In a heartfelt gesture of generosity, acclaimed rapper The Game has joined forces with Cal Dental USA to make a significant contribution towards providing essential dental services to underprivileged children in preparation for the upcoming school year. The $50,000 aims to bridge the gap between families lacking insurance coverage and the necessary dental check-ups and treatments required for school registration.
Expressing his deep commitment to education, The Game emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “This is very important to me; the school’s everything. I’m just giving back. I love the kids. I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.” The renowned artist recognizes the value of education in shaping young minds and understands the challenges faced by families who struggle to meet the financial demands of dental care.
The partnership was initiated when James from Cal Dental USA approached The Game and shared his firsthand experiences of encountering families unable to afford essential dental services, preventing their children from receiving the proper dental care needed to start the academic year. Inspired by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, The Game stepped up. “I wanted to fill in the gap and do my part,” he said. Additionally, he was impressed by Cal Dental USA’s reputation and expressed confidence in the quality of their services.
The Game, whose real name is Jayceon Terrell Taylor, rose to prominence in the 2000s and played a pivotal role in revitalizing the West Coast hip-hop scene. Known for his dynamic presence and lyrical prowess, he has now taken his influence beyond music, using his platform to make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals. With his philanthropic endeavors, he continues to demonstrate his commitment to giving back to the community.
Cal Dental USA, led by CEO Dr. John Kim and Vice President James Jones, is not only recognized for its exceptional dental services but also for its dedication to meeting the needs of individuals and families. Ensuring high standards of dental care remains at the forefront of the organization’s values. With 21 locations across Southern California, Cal Dental USA is committed to providing an inclusive and compassionate environment where patients receive comprehensive dental care.
This teamwork between The Game and Cal Dental USA serves as an inspiring example of how public figures and organizations can come together to address the pressing needs of their communities. By combining their efforts, they aim to ensure that children receive the dental services they require, paving the way for a healthier and more prosperous future.
Scar Lip is among the new crop of rising rappers from New York City who have garnered the attention of Hip Hop fans and industry peers. Even legendary NYC emcee Busta Rhymes co-signed the up-and-comer.
The Scar Lip movement went into overdrive with the success of the “This is New York” single. Her breakout track collected over 1 million streams on Spotify and its video amassed 3.1 million views on YouTube.
West Coast Hip Hop icon Snoop Dogg hopped on Scar’s “This is Cali” remix. Then, East Coast representative Busta Rhymes celebrated Scar by presenting her with a special present.
“Busta Rhymes gifted me a Diamond chain. 🥺 I never got anything like this before. 💔🥹🥹 Thank you for believing in me. I love u so much,” wrote Scar Lip in the Instagram caption for the video of the gift-giving moment.
Epic Records signed Scar Lip to a record deal earlier this year. Veteran Hip Hop producer/executive Swizz Beatz played a role in announcing the major label signing. Swizz also linked up with Scar for “Take ‘Em Out” with Jadakiss and Benny The Butcher.
“I honestly feel like DMX sent Scar Lip my way,” said Swizz Beatz. “Because she’s too much of his energy. Like I’ve never seen an artist that just naturally has what I know DMX has. And they’re two different artists, two different levels, yes. But I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about in here.”
In addition to Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz, and Snoop Dogg, Scar Lip also got public backing from fellow Bronx native Cardi B. In June, the rap newcomer revealed, “Last night 🥹 @iamcardib invited me to her studio, she taught me the game, she schooled me & told me she really wanna see me make it, I’m happy to say I’m not only inspired by her but she’s bestie 😂🔥❤️❤️.”
Britney Spears has a fan in Plies. The Florida-bred rapper once again shows love to Spears on social media.
Two weeks ago, Plies took to Instagram to express his appreciation for Britney Spears’ in-house dance videos. He wrote,” 🤣🤣Her Drawls Be Everything To Me!! Look How She Wear’em. They Be Sagging Like She Ain’t Finish Put’em On!!! I Luv Dis Sh*t!!!🤣😍.”
The “Bust It Baby (Part 2)” hitmaker also shared two more social media reactions to Britney Spears over the last month. His latest online commentary, posted on August 14, included him highlighting the popstar’s pole dance routine.
“🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 My White Diamond Bih (From The Players Club) 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Go To Pound Town Britt!!! Go To Pound Town Britt!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Man I Luh Britt Bih!!! 🤣🤣🤣 #Plies Go Pre Order My New Hat Line ‘Loved’ Partnered With @KingCircleHat Pre Order Link In Bio!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️❤️,” stated Plies.
The Ice Cube-directed 1998motion picture, The Players Club, told the story of employees at a fictional strip club. The movie’s cast featured Ice Cube as well as LisaRaye McCoy, Bernie Mac, Jamie Foxx, Monica Calhoun, Chrystale Wilson, Adele Givens, and others.
Before becoming a diehard Britney Spears supporter, Plies scored a Platinum plaque for 2007’s The Real Testament album. He also earned RIAA Gold Awards for 2008’s Definition of Real album and 2016’s Da REAList album.
In addition to being a muse for Plies, Britney Spears is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The former Disney Channel star has five No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and six No. 1 projects on the Billboard 200 chart.
Spears also recently received a shout-out from Hip Hop star Cardi B. The Bronx native’s verse on Latto’s “Put It on da Floor Again” single featured Cardi rapping, “N####, cry for what? B####, these are Denim Tears. I’m sexy dancing in the house, I feel like Britney Spears.”
