Live Nation insists Travis Scott will perform in Egypt despite reports of Egyptian officials revoking his concert’s license.
Travis Scott is scheduled to perform at the Pyramids of Giza on July 28. Live Nation denied any cancellation on Tuesday (July 18). The concert promoter spoke out after the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate announced it would not grant permits for the event.
“There have been no changes to Travis Scott’s show in Egypt; any reports to the contrary are false,” Live Nation declared. “We can’t wait to celebrate ‘Utopia’ with you in Egypt – Live Nation & @Ticketsmarche @trvisXX.”
Egypt’s Musicians Syndicate, which issues licenses for concerts, revoked the license after a social media campaign sought to cancel Travis Scott’s concert. The syndicate raised concerns over his “peculiar rituals,” including supposed ties to Freemasonry.
“After examining social media opinions and feedback, as well as the news circulating on search engines and social media platforms, which included authenticated images and information about peculiar rituals performed by the star during his performance, contradicting our authentic societal values and traditions, the Syndicate’s president and board of directors have decided to cancel the license issued for hosting this type of concert, which goes against the cultural identity of the Egyptian people,” Dr. Mohamed Abdullah said in a statement translated by Egypt Today.
Travis Scott’s Egyptian concert quickly sold out this month. He planned to debut his Utopia album at the event.
Witness testimony wrapped up in YNW Melly’s double murder trial on Tuesday (July 18).
The defense rested its case after calling just one witness, YNW Melly’s friend Adrian Davis. The rapper decided to not testify on his own behalf.
YNW Melly is accused of killing YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser in 2018. The 24-year-old artist pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges.
Prosecutors said the rapper, whose real name is Jamell Demons, shot his friends while they were all inside the same vehicle. He allegedly staged a drive-by to cover up the murders.
YNW Melly’s defense claimed he was sleeping at home at the time of the murders. Davis insisted he was with the rapper at the time. Davis said the two woke up to the news of YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser’s deaths.
Leondra Phillips, the mother of YNW Juvy, scoffed at Davis’ testimony in a Facebook post.
“Sad case,” she wrote. “N#### get your lying ass off that stand.”
Closing arguments in the double murder trial take place on Thursday (July 20). The jury will be sequestered until they reach a verdict.
YNW Melly faces the death penalty if convicted. His alleged accomplice YNW Bortlen will be tried separately in October.
Wiz Khalifa told his Twitter followers he planned on being high when he tossed out the first pitch at Monday’s (July 17) Pittsburg Pirate game. Known for his appetite for cannabis, the “Black and Yellow” rapper didn’t care who knew he was going to be blitzed at the game.
“Finna get stoned af and throw this first pitch at the pirates game,” he tweeted before the game.
Finna get stoned af and throw this first pitch at the pirates game.
— Taylor Gang World Leader (@wizkhalifa) July 17, 2023
Khalifa followed up the tweet with another post, writing, “Shroomed out throwin a baseball is crazy.”
Shroomed out throwin a baseball is crazy.
— Taylor Gang World Leader (@wizkhalifa) July 17, 2023
Wiz Khalifa’s hometown team was playing against the Cleveland Guardians at PNC Park. Throwing out the first pitch is a longstanding tradition in the Major Baseball League bestowed on someone worthy of tribute. But apparently, instead of being high off the honor, Khalifa wanted to zone out on psychedelics. And that he did.
Shortly after the pitch, he let his followers know he completed his “work for today.” He added a photo of some of the snacks he had to fulfill his munchies, including a box of Cracker Jacks.
— Taylor Gang World Leader (@wizkhalifa) July 17, 2023
As Khalifa threw out the first pitch, it seemed like he was spacing out and looking at everything all around him, seemingly keeping his Shroom High promise.
Pittsburgh native @wizkhalifa threw out the first pitch at the @Pirates game! 🖤💛
It’s been almost three years since King Von passed, but his music and story still have fans going crazy. And guess what? Just today, a viral video dropped that got everyone talking. It’s actual bodycam footage from when Von was in police custody. In the clip, Von tells the officers that he’s gay and asks for protective custody. Now, the comments sections on various platforms went wild. Most folks were just shocked that the video was even posted. “Yo, let Von rest in peace, man! This shouldn’t be out there,” somebody posted. But this is not the old days. This is the “anything goes” era.
Honestly, we don’t know how it leaked yet. But one thing’s for sure: King Von was one interesting dude. So, as you can see below, a lot of people took what he said literally. Others said he’s just pretending so he can escape the opps. This was a big day for slander AND defense of King Von. There are all out!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu2RVINIJ67/?hl=en
This is the second album released after his passing, and it’s fire. He’s got some dope collaborations on there with artists like G Herbo, Polo G, Lil Durk, Tee Grizzley, and more.
