It appears as though Lil Meech may have a new leading lady by his side as he continues personifying his father’s life story as the star of 50 Cent’s drama series BMF.
In case you missed it, Meech and Summer Walker reportedly broke up in July following a whirlwind romance last year that saw the pair walking red carpets together donning all black and captioning photos “together 4 life.”
Their breakup actually played out fairly nasty online. Walker even compared the relationship to that of Lil Baby and his baby mama, Jayda Cheaves, amid several scandals involving Meech. One of which, appeared to catch Meech allegedly red-handed entering the apartment of a woman who wasn’t Walker via ring camera footage obtained from a tenant in the complex.
While the woman he allegedly got caught with has yet to be proven to be his blood relative, or even identified at all, the streets are now saying Lil Meech’s new girl is deceased rapper XXXTENTACION’s old flame. Over the weekend, photos of the pair surfaced and went viral on social media. They show the couple cozied up, in addition to a flick of Miss Geneva Ayala rocking Meech’s infamous BMF chain. Maybe Meech is just testing the waters—then again, this could be the start of something serious by the looks of it.
King Cruff describes himself as “a trailblazing rising star who tests the boundaries of music,” which shines through in his newest single “SHEDOENEED” featuring Stonebwoy and Jag.Huligin. The standout collaboration serves as an anthem for all the independent ladies in the world, paying homage to the beauty and strength they embody.
“SHEDOENEED” is paired with a cinematic visual to match, shot in both Jamaica and Toronto — two places that birthed King Cruff.
King Cruff states, “Raised between the cold Canadian tundra and the tropical Jamaican landscape, contrast and duality is something that is ingrained in my character. The idea that two things that challenge each other can actually co-exist to bring new meaning. Cruff is a character that is warm and welcoming, but still maintains a strong mystique by keeping to himself.”
King Cruff, real name Solomon Marley-Spence, has been enthralled with music since birth, with songwriting and performance ingrained in his blood. He prides himself in his storytelling, while creating records that uplift and inspire audiences all around the world. Straddling the genres of Hip-Hop, reggae, in dancehall and funk, King Cruff’s versatility does not go unnoticed, always relating it back to his roots across the diaspora.
AllHipHop spoke with King Cruff to discuss his background, the new single, and more.
AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound?
King Cruff: My sound is an amalgamation of different genres that I loved growing up. There’s a strong foundation in storytelling Hip-Hop with hues of reggae and dancehall. I bring in some funk and disco when I can and a sprinkle of Afrobeats to keep the vibes positive. That’s the King Cruff recipe.
AllHipHop: You’re from London, now based in Toronto. How does that play into your life and career?
King Cruff: London, Ontario is this small hub city with a powerful budding music scene two hours away from Toronto. I spend a lot more time in Toronto now and it’s been a pleasure learning about the rich music history Toronto has. Just the other day I went to the Canadian film premiere for the documentary 299 Queen Street West about MuchMusic – Canada’s version of MTV at the time. There’s so much culture and music history to take in in Toronto but London has a buzzing music scene of its own and it’s where my artistry first took shape.
AllHipHop: Biggest influences?
King Cruff: On the rap side of things, I always gravitate towards artists that defy expectations and are creating on another level like Kendrick Lamar, Andre 3000, and Childish Gambino. Artists who grew up in environments that have such a strong cultural image and somehow found a way to both celebrate and amplify that but in their own avant-garde type of way.
On the reggae side, Stephen Marley and Chronixx are two very important influences of mine as well. The first album I remembered listening to front to back was Mind Control and it is still a top favourite to this day. Chronixx is an artist who, from the start of his career, challenged the trends and the norms of Jamaican culture to pave his own way.
AllHipHop: At what point did you realize this music thing was for real?
King Cruff: The moment I knew was when I started considering leaving university. I had heard my whole life about preparing a plan B in case music didn’t work out. Everyone tells you that when you’re trying to build something. But when you put so much time and energy and money into your plan B, what’s happening to your plan A? Then I started asking myself if I put all those resources into my plan A, what would I need a plan B for? I left university and went to audio recording school instead. I told myself I would still be surrounded by music but from there, my determination was set.
AllHipHop: What was the inspiration behind your name?
King Cruff: The name King Cruff is a contradiction – all my Jamaicans know this. A ‘cruff’ is a term used to describe someone with no fashion, no vision, no ambition. People used to call me this growing up because they would judge me based on the optics, not on the character. I took this name and put it beside the word King because I felt like seeing these two conflicting words together would give people a moment to wonder what the meaning was. What it means is the idea of potential – someone’s potential to either be the best at what they do, or the worst at what they do.
AllHipHop: “Shedoeneed” is out now, talk about how this record came together with Stonebwoy.
King Cruff: “SHEDOENEED” is a big banger! The record originally started with just me and Jag.Huligin on the song, this smooth track for the ladies. Stonebwoy and I have mutual connections between both of our camps and he had been following my music for a while. He somehow heard a demo version of the song and he loved the track from the jump. He has a huge admiration for dancehall music and he could appreciate the messaging and theme behind the song. It was suggested we get him on the track and not too long after, he sent through the verse that brought the whole song together. Big up Bhim Nation every time.
