Two music producers, associated with some of the biggest rap stars in the game, have been arrested and taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department.
According to the LA Times, DeAvonte Kimble, 30, and Max Lord, 31, were discovered with a cache of assault weapons and ammunition inside a Studio City home on Wednesday, January 4th.
An LAPD SWAT team was called, according to the department’s communications department, saying after they made their way into the home, officers discovered “several assault rifles, handguns, and 3 firearm suppressors, high-capacity magazines, assault rifle building parts/components, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.”
Kimble was charged by LAPD with assault with a deadly weapon and charged with being a parolee at large. The producer’s bail has been revoked and he is being held at Van Nuys Jail.
Reports state Kimble has been in trouble with the law before. In 2018, he was popped on illegal firearm possession with rapper G Herbo in Chicago. The Compton native has produced on G Herbo’s “25” album, as well as other artists in the rap genre.
Lord was charged with possession of assault rifles but was released on $35,000 bail.
Lord has made a name for himself in rap by being a producer and sound engineer for artists such as Cardi B, Future, Travis Scott, and the late rapper Juice WRLD.
Lord spoke about the incident on Friday, January 6th, saying he allowed Kimble to kick it on his couch at the studio but did not know about any gun charges. Then all of a sudden, the SWAT team came in early on Wednesday morning, around 5:20 a.m.
He said, “There was a very heavy show of force. A high number of officers with a lot of equipment. Luckily, they didn’t break too much stuff — other than turn the house upside down.”
“They got a warrant that included the residence [Kimble] was in. It’s my studio. Essentially, I got dragged into it because of the other warrant [for Kimble],” Lord said.
Lord would not speak on the weapons and ammunition found in his studio. He did say he wasn’t “targeted.”
“The detectives told me this would never happen to me,” he said. No word from Kimble or his representation regarding this arrest.
1SRAEL is having the second-best year of his life, thanks to the success of Future and Drake’s “Wait For U.” The song has since gone double Platinum, been nominated for 3 Grammys (Best Rap Song, Best Rap Album, and Best Melodic Rap Performance, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and of course, taken over radio airwaves all over the world.
When asked what the first best year was, he answers, “the year I was born.”
Born in Nigeria, but relocating to both Dallas and Maryland before finding his footing in Los Angeles, real name Israel Fowobaje prides himself in his ability to cross genres and create timeless music.
In describing himself, 1SRAEL states he’s “a multifaceted not only artist, musician, instrumentalist, but entrepreneur. I also run a label and production company by the name of Agency 301. Other than me making music, I like to develop artists and build everything around creatives. Shoot videos, I started off as a tour photographer.”
1SRAEL was the guy that you saw on every tour, shooting shows for the likes of Chief Keef and Rae Sremmurd. From there, that blossomed into 1SRAEL putting himself into a creative community where he realized he could help a lot of people.
He explains, “I started to realize what was missing and if you can provide that, why not?”
AllHipHop spoke with 1SRAEL, who was settling into his new place in Atlanta. Read below as we discuss his roots, how he ended up on “Wait For U,” not knowing Future and Drake were on the record, being an executive, and more!
AllHipHop: You’re from Nigeria, how does that play into your life and career?
1SRAEL: I’m Nigerian born, but I’m from Maryland by way of Dallas. Before LA, I was in Dallas. It’s a funny situation. I was born in Nigeria, moved to Houston, then moved to Maryland. It was cool. Marland plays a huge part in who I am. Dallas was cool. Dallas was where I found myself musically, what I wanted to do and who I was. LA is where everything started blossoming.
AllHipHop: Biggest influences growing up?
1SRAEL: Honestly, mistakes. To be real with you, I don’t think I ever looked at anybody like okay, I’m influenced by them. I’d probably say mistakes ? in my head, figuring out what I liked to do. Because everybody around me was never doing what I was doing at that time. Actually, I lied. Someone I looked at as a mentor of mine: his name is Tunji, which is now CEO of Def Jam. Tunji was somebody I really grew up watching. To connect with him 4 years ago, helped me and taught me a few . We’re here now.
AllHipHop: I feel like Tunji helped so many people.
1SRAEL: Man! I could go down that rabbit hole forever.
AllHipHop: Was there a certain point you realized you could do music for a living?
1SRAEL: I was always hard-headed. Even when I had no money to my name, I found a way to make it work. Dropped out of college a year and a half into college and said I have no choice. I used to play at churches for a little money every week, it used to pay my rent. I used to help develop artists, produce all their music, but also develop it where I could get my little royalty checks. It was enough to live, until I was homeless for 8 months living in my car. Making a hundred Gmail’s to go shower at LA Fitness, forreal. It’s been an interesting journey for sure.
AllHipHop: Were you working somewhere?
1SRAEL: I’m not going to lie, the last job I had was Guitar Center. That was 2016. I would rather bump my head and figure out something for myself than go work there again. It worked out.
AllHipHop: What was the inspiration behind your name?
1SRAEL: 1SRAEL is my real name. It’s my first name, I just substituted the ‘I’ for the 1. I felt like I was number 1, and it just looked sexy to be real. It looked really sexy.
AllHipHop: Let’s get into “Wait For U”, how’d you get tapped in with all that?
