Back in 2013, Chance The Rapper released his breakout mixtape Acid Rap. The Midwestern recording artist will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of that classic project with a special event in his hometown.
This week saw Chance The Rapper announce his return to Chicago’s United Center for the first time since 2019 as part of the Acid Rap celebration. He will headline the Live Nation-produced “Acid Rap Ten-Year Anniversary Show”on August 19.
Fellow Chicago native Saba will join Chance in the venue home of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. Saba dropped the critically-acclaimed studio albums Care for Me in 2018 and Few Good Things in 2022.
In addition to the “Acid Rap Ten-Year Anniversary Show” in August, Chance The Rapper will offer special Acid Rap merchandise on April 30. The Voice reality show coach also announced the original format of the Acid Rap track “Juice” will be available on streaming services on that same date.
Acid Rap also hosts the singles “Cocoa Butter Kisses” with Vic Mensa and Twista as well as “Favorite Song” with Childish Gambino. Plus, the mixtape features Saba, BJ the Chicago Kid, Noname, Action Bronson, Ab-Soul, Lili K., and Nosaj Thing.
Following the success of Acid Rap, Chance The Rapper went on to release the Grammy-winning Coloring Book mixtape in 2016. The Big Day studio album arrived in 2019. The Black Star Line Festival co-founder’s next body of work, Star Line Gallery, is expected to drop later this year.
For artwork associated with Star Line Gallery, Chance collaborated with Gabonese artist Naïla Opiangah, Chicago-raised painter Nikko Washington, Chicago-raised filmmaker Troy Gueno, Gabonese photographer Yannis Davy Guibinga, and Chicago-based visual artist Mía Lee.
Presale tickets and VIP packages for the “Acid Rap Ten-Year Anniversary Show” will be available beginning Wednesday, April 26 at 10 am local time. General tickets go on sale beginning Friday, April 28 at 10 am local time at livenation.com.
Audible will celebrate Hip Hop culture’s 50th anniversary. The audiobook/podcast service linked with several Hip Hop legends, such as Snoop Dogg and Lil Kim, for the Hip Hop 50 Audible Originals specials.
Snoop Dogg’s Words + Music: From the Streets, to the Suites premieres on June 15. Launching as part of the 30th-anniversary commemoration of the Doggystyle album, Snoop wrote and performed From the Streets with direction from Angie Martinez.
Brooklyn-raised rap star Lil Kim will also present a Raedio-produced Words + Music installment. The Queen Bee’s Audible Original program will premiere in August. In addition, fellow Brooklynite Yasiin Bey recorded Words + Music: yasiin bey: A Dynamic Career in Communications which debuts on July 7.
Generation Now record label co-founder DJ Drama collaborated with Audible Originals as well. The DJ Drama Presents: Gangsta Grillz podcast lands on July 13. Plus, Chuck D’s Can You Dig It? premieres on August 10.
“Hip Hop has made an indelible mark on music and culture since its inception– running the gamut from the emergence of DJs to innovation and creative artistry in sampling, dance styles, fashion, audio technology, and so much more,” says Rachel Ghiazza, Audible EVP and Head of US Content,.
Ghiazza continues, “Audible is proud to celebrate such incredible cultural influence with this line-up of new originals that both elevate and commemorate the 50-year history of this iconic genre.” Hip Hop 50 Audible Originals also features The Greatest Day: The Epic Story Behind Hip-Hops Most Iconic Photograph (June 15) and The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip Hop (August 10).
Georgia-bred singer/rapper 6LACK released his third studio LP, Since I Have a Lover, on March 24. The Love Renaissance (LVRN) recording artist will support the project with a 40-date tour.
The Live Nation-produced “Since I Have A Lover Tour” kicks off in Portland on October 1. Other North American stops include Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Montreal, Toronto, and Atlanta.
Beginning next February, 6LACK will head overseas for shows. The 30-year-old performer is scheduled to visit Dublin, Manchester, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Stockholm, Oslo, and other European cities.
6LACK’s Since I Have a Lover joined an album catalog that includes 2016’s Free 6lack and 2018’s East Atlanta Love Letter. The rapper/singer’s latest body of work arrived with guest features by Quin, Don Toliver, and Wale. The official music video for the title track has amassed more than 2.2 million views on YouTube.
“‘Since I Have a Lover’ was another moment where I knew the theme. I knew the story that we were telling,” said 6LACK in an interview with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe. “We already had a bulk of the music, but there was something missing. And I went maybe weeks of just, it was like we were supposed to pull the trigger on when it was time to wrap things up, and release and start to shoot things.”
He continued, “And I just kept being like, something’s missing and I don’t know what it is, and I just have to be patient and say f### a deadline, and sit until that thing popped out. And when I heard the music for it, I was like, that’s the feeling right there.”
