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Mary J. Blige Reveals Past Struggles With Voice & Self-Image On National TV

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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In an emotional revelation during a recent appearance on “TODAY with Hoda & Jenna,” music icon Mary J. Blige discussed the personal journey toward self-acceptance and embracing her unique sound.

The Grammy-award-winning artist, known for her soulful voice and moving lyrics, admitted to previously disliking the sound of her own voice, a sentiment that has taken years to overcome.

“I do now, I didn’t used to. I didn’t like the sound of my voice,” Blige stated, opening up about her past struggles with self-image and confidence.

This candid admission comes as a surprise to many, given Blige’s successful career spanning over three decades, marked by her signature vocal style that has garnered a devoted fan base and critical acclaim. Despite her initial discomfort with her vocals, Blige has grown to appreciate her unique sound, describing a significant shift in how she perceives her music.

“But now I listen to my music and now I love everything about me, I do. I used to hate everything about me. The sound of my voice, the sound of my speaking voice. And I used to just be afraid to hear any music back,” she explained.

This transformation highlights not only her journey to self-love but also the resilience and strength required to overcome personal hurdles. Blige, affectionately known as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, reflected on the importance of self-love and being one’s own biggest supporter.

The 53-year-old artist shared insights into how she has learned to celebrate her accomplishments and inner beauty.

“We grow up thinking we couldn’t boast or brag or love on ourselves, and now I’m doing all that,” Blige remarked, emphasizing the joy she finds in being her own friend and champion.

The interview sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by public figures in reconciling their inner doubts with external perceptions.

For Mary J. Blige, the path to loving and accepting her voice has also been a journey of personal growth and healing, allowing her to connect with her music—and herself—in ways she once thought impossible.

Future & Metro Boomin Announce Two Collaborative Albums

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Longtime musical partners Future and Metro Boomin plan to release multiple joint efforts. The Atlanta-raised rapper and the St. Louis-raised producer will drop two albums over the next five weeks.

After Future first met a 17-year-old Metro Boomin over a decade ago, the two Hip-Hop stars worked together on singles such as “Karate Chop,” “Where Ya At,” and “Mask Off.” They have now officially joined forces on full-length projects.

Future X Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You is set to arrive on Friday, March 22. The duo will then drop another body of work on Friday, April 12. A 44-second trailer for We Don’t Trust You hit YouTube on Friday (March 8).

Metro Boomin has been hinting at a collaborative album with Future for months. The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards featured the beatmaker/recording artist telling the television audience, “Me and Pluto album on the way.”

Previously, Metro Boomin collaborated with 21 Savage and Offset for 2017’s Without Warning. He also linked up with 21 Savage for 2016’s Savage Mode EP and 2020’s Savage Mode II LP. Metro’s 2022 solo album, Heroes & Villains, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.

Future appeared on the Heroes & Villains tracks “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” with Chris Brown and “Too Many Nights” with Don Toliver. The Freebandz leader’s I Never Liked You became his eighth Billboard 200 chart-topper in 2022. He also created collaborative projects with Zaytoven, Drake, Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Juice WRLD and Lil Uzi Vert.

Rick Rubin Labeled As Trump-Supporting, Right-Wing Conspiracy Theorist By Boots Riley

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Rick Rubin established himself as a music industry icon. According to filmmaker Boots Riley, the Def Jam Recordings co-founder is also a far-right conservative and Donald Trump supporter.

On Friday (March 8), Boots Riley went on social media to call out Rick Rubin for his alleged extreme views. The Sorry to Bother You director claimed Rubin tries to enlist other celebrities to conspiracy theory-based political movements, including Kanye West.

West has openly backed Trump, even referring to the MAGA leader as a father figure. The polarizing Vultures 1 artist also teamed up with right-wing political commentator Candace Owens.

“Now is as good a time as any to tell people that Rick Rubin is a behind-the-scenes rightwinger who tries to recruit music industry folks to Q-anon type stuff and is who (according to Kanye) convinced Kanye to meet Candace Owens and endorse Trump,” Riley tweeted.

