So, here’s the deal: Earlier in the week Cam’ron entered into the Jim Jones vs. Pusha T beef. He made it clear that he’s not going against his fam, Jimmy. But, what promptyed this? We’ll get into it.
Cam’ron went on to say that they shouldn’t bring up what he has said about Jim in the past and weaponize it. He told Pusha T to step into the recording booth and get busy. He acknowledged that Pusha T is talented, but he believes Jones is winning. BUT…
It seems like Cam’ron might have been confused by an AI-generated diss song that’s been making the rounds on social media. In that song – which to me is clearly AI – tears into Jim by a robotic-sounding Pusha T. According to our sources, Jim has laughed off the AI, but it now makes sense why Cam commented in the first place. Sheesh…this game is getting crazier and crazier! I kind of hate it!
https://youtu.be/_vs7QJbpcoE
Now, let’s talk about what started all this. Last week, Pusha T and his God-fearing brother, No Malice, walked the runway at Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton fashion show in Paris. They played an unreleased song that seemed to take aim at Jimmy. The track called “Chains ‘n Whips” accused Jones of trying to get a feature with Drake, Pusha’s nemesis. Capo fired back with his own diss track called “Summer Collection.”
To add to the mix, Jones also appeared on The Joe Budden Podcast and referred to Pusha T as “a worker” and No Malice as “a preacher who works at Walmart.” He made it clear that this whole thing is just a rap battle.
This isn’t beef. This is shiitake mushrooms!
I want some real bars! I want to see a pair of silverbacks go at it!
Oakland’s own rap royalty, J Stalin, has issued a chilling ultimatum to the heartless carjackers who targeted his brother on East 12th Street. On a night that was supposed to be all about cruising in style, the evening took a terrifying turn as a gleaming Jaguar, the pride of Stalin’s collection, was forcibly taken while his brother was behind the wheel.
Stalin took to social media to express his outrage, dropping a metaphorical “green light” on the culprits.
“N##### CAR JACKED MY BROTHER LAST NIGHT IN FUNK TOWN….IF U SEE THIS CAR ITS A GREEN LIGHT ON IT IF I AINT DRIVEN……DROP A 100 SHOTS ON THAT MUTHAFUCKA,” he wrote, sending a clear message that he is not to be trifled with.
A “green light,” for those not fluent in street parlance, means an open call for retribution. In other words, J Stalin is not taking this crime lightly. He’s made it clear that if he’s not behind the wheel, anyone spotting the Jaguar is, in his eyes, free to take action against those responsible.
The rapper and his brother have offered the thieves a chance to right their wrongs, stating they could return the car unharmed to Cypress Street. But J Stalin’s brother warned that if the carjackers don’t take this opportunity to make things right, the situation could go very “left” – a warning that things could turn ugly, fast.
There’s been no word yet on whether the thieves have taken this chance for redemption or if they’ve decided to play a dangerous game with one of Oakland’s most respected artists.
What’s clear is that J Stalin is not standing by while his family is threatened and his property stolen. Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution, but it seems clear that the rapper is prepared to protect his own, by any means necessary.
If you see a Jaguar prowling the streets of Oakland, you might just be looking at the car at the heart of this dramatic tale.
Meanwhile, the rapper’s fans begged him to take the post down. They did not want him in trouble with the law if something did happen to the car-jacking duo.
“Not a smart post AT ALL. Basically put a hit out on the internet, smfh. Bruh was not thinking,” one fan wrote while another added “Offering a reward would’ve worked better honestly…”
Nowadays, you have to stand out in the music industry, especially given the influx of new artists releasing music every single day. InsertD4M $loan, who arrives on the scene with his own unique sound, style, swag, and distinctive raspy voice — that’s quickly turned into a viral phenomenon on social media (specifically TikTok).
If you’ve heard his signature “rrruuuhhh,” you already know it’s a D4M $loan record. His ability to go from hard-hitting and aggressive to that bouncy Jersey Club style is one that’s not overlooked, and day-one fans can appreciate his diversity the most. In fact, D4M $loan and his rap partner Skiano who passed away reignited the Philly/Jersey Club house music scene for rappers in Philly when they released their song produced by Dj Tizz “Baby Shark” music video via youtube on Valentines Day 2020 in his hometown of Philly.
This was way before Lil Uzi Vert dropped “I Just Wanna Rock,” but D4M $loan humbly states he doesn’t need credit. Recently, he had the rare opportunity to chat with Uzi at the Roots Picnic… and Uzi knew exactly who he was.
At only 22 years old, D4M $loan describes himself as “one of the most unique creatives in the world. I ain’t going to say artist. Creative all around. Anything you could think of: music, fashion, lingo, business ideas, everything.”
With the virality of “Swagg Talk,” which even caught the attention of Lil Uzi Vert, and
“Drive Who Crazy” which caught the attention of Meek Mill, D4M $loan is excited as ever to release his highly-anticipated debut album titled I Couldn’t Decide releasing July 28th. Beyond the music, $loan also made his acting debut in Peacock’s “Bel-Air” and will be featured in the upcoming movie Old Heads.