1SRAEL: Man, where do we even start? At the time, shout out to Tems and her whole team. Shout out to Kayla, shout out Sonic. I was doing work with Tems. I played on Genius live session. Shout out to Tejiri as well because he played a part in the original composition, but during the Genius live, I switched it up and made it my own as far as the bass goes. Which that Genius live audio is what FNZ chopped up. ATL Jacob threw drums on it and made it wavy. Everything melodically was Tejiri, Sonic Major & I. Everything on the drum side was ATL Jacob. I’m really thankful for how that went together.
AllHipHop: How did you originally link with Tems?
1SRAEL: So through my cousin Mannywellz, I originally met her. My cousin said “yo bro, pull up to my video shoot.” Because him and Tems shot the “Peace” video. I was kicking it, took some BTS photos. I met the whole team and we vibed. From there, my homie Sonic was telling me he was doing a situation with Kayla and Tems. I just came in on the situation and before you knew it, that was the Genius live session.
AllHipHop: Did you know it would become what it was?
1SRAEL: Honestly, we didn’t even know what it was for. Since I already met them, I just pulled up. Oh cool, y’all want me to pull up and do my thing? Alright, I’ll pull up. We didn’t know what it was for, we just shot It. Before we know it, a month or a few months later it dropped.
AllHipHop: Best moment from shooting?
1SRAEL: My favorite memories from that day was being in the backyard, shooting hoops and crushing everybody. Other than that, it was a pretty straight to the point thing. We only did 3 takes. We didn’t really think much of it. Oh this is dope, we did good. Went home, it was a normal day. To see how everything blossomed into this, is mind-blowing honestly.
AllHipHop: Talk about the moment you found out it was with Future and Drake.
1SRAEL: Funny story, shout out Epic. Shout out Future and Drake, that whole team. It was actually an accident on the business where it came out before me and Sonic even knew. We did what we had to do on the business and legal side. We fixed the mess up, everybody got credited and paid out. We’re here now.
The funny part is I was in a group chat with my friends. They said “Future’s project just dropped!” At the time, I was more listening to my own music, trying to create my own album. I didn’t listen to it. Two weeks went by, they kept saying “yo, this is the best song on the project.” I kept on seeing “Wait For U” with Tems. Oh that’s cool, I didn’t listen to it.
AllHipHop: Why didn’t you listen to it?!
1SRAEL: I was so busy doing what I was doing with my life. Before you know it, you know how you can send the Apple Music link in the group chat and it has the play button? I pressed it. When I tell you it took half a second for me to realize oh my God! Are you serious? I reached out to Tems’ team, we got it all situated. It didn’t even hit me at the moment. I’m like oh, this is fire. It probably hit me 4 months later.
AllHipHop: When you got the Grammy nomination?
1SRAEL: Nah, a little bit before that. Everywhere I’d go, I’d hear it on the radio. I’d go to a restaurant, I’d hear it at the restaurant. The Grammy nomination put the icing on top.
AllHipHop: Did you ever think you would have a double Platinum record?
1SRAEL: For sure, either way. Whether it was “Wait For U” or the other ones that are about to come out. That’s not even a question. I’m a firm believer in grace and I have a lot of grace. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a when thing.
AllHipHop: What were you doing before “Wait For U”?
1SRAEL: I was doing a lot behind-the-scenes work. My focus at a time was a few artists that I was developing. Tunji came in and said “yo, can I work with you on this artist?” I was more of an executive to be real,. I would just so happen to produce for the artists as well. “Wait For U” was the point where okay, now I’m forced to be a producer. F### it, let me do this for a little bit. Now, we’re finding a middle ground between the two.
AllHipHop: Talk about Working with Bleu?
1SRAEL: Working with Bleu was fire. Shout out Sony, we were in London at the new Sony studio. I was there with my A&R, then Happie (Sony Music Pub A&R) brought Bleu in. It was Bleu and Imani. I personally feel like that record is a special record. Now, let’s clean it up and get it out to the masses. It’s a very serious record, but you know how that goes.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
1SRAEL: Good question. I need a hoodie, I need to be comfortable. I need a whole sweatsuit. I don’t like to come to the studio uncomfortable. I need some slides, these are my go-to slides at the studio. [shows yellow slides] I need my laptop, I don’t need much. Other than instruments, I need a guitar and a bass.
AllHipHop: I saw you post” 2nd best year of my life.” What’s your first best year?
1SRAEL: The year I was born. I couldn’t do it if I wasn’t born. Right now, we’re still writing the story. I love “Wait For U” and it’s a very pivotal point in my life and career, but soon it’ll be another moment, because there are several more moments coming. Very thankful for it.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited for next?
1SRAEL: I can’t really speak on specific records just yet, but I have some heavy records in the works. I just signed an artist by the name of CASCASH. She’s based in Atlanta, she’s the reason I moved here for a year. Getting her project together. I promise you, give it about 6-8 months: you’ll see her everywhere. You’ll remember we had this conversation.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let the people know?
1SRAEL: Man, where do I start? I hate to be cliché, but just do that s###. I don’t care if you’re broke, have a dime to your name, just do it. As far as what’s coming next, I have a project I’m putting together. I have a few features that I’m not ready to release just yet. It’s looking like end of second quarter, but I’m excited.
