The San Diego Police Department has arrested two teens as suspects in the death of the rapper, Alo Bandz. The 22-year-old, whose real name is Caesar Lopez-Sandoval, is an emerging rapper from Southern California, according to NBC San Diego.
Officers brought Julian James Vargas, 19, and a 14-year-old whose name is undisclosed before he is a minor on Thursday, April 6 in regard to the fatal shooting. The rising star was killed on Feb. 19 in the Clairemont area park.
Police reports state the young man was discovered in a grassy patch near a set of bleachers at North Clairemont Recreation Center, struggling to breathe after being shot multiple times in his upper torso.
According to SDPD Lt. Steve Shebloski, the recording artist was transported by emergency workers to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The lieutenant also believes that Alo Bandz got into a fight with the boys in the public area in the middle of the day. This dispute, which deals are unclear was over, resulted in gunplay. After the shooting started to ring out, families (including young children) scattered.
The boys fled the scene of the crime after Alo Bandz was blasted.
In a departmental press release, Lt. Adam Sharki stated Vargas was taken into custody right before 8:00 a.m. on Thursday and has been booked on suspicion of murder.
Vargas, because he is over 18, has been booked in county jail. He will face arraignment on Monday, April 10 in the afternoon in San Diego Superior Court.
The minor was picked up at 9:00 a.m. and is locked up in a juvenile hall.
Drake announced his new single “Search & Rescue” on Thursday (April 6) and delivered it just hours later. Ahead of its release, fans were certain Kim Kardashian was the woman featured in the single art. But, it turns out that isn’t the case. Some eagle-eyed sleuths determined the woman is actually OVO Sound-approved singer Lilah.
“Search & Rescue” is the same song he previewed at the Dreamville Festival on April 2, which included snippets of her Kardashian discussing her divorce from Kanye West in an episode of The Kardashians.
“I didn’t come this far, just to come this far and not be happy,” Kardashian says to mother Kris Jenner on their reality show. “OK, that’s fair,” Jenner replies. Kardashian then says, “Yep, I saw it on the internet.”
Drake continues crooning about being a rich superstar unable to find love. He sings, “I need someone to be patient with me/ Someone to get money with, not take it from me/ Look, they don’t even need to be as famous as me/ I don’t think I’ll meet them at the places I be.”
Drake’s Father Dennis Graham assured fans in an Instagram comment that “it’s just a song” and he’s “not trolling” West. But West might see it another wife. Surprisingly, he’s remained quiet.
The song marks Drake’s first release this year. It’s possible he’ll drop a full album before he embarks on the It’s All a Blur Tour in June.
It’s like the world has watched Keke Palmer grow up. The star has been a staple in Hollywood since the early 2000s when she popped out in “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” and “Akeelah and the Bee.”
So, when she announced that she was having her first child on Saturday Night Live in 2022, and dropped her baby in February 2023, it seemed like all of Hip-Hop welcomed the birth of a new niece.
Now, the multi-hyphenate has it all: a healthy relationship, a beautiful baby, lots of money, and acne-free skin. She has one more thing that is a whole game changer for little sis … a new body-oddy-oddy!
The former talk show host took to Instagram to show off her new natural curves, courtesy of her fitness instructor and her new son Leodis Andrellton Jackson (Hey Leo!!!).
She captioned the post: “Hips? NEVER HAD EM’! Boobs? Never had em’! Booty? BARELY. Thanks son.”
In a video, she says, “Last time I spoke to y’all. I was letting you know that my son cleared my skin up. Skin is still skinning!”
Adding, “And now I’m about to let y’all know that he gave me something else: Body down! Get into it … Get into it …because period period period period period period!”
There’s an update on the ongoing legal battle involving the surviving members of the legendary R&B group, The Isley Brothers.
It appears the brothers are working towards a settlement regarding the use of their iconic name.
In a recent off-the-record telephone conference, the parties were instructed to contact the court by April 20th, 2023, to report their progress on settlement discussions, potential referrals to the Magistrate Judge, or proposed discovery schedules.
The lawsuit alleges that Ronald applied for and obtained a trademark for the group in November 2021, only including his name on the paperwork. This move entitled him to all profits from products sold in the group’s name, as well as exclusive rights to visual and audiovisual recordings featuring music and animation.
The brothers had previously shared profits on various deals and even negotiated a multi-million-dollar publishing deal together.
However, with the new trademark, Rudolph has been effectively cut out. He argues that there should have been a 50/50 split between them and asks a judge to revoke the existing trademark and declare it jointly owned by both brothers.
Neither brother has spoken publicly on the lawsuit.
The Isley Brothers, initially formed by Ronald, Rudolph, and the late O’Kelly Isley first gained fame in the 1950s with hits like “Shout” and “Twist and Shout.”
Over the years, the group expanded to include additional members, such as younger brothers Ernie and Marvin Isley and brother-in-law Chris Jasper.
Their success continued throughout the decades, with classics such as “It’s Your Thing,” “That Lady,” and “Between the Sheets,” solidifying their place in music history.
The Isley Brothers have received numerous accolades for their contributions to the music industry.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, and were honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Their music continues to inspire and influence generations of artists.
The Feds have arrested a suspect who sought to avenge the shooting of drill rapper Nas Blixky, an act that almost took his life. Sources suggest the shooter tried to go tick for tack, blasting a rival gang member believed to be connected to the “PG-16” rapper’s attack.
On Friday, April 7, Taj Zeigler, a member of the 6-Treys, a subset of Folk Nation Gangster Disciples, was arrested and detained at Brooklyn Federal Court.
Nas Blixky and he were members of the same set.
Federal officials have named the 22-year-old as the primary suspect in a Jan. 28, 2022 revenge shooting inside of the Ebbets Field apartment complex in Crown Heights, according to the Daily News. The young man has been charged with possession of ammunition (a felony). Surveillance footage of the shooting was used to support the charge, as well as the handful of bullet casings found outside of the door.
