O.J. Simpson passed away at 76 after a long fight with prostate cancer, according to multiple sources. His life, marred by notorious legal troubles, ended in Las Vegas on April 10. In his final moments, Simpson was accompanied by his children and grandchildren, marking a quiet end to a life that once captivated the nation’s attention for both laudable and infamous reasons.
“On April 10, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” Simpson’s family wrote in a statement posted on Twitter (X). “He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”
It was reported in February that the former sports star had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was undergoing treatment. Despite a successful NFL career, Simpson was best known for going on trial for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1995. He was acquitted of the charges. Simpson was later sentenced to 33 years in prison after being found guilty of armed robbery and kidnapping in 2008. He served nine years in a Nevada prison and was granted parole in 2017.
Before his death, Simpson experienced an unexpected resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to his involvement with Hip-Hop culture through Cam’ron and Mase’s sports show, “It Is What It Is.”
Simpson appeared several times on the show and despite the inescapable shadow of his past, he found a welcoming audience. Listeners tuned in, drawn by curiosity, Cam’ron’s audacious commentary and hot takes on sports.
Cam’ron even defended his choice, citing a belief in Simpson’s innocence regarding the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Simpson’s death closes a chapter on an individual whose life story is inextricably linked with the American legal system, media and in his later years, an unexpected association with Hip-Hop culture.
2024 has been consumed with Hip-Hop beef. Vince Staples points the finger at Spotify, one of the biggest music streaming companies in the world, as an instigator of the toxicity in the culture.
“We have every songwriter that we’ve ever had in Hip-Hop music complaining about their publishing splits, but we kinda don’t pay attention to that,” Vince Staples stated during a phone call on The Joe Budden Podcast.
The California native also said, “But once n##### get mad, the whole internet is activated and we got billboards from streamers talking about, ‘Hip-Hop is a sport.’ But we ain’t never seen a billboard from a streamer that said, ‘Give that n#### his publishing back.'”
We Don’t Trust You hosts the “Like That” single featuring Kendrick Lamar. That song included Lamar throwing blatant shots at fellow chart-topping Hip-Hop acts Drake and J. Cole.
Vince Staples also called out The Joe Budden Podcast hosts. He accused them of getting excited over rap beef but not expressing anger over artists losing their publishing, going to jail or dying. The 30-year-old MC then shared his thoughts on rappers battling each other.
“Why are we at war with the n#### that’s making a song and not the m########### who owns the whole thing? We don’t say their name at all. We quiet when they do some f### s###,” The Vince Staples Show creator stated.
Staples added, “We don’t have rap labels no more. But nobody says nothing about that. Nobody wanna talk about these labels folding in the other and then fire 50% of the people. Firing Hip-Hop radio people at these labels that’s been working there for 20, 30 years. That’s not war though, right?
Jennifer Lopez is once again receiving negative backlash on social media. One of her former background singers claims her vocals are actually the lead on the hit song “Jenny From The Block”—not J. Lo’s.
Over the course of the past few weeks, a TikTok user under the screename @im.natasha.ramos began sharing videos detailing her experience working with Lopez on her 2002 album, This Is Me… Then.
More specifically, Ramos’ videos focused on her claims that her vocals are the ones present on the album’s#### song, “Jenny From The Block.” It’s worth noting that Ramos has remained steadfast with her claims, going as far back to 2019 when she tweeted about the incident and revealed that Lopez didn’t even record background vocals for the track.
I just want to clarify something. JLo did indeed go in to the studio and lay down some BGV’s over mine. So I wouldn’t say she’s so much “Lip syncing”, however, the backgrounds are predominantly me, some ad libs (and laughs) as well.
However, in her most recent videos, Ramos has taken her claims a step further. She said not only has she been absent from the track’s credits, but that she was also scammed.
“I think the problem with ‘Jenny From the Block’ is that they kept my laugh, and they kept ad-libs and they turned her vocals like all the way down, and the ‘from the Bronx’ part is me,” Ramos remarked in the lengthy video.
