Nigerian recording artist Burna Boy used the names of Malcolm X and Louis Farrakhan during a conversation about Black Americans. The Afrobeats star still has to respond to some previous comments he made about African descendants in the United States.
“Let’s use America,” answered Burna Boy earlier this year when asked about the importance of the African diaspora returning to the continent. “Why do you think Chinese Americans have their respect? They don’t go through the things that African Americans go through.”
He continued, “You know why? Because the Chinese American has a base. He actually knows where he’s from in China. Italian Americans know where their grandparents came from in Italy… Same goes for everyone else except African-Americans.”
Online Commenters Took Issue With Burna’s Remarks
Apparently, those comments from Burna Boy angered some social media users. In March, the I Told Them… album creator took to Instagram to respond to the backlash. He posted, in part, “I believe coming together as brothers and sisters is the only way forward to US Black people worldwide.”
Complex recently caught up with Burna Boy for an interview. The 32-year-old Grammy Award winner once again addressed the controversy surrounding his previous remarks about African-Americans and the African diaspora.
Burna Boy: My Mission Is Too Divine For Stupid S###
“My mission is to bring us together. My mission is to build a bridge that can’t be broken, a bridge that should’ve always been there,” said Burna. “So for me, that’s not really relevant. I don’t really look at none of that because I feel like when people say that they have their own agendas.”
The singer/songwriter also added, “There’s nothing I said that Malcolm X didn’t say. There’s nothing I said that The Honorable Louis Farrakhan didn’t say. But, obviously, it’s Burna Boy saying it and he’s from Africa… All that’s beneath me. My mission and my movements [are] too divine for stupid s### like that.”
Burna Boy’s seventh studio LP, I Told Them…, features GZA, 21 Savage, Dave, Seyi Vibez, RZA and J. Cole. The project joins a discography that also contains albums like 2018’s Outside, 2019’s African Giant, 2020’s Twice as Tall and 2022’s Love, Damini.
Yesterday (August 23), news broke that law enforcement officers raided the California home of Polo G. A lawyer representing the Chicago-bred rapper, born Taurus Bartlett, addressed the situation.
Apparently, police obtained a search warrant in connection to a robbery which allowed investigators to enter the Los Angeles residency. According to reports, the cops detained Polo G and several other individuals.
Polo G’s attorney, Bradford Cohen, issued a statement to XXL. Cohen downplayed his client’s involvement in any illegal activities. He essentially warned the authorities of forthcoming actions from the entertainer’s camp.
“The incident surrounded someone staying in Polo’s home and not Polo directly,” stated Bradford Cohen. “The officers have detained Polo to ‘verify’ that he is not a convicted felon, as they assert a firearm was found in the home. It is widely known that Polo is not a convicted felon and never was a convicted felon.”
The criminal defense specialist added, “I personally got all his charges in Miami dismissed when he was in our opinion wrongfully arrested and charged. They have refused to allow us access to our client which is also an illegal and unethical practice and someone will have to answer for these new wrongful actions.”
Previously, Miami police officers arrested Polo G in 2021. The “Rapstar” hitmaker faced battery of an officer and threatening a public servant felonies as well as other misdemeanors. Prosecutors eventually dropped all of the charges. Bartlett had to complete a Pre-Trial Intervention program.
Additionally, Polo G plans to drop his fourth studio album, Hood Poet, on September 15. The 24-year-old Columbia recording artist hinted at possibly retiring after this next body of work makes its way to DSPs next month.
Rumors have been circulating that singer/actress Halle Bailey is pregnant by her boyfriend, rapper DDG. Halle’s sister, Chloe Bailey, addressed the speculation.
“Y’all better keep my sister’s name out of your mouth. Thank you,” said Chloe Bailey in an Instagram Live video. The Beyoncé protégé continued, “Bout to get me riled the hell up.”
Fox Soul’s Claudia Jordan and Funky Dineva discussed the pregnancy rumors surrounding Halle Bailey on their show. At one point, Dineva had some negative things to say about the older Bailey sister.
“Chloe Bailey is so g###### lame to me,” Funky Dineva expressed. “First of all, girl, you are Miss Preppy Ashley from the suburbs. Then you came out being all promiscuous, and now you’re trying to be a gangster. None of it is f###### believable.”
The gossip blogger also stated, “And I’m probably gonna catch a lot of backlash for this, and without that makeup, she ain’t cute. She never should’ve shown up on that camera with that fat-ass face without no makeup.”
Fans Believe Halle Bailey Threw Shade At Funky Dineva
It appears Chloe Bailey got wind of Funky Dineva’s comments. On Wednesday night, after the Fox Soul segment went viral, the Swarm actress tweeted, “Lol, people be so mad at your happiness. Get help.”
Halle Bailey quoted her sibling’s post and added, “They need help immediately!!!!” Neither woman specifically mentioned Funky Dineva, but many social media users took their messages as clapbacks directed at the internet personality.
The Bailey sisters originally built a fanbase as the musical act Chloe x Halle. They earned four Grammy Award nominations, including a Best New Artist nod at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.
Both Chloe Bailey and Halle Bailey also appeared as part of the Grown-ish cast. Halle went on to secure the lead role in Disney’s The Little Mermaid movie. Chloe starred in Donald Glover’s Swarm television show.
Atlanta-based recording artist/music executive Jermaine Dupri played a major role in the rise of his hometown’s music scene. He founded the So So Def Recordings label in 1993.
Jermaine Dupri will celebrate 30 years of So So Def with a two-night event in Atlanta’s Central Park. The 30th Anniversary So So Def Festival takes place on October 7 and October 8.
The event will host performances by So So Def-associated acts like Xscape, Jagged Edge, Anthony Hamilton, Da Brat, TLC, Dem Franchize Boyz and Youngbloodz. More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings released numerous memorable albums such as Xscape’s Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha, Da Brat’s Funkdafied, Jagged Edge’s J.E. Heartbreak and Lil’ Bow Wow’s Beware of Dog.
So So Def was also the label home of the Hip-Hop duo Kris Kross. Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith and the late Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly became mainstream stars thanks to their No. 1 hit “Jump” in 1992.
Additionally, Jermaine Dupri dropped his own studio albums – 1998’s Life in 1472 and 2001’s Instructions. The record company also released Jermaine Dupri Presents… So So Def 25 compilation in 2018.
