Fans of 1980s-era R&B had the opportunity to see two of the biggest stars from that time period—Anita Baker and Babyface. That was until apparent friction led to so-called “R&Beef.”
Babyface addressed the situation during a recent episode of The Jason Lee Show. The 67-minute conversation included the 11x-Grammy winner taking the high road when discussing his musical contemporary.
“Well, that was a complicated evening,” Babyface said about the day he learned he would no longer perform on Anita Baker’s tour. “First of all, I have no problem being a support act for Anita Baker. I have much love and respect for her art. And it was her show.
“I have no issue with that. I think that I was looking as forward to watching Anita Baker every night as well because I love her as a writer and as an artist. It’s a beautiful experience.”
Babyface also denied supposedly gaslighting his online followers to cyberbully Anita Baker. Additionally, the co-founder of LaFace Records went on to announce his own headlining tour is on the way.
“Yeah, we’re putting something together because everybody’s asking for it. So let’s do that,” stated Babyface on hitting the road in the near future. His ninth studio album, Girls Night Out, arrived in October 2022. Ari Lennox, Kehlani, Queen Naija, and other female artists appear on the project.
“After silently, enduring [cyberbullying]/verbal abuse and threats of violence from the fan base, of our special guest/support act, in the interest of personal safety, I will continue ‘The Songstress Tour’ alone,” Baker tweeted on June 13.
In response, Babyface posted, “I am saddened by the news that Anita Baker has decided to remove me from ‘The Songstress Tour.’ It’s unfortunate and disheartening to see how things have played out via social media. While I was looking forward to the rest of the dates, I have nothing but love and respect for Anita and I wish her the best for the remainder of her tour.”
Ice Spice catapulted herself from viral sensation to Met Gala attendee in a matter of months. With three Top 10 songs in 2023, the Bronx native is an early contender for the year’s Best New Artist.
Ice Spice broke out last year with her “Munch (Feelin’ U)” track. By June 2023, the songs “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” with PinkPantheress (No. 3), “Princess Diana” with Nicki Minaj (No. 4) and “Karma” with Taylor Swift (No. 2) made it into the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 10 region.
It may have come as a surprise for some Ice Spice fans when they learned she wasn’t included in the 2023 XXL Freshman Class. According to TMZ, the 23-year-old Capitol recording artist passed on the chance to be part of the magazine’s annual cover.
Ice Spice reportedly made the decision to miss being a Freshman due to her busy schedule, which includes upcoming festival dates and guest feature appearances.
Ice Spice could join a list of prominent up-and-comers who missed out on the XXL Freshman issue but still went on to reach superstar status. Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyler, The Creator, Post Malone, Cardi B and others never made it onto the cover for various reasons.
While Ice Spice seemingly rejected the 2023 XXL Freshman Class opportunity, the magazine recognized several other rising rhymers. Finesse2tymes, Lola Brooke, Rob49, Fridayy, GloRilla, 2Rare, SleazyWorld Go, Central Cee, Real Boston Richey, Luh Tyler, TiaCorine and DC The Don make up the 2023 class.
Meek Mill has a lot of people on social media reacting to one of his takes once again. This time, the Philadelphia-bred rapper went viral for sharing his thoughts on the lost OceanGate submarine.
OceanGate provides undersea travel to view the wreck of the Titanic ship using submersibles. According to reports, the United States-based company’s Titan submersible disappeared off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada on June 18.
Five people are said to be on board the Titan, including British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood. News outlets from around the world have been covering the incident over the last four days.
Meek Mill apparently took issue with how the press is reporting on the Titan and its missing passengers. The 36-year-old Expensive Pain rapper tweeted his response to some of the latest information about the incident.
“I can’t see a wealthy man doing this with no extreme backup plans… with your son, not saying it’s fake but the way y’all run the same clips in [the] media not even working on the average minds anymore… all types of stuff going on in the world, y’all headlining with no real info lol,” posted Meek Mill.
The United States Coast Guard, United States Navy and Canadian Coast Guard have been taking part in search and rescue efforts for OceanGate’s Titan. It’s possible the submersible’s breathable air supply will run out by Thursday morning (June 22).
I can’t see a wealthy man doing this with no extreme back up plans….with your son, not saying it’s fake but the way y’all run the same clips in media not even working on the average minds anymore…all types of stuff going on in the world y’all headlining with no real info lol https://t.co/ekr2NbY3ej
When the notoriously social media-phobic Stormzy returned to Instagram earlier this week, his fans began eagerly anticipating the arrival of something exciting, and the British rap legend didn’t disappoint.
After a lengthy hiatus, Stormzy popped back up on Instagram Monday (June 19) with a photo dump. Among the images was a snippet of a new track, the first hint that fresh music is incoming.
“Wagwannnnnnn you lil pussyholes,” he captioned his post.
Stormzy returned two days later to tease a new song. He shared a clip of the audio captioned only by the talking head emoji.