Tina Knowles-Lawson is “proud” of her granddaughter Blue Ivy for joining Beyoncé’s recent world tour.
While speaking to People at The Beehive event venue in Los Angeles, the mother of superstar Beyoncé praised her granddaughter for joining the Renaissance tour as one of her mum’s dancers.
“Well, this is a heels family. You’re trained early to walk in heels,” Tina, 69, said of the 11-year-old. “But yeah, she’s having the time of her life, and I couldn’t be more proud of her because she really worked hard.”
The businesswoman and fashion designer told the outlet that the performers who Blue Ivy danced alongside during the shows have been dancing since they were children, making her accomplishment even more impressive.
“She is 11 years old, and she had one week to prepare, and she’s just getting better and better,” Tina gushed. “So I’m the proud grandma, always.”
Blue Ivy is familiar with making appearances in the “Halo” singer’s work. At just eight years old, she made multiple cameos in Beyoncé’s 2020 film “Black Is King.”
Beyoncé shares Blue Ivy and five-year-old twins Rumi and Sir with her husband, Jay-Z.
Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder seemed destined to remain unsolved, but the case recaptured the attention of the police in 2023.
Las Vegas police revealed they are still actively investigating Tupac’s murder on Tuesday (July 18). Police conducted a search of a home in Henderson, Nevada on Monday (July 17).
“LVMPD can confirm a search warrant was served in Henderson, Nevada on July 17, 2023, as part of the ongoing Tupac Shakur homicide investigation,” police told ABC News. “We will have no further comment at this time.”
Cops made no arrests after the search. Authorities did not disclose what prompted them to obtain a search warrant.
Nevada has no statute of limitations in homicide cases, leaving the door open for someone to potentially face prosecution for Tupac’s death.
“It’s a case that’s gone unsolved and hopefully one day we can change that,” Lt. Jason Johansson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Tupac was infamously shot after attending a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996. The Hip-Hop legend succumbed to his injuries less than a week later.
The influential rapper died at a local hospital on September 13, 1996. He was 25.
A gang member named Orlando Anderson was long considered the prime suspect in Tupac’s murder. Anderson died in an unrelated shooting in 1998.
During an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, West Coast Hip-Hop legend Warren G revealed that he and Lil Wayne have collaborated on a new track, marking Lil Wayne’s first foray into the G-Funk genre.
The song, titled “All Alone,” is eagerly anticipated by fans of both artists.
Warren G’s career has been marked by his ability to adapt and evolve, and his collaboration with Lil Wayne is a testament to his versatility. A multi-platinum artist, Lil Wayne is known for his unique style and lyrical prowess.
This collaboration is expected to bring a fresh sound to the G-Funk genre.
“First time Wayne did some records over some G-Funk s###. I can’t wait for people to hear it. People are gonna be like, ‘damn that n#### and Warren, they got verses of the year.’ That’s how dope it is,” Warren G told AllHipHop.com’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming release.
Warren G, a pioneer in the Hip-Hop industry, has significantly influenced the West Coast sound. He has managed to maintain a positive outlook throughout his career, which spans three decades.
His breakthrough album Regulate… G Funk Era dropped in 1994 and spawned the massive singles “Regulate” with Nate Dogg and “This D.J. featuring O.G.L.B.,” both of which were nominated for Grammy Awards.
Since then, Warren G has worked with a myriad of artists, including Jermaine Dupri, Ronald Isley, Snoop Dogg, El DeBarge, Slick Rick, B-Real, Raphael Saadiq, Travis Barker, Raekwon, and others.
“I just stay to myself and just keep building and don’t let nothing tear you down,” he told AllHipHop.com of his longevity. “I just keep great relationships with people. I am a vet in the game. You gotta guide this person in the right direction.”
Warren G’s influence on the Hip-Hop industry extends beyond his music. He has also been a mentor to many younger artists, guiding them through the complexities of the music business.
The release date for “All Alone” has not yet been announced.
50 Cent has predicted his podcast will surpass the popularity of the hit Netflix series “Narcos” following the sentencing of the wives of two infamous drug dealers.
The podcast focuses on the story of twins Pedro and Margarito Flores, former associates of the Sinaloa cartel, who turned against the cartel and became key informants for the U.S. government. Their cooperation was instrumental in the conviction of notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Vivianna Lopez and Valerie Gaytan, the wives of the Flores twins, were recently sentenced to prison for their involvement in money laundering activities connected to their husbands’ illicit earnings.
According to the Chicago-Sun Times, Lopez was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for hiding hundreds of thousands of dollars from federal authorities.
