Cardi B is opening up about her third pregnancy, revealing she and her estranged husband, Offset, were shocked to learn they were expecting as they were on “very bad terms” at the time.
Last week, the former Hip-Hop super couple traded jabs online amid their third shot at a divorce. However, Cardi B was in a more reflective mood during a recent trip to Paris for Fashion Week. She hopped on Instagram Live to tell her fans about the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy.
“This is around the time that I’m promoting, promoting, promoting the f### out of ‘Enough,’” Cardi B explained. “So I’m like, damn, I’m pregnant. But I’m not really thinking much of it. Me and my baby dad, we were on very bad terms. I still called him and we kind of laughed about it because it was like, ‘What the f###? That s### is so random.’”
She also revealed the couple were intimate on Valentine’s Day, and she initially assumed that’s when they conceived. However, she explained they spent a “real nasty night” together on New Year’s Eve and realized that likely when she became pregnant.
Cardi B suspected she was pregnant after experiencing an unusual symptom.
“I woke up one morning, and my mouth tasted like copper,” she added. “It literally tasted like copper. So I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. This only happened to me when I’m pregnant.'”
Cardi went for a sonogram, where she learned she was expecting a girl. She also discovered she was actually 17 weeks pregnant and not six or seven weeks as she thought.
“When I found out it was a girl, I started crying even more,” Cardi explained. “Because y’all know that I love raising girls.”
The battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar not only dominated the conversation for months but also shook things up to the point Hitmaka believes the sparring rivals “really f##### the game up.”
Furthermore, the producer (formerly known as Yung Berg) believes the battle created a void of male rappers, leaving women (and Future) to rise to the top.
Earlier this week, Hitmaka took to his Instagram Story to share his thoughts on the aftermath of Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s rap beef.
“Kendrick & Drake s### really f##### the game up cause now there’s no BAR/STANDARD,” he began. “Don’t nobody got nothing to aim at or copy off of.”
He continued, sharing his opinion on the current state of Hip-Hop.
“Now the hottest rappers in the game are women besides Future,” Hitmaka added. “Ain’t no n#### running home to make a beat or song in competition with a woman [shrug emoji].”
Meanwhile, a rep for Lamar has responded amid a rumor about his upcoming headline slot at the Super Bowl.
During a recent interview, Longtime music manager Wack 100 claimed the OVO boss hit K. Dot with a cease-and-desist over the diss track “Not Like Us” to prevent him from performing it during the primetime slot.
However, after the rumor went viral, sources close to Lamar told Rolling Stone the reports were “not true.” Another source explained that “there was never any intention or plan to send a cease and desist to anyone.”
Snoop Dogg is gearing up to release his upcoming Dr. Dre-produced album Missionary, the first full-length offering the two have crafted since the Doggfather’s debut album, Doggystyle, in 1993.
In an interview with Big Boy of Big Boy’s Neighborhood fame, the iconic West Coast duo reflected on the early days of their career and the origins of one of the hits on Snoop’s debut album, “Gin and Juice.” While they have turned the song into a line of canned cocktails, both were inspired by their studio drinking sessions.
Big Boy pointed out that the cocktail line is the product of “30 years of marketing,” but Snoop and Dre insist they were simply having fun.
“That’s all we was drinking every day in the studio,” Snoop recalled. “This n#### would come in there with a gallon. You know the milk gallons? He’d pour the milk out. Half gin, half orange juice.”
Dr. Dre pointed out they were in their twenties at the time as Snoop explained, “It was our drink, it was some hood s###.”
Despite Dre previously stating he was aiming for a November release, according to a new interview with Forbes, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre are set to drop Missionary in December. The outlet also claimed there is “talk of a tour as early as next year.”
While neither confirmed the release date, Dre can’t wait to unleash the album.
“I feel like this is some of the best music I’ve ever done,” Dr. Dre says. “This is going to give him something new to perform onstage, and that’s what I was thinking about while producing this record.”
Snoop added, “Music is my foundation. That’s the root of who I am, so I can never run away from that. And I feel like one thing about great music and great musicians, they’re timeless.”
Eve has been happily married to her husband, Maximillion Cooper for over 10 years, but it took immense healing for her to overcome the baggage of her previous relationships.
The Ruff Ryders rapper is opening up about her life and career in her new memoirWho’s That Girl? During a recent interview, Eve explained she struggled with trust issues in the early days before developing a healthy relationship with her husband.
“The first few years of our relationship, definitely baggage was there,” she said during a recent episode of the “Pretty Smart” podcast. “We were long-distance for a year. There’d be times where I’d freak out. Like he’d be in London, I’d be in L.A., the time difference is nuts – if he didn’t answer the phone I’d immediately be like ‘Who are you with? What’s going on?’”
However, Cooper would reassure her that she had nothing to be worried about. “He’d be like ‘I am not that person, I’m not gonna lie,’” Eve added. “It took me a few years before I could be like ‘Oh no, I believe him and yes this is such a different situation.’ Thank God.”
According to Eve, Cooper brings balance into her life. “He’s very good at like being two feet on the ground and I live in the clouds,” she added. “What’s nice is knowing that I can truly fully be who I am and not feel crazy for it because in past relationships when I would be emotional, he’d be like ‘What’s wrong with you?’…and I’m like ‘Is something wrong with me?’ So that is a great place to be. We are very honest with who we are with each other and that, I’ve never had that before. I always call it my grown up relationship.”