Be on the lookout. CASCASH is the future. My project and the record we have coming out. Agency 301 is my production company, we do label services. Honestly, I plan on transitioning to that. I’ll do my few years and do my run as a producer, but the goal is to ultimately build that brand. A powerhouse, and everyone comes in to help trampoline a few people into where they need to be.
Gucci Mane is under fire for supposedly rescinding his offer to pay for Big Scarr’s funeral. The 1017 CEO became a trending Twitter topic on Sunday (January 8) after Big Scarr’s purported younger brother, Quezz Ruthless, went off on him. He claimed Gucci Mane initially vowed to handle the funeral costs but then ghosted him.
“Them people called your phone to see if you was gon’ pay for the funeral, you blocked them,” Quezz claimed. “That’s not real. On God, that’s not real. That ain’t straight…You trying to act all real. You posted Scarr, talking ’bout some ‘Love Live him.’ You aint’ do nothing.”
Gucci Mane offered to pay for Big Scarr’s funeral but ghosted them soon after according to Quezz Ruthless pic.twitter.com/StZogP9qub
But apparently, Quezz Ruthless was misinformed. As Gucci Mane’s name was being dragged from here to Atlanta, wife Keyshia Ka’oir Davis decided to do some damage control. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Davis shared two receipts from N.J. Ford & Sons Funeral Home totaling $20,000.
She wrote in one of the posts: “We also sent flowers [and] not even a thank you,” she wrote. “$20K total. [Gucci Mane] what you did to these folks, mane.”
But that wasn’t all. Big Scarr’s sister accused Gucci Mane of asking for his 1017 chains back, which were evidently signing gifts. She also backed Quezz Ruthless’ claims, tweeting, “He said he couldn’t pay for the funeral because his wife’s birthday was coming up!!”
Of course, people were quick to jump on the hate train. One person shared a video of Gucci Mane’s ex-manager Deb Antney saying, “He’s very selfish. I don’t understand how he’s able to sign artists.” Whatever the case, this is yet another example of the internet’s uncanny ability to spread misinformation. And that’s not very Gucci.
Deb Antney (Waka Flocka's mom) on Gucci Mane a month ago
“He’s very selfish, I don’t understand how he’s able to sign artists”
Dr. Dre’s lawyer hit Marjorie Taylor Greene with a cease-and-desist letter after she used the “Still D.R.E.” instrumental in a social media video.
Attorney Howard King demanded Greene stop her unauthorized use of Dr. Dre’s music on Monday (January 9). King admonished the Republican politician for exploiting his client’s work to promote her “divisive and hateful political agenda” in the letter obtained by TMZ.
“We’re writing because we think an actual lawmaker should be making laws not breaking laws, especially those embodied in the Constitution by the founding fathers,” King wrote to Greene. “The United States Copyright Act says a lot of things, but one of the things it says is that you can’t use someone else’s song for your political campaign promotions unless you get permission from the owner of the copyright in the song, a step you failed to take.”
Greene’s video promoted herself as a key figure in the vote to elect Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Dr. Dre’s “Still D.R.E.” beat played in the background of the footage, which didn’t still well with the Hip-Hop mogul.
“I don’t license my music to politicians, especially someone as divisive and hateful as this one,” Dr. Dre told TMZ.
Twitter removed Greene’s video, citing a report by the copyright owner. The controversial congresswoman took a shot at Dr. Dre after getting locked out of her Twitter account.
“While I appreciate the creative chord progression, I would never play your words of violence against women and police officers, and your glorification of the thug life and drugs,” she told TMZ.
Greene is known for her racist rhetoric and conspiratorial beliefs. Last year, she won her reelection in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District.
The Architect, Music Executive & Producer And Big Rome have done it again. This time they added a twist to their execution. As a matter of fact they added several twists to their final single released record off of the much anticipated MIXTAPE By Big Rome, BIG ROME IN THE SPOT DON’T MAKE IT HOT.
Their final single released record, which is their 4th released record since they started working together. Run Up The Numbers, produced by Mave Beat & Dj Scripz is featured on Block Work TV and set to be released on New Year’s Day. I’m so excited for Dj Scripz And Big Rome. I can definitely see their growth in this extremely cold and tough business.
Big Rome is really doing his thing. He has been featured on Power 105.1FM On The Sit Down With Em Ez, featured on This Is 50 With Dj Thoro, his first record got played on the radio several times and racked up over 46K spins on spotify in less than 3 months, and his music has been featured on Da Radar Mixed Radios Show with Dj Will.
Now, on New Year’s day, the world is going to hear Big Rome’s 4th released single on a whole new trending, well known, and established platforms. I’m so excited for The Both of Them, DJ Scripz and BIG ROME. I wish them both nothing but the best. They deserve every little bit of their blessings.
Former p### star Ron Jeremy is undeniably gross—straight up. Not only is he universally unattractive in every way, his chosen lifestyle makes any self-respecting woman (or man, for that matter) want to throw up. On Sunday (January 8), TMZ reported Jeremy was to be declared “incompetent” to stand trial in his sexual assault case due to dementia.
