Another person has been arrested in connection to the murder of promising U.K. rapper TKorStretch at London’s Notting Hill Carnival in August.
21-year-old Takayo Nembhard, a.k.a TKorStretch, died after being stabbed during the event in Ladbroke Grove, west London, on Aug. 29. According to multiplereports, a teenager was arrested on Tuesday after surrendering to police. He remains in custody on suspicion of murder.
Meanwhile, authorities are still attempting to trace another man captured on CCTV at the carnival. They issued an image of the man asking for anybody who can identify him to come forward.
Detective Inspector Laura Semple, Specialist Crime, revealed cops are seeking witnesses to assist the investigation. “If can you help or have any information – no matter how small – about Takayo’s murder please come forward.”
Police Appeal For Witnesses To TKorStretch Murder
A police statement confirms detectives are appealing for any video footage taken of the incident. “This incident happened during the carnival in a large crowd,” the statement reads. Cops believe any phone or camera recordings could help identify those responsible for the murder.
TKorStretch was attacked in Ladbroke Grove, under the Westway flyover. He was taken to hospital where he sadly died. His cause of death was listed as a stab wound to the right groin femoral artery.
Cops have arrested several people in connection with the incident. A 23-year-old man and an 18-year-old man were arrested in TKorStretch’s hometown of Bristol on suspicion of murder on Oct. 19. A 20-year-old woman was also arrested in London on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The teenager and the woman were bailed pending further inquiries, while the third suspect was released under investigation.
Days after the initial arrests, cops also apprehended a 17-year-old boy in Bristol on suspicion of the murder. Police arrested the teen on Oct. 22 and subsequently bailed him pending further inquiries.
Although Tory Lanez was hit with another charge in the Megan Thee Stallion shooting case, his attorney is “confident” his client will be fully cleared by the end of the trial.
Prosecutors hit the Toronto native with a third felony charge on Monday (Dec. 5). He has now been charged with discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He previously pleaded not guilty to the initial charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle.
If convicted on all three counts Tory Lanez faces a maximum of 22 years and eight months in prison.
However, his attorney, George Mgdesyan believes the musician will escape prison and be cleared of all charges against him.
“We are confident that at the conclusion of this trial the truth will come out,” Mgdesyan told TMZ. “Mr. Peterson will be exonerated of all charges.”
Tory Lanez took to social media on Tuesday afternoon with his own confident message.
“No weapon formed against me shall prosper,” he tweeted before adding, “EVER.”
Prosecutors accuse Tory Lanez of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020. He cannot discuss the case publicly after a judge issued a gag order preventing him from doing so.
Megan Thee Stallion Feared Tory Lanez Might Kill Her
“He started shooting, and I’m just like, ‘oh my God.’ He shot a couple of times. And I didn’t even want to move. I don’t want to move too quick like ’cause I’m like ‘oh my God’ if I take the wrong step, I don’t know if he can shoot something that’s like super important.’ I don’t know if he could shoot me and kill me,” Megan Thee Stallion explained to King in April. She added “I was really scared because I had never been shot at before.”
Lizzo showed what it means to be a true voice of the people after receiving the People’s Champion honor at the 2022 People’s Choice Awards on Tuesday evening (Dec. 6).
The “Grrrls” hitmakers brought the audience to tears with her heartfelt acceptance speech, using her platform to “amplify marginalized voices,” bringing out 17 activists on stage with her to accept the trophy.
“I’m [going to] be honest, when I first heard about this award, I was on the fence about whether I should accept because, if I’m the people’s champ, I don’t need a trophy for championing people,” Lizzo revealed as she addressed the crowd.
“I’m here tonight, because to be an icon isn’t about how long you’ve had your platform. Being an icon is what you do with that platform. And ever since the beginning of my career, I’ve used my platform to amplify marginalized voices.”
Lizzo, who also won Song of the Year, then welcomed to the stage activists she believes deserves the spotlight for their work.
“Tonight, I’m sharing this honor,” Lizzo said, before introducing each guest by name and highlighting their field of work. Watch Lizzo receive the People’s Champion Award in the clip below.
Lizzo Accepts People’s Champion Award With A Host Of Activists
“When I think of Lizzo the word champion comes to mind,” Lizzo’s mother, Shari Johnson-Jefferson, said, presenting her famous daughter with the award. “She’s a champion of others, she builds you up and she’s always in your corner. I should know because I’m her mother.”
She continued: “Melissa has always been herself, 100% that chic and she has shown us all that we don’t have to conform to anyone’s standards in order to be happy, to be creative and to feel worthy. I know that Lizzo has literally saved lives. No one is more deserving of this honor and I’m so proud of her.”
Missy Elliott has given fans a glimpse behind the curtain, revealing some of the pressures involved in creating her groundbreaking albums.
The Virginia native revealed how each album added to her artistry and how she and super producer Timbaland evolved to become one of the most creative duos in Hip-Hop.
Missy Elliott revealed she felt “stressfree” crafting her debut LP, Supa Dupa Fly, in 1997 because she lacked expectation. However, the motivation for the project came from her desire to have her own label.