Beyoncé just wrapped up a three-night run inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. One of those Renaissance World Tour stops featured Bey showing love to Lizzo.
Several dancers who used to work for Lizzo sued the singer, claiming they were subjected to sexual misconduct and body-shaming. As news of the lawsuit went viral, online sentiment towards Lizzo shifted.
Apparently, Beyoncé has now made it clear where she stands when it comes to Lizzo. According to reports, the former Destiny’s Child star shouted out the Special album creator during her concert in Atlanta.
Beyoncé shows love to Lizzo during her concert in Atlanta:
For her part, Lizzo has flatly denied the accusations against her. Earlier this month, the 4-time Grammy winner released a lengthy statement addressing Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez’s allegations.
“Usually, I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed. I’m devastated after hearing these fabricated claims made against me,” posted Lizzo.
She also added, “There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world. I know what it feels like to be body shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight.”
The public back-and-forth between Hip Hop journalist Elliott Wilson and Hip Hop superstar Drake seems to be cooling off. Wilson sat down with DJ Akademiks to discuss his short-lived feud with the Canadian rapper.
Drake fired back on Instagram, writing, “Lol man s#### on not coming to his platform for a second time and now Elliott 10 toes doing Yes Julz run up interviews at Rolling Loud 😂😂😂😂just admit the youth took over, big dog 🤣🤣🤣.”
During his conversation with Akademiks on the Off The Record podcast, Elliott Wilson admitted to offering Drake a mea culpa. The 52-year-old media figure explained why he made amends with the chart-topping recording artist.
“People clown people in Hip Hop if they apologize,” stated Wilson. I apologized to Drake because we have a great rapport. He’s been respectful. He’s given me more interviews than anybody. I’ve had six interviews with him.”
Wilson also offered, “Drake and I built something to the point where I should’ve at least let him know my feelings before I aired it out to the public. I should’ve owed him that respect. I would’ve did it with [Jay-Z], and I owe him that. That’s why I was wrong.”
Those sentiments appear to be different from what Elliott Wilson had to say immediately after Drake shot back at him on social media. At the time, Wilson tweeted a screenshot of Drake’s Instagram comment with a caption that read, “Oh, it’s go time? Cool.”
In the end, the interview that apparently ignited the online exchanges between Drake and Elliott Wilson is no longer available. Bobbi Althoff took down her viral The Really Good Podcast conversation with the Her Loss album creator. Reports also claim Althoff and Drake unfollowed each other on Instagram.
Back in 2015, Post Malone grabbed a lot of music fans’ attention with his “White Iverson” song. That track drew inspiration from legendary Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.
Post Malone’s “White Iverson” has now amassed more than 1 billion streams on Spotify. The Republic recording artist celebrated his debut single joining the streaming service’s Billion Club in a video filmed in London’s O2 Arena.
“It feels super cool that the song does connect with people, and I’m just happy to bring joy into anyone’s life when I can,” said Post Malone in the 2-minute clip shared on Spotify’s YouTube channel and social media pages.
He continued, “It’s an amazing feeling for me, and that really gave me the confidence and the courage to keep attempting to do what I love. I just appreciate all the support, and it’s the most beautiful feeling in the world for me. Thank you.”
Post Malone has ten songs in his catalog that reached the 1 billion streams landmark on Spotify. His other massive streaming hits include “Sunflower” (2.9 billion), “Rockstar” (2.7 billion), and “Circles” (2.2 billion).
“Congrats on 1 billion Spotify streams,” expressed Allen Iverson to the Texas native in the “Billions Club: The Series” video. “The whole world loves this song and I’m honored to be a part of it. Keep that same form, Post.”
In addition to racking up a billion plays on Spotify, the official “White Iverson” music video surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. The RIAA also certified “White Iverson” with a Diamond Award (10 million units).
Post Malone released his latest studio LP, Austin, on July 28. The project debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart by earning 113,000 first-week units. Austin became Malone’s fifth Top 10 album of his career.
A 33-year-old security guard denies murdering East London grime rapper Hypo who was stabbed to death at a birthday party last year.
On Monday (August 24), a jury at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, commonly known as the Old Bailey, heard evidence that up to 500 people attended the event at an East London soccer club on June 2, 2022.
Prosecutors accused the defendant Laurie “Bigga” John-Phillip of an“unlawful attack” against the “unarmed” rapper, whose real name is Lamar Jackson, The Independent reports. CCTV showed an initial altercation between the victim and the defendant at around 10.30 p.m. Jurors were informed that the alleged attack was not caught on CCTV.
One witness reports seeing someone strike Jackson in the chest shortly after midnight. “I’ve been stabbed”, the witness recalled Hypo shouting.
Hypo is said to have initially dropped to the ground before exiting the venue “as quickly as he could.”
Despite the best efforts of paramedics who arrived at 12:22 a.m., Hypo was pronounced dead at 12:44 a.m. He was 32 years old. A post-mortem examination determined his cause of death as sharp force trauma to the chest.
John-Phillip was arrested in June 2022 and charged with murder and possession of a bladed article. He read a prepared statement in three interviews following his arrest insisting he “did not murder Lamar Jackson.”
However, he later admitted to killing Jackson but claims he acted in lawful self-defense.
“You can be sure and will be sure that this was an unlawful attack and that this was murder,” prosecutor Brian O’Neill KC told jurors.
Rick Ross gave the glory to God after adding a $35 million Miami mega-mansion to his growing property portfolio.