Tickets for 6LACK’s “Since I Have A Lover Tour” go on sale on April 28 at 10 am local time at 6lack.com and Ticketmaster.com.
Quavious “Quavo” Marshall recently starred in the Peacock movie Praise This alongside R&B singer Chlöe Bailey. As part of the promotion for the film, the two musicians appeared on GOAT Talk.
The GOAT Talk show features celebrities sharing their favorite picks in various categories like GOAT actor and GOAT Gospel song. At one point, Quavo and Chlöe had to name their greatest rapper of all time.
“I gotta go [with] Jay-Z. Great businessman. O.G. gonna give us some lessons and show us the way,” said Quavo. The Georgia-raised songwriter worked with Jay-Z and Beyoncé on The Carters’ “Apeshit” single.
Praise This premiered on April 7, 2023. The motion picture’s cast also contains Anjelika Washington, Druski, Koryn Hawthorne, Tristan Wilds, and Kountry Wayne.
During his career in entertainment, Quavo also showed up on episodes of television series such as Atlanta, Black-ish, and Narcos: Mexico. However, he is best known as one-third of the Migos rap group.
Quavo hosts his 5th Annual Huncho Day celebrity charity football game this Saturday, April 29. Celebs confirmed for the event include Gucci Mane, J.I.D, Chad Johnson, Jameis Winston, and D’Andre Swift.
LL Cool J has announced he is hitting the road for the first arena tour in over 30 years to celebrate Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary, and he’s bringing a roster of rap legends with him.
The Grammy Award-winning rapper “personally curated” the 24-stop “F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) Live” tour in conjunction with Rock The Bells and Live Nation Urban. On Tuesday (Apr. 25), LL shared a teaser video announcing he’s headlining the concert series alongside The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip.
They will perform alongside a rotating cast of rap royalty, including Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, MC Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Ice T, Juvenile, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Goodie Mob, Jadakiss, Rick Ross, Common and more.
“This is not a moment, it’s a movement. For my first Arena tour in 30 years, I am bringing you THE F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy),” LL COOL J declared on Instagram.
“@theroots, @ztrip & @djjazzyjeff will join me in the ultimate Hip-Hop mash-up with a legendary non-stop continuous set! We hit the stage on 6.25 in Boston, MA and will make our way to Los Angeles, CA on 9.3. Tickets on presale now.” Check out the trailer below.
LL Cool J will kick off The F.O.R.C.E. Live tour in Boston on Jun. 25 before wrapping up on Sept. 3 in Los Angeles. Other cities on the 24-show outing include Brooklyn, Toronto, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Houston, and Las Vegas. Pre-sale tickets are available now, with general sale beginning Friday (Apr. 31).
LL Cool J Has A New “Modern” Project Coming
Meanwhile earlier this year, the Queens legend teased his upcoming album, executively produced by Q-Tip.
“The album I think is really, really special,” LL Cool J explained. “I think it’s something it’s modern without chasing. It’s a whole new thing. I can’t wait for the people to see it.”
Salt Lake City, Utah has nurtured the next up-and-coming artist to hit the scene. Adam Banxhas took his passion for music and built something that is strong and viable. With almost a decade’s experience in the music game, he has cultivated his challenges in life and molded them into lyrics that will inspire those who can identify with his journey. His parents planted the seeds for music in him when they played the guitar and piano in their home. It was only natural that he would gravitate to a musical connection.
Like a lot of artists, Banx hit hard times and he thought of ending his dreams before they were realized. As fate would have it, he turned lemons into lemonade. Utilizing all of his gifts he used his skills as a producer, engineer, singer, rapper, and editor to produce his own work. After working with over 100 Artists, he knew what it took to make it happen for himself. He had the formula, so he created one of the soon-to-be hottest singles, “Let Me Know.” Friday, April 21st is the release date and the buzz has been building for this young artist.
“This R&B visual is a light refreshing dance tune for all ages,” states Obi Ntukogu, Label Owner of Hark Music/Walk on Water. “My partner, Matthew Burke, and I saw something in him, and we are banking on Banx.” He has a team that will go the distance with him and the fans are gearing up to do the same.
The single, “Let Me Know” is now available on all music platforms. So sit back and enjoy the ride. Adam Banx is here to stay. Follow him on all social media platforms @Adam_Banx
Teyana Taylor has reflected on her experience of being signed to her first record deal at Pharrell Williams’ Star Trek Entertainment imprint when she was a 15-year-old rising star artist.
During a recent interview on Angie Martinez’s IRL Podcast, the “Rose In Harlem” hitmaker revealed she considered Skateboard P family at the time. However, while Teyana is grateful for the doors Pharrell opened for her, she wishes he did more to protect her.
