There was speculation that Vultures, the new project by Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign, would drop last Friday (December 15). That date came and went without the album arriving, but a new report claims the duo known as ¥$ have a new date planned.
According toBillboard, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign will let loose Vultures on New Year’s Eve (Sunday, December 31). A spokesperson for West reportedly confirmed that release date with the music publication.
¥$ put out the “Vultures” title track featuring Bump J and Lil Durk last month. The album will likely include appearances by Lil Baby, Offset, Quavo, Playboi Carti, Chris Brown, Future, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Young Thug and more.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz749kaNl5L/?hl=en
However, Nicki Minaj rejected Kanye West’s plea to clear her verse for the “New Body” track. The Pink Friday 2 rapper went on Instagram Live to explain why she will not be part of the Vultures tracklist.
“That train has left the station, OK?” Nicki Minaj said. “No disrespect in any way. I just put out a brand-new album. Now why would I put out a song that has been out for three years? Come on guys.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0xNk3Zr8UV/?hl=en
Vultures will be Kanye West’s first full-length body of work since the Chicago native faced widespread backlash for making anti-Semitic remarks and appearing with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. He previously teamed up with Jay-Z for 2011’s Watch the Throne and Kid Cudi for 2018’s Kids See Ghosts.
Ty Dolla $ign’s discography contains joint efforts with Jeremih for 2018’s MihTy and with Dvsn for 2021’s Cheers to the Best Memories. The Los Angeles-bred singer also linked up with Wiz Khalifa for 2015’s Talk About It in the Morning EP.
Drake upset some people when he decided to use his Her Loss joint project with 21 Savage to seemingly throw a subliminal jab at Megan Thee Stallion. The two rappers’ “Circo Loco” song included a line referencing Tory Lanez shooting Meg.
21 Savage has now addressed the “Circo Loco” controversy involving hismusical partner. In a new interview, the Atlanta-based Hip-Hop star spoke about the song’s polarizing lyrics.
“I don’t feel like that was his intention [to diss Megan],” 21 Savage stated. “Remember when I said I was telling him to not hold back, people tried to twist that to make it seem like I was talking about that situation.”
Savage also added, “That bar was more of, like, a joke bar than him trying to say something about her. But I don’t really like speaking on people’s situations because life be real.”
Drake and 21 Savage’s Her Loss arrived a month before Tory Lanez’s conviction in 2022. “Circo Loco” featured Drake rapping, “This b#### lie about getting shots, but she still a stallion. She don’t even get the joke, but she still smiling.”
21 Savage encouraged Megan Thee Stallion when the shooting became headline news back in 2020. The Grammy winner tweeted, “Wish I could give Megan a hug praying for you.” Drake’s longtime producer, Noah “40” Shebib, also showed support for Meg.
Apparently, fans were not the only ones who took Drake’s “Circo Loco” bar as an unfunny, diss directed at Megan Thee Stallion. She also called out unnamed male rap peers on the same date that Her Loss hit DSPs.
Megan tweeted, “Stop using my shooting for clout b#### ass n#####! Since when [the f###] is it cool to joke [about] women getting shot! You n##### especially RAP N##### ARE LAME! Ready to boycott bout shoes and clothes but dog pile on a Black woman when she [says] one of y’all homeboys abused her.”
Metro Boomin is letting the memes do the talking amid a recent spat with long-time collaborator Drake.
The OVO founder seemingly addressed the producer in a livestream Sunday (December 17), which apparently prompted a hilarious response.
On Monday, Metro Boomin shared a clip featuring a memorable line from a viral 2017 YouTube comedy.
“Whoa! Calm down, Jamal. Don’t pull out the nine,” the character says in the meme. Metro let the meme do all the talking and left his post without a caption.
Meanwhile, Drake also took to social media Monday, urging an unnamed foe to be quiet. He shared lyrics from Views‘ cut “Keep the Family Close,” alongside a trio of shushing face emojis.
On Sunday, Drake sent a message to the “the non-believers, the underachievers, the tweet-and-deleters,” claiming they “make me sick to my stomach.” He stared into the camera, questioning, “You wanna do something?”
