Famous Dex appears to be opening up to his fans about the hardships he’s facing in life amid his resurgence within the music industry.
On Tuesday (January 2) Dexter took the time to vent his frustrations with his fans on Twitter (X) in a series of emotionally forthcoming and transparent tweets. In the first message of the bunch, Dex seemingly alludes to the idea that music is the only thing going right for him at the moment.
“Life f##king sucks but at least music exists,” he wrote in the tweet.
Shortly thereafter he shared another tweet, simply writing, “F### love” to which a fan responded inquiring Dex what was bothering him more specifically.
“S### can get overwhelming,” he replied.
Dex followed that tweet up with another remark about music, writing, “I just want to be known as a platinum artist #s don’t lie.”
It’s unclear what Dex could be upset about, considering his Rich Forever reunion with Rich The Kid and Jay Critch was just recently minted last month upon the arrival of the video for their collaborative single “Big Dawg,” which has attracted nearly two million YouTube views to date.
Playboi Carti just might find himself on a dinner date with Kanye West and Bianca Censori and his rumored bae Camila Cabello sooner than later.
In case you missed it, Ye literally just flooded the timelines of all of his 18 million Instagram followers with steamy flicks of his wifey featuring raunchy captions such as “No pants this year” and “dropped something?” Of the numerous celebs who commented on the photos, Ye appeared to be the most pleased with the compliments Playboi Carti gave him on the photos.
“Pop it twin,” Carti wrote in a text to Kanye stamped with a heart emoji.
While it may seem harmless, Carti stans and Ye followers are certainly putting two-and-two together and already envisioning what type of high-fashion vibes a Carti x Kanye West x Bianca Censori x Camila Cabello link up will produce. Though it still may be too early to pin them down, Carti recently shared a FaceTime screenshot of Cabello, who has his contact saved to her phone as “Jordan,” the Opium CEO’s real name. Not to mention the pair just hit the studio together last month to end 2023.
Kay Eye prides himself in his lyricism and melodies, a breath of fresh air in the music industry. His upbringing on Chicago’s westside is what fuels his desire to be great, while always making it his mission to create music with substance. Kay Eye describes himself as “a man of many gifts.” He adds, “I’m a music artist, I’m an actor. I am a self-master. I’m whatever the situation calls for. But first and foremost, I’m a creator.”
For those who watch Power Book IV: Force, Kay Eye is known as the character Greyskull, who’s a fan favorite on the show. Having acted since he was 19 years old, the new role solidifies the power in hard work and manifestation. Kay Eye also stands firmly on maintaining his health: physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally.
AllHipHop spoke with Kay Eye in downtown Los Angeles to discuss his background, name, how he landed the role on Power, the importance of health and more.
AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound?
Kay Eye: I would describe my sound as unorthodox, unbounded by genre. Wisdom, but player. Love, but dark. Bars, but vibes. A blend of melodies with sharp, lyrical raps. I pull a lot of my musical inspiration from R&B, Hip Hop, and Neo Soul. I’m really an R&B man at heart, it was my first love.
AllHipHop: What was it like growing up in Chicago?
Kay Eye: It ain’t like TV [laughs]. Don’t get me wrong, you definitely experience a lot of the downside of life, but my childhood is full of great memories. I had real fun growing up in Chicago. Juke parties, hopping on the CTA to travel all through the city, summertime, starting to go to the studio at a super young age, yea all of that overpowered the negativity for me. A lot of people just get caught up in the motions, but that’s an inspiring factor to get out, to make it out. Struggle was very common, but I feel like Chicago prepared me with the mental strength to be successful anywhere. We just handle and look at things way different than other places do. I’ve lived in Mississippi and Tennessee as a kid too, so I can see the differences.
AllHipHop: When do you fall in love with music?
Kay Eye: When I was 3 years old. I saw the movie The Temptations. The guy who played David Ruffin, Leon, he reminded me of my father. They look similar. My pops is a singer as well. I would get confused ’cause I’d see him, then I’d see my father singing in church. It tweaked me out ’cause I would think they were the same person. I started emulating the same thing I saw on TV and I saw my father doing and just kept building from there. My whole pop’s side of the family, they all sing and play instruments. That’s just something that we come with.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
Kay Eye: I created it. I used to go by KID Will. That was my name when I started off, I was 15. That stood for King In Death Will. It was KID so at the beginning of my songs, I used to tag it like K-I. But I didn’t finish the whole name. When I went through a stage of spiritual awakening, and I was evolving not only as an artist, but as a man first, I didn’t connect to the name anymore. I didn’t like people calling me “kid.” Even though that’s not what KID stood for, I didn’t like the fact that when you addressed me, you called me “kid.”
I started playing with names like hmm, what could be the shift? What spoke to me as a new name? Kay Eye is a fusion between Kemetian language, Spanish language, and American language (English). Ka stands for soul, Eye is the vision part of it. It stands for soul sight/soul vision (See-er). At that time, I was very heavily into my personal spiritual development, and historical studies. The name just fell into its rightful place.
AllHipHop: What do you want people to get from Power Pak?
Kay Eye: I want people to get an introduction, first and foremost. Even though it’s not my personal introduction, it’s a lot of people’s introduction to me, because it’s tied into Power, Power: Force. What I want people to take from it is to move in your power at all times. That’s the approach I took with this project, it was the theme of my life at that time.
AllHipHop: Was it when you were on Power, the show?
