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Lil Keed Died Of Possible Parasitic Infection

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Lil Keed’s official cause of death has been revealed.

According to PEOPLE, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined Lil Keed died of natural causes due to eosinophilia. The 24-year-old rapper passed away in May 2022.

The Mayo Clinic says eosinophilia is “a higher than normal level of eosinophils,” which are disease-fighting white blood cells. The condition can be caused by a parasitic infection, cancer or an allergic reaction.

Lil Keed’s autopsy didn’t clarify how he developed eosinophilia. He was feeling sick for several days prior to his death.

“He had been sick in bed for 4 days with complaints of stomach and back pains,” the coroner’s report explained. “His brother noted that the decedent’s eyes were jaundiced and drove him to the hospital in a private vehicle.”

Lil Keed suffered a seizure en route to the hospital. The YSL artist became unresponsive and later died at the hospital.

Days before Lil Keed’s death, Young Thug and more than two dozen YSL members were indicted in a sweeping RICO case. Prosecutors claim YSL is a criminal street gang.

Young Thug and 13 co-defendants await trial on RICO charges. Eight men – including Gunna and Young Thug’s brother Unfoonk – accepted plea deals in the case.

Aaliyah’s Uncle Barry Hankerson Allegedly Knew She Was Being Abused By R. Kelly But Wanted The Money

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly: The Final Chapter examined his relationship with Aaliyah and her uncle Barry Hankerson’s alleged lies.

R. Kelly’s former backup dancer Jovante Cunningham said Hankerson was well aware of the disgraced singer’s sordid involvement with Aaliyah. Cunningham called out Hankerson, who once managed R. Kelly, for allegedly lying about what he knew in a 2021 interview with Dr. Oz.

“Barry’s full of s###,” Cunningham said. “Barry knew exactly what was going on.”

Hankerson claimed he cut ties with R. Kelly after learning about the singer’s illegal marriage to Aaliyah in the Dr. Oz interview. But Cunningham recalled Hankerson using his niece as a bargaining chip when R. Kelly didn’t want to renew Hankerson’s management contract.

“I remember coming back off of tour and Robert saying that he wasn’t gonna renew his management contract with Barry,” she explained. “Barry said, ‘If you don’t renew my management contract, I’m gonna pull the plug on you and Aaliyah.’ And Robert didn’t, or so I thought. And maybe two or three days later is when we found out about the marriage. I didn’t know anything about it.”

Cunningham added, “I remember thinking to myself, ‘You dirty m###########.’ You would do this to your niece? You’re OK with this type of behavior? Wow.”

Nakia Vestal, another former R. Kelly backup dancer, also accused Hankerson of lying. She heard him tell a similar story to the one he told on Dr. Oz’s show in a radio interview.

“I just remember hearing [him] on the radio,” Vestal said. “I was in Houston driving to work and Barry Hankerson, his former manager, was saying, ‘Oh when I found out about him messing with my niece Aaliyah, I stopped working with him.’ November of 1994 when I met him, Barry was still his manager. Barry ate breakfast with us.”

Lizzette Martinez, one of R. Kelly’s victims, poked holes in Hankerson’s story as well.

“I met Barry Hankerson in 1995 in January when I was 17 years old after the annulment of the marriage between Aaliyah and Robert,” she said. “For him to be sitting there with underage girls knowing what he had just done to his niece, I don’t know if I really have a lot of respect for this person.”

The last episode of Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly: The Final Chapter aired on Tuesday (January 3). All four parts are available to stream here with a TV provider login.

Here’s Another Take On Keith Murray: “WTF”

By: Kyle EusticeCategory: Rumors

Holy shizzzzzz. Keith Murray was a trending Twitter topic on Tuesday (January 3) following an interview he did with my friend over at The Art of Dialogue. The clips are wild—with him simulating oral sex and other questionable sexual positions. He also made some incredulous claims involving himself, Foxy Brown and Kurupt. All this while acting loopier than a box of Fruit Loops.

Look, there is no way on God’s green earth Keith Murray is not on something illicit. Either that or dude drinks a helluva lot of coffee or Red Bull or loves him some OTC uppers ’cause he’s definitely still getting lifted—in some way. I don’t know, but something’s up (and if so, somebody in his inner circle should quickly intervene). Honestly, it was pretty disturbing, especially to hear how he talked about women. All I could think was “gross.” Sorry Keith, when you’re in your 50s and still acting like a hormonal teenager, it’s kinda weird. This clip, in particular, was hard to stomach; the cringe factor was through the roof.

As one Twitter user noted: “This n-gga Keith Murray looks like a coke head telling these stories.” Need I say more?

