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Sexyy Red Reveals She’s Pregnant With Help From SZA: “Team Boy Or Team Girl?”

Sexyy Red appears to have confirmed she’s expecting a child. On Saturday (October 14), the “Pound Town” rapper shared several photos to her Instagram account that show her cradling her growing belly. In one of the photos, SZA is down on one knee holding Sexyy Red’s arm and placing her other hand below her stomach.

Red wrote in the comment section, “Team boy or team girl @SZA.”  In a follow-up post, Sexyy Red shows herself gorging on some food with the caption, “Fat Ma.”

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A post shared by SEXYY RED (@sexyyred)

Sexyy Red has had a tumultuous month. Just last week, social media exploded after sexually explicit footage of Sexyy Red showed up on her Instagram Story. In the clip, the St. Louis native is seen engaging in intercourse, and people began to question if she leaked it on purpose. She later addressed the uproar on Twitter, saying, “I’m so heartbroken anybody that [knows] me knows I wouldn’t do no goofy [s###] like that.”

Days before that, a clip of Sexyy Red endorsing Republican politician Donald Trump went viral as well. As she told the This Past Weekend podcast, “I like Trump. Yeah, they support him in the hood. At first I don’t think people was f###### with him. They thought he was racist, saying little s### against women. But once he started getting Black people out of jail and giving people that free money. Awe, baby, we love Trump. We need him back in office. We need him back, because, baby, them checks. Ooh yes, them stimulus checks. Trump, we miss you. I love Trump, he funny to me. I used to watch him talking to people. He used to be calling people fat. He just bold. He funny. We need people like him.”

After the sex tape started making the rounds, some people thought it was a tactic to distract the public from her comments Trump. Others thought the tape surfacing was the result of revenge p###.Whatever the case, Sexyy Red now has something else to worry about.

Kanye West’s New Wife Is Now “A Very Different Lady” Psychic Says—But Not In A Good Way

A celebrity psychic claims Kanye West‘s new wife, Bianca Censori, is a “very different lady” after marrying the eccentric artist. Speaking to The Mirror, Inbaal Honigman, who’s also a body language expert, says Censori was “secure and happy” but now appears “tense and cautious.” West married Censori in December 2022, just a few weeks after his divorce from Kim Kardashian was finalized. Prior to their marriage, Censori sported long, brunette hair and didn’t wear the skimpy outfits she’s been criticized for donning in Italy.

These days, Censori wears her hair super short and blonde. Honigman analyzed several photos of her before and after marrying West and said her body language before she met West presented “a girl who is confident, happy with herself, secure and capable.”

She continued, “In pre-Kanye photos, we see Bianca standing tall to her full height, back straight, neck long and shoulders square. All those little elements gave her the image of a lady in charge of her own life, a decision maker. A frequent displayer of cleavage, the Australian architect gave the impression of being proud of her body, and proud of who she is. Recent photos of Bianca with her new husband show a very different lady. Often we now see her with her head slightly lowered, appearing cautious. Her neck bent forward a bit, and her shoulders raised, which shows tension.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtPhc_WoBF1/?hl=en

Honigman also noticed her eyes were in several photos, which “show that she’s questioning herself,” while her facial expressions “resemble a rabbit caught in the headlights, looking tentatively over her shoulder.” She concluded, Censori is “stressed.” Honigman also said Censori’s snaps from Italy, where she’s seen clutching a pillow are “very telling”.

“Instead of holding the cushion lightly, she clutches her fists in front of it in a tense, literally white-knuckle display,” she explained. “This shows that she’s anxious in that situation, and the frequency with which we now observe those signs, it would be fair to assume that she’s suffering with persistent anxiety due to living under stressful circumstances.”

In all fairness, Censori went from being a relatively unknown model to marrying one of the most famous rappers in the world in a matter of months. Coupled with his connections to the Kardashian family, West is constantly in the crosshairs of the paparazzi, meaning so is she. It’s possible she’s simply having a tough time adjusting to that level of celebrity.

Find a photo of Censori pre-Kanye West below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnW4Q9bo17v/?hl=en

Drake’s Losing Streak Ends After He Wins $1.35 Million Betting On Logan Paul

Drake‘s losing streak may have come to an end on Saturday (October 14) when Logan Paul defeated Dillon Danis via disqualification in the sixth and final round of their exhibition boxing match in Manchester, England. Drake revealed via Instagram earlier this week that he placed $850,000 on Logan, which amounts to a $1.35 million payout.

