The Game clarified his cryptic posts about DJ Mustard and YG on Instagram Stories. The Cali rapper insisted there were no issues between him and his fellow West Coast artists.
“@yg & @mustard my n##### 5L,” he wrote in response to beef speculation. “Go twist a backwood before you twist that #Bompton.”
Earlier this week, fans questioned The Game’s motives for calling out Mustard and YG on social media.
“Aye Keenon and Dijon… Jayceon looking for y’all,” he wrote. “Lul ghetto name havin n#####.”
He added, “Rooting for somebody & finding out they secretly hate u is so crazy LMAO like OH! Secret haters are clutch.. yall make ballin in yo face worth it.”
Unlike many West Coast artists, The Game refused to turn his back on Drake during the Canadian rapper’s much-discussed battle against Kendrick Lamar. Mustard produced Lamar’s Drake diss “Not Like Us” and clashed with the OVO star’s fans on social media. YG, despite past collaborations with Drake, sided with Lamar at The Pop Out concert in June.
Fans believed The Game aligned with Drake due to the Compton rapper’s absence from The Pop Out, which featured a laundry list of West Coast artists.
“If you want to say, ‘Game picked this side or picked that side,’ n####, Game picked Game’s side,” he declared after the event. “Drake, that’s my m############ brother. And Kendrick, that’s the homie. He know what it is.”
Famed Hip-Hop statesman Hakim Green explains his support of Kamala Harris.
I won’t make the same mistake twice—this time, I’m voting for Kamala Harris.
In my early adult years, my friends dubbed me the conspiracy theorist Don DaDa. Growing up in the late ’80s and early ’90s in NJ/NYC, at the crossroads of Hip Hop culture and “woke-ism” ideology, I encountered the early purveyors of conspiracy theory narratives. From Greenwich Village to Harlem, Bed-Stuy Brooklyn to The Bronx, the city was a library filled with all the classic conspiracy theory texts. Books like “Behold a Pale Horse” by William Cooper, anything by David Icke, Jim Marrs’ “Rule by Secrecy,” and Dr. John Coleman’s “The Conspirators’ Hierarchy: The Committee of 300” shaped my personal politics.
For more on this, check out our interview with Hakim Green, as he discusses KRS-One, Ras Baraka, and other ways politics impacts our communities.
These books warned of an upcoming “New World Order” orchestrated by the evil Illuminati, a secret organization involving groups like Freemasonry, the Jesuits, the Deep State, international bankers, and the financial elite. David Icke even warned of the blood-drinking offspring of aliens who used human beings for their wicked bidding. These theories profoundly impacted my lack of real political engagement. I was stuck, standing still with mystical answers for real issues and problems.
By the early to mid-2000s, I was extremely active in the “conscious community” in NYC, attending rallies, debates, and symposiums. It felt like a revival of the late ’80s consciousness movements. 125th St in Harlem was ground zero for this renewed surge of Black Power, with the Grand Master of “Black Consciousness” being Sa-Neter, whose tapes and DVDs were known worldwide before the internet. Lectures from figures like Phil Valentine, Ashra Kwesi, Dr. Sebi, Polight, Minister Wesley Muhammad, Tajj Tarik Bey, and others presented a multitude of theories and ideologies. These ranged from spiritual and psychological to economic, health and wellness, citizenship and civics, and religious teachings from the Nation of Islam, Hebrew Israelites, Sunni and Orthodox Muslims, Moorish Science Temple, Black Nationalists, and the Christian community.
Despite the occasional hate and vitriol at these debates, a glaring characteristic was the lack of true political engagement with the government. People were organized essentially for entertainment value and the commerce derived from it. Book and DVD vendors, food vendors, and merch tables at these events were well-supported at times. However, given the subject matter and the brilliant minds involved, the true value of this community was being wasted. Many of us were caught up in a cycle of conspiracy, history, mysticism, and “what-about isms.” We were drunk off knowledge and wisdom without understanding, and understanding is the best part. Understanding proves what you claim to know. It’s those “actionable items” Jay Z spoke of in his critique of Colin Kaepernick (though his timing was wrong).
Conspiracy theory is what prevented me from voting for President Obama. I was duped into believing all the conspiracy theories about him were true. I was listening to folks who had powerful theoretical questions but very few practical, actionable solutions. I just knew Barack Obama was being used to usher in the New World Order, and the great scheme included getting American citizens chipped via the Affordable Care Act. Yeah, they had me bad.
The irony is that the Affordable Care Act would be a powerful device for my “deprogramming.” In 2015, I broke my left wrist, and after several observations by different doctors, it was determined I needed reconstructive surgery. Three months prior to my injury, my mom and fiancé (now my wife) convinced me to sign up for Obamacare. No one forced me to get a chip. Though I didn’t vote for President Obama because of my belief in conspiracy theories, I was able to access a needed benefit created for regular Americans like myself. This showed me that the government could be used for the benefit of the people.
