Drake took a walk down memory lane after reconnecting with one of his rumored exes backstage at a show.
The OVO founder performed at the Barclays Centre Tuesday night (July 18) for the NYC stop of his It’s All A Blur tour. Drake met up with a few friends backstage after the show ended, including Bernice Burgos, who made headlines after packing on the public displays of affection with Drizzy back in 2015.
On Wednesday (July 19), Drake took to his Instagram story with a photo from their link-up. Their encounter had Drake reminiscing about old times and digging through old press photos.
Instagram/Drake
He shared a throwback photo from their 2015 trip to Australia, where photographers spotted the pair hanging out poolside. In the paparazzi pictures, Drake is seen getting very hands-on with Bernice Burgos and kissing her sweetly on the side of the head during an embrace.
In the image he posted, the “Rich Flex” hitmaker is seen gazingly adoringly at her while relaxing by the pool. Drake captioned the photo “A lifetime ago” with Bernice Burgos alongside a laughing emoji.
Burgos addressed the rumors about her and Drake a couple of years later during a 2017 appearance on The Breakfast Club.
“Drake, I’m going to tell you something about Drake. He’s the sweetest person ever,” she stated. “He’s always been good to me and I’ve always been good to him.”
Drake shared the photo a day after making headlines following a separate backstage meeting with his “rightful wife” Sexyy Red. He shouted out the “Pound Town” hitmaker during the concert, referring to her as his “baby mama.”
Rap artist SpotemGottem found himself in big trouble with the law after a high-octane chase through the streets of North Miami Beach yesterday (July 18).
The pursuit, which could have been a scene of an action movie, ended with the discovery of illegal firearms in the rapper’s possession, as reported by WSVN Channel 7 News.
The saga began when Miami-Dade Police officers, on a mission to curb the city’s escalating violent crimes, spotted a red Corvette with heavily tinted windows at a gas station.
SpotemGottem hit the gas as the officers approached, igniting a chase through the streets. He smashed into another car and only stopped fleeing when his vehicle was incapacitated.
But the rapper wasn’t done running. He bolted from the car, only to be cornered and arrested in a nearby shed.
The chase’s aftermath revealed a black Glock 23 modified into a fully automatic weapon. A loaded extended .40-caliber gun magazine was also found in the car.
SpotemGottem is a convicted felon and is not allowed to carry concealed weapons.
He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In September 2021, the rapper was caught in the crossfire of a road rage incident in Miami, where he suffered gunshot wounds to both legs.
SpotemGottem faces many charges related to the high-speed chase and the illegal possession of firearms.
Diageo is moving forward with terminating its marketing services agreement with Sean “Diddy” Combs for Cîroc and the wind-down of their business relationship together with DeLeón despite his allegations of retaliation by the company.
A spokesperson for Diageo told AllHipHop, “This is a business dispute and should not be recast as anything other than that. We have exercised our contractual rights to terminate the marketing services agreement in place for Cîroc and begin the wind-down of the DeLeón joint venture.”
The spokesperson added, “Our actions are consistent with our desire to protect the significant investment we have made in both brands and their future growth. Mr. Combs’ longstanding bad faith actions, false accusations, and breaches of contract overwhelmingly support Diageo’s justified decision to sever ties.”
Combs has accused Diageo of “illegal and outrageous retaliation” following his legal action against the company. He alleges that Diageo has neglected, racially discriminated, and unequally treated him in the distribution, production, and sales of DeLeón Tequila, a brand he co-owns.
Combs also alleged that Diageo classified DeLeón as a “Black” brand only marketable to urban customers and complained about its neglect of the DeLeón brand, which included allocating all its agave, the main tequila ingredient, to its other tequilas; erratic production leading to repeated shortages of DeLeón; and mistakes that led to a shipment of DeLeón being impounded by Mexican authorities.
In a court filing, Combs stated, “The message is clear – if you dare to shed light on Diageo’s conduct, you will be punished.”
John Hueston, Combs’s attorney, sent a letter to Diageo’s attorney, demanding that the company end “its plainly retaliatory and unlawful conduct.”
Hueston stated, “While Diageo has self-servingly misrepresented the goals of Combs’s lawsuit in the press, its attempt to retaliate against Combs for asserting his legal rights will not work in court.”
In the letter to Diageo, Hueston detailed that there was absolutely no legal basis for the company to claim that Combs breached any contracts to end the DeLeón and Cîroc relationships.
He added that, ironically, a Diageo spokesperson had disparaged Combs in public statements outside of litigation.
According to ABC 13, police issued a warrant for Finesse2Tymes’ arrest in Houston on Wednesday (July 19). Authorities claim the Atlantic Records rapper stole a rental car.
A man named Ronald Bell rented an Infiniti QX80 SUV from an Enterprise location in Houston on February 2. The car was due back at the car rental agency on March 10.
The car, valued at $72,200, did not get returned. Enterprise sent a 10-demand letter to Bell roughly a month after he was supposed to return the car.
An Enterprise employee spoke with Bell about the car on April 20. Bell said Finesse2Tymes, whose real name is Ricky Hampton, was in possession of the vehicle.
Finesse2Tymes later spoke with the employee and said he was in Atlanta with the car. He vowed to take care of the situation by April 23.
The vehicle was reported stolen on April 24. That same day, authorities learned someone was driving the car in the Houston area.
Cops tracked down the vehicle on April 25. The woman driving the car told police she got the keys from her boss, Finesse2Tymes. She knew the vehicle was a rental overdue for return.
Finesse2Tymes faces one count of theft between $30,000 and $150,000. The charge is a felony.
Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell, a 25-year-old nursing student, was reported missing for a period of two days. After coming home safe, she informed the police that she had been abducted, but Alabama officials stated on Wednesday that no evidence of a crime has been found.
Hoover PD officials have reported concerning findings regarding Carlee Russell’s phone and work computer prior to her disappearance. These findings include searches such as “what’s the maximum age of an amber alert” and “the movie Taken.” Officials have expressed their request for another interview with Russell, which has not yet been granted.
According to the family, they informed the police that due to Russell’s mental state, she is currently unable to communicate. During the Carlee Russell press conference, several key points were highlighted. The authorities have no evidence to suggest that there is a threat to public safety in relation to this case, despite Carlee’s claims of being kidnapped.
Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis stressed investigators have been unable to corroborate most of Russell’s claims about being captured. Additionally, there were searches related to the Birmingham bus station and bus tickets from Birmingham to Nashville.
Russell vanished on Thursday night after calling 911 to report the sighting of a toddler on an Alabama interstate. She returned home on foot two days later, attracting national attention. Upon her return, Russell provided a brief statement to the police, but further questioning was not pursued out of respect for her and her family.
“We have requested a second interview with Carlee, but our request has not been granted,” stated Derzis. “There remain numerous unanswered questions, and only Carlee can provide the answers.”
On top of that, the Hoover Police Department confirmed on Wednesday that no evidence of a child on the highway has been found. Despite multiple vehicles passing through the area on Thursday night, the department did not receive any additional 911 calls regarding a toddler on Interstate 459.
While engaged in the phone conversation with a dispatcher concerning the toddler, Russell covered a distance of approximately 600 yards in her car, equivalent to about six football fields, according to Derzis. She informed the dispatcher that a child wearing a white shirt and a diaper was present on the highway.
“It’s difficult for me to comprehend how a barefoot toddler, potentially 3 or 4 years old, could travel six football fields without entering the roadway or crying,” Derzis remarked.
On Wednesday, the police played audio from Russell’s 911 call, in which she stated that she was following the child in her car. Russell assured the dispatcher that she would keep an eye on the boy until the arrival of the police.
The police say that created a timeline of the entire matter, along with other evidence and it simply doesn’t add up.
According to Derzis, while Carlee Russell was on the phone with a dispatcher regarding the toddler, she drove her car for approximately 600 yards, equivalent to about six football fields. During the call, she informed the dispatcher that there was a child wearing a white shirt and a diaper on the highway.
Derzis expressed his disbelief, saying, “To think that a barefoot toddler, possibly 3 or 4 years old, could cover a distance of six football fields without entering the roadway or crying, it’s incredibly difficult for me to comprehend.”
Following her conversation with the dispatcher, Carlee Russell ended the call and connected with a relative. During their conversation, the family member experienced a loss of contact with Russell, but the line remained open, as stated by Hoover Police Lt. Daniel Lowe during a news conference on Friday.
Subsequently, Russell’s mother contacted the police and relayed that Russell had been speaking to a relative who heard her scream.
Hoover officers promptly arrived at the scene within five minutes of being dispatched. However, Russell was no longer present. Her car, cellphone, wig, and purse were discovered by the officers, while her Apple Watch was found inside the bag.
Upon her return home on Saturday night, Russell briefly communicated with the police. However, since then, they have been unable to conduct another interview with her in the following days. She gave some information to officers.
According to Russell’s account to the police, a man emerged from the woods and muttered that he was checking on the child. She informed the officers that the man then forcibly took her over a fence and into a vehicle.
Russell recalled that the next thing she remembers is being in the trailer of a truck with the man, who had orange hair, accompanied by a woman. She also mentioned hearing the sound of a crying baby.
Additionally, Russell informed the police that she managed to escape at some point but was subsequently recaptured and placed in a car while blindfolded. She stated that she was not physically restrained, as her alleged captors claimed they did not want to leave any marks on her wrists.
The police are not buying the story she is selling.
Police built a whole timeline of events leading up to Russell’s disappearance.
G Herbo agreed to a plea deal for his involvement in a fraud scheme.
According to the Chicago Tribune, prosecutors disclosed the terms of the deal in a Massachusetts court on Wednesday (July 19). G Herbo faces up to 20 years in prison for federal wire fraud charges.
G Herbo and five other men were indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in 2020. The rapper caught an additional charge for making a false statement to a federal official in 2021.
Prosecutors claimed G Herbo and his co-defendants defrauded a variety of businesses and individuals to obtain luxury items and accommodations. The fraud scheme spanned from March 2016 to December 2020.
G Herbo allegedly lied to a federal agent about his connection to promoter Antonio Strong, the purported mastermind behind the fraud. The rapper denied receiving anything of value from Strong and said they did not have a close relationship.
Investigators determined G Herbo was lying. Strong provided private jet charters, exotic car rentals and more to the rapper for years. The two also kept in close contact via phone and social media.
G Herbo, whose real name is Herbert Wright, will pay $140,000 in restitution as part of his plea deal. He accepted the deal a little over a week after he was arrested for unlawful use of a weapon in Chicago.
Sean “Diddy” Combs accused Diageo of “illegal and outrageous retaliation” for ending its partnership with him after he sued the alcohol company.
Attorney John Hueston, who represents Diddy, urged a judge to reject Diageo’s motion to dismiss his client’s complaint against the company. Hueston claimed Diageo had no legal basis to terminate its contracts with Diddy in a filing submitted on Wednesday (July 19).
“While Diageo has self-servingly misrepresented the goals of Combs’s lawsuit in the press, its attempt to retaliate against Combs for asserting his legal rights will not work in court,” Hueston contended.
Diddy sued Diageo for allegedly mishandling the DeLeón brand in May. He cited racism, calling out the company for treating him and “his brands worse than others because he is Black.”
Diageo denied any wrongdoing. The company insisted Diddy’s allegations lacked merit and cut ties with him in June.
“Mr. Combs’ longstanding bad faith actions, false accusations and breaches of contract overwhelmingly support Diageo’s justified decision to sever ties,” the company said in a statement.
Earlier this month, Hueston’s law firm demanded Diageo put a stop to its alleged retaliation. Diddy’s legal team disputed any breach of contract in a letter sent to Diageo’s lawyers on July 11.
“Combs Wines has not breached the DeLeón Agreement and Diageo’s claims to the contrary are obviously made in retaliation for Combs Wines’ exercise of its legal rights,” Hueston’s firm argued. “We urge Diageo to withdraw its feigned notice of breach.”
Diddy’s legal team also took issue with Diageo saying it had the contractual ability to prevent Combs Wines from “speaking with distributors and retailers about DeLeón.” Lawyers said none of the contractual provisions cited by Diageo contained such restrictions.
“All available evidence thus indicates that Diageo is using its significant market power to intimidate market participants from speaking to Combs Wines about DeLeón,” attorneys declared. “Continuing to do so will have devastating effects on DeLeón sales. And based on Diageo’s decade-long neglect of DeLeón, it is reasonable to expect that the brand will suffer further decline without Combs Wines’ continued active involvement.”