AllHipHop: What does the song title mean?
King Cruff: “SHEDOENEED” is talking about the women who don’t need anyone to make them feel as though they’re whole. It’s the main message of the song and the chant is the most integral part. I like the mindset of putting these positive messages in the parts of the song that people will sing over and over again. So that without them knowing, they’re repeating these messages that they need in their life. Music is psychological at the end of the day.
AllHipHop: Best memory from shooting in Jamaica & Toronto?
King Cruff: The scene in Jamaica at the end of the video where we’re all at the party. We pulled up at Janga’s at the end of the night and were immediately surrounded by friends and family. A lot of the cameos at the end are people I’ve known for years. My cousins Matthew and Donisha feature heavily in the video. That last clip where the motorcycles are circling around me – Matthew pulled me into the middle of that and we just started talking about life in the center of that mayhem. Money shot. We weren’t just acting for the cameras, that final scene was a celebration.
AllHipHop: What is it you want fans to get from your story?
King Cruff: I want the fans to feel heard and understood. I want them to feel empowered. I want them to wake up with positivity in their hearts. Or at least, any less semblance of loneliness. I want them to feel like the bad things that happen to them don’t only happen to them. That there’s a community that they can laugh and cry with.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio?
King Cruff: A story, some tea, and some tranquility. When I’m in the studio, it’s easy for me to get in my head about the creation process so anything to make it more calming always works.
AllHipHop: With Bob Marley being your grandfather, do you feel destined to do music?
King Cruff: The legacy of such an amazing musician had more of an impact on me as a person than my career path, I’d say. I thought Bob Marley was the coolest superhero ever growing up. But for a long time, music wasn’t really the first choice for me. I was very interested in becoming an author. I still am. But eventually it became such an integral part of my life that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
AllHipHop: Goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?
King Cruff: As my audience grows, I just want to have more opportunities to connect and grow with them. More shows, more music. I want my supporters to feel as though they’re watching the rocket ship take off. And they all had something to do with it. Because they did. There would be no King Cruff without the fans.
A New York judge issued a limited gag order in Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial on Tuesday (October 3). Judge Arthur Engoron made the decision after Trump attacked the judge’s law clerk on social media.
“Personal attacks of any member of my court staff are unacceptable, inappropriate and I will not tolerate them,” the judge said.
Trump claimed a clerk named Allison Greenfield was “running this case against me” on his Truth Social platform. The former president posted a photo of Greenfield with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and referred to her as “Schumer’s girlfriend” on Tuesday.
Judge Arthur Engoron ordered the post to be deleted. He called it “disparaging, untrue and personally-identifying.”
“Consider this statement an order forbidding all parties from posting, emailing or speaking publicly about any members of my staff,” the judge announced in court. “Failure to abide by this … will result in serious sanctions.”
Trump is on trial for alleged real estate fraud. New York Attorney General Letitia James accused him and his company of inflating their assets to obtain favorable loans and insurance policies.
The former president’s trial began on Monday (October 2). The civil case only scratches the surface of Trump’s legal issues as he’s also facing 91 criminal charges across four jurisdictions.
Rap culture and gambling have always been connected, which is reflected in the lyrics and lifestyle. In many songs and video clips, you can see the joy of a beautiful life, expensive cars, luxury champagne, diamond rings, and all this against the backdrop of a casino. This shows that rappers can earn a lot and spend just as much, for example, during another weekend trip to Las Vegas.
Top Hip-Hop Songs Played at Casinos
Casinos often use the close interaction between rap culture and gambling. Songs are played not only at land-based venues but also at online casinos. For example, some non UK casinos featured on CasinoGap’s list, play tracks from famous rappers to form an atmosphere of better engagement among players, create a feeling of involvement in luxury life, and encourage them to play for real money.
It Was a Good Day by Ice Cube
The song was released in 1993 and became Ice Cube’s signature song. She also greatly influenced the performer’s career and brought him worldwide fame. The song’s main theme is gambling, namely the game of dice. The rapper sings about how he gets caught up in this entertainment that he plays with his friends.
He talks about how his ideal day is a victory with a winning streak. So, it contains the following lines: “What’s the Haps on the Craps?” Then he shakes the dice and half-sits the combination “seven, seven-eleven, seven-eleven, seven.” This is a pretty good result that brings him victory. In addition to peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song is often played in casinos around the craps tables.
Pokerface by Ghostface Killah
As you might have guessed, this song is about the most popular casino card game. With this song, Wu-Tang Clan showed the world his attitude towards poker and the role the game played in his life.
Notably, the singer uses slang like “paid to see the river” winning “four hundred thousand pot, ” and so on. So, it is not surprising that casinos use this piece of art to stimulate poker players at tables.
Vegas by Kendrick Lamar
In this song, the rapper used an interesting comparison of Las Vegas with a woman. Kendrick knows very well what he is singing about and the fact that he has experience in poker, slots, and blackjack.
