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Stephen A. Smith Blasts Jada Pinkett For Emasculating Will Smith

Stephen A. Smith has weighed in on Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s marriage. In a rant posted by 50 Cent, the ESPN talking head said Pinkett Smith’s book tour for her Worthy continues to emasculate the Oscar-winning actor.

“Let’s talk about the role of a wife, at least from the perspective of just sparing him,” he said, after saying her moves are “F##ked Up.”

“I’m not getting in the right or wrong. It’s none of my business. I don’t know that about the marriage … don’t want to know,” Smith said.  “But I know that it is uncomfortable and grotesquely unfair to emasculate your husband publicly … He’s Will Smith. How much smaller do you wanna make him?”

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Stephen A. Smith is referencing Pinkett Smith’s revelation to the world that the two have been separated since 2016— four years before her former lover August Alsina went public about their relationship— and the couple’s decision to stay married and not get a divorce.

Stephen A. Smith asserted that Pinkett Smith won’t give her husband a divorce simply because she might be in it for the money.

“Get a divorce. Give up the money. Gotta prenup?  Don’t take anything from him. You got skills. You got a career. It ain’t his… but how much do you need? Anything to get this to stop,” he said in defense of a man who apparently says he divorce is not an option.

In a recently resurfaced clip from 2007, nine years before their separation and 13 years before the Alsina issue, Will Smith seems to have set the tone of their marriage.

“It’s my responsibility to make me happy and it’s her responsibility to make her happy and then we’re gonna come together and build on that happiness,” he said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

Fast forward to Will Smith’s 2021 promotional tour for his book Will, he talked in “uncomfortable and grotesque” detail about the many times he cheated on Jada Pinkett Smith as well as his ex-wife and his dreams of having romantic relationships with people in her circle, like fellow actress Halle Berry and ballet dancer Misty Copeland.

“Anything that I need to make myself happy, I will present that to my wife…  that I need that to be happy,” the West Philadelphia native said. “Divorce is not an option. We’re going to be together, so we’re going to figure out how to be happy.”

One fan tweeted, “People who crucify Jada for speaking publicly when Will has BEEN talking about their relationship publicly are definitely on BS. Stop trying to paint Will to be a wounded lamb & Jada a wolf. They clearly have an agreement in their marriage.”

Both books, Will and Worthy, address their extramarital relationships, but they don’t delve into the reasons behind the disproportionate demonization of the Low Down Dirty Shame star when compared to her husband. This is particularly intriguing, considering she didn’t publicly disclose her involvement with Alsina, who revealed the relationship as a promotional stunt for his album.

It’s also worth noting that a year earlier, the jilted lover had attempted to expose Jada Pinkett Smith through a video release.

As AllHipHop.com reported, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith two have not been in a romantic relationship in years and did not refer to each other as wife and husband. Their separation or relationships with others, based on the couple’s statements, has nothing to do with their sexual compatibility.

The structure of their relationship doesn’t seem to be an issue for Will Smith, who said he and Pinkett Smith define their relationship—not the world.

Will Smith seems to be proud of her and says that had he known some of the details in the book 30 years ago, he would have “hugged her more.”

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Cardi B Admits To Having A Mustache: “Why You Think My P###y So Good?”

Bronx-raised Hip-Hop artist Cardi B celebrated her 31st birthday on October 11. She also took time over the last few days to shout out her husband, Offset, for releasing his Set It Off album on October 13.

Set It Off hosts a track titled “Worth It” with Houston rapper/singer Don Toliver. Over the weekend, Cardi B promoted that Offset/Don Toliver collaboration by sharing a 26-second video of herself walking to the tune.

An X user quoted Cardi’s tweet featuring Offset’s song and added, “She looks like she has a mustache.” The Grammy winner jokingly addressed that post by writing, “I do have a mustache……why you think my p#### soo good?”

Cardi B has never been shy about discussing erotic topics on songs such as the Megan Thee Stallion-assisted “WAP” and “Bongos.” The Invasion of Privacy album creator also covered sexually explicit subjects on Offset’s “Freaky” from the Set It Off project.

According to HitsDailyDouble, Set It Off is on pace to land in the Billboard 200 chart’s Top 10 region with an estimated 55,000-65,000 first-week units. Offset’s 2019 debut solo studio LP, Father of 4, opened at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 with 89,000 units.

Cardi B and Offset secretly wed in September 2017. They currently have two children together, five-year-old daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus and two-year-old son Wave Set Cephus. Offset also has three children from previous relationships.