Ramos also claimed that she “wasn’t in the room” to take part in the negotiations for Lopez’s This Is Me… Then album, in addition to claiming Cory Rooney, the producer who worked on the album, attempted to extort her for a non-consensual tongue kiss.
“I say no. He’s like, ‘If you don’t give me a kiss, I’m gonna take you off all these records,'” she recalled.
Ramos added that while she was contacted about Lopez’s recent Prime Video documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told, she was allegedly stonewalled about the development of the film following an “awkward” Zoom call with Rooney and organizers of the production.
“And all these years [later], I can’t help but feel like that was a big piece in why I was screwed over so badly,” she said.
Eminem can take credit for popularizing the word “stan” meaning an overly-obsessed fan. His 2000 song “Stan” laid out the description of what it means to have an unhealthy parasocial relationship with a celebrity.
It appears Em will do a deep dive into stan culture. On Wednesday (April 10), he announced an upcoming documentary centered around his most avid supporters.
“Looking for Stans for a documentary produced by Eminem & Shady Films,” the Detroit-bred MC tweeted. That X post also included a link to a questionnaire for anyone wanting to share their story as a Slim Shady fanatic.
The questionnaire includes inquiries such as “When/how did you first hear Eminem?” “Would you consider yourself a ‘Stan’? Why/why not?” and “If you could tell Eminem anything, what would it be?”
Interested candidates also have to share their favorite songs by the 51-year-old MC. In addition, applicants must upload a one-minute video explaining why they are Em’s biggest fan.
Shady Films previously produced movies such as 2005’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’. Additionally, Eminem starred as the semi-autobiographical lead character in the 2002 film 8 Mile.
Eminem’s “Stan” track lives on the 2000 album The Marshall Mathers LP. The 45 King-produced record samples “Thank You” by English singer-songwriter Dido who appears in the “Stan” music video.
Baby Tate had to square up against Nicki Minaj’s fan base in February. The Barbz accused Tate of stealing their favorite MC’s aesthetics and animated delivery during her “From The Block” performance.
A new performance video featuring Baby Tate landed on YouTube on Wednesday (April 10). The Atlanta-bred rapper/singer’s “On The Radar” freestyle contained some bars that mention Nicki Minaj and other female artists.
“Hold on, b####, I’m blown. I just got up on the internet, they said I’m a clone. Now I was born in 1996, so of course it’s some s### I done picked up on,” Baby Tate rapped.
She added, “They say I blink like Nicki, dress like Kimmy, get real freaky on a track like Missy, cocky like RiRi, rough like E-V-E. I don’t understand why n##### won’t let me be me.”
In addition to namedropping Nicki Minaj, Lil Kim, Missy Elliott, Rihanna, and Eve, Baby Tate shouted out Lauryn Hill, Left Eye and more. The Girls album creator also said, “Me biting? B####, stop it. I’m sick of this s###. I need antibiotics.”
At one point, Tate questioned why she is not compared to Caucasian acts like Madonna and Lady Gaga or male acts like Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West. The “Hey, Mickey!” rapstress acknowledged her many inspirations, including Nicki Minaj.
Deion Sanders said the news that his daughter Deiondra is expecting a baby with Jacquees hasn’t quite sunk in yet but he’s focused on her wellbeing.
The NFL legend’s daughter announced their pregnancy last month. Coach Prime confessed that while “not one thing” excites him about becoming a first-time grandfather, he’s still processing the news.
“I haven’t digested that whole thing yet,” Sanders said during an interview with PEOPLE published Wednesday (April 10). “I’m proud of my baby that she’s at least waited until her thirties to give me this gift of life.”
While Sanders said he’s happy Deiondra waited, his priority remains to ensure “she’s straight emotionally and psychologically as well.”
In her pregnancy reveal, Deiondra explained that her pregnancy was “not planned nor expected.” She also said “I’m not having my baby to keep a man. I am having my baby for all the times I was told I wouldn’t be able to.”
