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Ian Dunlap Highlights The Importance Of Investing Long-Term, Talks Helping Charlamagne tha God & Joe Budden

By: Shirley Ju Updated Category: Breeding Ground
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When it comes to investing and financial wealth, Ian Dunlap has all the answers. Boasting 410K followers on Instagram alone, his bio reads “THE GREATEST INVESTOR OF THIS GENERATION”… and he has all the tools and knowledge to back up this statement. 

In describing himself, Ian Dunlap states he’s “a person that’s passionate about investing. I’m just trying to share my blueprint with others that I’ve learned over these last 15 years. Some people can win in this market while our economy is being shaken all over the world.”

Growing up, Dunlap looked up to his father who was an entrepreneur with his own construction company. Beyond that, he cites Allen Iverson, Tupac, Jay Z, and Nas as his biggest influences. While his field of work may be specific, he’s always seen himself at an intersection between the influences of Hip-Hop, plus what he’s learned in business and investing. 

Through his own personal experiences attending mundane conferences, Dunlap turned his podcast Market Mondays into a live show — even selling out Madison Square Garden last year in November with special guests Floyd Mayweather and Jadakiss. This is his equivalent to attending a rap concert, but leaving with information that would change your life forever.

AllHipHop spoke with Ian Dunlap about his roots, how he ended up in this space, starting Red Panda Company, who he’s helped in entertainment, relationship with Fatman Scoop, selling out Madison Square Garden, partnering with Steve Harvey, and more!

AllHipHop: Where are you from originally?

Ian Dunlap: I’m from East Chicago, five minutes from Gary, Indiana, 20 minutes from Chicago. So I was Midwest, born and raised.

AllHipHop: Oh wow, I know Gary is a little more rough. How was your upbringing?

Ian Dunlap: Super rough. Whatever image you have in your head of Gary is identical to my hometown. But that’s why it’s more important that these messages need to be spread. Because I truly believe from the 1960’s through now, if this information was shared in the inner cities, the crime rate would be cut in half. The murder rate will be cut in half, we wouldn’t have as many people in jail. It was a super rough upbringing.

AllHipHop: How did you get into this space?

Ian Dunlap: I had a friend Art who was working at JPMorgan during the last recession in 2008. I remember I was in Indianapolis, he called me. He said, “Hey, all my coworkers are selling all this stuff.” I’m like “Damn, this must be a bad recession coming if they’re selling everything.” He said, “No, they’re selling everything to raise more money so they can buy more stocks.” Of course, at this time I wasn’t investing. So I’m talking to my family about it, everyone’s like, “No, it’s too risky. I wouldn’t do it.” 

He told me five stocks to buy. He bought them himself, he called me three months later. He said, “Hey, it’s time to liquidate.” I’m like, “What the hell does liquidate mean?” He’s like, “Wait, you didn’t buy the stocks I told you to?” I said “No. I heard you, but my family told me it was risky.” My friend put in $115K in 2007. By 2008, he was up $950K. Two years later, he got up to 7 million. Retired from JPMorgan at 35 years old, and hasn’t worked in corporate since then. 

From that moment, I promised to never miss another recession. I was p#####, not gonna lie. But it goes to show: even if a friend tells you to do something, if we don’t have all the information or it’s not passed down from generation to generation, we may miss out on an opportunity because we weren’t equipped with the information we needed. From there, I started my investing journey to try and make up for lost time.

AllHipHop: Talk about starting Red Panda Academy, and what that stands for.

Ian Dunlap: Red is a little bit of symbolism. When the market is down, the charts are usually red. A bear market, that’s representative of a panda. Normally, when the market got really bad, that’s when everyone started to call me. I’ll be in different chatrooms and trading groups, that name just stuck. Because whenever we were having a bad day, people will call me. 

I wanted to share on social media first, giving insights on what I was doing, then it grew. People said “Hey, why don’t you begin to teach it?” I don’t want to teach, I’d rather give them the information directly. I started in 2014, it’s grown to 40K members now. It’s grown into something beyond my imagination, just by helping people first. That’s my number one rule, is to help first. Let people get the result, then figure out a way how to do business on the backend.

AllHipHop: Besides the friend at JPMorgan, did anyone help you?

Ian Dunlap: To be honest, no, because investing is very dark. It reminds me of entertainment in the sense that no one tells you their secrets. After I didn’t listen, I sat down with him 10 more times. He gave me a list of 30 books to buy. I began spending 8 to 9 hours a day, just trying to learn. Along the way, I met a few hedge fund managers who guided me after I began to have my formula. But no one was waiting with open arms to teach me. I had to call and figure stuff out. Bring it to them, let them monetize it, then they’d give me a couple of secrets in exchange.

AllHipHop: What books did you read?

Ian Dunlap: One of my favorites is called Money Master the Game by Tony Robbins. He didn’t write the book, but he interviewed all the top people in investing. It’d be the equivalent if I interviewed L.A. Ried, Puff, Suge [Knight], Lucian [Grainge] and compiled it into one book. He interviewed 35 of the best investors. That book has changed my life. That book has made me more money than any other book that I own, I own 350 books. That’s a really good one. 