The fight between Paul and Denis was the co-feature to a pro bout between KSI and Tommy Fury, the half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Danis, a jiu-jitsu champion and training partner of Conor McGregor, was deducted one point for an attempted takedown of Paul in Round 6. Danis attempted a second takedown in the waning seconds, which prompted Paul to throw a hammer fist.

Security quickly filled the ring, and the fight was stopped as officials attempted to restore order. Paul’s lone professional boxing match was a loss to KSI. Paul also participated in an exhibition with Floyd Mayweather in 2021.

“Dillon Danis truly is a coward,” Paul said. ” … I forgave Dillon before this fight started. It was the only way to attack this fight without emotion. … But he was calling himself a real fighter? … Conor McGregor, you see that?”

Drake’s betting habits have been well documented. The OVO Sound boss has been working with betting app Stake for roughly two years. He’s rumored to have lost more than $4 million in bets in 2022. Some athletes actually consider him bad luck. Earlier this year, Drake put $400,000 on Logan’s brother Jake to beat Tommy Fury before the Mancunian triumphed on points.

“F###, this is Drake’s fault!” Jake Paul joked in his post-match press conference after discovering Drake’s huge bet. “Drake, bro, why did you do this to me?”

Drake Knows “Recovering Aubrey’s Angel” Who Disowned Him On “The Breakfast Club”

Drake’s mysterious beef with Bobbi Althoff is going to have to take a back seat to his latest quarrel with journalist Sowmya Krishnamurthy. Krishnamurthy recently appeared on The Breakfast Club to promote her new book, Fashion Killa, and in the process, discussed her stint at the head of a 2010s-era Drake fan club entitled “Aubrey’s Angles.”

While Krishnamurthy said she was a fan of early Drizzy, she confessed she’s grown to dislike the music the 6 God has been releasing. “He lost me somewhere, after Views—it’s almost like that friend from high school that we don’t have anything in common in anymore and I kind of don’t want to hang out with them so I’ll see you on social media but let’s never speak again,” Krishnamurthy said of her current sentiments toward Drake.

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A post shared by The Breakfast Club (@breakfastclubam)

Well, apparently, that didn’t sit well with Drake, who wrote, “Was this interview already on the schedule, who is this,” in the comments section of an Instagram post with the clip. However, Drizzy and Krishnamurthy apparently have history and the author didn’t let the “8AM In Charlotte” rapper off that easily in her Twitter reply to his comments.

“Hey @Drake you probably forgot I interviewed you for @VibeMagazine in 2009 and covered OVO Fest for @RollingStone,” she wrote in part. “It’s been a long time since you’ve talked to a real journalist but when you’re ready, let me know. Have Oliver hit me.”

https://twitter.com/aleishanokeyz/status/1712905869514477844

Maybe this does prove that both Jemele Hill and Elliott Wilson were right and that Drake needs to check in with some real-deal Hip-Hop journalists.

Lauryn Hill Captivated By Indigenous Performers While Touring In New Zealand

Lauryn Hill showed her appreciation for New Zealand culture by pulling over her shuttle car to watch some local dancers. The Fugees MC was in town headlining Eden Festival Auckland on Saturday (October 7) when she saw the Kaihaka Kapa Haka group dancing a traditional dance on the streets. The Grammy Award-winner stopped everything to just watch them do their thing.

The group danced and chanted as they represented their ancestors as Hill watched from her side door. They posted the experience online with the caption, “Kaihaka Kapa Haka perform the Tū Tangata haka for Ms. Hill while exiting the venue. The haka was written by our rangatira Eru Wilton and speaks of rising up and overcoming all that tries to keep us down. overcoming dysfunctions and the negative effects of colonisation. To be the best version of ourselves whom God created us to be. Transforming our families from dysfunctional to functional again. @Ms. Lauryn Hill”

@kaihaka

Kaihaka Kapa Haka perform the Tū Tangata haka for Ms. Hill while exiting the venue. The haka was written by our rangatira Eru Wilton and speaks of rising up and overcoming all that tries to keep us down. overcoming dysfunctions and the negative effects of colonisation. To be the best version of ourselves whom God created us to be. Transforming our families from dysfunctional to functional again. @Ms. Lauryn Hill #haka #māori #kaihakakapahaka #indigenous #emancipation #freedom #tūtangata

♬ original sound – Kaihaka Kapa Haka

Haka went on to share a few other videos showing Hill not only sharing her spirit but also allowing others to connect with her family. The group posted for a picture and tried to get Ms. Hill, Joshua Marley and Selah Marley to dance with them. The videos captured the “X-Factor” singer in a relaxed space and with a smile.

