Hulu will premiere the RapCaviar Presents documentary series on March 30. Before the program debuts on the streaming platform, viewers get a sneak peek clip featuring Tyler, The Creator and Pharrell Williams.
“I didn’t have a father. I didn’t have a big brother, I didn’t have a cousin. So as a kid, since ten or eleven, Pharrell is who I looked at,” says Tyler in the First-Look video posted to YouTube.
Pharrell Williams states, “Through that, we just developed a friendship where he would ask me for advice on certain things. Tyler was talking about where he was and feeling low. He wants that respect.”
The two Grammy-winning Hip Hop artists worked together on the 2022 single “Cash In Cash Out” which also featured Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage. Prior to that, Pharrell inspired Tyler to make purpose-oriented music.
“Okay, no more being silly,” recalled Tyler, The Creator in the RapCaviar Presents docuseries. “Music first. And at that moment, we went home. I just wanted to change everything. I just wanted to switch, and the switch f###### happened.”
Since 2017, Tyler, The Creator released the Flower Boy, Igor, and Call Me If You Get Lost studio LPs. All three albums garnered widespread critical acclaim. The latter two projects peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
Hulu’s RapCaviar Presents will also include interviews with Jack Harlow, Coi Leray, Polo G, Roddy Ricch, and other Hip Hop figures. Based on Spotify’s flagship rap music playlist, RapCaviar Presents will air seven episodes.
Has Texas blocked residents from using the TikTok social networking platform? No, but Texas Governor Greg Abbott is planning to prevent the use of the video hosting service on state-issued devices.
Earlier this week, Abbott announced his plan to issue network-based restrictions on TikTok in the state. The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Information Resources developed the model.
“The security risks associated with the use of TikTok on devices used to conduct the important business of our state must not be underestimated or ignored,” said Governor Abbott. “Owned by a Chinese company that employs Chinese Communist Party members, TikTok harvests significant amounts of data from a user’s device, including details about a user’s internet activity.
He continued, “Other prohibited technologies listed in the statewide model plan also produce a similar threat to the security of Texans. It is critical that state agencies and employees are protected from the vulnerabilities presented by the use of this app and other prohibited technologies as they work on behalf of their fellow Texans.”
Other States & Federal Agencies Issued Similar Bans
“I thank the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Information Resources for their hard work helping safeguard the state’s sensitive information and critical infrastructure from potential threats posed by hostile foreign actors,” concluded Abbott in a press release.
TikTok Claims The Bans Will Hinder The Ability To Build Online Communities
“We’re sorry to see the unintended consequences of these rushed TikTok bans – policies that will do nothing to advance cybersecurity – beginning to impact universities’ ability to share information, recruit students, and build communities around athletic teams, student groups, campus publications, and more,” a TikTok spokesperson told The Hill.
TikTok has an estimated 1 billion monthly active users. That total places the company among the Top 10 most popular social media apps in the world. Facebook (2.9 million MAUs), YouTube (2.2 billion MAUs), WhatsApp (2 billion MUAs), and Instagram (2 billion MAUs) lead the pack.
LeBron James scored the 38,388th point of his career with a stepback jumper in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. Several music industry celebrities and NBA legends congratulated James on camera.
Hip Hop stars Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Snoop Dogg took part in the special video package. R&B/Pop diva Rihanna also shared her thoughts. Plus, LeBron’s NBA contemporaries like Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Carmelo Anthony praised the 4-time MVP.
“I am so grateful to witness this moment in history,” said Rihanna. She later stated, “My favorite thing about being a LeBron James fan is just watching you prove yourself, over and over again, against all odds and all doubt.”
"This is one of the greatest accomplishments in sports history."
“Thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind. To be able to be in the presence of such a legend and great as Kareem means so much to me. It’s very humbling,” said LeBron James during a speech to the hometown crowd.
The 38-year-old Ohio native added, “To my beautiful wife, my daughter, my two boys, my friend, my boys, my family, my mother, everybody that’s ever been a part of this run with me the last twenty-plus years, I just want to say thank you so much because I wouldn’t be me without y’all.”
Did Offset and Quavo get into a fight at the 2023 Grammy Awards? According to reports, the two family members argued backstage at the ceremony before Offset’s wife, Cardi B, got involved.
The alleged altercation may have been fallout from a disagreement between Offset and Quavo after fellow Migos rapper Takeoff passed away last year. Quavo took part in a special performance dedicated to Takeoff at the televised show.
Entertainment Tonight released audio of Cardi B yelling at someone off-camera. The “Bodak Yellow” hitmaker can be heard saying, “Both of y’all [are] wrong. Both of y’all. This is not right. No b####, shut the f### up ’cause you shouldn’t have been talking.”