Market Wizards is another good book, that’s a book on trading and how to take advantage of a market if it’s falling and how to get rich in a recession. That’s a really good book. The third one is really thick, but it’s called What works on Wall Street. It tells you everything you need to know about investing, from the 1400’s through now. It breaks down every single commodity, every scenario we can go through. It’s 700 pages, but it’s a really good read. It’s a cheat code on how to invest for the long-term. 

AllHipHop: Who are some of the biggest people in the music space have you helped? 

Ian Dunlap: Charlamagne tha God, shout out to my guy. He started with $100K grand, then he started Brilliant Idiots a couple months after. He was at $400K three months later. I’m working with some of the artists now, but they don’t want me to use their name yet. The #1 focus for all artists is whatever platform you’re uploading your music to, means you can have equity there, or at least invest in the stocks publicly. 

I’ve asked 200 artists: what’s the most important place that people listen to your music? Apple and Spotify. How many shares with Apple and Spotify do you have? None. You’re buying all the jewelry, I get it. I totally get it, because there’s a certain lifestyle that most artists want to push. But if we focus as a collective of owning these companies outright, we will have a lot more leverage. 

Joe Budden and I are really cool. When the Spotify deal went apart, if you guys would have got preferred shares from the very beginning, even when they dropped you, you would’ve made the same amount of money from shorting the stock. Shorting the stock is when you can take your ownership and borrow against it, and make money as it goes down. You could’ve made the same value $30, $40 million on the downside of the company calling apart as if they gave you a deal. 

When Rogan came on board, the first thing Rogan asked for was partial equity in a company and Class A shares. Even if they dissolve his contract early, they can either sell the shares off or make money as the stock was going down. It’s really important for artists to not only know as they’re selling their catalogs now and know about equity royalties, it’s really important for whatever platform that they are on that they all share at the same time. 

Take the situation with Thug, his whole team turned their back on him, after he looked out for everyone. If Thug could have put away $4, $5 million four years ago, he’ll still make $10 to $20 million every two years, just from investing long-term. That’s why this message is really important.

AllHipHop: What’s your relationship with Fatman Scoop?

Ian Dunlap: That’s my guy! Scoop is one of my best friends. We met a few years ago, and going back to that old principle of just helping. Just being a fan of him, his voice and seeing everything he’s doing. When we first started talking, I’m like “bro, let me help you.” He’s like, “What do you want?” I’m like, I just want to help you. Everyone in the music industry thinks that’s so weird. Even when I started working with Joe, I said “buy Bitcoin here. Buy Microsoft here.” He said “What do you want?” I just like your music and f### with you. He said “No, that’s not how it works in the industry.” 

I’m not in the industry, I’m just helping you guys as a fan. Scoop was the same way, but Scoop was more receptive. He started investing and started seeing it, we built a bond. He helped connect me to be able to get Floyd on the Madison Square show, which is a blessing. He’s opened a lot of doors for me, and I’ve opened some for him. That’s my guy, one of my best friends in the world.

AllHipHop: How was it doing his podcast? 

Ian Dunlap: Amazing, I told him we need to do more together. But you know, his travel schedule is… I ask him all the time, how the hell do you fly to Dubai, come back and go to London then back to the States. It’s a blast having a conversation with him, even watching him how he’s been able to master his voice and energy to rock a crowd. A lot of those things I’ve learned from watching his live shows as well.

AllHipHop: How did the idea of Market Monday’s come about? 

I was dancing around with the idea of doing a podcast. I had did an episode on their main podcast Earn Your Leisure. Episode went really well, we recorded January 2020. COVID hit, they put the episode out and it caught fire. We went on YouTube and did two shows. At one point, Rashad said “hey, I want to add some podcasts to what they were doing.” I said, the episode I did is doing really well. There was no one in the culture that people trust to talk about investing and money. Let’s work together.”

He said “great, it’s a perfect partnership. Episode already worked, the two Lives went great.” After that, we started doing the show every week. After five or six weeks, it started to catch traction. The most important thing is consistency, who referred you is key. Rashad and Troy, one of my friends has been cool with them for 10 years. She had to pitch them a few times because it was so touchy around investing stocks. At the time, they said “if this goes well, great. If it goes bad, it’ll go horrible.” But I’ve been doing this for 12 years now, I think it’d be a home run. Some say we’ve been making history the last couple of years.

AllHipHop: What’s been the highlight? I know you sold out Madison Square Garden, that’s epic!

Ian Dunlap: The crazy part is up until that show, I had never even been to Madison Square. For my first time selling it out, definitely a highlight. Having Mark Cuban on the show because I went to Indiana University, that was big for me. David Rubenstein, he’s a billionaire. Had four billionaires on the show so far, Mike Novogratz. Those are all huge moments. 

Of course, to be able to do Toronto, sell that out and do Ghana at the end of this year, is going to be absolutely amazing. But it doesn’t cover people on the show that have made $20 or $30 million on the lower end. Millions a year, all off of free information. That’s the part: for people to make money. Everyone always asked me, “when are you going to do a hedge fund?” And I am always tell them

Market Mondays is the hedge fund.  My idea was to make so many people money, that I can walk into JPMorgan or Deutsche Bank and build a partnership that way. It’s been going pretty well.

AllHipHop: Talk about Invest Fest US and Invest Fest Europe, you partnered with Steve Harvey?

