Questlove is executive producing Dilla Time, a documentary about legendary producer J Dilla.
The documentary will be based on Dan Charnas’ best-selling book Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, The Hip Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm. The film marks another collaboration between Questlove and Joseph Patel, who worked together on the Oscar-winning Summer of Soul.
“Explaining musical genius is my mission,” Questlove said in a press release. “To be able to tell the world about the musician that had the most influence on me is a dream come true. Not just on me, but on an entire generation of musicians that everyone knows and loves. J Dilla was our teacher. And what he taught us was how to feel rhythm in a way we had ever felt before. I’m so honored to be a part of bringing his story to the world through this documentary.”
J Dilla’s estate endorses the documentary, citing its trust in Questlove. The Roots drummer was a collaborator and friend of the late Jay Dee.
“The estate of James Dewitt Yancey, and its wholly-owned production entity, Pay Jay Productions, Inc., which benefits J Dilla’s two children, his younger brother, and his mother, is proud to give its blessing to an amazing project created by discerning and talented filmmakers who knew J Dilla,” the estate said. “We trust the judgment of [Questlove], Joseph, Dan, and Scenario to elevate Dilla’s life, music, and legacy to their rightful place in the canon of music’s great innovators; and their film is the only documentary project we have endorsed.”
Questlove’s J Dilla documentary is described as “part biography, part musicology and part musical meditation.” It will be co-directed by Joseph Patel and Darby Wheeler.
Boosie Badazz asked fellow artists to promote his upcoming movie Water Boyz, which drops on September 28.
The 39-year-old rapper sought help after facing another Instagram ban in July. Boosie begged other artists to post about his movie on social media.
“If you f### with Boosie, mane, and you an artist, mane, I need a post up, bruh,” he said. “You know y’all got all them followers. When y’all post a n####, that really help a n####’s s### get out there. You already know that. So, if you f### with Boosie, gimme a post up.”
Boosie believed he’d receive plenty of support because he’s “got no opps.” He also stressed he’s releasing the movie independently.
“I don’t see why nobody wouldn’t post my s###,” he said. “So, if you f### with Boosie, man—you know, I’m independent. I’m doing this s###, bruh. I’m doing this s### against a lot of people trying to take me down. I need y’all to give a n#### a post up, mane. I need y’all to put me on y’all platform. Post the m############ Water Boyz dropping on BoosieMovie.com. All the n##### I done f##### with in the game, gimme a post up.”
Seattle music is real. Say it again. Seattle music is real. Such is the battle cry of Maribased1, one of the Emerald city’s most prolific hip hop artists and champion of the PNW sound.
Sure, plenty of artists will squawk about their cred, their crew, and their city, but Maribased1 doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. 7 music videos spun on BET Jams, tour dates with Blueface, West Coast Hip-Hop Award winner, Seattle Sound Music Award winner, and now a mountain of radio airplay not just in North America, but also across the Atlantic in Africa.
Out in front of this media, blitz is the new single “Talk Talk Talk,” (BJ&J Entertainment) which pairs Maribased1 with one of Nigeria’s most celebrated artists, Yung6ix. Over the past decade, Yung6ix has carved out a name for himself as one of the most prolific voices in the Nigerian music scene. Much like Maribased1 up in Seattle, Yung6ix is also walking the walk while others just talk the talk.
So goes much of the theme of “Talk Talk Talk” (produced by DJ FunkDaddy). Everybody wants to talk. Talk smack, talk money, talk wins, but most of the time that’s all it really is. Just empty platitudes with nothing to back it up. All of this served as the perfect inspiration for the new music video. With everyone blowing smoke, Maribased1 and Yung6ix decided to just start their own hotline for all of the fakers out to have a place to brag about their “wins” and learn a thing or two from the real ones.
While the lines are ringing and the commissions are rolling in, Maribased1, Yung6ix, and a cadre of their party crew are throwing down an epic party that can only be pulled off by someone that has the skills to make their dreams reality. The others can talk all they want, but until they are on the level of Maribased1 & Yung6ix, it’s all just “Talk Talk Talk.”
Rapper GloRilla is more than just a pretty face, but an artist with a heart. Just ask her alma mater, MLK College Prep.
On Thursday, September 22nd, around 2 p.m., the “F.NF.” rapper returned to her former high school to drop off a $25,00 check to lend financial support to disadvantaged students at the institution during its pre-homecoming celebration.