The Obama/Biden administration demonstrated how progress is measurable through actionable items aimed at uplifting the poor and middle class, the labor class—regular Americans. It showed how coalitions of people could change how the government dealt with its citizens, truly investing in America rather than exploiting it.
In 2010, I returned to Jersey and reconnected with my old activist comrades from the late ’80s and early ’90s. Ras J. Baraka and the Baraka family had become extremely influential in the local political scene in Newark, NJ, and they were rooted in my brand of politics. Where I had drifted into theory, they were actively involved in application. I saw firsthand the power of local politics and what community control of government could look like.
My work with Team Baraka gave birth to 24 HRS OF PEACE, an annual peace festival held in Newark every year since 2010. It started as a small gathering of about 200-300 people and now attracts 20,000 throughout the 24 hours. Ras is a three-term mayor with his sights set on being New Jersey’s next governor. Seeing how proper organization and goal-setting are necessary for progress, conspiracy theory has no room to exist. Politics is about relationships and leverage. Good government is about ethics, values, and morals. I’ve experienced firsthand how good governance benefits the people and how relationships and leverage make things happen.
Our current Vice President and presumptive Democratic candidate for the presidency, Kamala Harris, is a Howard alum, as is Mayor Ras Baraka. Vice President Kamala Harris has launched a White House-sponsored anti-gun violence campaign. I am the co-founder of 24 HRS OF PEACE, and our mission is to advance a national series of socio-political movements to reduce increasing incidents of youth gang and gun violence. We use the power of Hip Hop culture to organize local communities through art and entertainment while sharing important tools to help overcome obstacles.
Vice President Kamala Harris has been a leading voice for de-scheduling marijuana, thereby removing the criminality that so many in my community have been victims of. And all I do is spark mad izm! The Affordable Care Act should be expanded and equally accessible in every state. It’s 2024, and there is a person of color running for president. Is she perfect? No! No one is; however, I would be a fool to make the same mistake twice.
I’m voting for Kamala Harris for President of the United States.
A Toronto-based promoter accused Lil Kim, T-Pain, 2 Chainz, Akon and Fabolous of breach of contract in a lawsuit filed this week. According to Law.com & The Independent, Remo Palladini claimed multiple artists never returned deposits for his failed Hot in Toronto festival.
Palladini reached out to Universal Attractions Agency to book artists for his event scheduled for June. UAA allegedly “assured Palladini that it would garner a collection of artists to perform at the festival … and act as escrow agent for any and all deposits between Palladini and the artists.” The promoter sent the money even though Lil Kim and others “failed to sign” contracts.
“Despite the lack of formal written agreement between the parties, on or about February 13, 2024, Palladini… wired $82,500.00 (the ‘Deposit’), in good faith and based on past experiences,” Palladini’s lawsuit said regarding Lil Kim.
Palladini’s plans were ruined when headliner Lil Wayne backed out of the festival Lil Wayne’s exit led to the event’s postponement. Fans started comparing the event to the infamous Fyre Festival as they struggled to receive refunds.
A festival spokesperson insisted fans would be refunded. Hot in Toronto also defended itself against Fyre Fest comparisons, noting how “all artists were fully contracted and deposits were paid.”
Palladini sought more than $500,000 in damages for deposits paid to five artists. His lawsuit intended to recoup $240,000 from Akon, $90,000 from T-Pain, $82,500 from Lil Kim, $68,000 from 2 Chainz and $15,000 from Fabolous.
Hot in Toronto was rescheduled for January 2026, per its website.
LL COOL J shared his reaction to Yung Miami and others ridiculing Joe Budden for recently receiving a gold plaque for his 2003 single “Pump It Up.”
The legendary rapper and actor presented the plaque during an episode of The Joe Budden podcast. However, many on social media mocked Budden for taking over two decades to go gold.
However, LL COOL J fired back at the critics during a brief interview with TMX earlier this week.
“I mean, what can you say?” he replied when asked his thoughts on Yung Miami’s remarks. “Some people never go gold!”
LL Cool J agreed when the interview noted it was “still an achievement” despite the criticism. He also pointed out that many artists don’t receive their flowers during their lifetime.
“Of course it is,” he added. “It doesn’t matter, you have artists that don’t go diamond ’til posthumously. I mean, it’s life. But it’s beautiful for him, [I’m] happy for Joe.”
Yung Miami roasted Joe Budden over the gold plaque and implied it was payback for his remarks about her Caresha Please podcast. However, Budden replied on his podcast, explaining he expects to be criticized, especially as a vocal culture critic.
“There’s absolutely nothing you can say to make me think that LL COOL J bringing me my ‘Pump It Up’ gold plaque to my quadruple platinum podcast is an ‘L,’” Joe Budden insisted before addressing the former City Girls rapper.