AllHipHop spoke with D4M $loan in downtown Los Angeles, just one day after the BET Awards, which he attended. Read below as we discuss his roots in Philly, his sound, his name, going viral on TikTok, acting, his love for boxing, and more!
AllHipHop: When did you first discover your sound?
D4M $loan: My sound, the rrruuuhhh or the Jersey Club?
AllHipHop: Oh, are they two separate ones?
D4M $loan: Yeah basically. Even with my upcoming album titled “I Couldn’t Decide”. You get the dark me, “make me wanna get up!” [raspy voice] Or the Jersey Club, “gang gang gang.” [snaps] It came along just being in the studio creating. You want to be as different as possible. What’s something nobody never did before?
AllHipHop: Talk about reigniting the Philly, Jersey Club house music scene.
D4M $loan: See, I’m one of the humblest people when it comes to that. A lot of people feel like I should be like, “yo, they’re not giving me credit!” Credit is cool, but it ain’t everything. I see everybody winning, and I knew I played a major part in it. That means a lot to me to know I contributed. It was the 50th year anniversary of Hip-Hop, these past four years, I contributed to it. Heavy, too, major. A lot of people probably don’t understand that. For those who do, I deeply appreciate it. Gangsta. [laughs] And people hearing it, it makes them ask, “damn, who are you?”
AllHipHop: Do you have to put effort into making your voice like that? The rrrruuuhhh.
D4M $loan: See, it kind of stuck with me. When I laugh, “Haha.” [deep voice] It’s soothing. I’m not real loud, like “whatchu mean….” [deep voice] No. “Whatchu mean make me wanna get up…” [softer voice] So it really comes effortless.
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with music?
D4M $loan: Seeing and hearing about Biggie and Tupac. I was seeing their feud going on on YouTube and TV. The channel they got the Notorious documentary going on. Then my mom had a CD collection. She had Tupac, Biggie, DMX, Teddy Pendergrass. She had Lil Wayne in there, a few different ones. I always paid attention to it, but I didn’t pay attention too hard until one day I seen the Lil Wayne “Lollipop” video. I said I want to do that. That right there, with the limousines riding around with shining chains on, I want to do that. That made me fall in love with it.
AllHipHop: Are you on TikTok?
D4M $loan: Yeah, I just got on TikTok. One thing I say about me it’s good that I blew up before TikTok. I blew up off YouTube, and that’s hard. I blew up off Youtube and Instagram. Millions and millions of views off Instagram and YouTube. Just them two alone, nothing else. No other platform, no other streaming. No Apple Music, no Spotify. Youtube and Instagram, and SoundCloud too. Now that they got TikTok, that just adds fuel to the fire.
AllHipHop: How do you get your name?
D4M $loan: D4M $loan means “do it for Mir.” That’s my brother who passed away, I started rapping with him. He drowned when he was 14, my best friend. My real name is Sloan. Making my rap name, I didn’t want to be Lil Sloan. Now it’s crazy, a lot of rappers got three-word abbreviations in their name. You got EST Gee, PNB Rock, YNW Melly, NBA Youngboy. It’s crazy too. Dang, I still fell in line. [laughs] I wanted to make my real name. Nobody knows, that’s my real name Sloan. You never hear that name, it’s a unique name. Especially in my city.
AllHipHop: Talk about the mini-doc you have coming out.
D4M $loan: The mini-doc that’ll really explain a lot of the impact I had. It’ll explain a lot in a short time. It explains my life. It explains coming up, even what my teachers in school told us. It damn near made me cry a little bit watching it.
AllHipHop: When is it dropping?
D4M $loan: July 28th, it’s dropping with the album.
AllHipHop: What’s the album called?
D4M $loan: I Couldn’t Decide. I couldn’t decide the name of the album, what type of tracks I wanted to put on there. What side, the club side? I couldn’t decide how many songs to put on there, what samples to use.
AllHipHop: Your first big project?
D4M $loan: My first big project, debut project. First album forreal. I’m excited about this one in particular because it’s my best body of work so far. First real body of work, I did my best. I did my thing
AllHipHop: What can the fans expect?
D4M $loan: Fans can expect different vibes every song, a little bit of what everybody wants to hear. I read the comments so much, I know each fan be expecting or wanting from me. Some fans say “make another song like ‘’Drive Who Crazy’. Make another song like ‘Wolf N Demon’.“ Different songs that they hear. I’m gonna give you something in them categories and vibes. I got bars, rap, swag, kids, the ladies.
I be seeing the ladies say, “dang, I just want him say that in my ear. He don’t gotta rap. Can you make a whole song saying ‘rrruuuhhh’ in my ear?” I made a song like “tat tat ma ma, uhhh. Right there mama. It’s fat fat ma ma. Throw that back ma ma like uhh. Do that do that.” The ladies ate that up on TikTok. [shows TikTok]23K people liked that comment: “you be talking them through it don’t you?”
AllHipHop: That’s hilarious. What song is that?
D4M $loan: It’s called “Tat Tat Ma Ma.” produced by Dj Slink. It’s supposed to go on the album, but we need the Miguel sample cleared… “Girl With The Tattoo.” His team just don’t want to clear it. I might have to try different things, like get someone else to sing on it. I can do that, but something may still interfere with the release.