We have all been there, right❔ Asking ourselves if we are “too much”. @EVE talks about the moment that made it all click for her in her relationship. – Full episode is avaiable now wherever you listen to podcasts. Video is also available on Youtube.
Eve married the British entrepreneur founder of the Gumball 3000 in June 2014 after four years of dating. In a 2020 interview, Eve revealed she initially believed their romance would be short-lived because Maximillion has four children from a previous relationship.
“In the beginning when I first met my husband, then-boyfriend, I was like, ‘This is never gonna last because you got four kids! How’s this gonna work?’ But then I met the kids and honestly was like ‘Wow, kids are amazing’,” she grinned.
Upon coming to college, students enter a whole new world. Everything is new, shiny, and exciting. Sometimes, the need to have fun exceeds their willingness to study, which is when they hire AssignmentGeek to handle their homework. Hip-hop competitions in particular might be distracting. They allow students to showcase their talent and embrace community, creativity, and collaboration.
Hip hop has evolved from its underground roots into a global phenomenon, profoundly influencing music, fashion, and culture. One of the most exciting aspects of this evolution is the emergence of student-run hip-hop competitions, which have become vital platforms for aspiring artists, dancers, and producers.
In this article, we will explore the various forms of hip-hop competitions on college campuses, their impact on student life, and their broader implications for the hip-hop community.
The Rise of Student Hip-Hop Competitions
In recent years, colleges and universities have witnessed a surge in hip-hop competitions ranging from rap battles to dance contests. These events serve as both entertainment and a means for students to express themselves artistically. Several factors have contributed to this rise:
Increased Interest in Hip-Hop Culture: With hip hop becoming a dominant cultural force, more students are engaging with its music, dance, and art forms.
Accessibility of Technology: The evolution of social media and digital platforms has made it easier for students to share their talents and organize events.
Support from Institutions: Many universities recognize the importance of hip hop culture in promoting diversity and creativity, providing resources for competitions.
These competitions are crucial spaces for students to build skills, gain exposure, and network with peers and industry professionals.
Types of Hip-Hop Competitions
Student hip-hop competitions can take various forms, each highlighting different aspects of this culture. Here are some common types:
Rap Battles:
Focus on lyrical creativity and improvisation.
Participants engage in head-to-head competitions, often judged on delivery, wordplay, and stage presence.
Events like “freestyle battles” allow students to showcase their spontaneous creativity.
Dance Competitions:
Celebrate various hip-hop dance styles, including breakdancing, popping, and locking.
Teams or solo dancers perform routines judged on choreography, technique, and creativity.
Events like “dance showcases” provide a platform for students to present their work and gain recognition.
Talent Shows:
Often encompass a range of performances, including rap, dance, spoken word, and beatboxing.
Open to all students, fostering inclusivity and diversity in performance.
These shows can serve as fundraising events for student organizations or local charities.
Production Competitions:
Focus on music production, where students create beats and compositions.
Participants may submit original tracks or compete live, showcasing their skills in beat-making and sound design.
These competitions can also include mentorship opportunities from established producers.
Open Mic Nights:
Provide a less formal setting for students to share their work.
Allow for experimentation and community-building, often attracting a supportive audience.
These events can serve as a springboard for students to gain confidence and refine their craft.
The Impact on Student Life
Hip-hop competitions play a significant role in shaping the student experience, offering numerous benefits that extend beyond the stage. Here are some of the key impacts:
Skill Development: Competitions help students hone their artistic abilities, whether in writing, performance, or production. Participants often receive constructive feedback that boosts their growth.
Community Building: These events create a sense of belonging among participants and audiences alike. Students from diverse backgrounds come together to support each other.
Cultural Expression: Hip-hop competitions allow students to express their identities, experiences, and perspectives. This cultural exchange enriches the campus atmosphere and promotes inclusivity.
Networking Opportunities: Competitions often attract industry professionals, providing students with valuable connections that could lead to internships, collaborations, or career opportunities.
Mental Health Benefits: Engaging in artistic expression can be a powerful outlet for stress relief. For many students, participating in competitions serves as a form of therapy, helping them cope with academic pressures.
Behind the Scenes: Organizing Competitions
Organizing a hip-hop competition requires dedication, teamwork, and careful planning. Student organizations, often passionate about hip-hop culture, typically take the lead. Here are the essential steps involved in organizing such events:
Forming a Committee:
Gather a group of enthusiastic students who are committed to hip hop and event planning.
Assign roles based on individual strengths, such as marketing, logistics, and coordination.
Choosing a Format:
Decide on the type of competition (rap, dance, talent show) based on student interests and available resources.
Consider whether the event will be solo, team-based, or a combination of both.
Securing Venue and Resources:
Identify a suitable venue on campus that can accommodate performers and audiences.
Ensure access to sound equipment, lighting, and any necessary permits.
Promoting the Event:
Utilize social media, flyers, and word-of-mouth to attract participants and audiences.
Create engaging promotional materials that capture the essence of the competition.