Ian Dunlap: After the interview went well with Steve Harvey, went to Troy and Rashad like hey, maybe we can partner on something. Invest US, the first one had 5K. The second one had 15K, this year has 22K. This past year, we did the first UK version at Royal Albert Hall. Sold it out, that was incredible. This year, we’ll have around 7K or 8K people at that one. 

Our mission now is to take this message and spread it around the world, because the struggle is the same. If you’re part of the culture, we all have the same aspirations and dreams. But no one is there to really deliver the information. It’s been a great partnership, he’s opened his arms to us tremendously. I’m working right with his right-hand man to be on some of the TV stuff as well, that’s been a great partnership. Investfest US is getting bigger, bigger every year. Hopefully three or four years, we get to the point we’re doing 40K, 50K people in the stadium.

AllHipHop: You’re meeting with agents, what plans do you have next?

Ian Dunlap: [laughs] I’m in a little bit of a bidding war between two agencies, but I just signed to CAA. They want me to do two scripted shows, two non-scripted documentaries, a couple books. That’s exciting to see. They see the vision of what’s coming. As the market and economy continues to be in turmoil, we need better content around investing. Working on that soundtrack, working on this event now in Dubai, which would be the end of the year. That’s pretty exciting. I’ll walk through how to trade.

I don’t want to teach people how to trade. I want everyone to bring their laptops and we make money together, but I’m also going to set them up with people that can help them arrange and start businesses there. Knowing how to trade and win in the market is going to be really key over these next 4-5 years  especially with the global war that is occurring between China and the US. Of course, Market Mondays Live shows the rest of this year in London, Chicago, and Ghana for the rest of this year. We’ll probably take it to 12 cities next year as well.

AllHipHop: Anything else you wanna let us know?

Ian Dunlap: Invest long-term, it’s the only way to freedom. Of course, if I can do anything to help personally, text me anytime. I’m happy to guide you through that.

Izo Vilaj De Dye Banned From YouTube; Petition Wants Him Removed From Social Media

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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A Change.org petition called for social media platforms to ban Izo Vilaj de Dye, a Haitian gang leader and rapper.

Izo Vilaj de Dye’s online reach sparked outrage after he received a YouTube Creator Award for having 100,000 subscribers on the platform. Thousands signed the petition to protest the leader of the 5 Segonn/5 Segond gang, which carried out various kidnappings and other crimes in Haiti.

YouTube banned Izo Vilaj de Dye on Thursday (April 13). The company said the Silver Play Button award given to the gangster wasn’t “an endorsement of creators or their conduct off our platform.”

“We terminated the channel in question for violating our Community Guidelines, which prohibit content inciting others to commit violence,” YouTube spokesperson Jack Malon told the Miami Herald.

More than 21,000 people signed the petition to ban Izo Vilaj de Dye from social media as of Friday (April 14). The campaign specifically called out Instagram and TikTok.

“Such a vicious character responsible for some of the most brutal crimes in Haiti right now deserves no praise, no recognition, and no platform to propagate his influence,” the petition read. “It is worrisome and sickening that despite his atrocious crimes, he is seemingly ‘romanticized’ and roaming free without a care in the world. This is truly unacceptable. For the amount of violence and insecurity he is responsible for in Haiti, we cannot in good faith allow this individual to continue spreading his influence. He should be recognized globally for what he truly is and be banned across all platforms. Let’s shut this man down once and for all.”

View the petition here.

Drake Puts His Foot Down Over AI Cover Of Ice Spice’s “Munch” In His Voice

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Drake joined the growing list of people concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence in music.

The OVO star reacted to an AI-generated song using his voice to cover Ice Spice’s “Munch” single in an Instagram Stories post. Drake commented on the AI-generated music following a Financial Times report, which detailed Universal Music Group’s efforts to block AI companies from accessing its copyrighted work.

“This is the final straw AI,” Drake wrote.

UMG urged Apple Music, Spotify and other streamers to act in response to the proliferation of AI-generated music. AI companies used copyrighted songs to train bots, allowing users to create tracks such as the faux Drake cover of “Munch.”

“We have become aware that certain AI systems might have been trained on copyrighted content without obtaining the required consents from, or paying compensation to, the rightsholders who own or produce the content,” UMG told streaming services in an email obtained by Financial Times.

UMG confirmed it contacted streaming services to combat AI’s usage of its copyrighted material.

“We have a moral and commercial responsibility to our artists to work to prevent the unauthorized use of their music and to stop platforms from ingesting content that violates the rights of artists and other creators,” a UMG spokesperson said. “We expect our platform partners will want to prevent their services from being used in ways that harm artists.”

Listen to what AI did with Drake’s voice below.

Lil Durk Announces New Endowment And $50K Scholarship At Howard University

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Chicago rapper Lil Durk just announced the Durk Banks Endowment Fund with Rotation, Neighborhood Heroes, and Amazon Music at Howard University.

According to a press release, the group will bless two exceptional students from his hometown enrolled at Howard University with $50,000 scholarships. The stipulation of the scholarship notes that the recipients must have had a substantial financial need to qualify and be focused on maintaining their pursuit of excellence.

The two students were selected from 20 students (10 males and 10 females) participating in the Neighborhood Heroes’ HBCU College & Career Readiness Cohort. These young people are all matched with mentors at the popular historically Black university.