AllHipHop: That’s the worst!
D4M $loan: The worst. It’s like damn, that’s something really going good for me too. I can still drop it on YouTube, because everything isn’t about streaming and the money for me. It’s still going to be beneficial to my career and give the fans a record that they love and have been impatiently waiting for by dropping it for free on YouTube. If he don’t support, I don’t have no choice.
AllHipHop: That sucks though, because you want it to be part of the project right?
D4M $loan: I want it to be on the project. It’d be good, it’d be great for the project. I’m thinking right now, you got me reminiscing.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
D4M $loan: Essentia water bottle, a homie with some weed. A dark studio, but I’ll say some candy. Lifesaver Gummies, the mixed flavors. I can eat all of them.
AllHipHop: Loved seeing you act in Bel-Air. Did you know how to act?
D4M $loan: No, it’s crazy. Because even talking to some of the cast, people who were extras, they went to acting school. They’re asking me, “how long you been acting? How’d you get the role?” Bruh, this my first time in this environment. I don’t know nothing.
AllHipHop: Isn’t it nice? They take care of you on set.
D4M $loan: That was a blessing, they do. Food, sitting in the trailer all day long. It was a different experience for me. You everbeen in class in school, everybody gets a character. You read, you read, you read. That’s how it is. You just gotta remember your lines, and keep your face straight for TV. Try to act it out, really be in character.
I was nervous, I ain’t nervous for nothing. But right there, I don’t want to keep messing up. It’s a thousand camera crew, everybody got a different job. Hold the water, hold the microphone. Hold that camera, hold this camera, hold that angle. Give them fake sweat, sweep the floor when you’re done. Different stuff.
AllHipHop: I interview a lot of artists. Some who have been rapping for over 10 years, they always want to act. So for you to do it so early in your career, that’s dope.
D4M $loan: Yeah, it’s a blessing. Somebody said “damn, I’ve been acting for da-da-da.” But I gotta realize, even though I haven’t been acting, I’ve been building my name up for a long time. As much as you’ve been acting, I’ve been building my brand up and really putting in work, which brought this blessing to me too. I’m eligible to do more roles, I could do a main role right now. But I didn’t want to do auditions yet, I’ve been so focused on the music. But after the album drops, I’m pursuing everything.
AllHipHop: What about Oldhead?
D4M $loan: I have a starring role as the villain in the Oldhead movie, created/directed by filmmaker Tony Chennault. Oldhead is dropping July 28th on APEX streaming platform the same day as my album drops.
AllHipHop: What’s your love for boxing and training?
D4M $loan: Boxing, that’s something I love to do. Since a kid,I used to get in the gym and box. I got hit by a car so I stopped boxing. That’s why I really pursued rapping.
AllHipHop: How bad was it?
D4M $loan: This ankle, I broke my ankle. It was hanging out like that. [points to ankle] I had to wear a cast. I was 17, which made me start rapping more. I used to love boxing, I’d probably be pro right now if I kept going. It’s crazy, because as a kid, I never even liked training. I just love boxing. Sparring in the gym with pros, people who were better than me. I like sparring with them. That got me sharper, that got me better. I love boxing. Still to this day, I want to do celebrity boxing soon.
AllHipHop: You got favorite boxers?
D4M $loan: I like Canelo. Errol Spence Jr. Floyd. Older boxers too, Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali.
AllHipHop: Top artists in rotation?
D4M $loan: I listen to Lil Poppa a lot. I like Lil Poppa a lot, that’s one of my favorite artists. I don’t even want to do no song with him, I just f### with his music. I f### with him as an artist, as a person. We got the same life damn near. I love his music. I like NBA Youngboy, Drake, A Boogie. Really, I only listen to Lil Poppa a lot. I’m not even going to say all the names, the only person I listen to is Lil Poppa. if we get in the car right now, I’ma play 5 Lil Poppa songs. Then I’ma get tired and stop playing music. And my brother Skiano who passed away. He one of the greatest artists in the world. He raps just like me. See how I rap? He raps just like that. He prolly thinks I’m nice, but I think he’s nice. We rap the same exact way, sometimes people can’t even tell we’re different. He got the louder “rrruuuhhh,” I got the smoother “rrruuuhhh.”
AllHipHop: Talk about being mobbed by fans when you move around the city.
D4M $loan: I will never get used to that. I’m used to it, but the feeling I get even performing, I get the same thing every time. Getting mobbed by fans, that be crazy. Then we got different fans. I had a group of friends that mobbed me one time at a Lil Tecca show, and they all had Snapchat. But in Philly, nobody in Philly really uses Snapchat. [shows videos]
AllHipHop: Where was it? You had that many people?
D4M $loan: TLA, South Street. Yeah, stuff like this really gave me chills every time. This was at East Stroudsburg University, they sing the songs word for word every time. I don’t even know how to explain it, pure love. You really feel love.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let the people know?
D4M $loan: Album dropping July 28th, that’s it. Tune in.
Boosie Badazz responded to Atlanta’s Omeretta after she took a jab at him on her remix of Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor.”