“If I see a boy with the same kettle as me then I toss that thing in the safe/Won’t wear it again ’cause you made it (Bait), Stormzy raps on the snippet. “If your name ain’t Fred then you can’t relate/If your name ain’t Santan, you ain’t my mate/If your name ain’t Stormz then you ain’t the (Meh-eh).”
Then on Wednesday (June 21), the “Mel Made Me Do It” hitmaker finally announced his new single, “Toxic Trait” featuring fellow U.K. rap star Fredo. The track is scheduled for release on Thursday (June 22) and will be accompanied by a video.
In a clip shared by the duo, Fredo sits opposite a therapist while discussing his toxic traits. “I just got too many man, I don’t even know where to start,” he admitted. “I feel like I don’t make things easy on myself to be honest. Whether that’s big things like the company I keep or small things like not using toenail clippers.”
Missy Elliott is opening up about her mental health in a candid interview, discussing her battles with anxiety and depression and imploring others to be more vocal about their struggles.
In an Essence cover story published on June 20, Missy Elliott said that while “a lot of things were brushed up under the rug for me growing up,” the isolation of the pandemic meant she “had so much time to just think of childhood stuff, and all kinds of stuff.”
The 4x-Grammy Award winner also reflected on a two-year low period she experienced over a decade ago, exacerbated by her battle with the autoimmune condition Graves’ disease.
“Now I’m fine with being like, ‘Hey, I got anxiety’ or ‘I went through depression,’” Missy stated. “Even the biggest artist, or just the regular everyday working person, we all go through s###. We all do. And it’s okay to say, ‘Hey, I’m not okay today.’ Probably we would keep a lot of people around if we were that open, because we would be able to uplift each other.”
She continued, “We’d know that I’m not going to look at you crazy if you say, ‘Hey, I’m having a rough day.’ Maybe you’re thinking things that you shouldn’t think, or whatever the case may be.”
Missy Elliott Discusses Her Mental Health Battles With Her Peers
Missy Elliott also revealed an unnamed male peer (“Timbaland is my brother, but it’s not him”) is a source of support.
“I had a peer of mine say, ‘Hey, look, I’ve been through the same thing,’” she added. “And he was just like, ‘Next time I see you, I’m going to put a mirror in front of your face, so you can remember who you are and all that you’ve done.’”
In 2015, Missy Elliott admitted her anxiety was so crippling that she had a full-blown panic attack and required medical attention before her Super Bowl halftime cameo performance the same year.
“Like, IVs in my arm, everything,” she told Billboard. “Nobody knew.”
Cardi B and the stepson of a billionaire missing on the Titan submersible, Brian Szasz, got into it on social media after the Bronx rapper voiced her opinion on reports the man was out enjoying a concert during the rescue mission. A search is currently underway for the five passengers on the submersible, who have been missing since Sunday (June 18).
The stepson of one of the passengers received a lot of attention online after revealing he went to a blink-182 concert. In a now-deleted Facebook post, Szasz acknowledged “It might be distasteful” but claimed his family “would want” him to attend the show. He also made headlines for shooting his shot with an OnlyFans model, responding to a racy request.
Cardi B Blasts Szasz For Attending Concert
Cardi B was unimpressed at the man living his best life while his stepfather and the others are lost.
“Yes, you supposed to be at the house sad,” Cardi B said during an Instagram Live Wednesday (June 21). “You’re supposed to be crying for me, you supposed to be right next to the phone waiting to hear any updates about me.”
She continued, “Isn’t it sad that you a whole f###### billionaire and nobody gives a f### about you? Like, you missing, and m############ is ready to shake d#### at concerts. That’s crazy. I’d rather be broke and poor but knowing that I’m loved.”
Brian Szasz caught wind of her comments and took to Twitter to fire back at Cardi B.
“What a pos trashy celeb,” he wrote. “Cardi B trying to get clout off me and my families suffering. I went to a Blink 182 concert for coping rather than sitting at home and watching the news. Shame on you Cardi get some class!”
He also added a follow-up tweet. “Cardi B we know all your latest releases are trash. But is your career this desperate for attention now??”
Cardi B responded to one post, accusing the man of clout chasing.
“The point was the whole world is praying for these people in the submarine and this man son is online shaking d#### for girls off onlyfans and going to Blink 182 concerts,” she said. “You was looking for clout all along. Nobody knew who you were until you said that was ya stepdad!!! This is why people hate you spoiled brat billionaires yall soo desensitize.”
The point was the whole world is praying for these people in the submarine and this man son is online shaking d#### for girls off onlyfans and going to Blink 182 concerts. You was looking for clout all along, nobody knew who you were until you said that was ya stepdad!!! This is… https://t.co/FQ8pfR55Ob
Cardi B and Tasha K are beefing again on social media despite settling their dispute in court last year.