He and his realtor shared the good news Monday (August 14), confirming his purchase of the sprawling estate on the exclusive Star Island. Diddy is among the rich and famous residents of the luxury gated community. The Bad Boy Records founder also reportedly shelled out $35 million for Emilio and Gloria Estafan’s old mansion in 2021 and is rumored to own the property next door.
Rozay’s new mansion at 37 Star Island Drive clocks in at a whopping 9,700 square feet, sat on a 40,000 square feet plot and comes with a 40-foot boat dock with direct access to the waterfront. The six-bedroom/eight-bathroom home also features a heated pool and fittingly boasts stunning ocean views.
Rick Ross took to his Instagram Stories with a post from his realtor, celebrating the sale. “Glory to God,” he wrote, adding several prayer hands emojis.
Rick Ross adds the Star Island home to his portfolio which includes his Fayette County, Georgia mansion dubbed The Promise Land. Ross bought the 109-bedroom property in 2014 from boxing star Evander Holyfield.
He also snapped up Meek Mill’s former eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom Atlanta compound for a whopping $4.2 Million in cash earlier this year.
Although Blueface and Chrisean Rock are separated, they are expecting a child together and their toxic relationship is still being played out on the current series of their reality show Crazy In Love.
One recently aired scene from the Zeus Network reality show has gone viral. In it, Blueface tells Chrisean Rock she was nothing before he met her, claiming God sent him for her.
When Blueface told her she “could not eat by yourself” before getting with him, Chrisean Rock accused him of “trying to take God’s credit.”
However, Blueface claimed she was trying to take credit from him. “B####, you trying to give God my credit and I’m not going for it. I’m taking God credit? No, b####, God sent me for you.”
When the Baddies South star objected, asking, “You trying to say I didn’t have no divine to my life?” Blueface clapped back. “You didn’t,” he snapped. “You had a backpack and a pair of f###### cleats.”
The clip began making the rounds of X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, with users blasting Blueface and the show in general.
“They really just film Blueface’s abuse of Chrisean and call it a TV show,” read one tweet. “This s### is actually sick to watch and I don’t know how anybody finds it entertaining.”
They really just film Blueface's abuse of Chrisean and call it a TV show, this s### is actually sick to watch and I don't know how anybody finds it entertaining https://t.co/q4iIXCgbd7
— don cheadle FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸 (@realcheadle) August 14, 2023
In another Crazy In Love clip, Blueface tells Chrisean Rock to “get the f### on,” or allow him to “control” her.
“I just feel like not enough people talking about how disrespectful #Blueface is to #chrisean,” another user wrote. “He is wayyyyy to comfortable hitting her , Taking her money and ALOT MORE.”
I just feel like not enough people talking about how disrespectful #Blueface is to #chrisean……. Go back and watch this episode exactly and connect the dots mane , He is wayyyyy to comfortable hitting her , Taking her money and ALOT MORE💯 #CrazyInLove2pic.twitter.com/vsyvk58gyF
I don’t think the s### with Blueface and Chrisean is funny. Narcissistic abuse is one of the hardest types of abuse to recover from& one of the hardest types of relationships to leave. I wish y’all would show some compassion. Not saying she’s all good, but she has been abused.
I feel bad as f### for Chrisean bc she don’t deserve how Blueface be eatin her up & be borderline right 😂😂😂😂😂 cause 7 tattoos you clown ass hoe ???💀💀💀💀💀
The way Blueface is gaslighting Chrisean about the money she’s made is mind boggling. For him to act like she’s not the one who’s been keeping his name popping is even more crazy. I’d be so embarrassed to have a son like this pic.twitter.com/5DSPEiGFwh
Blueface acting like chrisean wouldn’t be nothing without him is actually comical. N#### nobody woulda gave a f### about you after Thotiana if it wasn’t for her! She keeping you relevant n####!
Nicki Minaj threatened to release a rap song and her entire Pink Friday 2 album after clapping back at a fan who criticized her rapping skills and her newly released song snippet.
The NYC icon teased a new track on Instagram Live Sunday night (August 13) ahead of the release of her highly anticipated upcoming album, due November 13. While some fans gushed over the snippet, not everybody loved the new pop-leaning track.
“When rapping didn’t work they go for pop,” wrote one user on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
However, Nicki Minaj caught wind of the post and hit back in response, slamming the critic while listing her rap accolades.
“Red Ruby = highest debut for a solo female rap song in 2023,” she began. “Surprise drop released with no video, radio, playlisting, no SNIPPETS til night b4. SFG = still the last rap song to debut @ #1. Broke 25 year Spotify & billboard record. SFG = last rap song to GO #1. Barbie World= STILL top 10 for 4 weeks GLOBALLY (drill beat y’all laughed at). Princess Diana = charting on hot 100 for 16 weeks.”
The impressive achievements continued as Minaj was just warming up and kept the receipts coming.
“Pound Town 2 – no video, no performance, surprise drop = been on hot 100 several weeks,” she added. “PINK FRIDAY = THE PINKPRINT TO “GOING POP” SUPERBASS, MOMENT 4 LIFE, Check it out, Save Me, Last chance, etc. 2nd album = STARSHIPS, POUND THE ALARM, VAVAVOOM, TURN ME ON, (disowned by the rap critics who years later were shamelessly paid off). PINK FRIDAY 2 = your worst phkn nightmare. It makes me so happy to know the jealousy is oozing through your ugly bussy.”
Despite the criticism over the “pop” cut, Nicki Minaj also revealed the song, titled “Last Time That I Saw You,” also includes a rap verse.