Drake Moves Closer To Tying Jay-Z’s Record For Most No. 1 Albums By A Rapper

“Only The Beatles, nobody ahead of me. I crush Elvis in his Blue Suede Shoes. Made the Rolling Stones seem sweet as Kool-Aid too,” raps Jay-Z on “Reminder” off 2009’s The Blueprint 3. Over the last fourteen years, Drake has made his way up the rankings for most No. 1 albums to land right behind Hov.

Jay-Z presently holds second place on the list of all-time Billboard 200 chart leaders. The Roc Nation founder’s fourteen Number Ones only trail behind The Beatles with nineteen. Drake now has thirteen Number Ones.

The OVO Sound boss sits at No. 1 on the latest Billboard 200. His For All the Dogs debuted atop the chart with 402,000 first-week units. Drake also broke his tie with Taylor Swift (12) for most career No. 1 albums, moving into third place alone.

Additionally, For All the Dogs pulled in 514.01 million on-demand streams. That total gives Drake’s eighth studio LP the largest streaming week of 2023 and the fourth-largest streaming week in history. His 2018 album, Scorpion, holds the all-time record with 745.92 million streams.

While keeping an eye on overtaking Jay-Z for most No. 1 albums by a rapper, Drake now looks to surpass another music icon when it comes to the most No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The “King of Pop” Michael Jackson could get pushed down a rung soon.

Drake’s “Slime You Out” featuring SZA debuted in the Hot 100’s pole position last month, giving the Toronto native his 12th No. 1 on that weekly tally. This week, he could tie Michael Jackson (13) for fifth most number-one singles with either “First Person Shooter” or “IDGAF.”

Both “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole and “IDGAF” featuring Yeat live on For All the Dogs. The 23-track project also includes contributions from Teezo Touchdown, 21 Savage, SZA, PartyNextDoor, Chief Keef, Bad Bunny, Sexyy Red and Lil Yachty.

Sexyy Red Declares Her Pregnancy Will Not Stop Her From Touring

Rising rap star Sexyy Red shocked many of her supporters over the last week. The “Pound Town” hitmaker shared photos essentially confirming she is currently pregnant with her second child.

“Team boy or team girl 🥰,” tweeted Sexyy Red on October 14. That X post included photos of the 25-year-old rapper, alongside R&B/POP singer SZA, showing what appears to be a baby bump.

The Hip-Hop blogosphere quickly spread Red’s pictures across the internet. Social media users had a lot to say about the self-proclaimed Hood Hottest Princess carrying a child at the moment.

https://twitter.com/SexyyRed314_/status/1713326509056807411

Some of Sexyy Red’s followers expressed concern about the pregnancy and how it could possibly derail the “No Panties” performer’s momentum. She responded to one person in particular.

“Girl I gotta see you on tour in a couple of days?????? Congratulations but what😭,” posted a Sexyy Red fan on the X platform. Red added a quote-tweet that read, “We still gon make some noise wtf.”

Sexyy Red’s Hood Hottest Princess Tour takes place in Boston tonight (October 16). The St. Louis-bred rapper then heads to other cities such as New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia later this week.

Prior to the conversation around her pregnancy, Red recently had to deal with her sex tape apparently leaking on Instagram and backlash for endorsing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Sexyy Red’s 2023 also featured her securing collaborations with Hip-Hop megastars Nicki Minaj and Drake. Plus she earned a Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist nomination at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards. However, Ice Spice won that category.

Drake’s Dad Dennis Graham Defends Rapper’s Silence On Israel-Hamas Conflict

Most of the world is paying close attention to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war. Numerous celebrities and corporations have issued statements about the deadly Middle East conflict. However, Jewish-Canadian rapper Aubrey Drake Graham has not commented on the situation.

Media personality DJ Vlad recently called out Drake for not using his global platform to bring awareness to the bloodshed taking place in Israel and Gaza. Vlad also criticized Palestinian-American DJ Khaled for not quickly speaking out.

TMZ caught up with Drake’s father to ask him about his son’s silence on the hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Dennis Graham defended the For All the Dogs album creator’s right to remain silent on the matter.

“If you say something about this one, you’re going to get criticized. If you say something about someone else, you’re going to get criticized,” stated Dennis Graham. He also added, “So just stay out of it. Especially if you’re somebody that’s well known.”

Drake has been very vocal about his Jewish heritage throughout his entertainment career. For example, the official music video for the “HYFR (Hell Ya F###### Right)” single off 2011’s Take Care album centered around Jewish customs.

The “HYFR” visuals opened with a message that read, “On October 24th 2011 Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham chose to get re-bar mitzvah’d as a re-commitment to the Jewish religion.” Footage of the now-36-year-old superstar’s actual bar mitzvah appears in the video as well.