In a Twitter Space chat, The “Tomorrow 2″ hitmaker accused Tasha of “embezzling.” Cardi claimed she hired a private investigator to look into Tasha K’s financial affairs after a judge ruled the YouTuber must pay $4 million in the defamation lawsuit.
“You’re embezzling!” Cardi yelled. “Yeah b####, you embezzling. You’re going to go to jail!”
The feud reignited on Wednesday (June 21) when Cardi B weighed in on the missing Titanic submersible passengers. She called out the stepson of one of the passengers for attending a concert amid the rescue mission.
“People was like, ‘Uh what is he supposed to do, be sad at the house?” she tweeted. “Is he supposed to go look for him himself?‘ Yes. You supposed to be at the house sad. You supposed to be crying for me, you supposed to be right next to the phone waiting to hear any updates about me.”
However, her nemesis soon added her own opinion, citing Cardi’s reaction to Takeoff’s death last year.
“Wasn’t she posting guns right after Takeoff died?” Tasha K wrote in The Neighborhood Talk comment section. “And on the internet, cutting up not long after his sudden takeoff? I’m just asking…Everyone grieves diff.”
When Cardi B caught wind of the tea blogger’s response, she clapped back, furious at the mention of Takeoff. She also accused Tasha K of financial skullduggery to avoid paying the $4 million.
“And Tasha K with your despicable ass.. to bring up Takeoff to prove a fake ass point is disgusting,” she began. “I lost weight, I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, me and my man STILL dealing wit that to to this day. I’m a rapper, we targeted all the time so of course I have guns for protection. But since you wanna be funny for comments, ima make sure your kid don’t go to college. You think my lawyers don’t know you hiding money in Africa? Ima make sure I get every red cent of my 4 mill. DONT EVER PUT TAKEOFF NAME IN YA MOUTH.”
And Tasha K with your despicable ass.. to bring up Takeoff to prove a fake ass point is disgusting. I lost weight, I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, me and my man STILL dealing wit that to to this day. I’m a rapper, we targeted all the time so of course I have guns for… pic.twitter.com/pCGYonz6zq
Cardi B also took to The Neighborhood Talk comments section to clarify her tweet.
“Y’all saying I’m talking about people kids.. I’m talkin about how her mouth is going to affect financials for YEARS all because she can’t stop talking,” Cardi wrote. “But I’m wrong for saying that but it’s cool for her to bring up my family we lost less than a year ago? Yall saw me waving a gun after take passed or literally months later on put it on the floor music video? But let me guess I’m wrong as always.”
Meanwhile, Tasha K continued trolling Cardi B over Takeoff. She posted a video of herself on Instagram hiding behind a door. She added the slain rapper’s name in the caption and even used “Messy” by Takeoff and Quavo as the backing track.
Boosie Badazz is calling for action from behind bars, accusing prosecutors of “total misconduct” for what he claims is a refusal to respect the judge’s decision to grant him bond in his federal gun case.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native was arrested on June 14 and held on multiple gun charges. Among them, “felony possession of a firearm and transporting firearms across highways.”
Boosie was expected to be released from federal custody after Judge Allison Goddard awarded bail on June 20.
But Boosie is still locked up, and he’s blaming the prosecutor, who he claims is “racist” and has “evil intentions” towars him. In a desperate plea on social media, Boosie called for his followers to protest his continued detention.
“After the judge has granted me a bond, and I paid my full cash amount the prosecution refuse to respect the judges decision to let me go,” Boosie wrote via Twitter on Wednesday night (June 21). “They showed no evidence of me being a flight risk or a danger to the community.”
Boosie Badazz Calls For Protests And Prayers
Boosie Badazz added, “The prosecutor Mr. wheat looked at me singing Wipe Me Down, wiped his shoulders and shook his head with a look of evil in his eyes. This is total misconduct from a prosecutor. He is racist and has evil intentions. Now they filed an appeal asking another judge to keep me in prison. I need the people of San Diego outside the court tomorrow to protest the injustice that is being done to me.”
Boosie then called on “ALL prayer warriors across the world” to pray for the prosecutor’s removal. “Even my attorneys have never seen nothing like this in their career. Help Me Fight this Injustice and say a prayer for my freedom tomorrow.”
Read his entire statement below.
After the judge has granted me a bond, and I paid my full cash amount the prosecution refuse to respect the judges decision to let me go. They showed no evidence of me being a flight risk or a danger to the community. The prosecutor Mr. wheat looked at me singing Wipe Me Down,…
André 3000 apparently has a solo album in the works that’s nearly ready to see the light of day. During a recent interview with Sway Calloway, Killer Mike—who collaborated with 3 Stacks on the single “Scientists & Engineers” from his new solo album Michael, confirmed the almost unbelievable news.
In a clip making the rounds on Instagram, Calloway says, “What I’m hearing is Dre got an album coming,” to which Killer Mike replies, “Yeah, I think we fly out in a couple weeks to go listen to it.”