Meanwhile, Jacquees and Deiondra shared photos from a sonogram on Wednesday. The couple posed for pics with Deiondra’s mom Carolyn Chambers.
“God is overly good! Colossal Blessings on the way!! LOOOOOK AT MY BABY!!! 18 weeks and 5 days!!! Lord I thank you!!” Jacquees captioned the post.
He also gave fans some good news about his upcoming musical projects. “And my album budget Got approved today,” he added. “s/o @birdman and Slim !! God thank you, I’m glad you’ve been seeing me trying!!! God is GOOOOOOOD!”
Jacquees Promises To Be In Delivery Room Despite Being Squeamish
The singer promised to be in the delivery room to welcome his child into the world.
“He said he wants to be in the room,” Deiondra revealed. “It’s just so funny because he’s not really good with blood and stuff like that. So, I don’t know how this is gonna work out with him in the room, but we will see.”
Boosie Badazz showed off his new rose gold diamond encrusted Jesus piece at a recent Atlanta Hawks game but not everybody was a fan of the gigantic piece.
The “Wipe Me Down” hitmaker, who’s given himself the moniker “Mr. Courtside” for his recent antics at the games, took to Instagram Wednesday (April 10), to recount a run-in with a fan.
“Lady at the game asked me why did I do that to Jesus. I told her, ‘I’m showing everybody to give him the glory,’” he said, flexing the bedazzled pendant, part of a recent $2 million jewelry haul, in the camera.
When the woman remarked “I don’t think Jesus is gonna like that,” Boosie disagreed before promising to return with another religion-themed piece. “I differ,” he stated. “I’m a wear my bible piece next time, see what she gon’ say.”
Meanwhile, last week, Boosie apologized for his racially charged remarks about former LSU student-athlete Hailey Van Lith. He claimed his emotions got the best of him when criticizing Van Lith for her performance during LSU’s loss to Iowa in the Elite 8.
“Hey, I want to apologize to Hailey Van Lith,” he said in part. “That’s my bad. I got in my feelings. I really wanted y’all to win, man.
He continued, saying “I shouldn’t have said what I said,” before adding, “I apologized to you and to LSU.”
Yung Miami has responded to up-and-coming rapper DajshaDoll who claims the City Girls artist stole a lyric from her and used it in her new single “CFWM” featuring Skilla Baby.
The line said to be copied was “I’ll go live right now without a f###### filter.” The Ohio-bred artist insisted Miami stole the lyric from her song “R.I.P. Pimp C.”
“If you wanted ah feature could have said that … run the fade,” DajshaDoll wrote on X, tagging Yung Miami
While Dajsha urged Miami to “catch the flight to the hood and come catch this fade” over the dispute, the “Good Love” hitmaker took a more gracious approach.
“I’m from the hood to been in the hood my whole life just recently got out the hood,” she wrote on Instagram. “I look good without fillers/filters. I never heard of you or your song b4 this situation & you could’ve reached out to me or handle this differently.”
Yung Miami also seemingly addressed DajshaDoll’s assertion that she “needed inspo from me,” because her career is over.
“if you inspire ppl that should inspire you to keep going and not want to fight.” she added. “Be blessed and let me enjoy my release day uggghhhhhh!!!!”
DajshaDoll’s stealing accusations came on the day of Miami’s “CFWM” release. Miami also had a spat with her City Girls partner, JT earlier this week.
The duo clashed over alleged “sneak disses” in a heated online exchange before eventually settling their differences.
Ice Spice is gearing up to debut on the silver screen in Spike Lee‘s upcoming crime thriller High and Low alongside Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington.
The iconic actor and director pairing are reuniting for the fifth time, Variety reports. They previously worked together on Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man.
The Bronx native makes her movie debut in the thriller which is the English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller of the same name.