The audible clip of Cardi B spread across the internet. Social media users speculated what really happened behind the scenes that night. Offset denied getting into a physical fight with Quavo, but it appears the two cousins do have some bad blood at the moment.
Cardi later paid tribute to Takeoff by posting a photo of the deceased The Last Rocket album creator on her Instagram Story. Previously, the Bronx-bred rapstress shared a lengthy, heartfelt message about the late rap star.
Cardi B’s Instagram Story
“Takeoff your untimely passing has brought a great deal of pain and sorrow to so many lives,” wrote Cardi B. “The impact you had in this world was so considerable and we have struggled to grasp this tragedy. I am heartbroken but I am grateful for all the precious memories we got to share while you were here.”
She added, “This has truly been a nightmare and the pain is incomparable. The emptiness your brothers are feeling is unbearable and I pray that you give Offset, Quavo, and your friends and family the strength to keep going as they are trying to cope with this loss.”
50 Cent has responded to Jim Jones’ claim that Dipset started the rap group mixtape wave rather than G-Unit.
Capo made his remarks during a lengthy discussion on the Flip Da Script podcast. He claimed that while many Hip-Hop fans believe 50 Cent’s crew kicked off the mixtape movement of the early 2000s, it’s not true.
“Let’s get this right and I’m going to keep it all the way a buck,” Jones told host QueenzFlip. “We started the mixtape movement, right? And it wasn’t a crew mixtape. We were making real albums and putting them out as mixtapes. G-Unit was doing replays of other people’s beats and making mixtapes.”
The NYC icon continued, saying, “It was a big difference. We was using our mixtapes as albums to promote our real albums, and off those mixtapes, we were taking singles that the people started loving and started putting them on our real albums.”
After sharing what he sees as the distinction between the two collectives, Jim Jones insisted Dipset went first.
“But even in that, we put the Dipset mixtape out first before G-Unit put their mixtape out. Now go Google it.” Check out the clip below and watch the full interview at the end of the page.
Meanwhile, 50 Cent joined the debate after a clip of the discussion circulated online, responding in the comments section of blog page The Hip-Hop Wolf. “👏👏👏😆he lying LOL,” Fiddy penned on Wednesday.
While the debate continued in the comments section, both crews dropped their first mixtapes in 2002. Diplomats Volume 1 came out shortly before G-Unit’s 50 Cent is the Future was released in the summer. Both tapes sparked the careers of future rap legends, propelling Cam’ron and 50 Cent into the mainstream.
While Dispet may have released first, G-Unit has dropped significantly more mixtapes. The Diplomats dropped eight mixtapes, while G-Unit released a total of 33 mixtapes.
Recently Florida rapper Playa Pat brought out Rob49 just weeks after the New Orleans sensation’s nearly fatal shooting. Performing in front of a sold-out crowd, Playa Pat and Rob49 entertained the fans from across the Emerald Coast in what was Playa Pat’s breakout hometown show.
Playa Pat hosted his sold-out concert just days ahead of the release of his own debut single and video release, “Trap Blessed.” Pat has made a name for himself in the streets of Pensacola after he’s been seen stunting through the streets in a bright green Lamborghini.
“Ain’t nobody really famous from here in the rap industry. You have athletes like Emmitt Smith, WWE’s Roman Reigns and the boxer Roy Jones, but they’re kinda it. There’s some new ones that went in the NFL, but I’m the first one in history to bring a Lamborghini to the city.”
You can’t tell Playa Pat anything right now, his buzz in his state is growing well beyond what he had imagined as a kid growing up, listening to rap music.
“I’ve been liking music since the jit, like since real young type s###. Even before since I was a teenager I used to be listing to s###,” Playa Pat said. “I used to listen to Lil Boosie and sh*t from New Orleans and Texas. Then it graduated to Future and listening to other stuff.”
When asked about his sound and how he’s putting together new music Playa Pat explained he has lots of music on deck including three new songs with Metro Boomin set to be featured on his upcoming project Spot Boomin.
“Me and my boy Dollah Dae are trying to put it together and there’s a bunch of stuff that I’m ready to put out and shoot.” Playa Pat said. “I get a good response, people say I’m turnt and I go hard, but I had this lil Birthday bash that I put together and it was completely sold out, that showed me they know whats up.”
Bringing a motivational sound that resonates with the streets and hustlers across the world, Playa Pat knows his audience and what they want to hear.
