Takeoff, a vital member of the acclaimed rap ensemble Migos, met a tragic end in a shooting incident at a Houston bowling alley in November 2022.
The rapper was an unintended victim when shots were fired at a private gathering. The altercation, which also injured two others, reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a dice game involving Takeoff’s uncle, Quavo.
The individual implicated in Takeoff’s murder, Patrick Xavier Clark, was formally indicted by a grand jury on May 25, 2023. Clark, who was apprehended in December 2022, spent approximately a month behind bars before being released on a $1 million bond in January 2023.
He was subsequently placed under house arrest and required to wear a GPS-tracking device. Despite the charges, Clark continues to assert his innocence and is slated for arraignment on August 23.
The record-setting tattoo, a tribute to Takeoff, was the collective effort of artists from Atlanta Ink, Iron Palm Tattoos, and Pèse Noir.
The tattoo, which required over six months of meticulous work, features a detailed depiction of Takeoff.
The inception of the record-breaking tattoo not only commemorates Takeoff’s enduring legacy but also underscores the devastating consequences of gun violence.
Hip-Hop pioneer Scorpio of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five rolled through with a message earlier this week. While hanging backstage at a show, the trailblazing MC had a few moments to rattle off his thoughts about the current rap landscape. Mainly, he was focused on giving props to the next wave of female rappers.
“Everybody is doing their thing, females taking over,” he says in the clip. “Big up to all the sisters out there in the Bronx—Ice Spice, Scar Lip, all of them—even if it’s not your style of music, they gettin’ up out the mud, so we gotta salute.” Scorpio went on to salute a West Coast DJ by the name of DJ AK who’s “doing his thing.”
Scorpio’s sentiments are refreshing in an age where many rap newcomers are sometimes shunned by their elders. But Scorp knows a thing or two about coming up in the music business. With a career that stretches back decades, the Hip-Hop OG has witnessed the culture’s evolution since its inception. He was only 18 years old when Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five released “The Message” in July 1982, one of the most important Hip-Hop tracks in music history.
“The Message” is often considered the first socio-political rap song, with its lyrics depicting a solemn portrait of their New York City environment. As kids, the group didn’t see Sylvia Robinson’s vision for the song at first, but the Sugar Hill Records founder/CEO trusted her instincts. Written in 1980 by Duke Bootee and Melle Mel as a response to the 1980 New York City transit strike, the track details the violence and poverty surrounding them with lines such as, “Broken glass everywhere/People pissing on the stairs, you know they just don’t care/I can’t take the smell, can’t take the noise/Got no money to move out, I guess I got no choice.”
Speaking on the 40th anniversary of “The Message” in July 2022, Scorpio explained how the song signaled the end of their youth. He said, “I think one of the important things about that song is it just have us trusting in things that we didn’t trust in sometimes. Like with music, you gotta get out of your own ego. Because realistically, we hated that song. We couldn’t stand that song. We didn’t think that it had no reality to us, but thank God Ms. Robinson had the better vision.
“Thinking, because we was coming from the Bronx, that it’ll match better versus putting it with somebody else, or whatever the case may be. So just trusting in other people was the biggest lesson. We don’t have all of the answers. No artists have all of the answers.”
It’s not dissimilar to what young rappers are doing today—describing their environments and what they experience in their own neighborhoods. Like many of his peers, Scorpio is celebrating Hip-Hop’s 50th birthday all year long—with the young and “old.” He concludes in the clip, “50 years of Hip-Hop in the m###########’ building. Stop playin’.”
A Georgia mother is reportedly facing charges after a video of her abusing her daughter went viral. The footage, which has sparked national outrage, shows Samarria Mona White dragging the child by her dreadlocks through a grass field in Macon. As the mother tosses the girl around, she shouts expletives as the little girl begs her to stop.
White, who according to court records was arrested on July 5 around 4:30 p.m. local time, faces cruelty to children charges in the first degree. The 20-second clip was filmed by neighbor Gwen Harris-McKenzie’s niece, who later posted it on social media. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office became aware of the incident shortly afer.
At first, the mother denied doing anything wrong, Yahoo! Life reports. However, when the child was taken to the hospital, medical professionals noted she had redness on her chest that was turning into a bruise.
Harris-McKenzie said in a Facebook post she had “more videos” of the abuse.
“I was at work but called along with other people on my way back to Macon,” she wrote. “All 3 kids were taken by ambulance and she was arrested. No, I don’t know her or her name. Her kids just play outside with mine and they have said this isn’t the worst she has done that they have seen, they just finally caught it on camera.”
The concerned neighbor continued, writing in her post, “It’s a difference between discipline and abuse. I have me and my sister’s kids and yes I can say kids can be BAD, don’t like to listen and can lie! But nothing can justify what was said and done to that lil girl.”