“Now we all can laugh,” he added. “And if there’s anybody that I hope would be laughing it would be Yung Miami with all she’s had to endure in the past year or so. I wanna be clear. I like Yung Miami. I do. I think she’s a pretty good content creator.”
Joe Budden addresses Yung Miami (Caresha) and others that criticized him getting his “Pump It Up” plaque😳🫣
“Laughter is a luxury” “I hear pump it up nowadays more than I hear any Caresha” “I view you as a science project” pic.twitter.com/Qp421AQ0NI
T.I. paid tribute to Latto, awarding her the title of 2024 Trapper of the Year at a ceremony at the Trap Music Museum on Thursday (August 29).
Footage from the event shows museum founder T.I. unveiling the display dedicated to the “Big Energy” rapper. T.I. thanked Latto for her “contributions to the culture of trap music” and “the city of Atlanta.”
T.I. continued, “We wanted to memorialize that with art” so fans can see that her efforts are “being recognized and celebrated.”
Latto could barely contain her excitement, covering her eyes before the big reveal. She squealed after turning around to see the stunning exhibit in her honor.
Latto was named ‘Trapper Of The Year’ at the Trap Music Museum presented by T.I. tonight in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/C8B0oSy35x
Latto showed off her “Trapper Of The Year” ring in a video on her Instagram Stories. “From the king himself,” Latto declared before T.I. congratulated her again.
T.I. gifts Latto a ring for being Trapper Of The Year 💍
While Latto is in good company with past honorees, including Moneybagg Yo and Future and Lil Baby, she is the first female recipient of the title. Her exhibit can be viewed alongside displays honoring the likes of T.I., Jeezy, Gucci Mane, and 2 Chainz, among others.
Latto has forged a successful music career, carving a spot among the best of her generation after appearing on Jermain Dupri’s The Rap Game in 2016. She became the show’s first winner at the tender age of 16.
She went double platinum with her breakout 2019 single “B#### from da Souf,” before signing to RCA Records. Latto unleashed her debut album Queen of da Souf in 2020.
Latto delivered more hit songs, including the Grammy-nominated “Big Energy” in 2022, and released her third studio album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, earlier this month.
Angelina Jolie is not dating British rapper and activist Akala, despite the viral rumors following a recent sighting of them together.
On Thursday (August 29), the Oscar-winning actress got tongues wagging after appearing with Akala at a Venice Film Festival event. It was one of several times the pair have been spotted in public over the past year, prompting speculation they were dating.
— TMC Music Connoisseur 🇯🇲 WATCH S2TIMES 🤩 (@MusicConnoisseu) August 29, 2024
However, according to a source, there’s no truth to the rumors, and Angelina Jolie and Akala have been friends for years. Moreover, Akala reportedly has a girlfriend, who joined him on his recent trip to Venice, where Jolie premiered her upcoming movie, Maria.
“She and Akala are not dating. She is friends with him and his partner, Chanelle, who was also there,” a source told PEOPLE.
Jolie began trending after the Venice Film Festival photos surfaced. It wasn’t the first time they were seen together, with an outing to a Jamaican literary festival with the actress’s two daughters in May Last year. They were also seen going for dinner in Milan in December.
Angelina Jolie at Tribe Nine Studios at the Calabash International Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth. The three-day event started Friday pic.twitter.com/1857XDXnCF
— ✨Raquel & her Minions✨ (@THENAGODOFWAR) May 28, 2023
However, according to sources, they are not romantically involved but are friends with similar interests in common.
Angelina Jolie is single and has been friends with Akala “for years,” another source explained to PEOPLE. “They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes,” the second source explained. “They did several collabs over the years that focus on global issues like human rights. Angie speaks very highly of him.”
Scar Lip called out M&T bank, accusing an employee of being racist and profiling her from the moment she set foot in the building.
The Bronx–bred rising star said she intends to take legal action unless she gets a sufficient explanation for their treatment.
On Thursday (August 29), Scar Lip hopped on Instagram Live to air her grievances. “Yo M&T bank is racist as f###,” she began. “Why when I go to this M&T bank, I’m being profiled on some weird s###.”
Scar Lip explained that despite handing over her address, I.D. and social security card, the bank teller refused to make the transfer.
“I proved everything, so why you not tryna let me make a transfer?” the Epic Records signee asked. The employee told the “This Is New York” hitmaker that she wasn’t “comfortable” making the transaction.
“What the f### you mean you don’t feel comfortable?” Scar raged. “B#### gimme my money. Now because you don’t feel comfortable, I’m taking my money out this bank, and I’m going to another bank. Because y’all n##### not about to be treating me all type of weird.”
According to Scar, she explained that the transfer was for “a business thing,” but the teller told her, “I need more information than that. That’s not good enough.”