Calloway says, “Wow, that’s amazing. André 3000 got an album coming.” When someone mentioned he thought they were joking, Calloway says, “Nah, he said he played him nine tracks of stuff he already he had. That mean Dre sitting on volumes of songs.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtxFpqnOtt8/?hl=en
André 3000 and Killer Mike’s Dungeon Family cohort and Goodie Mob member Big Gipp re-shared the post from an account called Butter.ATL and got his Hip-Hop peers understandably excited.
The D.O.C. commented, “It has begun,” while DJ Hurricane of Beastie Boys fame wrote, “Good news.” Needless to say, word is spreading across the Hip-Hop community—and quickly. After all, André 3000 has been wandering around the globe playing his flute and minding his own business, seemingly set on leaving his rap career behind him.
Outkast, meanwhile, hasn’t released an album since 2006’s Idlewild, following a run of albums that includes multiple hip-hop classics—from Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994) and ATLiens (1996) to Aquemini (1998) and Stankonia (2000).
Swipe on the Instagram post above to watch the clip.
Philthy Rich avoided a prison sentence for making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm. According to the Mercury News, Judge James Mahan sentenced the Bay Area rapper to two years of probation in a Nevada court on Wednesday (June 21). Philthy Rich, whose real name is Phillip Beasley, pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge in May.
“We’re very gratified that the judge recognized the many contributions that Mr. Beasley has made to the community and the fact that he has remained trouble-free over the two-and-a-half years since this event occurred,” his lawyer David Chesnoff said.
Philthy Rich recruited a woman named Jasmine Garcia to illegally purchase guns from a Las Vegas shop in 2021. A prior conviction didn’t allow him to possess firearms.
Garcia accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to time served. Prosecutors sought a 30-year prison sentence for Philthy Rich. The prosecution said he was “no stranger to the criminal justice system” and complained about sentencing for his past convictions.
“Despite his persistent criminal conduct, Beasley has been repeatedly awarded lenient sentences,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Frierson wrote in a sentencing memo.
The judge sided with Philthy Rich’s attorneys, who pushed for no time behind bars. The veteran rapper praised his lawyers on Instagram Stories.
It’s not every day Drake shouts you out ina livestream, but LAVI$H makes it look real easy.
Hailing from Zambia but raised in Winnipeg, the rising star arrives on the scene with his own unique sound, style, and swag. While he’s been enthralled with music since he can remember, it wasn’t until he was discovered by Chubbs from Drake’s OVO Sound imprint when things really started to kick into gear… and he’s incredibly humbled by it all.
While LAVI$H used to rap, Drake’s “Headlines” was the first ever Hip Hop/R&B song he ever heard. He now describes his sound as “timeless and refreshing, sometimes even genreless.” LAVI$H explains, “You can’t really pinpoint the genre of music that I make sometimes, I don’t like to be put in one thing.”
Now, the 25-year-old signs to Def Jam, releasing his highly-anticipated debut project titled You Made A Big Mistake. The seven-track project is spearheaded by lead singles “Big Mistake” and “World In My Hands.”
AllHipHop spoke with LAVI$H virtually, who was located in Toronto. Read below as we discuss his love for music, how Chubbs discovered him, Drake shouting him out, the new project, opening for PARTYNEXTDOOR, goals, and more!
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with music?
LAVI$H: Honestly, I fell in love with music when I was 10, 11 years old. My first time ever hearing music, any artist of any genre, it was Billy Talent. I was introduced to Drake by my sister. “Headlines” was the first ever Hip Hop, R&B melody type of music that I ever heard from any artist. That’s cool that we have a connection now, he was the first ever R&B type rap artist that I’d ever heard.
AllHipHop: I know Chubbs discovered you, but before that, when did you know you wanted to do music for a living?
LAVI$H: So in my African community back in Winnipeg, we throw a lot of parties. Our parents would throw a lot of parties, whether it’s somebody’s birthday or somebody’s graduation. You just always loved throwing parties. African parties go forever, until 4 o’clock in the morning. While the party’s going on, I’d always see my cousins freestyling by some stand, or somewhere outside or beside the building. I never wanted to jump in because I was always so scared.
One day, I jumped in. It was terrible, but they were super nice to me. My two cousins had a studio and I knew they were artists. First of all, I asked their parents if I could come over to the house and make music, because I knew they would say no. The first song I ever made was at their house. I gave myself a name. I called myself Kid Crew, because I wore a lot of crewnecks when I was younger. [laughs] That’s when I first started falling in love with music.
AllHipHop: How’d you get the name LAVI$H?
LAVI$H: I gave myself the name LAVI$H after 1500 names. It’s more so the voices that I’m able to sing in. I can sing in a deeper voice, in a high voice, in a falsetto voice. I can do all different sorts of things with my voice, and also my heart. I take pride in being a good person. It’s more so what’s inside that is lavish, rather than outside. It’s not the whole lavish lifestyle thing. It’s more so what’s inside of me, that makes me LAVI$H.