Wiz Khalifa is joining a growing number of artists who are selling their catalogs for big money. According to a press release, several of Khalifa’s#### singles—including “Black & Yellow,” “See You Again” and “The Thrill”—have been acquired in a new deal with HarbourView Equity Partners. Although the terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed, HarbourView confirmed it purchased “select” recorded music and publishing assets. Khalifa’s independent record, management company and lifestyle brand Taylor Gang is included in the deal.
“Sherrese [Clarke Soares, founder and CEO of HarbourView] and HarbourView truly understand the value of music and artistry,” Wiz Khalifa said. “We are excited to partner with them as they continue to build a dynamic media company that is in line with the values and goals we all have here at Taylor Gang.”
Wiz Khalifa has been pumping out music since 2005’s Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvani mixtape through Rostrum Recordings. Since then, he’s released seven studio albums, one compilation album, one soundtrack album, three extended plays (EP) and two collaborative albums. He’s also released 84 singles (including 44 as a featured artist), 16 promotional singles, 21 mixtapes and 82 music videos. Needless to say, there was a lot to sift through.
Khalifa was signed to Warner Bros. in 2006, shortly after releasing his debut studio album, Show & Prove. By 2010, he’d moved over to Atlantic Records, where he saw a meteoric rise in notoriety. Khalifa’s first single for the label, “Black & Yellow,” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was later certified 6x-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The Wiz Khalifa deal comes shortly after HarbourView Equity Partners acquired half of Nelly’s catalog for $50 million. The deal includes some of Nelly’s most iconic tracks, including “Ride Wit Me,” “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland and, of course, “Hot in Herre.”
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports has acquired a new agency, expanding its reach into South America.
The rap mogul’s sports management company reportedly bought Brazilian soccer agency TFM, the home of several of the nation’s biggest talents, including Vinicius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli and Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa.
The recent acquisition won’t be incredibly disruptive to the Sao Paulo office’s setup but will prompt TFM to change its name to Roc Nation Sports Brazil, according to Khel Now.
Frederico Pena, TFM’s founder, will serve as the director of Roc Nation’s Brazilian office.
Now, the company represents 200 athletes from all across the United States in various sporting spaces including rugby, cricket, soccer, basketball, baseball and football.
In addition to managing athletes, the company also consults for leading sporting leagues such as the National Football League, AC Milan and the United Rugby League.
Beyoncé has canceled her upcoming show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, due to “logistics and scheduling issues.”
It has been announced that the “Renaissance World Tour” concert in Pittsburgh on August 3 will no longer proceed. Officials from the Pittsburgh venue, Acrisure Stadium, shared the announcement on Twitter.
— Acrisure Stadium (@AcrisureStadium) July 5, 2023
The announcement read, “Due to production logistics and scheduling issues, unfortunately, the August 3 Pittsburgh stop of the RENAISSANCEWORLD TOUR will not be taking place.”
The officials added, “Refunds will automatically be issued at point of purchase.”
The “Single Ladies” singer’s website has since been amended to reflect the recent change to her tour schedule.
The performer, 41, has not yet commented on the cancellation but her fans sure did. Even the Mayor of Pittsburgh is trying to figure out how to get Beyonce to the city.
“We are in conversations with the promoter for the event in order to gain an understanding about what led to the cancellation, and if there is anything we can do as a city to find a new date or location for her show,” Mayor Ed Gainey said.
“People are FLIPPING OOOOUUT!!! NO,” one user lamented, while another wrote, “I can’t even take my refund and go get ticket at another show because the resale prices are extremely high.”
Beyoncé, who kicked off her world tour on May 10 in Stockholm, Sweden, recently ended the European leg of her trek in Warsaw, Poland, on June 28.
Beyoncé is set to begin the North American leg of her tour on July 8 in Toronto, Canada. The trek will end in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 1.
Atlanta rapper Marlo was murdered three years ago this summer, and his father is still fighting for justice.
According to WSB-TV, Rudolph Johnson Sr., has been working with local authorities to help find the suspect responsible for his namesake’s premature demise. To date, detectives at the Atlanta Police Department haven’t publicly identified anyone responsible for his July 10, 2020 death.
Marlo, whose rap career was on an upward trajectory, was killed when he was only 30 years old.
“Why would somebody do that to my son?” Rudolph Johnson Sr. said. “In three years, nobody has been charged with his murder and all we want is justice for our son.”
Police reports state officers were notified moments before midnight about a car accident on I-285 South, just west of downtown near the Benjamin E. Mays Drive overpass.
When they moved in to inspect the crash, they discovered Marlo slumped in the vehicle. He was fatally shot, apparently a victim of a homicide. Detectives say they’re still investigating the motives but have no clear answers for the family.
The lack of progress continues to plague the father, who says he still can’t believe his son is dead. He’s also vowed to keep searching for answers to ensure his son gets the justice he deserves.
Drake kicked off the It’s All A Blur Tour with 21 Savage earlier this week. Unsurprisingly, he’s making headlines for his performance, onstage banter and his growing collection of fans’ bras. As the run continues, Drake is currently a trending Twitter topic—but for different reasons.
