Future is stepping into the world of ballet with a daring reinterpretation of his acclaimed album DS2, teaming up with Grand Marnier and Emmy-winning choreographer Ebony Williams for a one-night-only performance titled DS2 Remixed: The Ballet on September 19 in Brooklyn.
The show will take place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), a 166-year-old institution known for blending classical arts with contemporary expression.
The performance will transform Future’s 2015 mixtape and his first #1 album into a full-scale ballet, featuring an all-Black cast of professional dancers and a custom wardrobe by designer LaQuan Smith.
“DS2 changed the game for me,” Future said. “A decade later and you still feel that energy everywhere. To see a mixtape I made turned into a ballet with Grand Marnier, right here in NYC? That’s different. That’s legendary.”
Williams, who made history as the first Black American woman to dance with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and appeared in Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” video, will direct the choreography.
Her background in both concert dance and pop culture makes her uniquely suited to bridge the gap between Hip-Hop and ballet.
The performance marks a continued collaboration between Future and Grand Marnier, which chose BAM for its history of supporting Black artistry and its evolution from classical performance to contemporary experimentation.
“This is the kind of bold work that truly excites us because it creates an organic opportunity for authentic engagement, audience cultivation, and to grow our ever-evolving community,” said Mari Ogino, BAM’s Director of Corporate Strategy. “We’re proud to partner with Grand Marnier on this landmark performance that so beautifully fuses innovation with representation.”
Sonia Lessuck Pirolo, Category Marketing Director for Cognacs and Champagnes at Campari America, said the event reflects the brand’s philosophy.
“Just as DS2 broke the mold of conventional rap a decade ago, Grand Marnier has always existed at the intersection of tradition and disruption,” Pirolo said. “This performance does exactly that with two seemingly disparate art forms, creating a cultural moment that honors the heritage of both while fearlessly pushing creative boundaries.”
DS2 Remixed: The Ballet will debut at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House on September 19.
Proof is back in the digital spotlight as his long-unavailable catalog finally hits streaming platforms and YouTube, just ahead of his posthumous appearance on the soundtrack for Eminem’s upcoming documentary, Stans.
In an Instagram update shared by a family member known as “The Talented Mr. Hicks,” it was confirmed that Proof’s widow, Sharonda, and their children have officially taken control of the late rapper’s estate.
“MESSAGE! Not to be redundant but I have so many people call, text or email me in concern about the Big Proof music/estate,” he wrote. “UPDATE: in this last year FINALLY Proof’s wife (my sister Sharonda) & his children @proofofd12 have control of his estate so now enjoy his only official album ‘Searching for Jerry Garcia’ his complications ‘I Miss the Hip Hop Shop,’ ‘Grown Man S###’ on streaming sites + YouTube across the world.”
The announcement also revealed that two unreleased Proof tracks will be featured on the Stans documentary soundtrack, which is scheduled for release on Tuesday (August 26).
Proof, born DeShaun Holton, was a founding member of D12 and one of Eminem’s closest collaborators and childhood friends. He was fatally shot outside the CCC Club in Detroit on April 11, 2006, at age 32. His only official solo album, Searching for Jerry Garcia, dropped in 2005 under his Iron Fist Records imprint.
Supporters can now stream his music globally and purchase merchandise directly from www.bigproof.com and ironfistrecords.com, with proceeds going to his family. “Knowing it’s going to his family to which he love and cherished the most,” Hicks added.
Stans offers an in-depth look at the unique relationship between Eminem and his most passionate fans, known as “stans.” Rather than focusing solely on Eminem’s storied career, the film primarily uses the experiences and heartfelt perspectives of superfans to explore how the rapper’s music has shaped individual lives and fostered a vibrant, global community.
Viewers meet dedicated followers who have gone to great lengths—attending live shows worldwide and even tattooing Eminem’s likeness—to demonstrate their admiration. The documentary delves into the psychology behind fandom and the formation of parasocial relationships, portraying these intense connections as sources of both identity and support.
Director Steven Leckart chooses to celebrate healthy elements of fandom by chronicling Eminem’s rise through fan experiences, instead of dwelling on the dangers of obsession. While “Stans” narrowly focuses on the positive aspects and avoids deep critique, it compellingly examines the influence of Eminem’s artistry, highlighting the emotional resonance he shares with listeners and the complex boundaries between celebrity and supporters
Snoop Dogg endorsed his wife’s strip club and male revue nights with full enthusiasm during a recent podcast appearance, revealing he’s not only on board but also a regular who likes to “throw money in the air.”