The prosecution stated Zeigler, dressed in a hoody and surgical mask, knocked on the victim’s apartment door the day after Nas Blixky was shot in Prospect Lefferts Gardens on Jan. 27, 2022. The person that opened the door was not the rival gang member, but his father. Still, Zeigler shot off several rounds, missing everyone in the apartment.
The feds say they were able to identify the 6-Trey member even though his face was covered by tracking his social media. The young man wore the same Marmot-brand puffer jacket and two-toned black and grey sneakers in videos he posted on social media, that he wore the day of the shooting.
The feds are not sure if the person Zeigler intended to shoot was the person who shot Nas Blixky.
Investigators executed a search warrant, check his apartment, and confiscated evidence. Of the evidence, no guns or ammunition was found in his home. They also pulled surveillance video from the building that was crucial in building their case.
Ironically, Zeigler lived in the same apartment complex where he did the shooting.
Hop Blogger believes that Nas Blixky was shot because he dissed another artist PG-16 and likened the possible assassination to rapper FBG Duck’s untimely demise.
R. Kelly is the mans we speak of. The R&B Pied Piper is sitting in a jail, waiting for another case. There’s also a new, hot off the presses, documentary about his horrific sexual improprieties. Yes, “Surviving R. Kelly III” is on Netflix. I do not personally know how they managed to milk another installment of the series out, but they did.
Just so you know, Kelly is actually is PRISON, not jail like I said before. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Chicago after a conviction on child pornography and enticement of a minor. On top of that he was already IN THE BING for a 30-year sex RICO case in New York Federal court! This is crazy, but this is where we are.
What is even crazier is Kellz is trying to get out and is doing interviews. He did a very brief interview about his plight with comedian Cory Holcomb, who was more like a fan. He gave the The R about 30 seconds to tell people to write the Department of Justice. The interview starts off with the R&B singer SINGING to let everybody know it’s him. And then the comedian reminds the singer where they met that time at the playground and FINALLY R. Kelly speaks his business. The DOJ can’t help this situation! Not abusing girls is what gets you out of this, but it is too late for that!
Hip-Hop is mourning the loss of one of its most inspirational personalities; most people don’t even know her name. According to sources, the woman behind the hit song, “My Umi Says” has transitioned, leaving a hole in the hearts of many— in particular her son, Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def).
While the Black Star founder has not released an official statement, rumors started to float after Soulquarian member Erykah Badu made a post about Umi’s passing and quickly deleted it.
Yasiin Bey is notoriously private, often shunning the media. It is no shock that he would want to keep the death of his mother on the low. Yet, several friends made posts, most notably Erykah Badu, Jessica Care Moore and Talib Kweli.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqxdrR8uNFg/?hl=en
A chorus in the song for many, Sheron Smith was an activist, a Brooklyn stakeholder, an author, and a podcaster. Her show was called “Umi Says.” In a 2007 interview with AllHipHop, she said she wanted more for the Hip-Hop generation. “I love Hip-Hop, I am Hip-Hop, I introduced my children to Hip-Hop, I just want rappers to understand that they are a reflection of how we feel about ourselves,” she said.
Check out one of her last interviews where she discusses the book “Black Was the Ink” with Michelle Coles and builds on Malcolm X’s becoming a man.
The post is from December 2022, many commented on her passing, including Coles, who said, “Umi, you are such a beautiful spirit and an inspiration to mothers everywhere. My deepest condolences go out to your family.”
Because the Smith family has not released a statement, the cause of death is only speculated with some whispering she succumbed to complications caused by cancer.
The AllHipHop.com extends its deepest condolences to Yasiin Bey and his family during this time of bereavement.
Trayvon Newsome, one of the three men convicted in the high-profile murder case of rapper XXXTentacion, is seeking a new trial, claiming numerous errors were made during the original trial.
Newsome argues that the verdicts were not supported by the weight of the evidence and were contrary to the law. He also contends that the judge’s decisions to overrule defense objections and sustain state objections were both improper.
Moreover, Newsome asserts that the denial of defense motions during the trial and the granting of state motions were incorrect. He believes the refusal to grant defense motions for a mistrial was an error, and that the curative instructions provided by the court were insufficient to mitigate the impact of prejudicial and improper evidence presented to the jury.
In the same trial, Dedrick Williams, another defendant, attempted to connect rapper Drake to XXXTentacion’s murder by citing lyrics from Drake’s songs “On BS” and “I’m Upset.”
Williams’ legal team suggested that a dispute between XXXTentacion and Drake started in 2017 after Drake released the song “KMT,” which XXXTentacion accused of copying his cadence.
Despite these efforts, the Florida jury found Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery after eight days of deliberations.
XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, was a 20-year-old rapper who was fatally shot outside a Florida motorcycle dealership in June 2018.
His murder sent shockwaves through the music industry and left fans mourning his untimely death.
The Grammy Museum announced an online auction via Charitybuzz which features items signed by various artists like Atlanta rapper 21 Savage.
A-list names such as Bad Bunny, Sheryl Crow, Dr. Dre, Mick Fleetwood, Lizzo, Bonnie Raitt, Smokey Robinson, and Harry Styles autographed guitars backstage at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in February.
Additionally, Luke Combs, Miley Cyrus, Luis Fonsi, Jonas Brothers, Steve Lacy, Shawn Mendes, Kim Petras, Nile Rodgers, Slash, Sam Smith, Chris Stapleton, Joe Bonamassa, and Brandi Carlile signed memorabilia as well.
For example, Atlanta-raised Hip Hop star 21 Savage put his signature on the cassette version of theIssa Album. That 2017 project served as the Slaughter Gang leader’s debut major-label studio LP. The Recording Industry Association of America certified Issa Album as Platinum.
In addition to 21 Savage, “About Damn Time” hitmaker Lizzo signed a new Gibson SG electric guitar. R&B singer/songwriter Miguel signed a Shure microphone. One Beledll acoustic guitar has the signatures of Lionel Richie, LL Cool J, Gary Clark Jr. Meghan Trainer, Common, and Pentatonix.