Diddy’s lawyers deemed Diageo’s actions to be “wholly improper.” Attorneys believed the company used its market power to bully Combs Wines.
Diageo and Diddy co-own DeLeón. Diageo claimed it invested more than $100 million in the brand while the Hip-Hop mogul only contributed $1,000.
Dr. Jerrett Rosenborough, a renowned dentist turned Hip-Hop artist, has embarked on an extraordinary journey that led him to embrace Christ and transition his musical career towards spreading the message of the gospel.
With an unwavering commitment to serving God, he has found a way to fuse his dental practice with his purpose, impacting lives both as an artist and dentist.
Growing up in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, Dr. Rose was exposed to the vibrant sounds of Hip-Hop that deeply resonated with his soul. Alongside his love for music, he discovered a passion for dentistry and pursued it through academic achievements at Cedar Valley College, the University of Texas – Arlington, and Baylor University. His journey from community college to a renowned academic institution enhanced his humility and determination to utilize his skills for the betterment of his community.
Despite his professional success as a dentist, Dr. Rose’s love for Hip-Hop music continued to burn brightly within him. His life took a transformative turn when he had an opportunity to create a song to advertise dental products for his practice. This experience opened his mind to the creative ways he could use music to tell stories.
Dr. Rose has released several bodies of work, including Prescription in 2019 and Flight 717 in 2022. These projects showcased his musical talent and creativity. However, his success in multiple industries brought about challenges and threats to his life. After surviving a robbery attempt on his dental practice, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening. Embracing his faith wholeheartedly, he realized that his music and dental careers could be channeled to serve a higher calling.
Inspired by these events, Dr. Rose decided to transition from secular Hip-Hop to producing gospel-driven music. Despite facing both excitement and skepticism, he remained steadfast in his conviction that this path was his true calling.
Recognizing the potential to integrate his dental practice with his newfound faith, Dr. Rose’s established a unique approach to dentistry. His practice became a sanctuary where patients could find compassionate care, prayer, and spiritual guidance. He listened to their stories, offering not only dental expertise but also a compassionate ear and words of encouragement. Many patients found solace and renewed faith in these interactions, as Dr. Rose’s ministry extended beyond music and into the dental chair.
His upcoming gospel offerings will touch hearts and inspire change worldwide. In his dental practice, he has witnessed transformations firsthand, providing relief from dental ailments and igniting hope and purpose in his patients’ lives.
His work has gained attention from notable celebrities like Summer Walker,Polo G, ShawnCotton, Cee Dee Lamb, Alton Mason, and foster care advocate Runtz Tyler.
Dr. Rose’s remarkable journey from dentistry to Hip-Hop and finally to gospel music stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith.
By seamlessly blending his talents and passions, he has created a unique ministry that bridges the gap between dentistry and spiritual healing. His story serves as an inspiration, encouraging us to embrace new paths, align our passions with our faith, and use our gifts to serve a higher purpose. Through his dedication, unwavering belief, and genuine care, Dr. Rose reminds us of the importance of seeking a deeper connection with our own callings and making a meaningful impact in the world.
A lawyer claimed Nipsey Hussle’s ex Tanisha Foster refused to hand over evidence in a legal battle over guardianship of the late rapper’s daughter Emani Asghedom.
According to Radar Online, attorney William Spiller demanded Foster share a recording of a conversation between him and Nipsey Hussle’s daughter. Spiller also wanted the device used to make the recording.
Spiller, the court-appointed attorney for Asghedom, accused Foster of playing “a surreptitious, unlawful, unapproved recording” of him and his client. She allegedly gave the recording to a judge at a mediation hearing in 2022. Spiller urged the court to impose $2,500 in sanctions on Foster for her failure to produce the evidence he requested.
Foster, the mother of Asghedom, sought to regain custody of her daughter. Foster previously agreed to Nipsey Hussle’s family obtaining guardianship of Asghedom after his death, but she changed her mind and asked the court to dissolve the guardianship.
“There are no circumstances or events in my life that would disqualify me from regaining my exclusive role as Emani’s parent,” she argued. “There is no longer any need for guardianship. Emani routinely asks me when are she and I going to be able to live together. She longs to be with me as her mother. I am begging the court to terminate the existing guardianship.”
A judge allowed Nipsey Hussle’s family to maintain guardianship of Asghedom at a hearing in April. A final decision is expected to be made later this year.
Nipsey Hussle was shot and killed in 2019. He was 33.
Jay Critch’s recent selfie is a reminder Pinky’s character in the Ice Cube film “Next Friday” was an OG City Boy. Of course, many have seen the iconic 2000 follow-up to Ice Cube’s stoner flick, “Friday.” After all, it’s the perfect marriage of a hood-fabulous glow-up and suburban dystopia—and with the added comedic value of boujee SoCal neighbors. The plot also boasts one of the best grudges and textbook territorial conflicts while introducing memorable, semi-violent, cognac-stained personas. And yes, I’m talking about, Pinky—Craig and Day-Day’s opp-turned-ahk.
Sidebar, I’ll forget that Jerry curl, pink cowhide tuxedo combo. Pinky went full “Sicko Mode” in that fit—no Drizzy or La Flame! However, few have actually stood face-to-face with the “Friday” franchise antihero—until now.
“I got kids man I got a girlfriend I got a wife on the side,” Critch wrote in the caption of a selfie with Clifton Powell, the brilliant actor who personified Pinky.
Personally, for the caption, I would’ve probably deferred to the heavyweight limo scene verbiage of, “Looky here, baby. You’re hittin’ them corners too g###### fast. You need to slow this motherf###er down.” Or possibly even something along the lines of, “I almost spilled my ‘yak on this $200 suit, n####.”
But that’s beside the point because Critch’s selfie actually addresses a more important one—the nearly mythical arrival of a subsequent “Friday” franchise film.
It’s been 11 years since “Friday After Next,” and we millennials aren’t getting any younger. Who here is experiencing the onset of lower back pain, knee pain and a side of lactose intolerance? Exactly. So we’re hoping Cube, his son or Logic, sees this and interprets it as a subtweet that Critch volunteers for the proverbial role of Pinky’s adult son and production commences on a new “Friday” film ASAP.