The students were selected to meet with the faculty and other community stakeholders in conjunction with CHAMPS Mentoring and Phalanx Family Services.

Currently, at Howard U, teachers that might be mentors are the likes of Stacey Abrams (politician), Nikole Hannah Jones (1619 Project), Ta-Nehisi Coates (author), and Phylicia Rashad (actor).

In addition to the scholarships, that were announced during Lil Durk’s performance at this year’s HU Springfest, there will be a sizeable donation to Howard’s GRACE Grant. The partnership lands the grant a healthy $250,000 donation.

“I feel it’s my responsibility to reach back to the kids—especially those that are growing up in my community,” said Lil Durk.

Adding, “These kids have to be our biggest investment as they’re our future leaders. They are destined for greatness and I’m encouraging others to join my team’s efforts to help pave their way.”

Cynthia Evers, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs at Howard University, said the school is “incredibly grateful” to receive support from Lil Durk, Neighborhood Heroes Foundation, and Amazon Music.

She said, “Not only did they lend their support to the premier event run by and for Howard University students, but they also left a lasting impression by offering a gift that will continue to benefit Howard students for a long time to come.”

The educator said acts like this from people with resources and vision, “will benefit Howard students facing the biggest hurdles to financing their education.”

Melle Mel Credits Coi Leray’s “Players” Success To Enduring Appeal Of “The Message”

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Melle Mel weighed in on Coi Leray’s song “Players” at TuneCore’s 50 Years of Hip-Hop event in New York.

The Hip-Hop pioneer told PEOPLE the hit single thrived thanks to its sample of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s classic track “The Message.” Melle Mel cited Coi Leray’s “Players” as more proof of the lasting impact of his group’s music.

“That’s a perfect example of what I’ve been saying for years,” Melle Mel said. “A real hit record never goes bad.”

He continued, “’Oh yeah, well you did it back in the day.’ Everybody that did the record had a hit with it. Then years from now, five years from now, somebody else gonna do the record and that’s gonna be a hit record. Because it was a real hit record from the beginning. So there it is.”

Coi Leray’s “Players” peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April. She received a co-sign from Grandmaster Flash when she dropped the track in November 2022.

“When I got a call saying this girl wanted to resurrect the beat of a song from my past – I wanted to learn more,” Grandmaster Flash wrote on Instagram. “Then when I spoke with & met Coi Leray, I TOTALLY got it.”

Listen to Coi Leray’s “Players” below.

Snoop Dogg Disses Biggie In Old Song Recently Unearthed

By: illseed Updated Category: Rumors
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Snoop Dogg was immersed in one of the darkest periods in Hip-Hop. The “East/West” beef that ended in the death of Biggie and Tupac. Snoop and Death Row was pretty toxic at that period. Bad Boy was not totally innocent, but they weren’t throwing gas on the fire either. Eventually, Snoop fell back from all that mess, especially when Pac came with the gas can and the lighter. But, Snoop recently raised some eyebrows when he said he was friends with Biggie and them and stayed completely away from the beef.

In an interview with Big Boy for the “Untold Stories,” he said of a convo with Pac: “I like them n###as (Puffy and Biggie), I wanna do some music with ’em. And that just rubbed cuz (Tupac) the wrong way, like, ‘N###a, f### them n###as, them n###as tried to kill me. N###as shot at you, and you talking about you wanna do a song with them n###as?’”

Well. This old song has come back thanks to social media.

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Snoop probably does not even remember this song from way back, darn near 30 years! Here is the original version of “Keep It Real Dogg.”

Did Jamie Foxx Have A Stroke?

By: Houston Williams Updated Category: Rumors
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There is a lot of worry around the health of actor Jamie Foxx. Earlier in the week, his family sent out a message, saying that the beloved superstar had suffered a “medical complication.” What that was nobody knew, but the vague language scared us. It was evident that it was extremely serious from the onset. At no point did it seem like he was going to die but it was very serious.

Now our “sources” (anonymous sources) are getting closer to what may have happened. Although this is just a rumor, our sources tell us that the entertainer may have had a stroke. That’s right, Jamie Foxx looks like he may have had a stroke. I would imagine if it was a stroke, it was a minor one. Dude looks like he is the epitome of in shape, so this could be wrong. Or course, looks do not mean much when we are discussing what is going on inside of the body. Apparently, he is now joking with doctors and family members that are nearby. So he is getting better quickly.

Hopefully he gets better soon because we do not need any more deaths this year. We, in fact, don’t need any more death at all! Right now there is no word on when he will be out of hospitalization. Nor is there any indication of when he will be filming a movie called “Back In Action.”

Prayers up, Jamie! Get better!

Cam’ron And Mase Call Cap On Onyx Saying Michael Jordan Shaved His Head Bald Because Of Them

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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On the most recent episode of “It Is What It Is,” Cam’ron and Mase’s#### sports show, they addressed Fredro Starr alleging that Michael Jordan, one of the best basketball players of all times, shaved his head balled because of their iconic 90s look.

According to Deadspin, the Queens rapper said during an interview in March, “Michael Jordan cut his hair because of us. Michael Jordan cut his hair bald because of Onyx.”

The Children of the Corn could not let that one slide.

Cam and Mase tried to explain who Onyx was to Stat Baby, the female co-host who helps keep the topics flowing.