“It’s a lot that separates me from everyone else,” Playa Pat said. “This music gonna motivate you, this gonna motivate you to go get some s### you want in life. Motivational, like coming from where I’m from, and seeing like n#### like I told you coming you actually motivate me, lil artists that turnt right now. They make me want to go harder to keep the motivation.”
Just based off his look and charisma alone, locals, friends, and families have urged Playa Pat to rap for years. Carrying a “playa” vibe that earned him his moniker when he was just 10 years old, Playa Pat has always had a quiet confidence that gained him attention and notoriety.
“Playa just ain’t bout the females, you just gotta have you the playa ways type s###. Certain types of situations I call that playa. I’m gonna teach them about that definition,” Playa Pat said.
The Pretty Ricky member pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison last February. He was accused of attempting to scam the government out of $24 million in loans provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
However, according to TMZ, Diamond “Baby Blue” Smith will have to reside in either home detention or a halfway house until his official release from custody on Apr. 4. He will also have another three years of supervised release and owes over $1 million in restitution as part of his sentence.
Baby Blue Announces Name Change
In a post-release statement, Baby Blue revealed his plans to change his name to “Bigg Money Blue.” He also teased a new album and book.
“I appreciate all the love and support from my family, friends and fans!,” he stated. “New album dropping soon! Wrote a book too! Might call that b#### ‘How To Hustle’ or ‘Blue Magic.’ Officially changing my name to BIGG MONEY BLUE! Shoutout to my n-ggas at Coleman Prison! I’m bout to get back to the MONEY! LET’S GO!”
Baby Blue also urged everybody to support their incarcerated loved ones.
“I met a lot of REAL n##### in the feds,” he added. “A lot of good street n##### doing time in this f##### up system just for hustling and getting money to support they families. Anybody out there that got a loved one behind them walls, make sure y’all show love. Y’all all they got and that commissary expensive than a b####!”
Doja Cat said she delights in engaging with fans online over rumors that she’s part of the Illuminati.
The RCA Records artist took to Twitter to explain why she entertains “people’s ignorance and stupidity” over the bizarre conspiracy theory.
“This illuminati s### is so funny to me,” she wrote on Monday evening (Feb. 6). Furthermore, Doja Cat said she had no plans of ignoring fan’s comments about the rumors.
“I’m gonna keep doing deliberate weird ass s### just to make those people uncomfortable. I’ve fr found a new outlet of joy,” she added.
When a fan offered the singer/rapper’s Eyes Wide Shut-themed birthday party as some sort of proof of her involvement with the Illuminati,” Doja Cat said she simply loves the 1999 film. “I know cuz that movie rocks,” she replied before adding, “and its the best party theme ever.”
During an interview with Variety earlier this month, the Planet Her creator explained why she loves confronting online trolls.
“A lot of people think I’m not good at handling trolls because I respond to them,’ she stated. “But that’s the art of it: I love to go to f###### war with trolls. That’s just what I’ve grown up with; I’ve been on the internet for 1,000 f###### years and it’s just part of me: that I need to respond. People think, ‘Oh, if you’re defending yourself, you’re weak.’ But I always rest on ‘Everyone can suck my dick from the back.’”
Meanwhile, Doja Cat is considering a new tattoo to further inflame those Illuminati whispers.
Fat Joe shared his belief that the Grammys deliberately snub a few deserving artists each year in order to be provocative.
On Tuesday evening, Fat Joe took to Instagram Live to discuss his thoughts on the 2023 winners. He began by discussing Song of the Year, which went to Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That.”
The track was nominated alongside hits including Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5,” DJ Khaled’s “God Did,” Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” Adele’s “Easy on Me,” and Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well.”
“The thing that does really bug me out is when a woman that I don’t really know wins Song of the Year,” Fat Joe said of the 13-time Grammy Award-winning artist. “The Grammys do that s### on purpose. She’s a jazz singer but she won over the biggest records and the biggest artists we know.”
He continued, “And they always do it. This is consistently they do this, this is a trademark.” Check out the clip below and watch the IG Live at the end of the page.
According to the NYC rapper, every year, the Recording Academy decides, “We’re gonna jerk at least two or three people that should win.” Fat Joe compared this to his use of “provocative lines,” in his songs to make people think he’s crazy. “I think they do that with the Grammys,” he added.
Despite being unhappy with some of the winners, Fat Joe mentioned some highlights from the awards show, including Quavo’s tribute to Takeoff during the In Memoriam segment. He also noted Beyoncé’s record-breaking accomplishment, scooping four awards, making her the most decorated artist in Grammys history.
“It was just a beautiful night for music,” he declared.