But this dude has likely been demented long before he was diagnosed. In 2017, The Daily Mail discovered Jeremy had been living in squalor among cockroaches and trash, almost like an episode of Hoarders. A few years later, Jeremy was accused of sexually assaulting nearly two dozen women between the ages of 15 and 51. After being indicted on more than 30 counts in 2021, his case has provided an opportunity for people to get real about the adult film industry. There’s a lot of shady practices happening behind the scenes. That’s obvious. But now, Jeremy’s “severe dementia” is supposed to recuse him of these alleged crimes. Instead of prison, he’ll continue to hole up in some state-run hospital’s psychiatric ward. For the alleged victims, they feel this is “justice eluded.”
There’s a chance Jeremy could be pulled back into court, but it’s highly unlikely. As L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson told the Los Angeles Times: “As a result of the agreement of the experts, the defendant will be declared incompetent to stand trial … his prognosis for improvement is not good. If he does not improve, we will not be able to try him for his crimes. Because criminal proceedings are suspended as long as he is incompetent, we also cannot get a guilty plea from him or discuss other measures to get justice for the victims in this case.”
Jeremy, who claims to have had sex with over 10,000 women during the course of his career, might be better off forgetting about the things he’s done. But there are some who aren’t so willing to let them go. Now if you excuse us, we have to go erase our browsing history because even researching him feels disgusting.
It began in the backyard of Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris at his West Perrine Greenhouse, was developed by Miami businessman Mike Vazquez, and is led by combat sports veteran Gregory Bloom. Now after its historic 2022, the Miami-based BYB Extreme Fighting Series has announced several initiatives for 2023 with all roads leading to Miramar, Florida for BYB 15: Broward Brawl.
According to Bloom, who took over CEO duties from Vazquez this past September, BYB will launch its 2023 campaign on February 3 at the Miramar National Guard Armory.
In addition to the already thriving platform of bare-knuckle fights, BYB will be enlisting Splash Life Booking International, led by Dollah Dae, to bring in celebrities for ringside and special guest appearances on future fight nights and associated events.
As a community-based combat sport that originated in poverty-ridden West Perrine, BYB has created a blueprint for upstart combat sports to achieve mainstream popularity, as BYB has become known for its signature triangle ring and hardcore knockouts.
In a landmark year for bare-knuckle boxing as a sport, BYB achieved several ground-breaking accomplishments to push their brand to the forefront of combat sports fans’ attention. Among those achievements BYB
● Hosted the first-ever sanctioned women’s bare knuckle event in UK history;
● Hosted he first-ever women’s championship match in UK History;
● Hosted the first-ever bare knuckle fighting event in South Carolina history;
● Broadcasted on OTT and OTA platforms through Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Stadium
● Hosted the return of live professional sports to Trump National Doral Miami following the PGA’s withdraw in 2016;
● Three executives – Vazquez, Harris and Matchmaker Mel Valenzuel were inducted into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame in Belfast, NY.
Said Bloom, “2022 was an incredible year for our company, and 2023 is already looking to dwarf those accomplishments. After our kickoff at home in South Florida this February, in the first half of 2023, BYB will put on a pair of international shows on two separate continents, an exhibition in a new state and in one of the country’s top DMAs, and roll out a handful of disruptive partnerships that are sure to realign the fight sports landscape.”
Anyone familiar with EPMD’s classic catalog, which includes the 1988 single “You Gots To Chill,” is acutely aware Parish Smith and Erick Sermon have innate musical chemistry. The dynamic duo later welcomed DJ Scratch into the fold later that year and they were off to the races. But like a family, there’s conflict. Their career has been marred by creative differences and financial disputes, but is there a chance they could mend their fractured relationships?
On Saturday (January 7), Erick Sermon opened up about a recent stint in rehab and happily shared he was seven months clean from opiates. Not only is it incredibly hard to ask for help, but it’s also difficult to go public with your struggles. But surprisingly, Sermon found support from DJ Scratch, who commented, “I’m so happy you finally went & got some help. I’m proud of you @erick_sermon.” With the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop landing on August 11, 1973, it would make sense for a reunion. So what do you say guys? Let’s get to business.
Last year, was the deadliest year – on record – in police killings and most of the victims were Black, according to the statistics. Law Officials killed no less than 1,183 people in 2022, according to website Mapping Police Violence. This means police killed more than three citizens per day right here in the U.S. of A.
Not surprising, the victims of this violence were disproportionately African American or Black, according to the study. The fatal incidents were no just shooting deaths either. People could’ve bee shot, tasered, beaten or retrained to death. This nonprofit has managed an ongoing a national database of cop killings since 2013. The number of deaths could go up, if additional numbers are added. The report was last updated on December 31.
2022 had 31 more police slayings than 2021. Law enforcement officers killed 1,152 in 2020; 1,097 in 2019; 1,140 in 2018; and 1,089 in 2017, per Mapping Police Violence. Black people in America represent about 13% of the overall population, but were three times (25%) as likely to be slain by law enforcement compared to white folks. The numbers are startling because cases like George Floyd created awareness, boycotts and general pushback in 2020.
On top of it all, many of the fatal situation did not actually involve crime. Many people called in for a mental or welfare check and the result was death. Other deadly situations started as traffic stops. And a high percentage of those murdered by cops were domestic disturbances or purely non-violent instances.