While Drake caught heat from people like DJ Vlad for not addressing the Israel–Hamas war, the Toronto-raised musician also faced negative reactions for what some critics, like podcaster Joe Budden, see as a lack of maturity in the content presented on For All the Dogs.

10 Ways to Promote Your Hip Hop Music Online as an Independent Artist

While the internet has made it much easier for independent hip-hop artists to share and promote their music, in comparison to the old pre-net days, it can be challenging for new artists to know the best ways to promote their musical talents online.

After all, there is a lot of competition out there, so you need to ensure you know how to position yourself correctly in the market and which tools to use to ensure you and your music stand out from the crowd. As long as you combine making banging tunes with a good head for online marketing, you can grow your audience and become an emerging hip-hop star.

Begin your journey by taking note of the following 10 ways to promote your music.

1. Get Your Music on Streaming Platforms

One of the best ways of getting your music in front of your target audience is to put your music on streaming platforms, such as SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and Spotify. You can create your artist profile and upload your tracks for millions of listeners worldwide to discover them organically.

By regularly updating your profile, uploading new tracks frequently, and curating compelling playlists, you stand a better chance of gaining traction.

2. Leverage Social Media

Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok have revolutionized the way artists engage with their audience. On these platforms, you can post links to your music, announce new releases, and engage with the community.

When you leverage social media in the right way, you can quickly grow your following.

3. Make YouTube Videos for Your Songs

You should also upload your songs on YouTube. By creating a professional or fun video to accompany your track, you can gain even more traction than you would by posting the song alone, as the internet is made for visual content.

You might even like to hire a freelance filmmaker to create your music video for you, as the professionalism is sure to be noticeable. Sure, it will cost money to hire a professional filmmaker, but it can be more than worth the investment for the promotional opportunities it will bring.

Many music fans discover new hip hop artists on YouTube and other video streaming sites, so ensure you make full use of them.

4. Access Professional Promotional Services

There are several good companies that provide professional promotional services to independent artists, so it is definitely worth investigating them as the right service could help you take your music to the next level.

For instance, Music Gateway is one of the best global platforms for music promotion, including hip-hop music specifically. It offers both free and premium plans.

Through cutting-edge technologies, the team at Music Gateway works passionately to provide services and products that will save you time, enhance your online visibility, and help create a level playing field of opportunity.

Simply apply to the A&R team to discuss your music.

5. Utilize Paid Advertising

One of the most direct ways to gain exposure for your music is through paid advertising. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer cost-effective ad options, allowing you to reach a targeted audience.

By investing a little in social media advertisements, you can significantly boost your music’s online presence.

Getting your tracks reviewed by popular music blogs or review sites is another fantastic way of promoting your work online. For instance, websites like Pitchfork and Stereogum are highly influential and can give your music the exposure it deserves.

Spend time researching the many different sites that could potentially review your music and keep sending out requests.

7. Enter Online Contests 

Online contests offer an exciting and innovative way to promote your hip-hop music too. There are several online music contests that you could enter. You could even consider running a contest yourself, where your fans get a chance to win merchandise or your latest physical CD or vinyl drop.

8. Consider Virtual Concerts and Live Streaming

Virtual concerts and live-streaming performances have gained exceptional popularity in recent times. Whether you put on an elaborate, ticketed event or just an impromptu jam session on Instagram Live, showing up on your fans’ screens can do wonders for boosting engagement and promoting your hip-hop tracks. 

9. Collaborate with Other Artists 

Collaboration is a powerful promotion tool for independent hip-hop artists. By getting involved in exciting partnerships or remixing tunes, you can quickly expand your fan base. 

10. Network

To collaborate with other artists, you need to network. Building relationships with operators inside the hip hop industry, such as DJs, producers, fellow artists, and bloggers can also open up many other avenues that could skyrocket your popularity.

Final Thoughts

It can take time to get your music out there and become known, but by utilizing the above methods, remaining patient, working hard, and maintaining a positive attitude, there is no reason why you cannot follow in the footsteps of Baby Tate, Duke Deuce, and Jay Z.

So, do not be disheartened if you do not see results immediately. It is all about slowly building momentum one fan at a time until you finally reach your desired goal.

Jada Pinkett Smith On Will Smith: “We’ve Tried Everything To Get Away From Each Other”

Jada Pinkett Smith’s media run to promote her upcoming Worthy memoir has generated countless headlines over the last several days. Mostly, the stories about her marriage with legendary entertainer Will Smith became gossip fodder.

In a new profile for the New York Times, Jada Pinkett Smith once again reveals personal details about her life. According to the Girls Trip star, the self-described life partners have tried to separate from each other in the past.