“My label told me they would give me my own label if I did 1 album,” Missy explained. “So me & @Timbaland completed this album in 2 weeks not knowing this would be the beginning of many more to come🔥”
The critically acclaimed album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and would go on to achieve Platinum certification, selling over a million copies in the U.S. alone.
My 1st album was stressfree because I didn’t have any expectations. My label told me they would give me my own label if I did 1 album so me & @Timbaland completed this album in 2 weeks not knowing this would be the beginning of many more to come🔥 pic.twitter.com/mineJQSfDN
According to Missy, the “hardest” and her “least favorite” project to complete was her sophomore offering, Da Real World.
“Because of the success of the 1st album I was so hard on myself,” she revealed. However, she eventually “realized the MASTERPIECE,” she and Timbaland created with her 1999 LP.
Missy Elliott & Timbaland Wanted to “Experiment” On “So Addictive”
Missy felt some “relief” by the time she made her third album, 2001’s So Addictive, allowing her and Tim the space to “experiment.” The duo was “open to showing what the FUTURE of music could sound like in our minds🔥”
So Addictive earned Missy her highest Billboard 200 chart position yet, debuting at No. 2. The album spawned the hits “One Minute Man”, featuring Ludacris and Trina, and “Get Ur Freak On” and went on to receive two Grammy Awards.
Having created projects “so different in sound & cadence,” Missy and Timbaland were unsure where to go next. Nonetheless, they eventually combined their “love for old school Hip Hop & breaks beats” with their “FUTURE sound” to create Under Construction in 2002.
A year later, Missy Elliot and Timbaland returned to “SOUND EXPERIMENTING” to make This Is Not a Test!
“Each time we took a risk sonically,” Missy Elliot said of her partnership with Timbaland. Check out her tweets below.
By this album I felt a small relief & I felt my 2nd album allowed me & @Timbaland to EXPERIMENT with my 3rd album🔉outtaspace sounds since my 2nd album was theatrical with knockin beats🔉 We were open to showing what the FUTURE of music could sound like in our minds🔥 pic.twitter.com/Q2cfjed1DJ
This album @Timbaland & I was back to SOUND EXPERIMENTING & we felt a little more free to explore since the other albums success. But each album was a lil pressure except “SUPADUPAFLY” & “So Addictive” but each time we took a risk sonically🔥 pic.twitter.com/SUmptsfB4z
Cardi B has weighed in on the debate sparked by GloRilla last week over whether women should contribute 50/50 in their relationships.
The NYC rapper agreed with her “Tomorrow 2” collaborator saying women should be financially independent if they want to build a future with their partner.
Furthermore, Cardi has some experience in the matter, revealing she was once left homeless after the man she lived with kicked her out.
When the topic came up during a recent Instagram live session, Cardi B explained, “I am not totally against 50/50.” She went on to add that it “really depends” on the individual “situation” and “lifestyle.”
Cardi offered a scenario where a couple, earning $50k a year each, plan to buy a house as an example. However, only one party contributes to the bills and other household expenses. “B#### y’all never gonna buy a f###### house,” she stated. “And that just goes if you want to be a part of something.”
Cardi acknowledged that some women might want to be kept by their partner but warned against it. ‘You ain’t got no say so in nothing,” she explained before adding, “A n#### could kick you out whenever.”
The Grammy Award winner speaks from experience, having been kicked out by an ex before. “I didn’t like that feeling,” Cardi B recalled, revealing she was left homeless and had to sleep in a space below the roof of her building.
Cardi B Reveals She Went 50/50 With Offset On ATL Home
She added, “I love to get maintained, but I do like ownership of certain s###. That’s why I went half and half on my house in Atlanta with my n####.” Cardi said while she is the sole owner of her NYC house, she and husband Offset plan on buying an NYC apartment together. They also will go halves on a place in L.A. Check out her comments in the clip below.
DJ Quik ruminated about his status as an artist in a string of Twitter posts on Tuesday (December 6).
The Hip Hop legend felt he should be regarded as highly as Dr. Dre. DJ Quik said he knew why he never reached the same heights as his West Coast contemporary.
“I deserve to be where Dre is,” he wrote. “I don’t think it’s fair, but I understand why. I’ve never had a machine behind me, that always hurt my friends more than it did me.”
He added, “My friends have come to me in confidentiality to say ‘do your music like you want to. Just be DJ Quik! People love that s###!’”
DJ Quik stressed his love for Dr. Dre, downplaying any perceived slight against the fellow producer. The 52-year-old artist claimed he was explaining himself as “neutrally” as he could.
“There is no automatic winning lottery ticket for everyone Periodt,” he wrote. “On this planet, you get what you get. But it’s what you do with what you have been given to work with that makes you a star.”
DJ Quik concluded, “I know I’ll never be as popular as I need to be, but I have 10s of artists superstars! And when they shine, I just smile. The janitor doesn’t get all the glory, but he keeps the backstage, clean as a triage.”
