Kid Cudi has Hit-Boy nearly as excited as he is for his upcoming animated series role.
Following the release of December 2023’s trilogy film Sonic The Hedgehog 3, a new trailer for the upcoming Paramount + series Knuckles starring Cudi, Idris Elba and Adam Pally began circulating on Thursday (February 8). In the two-minute plus preview of the show, Cudi’s character is revealed as Knuckles’ sworn enemy and comes to blows with the superhero in attempt to capture him. Cudi gushed about his upcoming role on Twitter (X) in a tweet while hyping up the scheduled premiere date.
“Knuckles and I square up APRIL 26th!!! Lock in!!! #KNUCKLES @SonicMovie ADAM PALLY AND IDRIS KILL THIS!! Cant wait for u all to see the madness [peace sign emoji] @adampally @idriselba @paramountplus,” Cudi tweeted.
The April 26 streaming release of Knuckles is being touted as a six-episode premiere event. Kid Cudi previously wrote and released his single “Stars In The Sky” to coincide with the Sonic The Hedgehog 2 sequel film in 2022. In a sense, his participation in the Knuckles series is somewhat of a natural progression.
Usher revealed that his kids gave him notes before his Super Bowl halftime performance.
During an appearance on an episode of The Talk, the 45-year-old R&B icon said that his children have been giving him notes to help him prepare for his performance in Las Vegas on Sunday.
In the episode, Usher was asked if his children – sons Usher Raymond, 16, Naviyd, 15, and Sire, two, and daughter Sovereign, three – would appear on stage during his halftime show.
“They will be around,” he replied. “Maybe for [the] tour, but no, I’ve been receiving tons of notes from Naviyd,” the Usher shared. “Usher, he gave me a couple of notes. He gave me a few songs he felt like I should definitely cut, songs I should keep.”
Usher then joked that, unlike his sons, his daughter was too busy to have any input into the setlist.
“Sovereign? She actually was too busy shooting videos, you know what I mean?” the performer quipped, referring to his latest music video featuring the three-year-old. “She’s a superstar now.”
Usher shares Naviyd and Usher with his ex-wife, Tameka Foster, while he has Sovereign and Sire with his longtime girlfriend, Jennifer Goicoechea.
The musician was announced as the Super Bowl halftime act in September last year.
“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,” he said in a statement. “I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unveiled its list of 2024 nominees on Saturday (February 10)—and Eric B. & Rakim are among the elite 15 artists The storied Hip-Hop duo—comprised of Eric “Eric B.” Barrier and William “Rakim” Griffin—has released four studio albums, including their platinum-selling debut, Paid In Full. Released in 1987, the project spawned the classics “Eric B. Is President,” “I Ain’t No Joke,” “I Know You Got Soul” and, of course, the title track.
Lyrically, Rakim has been exalted to the “God MC” and cited by numerous rappers as their biggest influence. His simple rhyming style paired with tongue-twisting metaphors puts him in rap’s upper echelon of MCs. On the production side, Eric B. has solidified his reputation as one of the culture’s innovators, known for his heavy sampling and astute ear.
In an interview with AllHipHop, Eric B. talked about their second Rock Hall nomination, the secret to their longevity and that time his father whipped out a .38 Special to scare them into taking their career seriously.
AllHipHop: Congratulations on the nomination.
Eric B: Maybe it’ll happen this time.
AllHipHop:I know! I was gonna say, this is the second time. So how are you feeling this year?
Eric B: I feel great about it. Let me tell you, anytime anybody nominates you or thinks about you, you should feel great.
AllHipHop:So just the nomination itself is a big honor for you.
Eric B: Exactly. It is.
AllHipHop:Let’s say you do get inducted, what would that mean to you?
Eric B: I think it’s a long time coming. We’re all righteous guys and girls, so it’s on God’s time, not our time. I’d be just as appreciative if I won it the first time, so it’s great.
AllHipHop: Do you think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is doing a good job of including hip hop, or do you think they could do more?
Eric B: Everybody can poke holes at somebody else’s operation, and I would never do that. They have their own process. I would never throw rocks at the Hall. This is their institution, they built it, so they do it their way and respect the process.
AllHipHop:You always come across as very respectful. What do you think is the secret to your longevity? Because a lot of Hip-Hop artists these days, it’s kind of like a revolving door. And here you guys are, it’s almost 40 years later.
Eric B: Because you know what? You know why we did it? We did it because it felt good. We didn’t get in this business to be stars. We got in this business to get out of the streets of New York and make our parents proud of us.
AllHipHop: Do you still have your parents?
Eric B: My father died in 2003, but my mother’s still alive.
AllHipHop: Did you call your mom right away with the news?