The Hip-Hop icon, 53, opened up on the It’s Giving… podcast about how his wife of more than two decades, Shante Broadus, made a surprising business move that he chose to embrace rather than question.
“Maybe two years ago, my wife decided to buy a strip club and have a male exotic night,” he said. “Frequently!”
Instead of reacting with jealousy or disapproval, the Long Beach native leaned into the moment with his signature laid-back style.
“So what do I do? Do I say, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ Mm-mm!” he said. “I support. I show up. I throw money in the air. You understand what I’m saying? I support!”
Snoop credited Shante’s unwavering support throughout his career as the reason he had no hesitation backing her latest venture.
“Because she supported me when I was going through something that I wanted to get off, that I felt like was fun and was fly,” he said.
He added that her club has become a place where people can unwind and enjoy themselves.
“So, this is something that she enjoys. She enjoys having the women and the men there, so people come to her club and they enjoy themselves, they get to have a good time, and it’s her world.”
The couple, who married in 1997, have weathered the highs and lows of fame and business together. Shante’s entry into the adult nightlife scene marks another chapter in their unconventional but enduring partnership.
Hernandez Govan beat a murder conspiracy rap in Memphis and Youn Dolph’s loved ones are heartbroken, with prosecutors saying the family’s “distraught” over the verdict that let the alleged mastermind walk.
Govan had been accused of playing puppet master in the 2021 killing of the Memphis rap star, allegedly hiring the shooters and setting up the ambush. But a jury wasn’t convinced.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said the family didn’t want to talk to the press, but made one thing clear: they don’t blame the prosecutors.
“I want to point out the family is very distraught and did not want to speak to the media, but they did say they didn’t blame the trial team for these results, although disappointed, they feel the trial team did everything they could. And I want to say they did everything they could; they were extremely well prepared,” Mulroy told WREG.
Govan was never accused of pulling the trigger himself. Prosecutors said he gave the green light and was supposed to pocket ten grand for setting it up.
He allegedly tipped off the shooters about Dolph’s schedule — specifically when he’d be at a community event in Memphis — giving them the perfect window to pull it off.
The case became more tangled up after Smith testified that Yo Gotti’s big bro, Big Jook, who was behind a $100,000 bounty on Dolph’s head. Prosecutors claimed Govan was tight with Big Jook and even talked about payments and cover-up plans with him after the hit.
One of the shooters, Cornelius Smith Jr., flipped on Govan and testified that the whole thing was Govan’s setup. He said Govan picked the date, gave the go-ahead and stayed in touch through burner phones.
Prosecutors said Big Jook wanted revenge for Dolph clowning him and Yo Gotti in diss tracks and thought Govan was the guy to make it happen.
Govan’s defense team poked holes in Smith’s credibility and said the state’s case didn’t add up.
Key Glock, Dolph’s cousin and Paper Route Empire artist, didn’t hold back. After the acquittal, he tweeted “my city failed but what’s new…” before taking it down.
His frustration mirrors the vibe in Memphis, where many in the Hip-Hop scene are feeling let down by the system.
As for Govan, he told the court he’s leaving Memphis to get a “fresh start” somewhere else.
Turns out Lil Nas X went completely naked during a wild scene in LA early Thursday morning that landed him behind bars, where he is currently sitting – with clothes on.
On Thursday afternoon (August 21), footage of the rapper walking down Ventura Boulevard in nothing but tighty-whities and a pair of white cowboy boots went viral.
As if that weren’t weird enough, new footage has emerged showing the Grammy-winning rapper walking butt-naked through the middle of the street around 5:45 A.M., giving full performance energy while shouting lyrics and throwing hand signs.
Footage shows Lil Nas rapping Nicki Minaj bars from “Monster” as he prances around fully nude in the wee hours of the morning, just narrowly avoiding getting run down by a speeding car that whips past him.
After dozens of phone calls, the LAPD rolled up on Lil Nas X and the situation had escalated.
T-Hood was shot four times in the back during a domestic incident in Snellville, Georgia and now his family has hired legal counsel as they demand justice.
The 31-year-old rapper, born Tevin Hood, was found wounded inside a home on August 8 and later died at a local hospital, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department.
In a statement issued through their attorneys, the family said, “Tevin Hood was a devoted father and a supportive co-parent. He was deeply involved in his daughter’s life, and to her, he was the very best dad. His loss leaves an unimaginable void.”
