Saweetie has had a lot to say about Warner Records. The 30-year-old rapper blamed the label for her upcoming song “Nani” not appearing on DSPs sooner than expected.
“I asked Warner if we could release NANi earlier… Don’t say I ain’t try,” Saweetie tweeted on Monday (April 19). That X post amassed over 190,000 views and 2,200 likes on the platform.
“Warner wouldn’t clear it,” Saweetie stated when asked why “Icy Girl, Icy World” never saw the light of day. Like the forthcoming “Nani” single, the California-born recording artist previewed “Icy Girl, Icy World” for her fans.
A snippet of “Nani” arrived on social media on March 30. The former University of Southern California student later teased shooting an official music video for the track on her Instagram page. This came after her debut album has been delayed numerous times following expectations of a 2021 release date.
“It’s dropping soon. Honestly, it was a body of work with no soul. So right now I’m working on the details because I really want the world to feel me,” Saweetie said in 2021 about the pushed-back Pretty B#### Music project.
Snoop Dogg is paying tribute to his late mother, Beverly Tate, in a way that certainly makes sense for him.
On Sunday (April 28), the D-O-Double-G and noted weed connoisseur shared an Instagram photo of himself posted up at his mother’s grave with a blunt in hand. Several of his peers chimed in with condolences, including Hi-Tek, RBX, MC Sha-Rock, Layzie Bone, DJ Premier, KXNG Crooked, Mia X and Tony Yayo.
In a separate Instagram post, he noted he and his older brother were visiting both Tate and their younger brother. As he explained in the caption, “Me and big bro went to lay flowers on mom and baby bro.”
Another clip shows Tate’s grave marker and the flowers Snoop left for her.
Beverly Tate died in October 2021 after suffering some heath complications. Snoop Dogg revealed the sad news via Instagram with a photo of Tate, smiling and dressed to the nines.
“Thank u god for giving me an angel for a mother,” he wrote in the caption. “TWMA [Til we meet again].”
Hours later, he was on stage at Big Night Live in Boston, where he’d already been scheduled to perform. Rather than cancel the show, he told the audience, “I wasn’t even gonna come out here and perform tonight ’cause my mother passed away earlier tonight, but in the spirit of the people of Boston, I wanted to come out here and represent for y’all because this is what my mama would have wanted me to do.”
He ended the performance on a special note with, “So before we leave, we’re going to play this record for my mom,” the proceeded to play “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King while asking the crowd to throw t########## in the air. At one point, he took off his sunglasses to sing along to the lyrics, “I won’t cry/I won’t cry/No, I won’t shed a tear/Just as long as you stand, stand by me.”
Snoop Dogg then told the crowd, “I needed this. I f###### love y’all for getting my spirit right tonight. Peace, love and soul.”
After the show, Snoop Dogg reportedly told Big Night Live executive Randy Greenstein why showing up for the event was important.
“He was very emotional after the show,” Greenstein told Page Six at the time. “He thanked our team, said he needed this show. He needed the love from the audience. It meant a lot to him.”
Greenstein also added the tribute was Snoop Dogg’s idea, saying, “We didn’t know [about it beforehand]. He just did it.”
Beverly Tate had been previously hospitalized, although her condition wasn’t disclosed to the public. In July 2021, Snoop Dogg shared an Instagram photo of Tate in her hospital bed surrounded by her sons and it was clear she’d had a tracheotomy.
Tate was an ordained evangelist and authored two books, including Real Love and her autobiography, Real Love II: The Story of an Extraordinary Woman. She alluded to her health issues in a video taken during her birthday party.
“I am celebrating my 70th birthday and it’s been a joy coming to this,” she said. “Even though there were times when I thought I wouldn’t make it. I’ve been a sick woman in the hospital for six weeks at a time and didn’t know… but the God that I serve, he told me it wasn’t time and he let me live on just a little bit longer. And I’m so happy. I’m so blessed.”
Nigerian music icons Wizkid and Davido got into a heated exchange on social media and Burna Boy fans are begging the African Giant to enter the fray.
On Monday (April 29), Starboy and the 30BG boss dropped off a few subliminal tweets leaving fans wondering if they were dissing each other.
“U and all ur crew plus ur pant washer song writer go to sleep at night thinking you actually got anything on me in music wish u all well,” wrote Wizkid.
“I can’t wait till 20 years from now … enjoy ur time,” Davido shared. “2024 let’s all get active !! WE GO SEE.”
In a follow-up post, Wizkid indicated he was growing tired of subtweeting. “U know what..no point. delusional n##### pray for y’all,” he added. However, a response less than five minutes later ended the mystery posting.
“WE NOT DELUSIONAL YOU’RE A SICK MAN,” Davido wrote, quote tweeting Wizkid’s post.
Wizkid & Davido Trade Jabs
Wiz replied with a meme, and Davido fired back, claiming the “Essence” hitmaker is washed up.
“Exactly why I stopped wasting my clout and jeopardizing my millions of usd of endorsements on someone whose career was resurrected a few years ago just to die again. NEXT!!” he replied.