Kay Eye: I got word after. I already had the songs. Because I felt like I was going to book the role, but I didn’t get the confirmation that I got the role until after I put the joint together. So you could say it was a manifestation. I put the project together, but didn’t get the confirmed word until after. I’m like.. if l put this together and put that energy behind it like this is the Power Pak, it’ll come. And it did.
AllHipHop: How’d you land the role on Power?
Kay Eye: I got the word from my agent that Power: Force was looking for new cast members for the second season. I immediately got to work on the audition that same day. I submitted like three takes, and the rest is history.
AllHipHop: So you’ve been acting already?
Kay Eye: Yeah, I’ve been acting seriously since I was 19. I started off on a YouTube series. We didn’t know how to really break into the industry like that. Chicago is not L.A., nothing like that s###. We really got to get it out the mud ourselves. Back then, the only thing that Chicago had as far as the acting industry and shows, was Empire and your local network shows like Chicago P.D., Fire and Med.
We had our own YouTube series, that was really our school for real. That was acting school for us. Every single weekend, I didn’t have the typical early 20s. Partying in a dorm or whatever the case may be. I left that life in high school, I grew up fast. By the time I got to my early 20s, I wanted to work. I wanted to go toward my goals and what I wanted. Every single weekend, we were acting. We were filming. I ended up getting a part in Chi-Raq, Spike Lee’s movie. I didn’t have any lines, but I was in that motherf###er.
AllHipHop: That counts.
Kay Eye: Yeah, that was my entry. So, I’m like, “OK, I can take this from YouTube and really go somewhere higher.” That’s when it finally clicked for me. Now, I got a lil blueprint. Even though higher is what I was always striving toward, it takes for certain things to transpire along your path for it to click and become clearer on how to get there. I ended up getting signed to my agency, Hayes Talent Agency, from going to an open call audition. So many auditions. I’ve been on hundreds of auditions. A lot of no’s, but you gotta be built for it in this industry.
I finally hit with Chicago P.D. OK. I had a co-star role in that. I was supposed to have the guest star role, but since it was my first time being on TV, they demoted me to the co-star role. It wasn’t even the role I auditioned for. They said, “We gotta go with somebody that’s already been a part of SAG. He’s already been on TV before, he knows what he’s doing.” Alright cool, I’ll play my part. So I did that. After that, a hundred more auditions.
Finally got that call for Power. Back when Power Force first had the spinoff, I said I was gon’ be on that show. I didn’t know how. My agent sent out the news that she was getting the casting for it, I’m like aw yeah I gotta get on this, but I never got an audition for it. Well s###, somehow I’m still gonna get on it. And that’s when it finally came. It’s funny [laughs]. When I got the news I got the role, I was on five grams of shrooms.
AllHipHop: I love that, so you were probably lit off your a##.
Kay Eye: I was fired up. While I was off the shrooms, that’s all I was thinking about. Damn, this role. Because a week and a half had went past and I hadn’t heard nothing at all. I woke up the next morning, I’m still half sleep. I’m not even all the way coherent, back to my full sober self, then I got that call from my agent. Me and the shrooms did what we needed to do to lock that in.
AllHipHop: How was the experience shooting?
Kay Eye: It was incredible. I really, I really understood on Episode 4, me and Kris Lofton, we got the fight scene. That’s my prominent scene. During that scene, I fell in love with it all over again. I really understood damn, this is why I spent 10 years going after this s###. Even though it’s majority no’s, you know how that grind is, you finally get that yes. In that moment where not only you, but everybody around you can understand “OK, this is what he does. This is why he does it.” I got a lot of validation from everybody on set that day.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself as an artist? Or actors?
Kay Eye: Absolutely, I want the Grammy. I want the Oscar. I want the top accolades. Truthfully, it’s not like a Grammy or any award validates me as an artist. I know who I am already. I know that I have high level talent. But let’s say you’re a chef. You want to be flipping s### on the grill at KFC? Nah, you want the highest achievement of what that lane has to offer. For me, that’s what we all grew up watching. I want those things because that’s what I wanted as a kid, the top accolade of what it is that I do. I want to be in that bracket as one of the “super artists” like Brandy, 2Pac, Ice Cube, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx. That’s what I’m on.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let the people know?
Kay Eye: So many things. One of my passions, what I want to spread the knowledge and understanding of throughout my community, the Black community — and people who ain’t got nothing, we don’t get access to certain sides of life. Health has always been very important to me, I really accredit my health to why I was able to even make it as far as I made it. Being health conscious, knowing what you put into your body.
I fast very often. Leading up to Power: Force season 2 debuting, I did a 70-day fast. I did a 40-day fruit fast. Thirty days after that, it was me getting acclimated back to a regular diet. That completely shifted my mind. As a person, it opened the doors for my career. I’ve never been as clear, as mentally sound ever in my life as I am now.
I want to let people know to step in your power. If you have something you’re passionate about, you only got one life to live. What you sitting on your a## for? People know when they’re wasting time. People know when they could be doing something better with their time, that leads them to their goals. So always stay in that. It’s gonna be a lot of distractions, but you gotta do what you gotta do to stay focused and on point.
J.I.D has responded to the overwhelming popularity of his newly released “30” freestyle, providing an update on his upcoming collaboration with Metro Boomin.
On Tuesday (January 2), the Dreamville rapper opened up to fans on Twitter (X) about the surprise track in a lengthy tweet. While detailing the challenge he accepted when crafting the freestyle, J.I.D revealed there are many more from the same pocket that “30” came from neatly nestled away in his vault.