@kaihaka

Kaihaka Kapa Haka had the pleasure of welcoming Ms Lauryn Hill and her daughter Selah Marley and son Joshua Marley to Aotearoa (New Zealand) with a customary Māori welcome, a Pōwhiri when they arrived. Our rangatira Eru Wilton taught them the Māori Pūkana after the Pōwhiri. More footage to follow… #mslaurynhill #kaihakakapahaka #māori #pūkana #pōwhiri #haka #keepyourculture

♬ original sound – Kaihaka Kapa Haka

Hill just celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which garnered five Grammy Awards, notably Album of the Year. The New Jersey native is launching a tour to commemorate everything.

“I was confident that what inspired me would resonate with an audience that had been led to believe that songs of that kind could only live in the past,” Hill shared in a statement about her first debut project. “I felt a charge to challenge the idea that certain kinds of expression and/or certain kinds of people didn’t belong in certain places. I loved showing what could work or happen provided there was imagination, creativity, and LOVE leading the way.”

Tickets are on sale now.

@kaihaka

Kaihaka Kapa had the pleasure of welcoming Ms Lauryn Hill and her daughter Selah and son Joshua Marley (grandchildren of Bob Marley) to Aotearoa (New Zealand) with a customary Māori welcome a pōwhiri. This is a snippet of our rangatira Eru Wilton greeting them and sharing some of our Māori humour. More to follow… #mslaurynhill #maori #kaihakakapahaka #haka #culture #aotearoa #powhiri

♬ To Zion (feat. Carlos Santana) – Lauryn Hill
@kaihaka

Ms Lauryn Hill wanted to share some time with Kaihaka Kapa Haka after her concert. So our rangatira Eru Rarere-Wilton shared the pükana with her and YG Marley again. Thank you Ms. Hill it has been our privilege. Toru, Wha, Pūkana! #mslaurynhill #ygmarley #kaihakakapahaka #haka #pūkana #māori #fyp #emancipation

♬ original sound – Kaihaka Kapa Haka

EXCLUSIVE: Mobb Deep, Prodigy’s Estate & Supreme Sued Over 35-Year-Old Logo

Mobb Deep and the Estate of Albert Jackson Johnson (Prodigy) are named in a new lawsuit alleging trademark infringement. According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop.com, plaintiff Bush Baby Zamagate, Inc. is accusing the Hip-Hop group of stealing the label’s logo and unlawfully using it for the past 35 years. Other co-defendants named in the suit are the clothing brand Supreme and KMI.

The company alleges “improper and illegal use of a nearly identical logo mark to Plaintiff’s inherently distinctive, incontestable, and famous logo.” The docs explain, “Defendants’ adoption and use of their knockoff logo over thirty-five years after Plaintiff commenced use, after Plaintiff’s repeated prior objections, and in the face of Plaintiff’s incontestable federal trademark registration is not just reckless and inexplicable – it is willful infringement and unfair competition.

“Specifically, Plaintiff has used its logo since at least as early as 1987 in connection with musical recording goods, live musical performances, and related goods and services, including clothing goods such as shirts and hats. In June 2023, Supreme, a clothing and skateboarding lifestyle brand, as part of a collaboration with Mobb Deep, began using its logo on clothing goods, including t-shirts and hats. The similarities between the two marks, particularly when used on clothing, have confused and are confusing.”

Bush Baby Zamagate, Inc. says it has asked Mobb Deep to refrain from using the logo as far back as 2003, possibly even earlier. Consequently, “Plaintiff brings this action for trademark infringement, unfair competition and other relief arising under the trademark laws of the United States, specifically 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq. (hereinafter the ‘Lanham Act’) and the laws of the State of New York.”

The company also alleges Supreme is selling items using their logo without permission. As the docs state:  “The Infringing Mark is displayed on clothing goods, including, but not limited to, shirts and hats, sold by Supreme. Upon information and belief, Defendants are also selling merchandise bearing the Infringing Mark via third party retailers, including numerous third party retailers that are affiliated with, authorized by, or controlled by Supreme.”