As far as Rick Rubin, the 60-year-old producer of popular tracks for acts like LL COOL J and JAY-Z has reportedly retweeted alt-right figures such as Mike Cernovich in the past.

Boots Riley identifies as a communist. The lead vocalist of the Oakland-bred, left-leaning political Hip-Hop band The Coup admitted to joining the Progressive Labor Party at the age of 15. Riley viewed his Sorry to Bother You social satire as an analysis of capitalism.

Drake’s High-Roller Move Flops: Betting Big On Francis Ngannou Results In Massive Loss

By: Devon Jefferson Updated Category: News
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Drake’s bold bet on Francis Ngannou against Anthony Joshua resulted in a six-figure loss, adding to the fabled “Drake curse.” On Friday (March 8), reports began circulating of the massive bet Drake placed with Stake in favor of Nigerian UFC sensation winning over the British boxing icon during their anticipated match-up in Saudi Arabia.

In an Instagram post, Drake shared the details of his bet, firmly standing on his belief that Ngannou was the more formidable opponent featured in the bout in the process.

“Betting on a scary man,” Drizzy wrote in the caption of the screenshot of the @stake bet he placed, which would’ve flipped his bet into a staggering $1,906,500 had Ngannou emerged victorious.

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Drake ended up eating his words, along with a $615,000 loss, after Ngannou was knocked out in the second round. The former UFC heavyweight champion’s demise sequence was quite the spectacle to watch as well, as Ngannou took a tumble to the canvas following an ill-timed jab and an eight-second count from the referee.

Upon regaining his balance, Ngannou was knocked directly off of his feet immediately by a major right-hand blow Joshua dealt to the head. Ngannou, known for his formidable knockout power in the UFC, boasts an impressive record of 17 wins, 12 by knockout, with only three losses.

Ngannou’s professional boxing record is not nearly as impressive, as he’s currently zero and two due to his previous loss to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. While Ngannou lost to Fury, his loss came as a decision rather than a knockout.

On the other side, Anthony Joshua, a former two-time unified world heavyweight champion, carries an almost surgically accurate record, highlighted by 24 wins, 22 of which came by knockout, and only three total losses. Drake’s confidence in Ngannou could stem from the fighter’s recent departure from the UFC, following a contentious contract dispute, and his expressed desire to test his mettle in boxing.

Joshua also may have been the underdog, despite his record, having faced a disappointing loss to Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch last August. The latest bet adds to the narrative of the so-called “Drake Curse,” a phenomenon where teams or athletes that the Canadian rapper publicly supports often fail to win their contests.

Professional boxer Jake Paul blamed Drizzy for his lost to Tommy Fury last year. Fans of Ngannou and sports bettors alike will be watching closely to see if Drake’s backing breaks the curse or adds another chapter to its folklore.

Check out the knockout below.

Mike Epps Admits He Abused Cocaine Despite Ice Cube’s Pleas To Stop

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Mike Epps revealed he was high on cocaine during the 2002 filming of his movie All About the Benjamins with Ice Cube. The comedian discussed his drug use on an episode of Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s All the Smoke podcast.

“I’ve been on drugs, I’ve been through hell,” Epps told Barnes and Jackson. “I did most of the movies on cocaine. All About the Benjamins, I was—man, I used to sit in Ice Cube’s trailer in the morning and be crying tears. He like, ‘Mike, wipe your face, man. You a king, n####. Stop doing this s### to yourself.’ I’m sitting there wiping myself ‘cause I was really, really, really—I had survivor’s remorse.”

Epps noted he used drugs to appeal to his old friends. He recalled how they rejected him when he was doing well but showed him love when he was struggling with cocaine abuse.

“I was so sad that I left all them n##### here in the city and I was famous,” Epps said. “And when I would come home, I wanted them to be happy for me. And they was mad at me. So, I said damn I gotta destroy myself for you to like me. I was like damn, my favorite n####, it seemed like he liked me more when I’m coming down off coke and I’m crying and I hate myself.”