“Wait til u hear the RAP on that!” she declared before adding the track has “One writer. ONE.”
She concluded, “Lastly, I don’t do diff genres. Hoe i AM a genre. THEE genre.”
Check out her response below.
Red Ruby = highest debut for a solo female rap song in 2023 ( surprise drop released with no video, radio, playlisting, no SNIPPETS til night b4 🤣
SFG = still the last rap song to debut @ #1. Broke 25 year Spotify & billboard record.
In a follow-up post, Nicki Minaj threatened to drop the entire Pink Friday 2 album to silence the critics. She issued a poll with the options “Green light gang go,” and “Red light muva chill.”
“SAY I WONT HURT FEELINGS RIGHT NOW W/A RAP SNIPPET!” she declared. “SAY I WONT DROP THIS WHOLE ALBUM THIS FRIDAY. SAYYYYITTTTTTTTTT!!!!! SAY UNCLE B!CH!!!!!!!!!”
Donald Trump and 18 others have been hit with a sweeping 41- felony count indictment by a Georgia grand jury, accused of plotting to illegally overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.
Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani and a Trump administration Justice Department official, Jeffrey Clark are among the 18 co-defendants named in the indictment issued Monday night (Aug 14).
“Trump and the other Defendants charged in this Indictment refused to accept that Trump lost, and they knowingly and willfully joined conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election in favor of Trump,” the indictment issued Monday night by the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis reads in part.
In a press conference following the release of the indictment, Willis announced a grand jury authorized arrest warrants for all the defendants, including Donald Trump. The defendants have until noon on Friday, August 25 to “voluntarily surrender” to authorities in Fulton County.
D.A. Fani Willis tells Trump and other defendants they have until Friday, August 25th to “voluntarily surrender” after “arrest warrants” were issued pic.twitter.com/4SNjFnNxh5
Willis also stated she intends to try all 19 defendants together within the next six months. She denied accusations the charges are politically motivated. “I make decisions in this office based on facts and the law,” Willis stated at the press conference.
The Fulton County indictment marks the fourth criminal case to be brought against Donald Trump.
Donald Trump Responds To Indictment
In a statement posted on Truth Social following news of the indictment, Trump disparaged the prosecutors bringing “bogus indictments“against him. He accused Willis of stalling her investigation “to try and maximally interfere with the 2024 presidential race and damage the dominant Trump campaign.”
He also called out the “corrupt” Democrats and accused a “biased prosecutor” of fabricating the charges and betraying the trust of the American people. Read his statement in full below.
R&B singer Ginuwine has paid tribute to rapper Magoo following reports of his death on Sunday. Magoo, best known for his work as one half of rap duo Timbaland & Magoo, passed away aged 50, it was reported on Sunday.
The “Pony” singer paid tribute to Magoo on Instagram alongside a black-and-white portrait of the hip-hop star.
“This dude, always pushed me… I will mis you maganooo that’s what we called him ….. totally one of the best ever in my eyes always pressing forward I know we didn’t talk alot but the love was and will be always there my brotha, I will see you soon bro we all have our date and I’m expecting the bro hug when I get there (sic),” he wrote in the caption.
The 52-year-old told his followers he was in “pain” following the death of three friends within the space of a month.
“I hate going through this and losing people we love sometimes it makes you feel like you dont wanna feel the pain so you wanna be gone also …pain hurts ..man oh man blessings to the family all of my condolences (sic),” he concluded.
In an earlier post, Ginuwine told his fans that he had “just heard some news” he hoped wasn’t true and added, “I just want everyone to know that time is short love who you love and make sure they know it.”
Ginuwine worked with Timbaland and Magoo on his 1996 debut album.
Elsewhere, R&B artist Digital Black, from the group Playa, wrote on Instagram, “Man can’t believe this RIP Magoo damn big bro wasnt ready for this at all #superfriends (sic).”
Timbaland & Magoo released three albums – 1997’s Welcome to Our World, 2001’s Indecent Proposal, and 2003’s Under Construction, Part II – and were known for hits such as “Up Jumps da Boogie” and “Luv 2 Luv Ya.”
Missy Elliott reflected on the loss of her collaborator and friend Magoo, who died over the weekend in Virginia. The acclaimed rapper/producer reminisced about her history with Magoo in an Instagram post on Monday (August 14).
“These are the kind of post I don’t wish on any,” Missy Elliott wrote. “at 1st I was in shock & the more I sit the reality kicks in so many emotions. I remember when we 1st met as teenagers & you said hey my name Melvin & I laughed so hard & I said wait you really talk like that? and you said yuuuup & I kept laughing & I said what you do you said I rap & you kicked 8 bars & I said you remind me of Qtip & you said he one of my favorite emcees but your flow was VA I loved it!”
Missy Elliott’s post included a clip of Magoo’s “Beep Me 911” verse. She also reminded fans he christened her with her “Misdemeanor” nickname.
“From that day we became so cool you supported me from day 1 & you said I’m going to call you Misdemeanor because it’s a crime to have that many talents,” she wrote. “So those who don’t know Magoo gave me the name Misdemeanor. When we did this song Beep Me 911 & I asked Magoo to get on it & I played this verse over and over & posting this is just heartbreaking I am so lost for words…”
Magoo, whose real name was Melvin Barcliff, was 50. No cause of death has been revealed.
We recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and it’s important we recognize the greats. From the West Coast to the East Coast to Down South, endless rappers from all over the country have made a significant impact on the genre as a whole — and continue to do so in this day and age.