His desire to play is comparable to his passion for a woman. So, in one of the lines of the song, it is said that if gambling is a sin, then he rolls the dice with Lucifer just to ensure he does not lose the woman he desires.
Non-British Hip-Hop Stars with a Gambling Passion
Whether you prefer British or non-UK casinos, you probably know about popular rappers who have distinguished themselves with their passion for gambling. Many of their songs are real anthems of casinos or individual games, which are often used by gambling houses around the world.
Diddy
Diddy is the stage name of Sean Combs, a famous New York rapper, artist, and producer. Many rap fans know him from his recent work with Bad Boy Records and his successful solo albums. However, Sean is also known for his start to gambling. Of all the casino games, he likes poker the most. Mostly among his opponents are his friends from the rap community with whom he often spends time.
50 Cent
50 Cent cannot be called a newcomer to rap since he has a lot of solo albums and successful work with such groups as G-Unit. In addition to his love for music and cinema, Curtis does not hide his special attitude towards everything related to the casino. In addition, he is an ardent fan of sports betting.
Nelly
Hardly anyone doesn’t know the songs “Hot in Here” or “Dilemma”. Nelly also starred in such films as “The Longest Yard” and “Taxi.” Like previous performers, Nelly is a big fan of gambling. Moreover, he often organizes charity poker tournaments to raise money for various needs.
British Hip-Hop Artists who Like Gambling
Among British rappers, there are also many examples of performers who link their lives of creativity with gambling. Here are some striking examples.
Keno. In his song “Off License”, he clearly described his passions for the night way of life, money, and gambling.
Dizzee Rascal. This rapper did not hide his interest in the casino lifestyle and even took part in creating gambling commercials for Ladbrokes.
P Money. Another popular rap performer who loves gambling and often makes references in his songs. For example, expressions like “GG” (Good Game) or OP. (over-powered) are already actively used in the gaming industry.
Besides this, many other performers continue to give a hint of gambling in their works, like Big Narstie or Wiley.
The Role of Gambling in British Hip-Hop
Music can significantly impact players` gameplay, so casinos take advantage of it. Like the gambling industry in any other region, British casinos actively use the opportunities of hip-hop culture. Popular rappers with a large fan base are leaders of public opinion and can easily motivate both with words and a tempting picture of a video clip to place a bet. Also, the casino uses hip-hop songs as background music.
This helps create a connection among customers between their favorite lyrics and the need to place a bet. In addition, rappers can directly promote casinos and betting sites, attracting new clients. An example of this is the Dizzee Rascal mentioned above.
Conclusion
Gambling and hip-hop culture are closely connected and have common contact points regarding big sums, getting money, thrilling emotions, luxurious life, and so on. Both hip-hop artists and casinos often use these themes to increase their audience. Therefore, it is unsurprising that music and gambling united and created one of the most successful business schemes, bringing in millions of dollars.
Drake is among the most renowned artists: his rap songs are popular worldwide. Unsurprisingly, he is among the highest-paid performers in 2023. It’s said his earnings from music are around $70 million per year, which is fascinating. However, his rap songs are not the only source of income, as the celebrity is also known for his insane passion for gambling.
This hobby also adds significant sums to his net worth – but no one is insured for losses, and Drake is no exception. Let’s open the door to the mystery and find out how a famous rapper earned his fortune.
Drake’s Musical Journey
Not all know that Drake’s original name is Aubrey Drake Graham. He was born into an ordinary family, but his father was a drummer – so he got a hereditary passion for music. In 2001, he tried himself as an actor but felt it was not for him. He participated in the show till 2008, after which the future rap star decided to concentrate on music. Drake’s first famous single, “Best I Ever Had,” was released in 2009. Such a loud success led him to sign a contract with Lil Wayne’s label. During the following year, he worked on “Thank Me Later,” the album that made him popular worldwide.
Currently, Drake is among the richest rappers in the world: his show costs around $1 million. His net worth reached $270 million in 2023. Does he earn all the money from his concerts? No. Let’s see other activities that bring insane profits to the celebrity.
Drake’s Business Ventures
The performer is an ambassador of the Toronto Raptors: October’s Very Own (OVO) brand, owned by Drake, has been partnering with the NBA team since 2013. The collaboration brought fans many exclusive clothes, while the rapper got a significant income. The company’s revenue reaches $28 million annually.
Alcohol production is another industry Drake is involved in, as he is a part-owner of Virginia Black company. Getting one more source of income is the only goal of this collaboration – and it brings him around $38 million yearly. Making more money and remaining in Forbes is exactly what a player wants – he mentioned it in an interview in 2016. Well, it seems that nothing has changed during the following years, as Drake is still among the richest performers globally.
Moreover, he is a passionate fan of gambling; in 2022, he signed a $100 million contract with Stake.com, a well-known casino and betting platform. Drake doesn’t only present gambling operators and promotes them – he also plays roulette and other games, investing millions.
High Stakes Bets & Offers
Gambling is the most famous Drake’s passion: every rapper’s fan knows he loves roulette games. Rumours say he once bet $10,000 per one round – and fantastically multiplied the initial deposit. His losses are also significant: in 2022, he placed over $1 million on a football match, which was unsuccessful. However, negative outcomes don’t stop Drake from betting and gambling more – and he earned a massive part of his money on casino websites.