Apple Original Films partnered with A24 on the movie and is yet to confirm an official release date. However, A24 will release “High and Low” theatrically before a global launch on AppleTV+.
Little is known about Ice Spice’s role in High and Low but it won’t be long before fans find out. On Wednesday (April 10), Apple Original Films announced production is already underway by sharing a post with Lee and Washington.
While Ice Spice has tested her acting chops in multiple ad campaigns, and even crossed over into fashion, High and Low will be her first full-length project. Although she rapidly climbed the ranks of the music industry since exploding onto the scene with her breakout single “Munch (Feelin’ U” in 2022, acting was her first love.
“I didn’t ever really like see myself being a rapper,” Spice explained on Hot97’s Ebro in the Morning last year. “I always wanted to be an actress. That was like, my first passion.”
Nicki Minaj surprised fans with some very special guests at the Boston stop of her Pink Friday 2 Tour, bringing a bevy of female rappers onstage to perform “Super Freaky Girl (Queen Mix).”
While talk of rap beef has enthralled the Hip-Hop community over the past few weeks, Minaj put on a show of female rap unity at Gag City Boston on Wednesday evening (April 10). The NYC rapper was joined by her “Queen Mix” collaborators JT, BIA, Akbar V, Katie Got Bandz, and Maliibu Mitch.
Okayyy! Nicki Minaj brings out JT, BIA, Akbar V, Katie Got Bandz and Maliibu Miitch for a performance of “Super Freaky Girl” at her #PinkFriday2 tour 💕
Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj paid tribute to her collaborators on Instagram after the show.
“Idk where to start. #GAGCITYBOSTON [NIGHT 2] might be one of the loudest audiences I’ve ever experienced. I gotta go check the archives. Love you. Like I REALLY REALLY LOVE YOU. God bless you guys,” she began.
“THE QUEENS CAME OUT TONIGHT & REPRESENTED THEIR CITIES & THEIR CRAFTS SO WELL. PRETTY IN REAL LIFE. I’m SOOOOOOOOOO grateful for the light & energy you guys brought to #GAGCITY.”
Earlier this week, Touring Data reported that Nicki Minaj’s PF2 Tour has become “the most successful tour by a female rapper in history, with $34.9 million from 220,000 tickets sold in its first 17 shows.”
On Monday (April 8) Nicki Minaj took to Instagram Live to celebrate the feat and thank her devoted fans.
“Made female rap history, I think as of today, with how many sold-out shows and how many shows that have grossed over $2 million,” she said. “I just want to thank everybody that’s been coming out.”
With only 17 of her 48 reported dates completed, Nicki Minaj's 'Pink Friday 2' tour makes history as the most successful tour by a female rapper, grossing $34.9 million
Madison Square Garden becomes her (or any female rappers) highest grossing concert of all-time with $2.858… pic.twitter.com/bBVzO04J3L
Diddy managed to secure a small victory amid his legal woes. According to MyNewsLA, his ex-nanny dropped her wrongful termination lawsuit.
Raven Wales-Walden claimed the rap mogul fired her for getting pregnant outside of marriage in 2021. She allegedly lost her job because her pregnancy set a “bad example” for Diddy’s daughters.
Wales-Walden, who described herself as “a niece-like figure” to Diddy’s former partner Kim Porter, sued him in 2022. She dismissed her complaint with prejudice, which means she cannot refile the lawsuit, on April 2. Court documents didn’t reveal if a settlement was reached.
The ex-nanny’s lawsuit was nothing compared to the lawsuits filed against Diddy in recent months. Multiple women and producer Lil Rod accused of him sexual assault, among other disturbing allegations.
Diddy’s ex Cassie Ventura sued him for rape and years of abuse in November 2023. The two quickly settled out of court.
Ventura’s lawsuit opened the floodgates and more women sued Diddy. Two of his accusers claimed they were sexually assaulted by him when they were teens.