E.D.I. Mean, who is an original member of Tupac’s group The Outlawz, originally hails from from New York. He befriended Tupac’s cousin Kastro in high school, who later introduced him to the late great Tupac Shakur.
From there, the rest is history.
You may recognize E.D.I Mean’s name featured on a slew of records with Tupac, but the most notable would have to be “Hit ‘Em Up.” E.D.I. Mean actually reveals that they had made several records that day, with “Good Life” being his personal favorite.
Most recently, E.D.I. Mean has been working overtime on his own artistry, releasing two projects in one day: OG3: LA BELLA VITA and The Hope Dealer, Pt. 3. He always had the pleasure of being part of the Tupac docuseries titled Dear Mama, and even celebrated Tupac’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with Pac’s immediate family.
AllHiphop spoke with E.D.I Mean in downtown Los Angeles to discuss his new projects, relationship with Tupac’s family, love for Hip-Hop, his new app Recordian, the Outlawz documentary, and more!
AllHipHop: How you feeling?
E.D.I Mean: I feel great, life is good. La Bella Vita, it’s the name of my new album.
AllHipHop: How is it dropping two albums in one day?
E.D.I Mean: Man, it’s a lot of hard work. Because you gotta do twice the promotion, twice the work. But it’s worth it. It’s something that I had inspiration to do, and I’m proud of myself for getting it done.
AllHipHop: Definitely want to talk about the Tupac star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Why’d it take so long, first of all?
E.D.I Mean: Aw man, your guess is as good as mine. I don’t know, but better late than never is one of my mottos in life. Better late than never. It was an incredible day. It was an incredible day for his fans. His family, his sister had a chance to get up there and represent for our brother. It was a lot of positive vibes man, great day all around.
AllHipHop: I really enjoyed the Dear Mama docuseries. You said you didn’t want to be part of it initially.
E.D.I Mean: At the time, I was just tired of doing interviews. Really tired of talking about the past. The past is one of my least favorite subjects to talk about. But when they broke down how they wanted to do it and the inspiration behind it, it swayed me a little bit to want to be involved. I’m happy I’m involved. It’s nominated for two Emmys and widely loved by the people, they really appreciate it.
AllHipHop: What was your favorite part? Aside from being in it…
E.D.I Mean: Man, just seeing some of Pac’s family up there talk about him, especially his aunt Glo. She’s one of the best storytellers ever. She killed it.
AllHipHop: Glo was actually at the premiere in Los Angeles. What’s your relationship with her?
E.D.I Mean: She’s always been like my second mother. Her and my mother had been friends for over 40 plus years, her and my dad were friends before I was even born. She’s always been a part of my life. She’s the reason why I know the Shakur’s, because of her friendship with my dad and my mother. She’s like my second mom, I love her to death.
AllHipHop: What do you want people to get from your music now?
E.D.I Mean: I want people to see the growth that can happen when you decide to live a positive life. When you come from tragedy, that there’s life after death. No pun intended, it is life after death. My music hopefully reflects that and inspires people to want to continue living, despite the b####### that life throws at you. Because you’re not going to get out of here without dealing with b#######.
AllHipHop: How much did Pac support you and encourage you to do the rap thing?
E.D.I Mean: Man, he was one of the first people to believe in my art and believe in my music. I sent him my music as a teenager. He immediately gravitated towards it. He immediately was encouraging. Not only that, he gave me an opportunity to have a career, so I’m always, always thankful and grateful for that. His generosity, truly was a very generous human being.
AllHipHop: Do you think you would have been rapping if it wasn’t for Pac?
E.D.I Mean: I was gonna do this regardless, because this is all I ever wanted to do. This is the only thing that made sense to me growing up. Coming from Brooklyn, New York, it’s the 50th year anniversary for Hip-Hop. I’m literally 49 years old, I grew up with Hip-Hop year for year. So I was gonna do this regardless.
AllHipHop: What was the moment you fell in love with Hip-Hop?
E.D.I Mean: S###, the moment I fell in love with Hip-Hop is when I went to my first parties in the park, in the streets. Because in New York at the time, Hip-Hop was very much in the streets before it was on the radio. I heard it in the streets before I heard it on the radio, that’s when that’s when I fell in love with it.
AllHipHop: Do you remember the first person you heard?
E.D.I Mean: I’m not really sure because at the time, it was just a DJ in a park rocking. It was the culture of it, it’s people out there with the DJ rocking. But the first MC that I was like yo, he’s dope. I want to be able to do what he does, Run-DMC.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from The Outlawz documentary?
E.D.I Mean: The Outlawz documentary will definitely give our story, how we came together. How we all were interconnected before we actually knew each other. Our perspective of the whole ride, that encompasses the life and times of Tupac Shakur. Our story is pretty f###### amazing, outside of his story as well. So you’ll get his story, then you’ll get all our stories man. Kadafi, Hussein Fatal, Napoleon, Kastro, E.D.I. Mean.
AllHipHop: Is it hard to track everyone down nowadays?
E.D.I Mean: Well the ones who are still living, we all keep in contact with each other. We’re all reachable. We can all reach each other whenever we want to.
AllHipHop: Talk about your app, Recordian. What is the premise?