“I got nun to say to u my boy! I can retire today and you still not on my level. You be influencer with a song writer . Wish u well,” Wizkid concluded.
I got nun to say to u my boy! I can retire today and you still not on my level. You be influencer with a song writer . Wish u well ✌️
However, as fans pointed out, Burna Boy doesn’t have access to his own account. He previously revealed his team controls his social media to prevent him from taking things too far online.
Nonetheless, Burna Boy was minding his own business on Monday. The “City Boys” artist was busy enjoying the vibes at Lagos hotspot Obi’s House.
Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Georgia to kick off her nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour. While in the Peach State, Harris met with Atlanta Hip-Hop legend Jermaine Dupri.
Harris’s trip to Atlanta focused on the $158 million in federal funding the city received for “The Stitch” project. According to Dupri, the VP also had a chat about a historic ATL spring break festival.
“In Collepark with THE Vice President @kamalaharris [talking about Freaknik],” Dupri wrote as the caption for an Instagram video with him and Harris. Their dialogue could not be heard, so JD may have been joking about the topic of conversation.
Jermaine Dupri served as an executive producer for Hulu’s recently released Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told. The documentary concentrated on the story of Freaknik rising from a picnic for Atlanta University Center students in the 1980s to an iconic citywide event in the 1990s.
“If you took advantage of Freaknik the way I did with So So Def, you also realized that it was companies in this city, music companies that was putting out music,” Jermaine Dupri told AllHipHop in March. “So I give Freaknik damn near 60 percent of the credit for catapulting the Atlanta South music scene.”
Harris attended a historically black college and university (HBCU) like Atlanta University Center’s Spelman College and Morehouse College. The Democratic politician graduated from Washington D.C.’s Howard University in 1986.
Hip-Hop fans, media figures and recording artists have been sharing their thoughts on the ongoing battles taking place in the culture this year. More recently, Rapsody spoke about Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole trading bars on their respective songs.
Rapsody worked with Kendrick Lamar on “Complexion (A Zulu Love)” off the Grammy Award-winning To Pimp a Butterfly. She also collaborated with J. Cole on the “Sojourner” track.
“It’s one of the greatest albums ever created,” Rapsody said about To Pimp A Butterfly during an interview on The Bootleg Kev Podcast. “It’s one of my favorites of all time, even taking me off it, I feel that way.”
The North Carolina-bred MC added, “I thought about that when Cole made his apology. And when he did it, I was like, ‘I would never approach it, going at [Kendrick Lamar’s] discography.’ But the art of war is just, war is war.”
Numerous media outlets picked up Rapsody’s comments about Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. Some of those articles about her take on the battle apparently didn’t sit well with the Grammy-nominated lyricist.
“I miss good journalism,” she tweeted. “Not into the [clickbait] bloggers, podcasters and passive readers. [red heart emoji].”
I miss good journalism. Not into the click bait bloggers, podcasters and passive readers. ♥️
Chance Combs, Diddy’s 17-year-old daughter attended prom with her boyfriend Branson Bailey who just so happens to be the 18-year-old brother of singers Chloe and Halle.
The young couple made their romance Instagram official earlier this year and are still going strong, attending their high school prom together last weekend. They both posted photos of their coordinating outfits on Instagram and Chance revealed she’s in love.
Branson captioned his post “take a chance 2k24,” alongside a pair of sweet photos from prom. Chance let the world know exactly how she feels about her boo, writing “i love youu,” in the comment section. She added white and purple heart emojis to match their color scheme.
Chloe and Halle gave the sweethearts their seal of approval, both adding a string of cute emojis.
Chance and Branson teased their romance on social media back in February, revealing they spent Valentine’s Day together. They posted gifts which included roses and a teddy bear and even showcased their cute handshake in one video.
Meanwhile, last December, the budding actress revealed she headed to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts as a member of the class of 2028. The announcement was some good news for her father amid mounting legal issues.
Speaking with V Magazine for their summer 2023 issue Chance explained acting is her big dream.
“Acting has helped me evolve more as a person, and it’s helped me step out of my comfort zone,” she explained.
NLE Choppa continues to rile up social media with his music and antics. A recently shared photograph of the 21-year-old Memphis native kissing his reflection in the mirror ignited online discourse.
“I Am Self Love, ALL PRAISES,” NLE Choppa wrote as the caption for the self-smooching picture uploaded to the X platform. One user took issue with Choppa’s post.
“But when I said he be gay-baiting,” the @boywiththelooks account tweeted on Monday (April 29). The term “gay-baiting” refers to when a non-gay entertainer uses same-sex themes to attract an LGBTQ+ audience.
In response to the criticism, Choppa tweeted, “So none of y’all kissed y’all self in the mirror before? We [are] counting childhood too. [face with tears of joy emoji] [thinking face emoji].”