LeBron James has broken the long-running NBA scoring record record, once held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
James broke the almost 40-year record with a 14-foot fade-away jump shot with in the last seconds of the third quarter of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers would go on to lose the game, but it was momentarily stopped to celebrate James’ accomplishment.
James’ wife, three children and others took the floor for a brief ceremony that climaxed with Abdul-Jabbar passing him the “torch” – the game ball.
“I just want to say, thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind,” James said to the crowd. “To be able to be in the presence of such a legend as great as Kareem, it’s very humbling. Please give a standing ovation to the Captain, please. I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed about.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver was also on hand at center-court saying, “A record that has stood for nearly 40 years. Many people thought it would never be broken. LeBron, you are the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. Congratulations.”
Jurors in the XXXTentacion murder trial heard testimony from a family friend of the rapper who was with him during the fatal shooting. He broke down as he described an ambush by armed robbers before the rapper’s slaying.
Kerr was one of the witnesses testifying on the opening day of the trial of the three men accused of the 2018 shooting of XXXTentacion outside a Florida motorcycle store. Kerr stated that he and XXXTentacion, whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy, were sitting inside the rapper’s BMW which had been blocked in by an SUV, as per an AP report.
They were ambushed by two men who jumped out of the vehicle carrying guns. Kerr was told to get out of the car by the taller man, who aimed his gun at him while the other man attempted to take the rapper’s chain from around his neck.
Kerr pushed the emergency button to open the door, fleeing the car and the armed men. He looked behind him and saw the taller man with his gun pointed at XXXTentacion and then heard at least two loud bangs. According to Kerr’s testimony, both men then escaped in the SUV, taking the $50,000 the rapper was carrying in his designer bag.
The state accuses 28-year-old Michael Boatwright of being the shooter, and 24-year-old Trayon Newsome, the other armed man. The third man on trial is 26-year-old Dedrick Williams, who prosecutors say was the driver. All three men are facing life sentences if convicted of first-degree murder. They also are charged with armed robbery.
26-year-old Robert Allen pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder charges. Prosecutors say he was also in the SUV with his former friends whom he is set to testify against.
Defense Argue Drake Might Be Involved
Jurors heard two very different stories during opening statements, with the state claiming the slaying was a robbery gone wrong and the defense suggesting detectives caught the wrong men because they failed to investigate other potential suspects, including Drake.
In his opening statement, Williams’ attorney Mauricio Padilla argued that detectives should have questioned Drake in the aftermath of the killing because of his alleged feud with XXXTentacion.
“Before X died, he said if anybody kills me it’s Drake,” the attorney told the jury, referring to a tweet the rapper sent before his death, although he later retracted the statement.
Lil Yachty’s new album Let’s Start Here made it to the top of three Billboard charts.
The project debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums. Let’s Start Here marked a significant departure for Lil Yachty, who ditched his typical rap style to make an alternative rock album.
Let’s Start Here became Lil Yachty’s first release to reach No. 1 on any Billboard album chart. Lil Yachty’s latest work sold 36,000 equivalent album units in its first week. It entered at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, securing the third Top 10 entry of his career.
Lil Yachty’s album received notable co-signs from Drake and Questlove. Drake called Let’s Start Here a “masterpiece” while Questlove said it made him “hyped” for the future of music.
“I really really really really love this @lilyachty record and I love when artists pull off a good departure record (departure albums are when musicians pull a COMPLETE creative left turn),” The Roots drummer wrote on Instagram. “This aptly titled #LetsStartHere lp might be the most surprising transition of any music career I’ve witnessed in a min, especially under the umbrella of Hip-Hop.”
Jurors began hearing witness testimony in the XXXTentacion murder trial on Tuesday (February 7).
The jury saw footage of XXXTentacion visiting a bank prior to his death. The video showed the late rapper obtaining $50,000 in cash and placing it in a Louis Vuitton bag, which his killers stole.
A bank teller named Cecelia Ramos testified about her interaction with XXXTentacion. She said he asked to withdraw $250,000 in cash, but she was only able to give him $50,000 at the time. She informed him that he could pick up the rest of the money at a later date.
XXXTentacion went to RIVA Motorsports after stopping by the bank. Prosecutors said he was considering buying a motorbike. Masked men shot and killed him outside the dealership in June 2018.
Prosecutors accuse Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, Trayvon Newsome and Robert Allen of killing XXXTentacion. Boatwright, Williams and Newsome are on trial for first-degree murder and robbery.
Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in August 2022. He is expected to testify against Boatwright, Williams and Newsome.