Cam said they were “really popping when me and Murda were in high school and they cut their hair bald.”

Mase asked, “Did you cut your hair balled because of them?

The Dipset founder said, “I cut my hair because of the Fab Five.”

The former Bad Boy admitted he cut his hair because of the Def Jam group, but then said he switched it up when the Fab Five came out.

Deadspin actually pointed out that Jordan began shaving his head in the late 80s because he started losing his hair.

Check him out in the 89-90 season with a baldy.

Onyx’s big songs, “Slam” and “Throw Ya Gunz,” came years later in 1993.

Cam eventually addressed Sticky Fingers, Fredro Starr, and Sonny Seeza directly. He said they might have influenced him and Mase in high school, but “they super out of pocket [to say they influenced] Michael Jordan.”

Meagan Good Shoots NLE Choppa Down, Says He Is Too Young For Her To Date

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Recently on “The Jason Lee Show,” rapper NLE Choppa shared how he had been waiting on Meagan Good to be single to shoot his shot.

However, Good believes the young man is cute, but a little too young for her taste.

The bell-dinging rapper told Lee that he would smash the “Eve’s Bayou” beauty in a heartbeat. Though only 20 years old, he didn’t let that stop him from expressing his deep longing for Good.

On the episode, Lee tried to play matchmaker and called the recently divorced actress to see if she was with it.

“I want to take on a dinner,” the rapper said. “I wanna get like some roses. I wanted to do like real s##t I never did before.”

He said he would be whatever she needed to be … even a preacher, referencing her ex-husband.

When Meagan answered the phone, she kindly greeted him with a “Hi.”

As NLE started putting on his sugar voice with the “Harlem” star, she hung up.

TMZ linked up with Good and asked what she really thought about being crushed on so hard by the Memphis chart-topper.

According to Good, her mother called on the other line and she accidentally got disconnected. She said she tried to make it up by calling him back. The two talked.

She said he was nice, but he is 21 years younger than she. That match, in her mind, is simply not made in heaven.

Watch Tom Hanks’ Wife Rita Wilson Expertly Rap

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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As the world celebrates Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary, AllHipHop.com wants to know what everyone’s favorite Hip-Hop moment is.

Our team linked up with Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks’ wife, on the red carpet and she let us know she is a die-hard Naughty by Nature fan. In fact, she spit a verse from their 1993 chart-topping hit, “Hip Hop Hooray.”

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After the gang posted it on the AllHipHop.com Instagram page, Vinnie “Vin Rock” Brown hopped in the comments and said, “❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ We love you Sista Rita!!!!! 💯💯💯💯.”

Other fans chimed in and said, “Chet gets it honestly 🤷🏽‍♀️” or “That explains Chet.”

More people gave up the props on how easily she rapped Vin Rock and Treach’s rhymes, in a unique way making it her own.

V Dot Scott celebrated by saying, “Come thru wit the barsssss Big Rita😂😂😂.”

Tap 919 had to confess, “Not a easy rhyme either 🔥🔥🔥.”

This not the first time that Wilson paid tribute to the East Orange Grammy Award winners, who made history in 1996 as the first rap group to win the honor of “Best Rap Album.”

AllHipHop.com reported in 2020, she linked with the guys to do a remix of Hip Hop Hooray for charity. The proceeds benefited the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund to aid artists affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The guys rocked with Wilson because she was a true fan and did a playful rendition of it while recovering from COVID-19 herself.

She was familiar with the song because she performed it in the 2019 movie “Boy Genius,” and used it as a brain exercise to make sure she was sharp while battling the virus.

Later they collaborated.

Wilson, a world-class actress, compared the lyrics to one of the world’s most respected pens… Shakespeare.

She tweeted, “Hip Hop Hooray is like modern day Shakespeare. I originally learned the song for one of the most fun roles I ever played in the film Boy Genius. It took me a month to learn because it’s so complex and nuanced; it was like training for a marathon.”

As the year goes on, AllHipHop.com will continue to share Hip-Hop moments from some of your favorite stars.

Disney+ Releases ‘Crater’ Movie Trailer Featuring Kid Cudi

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Disney+ has released the official trailer for the upcoming science fiction motion picture Crater. Hip Hop artist Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi is part of the movie’s cast.

Crater stars Isaiah Russell-Bailey (Family Reunion) as Caleb Channing. Kid Cudi plays Caleb’s father in the coming-of-age story. Kyle Patrick Alvarez (C.O.G.) directed the adventure film.

After being raised in a lunar mining colony, Caleb Channing will have to permanently relocate to a faraway planet. Before leaving, he and his three best friends hijack a rover for one final journey to explore a mysterious crater.

In addition to Isaiah Russell-Bailey and Kid Cudi, Crater also features Mckenna Grace, Billy Barratt, Orson Hongm, and Thomas Boyce. Principal photography began in 2021 at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Crater premieres on Disney+ on May 12, 2023.

Kid Cudi continues to add titles to his growing IMDb page. His first major acting role came as Domingo Dean on HBO’s How to Make It in America. The dramedy television series ran for two seasons between 2010 and 2011.

Additionally, Kid Cudi secured gigs on other TV shows such as Creepshow, Westworld, and We Are Who We Are. He also created the adult animated television special, Entergalactic, which debuted on Netflix in September 2022.

