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EXCLUSIVE: Lionel Boyce On How Hulu’s “The Bear” Keeps It A Buck

By: Rick HazellCategory: Exclusives

Fans all over the world have been pleasantly surprised by the true-to-life storytelling that has seemed like child’s play for the writers of Hulu’s “The Bear.” Created by Christopher Storer, “The Bear” tells the story of a culinary prodigal son who returns to Chicago to help run the family restaurant after a brief stint as a top chef in New York City.

Starring Jeffrey Allen White (Carmine), Ebon Moss Bachrach (Ritchie), Ayo Edibiri (Sydney), Liza Colón-Zayas (Tina), Edwin Lee Gibson (Ebraheim), Lionel Boyce (Marcus) and a diverse cast of characters culled from Americana, the show has received high praise for a myriad of reasons—directing, writing, character arc and the manner in which the series uses levity whenever possible but brandishes true to life hardships when needed.

Diversity, while apparent, isn’t used as a forced measure of public appeal but a true reflection of life in a big city restaurant. AllHipHop recently spoke with Lionel Boyce, who plays Marcus on “The Bear.”

AllHipHop: The entire aesthetic of “The Bear” is multicultural. It’s natural, appropriate and free flowing. And its storyteller telling. There are four different Black characters on the show, and none of them are alike.

Lionel Boyce: I think it’s super cool. To me, you don’t really see that. And then, there’s been times where you are working on something where they want the actor to fit into what they want the scene to be.

But you realize, “Oh, they don’t understand a reference point or any of that stuff.” For me, it’s like a natural. You just knock it down. But not only do they not understand that, they also have the audacity to decide “this is what I think is how it should be, or it needs to be.”

With this show it’s great because Chris Storer, who created the show, he’s a person who just understands. He’s like, “I hired people. And I’m looking for honesty and truth and reality, not trying to create and make something fit.”

And so he hired us. Also, it has a diverse writing room. So it was like, it’s not just all white people writing and making the show. It’s just that you have a lot of different perspectives. And so, it just felt real. And I mean, I’m even bringing Edwin Moss Bachrach, who plays Ritchie, and we actually talk about that.

It’s really cool, like you see Black men having a conversation. There’s no conflict in our conversations when we interact. And it’s great. It’s like, it’s not like a typical show in that way. And I think it is cool. It’s just like a bunch of smart people making a real and honest, specific thing, rather than trying to make the idea of something. And I think that’s what it boils down to. That’s what makes this show feel different in that specific regard.

AllHipHop: Of all these diverse characters, if you weren’t playing Marcus, which of the other characters would you like to portray and why?

Lionel Boyce: I would do nowhere near as good of a job at it as Ebon does, but I would be playing Ritchie. That’s my favorite character because I love characters like that. Like it’s a character looking for a hill to die on. And I love that. He was one of those headstrong people, he’s combative.

But I think either him or Neil Fak, who Matty [Matheson] plays just because he gets all the good jokes. He gets a lot of good jokes. I told him “I am jealous, man. I wish I can get to riff a little bit more with you this season. We get into it a couple times, but I wanted more. But I wish I could just riff more with you because it’s fun.”

AllHipHop: From season one, we see that nothing ever really bothers your character, Marcus. He sort of rolls with the punches.  But, from the first episode of season 2, we see foreshadowing into his life.

Lionel Boyce: I think you can expect this to continue cultivating his passion. He has found this thing that he loves and now he’s like, “I want to get great at it.”

 We watched his journey of him take it to the next step while also dealing with what’s going on at home. Because this season is very much about all the characters’ lives outside of the kitchen, because we’re rebuilding the kitchen.

 So, it’s like, “Well, who are these people?” Are we take the time to get back over to the kitchen. And so you see him delegate time and care. You see how much time he pays to things, what it’s like to deal with a ticking clock with an expiration date that he feels is coming soon due the state that his mother’s in.

So, how does that affect the mental? And how do you find relief and expression for yourself within all of that? And I think that’s what you’re watching over the course of the season. And it’s like, he finds the solace in coming up with desserts and creation in his work.

AllHipHop: Since you’re speaking with AllHipHop, who is a Hip-Hop artist that describes your current vibe. And, if you know it, flow it.

Lionel Boyce: You won’t catch me flowing the lyrics, but what I have been listening to is “Verses From The Abstract” by A Tribe Called Quest. Just because it’s at the top of my mind, and I’ve always loved that song. So, I’m going to go with that one, but I’m not rapping it though.

The entire second season of “The Bear” is currently streaming on Hulu.

Cardi B Microphone Throwing Incident Sparks Police Investigation

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Las Vegas police opened a battery investigation after Cardi B threw a microphone at a concertgoer at her July 29 show at Drai’s Nightclub.

Footage of the incident spread on social media over the weekend. The woman hit by the microphone reported the battery to the police on Sunday (July 30).

“On July 30, 2023, an individual came into an LVMPD police station to report a battery,” police told multiple outlets. “According to the victim, she was attending an event on July 29, 2023, at a property located in the 3500 block of Las Vegas Boulevard. During a concert, she was struck by an item that was thrown from the stage.”

Someone attending Cardi B’s concert threw a drink at the rapper during her performance. She retaliated by hurling her microphone at a crowd member. The object allegedly hit two people in the audience. It is unclear who reported the battery to the police.