Police say the shooting followed a domestic altercation involving Hood and a woman identified as Kelsie Frost, who lived at the residence.
Kelsie is the daughter of Kirk and Rasheeda Frost, known from VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.” Their son, Ky Frost, 24, is the reported shooter.
Investigators say Ky arrived at the home after the initial physical confrontation and later separated himself from the scene before the shooting occurred.
A video allegedly showing Hood assaulting Kelsie surfaced online, adding another layer to the ongoing investigation. The family’s attorneys confirmed the autopsy revealed Hood was shot four times in the back.
“That fact is both deeply troubling and heartbreaking to his loved ones,” the statement read. “And, there was only one person left to tell their side of the story.”
The Frost family has not released detailed comments but is cooperating with law enforcement. Kelsie Frost has publicly denied any involvement in the shooting and addressed online speculation.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Hood’s family is clear about their intentions.
“There are still more facts to uncover, but what remains certain is that justice must be served for Tevin’s daughter—whether through criminal accountability, civil action, or both.”
The Gwinnett County Police Department continues to investigate, and as of August 23, no charges have been filed.
Machine Gun Kelly is gearing up for a rap revival and says the noise around his genre switch is only pushing him to deliver the best album of his career.
The 35-year-old artist said he’s fully tuned in to the skepticism that trails his return to Hip-Hop after years of pop-punk experimentation. But instead of backing down, he’s doubling down.
“I’m aware of how loud that conversation will be when I drop it, which makes me hyper aware of how great it has to be,” he said. “If they choose to be loud about it, know that it makes me better. That makes me hungrier. And a hungry MGK is a dangerous MGK.”
MGK’s last rap-focused album, Bloom, dropped in 2017. Since then, he’s leaned heavily into rock, releasing Tickets to My Downfall in 2020, Mainstream Sellout in 2022 and most recently Lost Americana, which arrived earlier this month.
Despite the shift in sound, he insists he never abandoned Hip-Hop.
“I’ve been so present during this entire time of these three albums that people can choose to acknowledge it or look away from it,” he said. “Undeniably, in the fine print on the internet, my freestyles, my features, my constant glorification of Hip-Hop have always been there.”
MGK emphasized that the criticism surrounding his musical pivots only sharpens his focus.
“All that’s going to do is make my bars meaner and make the production colder. I’m refusing anything less than my greatest rap album with this next one.”
Fresh off the release of Lost Americana, which he described as his most refined project to date, MGK said he’s creatively locked in. “I can’t be messed with right now. I’m too tapped in and I’m too hungry.”
Tyrone Blackburn says he’s preparing a class action lawsuit in federal court against T.D. Jakes, accusing the high-profile pastor of sexual abuse and trafficking involving multiple male accusers.
In a newly filed court document in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Blackburn alleges that Jakes and individuals connected to his ministry exploited vulnerable young men over several years.
The filing comes as part of Blackburn’s ongoing legal battle with Jakes, who previously sued Pastor Duane Youngblood for defamation after Youngblood publicly accused Jakes of grooming and abuse.
Blackburn’s latest filing defends himself against what he calls Jakes’ attorney Dustin Pusch’s “abusive litigation tactics” and signals a broader legal offensive.
He claims he will represent a group of male survivors in a sweeping class action case. The attorney says several men have already submitted affidavits describing sexual misconduct and grooming, including being transported across state lines in violation of the federal Mann Act.
Blackburn argues that the legal attacks against him—including bar complaints and threats of sanctions—are an effort to prevent him from representing survivors. He insists he won’t be intimidated.
The legal feud began when Jakes filed a defamation suit against Youngblood, who had accused the pastor of trying to initiate sexual contact with him during a church trip in the 1980s. Youngblood’s brother, Richard Edwin Youngblood, also alleged that Jakes made inappropriate advances.
Jakes has denied all accusations, calling them fabrications meant to extort money. His legal team claims Youngblood asked for $6 million to settle the matter privately.
They argue that Youngblood’s legal filings included fake case law and contradictions.
Blackburn represented Youngblood in that case but was removed after submitting documents filled with AI-generated errors.
Blackburn admitted to using faulty AI tools but says the penalty could destroy his law practice. He asked the judge for leniency, suggesting further education as a more appropriate punishment.
Despite the sanctions hearing, Blackburn says the original defamation case has only amplified the voices of other alleged victims.