Eric B: My mother is funny. If she doesn’t recognize the number, my mother won’t answer the phone. I’m like, “Mom, are you kidding me?” So, sometimes my phone doesn’t register on 5G and she will not answer the phone. She’s one of those people. I said, “Mom, were you a secret agent in your life before or something? CIA?” She does not answer the phone if she doesn’t know the number. I don’t care how many times you call, she will not pick up the phone.
AllHipHop: So you had to call her a couple times?
Eric B: Yes, and she has not answered the phone yet, and she’ll tell me, “I can’t be talking to just anybody on the phone.” Oh, OK Mom.
AllHipHop: She sounds awesome. Where does she live now?
Eric B: She lives in a place called Ruleville, Mississippi. If you go past the traffic light, you went past her house.
AllHipHop: So she’s far away from all the glamour and the glitz of New York.
Eric B: She lived in New York for years and decided to move back home to Mississippi. She’s a retired as a school teacher and decided to move on to Mississippi.
AllHipHop: What do you think your dad would say if he was here right now and heard the news that his son is being nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
Eric B: I don’t think it would even register for him. He didn’t care about anything. He’d probably tell me, get in there and wash the dishes [laughs].
AllHipHop: Did he understand what you were doing in Hip-Hop culture when you were blowing up in the ’80s?
Eric B: Absolutely. He is probably the person that’s single-handedly responsible for turning us around, because when we first started doing it, everything was a joke. He was the one who really put his foot down and—I’ll never forget it. It was like yesterday—he said, “You guys are treating this like you’re selling nickel bags in the park, like y’all hustling. He said, “This is a million dollar operation and you guys are about to blow everything.” He said, “I don’t understand you guys. Look at our neighbors. My neighbors go to work in the dark and they come home and it’s dark. You guys just played a local roller skating rink and made $50,000. That’s more than my neighbors make in a year. You did that in 40 minutes and you guys are messing up this whole operation.”
He said, “Matter of fact, when you talk to people, tell them that you don’t have a father and you don’t know me.” We were going on tour. It was us, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe D, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. It was a bunch of us going on tour and we were going out the door. We were on our way to Hampton, Virginia and my father had everybody in the house. So he cussed us out for about an hour. Then he goes upstairs and gets his gun and comes downstairs and says, “All you stupid motherf###ers, get the f### out my house.” And he slammed the door. He said, “You guys are messing up a great opportunity just doing stupid stuff.” From then on, we treated it as a business. So he was right.
AllHipHop: So he gave you a big old reality check?
Eric B: Oh no, he took his gun out. He kept a.38. He went upstairs and got it and he said, “All you motherf###ers get the f### out.” He said, “The first person that makes a funny move I’m shooting you in the crack of your a##.”
AllHipHop: Did jaws drop?
Eric B: The funny thing about it is everybody and all my friends know that my father is serious, and if you came past the house, you’d have thought that we were coming out of a bank robbery or something. He said, “I’m telling you, the first person go in their pocket and act like they got something, I’m shooting you in the crack of your a##. And he was just adamant. He was on fire about it. Because he said we didn’t take it seriously. We didn’t take anything that we were doing seriously. And he was really p##### off about it.”
AllHipHop: Wow. So that changed your whole perspective on how you were going to move forward.
Eric B: Yes. And I treated it like a business ever since. I never, you know, if we didn’t get to accolades, but we did, we were still happy about it because we were still able to feed our family.
AllHipHop: What year was that?
Eric B: When he did that? That was ’87. I’ll never forget it.
Flavor Flav has revealed what he discussed with Taylor Swift during their encounter at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
The Public Enemy star, a self-confessed Swiftie, has opened up about their conversation at the annual music awards show on Sunday. At the NFL Honors event in Las Vegas, he told reporters he finally “got to get some Taylor time.”
“The discussion (at the event) was about me congratulating her on all her success. And me being a big fan of hers, a big supporter of hers,” Flavor Flav said on the red carpet.
“Having her acknowledge that her fan base, Swifties, gave me a name, ‘King Swiftie,'” he added. “I said, ‘You know they call me King Swiftie?’
She said, ‘I know!’ Yo, when I heard her say that, that was huge for me.”
Flavor Flav, 64, first met Taylor Swift at the iHeartRadio Awards in March 2023. He subsequently attended two of her shows in Detroit and Los Angeles in the summer and went to the premiere of her concert film, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” in October.
Brandy Haze clearly knows relationships. Her new song, “Circles,” is an emotionally complex track that delves deep into the nuances of romance. Haze’s ability to articulate the the depth of love, along with production by Txri Redd & Yahwah, evidently creates an experience for listeners. Her looming album, Sad Girl SZN, comes out later this month. The opus is set to be the sountrack for modern-day women and of of the complexities that goe with them. Check out the visuals for Circles.
Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2 Tour” begins March 1 at the Oakland Arena in California. The Hip-Hop superstar will have R&B veteran Monica as a special guest for the upcoming shows.
Monica announced her involvement with the “Pink Friday 2 Tour” during an interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show. Nicki Minaj then confirmed the news with a social media post.
“I’ve said many times, this woman has been one of my biggest inspirations since I was in Junior H.S.,” Minaj wrote on Instagram. “The iconic, trendsetting, Miss Thang herself – hits on hits on hits.”
The Pink Friday 2 album creator continued, “QUEEN @monicadenise will be one of the incredible artists accompanying me on the US dates of the #PinkFriday2 #GagCity Tour.”
Nicki Minaj recruited Monica for the Pink Friday 2 bonus track “Love Me Enough” which also features R&B singer Keyshia Cole. The studio LP debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 228,000 first-week units.
Monica scored a No. 1 placement on the Billboard 200 with 2003’s After the Storm album. In addition, the Atlanta-bred vocalist has three chart-toppers on the Billboard Hot 100, including “The Boy Is Mine” duet with Brandy.
Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2 Tour” runs through May 13 in Oklahoma City. The Trinidadian-born recording artist will travel to additional cities such as Las Vegas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, Toronto, Chicago, and Houston.
Atlanta, GA – After months of anticipation, hip-hop artist Rueben Wood has finally released his highly awaited album “5 AM On Peachtree”. The album, which features 17 tracks, is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Wood, known for his unique blend of soulful lyrics and catchy beats, has been teasing the release of this album for quite some time. Fans have been eagerly waiting for this project, which is said to be his most personal and introspective work yet.
The album’s title, “5 AM On Peachtree”, is a nod to Wood’s collegtown of Atlanta, Georgia. The city’s iconic street, Peachtree, has been a source of inspiration for the artist throughout his career. In this album, Wood takes listeners on a journey through the ups and downs of his life, with each track representing a different chapter.
Wood’s passion for music and dedication to his craft is evident in every song on the album. From the soulful ballad “Broken Dreams” to the upbeat and energetic “Peachtree Nights”, “5 AM On Peachtree” showcases Wood’s versatility as an artist.
With this album, Rueben Wood has once again proven himself as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Fans and critics alike are already praising the album, with many calling it his best work yet. “5 AM On Peachtree” is a must-listen for any hip-hop fan and is sure to be on repeat for months to come.
The album features Hip Hop greats and other artist such as Jadakiss, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Snoop Dogg, Mozzy, Curren$y, Juicy J, YBN Nahmir, Cam’ron, Juvenile, Benny The Butcher, Dizzy Wright, Capodonna, Hollywood 40, MSB Boog, LucyGotFans, JP Da Prince, and Moni Meechi.
For more information on Rueben Wood and his latest album “5 AM On Peachtree”, visit his website or follow him on social media. Don’t miss out on this highly anticipated release and be sure to add “5 AM On Peachtree” to your playlist today.
Ozzy Osbourne condemned Kanye West for sampling the Black Sabbath single “Iron Man” without permission on Friday (February 9). Osbourne said he rejected West’s request to sample a live performance of the song. Osbourne was outraged after finding out Ye used the sample anyway at the Vultures listening experience in Chicago.
“@KAYNEWEST ASKED PERMISSION TO SAMPLE A SECTION OF A 1983 LIVE PERFORMANCE OF ‘IRON MAN’ FROM THE US FESTIVAL WITHOUT VOCALS & WAS REFUSED PERMISSION BECAUSE HE IS AN ANTISEMITE AND HAS CAUSED UNTOLD HEARTACHE TO MANY,” Ozzy wrote on Instagram. “HE WENT AHEAD AND USED THE SAMPLE ANYWAY AT HIS ALBUM LISTENING PARTY LAST NIGHT. I WANT NO ASSOCIATION WITH THIS MAN!”
West and Ty Dolla $ign didn’t drop their Vultures album on Friday (February 9), adding to Ye’s string of missed release dates over the years. The controversial rapper/producer’s album releases have become crapshoots, often leaving fans empty-handed due to unforeseen delays.
Ye and Ty Dolla $ign’s Vultures release date already changed several times in recent months. The two finally settled on February 9 for the first volume of the album. A second volume was due out on March 8 with a third arriving on April 5. Those plans appear to be in flux, to say the least.
Osbourne’s condemnation of West was a stark contrast to the singer’s praise of T-Pain, who covered Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” on 2023’s On Top of the Covers album.
T-Pain performed his version of “War Pigs” at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood last year. A video of the live performance caught the attention of Osbourne in January.
“This is the best cover of ‘War Pigs’ ever,” Ozzy wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
T-Pain thanked Ozzy Osbourne and said the rocker’s endorsement was “the greatest form of validation.”