The event included a live performance by the rapper and was presented by Shelby County Commissioners Charlie Caswell (District 6) and Mickell Lowery (District 8), according to FOX 13.
In an interview after the event, she said everything looks smaller since she left.
“I feel big now,” she giggled. “The classrooms look like they got smaller. That just means I got taller.”
In better news, Glorilla donated $25k to her high school, MLK Prep in North Memphis. I know that’s right, baby! #Memphispic.twitter.com/2irDEGWM53
GloRilla also said being there made her feel like she was in the 10th grade and had a “warm feeling” after seeing her former teachers.
A message she sent to the students was, “anything they put their mind to is possible. Long as they got a dream, they just got to reach for the stars. Whatever they put their mind to, they can get it.”
Commissioner Caswell said when talking about the star, “She is proof that no matter where you come from, you can defy the odds and be successful if you stay focused. She’s giving kids in Frayser and around the county hope, and we want to celebrate that.”
The school’s principal said her return to the school was warmly welcomed.
“We are beyond excited that our former student is returning to the halls she once walked as a student,” MLK College Prep Principal Chiquita Perry said. “We are extremely proud of Ms. Woods and thankful for her acts of service, leadership, and fellowship in her community.”
Today he dropped his second single, “Use To Be The Playa” featuring the legendary Snoop Dogg from his final solo album, Last Call.
The legendary singer’s final solo album drops on November 11th, 2022. According to Morris, it is time to do other things, so he is hanging up his Stacy Adams and prepping for his retirement.
Morris Day’s final solo album will be accompanied by a tour also entitled Last Call.
The singer says the tour will have a new look with a new stage show and a new setlist. This is a tour you do not want to miss.
Morris Day is still respected as one of the most extraordinary frontmen ever in music history.
Puerto Rico is facing yet another tragic environmental, dire humanitarian situation that puts the people of the country in numerous crises simultaneously. Hip-Hop pioneer Crazy Legs is stepping up again to help the people of the nation.
“Although our past relief efforts were very successful, we have also chosen to partner with other legitimate organizations and individuals who were effective with their on the ground efforts in Puerto Rico,” he told AllHipHop exclusively. “This will allow us to create a more fluid strategy that will help more people on the island.” Crazy Legs is a world-renown break dancer and b-boy that has acted largely as ambassador for the culture of Hip-Hop in numerous ways.
Crazy Legs, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, said that the road to recovery will continue for a long time and has created a GoFundMe to do his part for the people.
Hurricane Fiona has caused damage to Puerto Rico on numerous fronts.
Puerto Rico’s entire power grid has gone down, news that has dominated headlines most recently. More than that, the people of Puerto Rico have been wrestling with deteriorating infrastructure and poverty. A small percentage of residents had power restored Thursday, but 3 of 4 residents still lacked clean water, according to a report by the Jubilee USA Network.
“Hurricane Fiona is causing damage to Puerto Rico that will last for quite a while. If we move fast enough, we can immediately impact how long it will have on the people of Puerto Rico,” he said. “I’m reaching out to friends and the entertainment industry to help with the on-the-ground efforts in Puerto Rico. After working on past disaster situations in Puerto Rico, I feel that we can put together the right team and be on the ground within the next week and a half with supplies for those impacted.”
Legs and a host of others are working towards hurricane relief next week in New York City at Chelsea Music Hall. All proceeds will be solely used for our relief work in Puerto Rico. Details are below.
Moneybagg Yo is back outside. The Memphis native celebrated his 31st birthday on September 22 by dropping the new single “Blow.”
The Collective Music Group recording artist appears to be working on another body of work as well. Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe spoke to Moneybagg Yo about the rapper’s latest track and his future plans.
“It was just a party, birthday club vibe. I made it probably a month ago but then I was making it intentionally for my birthday. Just trying to put out a birthday song,” explained Moneybagg about the creation of the “Blow” record.
He also told Lowe, “I feel like I’m just getting better and better with time, still hustling, still saying consistent and motivated at the same time… Y’all gonna see a lot more of this because I feel like I ain’t dropped in a little minute.”
Moneybagg Yo’s A Gangsta’s Pain came out in April 2021. The Billboard 200 chart-topping project opened with 110,000 first-week units. According to Moneybagg, he does feel some nervousness about putting out the follow-up to his breakout LP.