Dupri has been in the news lately for his comments about the lack of Hip-Hop 50th-anniversary celebrations in Atlanta. Earlier this month, he posted, “Just for the record! No brands have done any dinners or get-togethers in Atlanta celebrating the 50 anniversary of Hip-Hop. That’s Crazy!!!”
North London drill rapper Dsavv hopped on Instagram to livestream a standoff with prison guards.
On Thursday (August 23), a video surfaced of Dsavv taunting guards on his prison wing as he live streamed the standoff to his Instagram followers.
In the clip, Dsavv baited a rival drill crew and rapped lyrics from one of his songs. He also insulted the guards despite them surrounding him. Prison officers equipped with riot shields can be seen on all sides of the rapper as even more stream into the wing.
The video doesn’t show how the altercation gets resolved. However, it’s unlikely to have ended well for Dsavv.
Dsavv Sentenced To Over Six Years For Armed Robberies
A member of North-London-based drill collective OFB, Dsavv whose real name is Daniel Boakye, was jailed earlier this year for his role in a spate of armed robberies. In just over six months, he and three other teenagers stole £115,000 worth of cryptocurrency from victims at knifepoint.
They forced victims to hand over the passwords to their devices in order to access their cryptocurrency. Dsavv and the others would then siphon off the virtual currency into “hot wallets.”
They were arrested after detectives discovered the group used stolen bank information to order takeout to their home addresses.
In July, Dsavv was sentenced to six years and five months’ imprisonment.
Detective Constable James Green, of the Specialist Crime Command said in a statement: “In total, there were 19 robberies within the conspiracy in which 26 people were robbed. During my career as a police officer I have not come across criminals of such a cowardly nature. The group singled out innocent members of the public whilst armed with weapons in order to rob them of their mobile phones and digital currencies. They would insinuate that the victims were members of an opposing gang, whilst all knew that these were innocent members of the public.”
Nicki Minaj is hitting back against an alleged swatter who called the cops to her home, naming and shaming them on social media after taking legal action.
Last month, cops responded to a 911 caller claiming somebody had been shot at the rap superstar’s Los Angeles home. L.A. County Sheriff deputies swarmed her San Fernando Valley, leaving the “Barbie World” hitmaker reportedly furious.
However, Nicki Minaj has seemingly tracked down the alleged perpetrator and brought charges against them. She took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday (August 23) to ask “the woman who made those swatting calls to my home,” if it was worth it before calling them “Dumbo.”
While she initially kept their identity under wraps, she followed up with another post naming the alleged swatter. Directing her message to “Stephanie Bell,” Nicki Minaj warned, “A warrant is in the system.”
Minaj also praised the “Great detective work,” of the authorities, adding she is “So grateful.”
According to Nicki Minaj, “The DA filed one count for the swatting call and one for the false report to DCFS.” She concluded her post, “To God be the glory.”
Stephanie Bell
A warrant is in the system. Great detective work. So grateful. The DA filed one count for the swatting call and one for the false report to DCFS.
Although fans in the replies backed her quest for justice, anybody named Stephanie Bell was quaking in their boots. Nicki Minaj’s loyal fanbase, “The Barbz,” is known to track down her haters and exert their own social media vigilante justice, and the alleged swatter was no different.
“idc which stephanie bell it is, she knows who she is and she can’t outrun what’s coming to her,” wrote one fan. “nicki will ALWAYS get the last laugh and that’s just that on that.”
idc which stephanie bell it is, she knows who she is and she can’t outrun what’s coming to her. nicki will ALWAYS get the last laugh and that’s just that on that. pic.twitter.com/p0WdoRyhIP
Nicki said Stephanie Bell once side think it the detective, another side fighting with all the Stephanie Bell’s on facebook & another side under a lawyer post saying sorry cuz she got swung on 😭😭pic.twitter.com/be4XZfb3Z9
Drake has volunteered his services to 50 Cent after the G-Unit founder jokingly complained that he doesn’t get treated like the Canadian superstar.
In a hilarious video shared on Instagram earlier this week, Fiddy teased his staff for not giving him the Drake treatment and complained that fans don’t toss their bras at him, unlike Champagne Papi.
“They don’t treat Drake like this,” 50 Cent began. “Drake, they throw him bras. What do I get?”
Fiddy then asked a staffer, “please go get me some Drake fans,” before teasing, “S### just don’t feel right, I need to feel special around here. I need them to treat me like I’m Drake.”
Drake caught wind of 50 Cent’s post and stepped up to help his fellow rapper. He shared the post on his Instagram Story Wednesday (August 23) alongside several crying-with-laughter emojis and a proposal.
“Fif lemme pull up for a pep talk,” Drake offered, tagging 50 Cent.
The OCO honcho has credited 50 Cent as a significant influence on his rapping style. “’21 Questions’ will probably be my most inspiring example of a guy who’s not supposed to be singing, singing,” Drake revealed in his 2019 Rap Radar interview.
50 Cent returned the compliment during an interview with Variety the following year. He branded Drake’s remarks ” the coolest s### in the world for him to say.” However, Fiddy did concede, “I can’t sing as good as he sings.”
Newly single Summer Walker does not want any potential suitors, in fact, she’s doing her best to avoid them at all costs.
The “White Tee” hitmaker recently broke up with her Power actor boyfriend Lil Meech, following rumours he was unfaithful during their relationship. Since then, Summer Walker has been partying with her friends and having fun. She recently went viral on a night out with celeb pals Sexyy Red, Sukihana and Saucy Santana. She ended up twerking upside down on a car roof following a wild night out.
However, she’s not in any rush to return to the dating scene, as shown in a hilarious new TikTok. Using the popular “How to Dress to Attract a Man” tutorial sound, Summer Walker demonstrated that she’s going to do anything but.
Rule No. 1 instructs ladies to “Make sure your hair is always long and lustrous and never put up.” However, Summer Walker quickly ditched her long wig to don a cute (albeit rule-breaking) blond afro.
The violations continued as the R&B songstress put on a country maid-style dress that wouldn’t look out of place in a period drama instead of showing a little skin as the rules directed.
In place of “dainty and delicate” footwear, Summer Walker stomped around in a pair of eye-catching pirate boots, completely flouting the guidelines.