So none of yall kissed yall self in the mirror before? We counting childhood too 😂🤔 https://t.co/mnsi54LI3m
While some criticizers claim NLE Choppa plays into homoeroticism for attention, he also constantly faces rumors of being homosexual or bisexual. For example, the debut of his “S### Me Out 2” single at the Rolling Loud California festival in March led to questions about his sexuality.
The Cottonwood 2 album creator has repeatedly denied being part of the LGBTQ+ community. After getting accused of being gay in 2022, Choppa insisted he is not sexually attracted to men.
“First and foremost I love myself and I’m comfortable enough in my skin to show the beauty God blessed me with. Secondly, I LOVE all so I don’t mind attracting both genders, but most importantly my sexual preference is women. Please stop trying to make me something I am not,” NLE Choppa declared.
First and foremost I love myself and I’m comfortable enough in my skin to show the beauty God blessed me with. Secondly I LOVE all so I don’t mind attracting both genders, but most importantly my sexual preference is women. Please stop trying to make me something I am not. 🙏
Mary J. Blige is reflecting on her career following her induction into the 2024 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
With an illustrious music career spanning four-decades the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is eyeing up other ventures with a plan to eventually retire. However, Blige won’t be hanging up her microphone any time soon and intends to keep churning out the hits for some years to come.
In the meantime, Blige wants to focus her sights on acting following roles in movies like 2017’s Mudbound. She’s also featured in multiple television productions included as Monet Stewart Tejada in 50 Cent’s Power Book II: Ghost.
The nine-time Grammy Award winner opened up about her future plans during an interview with Extra’s Carlos Greer
“Right now, I’m definitely gonna do some more acting and I’m definitely gonna retire in, like, five or six years,” she explained. “Right now, I’m still doing what I’m doing but not as often as I was doing it because I don’t have to now.”
As well as her plans to retire, Mary J. Blige also discussed the glow she’s currently exuding, explaining it has nothing to do with the new man in her life and everything to do with self-acceptance.
“The glow is the love for Mary J. Blige. I find my real love. And my real love is me and I found it,” she added.
Accordingly, Blige’s present state of self-love reflects in her music. “Mary is singing about life. Life… love… being stable and understanding you can have things like love. You can have a good life,” she added.
Chris Brown recently shared a cringe-worthy story about an unnamed rapper that has fans pointing at Kanye West.
During a recent episode of R&B Money Podcast Brown recalled a “funny and/or f##### up” tale about a vibe-killing artist during a segment called “I Ain’t Saying No Names.”
Brown told a story about inviting a “huge artist” to the club without identifying the star. The pair were out on “turn-up night” when an artist with the number one song in the country would be performing.
“We get in the club, I make sure we got the whole section full of women. The person there, he looking around. The song come on, the other artist is onstage, starts singing the song, the whole building erupt. I’m talking about it erupts. Everybody. Girls in our section, they going crazy,” Brown explained. “I look over to this person…not a smirk, not a head nod. Nothing.”
Brown said the next time he turned around, the mystery artist was nowhere to be found
“I look up, the n#### is on the DJ booth right next to the artist that’s doing the song, and he just like this,” Brown said, nodding his head before explaining he presumed the artist wanted to perform.
“I’m like, ‘OK, he got the itch.’ Some artists can’t take it, you know, they self centered though, they got main character syndrome,” he added.
However, to his horror, his guest transformed the club into “the waiting room in hell” and all the partygoers into psychopaths.
“The n#### goes on a 45-minute rant,” he revealed. “I’m talking about saying all of everything about nothing. It’s so disappointing.”
Brown hid in a room downstairs, objecting to “the topic” of the rant before returning about 30 minutes later.
“The last thing I hear, ‘Such and such ain’t stick their finger in my booty. I don’t even play that way,’” said Brown, explaining that he chastised a mutual friend for being a yes man before leaving. “And I left the club. I ain’t answer no phone calls. I’m going home.”
Chris Brown recounts the time Kanye k!lled a club’s vibe by going on a 45 minute rant 😅 pic.twitter.com/M2SBK8MPZw
Despite refusing to reveal the artist, Chris Brown left enough clues for fans to piece together with many sharing footage of a Kanye West rant that fit the description.
In 2016, Kanye West attended Yo Gotti’s The Art of Hustle album release party where the CMG boss also celebrated the lead single “Down in the DM” topping the charts.
West took the mic to deny allegations from his ex-girlfriend Amber Rose. “She never stick no fingers in my ass,” Kanye screamed, as seen in a fan-shot Instagram. “I don’t play like that.”
Sukihana has grown tired of the rumors and is calling on JT to clarify who she was dissing in her new song “Okay.”
The City Girls rapper dropped her new single “Okay” last week which includes a lyric many believe is aimed at Sukihana or Cardi B.
“She ate crab legs, now her whole tooth missing,” she rapped. “Cheap ass veneers, you stay talkin’ s###.”
On Monday (April 29,) Sukihana took to Instagram to address JT. She explained that she was in jail when the JT dropped but was alerted to it after her release because she was tagged so many times.