Ice Cube and Epps starred in All About the Benjamins after working together on Next Friday, the sequel to the beloved comedy Friday. Epps portrayed Craig’s cousin Day-Day in Next Friday. Day-Day became one of the lead roles in the Friday franchise once Chris Tucker opted to not reprise his role as Smokey.

Epps currently stars in the Netflix series The Upshaws, which premiered in 2021. The sitcom was renewed for a fourth season in 2023.

J.PERIOD’s “Story To Tell (Chapter Two)” Album Redefines Hip-Hop With Dave Chappelle & Others

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Exclusives
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In an industry often criticized for its lack of innovation, Grammy Award-nominated DJ/producer J.PERIOD shatters expectations with his latest album, heralded as a musical odyssey. The album, Story To Tell (Chapter Two), threads together historical narratives, contemporary issues and futuristic sounds, showcasing the Brooklyn-based artist’s unparalleled ability to blend genres seamlessly.

“For me, music is a storytelling medium,” J.PERIOD said during an exclusive interview with Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur. “With this album, I wanted to push the boundaries further than I ever have. It’s not just about beats; it’s about painting pictures with sound and letting the listener experience history, present, and future all at once.”

The album boasts collaborations with a proverbial constellation of stars ranging Dave Chappelle, Andra Day and Joss Stone to Aloe Blacc and Mumu Fresh. Musically, the opus delves into different music realms, including Hip-Hop, reggae and soul, emphasizing the diversity of influences. “Collaboration is the heart of creativity. Bringing together voices from different genres was essential in creating a sound that transcends time,” he explained.

J.PERIOD’s goal with this album is clear: to provoke thought, inspire change and educate through music. “There are tracks that directly address social and political issues facing our world today,” he noted. “Music has the power to change minds and hearts, and I’m harnessing that power.”

Reflecting on the journey of creating the album, J.PERIOD said, “It’s been an incredible challenge. There were moments of doubt, but also moments of pure magic. This album is the culmination of years of work, and I believe it’s my most important work to date.”

He believes in the strength he has access to through music. As he concluded, “I’ve always been fascinated by the power of music to connect eras and genres. This album is my love letter to that power. It’s a journey I can’t wait for the world to join me on.”

Listen to Story To Tell (Chapter Two) below.

Busta Rhymes Reunites Flipmode Squad For New Album

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Busta Rhymes announced the return of Flipmode Squad on Friday (March 8). The platinum-selling rapper previewed a song from the group’s first album in more than two decades on Instagram.

“I gotta unveil something to y’all because it’s coming,” he said in the video. “It’s time. Flipmode album is coming! 26 years later. Yeah! Yeah!”

Busta shouted out fellow Flipmode Squad members Rah Digga and Baby Sham in the clip. Rah Digga and Baby Sham were part of Flipmode Squad’s debut album The Imperial, which dropped in 1998.

“I WILL NEVER STOP TELLIN’ Y’ALL, THE BLESSINGS [DON’T] STOP SO WE WILL NEVER STOP!!” Busta wrote on Instagram. “BRAND NEW FLIPMODE SQUAD ALBUM IS COMIN’!! 26YRS LATER!! STAY TUNED S### BOUT TO GET A DIFFERENT TYPE A DANGEROUS OUT THIS B####!! ALBUM TITLE COMIN’SOON!!! EVERYDAY IT’S MORE SMOKE.”

Flipmode Squad’s lineup changed over the years, raising questions about which rappers will be involved in the reunion album. Rah Digga and Baby Sham appeared to be on board for the project based on Busta’s teaser.

Arguably the best-known iteration of the group featured Busta, Spliff Starr, Rah Digga, Rampage, Lord Have Mercy and Baby Sham. These six members formed the group for The Imperial, Flipmode Squad’s only album to date.

Busta revealed the new Flipmode Squad album after unexpectedly canceling his 2024 Blockbusta Tour, which was supposed to begin on March 13. Fans were not informed of the reason for the cancellation.