During the Chicago stop on July 5, a series of headlines scrolled across the screen as Drake performed “Headlines” from 2011’s Take Care. One of them read: “The overrated and over awarded hit song ‘This Is America’ was originally a Drake diss record.” The claim stemmed from an interview Childish Gambino—who wrote “This Is America”—did in April in which he confessed to his initial intentions.
“I had the idea three years before,” Gambino told GQ at the time. “I told [director] Hiro [Murai] the idea, and he’s like, ‘I really want to do that.’ The idea for the song started as a joke. To be completely honest, ‘This is America’ — that was all we had was that line. It started as a Drake diss, to be honest, as like a funny way of doing it. But then I was like, this s### sounds kind of hard though. So I was like, let me play with it.”
Childish Gambino is trending because he said, “This is America” was originally supposed to be a Drake diss song. Once Drake found out. His light-skinned feelings took over, & called it "overrated and over-awarded" while on tour.🙄🤣pic.twitter.com/j5mX7YytGBhttps://t.co/3VUYWsTn4j
— Kevin Father of Babi™ (@RealKevinNoel) July 7, 2023
The ensuing social media debate pitted Drake against Childish Gambino in terms of their singing prowesses. And, frankly, it’s not looking good for Drake. People are overwhelmingly Team Gambino.
“Childish Gambino washes Drake let’s be real,” one person wrote, while another said, “Drake clears Childish Gambino in every single way, please don’t feed this debate.” But people couldn’t help it. As one person pointed out, “Drake can’t do what Gambino can do. Gambino can do everything Drake does.”
While Drake is often credited for helping to integrate singing with rap, Childish Gambino’s talent is almost otherworldly, evidenced by his versatility. From songs such as “.IV Sweatpants” to “Redbone,” Gambino flexes his range on multiple projects. Nonetheless, the debate wages on. Check out some of the reactions below.
Drake trying to beef with Childish Gambino is so funny because Gambino is just a better version of him in every way. Better rapper, better singer, better actor.
College Freshman: Gambino clears Drake every time. He’s like the Stanley Kubrick of hip-hop. He’s one of the last real rappers left besides Kendrick. Drake way too commercial
High school freshman: I’m going with drake because he’s my boyfriend https://t.co/ZCea9EDL9L
— screenplay understander (@asinglefather) July 7, 2023
Drake would have a brain aneurysm trying to make redbone or me and your mama https://t.co/O6hhv4Ec9M
Love drake a lot. Thats my guy. He’s from Toronto so “This Is America” could never resonate with him. A lot of the tough topics that happen to black america has rarely appeared in his music. Idk his issues with Childish. But that song, was right time and place.
Many Grand Hustle fans are aware T.I. fancies himself as a comedian. The Hustle Gang boss has practiced his stand-up career with a live audience and didn’t receive the best response.
Comic View, which originally aired on BET from 1992 to 2008, quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The show provided a platform for up-and-coming African-American comedians to showcase their talent and connect with a wider audience. It played a pivotal role in launching the careers of many now-famous comedians, including Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley.
“I’m thrilled to partner with BET for the return of ‘Comic View’ as part of Hartbeat Weekend making this can’t-miss celebration of comedy, music and culture,” Hart said in a statement. “Having hosted ‘Comic View’ in the past, I understand first-hand the incredible platform this franchise offers for comedians to showcase their talents on a national stage and I’m excited to continue that tradition in Las Vegas.”
Hosted by Mike Epps, the reboot will feature many others appearing alongside “Rubberband Man,” including Tommy Davidson, Tacarra Williams, Tony T. Roberts, Bresha Webb,and D.C. Young Fly.
Hart’s entertainment company will produce the comedy franchise as part of a four-day Hartbeat weekend event in Las Vegas celebrating his 44th birthday from July 6 to 9.
The Comic View showcase is part of a larger lineup that will feature live musical performances from J. Cole, Jack Harlow, Ludacris, PartyNextDoor and Kaskade.
We were personally invited to join Dave East at an intimate Def Jam listening session for his highly anticipated album, Fortune Favors The Bold. We got good music, food, and even some tasty wine.
Our early verdict is Fortune Favors The Bold will be East’s magnum opus. It features a star-studded lineup of artists including Tyga, Ty Dolla Sign, Coi Leray, G-Eazy, and many more. But that’s not all! During the exclusive event, we also heard Jadakiss, Ghostface, Stacy Barthe, Cordae, DJ Kid Capri, and MORE!
Dave East is a Grammy-nominated rapper AND a vet at this point. He treated the crowd of press and influencers to a taste of what was to come. He did NOT play every song is full so people were definitely hungering for me. Not to mention those bites of food were not a full meal. I kid. East has already shaken things up with “WDGAF” featuring G-Eazy.
