to a lawsuit Ali filed claiming co-ownership of some of Nelly’s biggest hits.
The rapper, whose legal name is Cornell Haynes Jr., has filed a motion for sanctions, alleging that Ali’s case is not only outdated but also riddled with legal errors.
Ali, who performed with Nelly in the early 2000s, sued in September 2024, claiming he was owed royalties and credit for tracks like “Country Grammar” and “Batter Up.”
But Nelly’s legal team argues that Ali’s claims are years too late.
They pointed to a key piece of evidence: a 2021 letter from Nelly’s attorneys expressly rejecting Ali’s ownership claims, triggering a three-year statute of limitations under copyright law. By filing in 2024, Nelly’s lawyers say, Ali has already missed his chance.
What’s more, Nelly’s team is calling foul on Ali’s amended complaint, which omits mention of the 2021 letter—an omission they describe as a deliberate attempt to dodge the law. “Plaintiff’s counsel and Plaintiff have engaged in sanctionable conduct by omitting the dates of the express repudiation,” Nelly’s attorneys wrote in court filings.
Ali’s case doesn’t stop at royalties; he also accuses Nelly of copyright infringement and unjust enrichment. But Nelly’s defense team says these claims are just as shaky. Legally, co-owners of a copyright—if Ali were considered one—cannot sue each other for infringement. As for the unjust enrichment claim, Nelly’s lawyers argue it’s preempted by federal copyright law, making it irrelevant in court.
To top it off, Nelly’s lawyers want the court to hit Ali and his legal team with sanctions, including paying Nelly’s legal fees. They called the lawsuit “objectively frivolous” and said it has caused unnecessary legal expenses for their client. “Even the barest factual investigation and legal research would have revealed that the claims were barred,” the motion states.
The latest courtroom showdown marks a bitter chapter in the once-close relationship between Nelly and Ali, who worked together as part of the St. Lunatics. Now, their battle isn’t over beats but legal filings, as Nelly pushes for the lawsuit to be dismissed and Ali’s team penalized for what he calls a baseless case.
Busta Rhymes is back with a brand-new project. I encourage everyone to check out his latest work of art. Earlier this week, the Dungeon Dragon held an exclusive listening session, and it was a who’s who of industry insiders, musicians, journalists and influencers in attendance. Interestingly, this event took place at Quad Studios in New York City, the same building where 2Pac was infamously shot.
But on this night, Quad was on the map for a completely different reason. Let’s break it down. Throughout the night, the vibe was all about the music. Busta was adamant that everyone give their full attention to the album. Repeatedly, he paused the music to ensure conversations stopped and ears tuned in. He made it clear: people were there to listen. A couple of his friends got it, too.
During the event, Busta Rhymes showed major love and respect to icons like Sway, Datwon Thomas and Grandmaster Caz. He also gave some shoutouts to members of his team.
Now, here’s where things took an unexpected turn. As the event was winding down and people began to leave, the cops showed up. Upstairs, the music was still playing and folks were enjoying the vibe. But outside? There was a scary police presence of roughly 20 officers. The way they showed up, you’d think something far more dramatic was happening. The protective team around Bus-A-Bus took action.
Downstairs, some bold women took it upon themselves to intercept the officers and prevent them from heading upstairs. I’m not even sure if Busta was aware of what was happening at the time, but these ladies were working hard to de-escalate the situation. Fortunately, one of them managed to reason with the officers, convincing them to stand down. It was a tense moment, but a potential disaster was averted.
As for why the cops were there? That part remains unclear, and I don’t want to spread misinformation. There are plenty of rumors floating around in the media, but I’ll leave the speculation to them. From what I gather, one officer may have gone upstairs, but it didn’t lead to anything significant.
Anyway, here’s a video showing the scene after everything settled down. Enjoy, and don’t forget to give Busta’s new album a spin.
Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross are getting flamed on social media for performing at the Crypto Ball ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, despite previous negative remarks about him.
The event was organized by Bitcoin media company BTC Inc. and co-hosted by David Sacks, recently named “AI and Crypto Czar” by Trump, in honor of the incoming administration.