Judging and Prizes:
Recruit judges from within the hip-hop community or local industry professionals to ensure credibility.
Decide on prizes for winners, which can range from cash awards to merchandise or opportunities for further exposure.
Notable Student Hip Hop Competitions
Across the US, several universities have established notable hip-hop competitions that highlight the talent and creativity of their students. Here are a few examples:
The College Underground Music Awards: This annual event recognizes emerging talent from colleges across the nation, providing a platform for student artists to showcase their work.
Battle of the Bands: Many campuses host competitions that feature hip hop artists alongside bands from various genres, fostering a spirit of collaboration.
National Hip Hop Dance Championships: Universities often participate in national competitions.
Freestyle Fridays: Regularly held events where students can participate in rap battles.
Challenges and Considerations
While student hip-hop competitions offer numerous benefits, they also presuppose challenges. Here are some common issues organizers and participants may encounter:
Funding: Securing financial support for events can be difficult, as many student organizations operate on tight budgets.
Inclusivity: Ensuring that competitions are accessible and welcoming to all students, regardless of skill level or background, is crucial for fostering a diverse community.
Logistics: Coordinating schedules, equipment, and venue logistics can be complex and require careful planning.
Judging Criteria: Establishing fair and transparent judging criteria is essential to maintain credibility and ensure participants feel valued.
Student hip-hop competitions serve as vital platforms for artistic expression, community building, and cultural engagement. These events foster creativity and collaboration while enriching the campus experience by providing opportunities for students to demonstrate their talents.
John Amos‘ daughter Shannon Amos has revealed she only learned about her father’s death through the media nearly six weeks after his death.
In a statement Tuesday (October 1), the late Good Times actor’s son K.C. Amos issued a statement announcing his father had passed away from natural causes on August 21.
However, Shannon claims she had no idea her father had died until she was media reports. Shortly after the news was revealed, she posted a video of them together on Instagram while expressing her profound grief.
“I am without words,” she began her caption. “Our family has received the heartbreaking news that my Dad, John Allen Amos, Jr., transitioned on August 21st. We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you.”
She continued, “This should be a time of honoring and celebrating his life, yet we are struggling to navigate the wave of emotions and uncertainties surrounding his passing. Still, there is some semblance of peace in knowing my father is finally free.”
Shannon concluded by thanking everyone for their love and support and asking for continued prayers for the family.
Last year, Shannon publicly accused her brother K.C. of elder abuse in a bitter dispute over their father’s care.
Last June, she claimed John Amos was in a Memphis hospital fighting for his life. She also leveled accusations of “elder abuse and financial exploitation,” urging her followers to donate to GoFundMe for her father.
The actor later refuted her claims, denying he was in intensive care or that he was close to death. K.C. Amos was reportedly arrested the following month and charged with making terroristic threats. Shannon told cops she feared for her life after receiving the DMs, which included images of guns.
Wendy Williams has broken her silence following Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arrest, questioning how many more alleged victims will come forward with claims about the incarcerated mogul.
The daytime TV maven has been off the air for several years amid health struggles. She was critical of the Bad Boy Records boss throughout her career and seemingly implied he had her blackballed and fired from her hosting job at New York City’s Hot 97 radio station.
Wendy Williams fans have been calling for her to speak out amid the myriad lawsuits and allegations surrounding Diddy, and she has finally obliged.
Williams, who told the Daily Mail she’s “doing good” amid her health concerns, is horrified by the allegations.
“What is really weird is that I have been told by so many people ‘Wendy you called it,'” she told the outlet.
She also addressed the hotel surveillance footage of Diddy beating Cassie Ventura, expressing relief that the truth has come to light.
“You know how I feel about that? It is about time,” Williams stated. “To see this video on TV of [Cassie] getting pummeled … it was just horrific.”
Williams discussed Diddy’s relationship with Ventura on The Wendy Williams Show after a brief separation in 2015.
“When you date a mogul, it’s really difficult to avoid them,” she said at the time. “He can hire a plane right now … land on the roof of the hotel she’s staying, pay people off at the front desk, ‘Give me a key and let me up in her room.’ I’m already paranoid as a person.”
Wendy Williams Speaks On Diddy And Cassie Ventura’s Split In 2018
Williams discussed Diddy’s relationship with Ventura on The Wendy Williams Show after they split in 2018. Williams initially wanted them to reconcile. However, Diddy’s public attempt to win Cassie back soon changed her mind.
“I suggest don’t use social media though to reach out. I think this was a grand overture from Puffy, I don’t believe he really wants her back,” she said in 2018.
She added, “I believe he probably treated her, at some particular point, like a possession. If you really cared then you’d reach out privately not publicly.”
In her recent interview, Williams was concerned that many more victims could emerge.
“But now you have to think, how many more times?” she added. “How many people? How many more women? It’s just so horrible.”
Amid the calls for her to address Diddy’s legal issues, social media users also shared a clip of Diddy’s appearance on The Wendy Williams Show in 2017. In the awkward exchange, Diddy reveals he met Williams’ son backstage. Check out the throwback video and social media reactions below.
