Jussie Smollett has filed to appeal his felony disorderly conduct conviction.
According to court documents, the “Empire” star filed an appeal on Thursday to reverse his previous conviction of felony disorderly conduct.
Smollett was convicted one year ago for five counts of felony disorderly conduct after allegedly staging a hate crime against himself in 2019. He was acquitted on one count.
“The renewed prosecution of Mr. Smollett violated his due process rights,” the actor’s attorney Heather Widell wrote in the documents. “Mr. Smollett fully performed his part of a non-prosecution agreement with the state by performing community service and forfeiting his $10,000 bail bond.”
She continued, “The state benefited from taking and keeping Mr. Smollett’s bail bond without performing its end of the bargain. Thus, the violation of due process was prejudicial and requires reversal of Mr. Smollett’s convictions and a dismissal of the charges against him.”
The documents also claimed double jeopardy protection, noting Smollett was “punished for the same offenses by his performance of community service and forfeiture of his bond.”
Last year, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days behind bars and 30 months of probation but was released after six days pending an appeal.
Fans of the East Coast-based emcees can now listen to classic albums such as 1989’s 3 Feet High and Rising and 1996’s Stakes Is High on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Tidal, and other digital service providers.
In response to De La Soul’s music becoming streamable, Apple Music 1 released a never-before-aired conversation with the trio from February 2018. Ebro Darden sat down with Maseo, Posdnuos, and the late Trugoy the Dove. The discussion included Darden asking De La Soul if they communicate with younger Hip Hop artists.
“It’s funny you mentioned that it was a serious question that came from one artist that approached us when we were on the road and we were running into him very often, just in passing. And that was A$AP Rocky,” recalled Maseo.
The rapper also known as Plug Three continued, “And he came into the dressing room and he was like, ‘Yo, I see y’all everywhere, everywhere. Ever since I came out, I still see De La Soul. I need to know how y’all still doing it.’ He said, ‘Because I’m in a little longer now and I’m going through upsets and I’m considered to be old-school now. And I’ve only been in the game maybe about six, seven years.’ This was what, five years ago? He wanted to know.”
Trugoy the Dove also mentioned meeting Earl Sweatshirt of Odd Future. The multi-member Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All rose to prominence as an alternative Hip Hop collective in the early 2010s. Tyler, The Creator, Frank Ocean, and The Internet came from OFWGKTA.
“They are young folks too. And yet some of them aren’t aware of what we’ve done just naturally because they’re younger. I remember when we bumped into Earl Sweatshirt,” said Trugoy the Dove in the Apple Music interview before his passing.
Trugoy also added, “It was funny because I think far as far back as he goes is Stakes Is High. But it was nice to see that when we look at it, we’re like, these guys remind us of ourselves. And for him to see us and give us accolades, it was like, ‘Okay, the connection is there. We know it’s there.'”
Dreamville acts J. Cole, J.I.D, Ari Lennox, Bas, EARTHGANG, Lute, Cozz, and Omen contributed to the Creed III album. Other rappers such as Big Sean, EST Gee, Reason, Buddy, and Tierra Whack also showed up on the tracklist.
Recording artists like Blxst, Arin Ray, SiR, Morray, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Kehlani represented the R&B genre on Dreamville’s Creed III. The project contains 18 tracks, including the “Ma Boy” single by J.I.D and Lute.
Previously, Dreamville Records presented the Revenge of the Dreamers compilation series. 2019’sRevenge of the Dreamers III debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned Platinum certification from the RIAA. D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape dropped in May 2022.
This week saw the J. Cole-founded record label announce the lineup for the 2023 Dreamville Festival. Cole, Drake, and Usher will headline the two-day event taking place in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 1 and April 2.
The Creed: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, released in 2015 through Atlantic Records, featured new music and established songs. Interscope’s EarDrummers Entertainment oversaw 2018’s Creed II: The Album.
Creed III stars Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors, Wood Harris, Florian Munteanu, and Phylicia Rashad. Candace Rodney, Adam Roy, Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis, Michael B. Jordan, and Frank Brim executive produced the soundtrack.
A 52-year-old sound engineer accused Hip Hop star Travis Scott of attacking him inside Manhattan’s Club Nebula around 3:30 am on Monday. Scott (born Jacques Webster II) could face criminal charges in the case.
The engineer, identified simply as Mark, claims he suffered serious injuries to his neck and arm as a result of the purported assault. Fox 5 New York spoke to the alleged victim from a hospital bed in Jersey City, New Jersey.
“I was trying to tell [Travis Scott] to lower it so it sounded good for the performance,” Mark told the outlet. “But he just stuck his middle finger in my face, so I lowered the monitor a little bit so I could talk to him, and that’s when he ran around the speaker and attacked me.”