“We wanted to create a family we never had, and we did that. And we enjoy our family,” said Pinkett Smith. “For us, our marriage is like a cornerstone of that for now. Who knows in 10 years.”

The Baltimore native also added, “We’ve tried everything to get away from each other, and we just don’t.” The Hollywood couple have two children together, 25-year-old Jaden Smith and 22-year-old Willow Smith. 

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Jada Pinkett Smith’s comments in the Times reflect what she and Will Smith had to say in an infamous 2020 installment of Red Table Talk. On the “Jada Brings Herself to the Table” episode, they both declared, “We ride together. We die together. Bad marriage for life.”

After meeting Will Smith on the set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1994, Jada Pinkett married the rapper/actor in 1997. Rumors of trouble in the marriage hit a fever pitch in 2020 when R&B singer August Alsina exposed his sexual relationship with Jada.

The Smiths once again took center stage in the global pop culture conversation last year. Will Smith faced backlash for slapping comedian Chris Rock on stage at the 94th Academy Awards. Rock had just made a joke about Jada’s bald head due to alopecia areata.

Blueface Reacts After His Mom Compares Her Bare Booty Cheeks Leak To His Girlfriend’s 30K BBL 

Blueface has shared his reaction after his mother’s nudes surfaced on social media over the weekend. 

On Sunday (October 15), a selfie of the “Thotiana” rapper’s mom emerged online, showing her sticking out her tongue for the camera. However, the mirror behind her revealed she was naked from the waist down exposing her booty cheeks.  

She took to her Instagram Story to explain the leak was an accident and that she was sending nudes to her man.  

“I promise I did not moon y’all for clout,” Blueface’s mom shared. “Hell, my daddy just called me about seeing my old rusty ass. That was an accident I sent to my husband.” 

Instagram/Karlissa_angelic

However, the image began circulating on social media, prompting Blueface to address his mom’s nudes.  

“Ewww lol,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) before adding “Old lady Booty cheeks,” alongside crying with laughter and nauseated face emojis.  

Blueface’s mom saw his post and clapped back with a shot at the mother of his first two children, suggesting he spent all his money paying for Jaidyn Alexis‘ 30K BBL.  

“Now I said it was an accident, but it look better than the one you spent yo life savings on,” she wrote in another Instagram Story post. 

Instagram/Karlissa_angelic

The MILF Music founder clapped back on X, questioning, “what is the correlation,” in response to his mom.  

“are you comparing your booty cheeks to the lady I sleep with every night,” Blueface asked. “That’s alil creepy lol.” Check out Blueface’s posts below.

6ix9ine Arrest Footage Shows Crowd Cheering As Rapper Hauled Off In Handcuffs 

A video has surfaced of 6ix9ine being hauled off by cops after the rapper was reportedly arrested for assault in the Dominican Republic. 

Local attorney Felix Portes took to Instagram Saturday (October 14), revealing that Dominican authorities are investigating the rainbow-haired rapper for a vicious attack. 6ix9ine was allegedly in an altercation with two local producers. The unidentified victims were treated in hospital for their injuries. 

Footage surfaced online on Sunday (October 16) showing law enforcement marching a handcuffed 6ix9ine out of a hotel.  Locals swarmed the building with their camera phones out, cheering as the controversial artist emerged from inside the building. Check out the video below.

According to Portes, 6ix9ine was attempting to leave the country via a private jet when he was detained. Authorities issued a warrant against the rapper for “blows and injuries, and threats.” 

The “Bori” rapper has had numerous run-ins with the law during his rap career. He cooperated with the authorities after being arrested in 2018 on RICO charges over his association with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods. He testified against the notorious street gang in court, leading to the conviction of several gang members. 

In August, he was taken to Palm Beach County Jail for failing to appear in court for three traffic tickets. However, he was released from custody roughly a few hours later, after posting a $2,000 bond. 

Meanwhile, back in March, 6ix9ine was beaten up by members of the Latin Kings at an LA Fitness in Southern Florida.  

Nelly Leaves Ashanti Speechless With Icy Birthday Gifts Before Serenading Her On Party Bus Ride

Nelly rendered Ashanti speechless after icing the singer out on her birthday. 

The couple celebrated Ashanti’s 43rd birthday over the weekend after recently confirming their rekindled romance following months of social media speculation. The rapper showered the birthday girl in diamonds, leaving her barely able to speak. 

Footage shared online shows Nelly presenting Ashanti with a chain and watch covered in diamonds. Check out the video below.  

In another video, Ashanti proudly flexes her icy birthday gifts while Nelly serenades her. The couple was joined by a group of friends for a karaoke session on a party bus. Ashanti played hype man to Nelly as he crooned through some old-school slow jams.  