Wendy Williams is trending amid this Diddy and Cassie situation! You had to be alive when radio Wendy was on Diddy for yearssssss! She is an ICON and the world of gossip and daytime hasn’t been the same since she left. #WendyWilliamspic.twitter.com/xyX2A6smK5
Yes, Katt Williams exposed certain people in the industry. However, Wendy Williams also exposed specific industry figures, including Diddy. Diddy reportedly had her fired from her original radio show & blackballed her from the industry.
Wendy Williams been exposing Puff and others regarding their foul play when she was on the radio, he even tried to get Total before they blew up to jump her
Last year, Finesse2Tymes announced he had babies on the way with both of his girlfriends, but it turns out he is not the biological father of one of the children.
The Memphis rapper made headlines last year over his unconventional love life with three girlfriends. He eventually dumped one of the women before confirming his other two girlfriends’ pregnancies.
However, on Tuesday (October 1), Finesse2Tymes was heartbroken to reveal he is not the biological father of Nia Love’s daughter. He posted the results of a paternity test on Instagram and reflected on a lesson learned.
“I can love u so much to the point were I won’t cut u off ,” he captioned the post. “I’ll ask god if this person ain’t right , Remove them from my life , And in mysterious ways things happen and I never question it , Just know this , I ain’t take no L , I learned a Lesson.”
He continued, admitting “I use to treat women real bad,” adding he was “prepared” for it to backfire on him. “Everybody that know me know how much I love my kids , know how much this effected me,” he explained. “But i wish u the best , Just gone kill ya with success , Art of war mind body n soul .”
Last November, weeks before the baby’s birth, Finesse2Tymes announced he was no longer with Love and was committed to his other girlfriend.
“I’m focusing on @fng_shugga only,” he wrote in an Instagram Story post. “I don’t need 2-3 women no more, i got kids, That sht ain’t what’s up, and nah this ain’t about no babymama sht, All my bm’s know I take care mine, here or not.”
Finesse2Tymes’ Mother Arranged Secret Paternity Test
Earlier this month, the rapper’s mother took to social media, claiming she arranged for the paternity test.
“THE RESULTS ARE IN and I’m MAD AS MF,” she wrote. “Why! Just Why You allowed our family to bond with this baby knowing it was a possibility somebody else could be her daddy, @1finesse2tymes I’m sorry to have to be the barrier of bad news but you ARE NOT THE FATHER and I AM NOT THE GRANDMA! Nia you hurt us with this one!! From this day forward EVERYBODY getting DNA tested!! #LIAR.”
50 Cent has made no secret of his disdain for Diddy over the years, and neither have his associates, including Tony Yayo, who blabbed about the G-Unit honcho’s relationship with the incarcerated Bad Boy boss in multiple interviews over the years.
On Tuesday evening (October 2) 50 Cent took to Instagram with a video montage of Tony Yayo interviews. In the clips, taken from multiple interviews, Yayo shares that 50 Cent never had time for Diddy.
He also explains that G-Unit and 50 Cent had “always been hated” due to their various beefs, and so never went to any of the swanky celeb bashes.
“I never been to a P Diddy party or JAY-Z brunch,” Yayo said in one clip. “I know it’s cool to be down with Diddy and JAY-Z. We was down with 50, [he] had beef with everybody.”
50 Captioned the post, “Note to self don’t tell Yayo nothing you don’t want everybody to know.”
In the montage, Tony Yayo mentions Diddy passing on signing 50 Cent because of the “drama” surrounding him.
“We had a meeting with Diddy, it was me and 50 there. He took the meeting out of respect,” Yayo explained in a 2022 interview. “He had deals all over the table. I wasn’t saying he was gonna take the deal, he might have, he might have not. But Diddy didn’t wanna take the deal ’cause of all the drama, but 50 was the hottest n#### on the planet.
According to Yayo, the meeting took place sometime after 50 Cent released his debut single “How to Rob” in 1999. The track sees Fiddy rapping about robbing Diddy, among other threats to fellow rappers.
“This was after ‘How to Rob,’” Yayo added. “Just after he got shot and he had all the mixtapes s### on smash.’”
50 Cent refuses to let his feud with Diddy rest and is addressing his current legal woes in an upcoming Netflix documentary. He recently explained why he believes he’s the best person to produce the doc on his longtime rival, arguing he’s “the only one who has been vocal about this long before” it captured the spotlight. He also claimed he speaks out about the allegations, unlike other celebrities, because he didn’t go to Diddy’s parties.
Tory Lanez has revealed that Trina was financially supporting and housing him during his early career struggles while sharing his come-up story on the 10-year anniversary of his Lost Cause mixtape.
In a lengthy Instagram post he shared on Tuesday (October 1), the incarcerated lyricist opened up about the personal turmoil he endured while creating the project. In addition to sharing that he became homeless while crafting his breakthrough mixtape, he explained how fellow rapper Trina played a pivotal role in his success.
“Ten years ago, I was broke as f##k sleeping in my girlfriend’s car and on my manager’s couch trying to create a sound that was unique to myself,” Tory Lanez wrote in part. “I LITERALLY put my blood, sweat, and tears into this project.”
Lanez, who was just starting out, recounted how his then-girlfriend broke up with him, leaving him without a place to stay. But Trina, known for her generosity and love for up-and-coming talent, stepped in to offer a lifeline.