At the end of the day, if we don’t end up witnessing Critch crossover into the “Friday” universe, at least there’s a possibility of another Earl Sweatshirt and Rich Forever collab.
The West Coast is home to a slew of talented artists. Los Angeles, specifically, seems to be the hub for some of the realist MCs you can find, and most might not be in the mainstream light.
Insert Teeezy, who’s here to tell his story through his rhymes. Bringing that same authenticity, hustle, and grit from the streets, the rising star knows he has the talents to make it in the big leagues, and he wears his confidence on his sleeve with each release.
Most recently, Teeezy unveiled the official music video for “Members Only,” a West Coast anthem that gives you a glimpse of his roots and where he comes from. He spits on the chorus: ”I’m a gang member, girl i walk with a limp. I don’t trust s###, only talk when I sip. All death darts at the top of this clip. It’s a rag on the left, you can tell I’m a Crip.”
Beyond the music, Teeezy is as loyal and passionate as they come. He’s currently a father to his 10-year-old daughter, which gives him purpose and drive to continue on the grind — whether it’s music or hustling.
AllHipHop caught up with Teeezy in downtown Los Angeles to discuss his sound, roots in Compton, being from the streets and doing music, “Members Only,” rapping being a dangerous job, and more!
AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound?
Teeezy: I really make good music. I don’t rap about b#######. To me, I got the greatest sound. I don’t really like to categorize myself. A lot of people will say I make street music, this or that, but I make real rap. When they classify my music, they classify it as real rap.
AllHipHop: Being born and raised in Compton, what was that like growing up?
Teeezy: S###, it was cool. It was alright. We were gangbanging like a m###########, a whole lot of b#######. [laughs] But it will make you happy at the same time. It’s f##### up, but it’ll make you. It forced the young n*ggas from around here to grow up way earlier than regular society. It’s life or death.
AllHipHop: When’d you fall in love with music?
Teeezy: I wrote my first rap at five years old. I still remember six bars of that s###. [laughs]
AllHipHop: Damn, that’s super young.
Teeezy: Hell yeah, my mama was a rapper. She was tight. Moms was hard.
AllHipHop: Who did you grow up listening to?
Teeezy: I guess you can say the normal ones was Tupac, Biggie. I was big on all types of music. I like Eric B & Rakim. I was off the Snoop fasho. The Ja Rule back in the day. I was really off everything, not even gonna lie. I’m super musically inclined.
AllHipHop: When did you realize you could do music for a living?
Teeezy: I’ma say 2009. I was f###### around, but I didn’t really take it serious. In 2010, s### I had started rapping and I took off with that s###. Me and a little f###### group. [laughs] We were kind of big, then I ended up going to jail and everything fell apart. Everything stopped when I went to jail man, the whole music s### stopped. Everything was over with.
AllHipHop: What’d you get locked up for?
Teeezy: A little b####### robbery, a robbery they framed me on. B####### too. It wasn’t even for nothing. It wasn’t even worth it, at all. That’s what I always tell these young n*ggas: if ya’ll gon’ do something, just realize that little s### will really f### you up for the future.
AllHipHop: How long were you behind bars?
Teeezy: That first one, I did two years. I came home, then went back. Another four years at 80%.
AllHipHop: What happened the second time?
Teeezy: Possession for sales. B####### again. When I left that first time, I lost all my buzz. I had to start all over. 2018, I realized I really had it again fasho.
AllHipHop: What happened then?
Teeezy: I dropped a freestyle, and the freestyle went viral. After that, man I really could do this s### again. My mom already told me, “give the music a year.” I was already iffy if he wanted to give it a year or not. She was on some “well, give this m########### a year and you finna have to figure something out.” [laughs] I was like f### it, I’ma take it seriously. I dropped a freestyle, boom. The freestyle went viral. I started doing Freestyle Fridays. Every Friday on Instagram, I never missed one. Next thing you know, that s### took off. That became my life, my everyday life.
AllHipHop: Let’s talk about “Members Only.”
Teeezy: “Members Only” is the single I just dropped,it’s lowkey the anthem of the city right now. Everybody off that m###########. To keep it real, that started off freestyle too. I went to freestyle that at my boy’s podcast, The Corner Store LA. I freestyle a track on there, and that s### went viral. It took off. Man f### it, I’ma put it on a track and that s### end up catching. It caught good right now. It’s an anthem for the city, everybody off it. It came to a n*gga out of nowhere. Chillin’ with the homies, this whole song popped in my head. On God,I didn’t think it was gonna take off to be where it’s at right now.
AllHipHop: Best memory from the video shoot? Did I see Saviii3rd in there?
Teeezy: Yeah, Sav was there.AB popped out for me, my boy Yak popped out of course. The best memory from the video shoot was this d###### breaking the f###### window. [points to manager] He’s an a###### man, m############ can’t control their liquor.
AllHipHop: You have to pay for it?
Teeezy: Hell yeah we had to pay for that s###. [laughs] Don’t worry about it, we charge it to the game.
AllHipHop: Where do you stand on the streets?
Teeezy: That’s a hard question. I guess you could say now I’m a rapper and s###. It’s hard breaking the seal on gangbanging and only gangbanging. I’m definitely not what I was, what I used to be. I’m stuck in the middle man. That’s a hard answer to give, I don’t know. I really don’t know that.
AllHipHop: Do you feel like you have to step away for the music?
Teeezy: I feel like I gotta pick one, I’m either gonna do the music full or I’ma do the streets full. There’s no in between. That’s a hard decision, to give up the only thing you knew forever, to go pursue something that you don’t didn’t know nothing about. I know now, but…
AllHipHop: You still walking the fence?
Teeezy: Nah, I’m a rapper.
AllHipHop: What is it you want fans to get from your story?
Teeezy: I want them to know that anybody could do this s###. I’ve been shot the f### up, car accident, jail back to back, everything. I’m still on top. I’m still in a position of comfort. I don’t need to rob, steal, kill, none of the extra b#######. Anything is possible. Really this is for the younger generation, m############ that’s blind and don’t got no direction. Anything is possible. They told me I was supposed to be dead, at 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23. I’m still right here making music. That’s an important message.