TheGrammy Museum online auction via Charitybuzz runs through April 13, 2023, at Charitybuzz.com. Established in 2008, the Grammy Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a greater understanding of the history and significance of music through exhibits, education, grants, preservation initiatives, and public programming.
Well it looks like Diddy and Sting got together and trolled us all. Damn. This was a late April Fool’s Day gift if I ever saw one. It really tested the way people will believe just about anything. At any rate, we were told by Sting, through an interview with The Breakfast Club, that Diddy pays HIM $3,000 a DAY for the sample for “Missing You.” That was the song that was in homage to The Notorious B.I.G.
Diddy said they were being “funny” when they said those likes.
He posted on social media, “I want y’all to understand I was joking! It’s called being Facetious! Me and @OfficialSting have been friends for a long time! He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for Missing You. He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history.”
I want y’all to understand I was joking! It’s called being Facetious! Me and @OfficialSting have been friends for a long time! He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for Missing You. He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history.
I am not sure how people were supposed to determine this was a “prank” the way they were letting it roll downhill like that. Sting did not bat an eye or say a “sike” after being asked that question. And Diddy took it farther, when he could have dispelled it easily. We were just lied to. LOL! But, he did say they were good friends that that is cool to hear.
I did some digging and it looks like Sting does make about $2,000 a day from the song, just not from Diddy himself He basically owns the song. Look what I saw online:
Because of the vagaries of music authorship rules, every penny of royalties that is generated by both “Every Breath You Take” and “I’ll Be Missing You” goes into the bank account of one Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, a.k.a. Sting. Not Puff Daddy—or P. Diddy either. Not Andy Summers, who is the only member of the Police whose musicianship can be heard on “I’ll Be Missing You” directly. Not Stewart Copeland, who also had a hand in writing the song. All the money goes to Sting—and that money amounts to roughly two thousand dollars a day—seventeen years after the Puff Daddy song was released and thirty-one years after The Police song was released. According to Celebrity Net Worth, more than a quarter of all the money Sting has ever earnedcomes from “Every Breath You Take”/“I’ll Be Missing You.” The number’s a little more eye-popping when presented in annual form: It comes to $730,000 a year, each and every year for the foreseeable future.
DAMN! That’s still a really big come up. At any rate, there was beef between the members of The Police, the group Sting fronted. Sting did not play the instruments that were sampled, but he is listed as the only songwriter. That was a bandmate that did not get cut in on the windfall of sampling the classic song. WOW…Rock Beef! Sting juxed The Police!
Diddy denied paying Sting $5,000 a day for sampling The Police’s song “Every Breath You Take” on Friday (April 7).
The Bad Boy Records founder said he was joking when he tweeted about Sting on Tuesday (April 5). Diddy felt the need to clear the air after his Twitter post received lots of media coverage.
“I want y’all to understand I was joking!” he wrote. “It’s called being Facetious! Me and @OfficialSting have been friends for a long time! He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for Missing You. He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history.”
I want y’all to understand I was joking! It’s called being Facetious! Me and @OfficialSting have been friends for a long time! He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for Missing You. He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history.
Diddy’s “I’ll Be Missing You” famously sampled The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” which Sting sang and wrote. “I’ll Be Missing You” was released as a tribute to the late Notorious B.I.G. in 1997.
Payment for the sample became a topic on social media when a Twitter account called Black Millionaires shared a clip from Sting’s 2018 appearance on The Breakfast Club. Charlamagne Tha God asked Sting to confirm if Diddy had to pay $2,000 a day for sampling “Every Breath You Take.”
“Yeah,” Sting responded sarcastically. “For the rest of his life.”
Diddy retweeted the clip in jest, suggesting it was actually $5,000.
Boo Rossini lived and nearly died by the code, surviving rap beef and more as an official member of Young Jeezy’s CTE movement
Today Mississippi trap music artist Boo Rossini returns with a new project, the Chances Make Champions Gold Medal Edition Deluxe Box Set. Honoring the statute of limitations within the streets and ignoring the state’s legal requests, Boo Rossini lived and nearly died by code, surviving rap beef, shootouts, and more as an official member of Young Jeezy’s CTE movement. Somehow throughout it all, Rossini was able to come back home to his family repeatedly, and now he’s adding new chapters to a book with endless stories.
Choosing to leave the past behind, but remembering where he came from Boo Rossini is recognizing his blessings and remaining thankful to be alive to tell his story on his new project Chances Make Champions. Sharing the ups and downs of his career on his new project Rossini brings to life some of the realest moments of his career for an auditory event filled with drama, tragedy, and triumph.
Also included in the box set are all of Boo Rossini’s previous mixtapes, which are not available for streaming services, including a Gangsta Grillz project with DJ Drama, projects with DJ Scream and songs with artists like Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Yo Gotti and Bone Thugs and Harmony.
“Yeah, I just wanted to give ’em something more than just the album, you know what I’m saying? I wanted to give ’em like a collector item. I was just thinking it could be a box set, so with the box, I was thinking outside the box, you know what I’m saying?” “I put together a box of merch, decals, speakers, and a Manifestation Journal. and My Catalog. I created something for the everyday people. So like, you know, when they see it on the shelf, it could remind them like, this for the risk takers, the ones that wasn’t scared to take that leap. Rossini said. “
I wanted to make sure that fans are part of the movement, like as far as the chance to make Champion. Cause you know, it apply to not just artists, you know, it apply to everyday people that are willing to take that risk. Willing to take that chance, you know what I’m saying? And it takes a lot to do that, for people to step outside their comfort zone.”
As the first person to bring a Lamborghini through the hood in Jackson, Mississippi, Boo Rossini remains proud of his state and where he’s from, despite the outside perception and the struggles within his own community with issues like clean drinking water and an unjust, and corrupt prison system needing reform.