Kanye West appeared on another right-wing extremist’s platform to spout his antisemitic views and fondness for Adolf Hitler.
The controversial rapper sat down for an interview with Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. Kanye West continued to share his bizarre and offensive opinions, including his belief that Jewish people should forgive Adolf Hitler.
“Jewish people can’t tell me who I can love and who I can’t love,” ‘Ye said. “You can’t say, you can’t force your pain on everyone else. Jewish people, forgive Hitler today. Let it go.”
Less than a week ago, Kanye West declared he “liked Hitler” during an appearance on conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ show InfoWars. Ye also said he “loved Nazis.”
Kanye West’s conversation with Gavin McInnes featured numerous antisemitic comments, more gripes about pornography and wild conspiracy theories. ‘Ye spoke about his presidential campaign, suggesting Candace Owens as a good running mate. But he complained about her being “controlled” by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro.
Near the end of the interview, ‘Ye shared his ideas for reshaping America. He claimed to be in the process of updating the U.S. Constitution.
“This is a Christian country and the rules of the country will be based on the Bible,” he said. “We’re going to realign—we’re gonna align the Constitution with the Bible. And update it. And we’re in the process of doing that right now.”
View the interview below. Kanye West’s remarks about the Constitution and forgiving Hitler begin around the 42-minute mark.
Prosecutors added a third felony charge against Tory Lanez in the Megan Thee Stallion shooting case.
According to multiplereports, Tory Lanez was charged with discharging a firearm with gross negligence on Monday (December 5). He faces up to six years in prison for the new charge.
Tory Lanez was originally charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The third felony charge won’t impact the Canadian artist’s maximum sentence if convicted on all three counts. He still faces a maximum of 22 years and eight months in prison.
Jury selection in the shooting trial began on Monday. Prosecutors accuse Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020.
A judge also released Tory Lanez from house arrest on Monday. Prosecutors objected, citing concerns about potential witness intimidation.
“I will terminate the house arrest at this point,” Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Herriford said. “The main reason is that during trial, it’s difficult to have a client who’s not accessible. I’m doing this mainly for the trial preparation aspect.”
The 30-year-old rapper was placed on house arrest in October. His bond stands at $350,000.
Every artist has a unique journey and experience in the music industry. In most cases, the journey is usually very challenging, especially when you need the right connections. However, with determination and resilience, many artists can navigate the competitive industry and realize their dreams. Kedric Dewon Battee, commonly known by his stage name, Yung Dub D, is an American rapper from Dallas, Texas, taking the music industry by storm. His passion for music began when he was nine years old. He would sing with his cousins at his grandmother’s house, which was the first step toward his journey in the music industry.
Yung hails from a humble background of a single-parent family, as his father passed on when he was only six. His father’s death left him and his mother moving from place to place in search of a better life. However, the young music enthusiast did not let his background or past stop him from achieving his goals. He remained consistent and persistent in seeing his dreams come true.
A talented artist, Yung has produced hit after hit that has seen him gain a huge audience and increase his social media followers. Some notable accomplishments on his social media platforms include 100K views on YouTube for his video, “I Did”, 43K on Hush, 65K on Bloodline, and 20K on Codes. He was recognized in Los Angeles Weekly as number six of the “Top 10 Artists You Should Be Following on Instagram”.
Music enthusiasts yearn to listen to refreshing music that resonates with people’s daily lives. Yung’s latest single, “Heal”, has gained a cult-like audience. In this single, attaining love is something Yung created to help others in a healing process because it is relatable, and others need to know the importance of healing through relationships.
At times, listening to what others say about you can outweigh what you believe about yourself. You tend to limit yourself based on the perception of others concerning your life, which limits your potential and derails your dreams. This is an obstacle Yung struggled with because people did not believe in him or his career aspirations. However, he overcame this hurdle by listening to himself and not what others thought of him. He says realizing he is in charge of his life helped him negate the opinions of others.
Yung advises other aspiring artists to never surrender their passions, even if other people doubt them. He insists on taking control of the wheel of your life. You are the driver and not a passenger that rides along with what others dictate in your life. He also believes that you alone know your passion in life, and you should not let others discourage you and underestimate your belief in your dreams.
Yung hasn’t stopped dreaming and is continually working hard to see his dreams come true. His biggest dream and aspiration is to be one of the greatest rappers in history. He is currently working on two projects, and he is very optimistic that the future is even brighter. He dreams of his music creating a worldwide sensation and being globally recognized.
After dropping banger music videos to tracks like Keep Going and Intro, Theprinceofnc is finally back with a romantic music video for his track “Bed”. The track is featured on his new EP, Prince for President.
Many people would say Theprinceofnc sounds like a southern Drake with the smooth and distinctive punch lines he delivers effortlessly. Theprinceofnc and Redwrld1of1 teamed up for another movie which is just one of many videos the duo has released. Redwrld1of1 also filmed “Keep Going” and “Intro” which both turned out to be hit records! It is rumored that Redwrld1of1 will also be filming Theprinceofnc anticipated track “Massacre” in late January.