Lil Rod also sued Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, in February. Lil Rod made various wild claims but insisted he had evidence of Diddy’s illegal activities. The producer offered to share a recording of the Bad Boy Records founder boasting about assault, coercion and tax evasion.
Diddy’s legal troubles weren’t limited to civil cases. Last month, Homeland Security raided three of Diddy’s homes as part of a sex trafficking investigation. His lawyer criticized authorities for the “gross overuse of military-level force” in executing search warrants on his homes.
“This unprecedented ambush — paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence — leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits,” attorney Aaron Dyer said.
Diddy hasn’t been charged with any crimes in the federal investigation.
Megan Thee Stallion believed her race and complexion played a significant role in the public’s reaction to Tory Lanez shooting her. The Houston native discussed the jokes and criticism she faced as a victim in a Women’s Health cover story.
“A lot of people didn’t treat me like I was human for a long time,” Megan said. “I feel like everybody was always used to me being the fun and happy party girl. I watched people build me up, tear me down, and be confused about their expectations of me. As a Black woman, as a darker Black woman, I also feel like people expect me to take the punches, take the beating, take the lashings, and handle it with grace. But I’m human.”
Megan went through self-described “dark times” suffering from depression. She sought help by going to therapy.
“I didn’t want to get [out] from under the covers,” she said. “I stayed in my room. I would not turn the lights on. I had blackout curtains. I didn’t want to see the sun. I knew I wasn’t myself. It took me a while to acknowledge that I was depressed. But once I started talking to a therapist, I was able to be truthful with myself.”
Megan found peace as she’s now prepared to hit the road for her Hot Girl Summer Tour with a new album on the way. Tory, on the other hand, remained behind bars after a jury found him guilty of shooting Megan.
Tory was convicted of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, discharging a firearm with gross negligence and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. A California judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
The Canadian rapper/singer appealed his guilty verdict in the 2020 shooting case. Tory awaits the court’s ruling.
Ari Lennox reminded Joe Budden to keep her name out of his mouth on Wednesday (April 10). The R&B singer repeatedly posted footage of Consequence punching Budden before issuing a warning to the rapper-turned-podcaster.
“Knocked your little glasses off and everything,” Lennox wrote on Instagram Stories. “Keep my precious name out of your psychotic, animal abusing, woman terrorizing, demonic trolling, nicotine encased mouth. All this meth smoke for a woman but not for any man beating your ass in real life. Bald b####!”
Lennox trolled Budden for mentioning her yet again on his podcast. Budden referenced her during a discussion about J. Cole apologizing for dissing Kendrick Lamar.
“Y’all think I be playing with the Ari Lennox, Scottie, they do all that earthy, college campus, grassroot s###,” Budden said. “If you listen to [J. Cole’s] raps, he just been trying to be the best f######—the best rapper, the best MC. But you gotta listen to n####’s story. It’s been college life.”
Aye yooooo Ari Lennox posted Joe Budden gettin swung on in her story a bunch of times 💀 pic.twitter.com/U8GSZhAejQ
Earlier this year, Lennox bashed Budden for criticizing her on his podcast. She considered suing him if he didn’t stop talking about her.
“I don’t know what Joe Budden’s obsession is with me,” she said. “But what I will say is that somebody needs to tell him to stop touching them dogs. Can y’all let him know that? Tell him to stop touching them dogs. ‘Cause I don’t understand why he’s so obsessed. Like why are you so obsessed? And why was you touching them dogs. Like you’re weird. He’s weird and he’s gross. He has smoke mouth. He’s disgusting and he’s a failure.”
She continued, “Maybe I have to sue him. Is that what I have to do? Like get on my Cardi B s### and like really just spend the bread to shut his smoke mouth up because he’s disgusting. And he’s a lame … I should literally just drop $20K to sue him.”
Budden responded by claiming Lennox “attempted to demean and defame” him. He called her a bag of “mixed nuts.”
Mister Cee, the pioneering DJ behind Big Daddy Kane’s 1988 debut and associate executive producer for The Notorious B.I.G’s Ready to Die, has died.