“I moved in with @trinarockstarr,” he wrote. “I remember showing her the song for ‘Godfather.’ She looked at me and said, ‘That’s the song that’s going to get you a deal.’ She put five bands up and helped me get the video shot.”
Tory Lanez revealed that Trina’s $5,000 investment helped him shoot a video for “Godfather.” Remarkably, the director who worked on that project shot another video for “Henny in Hand” for free. Those visuals were instrumental in catching the attention of major labels.
“Two months later, Interscope watched both videos and couldn’t believe it was the same person on both songs,” he wrote. “That led to me getting signed and the rest was history.”
Tory Lanez credited Lost Cause for being the genesis of his signature “Fargo” sound that led to hits like “Litty Again” and The New Toronto series. To mark the occasion, Lanez excitedly shared that the mixtape would finally be released on digital streaming platforms, along with other classics from his early catalog, now that he’s an independent artist.
Lanez’s career took a dark turn in recent years. Last year, the rapper was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of shooting fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. The high-profile case, which garnered widespread media attention, left a stain on his legacy despite his musical accomplishments. Lanez is currently serving his sentence while continuing to appeal the verdict.
“I’ve never heard anybody say this, bro, but Kevin Hart—he works hard. I work like he works, but to see the grind he puts in and the money he’s earned, people don’t realize all the things he’s juggling,” Banner shared. “He’s on TV, has a family, is on a comedy tour, and has shows like Hart of the City. The way he works and stays in physical shape—that man gets up at 4:00 AM every morning. You’ve got to respect that.”
David Banner’s respect for Kevin Hart’s grind only highlights their shared determination. Banner is also back in the spotlight with a standout role in “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” a show with its high-energy plot and star-studded cast.
“Fight Night” is already generating buzz as one of the most exciting new series of the year. The show, which blends boxing with an elaborate heist, boasts an A-list ensemble cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. With such powerhouse performers on board, fans have enjoyed gripping performances and top-tier entertainment.
David Banner stars as Missouri Slim, a pivotal character who appears in five episodes of the series. Slim is a key player. The show—matched by strong writing and high-caliber production—is already being hailed as one of the year’s best.
What makes “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” truly stand out is the blend of action, drama, and emotional storytelling. The series weaves together the intensity of a Muhammad Ali fight event with the suspense of a high-stakes heist.
Shaboozey has taken a moment to remark on his meteoric rise, and as a result, his supporters have taken the opportunity to troll Morgan Wallen.
On Tuesday (October 1), the “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” artist shared the news that his J-Kwon-sampling hit had become the No. 1 biggest country chart hit of the 2020s decade globally. In doing so, Shaboozey bested previous record holder, “Last Night” by Wallen. In the brief tweet, the Virginia musician both commemorated the moment while also sharing his prediction for the future of his career.
“They’ll make a movie about us one day,” Shaboozey wrote. “Legendary!”
It appears as though Shaboozey may have been somewhat aware of what was on the horizon for him, considering he shared a couple of cryptic tweets hours before he acknowledged the announcement of the news.
“12 weeks,” he wrote. “3 calendar months, beyond grateful!” In another tweet he added, “It’s up and it’s stuck there!”
Fans immediately provided a cushion of tweets supportive of Shaboozey’s milestone, with the majority of the messages taking some sort of swipe at Wallen.
“A Black man surpassing a white man who called us n!ggers to grab the top spot in the genre that white folks have tried to lock us out of for decades is CHEFS F###ING KISS,” a user tweeted in a quoted reply.
“Separately if you willingly are listening to Morgan Wallen after knowing he called Black people n!ggers, you have no business talking to me or any other Black people you know cause wtf is wrong with you,” added a user also remarking on Wallen’s previous racial scandals.
“A n###a with wicks inspired by J Kwon whose God mom is Dolly Parton got the biggest country song ever lol, this crazy,” another user added.
Shaboozey’s track “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” has become a breakout success, garnering significant attention for its unique blend of country and Hip-Hop influences. The song made an impressive debut on the Billboard Hot 100 after peaking within the Top 50.
Shaboozey’s latest achievements arrives amid Beyoncé’s perceived snub across multiple notable country music award shows despite the commercial success of her COWBOY CARTER album that features Shaboozey.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner determined Rich Homie Quan died of an accidental overdose. His cause of death was the combined effects of fentanyl, alprazolam (Xanax), codeine and promethazine, per TMZ.
Rich Homie Quan, whose real name was Dequantes Lamar, passed away on September 5. His girlfriend found him unresponsive in their home in Georgia.
“This has to be the toughest thing I’ve ever endured,” she wrote weeks after his death. “Don’t even know how to gather my words. When I met you I had no idea how our life was gonna change for the good. You got locked up & that time apart brought us closer. Fast forward, on the rise of your career, I knew what I signed up for. No one could tell me anything about you, I wasn’t going for it. Support is an understatement! I’m still gonna go hard for you til this day. Never had anything hit me this close … Feel like someone ripped my heart out of my chest.”
Rich Homie Quan’s family held a public service for him at World Changers Church International on September 17. His father delivered an emotional speech at the funeral.