“I think the perception of Mississippi, when they do hear about it, is it’s not good. The conception of Mississippi is that it’s a poor state, you know, it’s still a racist state, you know what I’m saying? It’s a Republican State and it’s almost like we’re still on the plantation. And, yeah a lot of that is true, you know what I’m saying? It’s a poverty state, one of the poorest states in America, you know what I’m saying? Got a lot of gun violence, limited education, limited opportunity, you know, uh, it’s, it’s one of those states. It’s one of the last states to free slaves, you know what I’m saying? But it’s my home and I’m doing a lot in the community to make it better and speaking out for change.”
Knowing the state of his community’s circumstances at home, Rossini has done what he could to improve his community. He recently built a 40 Luxury Loft with Rooftop Sky Lounge and Upscale Restarant called TRIO.
“I’m a progressive thinker, so my thing was, even when I went back home or, started deciding to put my business and plant my roots back home, my thing was to give them something that they wasn’t getting from anywhere else. Like they had to go out of town to get. So I started bringing certain ideas and concepts back home that I would see other places.”
Recently signing rapper QBG and 6Merta, Rossini has plans to develop artists in his area that live up to the code he demands of those around him.
“We had a song that was really buzzing in the city. And I just like the way they moved, man, it just reminded me how we used to move in these streets. They forward thinkers and they get it, you know what I’m saying? They’re not hardheaded. You know how certain people, you give ’em the information, they don’t do anything with it. These guys are different. Yeah. So personally, I just want to give ’em my resources, bring them in, and let ’em know, as far as like planning, plotting, and strategizing. I’m going to put my team with them and try to develop them.”
It’s clear Boo Rossini has plans to give back to his state after having his time to shine. There are bigger issues than rap; maybe the music can change things. Maybe he can have his impact, regardless of current affairs.
“As far as Mississippi goes, we still dealing with a water crisis, high murder rates, new Jim Crow lLaws and we still fighting for prison reform out here, you know what I’m saying? So we still dealing with that sh*t out here, I’m just thinking about certain s### like that’s going on in real- time.”
Houston police identified one suspect in the fatal shooting of rapper BTB Savage.
Police announced Montrel Lenard Burley is wanted for murder on Friday (April 7). Cops are searching for the 40-year-old man and at least one other suspect.
BTB Savage, whose real name was Darrell Gentry, was shot and killed in Houston on March 30. Paramedics pronounced the 26-year-old rapper dead at the scene. Witnesses told police two suspects fled the shooting in a black SUV.
The late rapper’s family believes his death was retaliation for a deadly shooting in San Antonio. Earlier this year, a man named Omar Richardson allegedly tried to rob BTB Savage.
BTB Savage’s girlfriend allegedly shot and killed Richardson in self-defense. The rapper boasted about the incident on social media and discussed it in an interview with Vlad TV.
“I said take that off social media,” BTB Savage’s mother Bernita Ward told ABC 13. “Let this family mourn in peace. They were taunting my son, though, telling him they were going to kill the family, make his momma cry and kill his son. I told my son, ‘Don’t respond. Let it go.’ But their family member came to rob my son.”
She added, “The moral of this story is two mothers lost two amazing sons and that their children would be raised without fathers. That’s the sad thing.”
Police asked anyone with information about BTB Savage’s death to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
Holiday season!” Once you hear this tag, you immediately know the song is a banger. Based in Atlanta and best known for his contributions to the mixtape era, DJ Holiday has played a crucial role in the rise of endless greats in the rap game. Now, he returns with his newest single titled “No Stress,” tapping Wiz Khalifa and O.T. Genasis, releasing via trac distribution.
Speaking on how the song came to fruition, Holiday states, “I had the beat for a minute from this new producer, YS on the beat from Jersey. I listened to that beat for weeks but didn’t know what to do with it! The flute on it had me mesmerized, just didn’t know who to give it to.”
Of course, getting two superstars on one track is no easy feat. But Holiday’s relationships and tenure in hip-hop has allowed him to work with the best of the best.
https://ffm.to/djholidaynostress
“O.T. has always been one of my favorites, and I always told him we was gon’ get one in every time he came to Atlanta,” Holiday states. “So I sent him the beat, he destroyed the hook, and I thought it was instant heat. It was definitely giving me a ‘Push It’ and “Cut It’ vibes.” Only thing missing was my Pittsburgh big dog, Wiz Khalifa!! His fanbase is next level, and they always showed me love from ‘Cabin Fever 2’ days, so I thought it was only right knowing how big this record could possibly be to put him on it! ‘No Stress’ was born from there.”
“No Stress” is for anyone who’s stressed out and needs a pick-me-up because you know it could be worse! Holiday wants fans to turn this on when that Cashapp or direct deposit that they’ve really been needing comes in.
Regardless, it’s Holiday Season!
“No Stress” follows the release of his previous single, “2 Seater,” featuring Quavo & 21 Savage.
Jim Jones scoffed at ranking Pusha T as one of the best rappers of all time.
The Dipset member debated Pusha T’s spot on Billboard’s list of the 50 greatest rappers during an appearance on Spotify’s RapCaviar podcast. Jim Jones downplayed the Clipse artist by questioning Pusha T’s impact and influence.
“What has [Pusha T] done that puts him in the greatest rappers of all time besides talk about coke that he probably didn’t get himself?” Jim Jones asked. “He’s nice! He’s nice as s###. He could rap his ass off, but what has he done?”
He continued, “Nobody has dressed liked him. Nobody want to be like Pusha T. I don’t remember nothing. And let’s not be evil, but we don’t talk about rap where the n#### that’s popping, the b###### wanna f### and the n##### wanna be like. I don’t know too many n##### in this game that was leaning towards being like Pusha T.”
Jim Jones saw no reason for Pusha T to be in the Top 50. The Diplomats rhymer even mentioned Big Sean as someone who’s better than King Push.
“Pusha T don’t hold no weight out here,” he said. “He’s not pushing no s### out here. I would put Big Sean before Pusha T … Bro, you go in these clubs, I don’t know no records they play in the club with Pusha T. They don’t play his s### outside.”