Teeezy: That’s my dawg, I got a song with him. That one f##### me up. Rapping is a dangerous ass job now. Rapping is dangerous, that’s another thing a lot of people don’t get. A lot of people see the chains, money, fame. Anytime you step outside, it’s a high chance of anything. A super high chance. You got people hating on you because of what you done made for yourself. N*ggas feel they get a piece of the pie. You got n*ggas who want your chain, your name, your spot. On top of that, it makes you a trophy? to anything that’s opposing you. You gotta know all that s### when you’re pursuing this s###. If you do pop, not only do your name and your image go up, but the level of danger you’re in goes up. No matter where you’re at. Any place, any state. In jail, on the street, whatever.
AllHipHop: What sets your next project apart from your previous?
Teeezy: I’ll always have The Fkn Blue Devil, but this right here is one of my biggest projects. I put a lot of love into this. The rest, I was just making music. This one right here is going to be my first project I drop at the level I’m at right now. Whole different sound, whole different everything.
Los Angeles is home to many greats, andK Johns plans to be one of them. The rising star is a Westmont District native, born and raised in South Central LA. Whether he’s spitting about overcoming obstacles or soothe-talking the females, K Johns creates from a real place, with lyrics inspired directly by real life experiences.
In describing himself, K Johns states he’s an “authentic, real person. Solid, just a stand up guy. Real. Real is a cliche word, but that’s really how I describe myself. I’m real because I’m straightforward. I’m honest. I’m blunt sometimes, maybe too blunt. But it’s real. It’s no facade, I’m not doing it for no points or nothing.”
Most recently, K Johns unveiled the official music video to his new single titled “Do Better,” showcasing his most polished and refined version of his artistry yet. The record serves as a message to all females out there that they deserve more than their current relationship, reminding them of their worth.
Fans can also look forward to the release of his new project titled One of Them Ones, dropping July 28th.
AllHipHop spoke with K Johns in downtown Los Angeles to discuss his roots in Los Angeles, how he started rapping, the inspo behind “Do Better,” Nipsey Hussle’s influence, goals, and more!
AllHipHop: Growing up in Westmont District, what was that like?
K Johns: To me, it was normal. Because I didn’t really get to see other environments until I started playing sports. I started having other friends from different places, I started going to spend the night at each other’s houses. Once I started doing that, I started seeing like damn, my friends don’t live like me. They might have a bigger house or they may have a nicer car they driving in when they go to school, or they may have a better neighborhood and better things to do around their neighborhood. That’s when I started realizing it was a difference, in certain places that you went. At least in the city that I was from, because I hadn’t really started traveling until I got older. At least where I was from, I thought everybody was living the same way. As a kid, you’re not used to that.
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with music?
K Johns: As a kid forreal. My first music video I remember seeing was an Usher video, “You Make Me Wanna…” The first real rapper video that made me excited over rapping was Hot Boys, Lil Wayne. “Back That Azz Up,” that video. I’m like, what the f###? That s### blew my mind. [laughs] As I got older, my dad was a big fan of Lil Wayne. When I was in middle school and Lil Wayne was really hot, him rapping just blew my mind. It made me a big critic on music at first. Eventually, I always played around with rapping for fun, but I never thought I could be a rapper. But I for sure was always into music, always liked different types of music.
AllHipHop: When did you realize you could start rapping?
K Johns: I realized I could start rapping when I was in college forreal, me and my friends used to freestyle every Thursday. We used to have fun, get drunk and freestyle. One time, we started doing it at a party. We gathered a little crowd around because they seen what we were doing. I start rapping at the party. I was playing around like we usually do, but the reaction that I got surprised me. Damn, my friends were telling me that I was good. But once I got a reaction from a bunch of people that I didn’t know, it made it more like okay damn, they’re not lying. They’re not just telling me that because they my friends, other people feel the same way. But I was playing football at the time, so I didn’t really take it serious. I wasn’t really thinking “I’ma start making music because of this.” It was a thought in the back of my head, like maybe I can make music one day.
AllHipHop:How would you describe your sound?
K Johns: My sound is LA. Fun. Informative, bouncy, catchy. I like to say cool too. Growing up, people used to say I think I’m cool. Me being calm in my raps, it displays that. My personality.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
K Johns: My name came from my real name. It’s the first letter of my first name, then the first four letters of my last name. I’ve been calling myself K Johns since forever, before I started rapping. So I just stuck with it.
AllHipHop: You just released “Do Better.” Did a certain female inspire this record?
K Johns: That’s more so a general track to all the girls, because I know there’s a lot of talk on the internet about relationships. That’s a big topic through the different platforms, whether it’s Twitter, Instagram, podcasting. It’s a big topic. Nowadays in this generation, it’s a lot of b####### going on. It’s motivation for the women to do better. S###, you could do better. You don’t have to put up with no b#######, it’s a lot of people out here. Because in my mind, I feel the same way when I deal with women. I’m not gonna put up with no b####### because it’s a lot of people out here. If I can do better, I’m gonna do better. If you know better, you’re gonna do better. If I tell you, if I remind you like hey you can do better, you’re gonna do it.
AllHipHop: What inspired the video?
K Johns: The video idea came from the song concept really. It’s basically a girl comes to my show, she got her dude blowing up her phone up. I convince her throughout the show to do better, which is me. I ended up leaving with her. [laughs] Smooth, real player.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from your upcoming EP, One Of Them Ones? I
K Johns: S###, the title! It’s one of them ones. I dropped a couple projects so far, probably four. Not all ful projects, couple of small EPs. But this is literally one of the ones, the best. I’m calling it the best project of 2023. When people bring it up, that’s gon’ be what they say: it’s one of them ones. It’s one of them tapes, one of those ones that you want to go listen to. That’s what it is.
How does it showcase your artistic growth?
K Johns: It showcases my artistic growth through the diversity in the songs. I used to make a lot of music tailored to people like me. Usually when I make a project, I try to make the project well-rounded as far as trying to hit in all angles. Music for the ladies, music for my crowd, music for other listeners. But I don’t really always reach it to the aspect that I’m supposed to, I don’t reach the full potential. On this project, I actually did that. I tapped into my female crowd, which is most of my fanbase. I was more diverse, I did a better job of doing it.
AllHipHop: What is it you want fans to take away from your story?