AllHipHop: How did Chubbs discover you? What did that mean to you?
LAVI$H: It was crazy. I have my friend, business partner, and photographer Astral, and this other guy works at OVO named Whoa. It was 2019, they were shopping my music around to different people. I had no idea, I didn’t know they were doing this. One of the people that they’d sent music to Chubbs. They were sending him rap records, R&B and trap records. One day just before New Years, they sent him the song I did back in my parent’s basement called “Somebody.”
It was the first song I ever sang in falsetto. It wasn’t the best singing, but I made it feel like there was the best singing because I knew how to mix and master. I knew how to do this, so I made it sound amazing. He heard that from Astral and Whoa. He hit me up on New Years of 2020 like, “whenever you’re ready to work, I’m here, I’m ready to go.” At first, I didn’t believe it was him. Because why is this guy that works with this other guy that I looked up to, the first artist that I ever heard, why is he hitting me up? What do I have that’s so special? It was surreal.
But going back to the messages, looking at the name and putting two and two together, yo this is Chubbs. This is happening. From there, he invited me over to a pool party. It was somebody’s birthday. Before I knew Chubbs, I knew him as this strong, standoff-ish Chubbs. The Chubbs that we know. I met him at the pool party, the way he said hi. His voice was just a shock to me. He’s like, “hey man, how you doing?”
I stood back like wait, this is not the same person. But it was. He flew me to Drake’s properties and we started working there. Worked there for a couple months, that’s when we started building EP out. We started working on the EP, working on the songs and forming a relationship.
AllHipHop: As someone that listens to Drake, what did that mean to you?
LAVI$H: It was surreal. Either before or after I signed to Chubbs, we were at a house in LA. It was a party. Chubbs texted me like “yo, Drake’s coming.” He comes, I go find somewhere to sit. By myself, because I don’t want anyone around me. If he comes up to me, by myself. No distractions, but not thinking it’s going to happen. Next thing you know, I get a tap on my shoulder and it’s Drake.
I don’t know why I did this, I look up and then I look down. Then I look up again. [laughs] He’s like, “what’re you doing?” We had a little conversation. I introduced myself, we had a great talk. That right there meant everything to me. Not that meeting Chubbs and building a relationship with Chubbs didn’t make it real, but meeting Drake and all the other guys that made it even more real.
AllHipHop: I saw Drake shout you out recently, how did that feel?
LAVI$H: He was on Live with Stake, doing the betting that he does. He mentioned some artists that he’s listening to, I was one of the artists that came up. That was almost… it didn’t feel real. Because, in the moment, he’s saying my name. I kept repeating that in my head, I’m trying to take it in. It was so much, I couldn’t take it in until the next day. You got everybody hitting me up, you got management saying this. You got people commenting, “Drake shouted you out!” Oh my goodness, it was a lot. But it felt amazing. I’m finally doing something and somebody I look up to sees what I’m doing as valid.
AllHipHop: Definitely want to talk about You Made A Big Mistake, debut EP out now. Why did you name it that?
LAVI$H: People think it’s for a specific reason, I guess it is. I really named it that title for people to relate to. That title and the songs are for people’s perception, however they relate to You Made A Big Mistake is how I want them to. Because it’s such a broad, vast term that it’s easy for people to relate to.
AllHipHop: Who or what inspired “World In My Hands”?
LAVI$H: “World In My Heads” was inspired by someone very special, very close to my heart. A special somebody.
AllHipHop: A girl?
LAVI$H: Yeah. [laughs] A girl. A woman.
AllHipHop: How does she feel that the song’s about her?
LAVI$H: She loves it, one of her favorite songs. She couldn’t wait until it was out. She’s been asking me to put that out forever, but we had to deal with the paperwork. Now, she finally gets to listen to it. Because I played it for her before, but I couldn’t really send it. [laughs]
AllHipHop: How was it opening for PARTYNEXTDOOR?
LAVI$H: I did DVSN first, then PARTYNEXTDOOR a couple weeks ago. That was my most nervous nervous show I’ve ever had. Right before I’m supposed to go on, I had no idea that Drake was there. I had no idea Baka was there. I thought it was just me, my friend Savannah Re, that’s it.
AllHipHop: I love Savannah!
LAVI$H: Right before I go on, they show me whoever’s on the bill. They show me that and this rainfall of anxiety poured onto me. I’m walking out on stage, I was shaking. I’m gripping the mic with my dear hands. But once I was out there, it was amazing. I have to do this, it doesn’t matter who’s here. This is my opportunity to shine, to show them under pressure. It was amazing. Super amazing.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself?