Chicago native G Herbo had a lot of people on the internet talking following his appearance on Yung Miami’s Caresha Please podcast. Herbo used his appearance on the show to talk about his infidelity in the past.
The rapper born Herbert Randall Wright III sat down with Caresha “Yung Miami” Brownlee of the City Girls for a 65-minute broadcast that debuted in late December. In the interview, Herbo admitted to cheating on his ex-girlfriend Ari Fletcher.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a cheater. I cheated though,” stated G Herbo. After Yung Miami asked him if he cheated on Fletcher with his current girlfriend Taina Williams, Herbo confessed, “Technically, yeah… I was young. I was dumb. I ain’t know no better. I was just doing s###. I was just cheating.”
He also stated, “I ain’t gonna say I was just cheating, but it’s like… me and Ari were at a space. I talked to her about this already. I already apologized… Mentally, I go through s###, and I gotta separate myself from s###. Me and her was having our differences, but that was no excuse to cheat on her. That was not why I cheated on her.”
Both G Herbo & Ari Fletcher Entered Into Other Public Relationships After Their Split
Ari Fletcher (aka Therealkylesister) has now responded to G Herbo’s cheating confession. During a discussion posted to the BDTRELILBROTHER YouTube channel, Fletcher spoke about feeling deceived by the father of her son, Yosohn.
“I’m not gonna lie. I kind of always wanted him to be upfront and honest. I always felt like it was just me fighting against all of these people, trying to tell my truth,” said Ari Fletcher. “Now at this point, I don’t really care. Back then, I would’ve loved that. Thank you. Take this weight off my shoulders, let these people know that I’m not out here tripping.”
G Herbo is now involved with Taina Williams, the stepdaughter of Hip Hop artist Fabolous. They have a son, Essex, and a daughter, Emmy Love, together. Ari Fletcher also dated Memphis rapper Moneybagg Yo. The Impact reality show star revealed the couple suffered a miscarriage in 2022.
As far as his music career, G Herbo dropped the Survivor’s Remorse album in October 2022. That project featured appearances by two of Herbo’s children. “FWM” with Yosohn is the opening track on Survivor’s Remorse. “Paid” with Essex also lives on the studio LP.
French Montana recently sat down with Mike Tyson and Angie Martinez for the Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast. The conversation between the rap star, professional boxing legend, and Hip Hop radio icon included Montana providing details about an upcoming documentary.
Apparently, Canadian superstar Drake will be heavily involved in the creation of French Montana’s forthcoming autobiographical film. Montana spoke about Drake’s role for the project as well as the inspiration for the doc’s title.
“For Khadija. That’s for my mother,” said French Montana. “You know she came out here and sacrificed for us. My father had left and she stayed, and she helped me become who I became, so I dedicated it to her. Drake is executive producing it.”
Montana added, “It’s a real immigrant story, coming from Africa. I’m from Morocco to the Hip Hop culture in the Bronx and really just being in culture shock. Not knowing English when I was 13 when I came. And from there, just taking it from that.”
Drake has experience producing television shows through his DreamCrew Entertainment production company. DreamCrew is one of the teams behind Netflix’s Top Boy series and HBO’s award-winning Euphoriateen drama. Additionally, French Montan and Drake collaborated several times on songs such as “No Shopping” and “No Stylist.”
French Montana Has Been Honored For His Philanthropic Work In Africa
Karim “French Montana” Kharbouchwas born in Casablanca, Morocco before his family moved to the South Bronx in New York City. He raised his prominence in the NYC Hip Hip scene with the Coke Wave and Mac & Cheese mixtapes series.
In 2013, French Montana released his debut studio LP Excuse My French. The 38-year-old rhymer’s album discography also contains 2017’s Jungle Rules, 2019’s Montana, and 2021’s They Got Amnesia. Montana partnered with producer Harry Fraud for Montega in 2022.
The 2022-2023 season has been a rollercoaster ride for Lakers fans as well. Their season kicked off with ten losses in twelve games. LeBron James and the rest of the team currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference.
“LeBron James to @TheAthletic on the Lakers’ roster plans: ‘Y’all know what the f*** should be happening.’ More here on his waning patience, how his greatness is forcing this conversation, and why he deserves more help,” tweeted Sam Amick.
LeBron James to @TheAthletic on the Lakers' roster plans: "Y'all know what the f*** should be happening."
More here on his waning patience, how his greatness is forcing this conversation, and why he deserves more help https://t.co/Y20h9gf9jS
The Lakers & LeBron James Close In On A 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament Spot
LeBron James directly responded to Amick’s commentary with his own quote-tweet. He also pointed out the recent on-court boom for the Los Angeles Lakers over the last ten days.
“Hey Sam, actually my patience isn’t waning. You make it sound like I’m frustrated when I’m really not. I told you over and over, my job is focused on the guys in the locker room, my job isn’t the roster. That’s the reality of that conversation,” posted LeBron James.
The 4-time NBA champion continued, “And I said what I said with the [utmost] respect and calmness cause that’s the mood I’m in! [You’re] welcome! 5 game winning streak. 😉👑.” The Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings on January 7 for their fifth straight victory.