Consequently, Bush Baby Zamagate, Inc.—who believes Mobb Deep “knowingly” performed with the intent and result of injuring the company—wants all parties to be permanently banned from using the infringing mark, compensatory damages, all of the plaintiff’s gains, profits and advantages derived from the alleged unlawful activities and for them to destroy any ephemera using the logo. The company is also asking for legal fees, among other demands.

Prodigy died in June 2017 following a Las Vegas stop on the Art of Rap Tour. He was 42 years old.

Will Kanye West’s Antisemitic Comments Make It Harder To Find Distributor For New Album?

Kanye West was apparently planning to release his new collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign on Friday (October 13) but decided to pull back amid trouble landing on a distributor. According to a report from Billboard, West is currently fielding offers from five different companies but several others have declined to work with him, citing his past anti-Semitic comments. A source, however, said he will “make a decision soon.”

A trusted few who’ve heard the album reportedly think it’s West’s best work since 2018’s Ye. Still, as the situation in Israel intensifies, company executives are hesitant to work with an artist who once said he “loves Hitler.” Taken out of context or not, West’s comments—and there were many of them—were hurtful to the Jewish community and cost him a lot of business.

West and Ty Dolla $ign have collaborated before. In 2020, they joined forces for a single called “Ego Death” featuring FKA Twigs and Skrillex. It served as the lead single for Ty’s 2020 album, Featuring Ty Dolla Sign.

Kanye West has been steadily working on his new album. In August, Chicago producer Orlando “Fya Man” Wilder, who worked with West on DONDA, held an AMA on Reddit where revealed some details about the project. Wilder described the music West was working on as “Old Ye but new with the times.”

He also confirmed West was working on the album at his birthday party in June, saying, “Music was worked on heavily, and the party was amazing.” Last month, West previewed a new song at the Mowalola SS24 fashion show in London. Just days ago, West held a small listening party in Italy and previewed new tracks from the album.

Questlove Tapped As Executive Producer For Grammy’s Upcoming Hip-Hop 50 Special

Questlove curated the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop special for the Grammy Awards in February and now, the Roots founding member will be at the helm of a much larger celebration later on in the year.

CBS and the Recording Academy have announced “A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop,” a live concert special honoring Hip-Hop on a full-blown scale airing Sunday (December 10) on CBS.

The show, which will be filmed on November 8 at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, will include Black Thought, Bun B, Common, De La Soul, Jermaine Dupri, J.J. Fad, the Lady Of Rage, LL Cool J, MC Sha-Rock, Monie Love, the Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, Questlove, Rakim, Remy Ma, Uncle Luke and Yo-Yo.  Additional acts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Questlove isn’t the only executive producer for this event. He’s joined by Jesse Collins, Shawn Gee, Dionne Harmon, Claudine Joseph, LL COOL J, Fatima Robinson and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXsqCrHSKvU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB23FDDcB7w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-H99Ko-ddQ

As previously reported, the 15-minute set medley in February featured LL COOL J, Missy Elliott, Public Enemy, Rakim, Queen Latifah, Lil Wayne, Grandmaster Flash, Black Thought, Jazzy Jeff, Busta Rhymes and more.

Many viewers said not only was it the highlight of the award ceremony, but that it was also way too short. The upcoming production promises to be bigger and better, or deffer, if you will.

The Isley Brothers Send Message Of Love Following Founder Rudolph Isley’s Death

The Isley Brothers members Ron and Ernie Isley have paid tribute to their sibling and former bandmate Rudolph Isley, who died at the age of 84 on Wednesday (October 11).

“Heaven has gained another angel,” a statement posted on Facebook read. “Our hearts are heavy as we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Rudolph Isley. As we navigate through this deep sorrow, we kindly ask for understanding and respect for our family’s privacy during this challenging time. Remember to hold your loved ones close. We will miss our brother but we know he’s in a better place. Forever in our hearts.”

They did not reveal his cause of death. However, according to reports passed away following a heart attack.

Rudolph, Ron, fellow sibling O’Kelly, and another brother, Vernon, began performing together in the mid-1950s.

After Vernon’s death aged just 13 in a car accident, they disbanded. But regrouped and rose to fame at the end of the decade following the success of their track “Shout” – later a hit in the U.K. for “Lulu.”