“I started doin the freestyles on some practice s### cuz I’m usually a pen to pad writer with everything, with these I go line for line no writing and not takin too long in between to test my self, I have 28 more I did before29 but that one felt right to start wit and here we r,” he wrote in the tweet.
I started doin the freestyles on some practice s### cuz I’m usually a pen to pad writer with everything, with these I go line for line no writing and not takin too long in between to test my self, I have 28 more I did before29 but that one felt right to start wit and here we r
J.I.D continued to gush about process behind “30” explaining the track is a combination of “raw” lyricism and his own personal creativity. “30 is fye bro, just raw raps about what ever came to my head, I’m excited about music and inspired/blessed to be doin this s### fr,” he wrote.
However, in a separate tweet, J.I.D appeared to decline the possibility that the entire set of freestyles would be released, writing, “I ain’t say all that I’m just letting y’all into the process a bit. The stuff before 29 was that great, just practicing like I mentioned.”
He did go on to provide an update on his upcoming project with Metro that seemed much more promising—though still quite vague.
“I don’t wana give false hope so I can’t answer but when it’s ready it’s yours,” he added. “working on it everyday.”
I don’t wana give false hope so I can’t answer but when it’s ready it’s yours. working on it everyday
Metro Boomin fans might also be in luck as well considering the producer also acknowledged plans for additional releases this year. Until then, check out the visualizer for “30″ below.
Uncle Murda released a second version of his “Rap Up 2023” song on Tuesday (January 2). The New York-bred rapper kicked off the track with shots at Jada Pinkett Smith before turning his attention to Diddy.
“Jada Pinkett back on her s### again/B#### doing interviews, all on Tupac’s dick again/Will Smith need a new wife, I hope he find him one/She embarrassing the family like T.I. and Tiny’s son,” Uncle Murda rapped.
Uncle Murda spent most of the song focusing on Diddy’s sexual assault allegations. The track recapped details from Cassie’s lawsuit against Diddy, which was settled out of court.
“[Yung Miami] a real ass w####, we all knew she was nasty/I wonder how she feel now knowing what Puff did to Cassie/He raped her, beat her up, made her f### male prostitutes/She sued you for 30 mil, wonder how much she got from you/You settled in 24 hours, you gave her that bread/Yung Joc said you the reason she had to shave her head/Cassie really had Diddy out her bugging/He blew up Kid Cudi’s car when he found out they was f######,” Uncle Murda rapped.y
Uncle Murda referenced additional lawsuits accusing Diddy of sexual assault and 50 Cent’s plans to make a documentary about the scandal. The lyrics mentioned Diddy stepping down as chairman of REVOLT and included a jab at The Love Album.
“You was an icon, n####, you ruined it/Diddy documentary coming out, 50 Cent shooting it/I think it’s called Diddy Not Or Diddy Do the S###/Now his son throwing up gang signs, doing stupid s###/Mr. Take That, Take That was taking v#####/You even gang-raped a 17-year-old minor/Everybody snitching on you, this s### ain’t going well/You even tried to get that acting n#### up in your hotel,” he rapped.
He continued, “You had to leave REVOLT ‘cause your image is tarnished/And that R&B album that you put out was garbage/Even you and Aaron Hall got hit with a case together/And that interview with he did with Vlad ain’t making s### look no better.”
Listen to Uncle Murda’s “Rap Up 2023” Part 2 below.
Jada Pinkett Smith made Fat Joe a trending topic on X (formerly known as Twitter) by posting a selfie on Tuesday (January 2). The social media platform became filled with jokes about her looking like a skinny version of Fat Joe after she posted the photo on Instagram.
“I think jean leg warmers is where it’s at for me in 2024,” she wrote in the caption.
Fat Joe wasn’t the only person who started trending over Pinkett Smith’s photo. X users also joked about her resembling Pitbull.
Last year, Pinkett Smith frequently found herself at the center of social media conversations due to her willingness to discuss her relationship with Will Smith. A few months ago, she revealed the two had been separated since 2016. The time apart proved to be helpful, according to Pinkett Smith.
“I would say that that separation did work,” she told CBS in November 2023. “Because I really feel like for myself, I needed time for emotional maturity. Really looking at—first of all, I was in a deep healing process and I really needed to dissolve some false ideas of what marriage is. False ideas of what I thought Will needed to be for me, versus what I needed to learn to be for myself, in order to have a loving relationship. So, I had to really do some deep healing.”
Pinkett Smith also claimed her marriage was strengthened by her husband slapping Chris Rock in a now-infamous moment at the 2022 Academy Awards.
“What I will say is that being there with him that night, what I did know was that I might not have walked in there as his wife, but I left that night as his wife,” she told CBS. “And as I sit here today, I am going to be by his side always.”
Check out some of the Fat Joe memes spawned from Pinkett Smith’s photo below.
Fat Joe when he sees that he’s the number one trending topic two days into the new year because Jada Pinkett-Smith posted a new photo. 😭 pic.twitter.com/DiBQDzXelJ
Kanye West is at it again—posting salacious photos of his relatively new wife, Bianca Censori. The embattled rapper/entrepreneur shared a series of three Instagram photos portraying her in skimpy outfits on Tuesday (January 2) and vowed, “No pants this year.” Almost immediately, he was accused of pandering for attention as he continues to dangle his delayed album,Vultures, in his fans’ faces (or what’s left of them).