As of press time, the Lakers are half a game behind the Portland Trailblazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns for the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament race. All three of those teams are under 500 in their last ten games.
Hey Sam actually my patience isn’t waning. You make it sound like I’m frustrated when I’m really not. I told you over and over, my job is focused on the guys in the locker room, my job isn’t the roster. That’s the reality of that conversation. And I said what I said with the https://t.co/NocLse0dVf
It appears the 2023 Black Star Line Festival was a huge success for Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa. The “Wraith” collaborators presented the star-studded event in Accra, Ghana.
Erykah Badu, T-Pain, Jeremih, Sarkodie, Tobe Nwigwe, and more were part of the Black Star Line Festival lineup. The free January 6 concert drew 52,000 fans to Accra’s Black Star Square for the live music showcase.
“The Black Star Line Festival is more than just a celebration of Black culture and music, it’s a chance for the Diaspora to come together as a community and remind ourselves of the power that lies within us,” says Chance The Rapper.
The Chicago native adds, “It’s an opportunity to honor the legacy of those who came before us, and to inspire and uplift each other. It’s a historic event and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Black Star Line Festival.”
Chance The Rapper & Vic Mensa Wanted To Bring “Major Artists” To Ghana
Pan-African activist Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line shipping corporation served as an inspiration for the Black Star Line Festival. The Ghanaian government launched a fleet under the same name in homage to Garvey.
“When we came here and touched down and felt the love that we received and the fans that we got to connect with, the understanding for the need for the connection became apparent to us. We need a music festival bringing major artists to Ghana,” stated Chance last year.
SOS is once again the #1 album in America. SZA’s sophomore studio LP held on to the Billboard 200’s top spot for a fourth consecutive week.
The Top Entertainment release racked up another 125,000 equivalent album units over the latest tracking period. The project amassed 162 million streams over those seven days.
“4 weeks at number one is INSANE. Thank you God and thank you everyone for riding for me 🥹!!! 🫡🆘🤍,” tweeted SZA on Sunday afternoon. That Twitter post garnered more than 31,000 likes and 1 million views on the platform.
With the week four chart success of SOS, SZA found herself in the record books next to two music legends. The month-long reign equals the respective triumphs accomplished by Janet Jackson in 1993 and Alicia Keys in 2008.
SOS is the first female R&B album to spend its first four weeks at No. 1 since Janet Jackson’s janet. In addition, SZA’s latest effort is the first female R&B album to control the Billboard 200 for four weeks since Alicia Keys’s As I Am.
4 weeks at number one is INSANE. Thank you God and thank you everyone for riding for me 🥹!!! 🫡🆘🤍
SZA’s “Kill Bill” Is A Massive Hit On Spotify & Apple Music
SOS hosts “Used” featuring Don Toliver, “Ghost in the Machine” featuring Phoebe Bridgers,” “Open Arms” featuring Travis Scott, and “Forgiveless” featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard. SZA dropped “Good Days,” “I Hate U,” and “Shirt” as singles.
The SOS song “Kill Bill” also continues to do well on streaming service charts. “Kill Bill leads Spotify’s Daily Top Songs USA rankings as well as Apple Music’s Top 100: USA rankings. It currently sits at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Elsewhere on the most recent Billboard 200, Metro Boomin’s Heroes & Villains climbed one position to #3. Drake and 21 Savage’s Her Loss rose two slots to #4. Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti closed out the Top 5 at #5.
Soulja Boy is speaking up for Megan Thee Stallion, claiming he’s the only one in the rap world doing so while blasting Tory Lanez for shooting the Houston rapper.
The Atlanta rapper also branded Lanez “a b####,” during his tirade on Instagram Live.
“Yall n##### out here shooting b###### and aint nobody gone say nothing? I’m the only n#### in the whole rap game that’s gonna say something? Ok, cool,” Soulja Boy began.
He then turned his attention to Tory Lanez, calling him a “b####” while blasting those who supported him.
“Well, Tory Lanez you a b####. “You a b#### n#### on me,” Big Draco continued. “Yall watched this n#### shoot this b#### and everybody said, ‘He ain’t do it.’ Man, f### yall lame ass n#####.”
Soulja Boy doubled down in a second video, calling Tory Lanez “trash,’ and threatening to beat him up.
“You want to shoot b###### in the feet n####? Yous a p#### n####,” he continued. “And when you get from jail n#### you know where I’m at. You got a problem n#### I’ll beat your b#### ass n####. Don’t never rap over none of my beats, don’t never freestyle over none of my beats. You trash n####,” he said before adding, “your music trash. Your career trash. Your whole life trash.” Check out his comments below.
Soulja Boy Threatens To Put Hands On Tory Lanez
This isn’t the first time the “Sneaky Link 2.0” rapper threatened violence towards the Canadian for harming Megan thee Stallion.
“N##### will smack the hairline off Tory Lanez,” he tweeted in April 2021. “Dude a whole goofy shooting b###### and s### cap ASS n####.” However, at the time, the now-convicted felon had not been to trial. Soulja Boy deleted the post after speaking to Tory Lanez, explaining they settled the “misunderstanding.”
Just got off the phone wit @torylanez y’all chill we good on gang. Misunderstanding.