According to the prosecution, Boatwright fired the shot that killed XXXTentacion. Boatwright’s attorney Joseph Kimok claimed his client wasn’t present at the time of the fatal shooting.
Ramos told #XXXTentacion they could only give him $50K of the $250K he requested. The bank would "order" the remaining $200K and he could pick it up Friday. He was killed later that day and the killers stole the bag with the $50K. pic.twitter.com/zJm1dYMqFp
50 Cent hopes to end a legal dispute over the design of his Branson cognac bottle.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, 50 Cent’s Sire Spirits company and Remy Martin are discussing a settlement in a copyright infringement lawsuit. A status conference was scheduled for February 3, but both sides wanted more time to possibly reach a deal.
“Sire Spirits and Remy Martin respectfully submit this request for a 30-day stay of this action and an adjournment of the status conference,” 50 Cent’s legal team wrote. “Sire Spirits and Remy Martin make this request to allow the parties time to complete settlement negotiations and will provide the Court with an update on or before Friday, March 3, 2023.”
Remy Martin sued Sire Spirits in 2021, claiming 50 Cent’s company blatantly copied the style of the Centaure de Diamant cognac bottle. Remy Martin said Sire Spirits’ Branson cognac bottle was a “near exact reproduction” of the Centaure de Diamant design.
50 Cent addressed the lawsuit in a since-deleted Instagram post. He suggested Remy Martin was scared of competition.
“They are afraid of me already,” he wrote. “Branson Cognac is the new wave. Remy is #2 behind Henny and worried about Branson Smh. I’m just getting started.”
The G-Unit rapper’s lawyers denied Remy Martin’s copyright infringement claims. Sire Spirits insisted its Branson cognac bottle was modeled after Civil War era canteens as opposed to the Centaure de Diamant design.
“No brand or company has the right to exclude others from making or selling curved bottles for cognac or other alcohol,” 50 Cent attorney Reena Jain contended. “Nonetheless, Remy Martin is on a mission to eliminate Sire Spirits from the cognac market.”
50 Cent accused Remy Martin of trying to ruin the Sire Spirits brand. His legal team argued the lawsuit was part of Remy Martin’s efforts to eliminate competition.
Bandman Kevo considered suing Gunna to recoup the money spent on a planned collaboration.
Gunna allegedly received $250,000 to do a feature for Bandman Kevo. The song never came to fruition due to the YSL RICO case.
Last December, Gunna was released from jail after pleading guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge. He developed a reputation as a snitch based on the plea deal, which made Bandman Kevo unwilling to work with the 300 Entertainment rapper.
“I paid gunna last year for a feature 250k,” Bandman Kevo wrote via Twitter. “And months later he got a caught case which put my feature and everything else got put on hold , just for him to get released and snitch. I can’t do a song with dude I need my bread back asap and if they cap im going big lawsuit.”
Gunna wasn’t the only notable name to accept a plea deal in the YSL RICO case. Lil Duke, Slimelife Shawty and Young Thug’s brother Unfoonk also avoided trial by taking plea deals.
A total of 28 people were named in the RICO indictment against YSL members. Young Thug and 13 co-defendants await trial, which has been stuck in the jury selection process for several weeks.
Everyone on earth knows R. Kelly had a romantic relationship with a teenaged Aaliyah in the 1990s. In fact, the embattled R&B star married her when she was just 15 years old. Then 26, the now-incarcerated singer knew better. Period. After the marriage was annulled in 1995, Kelly continued to ascend in the music business, while Aaliyah blossomed into a superstar. Her life was cut tragically short in 2001 when she was killed in a plane crash.
On Tuesday (February 7), a woman claiming to be the “secret” daughter of Aaliyah and R. Kelly posted a video online telling her “truth” (or so she says). Willie D scooped it up and shared it to his own Instagram page. Despite there being NO photos of Aaliyah looking pregnant at anytime before her death, she’s adamant the “Rock The Boat” singer is her mother.
“My name is LOVE, and I am the biological daughter of Aaliyah Haughton and Robert Kelly, R. Kelly,” she says in the clip. “And I just wanted to tell my truth and my mother’s truth because I feel like it’s time and it’s needed.” She goes on to say she’s had to keep her identity secret for years because of the “industry.” She then claims she’s an “extension” of her mother, Aaliyah Haughton.
The comments are absolutely brutal. But, in all fairness, the woman bares zero resemblance to either of her alleged famous “parents.” And Aaliyah would have had to stay out of the spotlight for months to keep this a secret.