E.D.I Mean: It’s a game changer. Again, I gotta reference 50 years of Hip-Hop because it’s timely. From everything Hip-Hop has given me, this is my gift back to Hip-Hop, with people that love Hip-Hop. But it’s not just specific for Hip-Hop, it’s a music streaming app. An artist will be able to upload his own profile, upload his own music. You will not need the middleman, and we’re going to give you a bigger piece of the pie. Go to recordianmusic.com.
AllHipHop: It’s already launched?
E.D.I Mean: The app itself will not be available until the end of August, but you can go to our website and you can get previews in the app. You’ll see what it looks like. You’ll see what we’re doing, what we got coming up. We’ll keep you up to date with everything we got coming up. Follow us: @recordianmusic on Twitter and Instagram.
AllHipHop: What was the process behind that?
E.D.I Mean: Well, it’s been a two year process. It started during the pandemic. A friend of mine by the name of FOS, he’s from Frisco. He’s out of the Bay where a lot of the great tech stuff comes from. He had this idea. He was talking about crypto and all this crypto s###. I’m like bruh, I’m not into that s###. I don’t even know what the f### that is. What s a crypto? What is an NF? T? Slowly but surely, because I was interested in the idea about the app, I began to do my own research and learn about crypto. What an NFt is, and why does she mean so much to the younger generation.
I went to a house full of crypto millionaires. All they was doing was getting to the money. They were all in his big ass mansion in the hills. The guy that introduced me to him was like “oh yeah, he’s worth $20 million. He’s worth $20 million. He just made $8 million last night.” I’m like, get the f### out of here. It definitely got my interest because I like large sums of money. [laughs]
Aside from that, the Recordian helps an artist with what’s going on in the music industry. Because I’m sure everybody heard Snoop talk about it: who’s coming up with these streaming numbers? Why do you have to stream so much just to make a couple of dollars? The Recordian is going to answer those questions. Not only answer the questions, solve the problem.
AllHipHop: Where do you view the current state of Hip-Hop? compared to back in the day…
E.D.I Mean: Everything changes, everything evolves. Music is evolving all the time. Hip-Hop evolves at a rapid rate. You always got some new trends, some new fad that people are going crazy over. It’s always been like that. Now with social media, cell phones, everything, these gatchets we got can go viral very quickly. But it can also fade very quickly. A lot of stuff that we was loving two or three years ago, you’d be like yo, where’s such and such at? Because the content doesn’t stick to your ribs like good music does.
I’m not here to point the finger at anybody. I’m just saying if you notice, s### is changing and it’s changing rapidly. Artists are not having as long careers as they did before, because the content y’all putting out ain’t really sticking. You make an artist like myself, I appreciate it. Because the more they can’t get what they want from y’all, they’re gonna go back and get it from who was giving it. That’s what’s happening now, slowly but surely. Generational artists, classic artists, careers are getting longer and longer, because the music ain’t up there.
You definitely got some guys who are doing great numbers, they getting real hot and they getting to the bag. But like I said, two or three years from now, you’re not really seeing a lot of these artists. It’s only a few that’ll last.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let us know?
E.D.I Mean: Man, be on the lookout for the Recordian. I got a best of both worlds type album coming out with Mars, called Greatness. We’re gonna drop that in the fall. It’s strictly for the ladies and the fellas that still like ladies.
Fat Joe loved his time at Hip-Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium. The Bronx native described the euphoric experience in an interview with AllHipHop’s Chuck Creekmur.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s unreal,” Fat Joe told AllHipHop. “It’s like heaven. You died and woke up in heaven. What was best about [the event] was young boys with they own speakers outside it. [They were outside] Yankee Stadium rapping, freestyling. Then you had bands out there playing … We in the middle of the street having fun.”
Fat Joe’s appreciation for Hip-Hop 50 was the total opposite of Willie D’s views on the anniversary celebration. Last week, the Geto Boys member explained why he disliked the festivities during an appearance on the AllHipHop podcast.
“S###’s wack,” Willie D said. “Because a lot of it is being put on and presented by gatekeepers who don’t have the best interest of the culture at heart. And it’s a money grab for them. They’re picking and choosing who they think should receive praise, who should receive accolades.”
Fat Joe, Run-DMC, Nas, Lauryn Hill, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Slick Rick, EPMD, several Wu-Tang Clan members, and many other artists performed at the Yankee Stadium show. A livestream of the event allowed fans around the world to watch the performances on YouTube.
Zeus Network founder and CEO Lemuel Plummer shut down a rumor about Chrisean Rock allegedly assaulting social media personality Woah Vicky. Plummer responded to the allegations via Instagram Stories on Monday (August 14).
“Chrisean Rock has NOT gotten into a physical altercation with ANYONE on set during the filming of Baddies East,” he wrote. “Anyone claiming otherwise is ALL [cap emoji].”
The rumor claimed Woah Vicky pressed charges against Chrisean Rock after a clash during the taping of the reality TV series Baddies East. Blueface helped the rumor spread by referencing the charges in a since-deleted Twitter post.
“Smh I told her not to go on that show,” he wrote of his ex-girlfriend. “free my son.”
Chrisean Rock, who is pregnant with Blueface’s child, reposted Plummer’s rumor denial on her Instagram Stories. She and Blueface co-star in the Zeus reality TV series Crazy in Love.
Earlier this month, Chrisean Rock said she did not want Blueface to be present for the birth of their child. The baby is due in September.
“No, [Blueface] cannot be there when I’m pushing the baby out,” she said. “Sorry. That s### is intentional. That s### is intense. I need love, real love. I don’t need a n#### ready to whip his camera out because his career is dying. I just need real love.”