The rift arose earlier this month after Metro Boomin shaded Drake in a tweet-and-delete regarding Drake and 21 Savage’s Her Loss album. He responded to a post noting that Metro’s Heroes & Villans is racking in 6 million more daily streams than Her Loss.
“Yet Her Loss keeps winning rap album of the year over H&V. Proof that award shows are just politics and not for me,” he wrote in a now-deleted message.
While he appears to be sending subliminal shots at Drake, Metro Boomin has no such issue with Drizzy’s Her Loss collaborator. He shared a post on his Instagram Story featuring 21 Savage on the cover of Rolling Stone. “Overly proud,” he wrote on the image.
After claiming Black people are Jewish in the shocking “death con 3” post that got him banned from Twitter, Kanye West now believes African Americans are all, in fact, descendants of “Indians,” or rather, Indigenous Americans.
A clip has surfaced from Ye’s unhinged rant over the weekend, where he took aim at various targets, including everybody from JAY-Z and Travis Scott to Donald Trump and Drake.
“Who cares about crazy?” Kanye asked before adding, “and by the way, we’re not Black. How ‘bout that? We’re not Black, n####. We’re Indian, we’re Native American. How many of your grandmothers got Indian in y’all family.”
He then questioned, “But what happened to the Indian? Show me Black on the planet.”
West noticed somebody stopped filming, and he paused his tirade. “Why you stop recording?” he asked as his guest made her excuses. “Nah, ‘cause you think I sound crazy.”
Ye continued, adding, ”We’re not Black. Race was made up.”
The polarizing artist came under fire last week after donning a black KKK-style hood during a listening event for his collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign, Vultures.
Kanye West’s controversial antisemitic and anti-Black statements earned him a social media ban. He also lost lucrative deals and partnerships in the fallout.
“The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also,” Ye wrote alongside the “death con 3” statement that resulted in a Twitter ban in October last year.
Keefe D claims any statements he made about the murder of Tupac Shakur were for “entertainment purposes,” and he never thought he could be prosecuted for them because he believed he had immunity from prosecution.
In September, Keefe D was indicted on a murder charge for his alleged role in Tupac’s death. Last month, he pleaded not guilty to murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang.
According to a new court filing viewed by 8 News Now, attorneys for Keefe D, whose real name is Duane Davis, are seeking his release pending trial. They argue their client is “not a threat to the community,” nor “a flight risk” and ask the judge to release him on his own recognizance with an ankle bracelet.
Keefe D’s lawyers claim jail is affecting his health and asked for bail set at no more than $100,000.
In the new filing, lawyers said prosecutors “did not introduce any independent evidence connecting Duane Davis to the shooting” but relied on statements from Keefe D’s book alongside “an astounding amount of hearsay.”
In addition, lawyers claim: “The book and video interviews were produced for a financial benefit under the belief that Duane had immunity.”
Keefe D’s attorneys further argued: “The truthfulness of the content of the interviews was never verified. The book and interviews were done for entertainment purposes and to make money from a situation that Kading and others had already profited.”
The emerging rap artist Zeddy Will recently made an appearance on the show “On The Radar,” where he performed a series of freestyles over well-known beats. His freestyle to the tune “Cha Cha,” originally by the renowned DJ Casper (RIP), has been the standout of the rhymes he dropped. In the full video, Zeddy showcases his skill in blending humor and creativity in his lyrics.
The performance has attracted significant viewership on various platforms. On YouTube, it has amassed over 273k views and reached the 27th spot on YouTube’s music trend chart. On Instagram, the freestyle caught the attention of a large audience with 1.2 million views on numerous pages. Even famous streamer Kai Cenat recognized recent streams.
Zeddy Will’s recent single, “You,” also topped 1 million views. A remix of “You” recently came out with features by 2Rare, Kenzo B, and DJ Smallz 732.
Blueface has found himself in hot water with the law after inviting a fan onstage to fight Jaidyn Alexis before shoving her down to the ground.
Footage of the incident surfaced online Sunday (December 17) featuring the “Thotiana” hitmaker hosting an event at a club in Salt Lake City, Utah, alongside his on-and-off-again girlfriend, Jaidyn Alexis.