Moreover, Scar Lip said the bank employee threatened to call the cops. She questioned, “What are they gonna do? You gone call the cops on me for tryna make a transfer? B####, I’m a business. I own a business.”
Ultimately, Scar Lip feels, “She was judging me from the moment I walked in the bank,” and threatened to sue.
“M&T, y’all better talk to me for real, before I sue y’all. ” she warned. “It’s one or the other ways; I’m suing y’all n##### or y’all gone give me a muthafuckin explanation on why the f### I’m being profiled tryna get my muthafuckin money out the bank.”
Sexyy Red paid homage to Gucci Mane in a big way, revealing a massive ice cream cone tattoo on her cheek.
The Atlanta icon debuted the ink on Thursday (August 29), sharing a video of the St. Louis rapper on his Instagram Stories. “Stop playing,” Gucci Mane says, zooming in on Sexyy Red’s face to show off the tattoo.
BURRR! Sexyy Red is showing off some new ink as she pays homage to Gucci Mane i 🍦 pic.twitter.com/SDaEkjodNo
It’s unclear whether the ink is actually real, but Sexyy Red recently teased a verse on Gucci’s 2008 hit “I Think I Love Her,” and her new tattoo could be a prop for some upcoming visuals for a possible collab.
Sexyy Red released a track titled, “Female Gucci Mane” on her debut mixtape, Hood’s Hottest Princess. However, she only adopted the title in response to fans comments.
Atlanta rap legend Wop crowns St. Louis artist Sexyy Red the “Female Gucci Mane” pic.twitter.com/Y7yz0ounXG
“I don’t even call myself that,” she told NME last July. “I just made a song because that’s what they’d be saying in my comments. I don’t know. I let the fans decide who the real Female Gucci Mane is.”
However, it appears Big Guwop himself ended any debate over the title. Earlier this week, Gucci brought the “Pound Town” hitmaker out to perform with him in Atlanta. He shared a clip on Instagram crowning her the female Gucci Mane.
Meanwhile, the new Gucci Mane tribute ink wasn’t the only thing Sexyy Red debuted on Thursday. She showed off some dazzling new jewelry, including a huge pendant of Princess Peach from Nintendo’s Mario franchise.
“I just wanted to come on here and show yal my new Ghetto Princess Chain to match my iced out Gshock!!” she captioned her post. “Meet thugged out Princess Peach.”
I just wanted to come on here and show yal my new Ghetto Princess Chain to match my iced out Gshock!! Meet thugged out Princess Peach 🔥🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/GY3q7rOPCj
Big Sean has been “overwhelmed” in the lead-up to his new album and decided to let off a little steam during a chat with fans where he poked fun at Drake.
Sean delivered the highly anticipated Better Me Than You at midnight on Friday (August 29). The 21-track project, Sean’s first in four years, includes features from Gunna, Charlie Wilson, DJ Premier, Kodak Black, Bryson Tiller, Teyana Taylor, Cash Cobain, Larry June and more. Check it out at the end of the page and watch the “Who You Are (Superstar)” video below.
Shortly before delivering the album, Big Sean hopped on Instagram Live to thank his fans for their support and to tease even more new music. Before he got to the album talk, he playfully trolled Drake following a recent viral post.
“I’m gonna do the Drake face,” Big Sean said before imitating the OVO founder’s signature pout.
Big Sean Teases Upcoming Album Cuts
Earlier this week, Big Sean teared up while confirming his album release date amid and announcing he was recently diagnosed with COVID.
“That last the last live I did; I was f###### emotional dog,” he explained on Friday evening. “I was overwhelmed. A lot of people hit me up like, ‘Are you okay?’” Sean explained. “I was just doing a lot,” and thanked those who checked up on him.
He also told fans, “Keep expecting new music,” and revealed several songs didn’t make the project due to clearance issues. Nonetheless, he expects to “get them out soon,” maybe within a week.
Big Sean teased the expected album cuts on X (Twitter). Fans can look forward to hearing songs with Lil Wayne, Nas and longtime partner, Jhene Aiko. He also explained that he released “Fighting Fires” on SoundCloud because he couldn’t clear it in time, but the track could still make the album.
Finesse2Tymes is going viral once again after revealing he recently kicked a woman out of his house after she made a bold request.
In a recent video he posted to social media, the Memphis-bread rapper shared a clip from what appears to be his home security camera after he removed the woman for reportedly asking him for money. In a scathing voiceover of the clip, Finesse2Tymes recounted how the incident occurred while also denouncing the trending ideology many young women are subscribing to when it comes to demanding monetary displays of affection.
“And the b###h gone say, ‘You going to give me some money?'” Finesse2Tymes started off. “I told the b###h, get out. I’m going to let y’all know now. Man, don’t ask me for no money. I don’t know what the new wave is, what the females talking about, breaking n###as and breaking rappers and doing this, that and the third. This is not that.”