Chrisean Rock also accused Blueface of threatening to kick her in the stomach when she was five or six months pregnant. The former couple’s relationship often concerned observers with several examples of domestic violence surfacing in past years.
It’s been said deaths always happen in threes—and sadly, it looks like the rap community has just suffered another loss. On the heels of losing “The Black Godfather” Clarence Avant and Timbaland’s longtime rhyming partner, Magoo, on Sunday (August 13), Hip-Hop is also mourning the death of Junior Mafia affiliate Chico Del Vec.
Hip-Hop legend Special Ed posted the news on his social media, writing, “Just got a call. Rest in Peace Chico Del Vec. Junior Mafia.” When reached for comment, Special Ed told AllHipHop, “I don’t have much details other than they found him in his room.”
Junior M.A.F.I.A. was formed in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn by The Notorious B.I.G. The backronym M.A.F.I.A. stands for “Masters At Finding Intelligent Attitudes.” In 1995, they released their debut album, Conspiracy, which was bolstered by the success of “Player’s Anthem” (which landed at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100) and “Get Money” (No. 17). It ultimately helped launch the career of Lil’ Kim as a solo artist.
The group disbanded shortly after the 1997 murder of The Notorious B.I.G., but Lil’ Kim and Lil’ Cease deciding to continue on with their solo careers. In 2005, three of the members released a second album under the Junior M.A.F.I.A. name as a remembrance of the group.
Chico Del Vec. appeared in a 2012 episode of VH1’s Behind The Music about Biggie. In 2014, he made headlines for suggesting Biggie’s son, Christopher Wallace Jr., was gay. At the time, he said he came to that particular conclusion after coming across a picture of Wallace hugging another man from behind at his high school graduation ceremony. He was heavily criticized for his comments but defended them, saying, “I was talking the truth about n####s. I said something about CJ, Big’s son. He gay. N#### gay…After I seen this little footage s###, I was mad.”
Pointing at the photo in question, Chico added, “Look at this, man. What that look like to you, man? Is that suspect? Talking about ‘Biggie kid not gay.’ Look at this s###. If that was my son I’d whoop his a##. I’m not gon’ hug—My son not gon’ hug you from the back talking about ‘Graduation happy.’ Look at this s###? Look. Do this look suspect, man or what…That’s gay. That’s gay all the way.”
As Special Ed noted, no cause of death has been revealed. This is a developing story.
Georgia prosecutors may slap Donald Trump with RICO charges, much like Young Thug. According to Reuters, the Fulton County court website posted then deleted a document featuring a list of possible charges against the disgraced ex-president on Monday (August 14).
The felony charges included a violation of the Georgia RICO Act. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis began presenting her election interference case against Trump to a grand jury on Monday.
Fulton County prosecutors have not officially filed any charges against Trump yet. Willis and her office infamously charged Young Thug and other members with RICO charges in 2022.
Trump lashed out at Willis over the 2020 election case on his Truth Social platform. If he is indicted, it will be his fourth indictment of 2023.
“WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL THE FULTON COUNTY GRAND JURY THAT I DID NOT TAMPER WITH THE ELECTION,” Trump wrote. “THE PEOPLE THAT TAMPERED WITH IT WERE THE ONES THAT RIGGED IT, AND SADLY, PHONEY FANI WILLIS, WHO HAS SHOCKINGLY ALLOWED ATLANTA TO BECOME ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CITIES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, HAS NO INTEREST IN SEEING THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE AVAILABLE, OR FINDING OUT WHO THESE PEOPLE THAT COMMITTED THIS CRIME ARE. SHE ONLY WANTS TO ‘GET TRUMP.’ I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHOW THIS INFO TO THE G.J.”
Trump was previously indicted for plotting to overturn the 2020 presidential election, mishandling classified documents and a scheme to pay hush money to an adult film star. He denied any wrongdoing. The former president complained about his indictments on Monday.
“I just hope Republicans, and the people of our now failing Nation, see what is happening to our Democracy and Freedom,” he wrote on Truth Social. “A sitting President has INDICTED, in many different forms and locals, his political opponent, who is substantially leading him in the Polls. NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED BEFORE. OUR COUNTRY CAN NEVER LET THIS STAND!”
View the document posted on the Fulton County court’s website here.
In an industry characterized by constant evolution and shifting trends, keeping pace with change can be challenging. Kat Nova, acclaimed DJ, and producer, has faced these dynamics head-on, navigating the music industry’s capricious nature while maintaining her unique artistic identity.
One of the primary challenges Nova encountered was the music industry’s continuous transformation. With genres rising and falling in popularity, staying relevant while staying true to one’s style requires a delicate balance. Kat, however, managed to master this balance by continuously evolving her sound, merging house music with various genres to create a unique vibe that resonates with her audience.
In addition, being a woman in the traditionally male-centric music industry presented unique challenges. However, Nova, far from being deterred, leveraged these as opportunities for growth. She stood her ground with confidence and determination, transforming these challenges into a platform for progress. Her unyielding resolve not only solidified her standing in the industry but also served as an empowering beacon for other aspiring female artists.
Kat Nova’s story is one of passion, resilience, and evolution. It serves as a testament to her strength and dedication, painting a picture of an artist who is unafraid to take on challenges and transform them into opportunities for growth. As Kat continues to create and inspire, her journey reminds us that obstacles can indeed be the path to success.