After swamping herself in a boxy blazer rather than showing off her waist, Walker completely disregarded the rules, completing her fit with a black ski mask and a pair of flower power shades. She pulled a funny face, grimacing to the camera rather than wearing the “pleasant expression’ the rules dictated. Watch the funny TikTok below.
Plies wants to know why Donald Trump is still eligible to run for president while facing a stack of charges when your average citizen wouldn’t get a job at a fast-food restaurant if they were on bond for multiple RICO charges.
The “I Got Motion” hitmaker took to X (formerly) Twitter Wednesday (August 23) to share his thoughts.
“How U Can Be Facing 230 Years In Prison & Out On 4 Bonds. An Still Can Run For The Highest Office In The Land The President Of The United States Of America,” he asked. “But Couldn’t Get A Job At @ChickfilA If U Was Facing Them Same Charges!!”
Can Somebody Explain To Me How U Can Be Facing 230 Years In Prison & Out On 4 Bonds. An Still Can Run For The Highest Office In The Land The President Of The United States Of America. But Couldn’t Get A Job At @ChickfilA If U Was Facing Them Same Charges!!
In a follow-up post, Plies clarified his point, explaining that he’s not questioning Donald Trump running for office. Instead, he wants to know why an average person with Trump’s charges couldn’t get a job frying burgers. He also queried why everybody seemed to be okay with it.
“What I Don’t Understand Is How If U Was Facing The Same Charges U Couldn’t Get A Job At @ChickfilA Or Anywhere Else!” he added. “So How Can Anyone Be Cool With Hiring Someone Facing The Same Charges To Become The President Of The United States?”
“Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices,” Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat told reporters. “It doesn’t matter your status. We have a mugshot ready for you.”
In a recent interview on V-103 Atlanta District Attorney Fani Willis insisted Trump won’t get special treatment.
“If the law has been broken then we have a duty and responsibility to bring charges,” she explained. “No one is beneath the protection of the law and no one is above the law.”
Donald Trump has until noon today (August 25), to surrender himself to authorities in Fulton County.
Former president Donald Trump is expected to turn himself in to Fulton County authorities on Thursday (August 24) on multiple RICO charges stemming from the 2020 election. Leading the charge is Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who recently sat down with V-103-Atlanta for an extensive interview. During the conversation, Willis how she came to the conclusion it was her duty to bring charges against the divisive personality.
“I went to the mountains and I prayed about it and what God told me is I’m the right person at the right time to do this job,” she said. “As long as he and the voters of Fulton County think that I’m appropriate to sit here I’m going to work really hard to make them proud and do a good job.”
Willis handed down the indictment on Monday (August 14). Trump and 18 others—including Rudy Giuliani, attorneys John Eastman and Sidney Powell and former Georgia GOP Chairman David Shafer—were all named in the documents. It marks the fourth indictment of Trump, who already faces federal charges in the special counsel’s January 6 and classified documents probes, as well as the Manhattan District Attorney’s hush money case. He’s the first president in history to ever be indicted. Trump and the co-other defendants have until Friday (August 25) to voluntarily surrender to authorities.
“At this point, based on guidance received from the District Attorney’s Office and presiding judge, it is expected that all 19 defendants named in the indictment will be booked at the Rice Street Jail,” the sheriff’s office said.
Elsewhere in the interview, Willis talked about the challenges she faces as a Black woman handling such high-profile cases.
“I think we teach our children from very young ages, it’s kind of not what they call you, it’s what you answer to,” she said. “So with all of the negativity that comes my way, I truly, in the words of Jay-Z, brush my shoulders off and we just keep it pushing.”
Trump has agreed to a $200,000 bond—and as history as proven, he won’t be quiet about it either.
Lizzo’s attorney Marty Singer plans to sue three of her former dancers, who sued her for sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.
Singer claimed Arianna Davis, Noelle Rodriguez and Crystal Williams’ lawsuit was “irreparably damaged” in a statement to multiple outlets. The lawyer cited evidence of the dancers agreeing to more tour dates in April and smiling with Lizzo in photos, which were taken after the incidents detailed in their lawsuit.
“The lawsuit is a sham,” Singer said. “Lizzo intends to sue for malicious prosecution after she prevails and these specious claims are dismissed.”
Davis, Rodriguez and Williams’ attorney Neama Rahmani dismissed Singer’s description of the case. Rahmani rejected the notion of any photos disproving his client’s allegations.
“We’ve addressed all these instances where the plaintiffs appear to be happy alongside Lizzo during their time working with her,” Rahmani told Deadline. “Of course, they wanted to keep their jobs. They had bills to pay just like everyone else but they finally had enough of the abuse. We stand by every claim in the lawsuit and look forward to trial.”
Davis, Rodriguez and Williams said they were subjected to abuse, racial discrimination and weight shaming while working for Lizzo. The Atlantic Records artist denied any wrongdoing.
“Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations, but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed,” Lizzo said. “These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”
More people may join the lawsuit against Lizzo. The plaintiffs’ attorneys are reviewing additional claims of abuse and harassment brought to them by other former dancers.
Jeezy opened up about his battle with depression in his new memoir Adversity For Sale: Ya Gotta Believe. The multi-platinum-selling rapper discussed the book and his mental health in an interview with Vulture.
“I didn’t always have the wording or the tools to understand what I was going through,” he said. “So as mental health became a topic of conversation, I started to learn and dive into how that could affect me. Because I felt like if I can do that, then I can take what I’ve learned and pass it to my culture. As a Black man, we don’t really lean into that because we’re taught that’s weak. I was depressed, my mental health was off, and I went on the journey, and I’m still on the journey. Today, I can say that I’m honestly in a better place.”
Jeezy thought it was important to cover the topic of mental health in his book. He shared his story to encourage others who might be wary of counseling or therapy.
“You can have all the money in the world, but if your mental health ain’t right, you’re not going to be able to enjoy it the way you want to enjoy it, and you’re going to spiral out of control,” he said. “I just want to put that in the book in a way that people can look at it and see the trauma in it, and then they wouldn’t look at it as weakness. They would look at it as, ‘I need to take a page out of Jeezy’s book because I’m going through these same issues.’”