“Bed was initially written around 2 am when I was writing poetry about my girlfriend and how much I really just wanted her if you know what I mean?” said Theprinceofnc. The delightful music video shows him and another young lady bonding together in a romantic manner who is also rumored to be his girlfriend.
When it comes to Theprinceofnc’s music, it is easy to say that he is easily one of the most versatile artists out of North Carolina, constantly applying pressure. Hard work is one of Prince’s best characteristics, with him having to put his music career on hold due to a minor infraction with the law, he is currently releasing a new track called “Massacre” which is highly anticipated by fans from all over the country.
Just as the music industry has evolved in its style and sounds, audiences have also expanded their preferences. Music enthusiasts are always looking for fresh and unique sounds to feel enthralled and connected to. This consistent demand for a distinct style of music has paved the way for many new talents in the industry who are fearless in their style and never hesitate to experiment. Musician and rapper, Big Swapp, belongs to this new crop of artists, always working hard to bring something new to the audience.
Born in Haiti and raised in New Jersey, Big Swapp organically absorbed the diverse culture of music of these two places, and his love for music and gifted creative skills has further shaped his career as a rapper. He has a unique sound that quickly separates him from other contemporary rappers. He also stands out for his electrifying energy and infectious positive vibes that instill the groove in his tunes.
Big Swapp is known as a turnt rapper, identified for his swag. His music is a breeze of freshness that audiences do not just enjoy listening to but also feel connected to. He strikes a perfect balance between a positive attitude and good vibes with his personality and music that sets the stage on fire. His music is something that fans feed on and go crazy about. Big Swapp’s strong stage presence and unparalleled ability to read the crowd’s vibe ignites the music scene both virtually and also in live music shows.
Today, Big Swapp is a sought-after name in the music scene in New Jersey. However, his journey so far has been a challenging one that changed his perception of life. Migrating from Haiti to the US at 11, Big Swapp faced discrimination during his teens. Growing up in Everington, New Jersey, he was chased down on the streets for his Haitian origin. As an escape from these ugly experiences, Big Swapp chose to adopt the street life and crewed up with a gang of 12. However, he later realized his bigger dreams, which would not be fulfilled by living a street culture. That’s when Big Swapp decided to pivot his life positively.
It has been a while since Big Swapp left the street lifestyle and is living sober to build a solid career in the music industry. He left street life during his junior high school days and even pursued a college degree for a couple of years. He turned all negative experiences into positivity to fuel his goal and left everything for the love of creating music and singing. Professionally, Big Swapp is now making huge strides to take his voice to the international platform.
Big Swapp is gradually paving the foundation to accomplish his dreams through large-scale musical tours and even signing deals with record labels. This talented artist has not restricted his career only to music. He is a fitness enthusiast and entrepreneur who loves to spend quality time with his family. Currently, Big Swapp is basking in the success of his new single “Instagram”. The song is drenched in new vibes and is leaving his fans craving more. Big Swapp wants to continue making incredible music, expanding his audience base throughout the world so he can spread happiness and positivity everywhere.
Nicki Minaj’s husband Kenneth Petty must participate in mediation with his rape accuser Jennifer Hough, who filed a lawsuit against him.
Last year, Jennifer Hough sued Nicki Minaj’s husband for infliction of emotional distress, harassment and witness intimidation. Judge James R. Cho referred the case to mediation on Tuesday (December 6).
“The case is referred to Court-annexed mediation,” the court noted. “Parties to select a mediator by 12/20/2022 and complete mediation by 3/6/2023. Parties may participate in the mediation remotely.”
It added, “Parties shall file a joint status report two weeks after completing the mediation, but no later than 3/20/2023, whichever date is earlier.”
Both sides will engage in “limited written discovery that would facilitate settlement discussions.” If Jennifer Hough and Kenneth Petty cannot reach a settlement, the case will proceed to trial.
The court also entered the pretrial schedule for the case on Tuesday. Automatic disclosures must be exchanged by January 9, 2023. All discovery, including expert depositions, needed to be to completed by September 5, 2023.
Jennifer Hough accused Kenneth Petty of trying to intimidate, harass and threaten her in an effort to make her recant her rape allegations against him. She sued him and his wife Nicki Minaj, claiming the rapper took part in the harassment campaign.
Earlier this year, Jennifer Hough dropped her claims against Nicki Minaj. But Kenneth Petty remained as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Kenneth Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape in 1995. He served more than four years in prison.
Nicki Minaj’s husband pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender in 2021. A judge sentenced him to one year of home confinement and three years of probation in July.
Kenneth Petty is currently pursuing legal action against the State of New York and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services over his sex offender status. Oral arguments in the case begin on January 6, 2023.
Seems like Kanye West’s antisemitic comments not only caused him to lose deals but also messed with his love life.
According to Page Six, the woman the rapper had been sharing time with, Juliana Nalú, has parted ways because of his negative comments about the Jews and his praise of Adolf Hitler.
