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RZA & The Cast Of Wu-Tang An American Saga Speak About All They Have Learned

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Exclusives
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If you are not watching, “Wu-Tang: An American Saga,” you don’t know what you are missing. The show, in its third and final season, chronicles the unparalleled and meteoric rise of the Wu-Tang Clan. This season, takes on several iterations of the group. We see the creative dynamics play out as the 9-members are in close proximity on the road touring. Also, Power and Divine are working the business angles and squashing out those that attempt to infringe on their ever-growing Wu-Brand.

AllHipHop’s Rose D. was on locations with the cast – TJ Atoms (ODB), Siddiq Saunderson (Ghostface Killah),Marcus Callender (Power), Shameik Moore (Raekwon), Dave East (Method Man), Johnell Young (GZA) and the show’s co-creator RZA. The Abbott, the leader of the Wu, talks about being a family man, how to deal with the “baby mamas,” the true meaning of family and along with his views on the show. Also, all parties gets quizzed on the Wu-Tang Clan and their favorite classic albums from the collective.

Check out the interviews below and stream the series on Hulu.

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Aspect Zavi Is The Talk Of The Music Industry With New Single, “Get Away”

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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Chicago native, Aspect Zavi has been very consistent with dropping back to back bangers as fans beg for more. Now, Zavi is back again with another hit record to bless the ears of all who listen. Aspect Zavi was one of the first 5 users to ever utilize Instagram & TikTok. Zavi at just 23 years old is considered a viral icon. It’s no surprise everything he drops goes viral!

In 2010, Zavi had the longest running viral video on Vine before they deleted the application which Zavi again was one of the top 5 users on the platform. Since 2010, Zavi has been goong viral consistently on a yearly basis developing meaningful relationships with iconic artists of today including, Tory Lanez, Lil Uzi Vert, Paris Hilton, Soulja Boy, Brandy, Ray J , Famous Dex, Bobby Schmurda, Cary Miller & more.

Recently, Zavi released a new hit record called,  “Get Away” which is available on all streaming platforms. This track depicts life’s struggles and needing to get away to collect oneself and revitalize strength only to return with all the determination and prowess needed to overcome any obstacles.

Listen to “Get Away”

Bishop The Overseer Exercises Some Healthy “Civil Disobedience” in His Latest Visual

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Music
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Inspired by the historical events depicted in the motion picture “Birth of a Nation,” Bishop The Overseer releases the fourth single from his upcoming album “Nation of Immigrants.”

Produced by Tone Jonez, “Battle Cry” contains a controversial lyric anomaly and exemplary music performance by Bishop The Overseer depicting past and present injustices in the United States. Consisting of over 40 individual elements in its creative development, “Battle Cry” masterfully embodies the theme of revolution that inspires the oppressed to fight for change.

Bishop’s new music video artfully captures the visualization of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, Middle Passage, slavery in the United States, and the American Civil War as compared to the Reconstruction Era and the new slave trade through Convict Leasing (the Industrial Prison Complex).

Almost four years in the making, Verse 1 artfully articulates Nat Turner’s slave rebellion in August 1831. Verse 2 recalls the events leading up to and during the American Civil War. Verse 3 masterfully compares the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade to Reconstruction Era (Post-American Civil War) public policies, namely Convict Leasing, citing the Industrial Prison Complex as the new slave trade as provided for under the 13th Amendment.

“Battle Cry” carefully follows a timeline of historical events pre/post-Civil War in the ongoing fight for justice, equality, and civil rights as contained within the upcoming album “Nation of Immigrants.”

“Battle Cry – Civil Disobedience“ follows Bishop’s chart-topping single “Runnin Back“ and his hit single “Unconditional.”

EXCLUSIVE: Pras Lawyers Accused of Sharing Confidential Info To Influence Jury Pool

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Exclusives
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The legal troubles of Pras Michele, a member of the renowned music group The Fugees, have taken a new turn. 

Recently, it was revealed that his lawyers stand accused of sharing confidential information with Bloomberg, including salacious details about celebrity figures such as Kim Kardashian, violating the court’s Protective Order.

On March 2, 2023, Bloomberg published two related articles, one detailing Michel’s conduct mainly from his perspective and incorporating defense themes of innocent alternative explanations for his dealings with Low, government targeting, disproportionate punishment, and vindictive prosecution. 