Travis Scott’s legal team insists the Houston-raised rapper/producer did not commit any wrongdoing. Attorney Mitchell Schuster publicly addressed the situation involving his client and suggested that Mark is overexaggerating the incident.
“While this is clearly a misunderstanding being blown out of proportion by clickbait and misinformation, we are actively working with the venue and law enforcement to resolve and set the record straight,” stated Mitchell Schuster.
According to reports, Travis Scott and his lawyer will meet with New York Police Department officials next week. A representative for Scott also told CNN the 31-year-old entertainer’s legal counsel will actively work with the authorities to resolve the issue.
Critics have accused Travis Scott of inciting violence at live shows. For example, the “Sicko Mode” hitmaker faced backlash and lawsuits following the deadly Astroworld Festival crowd crush in 2021. Some people blamed Scott for the fatalities because of his history of encouraging fans to “rage” at his concerts.
Will a remake of B.A.P.S. arrive in theaters in the future? According to the director of the original movie, Hip Hop stars Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion want to star in a modernized version of the motion picture.
Slash Films spoke to B.A.P.S. filmmaker Robert Townsend. The 66-year-old Hollywood legend discussed the mixed reaction to his 1997 female buddy comedy starring Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle.
“[There are] people that love, love, love the film and some people that didn’t get it. And those that love it — like you love it and you get it,” said the Townsend Entertainment founder.
Townsend also added, “I’ve had people go, ‘Hey, we want to do a remake.’ Everybody from Megan Thee Stallion to Cardi B is like, ‘Could we do…’ I mean, it’s like, I don’t know. So, thank you for asking.”
B.A.P.S. tells the story of two “Black American Princesses” from Decatur, Georgia who travel to Los Angeles to win a video dance girl contest. Once in California, Nisi (Berry) and Mickey (Desselle) get caught up in a scheme to deceive a wealthy, aging white man.
While professional film critics panned B.A.P.S. at the time of its release, the movie went on to earn cult classic status with many fans. The Townsend-directed production made $7,246,735 at the domestic box office.
In addition, Robert Townsend’s directorial discography includes Hollywood Shuffle, Eddie Murphy Raw, The Five Heartbeats, Holiday Heart, Carmen: A Hip Hopera, and other films. He also played a lead role in the musical drama The Five Heartbeats.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion joined forces for the chart-topping, global smash “WAP” collaboration in 2020. Both Grammy-winning rappers have acting experience as well. Cardi co-starred in theHustlers movie. Megan appeared on theP-Valley television show.
C-Murder has embarked on another hunger strike to protest the “inhumane conditions” at the Louisiana prison where he is serving a life sentence for a murder he claims he did not commit.
The No Limit soldier and brother to Master P claims his health has seriously deteriorated while incarcerated. He issued a plea to his supporters in a lengthy Instagram update protesting his lack of treatment at the hands of the prison system.
“Jan. 17, 2023, marked 21 years I Corey Miller have been in the Louisiana Penal system,” C-Murder began. “I have been fighting for my health and freedom against this wrongful conviction and simultaneously fighting for my constitutional rights that were stripped away and violated by the penal system of Louisiana.”
Corey ”C-Murder” Miller also referred to an appeal, due to be answered later this month. He announced he has been on hunger strike since Feb. 23 to protest the conditions at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. He intends to “bring awareness to me and all inmates neglected and abused at the hands of the Louisiana penal system.”
C-Murder demanded action, noting, “It is imperative, NOW MORE THAN EVER,” that he receives medical treatment for his ailing health.
“My health has significantly declined due to the prison system’s inhumane conditions and I am not getting proper medical treatment. This has taking a major toll on me but I refuse to give up. Please Stand with me.” the post concluded.
C-Murder’s Team Urge Kim Kardashian To Help Raise Awareness
Additionally, the rapper’s team also issued an in-depth statement on behalf of C-Murder and his family via a press release.
They made a plea to criminal justice reform advocate Kim Kardashian “to help bring immediate public awareness to Corey’s entire situation: wrongful conviction from the state of Louisiana, the state of Louisiana’s suppression of evidence, inhumane treatment/conditions in prison and his health.”
The statement, penned by C-Murder’s publicist and his manager, also claims he was punished with solitary confinement after passing out.
“Recently, Mr. Miller mysteriously passed out. He received no follow up medical care in response to this event.” They claim C-Murder asked for an investigation into his health but “he was placed in solitary confinement in retaliation for his health crisis.”
In addition, C-Murder has suffered “chronic dental issues,” leading to “significant weight loss.” They claim he has “significant weight loss,” because the state says they cannot obtain them.
“Every day I face the difficulties of being in a cell, being in this dirt and filth, got a sink that don’t work, next to me got a toilet that don’t work,” C-Murder stated. “We don’t have no towels, no socks, no food, no toothpaste, no toothbrush, no soap…unsanitary. No water…I’m thirsty than a – right now, do you know how bad it is to want water and can’t get water. Do you know how bad that is?”