“It’s been like a year and three months. I ain’t dropped, but I’m just putting out songs, little 3-packs, 2-packs,” said Moneybagg Yo. “You still get butterflies sometimes. Just drilling and rushing and everything. It just be a little much, a little crazy… but I can handle it. I got it.”
In 2022, Moneybagg Yo collaborated with other rappers like NLE Choppa (“Too Hot”), YG (“Scared Money”), Kodak Black (“Rocky Road”), and Offset (“CODE”). His career studio album discography contains 2018’s Reset, 2019’s 43va Heartless, and 2020’s Time Served.
The Roc Nation affiliate also teased another collaboration will drop in the near future. Moneybagg revealed on The Zane Lowe Show, “I got another surprise for y’all in another week, I’m dropping another one. This one got a feature on it.”
Dominique Armani Jones has teamed up with the AXE brand for a new series of animated digital vignettes. The Hip Hop artist, better known as Lil Baby, stars in three episodes.
AXE premiered the All Axecess series on the company’s YouTube channel. The shorts drew inspiration from some of Lil Baby’s favorite childhood cartoons and Japanese anime.
“I’ve always been a big fan of anime,” states Lil Baby. “So having AXE turn some of my intimate memories and thoughts into an animated mini-series is kind of surreal, and I hope fans enjoy it as much as I did.”
Each episode of All Axecess features traditional character animation, 2D motion graphics, and unique background designs. They also reference footage from Lil Baby’s biographical Untrapped documentary.
“Anime is hugely popular with our audience, including Lil Baby himself!” says Caroline Gregory, Global Brand Director, AXE at Unilever. “This inspired our team to create three distinct versions of Lil Baby in a way his fans haven’t seen before.”
Caroline Gregory adds, “They visualize how the fragrances have always been a part of his journey in a fun and engaging way.” All Axecess features three distinct chapters/scents – Cool Ocean, Phoenix, and Apollo.
“My signature scent will be very rich. I’m like a regular person, and I’m a superstar!” declares Baby in the Cool Ocean segment. In the Apollo episode, the Atlanta-bred rhymer says, “When I feel fresh, I feel my mind is more clear and I feel like I can focus on the task better.”
Lil Baby Creates The Anthem For The 2022 FIFA World Cup
In addition, Lil Baby partnered with Budweiser to release “The World Is Yours To Take” single off the first-ever Official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Soundtrack. Only eight songs made the cut for the project.
“My new track with Budweiser for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Soundtrack is a special one for me. It’s about the journey we’ve all been on over the last few years and celebrating what’s next,” explains Lil Baby. “When I started in music in 2017, I went all in on a dream that brought me to where I am now, and that’s what I want fans to feel when they hear the song.”
The Quality Control recording artist continues, “I hope it makes you feel like you’re walking out onto the pitch at the World Cup making moves toward your own dreams, whatever that means to you.”
This year’s BET Hip Hop Awards will celebrate the career of Katrina “Trina” Taylor. The ceremony airs on the BET network from Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on October 4.
Trina will receive the I Am Hip Hop Award at the televised ceremony. BET made the announcement about the Miami-raised entertainer being the 2022 recipient on social media.
“🎤Da Baddest 🎤Ms. ‘Look Back At Me’ 🎤305’s own is the 2022 ‘I Am Hip Hop’ Honoree. @TRINArockstarr remains at the top of the list and stayed at the top of the charts. Get ready to turn up as #BET honors the Diamond Princess at the #HipHopAwards!” tweeted the @BET account.
Trina joins a list of previous I Am Hip Hop Award recipients that includes Grandmaster Flash, KRS-One, Ice Cube, Salt-n-Pepa, Rakim, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Scarface, Luther Campbell, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Lil Kim, Master P, and Nelly.
🎤Da Baddest 🎤Ms. ‘Look Back At Me’ 🎤305’s own is the 2022 ‘I Am Hip Hop’ Honoree. @TRINArockstarr remains at the top of the list and stayed at the top of the charts.
Throughout her three-decade career, Trina released studio albums like Da Baddest B####, Diamond Princess, and Still da Baddest. She has had more than 20 songs make it onto Billboard‘s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Joseph “Fat Joe” Cartagena will host the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards. Drake leads all artists with the most nominations. The OVO leader garnered 14 nods. Kanye Westfollowed Drake with10nominations. Kendrick Lamar is up for 9 noms.