“WDGAF” is the first collaboration between Dave East and G-Eazy, and it’s produced by Mike WiLL Made-It. “That joint is a bop. It’s a different tempo and sound I’ve never tapped into. I’m bragging, and you can’t shut me up! I’d never collaborated with G-Eazy before, and it was mad fun,” he said.
By the way Fortune Favors The Bold, was inspired by pop culture. I can’t lie: I thought East had been reading up on Virgil or something! “I Googled John Wick’s tattoo,” Dave explained. “I thought about what Fortune Favors The Bold meant to me, and it totally fit the album. I had to be bold to continue doing what I’m doing and dealing with all of the hate, the love, and the s### I’ve dealt with. I never let it affect my journey. I’ve seen a lot of fortune I didn’t know I was going to see by being bold and not taking ‘No’ for an answer. This is a statement.”
July 14th – Fortune Favors The Bold will be unleashed upon the world. Salute East for sharing some of the vision.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has once again targeted his fellow Hip Hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs (fka Puff Daddy) on social media. This time, the G-Unit head also trolled Atlanta-bred recording artist Lil Baby.
Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin and Camille Fishel hosted their annual White Party at their Hamptons home on Monday, July 3. Numerous celebrities, including Lil Baby, attended the event celebrating Independence Day.
Rubin and Fishel invited dozens of stars to the Long Island estate. Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Usher, Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Travis Scott, Kevin Hart, Kevin Durant, and others showed up for the function.
50 Cent posted a photograph from the White Party to his Instagram page. In the picture, two men can be seen hugging a smiling Lil Baby. The photo’s caption purposely implied the three partygoers were engaged in a homosexual act.
“See this is why I don’t go to no party Puffy and them at. 👀 Da f### is going on here? 🤦♂️😤Get the f## off my young 🥷🏾. WTF!” wrote 50 Cent on the Meta-owned platform. That post amassed more than 340,000 likes.
50 Cent’ Instagram Post
Diddy Has Been The Butt Of 50 Cent’s Gay Jokes For Years
50 Cent has an extensive history of publicly questioning Diddy’s sexuality. Back in 2014, the Queens native used separate photos of Combs with Rick Ross and Steve Stoute to push the narrative that the Harlem-bred entrepreneur could be gay.
“I don’t have no beef with Fif. He loves me. Y’all can’t see that he loves me? You really think that’s hate?” said Diddy in an interview with Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club radio show. “You know he loves me.”
The “I Need a Girl (Part One)” hitmaker also added, “I respect that [he works hard]. I don’t even think of no other man. If I’m thinking about another man, I’m thinking about uplifting. All them gnats, they can’t really touch me.”
Rowdy Rebel insisted he was not the victim of robbery after rumors surfaced on social media.
The Brooklyn-bred rapper clarified what happened in an Instagram Stories post on Friday (July 7). He said someone did steal from him, but the incident happened while he was sleeping.
“Rob what!” he wrote. “N#### stole out my sleep.”
The thief shared images of Rowdy Rebel’s pendant and watch on social media, which led to the robbery rumor. An account called New York Source tagged the rapper and claimed he was robbed, prompting him to speak out via Instagram.
Rowdy Rebel previously showed off his lavish jewelry collection in a video for GQ. His collection included $30,000 rings and a $60,000 watch. He also owned a glow-in-the-dark pendant that’s worth $100,000.
Most of the rapper’s jewelry was crafted by Eric The Jeweler.
Rowdy Rebel spent several years in prison before getting released in December 2020. The Bobby Shmurda affiliate pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree conspiracy and one count of weapons possession in a highly publicized case against GS9 members. He remains on parole until 2025.
Earlier this year, Rowdy Rebel dropped a new project titled Splash Brothers with Fetty Luciano. The two released a video for the Fivio Foreign-assisted track “Posture” in June.
Creative yasiin bey, still known to many as Mos Def, draws inspiration from a diverse array of creative influences—while being an influence.
In an exclusive clip, he lists renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, the mystical poet Rumi and political activist El Malki Shabazz (Malcolm X), among many others, who have played a significant role in shaping his artistic vision. As a creative genius and member of Black Star, he he’s continually enriched his own creative process through art, spirituality and social consciousness.
In “A Dynamic Career in Communications,” with Audible, yasiin bey takes listeners on an exciting journey that goes deeper than the surface. He tells fascinating stories about his background, beliefs, and how he creates his art, giving us a fresh and powerful perspective on life, art, and the important role of communication in our world.
As a famous Hip-Hop artist, bey’s creative process is complex and varied, and he talks openly about the things that inspire and influence his work. He explains how his love for different types of music, books, and art has helped shape his unique style and innovative sound.
The Brooklyn native looks back on his time growing up in Brooklyn with fond memories, talking about how the streets he walked and the vibrant culture around him fueled his passion for art. He also shares the challenges he faced and the triumphs he achieved while growing up, showing how these experiences have influenced the way he sees life and makes music.