In 2002, C-Murder was convicted of the murder of 16-year-old Steve Thomas. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2009, despite not having a weapon or DNA evidence directly connected to the artist.
Blueface and Chrisean Rock are regularly plastered across headlines after getting into physical fights. While the altercations are sometimes with other people, including family members, they are also violent towards each other.
Social media users regularly express concern over the pair, with worries about the example the young couple is setting for their fans. Others fear the reality stars could seriously injure one another as they often make light of the altercations, despite claiming they would stop putting hands on each other.
During the latest episode of Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion addressed the couple’s fights. He suggested to Blueface that the “Thotiana” rapper likes it when Chrisean “beats on you.”
“Nah. It’s kinda weird, honestly,” Blueface replied while Chrisean Rock simultaneously mentioned people being “too opinionated.”
“It’s like a weird situation to be in,” he said before adding,” it’s like you wanna fight but it’s like … I don’t know.”
Mike Tyson then admitted to previously getting into altercations with his own partner and offered the couple some words of advice. “Me and my wife used to fight, but we stopped fighting,” he told Blueface and Chrisean Rock. “Once we stopped drinking, we stopped fighting.”
Blueface told Mike, “it just don’t be worth it,” before asking him why he and his wife would fight.
“Jealousy,” the former professional boxer replied, adding that he was an “idiot” for being insecure about other men looking at his wife. Check out the clip below and watch the episode at the end of the page.
Blueface has had his own issues with jealousy over Chrisean Rock, who recently confirmed her pregnancy. He went on a social media rant after Rock met Rick Ross and Lil Baby.
Blueface & Chrisean Rock – Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson
J. Cole has joined j-hope on the BTS member’s newest single, “on the street,” his first since releasing his debut solo album Jack In The Box, in July last year.
The South Korean artist cited the Dreamville co-founder as a major inspiration before linking with him on the new track.
“In a way…after I started to make music, I guess his music motivated me, like, ‘I should make my music in a certain way,’” j-hope explained to Disney+ Korea about Cole’s influence. “As I started making my music, he was my muse, and I still do respect him. He’s one of the artists that I hope to work with.”
The song comes accompanied by an official music video. Watch it below and stream “on the street,” at the end of the page.
J-Hope with J. Cole – on the street
The new J. Cole and j-hope collab arrives shortly after the announcement that the K-pop star will follow fellow BTS member Jin and enlist for South Korea’s 18-month mandatory military service.
“We would like to inform our fans that j-hope has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement,” j-hope’s label, BigHit shared. “We will inform you of further updates in due course.”
The statement continued, “We ask you for your continued love and support for j-hope until he completes his military service and safely returns. Our company will spare no effort in providing support for our artist.”
Meanwhile earlier this week, Dreamville announced J. Cole and Drake will headline with a star-studded musical festival next month.
After laying low since November, the NYC icon surfaced last month in Trinidad, where she turned up at Carnival. However, according to Nicki Minaj, she is still on hiatus, and one of her alter egos has come out to play.
After first teasing her new single, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” earlier this week, on Wednesday (Mar. 2), Nicki Minaj issued a message for artists who don’t pen their own raps.
She shared another food-related promo image for her new single while announcing her alter ego is coming. Fans began readying themselves for the return of Chun-Li, known by the Barbz as Nicki’s “bad guy persona.”
“#RedRubyDaSleeze tmrw night, 🥢” she penned in the caption. “Ghost writers all around the world are scrambling 🫣🤣Just watch. Nicki still on hiatus. This b!@ch right here tho? She outside. 〽️🅱️🐝 “
The highly anticipated single made a major impact. Just an hour after release, “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” was Twitter’s No. 1 trending topic in the U.S. The song also topped U.S. iTunes, extending her run as the rapper with the most No.1 hits on the platform. In addition, Spotify placed Nicki Minaj as the cover of their Rap Caviar playlist.
Stream the single at the end of the page and watch the lyric video below.
Nicki Minaj – Red Ruby Da Sleeze
Nicki Minaj announced she will make her Queen Radio comeback later today (Mar. 3). She had fans going wild at the video she shared on social media to tease the return, twerking in a blue and white striped bikini. Check out the clip below.
Hip-Hop legend Melle Mel scoffed at Eminem being ranked as one of the best rappers of all time.
The pioneer discussed Eminem’s Top 5 spot on Billboard’s greatest rappers list in an interview with the Art of Dialogue. Melle Mel downplayed Slim Shady’s worthiness, arguing that Em only receives such praise because he’s white.