K Johns: To be yourself, that you can win by being you. Literally. The fact that you’re an individual and we’re all different, that’s what makes you special. You can win if you hone in on whatever that is that makes you special, compared to everybody else.
AllHipHop: Three things you need in the studio at all times?
K Johns: Water for sure, some Fiji water. Some weed, and quiet. I need it to be quiet, a smooth environment. At least when I’m working. When I’m not working and we might be listening to the music, it’s cool. But while I’m working, I don’t like all the partying. Peace and quiet for. I want to work, I want to create. Be able to think clear.
AllHipHop: What sets you apart from the other West Coast artists?
K Johns: What sets me apart from the other West Coast artists is I don’t gangbang. [laughs] It’s not important to us as it is to the outside world, but I know that it’s a big thing nowadays. Because a lot of n*ggas don’t make it, unless they gangbang. So the fact that I don’t, it’s harder for me to maneuver around. But that’s what makes me different, and the fact that I’m comfortable with it. I’m not trying to attach myself to nothing at all, I’m an artist. I’m a creator, I got “creator” tattooed on my face. I like to make s###.
What do you have tattooed in your neck? Because that looks painful.
K Johns: This for Nip, the Marathon.This side is the chess player, this side is the Sagittarius.
What was Nipsey Hussle’s influence on you? Rest in peace.
K Johns: Nipsey’s influence is big man, rest in peace for sure. The Marathon mixtape, that was the Bible for me when I first heard it. When I first discovered it. I started listening to Nipsey, Bullets Ain’t Got No Name – Vol. 2. I can’t say I was super into that project, it was a couple of songs off that project that had my attention. But once I heard The Marathon, I really was like oh yeah, this is the best s### I’ve ever heard. At the time, I was chasing the football dream. NFL dream, that s### motivated me to another level. I was so locked in, it was all from his words.
I was raised by my pops, but my pops taught me a lot of s### visually. We didn’t sit down and have a bunch of talks like you see in the movies. He showed me, I just had to watch him. I learned a lot from that. But Nipsey, listening to his music, I got to learn a lot of s###. It was like reading a book because he was literally talking to me and telling me s### I should be doing. It played a big role, I got him tattooed on my chest.
AllHipHop: Favorite Nipsey song?
K Johns: Damn, that’s hard. I never been asked that question, f###. Probably “Creep,” or one of the unreleased songs. It don’t have no official title, but it’s one of the unreleased songs.
AllHipHop: What about favorite project?
K Johns: The Marathon fasho, because it meant the most to me. All his projects, like X-Tra Laps, they got quality music. Me personally, I liked all his s###. That’s not to be biased, I was a big fan of bro. I liked all the s### that he was dropping. The Marathon meant the most to me, so I’ma say that’s my favorite one.
AllHipHop: How much did it hurt you when he passed?
K Johns: Man, that f##### me up. Not gonna lie. I hate to say this because this gon’ sound bad, but I got family that passed away I didn’t shed a tear about. I shed a tear when he died, because he played a big role in my life. I came across Nipsey one time and it wasn’t even no big conversation. It wasn’t no we got to really chop it up, we wasn’t friends, none of that. But his music meant that much that it was like damn! It’s selfish to say, but I’m not gon’ be able to get no more game. He was teaching me, he was giving me the blueprint. He was showing me s###, he was giving me the direction. For sure, so it f##### me up. The whole city was outside. We rolled around the city for sure I was outside the whole day.
AllHipHop: Do you have any goals for yourself?
K Johns: Hell yeah, I want a Platinum record for sure. I want to take my family on tour. I want to be able to travel like that. My family, my friends, I’ma take them on tour. I want property, I want to be able to move my family to a better situation. I literally pray to be put in a position that I can put others in position, so that’s really my main goal. A lot of people said that’s not really a goal, but to me it really is. That’s all I work for.
AllHipHop: When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun?
K Johns: I like to play the game with my friends, like a little kid. That’s how I escape from all the s### that I’m doing. I paint, that’s damn near my job. I do murals on walls. I do canvases, I do shoes. I’ve done clothes before. I like to create like I said, I got “creator” on my face. I like to make s###. I’m not an outside type of person. I don’t really be outside like I used to, as far as the club. I like to go out to eat, I like to travel.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next?
K Johns: I’ma line up some shows. A lot of my fans, they be asking about shows. I’ma line up some shows after I drop his tape. I should be performing soon, I’ll be announcing that. I’m dropping the tape on the 28th. I’m already working on my next project. Of course these song been done, so I’ve been recording this year. I got a new project on the way, drop it around the end of the year. I got more music coming. I’m trying to keep working, keep putting as many shots up as I can.
Since 1863 MYA Hookah has been a pioneer in the hookah industry, and with the creation of the “D’or Especial” Hookah Case by national artist Juan Pineda, MYA is once again trailblazing a new take on a classic accessory. The “D’or Especial” Hookah Case is the first glimpse at what will soon become a street-inspired line of MYA Hookah Cases.
“I love the sound, the feel, and the energy of the street and the world of hookah – it’s part of me,” said renowned Dominican American music artist and songwriter Cristion D’or. “To have MYA Hookah capture both on a Hookah Case is incredibly special. Crazy special. D’or Especial. There is nothing like this in Washington Heights, on Fifth Avenue or in the world, and I have the only one.”
The “D’or Especial” Hookah Case was created as a gift by MYA Hookah CEO Mahmoud Badawi in appreciation for Cristion’s commitment to the hookah and music communities. Cristion is best known for songs like “Spinnin’” (feat. Lil Durk) from the Fast & Furious Soundtrack, “City of Gods” (feat. Fivio Foreign, Kanye West and Alicia Keys) and the “Hookiviri Remix” with Tyler River & Cito on the Beat.
The hookah case, coordinated by Pipkin Creative, was designed by award-winning artist Juan Pineda whose distinct style is characterized as urban-contemporary/street art. Juan has been recognized by “The Washington Post” for positive impact within the Latino community.
“It is exciting for MYA to evolve in the industry and look at new ways to connect with our audience through products and with influencers,” stated MYA Hookah CEO and President Mahmoud Badawi. “Building the D’or Especial Hookah Case for Cristion was great fun, and an ideal way for MYA to prepare for the upcoming launch of MYA’s line of street-inspired Hookah Cases.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has moved the United States from the Flintstones to the age of the Jetsons with one major decision.