Listen to more of Jim Jones’ unfiltered thoughts on the AllHipHop podcast.
Curren$y’s 2021 song “Jermaine Dupri” sparked a special relationship with its namesake.
Jermaine Dupri made an undeniable impact in the music industry, but he was still surprised to see someone name a track after him. He eventually linked up with Curren$y, which led to a collaboration between the two.
Both men quickly realized how similar they are. JD told AllHipHop they are basically “the same guy” except for smoking weed.
Curren$y originally hoped to get one beat from Jermaine Dupri when they connected in the studio. Instead, Spitta found himself creating multiple projects with JD.
Fans heard the first batch of music when Jermaine Dupri and Curren$y dropped For Motivational Use Only Vol. 1 on April 4. AllHipHop caught up with the duo to discuss the collaboration, the current music scenes in Atlanta and New Orleans, the legacy of So So Def Recordings and much more.
AllHipHop: JD, what was your reaction when you first heard Curren$y’s “Jermaine Dupri” song?
Jermaine Dupri: I had a bunch of different emotions. I was shocked. I also was like, “Why?” I was excited about it. Because out of all of things that a person could do, they made a song and titled the song after me. That’s pretty crazy. So, it’s a bunch of different emotions.
AllHipHop: Curren$y, when was the first time JD reached out to you about it and how does that evolve into y’all collaborating?
Curren$y: Man, I think a day or two after I dropped [it], the second day or maybe the day I dropped the video, I feel like I hadn’t shot that video knowing that this was going to happen. I feel like I shot the video before he reached out. So, once it dropped and he was like, “Yo, let’s line up and do a record,” I was just grateful to be pulling up to do a record because I don’t mean a record, like the whole project. I really was just going to hang out with him and try to get a beat, one beat, and then possibly build my career-defining album with one Jermaine Dupri beat. But instead, we hung out and we’ve created volumes of career-defining music.
AllHipHop: What was that like for you two where – like you said Curren$y – you were expecting just one beat, but y’all obviously clicked and it turned into a whole collaboration of multiple projects?
Curren$y: We were f###### double dragons, man. We just was like, “Oh, you like this? You watch these movies? You do this? Great.” So, I wasn’t in a rush to go back home and break out my cars and action figures because this dude had all of that same s### at his studio. There’s five-foot stormtroopers and s### in the sound booth with you. So, I wasn’t in a rush to leave. He created a space that you wouldn’t want to leave and then it doesn’t even feel like work.
AllHipHop: What about you, JD? What was your perspective on working with Spitta?
Jermaine Dupri: Yeah, pretty much the same. We’re kind of like the same guy, but the only difference is he smoke weed. If I smoked, we’d be the same person, damn near probably. And we started talking about that type of stuff. And he’s taking pictures of things that’s in the studio so he could take them back to his son, Stormtroopers and Star Wars [stuff]. We just started having conversations about a bunch of things that we have in common and that just leads to the right energy in the studio.
AllHipHop: When y’all were making these projects, For Motivational Use Only, did y’all imagine this as an album first or did you always picture it as multiple volumes of EPs?
Jermaine Dupri: We never talked about it.
Curren$y: Yeah, we didn’t know what we were doing. We were just making songs. We were hanging out, but in the process of hanging out, like he said, if we both smoked weed, then that’s probably what we would’ve did. But the fact that he didn’t smoke weed is like, “Well, what else we going to do, my n####? We might as well make songs. We got everything else in common. What can we do?” And we just keep doing music. Otherwise, we’re just sitting around watching movies and we both would probably rather watch movies with girls. So, we had to put work into it and make it make sense.
AllHipHop: JD, you’ve worked with so many artists over the years. How did Curren$y differ from other artists and what were your expectations going into working with him?
Jermaine Dupri: It’s actually not as much work for me because he writing all of his songs, he writing all what he wants to write about and this, that and the third. I get to sit back and watch him take what I present to him and what that makes him do, and then we collectively come together and finish it off. So, it’s almost a simpler thing, but it’s a fun simple. It’s a fun sit-back-and-watch type of situation. I still got to make my beats and do what I got to do, but once that’s done, we have this pass-off situation and we don’t talk about what type of song we’re going to make or nothing…
AllHipHop: Spitta, was that something different for you in terms of your process when you’re working with other producers? Was there something that JD brought that you hadn’t seen before or expected?
Curren$y: Just his presence. He is who he is, so you know what time it is. It’s like when m############ get drafted and then your first game, your teammate is Michael Jordan. And then he passes you the ball and you’re wide open. It’s like, “OK, if I miss, he’s never going to pass me the ball again, possibly tell Phil Jackson to get rid of me.” So, you just make sure you nail it.
AllHipHop: JD, this year you’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of So So Def. What does that mean to you? And when you look back, what do you feel is the legacy of So So Def?
Jermaine Dupri: It means everything because when you start a record company at the age that I started, you don’t actually believe that it’s going to even be around a year. You know what I mean? So to be around for 30 years, it sounds really pretty impossible to me. That’s one part. Then to be able to actually look at the industry today, 30 years later, and see all of my artists and see what each one of the artists did, it means a lot to me. Because none of my artists was signed to somewhere else before. Everybody that I put out was brand new from scratch. The idea that I basically was like, “I think you could be an artist. I think you should be an artist,” or somebody that came to me was an artist and I put them out.
So to see that they still living in this space, even with all of the noise that Xscape is making, it’s still my group. Regardless of whatever’s going on the internet and how much they got the internet going crazy, the world only knows about Xscape from me. So, just to see that in the modern world, these people that I brought to life is pretty exciting.
AllHipHop: Curren$y, I’m wondering about your viewpoint on So So Def. Is there something that you’ve learned watching from afar and from getting to work with JD when it comes to Jet Life?