“They tagging Cardi too, they said JT was trying to diss me in a song or Cardi B,” Sukihana added. While she doubts it was the NYC rapper because she broke her tooth on a bagel, Suki acknowledged she fits the description.
“We all know I done broke my teeth on some crab legs,” she said, addressing the first line. However, Sukihana doesn’t believe JT dissed her because the ” stay talkin’ s###” part doesn’t apply.
“I don’t talk s### about b######. I always show love. Never hated on a b####, never called a b#### name,” she explained. “I was at JT birthday party, it was hugs and giggles, so I don’t feel like she talking about me.”
Furthermore, Sukihana believes JT “just start trouble with random people when she droppin’ a song,” adding, “They said it’s trouble in paradise for her and Cardi.”
Ultimately, Sukihana wants her to clarify. “JT just clear it up. I know you see the people keep tagging me and Cardi. They only tagging me and her,” she said. “I just don’t feel like me and you got no tea, so just let me know.”
Blue Ivy Carter will make her film debut alongside her mum Beyoncé in “Mufasa: The Lion King.”
The trailer for Disney’s animated film was unveiled on Monday, revealing that Beyoncé and Donald Glover have reprised their roles as Nala and Simba and that Blue Ivy would voice their daughter Kiara.
“Mufasa: The Lion King,” directed by Barry Jenkins, is told through flashbacks and is framed around Rafiki telling Kiara about how her grandfather Mufasa became one of the greatest kings of the Pride Lands.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the “Moonlight” director recalled pitching the idea to the music superstar after hearing Blue Ivy narrate the audiobook of Matthew A. Cherry’s book “Hair Love.”
“I was like, ‘Is it worth a shot? Would Blue Ivy want to do it? Would Beyoncé want to act opposite her daughter? Is it too close to home?'” he shared. “But once we put the question to them, they both responded with enthusiasm.”
In a separate interview on “Good Morning America,” the filmmaker said it was “really special” working with the mother-daughter duo and described Blue Ivy, whose father is rapper Jay-Z, as “professional” during her recording sessions.
“I think for them, too, they just approached it that they both wanted to perform and do the best they could. And yet, they didn’t have to pretend very much because they really are mother and daughter,” he added.
Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner and John Kani also reprise their roles as Timon, Pumbaa and Rafiki from the 2019 live-action “Lion King.”
They are joined by Aaron Pierre as Mufasa; Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka/young Scar; Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros; and Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mother, Eshe, among others.
The new trailer revealed that Lin-Manuel Miranda is writing the film’s songs, with additional music and performances by Lebo M.
“The ‘Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it,” the Hamilton creator said in a statement. “It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience this film in theaters.”
“Mufasa: The Lion King” will be released on December 20.
Yo, let’s clear the air really quick. There’s been a wild rumor swirling around the internet that NBA YoungBoy had a baby with his cousin. But nah, that’s not it. Thie whole mix-up kicked off after a video popped up online, claiming it was a joke. Even though Lapattra La’shai Jacobs may bear a resemblance to YoungBoy, it’s not like that. They aren’t related.
The chatter came back— because it’s not new—with extra fuel when a tweet suggesting this odd family tie blew up. The tweet had more than 36,000 retweets. I’m not including it to add more misinformation. Add to that a YouTube video hinting the same, racking up roughly 170,000 views, and you see why folks started believing the tale. But, let’s set it straight — it’s all a big misunderstanding. He has other issues!
This all started over a some old stuff regarding Yaya Mayweather, daughter of Floyd. Back in 2020, Yaya pleaded guilty to stabbing Lapattra. Yaya copped to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and admitted to causing bodily injury. Yaya was looking at a 20-year prison sentence. Anyway, if you want more, google it. I mostly came here to let you know dude does not have a baby with his dang cousin!
Javale McGee might be a beast on the basketball court, but he’s also a beast in the studio.
Currently playing for the Sacramento Kings, McGee boasts a fruitful career in the NBA, a 3x-NBA champion as well as an Olympic gold medalist. But let’s not forget he’s a credited musician, too.
Producing under the moniker Pierre, the Michigan-bred recording artist also makes music. In 2018, he landed a placement co-producing Justin Bieber’s “Available” on Changes alongside Poo Bear and Sasha Sirota. That same year, he released his own self-titled debut album.
Now, McGee is excited as ever to unveil his newest single titled “Cowboy,” featuring KOH and Audio Chateau. The record serves as his first venture into the country space, directly in line with his new scripted Audible podcast series called Finding Pierre. Clocking in at six episodes, this scripted series centers around the main character Pierre, which is the fictional persona of McGee himself.
AllHipHop spoke with Javale McGee about this exciting new collaboration, as well as his new favorite car: the Cybertruck.
How were your games this weekend?
I mean, they can be better. We lost, so that’s not good. But still an opportunity to get in the playoffs and make it rain, so that’s the good news.
How is it being a vet with such a young and up and coming team?
It’s amazing, just being able to influence the guys the right way. Use my vocal leadership to try to get everybody to embrace the moment and the passion of the game, so we can go as far as possible in these playoffs. It’s pretty cool.