“I got the confirmation that my son had transitioned,” Corey Lamar said. “Not only my son but my best friend. We didn’t get it right every time, but we gave it the best every time … From the day I met Quan and I held him, my life changed. I knew failure was not an option. But little did Quan know, he pushed me even harder to be a dad, to be a role model and to be an example [of] what a man should be.”
Rich Homie Quan is survived by his five children. A music video for his first posthumous song “Song Cry” dropped on Monday (September 30).
Jermaine Dupri is firing back at clever commentators trolling him over his recent birthday post on Instagram.
The So So Def music mogul didn’t shy away from addressing trolls in an aggressive video he shared defending his decision to showcase himself celebrating in style. For those wondering what caused Dupri to go off, it appears as though multiple Instagram users began blowing up his comments, saying he looked cold and “uncomfortable” after he shared the video of himself smoking a cigar in the pool. Fans flooded the comments with jokes and, in true Dupri fashion, the Atlanta Hip-Hop legend wasted no time retaliating at the haters with a bold response.
“Look at how,” Jermaine Dupri said while modeling himself holding a cigar. “You see how when you got the cigar in your mouth, it makes you hold all this in right here.”
As Dupri began explaining his posture, he made it clear that he’s not phased by the comments and reminded everyone of his roots.
“Now listen, I’m a Hip-Hop n###a,” he said. “I think sometimes y’all n###a be forgetting. Y’all be thinking I’m y’all or I don’t know… I’m them n###as. I’m a Hip-Hop n###a.”
Dupri then defended his laid-back demeanor as a byproduct of his essence as a “Hip-Hop n###a,” so to speak.
“I grew up fresh, fly all that, so when you even say that s##t to me, it just be like this,” he said. “It’s like a n##a blocking, right. When a n###a block, ain’t no arm opening, I ain’t doing all this s##t. That ain’t what that is.”
Dupri, who’s known for his unique style, wasn’t about to let the trolls get the last word and ended up shutting down the criticism with one final retort. “When you smoke a cigarette, you ain’t ever seen n###a do like this,” he remarked, mimicking exaggerated motions before. “So do I look cold now?”
Check out the post above to see both videos of Dupri in addition to the remarks trolls left in droves in the comments section of the post.
Before I even get to typing this out, I gotta admit… this is pure insanity. Katt Williams set the tone for this year, because 2024 has been nothing short of chaos. I mean, what are we going through right now? And if you’ve been checking our news section, you already know we’re bringing the facts as they happen. But let’s be real—there’s an undercurrent of rumor and speculation that we just have to talk about.
So, let’s talk about it. Over and over again, I’m hearing whispers about some BIGGER names than Diddy. But here’s the thing—who the hell are they talking about? I mean, there aren’t many people walking this planet bigger than Diddy! Now, JAY-Z’s name gets thrown in the mix, but I think that’s just Jay hate, plain and simple. Is Jay “bigger” than Diddy? He’s richer than Diddy, but bigger? Let’s not get it twisted: we’re dealing with a whole bunch of civil lawsuits. Not criminal cases, mind you, so the stakes are different. The bar for these cases is way lower, so there’s going to be a TON of pressure for these people to settle up somehow. That is where I think Jay will have some issues.
But what I wanna know is this—are we going to see some other high-profile names not named Sean or Shawn get caught up in this mess? Like, where are the white folks at in this reckoning? Yeah, we saw Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein get dragged, but what about the music industry? You guys are telling me the old Rock-N-Roll have done no wrong? Maybe the groupies back then were more buttoned-up, but I need answers, and I know y’all do too. Who do y’all think is next in line? I’m telling you, we gotta think bigger than Diddy on this one.
So here’s where it gets real—let’s#### y’all with some straight-up facts, per the lawyer:
Diddy’s got over 3,285 alleged victims, according to the lawyer man Anthony Glenn Buzbee. Out of those, 120 people have come forward with lawsuits. And out of that 120, 25 were minors, with the youngest being just 9 years old. Let that sink in for a second. The breakdown? 60 men and 60 women, and 67% of those victims were Black, while the rest were white, Hispanic, or Asian. Another thing: they say they have collected pictures, video, texts,” which would expose, “Many powerful people … many dirty secrets.” But, I wonder what in there is proof of wrong doing?
Buzbee hit the stage this morning with some serious fire and he wasn’t shy either. We’re talking banking institutions, and corporations—dirty secrets coming to light. It’s about to get wild out here.
So, for real, who do you think is gonna get caught up in this storm? Let’s talk.
YG was arrested in Burbank, California on Tuesday morning (October 1) per TMZ. The “FDT (F### Donald Trump)” rapper was taken into custody on a misdemeanor DUI charge after law enforcement found his car parked on a curb. A photo of the stop shows YG sitting on the ground with his head resting on his arms as a police officer talks to him.
It has yet to be determined if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Sources said he didn’t take a breathalyzer test but submitted to a blood sample. YG’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, is still collecting information on the arrest but is primarily focused on his client’s “health and wellbeing.”
YG has faced legal troubles before. In 2020, he was arrested on suspicion of robbery as part of an ongoing investigation.
“This arrest is one that caught YG completely off guard because there is no truth to them,” Tacopina said at the time. “YG has no idea what investigators are talking about and we have not been provided with any details … we are learning about this case through the media.”