Kodak Black successfully convinced a Florida judge to dismiss a drug charge against him on Friday (February 9). According to the Sun Sentinel, Judge Barbara Duffy said prosecutors failed to “refute or negate the material fact that the defendant had an oxycodone prescription filled by a pharmacy.”
Bradford Cohen, Kodak Black’s lawyer, reacted to the judge’s decision on Instagram. Cohen posted a photo of the judge’s order and reiterated his intent to get his client out of jail.
“Motion to Dismiss @kodakblack new case for possession of ‘cocaine’ that was actually oxycodone….GRANTED,” Cohen wrote. “I will leave that right here. We have moved to have his bond reinstated. With my friends for over 20 years, @skywriter.esq and Fred Haddad.”
Kodak Black still faces one count of tampering with physical evidence. Cohen was optimistic about a dismissal of the tampering charge.
Last December, Broward County officers arrested Kodak Black after they found him asleep at the wheel of a vehicle. Officers allegedly discovered a “white chunky substance” during a search and claimed it tested positive for cocaine.
Kodak Black was originally booked for cocaine possession, but prosecutors did not pursue the charge. Prosecutors instead charged him with possession of oxycodone in January. Cohen filed a motion to dismiss the charge that same month. The lawyer said his client had a prescription for the drug.
“It’s oxycodone that Kodak had a prescription for and not an illegal substance,” Cohen wrote on social media. “Knowing that the officer substantially misrepresented his observations, the Broward State Atty Office still filed the charge. Unbelievable and it will not be tolerated. This level of abuse of power by the arresting officer is disgusting.”
Kodak Black is in federal custody for violating his probation. He remains on probation despite former President Donald Trump commuting the Florida-bred rapper’s sentence in a gun case.
Drench a.k.a. Lil Wet was indicted on a federal gun charge three years after the G Herbo affiliate avoided prosecution in a quadruple murder case. According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, Drench was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to possession of a machine gun on February 5.
Drench, whose real name is Maurice Harris, was arrested for possessing a machine gun in January. Authorities allegedly saw the drill rapper’s attempt to dispose of the weapon while they conducted a search warrant at a Chicago apartment on January 19.
“Law enforcement observed Maurice Harris temporarily lean out of a window of the 47th Street Apartment with a firearm in his hand and then throw the same firearm onto the roof of the 47th Street Apartment,” FBI agent Derreon McElwee said. “Law enforcement recovered the firearm, which was a loaded Glock pistol that was modified to convert the firearm from a semiautomatic weapon to an automatic weapon, causing the firearm to shoot more than one shot by a single function of the trigger.”
The feds cited two music videos as additional proof linking the G Herbo affiliate to the weapon. McElwee watched the rapper’s “Death” and “Murder Man” videos, noting Drench made statements about Glock switches in both songs.
“In ‘Murder Man,’ approximately 15 seconds into the video, Harris states, “My Glock [firearm] got a switch [Glock switch] get drenched,’” McElwee said. “Approximately 21 seconds into the video, Harris further states, ‘two switch [Two firearms with Glock switches] in my hand, for my AP two opps [opposition] they dead they hate me.’ Approximately 29 seconds into the video, Harris further states, ‘got my shooter with my they gonna spray for me.’”
The criminal complaint included a screenshot from Drench’s “Murder Man” video, which showed the G Herbo collaborator with blood on his hands and face. McElwee continued to highlight gun-related lyrics when he turned his attention to the “Death” video.
“In the ‘Death’ music video, approximately 37 seconds into the video, Harris states, ‘New Glocks [firearms] on us got switches [Glock switches] turn n#### a ghosts,” the FBI agent said. “At approximately one minute and 46 seconds into the ‘Death’ video, Harris further states, ‘these Glocks [firearms] on us switches [Glock switches] … Up this b#### and spray spray.’ Based on my training and experience, when Harris stated that Glock switches ‘spray spray,’ he was indicating that Glock switches allow firearms to ‘spray’ bullets.”
Drench previously faced multiple charges for a 2017 quadruple murder. Prosecutors dropped the charges in 2020.
Several organizations joined forces to celebrate the work of songwriters at a Grammy Week event in Los Angeles on February 3. The Digital Media Association partnered with the Black Music Action Coalition, Music Artists Coalition and Songwriters of North America to host A Songwriter Salute: Creatives, Congress and Cocktails.
“Songwriters deserve recognition and celebration for the vital role that they play in bringing music to life,” Digital Media Association president and CEO Graham Davies said. “DiMA works closely with creator advocates and was proud to present our Grammy event: A Songwriter Salute. We are grateful for the partnership with leading creator groups BMAC, MAC, and SONA on this event and for the commitment to ongoing dialogue about how to improve the music industry for all stakeholders.”