Curren$y: Yeah, Jet Life has had a billboard. We put a billboard downtown in New Orleans in a prominent area that people always had to see when they came into the city. And that’s a page that I stole directly from the So So Def handbook of making sure m############ know that you’re a force in the city. And even if they don’t know about you, the fact that they knew about the city enough to travel to it, they need to find out what the f### you are because you’re welcoming them to the city. So, who are you? And I learned that from them flat out. That s### was as big as the Olympic torch that you saw from the freeway too. They were the same thing to me.
AllHipHop: Speaking of having that presence in New Orleans, lately you’re a staple at Pelicans games. A few years ago, you bought Bud’s Broiler’s old location. What does it mean to you to have that impact and be so defined with New Orleans now?
Curren$y: It’s the world to me because things that meant a lot to me, that shaped me. I went to that burger spot my whole life. When I started low-riding, that was one of the best spots to park the car and take pictures of. The Jet Life store is in the spot where we used to park. It was an old school building, an old university administration building. They weren’t using it, but the lighting around that building was so good and it was right on Canal Street. We always parked the low-riders right in front of that. So, I end up getting the spot. That’s what my whole life is about. Kind of preserving the things that I think are dope because I’m sure other people would think so too. So, with my city, that’s for sure what I’ve been about. The stuff that matters to me, I’m trying to hold onto it for the next one who’s coming up that it could impact them in a way.
AllHipHop: JD, what has it been like for you to be so intrinsically part of what the world sees as Atlanta? And what’s your view of Atlanta’s current scene today?
Jermaine Dupri: I didn’t do the Atlanta thing by a design. I feel like it just happened to be time, basically. I was fortunate to be the first of a lot of things in the city and fortunate to be at the beginning of the start of a lot of things that happened in the city but that’s just based on time. It wasn’t something that I designed. But the way the city is now, I love the growth of the city. But I feel like musically, we have declined from what it was in my era of coming up. The pool is not that big anymore. The artistry is not there as much as it used to be. And it needs to get back to that. Kids need to get back to being creative and not being scared to do what the music makes them want to do.
AllHipHop: Is there anybody you see now that you feel like is getting creative and is taking that challenge? Or you’re waiting to be impressed?
Jermaine Dupri: Yeah, I’m waiting. I’m waiting to see if what I’m saying happens because normally, what I’m saying usually happens. Whether it’s from me or somebody else that’s just in the universe. And the universe is probably telling me to say this because there’s somebody that’s getting ready to come out that’s in that space. I hope that’s what happens.
AllHipHop: Now, I’m wondering, Curren$y, if you’re seeing anything like that in New Orleans. Do you see a new star in the making? Is there someone maybe on Jet Life right now? I know you got a few artists that have been coming in, but what are you thinking about the future of New Orleans?
Curren$y: On the whole, I’m excited for my label. Actually, because you speak to people on the label, and Fendi [P] been working for a long time, but I feel like his hard work is probably just about the cash-in. People have grown accustomed to the style of music that he make because the artists that are on Jet Life, they don’t rap like me. We don’t make the same styles of music. So, the group of listeners that they are grandfathered into is, they have to win them over. They got to show them what they do, but my listeners are receptive. So, I think that they’re all going to see the fruits of they labor, as far as that go.
But in the city on the whole outside of us, artists like Rob49 and Neno Calvin and them, they’re people who I follow their moves and I like what they’re doing. And we’ve always been hands-on and down to bust moves with them through they rise anyway. So, it’s kind of like we’re all in the same thing.
AllHipHop: In terms of your career, I think one of the most impressive things about your longevity is just your ability to adapt. From the No Limit days to Cash Money to your independent success, what do you credit that ability to adapt to?
Curren$y: Just how much I love my family and I want to be able to make s### happen for them. A lady would pick a car up off her baby, so I’m going to figure out how to make this s### work for my mom and dad and s###. That’s all. You got to adapt. You hear it in raps all the time. I hear it. I feel like in Young Jeezy’s voice, but I don’t know who said it: hustlers adapt. I’ve heard that. You know what I’m saying? It’s just you picturing it a different way. It’s not about the price of the brakes going up, it’s just that it went from CDs to clicks and s### like that. The drug has changed and you need to know how to sling that s### every time.
AllHipHop: You saw the change from CDs to streaming. You were right at the height of the blog era. Did you feel like you played a big role in that need to constantly feed the audience?
Curren$y: I think I inspired a gang of millionaires, at this point. There’s a lot of artists who – and they give it up to me. They tell me. And they say it in interviews sometimes and s### too. I pretty much showed them you could just be yourself and, if you put the work in, people will gravitate to it. And people will be your best street team because when you find something, you want to tell your homies and s###. Like, “Yo, check this out,” because it’s dope and that’s how s### grew. That’s how a lot of us have grown after me. If you became a millionaire because you had records on SoundCloud, I essentially designed how that goes. Without even trying, that’s what’s up.
AllHipHop: JD, these projects with Curren$y – is there something to prove? Is it something to just remind people of your greatness? Do you view them in that way at all?
Jermaine Dupri: It is a reminder to let people know that I started out – my first record was a rap record. My first group that I put out was a rap group. So, I do think that a lot of times people lose sight that the first time you heard Jermaine Dupri was through a rap group called Kris Kross. Jermaine Dupri’s first album, first single was with him and Jay-Z. I don’t think people actually be paying attention to how rap I am.
So, that is a reminder to remind you of how Hip-Hop I am because in the press, everybody starts talking about Mariah Carey, which you should. And you start talking about Usher, which you should, and all of these people. And then they lose sight of how much Hip-Hop I actually have in me and how Hip-Hop I am. So, I think all of this, the performance, we got our first show on the 7th. And I feel like the way we’re talking about doing the show is all a reminder to everyone from my side that this is what I actually do. The other stuff that y’all hear from me is the stuff that I’ve learned from this that I actually do.
AllHipHop: I saw you were talking about working on a Freaknik documentary. I’m wondering, what’s the process of that, how far along is that and when could people expect to maybe see that?
Jermaine Dupri: Yeah, it’s almost done. It’s coming out on Hulu. We got a little bit more filming to do, but it’s pretty close. It’s trying to make sure we can make those that didn’t attend Freaknik feel the energy through the screen.