How did the Finding Pierre podcast come about?
Me and Jared have been talking to each other, have been good friends for a while now. Probably five or six years. He was very adamant on doing something with me, but we didn’t know what. We went to the studio: I had a couple of beats, he had a couple of beats. We were just making music and having fun. The whole Finding Pierre idea came up and we executed it. It came out amazing.
Who came up with the idea for Finding Pierre?
We both collaboratively came up with it, but he had more of a hand in executing it and putting the pieces together. I feel like we did a great job at that.
What is your favorite part about this fictional character?
The way it ties into real world events that were happening at the time, because I really did go to the Olympics. There’s an episode where I’m going to the Olympics, he’s trying to find me his favorite “producer” and he doesn’t notice me. He doesn’t realize why this producer’s in Tokyo. I had to go to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics. It was cool that some things were fictional and some things were accurate at the same time, even though this is a fictional story.
What was the highlight from the Olympics?
Just being in Tokyo and winning. That’s the highest highlight you could have, winning the Gold. Only problem was it was COVID, so we didn’t get to really explore Japan, which I heard is one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world. I didn’t experience that, that’s the only thing I really was disappointed about.
https://ingrv.es/cowboy-shu-1
Talk about the single “Cowboy” and the making of that. Is this your first country leaning record?
It absolutely is, it’s definitely my first country song I’ve done. I initially was just doing it as a reference, because I write songs all the time. When you write songs, you’re a reference for the artist. But we loved the way it sounded, my voice sounded well in that country tone. We decided to keep it and it came out pretty well.
What was that studio session like and were you with the features on the track?
I wasn’t with the other artists, it was just me and Jared. We were just doing songs. We did multiple songs. We did Hip-Hop songs, country songs. We might have even done an EDM song. I don’t remember if we did that, but we did a lot of songs that session. He picked a couple of them and that was one that made the soundtrack.
Where did the name Pierre come from? I know that’s what you produce under.
Truthfully, originally, I just thought the name sounded cool and I liked it. I looked at myself and thought: I think I could pass as a Pierre. But the cool story is I was out to dinner with my friend one time at the bar, at the restaurant in LA called Crustaceans. I was hanging out with my friend, then a girl was at the bar also. She asked me a question, then she asked me where my name was, and that was the end of the conversation.
But then I looked over and she was Googling my name. After that, I said if someone asked me what my name was and they don’t know my name, I’ma tell them my name is Pierre. Just so we can start with a clean slate, so I’m not already put in the preconceived notions of “Oh he’s a basketball player, so I need to try to act like this around him or do this around him” type energy.
First of all, how did she get caught letting you see her Google your name?
I’m 7 foot so I can see all those things and around things.
Obviously, you’re a NBA player, musician, father. How do you find time to do it all?
It’s not easy, but it’s also a lot not as hard as people make it seem. You find time for what you love, and I love all those things. Everything has its time. Unfortunately, music has been on the backburner for a while now just because I’ve been really focused on my family and focused on basketball. But the music can definitely pick up this summer.
It’s amazing, the best car I’ve ever driven in my life. It’s crazy.
Why?
The technology that doesn’t make sense to me. Until I figure out how this technology is possible for this car to go as fast as it’s going, to accelerate as fast as it is without it being turned on, without an engine. Just the old school ways we’ve been told that speed and power is supposed to come to you. It’s literally a giant iPhone. It’s a giant RC, remote control car. It doesn’t make sense. I’ve always loved Teslas, but I didn’t think I looked right in the Model 3 or Model S. Because of how large I am I guess, but I’ve always loved them. Now that the Cybertruck came out, it’s definitely my favorite car.
That’s a lot of attention on those streets!
Yeah. Everybody, that’s all they can do is look at it and gawk over it. It’s pretty cool.
They designated March 9th Javale McGee day in Reno, Nevada. How did that feel and how full circle was that moment?
Aw man, it was amazing. It’s even more amazing just because some people anticipate things like “this is the goal. I’m going to be this and I’m going to be that.” I never anticipated any of this, so it’s all been a pleasant surprise. At the same time, I know the hard work I’ve put in over the years. Even before I got to college or got to the NBA, so it’s well-deserving. At the same time, it’s still a surprise and it’s definitely a humbling experience.
The hip-hop community has long been known for its lavish lifestyle, with many artists flaunting their wealth through flashy jewelry, extravagant cars, and high-stakes gambling. While casinos often serve as a backdrop for showcasing success, they also stand as arenas where fortunes can dramatically rise or fall.
In this article Minimum deposit casinos delved into the world of hip-hop artists notorious for their casino escapades, highlighting some of their most significant wins and losses and attempting to rank the most skilled gamblers in the hip-hop arena.