Lopez peaded guilty in April to a money laundering conspiracy, admitting she stored her husband’s drug money and arranged with her sister and aunt to spend it in a way that would conceal its source.
Gaytan and Lopez had previously written a book titled “Cartel Wives,” discussing their lives as wives to drug dealers. The book references some of the illicit activities the women were involved in.
50 Cent’s podcast, produced by G-Unit Audio and Lionsgate Sound, debuted on October 19.
The Flores twins speak publicly for the first time on “Surviving El Chapo,” detailing their journey from dealing $2 billion worth of drugs across the country to becoming government informants.
With the recent sentencing of the cartel wives and the public’s fascination with true crime stories, 50 Cent’s prediction for his podcast’s success might not be far off the mark.
Chris Brown is banking on there being some pretty big Breezy fans on the island of Jamaica.
According to a recent announcement, the “Loyal” chart-topper will be charging up to $1.5 million in Jamaican currency to see his August 27 performance at the National Stadium in Kingston.
After applying the conversation rate, the astronomical figure is reduced to another not-so-astronomical (but still out of this world) figure of $10,000.
Jamaica Loop News reports the tickets go on sale on Tuesday (July 18), less than a month before the show.
Ryan Burke—founder and CEO of The View Empire— is bringing the star to the big isle for the culmination of BZR Weekend, the Jamaican edition.
“First off, Chris Brown is super excited about the show,” Burke said during a press conference. “One of the shows that he was really excited about was this show, which is why he said he’d love to be a part of the project.”
Not all of the tickets are going to be so expensive.
Chris Brown BZR Weekend- Jamaican Edition Ticket Breakdown.
Early bird tickets will range from $45 (the U.S. rate) for seats in the bleachers to those aforementioned super expensive limited-edition Sky VEW Suites.
Brown, who continues to be one of the top performers in music despite dealing with personal challenges like a 2014 diagnosis with bipolar disorder and multiple civil multiple lawsuits, will be joined by Sean Kingston, Dexta Daps, Teejay and Ding Dong.
Morris Day, the charismatic frontman of the legendary ’80s funk group The Time, is set to bring his signature flair, fashion, and funk to Las Vegas. The highly anticipated performances have been rescheduled for Friday, September 29, and Saturday, September 30 at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower. Having been childhood friends with the incomparable Prince, Day’s musical journey began as he sang in Prince’s first band, Grand Central. Chosen by Prince to lead The Time, Day created the band as his alter ego, infusing a cool, streetwise funk sound to contrast Prince and the Revolution.
Morris Day and The Time gained widespread recognition – in part – through their appearances in “Purple Rain,” the iconic film that captured the explosive Minneapolis music scene at its peak. Their unforgettable scenes in the movie solidified their place in pop culture, and “Purple Rain” is hailed as one of the greatest music movies ever made. Following the film’s success, Day burst onto the public scene with The Time’s self-titled 1981 album and a slew of hit songs. Day also embarked on a solo career, with Color Of Success, DaydreamingGuaranteed, which secure his place in history.
Now, the icon has presumably bid farewell to his solo career with the release of his ultimate album, “Last Call. The album boasts remarkable collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Snoop Dogg, Jazze Pha, E-40, Tech N9ne, Daddy O from Stetsasonic, Big Daddy Kane, Flo Rida, Trinidad James, and the legendary Billy Gibbons. What does he really think of Hip-Hop? Did he and Prince really have a fierce rivalry? How did Prince change his thinking? And will he actually retire? These questions and more are answered in this interview.
AllHipHop: AllHipHop.com is in the building with a special, special, special guest, Morris Day.
Morris Day: What’s up?
AllHipHop: What’s going on, my brother?
Morris Day: Hey, it’s all good, man.
AllHipHop: How you doing?
Morris Day: Hey, we chilling in Wilmington. Yeah, Delaware in the house.
AllHipHop: Man, let me say this, man. Let me just give you the flowers. Growing up and having myself and my brother and all my friends, we were glued to the TV, and we came up in the Hip-Hop era. So there weren’t too many people that were cooler than the rappers, but you were one of those people that stood out as super-duper, extra cool in a time when we were coming up on Hip-Hop.
Morris Day: Appreciate it.
AllHipHop: You have this tour, The Last Call. So I’m hearing different things, but first I want to get it from you. What does “The Last Call” mean as a tour?
Morris Day: Well, The Last Call is really, I’m feeling like it’s going to be my last album. And so quite naturally we’re going to do the follow-up tour, and we’re calling it The Last Call Tour because this album took the better part of 20 years to make. And I don’t know if I have another 20 years in me to get another one out, unless I just microwave one. And so I don’t do it like that. So right now I’m feeling like it’s the last call.