“I had a really really really really deep and honest conversation with Pharrell because you know, he was the first person to sign me. He was Skateboard P, I was Skateboard T,” she explained. “You cannot tell me that wasn’t my pops. I really looked up to him. He didn’t have kids at the time, and he wanted kids. He’d be like ‘Yo she call me her pops.’ He was really proud of that.”
Teyana Taylor continued, noting Pharrell is “not confrontational at all” and “one of the sweetest people” in the world. “So, it wasn’t that he didn’t protect me,” she said before adding,” it’s just that a lot of hands started going into the cookie jar…it’s P, he not bout to be like ‘no, yall n##### back up.”
Teyana Taylor Claims Pharrell Let “Everybody Break Us Apart”
She said Pharell might have been “hurt about some things,” and suggested “pride and ego,” could have got in the way.
However, Teyana added, “To me, as a 15-year-old, it was, you didn’t protect me. You let everyone mishandle me. I signed to you. You let everybody get in the way and everybody break us apart. You didn’t protect me.”
Nonetheless, the multi hyphenate creative revealed she bears no ill will towards Pharrell. “I just recently shared that with him. It might’ve been right after ‘Fade’ came out,” Teyana shared. “That’s what made it even doper. Because for me, I was at the top top top when that s### came out. And for me, I love that I was able to share that with him during a high and not like hitting somebody up while you’re angry and sitting around somewhere bitter, nah it wasn’t that. I was in a poised, graceful place, and just let him know how proud I was of just us and how far we’ve come.”
Ultimately, Teyana Taylor is grateful for Pharrell’s contribution to her career. “I be basking in my blessings, and I will be having them moments when I just think, damn, no matter how I felt when I was younger, none of these doors would have ever opened for me if it wasn’t for P,” she said. Check out the clips below and watch the interview here.
Proud father Swizz Beatz has opened up about the time his five-year-old son Egypt helped Kendrick Lamar overcome writer’s block and ended up producing a song on his album.
The superproducer stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show on Tuesday (Apr. 25), where the host asked him about his 12-year-old son Egypt whom he shares with wife Alicia Keys. She recalled hearing the pre-teen produced for Kendrick Lamar when he was just five years old.
“I’m jealous as hell of that one,” Swizz Beatz replied. “I thought me and Kendrick was cool.”
As Swizz Beatz explained, a five-year-old Egypt met Kendrick Lamar at the 2016 Super Bowl game.
“He and Kendrick were talking for, like, 40 minutes,” the Grammy Award winner recalled. “I went over and said to Kendrick, ‘Is he bothering you? Should I move him? Are you enjoying yourself?’ He said, ‘No, Swizz, I had writer’s block and what Egypt is telling me is helping me deal with something. I was like, ‘Man, he’s five years old.’ To this day, I still don’t know what he was helping him deal with. I let it happen.” Check out the clip below.
Back in 2016, Swizz Beatz took to Instagram to gush over his son after Egypt produced on Kendrick Lamar‘s Untitled Unmastered project.
Back in 2017, Alicia Keys revealed Kendrick honored a promise to her son during their Super Bowl meeting. The Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers creator told Egypt: “If you send me something, you know, I’ll try to use it.” She then recalled how the five-year-old produced song on Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered album.
“Like, really, that was his brain child — his mind,” Keys said of the track during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! She heard Egypt working out a song he had in his head and encouraged him to make something of it.
“So, I had him go pick it out at the piano, she explained. “He figured out the melody, and then his daddy took him to the studio, and he played all the different instruments in the studio, played the keyboard, programmed the drums and did what he heard.”
Tyrese is calling on father’s advocacy groups to help him put together a bill for Congress after a judge ordered he pay roughly $650,000 in child support and lawyer fees in his child custody case.
The actor appeared in Fulton County court on Tuesday (Apr. 25) and was ordered to pay $237,944 to his ex-wife Samantha Lee Gibson. He must also pay an additional $399,000 to Samantha’s attorney, TMZ reports.
Tyrese returned to court after refusing to pay the $10,000 monthly child support he was ordered to pay last August. He claimed the judge was “racist” towards him and felt the amount was excessive. He told the court Tuesday that his ex is well paid, so he shouldn’t have to stump up so much to support his child.
However, the judge held him in contempt of court over his refusal to comply with the order. In addition to the $636,944 he needs to pay his ex and her attorney, Tyrese must hand over $17,000 to the special master. TMZ calls the role “a referee, of sorts, appointed by the judge to handle minor disputes during the case.” In total the Fast & Furious star must stump up nearly $654,000.
After the hearing, his attorney promised to file an appeal and has already filed a motion for a new trial. She also claimed Tyrese paid $2,236 child support monthly but not the $10K the judge ordered.
Tyrese Responds To Ruling
In response, Tyrese issued a statement on Instagram admitting he wasn’t surprised by the ruling. He thanked his supporters for showing up to court and called on father’s advocacy groups to help fight for changes in the law.