Depositing six-figure sums is nothing special for the rapper. For instance, he bet $250,000 on the Nuggets and eventually hit a $850,000 prize. If you are interested in casino bonuses and other deals available on WithCasinoBonus you clearly understand that such offers are rare. Another $136,000 wager on Israel Adesanya brought Drake an insane $897,000 winning. A valuable income to his overall net worth, doesn’t it? Unfortunately for the rapper, he also had multiple unsuccessful bets, including $393,000 on Odell Beckham Jr. and $335,000 on Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury. It’s said the rapper got over $70 million in profits from gambling. However, it’s hard to evaluate all the net worth gained from online casinos and sportsbooks as Drake continues placing bets.
Impact on Net Worth
Of course, concerts and tours remain the primary Drake’s source of income, bringing him the most profits. However, other projects managed by the rapper are also worth attention. On the other hand, fans are usually especially excited by his gambling activity: everyone is curious about how successful he is. In line with other casino lovers, Drake has both successes and drawbacks. The only difference is that the performer invests insane sums. Many say he suffers from gambling addiction – and the inability to stop makes him lose millions of dollars in roulette and sports betting. On the other hand, statistics still show his winnings outweigh the losses: he won around $70 million, with spending reaching $30 million. If only every casino and betting fan could boast such figures!
Conclusion
Drake remains one of the richest rappers in the world, as his net worth has already exceeded $270 million. And the performer is not going to stop! His singing career brings the most income, as Drake’s concerts’ revenue can reach $5 million in the US. On the other hand, the rapper also has several businesses, a clothing brand and a whiskey company with $28 million and $38 million revenue, respectively.
Gambling is another passion and source of income. Drake has already invested around $30 million in online casinos and sportsbooks. He prefers playing the roulette game and places bets on the NBA, NFL, and MMA. And the rapper is quite successful! Even though many people judge him for this harmful hobby, the rapper continues to have fun and is rumored to have already won over $70. Well, it’s a significant part of his net worth.
President Joe Biden’s son has pleaded not guilty to federal gun charges. According to AXIOS, the first son entered his plea in a federal court in Wilmington, Delaware on Tuesday (October 3), denying he was guilty of three counts related to the illegal possession of a firearm, including falsifying a federal firearms form and having a gun while using drugs.
Hunter Biden, indicted in September, could face a maximum 25-year prison term if convicted, a prospect of interest to Republicans. His defense lawyers, including Abbe Lowell, raised concerns about the gun-related charges’ constitutionality and the possibility of dismissing the case based on an existing diversion agreement for the gun felony that’s still in play.
Lowell alleges that the push to convict Hunter Biden is fueled by Donald Trump and his loyal followers. The connection also relates to House Republicans launching an impeachment inquiry against the 46th president, alleging involvement in Hunter Biden’s foreign business ventures.
Democrats have supported the president, asserting there’s no evidence of wrongdoing beyond his love for his son. Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett spoke out on Biden’s impeachment inquiry hearing on Thursday (September 28) and blasted the GOP for pursuing these charges against the president without any evidence.
According to Atlanta Black Star, the only thing the president is guilty of is “loving his child unconditionally.” She continued, “That is the only evidence that they have brought forward. Honestly, I hope and pray that my parents love me half as much as he loves his child. Until they find some evidence, we need to get back to the people’s work.”
In the ever-evolving world of hip-hop, where trends come and go, there are artists who remain committed to their roots and authentic storytelling. Avalanche The Architect, a formidable Toronto rapper originally from the Bronx, New York, is one such artist. With the recent release of two powerful music videos for his tracks, “Make Em Mosh Pit” and “Bring Boom Bap Back,” Avalanche is not only making a statement but also continuing his position as a force to be reckoned with in the rap game.
Canadian artist Avalanche The Architect has always been known for his unique and aggressive style of delivery. His lyrical prowess is unmatched, and his verses hit you like a sonic storm. What sets him apart is his ability to infuse his life’s story into his lyrics, creating a powerful and emotional connection with his listeners. His talent have not gone unnoticed, as Avalanche has had the privilege of collaborating with some of the biggest names in the games including Cappadonna, Choclair, Vinnie Paz, Jus Allah, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, and Drake, among others. These collaborations have not only expanded his artistic horizons but have also cemented his reputation as a rapper of immense skill and versatility.
In the digital age, visual storytelling is paramount, and Canadian staple Avalanche is making waves on this front as well. His music videos, including the latest releases for “Make Em Mosh Pit” and “Bring Boom Bap Back,” not only complement his lyrical prowess but also offer a window into his artistic vision. These videos not only showcase his musical talent but also add depth and narrative to his work. Both are fantastic and can be experienced below.
Luther Campbell’s brother, a rocket scientist, is reportedly running for office in their home state of Florida. The two siblings seem to be polar opposites, but the Campbells at least share a vision of excellence (the pair’s eldest brother has a Ph.D. and speaks four languages).