LAVI$H: Definitely, to become everything I’ve always ever dreamt of. I want to sell out Madison Square Garden one day. I want to perform alongside a lot of these artists that I look up to. I want to do an album with Adele, an album with Morgan Wallen. I want to do an album with Drake, a full body of work. I want to take care of my loved ones, I want everyone to be good. I want to be that for everybody else. I want to be the person they can come to. Whether it’s personal or financial, I’ll be there.
AllHipHop: What are you excited for coming up?
LAVI$H: I have a tour. I’m going on tour with Tamia in South Africa. Very, very soon. We’re going to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and somewhere else in front of 10K people. I’m super nervous, so wish me luck. While I’m there, I’m going back to Zambia to see my family. Back to Congo to see my other family, so that’s super exciting. I’m going to the UK. I have a Toronto show coming up, I’ll give you the details on that too. It’s a lot of exciting stuff.
AllHipHop: Last question, how’s your family reacting to all this?
LAVI$H: You know, not to say they weren’t supportive before. They’re always going to be supportive, parents are always going to support the kids. But now that this is the only thing I’m doing and it’s good music. [laughs] For one, it’s really good music. Before, I wasn’t making the best music. I’ll take that. But now it’s really really good music. They’re seeing me with these celebrities, in the spotlight. They love it, they’re very supportive of it. I get calls from kids 12 years old talking about “can I have some OVO gear? Can I meet Drake? Can I meet Sevyn Streeter?” [laughs] It’s amazing.
CFN Denero, a talented hip-hop artist from Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas, has overcome adversity to create music that is both raw and authentic. Born and raised in this neighborhood, he has experienced first-hand the struggles that come with growing up in a tough environment. However, his passion for music has always been a constant in his life, and after a three-year incarceration, he emerged with a renewed focus on his art.
CFN Denero is the founder of Came From Nothing Muzik Group, and he is poised to make his mark on the hip-hop world. His music is characterized by its honesty and authenticity, and he is quickly gaining recognition for his captivating sound. His lyrics are infused with personal experiences, and his unique style sets him apart from other artists in the industry.
Despite his setbacks, CFN Denero has remained determined to succeed. He is standing on business and focused on his music, using his experiences as inspiration for his work. He is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of hard work. With his raw talent and captivating style, CFN Denero is ready to claim his place in the world of hip-hop.
As he rises from the ashes of his past, CFN Denero is a shining example of what it means to overcome adversity and achieve success. His music is a testament to his strength, and his story is an inspiration to others who may be facing their own struggles. Watch out for CFN Denero as he takes the hip-hop world by storm.
Coi Leray claimed she would turn down an opportunity to work with Eminem unless she received the blessing of her father Benzino, who feuded with Slim Shady for years.
The Republic Records artist discussed her dad’s beef with Eminem on Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinionpodcast. Coi Leray was asked what she would do if Eminem asked her to collaborate, prompting her to reflect on the hypothetical scenario.
“I would sit down with my father, first of all, and bring it up to him,” she said. “I wouldn’t even ask. I’d be like, ‘Yo, listen. This is what happened. I’m not even expecting an answer. I just need to tell you right away.’”
Coi Leray continued, “Me and my father could never be speaking for f###### years. If that was to happen, I’d be like, ‘Hold on, let me just tell you this. Let me bring it to your attention.’ And hopefully, he’ll be like, ‘Yo, you know what? Do it.’”
The 26-year-old rapper called rap beef “corny” while admitting she wasn’t old enough to completely understand her father’s problems with Eminem. Coi Leray maintained she’s not an Eminem fan but praised 8 Mile and recalled liking a few of his songs.
Cam’ron mocked Scottie Pippen over a report about the former NBA champion’s ex-wife Larsa Pippen, who allegedly secured a cut of the basketball great’s retirement plan.
Killa Cam said Scottie Pippen gave the Dipset member O.J. Simpson vibes in an Instagram post on Wednesday (June 21). Cam’ron taunted the Basketball Hall of Famer in reaction to aRadar Online story, which revealed divorce settlement details. The report claimed Larsa Pippen received 50 percent of her ex-husband’s 401k from his playing career with the Chicago Bulls.
“Nah we gotta watch scotty he on a mission!!” Cam’ron wrote. “After having to give up half, he put on Black AF1’s?! (Tried to throw us off with the bubble gum bottom…nahhh homie) Spotted at the airport carousel? N###as better check that bag he getting. #Beware Scotty giving me #OJvibes.”
Cam’ron and Ma$e previously clowned Scottie Pippen on an episode of their sports talk show It Is What It Is. The rappers laughed at Scottie Pippen for discrediting Michael Jordan’s career after MJ’s son Marcus Jordan started dating Larsa Pippen.
“He aging bad off this s###!” Killa Cam said regarding Scottie Pippen. “His skin is starting to get craters and s###. This s### is f###### him up!”
Check out Cam’ron and Ma$e discussing Scottie Pippen below.