“I am ready along with a whole lot of other fathers who continue to get f##### over by the family law court system…. I’ve never been the type of man to sit on my hands quietly b#### and moan at home about everything…. I stand UP a and speak UP a and OUT about injustice,” Tyrese stated.
Seriously he is fighting for his freedom. So, basically he is saying he got railroaded and the new DNA evidence proves he is innocent. Check out what he says.
I am sure the news section will get this in a real, journalistic way.
The AllHipHop gang linked up with Scar Lip, the biggest thing in New York City. She’s got a lot of talk, but she backs it up with bars. She is also bringing back that energy that the city used to have. In this interview she talks about a lot, but there is a lingering question: How offered her $100k for a record deal? She passed on that. I think I have some ideas, but I definitely cannot say. Who do you think it is?
Tory Lanez is continuing to protest his innocence after his conviction for shooting Megan the Stallion, demanding a new trial. He claims prosecutors misled and lied to the jury over his DNA being on the gun used in the shooting.
He shared an open letter to the Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon over the weekend hitting back at the conviction and demanding a new trial. The, on Tuesday (Apr. 25), the Canadian artist’s attorney Jose Baez claimed his client will show DNA evidence was used to mislead the jury.
Shortly after the attorney’s announcement Tory Lanez was shared a statement via a jail call on his Instagram page. On the recording, Tory accused Deputy District Attorneys Kathy Ta and Alex Bott and a DNA expert of misleading the jury over whether his DNA was on the gun used to shoot Megan Thee Stallion.
“I’ve been incarcerated for almost half a year over a gun that the D.A.s lied and said I shot,” the recording began. Tory claims he took a DNA test in 2021 “with no pushback, delay or question,” because “I was 100% positive that I never even touched this gun.”
Tory Lanez claims “My DNA is 100% excluded and 100% eliminated from the gun”
The statement continued, “With the help of L.A. Crime Labs DNA expert Randy Zepeda, D.A. Kathy Ta, and Alex Bott completely manipulated my DNA results, and lied to the world, the media, and most importantly my jury — by stating that my DNA on the gun was inconclusive. That was an absolute lie.”
According to Tory, a test conducted by “one of the best DNA experts in the nation,” proves, “My DNA is 100% excluded and 100% eliminated from the gun. In other words, it’s physically and scientifically impossible for me to ever have touched or shot this gun.”
Furthermore, he claims prosecutors used “invalid and illegal tactics … to attain the results used to convict me.” Additionally, Tory Lanez states the L.A. Crime Lab would have to have stopped “the testing before its finished or completed its final result,” to achieve an inconclusive result.
He concluded, “In other words, District Attorney Kathy Ta and Alex Bott lied to my jury with false, incorrect and incomplete DNA results, violating my due process and my 14th Amendment right. My faith, my prayers and my highest hopes go to the honorable Judge Harriford, that on May 8, he rules in favor of the United States Supreme Court law returning me to my freedom, my family and most importantly, the justice of a fair trial.”
President Joe Biden has announced that he will be running for re-election in 2024.
The 46th president, who threw his hat in the ring on Tuesday, April 25, believes he is the best person to go up against former president Donald J. Trump, who announced his candidacy in November 2022.
The announcement came via video and focused on his Republican opponent and his involvement with the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
The president, whose running mate during his first campaign became the first Black, first Asian, and first woman to serve as vice president, says “Freedom … Personal Freedom … is fundamental to who we are as Americans. There is nothing more important or sacred.”
He used words like “fight for our democracy” and claimed it has “been the work” of his first term but he needs to be re-elected to make sure the disruption caused by MAGA maniacs and Trump’s social politics does not return.
The president said in his re-election video that he wants to make sure that everyone is treated equally and “given a fair shot.”
After he announced his run for re-election, Senator Bernie Sanders, a former presidential candidate himself, endorsed the president.
He agrees that Biden needs a chance to finish the job the administration has started.
“The last thing this country needs is a Donald Trump or some other right-wing demagogue who is going to try to undermine American democracy or take away a woman’s right to choose, or not address the crisis of gun violence, or racism, sexism or homophobia,” Sanders said according to the Associated Press. “So, I’m in to do what I can to make sure that the president is reelected.”
He also confirmed he would not run for president and split the vote. He asked other progressive/ liberal candidates to also resist the urge to run against Biden.
Mysonne released another Troy Ave diss track on Tuesday (April 25).
Earlier this month, Mysonne took aim at Troy Ave in a song titled “Rolland.” Troy Ave fired back with a track called “Taxi Robber,” which referenced Mysonne’s past conviction for robbing two taxi drivers. Mysonne responded by dropping a new track via Instagram.
“FYI A Rat can’t beat me a NOTHING,” he wrote. “THIS IS FOR REAL N!&&@$ ONLY.. This ain’t Beef it’s Spiritual Warfare.. #GodsWork #BoycottBlackMurder.”