One video of the incident showed a woman in the crowd apologizing to Cardi B after the microphone was thrown. The audience member appeared to get escorted away by security. A TikTok user posted another angle and claimed to be the victim who “got smoked by the microphone but didn’t throw the drink.”

Watch Cardi B’s mic throw below.

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NAACP Hosts Meek Mill As Featured Speaker On The Need To Fight Racism And Antisemitism

By: Kershaw St. JawnsonCategory: News

Fans might not be getting new music from Meek Mill anytime soon, but they are getting a peek into his life and commitment to prison reform.

According to CBS News, the Philly rapper teamed up with Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, to host a center-stage panel at the NAACP Convention on Sunday (July 30) to speak about their work to fight hate, racism and antisemitism.

“It was probably two years ago when Robert said, I’m going to get you to come to Poland with me,” Meek said. “And I didn’t know the effects of how many friends I had that were Jewish, that had family members that were connected to what happened in Poland.”

Kraft also said he’s benefited from his relationship with the “Dreams and Nightmares” artist, saying it has helped him understand Blackness “more.”

“I’ll never know what it’s like to walk into a room with Black skin,” Kraft said. “What I see happening now with hate, we have to stand together and stand proud and push back on this to keep the vibrancy of this country,” the football boss and activist said.

As previously reported, Meek Mill has been vocal about racial inequality and criminal justice reform since his release from prison. He’s used his platform to raise awareness about issues affecting marginalized communities, particularly within the context of the criminal justice system. He’s participated in protests, used his social media presence to spread awareness and collaborated with organizations working toward criminal justice reform.

Drake Left In Shock As Another Massive Bra Thrown At Him On Stage

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

Drake was left in shock after yet another bra was thrown at him during a recent show.

During the rapper’s most recent show in New York City as part of his It’s All A Blur Tour, a concertgoer threw her bra at him, which marks the third time this has happened during the trek.

The “Hotline Bling” rapper caught the undergarment and read out the label, seemingly shocked, “36-L?” He continued, “L? How many letters does it go up to? What comes after? A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L?”

Over the past few months, artists have been speaking out about fans throwing items onstage during their performances, including Bebe Rhexa, who has hit in the face with a phone, which resulted in her needing stitches.

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During one of his shows in early July, Drake, real name Aubrey Drake Graham, made a similar joke after a woman threw her size 46G bra at him. The artist quipped it “had me f**ked up tonight.”

One of the first women to kick off the bizarre trend was Veronica Correia, 21, from Cumberland, Rhode Island, who threw her bra on stage during a show in Brooklyn, New York.

Drake picked up the piece of clothing, checked the tag and exclaimed, “Damn. 36G? Locate this woman immediately.”

Shortly after the show, Playboy got wind of the strange gesture and contacted Veronica to immediately offer her a modeling deal.

The rapper is currently in the middle of the tour, which kicked off on July 5. The trek, which is also headlined by 21 Savage, is promoting their collaborative album Her Loss and will wrap up on October 9.

Pee-Wee Herman Actor Paul Reubens Dead At 70

By: Kyle EusticeCategory: News

Paul Reubens, the actor best known for portraying Pee-Wee Herman in films such as Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and Big-Top Pee-Wee, has died. According to a Facebook post, Reubens lost a private battle with cancer on Sunday (July 30). He was 70.

“Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness,” the post reads. “Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”

Beginning in 1982, Reubens starred in his own show, “The Pee-Wee Herman Show,” which ran for five sold-out months. “Pee-Wee” became a cult figure seemingly overnight. For the next decade, Reubens remained completely committed to his character, doing all of his public appearances and interviews as Pee-Wee. Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), directed by Tim Burton, was a financial and critical success. Between 1986 and 1990, Reubens starred as Pee-Wee in the CBS television show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, where characters such as Cherry (a talking chair) and Jambi (a genie) become fan favorites.

Meanwhile, Pee-Wee’s signature dance—best depicted in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure to The Champs’ single “Tequila”—spread like wildfire. In 1986, the rapper Joeski Love made a song about it, the aptly-titled “Pee Wee Dance.”

Reubens legacy is complicated by a series of run-ins with the law. In 1991 he pleaded no contest to indecent exposure at an adult movie theater in Sarasota, Florida. Then in 2004, he was sentenced to three years probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor obscenity charge involving photographs of minors engaged in sexual conduct. But slowly but surely, he started to reemerge.

After 2006, Reubens made cameos and appearances in numerous projects, such as Reno 911! (2006), 30 Rock (2007) and Accidental Love (2015). He also played the voice role of “Pavel” in the Disney XD television series Tron: Uprising (2012–2013). More recently, Reubens co-wrote and starred in the 2016 Netflix original film Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, reprising his role as Pee-wee Herman.

AllHipHop sends our condolences to Reubens’ loved ones.

Alicia Keys’ 8-Year-Old Son Plays Security For Mom Following Pasties Confrontation

By: Kershaw St. JawnsonCategory: News

Alicia Keys’ Keys To The Summer Tour made a stop in Brooklyn on Friday (July 28), but it seemed one fan was livid with her, claiming her outfit was inappropriate. As previously reported, Keys’ 8-year-old son, Genesis, tried to check her about the pasties she was wearing.

“Really gonna do this mom?” he asked her. The mother of two tried to tell her youngest son that nothing was wrong with her outfit and that everything was going to be OK.