AllHipHop: That last song on the album it’s a little sad. I’m like, yo, what are you doing here?
Morris Day: Yeah. It kind of hit me like that too, but it wasn’t meant like that, but it just kind of came across-
AllHipHop: A little somber.
Morris Day: Oh, okay. Yeah. It kind of came across like that. We kind of put it together and we were just trying to really talk about the last call, but then we got done with it. We was listening, and I was, “Man, I’m getting a little emotional behind this.” That was not the intention, but it did come out like that.
AllHipHop: Now, the other thing on this album, you do in fact work with a lot of rappers. You got heroes like Big Daddy Kane on there. Then you got your Snoop Doggs and Jazzy Phae. You got a bunch of people on there. What made you go that route?
Morris Day: Well, my manager, Courtney Benson, kept coming up with these names. He said, man, we ought to try Kane. We ought to try. And I was like, “Okay.” And we kept sending these guys the tracks, and man, they kept nailing it. So they just kept coming back. So we just went with it, man, and the names kept popping up, and we kept reaching out to people and they were like, yeah, man, let’s do it. So it just kind of all came together
AllHipHop: And I’m quite sure they obviously came up on you as well, so it was like a no-brainer.
Morris Day: Yeah, it was real cool.
AllHipHop: You even had Daddy-O on there, which I was like, whoa. Okay, Daddy-O from Stetsasonic, that’s…
Morris Day: Well, it’s kind of like you said, you know, you said you came up in the Hip-Hop era, but there’s just a lot of love out there for what I’ve done, for what we’ve done, the whole Minneapolis thing. But for some reason, we were just getting a lot of love and everybody was really giving us the same response, and it was a cool thing to experience.
AllHipHop: So I have to ask you, how much of what we saw was you and how much was a character?
Morris Day: Well, it’s all me, but it’s just “switch on, switch off.” I kick it into high gear and sometimes I put it on energy-save mode, right?
AllHipHop: So when people see you live, what can they expect to see? What will they see?
Morris Day: Well, we’re all about the live performance. That’s what we grew up doing. That’s how I met Prince, 13-years old, 14-years old. These guys were in a band that I saw, went to go to this high school dance, and they was in there, man, just playing amazing to be 14, 13-year-olds is playing Santana and all kind of really grown up music to be youngsters like that. And I forgot why I was there. I just stood at the edge of this. It wasn’t a stage, it was just like the floor of the lunchroom. But I just stood there all night, man, and just watched him.
And I said, I got to be a part of this. So anyway, I ended up in the band. I know I’m kind of giving you a long answer here, but we started out like that. And if you think about it, The Bird was a live recording, one of the few hit records on a radio that was actually a live recording. So we all about the live performance. So what you can expect is us to sound much like the record, if not better. And we going rip it up and we bring a little flavor to it, little pimp suits and s### like that.
So we’re just going to do what we do, man.
AllHipHop: Well, we recently celebrated Prince’s birthday. I wouldn’t be doing a good job if I didn’t ask you how that was working with Prince. I mean, doing iconic movies like “Purple Rain” with Prince and beyond. I mean, just growing up with him. I mean, you know, guys went to school together.
Morris Day: Yeah. And actually, we didn’t go to school together. He went to South Central. Which was in South Side. And I went to North High, North Side. But we played in the same band.
AllHipHop: Gotcha.
Morris Day: We lived in the same neighborhood. But no, Prince, man was, he was like a meteorite or something, just passing through here, man, to just shine his light. And it feels like he came through here really fast. But to be able to say this about someone that and grew up with is really, it’s really a compliment. But he was a special individual when it came to music. I’ve never met anyone as talented or as dedicated to music as he was. And it taught me a lot, about work ethic and it changed my way of thinking because I just always knew I wanted to play instruments and do music. But I never thought about being a star or thinking like that. But that’s how he talked. He didn’t say :”If I make it,” he said, “When I make it.” And that’s how I started to talk. I said, “Well, when I make it,” right? “When we make it.” And that became the way we talked about it. So working with him and knowing him was really something special, man. Yeah.
AllHipHop:: And what about the whole collective? I mean, I used to be into all of you guys, Wendy and Lisa. I mean, just everything mean. It was really a cultural, incredibly fertile ground.
Morris Day: It really was.
AllHipHop: Yeah.
Morris Day: It really was. There was a band on every block. I mean, we did battle of the bands on the regular, and we all competed for the same little gigs around town and like that. So when we did start to break some ground, there was a pool, a plethora of musicians to choose from, and everybody was good, man. So we just started pulling some of the people that we liked a little better. And he had his list of people. I had my list of people and we just started pulling people in.