According to court documents, Pras Michele’s defense counsel provided government discovery, including grand jury material, to Bloomberg reporters for publication in the two defense-oriented articles a month before trial. 

The Feature Article quotes or cites the defense counsel eight times and includes two photographs of Michel with Presidents Biden and Clinton, which the defense counsel provided to the government.

The documents also featured a wild story about Kim Kardashian receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash stuffed in trash bags from Low after a night of gambling and taking the cash back in her carry-on luggage on a commercial flight. 

There was also a tale of how Low wanted to give Kim a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat, but her then-husband Kanye West made her text Low to say “they don’t like Basquiat and instead wanted a Monet” because the rap star thought Low was lying about the priceless gift.

The Bloomberg articles refer to a cache of previously undisclosed FBI and Justice Department documents as providing much of the content for the story. 

It includes a photo presented to the grand jury in this investigation depicting one of the political fundraising events at issue in the 2012 conspiracy, complete with the government’s grand jury sticker.

The feds claim the articles narrated an extrajudicial defense to the media to influence the jury pool shortly before the trial. This disclosure was willful and violated the court’s Protective Order.

Pras Michele is accused of taking millions of dollars from 1MDB and Jho Low, among other charges, and donating to Obama’s campaign using straw donors. 

The superseding indictment alleges that between May and November 2012, Michel, Low, and others agreed to use Low’s money to make illegal foreign and conduit contributions to political committees supporting a candidate for the Office of the President of the United States.

The government claims that the contributions aimed to secure access to the candidate at fundraising events. 

The indictment also alleges that between March 2017 and January 2018, Michel secretly agreed with Low to lobby the Trump Administration and DOJ to drop the investigation of Low for his role in the embezzlement of billions of dollars from 1MDB.

The recent accusations against Pras Michele’s lawyers of sharing confidential information with Bloomberg have only added to his legal woes. 

The alleged violation of the court’s Protective Order is a severe offense and could have far-reaching consequences for Pras Michele’s legal team. 

It remains to be seen how this development will impact the trial in a case that has already garnered considerable attention.

New California Law Overturns Rapper’s Conviction Because Prosecutor Used Lyrics In Trial

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Many rappers have been on alert after multiple prosecutors have sought to use their lyrics as a way to convict them of violent crimes. California is one state that has legislated provisions to protect rapper’s civil rights to freedom of speech and expression.

This new law was put test in the case of 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.

According to ABC 7 News, a court has ruled that the video should not have been admitted as evidence during the trial, adding that it was prejudicial based on the recently passed law (2022) that went into motion this year.

The appeals court suggested that racial stereotypes and bias were introduced into the criminal proceedings by allowing rap lyrics into evidence. “(A) substantial body of research shows a significant risk of unfair prejudice when rap lyrics are introduced into evidence.”

Venable was acussed of being the diver in a 2019 drive-by shooting. He told the court he was at home, but one witness said he was there.

There was no video to show that Venable was there, but the man does appear in a video where he is in the background holding a gun. He never says anything but a line in the rap lyric references the drive-by and the prosecutor tied him to that crime with that thread.

The appeals court writes, “There’s no question. the trial judge’s admission of the rap evidence, in this case, did not comply with the new requirements for admission of creative expression. There’s also substantial concern that admitting the evidence may have had the precise effects the Legislature sought to avoid.”

Adding, “Most of the people who appear in the video are young Black men. Venable appeared in the video, but he didn’t say anything. … Nothing in the song indicates the rapper or others in the video had personal knowledge or involvement in the shooting, only that they had heard about it. The prosecution nevertheless placed a lot of emphasis on the video.”

“…we conclude the admission of the rap video without the new safeguards was prejudicial to Venable. .. The prosecution’s emphasis of the rap video at various points in the trial, including in closing arguments, likely had an effect on the outcome,” the court concluded.

This does not mean Venable is free. It means the case will most likely go back to trial later in the Spring.

The District Attorney is deciding if a new trial will be sought.

Kim Kardashian Received Trashbags Full Of Cash From International Fugitive

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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As the United States government seeks to convict Malaysian financier Jho Low of mismanagement of money, several celebrities are being names in the investigation.