Lil Wayne, Birdman, T.I., Future: Young Thug’s RICO Case Just Took An Interesting Turn

By: Kyle EusticeCategory: Rumors

Young Thug has been locked up since May 2022 when he was arrested on a slew of RICO charges. On Wednesday (January 4), WSBTV-Atlanta revealed Lil Wayne, Birdman, T.I., Future, Rich Homie Quan, YFN Lucci and Trippie Redd could be called to testify.

Killer Mike, Young Thug’s fiancée, 300 Entertainment’s Kevin Liles and YouTube’s Head of Global Music Lyor Cohen, among others, were also named as potential defense witnesses a day prior.

Not even the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial had this much star power. (There was that awkward video testimony from model Kate Moss, but that was about it.)

As for the state’s list, it includes 157 names connected to the Atlanta Police Department, 62 names from various law enforcement agencies and 125 lay witnesses. Needless to say, this is going to be a long trial. The proceedings are expected to begin next week for 14 defendants, including Young Thug. Jury selection got underway on Tuesday (January 3), which have caused some passionate reactions from fans online.

Young Thug’s co-defendant, Gunna, was released last month. Many believe he snitched to get himself out. However, he was only hit with one racketeering conspiracy charge, unlike Thugger who’s been slapped with multiple counts, including drug and weapon charges. The trial could get interesting if the roster of rap stars are called to testify. We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, is it still free Young Thug?

Is Cassie’s “Emaciated” Body The New Hollywood Chic?

By: Kyle EusticeCategory: Rumors

Whether they like it or not, celebrities are subject to scrutiny from the public on a daily basis. Cassie, singer, model and Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, is no exception. On Tuesday (January 3), Cassie—a mother of two—uploaded a video of herself strutting her stuff looking impossibly thin. Par for the course, the first batch of comments came from a sea of blue checks and included lots of fire emojis and applause. But as you scroll down, they get more ominous and the outrage only intensifies.

“To each their own but advertising emaciated and severely underweight as a weight loss/workout plan seems grossly irresponsible,” one person wrote, while another said, “So funny how all the blue check people love the look and all the regulars hate it. Why y’all lying to your friend? That’s not the look for me. Wish she just would go back to her regular self. Was hot then, even when pregnant but is a no for me now.”

https://twitter.com/asthetiss/status/1610375742587535360?s=20&t=6BiifNiz9HWri_X5AqvKDQ

Other comments were even more harmful, with several suggesting she looks like a trans man. Whatever is going on with Cassie, people can’t help but notice. Is this the new Hollywood chic?

Of course, Cassie isn’t the first to face recent criticism; the Kartrashians Kardashians have been accused of promoting unhealthy body images lately, too. In November 2022, Buzzfeed wrote an entire article on an episode of The Kardashians in which Khloé Kardashian got visibly elated after her sister Kim Kardashian told her the other siblings were worried about her being “too thin.” There were rumors Kim and Khloé even got their Brazilian butt lifts reversed.

As one person pointed out in Cassie’s comments, “All the stars are getting real thin. Is there like a new diet or some out?” Cassie’s video drew over 4,000 comments, and while a handful of them were positive, the majority of them wanted to know if she had some kind of medical condition. If 2023 is all about being rail thin, pass the mashed potatoes ’cause…no. There’s enough pressure on the average woman to look like Instagram models and we don’t need it to get any worse. Also, maybe we should normalize NOT commenting on women’s bodies at all because it’s really none of our business. She seems confident in her own skin—and that’s a good thing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm900_xhSuo/?hl=en

How sowayv Went From Dave East’s DJ To Recording Artist

By: Shirley JuCategory: Breeding Ground

If you’re not familiar with the genre of hyperpop, let sowayv put you on. The unique and distinct sound is characterized by an exaggerated take on popular music, typically integrating themes found in electronic, hip hop, and dance music. 

And if there’s one thing you can expect from sowayv’s live shows, it’s the undeniably turnt energy and willingness to let loose and let it all go. First exploding onto the scene as a DJ, even serving as Dave East’s official DJ for two years, the New York native knows a thing or two about getting the crowd as lit as possible. Soon, he’d learn how to record on his own, stepping into the limelight as a recording artist and wearing his heart on his sleeve with each release.

In describing his sound, sowayv states it’s “hyperpop, electric, punk. It’s punk / R&B, really electric energy. It’s very high energy music, it’s going to have the crowd going crazy.”

Most recently, sowayv unveiled his newest EP titled Built For This, with direct influences from Playboi Carti and Travis Scott.

sowayv spoke to AllHipHop in downtown Los Angeles, giving a first-person account on how he went from DJing to recording artist, as well as how he caught the attention of DJ Diamond Kuts.