He named Richard Brandon Coleman, Jakes’ former son-in-law, as one of the accusers. Blackburn says the class action suit is moving forward despite the legal pressure from Jakes’ team.
The sanctions hearing over Blackburn’s filings occurred earlier this year, and a ruling on the $76,000 reimbursement request is still pending.
Chadwick Boseman will be the focus of a forthcoming documentary from Words + Pictures, the studio behind Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, aiming to honor the late actor’s extraordinary life and private health battle.
The project will serve as the first full-length film dedicated solely to Boseman’s journey since he died in 2020.
The documentary, still untitled, will chronicle Boseman’s rise from stage actor to global icon.
It will revisit his defining roles in 42, Get on Up, Marshall and Black Panther, while also addressing the personal strength he showed during his fight with colon cancer.
Production is being led by Words + Pictures, a studio known for intimate and emotionally resonant storytelling.
The company’s previous work on the Reeve documentary earned praise for its deep access and emotional weight and this new project is expected to follow a similar path.
Boseman’s family is actively involved in the film’s development, offering personal insight and ensuring the story reflects his values and experiences.
That collaboration is expected to give the documentary a more personal tone, particularly when exploring his decision to keep his diagnosis private.
Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 at age 39. He continued to work through surgeries and chemotherapy while filming major projects, including Black Panther.
He married longtime partner Taylor Simone Ledward in a private ceremony shortly before his death and she remained by his side throughout his illness.
Drake just scored a legal win in his ongoing lawsuit against Universal Music Group, securing the right to review Kendrick Lamar’s confidential contract with the label—though the public won’t get a peek.
A federal judge ruled that while Lamar’s agreement with UMG contains “sensitive business information,” Drake and his legal team can examine the full, unredacted document as part of the case’s discovery.
The court agreed with UMG’s argument that disclosing the contract publicly could harm business relationships and expose private financial terms.
The ruling comes amid Drake’s lawsuit accusing UMG of promoting Kendrick’s chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us.” Drake claims the label gave preferential treatment to Lamar while using the song to damage his reputation and negotiating power.
UMG, led by CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, has denied any wrongdoing. In court documents, Grainge called the accusations “groundless,” “absurd,” and part of a “conspiracy theory.”
They also want internal UMG communications about both artists’ contracts and the release strategy behind “Not Like Us.”
The lawsuit intensified after Kendrick performed the track during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, which aired to over 133 million viewers. Drake alleges the performance reignited online threats and harassment toward him and his family.
UMG has resisted strongly, accusing Drake’s legal team of using the discovery process to investigate private executive emails and disrupt operations.
Young Buck is again entangled in legal drama as his bankruptcy case hits a roadblock over more than $71,000 in overdue child support owed to the mother of his child.
Court filings submitted August 21 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee show Shannon Robertson, the creditor and mother of one of Young Buck’s children, is formally contesting the trustee’s final report.
She claims the rapper, born David D. Brown, still owes her $71,721.30 in unpaid support despite having received $81,471 from the bankruptcy estate.
In February 2015, a Georgia judge ordered Brown to pay $1,406.30 monthly in child support. Robertson alleges those payments stopped and the debt ballooned over the years.
She initially filed a claim in 2020 for $81,471.70. That figure was amended in 2024 to $151,786 and again in 2025 to $153,193.
Robertson is now seeking the remaining balance through the bankruptcy court. Her attorney, Wanda S. Jackson of East Point, Georgia, filed the objection ahead of a September hearing before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Randal S. Mashburn.
This development adds to a long list of financial troubles for the 44-year-old rapper, who rose to fame as a member of 50 Cent’s G-Unit. Brown first declared bankruptcy in 2010 amid IRS tax issues and filed again in 2020.
During that period, 50 Cent publicly accused him of using bankruptcy to escape contractual obligations.
Brown’s legal history also includes a 2013 arrest in Tennessee for failing to pay child support. If the court rules in Robertson’s favor, he will be required to pay the remaining amount owed for the child’s support.
The hearing will take place in Nashville on September 9.
Kobe Bryant and the 1996 NBA Draft take center court in a new Warner Bros. project that dives deep into the pivotal hours that reshaped basketball history.
The studio has secured rights to With the 8th Pick, a spec script written by Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen, which zeroes in on the behind-the-scenes decisions that led to Bryant landing with the Los Angeles Lakers instead of the New Jersey Nets.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is being produced by Tim and Trevor White of Star Thrower Entertainment, alongside Ryan Stowell and Gotham Chopra from Religion of Sports, a company co-founded by Tom Brady and Michael Strahan.