After posting a pic on her Instagram, someone asked the Portuguese beauty in her native language how could she be down with someone who is “fond of Nazism,” she responded “I’m single. Thanks for caring.”
West and Nalú stated dating around the time the rapper took to Twitter and tweeted out he was going to go “Death con 3 on Jewish People.”
However, many say the two were dating to help him “drown out the headlines about anti-Semitism with other content.” This “new girlfriend,” who is half his age, was a strategy “to try and make people forget” some of the awful and bigoted things he was saying.
Another ex has tried to distance herself from Yeezy.
Amber Heard has filed to appeal the verdict of her 2022 defamation trial with Johnny Depp.
Deadline reported they had obtained an appeal filing by the “Aquaman” actress’s legal team over her defamation trial with her ex-husband earlier this year.
The appeal request, filed on November 23rd, seeks to reverse the decision which saw Heard lose $10 million to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star.
Recalling Depp’s defamation case against her, the appeal stated earlier this year the court “erroneously refused to dismiss this action… based on its mistaken conclusion Depp’s claims arose in Virginia because the Washington Post’s servers are located here,” implying that, if appealed, Depp’s case against Heard should be dropped based on the location of the court.
The filing continued, “The trial court also erred in overruling Heard’s demurrer, in which she argued that the challenged statements are non-actionable expressions of opinion and are not reasonably capable of conveying the alleged defamatory implication…
“That holding, if allowed to stand, undoubtedly will have a chilling effect on other women who wish to speak about abuse involving powerful men.”
Further, the filing suggested Depp’s case against Heard should be appealed and dismissed because Heard did not defame Depp – she told the truth.
“This case also should never have gone to trial because another court had already concluded that Depp abused Heard on multiple occasions,” it read.
“After Depp filed this case, the United Kingdom High Court of Justice ruled in a separate defamation action brought by Depp that Heard’s abuse allegations were true.”
Patrick Xavier Clark, the promoter of the strip club The Flame HTX who was arrested for murdering Migos rapper Takeoff, left a subliminal message on his social media a week after the fatal shooting that took the artist’s life.
Tweets from Clark’s alleged Twitter profile posted on November 2nd, a day after the shooting, read, “God got me he been had me.”
On November 8th, another tweet went out, sizing him up as a heartless victim, turned cold from people not honoring him.
“Been hurt so many times it’s hard for me to feel love,” Clark tweeted. In his later tweets on November 9th, he said, “I ain’t perfect, I’m solid tho.”
Despite officers locking Clark up and finding out that he applied for a passport and had plans to go to Mexico, his friends are sticking by him and claiming that officials have the wrong person.
According to the Daily Mail one of his friends said, “I know him. He’s not like that. I honestly feel like they got the wrong guy. He doesn’t get mad or hostile. He’s very nice and thoughtful. That’s all I have to say. I feel he is being framed.”
Another person, rapper Jmali, said the killing would be out of character for Clark.
“You could see by the reactions of everyone that we’re shocked because that’s not the type of person [Clark] is. He was about business, not violence,” he said. “Pat was similar to Takeoff in that he was quiet and just went about his business. That’s why this is so surprising to everyone here.”
In a candid Instagram post to mark the anniversary, Nick admitted that he would “never get over” losing a child.
“Physically I’m definitely on the mend but Mentally and Spiritually I’m broken,” he wrote alongside pictures of him and Zen. “I can’t believe it’s been a year already since the toughest day of my life occurred. Such a painful anniversary. Losing a child has to be the heaviest, most dark and depressive experiences that I will never get over. A mixture of guilt, pain, and sorrow is what I suppress daily.”
The 42-year-old confessed that he wishes Zen could have felt more of his love “while he was here on Earth.”
Over the weekend, Nick was hospitalized with pneumonia – the swelling of the tissue in one or both lungs – and he referenced his health battle as he concluded his post.
“I know a few days ago I wrote a post from my hospital bed saying I will be okay and I just needed rest so don’t waste your prayers on me but I can definitely use those prayers right now,” he wrote, alongside a heartbroken emoji. “Continue to Peacefully Rest My Son, Zen Scott Cannon. We Love you Eternally.”
Nick and Alyssa are currently expecting another child.
The new arrival will be Nick’s 12th overall – he has twins with Mariah Carey, three kids with Brittany Bell, three with Abby De La Rosa, and one each with Bre Tiesi and LaNisha Cole.
Stalley Sends Condolences To Takeoff’s Family, Drops New Album “Somebody Up There Loves Me”
If you like real, authentic hip-hop, then prepare to fall in love with Stalley’s newest album. Hailing from Ohio, Stalley has been paving the way for all the independent artists on their grind, proving you don’t need a major label to find success in the music industry. With tens of millions of streams to his name, Stalley is a pure lyricist, spitting nothing but truth in his bars.
In describing himself, Stalley states he’s “a spiritual father, family man, artist. In every sense of that word when it comes to music, fashion. An entrepreneur at it, a CEO. That sums it up.”
At the time of this interview, Stalley unveiled his debut self-directed visual for “Fresh Linen.”