The songstress was left with an aching jaw after laughing so much as her man crooned his way through Jodeci’s “Freek’n You.” At one point in the video, Nelly and Ashanti held hands as they sang together before the rapper launched into another classic R&B song. 

Ashanti posted the video on Instagram Sunday (October 15), captioned by a series of crying-with-laughter emojis. Check it out below. 

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Last month, Nelly confirmed he was back with Ashanti during an appearance on Boss Moves with Rasheeda. 

“I think it surprised both of us, though. It wasn’t anything that was like, I don’t think, planned,” he shared. “But sometimes being separate, you understand one another more, where you could be like, ‘Well, yo, let me exactly see, maybe, what they see.’ ‘Cause you know we all can be defensive sometimes in our own relationships. And we know we’re wrong, but we’re going to stand on it.” 

Jim Jones Seeks “Fiends” Jada Pinkett Smith Sold Drugs To As A Teen 

A recent revelation from Jada Pinkett Smith has Jim Jones asking questions.  

The “Set If Off” actress is opening up about her past ahead of her candid upcoming memoir Worthy, making some startling admissions in a series of viral interviews. Smith’s revelations have been the talk of social media, with everybody chiming in, including Jim Jones. 

The Dipset rapper took to Instagram Live over the weekend, calling on one of her old customers to speak out.  

“If you sold crack in the nineties, nine times out of ten, there’s still some crackheads in the neighbourhood that can vouch that you were selling that butter,” Jim Jones said. “I don’t know where Jada grew up at, but we need to go check and see if they got some fiends that can verify, validify that she was selling that she had that butter on the block for sale.”  Check out his comments below.

https://youtube.com/shorts/jwoHQNqO8iA?si=W6uVuxMG_hlQTxj7

During a recent interview with PEOPLE, Jada Pinkett Smith spoke openly about her drug-dealing past as a teen growing up in Baltimore. 

“I knew that anything that I needed was something I needed to provide for,” she explained. “I decided to sell drugs.”  

“Growing up, the drug dealers were the ones that had affluence,” Smith added. “That’s what we readily saw as success. And so for me, considering my circumstances at the time, my mother was not doing well. She was a high-functioning heroin addict. We didn’t have the things that we should have. The home we lived in was not taken care of.” 

It wasn’t just Jim Jones who had something to say about Jada Pinkett Smith dealing drugs

“Alright enough is enough,” 50 Cent wrote, sharing a headline about Smith selling crack.  “FREE WILL SMITH! WTF is going on.” 

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Drake’s Son Adonis Performs “My Man Freestyle” At His Sixth Birthday Party 

Drake’s son Adonis is following in his father’s footsteps, debuting a new freestyle at his sixth birthday party. 

His famous dad posted the track on Instagram to celebrate his little boy turning six years old. The video shows Adonis having fun with his friends on the basketball court and showing off his skills while Drake makes a cameo alongside his son.  

On the track, Adonis describes an average game day: “I was waiting for this moment to arrive/ I was driving in the car and I smash my car/ I was playing in on my iPad and I broke my iPad/ I’m going to my house, seeing my dad/ I am saying hi to my dad and I have to go change/ I’m playing basketball.” 

“Happy birthday my son…MY MAN FREESTYLE OUT NOW,” the OVO boss captioned the video. Watch it below. 

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The budding rapper has already performed the song in front of a live audience. Drake shared a video of Adonis onstage with his friends, showcasing his new freestyle in front of a neon sign that read “BIG 6’ERRRRRR.” 

Adonis recently appeared in his dad’s “8AM in Charlotte” music video, which saw the little boy describe his vision behind the image Drake used on the For All the Dogs cover.   

“So the goat was running away from the other monsters. And the other animals,” he explained. “Daddys name is next to the goat. Does that mean daddy’s the goat?” Drake questioned, asking his son if he was the Greatest Of All Time. Adonis fired back with a firm “yes.” 

Jimmy Iovine Explains Why Most Music Sounds The Same

Jimmy Iovine has shared his observations on the state of music today.

During a recent interview with Consequence of Sound, the Interscope Records founder claimed that with the advent of streaming, AI, social media, and other technological shifts, “fame has replaced great” in music.

“Artists are making so much money in so many different places, which is fantastic, but after they have a hit record, they can earn a lot of money on Instagram and all this stuff,” JImmy Iovine explained. “I feel that a lot of people, a lot of artists, not all, but a lot of artists are taking their foot off the gas in the record making category. And that’s affecting the quality of the work. And I think you’re seeing that in a lot of different genres right now.”

The entrepreneur also shared that too many artists in the current landscape were “making records for TikTok.”