Omeretta called out Boosie on the song, telling him to stop commenting on drama involving Atlanta rappers. The Baton Rouge native reacted to Omeretta’s track via Twitter on Friday (June 30).
Boosie defended his tendency to condemn artists accused of snitching. He misspelled Omeretta’s name and claimed she was upset with the wrong person.
“OMERTÀ get mad at what yo city doing dont get mad at me lol,” he wrote alongside a rat emoji.
OMERTÀ get mad at what yo city doing 🐀 dont get mad at me lol
Boosie Badazz labeled Omeretta a clout chaser in a follow-up post. He believed she was attempting to curry favor with someone he criticized, such as Gunna or Ralo.
“I see the play,” he wrote. “N who you trying to get a feature with. SMH #Cloutchasin Just keep rapping hopefully your time coming.”
Omeretta dropped her version of “Put It On Da Floor” on Thursday (June 29). She mentioned Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Boosie and more on the track.
“They talking ‘bout Baby making disses, I guess he picking a side/But this Atlanta business, somebody tell Boosie be quiet/I heard that Durk all on the Gram tryna boost up his pride/He sending disses at lil Gunna when lil Y be outside,” she rapped.
Black Music Month wrapped up in a major way with the premiere of Juvenile’s Tiny Desk Concert.
NPR released Juvenile’s highly anticipated performance via its website and YouTube channel on Friday (June 30). The set featured the beloved rapper performing alongside longtime collaborator Mannie Fresh and a few notable musicians from their hometown of New Orleans.
Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Alvin Ford and members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra joined Juvenile and Mannie Fresh for the performance. The Tiny Desk Concert was taped in the NPR offices in Washington, D.C.
Juvenile and his guests revisited some of his biggest hits for the set. The Cash Money Records star performed “Back That Azz Up,” “Ha,” “Set It Off,” “Slow Motion” and more.
The Tiny Desk Concert’s release capped off an entertaining journey to get Juvenile on the stage. It all started when a Twitter user campaigned for the hitmaker to appear on NPR’s signature concert series in April.
Juvenile said he had no clue what Tiny Desk Concert was and dismissed the idea, which made fans rally around the idea and convince him to do it. NPR booked him for the show after seeing the overwhelming demand for his performance.
Fans were not disappointed by the final product. Viewers praised Juvenile’s Tiny Desk Concert on various social media platforms.
Check out some of the Twitter reactions below.
This Juvenile: Tiny Desk Concert, is golden!😩🙌🏾 Add it to the Tiny Desk hall of fame, NOW! pic.twitter.com/EluG8Bi6Xc
LEGENDARY s### right here!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Those that don’t know me like that probably don’t know that it 2Pac and then Juvenile for me growing up! Man this gave me chills! Happy to see this!https://t.co/kwMqcgEl9i
— Mic Capes (Myke-Kaypes) (@MicCapesRaps) June 30, 2023
JUVENILE DOING TINY DESK TO END BLACK MUSIC MONTH IS EVERYTHING I NEEDED & MORE ON THIS GOOD FRIDAY! 😎😎😎 BACK THAT ASS UP SHOUTS TO MANNIE FRESH CASH MONEY 🤑 pic.twitter.com/Hz7HCpUUry
YNW Bortlen, the man accused of helping YNW Melly cover up a double murder, appeared in a Florida court on Friday (June 30).
Law & Crime shared footage of the hearing, which revealed YNW Bortlen’s trial will begin on October 2. YNW Bortlen will be tried separately from his co-defendant, who is currently on trial in Broward County.
YNW Bortlen’s lawyer asked Judge John Murphy to lift certain house arrest restrictions at Friday’s hearing. The judge denied the request.
Prosecutors claim YNW Melly and YNW Bortlen staged a drive-by shooting to cover up the 2018 murders of their friends YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser. YNW Melly allegedly shot and killed the victims while they were all inside the same vehicle.
Both defendants were charged with two counts of first-degree murder. YNW Bortlen faced two additional counts of accessory after the fact.
YNW Melly’s trial began on June 12. He pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
Detectives, medical examiners and YNW Juvy’s mother testified in the first three weeks of the trial. Court adjourned on Thursday (June 29). The trial will not resume until July 10.
YNW Melly has remained in jail since his 2019 arrest. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
Lil Xan is making a comeback and reintroducing himself to his fans with the release of his latest single, “NODA” (Not On Drugs Anymore). The song represents a significant shift in his music style and personal life since his break from the spotlight. Through “NODA,” Lil Xan announces his newfound sobriety and showcases how his emo and mournful sound has evolved during his hiatus.
The rapper recently signed with CAA and is eager to establish a fresh connection with his fans. According to Xan, “NODA” carries a broad message about personal improvement and growth by rejecting drugs, guns and anything that brings negativity. He now encourages his fans to work toward a better society, which is a departure from his previous glorification of the “fast life.”