“Obviously, he’s a capable rapper,” Melle Mel said. “If you was talking about sales, he sold more than everybody. If you talking about rhyme style – OK, he got a rhyme style. But he’s white! He’s white! If Eminem was just another n#### like all the rest of us, would he be Top 5 on that list when a n#### that can rhyme just as good as him is 35?”
He continued, “And the point is this – if I was white, n####, I’d be greater than Elvis … Melle Mel is greater than Elvis. Melle Mel is the greatest white man that has ever lived. He came up with a culture. He was part of a culture that changed the whole world. That is a great ass white man right there. But I’m not white. I’m one of the n#####.”
Melle Mel pointed to Royce Da 5’9” as evidence of how race played a key factor in Slim Shady’s reputation. The Furious Five member believed Eminem wouldn’t be mentioned among the rap greats if the Interscope Records artist was Black.
“If he was a Black rapper, he wouldn’t even make the list probably,” Melle Mel said. “Busta [Rhymes] … see this is the difference between who writes what list. Busta, I would say, is the No. 1 rapper overall. Nobody’s gonna take Busta. Busta could rap just as good as Eminem. Eminem, he has his style. He’s got a nice little tricky, gimmicky style … But to say that he would be [able to] sell as many records if he was just another brother, that’s not true. It’s just not.”
A jury found Lil Mosey not guilty in a rape trial on Thursday (March 2).
Lil Mosey was acquitted of second-degree rape, per TMZ. Prosecutors accused him and two other men of raping a woman at a party in Randle, Washington in 2020.
Authorities claimed Lil Mosey and a man named Francisco Prater had sex with a woman “while she was incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated.” Their co-defendant Joshua Darrow allegedly restrained the woman.
Lil Mosey, whose real name is Lathan Echols, was charged with second-degree rape in 2021. He pleaded not guilty. The Washington native faced up to life in prison if convicted.
The Interscope Records rapper’s trial began on February 21. He was tried alongside Darrow. Prater will have a separate trial.
Lil Mosey celebrated his acquittal on social media. He reacted to the jury’s verdict in an Instagram post on Thursday.
“Spent 2 years of my life going thru the storm and I’m happy to say that God finally brought the truth to light,” he wrote. “Thank you.”
The rape trial was originally scheduled to start in 2022. Scheduling conflicts and issues with witnesses forced it to be delayed to 2023.
50 Cent made progress toward reaching a settlement with Remy Martin, which sued his Sire Spirits brand for copyright infringement.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, both sides asked a judge for more time to finalize the terms of an agreement on Wednesday (March 1). 50 Cent and Remy Martin were scheduled for a status conference in the case on Friday (March 3).
“Remy Martin and Sire Spirits respectfully submit this joint request for a 14-day adjournment of the status conference currently scheduled for Friday, March 3, 2023,” lawyers informed the court. “Remy Martin and Sire Spirits make this request to allow the parties time to complete settlement negotiations and finalize a settlement agreement and will provide the Court with an update on or before Friday, March 17, 2023.”
Judge Alvin Hellerstein approved the request. He rescheduled the status conference for March 24.
Remy Martin sued Sire Spirits in 2021. The lawsuit claimed 50 Cent’s Branson Cognac bottle copied the style of Remy Martin’s Centaure de Diamant bottle.
Sire Spirits denied ripping off the Centaure de Diamant design. 50 Cent’s brand contended it modeled the Branson Cognac bottle after Civil War-era canteens. The G-Unit boss accused Remy Martin of trying to destroy its competition in the cognac market.
Kanye West claimed he didn’t profit from the sale of Stem Players despite his Donda 2 album’s exclusive release on the audio device.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, Kanye responded to Ultra International Music Publishing’s copyright infringement lawsuit on Wednesday (March 1). The publisher sued Ye and others over an unauthorized sample in his song “Flowers,” which appeared on Donda 2.
Ultra International Music Publishing accused Kanye of sampling Marshall Jefferson’s track “Move Your Body” without permission. The publisher’s lawsuit assumed Ye profited from the sale of Stem Players. Kanye denied the allegations in his response to the complaint.
“[Kanye] specifically denies that he has received any profits from the sale of Stem Players,” his attorneys wrote. “Ye admits that there were sales of Stem Players after February 19, 2022, some of which came with Donda 2 preloaded on them. Ye denies that he received any revenue from those sales.”
The controversial rapper admitted he sampled “Move Your Body” but argued his work constituted fair use. Kanye challenged Ultra International Music Publishing’s allegations regarding past discussions about clearing the sample or paying for it.
“Ye denies that he personally acknowledged in discussions with representatives for Mr. Jefferson and UIMP that ‘Move Your Body’ was sampled in Flowers’ without authorization or payment,” his lawyers contended. “Ye further denies that he personally has not ceased distribution of ‘Flowers.’”
Kanye asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice. Instead, Judge Analisa Torres referred the case for mediation.