The event was arranged to help songwriters. The Digital Media Association enlisted advocacy groups such as the Black Music Action Coalition to facilitate important conversations about key issues facing songwriters and other figures in the music industry.
“BMAC’s priority is creating legislation that protects music creators and amplifying the larger justice movement within the music industry,” BMAC co-founder Willie “Prophet” Stiggers said. “We’re looking forward to continuing to work with DiMA and our fellow advocacy groups MAC and SONA to continue to serve as the bridge for the creative community and our lawmakers.”
SONA’s executive director Erin McAnally added, “Creating opportunities to honor and protect the crucial part that songwriters play in the music economy is a core value for SONA and our advocacy partners, BMAC and MAC. We are grateful to DiMA for aligning toward that mission with this successful event.”
A Songwriters Salute added to a busy Grammy Week for the Black Music Action Coalition. Just a few days before the event, the organization teamed with Victoria Monét to create the Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant. The grant will provide $5,000 and mentorship opportunities to a “young and deserving” Black artist.”
Embattled actor Jonathan Majors has been accused of abuse by two more ex-girlfriends.
The former Marvel star is currently awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of harassment and misdemeanor assault in December over an incident with his ex, Grace Jabbari, in March 2023.
His problems worsened on Thursday when The New York Times published allegations made against him by two ex-girlfriends, Emma Duncan and Maura Hooper, who submitted statements to the prosecution for his trial but they not allowed into evidence.
Duncan, who was engaged to Majors between 2015 to 2019, accused him of emotionally and physically abusing her – including one incident where he allegedly choked her and threw her across a room.
Hooper, who dated Jonathan Majors between 2013 to 2015, accused him of emotional abuse. They both alleged that he was controlling during their relationships and isolated them from their friends.
The 34-year-old’s lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, insisted Majors did not physically abuse Duncan. She acknowledged that they had “many serious arguments” and said Majors is now “choosing to take responsibility for his own part in that toxic relationship, focusing on himself, and addressing his lifelong depression.”
In regards to Hooper’s claims, Chaudhry said Majors was “young and insecure” at the time and is now “embarrassed by some of his jealous behavior.”
In her statement, Hooper claimed that she got an abortion during their relationship and alleged Majors didn’t pick up from the clinic so she walked herself home.
Chaudhry insisted that Majors and Hooper had agreed she would find her own way home as he couldn’t miss a rehearsal. She added, “That deeply sad event is still a painful memory for Mr. Majors.”
In addition to the ex-girlfriends, Jonathan Majors was accused of volatile behavior on the set of the 2020 TV show “Lovecraft Country.”
Three crew members allegedly complained to HBO executives about him and he was advised to apologize, which he did. Chaudhry disputed the account, insisting Majors had “never been told that anyone objected to his behavior.
Hooper and Duncan’s statements were not used during the trial because the defence argued it would be prejudicial to Majors.
Rapper/producer Grand Master Jay, the former leader of the Not F### ing Around Coalition (NFAC), was sentenced to seven years and two months in prison in 2022.
The situation involving Grand Master Jay— real name Dr. John F. Johnson—is a complex and controversial one. Johnson’s sentence by a Louisville, Kentucky judge stems from an incident in which he was accused of pointing his rifle at Louisville metro police officers during a rally. The rally, held by the NFAC, took place the night before the 2020 Kentucky Derby and was in protest of Breonna Taylor’s murder. Taylor was tragically killed by police in her apartment during a no-knock raid.
Johnson denied ever threatening officers, a notion in line with his modus operandi of obeying the laws of the land. He asserted that his actions were in response to a perceived threat from teenagers on a roof, but his defense didn’t resonate during the trial. Furthermore, the viral support that took over social media, YouTube and other platforms seemed to dissipate as quickly as it materialized showing how fickle sideline observers can be.
Nevertheless, Johnson remains, although he’s in federal prison.
“I’m alive and breathing and I’m able to count my fingers and my toes and I’m living through every day, so I guess I could say I’m all right,” he tells AllHipHop from FCI Ashland Federal in Kentucky.
The NFAC and Johnson have quieted greatly in the aftermath of the leader’s incarceration. In a previous interview with AllHipHop, Johnson said his supporters were in “sleep mode.” The all-Black militia was founded by Johnson in the wake of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery’s hunt-and-murder, but they followed the law consistently in their struggle for racial justice and police reform. But, being unbowed can create new plights and that’s where Johnson is now.
Johnson’s new ordeal began in April 2023, when medical staff at the Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.) detected alarming signs in his health: an irregular heartbeat, skyrocketing blood pressure and high cholesterol. Subsequent tests at a civilian medical center between June and August 2023 uncovered a rapidly deteriorating heart condition, stroke-level blood pressure and an erratic heart rhythm. Contrary to initial beliefs, they were not pre-existing conditions.