AllHipHop: You’re from New York, right? 

sowayv: Yes, originally. Brooklyn, Coney Island.

AllHipHop: How was that growing up?

sowayv: I actually moved a lot. I was born and raised in Coney Island. I moved when I was about eight to Staten Island. I moved again to Jersey, probably about three other spots in Jersey, then back to Long Island, New York. That’s where I finished off high school at, and ventured off for my DJ career. That’s where everything started, in Long Island.

How’d you get into DJing?

I was in Jersey at the time when I started DJing, a town called Vineland, New Jersey. I literally started off with a laptop. I had a friend by the name of DJ Mugga Stackz, we literally came up together. I was in my house, literally we started off with a laptop, doing virtual DJ on backyard parties. I sold my dad’s speaker, one of his church speakers. My dad’s a pastor. I got my first turntables and I started learning how to spin. 

There was this barbershop around where I was at called The Layup. This guy named DJ Flair, he had techniques there. He’d always tell me to pull up, I’ll pull up. I’ll ask him how to DJ and how to do it. He’d say “yo, learn on YouTube. Figure it out.” Every day I’d come and keep figuring out how to put the needle on the record and different things. Eventually after two months, I started teaching myself how to do everything. 

AllHipHop: Talk about DJ Diamond Kuts putting you on.

sowayv: The town I was in New Jersey at the time, there’s this lady named DJ Diamond Kuts. She’s from Philly. She did a poll on Twitter asking, looking for DJs in the area. Asked everybody: “who you think I should join to my crew?” The city I was in at the time in Jersey, they all tagged me. DJ Diamond Kuts ended up reaching out, she brought me to Power99 out in Philly. That was my next step of somebody big in the industry rocking with me. 

That turned up a little bit more in Jersey, that’s when I moved back to Long Island. My life is crazy! When I moved to Long Island, I met a bunch of influencer friends. A bunch more friends that helped me, guide me to where I’m at today. We started doing backyard parties that were hitting the news. 

AllHipHop: What about Funk Master Flex?

sowayv: Funk Master Flex’s manager’s daughter went to Amityville High School with me. I did a bunch of pep rally stuff at the school, so my name started to ring bells. These parties are on YouTube too, backyard parties where we’re pulling 1000 kids in the backyard. Project X s###, then it got to Flex. I started doing Webster Hall with Funk Master Flex every Thursday. 

Who I was started to get a lot of notoriety around the time. I kept doing those parties, it started to become big parties. I had this promoter, he used to book a lot of big artists. One of the artists he booked was Dave East. So when Dave East came to the party I was DJing at, he didn’t have a DJ. Wayno was his manager at the time. Went to Wayno like yo, I need to be his DJ. Next thing you know, next week I was on tour with them on the Jeezy tour. 

AllHipHop: Were you making music then?

sowayv: This whole time, I was still making music. My own music, I just didn’t know how I wanted to do it or what direction I wanted to go in. That went on for about two years. After that, I ventured off. Funny thing: there’s a bunch of Asian profiles that were coming on my Facebook page. They’d say Wavy, just Wavy. I didn’t understand what was going on. I started looking at the page, started doing my research. 

When I changed the name to sowayv, at the time, I didn’t even know there was another Wavy out there. I didn’t know anything. I was literally trying to change my name. Because as a DJ, you’re putting out music, I don’t feel like people appreciate you as an artist. 

They won’t look at you as an artist because you’re a DJ. I tried to find some type of way to make people hear the music, that’s why I took the DJ name out. I named myself sowayv, but what I found out probably two years ago is that I have the same name as a Kpop band named WayV.

I went through a whole year of literally not trolling, but let’s work. Let’s figure out why we got the same name. They never responded. I started a whole trilogy of them trying to reach out to me and their fans. Some of them hated me, some of them loved me. My Lives were 10K, 20K. It was the craziest s### I’ve ever seen in my life. I don’t hate the band, they’re dope. I’m proud of what they’re doing. We just had the same name. A lot of their fans thought they were me when they were following me, so that’s where the big big following came from. 

Before that, I was a regular New York DJ. I played on Hot 97 a couple of times. I had a lot of big cosigns from Just Blaze, Funk Flex. I was playing with Vashti a lot at Webster Hall. I already was in the industry. I loved making music, I just didn’t know how I wanted to do it.

AllHipHop: Did you learn anything from touring with Dave East, in terms of being a recording artist?

sowayv: Absolutely yeah, experience. How to move. I was behind it all, I got to see everything. Just making sure you’re moving right, that’s number one. We’re losing too many artists nowadays. East knows how to move, definitely learned a lot from East.