But as one kind stranger pointed out: “She may be a foster child and attached herself to the reality that Aaliyah and R. Kelly are her parents. Traumatic experiences in life make people do some odd things. This is definitely one of them. And no doubt after this public outcry, we may need to do a wellness check up on her. I’m sure the public response hit like a hammer.”
Whatever the case, the woman seems convinced. Watch the full video below.
Willie D shared a video to his Instagram account on Sunday night (February 5) as the Grammys were wrapping up, blasting the Recording Academy for only including Scarface. The video has been shared across the internet since it was initially posted.
Face, who also works with his Houston comrade on a podcast, went on to perform the seminal group’s biggest hit “Mind Playing Tricks on Me.” The 1991 was a smash for the group, which at that time comprised of Bushwick Bill, Scarface and Willie D. Bushwick Bill passed away in June 2019 due to cancer.
“A reminder to the Grammys and all the rest of y’all out there trying to hustle the Geto Boys brand by only including Scarface, who had a stellar solo career,” D said. “How in the hell are you gonna have a 50-year tribute to Hip Hop and not include Geto Boys the group?”
“If you forgot, the group includes Scarface and Willie D,” he explained. “How you gonna use a performance that includes a song that I co-wrote but not even have the decency, the respect to reach out to me and ask me if I wanted to participate? Y’all are some clowns for that. All the way out of pocket. Whoever made the call, y’all some clowns… No more talk.”
Bushwick Bill was also one of the original members, but he passed away in June 2019 due to cancer.
He added in the caption, “Disrespectful Mofos! No mo’ talk!”
Willie D is not the only artist to chide the Recording Academy, which has fought steadfastly to be more inclusive. The 50th Celebration was curated by QuestLove of The Roots. He has recently addressed some of the speculation and controversy, noting that he had roughly 14 minutes to celebrate 50 years of Hip-Hop.
A number of artists felt they should have been in the historic celebration and some fans felt it could have been more inclusive of the West Coast Hip-Hop. Overall, however, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive for the star-studded show.
The parties included Big Boi of OutKast, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star, De La Soul, DJ Drama, Queen Latifah, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Missy Elliott, Future, GloRilla, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Mele Mel & Scorpio/Ethiopian King, Ice-T, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, The Lox, Method Man, Nelly, Public Enemy, Rahiem, Rakim, RUN-DMC, Spinderella, Scarface, Swizz Beatz and Too $hort.
LL Cool J suggested in the live ceremony that the ground-breaking performance was merely a first step.
Wendy Williams has had a really rough time over the last few years. Most notably, her long-running, popular talk show is gone. Her health has failed her recently as well. And she and her gangsta papi ex-spouse is apparently still trying to get her…in her pockets!
The presiding judge in the divorce has decided to dismiss the latest demand that she pay Kevin Hunter more alimony. So, Wendy will be able to save a couple of her coins. There’s a slight catch. If she starts getting crazy money again, he’s going to be able to re-file at a later day. Nevertheless, this has to be a heavy blow for him. He did a lot for her but at the same time, he always seemed to be taking advantage of her. They were a team and he held her down for a long time. He kept the wolves off her. Real talk.
They may take this to mediation, which means they will negotiate how much she pays. “The parties are to participate in binding arbitration,” the judge said in The Sun’s report. “The issues surrounding the severance payments, and the QDRO [Qualified Domestic Relations Order] are disputed and therefore need to be mediated.”
Something tells me she will be paying at some point.
Wendy is a hard figure to reconcile at times, because her gossip hurt people. But, overall she was a force that added to the game.
I am a fan of Orlando Brown and his crazy way of doing things. I believe him. But there are levels to crazy and amazingly he appears to have crossed the line into criminality. When that happens you have a few options. Orlando is accused of wielding a knife on his family members. And the way his defense is set up, he may be going with an insanity plea. First of all, look at this mug shot and tell me he doesn’t have a chance.
According to legal docs obtained by TMZ, Brown’s attorney is asking for a mental evaluation to see if the disgraced actor is mentally fit for trial.
Orlando’s charged with aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio, for his December arrest. The former Disney star previously pled not guilty, but the results of the evaluation could lead to Orlando changing that plea to not guilty by reason of insanity.
In the meantime, Orlando’s on house arrest … he was released from custody Friday after posting bond of about $25,000.
I am looking at that mug and I think he may get some time. I don’t know but I believe he thinks he’s the Black Joker. Sorry, I am just being really random and nonsensical right now. Sort of like Orlando Brown.
Brownie accused his own brother of raping his wife. OK. And he employed a broken off knife and a hammer. He did not use them, but he still caught a case. I find it hard to believe this brother is the dude from That’s So Raven.