“Unfortunately, the Event Organizer has had to cancel your event,” a Ticketmaster notice for the tour read. “No action is required to obtain a refund. It will be processed to the original method of payment used at time of purchase, once funds are received from the Event Organizer, which is usually completed within 30 days.”

Busta planned to tour in support of his Blockbusta album, which dropped in 2023.

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Did Druski & Young MA Get Into A Freak Off?

By: Devon Jefferson Updated Category: Rumors
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Druski may have just revealed he was once intimately involved with Young MA. In case you missed it, Druski took over Kai Cenat’s Twitch channel for a special Coulda Been Records live stream. It was all fun and games until Druski appeared to slip up and reveal he and the Brooklyn rapper were much closer than they appear.

“You hating, I hit the biggest stud in the game n###a,” Druski started off. “Young MA, f###ed that—you can’t name another stud better than that.”

Things took a kinky turn as Druski began describing the lewd actions in graphic detail, saying “I f###ed it, I took it.”

Seemingly bewildered, Kai Cenat questioned Druski, “You took it—took what? You took that Ooouuu,” referencing MA’s#### track “OOOUUU” from 2016.

The likelihood that Druski is cappin’ is fairly high—but the possibility he’s telling the truth is nearly as plausible. The pair have linked up on multiple occasions to shoot content, previously connecting in 2021 for an episode of Druski’s Revolt series geared toward sustainability. They also connected for one of those viral blind date videos for his YouTube channel in 2022.

Check out the insane clip above and revisit Druski and Yung MA’s blind dates YouTube segment below.

Lil Wayne Puts Former Chef’s Lawsuit To Rest

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Lil Wayne reached a settlement with his former private chef, who sued him in 2022. According to Fox 11 Los Angeles, chef Morghan Medlock worked out a deal with her former employer on Tuesday (March 5).

Medlock’s attorney informed Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kristin Escalante of the settlement on Thursday (March 7). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lil Wayne avoided trial by settling with Medlock out of court. A trial was scheduled for July 8.

Medlock filed her lawsuit in December 2022. She accused Lil Wayne of discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.

The chef claimed Weezy fired her for leaving work to take care of her injured child, who was hospitalized with a head injury. Medlock’s son suffered the injury while she was with the rapper in Las Vegas for Memorial Day weekend 2022. The chef insisted she did everything possible to accommodate her boss despite her need to return to Los Angeles to be with her son.

“Though she was well aware of her job tasks and schedule and anticipated return date to Los Angeles, Ms. Medlock made her best efforts to coordinate her return to Los Angeles in conjunction with her job tasks and [Lil Wayne’s] scheduled return to Los Angeles, which would have allowed her to then go directly to care for her son,” her lawsuit contended.

Medlock booked a separate flight to get back to her son. Lil Wayne’s assistant asked Medlock if she was quitting, which she denied. The chef thought his team would understand her situation, but she got fired days later.

“Tell Chef Morghan this isn’t going to work,” Lil Wayne’s assistant told her, relaying a message from the diamond-selling artist.

Lil Wayne denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers said Medlock was fired for “legitimate, good faith, justified, nondiscriminatory and/or non-retaliatory business reasons.”

Darren Waller Give Us His Latest Single + Video, “Faith Test”

By: Staff Writer Updated Category: Music
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[New York, NY] Originally from Atlanta and currently residing in Las Vegas, Darren Waller transcends his role as a professional football player. He now emerges as a versatile Hip-Hop artist and an avid student of all musical genres.
Waller commenced his musical journey in 2015 and has since garnered some noteworthy accomplishments. He has secured placements on the Madden NFL soundtrack and collaborated with artists such as Sy Ari Da Kid and Euroz.

Waller’s mission is to enthrall audiences and share inspiration derived from his personal experiences. A perfect showing is his latest release, “Faith Test,” that serves as a preview to his upcoming album, “The Ripple Effect.” Rooted in insights from a 12-step book, the album delves into the profound impact of thoughts and actions. Beyond his musical pursuits, Waller passionately advocates for mental health and substance abuse support. Looking forward, he envisions a future marked by extensive travel and engaging public speaking, fueled by a genuine dedication to inspire and uplift those he encounters along the way.