AllHipHop: Did that ever make you want to do the more boom bap hip-hop?

sowayv: Nah, it honestly made me want to go the direction I’m in now: hyperpop artist. I don’t want to do no hip hop hip hop stuff. I’m more into pop. I have EDM records about to come out. I’m more so going for the different vibe. 

Aspect Zavi of Chicago Drops New Hit Single “Calling You,” Backed By His Company Ozone Wrld

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: Music

Aspect Zavi was one of the first 5 users to ever utilize Instagram and TikTok, he has been with TikTok since TikTok was referred to as Musical.ly, and he joined both of these applications when they were in Beta testing by helping to modify and improve performance. 

Zavi is experienced in making content go viral and, at just 23 years old is already considered a social media guru. One of the best, he is a true musician and very talented. 

In 2010, Zavi had the longest-running viral video on Vine before the platform deleted the application, where he was once again one of the top 5 users on the platform.

Zavi has been going viral consistently on a yearly basis since then, developing meaningful relationships with iconic artists of today, including Tory Lanez, Lil Uzi Vert, Paris Hilton, Soulja Boy, Brandy, Ray J, Famous Dex, Bobby Shmurda, Cary Miller & more.

Zavi is set to apply heavy pressure for 2023. He has captivated critical attention with his newly released single, “Calling You,” available now on all major platforms. This track is an immense mesh of music and life as Zavi depicts the world he lives in where life’s challenges aren’t always a reality.

Be sure to have listen and see for yourself!

https://music.apple.com/us/album/calling-you-single/1662312687

Follow Aspect Zavi on Instagram.

Keith Murray Talks More About Shawnna & Ludacris

By: IllseedCategory: Rumors

Keith Murray has a lot of people talking! Murray is a rapper from the 1990s who scored several major hits. He was a part of the Def Squad crew, which is one of the dopest collections of rappers, especially from the East Coast. Now, Murray has given away all of his sex stories from the ’90s. WOW. 

He’s turned off quite a few people and yet he’s getting all of the attention from the internet. This begs the question: “What do we want? “I don’t know the answer, but I do know it ain’t class! When I saw Keith Murray trending, I never thought it was due to death.

We witnessed him perform at The D.O.C.’s film release, screening and party. He was performing on stage in tribute to The D.O.C., but they had to forcibly remove him from the stage. He was doing the most! Anyway, Keith Murray has mentioned Foxy Brown and Shawnna in his exploits of sex and debauchery. With Fox, he said he got top and from Shawnna, he says he gave it. My dude has me thinking he’s telling the truth. He’s giving all the “goss” and “scalding hot tea.” 

Anyway, I have long heard Murray is on that “stuff.” And the source I have is adamantly sticking with that assertion. BUT, I can tell you this. One rumor is not true. Keith Murray is not on CRACK. Again, “the most beautifullest thing in this world” is not crack for the Long Island rap master. 

I am happy to hear that, but I am hearing of other things that he may be into. And these new interview clips are cray enough to keep those rumors alive. Anyway, whatever it takes, I guess.

Here’s a more interesting interview below.

Vic Mensa To Help Provide Clean Drinking Water To Communities In Ghana

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

Vic Mensa (born Victor Kwesi Mensah) seems to be fully embracing his Ghanaian heritage. The Chicago-born recording artist is currently in the African nation for the Black Star Line Summit.

According to TMZ, Vic Mensa plans to help bring clean water to people in Ghana. Mensa reportedly partnered with his Ghanaian father for the philanthropic effort that costs around $45,000 per borehole.

“We’re building 3 boreholes in different communities in Ghana to provide clean drinking water; the first being the Asokore Zongo in Koforidua where my family lives, which is already built,” Vic Mensa told the celebrity news outlet.

He added, “The other locations are a nearby community called Effiduase and then our ancestral village in the Volta Region, Amedzofe. Most people in communities like this in Ghana experience constant waterborne diseases.”

Vic Mensa & Fellow Chicago Native Chance The Rapper Present The Black Star Line Festival

In 2022, SaveMoney collective members Vic Mensa and Chance The Rapper announced the Black Star Line Festival. The Marcus Garvey-inspired cultural event is set for January 6 in Accra, Ghana’s Black Star Square.

“When Vic and I started our careers and started touring, we did shows all over the US. Eventually, we started touring in Europe, we did shows in Asia, South America, Central America, but we never had a chance to play our music for the people who support us the most,” said Chance The Rapper last July.

Chance also stated, “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. This is what we’re working to create.” 