Orlando Brown was staying with his brother, because he’s homeless. Now he’s really homeless, but he may have a cell to lay in. And that can become home if this does not go his way.
Rican Da Menace is a whole vibe, and she’s here to let people know she is not playing when it comes to the music. Hailing from Baltimore but now residing in sunny Los Angeles, the rising star stands for all things female empowerment, exuding confidence, vitality, and one hell of a personality.
And when it comes to the bars, expect nothing less than hard-hitting bars, punchlines, and storytelling in her lyrics. Rican states, “My sound is very assertive. When I’m rapping, you’re gonna feel what I’m saying. I’m not gonna sound unsure about s### that I’m saying.”
The craziest part? Rican Da Menace got signed to Columbia Records with NO music out. Most recently, Rican unveiled the single and visual for “Uh Ohh”, fresh off the heels of her singles “I Admit It” and debut ”Ain’t Going Back.”
AllHipHop spoke with Rican Da Menace in downtown Los Angeles, who brought all the vibes along with a bottle of Don Julio. Read below as we discuss her roots in Baltimore, her favorite artists, what it meant for Foxy Brown to reach out, surviving a gunshot, and more!
AllHipHop: What does it mean to be from Baltimore?
Rican Da Menace: Coming from Baltimore, first of all, like many other cities, it’s hard to get support until they actually see some steam coming behind you. We know those people who gotta see everybody else on you, supporting you, then they’re going to hop on the wave later. Sometimes there are moments where it’s genuine early on, but sometimes it’s not. Until they see, okay, she might actually make it. You gotta make them a believer. Once they see it, they’re going to believe and you’ll get the support you need. But I definitely got the support I need, I ain’t gon’ lie.
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with music?
Rican Da Menace: I always knew I wanted to do something in music, but it was when I turned 18 around 2020, that I met some people in the industry and guided me in the right direction. It was then when I was like alright, I can take this s### serious. That following year is when I really locked in, was in the studio sun up to sun down grindin sh*t out.
AllHipHop: Did you always want to be a rapper?
Rican Da Menace: Hell nah. I wasn’t one of those people like “When I grow up, I wanna be a rapper.” Personally, I had to go through some things to finally come to the feeling of “Alright, this is what’s best for me and this is what I have to do.” As I kept recording, I started falling in love with it.
AllHipHop: Who’s in your Top 5?
Rican Da Menace: That’s a hard question. I would probably have to say Jadakiss, The Lox, DMX, Eve and Foxy Brown. I love Foxy Brown, she’s definitely one of my top female rappers. Who else? I can’t forget about Nicki Minaj as well.
AllHipHop: When it comes to Baltimore, I think of King Los…
Rican Da Menace: Yeah, King Los is cool too. We have some dope rappers from here like Bandhunta Izzy and Shordie Shordie. But Foxy Brown?! That’s really my b*tch! I f### with Foxy. She showed a lot of love to me. She was one of the first female rappers that really started showing me love, shout outs to Foxy.
AllHipHop: She showed you love?
Rican Da Menace: Hell yeah. She DMed me, sending me my music like ”this s### hard.” She and I speak frequently, I really f*ck with her a lot.
AllHipHop: What’s up with the collab?
Rican Da Menace: That’s what I’m saying! Foxy gon’ pop out when Foxy pops out, you feel me [haha]. But I’m working on it, trying to get a verse out of her. I’ma get it one day, just waiting on the perfect record and timing.
AllHipHop: Most people don’t get signed this quick. How does it feel?
Rican Da Menace: Hell no. It’s so crazy, I feel blessed. I think about it everyday like wow, I really got a signed with no music out. Not one song out, on any platform. People have to have a lot of trust in you in order to sign you for that, because they really don’t know what the f*ck you’re gon’ do after that. Normally, labels sign you based off of what you did already to show potential. But for me, that wasn’t the case at all, I had nothing out and they took the chance on me.
AllHipHop: How did that happen?
Rican Da Menace: My managers knew people in the music industry and they had me in those rooms before I had any music out. Someone from my team was in contact with Leron Roy, the attorney, who’s actually the one who put me in front of Bu. Once we met, it was like history was already set in stone. I can’t name anybody else that got signed with no music out and had people believing in them. I definitely appreciate my team, shout outs to BuVision and Columbia.
AllHipHop: Did the chain come when you got signed?
Rican Da Menace: Hell no! I got my chain before I got signed. When I turned 20, that’s when I got mine.
AllHipHop: I know you survived a gunshot, what happened?