People also pointed out how contradictory his posts were to his so-called “Christian” values. One person wrote, “Another fine example of selling your soul to Satan,” while another said, “Kanye, your bible and misogyny don’t mix.” Of course, there were also a gaggle of folks who compared Censori to West’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian.
“It’s giving Kim Kardashian dupe,” one commented. Another added, “bro got Kim from eBay” and “She looks like Kim, but also Kim looks like the surgeons vision so they both got that in common.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1m3rTtJFSX/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1m3vVcpRw1/?hl=en
There were also plenty of people who were concerned about Kanye West’s treatment of Censori, suggesting she was being viewed as a commodity rather than a human being. In April, a celebrity psychic claimed Censori is a “very different lady” after marrying West. Speaking to The Mirror, Inbaal Honigman, who’s also a body language expert, said Censori was “secure and happy” but now appears “tense and cautious.” West married Censori in December 2022, just a few weeks after his divorce from Kardashian was finalized.
Prior to their wedding, Honigman said her body language presented “a girl who is confident, happy with herself, secure and capable.” But then things changed.
“In pre-Kanye photos, we see Bianca standing tall to her full height, back straight, neck long and shoulders square,” she said. “All those little elements gave her the image of a lady in charge of her own life, a decision maker. A frequent displayer of cleavage, the Australian architect gave the impression of being proud of her body, and proud of who she is. Recent photos of Bianca with her new husband show a very different lady. Often we now see her with her head slightly lowered, appearing cautious. Her neck bent forward a bit, and her shoulders raised, which shows tension.”
Censori has said very little, if anything, publicly about her marriage to West. In fact, not that much is known about the Australian other than she’s believed to be around 28-30 years old and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in architecture from the University of Melbourne. She also, at one point, worked for Yeezy.
Duane “Keefe D” Davis must wait an extra week to learn if he will be granted bail in Nevada. Judge Carli Kierny postponed the Tupac Shakur murder suspect’s bail hearing, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday (January 2).
Judge Kierny pushed the hearing back to January 9. According to KLAS in Las Vegas, the judge delayed it to give Keefe D’s lawyers more time to respond to a filing by the prosecution.
Police arrested Keefe D for his alleged role in Tupac’s murder in September 2023. The ex-gang leader has been locked up at the Clark County Detention Center since his arrest.
Keefe D’s attorneys filed a motion seeking his release from jail in December. They asked a judge to set his bail at no more than $100,000 and allow him to be placed on house arrest until his trial.
“Duane should not be denied bail in this case,” his lawyers argued. “It cannot be said that the proof is evident and the presumption great that Duane is guilty of first-degree murder for the death of Shakur. This Court should release Duane on house arrest with electronic monitoring pending trial.”
Keefe D’s lawyers cited concerns about his health in the motion. They mentioned his battle with colon cancer, which was in remission.
“He is not getting his bi-monthly oncologist check-ups,” his attorneys explained. “Additionally, his heart health has declined. He was put back on a group of medications to try to get things under control. He has to take these medications in jail because he is unable to do the things necessary to maintain proper health.”
Tupac was shot and killed in Las Vegas in 1996. Prosecutors accuse Keefe D of being the shot caller behind Tupac’s murder.
Keefe D pleaded not guilty to murder. His trial is scheduled to begin in June 2024.
Kid Cudi served as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on April 21, 2021, performing “Sad People” and “Tequila Shots.” For the former, he donned a floral dress in the spirit of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain—and caught plenty of flak for it online. More than two years later, Kid Cudi is still defending his choice in attire. On Monday (January 1), someone shared a clip of the performance to Twitter (X) and wrote, “Kid Cudi participating in an illuminati humiliation ritual…Is the fame and fortune worth it…? #WeWantAnswers.”
Kid Cudi replied, “Dear Issac u silly stupid lil person and all people under this post. Its the start of a new year and I got time for muthaf###as like u today. This post is mad f###in lame of u and sad. A black man cant express himself and be confident AND successful with out it being some conspiracy. My success was givin to me by God with the help of my many angels.
“All u people in the commenfs that have been tweetin me all day about this s### can gargle on my mayo. This moment was a proud moment for me, a shinin moment for all people who express themselves in their art. I felt free and alive, it inspired people and nothing u stupid simple a##es say can take that away from me. Happy New Year u f###in simp.”
Dear Issac u silly stupid lil person and all people under this post. Its the start of a new year and I got time for muthafuckas like u today. This post is mad f##### lame of u and sad. A black man cant express himself and be confident AND successful with out it being some… https://t.co/dOPPP8Zbqn
Kid Cudi’s SNL performance also got a significant amount of praise at the time. The dress was created by designer Virgil Abloh, who has since died. Cudi revealed its origins via Twitter, writing, “Virgil designed the dress for me. I told him I wanted to show love to Kurt [with] a floral print sundress and this man made a masterpiece. Thank You @virgilabloh ur a f##### genius!! Love you man we did it!!!”
The appearance also fell on the same week as the anniversary of Cobain’s death at age 27. As one fan wrote, “Kurt Cobain was a precious soul. During a time that it was popular to shame things that went against society’s idea of normal, Kurt embraced them and advocated for them. Kid Cudi paid homage by doing the same thing. I truly LOVE to see it.”
Boosie Badazz faced social media backlash after saying he walked out of a screening of The Color Purple on Tuesday (January 2). The opinionated rapper was outraged over the film’s depiction of a lesbian romance.