He wasn’t having it. “So everybody can see your boobs?” he asked.

Needless to say, the show went on, and the little man took the stage with his mother. He looked like he was playing security detail for his mom— daring anyone to say or do anything. His expression seemed to say, “Better not throw no water bottle up here!”

Swizz Beatz, the young man’s dad and Keys’ husband, posted it on Instagram, writing, “My boy said I’m not playing no games on moms stage [laughing with tears emojis]  He a real serious one [laughing with tears emoji] Thank you Gen we love you and your protection [laughing with tears emoji] He didn’t care she was live on stage [laughing with tears emojis].”

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Multiple people hopped into the comment section to laugh at the young man’s seriousness. Some, including Jadakiss, saluted the young king.

“@therealswizzz he wasn’t playing about that shirt swime he said matter fact security stand down tonight i got this,” he commented underneath the Ruff Ryders producer.

Masika Kalysha: From Reality TV To Hip-Hop To Dissing Wack Men

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur)Category: Exclusives

Masika Kalysha has a pretty storied history, although her name isn’t quite a household name, she’s looking to change that. Masika is a talented actress, reality television personality, singer, businesswoman and even a rapper. With nearly a million IG followers, she’s taking her fame from VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, to the top. Originally hailing from Chicago, Illinois, Tucker’s rise has not been a one withoout turbulance. In 2015, she revealed her pregnancy with rapper Fetty Wap and welcomed her first daughter into the world in 2016. Last year, the blessings of motherhood struck again and she also revealed that she would be departing the world of reality TV. With a lot in stirring in the pot, she talks to AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur about why she’s back and how she’s coming in 2023.

AllHipHop: How you doing?

Masika Kalysha: Blessed and highly favored. Hallelujah. I’ve been in the music entertainment industry for about 12 years now. I took a little break to have my baby and be a mom and all that good stuff and now I’m back. I’m back outside. So I’m just excited to touch bases again, about to drop some music and a couple projects. So I’m here.

AllHipHop: I was saying you really outside with the music.

AllHipHop: Talk to me about that. What made you jump into that?

Masika Kalysha: Well, I actually started music before anything else. A very long time ago. I was in a pop group many, many, many years ago and then just had some challenges. And as a woman in entertainment industry, I feel like a lot of women are speaking up more about the things that we’ve gone through. But as a female, if you are struggling, if you’re not established, if you don’t have a bag, you’re a target.

AllHipHop: Yeah.

Masika Kalysha: You look like a sheep to these wolves out here. So there was a time where I was like, if I can’t pay for my own studio sessions, there’s a manager or somebody and I’ve had instances where I’m in the studio, then all of a sudden someone comes up behind you and starts massaging your… You’re doing great. And all that weird s###.

And for me, I didn’t want to be the struggling artist that had to go through all of this weird things with these men that abuse their power.

AllHipHop: Right.

Masika Kalysha: So I decided, you know what? I’m going to take a step back and I’m going to get my bag so that I can pay for my own sessions. I can pay for my own mixes. I can pay for my own videos, until we get to that point where I have someone backing me with the budget. So my journey is taking a little longer, but I’ll come through with my integrity.

AllHipHop: Yeah, definitely. Did you ever think about exposing these men for what they’ve done?

Masika Kalysha: Honestly, I haven’t ’cause what’s the point? But hey, never say never.

AllHipHop: Because it’s still Me Too out here.

Masika Kalysha: Listen, the stories that I could tell and I know I’m not… It’s not special to me, it’s a lot of women. And I’m an attractive woman, but it don’t matter if you got a boot and a shoe on, you could be hobbling down the street and they still going to try you.

AllHipHop: Yeah.

Masika Kalysha: And people make a joke of it now. I don’t personally know Irv Gotti, but he’s doing these interviews about Ashanti and it’s like, these are things that men used to hide and deny. Now, it’s like it’s okay to speak of it and no one bats an eye.

AllHipHop: Yeah.

Masika Kalysha: You know what I’m saying? So no, I’ve never thought of really exposing anybody, but I don’t know. If there’s a time and a place where saying something that happened to me can help somebody else, maybe I will.

AllHipHop: By the way, we don’t even… We (men) talk about that too, and we like, yo, that’s really corny. For real.

Masika Kalysha: No, the corniest s### is when you see these people posting people’s DMs, look who said something to me. Girl. Girl, please stop. Because they DM’ing 20 million people too.

But it is a difference between just trying to get some clout and if something traumatic happened to you, there’s a big difference between that too. So I don’t want to take away from women who have actually experienced traumatic things, but the clout chase.

AllHipHop: Well, I actually was speaking on the men.

Masika Kalysha: Okay. Yeah. That’s big corn.

AllHipHop: What Dame Dash calls them – Chatty Patty’s.

Masika Kalysha: That’s my favorite thing to say. “You’re a Chatty Patty.” That is my favorite word for a man that runs his lips like a woman.

AllHipHop: So what do you want to do in Hip-Hop?

Masika Kalysha: A lot. So I’m a singer and a rapper. I prefer to sing, but Kadife over there makes me rap. And I’m actually pretty good at it. I actually used to battle rap. No one knows that.

AllHipHop: What? Give me some bars. Come on.

Masika Kalysha: I don’t know no more. But let me tell you why.