Cudi also has numerous movie appearances on his entertainment résumé. He made his feature film debut as Sergeant Benny “Maverick” Jackson in 2014’s Need for Speed. Moviegoers saw the Cleveland native in other flicks such as Bill & Ted Face the Music, Don’t Look Up, and House Party.

As a musician, Kid Cudi released several studio albums such as 2009’s Man on the Moon: The End of Day, 2010’s Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, and 2020’s Man on the Moon III: The Chosen. He also teamed up with Kanye West to create the Kids See Ghosts collaborative project in 2018.

Lola Brooke Talks Dating In The Music Industry On Latto’s ‘777 Radio’

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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The latest edition of Latto’s 777 Radio on Apple Music 1 features an interview with rising recording artist Lola Brooke.

During the conversation, Latto asked Lola Brooke about possibly dating someone in the music industry. The “Don’t Play with It” hitmaker seemed open to the idea of being in a relationship with another entertainer.

“If the vibe is right and my feelings are secure, yeah,” answered Brooke. When questioned about maybe preferring a “nine to five” partner, she replied, “I don’t mind doing that but when I really think about reality, it’ll be like, ‘Will he start fighting with my accomplishments? Will he be insecure?'”

Over the last two years, Lola Brooke rose to become one of the hottest new acts in Hip Hop. “Don’t Play with It” originally came out in May 2021. The single featuring Billy B climbed to No. 1 at urban radio in the last two weeks.

Brooke also tapped Latto and Yung Miami of City Girls for a remix version of “Don’t Play with It” which landed on March 24. The all-woman collaboration’s official music video has crossed the 4 million view mark on YouTube.

In addition, New York City fashion staple Timberland selected Lola Brooke to be the face of the brand’s 50th anniversary of the Original Timberland Boot campaign. The Bedford–Stuyvesant envoy also opened for fellow New Yorker A Boogie wit da Hoodie for his “Me Vs Myself” international tour.

“Brooklyn is the best because no matter where you go in the world, if you’re from the Bronx or Queens or whatever, you’re going to say, ‘I’m from New York.’ But a Brooklyn person is going to say, ‘I’m from Brooklyn,'” Lola Brooke explained to Latto.

The Arista signee continued, “We’re not going to say we’re from New York, we’re going to say we’re from Brooklyn. That’s just how it is. I don’t know. Shout out to the greats: Jay-Z and Biggie.” 

NLE Choppa Drops ‘Cottonwood 2’ Featuring Lil Wayne, Rick Ross & More

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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NLE Choppa let loose his sophomore studio LP, Cottonwood 2, today (April 14) via NLE Entertainment/Warner Records. The 22-track effort hosts several high-profile guest features.

For his latest body of work, NLE Choppa recruited 2Rare, Lil Wayne, Lola Brooke, Modesty, Fivio Foreign, Kevin Gates, Duke Deuce, Polo G, G Herbo, Queen Naija, and Rick Ross.

A music video for “Ain’t Gonna Answer” with Lil Wayne arrived on March 23. The Zaeim-directed visuals have amassed more than 2.3 million views on YouTube since its premiere last month.

The Cottonwood 2 album also hosts NLE Choppa’s viral hit “S### Me Out.” The sexually explicit single currently sits at No. 7 on the Spotify Weekly Top Songs USA chart and No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“S### Me Out” got a streaming boost after a remix version of the song featuring Sexyy Redd landed on DSPs last week. The NSFW music video co-starring Sexyy Redd already totaled 1.5 million views in seven days.

NLE Choppa’s Cottonwood 2 is the sequel to the Cottonwood EP from 2019. The 20-year-old Memphis native’s discography also contains the Top Shotta studio LP as well as the From Dark to Light and Me vs. Me mixtapes.

Doja Cat, Beyoncé & More Make 2023 Time100 List

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Time magazine revealed its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Grammy-winning musicians Beyoncé and Doja Cat are among the one hundred selections for 2023.

Doja Cat appears on one of the Time100 covers. Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, The White Lotus actress Jennifer Coolidge, and Creed III actor/director Michael B. Jordan also fronted editions of the Time100 issue.

“I’ve worked with all kinds of artists, but with a certain few you connect on a deeper level. For me, Doja Cat is one of those artists. She’s at the top because she works to bring everything she does to the highest possible level,” wrote Elvis director Baz Luhrmann for Time.

Doja Cat contributed the “Vegas” single to Elvis (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). “Vegas” peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track earned a Best Rap Performance nomination at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

R&B/Pop megastar Beyoncé made it onto the Time100 list as well. Time placed the former lead singer of Destiny’s Child in the Titans section along with other selectees such as Angela Bassett, Lionel Messi, Patrick Mahomes, and Elon Musk.

“After being approached to work on her 2022 album Renaissance, I realized very quickly that I was contributing to yet another historic moment—not only for dance music, but also as a celebration of the foundations of Black music,” penned deejay/producer Honey Dijon about Beyoncé.

Beyoncé’s Renaissance debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 332,000 first-week units. The Parkwood Entertainment founder’s seventh studio LP won four trophies, including Best Dance/Electronic Music Album, at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

In addition to Doja Cat and Beyoncé, the 2023 Time100 also features articles about Zoe Saldaña, Steve Lacy, Brittney Griner, Bella Hadid, MrBeast, Hakeem Jeffries, Jerrod Carmichael, and more. The 17th annual TIME100 Gala will take place on April 26, 2023.