During his self-imposed musical break, Lil Xan embarked on a healing journey, experiencing personal growth and maturity. He hopes by sharing his own journey, he can inspire and assist others in their own paths. In his own words, he expresses, “Every Darkness has its own bright. I’ve been someone who has been in dark places, I thought there was no possible way out of it. That it can only get worse but even if it does seem like it is getting worse time heals all wounds it sounds crazy but you just might have to endure for a little bit, but just know things get better.”
“NODA” is produced by Kinfolk Jon X Purps and will be released under Xanarchy Militia Music, a newly formed joint venture label with Sony Music’s The Orchard. The single will officially be available on June 30th and will be promoted on various pop, rhythmic, and urban radio stations. Fans can also look forward to seeing Lil Xan perform “NODA” live on July 9th at 1720 in Los Angeles, California.
To listen to “NODA,” fans can check it out on their preferred music streaming platforms.
While many fans were pushing Sports Analyst Stephen A. Smith to ask for more money when he goes in to renegotiate his $12 million contract with ESPN in 2025, it might not be the right time. The sports media company is looking to shave its budget drastically and will be letting some talent go.
According to the New York Post, the network plans to cut some of its on-air talent to save money. Sources say as many as 20 people you have seen on your screen will be axed. Amongst the names being let go are Jeff Van Gundy and Jalen Rose. An insider said there would be “no sacred cows” when the pink slips start.
In a statement,ESPN says the company is making the drastic change as a part of its “ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead.”
“Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun,” the statement says. “This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth.”
ESPNis a part of The Walt Disney Company made headlines earlier in the year with its massive job cuts.
Over the spring, 7,000 people have lost their jobs.
The 2023 BET Awards took place in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 25), but some people in the Hip-Hop community weren’t impressed. On Thursday (June 29), Da Lench Mob rapper J Dee took his thoughts to Instagram, where he blasted Tyler Perry and the BET Network for their exclusion of West Coast rap pioneers in a special Hip-Hop 50 segment.
“F### THE BET AWARDS YOU N####Z STILL ON THAT BULLSHYT,” he wrote alongside a cartoon of Biggie and 2Pac standing next to a tombstone marked with the words “Hip-Hop” on the front. “SO NOW WE SET TRIPPN ON BET OUT WEST. YOU BANNED FROM LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA UNTIL I START SEEING SOME WEST COAST RAP VETERANS GET THE PROPS WE MFN DESERVE.
“F###BET @tylerperry YOU FOUL AS F### FOR THAT. NO MC REN NO ICE CUBE NO ALONZO WILLIAMS NO ONE WHO PAVED THE WAY OUT WEST 40 YEARS AGO.”
J-Dee got a lot of support in the comment section. One person pointed out, “I’m from the East Coast & I didn’t really understand how they did that. You celebrate 50 years of Hip-Hop with no mention of the West Coast pioneers. No real mention of the Southern pioneers. & even when they spoke on the East Coast, it was scattered about. They basically celebrated 50 years of Hip Hop with all the new artists. Man, you only saw Too $hort. He was sitting in the audience watching the show. S### crazy! SMH.”
Among the OGs who appeared at the award ceremony were Big Daddy Kane, Warren G, E-40, Trina, Trick Daddy, Uncle Luke, Redman, Erick Sermon, Keith Murray and MC Lyte. But newer rappers like GloRilla, Chief Keef and Ice Spice also hit the stage to participate in the festivities.
Da Lench Mob—originally comprised of Shorty, T-Bone, J-Dee, Maulkie and Ice Cube—made their debut on Cube’s 1990 solo album, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted. With Ice Cube as its executive producer, Da Lench Mob released its first album, Guerillas in tha Mist, in 1992. The following year, J-Dee was arrested and charged with murder. He was sentenced to 29 years in prison and released on parole in 2021 after serving 25 years.
TikTok personality/rapper Tray Little has launched a campaign hoping to invest in the Detroit community that raised him. The social media influencer is using his platform to promote homeownership with a play called “Buy the Block.”
In an interview with CBS News, he shared how his grandfather would give him $5 to go to the studio and record his songs when he was younger. The investment paid off and by the time he was 16, he started to tour and perform his music across the nation.
Traveling allowed him to see new things. Once he returned home, the way he saw his community bothered him. But he didn’t sit back and complain. Little came up with a plan that could revitalize a neighborhood he saw in shambles.
“We went back, and I’ve seen a lot of abandonment,” Little recalled. “And I remember it being filled with people, filled with houses, kids running up the block, green grass, and everything. And coming back it was hard to see that a lot of stuff was torn down and abandoned and trash everywhere.”
At the beginning of COVID-19 in 2020, he returned to his childhood home, which was on sale for a mere $1,000. While someone else was able to buy the house faster than he could, he started focusing on the entire block.
He took to social media and mobilized his followers to buy into his dream. In seven short months, his dreams are coming to fruition. Between his 1.5 million TikTok followers and 119,000 Instagram followers, he’s purchased a house and four lots on the street he grew up with.
“I’m thinking about gardens, and I want to renovate this house,” he said. “My goal is not to tear it down but to actually renovate it. I was being held accountable and encouraged by a lot of people, including people from the neighborhood.”
Little added he’s not done and wants people to consider that homeownership is about generational wealth that must be protected.