AllHipHop: Give me just… Come on.

Masika Kalysha: I haven’t done it in so long. I used to battle rap when I was a teenager and I used to win competitions. I stopped because I was in such a dark place and that was my release. Once I got older and got into a happier place, I just didn’t want to do it anymore.

AllHipHop: Right.

Masika Kalysha: So now I do cute rap, you know what I’m saying? Cutesy. I got one or two songs that might be like, [inaudible], but I sing and I rap.

AllHipHop: Right. So you won’t give me any bars at all?

Masika Kalysha: I mean…

AllHipHop: You can even just sing.

Masika Kalysha: I don’t freestyle.

AllHipHop: No. What you’ve already written.

Masika Kalysha: But they cute raps.

AllHipHop: Whatever.

Masika Kalysha: First class b#tch, I need first class sh#t, money on my mind, only rich b#tch sh#t. He settled for that ’cause he can’t get with this. But that ni##a know who lying to the hit. Yeah, yeah, yeah. See it’s cute.

AllHipHop: See that’s… Yeah, it’s all right.

Masika Kalysha: You know what I’m saying, we not trying to kill people no more.

AllHipHop: Yeah. Talk about that. We need to stop killing people.

Masika Kalysha: Man.

AllHipHop: Come on.

Masika Kalysha: We’ve lost so many people in music and Hip-Hop, young people. Every day you pick up your phone, turn on the radio, turn the news, it’s like Takeoff. MO3. It’s just unbelievable. And then it’s these young… Pop Smoke, it’s these young artists, you know what I’m saying? And sometimes they’re killing them and sometimes they’re killing themselves. The drugs and the things like that. Juice WRLD. And at the end of the day, we as a culture, we have to do better.

AllHipHop: So let’s do #DoBetterInHipHop.

Masika Kalysha: #DoBetterInHipHop please. Like rock-n-roll, they do it all the time. They just don’t get the negative light that we get. But we’re losing our young, talented people left and right, and I just really hope it changes.

AllHipHop: Yeah. So you were on Love & Hip Hop for a while. Talk about your experience with that and what made you leave?

Masika Kalysha: It was interesting. It was nothing that I expected when I first started. I honestly thought I was going to have a camera crew following me in my life.

I didn’t know that everything was going to be produced, contrived, controlled to the point where you can only film with their people. I wasn’t even filming with my real friends. Now granted, once you start filming, a lot of us had alliances. We knew each other, but we weren’t hanging out like that. But after 10 months of filming, these become the people that are your friends. So it was just… Like I would have my real life and then my TV life and then the two don’t mix together. So it was a lot to deal with.

I was totally fine with it initially because it is what it is. I don’t care what you think of me, it’s a platform and I’m going to use it. But then once I had my daughter, I’m like, you are not about to use my daughter as clickbait. You’re not about to use my family to get some views and it’s something that she can Google later.

AllHipHop: Right.

Masika Kalysha: You know what I’m saying? So honestly, after having my daughter and realizing they had no respect for me as a mother and my boundaries, that’s when I quit.

AllHipHop: Got you.

Masika Kalysha: I’m willing to do a lot of things, you know what I’m saying? I do what I got to do to get the bag, but I’m not willing to sacrifice my peace and my kids.

AllHipHop: Right.

Masika Kalysha: So it was time to mother fu##ing go.

AllHipHop: Yeah. And when you got to go, you got to go.

Masika Kalysha: You got to go.

AllHipHop: One more question. Can you give us your top five dead or alive?

Masika Kalysha: Top five dead or alive?

AllHipHop: Rappers.

Masika Kalysha: Rappers. Woo. Well, Tupac, we got to start there. Lil Wayne.

AllHipHop: Okay.

Masika Kalysha: This is hard. I’m going to have to go with…I’m going to have to go with Future.

AllHipHop: Okay. Okay.

Masika Kalysha: Ooh, I got to say my good sis, Nicki.

AllHipHop: Nicki Minaj.

Masika Kalysha: I got to put her in that motherfu##er. She has to be there. Damn, five.

AllHipHop: You got one more. One more.

Masika Kalysha: Ooh, Jay-Z.

AllHipHop: Jay-Z? All right. Boom. Good stuff. What’s next with you?

Masika Kalysha: So I have three singles I’m dropping very soon. One’s a rap, one’s a ballad, one’s a R&B mid-tempo. “Narcissist” is the ballad. Done Now is the R&B. “First Class” is the little snippet y’all just got. Little rap, you know what I’m saying? ‘Cause I’m a first class b#tch. We have the visuals coming, the EP coming. I have three shows that I wrote and produced in the reality space. And then I have my very first movie that I wrote and produced and I’m starring in.

AllHipHop: Nice.

Masika Kalysha: So I’m very excited about that. Kharibarbiebeauty.com, my cosmetic line, we have great products right now, but we are expanding. We’re going to be a full makeup line this year. So I’m super excited about that. My “Stock Market Tips from a Bad B#tch” workbook is still trending, guys. Black Friday, we are dropping “Option Tips From a Bad B####” for options trading. And also “Stock Market Tips For Good Kids,” ’cause we got to get these kids right with financial literacy. So guys, my page got deleted for seven months. I got a new page, but I got my name back, so new page, same name. So make sure you follow me @masikakalysha, guys for all of the updates.

AllHipHop: I appreciate you.