He explains exactly what he went through when cardiologists projected a life expectancy of 24 months last year.
“Back in April, I was diagnosed with having a cardiological condition that only gave me 24 months to live, so there was no way I would finish this sentence, so the Bureau of Prisons began taking steps to correct that,” he says. “I had a failing heart valve and also had a lot of chronic conditions that were spinning off of that. My heart was basically backfiring, so I was suffering from chronic heart failure. So what they ended up doing was through a series of tests and so forth, over the period of six months, it was determined that I would need several operations to save my life.
“These operations were not performed here inside of the prison. I was taken to one of the best cardiological medical centers here in the country under secret and returned. The operations were done. One of those operations was in November. The other one was in December, about a month ago. I came through both of those with flying colors, and right now I’m going through rehabilitation and recuperation.”
He continues, “I have to learn to walk again, you got to remember they cut me open. They literally break me open, cut my heart open, put me on a bypass machine and install a valve in my heart and I’m pumping, then close me back up.”
While he experienced a health crisis, Johnson’s legal battle for freedom continued to unfold. His federal conviction appeal progressed through the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and was scheduled for October 2023. Additionally, efforts to secure a commutation of his sentence were underway, contingent on the appeal’s outcome. The court, however, affirmed his sentence on October 23, 2023, which—in a twist of fate—allowed his commutation request to proceed to The White House.
In early November 2023, Johnson underwent his first heart operation. By November 15, a motion for Compassionate Release was filed, triggering a 30-day window for the B.O.P. to respond, after which Johnson could directly petition the courts.
He then underwent major open-heart surgery on December 18, 2023, followed by intensive care and a lengthy recovery period. His reps tell us his medical needs far exceed the capabilities of the prison that houses him. Moreover, Johnson was returned to his original institution, causing more concerns with his constituency.
In a significant development, new United States Sentencing Commission guidelines expanded medical grounds for Compassionate Release motions as of November 1, 2023. The change, prompted by cases like Johnson’s, has led to several successful compassionate release motions across the country. With the B.O.P.’s 30-day response period having elapsed on December 15, 2023, Johnson’s legal team is now preparing a motion for his release due to his health quandary.
Johnson’s health continues to improve inside FCI Ashland federal prison, but his ardent followers feel his longterm aftercare would be better managed outside under the care of personal physicians and loved ones. They are asking for support, especially from those who once backed him as he fought for those slain in blatant hate crimes. Cards, letters and other well-wishes are being collected and encouraged, which offer a beacon of hope and solidarity in his fight for health and freedom.
Johnson remains unbowed and continues to progress. Last December, he celebrated his 60th birthday. He earned his doctorate from the The Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College, a fully accredited school that offers masters and doctorate degree programs. Johnson was awarded the Doctorate of Humanities last year, before the surgeries, appeals and requests for commutations from Biden. His story continues.
“There’s a bigger picture you need to look at,” he ponders. “There’s a much bigger picture.”
More later.
Correspondence can be sent to:
C/O: Dr. John F. Johnson #20257509
FCI – Ashland
P.O. Box 6001
Ashland, KY 41105
c/o: John F Johnson #20257509
“I can understand why what is happening to me is happening to me and the movement. There are multiple things going on right now. You can let them do what they always do, which is demonize the Black man in the media. They’re not going to talk good about you. Stop wishing on a star. That’s why we need our news, not just on social media but our world.”
Lil Wayne appears to have plans to in place to secure his spot as the next performer at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show next year.
On Thursday (February 8), Wayne and YG appeared in episode two of the 4Hunnid podcast and discussed a number of topics, including the pardon he got from Donald Trump. As the conversation unfolded, the 2025 Super Bowl came up. The Big Game will be hosted in New Orleans, and they discussed if Wayne would perform in his hometown.
”I’m not sure—I would not lie to you,” Wayne said. “I have not got a call or nothing. But we all praying. We praying, we keeping our fingers crossed.”
As Weezy continued, he seemingly revealed his plans for his forthcoming album in the process.
“I’m working hard and making sure this next album and everything I do is killer!” he added. “So I’m going to make it very hard for them to holla at me.”
Lil Wayne was asked if he would perform at the Superbowl in 2025 in recent interview pic.twitter.com/4NFhyyth1A
Wayne will take part in a major sporting event later this month, possibly providing a glimpse of what his 2025 halftime performance could look like. In addition to being appointed as an assistant coach for the NBA Celebrity All-Star game in Indianapolis, he’s also scheduled to take the stage ahead of the game at the Indiana Convention Center on February 18.