Rick Ross took to Instagram to dismiss rumors he was performing at Trump’s inauguration.
“I am in Washington D.C. right now but I’m not performing,” he said. “It’s a private vibe I’m doing with my brother Snoop Dogg. Me and Snoop Dogg, we here. It’s going down.”
Rozay also shared a video of Snoop Dogg stating, “They let a real Crip up in the Crypto ball.”
Snoop Dogg truly stands for nothing and will do anything for a check cuz wasn’t he just saying f### that man not to long ago now he’s about shuck and jive for him smh🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) January 18, 2025
Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross’ Previous Criticism Of Donald Trump
While Snoop Dogg endorsed Hillary Clinton for the presidency in 2016, branding Black artists who performed at Trump’s inauguration “jigaboos” and “Uncle Toms,” his stance on the President-elect has changed in recent times.
In January 2024, he expressed “nothing but love and respect” for Trump, praising him for pardoning Michael “Harry-O” Harris, co-founder of Death Row Records.
Meanwhile, Rick Ross rapped about the Trump presidency in 2017, saying, “I’m happy that Donald Trump became the president because we have to destroy it to elevate.”
Then in 2024, he criticized the narrative that Trump’s presidency put more money in people’s pockets, calling it “delusional.”
He elaborated during an interview later that year. We will start over after this,” he said. “I think that particular line, a lot of young brothers who haven’t really put a finger on how they feel about our new president, I think they needed to hear that line to get some form of understanding.”
Soulja Boy also took to the stage at the Crypto Ball, despite criticizing Kanye West in 2019 for supporting Donald Trump.
Check out some other reactions to Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy performing at the Donald Trump “Crypto Ball below.
No black people are really embarrassing. you telling Snoop, Nelly, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy all performed for this man? I’m really disgusted. Right before MLK day too.
Snoop Dogg is the longest reigning flip flopper in hip hop history. That man don't stand with nothing and nobody except Calvin Broadus pockets. https://t.co/iCkWhjZvd1
Rick Ross called Drake a white boy all summer & Soulja boy said Drake went out sad yet these bozos on stage shucking & jiving for Trump.#culturepic.twitter.com/5EcR33CjfP
For me, the thing that’s the most disheartening about artist like Rick Ross and Nelly performing at Trump’s inauguration events is not that they decided to do it. They have free will and can express themselves how they want to.
President Joe Biden, who’s set to leave office next week as Donald Trump storms back into the White House, has announced the commutation of nearly 2,500 sentences for individuals convicted of non-violent drug offenses.
With Friday’s (January 17) move, Biden has granted more individual pardons and commutations than any previous president. In a statement, he emphasized that many of the recipients had been serving disproportionately long sentences, far harsher than what they would face under current laws and policies.
The clemency primarily addresses outdated sentencing enhancements and the widely criticized disparity between crack and powder cocaine penalties, reflecting an effort to correct historical injustices in federal drug sentencing.
The unprecedented wave of clemency marks a significant push by Biden’s administration to address systemic inequities in the criminal justice system. Advocates have long criticized the crack-powder cocaine sentencing disparity, which disproportionately impacted communities of color.
Zoë Towns, executive director of FWD.us, praised the move, highlighting how criminal justice reforms often overlook those already harmed by previous laws. Biden also drew attention in December 2024 for commuting the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life without parole and pardoning 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes.
Biden’s actions underscore a commitment to using executive power to rectify past injustices, even as his legacy on criminal justice remains shaped by his controversial 1994 crime bill.
Biden’s clemency efforts have not been without controversy. His decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, who pleaded guilty to tax violations and firearms-related charges, has drawn criticism from some quarters.
Trump, for one, said, “Does the pardon given by Joe To Hunter include the J-6 hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!”
Meanwhile, defense attorneys and civil rights organizations have intensified their advocacy for clemency in cases of excessive or unjust sentencing for non-violent offenses. Historically, presidents have issued clemency actions toward the end of their terms, and Trump has suggested he might do the same, including granting pardons to supporters involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Biden’s clemency decisions stand out as among the most significant in U.S. history, aiming to correct longstanding disparities in the justice system.