AllHipHop: So what are your thoughts on music is in a weird space right now. I mean, it’s kind of probably always in a weird space. I mean, if we really think about it, but from your perspective, how do you feel about the state of music?
Morris Day: I couldn’t put it better. Weird is a good word. I’m kind of a song person. I hear a song every now and then. I be, who’s that? And I download that and I mean, that’s pretty much it. Back in the day, I had my bands that I looked forward to them dropping and I would get the whole album. And that’s how I was. And that’s how the industry was. But now, like I said, it’s just in a really different place. And the whole download situation, the streaming situation has just got the whole thing all f##### up. The artists are really getting ripped off. The streaming companies are the only ones really making any money, and it’s just in a really, really weird space right now.
AllHipHop: Do you think we need more instruments, more instruments being involved?
Morris Day: I think we need a class action movement to make these streaming companies back off and instead of a fraction of a penny for a stream or a download. Now we need to get back to where artists actually make a little bit of money. It’s ridiculous that you have to have billions of streams, billions to even see a real check. It’s ridiculous.
AllHipHop: Okay. Talk to us about the Purple Legacy in Vegas.
Morris Day: Well, that encompasses a lot of what we already talked about, the whole Minneapolis thing, the movement with Prince being gone and everything. I kind of feel like it’s my job to carry the torch, if you will. And so we’re going to do this two nights and call it the Purple Legacy.
And just see how that goes. And we want to be in one place where everybody can come and see us for a couple of nights. And that way we ain’t got to run to see everybody. But now we still going to run and see everybody, but we going to do that. And I just kind of feel like it’s something that we just kind of need to do.
AllHipHop: Who will be involved?
Morris Day: It’s a secret. That’s the secret sauce right there, but we’re not exactly sure right now, but we’re going to have some special guests and stuff like that.
AllHipHop: Do you think it’s important to carry on the legacy? I mean, you just said it is your duty, but how important is it to do that for you?
Morris Day: Well, for me, carrying on the Legacy is really just doing what I do. It’s not a concentrated effort necessarily. So just me continuing to do what I do, which it was all born out of that, of Minneapolis, out of Prince, and a lot of his ideas and talent. So just me being here and still doing it, that’s carrying it on, man. Yeah.
AllHipHop: You had a little bit of a situation with the estate. Is everything cleared up now or are you all good?
Morris Day: Yeah, we’re all good. What that was really was when the lawyers came in. Because as protective as Prince was about his music and his empire, it’s just kind of strange to me that he didn’t have something more in place and like a will or some kind of something like that. And so it just kind of all fell apart and went to probate. Probate is just all lawyers and they don’t give a sh#t about nobody or nothing. Just the money and what the contract says. And that’s how they handled it. But we got it all straight.
AllHipHop: So I’m going to have a fan moment and ask you how true was Purple Rain? Because I kind of was mad at y’all in that movie. Ain’t going to lie.
Morris Day: You know what, it was very true because maybe not as much of a rivalry as it was depicted on the screen, but it was very true because Prince’s very competitive. I’m competitive. He had no idea what, he knew he was putting a good band together. He just didn’t know how good the band was. So we started getting in that sometime and we were on stage and we knew that we was out firing him some nights. But then when the headlines came back the next day, The Time kicked Prince’s ass. He didn’t like that s###. So we had it quite, I mean, there was nights where he served us up too, so I ain’t trying to say that, but it was a serious rivalry and it was embellished for the screen, but it was alive and well.
AllHipHop: Really?
Morris Day: Yeah. Yeah.
AllHipHop: All right. And Jerome, where is Jerome?
Morris Day: Well, I think Jerome is at home.
Speaker 3: 15 minutes.
AllHipHop: Well, on that note, thank you for having us.
Morris Day: Appreciate it.
AllHipHop: AllHipHop loves you. Hip-Hop actually loves you, as you already know.
Morris Day: I love Hip-Hop, man. It’s all good. Especially Old-School Hip-Hop.
AllHipHop: Yeah. Yeah. So weren’t one of those anti-Hip-Hop people?
Morris Day: No. Well, no, I wasn’t. I’m not. But I got to say I’m a bigger fan of the old school than the new school. But I ain’t hating.
Ice Cube voiced his concerns about the chilling effect of cancel culture on free speech in the United States and the persistent racial inequality in the country in a recent interview with Piers Morgan.
The N.W.A legend described the current state of America as “very polarized,” with people becoming increasingly “afraid to speak out because of the cancel culture.”