“Faith Test illuminates the power of patience and perseverance despite the circumstances that may be surrounding us. Pain and frustration are inevitable, but they aren’t without purpose. Our faith needs to be tested. Things may not happen the way you plan and you may feel lost, but everything you experience and encounter is necessary for who you are becoming.”  – DARREN

Darren also released the accompanying music video directed by AROD2UP. In just under two weeks, the visual has amassed over 150K views and counting. “Faith Test” is now available for streaming across all major DSPs.

ABOUT Darren Waller, an Atlanta-raised Hip-Hop artist currently residing in Las Vegas, is not just a professional football player but also a dedicated student of all music genres. Influenced by Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Coldplay, he started his musical journey in 2015. Achieving milestones like Madden NFL soundtrack placements and collaborations with Sy Ari Da Kid and Euroz, Waller aims to inspire listeners with personal experiences.

CONNECT WITH DARREN WALLER

Instagram  |  Twitter  |  TikTok  |  YouTube

De La Soul Reunites With Prince Paul For “Colbert” Performance

By: Kyle Eustice Updated Category: Exclusives
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The surviving members of De La Soul—Posdnuos and Maseo—reunited with longtime producer Prince Paul for a performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Thursday night (March 7). The trio sailed through an entertaining rendition of “Eye Know,” which is included on the newly-released 35th anniversary edition of De La Soul’s debut album, 1988’s Three Feet High and Rising.

Wearing signature De La Soul aprons, Prince Paul, Maseo and Pos added various ingredients to the “mix”—from whistles, beets and little saxophones “approved by Kenny G” to some tiny guitars and a CD from Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen including the song “Peg,” which is sampled on the track. From there, Pos went into the first verse before delivering the second verse that was originally performed by Dave “Trugoy The Dove” Jolicoeur, who died in February 2023.

Prince Paul, who provided the sample-heavy production genius for Three Feet High and Rising as well as De La Soul Is Dead (1991) and Buhloone Mindstate (1993), was simply grateful to be a part of it.

“It’s always fun reuniting with the crew,” Prince Paul tells AllHipHop. “Dave would have been proud!”

Pos and Maseo touched on Dave’s passing in a recent interview with AllHipHop and confirmed they were moving forward with new music. As Mase said, “The plan is definitely to step out and put my best foot forward to make AOI 3 a reality. We are definitely looking to complete that mission. Pos has other ideas that he’s trying to bring to fruition. We got the blessing of friends and family—and Dave’s family in particular— for us to keep moving forward. We were actually kind of summoned to it.

“We went to Dave’s memorial at his house, and everybody that we grew up with was like, ‘Y’all know y’all gotta keep going.’ And on so many levels I feel like we have to and, at the same time, we want to. We still got a lot in the tank.”

The anniversary edition of Three Feet High and Rising includes six bonus tracks: “Freedom of Speak (We Got Three Minutes),” the 12” version of “Jenifa Taught Me,” “What’s More,” “Plug Tunin’ (Home Demo),” “Freedom of Speak (Home Demo)” and “Ain’t Hip to Be Labelled a Hippie.” Find it here and watch the performance above.

Drake Takes Huge Risk With Bet On Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua Fight

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Drake showed tremendous confidence in former UFC champion Francis Ngannou’s ability to beat former two-time world champion boxer Anthony Joshua. The OVO superstar placed a $615,000 bet on Ngannou in a boxing match against Joshua.

“Betting on a scary man @stake,” Drake wrote on Instagram.

Ngannou and Joshua will battle in Saudi Arabia on Friday (March 8). If Ngannou wins, Drake will receive an estimated payout of $1.9 million. Ngannou, who shocked fans in his first boxing match against Tyson Fury, is the underdog versus Joshua.