The Black Star Line Summit, powered by Revolt, hosted a Pan-African Conference on January 3. Panelists included Vic Mensa, Chance The Rapper, spoken word poet J. Ivy, filmmakers Coodie & Chike, architect David Adjaye, Ghanaian politician Samia Nkrumah, and more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vic Mensa (@vicmensa)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vic Mensa (@vicmensa)

Dave East Reflects On Getting Backlash For Criticizing Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

Lil Nas X’s breakout hit “Old Town Road” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a record-breaking nineteen weeks in 2019. While many DSP users streamed the openly gay performer’s song for months, Hip Hop artist Dave East was not a fan of “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.

In fact, East blasted the single. He stated, “This f###### ‘Old Town Road’ s### is f###### wack. I don’t know what the f### is going on with Hip Hop or rap but… I ain’t no hater, man, but that s### is wack with a cape on it. It’s super wack!”

Those comments by Dave East caused a stir on social media as Lil Nas X fans took aim at the former protégé of Hip Hop legend Nasir “Nas” Jones. In 2020, East also posted “BATI MON BUN UP” in response to LNX dressing up as Nicki Minaj for Halloween. Batty man is a Jamaican slur used to describe gay men.

“It’s ‘batty man’ n##### can’t even be homophobic the proper way smh butchering the hell out of the patois,” wrote Lil Nas X in response to Dave East’s statements. The Atlanta-bred star continued, “Bro I don’t bother a soul in this industry. All I do is tweet and make bangers. Leave me alone. Damn.”

Dave East Took Issue With NYC Radio Playing “Old Town Road”

Several years after the story broke, Dave East reflected on the controversy involving Lil Nas X. The Survival album creator recently sat down with Math Hoffa for an episode of the battle rap legend’s My Expert Opinion podcast. The conversation eventually covered East’s “Old Town Road” review.

“I said I did not like ‘Old Town Road.’ One day, I felt a way. I said, ‘I don’t like this record.’ You know their entire community ran down on me,” said Dave East. The 34-year-old emcee continued, “I never said nothing about the [LGBTQ] community. I’m cool with the people in the community.”

The Wu-Tang: An American Saga actor added, “It’s like you can’t have an opinion on s### no more. You gotta know what comes with it. I didn’t say nothing about [Lil Nas X’s] preference as far as who he is as a person. I don’t give a f### about that.”

Dave East also told My Expert Opinion, “I don’t like the song. I don’t like the fact that it’s being played on New York radio where I know it’s a thousand n##### right in the town. When I go to Atlanta, the radio sounds like Atlanta.”

Bobby Shmurda Reacts To Uncle Murda Name-Dropping Him On “Rap Up 2022”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

Once again Uncle Murda reviewed another year by dropping his “Rap Up 2022” song. The track included some bars about fellow New York City native Bobby Shmurda.

“NBA YoungBoy had Rich The Kid shook over a little picture with Lil Durk that he took. Hope he knows Bobby Shmurda and Rich The Kid different, Bobby will really boom you, n####, watch who you mention,” rapped Uncle Murda.

That part of “Rap Up 2022” focused on the beef between Brooklyn’s Bobby Shmurda and Baton Rouge’s YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Shmurda reacted to Uncle Murda’s lines about his feud with Youngboy.

“I’m a changed man, Murda! I’m a changed man!” said a laughing Bobby Shmurda in a video posted to the internet. He added, “I’m a different man. I’m tryna change, Murda. I ain’t trying to boom nobody no more.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Murda (@unclemurda)

Bobby Shmurda (born Ackquille Jean Pollard) served over six years in a New York state prison. The “Hot N*gga” rhymer pled guilty to third-degree conspiracy and weapons possession in 2016. He was released in February 2021.

After exiting the Clinton Correctional Facility, Bobby Shmurda vowed he would never be back behind bars again. The independent artist went on to drop the Bodboy EP in 2022 which hosted his polarizing “Hoochie Daddy” single.

Uncle Murda’s “Rap Up 2022” is the latest installment in the emcee’s yearly recaps of the previous twelve months. The 2022 version also included bars about Will Smith, Chris Rock, Kanye West, Antonio Brown, Young Thug, Tory Lanez, Megan Thee Stallion, and other celebrities.

La Chat Mourns The Passing Of Gangsta Boo

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

Lola “Gangsta Boo” Mitchell passed away on January 1, 2023. The Memphis-raised rapper was 43 years old. Gangsta Boo’s close collaborator, La Chat, shared a personal message about her late friend.

“This is not easy [for] me, wake up in tears, doze off in tears, the tears won’t stop falling, my eyes burning,” posted La Chat on Instagram. It’s [going to] take [some] time but with GOD INVOLVED I KNOW IMA BE OK sooner than I [think]. I [have] been [with] Boo all my whole life. She was a STRONG INDEPENDENT BLACK WOMAN, [that] didn’t take no s### lol.”