“When their great-great grandmas passed these houses down, or grandparents, they knew not to give this up,” he said. “So that’s the vision, showing people that them holding on and staying strong was worth it.”
Restoring his community is also not just altruistic, it also makes him feel good. He ended the interview by talking about how proud he is to have made a difference.
“I had a really rough life,” Little said. “So for me to be a part of something that’s bigger than myself is giving me a purpose every day.”
The Beyhive is buzzing after footage that seems to show their queen’s private parts hit the internet. Fans went back and forth until someone posted the real video. Still, there were some who just wanted to believe she gave them a peep show.
During a set in the middle of Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour, the Grammy Award winner takes a seat on a human chair constructed by the bodies of her dancers. Her iridescent dress is short, her boots are shiny and her legs appear to be a little parted. She does the same performance every night.
On this night, folks believed Beyoncé did something different. A fan captured the moment from one of the huge jumbotrons. As a version of the video floated around, fans swore she gave fans a glimpse of her lady purse.
Hot 97 DJ Funk Flex posted the clip he received briefly on his social media. He took it down but not before fans recorded it and reposted it.
While many believe the image isn’t real or amplified by some crude app, others are living out their deepest fantasies swearing it is authentic.
“Bey used to give us squirrel shots in the early 2000s just cause. If this is real this ain’t new,” one person tweeted.
“lmaoooo man this photoshop,” a fan said in the debate.
“If you zoomed in, hell has a seat waiting for you,” another person wrote.
In reality, the video was altered. Her fans hopped in the comments and explained she had underwear on and they were a similar pattern to the dress she was wearing.
“That’s the color of the outfit, the light in the video just distorts it. And the dark line looks like a slit/opening but it’s not,” one fan shared with a zoomed-in graphic of the originalvideo.
That’s the color of the outfit, the light in the video just distorts it. And the dark line looks like a slit/opening but it’s not. pic.twitter.com/pmGIaPxEtP
— Jerome Trammel, M.B.A (@MrJeromeTrammel) June 30, 2023
With the potential wardrobe malfunction nixed, people started to shake their heads at Flex, saying he better watch it because Jay-Z is probably going to be calling soon.
Listen, social media has created a false sense of anonymity. Often, folks forget that celebs can read and respond to unsolicited advice. That’s the case of Kodak Black, who recently ripped into a Stan after he wished “jail” and sobriety on the rapper.
Yak is (hopefully) maturing into the man he’s destined to become, even though the spotlight has boldly displayed most of his mistakes. Some of these missteps have made the public question his ability to handle the toll of being a celebrity.
Perhaps, that’s what motivated an unnamed fan to offer some stinging advice. Although it was harsh, it definitely resonated with the lyricist. While in the midst of a recent Instagram Live video, he responded to the critique.
“Damn, what kind of person are you?” he asked. “This muthaf##a said: ‘You need to go back to jail and sober up, Yak, for real, for real.’”
Without a doubt, the suggestion seemed to shake the artist. Emotion definitely rose to the surface. His eyes threatened to spill his pain.
Rather than lashing out with a litany of insults, Kodak Black chose to use his words. He stated, “Why do you feel like that’s the answer to my whatever you feel like? Why do you feel like that’s the answer to my whatchamacallit?”
Next, the entertainer dug a bit deeper. He went on to share how, in the past, his life’s calling has been both questioned and mocked. To that, the “Tunnel Vision” spitter elaborated, “S##t, many is called few is chosen, bro. When muthaf##kas know you chosen and s##t, that’s when they torment you.”
Soon, Black succinctly summed up his stance. “Bruh, I’m just following my divine self. However God whatchacallit, I’m just going through with this s##t.”
Kodak Black was not feeling the fact that a fan told him that he needs to go back to jail and sober up while on IG live. 👀https://t.co/KKaSfWzHHf
Lil Uzi Vert added “they/them” to their Instagram bio nearly a year ago. The social media move seemed to signify the Atlantic Records recording artist identifies as non-binary.
“No, I never hesitated,” Uzi said in an interview with032c magazine when asked about concerns over facing negative reactions to altering their pronouns. “But I did take my time to learn as much as I could about this before I was able to proceed. Taking the time to figure out who you are is a big part of what it means to be alive.”
The pronoun change and their flamboyant fashion style led some people to question if Lil Uzi Vert also identifies as homosexual. The 27-year-old recording artist addressed the speculation on his new Pink Tape studio LP.
“First of all, I f### eight b###### a day. How could you ever say Lil Uzi gay?” the Philadelphia-bred rapper says on “Flooded the Face.” The Cannon and Harold Harper-produced track opens the Pink Tape album.
“It made me a much better person,” JT said in 2022 about being with Uzi. “I feel like I found my home with him, my safe space. Once you find your safe space, you know.”
Previously, Uzi was in a public relationship with fashion designer Brittany Byrd from 2014 to 2017. Byrd served as a muse for many of the rap star’s songs. She also appeared in Uzi’s “Money Longer” music video and her likeness made the cover of Lil Uzi Vert Vs. The World.