The music video sees Stalley pushing forth positivity, as he raps, “Today will be great, throw on some fresh SBs., I’m feeling vintage today, drop down in sujood, tuck my troubles away. The world is in trouble, they say we need leaders here. I’m just tryna be of the light and try to lead us there. A beacon of hope…”
Most recently, Stalley delivered two singles, “Bakery,” and “Dilla Bap,” leading the way for his new album titled Somebody Up There Loves Me, out now from Mello Music Group on all streaming platforms. Clocking in at 12 tracks, the project is inspired directly by the 1956 film, “Somebody Up There Likes Me,” based on the life of Boxing Legend Rocky Graziano.
AllHipHop spoke with Stalley to discuss his roots in Ohio, his Top 5, new music, relationship with Takeoff, Kendrick taking him on tour, signing to MMG, goals, and more!
AllHipHop: Talk about being from Ohio, what was that like growing up? I know Trippie Redd is from Canton, that’s close to where you are right?
Stalley: Yup. It’s funny because Trippie’s grandmother lived in the same projects that I grew up in, so I’ve seen Trippie as a kid. We used to watch out for him in the neighborhood when he was running around. I know his uncle, his father too. Trippie, his family is like family. It’s a community like that when it comes to Massillon and Canton. It’s a rivalry, too, because of high school sports, but there’s a lot of love in that area.
Growing up, it was the average childhood. Being into sports, being into music. Running around, trying not to get in trouble, but getting into trouble. But it was definitely a great upgrade, I enjoyed it. It shaped me in a lot of ways, personality-wise. Just my grit and grind, my will to be persistent at everything. There definitely were a lot of lessons growing up in Massillon, Ohio.
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with music?
Stalley: I can’t put an exact age on it, but it was definitely at a young age. I used to listen to everybody from Michael Jackson to Marvin Gaye to Curtis Mayfield. Obviously, with hip-hop, it was everybody from Biggie to Tupac to Scarface to Nas to Wu-Tang to E-40. The list goes on, so definitely been a fan of all music. My grandmother was heavy into rock and country music, so I was also listening to everybody from Travis Tritt to Bruce Springsteen. A lot of that stuff shaped me as an artist.
AllHipHop: Do you have a Top 5?
Stalley: Man, it changes all the time. Off the top of my head, obviously I gotta put myself in there. But I’d say Nas, Mos Def, Ghostface, Scarface. I think that’s five, right? [laughs] Somewhere around there. But it always differs. It can definitely change, depending on the day, depending on the mood I’m in. Again, I’m a fan really of everybody. I listen to everything, especially when it comes to hip-hop.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
Stalley: Stalley derived from a child, being somebody running around. People used to call me Stallion, but it also came from playing sports and being a stud on the court. Being a horse or a workforce or whatever. That’s really where it came from, it just got broken down to Stalley. You know how we do in our communities, we shorten everything. That’s where Stalley came from, it just stuck.
AllHipHop: What were you on recording “Fresh Linen”? I love hip-hop records like that, where it’s just smooth.
Stalley: It came to me like that too, just naturally. The beat spoke to me in a way where I wanted to get things off my chest. The beat felt fresh. It felt like I was just recycling through my thoughts. I was rebuilding and rebranding myself through the music. That’s what I wanted people to feel, just that feeling of clear space, clear mind. That’s the energy that the record gives and that’s the energy I wanted to give out with “Fresh Linen.”
AllHipHop: What can we expect from Somebody Up There Loves Me? That’s a very powerful title.
Stalley: Thank you, definitely. You can expect a lot of battling. I don’t want to say it’s a rebirth, but it’s reenergizing myself for my fans and showing them a different side of me. Also reminding myself and knowing that I’ve been through a lot in my career. I’ve been counted out, I’ve been counted on, but I know that somebody up there loves me. Somebody up there is watching over me and somebody is keeping me going.
Because there’s many times we can all give up and quit, or we can all hit a rough patch and get down on ourselves, but knowing there’s somebody up there that’s protecting me, that’s really where the title came from. And from the movie, he went through the same things. Going to prison and going through hardships, but coming out and still having the will and the strength to become a world champion and a heavyweight champion. I’m coming out on top every time, because somebody up there loves me.
AllHipHop: Talk about the independent grind and how you’ve been able to do this independently.
Stalley: It’s been a beautiful grind. Like they say, a beautiful struggle. It’s a lot of ups and downs, a lot of figuring things out and learning. I love to learn, and love to learn as I go. And I’ve been able to do that with being independent because as you know, working in music, just being around it and being a fan of it, it changes daily. With social media, with streaming, it’s always something new to learn. It’s always something new to tackle and master.
Whether it’s something as small as the algorithm or something as big as growing your fanbase, keep continuing to grow. Continuing to tap into new fans, new listeners, continuing to tap into the youth, and just growing your brand. That’s the beauty of it. It’s hard at times, but it’s also a beautiful reward at the end.
AllHipHop: I know you collaborated with Takeoff on “Bag.” What was your relationship with Takeoff? It’s just tragic.