Last year, Ngannou fought Fury in a bout many observers wrote off as a novelty. Ngannou proved his doubters wrong by knocking down Fury in a highly competitive bout. Fury won via split decision, but a large contingent of fans and boxing mavens believed Ngannou was the rightful winner.

The Fury fight bolstered Ngannou’s reputation in boxing, resulting in the bout with Joshua. Ngannou will not benefit from the element of surprise in his second professional boxing match.

“We are not looking past this fight, the incentives and all that stuff, it is just about a win,” Joshua said ahead of the fight. “I’ve got to focus on my game plan and what I’ve got to do. His first dream was to be a boxer, which people forget. He had been doing it from a young age so I know what I am up against because I look at all these small details.”

Ngannou expected to win but downplayed the result’s impact on his future in boxing.

“This will be the best so far, but I am only just getting started,” he said. “I am really looking to get the victory on Friday night, but I don’t think this will be any statement on my career because the road is still long. The reason I am here is because I always believe in myself, I do my best, but I cannot control the outcome. I believe in my determination, my dedication and the work I put in in order to have what I want.”

Fans can stream the fight on DAZN. The PPV is available for $39.99.

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NBA YoungBoy Drops “Compliments Of Grave Digger Mountain” Project

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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NBA YoungBoy is still under court-ordered house detention in Utah, but the home imprisonment has not stopped the Baton Rouge, Louisiana native from presenting new music. Fans of the “Bandit” hitmaker received a collection of new tunes from his crew this week.

The 24-year-old recording artist released Compliments of Grave Digger Mountain today (March 8). The project came out via Never Broke Again/Motown Records.

Compliments of Grave Digger Mountain spotlights rising Never Broke Again label acts. NBA YoungBoy recruited bbg baby joe, Lil Dump, Herm, WHOGANGDEE, Dej Rose Gold, Vontina, DDawg, Quando Rondo and Meechy Baby for the compilation album.

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Previously, NBA YoungBoy dropped his sixth solo studio LP, Don’t Try This at Home, in April 2023. His catalog also includes four Billboard 200 chart-toppers, including 2020’s Top and 2021’s Sincerely, Kentrell.

Don’t Try This at Home debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart with 60,000 first-week units. The 32-track album became YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s fifteenth Top 10 entry on the weekly rankings.

NBA YoungBoy named his Millcreek, Utah residence as Grave Digger Mountain. A federal judge ordered the rap star to serve house arrest in the Beehive State home while awaiting his drug and firearm trial.

Busta Rhymes Jumps On “This Ain’t No Game” With 5IVE MICS

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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Dreams are made and legends are born with an emcee builds with Busta Rhymes! And this one’s a banger.

5IVE MICS has been tearing up the New York scene with his raw energy and dope rhymes. Remember that Scram Jones produced anthem “New New York” featuring the don Fat Joe? Homie just leveled up, linking with Busta Rhymes for “This Ain’t No Game.”

They trade verses like the lyrical gladiators on a cooked up by another legend Ted Smooth. It’s like a masterclass in Hip-Hop. “This Ain’t No Game” is another single from 5IVE MICS’s much-anticipated, looming debut album The Drop Is In.

It just dropped so check it out below.

5IVE MICS ABOUT “THIS AIN’T NO GAME”:

“This Ain’t No Game” represents the new Hip Hop renaissance being ushered in where pen game, bars and beats are recentered for a hit while still keeping it hot” says 5ive Mics. “This Ain’t No Game’, because Hip Hop ain’t no game. The five Hip Hop elements are celebrated by the new generation of lyrical artists being elevated. For that fact alone I love that Busta Rhymes was just as excited to jump on this track as I was. It was an honor working with him as it’s been a lifelong dream of mine.”

KSI Shuns Jake Paul Vs Mike Tyson Fight Announcement: “So Sad To See”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions announced Jake “El Gallo” Paul will box “Iron” Mike Tyson this summer. Tyson is set to face off against the YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul live on Netflix on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. KSI took to social media to express his disappointment in the upcoming fight.