Faith and spirituality are really important to yasiin bey, both in his personal life and his music. He honestly talks about his spiritual journey and how it has deeply affected his art. By exploring the power of spirituality as a driving force behind his creativity and self-expression, bey gives us a glimpse into the deeper meanings in his work.
The presentation also includes some amazing performances and remixes of bey’s famous songs like “Ms. Fat Booty,” “Priority,” “Revelations” and “Hip Hop.”
In the W+M catalog, bey’s contribution is like a treasure chest full of interesting stories, personal thoughts, and motivational messages. He shares valuable lessons he’s learned throughout his career, like the importance of being true to yourself, challenging the norm and using art as a way to make a difference in the world. His words really touch our hearts and inspire millions of people who have followed his incredible journey.
YNW Melly’s defense team scored a minor victory in his ongoing murder trial on Friday (July 7).
Judge John Murphy rejected the prosecution’s request to allow jurors to view the vehicle in which YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser were killed. Judge Murphy did not think it was necessary for the jury to see the actual car when photos were available.
“I don’t think it’s gonna assist the jury in any great degree in analyzing the evidence,” the judge said. “So, respectfully, the motion is denied.”
YNW Melly is on trial for first-degree murder in Florida. Prosecutors accuse him of shooting and killing his friends YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser in 2018.
The trial has been in recess since June 30. It is scheduled to resume on Monday (July 10).
YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
The rapper’s alleged accomplice YNW Bortlen will be tried separately in October. Prosecutors claim YNW Bortlen helped YNW Melly stage a drive-by shooting to cover up the murders.
A crime scene reconstruction expert told jurors the shooter was inside the vehicle with YNW Juvy and YNW Sakchaser. A medical examiner’s testimony confirmed the victims were shot multiple times after they were already dead.
Da Brat gave birth to her first child in Atlanta on Thursday (July 6). The 49-year-old rapper and her wife, Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart, spoke toPEOPLE about the arrival of their baby boy, whose name is True.
“I can’t BELIEVE he came out of me!” Da Brat said. “Feels like a dream. He’s PERFECT in every way. Very appreciative for such a blessing of our bundle of joy. This journey has been more amazing than we could’ve ever imagined.”
Harris-Dupart said the couple considered choosing a different name for their son. But the couple ultimately stuck with their plan to name him True.
“His name had been True Legend Harris-Dupart but now that we’ve met him we are tempted to name him PERFECT,” Harris-Dupart told PEOPLE.
Da Brat and Harris-Dupart’s baby boy weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. He was born at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Da Brat married Harris-Dupart at a ceremony in Fairburn, Georgia last year. The couple experienced difficulties when they initially tried to have a baby in 2022.
Earlier this year, the two revealed Da Brat was pregnant with her first child. The baby boy became Harris-Dupart’s fourth child. She was already a mother of three from a prior relationship.
Ice Spice shed light on her relationships with Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift in a recent interview with The Guardian.
The 23-year-old rapper said both stars became her mentors once her career started to blossom. Ice Spice noted how Nicki Minaj leads by example but also speaks with her “Princess Diana” collaborator in private.
“She be telling me to learn from her mistakes—just watching her in general, if you pay close enough attention, you gonna see what you should do,” Ice Spice explained. “I love to talk to her about things that I can’t talk about publicly—it just means so much to be able to have somebody like her.”
The “Munch (Feelin’ U)” creator found another shoulder to lean on in Taylor Swift. The two worked together on the “Karma” remix, but their connection went beyond the collaboration.
“She’s so sweet—I was so obsessed with how humble she was and willing to work,” Ice Spice said. “She gives me so much advice. We talk all the time and she’s so funny. But I can’t say what she be telling me.”
The Capitol Records artist and Taylor Swift released their collaborative version of “Karma” in May. Ice Spice teamed up with Nicki Minaj again for a new single titled “Barbie World” in June.
Check out the music video for “Barbie World” below.
West is here to prove that you can live out your dreams of being a recording artist, without needing to sign to a major label. Originally born in New York, raised in the Bay Area, but now residing in sunny Los Angeles, the rising star lists music as his biggest passion… and he spends his waking hours in the lab perfecting his craft.
Born to a traditional immigrant family, the Asian American rapper graduated from UCLA in 2015, and began his career working in Management Consulting. In 2019, he took a leap of faith to commit to music full-time.
West states, “I wasn’t too happy with it. I didn’t derive a whole lot of happiness or purpose from my job, So in 2019, I decided to quit and go for what I wanted. That’s basically 99% of my life, is my career in music right now.”
Most recently, West unveiled the official music video for his biggest song to date, “Euro$tep.”
On the chorus, he spits, “I do not miss. Started in Cali and now I got b###### in Europe singing my s###. Remember it’s never the critic who counts, that’s just the way it is. Tell me, why would I listen to you on this s### when you never could do what I did?”
“Euro$tep” holds fans over until the release of his newest single “Checks,” which arrives on July 7th.