“I HAD TO WALK OUT THIS COLOR PURPLE MOVIE (N TWO OTHER OLDER COUPLES WALKED OUT ALSO,” he wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “BECAUSE I HAD MY LITTLE GIRLS WITH ME N IT SEEMED LIKE A [rainbow flag emoji] LOVE STORY‼️ GOOD ACTING BUT WHOEVER WROTE THE SCRIPT IS PUSHING THE NARRATIVE HARD‼️ AS A PARENT I WILL NOT LET MY LITTLE GIRL WATCH THIS FILM.”
Social media users mocked and criticized Boosie for walking out of the movie. Several users noted one of his daughters is lesbian and questioned why it bothered him so much.
Boosie appeared to be unfamiliar with the film’s source material. He accused the scriptwriter of pushing a narrative with a queer love story despite the storyline originating from Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple. Walker’s novel was previously adapted for the big screen in 1985.
The latest version of The Color Purple premiered on December 25, 2023. The film is based on the Broadway musical adaption of Walker’s novel.
Boosie’s displeasure with The Color Purple was in stark contrast to the movie’s overwhelmingly positive critical reception. Audiences also showed up in great numbers for the film, helping it earn $18 million at the box office on its first day.
The Color Purple scored the second-largest Christmas Day opening of all time. The film had the biggest Christmas Day opening since Sherlock Holmes in 2009.
Fantasia, Taraji P. Henson Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Halle Bailey and more star in the new adaptation of The Color Purple. Ghanaian rapper/filmmaker Blitz Bazawule a.k.a. Blitz the Ambassador directed the film.
Check out some of the reactions to Boosie’s comments below.
You were fine with them watching a child be sexually assaulted, impregnated, beaten and verbally abused, but her growing up to find safety and love with a woman is part of a narrative that you don’t want your daughters to see? Just shut your stupid, misogynistic mouth, Boosie. pic.twitter.com/qBnw6LOV6r
2023 was chock-full of incessant complaining as the culture simultaneously celebrated 50 years. The fanfare and criticism were both justified in a great many ways. However, if one would just quiet the chatter and listen, there was no shortage of dope albums in 2023. There was something for everybody if you looked hard enough. We had Hip-Hop from older rappers, Hip-Hop from younger rappers, Hip-Hop from pop rappers and Hip-Hop from trap rappers. It was a literal audio smorgasbord.
Picking the top 25 in a year with so much to offer was no easy task. Our goal was to highlight this bright artistic range of the culture. Please add your favorite albums in the comments section. Without further comment, let us begin with the best album of 2023…
Killer Mike – Micheal
Killer Mike‘s latest album has emerged as a tour de force in the Hip-Hop game, marking a high point in his already illustrious career. Serious fans will recall 2012’sR.A.P. Musicalbum, which was another classic opus as well. 2023’s Micheal is a synthesis, a proverbial gumbo of musicality showcasing the ATLien’s range. The standout feature of the album is the guest appearance by Andre 3000, whose contribution is nothing short of breathtaking, but it is not the only reason this album is topping the 2023 album lists.
“Down by Law,” a track that sets the tone with its razor-sharp, incisive lyrics and Micheal goes up from there. Other notable songs include “Shed Tears,” “Motherless,” and “Something for Junkies,” each adding depth and emotion to the album’s narrative. “Run” stands out for its introduction by comedian Dave Chappelle, who sets the stage for a diatribe about the challenges faced by modern black leaders. This track epitomizes Killer Mike’s evolution, not just as an artist but as a figure of political and social significance.
Andre 3000‘s return from a musical hiatus on “Scientists & Engineers” was not the only memorable guest appearance on Michael. Supporting cast members included CeeLo Green, Mozzy, Young Thug, 6lack, Eryn Allen Kane, Jagged Edge, André 3000, Future, Currensy, 2 Chainz, Kaash Paige, Blxst, Fabo, El-P and Ty Dolla Sign. With all the features and guests, Micheal Render is still the maestro of this masterpiece and others are in his orchestra. This album, a certified classic in every sense, is a testament to the enduring legacy and relevance of one Micheal Render and an entire culture.
Nick Grant’s latest work, Sunday Dinner, represents a pinnacle in his career. This project, brimming with soulful elements, is a masterful blend of furious lyrics, intimate storytelling, and meticulous song composition. The production choices are world-class, and craft a seamless and engaging narrative. All of this showcases Grant’s exceptional skill as an emcee. The integration of gospel elements throughout the album enriches its depth and appeal. Nick has been criminally overlooked, but his work will not be ignored for long with this level of artistry. Since his emergence with the ’88 mixtape in 2016 and the acclaimed “Return of the Cool,” this artist from South Carolina has steadily enhanced his craft. This LP stands as a powerful statement of his evolution and artistic skill. One could argue the culture has been begging Andre 3000 for what Nick Grant has blessed us with. (Click here for our 2023 interview with Nick Grant)
Doja Cat came home in 2023. Sort of. Her latest album Scarlett is a testament to her ability to stay fresh and relevant in a constantly evolving music industry. Doja demonstrates her unique talent for reinvention, moving between pop and Hip-Hop worlds with ease. “Paint the Town Red” samples Dionne Warwick’s “Walk on By” and sets the tone for a decidedly Hip-Hop album. On this release, the Los Angeles native moves away from the polished pop of the past, while maintaining her signature euphoric vocal style. Standout tracks like “Agora Hills,” “Wet V#####,” “Demons,” “Paint the Town Red,” “Attention,” and “Gun” showcase her versatility. Each track has its unique appeal that promises to grow on listeners.