Jeezy’s Adversity For Sale dropped in August. He narrated the audiobook version of the memoir, which was published by HarperCollins.
It appears Earl Sweatshirt is working his magic in an attempt to coax Frank Ocean back to the stage for the first time since his Coachella debacle earlier this year.
Earlier this month, the Odd Future alumnus held a special 10-year anniversary concert in Los Angeles in honor of the release of his acclaimed album Doris. The exclusive show was a reunion of sorts, highlighted by Tyler, The Creator and Earl’s performance of the LP’s breakout single, “Woah,” and a near-full portrait photo of foundational members of the Odd Future rap collective.
Something was missing from the moment, though, and Earl seemingly addressed it during a recent live performance in the days after the Doris anniversary concert. According to the “Chum” lyricist, Frank Ocean was supposed to be stageside at his L.A. show—where Earl joked he intended to force the “Nikes” vocalists to the stage with him to perform their hit collab, “Sunday.”
“At the LA show, I wanted to have that n###a Frank [Ocean] on the side of the stage so that when I did ‘Sunday’ I could be like, ‘Frank, getcho’ ass out here!'” Earl said. He continued, “I’m going to work it out, by the time I get to New York I’m going to do some s###—I’m figure this out.”
Earl takes the stage on Wednesday night (August 23) in New York at Brooklyn Steel, and there’s no telling if Frank will actually show. However, Earl and the Alchemist will be in London on August 25 for the final show before the release of their collaborative album, Voir Dire—which I can only imagine will have some sort of supporting promotional tour. The album also has an unknown feature intact within the 11-son tracklist structure, and I have a feeling the feature could be from none other than Frank himself. Although, Earl was just recently spotted in the studio with Yasiin Bey Mos Def.)
Earl Sweatshirt says he wanted Frank Ocean to be at the LA show to perform 'Sunday'.
Earl also says he wants to work something out for tomorrow night at the New York show. pic.twitter.com/d7WhJlFE4A
So in essence, there’s still hope that Earl will indeed work something out to get Frank to touch the stage with him soon for a live rendition of “Sunday.” But he has his work cut out for him in doing so. It’s been nearly four months since Frank’s ill-received Coachella set and there still appears to be no sign of the reclusive singer.
Big Sean and his partner, Jhené Aiko, are reportedly asking a judge to give them a court order of protection to keep a crazed stalker away from their family. According to TMZ, the couple has been nervous about a fan named Ian Craig Lees, 29, who allegedly snuck into their Pacific Palisades property.
Aiko said this person has a thing specifically for her. On Monday (August 21), Aiko filed a temporary restraining order, claiming he’d been trying to get to her. Lees has been attending her shows and special events where she’s appearing. The singer claims everything escalated when he got into a fight with the residential security earlier this month.
Aiko sought a court order to prevent the man from coming within 100 yards of her, Big Sean or their children, but her request was turned down. Instead, a court hearing has been scheduled for September 14 to address Lees’ behavior and determine the subsequent actions.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is arguably one of the most important justice figures in Georgia. By shifting the climate of law enforcement, she’s simultaneously made herself beloved and despised.
In a recent interview on V-103 Atlanta, she spoke about two huge cases that have the District Attorney in the spotlight. She also mentioned how both cases are being held to the same standards as everyone else in the county.
The first case she discussed on the radio show was the case against Donald Trump and the way she has been treated because she’s a Black woman on the case.
When asked how Willis feels, she said, “I think we teach our children from very young ages, it’s kind of not what they call you, it’s what you answer to. So with all of the negativity that comes my way, I truly, in the words of Jay-Z, brush my shoulders off and we just keep it pushing.”
“That is not going to deter me from doing my job. I am very very honored to sit in this seat. I’ve worked very very hard to be here. I’ve been practicing law for over 27 years now. I have a degree from one of the best schools in the country Howard University and Emory School of Law (right here in Atlanta Georgia).”
Willis continued, “I’ve been a prosecutor for over 20 years. I have tried, personally, well in excess of 100 cases, most of them homicides. I’m credited with trying the longest case in the state of Georgia’s history. I’ll let my credentials speak for themselves.”
Willis said she pulled together a “Dream Team” of 380 dedicated employees to serve alongside her. When it came to the Trump case, she said she and her team looked at the facts and saw there were allegations of a crime. She said if the facts were strong enough, they would build a case.
“If the law has been broken then we have a duty and responsibility to bring charges,” she said. “No one is beneath the protection of the law and no one is above the law.”
Regarding the case with the former president, Trump expected to turn himself in under RICO charges and has been granted a bond of $200,000.
“Right now, the process that we’re in with all 19 defendants, is if they would like we’re working out consent bonds,” Willis said. “This is a process that I’ve used before in many cases. The Atlanta Public Schools, we follow the exact same process. We’ve allowed all the defendants until noon on this Friday to turn themselves in.”
She said if people don’t turn themselves in “a warrant will be filed on the system.” When talking about the YSL Case, she was equally direct and to the point, not releasing new news but sharing her perspective on what her office is doing. She said her office is at jury selection in the YSL Case. She also said her team and their lawyers are “arguing motions.”
When it came down to offering them bonds she said they considered the AYALA case.
“[The AYALA case] gives you the factors to consider,” she said. “One of them is your ties to the community. As a prosecutor, you look and say that this person has ties to the community. One thing you look at is criminal histories because you have to decide ‘will they likely to commit another crime?’ Another is, ‘Are they going to intimidate or threaten witnesses?’”
She said all of those factors will determine if someone gets a bond. She insisted she treats everyone the same way, regardless of their race, financial status or relationships in society.
A man stabbed Blueface in the leg while the rapper was training at a boxing gym in the Los Angeles area on Wednesday (August 23). The West Coast artist suffered an injury that will keep him from competing in a boxing match against internet personality Salt Papi.
“I won’t be able to fight October 14th due to a injury won’t have enough time to heal don’t say I ducked none bro came with a dog an a knife at 10am,” Blueface wrote on Instagram.
Blueface posted footage of his attacker confronting him at the gym. He did not know his assailant, identifying the man as “some random guy” in an Instagram Stories post.
Video of the incident showed the unidentified man threatening Blueface, who was training with a heavy bag. Trainer David Kaminsky tried to step in, but the confrontation quickly became an altercation.