Blueface accuses a concertgoer of throwing ice at Jaidyn Alexis and tells the woman to come up on stage. She seemingly denies being the culprit, but Blueface persists. “You didn’t throw nothing? You’re the only one with a cup of ice,” he said before adding, “Come on up here. Don’t be scared now.”
As the woman steps onstage, Blueface urges the mother of his eldest children, “You know what to do. Yeah, get her,” before pushing the fan toward Alexis.
The woman seemingly falls to the floor, and a scuffle ensues with multiple people as security attempts to intervene. “Let her up here,” he continued to shout into the mic.
Blueface encourages Jaidyn Alexis to fight the woman even after security breaks up the scuffle.
While Blueface faced online backlash once clips surfaced online, he could face further repercussions. The Salt Lake City Police Department is investigating the incident, according to Legal Affairs and Trials reporter Meghann Cunniff. A spokesperson for the SLCPD confirms the department is aware of videos showing an incident involving an “out-of-state musician.”
“The Salt Lake City Police Department is currently reviewing calls for service, any applicable police reports, and the videos posted online to achieve a complete understanding of the incident and the circumstances,” the statement reads in part.
Taking a break from his Soulja Boy beef, Blueface took to social media Monday (December 18) with a warning to leave Jaidyn Alexis alone.
“Don’t play with Jaidyn,” he penned on X. “It’s that simple don’t throw none don’t say none it’s gone go up every time.”
Don’t play with Jaidyn it’s that simple don’t throw none don’t say none it’s gone go up every time 😈
“The Kitchen” tells a poignant tale of resilience, connection, and hope. The Daniel Kaluuya-directed film is set against the grim backdrop of a dystopian London, where the chasm between the rich and the poor has reached breaking point. The narrative unfolds in The Kitchen – a housing community fiercely clinging to the place they cherish as home amidst a city that has forgotten them.
The heart of the story lies with Izi (actor Kane “Kano” Robinson), a solitary individual forced by circumstances to reside in The Kitchen. Struggling to find an escape from the harsh realities of life, Izi’s path intersects with that of Benji, a 12-year-old boy wrestling with the loss of his mother. He yearns for a family. Together, Izi and Benji embark on a journey of survival and companionship, attempting to build a bond in a world conspiring against them.
Check out the trailer and let us know what you think about it.
DIRECTORS: Daniel Kaluuya & Kibwe Tavares
WRITERS: Daniel Kaluuya & Joe Murtagh
PRODUCERS: Daniel Kaluuya & Daniel Emmerson
STARRING: Kane Robinson, Jedaiah Bannerman, Hope Ikpoku Jr, Ian Wright, BackRoad Gee, Cristale, Teija Kabs, Demmy Ladipo
Travis Scott is tentatively scheduling his return to Chicago at the top of 2024, following his recent last-minute Circus Maximus Tour date cancelation in the Windy City.
On the heels of a blown scheduled tour date at Chi-Town’s United Center, Scott remarked on the canceled show via Twitter (X) while providing clarity on what caused the postponement. In the process, La Flame detailed how Chicago is one of his “favorite” places.
“I literally spent 24 hrs on a f###ing runway,” Scott wrote. “Craziest s### ever. To my people in Chicago I was so ready to go crazyyyy. Chicago always been one if my favorite places. Togo ham and been waiting for it the whole tour. I will be back the first couple days of January.”
According to tweet shared by the United Center, the rescheduled date for the show has been tentatively billed for January 3. All “previously purchased tickets” will be “honored for the new date” and more information will reportedly be emailed “to ticketholders directly” once it’s available.
Check out the full post below.
I literally spent 24 hrs on a f###### runway. Craziest s### https://t.co/N2FBZsIv5a my people in Chicago I was so ready to go crazyyyy. Chicago always been one if my favorite places. Togo ham and been waiting for it the whole tour.I will be back the first couple days of January
Fat Joe wasn’t the only rapper willing to admit to telling tall tales in his music. 21 Savage followed Fat Joe’s lead and acknowledged his raps are “fiction as hell” in an interview with Rolling Stone.
“I just think of it in my head,” 21 Savage said. “Some of it be based off of real life, but a lot of it be creative stories.”
21 Savage made it clear he wasn’t confessing to anything in his music at a time when Georgia prosecutors were using lyrics as evidence in Young Thug’s RICO trial. The prosecution’s efforts prompted Fat Joe to speak out during an appearance on CNN.