Meanwhile, Tory Lanez recently hired Suge Knight’s lawyer ahead of a hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 10, as reported by AllHipHop.com. He faces up to 22 years in prison and deportation to Canada when sentenced later this month.
R. Kelly has given another jailhouse interview and is now accusing blogger Tasha K. of leaking his emails and phone calls to his girlfriends before his trial and turning them against him.
In November 2019, the YouTuber claimed she had the inside scoop on R. Kelly and the two girlfriends still living in his high-rise apartment while he was locked up at Chicago’s federal jail awaiting trial.
“Yeah there’s a phone tap somewhere and I’m not gonna tell you where it’s at,” Tasha K. told her YouTube viewers during the stream. “I have the plug. I’m not gonna tell you where I got the information from, but just listen to the damn information, OK?”
A Sept. 2021 report reveals feds suspected a U.S. Bureau of Prisons officer of illegally accessing Kelly’s recorded phone calls, emails, visitor logs, and other restricted information while he was locked up. The officer is then alleged to have leaked them to Tasha K. The female officer accessed Kelly’s records more than 150 times but “had no official reason” to be looking them up.
The officer retired in December 2019. As of Sept. 2021, she had not been charged, according to the affidavit seen by Chicago Tribune.
R. Kelly Accuses Tasha K. Of “Witness Tampering”
In the latest part of his jailhouse interview aired by Natasha Simona, the disgraced singer blamed the blogger for ruining his case. R. Kelly claims Tasha K. leaking the private info turned his girlfriends against him right before his trial.
“For the last two years I’ve been trying to figure out how my girlfriends flipped on me,” R. Kelly stated before referring to the leaks from the BOP officer. He accused Tasha of “witness tampering,” causing a “devastating outcome” in his trial.
However, Tasha K. says R. Kelly is using her as leverage for a potential appeal. Check out the jailhouse interview and the blogger’s response below.
Lizzo takes pride in using her platform to “amplify marginalized voices,” and often shares her concerns on social issues with her fans via social media.
The issue causing the “About Damn Time” hitmaker concern on Sunday morning was cancel culture. She claims what was a tool for marginalized people has now been corrupted.
“This may be a random time to say this but it’s on my heart.. cancel culture is appropriation,” Lizzo began. “There was real outrage from truly marginalized people and now it’s become trendy, misused and misdirected.
Lizzo expressed her desire to center attention on the issues that affect real people. “I hope we can phase out of this & focus our outrage on the real problems,” she concluded.
This may be a random time to say this but it’s on my heart.. cancel culture is appropriation.
There was real outrage from truly marginalized people and now it’s become trendy, misused and misdirected.
I hope we can phase out of this & focus our outrage on the real problems.
Before calling out cancel culture, Lizzo shared her frustration over the “tired” “discourse around bodies,” calling out the constant criticism of women’s figures.
“I’ve seen comments go from, ‘Oh my gosh, I liked you when you were thick. Why did you lose weight?’” she vented in a TikTok on Friday. “‘Oh my gosh, why did you get a BBL? I liked your body before.’ ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so big. You need to lose weight but for your health’ to ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so little. You need to get a– or t###### or something.’ ‘Oh my gosh, why did she get all that work done? It’s too much work.”
Lizzo then questioned why people fail to notice the “delusion,” and called for an end to the backlash over beauty standards.
“Are we OK? Do you see the delusion? Do you realize that artists are not here to fit into your beauty standards?” she questioned before adding, “artists are here to make art. And this body is art. I’mma do whatever I want with this body. I wish that comments costed y’all money so we could see how much time we are f—ing wasting on the wrong thing. Can we leave that s— back there please?”
Lizzo was crowned the People’s Champion at the 2022 People’s Choice Awards last month.
However, instead of accepting the award: “I don’t need a trophy for championing people,” Lizzo presented 17 activists whom she believed worthy of recognition.
Tory Lanez is switching up his legal team, reportedly firing his trial attorney and hiring Suge Knight’s former lawyer ahead of an upcoming court appearance.
Legal reporter Meghann Cuniff reported that the R&B singer’s case returns to court on Tuesday (Jan. 10). The legal reporter covered last month’s trial where Tory Lanez was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
“Regarding Tory Lanez’s Tuesday court date, yes, there is a date listed on the jail roster,” Cuniff tweeted. “It’s not on Judge Herriford’s calendar, and he’s got a bunch of other stuff at the time. Attorney David Kenner confirmed to me last week he’s now representing Tory.”
The journalist explained, “Kenner is a longtime criminal defense attorney whose clients include former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight.”
However, according to Cuniff, Kenner would have been better off joining Tory’s defense team during the trial. “Anyone with actual experience in criminal law (not all lawyers) will tell you he’s joining the case a bit late: Before trial would have been better,” she added.
While Los Angeles Superior Court doesn’t make court documents available to the public, Cuniff shed some light on what might happen at Tuesday’s hearing.
“Some clues about what’s going on: Prosecutors tried to add a bribery count to Tory’s charges during trial, which the judge rejected,” the reporter explained. “Any post-conviction motion from David Kenner regarding false evidence or witness testimony is very unlikely to come this quick.”
Check out her updates on Tory Lanez adding Suge knight’s lawyer to the team and his upcoming court hearing at the end of the page.