As he pressed on, he clung on to the roots of the the acronym many rappers from his city have popularized to describe how deeply embedded pimping culture is in the city of Memphis—which they tell you stands for making easy money pimpin’n hoes in style.
“I’m on some muthaf###ing pimping baby,” he declared. “I’m talking about full effect man. I don’t play that s###. Don’t ask me for no money, man. Don’t ask me for nothing. I’m going to put your ass out and I ain’t calling you no mother Uber. You going to call your own Uber ass. Don’t walk.”
It’s somewhat surprising that Finesse2Tymes is still seemingly adding women to his roster after he publicly revealed he broke up with one of his pregnant girlfriends, after impregnating the pair at the same time last November.
“I’m focusing on @fng_shugga only,” he wrote in an Instagram Story post.. “I don’t need 2-3 women no more, i got kids, That sht ain’t what’s up, and nah this ain’t about no babymama sht, All my bm’s know I take care mine, here or not.”
Atlanta rapper Lil Baby found himself at the center of a social media storm today after his mugshot was released following his arrest for allegedly carrying a concealed weapon without a permit in Las Vegas.
The incident occurred late Monday night in a club when the musician, whose real name is Dominique Jones, was reportedly seen handling a firearm on video.
Authorities detained the 29-year-old artist, leading to his booking at the Clark County Detention Center.
Despite the allegations, the rap star’s legal representatives, Drew Findling and David Chesnoff, soon issued a statement defending their client’s actions.
“To be clear, Dominique Jones has a valid Georgia carrying a concealed weapon (CCW) permit,” they conveyed through TMZ.
The attorneys mentioned their active efforts to scrutinize the events leading to Jones’ arrest.
After spending some time in custody, Lil Baby was released without formal charges but is scheduled to appear in Las Vegas court on October 1.
His arrest has drawn considerable attention, in part due to a mugshot circulating with lightning speed across social media.
Many commenters are critiquing the appearance of Lil Baby in the mugshot, with comments suggesting that he looks unkempt or like a “druggie.”
Other users made light-hearted jokes, while others are critical, describing the image in unflattering terms.
User @chromed expresses concern, stating, “Why Lil Baby looking like a druggie in that mugshot?” Another user, @boireau, humorously notes, “They did lil baby filthy with that mugshot,” accompanied by laughing emojis.
Conversely, @missbrim expressed admiration by saying, “I love lil baby,” also using an emotional emoji.
User @yorboit humorously noted, “Lil Baby mugshot is going to be on everybody profile pictures,” referencing the current trend of sharing mugshots, along with laughing emojis.
Cardi B responded to backlash over her jokingly referring to her label Atlantic Records as a correctional facility on social media. The hitmaker denied assumptions she doesn’t want to work on her sophomore album on Thursday (August 29).
“The fact that I made a little joke about the studio because I been mixing and mastering about 40-50 songs and y’all turned that into I hate creating is crazy,” Cardi B wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “This why artists don’t interact anymore cuz y’all will take one little joke and stretch it wider than y’all a#######.”
She added, “God forbid I make a little sarcastic jokey jokey about motherhood y’all gonna claim I hate my kids and call cps…dweebs.”
Fans (and detractors) often badger Cardi B about her follow-up to 2018’s Invasion of Privacy. She hasn’t announced a title or release date for her much-anticipated sophomore album.
Cardi B’s willingness to interact with people on social media has created headaches for her. She lashed out at fans worrying about her safety on Wednesday (August 28). Multiple X users questioned why she was seen walking in public without security.
“Wtffff yall be talking about …yall need help,” she wrote. “It was 9am and I went to get a bacon egg and cheese …STOP WIT THIS cry baby s### ..Y’all too p#### …let me get off this app cause yall irritating me and is not even funny.”
Cardi B is expecting her third child with her estranged husband Offset. She filed for divorce in July.
A Dominican Republic court issued an international warrant for 6ix9ine, per Diario Libre. He faced arrest for contempt of court stemming from a 2023 assault case.
“This court issues an arrest warrant against the accused and the execution of the guarantee of 500 thousand Dominican pesos,” the Court of Appeals of the Judicial District of La Vega ordered.
6ix9ine, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was arrested for assaulting two producers in the Dominican Republic in October 2023. He allegedly attacked Cristian Anthony Rojas and Nelson Alfonso Hilario García for spending time with his then-girlfriend Yailin La Más Viral.
The controversial rapper was released on bail but returned to a Dominican jail a few months later. Authorities arrested him on domestic violence charges in January. He allegedly assaulted Yailin in December 2023. A few days ago, Yailin linked up with 6ix9ine’s foe Lil Tjay.