Before new moments in #HipHop history are made at this year's #HipHopAwards, let's look back at some of the biggest moments from last year! 🎥 🍿
This week, YK Osiris premiered his new tattoos. The 24-year-old singer decided to get body art representing chart-topping acts Usher and Drake.
YK Osiris tattooed an image of Usher’s famous “U” pendant. He also got a tattoo of Drake’s OVO owl logo. Apparently, Osiris got some pushback from the public for his latest skin designs.
“When you get to [sit] at the same table as legends, and they talk to you about success, you will understand 🌹,” wrote the Def Jam recording artist on his Instagram Story.
Born and raised in Jacksonville, YK Osiris started making music as a teenager. He went on to earn a 3x-Platinum plaque from the RIAA for his “Worth It” single. Plus, his The Golden Child album went Gold.
Stormzy has returned with a new single after a nearly three-year-long hiatus proving that some things are worth the wait.
The South London legend floats for seven minutes on “Mel Made Me Do It.” Over a minimalistic instrumental, he flexed his ability to seamlessly switch flows throughout the track while displaying his mastery of wordplay.
“I’ve been the GOAT for so long, I guess it’s not exciting when I win,” Stormzy boasts in the opening line. “To make a classic, yeah, it takes ages.” Stormzy is given an assist with a guest verse from Stylo G and a poignant spoken word piece by Wretch 32 (narrated by actress Michaela Coel).
“Today, we speak about foundation,” the monologue begins. “Many great Black influential giants have touched people, from soul to soul, throughout many generations.” She continues: “Our DNA empowers us. We can make a song and dance out of everything. Our genes are enriched – it seems there is not a seam out of place in our fabric…”
The single comes accompanied by a ground-breaking 11-minute music video directed by KLVDR. The visuals are a stunning display of Black British excellence, with extra emphasis on the Black. Check out the video below and stream the single and the end of the page.
Stormzy – Mel Made Me Do It
Among the 35 plus cameos, Stormzy showcased icons from his childhood alongside heroes from a younger generation. The sheer number of sporting greats and music legends added weight to the braggadocious lyrics reminding his peers: you cannot do this.
The guest appearances include the likes of Dave, Headie One, Little Simz, Jazzie B, Jose Mourinho, Malorie Blackman, and Usain Bolt.
While unconfirmed, “Mel Made Me Do It” is expected to appear on the follow-up to 2019’s Heavy Is The Head. In March, Stormzy announced his highly anticipated upcoming third album would arrive before the end of the year. During the first show of his tour, she shared a video of himself working in the studio. He teased fans with a message at the end of the clip, reading, “Album 3. Coming 2022.”
After rumors of low-ticket sales, DaBaby is back to prove he hasn’t fallen off, dropping his new album Baby on Baby 2.
“Y’all Ready??” the Cleveland, Ohio native teased on Thursday (Sept. 23), sharing some visuals from the album. However, despite keeping a lower profile this year, he insisted, “Don’t call it a comeback b*tch ass n*gga!” Stream the album at the end of the page.
While the follow-up to his platinum-selling 2019 debut studio album features 14 songs, one has set the internet abuzz. “You play with me, oh G#######. Shut the lights off, Boogeyman,” DaBaby warns on the third track.
“Boogeyman” sees DaBaby claim he was intimate with Megan Thee Stallion but was waiting for his album to dish the dirt on their alleged encounters.
“The day before she said that Tory Lanez shot her, I was f##### on Megan Thee Stallion,” DaBaby raps. “Waited to say that s### on my next album.” He also said, “Hit it the day before too/ But I kept it player, I ain’t say nothing ’bout it.”
DaBaby then takes aim at Meg’s boyfriend, Pardison Fontaine, addressing their back and forth on Twitter last year.
“Had her pretty boy, boyfriend tweeting me, ready to die ’bout the b#### like a coward
I told you n##### don’t play, now you gone have to handle me
I poked the m############ bear, I’m a animal”
On Juneteenth 2021, DaBaby, Megan, and Pardi traded shots online in the wake of DaBaby’s collab with Tory Lanez, “SKAT.” Megan indirectly accused the “BOP” rapper of supporting her in private but not in public.
Pardi became involved after DaBaby referred to Megan as a b#### during their online spat. “You a clown ass n#### doin clown ass s### then tryin to back pedal…n#### that’s what it is…u don’t ever got to address her again,” Pardison Fontaine told DaBaby.