“They used to make records for radio, but now it’s TikTok. That’s why all these pop records sound exactly the same,” Jimmy told the publication. “So if you’re making records like that, making records with this formula, then you’re going to start seeing big hits written and recorded with AI.”

The music mogul also named some of his favourite contemporary artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Baltimore rock band Turnstile.

“They caught my attention,” he applauded the band. “I like what they’re doing. I think they got the right spirit and the right attitude.”

Young Thug Wants To Put T.I., Killer Mike, Lyor Cohen On The Witness Stand

AllHipHop.com has insights into Young Thug’s proposed witness list as he anticipates his trial on RICO charges. 

The list is a veritable who’s who of the music industry, with Atlanta rappers T.Il and Killer Mike making the cut. Even more intriguing is the inclusion of Lyor Cohen, the Global Head of Music for YouTube, Julie Greenwald, the esteemed chairperson of Atlantic Records, and Houston rap legend Trae Tha Truth.

The trial, which has been a media magnet since Young Thug’s arrest in May 2022, is yet to have a confirmed date. 

Authorities have painted Young Thug as the co-founder and leader of Young Slime Life, branding it a criminal street gang behind a slew of violent acts in Atlanta. 

Contrarily, Young Thug’s defense remains steadfast in asserting that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life and is nothing more than a record label devoid of criminal undertones.

The lack of a trial date is highlighted by the prolonged jury selection process, which has been ongoing for over six months without any significant progress. The delay has been attributed to challenges in finding an unbiased jury, given the case’s high-profile nature and Young Thug’s celebrity status. 

The extensive media coverage and public opinions have further complicated the selection process, making it difficult to pinpoint a date for the trial’s commencement. The strategic inclusion of industry stalwarts in the witness list clearly indicates the defense’s game plan. 

By bringing in influential figures from the music world, they aim to underscore Young Thug’s professional affiliations and challenge the narrative of his alleged criminal associations. 

The testimonies of these industry leaders could play a pivotal role in shaping the jury’s perspective and the trial’s outcome.

The outcome could have far-reaching implications, not just for Young Thug but for the broader music industry and its intersections with the law, specifically the use of rap lyrics in court. 

The Black Music Action Coalition has introduced the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (RAP Act) to Congress to protect artists from the misuse of their lyrics in court. This bill, if passed, would limit the admissibility of an artist’s creative expression against them in court. 

California has already taken a step in this direction by passing a similar law. The law was recently tested in the case of the San Bernardino man, Travon Venable Sr., who was convicted of murder five years ago because the prosecution used his rap videos as evidence against him. 

An appeals court ruled that the video should not have been admitted as evidence during the trial, suggesting that racial stereotypes and bias were introduced into the criminal proceedings by allowing rap lyrics into evidence.

SZA Laments Not Being Popular In Elementary And Middle School; Pledges Support For Fans

SZA is “never off the clock” when it comes to her fans.

During a recent interview the “Kill Bill” hitmaker revealed that she is always there for her fans.

“I’m never off the clock for my fans, because I love that s###,” the 33-year-old said. “They’re my family, and they’re my people. I know what it’s like to feel small or like somebody doesn’t care, because that’s who I was my whole life.”

SZA, real name Solána Rowe, explained that she felt unheard when she was in middle school, and she doesn’t want her fans to feel the same way.

“In middle school, elementary school, I wasn’t popular. So I try to make sure n##### know ‘I hear you, I see you. I have time to stop for you. Yes, we can smoke together, you can come backstage. You can come to my house if you want,'” she said.

Divulging the extent of her friendship with some of her fans, SZA added, “Hella fans have spent the night with me and been to my house many times.”

Did Jada Pinkett Smith Get Caught Lying On 2Pac?

OK folks. It’s clear Jada the Pinkett has become a topic of public scrutiny, with many considering her as a bit of a nuisance. This stems from her recent promo work of her upcoming book, Worthy, and various interviews.

She’s spilled a lot of secrets and unearthed other personal matters, most related to her relationship with Will Smith but also her connection to 2Pac. The latest bombshell is her claim 2Pac proposed to her during his prison time at Rikers Island, the infamous New York City jail.

However, a certain lady has stepped forward to call Jada Pinkett Smith out, alleging that she’s fabricating the whole story. The woman has meticulously pieced together a timeline, showing that Pinkett Smith’s account simply doesn’t add up. She presents a compelling argument and posted it on social media. It’s being shared all over the place and now we are sharing it. Is she being truthful about 2Pac’s proposal or is she weaving a web of lies?