Judge Fátima Veloz granted 6ix9ine’s conditional release in January. He was ordered to pay $510 and participate in counseling. He also had to meet with authorities until they concluded their investigation.
6ix9ine ran afoul of the law multiple times over the years. He was convicted for the use of a child in a sexual performance in 2015. He also pleaded guilty to nine felony charges in a racketeering case against the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods in 2019.
Criminal cases were just a portion of 6ix9ine’s legal woes. He recently lost a copyright infringement lawsuit and watched the government auction off his seized vehicles to cover an IRS debt.
The second Tyrese stepped out of his black truck in the middle of the bustling New York streets, socks on and no shoes in sight, we knew this would be one for the books. This wasn’t just any interview; it was a moment, an event in its own right. Tyrese is riding high right now, with a brand-new movie, “1992,” about to hit theaters, and an album, Beautiful Pain, channels the classic soul music he grew up on. Both projects, hitting their respective platforms on August 30, are a testament to his evolution as an artist, as a man who has managed to stay relevant for decades in the ever-changing landscapes of Hollywood and music.
At 45, Tyrese has seen it all, and he’s been through it all. He’s been a polarizing figure, no doubt—sometimes loved, sometimes hated—but always talked about. And in this era, where attention is the currency of success, Tyrese has figured out how to turn every situation, every headline, into fuel for his fire.
On this particular day, he’d already been making the rounds in New York City. Interviews with Charlamagne tha God, DJ Envy, and the rest of The Breakfast Club crew were just a warm-up. He’d hit Million Dollaz Worth of Game with Gillie the Kid and Wallo, and by the time he landed at AllHipHop, he was wearing a Carhartt jacket, jeans, and yes, still those socks.
What followed was two hours of conversation that went everywhere—police brutality, supporting Black-owned businesses, the dynamics of light skin and dark skin in relationships, masculinity, “toxic femininity,” and more. Wesley Snipes, Drake, Big Daddy Kane, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and more are mentioned. It was the kind of interview that makes you feel something, whether it’s admiration or anger, and there’s no doubt it’ll leave people talking.
In today’s attention economy, Tyrese knows exactly what he’s doing. He maintains that if he wanted to be a bigger star, it would be light work. But for now, he’s focused on being real, on saying what’s on his mind, no matter the consequences.
Sitting down with Tyrese alongside DJ Thoro, this interview was one of the most unfiltered, thought-provoking, controversial conversations we’ve ever had. Tyrese didn’t hold back, cussing every other minute, unleashing his thoughts.
This is Tyrese in his element—raw, uncut, and unapologetically himself. And whether you love him or hate him, you can’t help but pay attention. This interview is sure to have people talking long after the credits roll.
Playboi Carti and Universal Music Group won a lawsuit over the wrongful takedown of a lesser-known rapper’s song. According to Billboard, Judge Analisa Torres said UMG didn’t violate Digital Millennium Copyright Act protections when it flagged G-Baby’s song “Oi!” for using the same licensed beat as Playboi Carti’s track “Right Now.”
“Because the DMCA requires only a good faith belief that material is infringing, a copyright holder is not liable for misrepresentation under the DMCA if they subjectively believe the identified material infringes their copyright, even if that belief is ultimately mistaken,” Judge Torres ruled.
G-Baby, whose real name is Jordan White, sued Carti and UMG for getting “Oi!” taken down from Twitter. White paid $250 for the non-exclusive license of a Pi’erre Bourne beat in 2017. The Bourne-produced instrumental was used for G-Baby’s “Oi!” Bourne gave the same beat to Carti for 2018’s “Right Now.”
White claimed Carti (real name Jordan Carter) and Bourne (real name Jordan Jenks) knew “Oi!” wasn’t a jacked beat but worked with UMG to get it taken down. White believed Carti was upset someone legally used the same instrumental.
“Carter and Jenks knew that ‘Oi!’ was properly licensed and not infringing, yet decided to conspire with Universal,” White argued. “Carter, Jenks and Universal sought the take-down of White’s song with the specific intent of harming White.”
White failed to convince the judge of any wrongdoing. Judge Torres found no evidence of Carti directing UMG to take down White’s song.
“Although Carter may well have been aware of (and displeased with) White’s license to use the beat, White has failed to establish that Carter had any part in the takedown notices,” the judge determined.
Carti’s “Right Now” appeared on his debut album Die Lit. The project peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart.
DJ Rob Swift spoke out against Lord Jamar, who claimed breaking shouldn’t be considered an element of Hip-Hop. The respected DJ lamented how Hip-Hop culture suffered from what he described as “truth decay” in an X (formerly known as Twitter) post on Thursday (August 29).
“The issue is microphones are shoved in the faces of some Rappers who share untruthful stories and narratives,” Swift wrote. “These unvetted Hip-Hop accounts are then spread throughout social media by podcasters and influencers who sacrifice facts for views and feed their followers with lies. Then we’re left to argue about misinformation, and round and round we go.”