Cardi B has given breakout star GloRilla a heavyweight assist on the remix of her single “Tomorrow.”
The collab arrived at midnight (Sept. 23) accompanied by a video featuring Cardi B and GloRilla turning up in NYC in various locations. Check out the visuals, which open with a nod to the 1979 film The Warriors, below.
GloRilla, Cardi B – Tomorrow 2
Cardi B showed loved to the rising star and her viral single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” earlier this year. She called the track song of the summer during an appearance on The Angie Martinez Show.
Glo shared her appreciation for the co-sign while appearing on On The Radar Radio in July. She also detailed a “crazy” DM conversation she had with Cardi B.
“I had just got off the plane, my first time coming out here,” she began. “As soon I get off the plane, she hearted something because I used to always DM her all the time, I would blow her up. I don’t know what it was I sent her, but I know she hearted it, and I text her after she hearted it. She text me back, then she sent me the little voice message. I was like, ‘Ahhh Cardi!’”
Meanwhile, GloRilla followed in Cardi B’s footsteps on Thursday, giving back to her school in a big way. Last week the Bronx superstar donated $100,000 to her former Bronx middle school. The CMG artist followed suit, surprising her old Memphis high school during an assembly with a $25,000 check.
The money will reportedly go towards Martin Luther King Prep High School’s fine arts program. She also blessed the students with a special performance of her hit song “F.N.F.”
“I’m blessed to be in position to give back to my school and my community,” GloRilla said in a speech. “Memphis raised me and that’s why it’s important that I use my resources to help put the next generation of students and leaders from my city in the best positions to succeed.”
Before her Cardi B collab, GloRilla made waves as the first female rapper signed to Yo Gotti’s CMG label. She received her $500,000 cash signing bonus on board a private jet with her new boss during a champagne celebration.
After Kanye West said he was repulsed by literature, comparing reading to the way some children despise vegetable, Mr. Reading Rainbow himself, LeVar Burton, stepped in giving him the side eye— the way that only an elder can do.
On Friday, Sept. 16, Kanye said in an interview with Alo’s Danny Harris and Alyson Wilson on a new episode of the “Alo Mind Full” podcast, he said, “I actually haven’t read any book. Reading is like eating Brussels sprouts for me. And talking is like getting the Giorgio Baldi corn ravioli.”
He took to Twitter and posted, “Hmmm… I’m going have to take Mr. West at his word.”
“I hope however, that he shares a different message with the children enrolled in the school he’s founded named after his mother, who was an professor of English,” he continued to write in his tweet.
Though it is not yet accredited, parents allegedly have to signed nondisclosure agreements to sent their little ones to the Christian private school.
He ended the statement saying, “I’m fairly certain she read a book or two. #bydhttmwfi.”
Many young people might not know what bydhttmwfi means, and if they do, they may not know the origins of the acronym.
However, it happens to be Burton’s “Reading Rainbow catch phrase, “but you don’t have to take my word for it.”
Many people know Burton because of his work as Geordi La Forge from Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 to 1994) or the original Kunta Kinte from the history making ABC miniseries “Roots” (1977). But many Gen Xers know him from the PBS Kinds educational program that promoted literacy and became a cult classic.
https://youtu.be/Fl32aV3RcpE?t=59
So popular was the show and the level of intellect he represented as its Griot, his fans pushed for him to replace Alex Trebek as the host of “Jeopardy,” upon his demise.
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland have reached an “amicable agreement” and settled their lawsuit with Triller after suing the platform last month for $28 million in unpaid royalties from the sale of Verzuz.
The heavyweight producers garnered support from their peers, including Diddy and Styles P over their dispute. They took Triller to court, claiming the social media platform owes them more than $28 million after defaulting on the terms of the Verzuz sale agreement. Triller acquired the platform created by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland in January 2021 for an undisclosed sum.
However, as first reported by Variety, the parties have settled the $28 million lawsuit.
“VERZUZ has always been a platform that is by the artists, for the artists and with the people,” Swizz Beatz and Timbaland said in a statement. “We’re glad to come to an amicable agreement with Triller and continue giving fans the music and community that they’ve come to know and love from the brand.”
While neither party revealed the financial details of the settlement, Triller’s executive chairman and co-founder Bobby Sarnevesht said in a statement, “VERZUZ and Triller will always be a safe place and outlet for creators and their art. Nothing will change that. Creators started this and will continue building it. This is a victorious moment in the Triller and VERZUZ relationship as we march together toward the public markets. Stay tuned.”