“I’ve been rapping professionally for 30 years, I’ve lied in almost 95 percent of my songs,” Joe told Gayle King. “I’m being honest—lied. I write like I feel that day. I’m just being creative.”
He continued, “You couldn’t build a jail high enough for the lyrics I’ve said on songs, which are all untrue. What I am is a family man. The person who gives back to my community all the time [and] opens businesses in my community. So, the music would never amount to the actual person Joseph Cartagena.”
Fat Joe condemned prosecutors for trying to present lyrics as fact-based evidence. He believed the prosecution disregarded poetic license in a self-serving way.
“What’s even more horrible is that the district attorneys, they know those lyrics ain’t real,” he said. “They know that’s creativity. But if it helps their case, they’ll use it to put these guys in jail.”
Young Thug is one of six defendants on trial in the YSL RICO case. Prosecutors accuse him of leading a violent street gang responsible for murder and other crimes.
The trial is in recess for the holidays. It is scheduled to resume on January 2, 2024.
Yo, fam, I got some wild news for y’all and it might ruin your day. Jonathan Majors slayed it as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but that is over. We won’t see him as part of the Marvel fam any more. After his trial in NYC, where a jury of six people found him guilty of reckless assault and harassment, Marvel’s cutting ties with the thespian.
Majors was the big bad in phases four to six of the MCU. He first popped up in 2021 in “Loki” season one and kept the vibe going in season two this year. He was also the main villain in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” a movie which raked in over $476 million. He was on a roll – “Creed III” in March pulled in over $275 million. He was friends with Micheal B. Jordan. This over.
He Who Remains was set to be the major villain in MCU’s Phase 5 and 6. They even had “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” lined up for May 1, 2026. There are all kinds of shake-ups in the Marvel world right now. WACK! I want to know what you think about all of this right now?
Before things went south in March with his arrest over the assault on his girl, Grace Jabbari, Jonathan Majors was on track for a killer 2023. He had “Magazine Dreams,” a movie about a troubled amateur bodybuilder. Disney’s Searchlight pulled the plug on the theatrical release. Maybe a streaming service will pick it up.
I don’t know about you guys, but you better be careful about who you lay down witih. And you know what I mean.
6ix9ine’s ex-girlfriend Jade has called out the embattled rapper out amid his ongoing dispute with his estranged partner, Yailin La Más Viral.
Over the weekend, Jade shared a pair of messages on her Instagram Story that seemingly exposed the “FeFe” rapper for an alleged homosexual encounter with a close associate. Among other things, Jade appeared to threaten to share evidence of 6ix9ine’s zesty bedroom behavior as proof of the bold claim against her former partner.
“69 & Akademiks been f###ing for a very long time and that’s the real reason I left him,” Jade wrote in one Story before adding in another, “Don’t make me post this video with me playing with ya a##.”
While it’s unclear what exactly set Jade off, the toxic history of her relationship with 6ix9ine is certainly triggering enough to warrant a rant on social media. Jade was actually arrested in August 2022 on a battery charge related to a domestic violence dispute that occurred in a Miami nightclub where she was accused of hitting the 6ix9ine.
6ix9ine also recently posted videos of Yailin hitting him and kicking a vehicle on IG on December 14. He claims it was necessary to share the evidence of her behavior because Dominican radio host Alofoke tried to accuse him of abusing her.
A New York jury found Jonathan Majors guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment on Monday (December 18). The actor was acquitted of intentional assault in the third degree and aggravated harassment in the second degree.
Jurors deliberated for roughly five hours over three days before reaching a verdict. Jonathan Majors was on trial for assault and harassment charges in connection to a March 2023 incident involving his then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
Last March, Majors called 911 and told police he found Jabarri unconscious at his apartment. Cops arrested the actor after discovering apparent injuries to Jabarri.
Jabbari accused Majors of causing her injuries in an altercation in a car. According to her testimony, the incident stemmed from her seeing a text on his phone that read “Oh how I wish to be kissing you.” She tried to take his phone as their argument became physical. Jabbari testified that Majors grabbed her, twisted her arm behind her back and hit her in the head.