Described as a tense draft-day thriller in the spirit of Moneyball and Air, the film unpacks the two weeks leading up to the 1996 NBA Draft.
It focuses on the internal debates within the Nets’ front office, where general manager John Nash and head coach John Calipari reportedly clashed over whether to take the high school phenom with the eighth Pick.
Financial concerns and uncertainty about Bryant’s readiness led the team to pass.
Bryant, who had declared for the draft straight out of Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, was ultimately selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets.
He was then traded to the Lakers in a pre-arranged deal involving veteran center Vlade Divac. That decision would launch a 20-year career in Los Angeles, where Bryant became a five-time NBA champion and global icon.
The film avoids covering Bryant’s tragic 2020 death in a helicopter crash, instead focusing on the formative moment that set his career in motion. Producers are still in the early stages of development and have not yet announced a director or cast.
Bryant’s high school career was already legendary before he entered the league. He averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game his senior year and broke Wilt Chamberlain’s Southeastern Pennsylvania scoring record with 2,883 points.
Though heavily recruited by top colleges, he chose to go pro at 17, becoming just the sixth player to jump from high school to the NBA.
With the 8th Pick adds to the growing list of Bryant-focused projects, but this one narrows in on a specific turning point that helped define the modern NBA.
Dave Blunts pulled no punches in his new track “Hey Curtis,” where he aims straight at 50 Cent over their ugly online feud that kicked off after 50 clowned Kanye West.
The beef boiled over after 50 took jabs at Blunts for working with Ye and Blunts came swinging back with a brutal diss full of personal digs and wild claims.
The odd dispute started when 50 Cent went at Kanye online and Blunts—who’s been in Ye’s creative circle—didn’t take it lightly. 50 then hopped on Instagram to mock Blunts’ weight and dropped a wild warning saying, “If I catch him, I’m pushing him down the stairs.”
Blunts didn’t stay quiet. He clapped back hard, calling 50’s film trash and teasing a diss track. Now that the track is out, it’s vicious.
“Hey Curtis,” calls out 50 by name and drags Daphne Joy into the mix, referencing her alleged connections to Diddy and some serious accusations that have been floating around.
In the track, Blunts accuses 50 of having a weird obsession with Diddy and suggests it’s all rooted in jealousy or hate. He paints 50 as petty and bitter, calling him out for always trying to control narratives online instead of dealing with real life.
And Dave Blunts didn’t stop at the bars. He went all in on the visuals, too. The music video for “Hey Curtis” is a parody of 50’s classic “In Da Club” video.
The reactions have been mixed, but one thing’s clear—Blunts is dead serious about this and isn’t backing off. So far, 50 Cent hasn’t fired back in music or on socials. But knowing 50, that silence probably won’t last long.
Ye went from having writers like Big Sean and Pusha T to n##### like Dave Blunts.
Regina King honored her late son and reshaped her outlook on life with a personal tribute that blends grief and growth through a wine label named in his memory.
“Now, I understand that sadness and happiness can be happening at the same time,” King said. “I one thousand per cent live in the moment more. I don’t know if that’s something that just comes with time, or with pain, or with the pandemic – probably all of it. But I feel it.”
King, 54, has since launched MianU, an orange wine named in tribute to Ian. The name combines letters from both of their names—Regina and Ian. For her, it’s more than a business venture. It’s a way to keep her son present in her daily life.
“Every time I’m pouring a glass, I’m thinking of Ian,” she said. “I’m thinking of him 24/7 anyway, but always in this moment, I can see his face… His name is right there, in the middle of it all. He’ll never be forgotten. If you see me, you see Ian.”
The Jerry Maguire actress shared that the idea for MianU came during what she described as an “epiphany,” a moment when she realized she wanted Ian to remain part of her milestones.
“I’m surrounded by people talking about their children – engagements, weddings, new chapters,” King said. “I still love talking about Ian, I just don’t have the chance to create new memories in the way they do. But I’m not focused on that. This is my way of creating something new, together.”
Amityville, New York, may be best known in pop culture for its haunted house lore, but for hip-hop heads, Long Island has always been a fertile ground for music that shakes the world. From the powerful voice of Public Enemy to the lyrical brilliance of Rakim, the funky originality of De La Soul, the rugged energy of Keith Murray, and the street poetry of Prodigy from Mobb Deep, Long Island has carved an undeniable lane in hip-hop history. Even K-Solo, Grand Daddy I.U., and Biz Markie carried the LI banner with pride.