This self-written, featureless album highlights Doja Cat’s extraordinary ability to outshine her pop peers with a heavy dose of culture. She effortlessly switches flows, beats, and attitudes, taking listeners on a diverse musical journey. The album also addresses past controversies, offering deeper insight into the character of Scarlett. Scarlett is a rarity: a no-skip rap album with both pop appeal and underground seasoning. This dynamic collection of songs solidifies Doja Cat’s position as a leading artist of her generation.
Noname’s Sundialdid not make a massive difference in a world of rap overrun with sex and violence But she does represent the potential within the current culture. Sundial quickly redeems itself from its “interesting” cover art. Songs like “black mirror” and “gospel?” showcase her vast lyrical capabilities and line up immaculately with her choice of beats. Jay Electronica’s controversial verse on “balloons” provided quite a stir online, but does not impede the overall mission. Sundial marks a return to Noname’s distinctive style, addressing serious issues and demonstrating her willingness to stand firm in her beliefs, even at the expense of wider appeal. Ayoni, billy woods, $ilkMoney, and Common pull up. Sundial did not garner the acclaim of earlier projects like Telefone (2016) and Room 25 (2018), but is is not a disappointment. It is beyond refreshing to hear an unapologetic, unafraid voice let loose in 2023.
Nas has consistently demonstrated his lyrical prowess, but his recent collaborations with producer Hit-Boy has taken his legend to mythic levels. Magic 3 is the crowning achievement of this new life. This album, Nas’s seventeenth studio release, quickly followed its predecessor Magic 2 and initially raised concerns about maintaining the high quality of his recent works. Any doubts were swiftly dispelled upon listening. Magic 3 might just be the pinnacle of this collaborative series. Nas’s bars show up as always, and Hit-Boy brings his a-game. With 15-tracks and a runtime of just over 45 minutes, Magic 3 not only offers generous content but debunks concepts of agism in Hip-Hop. The entire run, including King’s Disease trilogy, leaves the culture in awe of the continuous brilliance of both Nas and Hit-Boy.
Chika’s talent is extraordinary. Her experience in slam poetry infuses her work with unique rhythms and profound depth that are rarely explored by others. Describing her as an “Old Soul” doesn’t fully capture the essence. Chika effortlessly addresses themes of social justice and systemic change, transforming listeners into ardent supporters through her masterfully composed anthems that powerfully declare her identity. The album Samson: The Album showcases a wide range, from the energetic “Prodigy” to the futuristic “Get Here,” which features the incomparable Stevie Wonder. The album fearlessly dives deep emotionally. Her Alabama heritage enriches the music, but keeps is powerfully within Hip-Hop, poetry, and artistry at large.
Gunna’s solo endeavor in A Gift & a Curse shook up the world. Tackling the project single-handedly in the face of industry opposition, Gunna has crafted a stunning, featureless album that’s nothing short of a magnum opus. Kicking off with “back at it” the album weaves through its 15 tracks with Gunna’s signature ease. His lyrics flow seamlessly, navigating beats and emotions as he reflects on his legal challenges, incarceration, and eventual release, along with the mixed reactions from the industry and his fans. This album is a testament to Gunna’s unparalleled consistency and talent. Relying solely on his artistry, he delivers what’s undeniably the pinnacle of rap in 2023. A Gift & a Curse isn’t just an album; it’s a defining moment for Gunna, solidifying his status as one of the rap greats.
Travis Scott‘s latest album, UTOPIA is a musical revelation, showcasing the Texas native’s creative genius and intense passion for the craft. The album brilliantly merges various musical styles, creating a unique and innovative sound. UTOPIA marks a significant growth for the artist, both in artistry and lyricism. The album’s verses are introspective and emotionally rich and the production is exceptional. The album unfolds like a narrative, creating an immersive and thought-provoking world that challenges traditional Hip-Hop boundaries. Overall, UTOPIA is an extraordinary musical journey that transcends genre limitations, representing the limitless creativity within Hip-Hop. And Travis Scott.
Larry June continues to make moves and, in 2023, dropped another gem with The Alchemist. A sequel to 2022’s Spaceships on the Blade, The Great Escape is an album made in Hip-Hop heaven. The Alchemist’s beats and unique sound are just what Larry June needed to complement his chill slow flow. Quite differently than his underground peers, this album climbed all the charts. Big Sean, Ty Dolla $ign and Wiz Khalifa join the duo on this project. Highlight tracks include “89 Earthquake,” “60 Days,” and “Summer Reign.”
Voir Dire represents a significant high point in Earl Sweatshirt’s discography, arguably his best work since Some Rap Songs (SRS) in 2018. Voir Dire marks a more substantial return to form, pleasing fans and critics who were less impressed with some of his intermediate albums. Voir Dire is sharp, clearly defined, and purposeful. It demonstrates a cohesive sound, compliments of The Alchemist, and thematic consistency, something Earl has struggled with in the past. Hearing his honesty on past struggles like depression and substance abuse with a newfound maturity is refreshing. This album is a triumph. Voir Dire is a look back and also forward motion for one Earl Sweatshirt.
“Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver” is a continuation of a Netflix saga with Kora and a band of intergalactic warriors. In this installment, the narrative focuses on their preparation for a monumental battle to defend the village Veldt. This setting is a haven for those who have lost their homes in the conflict with the Motherworld. The story emphasizes the personal stakes for each warrior as they confront their pasts and motivations for fighting on the eve of the battle. As they face the overwhelming power of the Realm, the narrative guarantees the emergence of heroes and the creation of legends. Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver explores themes of sacrifice, heroism, and the fight for a cause greater than oneself.