Footage of the incident surfaced online. Surveillance video provided no view of what happened inside the vehicle, but Majors was seen throwing Jabbari back into the car when she tried to get out the door. The defense claimed Majors did so to stop her from running into traffic.
Video showed Majors running away from Jabbari after he picked her up and shoved her in the car. She attempted to chase him. Majors ended up at a hotel. He returned to his apartment hours later and allegedly found Jabbari unconscious. He called 911 to report that Jabbari may have attempted suicide. Jurors heard his 911 call.
The jury determined Majors did not intentionally assault Jabbari but convicted him for reckless assault in the domestic violence case. Majors is scheduled to be sentenced on February 6, 2024. He faces up to a year in jail.
NBA YoungBoy learned the start date for his trial in a federal firearms case. According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, a Louisiana judge sent a notice to counsel informing them of plans to begin the trial in July 2024.
“Trial (jury) in this matter is hereby assigned for Monday, July 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. through Friday, July 25, 2024, in Courtroom 3 before Chief District Judge Shelly D. Dick,” the December 13 notice read. “Pretrial Conference is set for Tuesday, June 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in chambers before Chief District Judge Shelly D. Dick.”
YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, and others were arrested at a music video shoot in his hometown of Baton Rouge in 2020. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm.
The Motown Records is currently on house arrest in Utah. His lawyers have been fighting to make his house arrest less restrictive for months.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h22G384AtLM
Attorneys sought to connect YoungBoy’s case to the infamous arrest of four police officers from Baton Rouge’s since-disbanded Street Crimes unit. The cops were accused of using excessive force on a man in custody and destroying evidence to cover up their misdeeds. YoungBoy’s legal team claimed the victim was detained at the same 2020 video shoot where their client was arrested. They argued for fewer restrictions on YoungBoy, pointing to cracks in the feds’ case based on the Street Crimes unit’s willingness to break the rules.
YoungBoy’s lawyers said his home confinement was affecting his mental health. They wanted him to have more freedom to travel for “employment-related activities” but faced pushback from prosecutors.
“This request does not identify any specific studio in order for the USPO to perform the necessary vetting beforehand,” prosecutors wrote in response. “Where are the studios? Who is allowed there? Will individuals that are not allowed at his home be present at the studios? How many people will be at the studios? Will the defendant’s ‘employment-related’ studio activity be subject to the same time restrictions applicable to his home incarceration? Despite the defendant’s stated purpose of limiting any burden on this Court, it is clear that his request generates more questions than answers for both the USPO and the Court.”
YoungBoy awaits a judge’s ruling on his request to ease the terms of his house arrest.
Blueface said Soulja Boy never showed up to a proposed location for a fight on Sunday night (December 17). The two continually bickered on social media as their beef heated up over the weekend. Blueface filmed himself walking around the streets looking for Soulja on Instagram Live before calling out his foe on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“We all knew he wouldn’t show,” Blueface wrote.“Like I said he never came what type n#### say send the pin…you send the pin…now it’s not on my terms [and] place this man back peddling so bad. I thought you slid thru an I wasn’t there.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4UyZfMiXqQ
Soulja claimed he would not fight on Blueface’s terms. Soulja accused Blueface of orchestrating a setup designed to get the police involved.
“I’m the slapping the s### out u and punching on u on my terms,” Soulja wrote. “B#### who said u run s### and get to pick the time and place don’t worry it’s on the way. Now stop tweeting about me b4 I pop out tonight and we slid thru u wasn’t there prolly had 12 waiting on us. Blue butt wanna play police games say less.”
Blueface fired back, “Soulja boy is a mark scared to pull up to a kids park in the suburbs,” he wrote. “Lmk yo terms an conditions lil bro I show you how it’s pose to go I pull up where ever you feel safe at? Lmk please. less talking more action let’s get this out the way. I already f##### his Bm so if he don’t wanna even the score I just take the W I guess. I’m none like these other n##### Soulja been into it wit I’m still up looking for cuz.”
Soulja’s issues with Blueface were originally based on music, but the beef quickly became personal. Blueface claimed he could beat Soulja in a Verzuz battle in an interview with Funny Marco. Soulja reacted with disbelief and demanded a battle on Friday (December 15). Lines were crossed over the weekend when the two faced off on Instagram Live.