He added, “In our age of ‘Information’ overload, Hip-Hop needs to channel the energy from discriminating against each other towards correctly discriminating between truth and falsehood—guard against being led astray by rappers like @lordjamar who falsely claim Breaking, the element responsible for introducing our culture to the world, isn’t a part of Hip-Hop!”
Jamar complained about breaking’s longstanding status as a core element of Hip-Hop on a podcast. The controversial rapper scoffed at breaking’s relevance and suggested it wasn’t a critical part of the culture.
“Breakdancing been f###### faded out,” Jamar said. “I don’t even know why they attach themselves to breakdancing. I’ll tell you why: to try to include the Puerto Ricans. Black people make dances every other f###### week. What the f### are we holding onto breakdancing for?”
He continued, “I don’t think it’s an element … Breakdancing is just a dance. It’s just a form of Hip-Hop dance. Stop singling it out. And when people stopped breakdancing and we played Hip-Hop, it still was Hip-Hop. When m############ stopped writing graffiti, it still was Hip-Hop. These were just byproducts of the music … even rapping is a byproduct of what Hip-Hop was.”
Swift was outraged by Jamar and others minimizing breaking’s role in Hip-Hop culture. The DJ said attempts to write off breaking will always fail.
“Of all the elements of HIp-Hop (DJing, MCing, Graffiti, Breaking), Breaking is the one I revere the most because it resurrects despite its multiple deaths,” Swift wrote. “To those of you trying to kill it again, you can’t kill what WON’T DIE!”
Breaking experienced renewed attention from mainstream audiences due to its inclusion in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Canada’s Philip “Phil Wizard” Kim and Japan’s Ami Yuasa won the first Olympic gold medals for breaking.
Hip-Hop culture suffers from TRUTH DECAY. The issue is microphones are shoved in the faces of some Rappers who share untruthful stories and narratives. These unvetted Hip-Hop accounts are then spread throughout social media by podcasters and influencers who sacrifice facts for… pic.twitter.com/G3Ok2AEJoi
A private investigator tracked down The Game in his legal dispute with Priscilla Rainey, a contestant from his VH1 reality show She’s Got Game. A P.I. named Robert Sedillo Jr. told a California court he served The Game with multiple documents in a proof of service filing obtained by AllHipHop.
Sedillo served The Game with an order regarding the proposed sale of a dwelling, a notice of a hearing for a right to a homestead exemption and other documents on August 22. Rainey enlisted Sedillo to help her collect a $7 million judgment from The Game.
Rainey sued The Game for sexual battery in 2015. Rainey accused the rapper of reaching his hand inside her dress and rubbing her private parts during an off-camera date.
A jury awarded roughly $7 million to Rainey in 2016. The Game claimed he would never pay her.
“Don’t be fooled by these accusations or the dollar amount in the headlines cause I put that on my favorite aunties poodle this broad ain’t gettin s###!” he wrote on Instagram in 2016. “Every girl on that show will tell u I never touched this chick or ever desired to be anywhere near her.”
He continued, “She got kicked off the show & as a result she filed this lame lawsuit which was probably her intentions before the show was ever even started. She was begging for my attention the entire time we shot the show & was given the ultimate Major League Baseball CURVE ball so that upset her & made her lil wee wee hard so she did what all chicks like her do when life gives them no other options…. They sue you!”
AllHipHop previously reported Rainey’s bid to seize The Game’s Calabasas home in her debt collection efforts. The Game is scheduled to appear in court to argue against the potential sale of his house on October 7.
Angelina Jolie is rumored to have been quietly dating British rapper, author and activist Akala for over a year.
On Thursday (August 28), the actress was trending on X (Twitter) following her arrival at the Venice Film Festival, where Jolie and filmmaker Pablo Larrain are set to present their movie, Maria.
However, her companion attracted attention, particularly among British users who were stunned to see Jolie stepping out with Akala.
“Akala dating Angelina Jolie was not on my 2024 bingo card,” one user shared alongside images of the pair boarding a boat.
— TMC Music Connoisseur 🇯🇲 WATCH S2TIMES 🤩 (@MusicConnoisseu) August 29, 2024
“now what the hell is akala doing with angelina jolie,” another person questioned. “My multiverse of madness fr.”
However, it’s not the first time the rumored couple have been captured spending time together following Jolie’s years-long acrimonious divorce from fellow actor Brad Pitt.
Back in December, while shooting Maria, paparazzi snapped them while headed out for dinner.
Despite the speculation, in December, Jolie insisted she wasn’t dating, telling WSJ Magazine, “I don’t really have… a social life.”