La Chat continued, “Y’all couldn’t imagine all the things we have done, all the convos we have had [every day], literally ALL the time we have spent, all the money we have made [together]. We both [were] our mothers’ only daughters. We [were] raised with nun but men and was blessed [to] rap with THE BEST GROUP EVER WHICH WAS ALL MEN WHICH MADE US SISTERS!!!”

Gangsta Boo and La Chat were closely aligned with the Three 6 Mafia rap group. The Memphis-based collective included Gangsta Boo as an official member with La Chat being part of Three 6 Mafia’s extended musical family.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by La Chat(MsChickenhead) (@lachat_ig)

Gangsta Boo & La Chat Teamed Up For The ‘Witch’ EP

Fellow Memphis-raised rapstress GloRilla also shared a personal tribute to Gangsta Boo. The “Tomorrow 2” hitmaker wrote, “[Gangsta Boo] always supported me & the girls way back before we blew up. 💯A REAL LEGEND. There will never be another Gangsta Boo 🙏🏼.”

Additionally, Gangsta Boo’s mother, Veronica Mitchell, released a statement. Her message read, “The Mitchell family would like to thank everyone for their condolences regarding the untimely death of Lola ‘Gangsta Boo’ Mitchell. The family is asking for your continued prayers and privacy as we process the loss of our loved one.”

Gangsta Boo and La Chat’s collaborative Witch extended play came out in May 2014. The Gangsta Boo discography also contains solo albums like Enquiring Minds and Enquiring Minds II: The Soap Opera. La Chat has created solo projects like Murder She Spoke and Murder She Spoke II.

Quentin Miller: I Never Got A Publishing Check For Writing Drake’s Songs

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

At one point in Hip Hop history, a rapper using a ghostwriter equated to a cardinal sin. However, when the world found out Quentin Miller penned some of Drake’s lyrics in 2015, the general reaction was a collective shrug.

That ghostwriting saga was part of the heated feud between Drake and Meek Mill. While both Drake and Meek reconciled and continued to find success, Miller’s career as a recording artist never took off in a newsworthy way.

Quentin Miller is now discussing how he allegedly did not get properly compensated for his work with Drake. The Atlanta-bred songwriter spoke to VladTV about his publishing deal at the time.

“I’m working with a n#### that, literally, was about to change my life,” said Miller about Drake. “Even though I was in my horrible, horrible, horrible publishing situation with Tricky [Stewart]. So, I never got a publishing check off of any Drake songs.”

He added, “I had to feed my family off getting paid under the table in that situation because Tricky and them wouldn’t let me go. I didn’t get out of that deal until 2019, 2020. I signed in 2011. They wouldn’t let me out. I had to let go of a lot of s### just to get out. But even while I was in it, I never got a publishing check or nothing.”

In addition to writing bars for the OVO Sound boss, Quentin Miller released music as one-half of WDNG Crshrs with TheCoolisMac. Miller also dropped solo projects such as 2017’s Hey! Thanks a Lot 3, 2018’s Q.M., and 2020’s Na Fr.

SZA Pays Tribute To Her “Fave” Lizzo During HBO Special, Teases New Collabs

By: London JennnCategory: News

SZA joined Lizzo onstage for a memorable performance during Lizzo’s recent HBO Max special Lizzo: Live in Concert.  

“This is my f###### fave,” SZA announced to the crowd as she pointed excitedly at Lizzo who appeared overwhelmed by the praise from her friend and collaborator. “Make some noise for my f###### fave, Lizzo” she repeated as the audience erupted with cheers.  

“This is unreal,” she added. “Thank you so much for even just being my friend. I love you, you’re special.” 

While many fans were left wondering why the two friends did not collaborate on SZA’s latest project, SOS, a recent interview revealed Lizzo is in fact on the album. “F2F” features a pitched-up recording of the “Grrrls” hitmaker hidden behind the track. Lizzo also is credited as a songwriter on the track and was in the studio with SZA while she recorded it.  

“We just happened to have that one pulled up the day that Lizzo was there,” Rob Bisel, one of the producers, told Rolling Stone.  

SZA Confirms Upcoming Lizzo Collab

The “No Love” singer herself also teased a Lizzo feature on the deluxe edition, revealing she appears on “Boy From South Detroit.” 

However, the duo also recorded “five or six” rock songs that could appear on the deluxe.  

“There’s definitely a handful [of tracks with Lizzo]. I don’t want to incriminate myself here, but there’s some stuff floating around for sure,” Bisel admitted.  

“We just have so much fun together. And I feel like she gets me. She’s another person who has hella music tastes and doesn’t fit in anybody’s box of anything,” added SZA. “She makes it seem like she doesn’t even care like she just does whatever she wants. And I just love being with her, just as a friend and hanging out. So whenever she comes to a studio, I just feel like, ‘Let’s drop into some b#######.’” 