Blueface said he had sex with Soulja’s baby mama the day before her baby shower during their livestreamed confrontation. Threats were made as the rappers argued for more than 40 minutes.
Amp Fiddler, a beloved member of Parliament-Funkadelic and mentor to J Dilla, reportedly died on Sunday (December 17). He was 65. According to a GoFundMe erected in his name last year, Fiddler had been battling an undisclosed illness. The description reads in part, “After many months in the hospital, and now at home recuperating from surgery in August, Amp needs our resources to support his continued healing as he journeys back to the stage.”
Fiddler’s family made the announcement via Instagram, writing, “We face the insurmountable responsibility of sharing the passing of Joseph “Amp” Fiddler. Our beloved “Amp” Fiddler, Detroit’s own world renowned ambassador of funk, soul, & electronic music, keyboardist, producer, Afro-futurist, and guiding force of light for so many, has transitioned at the age of 65. After an extensive and noble battle with cancer, he now gracefully rests in peace and power.
“It would be impossible to encapsulate the gravity of his energy, global impact & contributions. His life’s work, legacy, & most importantly…his LOVE…will far exceed his earthly presence. How blessed are we, to have experienced Amp Fiddler in this lifetime.”
They’re also asking for donations to help with funeral costs. The caption continued, “There was no preparation for the high costs of a funeral, and during this difficult time, we are humbly reaching out to the community for help. Please consider donating if you can, as any amount will truly help. We need to raise $9,000.00 in order to cover the cost of Amp’s memorial service and send him home with the grace and honor he truly deserves.”
Fiddler was a Detroit native and began his music career in the 1970s as a member of the soul/R&B group Enchantment, which eventually led to a gig with George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic. He played with the iconic group for more than 10 years and juggled multiple instruments, primarily the keyboards.
Over the course of his career, Fiddler also worked with Jamiroquai, Prince, Was (Not Was), the Brand New Heavies, Fishbone, Corinne Bailey Rae and Maxwell. He’s credited with introducing J Dilla to the AKAI MPC sampling drum machine and to A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, who then introduced Dilla to the world.
“The first beat he played for me he looped the whole track from cassette player to cassette player,” Fiddler remembered in 2006. “There were a few drops, but for the most part it was pretty damn precise. So I told him he needs to go home and separate all the samples to load into the MPC, and he came back with all the samples separated and mapped out exactly how he wanted it. As time went on, he got better and better. He used to come by the crib to get on the MPC and he would work on it for three or four hours at a time. He used to have a big smile on his face, because he was so excited after finishing a beat.”
Fiddler released numerous solo albums beginning in 1990—from 2004’s Waltz of a Ghetto Fly to his latest, 2018’s The One with Will Sessions.
Amp Fiddler is currently a trending Twitter (X) topic, with scores of Hip-Hop artists coming forward to pay their respects. Questlove wrote, “Rest easy brother Amp. For all those talks during the Pfunk tour. For all the music. Especially of course mentoring the one who mentored us (Dilla)——thank you brother.”
Legendary MC KRS-One of Boogie Down Productions fame shared his dissatisfaction with the way Hip-Hop has been treated by corporate entities, particularly the Grammys, in a recent interview. KRS-One declined an invitation to perform at the Grammys’ tribute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop, a show that climaxed with a performance by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. KRS-One explained his decision in a video on Harold St. Louis’s YouTube channel. Interestingly enough, the original video has been removed from the channel. Regardless, it is everywhere—and the conversation, debate and argument rages on.
KRS-One, more than most, has a deep, profound commitment to Hip-Hop’s core values. In the video, he leans into it stating, “KRS-One is a Hip-Hop extremist. I’m not a violent extremist, no. I’m insane with this culture. I know I must’ve lost my mind in this. I remember Hip-Hop as sacred.” To me, there was nothing else to talk about, because KRS-One is consistent with this mentality.
I recall KRS-One was also invited to perform at Yankee Stadium for a Hip-Hop 50 show by Mass Appeal, and he turned that down too. He eventually performed—but on Fat Joe’s bill. To him, the price of the tickets in particular were an issue. Only Eminem and Jay-Z had previously held concerts at the coveted New York institution. That’s just how historic the event was. I was there, but the next day I was at an event the teacher of Hip-Hop had organized.