Stalley: Yeah man, super tragic. I just can’t send my condolences and prayers out enough to those guys and the family, it’s been tough. Takeoff was such a great individual, such a humble person. I got to be in the studio with those guys and see how they work. They’re amazing at their craft. They take it very seriously, it’s just unfortunate man.
I was blessed enough to be able to do two records with Takeoff: one with the Migos, one with just me and him. It was an honor. That’s all I can say for real, it’s tragic. It’s hard to see any of your fallen soldiers or people that’s a part of your community of peers die so suddenly at that young age, really for nothing. That’s not what we get into it for.
AllHipHop: Talk about working with Kendrick Lamar. How did that happen?
Stalley: Oh man, shout out to Kendrick. Good dude, I’m forever indebted to Kendrick. Met Kendrick a while ago at SXSW. He was doing the Music Matters Tour before Good Kid, M.A.A.D City came out. We spoke and talked about going on tour together. Right away, he’s like “yeah, come on. Stalley, I f### with him. Let’s go.” That was a beautiful thing, because a lot of artists don’t open up like that. A lot of artists don’t share their stage with up and coming artists.
For him to take me in and take me on, the whole TDE to take me on that tour and treat me like one of theirs, it was a beautiful thing. Always love to those guys. Kendrick is, as we know, incredible. At that time, the big record that he had buzzing was “Swimming Pools.” To see him perform that every night, then Good Kid, M.A.A.D City comes out, it just takes off and he’s on a whole other level, that was a beautiful thing to witness too.
AllHipHop: Did you learn anything from that tour?
Stalley: Yeah, work! [laughs] Put in that grind and it pays off, put in that time and it pays off. That’s definitely what I learned. I learned from TDE just the tight ship that they ran, with all their artists top to bottom. Very professional, very humble.
They treated everybody like they wanted to be treated and in return, that’s what they got. That’s what I learned the most from them, just being great individuals. Being good guys and still making great music. Knowing that you don’t have to have any type of ego or chip on your shoulder or anything, and you can still be successful. So again, always love and shout out to them because of the way they carry themselves. Not as artists, but as individuals. As people, as human beings.
AllHipHop: What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not doing music? I know you like cars.
Stalley: Yeah, I love cars. I love sneakers. I love video games. Anything to occupy my time and my space, keep my mind going. Or sometimes I like to put my mind idle, and that’s why I love to play video games. Get on the game with some homies, laugh and joke and have a good time.
AllHipHop: What was it like signing to MaybachMusic Group? How did that happen?
Stalley: To make a long story short, Ross reached out to me. I met him shortly after he reached out. He told me he wanted me to be a part of MMG, and we worked it out. I became part of MMG, had an amazing time. Learned a lot again. Ross is a great dude. Someone who I’m always in debt to, as well as someone who changed my life. Helped me get on the right path and see that I can live off of my dream. He made my dream come true, so shout out to him.
It didn’t work, not for any particular reason. It just was something that I felt independence was better for me. Me controlling my own destiny and controlling the way I release music and do music, it was just better for me. That was really it. It’s all love. It’s all respect. It’s always appreciation for how he set me up to be where I am.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself at this point in your career?
Stalley: Yeah, continue to get better. My goal is to always get better with every verse, with every record, with every album. I love to grow, I love to learn. As long as I continue to get better and have fun, love what I’m doing, I’m succeeding. As long as I’m able to take care of myself and my family, I’m succeeding. It’s been a blessing. It’s been over 10 years that I’ve been able to live off of music and making music. Shout out to my fans, shout out to everybody who supports me.
I know I can be hard to support sometimes because I’m such an introvert. I’m not someone who’s always in the faces of the people, but people always follow and tend to find me when I’m releasing things. Shout out to them, I love them to death. My goal is to continue to grow, continue to grow my brand, continue to grow as a CEO for Blue Collar Gang. Help other artists to become superstars and live out their dreams as well.x
Watch the fresh new music video “Dilla Bap” directed by Stalley below:
Stream Somebody Up There Loves Me via Mello Music Group out now on all platforms:
We all know the music scene to be competitive and brutal, where not only the talented but the hardworking, dedicated, and gifted thrive. You need to possess more than talent and passion but also unrivaled creativity and authenticity. This is essential to set you apart from an ever-growing pool of artists competing for the same audience. Identifying a unique niche that identifies with your style of music and personality is also essential for success, as is seen in the story of Jared Henry.
Jared is a prolific artist rising into the mainstream. He is known for his originality, from his style of music to his branding as an artist. He is an exceptionally gifted talent and a master of his craft. Jared’s authenticity has seen him rise against all odds to build one of the fastest-growing fan bases in the country. He is also clocking notable career highlights with gigs and performances across the country. The prolific artist has also captured the music industry’s attention, with various producers and directors showing interest in working with him.