The stabber pulled a knife after Blueface punched the man several times. The rapper provided a brief glimpse of his injury in an Instagram Stories clip. He insisted it wasn’t severe.
“It was just a leg shot, guys,” he said. “I’m OK. Y’all don’t gotta blow up my phone or nothing.”
Swavy is Toronto’s next big superstar. At only 21, the rising star has already accomplished what most would dream of at that age, including working with PARTYNEXTDOOR and Vory alonsgide signing a major label deal with Reps Up Records/Columbia Records. In fact, he’s gotten the cosign from fellow Canada natives Drake and Nav, as well as Future, Meek Mill, and Chris Brown.
Exploding onto the scene with his breakout single “Old Ways,” Swavy arrives with his own sound, own style, and own vulnerability that fans can’t help but relate to. In fact, Swavy’s nickname is The Lone Wolf, someone who’s always felt separated from the pack. Growing up, he was one of six siblings and had dreams of becoming an NFL star. Unfortunately even with financial aid, his family couldn’t afford the difference leaving Swavy no choice but to pursue the music.
In describing himself, Swavy states he’s “a vulnerable artist that gives his story in his music, and gives you guys songs that can’t be replicated. That’s how I feel. My music is one of a kind. My music’s own style. When you hear Swavy, you know that’s Swavy. Swavy’s that kid from Mississauga, a little big city in Toronto. Just hungry for this. Give them his best music, his best shot.”
Swavy recently dropped his newest song titled “Fallback Queen,” featuring Vory following his previous release, “Side Eye,” with standout vocals from PARTYNEXTDOOR.
AllHipHop spoke with Swavy who was posted in Toronto where the weather was finally warming up. Read below as we discuss his sound, roots in Toronto, the inspiration behind “Old Ways,” getting PARTYNEXTDOOR on “Side Eye” and Vory for “Fallback Queen,” getting cosigned by all the greats, how he ended up getting signed, goals, and more!
AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound? It’s so unique.
Swavy: Honestly, my sound is very, very versatile. All over the place. I have the sound for anyone: kids, older, all types of ages. All races, anyone can listen to my music. You can sit down, press play, there’s a song for everyone. I can’t wait to drop my tape, which should be coming soon. Which I’m most excited about because that’s when it will show I’m very versatile as an artist. My sound is versatile and melodic.
AllHipHop: Being from Toronto, what was that like growing up?
Swavy: Toronto means everything. This is the hometown. Some lit kid days, young days. Friends, just playing basketball. Playing football. I wasn’t even really that big into the music. I was always musically-oriented in my family, I play drums at age eight. But as far as taking it serious, I wasn’t serious about it. That wasn’t my serious path, I was a football player actually.
AllHipHop: Were you nice?
Swavy: I was nice, getting offers and everything. Then I got an injury. I played football. I started at age nine, stopped at 16. My older brothers played, so I always wanted to follow their footsteps and be a football player as well. I thought it was gonna be NFL dreams, then that switched and music came back around around age 19. I’ve been doing that ever since, that’s really my thing now.
AllHipHop: Top five artists?
Swavy: Not top five of all time, but my favorites I’d say is Drake, Future, Roddy Ricch, Lil Baby, and Rod Wave. I f### with Rod Wave, gotta go with the mellow.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
Swavy: Swavy didn’t really come from nothing. I was just a wavy ass person when I was little, so let me
put the ‘s’ in front of it. That’s really all, it didn’t really come from nothing to be honest. I was one day thinking I gotta have a stage name. My stage name at first was my actual name. I didn’t like it, I didn’t think it fit, so I switched it. I found Swavy, it just stuck from there.
AllHipHop: What inspired “Fallback Queen”?
Swavy: Fallback Queen was inspired by us having similar situations in women as y’all know we all have that person we go through toxic situations with and we just wanted to use this record to really talk to those toxic women we’ve experienced those situations with as we painted a picture in the song and it’s very relatable
AllHipHop: How did the collab with Vory come about?
Swavy: The collab with Vory was no coincidence as I was already a fan of his artistry and way of putting a story together in his music come to find out he liked my my music as well and he shot me a Dm letting me know he liked my songs “side eye” & “old ways” so from their we ended up linking in La at the house studio and had a deep personal conversation that I wont put out their for the public but basically we had a lot of similarities and the chemistry was just natural it was great vibes and we decided it only made sense for us to make a record for women around the world to listen to but also still make it relatable to the guys and instantly as the beat played I knew it was the one and we both freestyled our parts in 15 minutes off the top and the rest was history I’m glad I gave the fans what they’ve been waiting for I would always see them ask us to collab in comments and we made it happen now y’all can all enjoy!
AllHipHop: “Old Ways” went up for you, who or what inspired this record?
Swavy: I was in a time where I was going through a lot of friendships being broken, a lot of trust being broken. A lot of things being said by people that I once called my friends at the moment.
I wasn’t a person that was ever really involved in the drama, involved in all the politics. I’ve never been that person. That’s not really my whole thing. When I made that song, that’s basically what it came off. It was that vibe: don’t involve me in nothing man. Don’t involve me in the nonsense. It was a song that everyone could relate to. A lot of people get brought into drama that they didn’t ask to be brought into. That’s how that song came about and it did really good. It brought me here.
AllHipHop: You recently dropped “Side Eye,” how did you and PARTYNEXTDOOR link?
Swavy: Funny story, we’re in LA. We’re in the studio and it was a PARTY session. He’s playing beats. He was supposed to be the one using that beat. He played it, he was there vibing. He heard me singing the melodies, in the back behind them. Because I was feeling it, I loved the beat. He heard me like “Yo, you might have to go on there and do your thing.” I said, “Give me the headphones, I’m ready.”
He gave me the headphones. My manager Styles grabbed the headphone, we both sat down. I freestyled that song off the top. Straight emotion, straight vulnerability. PARTY’s like “Yo, this is crazy.” This is definitely the next drop, instantly we felt that vibe from it. It’s doing really good. I’m really happy with it honestly, because that’s my most vulnerable song and my most passionate one that I’ve put out so far. I’m very happy with that one.
AllHipHop: Did a certain female inspire it?
Swavy: A couple females. [laughs] Just a couple.
AllHipHop: Talk about getting cosigns from Drake, Future, Meek. How’d all those happen?