Joey Bada$$ has portrayed Kadeem “Unique” Mathis for three seasons on Power Book III: Raising Kanan. The second Power spin-off returned to the Starz network on December 1.
Many fans of the show were left shocked after the “Brothers and Keepers” episode of Raising Kanan aired. That installment of the crime drama featured the apparent on-screen demise of Unique.
People caught up with Joey Bada$$ to discuss Unique’s death. The actor/rapper shared his first reaction to reading the script for S3E5. Apparently, Bada$$ was just as stunned as the viewers.
“I was devastated. But all good things come to an end, and I feel like this character has helped me spread my wings in the TV and film industry. I mean, it’s very unfortunate. I hate to be leaving the Kanan family,” Joey stated.
Joey Bada$$ went on to admit he contacted Raising Kanan creator Sascha Penn about the decision to kill off Unique. The 28-year-old Brooklyn native also shared his thoughts on how fans of the series might react to the scene happening in the middle of the season.
“I don’t think they’re going to like it one bit. I think a lot of people are going to be a little disappointed,” Bada$$ declared. He also added, “I feel like we’ve never truly seen Unique reach his full potential. He’s had some setbacks, and he’s been climbing back up ever since.”
Before joining the cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Joey Bada$$ starred in other television programs such as Mr. Robot, Boomerang, Wu-Tang: An American Saga and Grown-ish. He also played the lead role in the Oscar-winning Two Distant Strangers short film.
BROOOOOO THEY AINT NEVA JUST WRITE UNIQUE OFF DA SHOW BRO CANCEL THE FCKN SHOW OMFG😭, GET RONNIE GONE RAQ‼️ Man I’m sick asf #RaisingKananpic.twitter.com/3zatbqQuQX
In loving memory of Unique, you didn’t deserve to die like you did in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. S/O to Joey Badass tho, a dope actor and a heavily slept on lyricist. pic.twitter.com/bXwT9JrzZu
Snoop Dogg will serve as a special correspondent for NBC during the Olympic Games in Paris beginning July 26. The D-O-Double-G will chat with NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico and provide the U.S. network’s audience with his unique take on the games in the French metropolis. He’ll also explore the city’s iconic landmarks, attend Olympic events and check in with competitors.
“I grew up watching the Olympics and am thrilled to see the incredible athletes bring their A-game to Paris,” he said in a statement. “It’s a celebration of skill, dedication and the pursuit of greatness. We’re going to have some amazing competitions and, of course, I will be bringing that Snoop style to the mix. It’s going to be the most epic Olympics ever, so stay tuned and keep it locked.
“Let’s elevate, celebrate, and make these games unforgettable, smoke the competition and may the best shine like gold. Peace and Olympic LOVE, ya dig?”
Snoop Dogg previously provided commentary on the Tokyo Games alongside Kevin Hart for Peacock in 2021.
“Snoop is already an Olympic gold medal commentator, generating tens of millions of views for his highlights commentary on Peacock of the dressage competition during the Tokyo Olympics,” Molly Solomon, executive producer and president, NBC Olympics Production,” added. “That performance alone has earned Snoop a job as our Special Correspondent in Paris.
“We don’t know what the heck is going to happen every day, but we know he will add his unique perspective to our re-imagined Olympic primetime show.”
Snoop has a colorful history of commentating, including numerous clips of himself watching nature videos he dubbed “Plizzanet Earth,” which people need to see to believe. Find one below.
Jeffery “Young Thug” Williams, 32, is still on trial in Georgia for gang-related charges. Fulton County prosecutors plan to call more witnesses beginning this week.
According to WSB-TV, the RICO case will resume on Tuesday (January 2). Judge Ural Glanville paused the trial after someone stabbed Young Thug’s co-defendant, Shannon Stillwell, in jail last month.
A fellow inmate allegedly attacked Shannon Stillwell, aka Shannon Jackson, during a December 10 fight. Stillwell reportedly left Grady Memorial Hospital and can now return to the courtroom.
Authorities indicted Young Thug and more than two dozen other suspects in May 2022. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis claims the rapper led a criminal street gang under the guise of the YSL record label.
“He is not running this criminal street gang in Cleveland Avenue area of ‘Bleveland,’ to gain property, money or power,” Thug’s attorney Brian Steel, argued in opening statements.
Steel also told jurors, “Jeffery Williams did it on will and hard work and determination without anybody’s help except for the people from that area who he will not turn his back on.”
Young Thug, along with five other people, pled not guilty to all charges. However, numerous charged defendants took plea deals, including YSL recording artist Sergio “Gunna” Kitchens.
Prosecutors charged Thug with Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felon and additional offenses. The Business Is Business album creator could face a reported maximum sentence of 120 years in state prison. He has remained behind bars since his arrest.
“Ima just drop music all year and see what happens,” JID tweeted before his latest offering landed on YouTube. The song’s official visualizer has amassed more than 100,000 views in 10 hours.
Upon its release, “30 (Freestyle)” received positive reviews from JID’s online fanbase. The 33-year-old MC also garnered praise from some of his Hip-Hop peers.
For example, Russ replied to the Spillage Village representative’s “30 (Freestyle)” tweet by writing, “Bodied.” Fellow Dreamville rapper Cozz posted, “JID is really good at rappin.”