Mysonne’s latest diss featured him rapping over Jay-Z’s “Renegade” instrumental. He mocked Troy Ave for tweaking 50 Cent’s “Window Shopper” to create the “Taxi Robber” song.
“You ain’t just take the 50 dude’s raps/You took the n####’s whole style/Wow, how you do that?/There’s no more shame/S###, the game is over, there’s no more game/Same n#### that move bricks will snitch to your honor/And get his man killed and talk s### to his momma,” Mysonne rapped.
The issues between the Bronx rapper and Troy Ave resurfaced after the latter testified against Daryl “Taxstone” Campbell. Taxstone was convicted of shooting and killing Troy Ave’s bodyguard Ronald “Banga” McPhatter.
Taxstone was found guilty of manslaughter, assault and criminal possession of a weapon in March. He awaits sentencing.
Mystikal remains in a Louisiana jail with no start date for his rape trial.
According to The Advocate, Mystikal’s attorney Tiffany Myles Crosby asked for a delay to properly prepare for her client’s trial. Judge Steven Tureau granted her request for a continuance on April 18. Prosecutors raised no objections.
Crosby sought more time “to become abreast of all pertinent issues in this matter in order to provide efficient representation,” per The Advocate. The rape trial was originally supposed to begin on June 21.
Mystikal’s next court is scheduled for August 21. He has been held without bail since his 2022 arrest.
The 52-year-old rapper, whose real name is Michael Tyler, is accused of raping a woman at his Louisiana home in July 2022. He was charged with first-degree rape, robbery and false imprisonment, among other charges.
Mystikal pleaded not guilty to the charges. He faces up to life in prison.
Last month, Judge Tureau issued a gag order in the rape case. Mystikal’s lawyer wanted the gag order due to an “inordinate amount of publicity.”
Mystikal previously served six years in prison for sexual battery and extortion. He also spent roughly 18 months in jail on rape and kidnapping charges, which were dismissed.
Latto completed all the steps to be cleared of weapons charges in Los Angeles.
According to TMZ, Latto’s gun case was dismissed on Tuesday (April 25). The RCA Records artist faced charges after she brought a loaded weapon to Los Angeles International Airport in May 2021.
Latto was charged with carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a concealed weapon. She took a gun safety course and did 120 hours of community service to get her charges dismissed.
“I am extremely pleased with the outcome and glad my client can move forward with her flourishing career,” Latto’s lawyer Jamal Tooson told TMZ.
Latto rapped about bringing a gun to the airport on the Mello Buckzz track “Boom Pt. 2.” She shared more details about the incident in March.
“Went to LAX w a loaded glock 17 in my Birk got locked & let out in a few hours,” she wrote on Twitter. “lmaooo booked a $75k jet to my show in Alabama & still made it on time! no cap in my rap TUH.”
Last month, Latto denied participating in a diversion program to avoid the gun charges.
“Idk who put out that false ass information cause I’m not in no damn program,” she wrote via Twitter. “also the situation happened over a year ago & y’all never even knew until I mentioned it in the Boom pt 2 verse. Nun to ‘brag’ about. Leave me alone.”
A Los Angeles jury awarded Soulja Boy’s ex-girlfriend Kayla Myers more than $235,000 after she sued him for alleged abuse.
According to Radar Online, jurors determined Soulja Boy acted with “malice, oppression or fraud” in a verdict reached on April 21. The jury ordered him to pay $234,100 for pain and suffering as well as $1,800 for mental health expenses.
The rapper may end up paying more money to Myers. This week, jurors will decide on punitive damages in the civil trial.
Myers claimed Soulja Boy attacked her at a party in 2019. She accused him of punching her and beating her with a gun.
Soulja Boy’s ex-girlfriend said his assistant Tevin Anderson tied her to a chair with extension chords and held her hostage for six hours. Anderson allegedly told her he’d let her go if she performed a sexual act on him. She complied to escape and called the cops.
Myers revealed she suffered three fractured ribs and a bruised face. Her ex-boyfriend never faced criminal charges for the alleged assault. Police did find weapons in his home, resulting in a probation violation.
Soulja Boy denied any wrongdoing in response to Myers’ lawsuit. He blamed a third party for causing her injuries.
A Florida teen who suffers from refractory epilepsy, a condition where medicine can’t control his seizures, was able to meet his favorite rapper through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Joseph Mastropietro, 14, was gifted a trip to go see Australian rapper The Kid LAROI perform at the April 4 concert at Florida State University’s Donald Tucker Civic Center, according to New Castle News.
The organization, founded to grant wishes for the sick, bought Mastropietro whole family to see The Kid LAROI performance, paying for everything including airfare, accommodations, meals, a rental vehicle and more.