Ultra International Music Publishing sought $150,000 for each copyright infringed in its lawsuit. Trax Records, the label that released Jefferson’s “Move Your Body,” also sued Kanye and Kano Computing over the sample.
Kanye released Donda 2 on the Stem Player in 2022. That same year, Kano cut ties with him due to his antisemitic rants.
Hip-Hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash made a surprise appearance on the ‘Masked Singer’ on the Wednesday, Mar. 1 episode. He performed disguised as a blinged-out Polar Bear.
During his performance, the costumed bear performed Blondie’s#### song “Rapture.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12EjGQzMqmw
What makes this song so apropos is the fact that both artists (Flash and Debbie Harry from Blondie) were key in the popularization of the music. Harry also name-drops Flash in the 1980 track.
According to Flash, after she did that, he was introduced to a different crowd than just those folk from The Bronx.
“So now …white people and people of other colors were, ‘Who is Flash?’ So she tremendously opened the door,” he said in the Daily News.
When the judges had to share who they thought the Polar Bear was names like Jazzy Jeff, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, and Flavor Flav came up. However, Nicole Scherzinger knew it all along. She called it from the jump.
Polar Bear (who we know to be the turntablist) had to go up against two other singers, Medusa, and the California Roll.
Alas, his vocal talents on the show did not make him a winner and he had to reveal himself to the audience.
When asked by host Nick Cannon why did he do the show, he said it was because it made him laugh and the world needs laughter.
“In the world today, there’s a lot of sadness. And when I’ve seen this show, on a rough day I have for business, I was laughing,” he said. “It actually had me laughing and it allows you to let your guard down and just have fun. It’s a great show.”
Grandmaster Flash is an icon.
He and his crew the Furious Five, the first rap group inducted into the Rock Hall in 2007, celebrating the impact their music made on American culture.
Raynell Warren jr, better known by his stage name BOSSMAN RW or simply BOSSMAN, is an American West Coast Artist. Bossman was born May 18th 1990 in Compton CA, then grew up in Watts CA, in the notorious neighborhood known for Drugs,Poverty,Gunplay. He proved his ability to persevere with real life stories. No longer having his brother was another challenge, but things began moving in a positive direction when Bossman immersed himself in music ,fashion & football.
It looked like it could be his ticket into college, but getting involved in gang activities & losing peers made him refocus on pursuing music & completing school. He became a member of Klout Squad Business & remain obtaining a solo career since 2015-2022 with the release of his debut album A BOSS ALREADY.
There is always life after recording for rappers— just ask former Cash Money Records star, Juvenile. In addition to touring and making appearances, the “Back That Thang Up” chart-topper is making deals to further push his brand.
According to WGNO, Juvenile will be collaborating with Urban South, a local brewery, to bring to his fans “Juvie Juice,” a hard version of an Arnold Palmer, a drink that mixes lemonade and iced tea.
The announcement was made on Urban South’s Instagram.
“Back That Thang Up all the way to the taproom to grab yourself some Juvie Juice, available now! We close at 4 pm today, but we’ll have plenty of Juvie Juice available all weekend,” the caption read, while a video of Juvie shouting “Woooo” plays.
“We collaborated with @juviethegreat himself on crafting the PERFECT hard iced tea with lemonade for sipping on along the parade route,” the post read. “Sweet and balanced, you’re not gonna want to miss the chance to sip on Juvie’s favorite drink as soon as you can!”
As a promotion of the new beverage, Juvenile autographed dozens of can labels on the production line before they hit the market.
The promotion is that anyone who is lucky enough to get an autographed “Juvie Juice” and tag Urban South on social media, can receive a variety of prizes. The caveat is that they have to be able to bring the can into the actual store to collect the prize.
Jacob Landry, Founder and President of Urban South Brewery talked about the partnership in a press release.
He said, “We are really excited about our collaboration with Juvenile. ‘Juvie Juice’ is inspired by his favorite drink an Arnold Palmer.”
“This is also the brewery’s first time releasing a hard iced tea, and we are excited about how the formula turned out,” Landry added.
Juvenile is also excited about the product, saying, “Juvie Juice came out so good that everyone is gonna want it in their life.”
It seems like people are liking it.
On Feb. 17, he posted, “I had a ball yesterday at @urbansouthbeer !! And Y’all bought out all the 12oz cans at the brewery! But don’t sweat it’s on tap there still right now and FREE (while it lasts) at #JuvieTuesdays on Mardi Gras day @thetremehideaway !! And yes everywhere else y’all want it in New Orleans be it store or bar or festival just tell us where and I got you and I’m gonna pass thru bunch of the places that carry #JuvieJuice so we can toast to that!! Happy Mardi Gras!! And thank you to JD at @gopro for the new camera !!”