Missy Elliott Urges Fans To Embrace A “Fearless” Attitude All 2023 

By: London JennnCategory: News

Missy Elliott wants her fans to begin their year with the same energy she embodies, urging them to eliminate negative energy in 2023. 

The Hip-Hop icon took to Instagram on the first day of the year to celebrate with her followers, spreading a message of peace and love. Missy also encouraged everyone to maintain a “fearless” attitude and manifest their dreams.  

“I wanna say Happy New Year to everyone! Now listen, you gotta walk in to 2023 being fearless,” Missy Elliott began. “You gotta make sure that the friends that you around match your energy. You don’t need nobody lazy around you or with negative energy because you don’t want nothing to block your blessing.” 

She continued: “So make sure that you are full of peace and happiness and whatever you wanna do, you do it this year! Anything that you wanna become, you become it this year! Have drive, have consistency. And yeah, 2023 is yours! We gon’ already claim that.” 

Missy doubled down on the positivity in the caption, adding: “It’s gonna be a PRODUCTIVE & PROSPEROUS YEAR because you gonna step out on FAITH. Mentally you gonna be in a better space than before! JUST CLAIM IT 2023 is YOURS!” Check out her message in the clip below.  

Missy Elliott Shares Her Message of Fearlessness

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cm4U2e9K6ER/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

While Missy Elliott wants everybody to make their dreams come true this year, the legendary rapper experienced some amazing moments in 2022, celebrating her status as a Hip-Hop visionary.  

In January, Missy honored her “sisters in Hip-Hop” as she became the first female rapper to earn six consecutive RIAA platinum-certified albums. Her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia, also paid tribute to the musical genius by naming a street after her in October.  

Weeks later, Missy Elliott unveiled her wax figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas before receiving her second honorary degree. Norfolk State University presented the star with the honor in November.

Cardi B Complains About Cost Of Living Despite Claiming She’s Worth More Than $40 Million 

By: London JennnCategory: News

While Cardi B is worth millions, she still feels the cost of increasing prices.  

The NYC rapper took to Twitter to complain about the cost of her grocery shopping and how much she must pay for her salad.  

“Naaaaaa grocery shopping prices are ridiculous right now 😑,’ Cardi B wrote on Tuesday evening (Jan. 3). According to Belcalis, the price of grocery shopping is so high, it’s comparable to eating out. “You might as well eat outside !!” she added.  

Cardi B had apparently returned from a trip to the store and was shocked at the price of lettuce. “B#### why lettuce cost 6 dollars where I live at ? 😑” she questioned.  

While many in the replies joined Cardi in bemoaning the cost of living, others pointed out her fans aren’t in the same income bracket.  

Cardi B Claims She’s Worth More than $40 Million

Last month the “Hot S###” hitmaker claimed she is worth more than $40 million after speculating the country has gone into recession. However, Cardi B said she works hard on budgeting to maintain her lifestyle while paying her bills and helping her loved ones.  

“I’m worth more [than] that,” she said in response to a tweet suggesting she is worth $40 million. “And guess what? If I don’t save, work, and budget I could lose it too!” tweeted Cardi B. “What makes you think that no matter how much money you got you can’t lose it all if you don’t manage your money correctly. I too have bills, responsibilities, and people I have to help.” 

Cardi B may be correct about an impending recession. Earlier this week, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva warned 2023 will be tougher on the global economy than the last 12 months.  

“The three big economies, US, EU, China, are all slowing down simultaneously,” she said, as per CNN Business.  

 “We expect one third of the world economy to be in recession,” she explained. However, she also said that even for countries that are not in recession: “It would feel like recession for hundreds of millions of people.” 

Waka Flocka Explains Why He Roots For Gucci Mane From Afar

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Waka Flocka spoke about the current state of his relationship with Gucci Mane in an interview on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast.

Sharpe asked Waka Flocka what led to the rapper’s falling out with Gucci Mane. The multi-platinum selling artist didn’t want to get into it because he was tired of talking about their past beef.

Waka Flocka said he and Gucci Mane are on good terms now, but fans shouldn’t expect a reunion. The former collaborators grew apart over the years, so Waka Flocka’s content with supporting Gucci Mane from afar.

“We good,” he explained. “He doing something totally different. I wouldn’t move how he move. I couldn’t do that … He happy doing what he doing. And s###, I’m happy doing what I’m doing.”

He continued, “So, if it ever intertwines in a time and place, it’s what it is. But he happy. And to me, that’s all I ever wanted to see – my dawg happy. He happy being where he at, I don’t gotta be there. I’ll cheer for a n#### from a mile away. I don’t care.”