Mastropietro’s sister Giavanna, mother Stephane Elisco and her fiancé Steven Chill, father Joe Mastropietro and his wife Bobbilyn all found themselves in Tallahassee attending the show. The family had VIP seats and were able to sit close to the stage. At one point, they got to stand in the row “in front of the front row.”
Mastropietro, an eighth grader at Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage, not only got to see the rapper catch wreck stage but also got to talk to him backstage about his favorite playlists and video games. One of the artists The Kid LAROI enjoys shocked the student: Taylor Swift. The teen said, “I was just surprised. I wasn’t expecting Taylor Swift for a rapper like him.”
The Kid LAROI—who released his debut mixtape in the United States in 2020—is one of Australia’s rising talents. The project went double platinum and his single, “Stay” featuring Justin Bieber, sold more than nine million equivalent copies, marking his first Billboard No. 1 single.
If there’s one thing you can count on from DJ Sky High Baby, it’s the fact that she’s ALWAYS going to bring the vibes. Hailing from Baltimore but now residing in sunny Los Angeles, DJ Sky High Baby is best known for DJing all the hottest clubs and parties across the world, with a hustle and work ethic that remains unmatched.
In describing herself, DJ Sky High Baby states she’s “a baddie, a boss babe, an entrepreneur, a DJ, an artist, a hustler, and a good mom. A great woman, all the above. I cover all the bases.”
The Baltimore native is a true music-lover, first getting her start as a recording artist before finding her talents on the turntables. In fact, she fondly remembers seeing King Los freestyle for 30 minutes straight, mesmerized by his ability to spit bars. But back then, she cites Nicki Minaj as the only big female artist out — and she didn’t feel the need to compete in the lane of being a musician.
Soon, one of her artist friends would ask her to DJ his show… and the rest was history. DJ Sky High Baby isn’t just a DJ, she knows how to MC and control any crowd. Additionally, she recently landed the spot as the official DJ for Zeus’ Baddies West, playing the role of a Baddie DJ and big sis to Chrisean Rock.
AllHipHop spoke with DJ Sky High Baby in downtown Los Angeles to discuss her roots, how she got her name, how she landed on Baddies West, dropping her own music, and more!
AllHipHop: Where are you from originally?
DJ Sky High Baby: I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. I am a graduate from Baltimore School For The Arts as a Theatre Major. The same school and major Tupac and Jada Pinkett Smith went to. I left Baltimore after getting my Associates degree in college in 2012.
AllHipHop: What’d you study?
DJ Sky High Baby: Communications. But while I was in school, I was so much into working, modeling, and making music at the time. I’m like, this isn’t for me. I want to make money and do something different. I love home, but I knew there was somewhere else I wanted to be. I always knew I wanted to be in California, which of course is why I ended up here. I lived in Atlanta for three, four years. That’s where I met all the artists I know from Atlanta: Young Thug’s, T.I., Future’s. All the still popular Atlanta artists. That’s where I really started in the music side.
I was definitely working, but when I got to LA and got into the LA nightlife scene, I started DJing at the Hollywood Clubs and Strip clubs after I had my daughter Royal. All of the earlier clubs that I had lit during that time is when I really flourished into DJ Sky High Baby.
AllHipHop: Were you DJing back home in Baltimore also?
DJ Sky High Baby: I was DJing in Baltimore. I was DJing in Atlanta, but when I moved to California, that was when DJ’n became my career. DJing in California was the only thing I did for a source of income. Before that, definitely in hustle mode, trap mode, music mode, networking mode. In the past 5 years, I’ve definitely been the most focused on just DJing.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
DJ Sky High Baby: I got my name really being the first cool stoner girl. I came up around the time Wiz Khalifa was poppin’. Wiz would always say “Sky High!” Wiz low key gave me my name, real talk.
AllHipHop: I didn’t know that! That night that you were DJing for him at Los Globos, you guys have known each other for that long?
DJ Sky High Baby: Yes, since I was in high school. That’s been my dawg a long time. I really saw him come up over all these years, then finally that event working with him. The team calling me to do his album release. When we met, I was an artist. It’s interesting over the years, seeing my development as a DJ then having the people who I really came up with being like “Sky!” When all the stoner artists would come to town, I’d be the go to coz I was the only one smoking Cali in Baltimore. I really got my name being that Sky High girl, having the vibes.
AllHipHop: Your daughter is 5. How do you balance motherhood and this crazy schedule of being a DJ?
DJ Sky High Baby: I balance it with having her in the best school and have so much help by my mother living with me. If she didn’t, I don’t know what I would do. She literally has my daughter in Malibu at the beach right now, so that I can take care of business. Shout out to Mama Sue.
AllHipHop: So, single mother at that?