Uncle Luke, a pioneering icon in the Sunshine State, made his mark in the rap group 2 Live Crew but few know his brother Stanley.
Stanley Campbell, a Navy pilot, an entrepreneur who owns a golf course and a literal rocket scientist, is contemplating a U.S. senate run an in discussion with leading Democrats to help formulate a campaign to challenge Debbie Mucarsel Powell for the party’s nomination.
The goal— is to win the primary and then go on to unseat Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican who served as Florida governor from 2011 to 2019.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx7Qy0IuM5j/?hl=en
According toThe Messenger, the former NASA employee has even formed a Senate committee and Friends of Stanley Campbell committee with the Federal Elections Commission, taking all the steps most politicians make when running for office.
People like him, too. Kevin Cate, who works as a political strategist in the state, said his “personal story alone makes him one of the most compelling, formidable potential U.S. Senate candidates in the country.”
Part of his personal story are the eight patents he’s filed in the fields of business, intelligence, security and healthcare, with a particular focus on Big Data Management and Predictive Analytics through his company, Eagle Force, the TC Palm reported. His intelligence technology played a crucial role in Law Enforcement Case Management, ultimately leading to the arrest of Dennis Radar and resolution of the BTK Killer case.
Cate said, “If he’s able to complement that with good fundraising and organizing, all of the sudden Democrats might actually have a chance to take down Rick Scott.”
Will the world get to see Jonathan “DaBaby” Kirk and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson acting together soon? The Charlotte, North Carolina native publicly requested to work with the Hip-Hop mogul.
On October 2, 50 Cent shared a clip on his Instagram account from his Starz series Power. The video featured the G-Unit Films and Television founder alongside Power star Sinqua Walls (Shawn Stark).
“POWER. This scene was cold-blooded, I put a different energy in this one but I think Cassius Dawkins was harder [than] Kanan. What [do] you think?” wrote 50 in the caption.
50 Cent played Kanan Stark on Power and Power Book II: Ghost. The Queens, New York representative also portrayed Cassius Dawkins on the ABC legal drama For Life.
DaBaby saw 50 Cent’s Instagram post and jumped into the comment section. The Baby on Baby 2 album creator made it clear he wants to work with the executive producer for For Life and the Power franchise.
“I gotta play a role on the screen [with] you before it’s all over,” commented DaBaby. In 2021, 50 Cent essentially offered to mentor the “Suge” rapper by stating, “I’m a teach him all the mistakes I made, so he can be better than me. THIS IS HIP HOP!”
While breaking into the entertainment industry as a Platinum-selling Hip-Hop artist, 50 Cent went on to appear in movies such as Get Rich or Die Tryin’, All Things Fall Apart and Expend4bles. DaBaby has experience behind the camera. He has directed several music videos for himself and other acts.
André 3000 and Big Boi can now make the claim of having the best-selling album in Hip-Hop history. OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below rose up the American sales ranks to surpass a project by Eminem.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below reached 13x-Platinum status. That puts OutKast’s 2003 double LP among the best-selling albums of any genre.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below became a cultural phenomenon upon its release two decades ago. OutKast’s fifth studio album debuted at No. 1 by selling over 510,000 copies in its first week.
Both the Big Boi-focused “The Way You Move” single and the André 3000-focused “Hey Ya!” single peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Hey Ya!” remained at the pinnacle of the Hot 100 rankings for nine weeks.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below also became just the second Hip-Hop project to win the Grammy Award for Album Of The Year. The Diamond-certified The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (10x-Platinum) won that same honor at the 1999 Grammy ceremony.
OutKast has another full-length release that is currently halfway to Diamond status. The RIAA certified 2000’s Stankonia as 5x-Platinum in November 2021. Both Stankonia and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below won Grammys for Best Rap Album.
Eminem’s The Eminem Show (12x-Platinum) previously held the RIAA certification record for a Hip-Hop album. In addition, the Detroit rapper received RIAA Diamond Awards for 2000’s The Marshall Mathers LP (11x-Platinum) and 2005’s Curtain Call: The Hits (10x-Platinum).
Other Diamond-certified rap albums include The Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death (11x-Platinum), 2Pac’s Greatest Hits (10x-Platinum), 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me (10x-Platinum), Beastie Boys’ Licensed to Ill (10x-Platinum), MC Hammer’s Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (10x-Platinum), and Nelly’s Country Grammar (10x-Platinum).
OutKast, Eminem or any other Hip-Hop act ever breaking the all-time RIAA certification record appears to be an extremely difficult feat. At the moment, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) by Eagles (38x-Platinum) and Thriller by Michael Jackson (34x-Platinum) are battling for first place.
Leland Tyler Wayne has produced for some of the most celebrated recording artists of the last ten years. The beatmaker, better known as Metro Boomin, has a few more heavyweights he hopes to work with one day.
Metro Boomin rose to prominence by producing for Atlanta-based acts like iLoveMakonnen, Future and 21 Savage. By 2016, the St. Louis native had also crafted hits for Travis Scott, Drake, and Kanye West.