Like any other considerable talent, Jared also works with an exceptional team that helps him refine and deliver to his fans. This team handles the other side of music as he largely focuses on creating classic and timeless tracks. However, Jared also highlights that putting such a team together was challenging. “Building a team by showing people that I care about them and not only what I can get from them can be challenging,” he says. Thankfully, his professionalism and warm personality made it easy to hire the right talent for his brand. He now stands out as a promising artist with one of the most supportive teams.
Chasing your dreams can sometimes be frustrating, but Jared wants you to know that nothing comes easy. You must consistently fight for what you believe in and constantly push your limits. More importantly, Jared knows that not everyone will believe in your ability and talent. You are likely to face betrayal from some of the people closest to you, but no matter how tough it gets, never doubt your potential. Keep working hard, learning, and building from every setback. Additionally, Jared encourages artists to associate themselves with people who push them to be better. The music scene, for instance, is a competitive industry with every person striving to be the best, and you need positive energy to thrive.
Though he is yet to hit the mainstream, Jared stands out as a top talent to watch out for in the coming years. He aims to release more pop music in collaboration with other top artists. Jared also wants to grow and expand his brand as a pop star, amassing an expansive fanbase beyond the country’s borders. Social media has taken over the music scene, and Jared is working round the clock to ensure all his music is available on various streaming platforms. A self-nurtured talent, Jared Henry is also looking forward to helping other artists grow their skills and chase their dreams.
As a songwriter, FLO knows that good music brings people together. The rapper/songwriter has built a supportive online community around him through social media, but the biggest story to tell about FLO is that he’s just an ordinary person like everyone else. He never came from money, and everything he has, he had to go out and earn. Through his music, he’d like to share that you can just be yourself and still thrive if you are consistent with your efforts. As far as what makes him stand out, his versatility as an artist makes all the difference.
FLO is a multi-talented artist who can uniquely attack any beat or track. He aims to compile complex rhyme writing with simple hook concepts while rapping fast or even singing. The songwriter is still working on his singing, but ultimately, that’s his vision. His biggest dream while making music is for people to see that he’s just like them.
He wants his fans to know that they are not alone in the world. Whether it’s writing sad or fun songs, his primary goal is to write in the present so that when people are on this journey of life, they can feel they are in the present moment and that he has also been through the same. “Hopefully, it will inspire them to keep fighting for something bigger or to be able to let loose and have fun,” says FLO.
FLO says that the biggest challenge he has had to overcome was his friend’s and family members’ drug and alcohol addictions. The songwriter has several family members who were addicted to heroin and other friends and family with alcohol issues. It was a big hurdle to overcome to try and stay focused on bettering himself when he had a lot of distractions weighing on him heavily.
FLO also struggled in the early days of his music career because he was so determined to be successful that he ended up being too hard on himself. In turn, his life and music suffered. The songwriter is now enjoying the creative process without pushing it, and it is working for him.
Although FLO has had its share of challenges, it has emerged top of the table many times. Working with Twista, who was his idol growing up, was a big moment for the rapper. Collaborating with Twista was humbling for FLO as it meant that dreams do indeed come true. The artist has also worked with and collaborated on songs with Crucial Conflict, Lil Flip, Lil Wyte, Do or Die, Kobe Honeycutt, and many more. FLO hopes he can look back from the future and see the significant mark that he left on people in terms of his music.
To get in touch with FLO, you can reach out to him through his socials. The rapper has just released an album called Versatile. It’s a project idea he came up with years ago that shows how versatile a songwriter and artist he is. From rap to country, blues, hip-hop, and even some pop-style vibes, he feels that this album brings out the best in him.
Five new women have accused comedian Dr. Bill Cosby of raping and drugging them.
The new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, states the women, Lili Bernard, Eden Tirl, Jewel Gittens, Jennifer Thompson and Cindra Ladd, all worked with the Philadelphia native’s#### NBC series, “The Cosby Show” at the time of the alleged sexual assault.
They all say that Cosby positioned himself as their mentor who would help them navigate their careers in entertainment during the 80s and 90s. However, he used his power and influence over vulnerable women to exploit and sexually assault them.
The complaint alleges states in a 1992 episode of the show, Bernard guest starred as “Mrs. Minifield,” and while rehearsing and filming, she claimed he drugged and assaulted her multiple times.
One time she mentioned in the claim she woke up in the middle of the rape, and he was trying to smother her with a pillow.
When she said she was going to tell the police, Bernard alleges Cosby tossed her down a flight of stairs and kicked her out. The powerful industry vet warned if she said anything, he would destroy her, and so she never reported his action out of fear of being ruined.
Tirl played a cop on the show and was escorted back to his dressing room. While there, he locked the door, groped her breasts, kissed her neck, and then pushed his penis into her back, saying softly, “This is making love.”
Another plaintiff, Gittens, said Cosby drugged and assaulted her also. This time the crime happened at his home while the two talked about her coming onto the show.
Thompson’s story said the “Fat Albert” creator forced her to masturbate him, while Ladd says he drugged her (saying he was giving her a pill for a headache) and then sexually assaulted her.
Dr. Cosby’s rep Andrew Wyatt says this is “all about money” and that lawsuit is “frivolous.”