Mannie Fresh Music Catalog Acquired By Reservoir Media

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Reservoir Media has announced it has acquired Mannie Fresh’s catalog in a deal that includes both publishing and recorded music rights.  

According to various outlets, the New York-based independent music rights company announced the acquisition of the multi-Platinum, Grammy-nominated hip-hop producer’s works without disclosing the financial details. 

Mannie Fresh is well known for his hits with Cash Money Records, including Juvenile’s 1998 hit “Back That Azz Up.” Bryan “Baby” Williams made his fellow New Orleans native the label’s only in-house producer when he co-founded the company in 1991.  

His production credits include multiple tracks from Cash Money, including multi-platinum hits from the likes of Lil Wayne and T.I., among others. He also produced projects for Hot Boys, made up for Lil Wayne, Juvenile, B.G., and Turk.  

Confirming the deal Mannie Fresh said: “It’s great to be joining up with Faith Newman and the entire Reservoir team. I’m grateful for their support, and I know they’ll take care of my music.”  

Meanwhile, Mannie Fresh still knows how to keep a crowd lit. He took to Instagram this week to share a highlight reel from his DJ set at the 2nd annual 100 Black Men Sneaker Ball. Check out the video below, backed by Juvenile’s Mannie Fresh-assisted 1998 song, “Welcome 2 tha Noila.” 

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A post shared by Mannie Figgie Fresh (@manniefresh)

50 Cent Says He’s Lived A Billionaire Lifestyle Since 2007

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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50 Cent has opened up on his financial status, saying although he’s not technically a billionaire, what he lacks in net worth, he makes up for in mentality.

According to the G-Unit mogul, there’s little separation between him and 7-figure tycoons because his vast empire means he has the wealth to buy whatever he wants. Furthermore, as he explained during an appearance on The Enthusiast Podcast, he feeds countless families and pays a constant stream of employees.  

“So when they financially say, ‘Oh you’re a billionaire, this person is a billionaire’, it’s like, ‘I’ve been a billionaire since 2007. I’m that far from where I came from that I’ve been a billionaire financially because everybody around me is being paid,” 50 Cent explained. “Resources that I compensate for people to be there and I really don’t see things that I want that I can’t go get it.”  

He continued: “You got givers and takers, right? People they’ll come and you’ll feel them looking at you like, ‘I’m excited because he’s such and such…,’ or, ‘I wanna meet him because I wanna talk to him and maybe this will happen for me,’ or, ‘Maybe he’ll finance my idea’, right? Those people are takers ’cause you see them once. Then you have the guy that hears you talking about an idea and says, ‘Yeah that’s a good idea, let’s do it man.’ That’s a giver because finance means nothing to ’em.”

Check out the clip below and watch the interview at the end of the page.

50 Cent Talks Billionaries

Despite declaring bankruptcy back in 2015, Fiddy has built a vast empire outside of his success in music. 50 Cent may not keep up with Hip-Hop’s sole billionaire Jay-Z but he is making bank with his television empire and various alcohol brands.

Last year 50 Cent further bolstered his media presence after ditching Starz, where he produced BMF and several Power spinoffs. He signed a new non-exclusive broadcast deal with Fox last year to produce shows with Fif’s G-Unit Film & Television.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, 50 Cent announced he is working with Nicki Minaj on a new animated series. Read about it here. 

Doja Cat Flexes Rapping Skills On ‘Kill Bill’ Remix With SZA

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Doja Cat is making a statement on the remix to SZA’s#### song “Kill Bill.”

Last weekend, the L.A. native claimed she is quitting pop music to focus on honing her rapping talents. However, she backtracked just a few days later. In a series of tweets, Doja trolled fans with song names and announced her upcoming project would be “a french conceptual experimental country/bohemian fusion with the essence of blue-grass.”

Nonetheless, on Thursday (Apr. 13), Doja Cat jumped on Twitter to tease her surprise song with SZA, and she’s rapping on it. “sis… I did something bad,” she penned. Her “Kiss Me More” collaborator replied, “Jesus.. what is it.”

Doja’s response assured fans something was on the way: “9pm / 4.13.23,” Doja tweeted.  

https://twitter.com/DojaCat/status/1646656381460828160?s=20

The Grammy Award-winning duo remained silent until the track dropped, taking to Instagram to thank each other for the collab.  

Doja Cat continues the “Kill Bill” song’s murderous storyline, rapping about killing her ex’s new girl in the opening verse. Check out Doja Cat and SZA on the “Kill Bill” remix at the end of the page.  

Earlier this week, Doja Cat took to Twitter to share a few details about her upcoming album.  

“no more pop,” she tweeted, admitting, “pop isnt exciting to me anymore. I dont wanna make it.”

The L.A. native added she’s “definitely a rapper,” and revealed that she wants to showcase her rapping chops.    

“i also agree with everyone who said the majority of my rap verses are mid and corny,” she said in response to criticism of her Hip-Hop credentials, adding, “I know they are. I wasnt trying to prove anything I just enjoy making music but I’m getting tired of hearing yall say that i can’t so I will.”

The ‘Kill Bill” remix is the first time Doja Cat and SZA have linked on a track. Their 2021 single, “Kiss Me More,” won the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys the following year.