The Trap music specialist’s effort scored him a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 as a producer. 2016’s “Bad and Boujee” by Migos featuring Lil Uzi Vert spent three weeks atop the chart.
Even with all of that commercial and critical success, there are still a few artists Metro Boomin wants to take off his bucket list. One of those names happens to be a Hip-Hop GOAT contender from Brooklyn.
“I still really want to do something with Justin Timberlake,” stated Metro Boomin in a new Billboard magazine cover story. He also added, “I need to work with Miguel. I still haven’t worked with Jay-Z.”
Last year saw Metro Boomin release his second studio LP, Heroes & Villains, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 185,000 first-week units. The star-studded album hosts the global hit “Creepin'” with The Weeknd and 21 Savage.
Metro Boomin followed Heroes & Villains with another Top 10 project. The Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack dropped in 2023 with contributions by Lil Wayne, Offset, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Coi Leray, 21 Savage, Nas and more.
Previously, Metro peaked atop the Billboard 200 chart in 2018 thanks to the Not All Heroes Wear Capes album. 2020’s Savage Mode II, a joint project with 21 Savage, also opened at No. 1. The 30-year-old producer/executive has six career Top 10 entries on the Billboard 200.
Love her or hate her, Bobbi Althoff has quickly become one of the most-talked-about social media personalities in 2023. Her purposely awkward presentation even has 2000s-era rapper Plies taking notice of the podcaster.
Since June, Althoff spoke with additional Hip-Hop recording artists Armani White, Lil Yachty, Tyga and Offset. She has also questioned Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, and other celebrities.
Is Bobbi Althoff Just Using Hip-Hop For Clout?
Althoff’s quirky, nonchalant interview style has faced criticism. Some Hip-Hop fans, media figures and performers suggest she is essentially using Hip-Hop stars for clout by making a mockery of the culture.
This week, Plies weighed in on the months-long discussion surrounding Bobbi Althoff. The “Shawty” hitmaker reacted to a resurfaced video of Althoff appearing bored at a Drake concert in Los Angeles.
“Y’all Get Nothing Out Of This She Gets Everything!! She Needs To Use The Culture To Appear Lost!! That’s Her Cash Out!!!! 🙄,” posted Plies on the X social media app on October 2.
Sports journalist Jemele Hill recently gave her opinion about Bobbi Althoff as well. The former SportsCenter anchor expressed concern about Althoff’s The Really Good Podcast show with Offset.
“I don’t find these types of interviews particularly enjoyable or interesting. Instead it just sadly points out how real Hip-Hop journalism has been practically erased,” posted Jemele Hill on X.
Hill also added, “Some of the media teams behind these artists aren’t interested in them sitting down with credible people who know how to tell stories and do quality interviews. Then they wonder why an artist’s real story goes untold, neglected or that artist is misunderstood.”
Rod Wave has the most popular album in America once again. His Nostalgia studio LP has held on to the No. 1 spot, while Doja Cat’s Scarlet makes a Top 5 bow.
Nostalgiaopened at No. 1 on last week’s Billboard 200 chart. Rod Wave managed to maintain the top position for a second consecutive week by adding another 88,000 total album-equivalent units in week two.
In addition, Nostalgia is now Wave’s longest-running Number One of his career. Both 2021’s SoulFly and 2022’s Beautiful Mind remained at No. 1 for one week, respectively. Pray 4 Love clocked in at No. 2 in 2020.
The rest of the Billboard 200’s current Top 3 includes Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts (No. 2, 87,500 units) and Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time (No. 3; 73,000 units). Both projects peaked at No. 1 in previous weeks.
Somewhat surprisingly, Doja Cat’s latest project failed to break into the Top 3. Scarlet landed at No. 4 with 72,000 first-week units. The RCA Records-backed effort only sold 6,000 pure units.
That 72,000-unit haul for Doja Cat represents a significant decline from the first-week numbers for her 2021 album. Planet Her moved 109,000 first-week units to debut at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Doja Cat was unable to secure her first Number One on the Billboard 200, but the Grammy winner does have America’s No. 1 song. “Paint The Town Red” returned to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
YNW Melly’s co-defendant, YNW Bortlen, has been arrested on witness tampering charges.
Bortlen, whose real name is Cortlen Henry, was reportedly apprehended following a raid, per Law & Crime’s Bryson Paul. He was reportedly arrested in Miami Florida, and booked into Miami-Dade County on Out-of-County Warrant at 10:22 PM on Monday (October 2).
#YNWBortlenTrial: @YNWBortlen was arrested with witness tampering charges following a home raid by law enforcement on Monday evening (October 2) in Miami, Florida. Bortlen, real name Cortlen Henry, was booked into Miami-Dade County on Out-of-County Warrant at 10:22 PM.
YNW Melly is accused of shooting and killing his friends after a studio session. Prosecutors say Melly and his alleged accomplice, YNW Bortlen, staged a drive-by shooting in an attempt to cover up the murder.
Judge John Murphy declared a mistrial in YNW Melly’s first murder trial, which ended in July with a hung jury. Jury selection for Melly’s retrial is scheduled to begin on October 9. YNW Bortlen will be tried separately.