Waka Flocka also discussed his earlier days with Gucci Mane, noting how he was willing to take a bullet for Guwop at one point in his life.

Watch a clip of the Club Shay Shay conversation below and check out the full interview here.

R. Kelly’s Alleged Force-Feeding Feces Ritual Revealed

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly: The Final Chapter examined more of the trauma suffered by his victims.

The Final Chapter premiered on Monday (January 2). The continuation of Surviving R. Kelly explored his abuse of Azriel Clary, who testified against R. Kelly in his racketeering and sex trafficking trial in 2021.

Clary said R. Kelly once forced her to eat her own feces. A clip of Clary making the accusation originally surfaced in 2020.

According to Lifetime’s documentary series, Clary wasn’t the only victim forced to eat feces. R. Kelly allegedly made girls perform the disgusting act as a ritual to prove their loyalty.

“There was another incident where Robert made one of the girls or a couple of the girls eat his feces,” one unnamed participant said. “That was more of a loyalty type of ritual when they had to eat the feces.”

The conclusion of Surviving R. Kelly: The Final Chapter airs on Tuesday night (January 3). The first two episodes are available to stream here with a TV provider login.

R. Kelly was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking in New York. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The disgraced singer was also convicted of child pornography and child enticement in Chicago. He awaits sentencing in the second case.

Does Gucci Mane Have The Worst Luck In Rap?

By: Kyle EusticeCategory: Rumors

With the recent arrest of Gucci Mane artist Mac Critter, it’s hard not to wonder what exactly is going on at 1017 Records. Founded in 2007 under the Warner Music Group umbrella, the label has been home to artists such as Ralo, OJ Da Juiceman, Asian Doll and Waka Flocka Flame. But several of Gucci Mane’s signees have either died, been arrested for murder or committed other illicit crimes.

On December 22, 2022, Big Scarr overdosed on prescription drugs just two years after he survived a near-fatal shooting. Ralo, who signed with Gucci Mane in 2017, was arrested a year later on drug conspiracy charges and sentenced to eight years in prison. In March 2021, Foogiano was also arrested and booked at the Shelby County Jail in Memphis, charged with being a fugitive from justice without a warrant.

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But that’s not all. Former 1017 Records artist OJ Da Juiceman was taken into custody in Kentucky last May, charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Pooh Shiesty, another one of Gucci Mane’s signees, pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges and was sentenced to more than five years behind bars. With Mac Critter’s arrest, it seems like the hits keep coming—and not the good kind.

As Gucci Mane trended on Twitter, one person claimed: “Gucci Mane the worst label executive ever Big Scarr dead, Pooh Shiesty in jail, Asian Doll a HOE, Max Critter charged with murder.” (No disrespect to Asian Doll though; she’s doing her thing, whatever that is.)

While plenty of people blame Gucci Mane—who also did prison time for weapon charges—the veteran rapper appears to be just as concerned about his artists as everyone else. As he tweeted on December 14: “We do not pay attention to how inmates are treated! Pooh has been sent to a prison over 1500 miles away from his home, 23hr lockdown and given empty food trays. USP P###### should be investigated immediately!”

So either Gucci Mane has the worst luck in the rap industry or he needs to vet his talent. Or, maybe he could provide some guidance to dissuade young rappers from going down the same path he did. Whatever the case, Mac Critter is facing a long, uphill battle. Let’s hope the rest of the 1017 roster can stay out of trouble, or poor Gucci is going to need a lot more bail money.

Young Thug Calls On Famous Friends To Save Him From Prison In RICO Case

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Rappers, record executives, professors and more may testify on Young Thug’s behalf in his upcoming RICO trial.

WSB-TV obtained the defense’s list of potential witnesses ahead of jury selection in Young Thug’s trial. The list includes Killer Mike, YouTube’s Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen, 300 Entertainment co-founder Kevin Liles, Jerrika Karlae and Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Lewis.

As AllHipHop previously reported, Dr. Erik Nielson and professors with Hip Hop expertise are among the potential witnesses for the defense. Nielson co-authored the book Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics and Guilt in America, which examines the use of lyrics as evidence in criminal cases.

Young Thug and 13 co-defendants await trial on RICO charges. Jury selection is scheduled to start on Wednesday (January 4).

The trial is expected to begin on January 9. Judge Ural Glanville estimated the trial could last six to nine months.

Young Thug was one of 28 people named in the RICO indictment against YSL in May 2022. Eight men took plea deals in the case. Several others will face trial at a later date.

Gunna, Slimelife Shawty, Lil Duke and Young Thug’s brother Unfoonk were the most notable names to accept plea deals. Trontavious Stephens and Antonio Sledge agreed to testify at trial as part of their deals.