Nicki Minaj New Record Label ‘Heavy On It’ Drops ‘Princess Diana’ Remix With Ice Spice

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Nicki Minaj has teamed up with Ice Spice on the remix to the hit song “Princess Diana,” which marks the first official release on the Queens icon’s new record label, Heavy On It. 

She warned not to play with her this year, and Nicki Minaj is living up to her word just a quarter of the way through. After dropping her hit “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” Nicki linked with NBA Youngboy on “WTF” and Kim Petras on “Alone,” due next week. She also recently announced she will voice and executive produce the new 50 Cent backed animated series, Lady Danger.   

Last month the “Do We Have A Problem” hitmaker made a bang on her comeback to Queen Radio when she announced the label, but details remained scant. However, she returned to her radio show on Thursday evening (Apr. 13), to reveal the name of her new venture, Heavy On It Records. 

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Nicki Minaj announced she had linked up with rising star Ice Spice on the “Princess Diana” remix. Furthermore, eagle-eyed fans spotted the track is released under Nicki’s new imprint.  

Instagram: Nicki Minaj

The double whammy announcement sent fans into a frenzy, and without hours, Nicki Minaj occupied Twitter’s top three tending spots in the U.S. 

The song also rocketed to the top of the iTunes chart, extending her run as the rapper with the most No. 1s on the platform. 

Nicki Minaj And Ice Spice Tease ‘Princess Diana’ Remix Visuals

A new video will arrive today (Apr. 13), and the ladies teased a few images from the visuals. Check them out below and stream the song at the end of the page.  

Back in January, Ice Spice reflected on her first meeting with Nicki Minaj, citing her a big influence.  

“When I saw Nicki, I was so mesmerized,” she recalled during an interview with XXL. “She’s the first female rapper that I [saw]. And ever since then, I was kinda set on what I wanted to be.” 

Then last month, Nicki shared the Bronx rapper’s Paper magazine cover, crowning her “The People’s Princess.”  

Kelly Monrow: Feel the Power of Uplifting Music with “Rise Up.”

By: Staff Writer Updated Category: Music News
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Kelly Monrow is an accomplished Americana rock-infused pop-country singer who has established a reputation as a talented and charismatic performer. Kelly has always had a deep love for music. After relocating from Texas to the culturally diverse cities of New York and Nashville, her appreciation blossomed even more during the pandemic – leading her on an unexpected journey to discovering her musical muse.

Her musical style is influenced by various artists, including Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Prince, Rolling Stones, Bono U2, Biggie Smalls, and Shania Twain. Each of these musicians has played a significant role in inspiring Kelly’s start in music, and their impact can be heard in her sound.

One of the most impressive aspects of Kelly’s musical talent is her songwriting process. Whether she writes on the spot or works on a melody over a week, Kelly is known for creating stunning, emotional compositions that resonate with listeners. Her ability to tap into her feelings and experiences and translate them into memorable lyrics is a testament to her songwriting skill.

When it comes to recording, she approaches the process with a seasoned professionalism that is rare in today’s music industry. Working with an expert team of musicians and producers, she jumps into the studio and lays down each instrument one layer at a time, building each song piece by piece. This methodical approach ensures that every element of the recording process is perfected, resulting in an excellent final product that showcases this artist`s outstanding musical talents.

In 2022, the music world was blessed with an exceptional album titled “Scars of Venus.” The album boasted 12 tracks that seamlessly blended classic rock, pop, and country genres, creating a refreshing and electrifying musical experience for listeners.

Her latest drop in 2023, “Rise Up,” is driven by a captivating melody seamlessly woven together by the strumming of the guitar chords, a thumping bass drum, and the subtle addition of keyboards. The engrossing beat sets the stage for Kelly’s exquisite vocals, delivered with emotion and conviction.
Adding an extra layer of intensity to the song, “Rise Up” features notable rapper Young Buck, whose impactful verses complement Kelly’s soulful singing. Their combination has resulted in a lyrical, uplifting, and inspiring masterpiece.

As the title suggests, “Rise Up” is a song about overcoming obstacles and persevering through tough times. Kelly’s impeccable songwriting skills and stirring delivery of the lyrics make the song relatable and relevant to anyone who has ever faced adversity.

Photo Credit @taylorbphoto

Bands” By Drei ft. Rick Ross: The Latest Addition to the European Artist’s Hip-Hop Success

By: Staff Writer Updated Category: Music News
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The European-born artist, Drei, has recently released his latest single, “Bands,” featuring Rick Ross, under the Renegade Territory music label on March 29th, 2023. This new addition to his catalog has already gained millions of views and continues to add to his growing success.

Aside from music, Drei and Rick Ross have discussed potential business ventures, including hotel and real estate development in Tulum, Mexico. The music video for “Bands” was directed by Richard Stan and showcases Drei’s unique style and voice that has made him stand out in the industry.

Drei’s distinct sound and physical appearance, combined with his European background and American base in Los Angeles, has created a powerful presence in the hip-hop scene. He is the first European artist to genuinely integrate into hip-hop and has collaborated with A-list artists such as Vory, The Game, DMX, Sean Paul, and Rich the Kid. Fans can expect more exciting collaborations with other hip-hop and Latin artists in his upcoming releases.