DJ Sky High Baby: Definitely take care of my daughter on my own, for sure. Even tho my daughter has a dad that truly loves her and I both. Even I tell my friend Chrisean right now: girl when you’re a mother, you look at things so differently. You literally become a superhuman. You can do anything you want to, with or without anybody. You just have to push on through whatever situations that you have, to get to the next stage of being a beautiful mother.
AllHipHop: Talk about being the official DJ for Baddies West. How did this opportunity come up with Zeus?
DJ Sky High Baby: Obviously, they wanted to pick the most lit girls who are active and popping. Me and Natalie [Nunn] spoke about Baddies West while she was casting the previous season. Me and her daughter were having a playdate. She had Chrisean’s picture up, Had everybody: Persuasian, Bri, Rollie, Anne Moore, Jela . She said “you ready for the next season?” I said hell yeah!
Separately from me and Natalie having that relationship, me and Chrisean developed a relationship. Just being there for her really, more than anything. We were outside a lot. I was working. She was pulling up to a lot of things and events I had going on. During the pandemic, I had my own club called The Clover. I met Chrisean because she pulled up to work. I’m like this girl’s lit! Don’t know who she was because I didn’t watch Blue Girls Club but I was like she’s got a lot of energy. Then I found out she’s from Baltimore.
AllHipHop: Didn’t know that! That’s sick, knowing you guys are from the same place.
DJ Sky High Baby: Yup, so I’m like big sis. But also a good friend. They saw that part. At one point during the baddies casting phase Zeus team called me like “you know she’s filming her show right now. We really don’t want to make it all about y’all on this show.” And I’m like, I’m really a baddie and. I’m really good at what I do. You have artists that we’re going to be going on tour with, it makes sense. I’m already lit, but what are we doing?
It was great for them to see me and Chrisean’s friendship, and say “alright well, this makes sense.” Because a lot of the fans say “oh, Sky’s only on the show, because of Chrisean.” Chrisean is a big name, she’s a big personality, so I understand why they would say or think that. Because I’m her friend, that that’s the case. But really, I was cast by Natalie. Natalie was putting together the previous season and said “next season, we’re going to be having artists. Do you want to come on to this next season?”
AllHipHop: And how’s it been?
DJ Sky High Baby: It’s been crazy.
AllHipHop: Did you ever think you’d be doing reality TV?
DJ Sky High Baby: I knew I was fit for it. I had done a little bit here and there, but nothing as major as the Zeus network. They’ve been amazing as a team, I love working with everybody over Zeus. But it’s definitely different, just the engagement. I’ve never in my life thought that somebody would think I was a man, that somebody would call me ugly so many times a day. That there will be so much body shaming in general.
There’s so much negativity that comes from it, but there’s also a lot of positivity. My impressions have gone up to 1.5 million a month, which is amazing. Just having people see me on a different platform. When I’m out, people are always showing love. I never get the weird stuff when I’m out, but the internet is undefeated. Totally, you cannot defeat the internet. Don’t even try.
I knew I‘d be able to do reality TV. I did some stuff with Zeus for Bad Boys for the previous season. I did some DJ sets for Love & Hip Hop, when Apple Watts was on. Mickey Munday brought me in. But This was very different. I almost felt like I had to fight for my spot, without fighting. I was one of the only people this season who didn’t do the rumble tumble and was fighting, because I came in this as a business. I didn’t come on this to get in a light of “oh, she’s a fighter.”
You don’t have to be a fighter to be a baddie. You can literally be handling your business, which is what we talked about a lot this season and getting to the bag. You get a lot from both sides. The people who love Bad Girls Club, they expect you to fight. The people who are more hip, like “Oh, she’s a boss babe. She’s on her bossy s###.” More than that, those are the people that respect my craft as a DJ and an artist and what I do as a self made boss.
AllHipHop: Talk about your own music, what are you dropping this month?
DJ Sky High Baby: So I took a break for a couple of months from DJing, I was followed home from work and targeted , and was robbed in my garage of my house. I had this time where I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do next. I was working five, six days a week at one club. When I stopped working at that club, that’s when I got the call from Zeus and did Baddies. When I came back from the reality show, I don’t think I really want to go back to work yet. I want to focus on something else.
I started to get back in the studio and start working on my music. My producer TLZ, he works with Lil Kim and Trilly from Trillion Dollar Records. TLZ is so amazing. He worked on my first single with me that got showcased on Baddies West “Blow It”, that performance was really cool. He was back out here working with Lil Kim. He said “let’s link up. Let’s put in some work.” So I got to recording, and the new Sky High Baby sound just sounded so great.
Originally, my idea was to drop a project. Do all the visuals and records, drop them all at the same time. I spoke with a few people that said “space it out a little bit. You have so much good stuff, you don’t want to give it all to them at once.” Even though I do want to give it all to them at once, I’m gonna start dropping again on 4/20. Which is always my drop date. Sky High, 4/20, it just makes sense.