Texas rapper Travis Scott will soon turn himself into the New York Police Department for his part in an altercation in a Midtown Manhattan nightclub on Wednesday, Mar. 1.
According to the New York Daily News, the chart-topper is in hot water after he assaulted a 52-year-old sound engineer, ripped out his video monitor and broke his speaker. The damages, according to sources, ranged up to $12,000.
The two were in Club Nebula and got into a spat that resulted in the early morning fight.
Scott is no longer in the Big Apple but left for California after the fight. A spokesperson for him said his team is working with authorities to arrange for him to come back in a week and be questioned by detectives.
Should charges be pressed, he will face one count of criminal mischief and another of misdemeanor assault.
Former president Donald Trump’s lawyer believes there is a witch hunt out for his client, claiming Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is reaching with her investigation into whether or not Trump and his allies illegally attempted to have his 2020 electoral defeat in Georgia reversed.
According to Vice.com, Trump’s attorney, Drew Findling, who also represented rappers like Cardi B, Migos, and Gucci Mane, feels like Willis is using parts of his controversial call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (regarding missing ballots in Georgia) the same way she is using lyrics by Young Thug and other rappers— out of context.
“When we look at the full context, that’s when we realize there is no criminal case,” Findling said. “And that’s one of the reasons that we jumped into this case when asked to.”
On the call, Trump said, “So look. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have because we won the state.”
Findling says 45 was not insinuating that anyone cheat and that the prosecution needs to look at the overall conversation.
“Prosecutors, first of all, don’t know the first thing about lyrics,” Findling said.
Adding, “They’ll take out eight or nine words. They’ll take out something that lasts a few seconds and say, ‘Aha, this is evidence of some wrongdoing.’ In like fashion, no one ever talks about the full 62 minutes. No one ever talks about the surrounding circumstances of those 62 minutes.”
Findling is also claiming, as several of the witnesses he brought to prove the case are being recommended by a grand jury to get hit with perjury indictments, that one juror “poisoned” the rest of them into thinking the defense put up liars, the New York Times reports.
The Georgia investigation is only one crazy legal mess Trump is involved in.
The Manhattan district attorney is investigating if the former president gave hush money payments to a p### star.
Also, special counsel in Washington is investigating the handling of classified documents he had in public spaces and his actions leading up to the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, at the nation’s Capitol.
Florida-native rapper and songwriter TEF XL announces that the second part of his highly acclaimed debut album Code Switch Vol. I: The Prequel is in the works. The Hip Hop artist who premiered the 13-track record back in December, admits that the upcoming chapters are about growth and his “life experiences in volumes.”
Read the full interview below.
First off, congratulations on your grand debut last year! You kicked off your career with the 13-track record Code Switch Vol. I: The Prequel. How did the public and critics perceive your work?
Yes, thank you for the acknowledgment, this release was a milestone for us. We’ve received great feedback from fans and critics both on the quality of production and the lyrical content. I think my message resonates well with so many people, because it comes from a place of authenticity and experience. The biggest compliment I get from most people is that they listen to the entire album.
Anyone from the industry contacted you or shown their support and love? Can you share some of the feedback that has stuck with you and motivated you to work harder on your next releases?
Yes, I’ve received words of encouragement from so many people in the industry – artists, producers, songwriters, and radio. I think releasing an album really allowed people to appreciate my range. I’d say the best piece of advice I received was from Sway Calloway – – he said there’s room for all artists, make music that your core audience identifies with and super feed them that.
The album surely holds a special place in your heart. Can you tell us what it means to you personally and professionally?
Definitely. From a professional perspective I’d say our Code Switch album solidified a few things for me:
Great music inspires people. Great production and great messaging go hand in hand and people will acknowledge you for it.
Incremental success is proven success. We set out in 2022 to build brand awareness and drop the first Code Switch album. We did both and created momentum stepping into 2023.
From a personal perspective, it’s a milestone in my life and I’m thankful for having the ability and opportunity to tell my story through art. It signifies for me once again that anything I put intention behind can be accomplished. I think we forgo pursuing our passions for multiple reasons, however, the most common is self-doubt and insecurity due to the pressures of social norms. I’m proud to be someone who can push through the noise of personal insecurity and self-doubt and inspire others through music.
You’d previously mentioned that Code Switch is a trilogy. Have you started working on Vol. 2? Do you have a specific release date in mind? What kind of songs should fans expect to hear on the anticipated album?
Begin with the end in mind. That simple principle came to me through business, and it stuck with me. We started working on Code Switch Vol. 3 first and then worked our way back to the Prequel. Of course, there are some modifications we will continue to make along the way, but the framework is solid. So, yeah we’ve got most of Vol. 2 complete and anticipate to release in the second or third quarter of this year. As far as songs, I have been working with several different producers to explore diversity in sound that I think listeners will really appreciate.