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland launched Verzuz in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found a way to connect artists with their fans and delivered head-to-head battles featuring R&B and Hip Hop stars. The clashes began in a virtual format before eventually moving to in-person live events. Among the highlights was the iconic The Lox vs. Dipset clash at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Breaking News: LL Cool J Blasts DJ Akademiks For Calling Hip-Hop Pioneers Dusty.
Does DJ Akademiks actually DJ? I’ve always asked myself that. I have not once in all of this time seen him do any DJing, parties, scratching or anything else related to the elements of Hip-Hop. He toys around with rapping sometimes. For the most part, all I’ve ever seen him do was run his mouth. He’s been able to amass a certain amount of notoriety and fame for running his mouth. But as far as contributing to the culture of Hip-Hop, I have seen very little contribution.
If clout chasing and stirring up the pot is contributing to the culture, then maybe he has locked down. At any rate, he fixed his mouth to call Hip-Hop pioneers dusty and broke. First of all, he might not be broke, but oh boy definitely looks dusty. Also, why was it necessary for him to take a shot at Hip-Hop pioneers, when he is actually someone that claims to be in Hip-Hop?
Somehow or another this got to the goat himself, LL Cool J. And LL was livid. You could see it in his face. He was really upset that this beneficiary of our culture decided to call the pioneers what he called them – broke and dusty. What’s crazy to me is that those people literally pave the way for this guy to even exist. He’s already proven that he has very little to offer outside of video games and talking trash.
I actually expect him to say some sort of apology, because LL Cool J let him feel the burn! Anybody that had a battle with LL knows that you don’t want to be on that side of things. You actually wanna be cool with Cool J! Seriously, AK has to know the gravity of the moment as legends of all walks are on his bumper. I really have a tremendous amount of respect for LL because he didn’t have to say anything about this matter, and he certainly didn’t have to exemplify the culture in this moment. But, this actually shows that his Rock The Bells movement is genuine and not just a business venture.
The funny thing is, I saw LL‘s response and commentary first I didn’t even know that AK said something that’s how little I follow him. At any rate, what do we do with somebody like this? Clearly, he’s a part of the community, but has caused some form of calamity from Chicago to the East. He’s aligned with people like Tekashi 69 and others are are out of step with the culture. He seems to wield a command of people are we would not be talking about him right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrqDFDEJMmU
And yet, I continue to wonder what he does.
I also wonder what we are doing. As Hip-Hop continues to grow and become this incredible profit center, it is hard and harder to defend the values we once had. Also, with technology becoming easier and easier to jump in the front of the line with extreme activity. So, if I make a video in praise of the pioneers, I’ll have to go really far to garner a response from a legend like LL. AK is a notable and so he’s able to instantly activate the community, much of which despises him. Not everybody. Some of his recent critics (those offended older gods and goddesses) have been classified as haters, but that is dismissive and an oversimplification.
Hip-Hop must have a reckoning of we are to defend the culture against cultural insurrectionists. I am proud to say that AllHipHop has been supportive of the pioneers and have given them a voice for many years. The truth is: Akademiks was wrong. The pioneers are not dusty. Many of them are prospering. And they have a lot more opportunities than ever before. I know personally some of them that have seen renewed interest from the public as Hip-Hop turns 50 in 2023.
I hope we continue to salute, value and appreciate the contribution that the bold, fierce and powerful men and women that jumpstarted Hip-Hop. They have more than earned our respect.
Fetty Wap must wait a few months to find out his sentence for a federal drug charge.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, Fetty Wap will be sentenced on January 18, 2023. Judge Joanna Seybert will handle the sentencing.
Fetty Wap, whose real name is Willie Junior Maxwell II, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in August. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.
The 31-year-old rapper faces a maximum sentence of 40 years behind bars. He waved his right to appeal if he’s sentenced to 10 years and a month in prison or less.
Fetty Wap and five others were indicted for their roles in a drug trafficking ring in October 2021. The indictment mentioned several drugs, but Fetty Wap was only charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine.
“The pipeline of drugs in this investigation ran thousands of miles from the West Coast to the communities here in our area, contributing to the addiction and overdose epidemic we have seen time and time again tear people’s lives apart,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said. “The fact that we arrested a chart-topping rap artist and a corrections officer as part of the conspiracy illustrates just how vile the drug trade has become. I want to commend the work of our Long Island Gang Task Force and our law enforcement partners for working day in and day out to get these deadly drugs off our streets.”