Swavy: Again with “Old Ways,” a lot of people were hearing it and wondering who’s this new kid in town that’s got this whole new sound we haven’t heard, and making a buzz in the city? It’s almost like he came out of nowhere, but he didn’t come out of nowhere. Especially to myself, because I was working and working and working before that song. A lot of them were hearing it. And I was meeting them. I met Future. He told me he really loved the song. My melodies are crazy.
I met Nav, we played it and Nav loved it. Drake heard it like, “Yo, this kid is crazy. He’s outta here.” Reposted it, which gave it obviously even more of a big buzz. Chris Brown posted it, he told me he loves it. It was a lot ofstars reaching out and it was new for me. Definitely new and a blessing at the same time, because it’s what I’ve wanted. It was definitely big to be
acknowledged by people that you had such a high level [of respect for]. Coming up as you’re watching them, you’re seeing them on TV, all your days as a kid, then they’re reaching out to you and you become friends with them. Wow, I’m friends with the person I used to watch on TV. It’s definitely a blessing.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
Swavy: Three things I need in the studio that we do not be having sometimes is water. I need water in the studio because my vocals be getting dry, and there is no water right now as we speak. I need my mic, and I need my phone. Because my phone is really where I be going, in my Notes if I want to think real quick and I put lyrics down. It depends if I’m freestyling or if I’m writing. Sometimes I’ll write, sometimes I’ll freestyle. But 90% of the time, most of my songs really come off the head. My vibe and the melody, I figure out the melodies, that’s where I go about it.
AllHipHop: How did a DM lead you to getting signed to Reps Up Records/Columbia Records?
Swavy: I was on a phone call with my friend Tyler, this was literally a week before I signed. I told him, “I’m gonna quit music.” I was so 100% about it. I was ready to quit, ready to work a regular job. Because I have family here, here, here, here. People in my ear here like, “this isn’t working.” My friend told me to stay down. Something’s gonna happen in the next month, he just feels it.
Over the next week, my manager Styles hit me up and told me he loved my music. He wanted to see potential in me and he wanted to bring me to the studio. I went to the studio and I started recording. They’re like “wow.” They instantly seen the potential. They seen I could sing, something that I wasn’t doing as often or as much vocally and confident when they met me. I started singing. They’re like “yup, new beginnings” at the end of that session. Yo, this feels right. It was genuine vibes, no one was awkward about it. We kept recording recording. They ended up bringing me to Preme.
AllHipHop: Love Preme!
Swavy: Shout out Preme, that’s the big dawg. Preme heard me and seen the potential as well. As I kept going and kept going on, they ended up bringing my music to Colombia. Colombia gave it a shot, and we’re here now. It’s a blessing for sure.
AllHipHop: Did you think you’d be signed this early? How long? Have you been doing music?
Swavy: I started in 2019, COVID time. Definitely didn’t think this at all. A lot of things definitely happened fast in a way. It wasn’t fast, but it was fast at the same time. When you’re there like, “yo, am I here right now?” I’ve had so much of those moments. That’s how I know things went fast, because I can’t even catch up on what I went through probably a week ago. I’m blessed to be here and I don’t get too caught up in it, try to stay true to myself.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from your forthcoming project Different Breed?
Swavy: With my project Different Breed, you can expect a variety of music and topics that will touch people in a deeper meaning. At one point or another, everyone has felt out of place or felt left out, a different breed in a sense so this project shows another side most people don’t talk about. Definitely something many can relate to & caters to all ages, both young and old. You can also expect a piece of who I am and telling my story through each track on the project.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself?
Swavy: Never get too comfortable, never to be too satisfied and to stay hungry. That’s how the best are the best. Tey don’t get too caught up, they don’t get satisfied and content with where they’re at.
They’re always hungry for more and always grinding, staying down. Grinding like they don’t have it. That’s my goal honestly. I hope that I never get too comfortable and be a person that’s okay with not making it to where I want to be.
AllHipHop: What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Swavy: When I’m not working, I’m working. Honestly. Even when I’m in the club, I’m working. You know why? Because I’m there trying to promote myself, I’m there showing my face so that it’s familiar. My music’s being played so people can hear it and put a face to the name. When I’m not working, I’m working. If I’m not in the studio, I’m at the gym. The little free time I get, I go spend with family and friends.
AllHipHop: Are you big into fitness?
Swavy: I am now. I’ve been going five days every single week, in the morning. I’m not the biggest morning person but I had to become that, so I’ve been there for a while now. Health is wealth.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited for next?
Swavy: I’m excited to give them the tape. After the tape, should be planning to go start doing shows. Doing tours, and really getting out there. Traveling more. I love traveling. I love seeing different cities, different states, countries. Seeing people and their accents, all that. I’m definitely really excited for that. Look out, tape and tour coming soon.
Polo G found himself in handcuffs after cops raided his Los Angeles area mansion on Wednesday (August 23). According to TMZ, officers detained him as they tried to figure out if the 24-year-old rapper was harboring a fugitive.
Cops obtained a search warrant in connection to a robbery. Officers were reportedly looking for Polo G’s brother Trench Baby, who posted a video of authorities preparing to raid the mansion.
“Us Marshall’s Got My House Surrounded Gang Wtf?” Trench Baby wrote on Instagram Stories.
Four suspects were taken into custody. Polo G’s attorney Bradford Cohen lambasted cops for detaining his client.
“Polo is being held under the guise that the police department needs to double check that he is not a convicted felon as there was a purported firearm found in the home,” Cohen told TMZ. “He is not and never was a convicted felon.”
Cohen added, “Any previous charges he had I got dismissed and it’s all public record. They are also denying myself and my California law partner Zoey Aron access to him while he is being illegally detained.”
Video of the raid showed Polo G, whose real name is Taurus Bartlett, complying with police orders. He exited the mansion with his hands up and allowed cops to search him.
Ezekiel Miller has taken the world of rap by storm like a proverbial super cyclone. The Philippines native embraces the roles of a Filipino-American vocalist, composer, instrumental virtuoso, dancer and record producer affiliated with FFP Records. His musical palette spans an array of genres, encompassing pop, soul, R&B, Hip-Hop, rock and beyond. He skillfully wields a diverse array of instruments including the guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards/piano. Notably, he secured a groundbreaking achievement as the first Filipino to ink a deal with Virgin Music Hollywood | UMG.