The impending debut of Triller on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is poised to rewrite the narrative of the digital world. As the stage is set for Triller’s grand entrance, a star-studded lineup of celebrity investors including Swizz Beatz, Ashanti, T-Pain, Russell Westbrook, Troy Carter, The Weeknd, and Lil Wayne underscores its credibility and momentum.
At the heart of Triller’s allure lies its formidable AI technology, Amplify. This AI engine has become the industry standard for innovation, adopted by industry giants such as Verizon, Nike, and Activision. The underpinning value of Triller, however, isn’t solely derived from its high-profile backers, but rather from the seamless fusion of celebrity influence and strategic brand partnerships.
While superficially likened to social media contenders like TikTok, Triller’s significance cuts deeper. It signifies the embodiment of a digital paradigm shift, where technology, entertainment, and influencer culture intertwine to create a revolutionary platform. The bedrock of Triller’s advancement is Amplify AI, which effortlessly integrates into major social networks—Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat—with the finesse of a well-practiced dance. This integration unfolds within native messaging apps, resulting in an impact that reverberates through engagement rates that surge as high as 70%, dwarfing the performance of conventional digital advertising campaigns.
The brilliance of this integration is the enhancement of user experiences and the simultaneous provision of a powerful medium for businesses to effectively engage their target audience. Amplify, often dubbed “ChatGPT for brands,” boasts an illustrious array of partner brands that include Verizon, Nike, Activision, Hulu, DAZN, Nissan, L’Oreal, NYX, Comedy Central, Universal, WWE, Pepsi, P&G, Mini, SBI Bank, HBO Max, Glamnetic, Walmart, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Neutrogena, Disney, Puma, Google, Lange Beauty, HINT, TIVO, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Victoria Beer, CBS, Logitech, Dr. Pepper, Paramount, Sony Playstation, and many more.
Amplify AI: The Backbone of Triller’s Power
Triller’s most valuable asset resides in its AI system, a crown jewel acquired and rebranded as Amplify.AI. This transformative technology has rewritten the digital playbook, revolutionizing the way social media marketing, advertising, and user experiences are conceived. Amplify’s adaptive nature and exceptional self-learning capabilities enable it to orchestrate interactions across behemoths such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, and YouTube. With the force of a technological titan, it powers over 750 million interactions per quarter, paving the way for revenue-generating opportunities while heightening user engagement. In an astonishing parallel to industry leader OpenAI, Amplify’s meteoric rise mirrors a valuation reminiscent of OpenAI’s monumental $23 billion benchmark.
Empowering Brands and Influencers: Triller’s Unrivalled Role
The numbers speak for themselves—Triller’s community boasts over 2.2 million creators and partnerships with a staggering 25,000 brands. The platform has successfully streamed more than 3000 events. However, the crux of Triller’s prowess lies in its exceptional ability to foster brand engagement and forge connections. Its identity as a unique brand tool is further bolstered by an engagement rate that soars above 41%, an opt-in rate exceeding 36%, and an average message open rate that stands tall at 85%. The click-through rate paints a similarly impressive picture at 24%.
In the domain of influencer marketing, Triller’s meteoric rise is undeniable. Its dominance in this realm is underscored by partnerships with top-tier influencers on a global scale. In the constellation of its achievements is Julius—a potent marketing platform facilitating collaborations between celebrity stakeholders and a sprawling network of over 2.2 million influencers. Boasting the stature of a virtual marketplace, Julius upends the traditional influencer-brand dynamic, solidifying Triller’s status as an industry frontrunner.
Triller’s reach extends far beyond its social media footprint, stretching its arms into the realm of combat sports and beyond. The watershed moment was the 2019 Tyson VS Jones Pay-per-View event—an event that resonated as the most successful digital PPV in history. But Triller’s ambitions don’t halt there. The acquisition of BKFC and fight.tv underscores its audacious goals. In fact, BKFC is poised to match the formidable valuation of the UFC, standing at an impressive $10 billion. Additionally, fight.tv challenges the status quo of platforms like DAZN, boasting a valuation exceeding $4 billion.
Triller: Redefining the Landscape of Engagement
Triller’s unique approach is a testament to its innovation. Rather than setting out to eclipse social media giants like Instagram and Twitter, Triller enhances their worth. The company’s modus operandi centers on “onboarding” users—550 million registered users, to be exact—onto its platform, while simultaneously encouraging them to maintain their routine activities across other social networks. Here, Triller’s AI comes to the fore, seamlessly bridging brands and customers across diverse platforms. Rather than locking users within its walled garden, Triller’s AI flourishes by collaborating with other social networks, allowing it to unleash its full potential.
Valuation Insights: Unearthing the Potential
In the realm of valuation, Triller’s potential offers an intriguing saga. The acclaimed AI-based tool ChatGPT commands a market valuation of $28 billion, a testament to its widespread adoption. Likewise, Amplify, the “ChatGPT for brands,” shares the same potential. Triller’s impending public offering assumes a position of grandeur, drawing parallels to giants such as UFC ($10 billion) and DAZN ($3.5 billion).
A Vision Beyond Horizon: Triller’s Odyssey
Triller’s aspirations transcend the confines of social media and combat sports. The company’s shrewd understanding of the influencer landscape cements its position as a torchbearer in the digital age.
In essence, Triller is the vanguard of the future of digital interaction, harmonizing sports, entertainment, influencer marketing, and AI-driven technology. As the platform takes center stage with its NYSE debut, the magnitude of its endorsements, strategic acquisitions, and financial projections point to a trajectory that promises to redefine the very fabric of the digital universe.