Last year, Fetty Wap was released on a $500,000 bond following his arrest. Last month, a judge revoked his bond for violating the terms of his pretrial release.
Fetty Wap allegedly threatened to kill someone on a FaceTime call in December 2021. His bond was revoked after authorities obtained a recording of the conversation.
Snoop Dogg teamed up with Master P to offer a new line of breakfast foods.
A month after announcing Snoop Loopz cereal, Snoop Dogg unveiled his Momma Snoop brand on Thursday (September 22). His Momma Snoop products include grits, oatmeal, maple syrup and pancake mix.
“There was a void for our culture when they took ‘Aunt Jemima’ off the shelves,” the West Coast legend said. “We’re replacing it with ‘Momma Snoop’ pancake mix, syrup, grits and oatmeal adding diversity into the grocery stores industry and creating opportunities for minority-owned food products and brands.”
Momma Snoop and Snoop Loopz are produced by the 50-year-old rapper’s Broadus Foods company. Master P serves as the company’s CEO.
Snoop Dogg and Master P want Broadus Foods to “inspire economic empowerment.” The company also aims to support charities, such as Door of Hope.
“Our mission is to build economic empowerment and generational wealth,” Master P said. “The more we make, the more we give.”
Snoop Dogg showed off his Momma Snoop brand a week after partnering with Funko for Tha Dogg House store, which opens in 2023. The store will be located near SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
50 Cent expanded his presence in Houston by partnering with the city’s MLB team.
The Houston Astros announced a multi-year partnership with 50 Cent, his Sire Spirits company and the G-Unity Foundation on Thursday (September 22). The G-Unit rapper previously secured deals with the Houston Rockets and Texans.
50 Cent’s latest partnership will make his alcohol brands the official cognac and champagne of the Houston Astros. Minute Maid Park’s Club Level Bar will also be rebranded as the Sire Spirits Bar.
As part of the deal, 50 Cent (a.k.a. Curtis Jackson) will get his own suite at Minute Maid Park in 2023. It will be available to fans for select games.
“The Astros are proud to partner with Curtis and his team to offer Sire Spirits to our fans visiting Minute Maid Park,” Astros Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Jeff Stewart said in a press release. “Both organizations share a common goal of giving back to our community, so teaming up with Curtis’ spirit company and charity to invest in the City of Houston just made sense. We are excited for this partnership, and I look forward to visiting the rebranded Club Level Bar next season.”
50 Cent’s G-Unity Foundation will collaborate with the Astros Foundation on multiple charitable endeavors. The two plan to launch the Leadership Series Program with the goal of helping teens.
“I am especially proud and excited about our first Major League Baseball deal with The Astros,” 50 Cent said. “We share the same philosophy of conscious capitalism. I look forward to providing the opportunity for at-risk teens to experience the excitement of attending a baseball game in a luxury suite setting at Minute Maid Park.”
Rolling Loud scrapped three drill rappers from the festival’s bill at the request of the NYPD.
According to the New York Times, Rolling Loud removed 22Gz, Sha Ek and Ron Suno from the lineup. The artists were scheduled to perform at the New York edition of the festival, which begins on Friday (Saturday 23).
The NYPD pulled a similar move a few years ago. Rolling Loud canceled the performances of five artists, including 22Gz and the late Pop Smoke, at the behest of the police in 2019.
Rolling Loud reportedly paid the artists despite canceling their performances. But Sha Ek’s manager Stanley Davis was still frustrated with the NYPD.
“The police try to associate what he’s doing with violence and negativity,” Davis wrote. “They don’t respect that he’s an artist and entertainer trying to better himself and feed his family at 19 years old. Sha Ek has performed all over the Northeast this year. The crowds at his concerts are full of kids dancing and having fun. He’s excited to keep growing his touring business and proving the police wrong.”
Ron Suno’s manager Diamond Brown also vented about the NYPD stopping his client from performing at Rolling Loud.
“How can a person who has no criminal record and no gang ties — the kid never even made a diss record — be denied to perform in his hometown after all his hard work?” Brown asked in a text to the New York Times.
A label rep for 22Gz only confirmed his removal when the New York Times asked for comment. The Atlantic Records artist is out on bail following his June arrest for attempted murder.