Beyond his musical prowess, Ez Mil radiates profound affection for his family and friends. His humility and generosity are evident as he lends a receptive ear not only to music but also to the narratives of his loved ones. His distinctive style has garnered him the moniker of “the next big thing” among these content creators, who have recognized the fusion of his Hip-Hop compositions with influences drawn from genres like R&B, pop, and innovative sounds. His lyrical tapestry is intricately woven from themes of resilience, love, remorse, life, aspirations and the depth of human emotions.
AllHipHop: First of all, how you doing?
Ez Mil: Good, sir. Just chilling. Woke up like an hour ago.
AllHipHop: Oh, where are you now?
Ez Mil: I live in Vegas.
AllHipHop: Vegas. Oh, you just woke up?Oh man, you’re living a real rap star life now. Were you out or were you working or what were you up to?
Ez Mil: Yeah, kind of on some stuff like songs and just relaying to some people. Yeah, just something like that so far.
AllHipHop: Got you. How long have you been in Vegas?
Ez Mil: About five years.
AllHipHop: Really?
Ez Mil: Yes, sir.
AllHipHop: What made you go there?
Ez Mil: Prices, to be honest. Because L.A. [was expensive]. I entered through Seattle to the States [from The Philippines] and then stayed in L.A. for a year. And then it got a little too hectic in terms of prices over there, man.
AllHipHop: OK. No, I completely understand that. That’s what’s up. So you have to tell me, first of all, AllHipHop is one of the long-running, premiere Hip-Hop sites. And if I’m not mistaken, we were founded the year you were born, which is kind of funny to me.
Ez Mil: That’s crazy.
AllHipHop: I’m cracking up to think about that. But that was actually a really, really, really dope year for hip hop. ’98, right?
Ez Mil:I would say so, because I don’t know what came out that, I wouldn’t be able to tell. But I feel like around when I was growing up as super, super small, Hip-Hop was everywhere.
AllHipHop: I can tell you, though, people like DMX were first coming out. Eminem was actually really starting to roll around that time. He was really beginning to pop off. Jay-Z really found his stride in ’98, he was out before that, but he really started to blow up with his label and everything. So that’s the second coming of Hip-Hop’s greatness, because after Biggie Smalls died and …
Ez Mil: 2Pac?
AllHipHop: 2Pac, yeah, that’s when Hip-Hop started to really come back. So, it’s kind of cool. So how is it for you? Eminem! Let’s just get right into it, I’ll never forget passing on my opportunity to meet Eminem. I was in college at the time and literally there was a thing going on on campus and my friend, my best friend was like, “No, I’m going meet Eminem in Philly.” And I was like, “Nah, I’m good. I’m going to stay at this party.” And that was the last time I really came in his orbit, in a way to meet him. So how was it for you? This is a dream come true for most people.
Ez Mil: Yeah, man, to me it is. For real. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it because before, I just listened to the man, for real, on headphones and then YouTube. And it wouldn’t be too much of that because a lot of the time growing up, your parents, they ain’t going to let you, but it’s the Philippines, so whatever. I listened to him a lot. Him, Kendrick, and A$AP Rocky, and it was just on the media like this. I just see it on whenever we go to computer shops for some internet and to play some games. Sometimes I wouldn’t even be playing games, I’d be on YouTube watching music videos and learning about different stuff.
AllHipHop: Yeah. No, that’s what’s up. Your song, “Realest,” really put you on the map. I mean, you were out there before, but that song really put you on the map. How did that song come about? Did you guys work together on it or were tracks being emailed or what?
Ez Mil: Yes, sir. So in the gist of it, yeah, we ended up working on it together because before even knowing that it was them that we were going to meet, I had already made the beat. So I just came to them and straight off just showed them the heat.
AllHipHop: Now, I saw one of your interviews and you mentioned this has been under your hat, so to speak. A secret, basically. How long have you had to keep it a secret?
Ez Mil: Roughly four months.
AllHipHop: OK, OK. That’s not too long. I think after six …
Ez Mil: Not too long?
AllHipHop: Well, that is kind of forever. That type of secret, yeah, definitely, definitely. Who’s the first person you told? Was it your family? You had to tell somebody.
Ez Mil: Family, because it’s a family business. So just family first and then just implementing. We would be, probably in terms of gatekeeping, before when it comes to the songs and not letting anybody hear it first before it comes out. This was different, man. It was information that, come here, we got to tell you something. It was something. And him being the mogul pioneer that he is, I’m just happy to be under his wing.
AllHipHop: Right, right. And you’re with Dre too. Dr. Dre as well. That’s such a crazy one too. Nobody since 50 Cent has been signed to both of them. That’s literally history. How do you get along with Dre? I mean, you’ve had to have hung around him a little bit, right?
Ez Mil: It’s good. It’s good. I would say it’s generally very good. Because I would say, in terms of the light of the moment as well, of course, it was Em who found me through my “Up Down (Step & Walk)” song, through the music video. And he was the one who brought that to Dre. So just at that moment, initially, hearing anything that Dre has had to say about me, he was curious too about a lot of the things but we just didn’t have much time. We ended up just listening to some songs. And he’s serious about this, bro. At the moment you saw the N.W.A kick in out of him talking to some of my people, and I was like, yeah, tell him. But it’s all cool.
AllHipHop: Yeah, that’s what’s up. You are like a multi threat. I’ve gone down the rabbit hole and I’m like, yo, this guy is so talented. Even down to the death metal, I was like, OK, let me find out. I am a little bit of a secret closeted metalhead myself.
Ez Mil: OK.
AllHipHop: I’m not playing. Obviously all the groups that I like are way before your time, but no, I’m serious. When I need to get out some aggression or I want to lift extra weight when I’m pumping weight, I don’t put on Hip Hop. Or if I do, it’s really hardcore.
Ez Mil: Has to be screaming. Not on some 6ix9ine, the ones who did it better.
AllHipHop: So talk about that, you can play instruments, you come from a musical family. I mean, I honestly can say I see you doing multiple things, not just rapping. What do you see your career path being?