I’m back working. I’m back doing features. I just did a really dope track with Trucarr, he’s such a great LA artist. “You be in the crib, I be outside!” I wanted to work with some artists from Los Angeles, and really put together visuals for all the tracks. Only drop singles. I’m not really focused on a project per se, focused on just singles. I have a lot of dope production. London on da Track did a track with me, he’s been an amazing friend for years and always has been so supportive of my music in general. So just putting together some new singles.
AllHipHop: Talk about the bond that you and Young Thug share.
DJ Sky High Baby: My brother, for the longest. He is such an amazing individual. Watching him as an artist would inspire anyone to do anything they want to in life. It’s so unfortunate that such a creative and inspirational person is in such, to me, a dark place. Even though I know the people who speak to him say that he’s got a lot of light and is bright, but it’s such a confining situation.
I haven’t been able to speak to him since he went in. I’ve heard updates from family about him him, I’ve sent my love through people who have spoken to him. His family and his close friends. But for such an amazing person to not be able to really spread all the love and energy that they really have, to be so crucified for nothing is very unfortunate. He’s my twin. We’re both Leo’s, we’re born a year apart. He’s such an amazing person… free Jeff.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let us know?
DJ Sky High Baby: Follow me on Instagram: @djskyhighbaby. I have my merch out, “my ass trays”. Something dope for the stoners. Look forward to MOTION releasing on 4/20 and new music coming out soon. Peace & Love
Learning an instrument improves your memory, as well as your muscle memory. When learning an instrument, you are engaging both the left and right sides of your brain. This is particularly beneficial for children because it allows them to use new brain patterns. It’s also been used as a form of rehabilitation for people with brain injuries.
Relieves Stress
Chronic stress is a big problem for people in today’s fast-paced society. Frequent exposure to stress can lead the body to be in a chronic state of stress.
The good news is, playing a musical instrument can reverse the stress response, helping our brains and bodies to feel calm. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy this benefit, either. According toWebMD, the best way to reap this benefit is to approach playing music as a fun activity rather than a serious one.
Playing Music Makes You Smarter
Recent research has discovered that learning an instrument increases executive functioning in children and adults. The executive function is responsible for decision-making, solving problems, planning, and self-control. It also allows the person to adjust to changes when performing tasks.
Executive function has also been shown to have a greater impact on academic success than IQ, according toPsychology Today.
Make New Friends
Learning an instrument introduces you to new people, which can allow you to make new friends. Friendships are typically built on a common goal or love for something.
When you are learning an instrument with others, this gives you an instant way to connect based on your shared love of music.
Increase Self Confidence
Learning an instrument also improves your self-confidence. One reason for this is that it provides a sense of accomplishment. You’ll take pride in improving as a musician, which can increase your confidence as well.
Playing an instrument also provides a means of self-expression. As you get comfortable expressing yourself through your music, you’ll find it easier to express yourself in other ways as well, Backhausen explains.
Improves Discipline and Patience
Learning an instrument requires a lot of practice. You must be dedicated to putting work into practicing. This can teach you time management and strengthen your sense of discipline.
It also teaches you patience. Learning an instrument requires practicing over time. In fact, most people need to dedicate a year to learning an instrument to become proficient at playing it.
It can seem like it will never pay off. However, it eventually does. To keep practicing, you’ll need to have patience and realize that it provides delayed gratification.
About
Martin Backhausen earned his bachelor’s degree from Full Sail University before going on to get a Master of Music in Music Production from Berklee Online. He’s able to read music and play by ear. He currently works as a music producer for artists in various genres, including punk rock, R&B, country music and neo-soul.
New father Swae Lee had to go into protective mode after a fight broke out with the security detail at Coachella. According to TMZ, the Rae Sremmurd co-founder was on his way to perform on stage when the scuffle broke out. His team says security hired for the event became overzealous with the star and his crew, sparking blows. A part of his entourage was his infant child son, who was immediately secured by dad and others around.
His management released a statement regarding the incident saying, “As Swae Lee attempted to enter the festival with his newborn son and working crew, overzealous security guards confronted them. As 1/2 of Rae Sremmurd, he was due to perform on Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre stage at 5:55 PM. Security claimed not to recognize the talent and then aggressively initiated contact as they attempted to make their way to the stage. The security guards, which we presume are independent contractors, are seen clearly being the aggressors and then throwing gang signs at end of the video in a celebration.”
The melee did not stop him and his brother Slim Jxmmi from delivering a rockstar show and promoting their new project, Sremm 4 Life, the first album the duo has put out in more than five years.
The project boasts production from Mike WiLL Made-It, Zaytoven, Murda on the Beat and Sonny Digital. A feature from Young Thug appears on “Royal Flush” and Future hops on “Activate.”