Now, a new generation is stepping up from Amityville to add their names to that legendary lineage. Ya Boi L.I.V.E. and Natti Kasablanka, together known as Tha New LI, are building a movement they call Mud Rap—a gritty fusion of Golden Era lyricism and modern-day hunger. Coming from different sides of town, they bring raw authenticity, storytelling, and undeniable chemistry.
In this exclusive AllHipHop interview with DJ Thoro, Tha New LI talk about their origins, influences, and their mission to put Amityville back on the hip-hop map. This isn’t just music. This is a movement.
Why “Tha New LI”?
DJ Thoro: So why are we going with that title, “Tha New LI”? What’s wrong with the old LI?
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: Out with the old, in with the new. It’s not that there’s something wrong with the old LI. We just haven’t had an up-to-date success story in a while.
Natti Kasablanka: We got classics. We got Rakim, Public Enemy, EPMD, Biz Markie, Busta, Keith Murray, Prodigy… a lot of energy. All those guys had their impact. They’re part of the reason why we rap. But now, it’s time for something new. That’s what we’re bringing—the New LI.
DJ Thoro: Facts. And shout out to one of my favorites who often gets overlooked—Grand Daddy I.U. Smooth Assassin.
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: For sure.
Natti Kasablanka: Yeah, and it’s not just Hip-Hop. We got Ashanti, Billy Joel, JVC Force. Long Island has talent everywhere. We just bringing that new energy.
The Music
DJ Thoro: Alright, so let’s jump into the music. What are we promoting? What’s out right now?
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: Tha New LI project drops July 16th.
Natti Kasablanka: We got the first single and video out right now—Way Too Real a second single, Talk to Him.
DJ Thoro: I saw that video. Nice visuals, dope cars, fresh look. Why is it important for y’all to maintain that Golden Era vibe in your visuals?
Natti Kasablanka: We come from the Golden Era—the ‘90s. That era shaped me. My name was originally Illat, then Naughty, now Kasablanka. Inspired by Nas going from Nasty Nas to Nas Escobar. We’re bringing that essence back, what I call Mud Rap.
Origins in Hip-Hop
DJ Thoro: What’s the first record you fell in love with?
Natti Kasablanka: Since Run-DMC’s “Walk This Way.” That’s when I fell in love.
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: First tape I had was Big Daddy Kane. That was my first favorite rapper.
DJ Thoro: Mine was The Fat Boys. My mom bought me the tape. Later I had “The Humpty Dance” on vinyl and even an MC Hammer record. People don’t give Hammer enough credit.
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: Facts. Hammer was a success story before success stories. He got crucified for doing what everyone praises now—endorsements, commercials, crossover records.
Building the Project
DJ Thoro: What was the thought process behind this project?
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: It came together organically. We’re from the same town—Amityville—but different sides. We’d been talking about working together for years. Then one day we finally exchanged records, and the chemistry was undeniable.
Natti Kasablanka: We ended up with a bunch of songs and linked with a producer whose beats had that old-school vibe with new-school flows. We picked the strongest eight tracks, and that became the project.
Sound & Originality
DJ Thoro: I’m glad you mentioned sound. Too many artists today just copy whatever’s hot. How important is originality to y’all?
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: That’s the problem with Hip-Hop now…lack of originality. People chase trends instead of creating their own lane.
Natti Kasablanka: You gotta live it. It should come natural. Back in the Golden Era, you couldn’t bite. Everyone had their own style. Now people get away with sounding like clones.
DJ Thoro: Exactly. I always say make the music you want to hear. Don’t try to please everybody. Stay true to your lane.
Influences
DJ Thoro: Who are some of your favorite artists, both now and overall?
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: I listen to EST Gee. Recently I was bumping Slick Rick’s new album, The Great Adventures Continues. But mostly we’ve been focused on our own music.
Natti Kasablanka: Influences? Mobb Deep, Nas, Biggie, plus Jamaican artists like Bounty Killer, Super Cat. We’re all over the place with it.
DJ Thoro: Dope. That balance of smooth and hard styles.
Dream Collabs
DJ Thoro: Hypothetical question—if I produced a record for you and you could feature any artist, dead or alive, any genre—who would it be?
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: Marvin Gaye. I could hear him on a hook for a ladies’ track.