AllHipHop: I’m excited to see that. I really appreciate y’all taking the time to speak with me. Anything you want to make sure people know about For Motivational Use Only?
Jermaine Dupri: Yeah. Like I said, I want to say this, we are having our first show because people keep asking if there’s going to be a tour … The first show is on April 7 in Atlanta. Fly down, come see what’s happening. By the way, because I say the show that’s going to be in Atlanta will probably be, I won’t say the most special. But since we have our special guests on the album, they’ll more likely come to that show than an L.A. show or one of these other shows. So, come check this out.
On Thursday, April 6, Strong Island rapper Frenchie was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted by a jury on charges including three counts of first-degree burglary, a violent felony, and one count of second-degree burglary, a violent felony. The 37-year-old recording artist, whose real name is Gregg Hogan, will also serve five years of post-supervision after incarceration, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.
According to Patch.com, Frenchie, 37, and three other men, Donte Thomas, 24, Hakim Muhammad, 20, and Miguel Ruiz, 29, kicked in the front door of a Shirley family to rob them. Armed with guns, the robbers thought the home was a cannabis and money stash house.
They were wrong. Instead of the residence being a trap house, it was the home for a mother, father, and autistic teenage son— all asleep during the home invasion.
The most vicious aspect of the story, according to DA Tierney was that when the men told the family to lie on the ground face down, and the 18-year-old did not listen, one of the men pistol-whipped him. The small child sustained facial cuts and bruises as a result.
The pistol-whipping of an innocent autistic young man in a failed home invasion is among the most outrageous crimes we have prosecuted. Hopefully, this defendant’s conviction and significant prison sentence provides the victims with some sense of relief and security,” said the DA.
The prosecution argued Frenchie not only broke into the house but served as the getaway driver.
The defense had a different story.
His attorney Anthony Scheller said, “He was sitting in the car.”
“I argued to [Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei] that he didn’t tie anyone up, he didn’t have a gun, he didn’t pistol whip anybody,” Scheller said after the sentencing.
Scheller hinted that his client is looking to appeal.
Dave East is known as a hardcore rapper….BUT…even hard rocks can take a stumble. Apparently Dave East, the Harlem Crip, has taken a liking to scooters. You know those scooters that are all over every city in America, but New York? Yep! He tried to ride them on several occasions and posted two of them. Check them out!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CquE5uotSyT/?hl=en
The commentary on this vid sucks but it has Dave falling again.
Nym Lo is here to make sure real hip-hop is alive and kicking. Hailing from Harlem, New York, the East Coast spitter calls himself the Big Horse, which derives from him rocking nothing but Polo by Ralph Lauren for the past 15 years. And since nobody does it bigger than him, he’s the Biggest Horse.
In describing himself, Lo states, “It’s really simple, I’m a real Harlem n*gga. Word, B. That’s the end all be all right there. That’s everything you need to know and nothing you need to know. [laughs]”
A true student of the game, Lo’s sound harkens back to the golden era of hip-hop, equipped with relentless bars, a spitfire flow, endless wordplay and metaphors, and an ear for regal beats. Nym Lo doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk, and he’s here to inspire and motivate the masses to go out and get theirs also. Lo has already shown that he has staying power with an ever-expanding fanbase both in the Tri-State area, and across the globe.
Today, Nym Lo unleashes his highly-anticipated project titled From The Horse’s Mouth, clocking in at 9 tracks with features from Dave East, Curren$y, Rome Streetz, Bun B, Planet Asia, and Termanology.
AllHipHop caught up with Nym Lo to discuss what Harlem means to him, his biggest influences, the turning point in his music career, the new project, working with Statik Selektah, goals, and more!
AllHipHop: What was it like growing up in Harlem?
Nym Lo: Being from Harlem is everything. It’s a certain aura that we grow up with, it’s definitely cash-inspired. When you talk about the legends of Harlem, they’re pretty much all get money n*ggas for the most part. The folklore is always attached to the young, rich, fly n*ggas, so we move through life like that, with that mindset.
AllHipHop: Biggest influences coming up?
Nym Lo: Coming up, I was listening to Big, Foxy, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang. When I got a little older, once I started getting to my teenage years I was listening to Cam’ron and Mase. They were holding it down for the town. Bad Boy, Ruff Ryders, DMX, rest in peace to the dog. Especially in my area where I was from, Ruff Ryders had a little grip on our area. We used to always see Dee, Waah, X, and Drag-On. They used to be posted in Harlem by the parking lot on 121st and Saint Nick so we got to see that superstardom and that rap money up close. It was dope, battling out there and all that s###.
AllHipHop: When did you realize you could do music for a living?
Nym Lo: Probably a few years ago. 2019 is when I really put my mind to it like “yo, this is what I want to do for a living.” Prior to that, I had always been efficient with my pen. I started when I was young, just writing and writing. As I got older, sharpening my sword with other n*ggas around my hood, I realized my s### was top tier. So now, I decided to be serious with it and it’s paying off.
AllHipHop: New album From The Horse’s Mouth out now, what’re you most excited for?
Nym Lo: I’m excited to get this to the people. We was in the lab cooking from scratch day in and day out, crafting this sound and the biggest payoff for me is to finally take it out the vault!
AllHipHop: What’s the meaning behind the title?
Nym Lo: I used the phrase “From The Horse’s Mouth” because it represents personal authenticity. Like when u want to let someone know that what ur saying is the real deal, and that can only come from you. You would use that phrase. So I’m letting everyone know that what you hearing — ain’t no he say she say, ain’t no rumors, and you can’t get this sound and feel nowhere else. You can only get this straight From The Horse’s Mouth. The Big Horse!
AllHipHop: Favorite song and why?
Nym Lo: My favorite song is a tie between “Palawan Don” and “Exuma Island.” On separate occasions, I had just come back from vacation at both destinations and I recorded those songs. And there’s something about being in another country, balling out and having fun that inspires me like nothing else does. When I bring my most personal experiences to the people, it can never be replicated.