Right outside the birthplace of Hip-Hop, KRS-One and his followers held a free concert in the Bronx in front of 1520 Sedgwick Ave. The event was well attended and featured all elements of Hip-Hop, something else he took exception to. Fans enjoyed vendors, mini-murals and performances from the greats of Hip-Hop. I was at both events and loved them equally, for very different reasons.
“We know that Hip-Hop is breaking, MCing, graffiti art, DJing,” he said in the aforementioned interview. “So what is all this other stuff y’all doing? So if you’re going to do a hip-hop 50th anniversary and you’re going to call Hip-Hop to it, you have to have hip-hop there. Hip-hop was not there. Rappers were there.”
And then there are the Grammys. This is where we differ.
Emphasizing his deep commitment to Hip-Hop culture, KRS-One expressed his belief that the Grammys have historically disregarded the genre. This is not wrong. He mentioned he was personally invited by LL Cool J but refused, criticizing the Grammys for only acknowledging Hip-Hop in its 50th year after decades of neglect. He asserted his refusal to participate in an event that, in his view, exploits Hip-Hop culture.
In 1989, Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen led a boycott against the 31st Grammy Awards due to the decision not to broadcast the rap categories. Will Smith (along with DJ Jazzy Jeff), known then as The Fresh Prince, was nominated for “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” but chose not to attend. He compared it to being denied the chance to walk at a graduation despite earning a diploma. The boycott was widely supported, with only J.J. Fad and Kool Moe Dee choosing to go, which was a controversial decision at the time.
The stance taken by artists like KRS-One might have ruffled some feathers and caused embarrassment, but it echoed a sentiment that has been repeatedly expressed since that Grammy Awards. Many people are still unaware of these events. So, the pain is deep and, also nuanced.
MC Sha-Rock was the first familiar face I noticed when I met with KRS-One and his team for a press conference prior to the block party and the Yankee Stadium event. She was sitting there in the rec room where Kool Herc and Cindy Campbell (a mother of Hip-Hop) held that iconic back-to-school party to jump off the culture we love. She got to perform at the Grammys Hip-Hop salute and that was a wonderful thing. In the early 1980s, she helped break down barriers as one of the first rappers to perform on national television with the Funky 4 + 1. I almost always think of her when these Grammy-like mainstream platforms come knocking at Hip-Hop’s door.
Revisiting KRS-One’s actions, it’s not about judging his percieved ego or extreme opinions. He was clear: “I ain’t trying to force my way on nobody.” My intention is to provide context for understanding his decision but also make space for counter points. I joined a Recording Academy as a part of its outreach to bring in more diversity. I think we’ve seen positive strides toward mutual respect. True change comes from taking distinct, meaningful actions. It also means that some of us play inside of the house and also outside of the house, as a figure of speech. Imagine having police officers in our community that care about their constituents and also having activists holding them accountable with their watchful eyes. Working together, we are far more powerful.
I believe I understand how KRS-One feels. I met him in the early ’90s and he continues to be one of my favorite MCs. But, beyond that, he has mentioned my name in a song, allowing me to feel seen in an industry that only seems to cherish the rappers. Hell, when I did rap, I opened for the Teacha. I often feel possessed by Hip-Hop in ways that I don’t see in my friends. That said, we all have a position to play and if we all play ours, the iron will continue to sharpen the iron.
Hip-Hop Forever!
Hip-Hop activist, journalist and historian Davey D wrote a well thought out diatribe in a Facebook comment under one of my posts. I felt like it was worth seeing in fulla nd unedited. Find it below.
I feel what KRS one said was a gross contradiction and a major disrespect to all the legends and incredible artists who were on the stage.. lemme break this down..
First, I have been on countless panels and done lots of interviews where KRS said that we as Hip Hoppas need to ‘take over’ and start running things. He called for us to be in government, to be doctors, lawyers, teachers etc.
I was on a summit type call with more than 100 artists a few months ago where he called on us to start naming cities and streets after Hip Hop.
Also in the past KRS himself has gone to problematic institutions like the UN insisting that they recognize Hip Hop..He has taken over spaces, why couldn’t his peers?? Today we have folks like LL COOL J who has done an incredible job establishing a number of platforms where he has employed pioneers and legendary artists to present their craft and center the culture..