AllHipHop caught up with West in downtown Los Angeles, moments before he headed to the golf course. Read below as we discuss his background, his love for music, his parents support, his name, the making of “Euro$tep,” new single “Checks,” studio essentials, and more!
AllHipHop: Have you been making music your whole life?
West: My whole life. I was singing, playing piano and guitar since I was a kid. But it wasn’t something that I thought was all that realistic. But once I had gotten the job that I thought I wanted, it didn’t make me happy so I went for it. I had already written around 200 songs at that time. My friends had this intervention and said “you need to start doing this.”
AllHipHop: Those are real friends! When did you fall in love with music?
West: Since before I can remember. Since I was kid, I always had a pair of wire earphones tucked behind my ear, so I was constantly listening to music since I was a kid.
AllHipHop: What artists made you fall in love with music?
West: It was probably what my parents would play. They played a lot of Nat King Cole. They played a lot of Simon & Garfunkel, Chinese music, classical music. When I first started being autonomous and having an mp3 player, it was stuff like Green Day, Eminem, 50 Cent.
AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound?
West: Honestly, just a hodgepodge of everything that I like. I’m a melody enthusiast, I love melodies. So a mix between rap, Hip Hop, and pop.
AllHipHop: How are parents responding to the music? Are you full Chinese?
West: I am. They’re my biggest supporters. When we talk about the future, my dad is very matter-of-fact about my success like “oh, yeah, just make sure you take care of your health.” We’ll talk about the future when I play Madison Square Garden or something. My dad’s the type to be like “it’s just a matter of time before that happens for you. Just make sure you get enough sleep” type thing.
They’re super supportive. In the beginning, they were worried of course. But always supportive. Never not supportive. We have a great relationship so when I told them that I was going to do this, they trusted me.
AllHipHop: Were they worried when you quit your job?
West: Yeah, like any good parents would be.. I would be worried too if my kids did the same thing. I reassured them and let them know that within two years, you should be able to see some results. Now, they’re on board for sure.
AllHipHop: Do they listen to your music?
West: They do. [laughs] My dad doesn’t use headphones, so he plays them on his iPhone speakers. We’ll be in the gym, he’ll sit here and play it on his iPhone. My mom loops my music 24/7. She’s always trying to give me some more streams, it’s hilarious.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name? Is West your real name?
West: No, my real name’s Eddy. West was something that just came to me. I’m sure you can relate, our families come from the Far East. In my household at least, my parents immigrated here. Growing up, the idea of the West and the Western Hemisphere represented a destination that provided a better life. That concept of the West was synonymous with being successful, being stable, providing a better life for your family. It has a cultural meaning, but also for me personally, my roots come from the Far East, but my life has led me over here to the West. The sun rises in the East and sets in the West, so it mirrors my life path, and represents completion and where you’re going.
AllHipHop: Talk about your biggest song, “Euro$tep.” I love the video, I always want to steal a golf cart and drive around.
West: The song had gone viral long before we had released the video. It went on Instagram first, but I was feeling pressure from everyone saying “you gotta put together a video and put it out.” I didn’t want to dilute the intention of the song by coming out with a stereotypical flashy video with a bunch of cars in front of a mansion, it had to be real for us. We want it to be something where, let’s go to the actual golf course that we play at, with our friends. It’s gotta be real, and that’s the only way people will resonate with it.
“Euro$tep” was a song that I had written the hook for, then I posted a 5 second clip on Reels. The next day when I woke up, the video had 3 million views. But the song wasn’t done. I’d just written 3 lines of the hook. I’m like f###, I gotta finish the song and take advantage of the virality.
AllHipHop: What do you think made it go viral?
West: I don’t know what it is. I think the drop played a big part of it. People liked the “3, 2, 1,” how hard the beat was. Maybe the hook had a mixture of rap and singing. Not singing, but sing-rapping. It went viral and the next morning I’m like, well I don’t have a song to put out. I had to finish it. I ended up finishing it that night, then releasing it 2 weeks later. I released it, and initially it performed pretty steadily. But it didn’t pop off until about 4 months later when Manchester United and Premier League soccer posted it on Reels.
AllHipHop: Just organically?
West: Yeah. I don’t know anything about soccer, so I didn’t know it was a big deal. It was more people would tag me or send it to me, so I knew it was big. But it wasn’t anything… if the NBA had posted it, I’d probably flip out more.
AllHipHop: Talk about the independent grind and why you want to remain independent?
West: First and foremost, I do music because I love it. Art in its most successful and purest form is a form where no one can tell you what to write or what to do or how to move. That’s how it resonates most with people, so I value creative control in doing whatever the f### I want, when I want, over money or anything else. Also, that’s the road to financial stability in this industry. If you own your masters, you own all your stuff, you’re going to make money if you’re successful. I want to build leverage and fanbase and get to the point where no one can tell me what to do. Eventually, I will sign with a major when the time is right. That time is not now. Independence and self-sufficiency is really important to me.