Masika Kalysha: Thank you.

Cardi B Might Have Overreacted During Mic Incident New Footage Suggests

By: Kershaw St. JawnsonCategory: Rumors

More details have emerged regarding Cardi B’s mic-throwing incident in Las Vegas. As previously reported, the “I Like It” rapper hit who she believed was a rowdy female concertgoer during her Saturday (July 29) performance of “Bodak Yellow” at Drai’s Beachclub.

Video footage shows Cardi B being doused with some kind of beverage, which appeared to be thrown by a woman with a white cup. A new video shows a different angle and slightly shifts the story.

In a clip obtained by Unilad, the fan apologizes, explaining she didn’t mean to splash the star.

https://www.tiktok.com/@mayaahk/video/7261661663961550122?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7183019789170542126

It also shows how the audience member trying to apologize to Cardi B multiple times for what looked like an intentional act. As the music continues, security personnel intervenes and approaches the woman to address the situation.

TikTok users who saw the video noted the woman’s remorse was evident from the emotions written all over her face. One wrote, “She looked genuinely sorry and confused like she wasn’t even tryna throw her drink on her.”

Another person wrote, “It looks like she was just throwing her hands in the air all crazy but forgot she had a drink in her hand.”

Over the weekend, there was another mic drop incident involving Cardi B. A TikTok video from the previous night at Drai’s captured Cardi B throwing a microphone at the DJ during her performance. It appeared she did so in response to the DJ repeatedly cutting her off during her set as reported by the Atlanta Black Star.

As of now, there’s no information available on whether any charges were filed against Cardi B in connection to either incident.

Rising Star: JR DOT on His Journey from East St. Louis to Grammy Dreams

By: Staff WriterCategory: Music News

Los Angeles, California – Meet JR DOT, the talented singer and songwriter hailing from East St. Louis, who has captured the hearts of music enthusiasts with his captivating voice and heartfelt lyrics. From kicking to the rhythm of the beat in his mother’s womb to heading to wow the crowds at the MCR Carnival in Manchester, UK, JR DOT’s musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

JR DOT’s passion for music ignited early on, and he honed his craft through an impressive challenge of creating 100 songs in just as many days. That feat laid the foundation for his dedication to the creative process of recording music. Now based in Los Angeles, he is on a mission to become a Grammy award-winning artist and one of the most influential songwriters in music history.

“My career started in my mother’s stomach,” JR DOT chuckles, reminiscing on his early connection to music. With his sights set on industry success, JR DOT dreams of leaving a lasting impact on listeners. “I want to be able to relate to the realism of my music. I want them to see themselves in my music,” he shares, emphasizing his desire to connect with his audience through shared experiences and emotions.

One of JR DOT’s proudest accomplishments is the single “Halo,” a collaboration with artist Truf. The success of this song granted them the opportunity to headline the American stage at the prestigious MCR Carnival in Manchester, UK. This achievement marks a significant milestone in JR DOT’s career and will showcase his ability to captivate international audiences.

But like any artist on the rise, JR DOT has faced obstacles. He candidly admits that transitioning to social media was a challenge for someone who valued their privacy. However, he is determined to adapt and preserve his integrity while navigating the ever-changing industry landscape.

JR DOT’s dedication to his artistry extends to his daily routine. As part of the “4 am club,” he hits the gym with his friend Armani at the crack of dawn. After tending to business matters, he immerses himself in music, crafting melodies that resonate with his audience’s hearts and minds.

In a recent exciting development, JR DOT has signed a non-exclusive partnership with a sync licensing company. This venture promises to open up new opportunities for his music to reach a broader audience and expand his creative horizons.

As for what lies ahead, JR DOT’s fans can eagerly anticipate his upcoming single, “Lousy N#####,” set to release on August 1st. The track promises to blend humor and relatability, drawing from a playful inside joke JR DOT shared with his friend Donnie for years.

While JR DOT has already collaborated with Truf on the hit single “Halo,” he has an ambitious list of artists he dreams of working with in the future. “My experiences inspire me the most,” he explains, hinting at the wealth of inspiration he finds within his own life journey.

As JR DOT’s musical journey continues, he remains fiercely independent, dedicated to creating music that touches the soul. With his unwavering determination and undeniable talent, this rising star is poised to make a profound impact on the hip-hop scene and beyond. Keep your ears tuned to the soundwaves, as JR DOT is undoubtedly a name you’ll be hearing more of in the near future.

Follow JR DOT’s musical journey on his social media channels, and get ready to groove to the rhythms of his latest single, “Lousy N#####,” dropping on August 1st.

Social Media Platforms:

https://www.instagram.com/jrdotmusic/

https://www.tiktok.com/@jrdotmusic

Sukihana Meets With Dr. Umar Johnson [PHOTOS]

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

Controversial recording artist/television star Sukihana officially crossed paths with Dr. Umar Johnson. The two outspoken internet personalities shared photos of their meet-up on social media.

Earlier this month, Love & Hip Hop: Miami‘s Sukihana tweeted, “I think I’m ready to sit with Dr. Umar. I seen those interviews where he spoke on me and I think he might be the one to turn me into a wife.”