AllHipHop: How’d you and Dave East tap in on “I Love The Game”?
Nym Lo: Ahh man, East is family. We did our first song back in 2015 when I was still double dutching with this rap s### and he was on his way to stardom. He always been a phone call away for me so it only made sense for me to include him on my biggest project to date. I told him what I had going and he told me “meet him at Quad.” Knocked it out right there: pen, pad and shiesty on. [laughs]
AllHipHop: Best memory from shooting that video?
Nym Lo: I shot it right on Money Ave., the block that I grew up on, in front of the store I used to always go to as a kid. We called it the Greeks. The whole building is abandoned now, but we parked the old school E30 Bimmer in front of it on the sidewalk. Popped the champagne and did what we love to do. S### was fun!
AllHipHop: How important are visuals to you and your artistry?
Nym Lo: They’re very important, especially for somebody like me. Even though I’ve been doing it for a while, I’m still a new artist. I’m just now taking it seriously, honing in on my craft and putting out musically consistently. The heightened visibility the visuals bring me is necessary, not only to be taken seriously but also so people can see me. I’m a visual guy. I like to put on fly s###, I like to look good and people like to see me looking good too. That plays a major role in everything I’m doing. I’m selling this lifestyle. You gotta see the lifestyle in order to appreciate it.
AllHipHop: Do you feel like it’s hard in this day and age to make real substance music?
Nym Lo: Actually, it’s the perfect time because the game always has its shifts. Right now, it’s shifting back toward that. Everybody gets their turn and it’s coming back to that right now. To even be able to be in that conversation when people talk about real hip-hop and artists that really do it, that’s already a win for me. It’s very easy because it’s what comes naturally. When I get on these beats and talk my s###, I ain’t really doing nothing but being myself. Authenticity is easy.
AllHipHop: You called Statik the “DJ Khaled of the game.” What’s your relationship with Statik Selektah?
Nym Lo: Statik’s my boy, that’s my bro. I definitely feel like that. The hip hop purists, they love Statik. Rightfully so, he puts in an amazing amount of work. That last project he dropped The Balancing Act, the solo joint, you get to see his reach. You can see his f###### range, and not too many people can do that. I felt it’d be the smartest thing to connect with him and try to continually level up.
Also to bring some validity to what I’m doing from a fan’s perspective. I keep reiterating to take me seriously because for so long, I bullshited. One foot in, one foot out. Chasing the money and not chasing the game when I was supposed to be, when I should have been. There’s nothing I could do better than what I feel like is my God-given talent, then be paid to do it. It took me a minute to smarten up, but better late than never.
AllHipHop: What’s the vibe with you and Statik in the studio?
Nym Lo: Real hip-hop. We’ll go in there, he’ll be like, “What you want to do? You want to listen to some beats?” I might feel like listening to some beats or I might say “nah, I want you to cook that s### from scratch.” He’ll go through the rolodex of his vinyl records, throw some s### on a f###### record player. He’ll pull the samples and he’ll cook right there. While he’s cooking, I’ll start cooking. S#### like hibachi.
AllHipHop: What’s your favorite collaboration from this album that you’ve done?
Nym Lo: My favorite collaboration gotta be “Ice Jackets” because I love when spitters get together and trade bars. And that was literally the first time i ever rapped on a Statik beat. Termanology hit me and told me pull up to his stu in BK so we could work and i did. His stu is a couple doors down from Statik’s stu so the whole spot is like a hub for artists. And we all was going back and forth working and listening to whatever was going on. I wound up in Statik stu and he was playing beats and he played the instrumental that later became “Ice Jackets” and my wheels started turning. So i asked him could i lay some s### on the beat and he was like yea go head. When i was done Term and Planet Asia walked in and said it was dope and they wanted to get busy too. Then Statik sent it to Bun and the rest is history. So that was actually the first song i ever recorded for this album, before i ever knew it was gonna even be an album lol.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
Nym Lo: Champagne, my phone, and Lo. Like Polo. [laughs]
AllHipHop: Do you have any goals for yourself?
Nym Lo: One is to be acknowledged by the people as the best at what i do. Two is to expand my reach through the success of my music and be able to work with some legendary artists and producers that’s on my bucket list. Three is that Wraith, I need that next year. Straight off rap money, just so we clear lol.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let the people know?
Peace and Power Media recently announced Kitchen Sessions 2.0, an innovative music experience by JP Reynolds. The independent national tour features intimate performances of songs from Rap Gumbo (2019) and Soul Raps (2022) in the homes of fans.
JP Reynolds will also be sharing an exclusive preview of his upcoming album Peace and Power Planet.
“Going from kitchen to kitchen allows for intimacy in a way that allows me to truly connect with fans,” said JP Reynolds. “I chose to perform specifically in kitchens because, for me and for my culture, they’re sacred spaces of creativity and imagination. I’m really grateful to be invited into people’s homes to share my music.”
The tour spotlights a black-owned spirit, the award-winning Ten to One Rum. The contemporary and elevated blend reinvigorates the way people experience rum and compliments the exceptional vibes of JP Reynolds’ music style, which challenges expectations of Hip-Hop.
Slated for 9 dates this spring, the tour is driven by super supporters who host their invited guests to experience the in-home session presented by JP Reynolds. Kitchen Sessions 2.0 hits New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
For more information and to find out how to gain access to these exclusive events, visit JP’s website and join his weekly newsletter.
JP Reynolds is a music artist creating rap gumbo, a powerful blend of jazz, funk, gospel, and soul. After meaningful post-college experiences in ministry and education, JP’s continuously-unfolding creative path as a rapper, poet, songwriter, and performer propelled him into a world of professional design, consulting, and strategy.
In 2021, JP also joined his family’s business as Chief Content Officer of ALN Productions, a multimedia company developing films, documentaries, television, and short-form content. He holds a B.A. in African-American Studies and an M.D##. from Yale University.