Their popularity continued throughout the 1960s, during which a young Jimi Hendrix played as their guitarist, and 1970s.

Rudolph largely sang harmonies with the band but took the lead on tracks including “I’ve Got to Get Myself Together” and “It’s a Disco Night (Rock Don’t Stop),” as well as co-writing songs such as “Harvest For The World,” “Fight The Power” and “Shout.”

After O’Kelly died of a heart attack in 1986, Rudolph left the group to become a Christian minister.

In 1991 Ron, Ernie, and another brother, Marvin, revived the band, and they continued performing as a duo after Marvin was forced to retire due to diabetes.

Tupac Shakur Fought Secret Battle With Alopecia According To Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith has been doing the press rounds in support of her new memoir, Worthy. Speaking to the TODAY Show, she confessed she and Will Smith have been separated since 2016. She also claimed Tupac Shakur once proposed to her while he was behind bars at Rikers Island. Now, Pinkett says the iconic West Coast MC was secretly fighting alopecia, the same autoimmune condition she has that causes unpredictable hair loss.

“I don’t think Tupac ever talked about the alopecia he suffered from,” she told PEOPLE. “After he was in Northern California with the police officers that beat him up, he started losing his hair. And his alopecia patterns were far more extreme than mine.” She added “societal pressures at the time” kept him from opening up about it publicly, but she’s confident he’d talk about it today if he were still alive.

“I don’t think ‘Pac ever talked about his alopecia, but he also looked really good with a bald head,” she said. “But that was during a time and during an era that you wouldn’t—he just wouldn’t talk about it.”

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A post shared by Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapinkettsmith)

Pinkett claims Shakur started experiencing symptoms of the condition in 1991 around the time he was arrested jaywalking by the Oakland Police Department in California. (Shakur later filed a lawsuit against the police department related to the incident, which was ultimately settled.)

Pinkett’s alopecia was at the center of Chris Rock’s G.I. Jane joke about the actress during the 2022 Academy Awards. She evidently didn’t find it funny, and Smith wound up marching onstage and smacking Rock across the face.

She hopes that conversations surrounding the condition will further raise awareness about the condition, saying, “I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity and we’ll continue to have the opportunity to talk about how alopecia affects me. And I’m just hoping that it’ll give people the freedom to talk about how and just not have shame around it and not to have such a stigma. And there’s a lot of shame around alopecia.”

As far as her marriage to Smith, she added, “We’re still figuring it out. We’ve been doing some really heavy-duty work together. We just got deep love for each other and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us.”

Offset Catches PETA’s Wrath After Gifting Cardi B $500,000 In Crocodile Skin Birkin Bags

Offset has caught PETA’s attention after gifting Cardi B with multiple gifts made out of animal skin. While celebrating the rapper’s 31st birthday earlier this month, Offset pulled up to Delilah with gifts valued at almost $500,000, including a Birkin bag made out of crocodile skin. On Friday (October 13), PETA officials released a statement condemning the purchases.

“Instead of using his wealth and influence for good, Offset chose to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars into a gruesome, violent industry that electroshocks crocodiles, shoves metal rods into their heads in an attempt to scramble their brains, and mutilates them while they’re still alive,” PETA Vice President Lisa Lange said in a statement. “PETA reminds everyone that people who still spend their money on a closet full of dead animals’ body parts either are clueless or simply don’t care about the extreme cruelty they’re perpetuating—it’s just not worth it.”

The animal rights organization often shares publicly, and in graphic detail, the pain animals feel when they are killed for their skin and fur for luxury products.

As noted by Page Six, the presentation of the Hermes, was streamed live on Instagram and showed Cardi ecstatically receiving her big orange boxes. The first bag she opened contained a hot pink crocodile Kelly bag valued at $92,000.

She then opened another box with a tan, white, and red bag of an extremely rare Faubourg Birkin inside. The $300,000 gift, commonly referred to as “House Birkin,” looks like the Hermès’ Paris storefront on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The Migos rapper also got her a glossy gold-colored crocodile Birkin that was valued in 2020 for $72,000. 

6ix9ine Reportedly Arrested In Dominican Republic Over Assault

Notorious artist 6ix9ine has been detained in the Dominican Republic, over a vicious assault, according to a local attorney.

Lawyer Felix Portes took to Instagram early this morning to reveal the rainbow-haired rapper faced an immigration alert as he tried to leave the Dominican Republic on a private plane, leading to the immediate termination of his departure plans.