In July 2019, a person driving a Cadillac Escalade registered to YG led police on a high-speed chase through Los Angeles. The suspect shot up a police vehicle and killed an innocent 65-year-old man who happened to be riding his bike. Later that month, police raided YG’s house in search of evidence linked to the murder. YG maintained he had nothing to do with the shootout.
YG first rose to prominence in 2010 with his debut single, “Toot It and Boot It” featuring Ty Dolla $ign. His debut studio album, 2014’s My Krazy Life, was praised for its production and storytelling, and drew comparisons to classic West Coast albums. The album included hit singles like “My N####” featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan and “Who Do You Love?” featuring Drake.
YG is also known for his collaborations with other West Coast artists, including the late Nipsey Hussle and DJ Mustard. Apart from his music, YG has been vocal about social and political issues, particularly with the aforementioned single “FDT” single featuring Nipsey Hussle.
An inmate search of both the Los Angeles County Jail and Burbank City Jail came up empty handed, so it’s possible he’s already out. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
Lauryn Hill has responded to the lawsuit fellow Fugee Pras filed Tuesday (October 1) in the Southern District of New York. The full list of claims include fraud, fraud in the inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, accounting and refusal to permit an audit of the Fugees’ tour.
In a lengthy statement sent to AllHipHop and later posted to Instagram, Hill called Pras’ lawsuit “baseless” and insisted it’s “full of false claims and unwarranted attacks.” Hill also said she was only trying to help Pras pay his mounting legal fees stemming from his ongoing federal corruption case. As she explained, “I’ve been silent and pushing through because I understood that Pras was under duress because of his legal battles and that this was perhaps affecting his judgment, state of mind and character.”
Hill said the lawsuit “notably omits” that Pras was advanced “overpayment for the last tour” and has failed to repay “substantial loans” extended by Hill “as an act of goodwill.”
She continued, “Last year’s tour was put together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It was being planned whether the Fugees were involved or not. The tour was expanded to incorporate the Fugees because I found out that Pras was in trouble and would need money to aid his legal defense.”
Hill revealed Pras was given a $3 million advance for the tour and that both she and Wyclef Jean deferred their full advances to ensure he could cover the fees.
“I covered most of the tour expenses, as the majority of the tour advance had gone to Pras,” she added. “An agreement was put in place to secure the repayment of the money he was advanced. Pras has not paid back the money he was advanced, and is currently in breach of this agreement.”
Hill also alleged Pras basically just had to show up and perform; nothing else was required of him.
“As of the last tour Pras thanked me for ‘saving his life’. (I have the receipts.),” she said. “I am not in the business of kicking anyone, especially when they’re down, which is why I haven’t responded to date. It is absolutely disheartening to see Pras in this position, my band mate and someone I considered a friend.”
Hill recognized she wasn’t in Pras’ life when he found himself in trouble but decided to help him anyway. She concluded, “Despite his attacks, I am still compassionate and hope things work out for him.”
Pras’ lawsuit alleges that Hill “grossly mismanaged” the setup, marketing and budgeting of the Fugees 2023 tour and called it a “veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself.” He also accused Hill of secretly siphoning money from the tour guarantees. It also paints Hill as “narcissistic” and alleges that she turned down a $5 million offer for the Fugees to perform at Coachella because No Doubt would get top billing.
“Hill’s arrogance was again demonstrated when she unilaterally rejected a $5 Million offer [to play Coachella],” it reads. “The reason was that her ego was bruised since the group No Doubt would be receiving top billing over the Fugees the night of their show. Hill never told Pras about the offer or that she had was rejected it. Pras only learned about it when it was too late, after Hill, in an astonishing display of hubris, asked Pras if he would agree to perform a few Fugees songs for free as the opening act for her son, ‘YG’ Marley, who was slated to perform at the same Coachella festival.”
Hill’s attorney, Howard King, tells AllHipHop, “This desperate and unfortunate lawsuit brought by Pras Michel is packed with lies and intentionally disparaging remarks. It is particularly disappointing that the suit fails to reveal that Pras was grossly over advanced for the last tour to help him pay his mounting legal bills. His failure to show appreciation for the financial help Ms. Hill has afforded him in his time of need is disappointing. This action will be aggressively defended and defeated.”
Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans appeared to walk out of an interview with reporters during the NBA’s preseason media day event after a conversation about music turned from a gingerly exchange into a brief interrogation.
The Pelicans star found himself enthralled into a touchy conversation after a reporter questioned his music choices for the off-season. He appeared to initially show his love of Hip-Hop by citing a diverse range of rappers spanning multiple decades after he was asked about the artists who soundtracked his summer workouts as he prepared for the upcoming season. To start, Williamson rattled off names such as The Notorious B.I.G., Curren$y and Larry June.
“Notorious B.I.G. [Ready to Die], that’s always in the mix,” Zion Williamson said. “[Illmatic] by Nas, gotta throw Larry June up there. A lot of Curren$y.”
Williamson continued, “Especially when I started training seriously, I feel like Curren$y was heavy in the mix.”
The conversation seemed to be going smoothly until the reporter threw in a curveball, asking why Kendrick Lamar didn’t make the cut.