We have Questlove who has also done this but also took the initiative to curate what we saw the other night. I’m sure there were many others who come out of Hip-Hop culture who finally got their foot out in the door and planted seeds and moved the envelope..That’s a good thing
These are folks who in many ways did exactly what KRS has long advocated.. they got a seat at the table and start to make things happen.. so instead of congratulating the attempt and progress that was made he clowns it?? That’s not a good look
Don’t get me wrong, We can all agree that the Grammy’s and the music industry is problematic and not our friend.. the same way we all know FB ain’t our friend, same way we know many institutions we engage including some of the arenas owned by companies like Live Nation where KRS has done shows at are not our friends..We know that but we go to those places and raise the vibration and transform the space.. and make magic, not for the Grammys but for us.. and ideally we do it on their dime. KRS should’ve been a part of that transformation vs clowning the people who put their shoulder to the grind and made it happen.
Cheating has become a major topic in Hip-Hop over the last several weeks. Rubi Rose has now jumped into thehot-button conversation.
“N##### who cheat on their girl deserve to die… I don’t make the rules,” Rubi Rose tweeted on Friday (December 15). That post collected over 30,000 likes and 3 million views on the X platform.
Back in February, Rose was entangled in a cheating scandal involving her ex-boyfriend. The For the Streets mixtape creator accused DDG of sliding in her direct messages. DDG was reportedly bickering with his girlfriend, The Little Mermaid actress Halle Bailey, at the time.
In response to Rubi Rose, DDG dissed the former video model in his “Way Too Petty” single which included him suggesting Rose had sex with men for fame. He also admitted to DMing her. However, DDG eventually reconciled with Halle Bailey.
N##### who cheat on their girl deserve to die… i don’t make the rules
Rubi Rose made a cameo appearance in Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” music video in 2020. The Lexington, Kentucky native also opened her 2020 project, For The Streets, with a track titled “Intro/Cardi B Interlude.”
E-40 is widely considered a Bay Area Hip-Hop legend. He has over two dozen albums in his discography, including 2023’s Rule of Thumb: Rule 1. That project featured guest appearances by other rap stars like YoungBoy Never Broke Again.
“He’s an old soul. He’s been there before. That’s a deep, young man. I always liked him,” E-40 told Billboard about NBA YoungBoy. Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman linked the two rappers together.
The Mount Westmore member also revealed, “Birdman hit me one day and was like, ‘Hey, YoungBoy wants you on one of his songs.’ He sent it to me, we connected, and I knocked out one for his album.”
The California native and the Louisiana native teamed up for the Rule of Thumb: Rule 1 track “Get My Life Right.” E-40 and NBA YoungBoy also collaborated on songs such as “Thug N#### Story” off YB’s 2022 project 3800 Degrees.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again has had to deal with several legal issues throughout his life. For example, the 24-year-old rapper is currently serving home detention in Utah pending a federal criminal firearm case in Louisiana.
Despite his two-year-long house arrest, NBA YoungBoy continued to release bodies of work. He dropped the Decided 2 mixtape on November 10. I Rest My Case, Don’t Try This at Home and Richest Opp also came out earlier this year.
St. Louis honored one of its most accomplished Hip-Hop representatives. Metro Boomin received the Key to the City and two additional proclamations.
December 14 became “Leland Wayne Day” in Missouri’s largest metropolis. Additionally, St. Louis commemorated Metro Boomin’s late mother by also naming the date “Leslie Joanne Single Mothers and Caregivers Appreciation Day.”
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones presented the music producer born Leland Wayne with the honors. His siblings – 27-year-old Leah, 25-year-old Landon, 13-year-old Lauren, and 9-year-old Logan – were also on hand for the ceremony.
Earlier this year, Metro Boomin changed his “Single Moms Are Superheroes” to become the “Leslie Joanne Soirée.”Over 250 single mothers attended that annual holiday event. R&B icon Brandy performed at the function.
Plus, Metro Boomin scored his third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 when 2022’s Heroes & Villainsopened in the top spot. The studio LP picked up a Best Rap Album nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Metro also made it into the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category.