6ix9ine was involved in some sort of altercation, allegedly with local producers, that led to the assault of two victims involved in the incident.

https://youtu.be/mWoDu7kAf5U

The unidentified victims sustained injuries that were severe enough that they had to be hospitalized. Dominican authorities are currently investigating the incident.

This is not the first time 6ix9ine has encountered legal trouble. The rapper’s legal entanglements have become synonymous with his rise to fame.

One of the most notable instances was his involvement in a high-profile racketeering case. His arrest in 2018 exposed a web of criminal activities involving drugs, firearms, and violent acts.

He faced charges related to firearms offenses and participation in a criminal organization. The RICO charges stemmed from his association with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, a notorious street gang.

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A post shared by Felix Humberto Portes Nuñez (@felixportes)

6ix9ine eventually cooperated with the authorities, providing crucial information that led to the conviction of several gang members.

This cooperation earned him a reduced sentence, but it also marked a significant tarnish on his reputation within the Hip-Hop community.

In fact, the rapper was beaten up by members of the Latin Kings at an LA Fitness in Southern Florida in March of 2023.

Metro Boomin’s Symphony Debut Competes With Drake Ticket Prices—Despite Sneak “FATD” Diss

Whether there’s any real beef or sense of competition between Drake and Metro Boomin, the St. Louis-bred producer is certainly holding his own throughout the saga. His upcoming live performance with Red Bull is the perfect example of that.

If you’re not yet privy, Metro is set to follow in the footsteps of Rick Ross as the next Hip-Hop act to command a full orchestra live for Red Bull’s Symphonic experience at the Dolby Digital Theater in Los Angeles on October 26. During the one-night-only event, Metro Boomin will debut never-before-heard live renditions of his biggest hits while conducting a full accompaniment of string, percussion and wind instruments.

While the exclusive performance is incomparable to the scope of Drake’s recently wrapped It’s All A Blur Tour, the trend in the demand for Metro Boomin’s live show is somewhat similar to that of the tours final destination set.

According to Ticketmaster, right now resale tickets for floor seats at Metro Boomin’s symphony performance are reaching upwards of $1,500 with fees. In contrast, the New York Post reported floor seats for night one of Drizzy’s Toronto homecoming shows on October 7 hit a little over $700 on the top end, without fees.

Of course, there’s a lot of factors to take in here, the main one being this is taking a single performance and a comparing to even one tour date—but the fact remains there’s smoke between both artists and/or their fan bases. It seems ever since Metro Boomin spoke about why he left Drake off his Heroes & Villians album in January, everything has gone awry. Believe it or not, the alleged diss Drizzy sent Metro’s way via “8AM in Charlotte” might do more good than harm as it continues to elevate his name in the news cycle ahead of the performance.

Maybe Metro Boomin is playing speed chess and not checkers right now? Check out the trailer for Metro’s symphonic experience with Red Bull below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Young Metro 3 Times 💔 (@metroboomin)

Drake Suggests Critics Of His “For All The Dogs” Album Have Personal Issues With Him

Drake’s For All the Dogs could be considered the Canadian superstar’s most polarizing project of his career. Many listeners, like podcast host Joe Budden, have publicly criticized Drizzy’s latest body of work.

Professional critics also panned the album. In fact, For All the Dogs only managed to earn a 52/100 score on the review aggregation website Metacritic.com. 2022’s Honestly, Nevermind received a 73/100 score.

Drake does still have support for his new LP. One supporter on the X platform went to bat for the man also known as Champagne Papi. Artist manager, TP, earned a co-sign from the OVO Sound leader on Instagram.

Overnight, Drake reposted TP’s tweet to his Instagram Story. The post read, “Y’all should stop tryna hide behind music critique and just go ahead and tell the personal stories of what bruh did to y’all lmao. Cuz this s### is insane at this point.” 

Joe Budden became the face of the negative reactions to For All the Dogs. The self-described retired rapper then became Drake’s main target. Drizzy fired back by claiming Budden was really upset because he failed as a recording artist.

The two rappers have been frenemies for years. In 2016, Joe Budden released multiple diss tracks aimed at Drake after the Toronto native seemingly threw shots at him on “4PM In Calabasas” and French Montana’s “No Shopping” track. That era of tension started after Budden gave harsh commentary about Drake’s Views album.