In response, Umar requested a “confidential meeting” with Suki to take place on either July 28 or July 29. The self-proclaimed Prince of PanAfrikanism wanted to discuss launching a campaign to combat the sexual exploitation and abuse of Black women and girls.

https://twitter.com/sukihanagoat/status/1681734143531417600?s=20

Sukihana did connect with Dr. Umar Johnson over the weekend. The “Casamigos (Pour It In My Cup)” performer posted two Instagram photos of them together. She also shared the images on Twitter. One of her Twitter captions read, “Met a Pan Afrikan king today.”

For his picture with the Wolf P#### mixtape creator, Umar captioned the Twitter post, “Black America’s #1 Most Requested Scholar-Orator has landed in Chicago(IL)!! 1st Visit Since July 2022 Bantu Festival.” He also added the photo to his Instagram page.

Sukihana became a trending topic after R&B singer YK Osiris kissed her without permission during an event in June. Following a significant backlash, Osiris publicly apologized to Suki. She accepted his apology and expressed a desire to move on from the incident.

In addition, Sukihana has faced her own online criticism for the polarizing sexually explicit content in her music, past OnlyFans account, and social media posts. For example, she sparked both negative and positive reactions in September 2022 by tweeting, “I want to f### Dr. Umar and leave him woke right now.”

Missy Elliott Reflects On “She’s A B####” Video: “This Is What Risk & A Shift In Music Look Like”

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

Groundbreaking Hip-Hop superstar Missy Elliott is widely considered one of the greatest visual artists in the history of music. Her catalog of videos earned Elliott the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2019.

On Sunday (July 30), Missy Elliott reacted to a tweet honoring her “She’s A B###h” music video. The Timbaland-produced Da Real World single dropped in 1999, while the legendary Hype Williams directed the visuals.

“Sheeeesh!” she began. “When I say AHEAD of the GAME! Looking back at these songs & videos this is ART! This is what Risk & a SHIFT in music look like. I promise this is 100 percent FACTS! It took me years to realize but now I can say [with] my FULL chest. This is NEXT LEVEL.”

The Virginia native added, “S/O to Tim/Hype/June/BillyB China my Team. The Black lipstick. The stones on my eyes took over 2 hours. Oh I can’t [forget] the way I moved it wasn’t [an] effect. I just use to move like I thought I was a alien partying at Area51. It was new & different for Hip Hop back then.”

Missy Elliott Stamped Her Name In The History Books On More Than One Occasion

Missy Elliott has won eight MTV Video Music Awards, including Video Of The Year for “Work It” in 2003. She became the first female rapper to receive MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Elliott is also the first female MC inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. In November, she’ll be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Plus, the Recording Academy has presented Elliott with four Grammy Awards since 2002.

“In my mind, I always felt I was from a different planet along with a lil pull puff and pass,” she said. “lol and the best glam squad & out of this world beats to make me think different and Hype the director we also were in sync!” answered Missy Elliott when asked how she came up with her innovative music video concepts.

Cardi B & Offset Clash Online With Nicki Minaj’s Artist Tate Kobang

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

Cardi B has been all over the internet over the past few days. The Bronx-bred rapper’s newsworthy weekend included an online spat with an artist associated with her longtime rival Nicki Minaj.

Cardi began trending on social media after footage of her throwing a microphone at an audience member went viral. A concertgoer tossed a cup of liquid at the Bronx native which prompted the reaction from the “Bodak Yellow” hitmaker.

Some critics called the incident at Drai’s Beach Club in Las Vegas involving Cardi B a “publicity stunt.” For example, Nicki Minaj’s collaborator, Tate Kobang, seemed to push that narrative on Twitter (aka X).

Yesterday afternoon, Tate Kobang posted, “All those PR stunts but b####.” Many of Cardi B’s diehard fans then began blasting Kobang for seemingly throwing shade at the Grammy winner.

Cardi appeared to respond to the Baltimore-bred rapper/songwriter as well. In a now-deleted tweet, Cardi supposedly wrote, “HOW YOU A GROWN ASS MAN SUBBING ME? [I don’t give a f###] who gassin you, grown ass man, watch your mouth when you addressing me.”

Tate Kobang reportedly signed to a new record label founded by Nicki Minaj earlier this year. The man born Joshua Goods has a songwriting credit on Minaj’s “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” single which dropped in March.

Cardi B and Nicki Minaj have been engaged in a public feud for years. There has been speculation that tracks like “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” and Cardi’s feature verses – including the one on the recently released “Jealousy” – contain diss bars directed at the other.

The Neighborhood Talk re-posted Tate Kobang and Cardi B’s Twitter posts to its Instagram page. Cardi then jumped into the blog’s comment section to add, “THIS WAS THE THIRD TWEET ABOUT ME BY THE WAY.”

Apparently, Cardi B’s husband also addressed Tate Kobang on social media. According to The Neighborhood Talk, Offset responded to Kobang and questioned his location in Atlanta by posting, “[Where you at] 👀.”

The music video for Offset’s “Jealousy” featuring Cardi B arrived on July 28. The visuals have totaled over 6.8 million views on YouTube since its premiere. “Jealousy” is currently the #2 trending music video on the platform.

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Drake Discusses What He Looks For In Women While Partying At Starlets Strip Club

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

Drake has been open about his appreciation for strip clubs and exotic dancers. The Canadian superstar’s music is filled with references about some of his favorite strippers in the industry.

Recently, Drake appeared on the Sidewalk digital show while in New York City. The brief interview with the “Houstatlantavegas” performer took place inside the well-known Starlet’s Gentlemen’s Club.