Lil Uzi Vert’s Pink Tape features guest appearances by Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Bring Me The Horizon, Don Toliver and BABYMETAL. The Generation Now-backed album hosts the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 single “Just Wanna Rock” which earned 2x-platinum certification from the RIAA.
When Birdman and Slim founded Cash Money Records in 1991, the two New Orleans-born executives launched what would become one of the most successful rap labels in history.
Thirty-two years later, Cash Money Records still plays an important role in Hip-Hop culture. Birdman will explore CMR’s legacy and his own contributions to the music business in an upcoming documentary.
A trailer for the Ma$termind doc arrived on Birdman’s Instagram page on Thursday June 29). The video teaser features the Cash Money CEO, also known as Baby and Stunna, providing voiceover commentary.
“I might be ghetto but I’m smart,” Birdman says at one point in the trailer. He also declares, “Ain’t no n###a had a longer run than me… No n###a in Hip-Hop will ever have a longer run than me.”
In addition to co-founding Cash Money Records, Birdman leads the Rich Gang collective. Baby also released several solo studio albums as well as joint projects with the likes of Lil Wayne, Juvenile and YoungBoy Never Broke Again.
Big Tymers, the duo of Birdman and New Orleans-bred producer/rapper Mannie Fresh, put out five albums between 1997 and 2003. Their “Still Fly” single became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2002.
Birdman and Slim’s Cash Money Records introduced the world to numerous rap acts such as Juvenile, Lil Wayne, Hot Boy$, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Jacquees and Blueface. Other artists to spend time as part of the CMR roster include Busta Rhymes, DJ Khaled, Mystikal, Bow Wow and Limp Bizkit.
Killer Mike presented his sixth studio LP on June 16. The self-titled Michael is the Atlanta MC’s first full-length solo project since 2012’s R.A.P. Music.
Apparently, Killer Mike spent a lot of his own money to create Michael. Apple Music’s Ebro Darden spoke to the Run The Jewels member about his latest album during an interview inside Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
“This matters because I spent half a million dollars without asking my wife,” Killer Mike told Darden. “At about a quarter million dollars, she was just like, ‘What the f### are you doing?'”
The 48-year-old southerner continued, “I was like, ‘I’m making the album I’ve always wanted to make.’ And she’s like, ‘We’re a quarter million short. That could have bought a whole nother quarter of a block.'”
Michael features fellow Atlanta natives CeeLo Green, Young Thug, 6LACK, Jagged Edge, Future, 2 Chainz and André 3000. Plus, Killer Mike recruited other artists like Mozzy, Eryn Allen Kane, Ty Dolla $ign and Curren$y.
Mike’s Run The Jewels partner El-P also appears on the Michael track “Don’t Let the Devil” along with Thankugoodsir. Production for the LP came from El-P, No I.D., Cool & Dre, DJ Paul, Don Cannon, Honorable C.N.O.T.E. and others.
Before Killer Mike released Michael earlier this month, he and El-P dropped four Run The Jewels albums between 2013 and 2020. The duo will hit the road for the four-city, sixteen-show RTJX 10-Year Anniversary Concert Series beginning in September.
“No, it’s not a breakup. No, it’s not a separation,” Killer Mike said about the future of the Run The Jewels rap group following the release of his new solo effort. “This Michael expands the Run The Jewels universe.”
He also added, “But the character of Killer Mike had an origin story. So I wanted people, like Wolverine to Logan, to see everything that goes into that. So to me, this record even expands further the Run The Jewels universe.”
One of the longest-standing feuds in Hip Hop involves former G-Unit comrades The Game and 50 Cent. Tensions have been high between the two rappers ever since 50 kicked Game out of G-Unit nearly twenty years ago.
Compton-raised artist The Game became a national figure with the release of his 2005 debut album, The Documentary. That project featured 50 Cent on the tracks “Westside Story,”“Hate It or Love It,” and “How We Do.”
Hip Hop fans speculated for years that The Game wrote verses for 50 Cent including bars on “What Up Gangsta” off the New York native’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ album. Game downplayed the rumors during an interview with Amazon Music.
“I didn’t write ‘What Up Gangsta’ for 50. I was in there and part of the influence,” The Game admitted. “I call like the way The Lox record music. Jada is writing his verse and Styles and Sheek is right there and they’re like, ‘Nah, say that,’ and you throw it in there.”
Additionally, The Game praised 50 Cent for his lyrical ability. The West Coaster added, “Take nothing away from 50. 50 is a great writer, that’s what he do. Especially anything that’s melodic, so hooks are his specialty. His verses be like his story, so he ain’t capping.”
The Game went on to clarify that neither man wrote for the other during their time together in G-Unit. However, the former Dr. Dre protégé insisted that 50 Cent is not a better writer than him. Game said, “[He’s] better with melodies, hooks, that’s his thing. I’ll give him that… But as far as lyricism, he can’t f### with me on that level. But he knows.”
Naomi Campbell says age shouldn’t be an obstacle to motherhood, sharing the exciting news of her second child’s birth.
The 53-year-old supermodel shared the news on Instagram, announcing the arrival of her “little darling” with a touching photo. She shared an image of herself cradling her newborn while she and her two-year-old daughter held his hand.