The news was announced by former Yo! MTV Raps co-host Ed Lover, who shared an Instagram video of himself in tears. He wrote in the caption, “My heart is broken! All that knew him loved him! Take the music to heaven and put the Wallop down! Rest in Peace @djmistercee.”
Several of Mister Cee’s Hip-Hop peers quickly hopped in the comment section to express their shock and sadness, including Kid Capri, Arrested Development’s Speech, General Steele, Statik Selektah, Jermaine Dupri, DJ Battlecat and former Source editor Kim Osorio.
Hailing from Brooklyn, Mister Cee met Big Daddy Kane while attending high school and discovered Biggie in the early 1990s. He was also an on-air personality for New York’s RADIO 103.9.
Fellow New York City DJ Tony Neal also confirmed the news on Instagram, writing, “Been a hell of a week, fam … rest well, my friend, the legendary @djmistercee.”
Peter Rosenberg, an on-air personality for New York’s Hot 97, added, “We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. I listened to him yesterday and am in complete shock. He was a dear friend to all of us, a wonderful man, and one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time. I love you Cee.”
The condolences are currently pouring in on social media. A source tells AllHipHop there’s been no official cause of death yet, but he apparently passed in his sleep.
Hitmaka reunited with DMX in the studio before the legendary MC passed away in 2021. The rapper-turned-producer, who began his career at DMX’s Bloodline Records, recalled working with his old boss in a later stage of his career in an interview with AllHipHop’s Chuck Creekmur.
“We actually have a couple records that we did in a full circle moment after I became Hitmaka,” the producer told AllHipHop. “In the position I’m in, I was able to tap back in with X in Atlanta. He hit me randomly like, “Shorty! Shorty! I need a studio. Where you at? I’m in Atlanta.’ I’m like, ‘N####, I’m in Atlanta too.’ Pulled up on him. We did a couple records and he passed shortly after that.”
The studio session meant a lot to Hitmaka, who was just a kid when he started working with DMX in the early 2000s. The songs were never released, but Hitmaka hoped to let the public hear them at some point.
“Out of respect for the family … I’m just waiting for the right opportunity,” he said. “I don’t want any money from ‘em but whatever the proceeds [are] should go to [them]. So, whenever they handled that then I’m sure his estate—we’ll hear them soon.”
Hitmaka, formerly known as Yung Berg, initially succeeded in the music industry as a rapper. He was probably best known for his single “Sexy Lady” before experiencing a dramatic decline in popularity. Facing a crossroads, he embarked on a journey of self-reflection and reinvention.
The producer acknowledged his need for an “ego check.” He realized the public’s perception of Yung Berg was a problem, leading to him adopting the Hitmaka moniker.
His rebranding was more than just superficial: it was a complete overhaul. He abandoned rapping to focus on his strengths behind the scenes.
“It was a pretty like ballsy move and I just stepped out on faith to even say that to not have a bunch of hits,” Hitmaka said.
This gamble worked, propelling him to new heights as a sought-after producer and songwriter. And it all brought him back to DMX, allowing Hitmaka to create an important memory before X’s passing.
Up-and-coming rapper DajshaDoll called out Yung Miami for allegedly stealing lyrics. DajshaDoll claimed a line from her song “R.I.P. Pimp C” was stolen by the City Girls member, who used it for the new single “CFWM” featuring Skilla Baby.
“@yungmiami305 IAH you back to yo old face before the surgery,” DajshaDoll wrote on Instagram. “you might as well catch the flight to the hood and come catch this fade … career down the drain can’t come up wit yo own s### so you joc me you was better off just saying you ah DajshaDoll fan cause EVERYBODY know where that line come from … at this point round these industry 🕳️s UP ‼️ you b###### to inspired and im not flattered.”
Yung Miami’s “CFWM” dropped on Wednesday (April 10). The line in question was “I’ll go live right now without a f###### filter.”