“Geez, Christ,” he exclaimed in response. “What makes you—wait, before we go to the first part of the question, what made you ask that second question?” Williamson shot back, visibly taken aback by the unexpected jab. The reporter, trying to make his point, mentioned that he thought Kendrick Lamar had some “good songs” that would’ve been perfect for his gym playlist, specifically citing “euphoria” and “Not Like Us.”
In response, Williamson wasn’t having it turned the conversation on the reporter with loaded rhetorical questions as the back-and-forth grew a little more heated.
“Man, I hear you. You entitled to your opinion. I’m entitled to mine,” Williamson aid, standing his ground. “But saying that, come on, it’s Kendrick Lamar. I really gotta sit up here and talk about how good of an artist he is?”
After providing his response, Williamson was seemingly fed up behind the dust-up and walked out of the interview without warning.
Though the interaction was brief, it highlighted how much scrutiny athletes face, even when it comes to something as personal as their music choices. Former Bulls bucket-getter DeMar DeRozan, who was recently traded to the Sacramento Kings, faced major criticism earlier this summer after appearing in the video for “Not Like Us” alongside Kendrick Lamar.
In a new interview with The Sacramento Bee, DeRozan explained that Kendrick is “basically family” and says they would do anything for each other. “When he did the song, he asked me to be a part of it,” he added. “Whatever it is he’s doing, I’m going to be a part of it without a thought. That’s kind of always been our relationship.”
However, DeRozan insisted his ties to Kendrick Lamar don’t affect his relationship with Drake.
“Drake’s still my man, still my man, none of it changed,” DeRozan said. “It’s so easy to get overlooked and look at it for what it looks like, but at the end of the day it’s music, entertainment. Two of the biggest rappers in the world went at it from a competitive standpoint and they battled it out.”
Check out the post above to see clips from Zion Williamson’s interviews.
Beloved actor John Amos has died. In a statement posted Tuesday (October 1), his family revealed he passed away from natural causes on August 21. He was 84.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” his son K.C. Amos said in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father.
“He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor. My father loved working as an actor throughout his entire life…. most recently in ‘Suits LA’ playing himself and our documentary about his life journey as an actor, ‘America’s Dad.’ He was my dad, my best friend, and my hero. Thank you for your prayers and support at this time.”
Amos was best known for his roles in Coming to America, Good Times and Roots. He played Cleo McDowell in Coming to America and its sequel. He starred as James Evans Jr. in Good Times and the adult version of Kunta Kinte in Roots. Amos scored an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Kunta Kinte.
“I knew that it was a life-changing role for me, as an actor and just from a humanistic standpoint,” he told TIME magazine. “It was the culmination of all of the misconceptions and stereotypical roles that I had lived and seen being offered to me. It was like a reward for having suffered those indignities.”
Amos’ other notable roles included Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on The West Wing and Major Grant in Die Hard 2. He was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2019.
Pras Michel sued fellow Fugees member Lauryn Hill for fraud and breach of contract, among other claims, in New York on Tuesday (October 1). According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, Michel claimed Hill exploited him when she arranged a Fugees reunion tour in 2023.
“Michel was forced to accept onerous terms he would have normally rejected in the years before his criminal conviction (as he did in 2021), including ceding control of the Fugees tour to Hill and MLH [Touring], and agreeing to license the ‘Fugees’ trademark to MLH for live shows for years to come with or without Michel,” his attorneys contended.
The lawsuit accused Hill of taking advantage of Michel because she knew he was desperate for money. Michel needed to “pay expensive white collar crime lawyers to file post-trial motions” following his conviction in a foreign influence campaign case.
“Hill’s ploy to be appear to be Michel’s supposed savior was actually a devious attempt to make a big score for herself by generating millions of dollars from a Fugees tour, all of which flowed to MLH,” his lawyers argued. “Even though she disingenuously billed the tour as a Lauryn Hill Miseducation tour, she knew that the kind of success she craved would only be possible if it were also billed as a Fugees tour.”
They continued, “To succeed with her scheme, Hill required that she and MLH have complete control over the business aspects of the tour, which allowed her to have a total lack of transparency over the tour’s management, including the handling of money. In the process, it did not matter to Hill if she took full advantage of Michel’s vulnerability – her friend and creative partner of over 30 years. In fact, she counted on exploiting that vulnerability to carry out her scheme.”
Hill abruptly canceled the 2023 tour. Michel blamed Hill for hampering ticket sales for their 2024 tour, which led to its cancellation. He also said Hill refused a $5 million offer to perform with the Fugees at Coachella due to her “arrogance.”
“She unilaterally rejected a $5 Million offer for the Fugees to perform at the Coachella festival,” Michel’s lawyers wrote. “Upon information and belief, the reason was her ego was bruised since the group No Doubt would be receiving top billing over the Fugees. Hill never told Michel about the offer or that she had rejected it. Michel only learned about it when it was too late, after Hill, in an astonishing display of hubris, asked Michel if he would agree to perform a few Fugees songs for free as the opening act for her son, ‘YG’ Marley, who was slated to perform at the same Coachella festival.”
Michel awaits sentencing for conspiracy, concealment of material facts, making false entries in records, witness tampering and serving as an unregistered agent of a foreign power. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