For all the mixed reviews for For All the Dogs, Drake’s eighth studio LP is on pace to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with an estimated 410,000 first-week units. Honestly, Nevermind opened with 204,000 units last year. 2016’s Views launched with 1.04 million units.

ESSO’s Top 10: The Top Artists To Watch in October 2023

Welcome to “Esso’s Top 10,” where we dive into the dynamic world of rap music and spotlight the hottest talents making waves in the U.S. music scene as of October 2023.

From lyrical virtuosos to trendsetting trailblazers, this list celebrates the artists who are redefining the genre and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Join us on this journey as we count down the top rap sensations, each bringing their unique style and perspective to the forefront of American hip-hop culture.

1. 41 (Brooklyn, NY) 

https://www.instagram.com/iamlilta

https://www.instagram.com/therealjenncarter

https://www.instagram.com/realkylerichh

2. Honey Baby (New Jersey) 

https://www.instagram.com/itshoneybxby

3. Connie Diamond (The Bronx) 

https://www.instagram.com/_conniediiamond

4. Big Hit (Los Angeles) 

https://www.instagram.com/bighit

5. Dyce Payso (Bronx, NY) 

https://www.instagram.com/dyce_payso

6. Reuben Vincent (Charlotte, NC)

https://www.instagram.com/reubenvincent

7. Keen Streetz (Queens, NY) 

https://www.instagram.com/keenstreetz_

8. OnPoint OP (Brooklyn) 

https://www.instagram.com/onpointlikeop

9. Yellow Tape (Bronx, NY) 

https://www.instagram.com/yellowtapee_

10. DC Wave (New Orleans) 

https://www.instagram.com/dc_wave

As we wrap up “Esso’s Top 10,” it’s clear that the rap landscape in October 2023 is as vibrant and diverse as ever. These artists have not only elevated their craft but have also pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in hip-hop.

From thought-provoking lyricism to infectious beats, they’ve captivated audiences and solidified their spots as trendsetters in the industry. Be sure to look out for next month’s edition in November 2023, where we’ll bring you the freshest updates on the hottest rappers continuing to shape the sound of today’s music scene. Until then, keep those beats bumping!

Watch Esso Here!

https://www.youtube.com/@BagFuel

Follow Him:

https://www.instagram.com/essowrld/

Megan Thee Stallion Reveals She’s Paying Out Of Pocket For Next Album Amid Label Dispute

Megan Thee Stallion announced she’s self-funding her follow-up to 2022’s Traumazine. The multi-platinum-selling rapper alluded to her ongoing legal battle with 1501 Certified Entertainment to explain why she’s covering the costs of her next album.

“This part of my album is very much so funded by Megan Thee Stallion because you know we trying to get off—y’all know!” she said on Instagram Live. “Y’all know what’s the tea. But I have no label right now. And we’re doing everything funded straight out of Megan Thee Stallion’s pockets. So, the budget is coming from me. M############ Hot Girl Productions!”

She added, “The next s### y’all about to see ‘bout to be all straight from Megan Thee Stallion … We in my pockets, hotties, so let’s do our big one … I’m so excited to be doing something for the first time independent since it was just me and my momma. I’m so excited ‘cause it’s really just me this go round until we sign to a new label.”

Megan sued 1501 for unpaid royalties and to be released from her contract with the label. Earlier this year, she asked a judge to appoint a third party to oversee 1501’s finances due to concerns about the label’s ability to pay any judgment awarded to her in the civil case.

1501 owner Carl Crawford claimed Megan and her lawyers “falsely and publicly misrepresented 1501’s financial state.” Crawford wanted a judge to sanction her, accusing the rapper of harassment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAFPsGRX3ys

Soulja Boy’s Ex-Girlfriend Relentlessly Pursues Lawsuit Damages; Seeks His Royalties And More

Soulja Boy’s ex-girlfriend sought more ways to collect the damages she’s owed from her lawsuit against him. According to Radar Online, Kayla Myers asked a court for permission to receive his payments from record labels and online platforms such as Twitch until he’s paid off his six-figure debt.

Myers targeted Soulja Boy’s music royalties from Universal Music Group, Interscope Records and Virgin Music. She also wanted access to the money he earns from marijuana company Grizzly Peak Farms.

A judge previously allowed Myers to seize Soulja Boy’s property to satisfy the judgment from her civil case against her ex-boyfriend. A California jury awarded her roughly $236,000 in damages and another $236,000 in punitive damages in April.