He further elaborated on the ripple effect of cancel culture, stating, “It makes not only the person that’s getting canceled…they’re trying to shut them up, but anybody’s watching, now, they shut up because they say ‘if it can happen to this guy it can happen to me.'”
When asked how to combat this issue, Ice Cube firmly believed that individuals should stand their ground and express their views, irrespective of potential backlash.
“I think you say what you want to say, and to hell with the consequences,” Ice Cube said. “You got to be willing to fight for your rights and fight for what you believe in.”
The conversation also touched on the topic of racism in America.
Ice Cube expressed his belief the level of racism in America has remained unchanged since childhood, stating, “I think it’s pretty much the same because it’s institutionalized.”
He discussed the persistent economic disparities, saying, “In 1865, black people owned maybe one or two percent of America, and I believe we’re still in that same place.”
In an exciting development for Hip-Hop fans, 50 Cent has revealed that he will release new music with Nas this Friday. The announcement was made on 50 Cent’s Instagram account.
The collaboration, “Office Hours,” is significant as it unites two of the genre’s most respected figures. Both artists are natives of Queens, New York, and have made substantial contributions to the music industry over their lengthy careers.
The upcoming track is expected to be featured on Nas’ eagerly awaited album, Magic 2, which will be produced by Hit-Boy.
50 Cent’s participation in Magic 2 is particularly noteworthy as it signals his return to the music scene after a period of focusing on his multimedia empire.
In a recent interview with Billboard, 50 Cent disclosed that he has been working on a new solo album with the assistance of Eminem and Dr. Dre, in addition to his collaboration with Nas.
While this is not the first time 50 Cent and Nas have collaborated, it has been over twenty years since their last joint project. They previously collaborated on the tracks “Too Hot” and “Who U Rep With,” which featured on 50 Cent’s 2002 mixtape “Guess Who’s Back?”
Their relationship, however, has not always been harmonious. In 2005, 50 Cent took a jab at Nas in his song “Piggy Bank” for getting a tattoo of his then-wife Kelis.
Details about Magic 2 are still under wraps, but the anticipation is building. With 50 Cent joining the roster, Magic 2 is set to be another landmark in Nas’ distinguished career.
Jay-Z has made history once again. According to a new list of platinum certifications published on July 12, Hov has crossed another milestone, becoming the first Black male recording artist (of any genre) to earn double-platinum certifications for 10 of his 13 solo studio albums.
While many think this honor might have gone to other rappers, that would be false. Eminem has only eight multi-platinum solo albums and Drake only has seven, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
He achieved this feat after his 2009 album, Blueprint 3, sold more than two million units.
Out of his 33.5 million albums sold, the Roc Nation founder has albums that have surpassed the remarkable double-platinum mark. His 2003 effort, The Black Album, has been certified quadruple platinum.
News of this accomplishment was seemingly overshadowed by the new Book of Hov exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library, a first-ever-of-its-kind tribute.
The exhibit features never-before-seen photos and original master recordings alongside iconic artifacts from his career. One outstanding display is his lyrics being projected across the library’s façade in preparation for the special occasion.
“Our goal, with The Book Of HOV tribute exhibition, is to provide a behind-the-scenes look at a Hall Of Fame songwriter and performer, successful business person, and a consequential philanthropist who has never forgotten the lessons he learned on the road to success,” a statement on the exhibition’s website reads. “And the borough where his journey began.”
Donald Trump is bracing for another arrest, this time in connection with the infamous Capitol riot on January 6, 2020. The news follows his recent arrest and arraignment in Miami for mishandling classified documents, marking a tumultuous period for the ex-president.
The letter, a formal notice of a pending criminal indictment, suggests Trump’s arrest is imminent. Trump, however, remains defiant, stating he believes the investigation is politically motivated.
“WITCH HUNT!!!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform. “CROOKED JOE BIDEN & HIS INJUSTICE DEPARTMENT WANT TO INDICT & ARREST HIS PRESUMED POLITICAL OPPONENT (ME!), WHO IS LEADING HIM IN THE POLLS IN THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2024. SUCH A THING HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN OUR COUNTRY BEFORE…AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAMPAIGN??? ELECTION INTERFERENCE & PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT!!!”
Trump’s rant comes on the heels of his other legal troubles. In June, he was arrested and arraigned in a Miami court on charges of mishandling classified documents.
He stands accused of trying to hide and lie about the documents, leading to 37 charges tied to the case. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges. Trump’s previous arrest was a significant event, marking the first time a former U.S. president has been taken into custody.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Trump’s legal team maintains he was given different treatment than other defendants due to his unique position.
The potential arrest related to the Capitol riot would add another chapter to Trump’s legal saga. The riot, which resulted in the deaths of five people and injuries to many others, was a shocking event that had lasting repercussions on American politics.