AllHipHop: Talk about your new single “Checks,” what’re you most excited for?
West: I’m excited. For me, whenever you write a song, you get really excited about it initially, then you have to wait so long for other people to hear it. It’s been a month, so I’m excited for people to finally hear it. It’s another song I wrote in one night, it’s 100% me. It’s one of those songs where 90% of the lines are some form of clever bar, but they also mean something, and there’s no filler. I’m proud of the message that it represents. Every line is like, oh that’s the truth. It’s another step towards where I want to go. I’m excited for people to see a video to the song.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from the video?
West: Hopefully something unique. Something cool, but the video wasn’t supposed to be the video. We were shooting short form content for TikTok and Reels. We ran 3 takes of 7 different songs. We came back and saw this one, were like “this is really good.” It was super natural, we were having fun. We ended up turning it into a music video.
AllHipHop: What is it you want fans to get from your story?
West: If people can listen to my music and have some form of positive messaging or inspiration. Specifically what I like to preach in my music is always be yourself. Be confident, don’t give a f### what other people are saying. If you believe it, you can do it. Through consistency, hard work, confidence and a relentless attitude. There’s two ways to go through life. You can either go through life thinking “oh I’m not that good, I don’t know if I can do it”, or you can be like “I’m the s###.” If my music helps them think like the latter, then that would be for me, a career well spent doing music.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
West: A candle. Some kind of gummies, I usually go for Welch’s fruit snacks. And palo santo, I have to burn that.
AllHipHop: What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not working?
West: I like to golf, workout and cook. Lots of Chinese food, lots of Korean food.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself?
West: Yeah, to be the biggest artist in the world. Put the music on the biggest stage possible, to affect as many people positively as possible. To take care of my family, so they never have to worry about anything. To live my life out through my purpose, which is to make music at the highest level. On the other side, on the personal side, to keep improving myself as a man. Become the most disciplined, generous, moral, capable, rich, kind person that I can be.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next?
West: Lots of new music. I’m gonna be around forever so for me, it’s a marathon. Constantly releasing new music, new content. Maybe in a year or so, going on tour. Hopefully that will come soon. More music, just on a bigger scale.
Tupac Shakur’s stepfather, Mutulu Shakur, died on Thursday (July 6) after a long illness. The family made the announcement via Instagram the following day using an illustration of the 72-year-old. The caption read: “Our beloved Mutulu joined the ancestors this morning at home with family. Please bless him on his path and we will share more soon. Rest in power and love.”
Mutulu’s death comes just seven months after he was released from prison. The Black liberation elder served more than 36 years behind bars for his alleged involvement in a 1981 robbery that led to three fatalities. He was granted a compassionate release in November 2022 due to his bone marrow cancer diagnosis.
In May 2022, a Bureau of Prisons doctor revealed Mutulu had less than six months to live. It wasn’t until after a hearing last October that the federal parole commission admitted the dying man posed zero risk to society. He’d previously made the request for release at least 10 times, held a clean institutional record and was considered a mentor to many.
Mutulu Shakur was gravely ill with terminal cancer in April 2022, when the same parole commission denied his release. Medical reports pointed to his decline in physical function, confusion and hallucinations. It was only then he was granted release. He spent his remaining days in Southern California with his family.
Mutulu was convicted of racketeering conspiracy charges alongside several Black liberationists and leftist allies for his involvement in the 1981 robbery of a Brink’s armored truck. A guard and two police officers were killed during the melee. He took responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse for the lives lost.
Prior to his incarceration, Mutulu was a member of the Black nationalist organization Republic of New Afrika. He was a renowned acupuncturist and central figure in the movement to bring holistic health care and self-determination to Black residents in the Bronx during the ’70s. In 1975, he married 2Pac’s mother, Afeni Shakur. They had a daughter, Sekyiwa, but divorced in 1982.
AllHipHop sends its condolences to the Shakur family.
6ix9ine has found himself in the midst of rap beef once again. On Wednesday (July 5), the “Gooba” rapper took to social media to criticize Anuel AA’s parenting skills after the Puerto Rican star posted a picture of his daughter.
“You’re a rat,” 6ix9ine wrote. “It’s not my place may God forgive me for this comment but you crossed a line uploading that picture knowing that yailin wasn’t ready.
“She is your daughter [and] you have all the right but you haven’t done anything in 3 months. Papers, rent, milk, clothes… to the world you can sell the dream that you’re Real but I know you [and] you’re the definition of a rat.”
He continued, “That’s why you only have a picture of her from the hospital because you haven’t seen her since [and] have made yourself seem like a great father on social media.”
“You turned out to be a pedophile and accepted the guilt,” Anuel AA wrote on a post, before asking in Spanish how could a “real mouse” call him “a rat.”