Beyoncé fans might just become fans of the 2000s’ sitcom King of Queens following the unveiling of a new wax figure. Earlier this week, Madame Tussaud’s unveiled its latest creation inspired by the likeness of the one and only Beyoncé. Social media is divided on who the wax figure actually resembles. Having drawn comparisons to Mariah Carey and Rihanna, actress Leah Remini appears to be the favorite for having features that are nearly identical to the figure.
Remini shared her animated reaction to the figure with her followers on Twitter (X), remarking one what it’s like being compared to Queen Bey at this stage in life.
“I am screaming! And loving all the tweets! This perimenopausal woman will take any and all comparisons to the beautiful Beyoncé!” Remini wrote in the tweet.
I am screaming! And loving all the tweets!
This perimenopausal woman will take any and all comparisons to the beautiful Beyoncé! https://t.co/d8qVR90tcQ
Bey and Remini aren’t the only stars to have their likeness misconstrued following the reveal of a wax figure. Last year Lil Wayne actually disowned the figure unveiled in his likeness after a video went viral and created a similar level of division among his fans.
“Sorry wax museum but dat s### ain’t me! You tried tho and I appreciate the effort,” Wayne wrote in a tweet.
Check out Weezy’s wax figure below.
Sorry wax museum but dat s### ain’t me! You tried tho and I appreciate the effort.
Declyn “Dex” Lauper, the son of music legend Cyndi Lauper, has been arrested in connection with a shooting incident in Harlem, New York City, law enforcement officials reported.
The arrest occurred on the evening of February 8, 2024, following a response by the New York Police Department (NYPD) to reports of gunfire.
The incident resulted in a 24-year-old victim being shot in the leg. Authorities have confirmed that the victim was promptly taken to the hospital and is currently in stable condition.
Lauper, 26, was apprehended at the scene with a loaded firearm in his possession. The NYPD has charged him with criminal possession of a weapon.
The arrest has sparked widespread media attention, given Lauper’s status as the offspring of an iconic figure in the music industry and his own career in the entertainment sector as a rapper.
Dex Lauper has had several interactions with the law prior to his recent arrest related to a shooting incident in Harlem.
One notable incident took place in July 2022 when Lauper was arrested at a memorial service for another rapper. Authorities detained him for being in possession of a stolen 2014 Mercedes Benz, which had been reported stolen in 2020 in the Bronx.
The arrest occurred as Lauper attended the service for Notti Osama, a young Hip-Hop artist tragically stabbed to death. Lauper was charged with unlawful possession of stolen property.
Dex Lauper has released several singles and music videos showcasing his rap skills and artistic direction. His debut project As Life Goes On featured contributions from well-known artists like Smoke DZA, A$AP TyY and Manolo Rose.
Usher is back with his latest full-length body of work. The R&B legend let loose his ninth studio LP,Coming Home, on Friday (February 9) via Larry Jackson’s gamma.
“Coming Home is an ode to going back to your roots, whatever or wherever that may be,” states Usher. “I’m Coming Home to where I’m comfortable in being exactly who I am right now. My hope is that you identify with the new album no matter where you are or what you’re going through, too.”
Usher connected with Burna Boy, Latto, The-Dream, H.E.R., Pheelz, and Jungkook for collaborations on Coming Home. “Good Good” featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage became a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
After A Successful Run In Vegas, Usher Plans To Tour Across The Continent
Coming Home arrived two days before Usher headlines the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show. The National Football League’s championship game takes place on Sunday (February 11) from Allegiant Stadium in Nevada.
Usher became a central figure in the Las Vegas area in recent years thanks to his highly-publicized “My Way: The Vegas Residency” series of shows. In October 2023, the diamond-certified singer received the Key to the City.
This year will see Usher crisscross North America for his “Past Present Future” tour. The trek kicks off on August 20 in Washington, DC. The 45-year-old music star plans to travel to other locations such as Philadelphia, Toronto, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Chicago.
I heard U…DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND – ADDITIONAL DATES ADDED to USHER: PAST PRESENT FUTURE | Tickets on sale Monday, Feb 12 at 10am local. Make sure U sign up for the fan presale starting Friday, Feb 9 at 10am at <https://t.co/0yQPF9MEQd> pic.twitter.com/3JvbIY4Hg0
“I am so proud of Usher not only as a world-class entertainer but also as someone that I’ve counted as a friend since we were teens. As a friend that has now fearlessly taken his career into his own hands,” gamma co-founder/CEO Larry Jackson states.
Jackson also adds, “With this new ninth studio album, he’s bravely unplugged from the matrix of the establishment and become one of the most powerful and important independent artists in the world. And doing it on his own terms.”
The former Apple Music executive continues, “I have such deep admiration and respect for how he’s charting this chapter of his career and all of us at gamma could not be happier to count him as a partner as we work closely with mega to turbocharge this incredible moment at hand.”