However, the rumors began months before, after attending an event in Jamaica with two of her six children. Last May, photos captured the pair shopping for reading material at the Calabash Literary Festival. According to one local outlet, Akala was “very protective” of Angelina Jolie and her daughters Shiloh and Zahara. He reportedly “shepherded them around the grounds of the festival.”
Angelina Jolie and Akala at Kings Bookshop
-Calabash Literary Festival on Saturday in Jamaica-
— ✨Raquel & her Minions✨ (@THENAGODOFWAR) May 30, 2023
American actress Angelina Jolie was spotted Saturday at the 15th Calabash International Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth. The three-day event started Friday. The festival was last held in 2018. The ones for 2020 and 2022 were cancelled because of COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/Eclv2Zep0A
📸 Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson, British rapper and author Akala, Angelina Jolie, watching the segment entitled Laurels and Laureates at Calabash Literary Festival. 𝙋𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚 pic.twitter.com/57CK3r7v9L
— Let Her Go ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@angeltresjolie_) May 29, 2023
Angelina Jolie at Tribe Nine Studios at the Calabash International Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth. The three-day event started Friday pic.twitter.com/1857XDXnCF
— ✨Raquel & her Minions✨ (@THENAGODOFWAR) May 28, 2023
Fat Trel is reportedly in trouble with the law again after getting arrested in D.C. earlier this week.
On Wednesday (August 28), ABC reporter Beatrice Peterson shared footage showing the D.C. rapper sitting on a wall with his arms held out beside him, seemingly performing a sobriety test for the cops.
According to Peterson, Capitol Police confirmed they arrested Fat Trel on Wednesday following a traffic stop. Fat Trel reportedly ran a red light, prompting cops to pull him over. Peterson states that Fat Tre “was reportedly under the influence, he had an open container and had been driving on a revoked license.”
D.C. rapper Fat Trel was arrested by Capitol Police on Wednesday after allegedly running a red light on Capitol Hill, Capitol Police told me. Fat Trel, was reportedly under the influence, he had an open container and had been driving on a revoked license.pic.twitter.com/n6CCYnnhbe
— Beatrice Peterson (@MissBeaE on all platforms) (@MissBeaE) August 28, 2024
Footage of Fat Trel’s arrest was shared by D.C.-based rapper and podcaster Ant Glizzy. There has been tension between them for some time, with Glizzy previously accusing Fat Trel of being a rat. His post gained nearly a million views overnight and attracted over fifteen hundred replies, many of them criticizing Trel for landing himself in hot water with the law again.
Fat Trel was released from prison in November 2022 after spending years in and out of the system. At the time, he vowed to stay out of trouble and keep feeding his fans new music.
He was convicted of DWI and marijuana possession in 2016 and spent three years behind bars. A judge granted him probation and allowed him to go free. However, at his probation hearing, he was sentenced to another year and a half of incarceration by the judge.
It’s unclear if Fat Trel remains locked up following his latest arrest. However, a post was made on his Instagram account on Wednesday announcing Fat Trel is continuing his album rollout.
“AINT NUFFIN STOPPIN DIS S###!! ALBUM DROP FRIDAY,” the post was captioned.
GloRilla is hitting back against claims her label is forcing her to over-sexualize herself after facing backlash over a video of her dancing topless.
On Wednesday (August 28), the “TGIF” hitmaker took to Instagram Live to shut down the gossip.
“Let me tell you b###### something,” Glo began. “Y’all had so much to say because I was dancing to my song holding my t######. Don’t worry about what me and my t###### doing. B####, I bought them.”
She also specifically denied her label is forcing her outside of her comfort zone. “The label ain’t making me do s###,” she added. “A ho gone be a ho. Y’all just be swearing muthafuckas make muthafuckas do s###. Like everything I do I be wanting to do it. Y’all just got to learn to mind your business sometimes.”
GloRilla then explained why she posts thirst traps. “It ain’t about no label making me do s###,” she asserted. “It’s about me looking for some hoes.” Check out the video below. Global responds to critics at around the 3.30 minute mark.
GloRilla posted the video that sparked the criticism earlier this week, promoting her new single with Rob49 and Skilla Baby. In the video, Glo dances topless while covering her breasts with her hands.
While fans littered her comment section with praise, there were also some complaints about her label.
“Whoever thought her having no shirt on rapping needs to be fired,” one person shared. “Glo still love you I know its not you its them.”
Another added, “They do kno we get Tired of seeing ya’ll half naked all the time on social media. They don’t even care, red carpet we gettin naked. Like WTF.”
Meanwhile, one content creator was going viral with her critique of GloRilla, insisting her label was over-sexualizing her.
“At some point y’all gotta stop blaming “they” and realize these people want to do this on their own,” one fan replied. “I mean Glo’s breakout video was her & her friends twerking on cars, one of them was pregnant lol. Tailor your expectations for individuals and you’ll be much happier.”