Natti Kasablanka: Marvin Gaye too. Or Bootsy Collins for that funk vibe.
Goals in Hip-Hop
DJ Thoro: What’s the ultimate goal for Tha New LI in this industry?
Ya Boi L.I.V.E: Respect. Of course, we want success and stability. But more than anything, we want to be respected for our lyrical ability. We want to be in barbershop conversations, DJs fighting to break our records, people saying we’re NICE.
Mariah Carey is set to receive the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards’ Video Vanguard honor—and longtime supporters aren’t staying quiet as younger critics question her legacy.
The announcement, made Thursday (August 21), stirred up debate across social media, with some Gen Z users downplaying Carey’s visual impact. But her core base quickly fired back, defending her decades of music videos and pop culture influence.
“Anyone saying Mariah doesn’t have memorable music videos (re: VMA Vanguard Award win) is either just hating/bitter or is too young and doesn’t know pop culture from before their adolescence. Or both,” one user posted.
Anyone saying Mariah doesn't have memorable music videos (re: VMA Vanguard Award win) is either just hating/bitter or is too young and doesn't know pop culture from before their adolescence. Or both. pic.twitter.com/LrZjwYaoZB
A third chimed in, “The kids on this app are trying to say Mariah Carey, THE MARIAH CAREY, doesn’t have an iconic music videos… please do not speak on years that you were not old enough to experience when that s### was happening.”
The kids on this app are trying to say Mariah Carey, THE MARIAH CAREY, doesn’t have an iconic music videos… please do not speak on years that you were not old enough to experience when that s### was happening.
Carey will receive the honor during the live broadcast on Sunday (September 7) at UBS Arena in New York. This will be her first VMA win despite nine previous nominations.
Carey is expected to perform a medley of her most celebrated hits during the show.
Her catalog includes visuals for “Honey,” “We Belong Together,” “Touch My Body” and “Heartbreaker”—all of which helped define music video aesthetics in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Adding to the full-circle moment, Carey once presented the same award to LL COOL J in 1997.
LL, who’s hosting the 2025 VMAs, will now witness Carey receive the honor she helped bestow nearly three decades ago.
Carey is also nominated for Best R&B for her single “Type Dangerous,” from her upcoming album Here For It All, which is scheduled to drop on Thursday (September 26).
Iggy Azalea took to Instagram and dropped a handful of smoking hot bikini pics that had timelines in a chokehold.
It all hit while she was still bouncing back from a private health struggle no one saw coming.
In one pic, Iggy’s stretched out poolside in a barely-there neon green bikini, soaking up sun with just her abs, hips and curves in full focus. She also shared a black-and-white bathroom selfie rocking a black two-piece, standing in front of a luxe tub.
Fans instantly reacted. “Can you come back and save female rap?” one user asked. Another said, ‘Her body has always been the most TEA.’
The sexy uploads came right after she revealed she’s been dealing with a medical nightmare.
During an interview, Iggy admitted she’d been quietly fighting a severe leg infection that started as nerve damage.
It got bad enough that she needed IV antibiotics through a PICC line.
“I just ended up getting what’s called a chronically non-healing wound because I had a PICC line in my arm. We would take the PICC line out and then take hot bikini pictures for a day or two,” she said. “I turned lemons into lemonade with that. I really did,” Iggy Azalea revealed.
Still, she kept her OnlyFans content rolling the whole time, racking up just under $48 million.
Iggy said it gave her the freedom to invest in her businesses and keep her creative projects moving.
Omar Gooding is best known for his acting chops and comedic timing, but a lot of people did not know he’s also an MC.
Part of that is because his current rap journey didn’t really begin until life hit him with a two-piece combo in 2017. The passing of his father, Cuba Gooding Sr., and the birth of his son happened in the same year. The double milestone forced him to finally commit to Hip-Hop and release his first solo album that same year.
“I started checking off accomplishments in my head,” Gooding told AllHipHop. “What if your son is like, ‘Dad, you talk about rap. You never rap. Where’s your album?’ I put out my first solo album that same year… I felt a heaviness about my father, like [he said], ‘Okay, bro. This is you. Go ahead.’ Hip-Hop is my thing.”
The family connection has always weighed heavy on Gooding’s music and brother Cuba Gooding Jr. co-signs one particular song. “Legacy” became a turning point when his brother gave him the ultimate seal of approval. “My brother was like, ‘This is the best thing I ever heard in my life,’” he said.