YNW Bortlen, who has been out on bond with monitor since August 2021, was originally slated to begin his trial on the day he was arrested. However, a Florida judge rescheduled a hearing in his double murder case, pushing the court date back to January 12, 2024.
Judge Murphy denied YNW Melly’s request for bond in August. The rapper has remained behind bars since his 2019 arrest.
Meanwhile, YNW Melly is attempting to get the double murder case dismissed. In a motion filed last month (September 26), his lawyers accused the Broward County State Attorney’s Office of prosecutorial misconduct. Melly’s attorneys made allegations that the prosecutors withheld evidence about the lead investigator in the case.
Judge Murphy is yet to make a decision on the motion to dismiss.
Cardi B is issuing a PSA, warning that she’s been on her best behavior but is ready to bring out the demon inside her and drop years-old receipts if she has to.
The “Bongos” hitmaker took to Instagram Monday (October 2) with a message for anybody testing her. While she did not name her “haters,” Cardi B warned nobody is safe, and the only thing stopping her from pressing the button is the desire not to disappoint her fans. She also revealed her stage persona is currently in control, but things could get dark if “Belcalis” (the superstar rapper’s real name” comes out.
“I will bring this internet into f###### shambles b####,” she declared. “I been trying not to disappoint my fans because I been tryna be Cardi B the professional. But Belcalis the Demon, it be really close to come out. And I don’t want that because I don’t want to disappoint my fans.”
Cardi also threatened to drop receipts and turn the internet upside down.
“I’m a just say this,” she continued. “People love Cinderella ‘til Cinderella get a glass house. Let me keep it cute. And to my haters and to y’all muthafuckas that wanna see mess, leave me the f### alone. Because I come with receipts. Years old receipts. I got receipts on all you n##### and you b######, and I will bring f###### this internet into f###### shambles.”
However, Cardi B said that she wants to “keep it cute” because she has “matured,” and cautioned, “this s### will go down,” otherwise.
“I won’t even just say it out my mouth,” Cardi added. “I literally got real receipts with dates. So leave me alone. ‘Cause y’all not gonna be ready for that. Y’all not gonna be ready for nothing.”
She concluded her PSA by stating that she wants to keep putting music out and be a mom before issuing a final warning. “Don’t, don’t try to bring Belcalis out, she urged. “Love Cardi B, don’t bring Belcalis. Leave me there. Okay? Okay.”
Watch the video below.
Meanwhile earlier this week, leaked footage surfaced online of Kanye West branding Cardi B an Illuminati plant who does write her raps. Read her response at AllHipHop.com.
Blac Chyna wants Tyga to help pay her legal fees while she battles him for child support. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, she asked for $125,000 due to her alleged financial struggles.
The reality TV star claimed she won’t be able to cover the costs of sorting out custody of their son King Cairo and potential child support without Tyga’s financial assistance. Blac Chyna requested aid after she already started selling her personal belongings, such as clothes and purse, to make money.
Blac Chyna, whose real name is Angela White, allegedly brought in more than $178,000 by selling her personal items. But she knows it’s not a sustainable source of funds since she will quickly run out of things to sell.
Earlier this year, Blac Chyna filed a petition to establish paternity of her 10-year-old son and collect child support. Tyga scoffed at her legal action.
“10 years later…nah…stick to ur schedule sat-mon,” he wrote in an Instagram comment.
Blac Chyna accused Tyga of not properly communicating with her, which disrupted her limited amount of time with their son. She even claimed he refused to tell her where their child lives.
Tyga previously dismissed his ex’s need for child support, noting how their son lives with him most of the time. She hoped to officially secure joint custody in addition to her bid for child support.
Suge Knight has no interest in helping prosecutors convict Keefe D for the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur. The former Death Row Records boss told TMZ he won’t testify against Keefe D if the case goes to trial.
“I’m not gonna get on the stand and testify against somebody,” Suge Knight said. “For what?”
He added, “I wouldn’t go, I wouldn’t testify. None of that s###.”
Keefe D, whose real name is Duane Davis, was arrested for his alleged role in Tupac Shakur’s murder on September 29. A Nevada grand jury indicted Davis on one count of murder with the use of a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang.
“Duane Davis was the shot caller for this group of individuals that committed this crime,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson said. “And he orchestrated the plan that was carried out.”
Davis is the uncle of Orlando Anderson, Tupac’s suspected killer. Anderson died in a gang-related shooting in 1998.
Keefe D previously admitted he was in the car with his nephew when Anderson allegedly shot Tupac in 1996. Davis faced a murder charge even if he didn’t pull the trigger due to Nevada’s aiding and abetting statute.
“If you helped somebody commit a crime, you can be equally as guilty,” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said.
Knight claimed Anderson didn’t shoot Tupac. The incarcerated music executive refused to identify the shooter.
“It was only two people in the car,” Knight told TMZ. “And Pac not finna tell the story. I ain’t finna tell the story. But I’ll tell you this: I never had nothing bad to say about Orlando because number one, he wasn’t the shooter. And number two, he came to my hearing and told [authorities] to let me go and told the truth. They still didn’t let me go.”