The Hip Hop Ballers
Jay-Z: A Strategy Game Strong
Jay-Z is not just a mogul in the music and business world; he’s also known for his prowess in high-stakes poker and blackjack. Jay-Z reportedly won close to $500,000 in a poker session in Las Vegas. His strategy often involves playing at VIP tables, where the stakes are as high as the tension. However, Jay-Z’s approach to gambling is reportedly as calculated as his business moves, often balancing risks meticulously.
Nelly: Roller Coaster Winnings
The “Hot in Herre” rapper has been quite open about his love for gambling, particularly poker and blackjack. Nelly has had his fair share of ups and downs at casinos. He has been spotted at various World Series of Poker events, and although he has had significant wins, including a notable $60,000 night in Las Vegas, he’s also faced hefty losses. Despite the volatility, Nelly’s passion for gambling remains unshaken, making him one of the most persistent casino-goers in the hip-hop world.
50 Cent: Bet Big, Win Big
50 Cent may be known for his aggressive lyrics and beef, but he often lets his money do the talking when it comes to gambling. Known for his sports betting more than casino gambling, 50 Cent famously won $500,000 on a football bet and shared the ticket on social media. His boldness isn’t just limited to sports; in the casino realm, he’s known to place large bets, and while not all are wins, his victories are often sizable.
P. Diddy: The Party Gambler
Sean “Diddy” Combs is known for his flamboyant lifestyle, and his gambling habits are no exception. Diddy’s casino runs are often part of more extensive party nights, and he’s been known to host blackjack games in his mansion. In casinos, Diddy is known for his charisma at the roulette and craps tables. While specific wins and losses are not well-documented, his presence at the tables is always a spectacle, drawing crowds and adding to the high-roller atmosphere.
Drake: The Modern Gambler
Drake’s foray into gambling is more recent than the other names on this list, but he’s made quite an impact. With the advent of online gambling, Drake has been seen betting vast amounts on roulette and other tabletop games via live streams, and his most famous gambling night involved losing over $200,000 in a matter of minutes at a high-stakes roulette table. Despite such losses, Drake continues to gamble significantly, indicating his ability to sustain such hits and his love for high-stakes games.
Ranking the Most Skilled Gamblers in Hip-Hop
Ranking these artists in terms of skill is challenging due to the private nature of many gambling activities and the differences in games they prefer. However, based on reported wins, strategies, and consistency, here’s an attempt:
Jay-Z – For his calculated approach and significant wins without many reported heavy losses.
50 Cent – His high-risk, high-reward strategy places him high on the list, though his focus is more on sports betting.
Nelly – Regular at poker events and known for wins and losses, his persistence and experience give him an edge.
Drake – Although relatively new to the scene, his willingness to place high stakes gives him a spot.
P. Diddy is more of a social gambler; his skills might not be as sharp as others, but his enthusiasm makes up for it.
While the tales of wins and losses could fill many a night of storytelling, the financial and social impacts of gambling should not be understated. For every thrilling win, there are often economic and personal losses. The artists ranked here to showcase not just a penchant for risk-taking but also a representation of the broader hip-hop culture’s embrace of high stakes and high rewards. As always, regardless of status, the key takeaway for any gambler is to gamble responsibly.
FAQ: Hip-Hop Stars and Casino Gambling
Why do many hip-hop artists engage in high-stakes gambling?
Many hip-hop artists engage in high-stakes gambling to reflect their success and wealth. It’s also a part of the broader culture associated with hip-hop that values risk-taking and ostentation. For some, it’s about the thrill and the adrenaline rush, while for others, it may be a way to compete and showcase their skills in a different arena.
Are there any hip-hop artists who are known for their gambling expertise?
Jay-Z is often cited as a skilled gambler, particularly in games that require a mix of skill and strategic thinking, like poker and blackjack. Other artists like Nelly and 50 Cent have also demonstrated significant interest and participation in gambling, with various degrees of success.
Have any hip-hop artists faced severe financial issues due to gambling?
While specific financial troubles due to gambling are not often publicly disclosed, like any high-stake gamblers, hip-hop artists are not immune to the risks. The potential for significant losses is always present, and there are anecdotal accounts of artists losing substantial amounts.
What types of gambling are most popular among hip-hop artists?
Poker, blackjack, and sports betting are among the most popular forms of gambling in hip-hop. Poker and blackjack both require a degree of skill and psychology, appealing to competitive individuals, while sports betting is popular due to the wide following of sports among artists.
How do hip-hop artists’ gambling habits impact their public image and fan base?
For many fans, hip-hop artists’ gambling habits reinforce their image as larger-than-life figures who live extravagant, risk-filled lives. However, gambling can also attract criticism, especially when the amounts gambled are extravagant or when artists promote gambling to vulnerable audiences.
Are there any positive stories of hip-hop artists using their gambling winnings for good causes?
Specific stories of using gambling winnings for charitable purposes are rare in the public domain. However, many hip-hop artists are known for their philanthropy, generally using their wealth to support various causes and communities, whether derived from gambling winnings or other income sources.
How can fans of hip-hop and gambling learn from their favorite artists?