Anuel AA Bombs on Tekashi IG StoriesAnuel AA Bombs on Tekashi IG Stories
In the translated response, Anuel AA asked, “Is the world coming to an end or something? It has to be!”
Anuel AA Bombs on Tekashi IG Stories
Anuel AA admitted the two were once friends and that he offered support before he went to court with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.
Anuel AA Bombs on Tekashi IG Stories
“I offered you help a million times before you went to jail. I told you that those who stole from you were who they were and that I knew what you wanted to do, but you got nervous and said nothing,” Anuel AA wrote, adding, “So, we let you handle it your way and look what you did.”
He also called out 6ix9ine for acting like they were friends, posting his videos and telling the fans that he “ate with” his mother.
“You must be in love with me or something,” he continued. “You say you ate with my mom … you have never met my mom face-to-face. You are a liar!
“Saying that I don’t pay for diapers, a miserable person whose child’s mother is everywhere claiming the same thing about you and she says you haven’t seen your daughter in 2 years, YOU’RE THE ONE WHO ABANDONED YOUR DAUGHTER!!!! DON’T SAY THAT I DO WHAT YOU DID TO YOUR DAUGHTER, YOU MISERABLE!!!!!!!”
Anuel AA Bombs on Tekashi IG Stories
At this point, Anuel AA shifts the conversation to speaking about 6ix9ine’s 2015 sexual abuse charges.
“WITH WHAT FACE DO YOU TALK ABOUT ME?” he asked. “IN 2015 YOU ALSO HAD ANOTHER CASE OF PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEOS OF A 13-YEAR-OLD MINOR. WITTTTHHHH WWHHAAATTT FFAAACCCCEEE DOOOO YOUUUUUU TAAALLLKKK ABOUT MEEEEEE?????”
6ix9ine then called him a “hypocrite,” saying he had the same statutory rape allegation on him.
Much of this energy is centered around Yailin la Más Viral, a Dominican artist who shares a child with Anuel AA and is rumored to be dating 6ix9ine.
According to 6ix9ine, Yailin told him all that he knows about Anuel AA and has screenshots to expose Anuel AA if he keeps going at him.
“Double Standard!” 6ix9ine said. “You always show the world you are a hypocrite and we are going to divulge one more subject to the public.
“If we are going to bring things to light, tell the world that the reason that Yailin does not want to hear from you it’s because you hit her when she was 4 months pregnant. I have the messages.”
Yailin and 6ix9ine aren’t peaking now, because he posted inappropriate pictures of her online.
Flavor Flav is doing some damage control after a misleading headline about his iconic clock went viral. On Friday morning (July 7), the Public Enemy legend shared a screenshot with the headline: “Flavor Flav Says Iconic Clock Necklace Was Inspired By A ‘Crackhead.'” He laid into the person behind the misinformation and quickly corrected it.
“FROM FLAVOR FLAV HIMSELF,” he wrote in the caption. “Whoever wrote this headline is a complete A##HOLE!!! If you read the story, I never said the crackhead inspired the clock. I said THAT
MY BOY BAZERK PUT THE CLOCK AROUND MY NECK AS A JOKE!! that’s were the inspiration came From. NOT THE CRACKHEAD you a##hole writer GET IT RIGHT.”
Flavor Flav has told a similar story before. For this particular interview, Flav sat down with Roxanne Shanté at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame from the SiriusXM studio in Cleveland as part of her “Have a Nice Day” show. He and Shanté chopped it up about Hip-Hop’s 50-year anniversary and his career, which included the story behind his iconic clock chain.
“So one day, as a joke, this crackhead came through my projects, you know what I’m saying, selling these shower clocks that she stole from a place called Fortunoff,” he remembered. “She went to Fortunoff, stole this big box of shower clocks and came through our projects selling them. So my boy, Son of Berserk, took the stopwatch off my neck and put the clock around my neck. Everybody was laughing. It was a big joke.
“So they dared me to wear that clock on stage but during the show. So when we went to open up for the Beastie Boys in Passaic, New Jersey, 1986, I wore the clock, Roxanne. And then the next day on the front page of Newsday, New York Times, New York Post, the look of the clock was dope.”
It’s unclear who initially misconstrued his words, but Flavor Flav certainly isn’t happy about it. The issue could possibly strike too close to home. Over the last few years, Flavor Flav has been on the road to sobriety, and it seems to be something he’s extremely serious about.
On June 16, Flavor Flav opened up about his recovery journey. He mentioned not only has he stopped smoking cigarettes, but he’s also creeping up on three years sober from alcohol.
“I’ve changed,” he wrote. “Today I am 3 years clean from cigarettes that I started smoking when I was just 6 years old. Soon I’ll be 3 years sober from alcohol. And I’ve been 15+ years sober from drugs. I’m proud to share my sobriety journey and Thankx to my friends and family and those who support me.
“To everyone out there struggling with addiction, it is a real battle you fight every day. But I’m still here and you know what..I DID IT.. and if I can do it..anyone can do it!!!”