“My little darling, know that you are cherished beyond measure and surrounded by love from the moment you graced us with your presence,” Naomi Campbell penned in the caption. She hailed the little boy as “A True Gift from God,” adding she feels “blessed.”
After welcoming her new arrival, the fashion icon declared, “It’s never too late to become a mother.”
The comment section was littered with congratulations from Campbell’s famous friends. Kelly Rowland, La La Anthony, Zoe Saldana, Donatella Versace, Mark Jacobs and fellow supermodel Cindy Crawford were among the celebrities sharing their well wishes.
Naomi Campbell became a mother for the first time at 50, welcoming her daughter shortly before her 51st birthday. She announced the news in May 2021, also via Instagram. The following year, Campbell posed with her daughter for the cover of British Vogue in March 2022.
“She’s my child,” she said, dismissing rumors that she adopted the little girl. Campbell also addressed the surprise announcement adding, “I can count on one hand the number of people who knew that I was having her.
“But she is the biggest blessing I could ever imagine. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Less than a week after vowing to expose the gatekeepers for interfering with the progress of his Big3 basketball league, Ice Cube has made good on his promise, accusing the NBA of a behind-the-scenes boycott attempt.
Earlier this week (June 25), the legendary rapper and actor announced his intention to “go on a f### the Gatekeepers podcast tour,” to name and shame the alleged offenders. He took to Twitter with a video revealing his plans.
“What club am I talking about? I’m talking about the club of gatekeepers that we all got to deal with,” Ice Cube declared. “You know who they are and they definitely know who they are.”
On the latest episode of the Joe Rogan Podcast, Ice Cube did just that, making a serious accusation against Adam Silver’s NBA.
According to Cube, NBA insiders view The Big 3 as a threat and have been actively working to squash the competition. He accused the NBA of attempting to obstruct potential sponsorships and other opportunities.
“I’m not trying to compete in any way shape or form with the NBA. We are very complementary,” Ice Cube explained. “So, I don’t understand why they would do some of the things that’s being done behind the scenes. Encouraging people to not sponsor us, encouraging networks not to play us.”
After sharing his frustration at what he sees as unnecessary meddling, Ice Cube assured he would fight back.
“We’ve been able to survive but at a certain point it’s just redundant and ridiculous,” he added. “We got to fight back in some way, shape or form.”
Check out the clip below.
The league the NBA loves to hate…Welcome to the “F### The Gatekeepers Podcast Tour”
Lil Wayne is set to be honored with the BMI Icon Award at the 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.
The organization will award the Young Money Entertainment founder their highest honor, hailing Lil Wayne as “one of the most influential artists of all time.” The private ceremony will be held on September 6 at LIV Nightclub in Miami Beach.
BMI vice president, creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, said Lil Wayne is “synonymous” with Hip-Hop and shared their pride at naming him a BMI Icon.
Previous recipients of the honor include some of the biggest names in the genre. Among them are Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, L.A. Reid, Babyface, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, James Brown, and Busta Rhymes.
Although the five-time Grammy Award winner is set to become a BMI Icon with five No. 1 albums and multiple hit singles to his name, his icon status did nothing to help him clear one of his singles.
The “A Milli” hitmaker recently revealed his shock at learning he was unable to share one of his own songs on social media. During a recent appearance on the Hank vs. Wolf podcast, Weezy recalled posting a video of him and his friends doing a few skateboard tricks backed by one of his tracks.
However, the post was blocked, and Wayne was told he couldn’t share the song without clearing it first. “Clear what?” Lil Wayne questioned. “That’s me!”
Lil Uzi Vert has finally dropped their highly anticipated album Pink Tape, but many fans want to know why Playboi Carti was left off the project.
The rumblings began on Thursday evening when tidal shared the tracklist. While Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Don Toliver and many others appear on the project, Playboi Cardi is noticeably absent.
The ” Just Wanna Rock,” hitmaker has been teasing a Carti feature since earlier this year, previewing an unreleased track at Rolling Loud California in March. In the song, Uzi highlighted the tensions in their long-standing friendship but said they cherish the rapper. “Shout out to Carti, we don’t talk hardly, but that’s where my heart be,” Uzi raps.
A couple of weeks later, Uzi again hinted at a Carti collab and promised the duo would dominate with their upcoming music. “Me and my luv about 2 take over the world,” Uzi wrote on their Instagram Story in March.
During a Twitch interview with Adin Ross in February, Uzi revealed they have recorded over 40 songs with Playboi Carti for their long-awaited joint album 16*29.
However, when the Pink Tape tracklist surfaced on Thursday evening (June 29,) just hours before the project’s scheduled release, there was not a Carti feature among the 26 songs.
Carti began trending on Twitter with fans up in arms about his absence on the project, with some hoping Uzi would share it as a bonus track. Others suggested Carti was late turning in his verse but would definitely appear on the official tracklist.
Others accepted the news, believing Lil Uzi and Carti were beyond healing the rift. “Yall n##### jus needa realize Carti and Uzi got divorced and move on,” wrote one Twitter user.
yall n##### jus needa realize Carti and Uzi got divorced and move on