Myers sued Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Way, for abuse. She said the rapper assaulted her at a party held at his Malibu home in 2019.

Soulja Boy claimed he was unable to pay the punitive damages awarded to Myers based on his current finances. He wanted the punitive damages dismissed, but a judge denied the request. The rapper admitted he was paying $25,000 per month to live in a mansion, which the judge cited as proof of his ability to pay Myers.

YNW Melly Retrial: Rapper’s Right To Speedy Trial Puts Pressure On Prosecutors

A Florida judge asked the Broward County State Attorney’s Office to assign a new lead prosecutor to YNW Melly’s double murder case by Tuesday (October 17). Judge John Murphy told prosecutors to make their selection as soon as possible at a hearing on Friday (October 13).

The Broward County State Attorney’s Office was forced to find a new lead prosecutor after Judge Murphy removed Assistant State Attorney Kristine Bradley from YNW Melly’s case. Judge Murphy granted the defense’s motion to recuse Bradley due to the possibility of her being a witness in the rapper’s retrial.

YNW Melly’s lawyers accused the Broward County State Attorney’s Office of prosecutorial misconduct. Defense attorneys wanted their client’s case dismissed but were pleased with the removal of Bradley.

“While we believe that a mistrial and full dismissal is the appropriate course of action, we’re gratified the court did not permit Ms. Bradley to continue as lead prosecutor,” YNW Melly’s lawyer Raven Liberty said, per Bryson Paul. “We will let the rarity of this kind of decision by the court speak for itself.”

Judge Murphy pushed for prosecutors to quickly find Bradley’s replacement due to a time crunch in YNW Melly’s case. The defendant’s right to a speedy trial expires on October 23. Jury selection for the retrial was scheduled to begin on October 9 before various motions slowed the proceedings.

YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is accused of killing his friends YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser in 2018. The rapper’s first murder trial ended with a hung jury.

Jeezy’s Soon-To-Be Ex Jeannie Mai Taking It “Day By Day” After Split

Jeezy’s soon-to-be ex Jeannie Mai is launching a new game show with Damon Wayans Jr. titled Raid the Cage. While promoting the new show, she spoke about her breakup with Jeezy. Entertainment Tonight host Rachel Smith asked her how she was holding up since the divorce was announced.

As previously reported by AllHipHop.com, the rapper filed for divorce in September, ending their almost two-year marriage. Court documents state that despite the couple having a 1-year-old child, their marriage is “irretrievably broken” with “no hope for reconciliation.” 

The former co-host of The Real commented in the explosive uncoupling and said she’s adjusting.

“I’m taking it day by day and thankfully being able to have a show like this and be able to do something that you enjoy doing takes your mind off things,” Mai said. “I’m just focusing on Monaco and focusing on things that I’m passionate about. When you’re surrounded by people, you just get to laugh and look at things that you enjoy doing in life.”

This isn’t the first time she commented on the divorce. She took to her social media and posted a notebook page that said, “Sometimes, you need to take a break and disconnect to heal.”

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‘Marlo’ Documentary Series Tells Story Of Man Who Inspired Iconic Character From ‘The Wire’

RepIt Productions and Southeast Productions released a three-part documentary series titled Marlo on Friday (October 13). The docuseries explores the life of former drug kingpin Marlow Bates a.k.a. Marlo Stanfield, who inspired the character of the same name from HBO’s acclaimed series The Wire.

“Most people think Marlo is just a fictional character, but his real story is even more intriguing than how he’s portrayed in The Wire,” the documentary’s producer Azalaya Fraser said.

The documentary gives The Wire fans a glimpse at the real-life Stanfield Organization. Stanfield reflects on becoming an infamous figure in West Baltimore at the age of 24 and how it led to him spending 36 years in prison.

“The documentary made me ponder – who knows how Marlo would’ve turned out if he had grown up in a different environment,” director D’Oyen Fraser Sr. said. “This thought-provoking exploration of Marlo’s life invites viewers to contemplate the complex factors that shaped him into the figure we know today.”

Marlo is available to stream exclusively on the REPLIVE app. The documentary will also be shown at select theaters in three cities: Baltimore (October 16-18), Columbia, Maryland (October 21) and Harlem (October 28).

Tickets for the theatrical screenings are available here.