“50+ years old. No one wanted this… So sad to see, man…,” KSI wrote in response to a tweet about the Paul versus Tyson boxing match. Over 10 million Twitter (X) accounts viewed the London native’s post.

Mike Tyson turned 57 years old last June. The Baddest Man on the Planet went 50-6 in his professional boxing career, which began in 1985. Tyson became the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles.

Jake Paul made the transition from internet celebrity to combat sports athlete. The 27-year-old former Disney Channel television star holds a 9-1 record as a professional boxer. He defeated Ryan Bourland by first-round TKO on March 2.

KSI fought Jake Paul’s brother, Logan Paul, on two occasions. Their first amateur match happened in 2018. The sequel was held the following year as a professional fight. Jake Paul versus Deji Olatunji took place on the undercard of KSI vs Logan Paul I.

Reason Says “BMF” Has Worst Acting On TV: “I’m Here For Every Second Of It”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Starz’s BMF returned for season three on March 1. California-based rapper Reason shared his conflicting thoughts on the crime drama’s acting performances.

Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr. stars as his father, Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, on BMF. Da’Vinchi plays Big Meech’s brother, Terry “Southwest T” Flenory. The Flenory siblings led the drug trafficking organization known as Black Mafia Family.

“BMF got the worst acting on television and I’m here for every second of it,” Reason tweeted on Tuesday (March 5). That social media post collected over 26,000 views on X (formerly Twitter).

Starz debuted BMF on September 26, 2021. The network renewed the 50 Cent-produced series for two additional seasons. The first episode for season three reportedly saw a 25% increase from season two’s premiere.

In addition to Demetrius Flenory Jr. and Da’Vinchi, BMF features Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White and La La Anthony. Hip-Hop stars 2 Chainz, Lil Baby and Saweetie joined the cast too. Plus, R&B singer Ne-Yo and reality television star Cynthia Bailey appear on the program.

Reason released the New Beginnings album in October 2020 and the Porches album in August 2023. The Top Dawg Entertainment recording artist also contributed to the Kendrick Lamar-curated, chart-topping Black Panther: The Album.

Ariana Grande First Thought Redoing Brandy & Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” Was “A Very Bad Idea”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Ariana Grande released her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, on Friday (March 8). The global pop singer included a track titled “The Boy Is Mine” on the project, which was inspired by Brandy and Monica’s 1998 single of the same name. Grande spoke to Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe about her Max Martin-produced record.

“I love that song,” Grande told Zane Lowe about Brandy and Monica’s collaboration. “I’ve always wanted to reimagine that song in some kind of way. I was kind of like, ‘This is a very bad idea.’ But there is a large group of my fans that really do love a bad girl anthem, and this is kind of an elevated version of that.”

Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following its release. The R&B legends’ classic won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal as well.

Grande’s discography currently boasts five No. 1 albums. The 30-year-old Grammy Award winner dropped the “yes, and?” single in January, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

D.L. Hughley Slams DJ Khaled Over War In Gaza Silence: “Gone From DJ Khaled To DJ Callous” 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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D.L. Hughley is calling out DJ Khaled for his refusal to speak out about the deadly conflict in Gaza.

Khaled was born in America after his parents immigrated from areas in the occupied West Bank territory. He has faced staunch criticism for remaining silent on the Israel-Hamas war.  

D.L. Hughley condemned DJ Khaled for not speaking out about the crisis in Gaza. During a recent interview with Hollywood Unlocked’s Jason Lee, the comedian said that while he can’t know how Khaled feels about the war, he can see what’s on his timeline. 

“So, I’ll see you exalting God when you make a shot, but I’ll watch a seven-year-old Palestinian boy who is praying to God for the strength to bear that his family had been killed,” he stated. “I’ll watch you pray to not hit a bunker and then I will watch a Palestinian family pray that they can find one.” 

He continued referencing a recent viral incident where DJ Khaled was carried over a puddle to avoid scuffing his Jordans.  