The Prequel was an introduction to your roots and a tribute to your hometown; Duval County. What will the succeeding chapters be focused on in terms of narrative and style?
The next chapters are about growth and what comes along with it – it’s my life experiences in volumes. You’ve got the same hustle mentality, but a new grind for TEF, you’ve got relationship challenges, challenges of raising a son, the struggles of social justice. As far as style of music we begin to layer in more instrumentation signifying the growth and refinement on TEF’s journey.
You’ve worked with Fedarro, Alonda Rich, Bigga Rankin, WAX, Spinabenz, and many more notable artists. Are there any collaborations in the works right now?
We have some great collaborations on the next album both behind the boards and on the microphone. We will share collaborations once we start our release campaign for each volume, can’t give it all away right now!
We know it’s difficult to choose, but we have to ask! Which one’s your favorite track from the album? And why?
“Serenity” – It’s my personal favorite because it really captures pivotal phases of my life across three verses in a special way. I share about losing someone I love, I speak on the business of the streets and the mindset I had to adapt to survive it, and lastly I speak on the consequences of those decisions and how fortunate few of us are to live and talk about it.
Do you have songs that didn’t make the tracklist, but would like to release them as a single or as part of another project?
Absolutely, I’d say we recorded probably north of 50 songs before we landed on the 13 songs we released as Vol. 1. I’m sure we will revisit some of them and drop them along the way. There are some gems in the vault for sure.
“B.O.W.” and “Say Less” came with visuals. Will you be dropping any new videos for your other tracks?
Yes, as a matter of fact we just finished shooting videos for “Pronto” and “Serenity.” I think video representation to cement the story is important.
When do you plan to go on tour? Are there any live performances you would like to share with us?
We’re working on some tour dates for this summer. As soon as we finalize we will definitely get them to you and Team TEF.
DJ Scratch is one of the finest DJ’s Hip-Hop has ever seen. A battle DJ, he has been through so many versions of Hip-Hop and he’s still here today. As a vet, he’s seen it all. Now he talks to Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur aka Jigsaw about all things DJ Scratch. He goes into everything from EPMD’s break-up to Jam Master Jay (watch the video for his full explanation), to his new music and more like his talks with Erick Sermon’s drug addiction reveal.
AllHipHop: First things first, I want to talk about this new single you got with Tiye Phoenix in “I Be The Nicest,” and talk about that record, because it seems like you really taking this lyricism thing, putting it on your back a little bit, and wanting to carry that torch.
DJ Scratch: Yeah, man. Shout-out to all the MCs out there. I’ve always been very picky when it comes to making music and who I work with, and Tiye Phoenix always been one of those hidden gems in hip hop, in the underground. She’s an underground queen, she’s a triple threat, she’s an MC, she’s a singer, she’s a musician, she play keys, but I felt she never got that due, like she should be where we feel Lauryn should be.
AllHipHop: Let’s just zone in on 50 years of hip hop, 50 years of DJing, because the DJ came before even the MC. So, we’re kind of talking about, for us in hip hop, 50 years of DJing.
DJ Scratch: Man, it hasn’t hit me that it’s been 50 years yet. One of the main reasons is that once I entered the game, I’ve been blessed to have success consecutively over 30 years. So, I’m still at the point where I’m still not looking back at my career, all of my accomplishments. So, on a global scale of looking at the whole culture at 50 years, I didn’t even look at it until they started announcing it like, yo, 50 years, this year’s going to make 50, I’m like, damn, 50?
AllHipHop: Did you ever try to rap?
DJ Scratch: Man, listen. Yes. The beginnings of hip hop, when I first started DJing and doing hip hop back in the days, the beginning, I followed the actual pioneers. Back then, you had to know how to rap, it wasn’t partitioned. You was a rapper and you DJ’ed. So, for example, Run from Run-DMC, you have never heard Run DMC call himself an MC.
DJ Scratch: He calls himself DJ Run, to this day. He was a DJ, because he still follows that rule. Grandmaster Caz, who I feel is the GOAT of this s###, everybody started rapping because of him. The styles because of him, he’s the beginning of that s###. He was a DJ, all of the rappers back then, the MCs were DJs, so I’ll followed that, so, I used to DJ and rap at the same time. On the turntable, I had a mic, catch the record, be rapping at the same time while I’m catching the beat, jump on the keyboard, play whatever break I’m playing on the keyboard, I did everything.
AllHipHop: Definitely, a lot of people may not know this, but you toured with Jay-Z and you were his DJ. What was that experience like? Jay-Z by some standards as the goat, he’s at the top of every list somewhere, always in the top five.
DJ Scratch: He’s definitely a goat.
AllHipHop: Yeah, what was your experience like with him?