Adin Ross has now entered the ongoing feud between Joe Budden and Kai Cenat. The back-and-forth between Cenat and Budden kicked into high gear following the Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 4).
Kai Cenat expressed disappointment and confusion over Killer Mike’s Michael winning the Grammy for Best Rap Album this year. The 22-year-old New York City native blasted the award show outcome during a livestream.
“I don’t know who this is,” Cenat said about Killer Mike on his show. “Hey brother, God bless you. Congratulations. Who decided this motherf######? Who the f### decided this motherf#####?!”
Joe Budden, 43, used his podcast to fire back at Kai Cenat on behalf of Killer Mike and older Hip-Hop fans. The retired MC-turned-podcaster said, “Y’all little streaming n###s don’t always run s###! Shut the f### up!”
Adin Ross Says Joe Budden Has “No Room To Talk”
Those comments from Joe Budden led to Adin Ross defending Kai Cenat. The 23-year-old, controversial streamer delivered a message to Budden that included him comparing the “Pump It Up” hitmaker to other 40+ rappers.
“Joe Budden, every time I see you or a clip of you, it’s just on some hating s###. I’m gonna be honest, bro, I don’t know what you do. I can’t even name one Joe Budden song, respectfully,” Adin Ross stated on his livestream.
The Florida-born internet personality also said, “You’re one of these old heads that just hate. Why can’t you be more like Rick Ross or Snoop Dogg? The OGs that are cool as f### and show flowers and appreciation towards all the young motherf######s. I ain’t gonna lie. You have no room to talk, no room to speak.”
Budden Has Been Accused Of Being A “Hater” Before
Adin Ross went on to claim he and Kai Cenat are “ten times richer” than Budden. He also stated, “You’re obviously a very salty old man. You have nothing going on for yourself, so you try to now hate on the young motherf*****s that are more successful than you.”
Joe Budden has been accused of “hating” younger celebrities in the past. In 2017, he got into an awkward exchange with then-rising rapper Lil Yachty on the now-defunct Everyday Struggle digital show.
Post Malone and Swae Lee’s “Sunflower” has earned a double-diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), making it the best-selling song of all time.
2018’s “Sunflower” became the first track in RIAA history to earn a 20x-platinum plaque. The collaboration lives on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Soundtrack from & Inspired by the Motion Picture).
“Post Malone and Swae Lee have officially raised the bar on what creative partnerships and infectious collaborations have the power to accomplish,” RIAA Chairman/CEO Mitch Glazier stated. “‘Sunflower’ has now been streamed or downloaded more than 20 million times in the U.S. alone, and they’ve earned the custom hardware to prove it.”
Post Malone and Swae Lee’s “Sunflower” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song earned Record Of The Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance nominations at the 2020 Grammy Awards.
“Congratulations Post, Swae Lee and Mercury/Republic Records for making history with the very first 2x-diamond single!” Glazier concluded.
Post Malone released his fifth studio LP, Austin, in July 2023. The Republic Records signee will be part of the pregame festivities for Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday (February 11). The NFL recruited Malone to perform “America the Beautiful” before the game.
Shannon Sharpe kicked off the year with a pair of viral interviews on his Club Shay Shay podcast, and now he’s ruffled Saweetie’s feathers, grilling her over her ex, Quavo, after inviting her to be a guest on the Nightcap live show alongside co-host Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.
The duo invited her to appear on their live show, Resorts World Las Vegas, on Thursday night (February 8).
The chat got off to a very awkward start, with Sharpe referring to his guest as “the one who used to date Quavo.”
The “Best Friend” hitmaker fired back with, “Why you do that to me?” before questioning, “That’s all I got?” and running through a list of her accolades.
Sharpe then moved on to her relationship with Quavo and asked about the likelihood of a reunion.
“I don’t really spin the block,” she replied as Ochocinco attempted to intervene. “Oh, we got ‘Club Shay Shay’ today,” Saweetie remarked, sensing things were going to get messy.
Sharpe continued to grill Saweetie, who recently ended her relationship with YG, over the possibility of rekindling her Quavo romance. “If I met the right one, I wouldn’t have to spin the block,” she replied.
Not ready to get off the topic of her romance with the Migos rapper, Sharpe continued.
“Why did you get rid of the gift?” he said, seemingly referring to rumors Quavo bought Saweetie a Bentley, which he later repossessed following their split.
“I didn’t get rid of the gift,” Saweetie replied before laughing. When Sharpe questioned what happened to it, claiming he was unaware, she responded, “Come on. Now you know what happened.”
Saweetie continued, “needless to say I bought myself the big Cullinan Rolls-Royce so it don’t even matter.”