Rican Da Menace: That was in San Francisco, it’s all a blur to me till this day on what exactly happened. I got hit and I remember bouncing back. That incident is what really made me focus on my music more. After it happened, I really locked in because I wasn’t really mobile during that time, I couldn’t walk good. I had to sit down a lot which annoyed me. I hated sitting for so long, not being able to do anything, but this was the perfect time to focus up and work.
That’s when I started learning my voice, trying to get my sound right. It definitely paid off for me though. I was out for like a month, had to have another surgery after that. They had to take a piece of bone from my hip and put it in my finger which messed up my walking even more. Everytime I sat down that whole year, there was a mic in front of me at least 4 hours out the day. For anyone who’s heard my first song, that sh*t sounded a whole mess. I really didn’t know my voice at the time but my hard work paid off for me.
AllHipHop: How much music you sitting on?
Rican Da Menace: Shh.. I have at least 150 tracks on tuck just sitting in my phone since I’ve been recording since 2021. Some songs I love, some that I don’t like and wouldn’t put out. I spend so much of my time recording that at this point, I might as well start dropping music now.
AllHipHop: You released the “I Admit It” freestyle, talk about that record. Were you feeling yourself?
Rican Da Menace: I love that song so much! That’s one of my favorite songs, I always play that when I get in the car. Everybody else loves it too, that s### going up. As more days go on, I keep seeing more and more people posting my song. It’s building its own traction now. That’s the one right there.
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AllHipHop: What was the inspo behind “Uhh Ohh”?
Rican Da Menace: “Uh Ohh” is a record for the folks that slept on me for years and played with me. When I was in the booth, all that kept running through my mind was the stupid things people said to discourage me from rapping. You know that feeling of like HA jokes on you, that’s this record for me.
AllHipHop: What do you want fans to take from the record?
Rican Da Menace: To never let anyone else’s doubts cloud your judgment in what you want to do in your life and that I’m nothing to play with. [laughs]
AllHipHop: What is it you want people to get from your story?
Rican Da Menace: Keep going, no matter what. I don’t give a f*ck what life throws at you, you can overcome that shi*t no matter what it is. I bounced back from so much stuff because I learned you have to keep going. Some people go through a rough patch and give up after like “f### it, I give up. I’m depressed.” No, you cannot do that, you have to get up every day and push forward,no matter what. Your leg broke, your arm broke, you betta figure out how to do something with that one leg and one arm, no excuses. You gotta get up, never sit on your ass.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next? Do you have a project in the works?
Rican Da Menace: Yes, I got so much music coming. Couple star features on tuck along with some new videos. I have so many videos I’m waiting to drop. Definitely planning on dropping at least two singles this month. We working so I can’t wait for you guys to see what I cooked up. Consistency is my goal for this year when it comes to dropping music. I’m not playing.
AllHipHop: What’s been your favorite part of this whole thing?
Rican Da Menace: I would have to say the recording process and definitely shooting videos. It’s fun especially when I can have all my people with me, friends, family and all. It’s like a movie..
AllHipHop: What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?
Rican Da Menace: I’d probably still be doing nails. I used to do nails on the side so I’d be selling nail products or owning my own business, trying to do something.
AllHipHop: I saw in an interview, Saweetie said her nails took 8 hours.
Rican Da Menace: For real, them b*tches be taking so long to do! Let me tell you, I used to have this one client. When I knew she was coming. I knew not to book anyone after her because her nails always took me so long to do. She wanted double nails, which is when you attached 2 fake nails to your natural nail, making them extra long. The length had to be like a ruler. She also wanted me to do nail art on them, all types of stuff. Nails can definitely take that long if you let it, but I was fast when I did nails. I worked on 10 people a day at least.
AllHipHop: Do you ever miss it?
Rican Da Menace: Mm, no. I like doing nails because I like to draw. But as far as missing it, no. I like exactly where I’m at right now. [laughs]
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself as an artist?
Rican Da Menace: Of course! I definitely want to put out music that people can relate to and puts people in a better mood when they aren’t feeling so happy. With my music, I want to let people know my story and show them that anything’s possible. You could do anything you want, no matter who tells you no or what’s in your way.
Anything you put your mind to, you could do it. You can start from the bottom and do whatever, as long as you’re consistent. You can’t think something’s gonna happen just because you want it to, you gotta work towards it. A lot of people have the idea that success happens overnight which is their problem. No, you have to get up and work hard to get s### going.
AllHipHop: Anything else you wanna let us know?
Rican Da Menace: My new single “Uh Ohhh” out now, check out “I Admit It” and “Ain’t Going Back” available on all platforms. Follow me everywhere on socials: @RicanDaMenace.