“I’m wearing Pac’s ring. They got my baby mom on the wall over there,” said Drake in the video. He fathered a son, 5-year-old Adonis Graham, with former adult entetainment star Sophie Brussaux. 

When asked what is the number one thing he looks for in a woman, Drake told Sidewalk, “Humor, if she watches this and it’s not funny to her, she’s a dub.” The OVO boss later named Denver as the city with the most density of “tings.”

Drake has been in the news a lot in recent weeks. For example, veteran Hip Hop journalist Elliott Wilson called out the 36-year-old rapper for not speaking with more Hip Hop-focused media outlets. Drake then fired back at Wilson.

Over the weekend, Drake lit social media on fire with his verse on Travis Scott’s Utopia album. “Meltdown” features Drizzy taking subliminal shots at his longtime rival Pusha T as well as legendary producer Pharrell Williams.

Drake visited New York City as part of his “It’s All A Blur Tour” with Her Loss collaborator 21 Savage. Both chart-topping rap acts did multiple shows inside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden.

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Travis Scott’s “UTOPIA:” First-Week Sales Projections Are In

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY)Category: News

Travis Scott returned with his fourth studio album, UTOPIA, on July 28. Now, the first-week sales projects are in.

According to HitsDailyDouble, the project is on pace to collect more than 245,000-275,000 units from streams in its opening week. The outlet also reports the numbers for direct-to-consumer sales have surpassed 200,000 units, meaning UTOPIA could cross the 500,000-unit mark. 2018’s ASTROWORLD debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with more than 537,000 album-equivalent units, 270,000 of those coming from pure sales.

Travis Scott recruited a roster of talent for UTOPIA. The project included vocals by Drake, Playboi Carti, Beyoncé, 21 Savage, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Westside Gunn, Kid Cudi, Bad Bunny, Future, SZA and more.

It appears likely Travis Scott will score another No. 1 album on the next Billboard 200. The Cactus Jack Records leader currently has two chart-toppers, including 2016’s Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight.

In addition to Scott, another high-profile recording artist dropped a studio LP on July 28. Rap/pop star Post Malone let his Austin album loose on that date as well.

HitsDailyDouble has Malone’s Austin amassing around 100,000 first-week units. He also has two No. 1s on the Billboard 200. Both 2018’s Beerbongs & Bentleys and 2019’s Hollywood’s Bleeding spent multiple weeks atop the chart.

Anthony Mackie Reveals He Owns The “Crown Jewel” Of Gay Bars

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

Anthony Mackie believes he owns “the crown jewel” of gay bars.

During an interview with Inverse, the “Avengers” actor gushed about his LGBTQ+ establishment, which he described as the “flagship” of his bar and restaurant operation.

“I have a gay bar in New Orleans that is the crown jewel of gay bars,” Mackie praised. “My brother and his husband were like, ‘We need a place to party.’ I’m like, ‘Let’s open a f###### place to party.'”

The 44-year-old, who splits his time between New Orleans and Atlanta, also owns a bar with some friends in Beverly Hills. He opened the NoBar establishment in Brooklyn, New York, in 2011, but that has since closed down, along with another hotspot in the Big Apple.

Anthony Mackie isn’t just interested in bars – he also tried to open a franchise of his favorite Mexican restaurant in New Orleans, but the owners weren’t interested.

He also wants to fulfill an ambition to open an eatery inspired by his recipes, including New Orleans-style soul food tacos, Ethiopian tacos, and soul food sushi.

“I wanted to open a restaurant called Fusion Confusion,” he stated. “Every time I make that (recipe), it f#### people up.”

Mackie opened NoBar in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn in 2011 and followed it up with another branch in Williamsburg in 2013, but both locations closed in 2015.

Keke Palmer Wants To Interview Nicki Minaj And Taylor Swift At The Same Time

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

Keke Palmer has named her dream podcast guests as Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj.

During an interview with The Cut, the actress/singer discussed who she would like to interview on her podcast “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.”

“I absolutely would love to talk to Taylor Swift. And Nicki Minaj. Both for similar reasons,” Keke Palmer told the publication. “I would totally do it at the same time because it would be a big boss conversation, Ms. Lady.”

Keke, 29, continued, “They’re not afraid to talk about the business, the music industry, and the things that people don’t understand.”

The Nickelodeon alum noted that Nicki, 40, has been outspoken regarding the music business.

“Nicki Minaj has spoken to the things that she’s trying to overcome and how they’re able to get in certain rooms or awards or conversations, etc,” she added. “She’s very much so wanting to gun for some old ways of things being done.”

The actress also noted that Taylor, 33, has spoken out about her own obstacles in the industry.

“And it’s the same thing with Taylor Swift when it was coming to owning her masters and just… I’ve also talked a lot about my experience in the music industry, but I just think it’s really cool when you can sit down with your peers and you can discuss the real deal that goes on behind the scenes with the industry,” she gushed.

Since the podcast launched in November 2022, the actress has interviewed stars such as John Stamos, Raven-Symoné, pop duo Aly & AJ, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

https://youtu.be/57spmI-haSk

Azealia Banks Reveals She Almost Gave Up On Music

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

Azealia Banks has opened up about almost giving up on music.

During an interview with The New York Times for a feature on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the rapper recalled almost giving up her career to go to college.