Ne-Yo was reportedly hit with a $3 million lien in back taxes from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to Radar Online, the singer and producer responsible for songs by Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé, Mario, New Kids on The Block, Pitbull and so many more, owes the government $3,166,811.68 for the year 2020. Though the hits are still coming in, Ne-Yo—whose estimated net worth is $9 million— simply can’t keep up with his finances.
This IRS lien is separate from the lien he and his ex-wife Crystal Smith received from Crowe Custom Countertops. The company claims the couple never paid them for work they commissioned on their Alpharetta, Georgia property and the $4,000 lien they received from the City of Atlanta.
For years, Ne-Yo has been openly voicing his financial woes, as noted by AfroTech. Last year he said he “lost approximately $400,000 in wages associated with public appearances, professional bookings and promotional efforts related to the promotion of his new musical project” because of unfavorable interviews with TMZ and television producer Carlos King.
His financial insecurity comes only a few years after the recording artist was able to get $6.4 million from his accountant and business manager, Kevin Foster. In 2019, Foster was found guilty of a slew of white-collar crimes including wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion by the Department of Justice. In addition to paying Ne-Yo, Foster also paid $151,675 to another singer, Brian McKnight.
LL COOL J and Ice-T have teamed up with A&E for a TV series highlighting Hip-Hop memorabilia. This week, A&E announced a new show titled Hip-Hop Treasures, which will premiere on August 12. The series features LL COOL J, Ice-T and others hunting for some of the most famous items in Hip-Hop.
Cipha Sounds, Yo-Yo, Pete Nice and Universal Hip-Hop Museum curator Paradise Gray join LL COOL J and Ice-T in the search for Hip-Hop memorabilia. The team tracks down a variety of notable items such as The Notorious B.I.G.’s jersey from his “Juicy” video, Flavor Flav’s clocks and DMX’s Aaliyah car.
Hip-Hop Treasures also explores the personal stories behind the memorabilia. DMC, Fat Joe, Master P, Soulja Boy and Naughty By Nature’s Treach are just a few of the artists who help provide the backstories in the upcoming series. The show includes the final on-camera appearance of Coolio, who passed away in 2022.
LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells partnered with A&E, Pulse Films and the Universal Hip-Hop Museum to create Hip-Hop Treasures. Many of the items shown in the series will be on display at the Universal Hip-Hop Museum, which is scheduled to open its permanent home in 2024.
Check out the trailer for Hip-Hop Treasures below.
Brooklyn rapper Troy Ave took to social media to celebrate the 35-year prison sentence handed to podcaster Daryl “Taxstone” Campbell yesterday (June 20).
Although he’s preparing to serve time in prison for his role in the Irving Plaza incident, it seems clear that Troy Ave views the outcome of the Taxstone trial as a victory.
So much so that Troy Ave is trolling Tax by selling merchandise emblazoned with the podcaster’s face superimposed over a basketball player wearing a jersey with the words “Prison City” over the number 35. In addition to the merch, Troy is also planning on dropping a brand new album Friday and is asking fans to name it for him.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtwpO_DOnk6/?hl=en
Taxstone’s three-decade prison sentence marks the end of a protracted trial stemming from a fatal shooting incident that occurred at a T.I. concert at Irving Plaza in 2016.
Seven years ago, a confrontation between Troy Ave and Taxstone escalated into a deadly shooting at the music venue, resulting in the death of Ronald McPhatter, Troy Ave’s bodyguard, and several others injured.
Both men were arrested following the incident, with Troy Ave facing charges of attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Troy Ave, however, maintained his innocence throughout, asserting self-defense and claiming that Taxstone was the shooter.
He later testified against Taxstone during the trial in exchange for a reduced sentence. After Taxstone’s conviction, Troy Ave released a diss track titled “Dear Hater, I Won (Taxstone Found Guilty).”
The song, a direct taunt at Taxstone, emphasized Troy Ave’s insistence that he acted in self-defense during the Irving Plaza incident. It also mocked Taxstone’s lack of street credibility, further fueling their long-standing feud.
The song also takes aim at fellow Brooklyn rapper Casanova, who is facing a significant prison sentence of his own.
The rap world is still mourning the death of Texas rapper Big Pokey. According to Fox 4 Beaumont, authorities are trying to figure out his cause of death but so far, they’ve come up empty.
As previously reported by AllHipHop, the Screwed Up Click OG artist died on Saturday (June 17) at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital at age 45. His death came shortly after he passed out at Pour 09 Bar during a performance. When he fell, a video shows someone rushing to his aid, although the clip sparked outrage among his fans.
An autopsy was performed, but the results yielded no definitive answers for the family or the state, with Justice of the Peace Tom Gillam III stating it showed no pathological cause of death.
As a result, Gillam says the results will be sent over to a lab in Dallas that will conduct a toxicology test that might not be available for the public in months.
Screwed Up Click was formed in the ’90s. The group’s debut album, Blockbleeders, was released in May 1999 via Straight Profit Records. Shortly after Big Pokey’s death, Bun B encouraged all of his fans to stream his music, including his latest album Sensei, which he released in 2021.