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In her passionate video, this woman maintains Jada Pinkett Smith isn’t telling the truth. For instance, she points out 2Pac had already proposed to another lady, Keisha Morris, before his imprisonment, and they even got married. During 2Pac’s brief stint at Riker’s, Pinkett Smith was in the midst of transitioning to her relationship with Will Smith, who had recently separated from his wife. She quickly flew to Los Angeles to be with Smith and never spent a night in her new Maryland home. This begs the question: When did Jada Pinkett Smith find the time to visit 2Pac at Riker’s and receive a marriage proposal?

@galilhd

Did you know Tupac had a secret wife? 🤔 #xyzbca #fyp #foryoupage #2pac #2pacshakur #tupac #tupacshakur #hiphop #90s

♬ original sound – Tupac

Moreover, after 2Pac’s release from prison, he got engaged Quincy Jones’ daughter, Kidada Jones, and was tragically killed while in a relationship with her. Kidada was there for him in his final moments. Kesha and other significant women in 2Pac’s life have maintained their privacy and not exploited his memory for attention. The person who seems to talk the most is Jada Pinkett Smith, making claims that don’t hold up under scrutiny when it comes to verifying the timeline.

Jada Pinkett Smith Was Shocked Will Smith Called Her “Wife” After Infamous Oscars Slap

In the end, it’s hard to ignore the passion behind this critique, particularly for those of us who grew up in the era of 2Pac. We all have vivid memories of his life and legacy, and it’s disheartening to see Jada Pinkett Smith’s alleged inconsistencies being put on display.

Check this out.

Travis Scott’s Second North Carolina Show “Postponed” Without Explanation

Travis Scott is currently on his Utopia-Circus Maximus Tour in support of his chart-topping album, UTOPIA. But according to TMZ, another date has been postponed, making it the third time the rapper has had to put the breaks on a performance. Scott was scheduled to take the stage for a second consecutive night at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he’d just played the night before.

But just hours before Scott was to head to the PNC Arena, organizers posted a statement to the venue’s doors that read: “Tonight’s Travis Scott concert at PNC Arena has been postponed. Fans are encouraged to hold on to their tickets as they will be honored for the TBD new date. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you!”

WRAL News spoke to several ticket holders, who said they were given no explanation for the postponement from the third party vendor, venue or Travis Scott. Live Nation added the second Raleigh show in response to an “popular demand” after he sold out the first date.

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Scott’s tour has reportedly been struggling, leaving some concert promoters scrambling to figure out how to make their money back. In some places, fans can buy tickets for as low as $7. Popular ticket-selling platforms such as SeatGeek, StubHub, TickPick and Vivid Seats were selling tickets from $10 to $18, and one person was able to find a pair going for about $110 on Ticketmaster.

Scott has had a tumultuous couple of years. In November 2021, his Astroworld Festival ended in tragedy after 10 people ultimately lost their lives due to a crowd surge. Scott laid low for months following the incident. But, as they say, the show must go on. Scott returned with UTOPIA in July and it became one of the first albums in 2023 to land at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album features guest appearances from Teezo Touchdown, Drake, Playboi Carti, Beyoncé, Rob49, 21 Savage, the Weeknd, Swae Lee, Yung Lean, Dave Chappelle, Young Thug, Westside Gunn, Kid Cudi, Bad Bunny, SZA, Future and James Blake.

The Utopia-Circus Maximus Tour wraps up in December.

Nelly Celebrates Ashanti’s Birthday With Loving Message And Sultry Video

In a heartfelt birthday tribute, rapper Nelly took to social media to express his admiration for Ashanti as his girlfriend celebrates her birthday. Ashanti turned 43 on October 13th.

“One time for the birthday girl…. Such a beautiful, an incredible person inside and out and one of the hardest working women I know.. @ashanti Enjoy your day Ma you look awesome!!!! Happy Birthday Love ya!!!!”

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The rapper’s affectionate message comes after the recent confirmation of their rekindled romance. Nelly and Ashanti began dating after meeting at the Grammys in 2003. Their relationship lasted for a decade, but they parted ways around 2014.

Despite their breakup, they remained on friendly terms and even performed together in 2022. Rumors of their rekindled romance began circulating in 2023, especially after they were spotted holding hands at a boxing match in Las Vegas.

These rumors were later confirmed by Nelly himself earlier this year. Nelly officially discussed the relationship on an episode of “Boss Moves with Rasheeda,” stating, “Yeah, we cool again.”

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He went on to explain that their time apart allowed them to gain a fresh perspective on their relationship. “I think it surprised both of us. It wasn’t anything that was planned. I think we both were pretty much doing what we do. But sometimes, being separate, you understand one another more,” Nelly reflected.

Previously, their careers and public scrutiny posed challenges to their relationship.

“Before, I felt like both of us were doing what we were doing career-wise and when you got so many people in the middle of it, it can be tough,” Nelly noted.