According to the BBC, the FAA—a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for efficient aerospace travel—has issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate to a flying car model developed by Alef Aeronautics, which will allow the vehicle to fly in limited locations for exhibition, research and developmental purposes.
The founders of Alef Aeronautics, a California-based company, started working on the concept in 2015 and within four years, created its first full-size flying-car prototype, a huge leap for a study called Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
AAM is reportedly an umbrella term used for highly automated passenger or cargo-carrying flying aircrafts, typically referred to as air taxis or vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircrafts.
“Our flights were very limited without this certification,” an Alef Aeronautics spokesperson told Flying Magazine. “This certification now gives us the ability to fly in locations we need (for example, near our headquarters in Silicon Valley) and [for] purposes we need (like exhibition, for example),”
“We’re excited to receive this certification from the FAA,” the company’s CEO, Jim Dukhovny, said to Big Think. “It allows us to move closer to bringing people an environmentally friendly and faster commute, saving individuals and companies hours each week.”
The name of the flying car the company is pushing is Armada Model Zero, a fully electric vehicle that takes off and lands vertically.
The world's first electric flying car is the Alef Aeronautics Model A. It is a two-seater vehicle that can drive on the road and fly in the air. It has a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h) in the air and 200 miles (322 km) of range. pic.twitter.com/gmAh8VThPk
A couple of people took to social media to weigh in. One wrote, “I just realized flying cars would be so crazy like there’s a bunch of people flying their cars in the air with no traffic lights then all the sudden you flying out your car to your death cause you got in a crash, then flying at night would be even worse.”
I just realized flying cars would be so crazy like there’s a bunch of people flying their cars in the air with no traffic lights then all the sudden you flying out your car to your death cause you got in a crash, then flying at night would be even worse 😭
But that reality is far from coming to fruition—the technology for flying cars isn’t there yet. The approval will allow Alef Aeronautics to do its first public demonstration of flight.
A problem, outside of getting them from the road to the air without taxing like a small plane’s take-off, is making the cars sleek and relatively quiet. Manufacturers will work with NASA as they consider how these flying cars will impact noise pollution.
Air pollution is also a factor. The only cars that have been green-lit are gas/electric hybrids.
Alef Aero Model A Promo
Still, everything will be moving fast after this approval.
Alef Aeronautics plans to begin manufacturing in 2025 or early 2026, however, people can already pre-order the cars for $300,000. That’s just for now. After a while, the expensive price tag will drop and the average “His Boy Elroy” will be able to get one for $35,000.
Pete Buttigieg, the nation’s Secretary of Transportation, isn’t rushing to get one. As he told News Nation, “Certainly I’m not planning on switching the family minivan to a flying car anytime soon.”
PETE BUTTIGIEG: "Certainly I'm not planning on switching the family minivan to a flying car anytime soon" pic.twitter.com/8F5174iS9x
The Las Vegas Police Department served a warrant on a Nevada home this week as part of the ongoing investigation into Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder. While very few details were available on what transpired, 8 News Now has provided an update. According to the outlet, the warrant was served at the residence of Duane “Keefe D” Davis.
Detectives served the search warrant at the Henderson home near Interstate 11 and Wagon Wheel Drive on Monday (July 17). It wasn’t determined how Keefe D was connected to the address. Police were looking for personal notes, photos and other documents related to 2Pac’s death. Someone initially told a reporter and photographer they had the wrong address. They later threatened them, saying “things would escalate” if they didn’t leave the public road.
Keefe D is the uncle of Orlando Anderson, the primary suspect in the case. Anderson, who identified as a gang member, was fatally shot in 1998, two years after 2Pac’s murder. Since then, Keefe D has made several incriminating comments about his role in the murder. Consequently, investigators have had their eyes on him for years.
In a 2021 interview with Bomb1st, former bodyguard Reggie Wright Jr. suggested investigators were looking into Keefe D’s involvement and could possibly haul him off to jail for the crime.
When the interviewer mentioned there’d been an “uptick in activity” between the LVMPD and Keefe as law enforcement tries to “further the investigation,” Wright suggested Keefe D has cause to be nervous while confirming the police are in the midst of an active investigation.
“Let’s put it this way, I bet Keefe D [has] been having the runs for the last two weeks,” Wright responded at the time. “Because yeah, they are knocking on doors and there’s some activity.”
Keefe D himself copped to being an accomplice and in the car when Anderson allegedly fired the fatal shots during a 2021 sit-down with The Art Of Dialogue. Former Los Angeles Police Department detective Greg Kading reportedly found it “unfathomable” Keefe D hadn’t been arrested for 2Pac’s death.
“There is adequate probable cause to arrest Keefe D on conspiracy to commit murder charges, based on his numerous public confessions,” he told The Sun. “It would then be a decision of the District Attorney’s office to determine if the evidence is strong enough for prosecution. The police department can absolve itself from their responsibilities by arresting Keefe D and putting the responsibility on the DA, where it belongs.
“He’s making a mockery out of the justice system and the public perception is that Tupac’s murder case is of little interest to the LVPD. The optics on it are horrible. For history’s sake and for the sake of their own reputation, they ought to arrest Keefe D, clear the murder case and place the burden of responsibility onto the shoulders of the DA’s office. It’s that simple.”
Lil Kim is one of the most influential female rap artists in history. The Queen Bee has inspired modern-day acts like GloRilla who recently recreated Lil Kim’s iconic pose used as promotion for the Brooklynite’s classic 1996 debut studio LP, Hard Core. In addition, Glo quoted the “No Matter What They Say” single off The Notorious K.I.M. album.
“If I didn’t have a deal I’d still be worth some mills LEO SEASON APPROACHING,” GloRilla wrote as the caption for her Instagram photo carousel.
Lil Kim saw GloRilla paid homage to her on the social media platform. The Grammy winner responded to the online tribute in GloRilla’s Instagram comment section with a few emojis.
GloRilla has been racking up co-signs from other female rap stars. In addition to Lil Kim publicly showing her love, Cardi B hopped on Glo’s “Tomorrow 2” record, a Top 10 hit in the United States.
2022’s “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” served as GloRilla’s breakout hit. Latto and JT later jumped on a remix of the Grammy-nominated song. Plus, Glo and Latto linked up for “FTCU” last year as well.
Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike May 2. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG–AFTRA) joined on July 14. Now, Snoop Dogg is weighing in on the labor dispute over residuals from streaming services and other concerns.
As reported byDeadline, Snoop Dogg discussed the so-called “Hollywood Double Strike” at an event hosted by the Milken Institute. The Baby Boy actor called out the streaming platforms over their payouts to creators.
“The streaming gotta get their s### together because I don’t understand how the f### you get paid off of that s###,” Snoop Dogg reportedly said. “I mean, can someone explain to me how you can get a billion streams and not get a million dollars? That s### don’t make sense to me.”
He also added, “If you sold a million copies, that means 999, $9 million, you get this percentage, that’s what it is. So if I sell how many streams, how much money do I get? It’s not being translated and it’s not working for the artist right now.”
Snoop Dogg Says Music Acts Need To Follow WGA Writers’ Lead
“We need to figure that out the same way the writers are figuring it out—the writers are striking because [of] streaming, they can’t get paid,” Snoop Dogg said. “Because when it’s on the [streaming] platform, it’s not like in the box office.”
The Emmy Award winner added, “In the box office, if it does all these numbers you make it up, ‘Oh, it did this many, here’s another check.’ But on streaming, you got 300,000 hours that somebody watched your movie, where’s the money?”
Apple Music and Hot 97 personality Ebro Darden recently went viral recently for his remarks about Drake. The conversation centered around whether the Canadian rap superstar does enough to confront racial injustice.
Darden and his Rap Life Review co-hosts discussed Drake dissing Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” single. In particular, Darden took issue with Drake taking aim at a song that covered serious topics like race-related violence.
“Drake, who has never shown up, and y’all know I’m the biggest Drake fan on this show,” Darden said. “Drake has never shown up to have anything to say about anything going on in society with Black folks or anything other than himself.”
Social media users then began reacting to Ebro Darden’s comments. The longtime rap insider decided to further address the situation involving Drake on his Hot 97 morning radio show on Tuesday (July 18).
“By the way, I don’t know if I even want [Drake to give social commentary in his music],” Darden said. “That’s not who he is. I don’t think an artist is obligated, if you have a platform… but in this context, you’re talking about a song that did… now you’re in the fray.”
He added, “We love Drake for who Drake is. Drake’s talking about love, he’s very transparent personally. From what we can tell, he’s a nice person. He’s not a mean-spirited person. None of that. We don’t need him to be some social activist.”
Ebro Darden went on to say he felt the need to speak on Drake’s apparent lack of activism because of the “This Is America” takedown. Darden expressed, “Don’t come for the song that was saying something when we needed somebody to say something.”
Alyssa “Latto” Stephens continues to have a standout 2023. In addition to breaking streaming records, the Atlanta-raised rapper adds corporate partnerships to her list of accomplishments.
Latto is now one of the faces of the Wingstop chicken restaurant chain. The partnership includes a new wing flavor called Latto’s Lemon Herb Remix. Plus, Wingstop introduced The Latto Meal.
“You can’t beat this flavor don’t play with me!!! I crafted my very own Lemon Herb Remix flavor with Wingstop and it’s 10/10,” said Latto. “I’ve been obsessed and eating Wingstop for years.”
She added, “To order The Latto Meal just how I do, go with all flats in my signature flavor and all the ranch. It’s so good that you’ll be fighting over the last wing, just like my sister Brook and I do.”
Wingstop’s The Latto Meal features twenty-one classic wings in three flavors, a seasoned fry, and two dips for $26.99 nationwide. Plus, the 777 album creator appeared in a commercial for the brand.
Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor” Is Now A Wingstop Anthem
“Wingstop fans crave our differentiated flavor, and as an emerging artist, Latto has brought her own differentiated flavor to the music industry,” said Anne Fischer, Wingstop’s Chief Growth Officer.
Anne Fischer proceeded to say, “We’re thrilled to bring this collaboration to life with Latto to bring flavor fans into Wingstop through big, bold flavor with the Lemon Herb Remix.”
Wingstop used Latto’s “Put It on da Floor Again” as the soundtrack for the Lemon Herb Remix ad. The single peaked at No. 13 on the Hot 100 chart. “PIODFA” placed at No. 6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 3 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.
13-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant and his Boardroom media company announced the return of the All-RapCaviar teams. The annual campaign highlights some of the top rap stars who dominated Spotify’s premiere Hip Hop playlist.
“I love the opportunity to bring the sports and Hip Hop worlds together, and getting to bring Boardroom into the mix with this year’s All-RapCaviar campaign was a no-brainer,” stated Kevin Durant.
The former NBA Most Valuable Player added, “It was great to get the chance to mix it up with Taylor [Rooks], Boi-1da, and Hit-Boy, and I can’t wait to see the debates fans have about this year’s list.”
This year’s All-RapCaviar 1st Team consists ofMetro Boomin, Drake, 21 Savage, Lil Uzi Vert, and Lil Baby. The 2nd Team is made up ofTyler, The Creator, Coi Leray, Lil Durk, Ice Spice, and Youngboy Never Broke Again.
For the 3rd Team, Spotify and the Boardroom named GloRilla, Central Cee, Nicki Minaj, Don Toliver, and NLE Choppa. Fans will also have the chance to vote for MVP and Rookie Of The Year beginning on July 19.
RapCaviar Looks To Spark Conversation Among The Hip Hop & Basketball Communities
“All-RapCaviar is one of the ways we can contextualize the RapCaviar playlist and share our larger point of view on Hip Hop culture,” said Carl Chery, Spotify’s Creative Director and Head of Urban Music.
Carl Chery also added, “With our partners Kevin Durant and Boardroom, we’re celebrating the most notable artists on Spotify and sparking conversation within the Hip Hop and basketball communities.”
J. Cole, Polo G, Lil Durk, Drake, and Lil Baby made the 2021 First Team for All-RapCaviar. The 2022 edition included Kendrick Lamar, Future, Drake, Gunna, and Lil Durk as First Team selections.
In addition, Spotify has been celebrating Hip Hop culture’s 50th anniversary throughout 2023. For example, Post Malone, Drake, and the late XXXTENTACION topped the platform’s 50 Most Streamed Rap Songs list.