Ez Mil: To be completely honest, if I specify what I would see myself doing further, because of all the things that, like you said, that I’ve done and gotten myself into in terms of the musical variety, I want to hone all of that. This is just looking further, further down the road. Probably to create a genre.
AllHipHop: OK. Create a whole new genre.That’s ambitious.
Ez Mil: I’m not the blip in the category where these new artists, because I relate to them if they go on DistroKid and start putting some stuff out there, and that would be one of the categories, one of those genres. Like, Hop, Blue Grass, and then it’s there. That’s the goal.
AllHipHop: You don’t have a name for it yet, do you?
Ez Mil: Not yet. Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait. I actually do, but I’m still in the drafts of it right now. Yeah.
AllHipHop: I’m a Grammy voting member, by the way, so we’re going to have to be able to vote when it does happen.
Ez Mil: Hey, the good looks, man.
AllHipHop: What is it about Kendrick that you gravitate to?
Ez Mil: Man too much, bro. Too much. Because at this frame of time when I was growing up, like in high school, it was really about also the rebellion state. I wasn’t doing too good in school and he’d just be my rotation. And A$AP Rocky. Specifically why Kendrick? Because of his subject matter and the topics he discusses. It’s literally paralleled what me and my cousins and friends were going through growing up in Olongapo City at that time. Where even my older cousin at the time, she said, “Yo, if you perform ‘Money Trees’ and do a cover, I feel like that. Gold.”
Yeah, yeah, we was really in whatever we was in growing up. So it was just this place of escape for us, to be able to listen to someone who was saying a lot of the things we was doing as well. Because we was really damaged kids, just growing up parentless. I wouldn’t say guardianless, but parentless, yeah.
AllHipHop: Yeah. What about A$AP? He’s very different.
Ez Mil: A$AP Rocky would have to be, I would say the get up and do it and make sure you look the best you can at that time. The fashion sense, like the swag? That’s swag, swag. We was bumping all out through the hood in the skate parks, bro. That was loud, out there. How real is this? I knew them whole people going to be feeling this. That was us, bro.
AllHipHop: There’s bars, there’s rhymes, but there’s also dances, there’s swagger. Is that your ultimate goal? Superstardom? What you aspire to be?
Ez Mil: I guess it’s part of it. I feel like it’ll help the greater cause as to what I’m trying to achieve for not just me and the immediate people around me, but the people. Because Asian American representation in terms of that light and, I don’t know, just what 50 said, maneuvering and … What’s the word that he said? Navigation, how you navigate yourself through the game is a big part of it and I just want to lead it right. And hopefully people learn from my mistakes going across the game. And having probably too much of hope that everybody would just be on your side, but that’s further from the truth. Being able to sift through people right then and there and not work with him and be able to say no.
AllHipHop: Yeah, no is a complete sentence they say. That’s what they say. Have you gotten advice from 50? 50’s really smart. He’s extremely smart.
Ez Mil: No, no, I haven’t. I haven’t. I’d love to. Just interviews.
AllHipHop: Yeah, yeah. OK, I see. No, I’m sure you will though. Now, being from The Philippines I would imagine … I just did a look, and I know Manny Pacquiao of course, but I think you’re rapidly rising as one of the most famous people to come out of The Philippines. A lot of them are politicians and stuff like that, but as far as Hip-Hop, not too much. I think you might be the most famous rapper out of the Philippines. What does that mean for you? And have you felt that type of love, being that representative on the global stage, basically?
Ez Mil: Yeah, definitely, sir. I would say I’m even still overwhelmed in terms of the warmth, in terms of the receiving of me in certain places. Because there was even this one instance where we was just in this party, in a skate rink, and there was this lady that was a family friend of our family friend. And she walked up to me and she was like, “I don’t even deserve to talk to you, sir.” Wow. Still like that, but I’m ready for it, but that’s beautiful to see for me. That’s what it means.
AllHipHop: You rap in multiple languages, your native language. How is it received over there in The Philippines? I literally am just curious. Some places it’s not well received or maybe it’s very, very rebellious. Whereas now, Hip-Hop in America is kind of like pop music.
Ez Mil: Yeah. I would say the Philippines, because the way it’s structured in terms of how people consume the music when it comes to the language barrier and whatnot… I feel like it’s important for artists like me and other ones from other countries, to really use their language that they grew up with in the records as well. Because it’s a way to teach younger generations who don’t even really listen in school. It’s why I feel like, damn I got chills, the influencer effect. Like the Kendrick Lamar and A$AP in that position, I guess. Some of these kids are going to listen to you more than their own teachers and their own parents.
And I feel that in a sense where I feel like, not subject matter so far. And right now, still. Even probably in the near future I want to go about, in terms of the message, because a lot of the raps that I rap is real rap. And I just tend to be just transparent. But other than that, I feel like English is just … The Philippines is very open with the English language because a lot of these kids, when they grow up in the Philippines too, you’d be surprised that a lot of them is English speaking, man. I could even say for myself, because I grew up with the both. I got a little English side by side.
Stay tuned for more interviews and videos from AllHipHop. (EZ Mil photo credit: Jayar Tolentino.)
Kendrick Lamar is reportedly in the process of getting himself a property in Brooklyn. According to the New York Post, the Pulitzer Prize-winning MC is moving his family, high school sweetheart/fiancée, Whitney Alford, and their two children to the buzzing borough. The couple is currently finalizing contracts on a penthouse at The Pierhouse near Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The Compton native will have to drop a pretty penny on the new abode. The spot in The Pierhouse had an asking price of $8.99 million. So, what’s he getting for such a hefty price?
The 17x-Grammy winner’s home is a three-story condominium that includes four bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, 18-foot ceilings in the living room, a den and nearly 2,000 square feet of outdoor space spread across two levels. It also encompasses a private rooftop that provides scenic views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Kendrick Lamar should have no problem fitting in at the property as it is a popular spot for many celebrities. Ed Sheeran is rumored to also live in The Pierhouse, as noted by Curbed.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z are purportedly buying a home there at some point, too. The Pierhouse has a super tight team that respects the privacy of their residents (or potential residents).
When 6sqft was snooping around at the time to see if the famous couple was moving there, a PR rep said, “I wish that I could confirm that Jay-Z and Beyoncé had bought at Pierhouse, but I cannot confirm that. You can publish it as a rumor.”