Fans can admire the risk-taking and strategic aspects of gambling demonstrated by their favorite artists but should approach gambling with caution. It’s important to gamble responsibly, set limits, and never wager more than one can afford to lose. Recognizing that these artists often gamble with sums that are not feasible for most individuals is also crucial.
Are there legal concerns with hip-hop artists showcasing their gambling activities?
There are generally no legal concerns as long as the gambling is conducted in jurisdictions where it is legal and the individuals involved are of legal gambling age. However, artists must be mindful of how they showcase gambling to ensure they do not encourage irresponsible behavior among fans.
These questions aim to provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between hip-hop culture and gambling, highlighting this intersection’s glamorous and cautionary aspects.
Ashanti and Nelly gave fans a taste of their sense of humor in a series of Instagram Stories posts. The jokes started when Nelly posted a photo of a pregnant Ashanti sitting on his knee.
“OF COURSE NOT BEAUTIFUL I’M FINE,” he wrote. “LUV U2 @ASHANTI.”
Ashanti responded, “Lmaoooooo!!!! Babe!!!! Ima knock u out!!!!!!”
Nelly insisted he did nothing wrong.
“What my love..???” he wrote. “I didn’t say anything..!! To Me you still the same size you were in 2005..!!”
Ashanti fired back, “Lmfaoooooooo!!!! Lemme go pull out these bikini shots from 05!!!”
Earlier this month, Ashanti confirmed pregnancy rumors in an advertisement for Proov. She also revealed her engagement to Nelly.
“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope and anticipation,” she told Essence. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to and sharing this with my family, fiancé and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience.”
Ashanti and Nelly began dating in the 2000s. They reportedly broke up around 2013. The two reunited in 2023.
“I think it surprised both of us,” Nelly said in a 2023 interview. “It wasn’t anything that was planned. I think we both was pretty much doing what we do. But sometimes being separate, you understand one another more.”
Ashanti is expecting her first child. The baby will be Nelly’s fifth kid.
Sukihana attempted to make the best of a bad situation by using her drug possession arrest as a way to make money. The 32-year-old rapper/reality TV star released t-shirts featuring her mugshot on her website.
The t-shirts cost $45. One version included the phrase “Free Da Coochie Girl” while another printed “Bad Kitty” under her mugshot.
Sukihana, whose real name is Destiny Lanette Henderson, was arrested on drug charges in Florida on April 25. She was charged with possession of codeine with the intent to sell, deliver or manufacture and possession of MDMA with the intent to sell, deliver or manufacture, per Broward County Sheriff’s Office records.
The Delaware native was booked at the Paul Rein Detention Facility in Pompano Beach. Her bail was set at $7,500.
Sukihana sported bright orange hair in her mugshot. She had a wry smile in the photo.
The drug arrest could be just the beginning of Sukihana’s legal issues based on a rumor previously reported by AllHipHop. According to several sources, booking agents and promoters accused Sukihana of scamming them.
Sukihana allegedly collected upfront payments for gigs but never appeared at the events. None of the alleged victims went on the record with the allegations, but they were reportedly considering litigation against her.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie found himself involved in an altercation outside of a Paris nightclub over the weekend. Now he says the only reason the opposing party didn’t get a proper beatdown is because he was maced.
In a video clip shared to his Instagram Stories, A-Boogie is seen backing away from the fight after a club security guard appears to spray him with mace. He wrote across the footage, “LMAO f### I look like playing with mace n##### can’t fight.” He added in a separate post, “N##### only got out of there cause the maced us. Never runnin’ from a n####!”
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie just got into a MAJOR ALTERCATION in Paris 😱 he even got MACED pic.twitter.com/zZdRrDTloj
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was in the French capital, where he was scheduled to perform on his Better Off Alone Tour Sunday night (April 28). But he soon ran into trouble at the after party. Footage shared on social media shows A-Boogie approaching the venue while drinking from a bottle of alcohol. He passes it to someone in his team, but security is already arguing with his entourage.
A-Boogie says, “We out,” before heading toward his vehicle but suddenly walks back to the club, lifting the rope blocking entry. Chaos erupts as security blocks him, with one bouncer pushing A-Boogie. He’s then whisked away by a friend as one of the security guards sprays what is now presumed to be mace.
Media mogul Byron Allen is mired in a legal battle with a Korean-American businessman, who claims rumors that he was a foreigner trying to take over newsrooms in the U.S. tanked a huge deal.
Soohyung Kim, Standard General’s scorned CEO, claims that Allen’s influence led the FCC to reject Kim’s $8.6 billion acquisition of TEGNA Inc., a publicly traded spinoff of media giant Gannett.
TEGNA is a massive operation that owns and operates a portfolio of assets.
The media company owns television stations in 51 markets, affiliated with major networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX.
TEGNA also has digital platforms, including websites, mobile apps, OTT streaming services, production studios that produce original content, and advertising and marketing services provided through TEGNA Marketing Solutions.
The lawsuit claims that a race discrimination crusade fronted by Allen ruined the deal and now Kim wants to get paid for the damages Allen supposedly caused with his smear campaign.