Tory Lanez is facing up to 22 years in prison and deportation at sentencing later this month. A Change.org petition to appeal the verdict has garnered over 50,000 signatures.
Kenner is a longtime criminal defense attorney whose clients include former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight. Anyone with actual experience in criminal law (not all lawyers) will tell you he's joining the case a bit late: Before trial would have been better.
Some clues about what's going on: Prosecutors tried to add a bribery count to Tory's charges during trial, which the judge rejected. Any post-conviction motion from David Kenner regarding false evidence or witness testimony is very unlikely to come this quick.
Meek Mill may have enjoyed a fruitful trip to Ghana but is now receiving backlash for shooting a music video on the grounds of Jubilee House, the presidential palace in Accra that serves as a residence and office to the nation’s president. Watch the snippet below.
Once a clip of the video surfaced online, the Philly rapper began trending in Ghana. Social media users in Ghana began venting their frustration, with some calling it a near desecration of the presidency. Many claim the video shoot was a security breach while alleging the rapper and his team was allowed access to sensitive areas.
It’s not just social media users criticizing the move, a Ghanaian politician also waded in on the discussion.
Elikem Kotoko, a member of the main opposition party of Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) questioned the government’s decision to allow Meek Mill to shoot the video.
“How much did Meek Mill pay to the Ghanaian government to shoot this music video at the seat of government,” he asked in a Facebook post. “And if he didn’t pay a dime can other Ghanaian artistes be allowed to do same. Ooh Ghana.”
Ghanaian influencers also called out the government for allowing Meek to shoot at Jubilee House.
“Director of Diaspora Affairs & Minister of Interior, y’all really get questions answer for that Meek Mill video oooo.. how’s a drone being flown over the Jubilee house?” one user questioned. “As innnnnn???? You can’t even shoot a photo at the Independence Square & not get jumped at by ‘security’ Herh!”
“The Question is,” another tweeted, “Is it Right for Foreigner to use the sitting Office of the President for Music Video??
Meek Mill Meets The President of Ghana
Meek Mill was visiting Ghana to perform at AfroNation over Christmas when he shot the video causing all the controversy. However, he also had an audience with President Nana Akufo-Addo after his daughter insisted he meet the rapper.
During their discussion, the president thanked Meek Mill for coming to Ghana and “reforging the link,” between the nations. He also expressed his desire to leverage “our mutual strengths,“ to help “elevate the position of Black people in the world.” Check out the clips below and some of the criticism of Meek’s trip at the end of the page.
The office of the president has been in disgrace since Akufo Addo became president. There's no dignity again. Who is Meekmill to shoot a video at the jubilee house. Herh pic.twitter.com/CxVPM4VKoe
Officials were forced to briefly pause the WBC featherweight title boxing match midway through the first round after a commotion in the crowd. Footage from the event shows the Philly rapper engaged in a heated exchange with Russell Jr. and their respective entourages.
Shortly after the fight, Meek Mill jumped on Twitter to congratulate the winner and explain why he left before the end of the fight.
“Congratulations tankkk!!!” he told Davis who by TKO in the eighth round. “I almost fought a boxer telling him this fight not going 12 rounds I missed the big bomb!!!!
While some on social media called out the “On My Soul” hitmaker for almost getting into a fight, Meek said he would never have allowed things to become physical.
“I would never let no petty s### escalate to let somebody movie run,” he stating before adding, “I just walked away .. I came to support tank and boots!!!!!! Good wins ✨✨✨.”
I would never let no petty s### escalate to let somebody movie run …. I just walked away .. I came to support tank and boots!!!!!! Good wins ✨✨✨✨✨
He also explained that he was “nice to everybody at that fight,” adding, “everybody in that section seen my level of respect towards.” Meek then claimed that he was reacting “to something aggressive,’ and was not the aggressor.
Meek Mill Apologizes For Disrupting The Fight
Ultimately, Meek Mill apologized, acknowledging that a debate about sports is never that serious, but said he “had a few shots,” that night.
“I have no business going back and forth that hard with a random person and we just talking about sports…so my apologies for wasting time for nothing! I had a few shots I know how to dodge those! Congrats Tank and boots!!!” he concluded.
Wallo, of Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, was also at the center of the incident. However, he claims he was trying to de-escalate the situation and prevent anyone involved from taking things too far.
“I would never do anything to hurt or see brothers get hurt,” the Philly influencer explained. “Didn’t touch or disrespect any of my brothers. I know how powerful disagreements are where we come from. I will never let no bs go down & watch our brothers destroy their lives.”
Meek Mill returned to social media on Sunday evening to double down on his response, stating, “I’ma move better!”
Check out his tweets below.
I was nice to everybody at that fight if you was there you saw! The blogs gone put up the aggressive part after I respond to something aggressive … everybody in that section seen my level of respect towards others… i just gotta step my response game up!
I have no business going back and forth that hard with a random person and we just talking about sports…so my apologies for wasting time for nothing! I had a few shots I know how to dodge those! Congrats Tank and boots!!!
I was suppose to sit in the mayor suite and I actually wanted too but I had too many people with me .I second guess walking thru crowds like that where it’s mostly street but I love my people so much I need to be up close near them not boxed away! I’ma move better!