Nelly expressed that there’s “no pressure” in their current relationship and believes they are both in a much better place now. While Nelly isn’t ready to walk down the aisle with Ashanti just yet, he did admit that he hopes to get married someday.

As for Ashanti, she celebrated her birthday weekend by performing with Usher at his Las Vegas residency at The Park MGM.

She also took to Instagram to thank everyone who celebrated her birthday and said she was planning a getaway trip to an undisclosed island.

“Thank you alllll soooooo very much for all of my birthday wishes!!!!! This year has been absolutely insanely incredible, and amazing. Which is partially why I’m posting a day late because I had to work last night lol. I am truly grateful for so much. Nothing is better than having peace in all aspects of your life. It is a true blessing. The world is a scary place right now… so I’m grateful to be able to create my own… and escape from it all. Thank you all again for the outpouring of love it truly means everything to me. Love yallllll!!!!”

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50 Cent Isn’t The Only One Sick Of Jada Pinkett Smith’s Book Tour Interviews

Jada Pinkett Smith has been making the press rounds in support of her new memoir, Worthy—but people’s patience with her is wearing thin. Last week, Pinkett Smith sat down with the TODAY Show for an extensive interview in which she admitted she and Will Smith have been separated since 2016, something she discussed in her book. Naturally, that sent social media into a frenzy and people questioned how she could continue to publicly humiliate her husband.

50 Cent spoke for many on Sunday (October 15) when he shared an Instagram post that included a photo of Pinkett Smith and the headline: “Jada Pinkett Smith reveals she sold a lot of crack as a teenager.” He wrote in the caption: “Alright enough is an enough FREE WILL SMITH! WTF is going to on.”

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50 Cent isn’t alone in his sentiments. Social media has been littered with posts about Pinkett Smith’s perceived disregard for Smith’s feelings. During an interview with PEOPLE magazine, Pinkett Smith again talked about her “friendship” with Tupac Shakur then claimed he once proposed to her while he was behind bars at Rikers Island. Her apparent obsession with the late rapper has been internet fodder for years, and her recent sit-downs have done nothing to squash the speculation that she’s been in love with Shakur the entire time she’s been married to Smith.

ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith ripped into Pinkett Smith on a recent episode of his YouTube show, saying, “Let me tell y’all what Will Smith does not deserve: He does not deserve what Jada Pinkett Smith has done to him. Now I know people very, very close to Jada Pinkett Smith, and I am not going to utter a disrespectful word about her. That’s not where I’m going. It’s deeper than that.”

He continued, “There are a few questions that Jada Pinkett Smith deserves to be asked to her. Where’s your compassion? Where’s your decency? Where is your respect for a man you still acknowledge as your husband? Where is the respect for a man you walked down the aisle with and pledged your life to in 1997 for better or worse, for rich or [for] poorer, in sickness and in health, ’til death do you part?”

The comments on Twitter (X) are indicative of the general consensus—people are sick of Jada Pinkett Smith. Check out some of the responses below.

Mo3 Estate Wins Restraining Order Over Fear Producer Will Destroy Contested Vocal Tracks

The estate of Mo3 has secured a temporary restraining order against recording engineer Ray Gene Bollin, who is accused of trying to capitalize on the late rapper’s unreleased vocal tracks he refuses to hand over. 

Mo3 was fatally shot in broad daylight on the R.L. Thornton Freeway in Dallas, Texas, in November of 2022. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Kewon Dontrell White, who was charged with the rapper’s murder.

Bollin, the individual in the spotlight of this controversy, is the proprietor of the North Texas-based Absolut Production Recording Studios. Mo3 frequently visited this studio, where he recorded most of his vocals.  

The rapper’s estate says that Bollin’s participation was strictly technical, limited to tasks such as setting up microphones and initiating recordings, all under Mo3’s direct supervision.

A month before his tragic passing in October 2020, Mo3 directed his manager to collect all his musical files from Absolut Studios. 

Bollin had initially agreed. After Mo3’s death, the responsibility to retrieve these files was transferred to a court-appointed administrator, Daniel L. White, Esq, who was unable to get the tracks because Bollin claimed ownership of the unreleased vocals. 

He also demanded over $600,000 in “licensing fees” for previously released tracks, a 25% royalty interest, among other compensations.

The court’s decision to grant the restraining order is rooted in the evidence presented by MO3’s estate, highlighting the significant commercial value of Noble’s name, voice, and likeness. 

The order mandates the immediate turnover of all copies or phonorecords of the vocal tracks and related materials to MO3’s estate. It is a decisive move to prevent these works’ potential exploitation or destruction, ensuring they remain intact for possible future release.