Kim claims that his Asian ethnicity was a decisive factor in the FCC’s decision, ultimately benefiting Allen.
The lawsuit asserts that Allen used his status as a prominent Democratic donor to sway FCC officials, including Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, to favor Black-owned businesses over Asian-American ones.
Consequently, this purported bias dashed Kim’s aspirations to expand his holdings in the broadcast sector.
Lawyer Tyler R. Green highlighted the role of racial dynamics in the FCC’s decision-making, stating that “advancing equity” seemingly disregarded Kim’s rights due to his Asian descent, characterizing it as a manipulation of racial equity.
Green further accused Allen of leveraging his racial identity as a tool to maintain and enhance his media empire.
“Mr. Allen knows that as a Black American and the owner of the largest Black-owned media company, he has tremendous leverage over the race-conscious FCC, which actively seeks to expand minority ownership,” Green remarked.
He added that this influence undermined other minority media owners like Kim. The lawsuit claims Byron Allen gained several benefits from blocking the TEGNA deal.
These include the potential opportunity to acquire TEGNA for his Black-owned media company, Allen Media Group, more leverage over the FCC due to his race and ownership status and expansion of minority ownership in the media industry.
Green explained how discussions about the deal were influenced by perceptions of race and diversity, pointing to negative stereotypes against Asians propagated by affiliates of Allen, which painted Kim’s pursuit of media ownership as a threat.
“Objectors, organized by Mr. Allen and allies, said the deal did ‘nothing’ to advance diversity in broadcast ownership…They used Mr. Kim’s race for fearmongering, pretending as though he, an American, was an Asian foreign owner poised to take over America’s newsrooms,” Green added.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages totaling at least $136 million and punitive measures against Allen, the FCC, and other affiliates identified as accomplices in derailing the TEGNA acquisition deal.
This scenario might have ripple effects across the regulatory landscape, prompting a reevaluation of mergers and acquisition processes, especially those involving minority-owned enterprises in the media sector.
For Byron Allen, a long-time entrepreneur in the media landscape, the lawsuit represents a significant challenge to his standing and influence.
The Game has come to the defense of pop star Justin Bieber, who recently uploaded photos of himself crying to his Instagram page.
The rapper, who has experienced plenty of his own ups and downs, wrote on social media, “He’s human. Rich or not, man or woman… he’s a person. People go through things. These things sometimes trigger uncontrollable emotions. Allow him & others to be vulnerable no matter the state. What’s funny is the folks in the comments acting like they don’t have bad days, moments or s### don’t get thick. Weird world.”
Bieber’s emotionally-charged photos were part of a bigger cluster that included shots of himself performing and a close-up of weed. He didn’t provide any context to the post, although his wife Hailey Beiber did write in the comment section, “a pretty crier.” Fans of his, of course, were riddled with concern, typing comments like, “Justin, are you OK?” and “Your son and he seems to be in pain, I ask you to surround him with Your mighty arms & reveal to him that You are always near.”
But another joked, “Stop it, he’s crying because he just choked on that rip in the previous slide,” a reference to the pot picture.
Whatever the reason behind the Bieb’s tears, The Game clearly empathizes.
Chrisean Rock recently reacted to speculation about her son’s health on social media. The rapper/reality TV star vehemently defended her son amid rumors claiming he is blind or has an intellectual disability.
“My son Chrisean Jesus Malone Jr. – he’s straight,” she said. “The f###? He’s a billion-dollar baby, so stay tuned. No, he’s not blind. No, he’s not retarded, n####. He’s a f###### child. F###, it got me f##### up. But it’s cool though. It is real cool how y’all just—that’s all wanna sit up and talk about. That’s fine.”
Chrisean Rock responds to fans saying her baby Jr is Blind or Ret*rded after video of Jr goes viral of him not Blinking pic.twitter.com/t1Iv3kLfPk
Chrisean Rock claimed people continually discussed her son because they wanted attention. The polarizing figure believed she faced unfair scrutiny as a mother, but she was confident her son would prove her doubters wrong.
“My baby’s blessed from the head to his toe,” she said. “Like what? Y’all forgot when he got dedicated on the seventh day? Like what? All I gotta say is, ‘God glory, God glory.’ All y’all gon’ see is him proving you n##### wrong. And that’s all that matters … I really don’t give two f####, for real. I’m not even addressing nothing because I don’t give a f###. You feel me?
“We ain’t talking ‘bout your baby ‘cause it don’t get you views. Like you can’t talk about your own kids. You know why? ‘Cause it ain’t gon’ get you views. It’s not gonna get people watching. So yeah, talk about what’s most wanted. Talk about what’s most talked about: me, Chrisean.”
She added, “I rebuke everything y’all saying about my child … Y’all are gonna be looking real stupid.”
Chrisean gave birth to her baby boy in 2023. He is her first child. She named him after herself.
The baby’s father Blueface is currently in jail for a probation violation but scheduled to be released in July.