“Let’s get on all the streaming platforms and make this the number one album in the country today,” Bun B wrote. “Jump on @youtube @spotify @applemusic @tidal @pandora and anywhere else for the legend @sucbigpokey today. Let’s send his family a message that we loved him! Long Live Big Pokey!”
AllHipHop sends our condolences to Big Pokey’s loved ones.
Kenny Muney, the rising rapper associated with Paper Route Empire, recently sat down for an interview with AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur where he discussed various aspects of his life and career. From his new album Blue Muney to the legacy of Memphis artists and the influence of his mentor, Young Dolph, Kenny Muney shared his thoughts and aspirations. He also touched upon his approach to creativity, his experiences in the music industry, and his desire to make a positive impact on others.
In the interview, Kenny Muney expressed his excitement about his latest album, describing it as a culmination of all his past work. He emphasized that the album is more than just music—it’s a movie and a mood, showcasing his diverse styles and reflecting his growth as an artist.
The rapper’s admiration for Young Dolph was evident as he referred to him as his brother, mentor, and role model. Kenny Muney reminisced about growing up and being inspired by Dolph’s hustle and success. He acknowledged Dolph’s significant impact on his own artistic journey and praised his ability to motivate and uplift others. “He taught me a lot…he taught me to have fun,” Kenny says. “I’m having fun, I ain’t stressing right, I ain’t tripping, I ain’t like…I’m happy.”
As a Memphis native, Kenny Muney recognizes the rich legacy of artists from his city. He believes that Memphis has a unique sound and an independent spirit that sets it apart. He discussed how Memphis artists, including Dolph, have contributed to the city’s reputation and encouraged individuals to be themselves and strive for greatness.
Being a part of the Paper Route Empire, Kenny Muney discussed the current status of the label, expressing his enthusiasm for their ongoing success and their commitment to making great music. He also highlighted his close bond with fellow rapper Key Glock, describing him as a brother and a partner in music. The two artists recently embarked on a tour together, and Kenny expressed his excitement about connecting with fans and creating memorable experiences.
The conversation took a serious turn as Kenny Muney reflected on a past incident where he was shot. He spoke about the lessons he learned from that experience, emphasizing the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings and the presence of potential threats. Despite the incident, he remains focused and committed to making positive changes in his life and music.
Beyond his music career, Kenny Muney briefly touched upon his other interests and investments. However, he emphasized that his primary focus at the moment is giving his full effort to music and helping his younger brothers navigate the industry. He wants to set an example and demonstrate the possibilities that lie ahead.
The interview also shed light on Kenny Muney’s unique perspective on his role as an artist. He considers himself a preacher, someone who speaks what needs to be said and motivates others through his music. He believes that his music is like a sermon, encouraging listeners to gravitate towards his message and make positive changes in their lives.
When asked about his religious beliefs, Kenny Muney shared that he has his own personal relationship with God, apart from organized religion. He explained that he talks to God about staying healthy, helping others, and ensuring that those around him remain focused on their goals.
“I feel like you listen to me, you in church,” he say. “I ain’t gonna lie, I don’t read the Bible. I got my own relationship with God. I don’t get into that cause everybody to each his own but me personally I got my own relationship with God talk to him we do what we do.”
Kenny Muney is an interesting one. Check out this cool interview.
Microsoft is about to enter the Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) space. According to Music Business Worldwide, the company launching a new technology that plans to shift how people consume music. It’s also created software that raps with very little programming or input from humans.
Microsoft has an entire research division dedicated to A.I. called Muzic, which was established in 2019. Muzic is described asa “project on A.I. music that empowers music understanding and generation with deep learning and artificial intelligence.”
MSR Asia was actually set up in 1998 and “conducts basic and applied research in areas central to Microsoft’s long-term strategy and future computing vision”. Muzic researchers have come up with an A.I.-powered “rap generator” called DeepRapper.
A memo detailing the text-based model claims, “DeepRapper is the first [A.I.] system to generate rap with both rhymes and rhythms. Both objective and subjective evaluations demonstrate that DeepRapper generates creative and high-quality raps.”
It continues, “Previous works for rap generation focused on rhyming lyrics but ignored rhythmic beats, which are important for rap performance. In this paper, we develop DeepRapper, a Transformer-based rap generation system that can model both rhymes and rhythms.”
For now, there is “no available rap dataset with rhythmic beats” and so the division has developed “a data mining pipeline to collect a large scale rap dataset, which includes a large number of rap songs with aligned lyrics and rhythmic beats.”
Those Microsoft engineers and researchers, in the United States and overseas, are working in the A.I. space and looking at various subjects within the technology like A.I.-powered text-to-music generation, lyric generation, Lyric-to-Melody Generation and songwriting. Microsoft released the code for DeepRapper on GitHub, which can be found here.