Trump’s role in allegedly inciting the riot has been a subject of intense scrutiny and debate. As these legal proceedings unfold, Trump continues to be a prominent figure in the Republican Party. Despite his legal troubles, he remains a leading candidate for the GOP, highlighting his enduring influence within the party.
“Black excellence, but I guess when it comes to me it’s not the same though, all goodie,” Drake raps on the “Diplomatic Immunity” track. Throughout his career, Drake has mostly chosen to avoid discussing social and political issues. Some of his critics have blasted the biracial Canadian entertainer’s reluctance to speak on race-related topics.
“I felt the other side of judgment and racial judgment sometimes, being light-skinned, being Canadian, Drake said in a 2019 interview. “Having people I look up to and respect tell me I can’t identify with what’s going on.
“Granted, I’m not the outspoken person when it comes to political issues. I prefer to talk about it amongst my people. And if we’re going to do something, I prefer to go and make the change or actually do something and not just post about it.”
A Possible Feud Between Drake & Childish Gambino Sparked A Conversation About Music With Social Commentary
Ebro Darden, Apple Music’s Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, recently addressed Drake not speaking out on the concerns of Black people. The discussion took place during Apple Music’s Rap Life Review and stemmed from the ongoing feud between Childish Gambino and Drake.
“This Is America” and its music video earned widespread praise for confronting systemic racism, racial violence and police brutality. Gambino’s chart-topping hit beat Drake’s “God’s Plan” for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
Ebro Darden Doesn’t Expect Drake To Address Social Injustices At This Point
“Drake, who has never shown up, and y’all know I’m the biggest Drake fan on this show,” Darden stated. “Drake has never shown up to have anything to say about anything going on in society with Black folks or anything other than himself.”
The Hot 97 radio personality continued, “So now you have an issue? I get you have an issue with Childish Gambino if what you’re saying is a fact. But fam, the song was supposed to be a joke diss, it didn’t actually happen. So why are you in your feelings about it?”
Fellow Apple Music host Nadeska reacted to Darden’s comment, saying, “Drake has never stepped his foot in those waters, and he may or may not ever.” Darden responded, “By the way, at this point, we’re not expecting him to.”
Two weeks ago, FendiDa Rappa was a relatively unknown up-and-coming, buzzing local artist. The Chicago native now has a song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart thanks to an assist from Cardi B.
FendiDa Rappa’s “Point Me 2” remix with Cardi B arrived on DSPs on July 7. According to Chart Data, Fendi secured her biggest streaming day on Spotify on that date with 600,000 plays.
An official music video for “Point Me 2” with Fendi and Cardi landed on July 7 as well. The Michelle Parker-directed visuals have amassed more than 4.3 million views on YouTube in eleven days.
The total streams and purchases for “Point Me 2” in the United States were enough to earn FendiDa Rappa her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. That collaboration with Cardi debuted at No. 82 on the weekly rankings.
Cardi B now has forty-four career entries on the Hot 100 chart since 2017. The Bronx-raised Grammy winner scored five No. 1 singles, the most for any female rapper in history. She also has eleven Top 10 hits.
In addition to working with FendiDa Rappa on the “Point Me 2” track, Cardi B recently helped Latto’s “Put It on da Floor Again” make it into the Top 20. Before that, Cardi’s union with GloRilla pushed the Memphis rhymer’s “Tomorrow 2” into the Top 10.
Love & Hip Hop: Miami cast member Sukihana continues to make headlines. Her trip to London, England has social media users taking aim at her once again.
Sukihana posted a video of herself walking in the United Kingdom. In the clip, she says, “I’m trying to get my coochie stretched and eat a n#### ass. We be eating a n####’s ass today in London.”
One Twitter account reacted by tweeting, “Do y’all understand why we were confused? I understand that no woman deserves to be sexually assaulted. She literally markets herself as nothing more than A COOCHIE.”
Sukihana fired back, “Your head is shaped like a hemorrhoid.” When another person commented about being embarrassed as a Black woman, Suki responded, “You scratching yo coochie in ya profile pic I’m embarrassed for you.”
Some of the complaints directed at Suki focus on how she behaves around Caucasians. One of her defenders tweeted, “As a Londoner, this was hilarious because one thing about white Brits? They know how to make everybody else uncomfortable so it’s time for a taste of their own medicine.”
Sukihana quote-tweeted that post and added, “Yes, they made me feel like that soon as it was my turn to take a photo and that’s why I gave them something to talk about.”
“It was 100 percent p###. I love p###. I love to pee on myself,” Suki stated during an interview with The Armon Wiggins Show. “The thing is, I’m a disgusting person… People been knew that about me. I don’t give a f###.”