Azealia, 32, told the publication that after submitting her song “212” to her then-record label XL, she was “dropped,” causing her to re-evaluate her career.

“I was thinking maybe I should go get a GED (General Education Development certificate) and go to college,” the rapper confessed. “Then I just get this phone call from Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 1, and he’s played it (‘212’) like a million times.

“I didn’t even know what BBC Radio 1 was. And then very quickly you go from getting paid $150 and a bottle of Smirnoff to perform to getting like, $5,000 at some weird charity event. I’d never had 5,000 anything all at once in my hands, ever. All I could think was, I’m going to get a weave and a laptop.”

As a result of her growing fame, Azealia even found herself at the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s house.

“One thing leads to another, and then I’m at Karl Lagerfeld’s house,” she said. “I didn’t even know who Karl Lagerfeld was when he invited me to perform at his house in Paris.

“I didn’t know what Coachella was when I got booked for Coachella. That Coachella date in 2012, it was like, all right, I’m here. I’m a star.”

The performer self-released “212” in December 2011 as the lead single from her 2012 debut EP, “1991.”

Nicki Minaj Swatted Again—Police Respond To “Shooting” At Rapper’s Home

By: Kyle EusticeCategory: News

Nicki Minaj and her family have been swatted again—this time, a 911 caller claimed there’d been a shooting at her Los Angeles home. According to TMZ, several L.A. County Sheriff deputies rushed to Minaj’s home in  in the San Fernando Valley on Saturday afternoon (July 29) with sirens blaring. They were led to believe someone had been shot at the home. Police made contact with Minaj once on the property, and she was reportedly furious.

After all, this isn’t the first time Minaj has been a victim of a swatting incident. In early June, L.A.P.D. officers were again dispatched to her home after a caller claimed her child was being abused. After speaking to Minaj and her husband, Kenneth Petty, they also checked out their 3-year-old son. They determined no crime had been committed and soon left the residence. Just hours later—around 3 a.m. local time—police received another call from someone who insisted Minaj’s home was on fire.

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Swatting—a form of prank call where the goal is to get a police response at someone’s home—is a growing problem for police around the country but especially in California, where many celebrities live. Miley Cyrus, Ashton Kutcher, Justin Bieber, Tom Cruise, Kris Jenner, Paris Hilton, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake are among the many stars who’ve been targeted. Police are investigating the latest incident.

Was Eminem Terence Crawford’s Good Luck Charm Against Errol Spence?

By: Houston WilliamsCategory: Rumors

Listen. Terence “Bud” Crawford didn’t need Eminem and even Eminem recognized that. He walked the newly crowned Number 1 Pound-For-Pound champion halfway to the ring and let him do the rest on his own. Bud rocked a fisherman’s net, around him because he considered Errol Spence the big fish. ANYWAY, Eminem was ominious, because he really came out as support and to puncuate the inevitable.

Last night, Bud turned Spence into food. It was a crazy domination that nobody really expected. Most people saw Crawford winning, but Spence definitely had his die hard fans too. That was a pumelling! Now, I am wondering what is going to happen next. Spence is talking about “rematch this year” and everybody is like “Bro, relax.” You just got done looking like a Martin after fighting Hitman Hearns.

By the way, there are rumors that Crawford broke Spence’s nose last night. That seemed highly possible based on the flush shots he was taking. That jab was clicking! Also, I am hearing he is under medical suspension by the athletic commission, likely 3 months. Anyway, hopefully after Spence watches the mauling, he will come to his senses. There’e no need for a rematch. This ain’t a Rocky movie. A beating like that warrants nothing but “KIM (keeping it moving!)”

Great night of boxing.

Here is more about Terence “Bud” Crawford.

Kylie Jenner’s Raging Hormones Led Her To Name Travis Scott’s Son Wolf

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

Kylie Jenner has recalled “crying” after realizing she wasn’t happy with her baby son’s name.

During the season three finale of “The Kardashians,” the youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters opened up about becoming emotional over her 17-month-old son’s name, which she has legally changed from Wolf to Aire.

“I’ve officially started the process of changing my son’s name because his legal name is Wolf Webster,” Kylie, 25, announced. “So I’m going to do Aire Webster, A-I-R-E.”

The Kylie Cosmetics founder added that she had “always wanted to do a name for him that had meaning, and it’s a Hebrew name. It means ‘Lion of God.'”

Kylie Jenner noted that her pregnancy hormones had played a part in her choosing a name that she ultimately wasn’t happy with.

“The advice I would give to you is: find your name before your hormones start raging and you have the child. It was the hormones that took me out,” she confessed to her best friend Anastasia ‘Stassie’ Karanikolaou.

“It was like, ‘I’m too emotional. He’s so special to me. There’s not a name good enough for him,'” Kylie remembered thinking.

In a confessional during the episode, Kylie opened up further about how her pregnancy hormones had impacted her.

“I didn’t realize the postpartum would hit me that hard. I never called him Wolf, ever. And then the second, that night, I cried in the shower,” she recalled. “(I thought,) ‘That’s not his name. What did I just do? Wolf?

Someone just told me this 24 hours ago, to name my son Wolf! It wasn’t even on the list!'”

Kylie and her ex-boyfriend, rapper Travis Scott, welcomed Aire in February 2022. The pair also share a five-year-old daughter, Stormi.