Knight is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter.
Lil Baby wants his name removed from Blueface and Chrisean Rock’s ongoing relationship drama. The Quality Control Music artist downplayed his connection to Chrisean Rock on Monday (October 2).
“I ain’t with the trolling s###!” Lil Baby wrote via X (formerly known as Twitter). “I be laughing at certain s### but Aite now stop playing I ain’t never tried to talk to no mf chrisean!! Please stop attaching my name to that!”
He added, “I seen her at a party an told her some real s### she know I never tried to talk to her! I know I bring attention but chrisean even trolling about a child an stuff is too far!!”
Blueface often accused Lil Baby of hitting on Chrisean Rock or having an affair with her. The claims frequently popped up when Blueface and Chrisean Rock argued on social media over the past year.
Chrisean Rock occasionally antagonized Blueface by mentioning Lil Baby’s name. The latest example occurred when Blueface called Chrisean Rock’s sister Tesehki “a real one” on social media.
Chrisean Rock claimed she was done trolling in reaction to Lil Baby’s comments on Monday.
“See he finally said it,” she wrote. “FACTS TOLD YALLL I BEEN ATTACHED TO HIS NAME BECAUSE MY BABY DADDY INSECURE ASF TOLD YALL .. someone tell blue he can stop trolling me.”
She told Lil Baby, “N#### f### me taking it far THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW U AINT THE FATHER. But blueface start saying u was the father just to hurt me. I’m just happy you finally speaking up cuz he won’t let me live after tht day I met you at the party.”
Last month, Chrisean Rock gave birth to a baby boy. Blueface is the father of the child.
Jack Harlow is either really feeling himself right now or trolling all of us, including his “Industry Baby” collaborator, Lil Nas X. Throughout the past few weeks, multiple alleged leaks from Kanye West’s extensive vault have surfaced on the web in the form of unreleased music and visuals. Among the leaked material includes what is believed to be Kanye West’s Donda: With Child visual album and his Jesus Is King II collab project with Dr. Dre. Additionally, alternate versions of cuts from the Donda 2 album, including the Harlow-leaning track “Louie Bags,” also turned up online and began trending.
While Harlow floated a host of incredulous claims within his flows on the record, including hinting at his activity as a ghostwriter for major artists, his bars about his “Old Town Road” rap counterpart drew the most attention. “Don’t let y’all girls meet me ’cause they want me if I met ’em/ I bet Lil Nas X will f### me if I let him,” Harlow rapped on the leak.
Considering he was literally just named SESAC Songwriter of the Year for the third year in a row, it wouldn’t be very on-brand for him to cap about seducing Lil Nas X in the very next bar. And it’s not like Harlow hasn’t shown us all his zesty side before.
Off the top of my head, I can name at least two times when Harlow harmlessly, yet persistently, cosplayed as a creepy and semi-handsy flirt, emphasizing his faux gender-fluid tendencies—major pause. Take for instance the time he literally eyef###ed Druski on the sidelines of a game during The Crew League. Or the time Lil Nas X had to warn Harlow not to say anything “SUS” while they were on the red carpet together.
In the end, it seems pretty clear that Harlow is just having fun out here doing his thing and equally engaged in keeping folks interested in what he’s doing through both his music and other endeavors. For perspective, it’s wild that we are all talking about some bars Harlow spit, clearly with the sole intention of shock value even though footage from an alleged documentary from 2018 has also been leaked featuring Kanye accusing Cardi B of being apart of the Illuminati. It’s clearly Harlow’s world and we are just living in it.
Lil Yachty appears to be using cutting-edge marketing techniques to deliver collaborations such as his and J. Cole’s Hip-Hop epic, “The Secret Recipe.”
Yes, of course, Yachty just collaborated with the Dreamville mastermind on what might be one of the most polarizing rap releases this year—but it appears there’s more to the record than just the bars and the MCs themselves.
If haven’t noticed by now, Lil Yachty has been on a tear since the release of his fan-favorite album, Let’s Start Here, earlier this year. His dedication to showcasing the versatility of his artistry via the consistency of his releases has allowed Yachty to shine on his recent efforts such as “TESLA” and the aforementioned rap epic “The Secret Recipe.”
However, Lil Yachty’s resolve is apparently more than just his commitment to his craft and more-so of a not-so-dry-run of a cutting-edge marketing technique that’s sure to be scavenged by numerous major labels. Apparently, Lil Yachty’s practice of releasing loose singles as EPs repackaged with other loose singles has been dubbed the “waterfall” method. The ideology behind the rollout is seemingly embedded in the promotion of streaming discovery and “increased plays” for previously released records.
Somebody has to double-check to confirm if Soulja Boy has or hasn’t already done something similar to this. Check out the details of the theory below.
Yachty's current approach is called the "waterfall" method, wherein each new song is coupled with 1-4 previously released songs to form a collection of tracks. This strategy is GREAT for discovery purposes, can lead to increased plays, and reinvigorates previous records. https://t.co/0r972NPGfB