According to Page Six, names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kim Kardashian have been brought in and questioned by the FBI in reference to the disgraced billionaire.

As far as the former Mrs. Kanye West, one allegation involves a story about her partying with Low in Las Vegas and receiving “trash bags of cash.”

Previously undisclosed documents noted that the law enforcement agency was trying to see if either celebrity is connected to his embezzlement case.

The source reports that in 2019, while she was married to the G.O.O.D. Music executive, the FBI was told by Kardashian that she partied with DiCaprio and Low in a private room past 5 a.m. The parties were. Playing baccarat into the early morning.

At a certain point, she said she wanted to leave but one of her friends told her to stay. The connect informed Kardashian, he’d “heard stories of Low giving people chips at the end of the night.”

The FBI records claim she “stayed and ended winning big on one game,” but when she went to “give all her chips back to Low,” he told her to keep them.

She gladly cashed $350,000 in winning and walked away (after cashing the chips in), she was given “a trash bag full of one-hundred-dollar bills,” worth $250,000.

The feds said the now billionaire “put the trash bag full of cash in her carry-on bag and boarded a Southwest Airlines flight back to Los Angeles.”

She would later receive another six-figures during a different party session with Low. This subsequent trip to Vegas, she took home $100,000. Like before, she took it home in a trash bag.

This was one of the last times she connected with him.

She met him in 2009 and in 2011, when she was married to Kris Humphries, Low gave her $305,000 as a wedding gift.

The FBI also noted that Low tried to give Kardashian some expensive gifts, not just money. In 2014, Kardashian informed Ye of Low’s desire to give her a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting.

The “Jesus Walks” chart topper did not shut it down completely, as one might have expected. Instead, he “made Kardashian text Low and say that they don’t like Basquiat and instead wanted a Monet.”

Kardashian told the FBI this was to “mess with Low because both [she] and West found Low to be very fickle when giving gifts and never expected to actually receive a painting.”

The international embezzlement scandal is still under investigation and Low maintains, he has done nothing wrong.

Jussie Smollett Attempting To Reverse Conviction For Committing Hate Crime Against Himself

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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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.

De La Soul Talks Seeing Themselves In Odd Future

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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2023 has already been a bittersweet year for De La Soul.

The legendary Hip Hop group lost founding member David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur on February 12. A few weeks later, De La Soul’s music catalog finally became available on streaming services.

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 Drops ‘Creed III’ Soundtrack Featuring J. Cole, Big Sean, J.I.D. & More

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Creed III arrived in American theaters today (March 3). A Dreamville Records/Interscope Records-backed movie soundtrack accompanied Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut as well.

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’s Revenge 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.

Travis Scott’s Alleged Assault Victim Speaks Out

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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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.

Robert Townsend Says Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion Asked To Star In ‘B.A.P.S.’ Remake

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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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 the Hustlers movie. Megan appeared on the P-Valley television show.

C-Murder On Hunger Strike After Health “Significantly Declined,” Claims Denied Medical Treatment   

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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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.  

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A post shared by Corey Miller (@cmurder)

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. 

Mike Tyson Confronts Blueface & Chrisean Rock Over Physical Fights 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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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. 

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A post shared by HOLLYWOOD UNLOCKED (@hollywoodunlocked)

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 Links With J-Hope Of BTS Fame On New Song & Video ‘On The Street’ 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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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.  

Nicki Minaj Sends Internet Into A Frenzy With New Single ‘Red Ruby Da Sleeze’ 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Nicki Minaj is back! 

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. 〽️🅱️🐝 “ 

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A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj)

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.  

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A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj)

Melle Mel Says Eminem Wouldn’t Be On Any Top Rappers List If He Was Black

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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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.”

Listen to Melle Mel below.

Lil Mosey Acquitted Of Rape In Washington

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CpTPfWjj7Cq/?hl=en

EXCLUSIVE: 50 Cent Beef With Remy Martin Over As Settlement Talks Being Finalized

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: Exclusives
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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.

EXCLUSIVE: Kanye Says He Hasn’t Made Any Profits From Stem Player; Sample Case Goes To Mediation

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: Exclusives
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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.

Grandmaster Flash Makes Appearance On ‘Masked Singer’ Show

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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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.