The song is a nod to the family history of entertainment. Gooding Sr. was the lead singer of the classic R&B and soul group The Main Ingredient. The Main Ingredient had an incredible run in the 1970s, including the ubiquitous classic “Everybody Plays the Fool.” “Legacy” samples the original 1972 hit and mentions the Oscar-award winning Gooding, Jr.
Now, Gooding is shifting into the next phase with a new single called “For The Culture,” which he describes as his sharpest lyrical display yet. The track also gets an added boost from Los Angeles rapper Glasses Malone, who jumped on after hearing the record.
“When I wrote this I went, ‘Damn,’” Gooding admitted. “My circle of MCs responded, ‘Oh, so you rapping-rapping now.’” Glasses Malone jumped on after hearing the song.
The recorda comes after a gaggle of headlines linked to his Cam’ron diss series. But Gooding does not want to be known exclusively for his rivalry with the Harlem diplomat.
“I think it’ll be a good switch-up from just hearing me dissing Cam’ron,” he said. “This is really for the culture. I’ve been with rappers. They know I get down.”
The full conversation between AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur and Omar Gooding will be released soon. Stay tuned!
Key Glock called out the Memphis legal system after a jury acquitted Hernandez Govan in the murder case of rapper Young Dolph, expressing outrage over what he saw as a miscarriage of justice.
The Memphis rapper, who was both a protégé and cousin of Young Dolph, took to social media with a blunt reaction after the verdict, posting in a since-deleted tweet: “my city failed but what’s new.”
The message captured a wave of frustration shared by many in the rap community, who believed the trial did not deliver accountability.
Govan had been accused of orchestrating the 2021 killing of Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., outside a Memphis bakery.
But after a short deliberation, jurors found Govan not guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Key Glock seemingly reacts to Hernandez Govan being found not guilty in the Young Dolph murder trial:
The defense team argued that the prosecution’s case leaned heavily on unreliable testimony from Cornelius Smith, one of the convicted shooters.
Smith was described during trial as a “pathological liar” who was angling for a reduced sentence.
Attorneys also challenged the cellphone records introduced by prosecutors, stating they lacked direct links to Govan. No DNA, physical evidence or eyewitness testimony tied him to the crime.
After roughly two to three hours of deliberation, the jury agreed with the defense’s position that the state failed to prove Govan’s involvement beyond a reasonable doubt.
Following his acquittal, Govan thanked the jury and reiterated his innocence.
He also criticized the prosecution’s approach, saying the process left him both relieved and disillusioned with the justice system.
The verdict left many in Memphis stunned, especially those close to Dolph, who had been a major figure in the city’s Hip-Hop scene.
Young Dolph was fatally shot on November 17, 2021. The trial surrounding his death has remained a point of pain and controversy in the city ever since.
The Truth About Jussie Smollett?? questions the official version of events and explores how public distrust in police and media helped shape competing narratives.
Director Gagan Rehill revisits the controversial case that saw Jussie Smollett convicted of staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself in Chicago.
Netflix released the documentary nearly six years after the original incident in downtown Chicago, where Smollett claimed he was beaten by a pair of white MAGA supporters who tied a news around his neck and doused him with a chemical spray.
The film, now streaming globally, dives into the swirling debate over what really happened and why so many people still believe conflicting versions of the truth.
“What a gift as a director. You can tilt it one way [and] it will look like one thing. You can tilt it another and there’s another story behind it,” Rehill told The Hollywood Reporter.
Smollett, best known for his role on Empire, was found guilty of felony disorderly conduct in 2021 after prosecuters charged him with faking the crime.
He served six days of a five-month sentence in 2022 before being released pending appeal. In November 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his conviction on legal grounds, meaning he cannot be retried.
The documentary features interviews with key figures in the case, including the Osundairo brothers—Abel and Ola—who claimed Smollett paid them to carry out the staged assault. The brothers reportedly received immunity from unrelated gun charges in exchange for their testimony.
Rehill said the film is not just about Smollett’s guilt or innocence but also about the broader cultural moment.
“This film is about whether you believe Jussie or not, but it’s also about a reaction to [the news coverage of his case] as well. It’s just very interesting that people’s trust in mainstream media and in the police has been eroded so much that they have to open the door to alternate truths, or alternate results or verdicts.”
The case has remained a flashpoint in conversations about race, celebrity, and credibility in the United States. Smollett has maintained his innocence throughout.