Supporters of JID can likely look forward to more new music. On December 29, he tweeted, “Working on [an] album is such a ‘no days off’ ass process. [You] really gotta chase that feeling when [you] get it, and it comes outta nowhere.”
The former Hampton University student also added, “I vowed to not give any false hope because things always change in this business, I’ll announce [the album] when everything is preparing to drop.”
working on a album is such a “no days off” ass process. u really gotta chase that feeling when u get it, and it comes outta no where
Doja Cat had a standout 2023. The Los Angeles-bred rapper/singer dropped her highly-anticipated fourth studio LP, Scarlet, on September 22. One record on that project ends the year with a major accolade.
Scarlet hosts the “Paint The Town Red” track. That hit peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Doja Cat’s second Hot 100 leader also reportedly tops a list for Spotify in the rap category.
According to Chart Data, “Paint The Town Red” was the most streamed 2023 rap song on Spotify. The RCA Records-back single racked up over 730 million streams on the audio platform since its release in August.
There have been questions about how to categorize “Paint The Town Red.” Is it rap or pop? The Recording Academy nominated Doja Cat’s single in the Best Pop Solo Performance category for the upcoming 2024 ceremony.
In addition, Doja picked up Best Melodic Rap Performance and Best Rap Song nominations for “Attention.” That song has totaled more than 105 million streams on Spotify so far.
Doja Cat also included “Attention” on the official Scarlet tracklist. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart by moving 72,000 album-equivalent units in its first week of release.
DJ Akademiks and Metro Boomin have been in a war of words for years. The latest round in their beef included Ak using deceased relatives as ammunition.
“@MetroBoomin. You a b#### ass n####. Don’t like s### bout me you hoe ass n####… every time I violated [you]… [you] basically ran and tuck your tail,” Akademiks tweeted on Saturday (December 30).
The Off The Record podcast host then posted, “@MetroBoomin your b#### ass ain’t respond to Drake… [You] a known hoe.. go mourn in peace [you] s#######.”
“@MetroBoomin, you a sucka n####… tweet [and] deleter.. .a true pure 100% [fish scale] p####. [Sensitive] beatmaker who [throws] stones and [hides your] hand… Keep mourning [you] b#### ass n#### and keep my f*cking name out of [your] likes and mentions,” Ak continued.
Akademiks also wrote, “@MetroBoomin remember you the same b#### ass n#### who made No Jumper pull [an] interview [with] you because your sensitive ass didn’t change your tampon that damn day… your ass should be in the studio making beats and stay [the f###] off Twitter/Instagram/YT.”
.@MetroBoomin you a sucka n####… tweet a deleter.. .a True pure 100% fishcale p####. Sensistive beatmaker who throw stones and hide ur hand…. Keep mourning u b#### ass n#### and keep my f*cking name out of ur likes and mentions.
.@MetroBoomin remember you the same b#### ass n#### who made No Jumper pull a interview w/ you because your sensitive ass didn't change your tampon that damn day… your ass should be in the studio making beats and stay tf off Twitter/Instagram/YT
Nicki Minaj has made good on her promise to get Funny Marco a Christmas gift following their recent sit-down.
The rap icon chopped it up with the comedian in a hilariously awkward interview to promote her latest album, Pink Friday 2. The duo met up during the holiday season, leading Marco to ask his guest for a gift.
After confirming he would like “lamb,” Minaj questioned what restaurant he’d like it from. However, Marco was really pushing his luck and was actually referring to a Lamborghini. A red “2 X7,” to be specific.
After rolling her eyes and going silent, Minaj jokes, “Nicki left. You have reached her business manager.”
Nonetheless, despite initially ignoring his request, the “Barbie World” hitmaker apparently changed her mind. On New Year’s Day (January 1), Nicki Minaj took to her Instagram Story with a surprise for Funny Marco.
She posted a photo of a red Lambo truck telling Marco to “look outside your window right now,” for his “surprise.”
Unfortunately, it appears Nicki Minaj was trolling. She followed up with another post revealing her team misheard her request to get Marco the “best lamb chops” and not a “red Lambo truck.”
Minaj then took to Instagram Live to explain further. “There seems to have been some sort of a mix up with something that I posted,” she said before teasing that he could have gotten his wish if things had gone differently during their interview. “So Funny Marco, if you’re seeing this, you should have let me win ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors.’”
Cardi B borrowed a famous Tina Turner song to caption her New Year’s Day photo dump before revealing she and Offset are still intimate despite their ongoing separation.
The Hip-Hop super couple sparked reconciliation rumors after they were spotted partying together in Miami on New Year’s Eve.
While Cardi firmly shut down speculation of a reunion, she later admitted they slept together. The “Bongos” hitmaker clarified their relationship status during a New Year’s Day talk with her fans on X.
“Was I clubbing with my baby daddy, yes,” she explained in a Spaces discussion. “Did I get dick down on New Year’s Eve, yes. I needed dick on New Year’s Eve.”
While Cardi conceded she and Offset had a good time and were “were vibing,” on their night out, it’s not enough to mend their relationship. She said she’s determined not to fall back into their old patterns, revealing they would reconcile before arguing and blocking each other the following day.
Cardi B also shared that she and Offset are going to therapy. “If it goes well, then we will be back together,” she said, after stating that while “we love each other,” they have “communication” issues.
Meanwhile, Cardi shared a series of stunning photos from her New Year’s Eve celebrations on social media. She used the famous Tina Turner song to caption her post, seemingly about her night with Offset.
“What’s love got to do wit it?” she wrote alongside her photo dump. “Happy New Years.”