— Suki WITH THE GOOD COOCHIE (@sukihanagoat) July 18, 2023
As a Londoner, this was hilarious because one thing about white Brits? They know how to make everybody else uncomfortable so it’s time for a taste of their own medicine
Spotify has been commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop culture by presenting lists of the most streamed rap artists, albums and songs on the platform.
For the 50 Most Streamed Rap Songs tally, Texas-raised rhymer Post Malone’s “rockstar” featuring 21 Savage sits at No. 1. Canadian superstar Drake came in at No. 2 with “God’s Plan.”
The late XXXTENTACION held two positions in the Spotify list’s Top 5. “Sad!” took No. 3, while “Jocelyn Flores” made it to No. 5. Travis Scott’s “goosebumps” came in the middle of those two songs at No. 4.
Lil Uzi Vert (“XO Tour Llif3”), Kendrick Lamar (“HUMBLE.”), Travis Scott (“SICKO MODE”), Post Malone (“Congratulations” featuring Quavo) and Eminem (“Lose Yourself”) rounded out the Top 10.
XXXTENTACION placed eight tracks on Spotify’s 50 Most Streamed Rap Songs playlist. Seven Eminem tracks also pulled in enough streams to make the Top 50. Drake made the list five times.
“WAP” by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion (No. 35) is the only song on the list released by a female act. Offset, Cardi’s husband, has two Top 30 entries: “Taste” with Tyga (No. 27) and “Rick Flair Drip” with Metro Boomin (No. 32).
Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” featuring L.V. is the oldest song on Spotify’s 50 Most Streamed Rap Songs rankings. That 3x-platinum single from the Dangerous Minds soundtrack dropped in August 1995.
Atlanta-bred rap star Gunna will travel to New York City and Los Angeles for two upcoming concerts. “The Gift and The Curse” shows come after he dropped hisA Gift & a Cursealbum earlier this year.
Gunna is set to present “The Gift”at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on September 9. Then the YSL/300 Entertainment recording artist heads to the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, California on September 28 for “The Curse.”
General ticket sales for “The Gift and The Curse” will be available for purchase beginning Friday, July 21 via Ticketmaster.com. Gunna also partnered with PLUS1 to donate $1 per ticket to The Goodr Foundation which provides healthy meals to youth, families, and seniors experiencing food insecurity.
A Gift & a Curse hit DSPs on June 16. The 45-minute, feature-less project debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart by earning 85,000 first-week units. It became Gunna’s fifth Top 10 entry on the Billboard 200 for his career.
Gunna has had 77 songs make it onto the Hot 100 since 2018. His breakout collaboration “Drip Too Hard” with Lil Baby climbed to No. 4 in September of that year. He also made it into the Top 10 with “Lemonade” and “Pushin P.”
D-Block Europe are contributing to rap’s prominence in the U.K. charts and making history along the way, setting the record for the most Top 10 albums of the genre.
Young Adz and Dirtbike Lil Bantz landed at No. 6 on the Official Albums Chart in the U.K., with DBE World released on July 7. The feat marks their seventh U.K. Top. 10 album, more than any other British rap act.
The South London duo overtook previous record holders The Streets, who amassed six U.K. Top. 10 albums. Manchester rapper Bugzy Malone is in the third spot, with five appearances on the chart.
D Block Europe are yet to score a No. 1 album, although they’ve narrowly missed topping the chart twice. Their debut LP, 2020’s Blue Print – Us vs Them, reached the No. 2 spot, as did their 2022 release Lap 5. Their other albums charted as follows, 2019’s Home Alone (6) and PTSD (4), 2020’s Street Trauma (9). The second record in their Home Alone series matched its predecessor, landing at No. 6 in 2021.
Stream DBE World below.
D-Block Europe Join Fellow Record Breakers Dave And Central Cee
While Dave and Central Cee are dominating the U.K. Official Singles Chart, currently enjoying their sixth week at the top spot, J Hus is coming for another chart-topping album.
The Afroswing pioneer, who tapped Drake for his lead single, is leading the race for No. 1 on the midweek charts with his new release, Beautiful and Brutal Yard (Black Butter). The East Londoner is in a tight three-way race with Taylor Swift and Rita Ora. According to the Official Charts Company, fewer than 2,000 chart units separate the trio in the race for No. 1.
Meanwhile, Dave and Central Cee look set to extend their historic run with their first-ever collaboration, “Sprinter.” The single clinched the biggest opening week of the year so far in the U.K., racking up a record-breaking number of streams.
The duo broke another record last week after spending their fifth week at No. 1, the longest-ever reign at the top in U.K. rap.