DJ Scratch: It was fun, man. Shout out to the whole Roc-A-Fella back then. Jay-Z, he likes to laugh, and this is when him and Dame was still together, him, Dame and Biggs, they loved to laugh, they cracked jokes all day long. So it was just jokes all day long, that’s it, all day long. Jay, he was actually receptive to advice, me giving him advice about performing. I don’t know if you’ve seen Jay-Z’s performances before he went through the roof, Jay’s laid back, so he’s just going to sit and just chill and just do his show. And I told him, when we first started doing shows, I was like, yo, you don’t have to move too much because that’s not you, you laid back. I said, but just let the crowd know that you are enjoying your music and they will enjoy you.
AllHipHop: Absolutely, So let’s go back just a little bit, man. Most of us were introduced to you by EPMD, what’s your status with them now? There was a lot of friction a few years ago.
DJ Scratch: Nah, we’re cool, I spoke to Erick yesterday as a matter of fact, we’re cool. We haven’t done any shows yet, we haven’t done any shows since 2015. But we in talks, because it was just all really business, and the reason why I even made the post back then, because promoters were calling me when they see them (EPMD), and I’m not there, but the promoters not knowing that I’m not there. So I didn’t want the promoters to think that I’m not showing up to shows, which is bad business, because these promoters booked me for DJ gigs as well. And just like when anything happens, everybody’s calling your phone, you’re tired of saying the same story, explaining over and over. So I’m like, let me just put this post out here so they’ll know exactly what’s going on. “We’re not doing shows together, this is why I’m not missing shows, they’re doing the shows without me, and it’s cool.”
AllHipHop: How’s Erick’s health? I know he recently announced an addiction to opioids and has been clean for a while. Did you have to deal with that?
DJ Scratch: Yeah.
AllHipHop: Okay, so was that a problem for the business? Or even personal, forget the business.
DJ Scratch: It wasn’t a problem business wise, Erick got up and did his job. It was just you worried about his health. Just like anybody else that you know that’s dealing with an addiction, you’re worried about their health. But there was never a business problem with him dealing with that.
AllHipHop: That’s one of the biggest things people don’t understand is, like, “Yo, why didn’t somebody do something? Why didn’t somebody say something?” Because they got to come to that moment on their own.
DJ Scratch: Because you could take somebody and drop them off in rehab, but it’s still on them to do it. I know a couple of friends, just personal friends who went through alcohol addiction, and they have to go to rehab. You can talk to them until you blue in the face, but at the end of the day, it’s up to them to actually do it. And you got to put in that work and do it. And Erick, when he posted it, I was like, “Oh s###.” I commented, I’m like, “Yo, I’m proud of you, you finally went and got help, I’m proud of you.” But yeah, Erick is good, he’s good, man.
AllHipHop: What happens if The Hit Squad (Powerful collective of rappers – EPMD, Das EFX, Redman, K-Solo, Knucklehedz) doesn’t break up?
DJ Scratch: We’d be like Wu-Tang. I would say Redman, Solo… And we would’ve actually build on and bring more artists in as well. Because it was the same formula that RZA and Divine used for Wu-Tang. Get artists, put them on different labels and just run the industry. So I think we would be where Wu-Tang is right now.
AllHipHop: And competitively, Raekwon says it a lot, they were looking at the Hit Squad. All right, we got somebody for him, we got somebody for him.
AllHipHop: I think we need a EPMD movie, man.
DJ Scratch: Oh, absolutely, a biopic, definitely.
AllHipHop: We had a few years of good movies, and then once “Straight Outta Compton” happened, it was like, all right, we’re done, that was the pinnacle. We had a couple on Lifetime stuff like that, nothing that was really big budget.
DJ Scratch: And that’s why the Wu-Tang show is so special. Even though we lost Ol’ Dirty, but most of the group is still here to actually tell their story. But yeah, definitely, there should be a EPMD movie.
AllHipHop: Yeah, Run DMC too.
DJ Scratch: Yeah, Absolutely, Run DMC. Before we lose anybody else. And I think because Hip-Hop is only in its 50th year, and I think what maybe 25 of that, we started actually learning the business. So I think we should start telling our own stories. We don’t have to do it the way Hollywood usually does s###, when the person is gone. We can actually do this s### while they’re still alive, so we can tell the story the way, the right way like Ray Charles. Ray Charles was alive when that movie was being made, that’s why it came out so great. Why can’t we do that with Hip-Hop?
AllHipHop: We definitely can, who would you have play you?
DJ Scratch: Who would I have played me? I would have Rusty Juxx play me, because everybody say he looks like a younger me. So I would have Rusty Juxx, so you got to learn how to DJ and s###. But I would have Rusty Juxx play me.
AllHipHop: Dope MC, all right. So he got to start learning how to DJ. You can go to the Scratch Academy for that.