“We’re used to Palestinians being carried,” he added. “They’re just not alive. They’re dead and they don’t have shoes, they don’t even have feet.” 

D.L. Hughley Brands DJ Khaled “DJ Callous”

Israel’s attacks on Gaza have reportedly killed at least 30,717 Palestinians. Another another 72,156 people have been wounded, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. One-quarter of the population of Gaza, some 576,000 people, are “one step away from famine,” Ramesh Rajasingham, director of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said during a briefing dated February 27. 

“To me you have gone from DJ Khaled to DJ Callous,” Hughley declared. “You cannot be so oblivious that you forget that the images that you are portraying have an equal and opposite effect. And what it tells people is that if somebody that looks like them doesn’t care why should you.” 

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Chrisean Rock Recalls “Life Or Death” Situation After Blueface Dad Held At Gunpoint Outside Rapper’s Home 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Chrisean Rock revealed Blueface’s father was held at gunpoint as intruders attempted to break into the rapper’s L.A. home. 

The reality TV star and rapper took to Instagram Live Thursday (March 7) to explain what went down. According to Rock, she was sleeping on the couch at around 5 A.M. when she heard a commotion outside. Blue’s father was leaving for work but realized somebody slashed his tires before being accosted by a group of men who emerged from a car “with guns pointed”. 

“Blueface father come in like, “I just was held at gunpoint just now,’” Rock explained, recalling the harrowing incident. The rapper’s dad told her, “They peeled off once they found out I ain’t have nothing on me.” 

Chrisean Rock Says It’s Not The First Attempted Break-In

While the men didn’t manage to enter the home, they got as far as the driveway. Chrisean Rock says it isn’t the first attempted break-in.  

“It got to be the same people. How many times they got away?” she questioned. Describing the incident as a “life or death” situation, Rock claimed she went into “survival mode” and only thought of her baby.  

“I didn’t feel no fear in my heart,” the “Pain” hitmaker said. “I was scared for them. My son. That’s all I’m thinking about. But I ain’t scared for his safety either. Because I know I’m gonna do what I’ve got to do for my little baby.” 

Chrisean Rock upped security measures following the attempt. “Now they got cops on standby at the gate, all types of s###. We got security,” she revealed, adding that the entire neighborhood is looking for the suspects’ vehicle.  

“Be careful going into somebody house unannounced thinking you finna take something and the only thing you finna do is take yourself out of the situation,” Rock continued. 

While Rock wants to avoid a “self-defense type of situation” amid ongoing legal issues, she’s not afraid to protect herself. 

“I can’t be scared, my babyfather not here,” she said. “Only thing I can act like is, be ready when they come back.” 

Halle Bailey Tearfully Explains Secret Pregnancy: “I Had No Obligation To Expose Him” 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Halle Bailey is opening up about why she chose to keep her pregnancy a secret despite the rampant social media rumors surrounding her throughout. 

The Little Mermaid actress was honored at the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards on Thursday (March 7).

She became emotional during her acceptance speech while speaking about her son, Halo. The little boy quietly arrived shortly before Christmas last year. 

After reflecting on her role in the Disney movie, Halle continued, “it cannot compare to the biggest joy of my life. And that was becoming a mom to my perfect little angel Halo.” 

She explained, “There was no way in hell I was going to share the biggest joy of my world with anyone. Halo was my gift. He is the greatest blessing, and I had no obligation to expose him, me, or my family to that. 

“With the state of the world and the place it is in with men trying to force their will on our bodies, no one on social media, and for damn sure, no one on the planet, was going to tell me what to do with my body or what to share with the world,” she said. 

Halle referenced Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé, who both shied away from the public eye during pregnancy. “We have that right,” she said. “Every woman in the world has that right to choose what to do with their bodies and what to share with anyone or everyone.” 

Back in January, Halle Bailey’s partner and Halo’s father, DDG, also explained their choice to keep the pregnancy private. 

“I think it was more so  like people were already giving us negative vibes,” he said. “So it’s like, why let them know and then let them make her pregnancy stressful?”