DajshaDoll was convinced Yung Miami stole the lyrics. The Ohio-bred artist wanted to settle the dispute with her fists.
“Career down the drain so you needed inspo from me,” DajshaDoll wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “if you wanted ah feature could have said that … run the fade @YungMiami305.”
She added, “Getting p##### on by diddy wasn’t working so she said yeah let’s joc DajshaDoll … all the money in the world and 🕳️s biting off my broke asz #BIGGER.
The biting accusations added to Yung Miami’s drama-filled week. She bickered with fellow City Girls member JT over alleged sneak disses on Monday (April 8). The duo’s personal issues played out in the public eye as they traded insults on social media. Cooler heads prevailed once JT and Yung Miami had a conversation offline.
“Jatavia I love you,” Yung Miami declared on X. “I’m moving on!”
JT responded, “I love you more. I actually love you the most.”
The City Girls released their latest album, RAW, in 2023.
In addition, the fourth Dreamville Festival turned out to be a huge success for the record label. More than 100,000 festival-goers reportedly attended the two-day outdoor celebration at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Dorothea Dix Park.
2024 Dreamville Festival crowd
The 2024 Dreamville Festival featured performances by J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, SZA, 50 Cent, Lil Durk, Jeezy, Central Cee, ScHoolboy Q, Sexyy Red, Benny The Butcher, 6lack, Lil Yachty and more acts. Dreamville signees J.I.D, Bas, EarthGang, Cozz, Omen and Lute also made appearances.
“No one puts on like Dreamville fans,” Dreamville co-founder and Festival President Adam Roy states. “We are grateful to everyone from around the world who continue to rock with us year after year after year, while our team continues to find new ways to elevate and improve the festival-going experience in all facets.”
Adam Roy also adds, “Thank you to Raleigh, to North Carolina, to our community partners and city stakeholders, and to the tens of thousands of individuals who helped produce this event.”
“6 years ago I released my first album and it broke so many records GAH LEE!! 6 years later I’m preparing to drop the next one this year,” Cardi B tweeted.
She continued, “It’s so different from what everyone is expecting and I’m sooo excited. Love you guys and thank you for the support! I’ll talk to ya soon I been so busy these last few days.”
6 years ago I released my first album and it broke so many records GAH LEE!! 6 years later I’m preparing to drop the next one this year.. it’s so different from what everyone is expecting and I’m sooo excited. Love you guys and thank you for the support! I’ll talk to ya soon I… https://t.co/wx3JcQLZAM
Hip-Hop legend Missy Elliott took time to respond to a social media user who attempted to chastise Cardi B for experimenting with the sound of her second LP.
“Absolutely yes it’s the time to experiment take it from someone who experimented and many others which allowed them to NOT be BOXED [into] one sound and style… I can name tons who each of [their] albums sounded nothing like the one before,” Missy Elliott wrote on X.
Absolutely yes it’s the time to experiment take it from someone who experimented and many others which allowed them to NOT be BOXED in to one sound and style… I can name tons who each of there albums sounded nothing like the one before😉
Cardi B saw Missy Elliott’s post and shared her thoughts on the matter. According to the Grammy Award winner, she has feelings of nervousness and excitement about the follow-up to Invasion of Privacy.
“Yeup!!! I’m a little nervous,” Cardi admitted. “But I don’t care! I’m liking doing things that my ears want to listen to and reflecting the moods I been in. It feels good.”
Yeup!!! I’m a little nervous… but I don’t care! I’m liking doing things that my ears want to listen to and reflecting the moods I been in. It feels good https://t.co/biXOySSnac
The long-awaited head-to-head between Drake and Kendrick Lamar could be arriving soon. According to rapper-turned-podcaster Joe Budden, both Hip-Hop superstars have dueling diss tracks prepared.
“I have it on good information that both sides went in the booth and came out,” Budden stated on the latest episode of his podcast. “And what I’m hearing about both sides is that it’s nuclear. It’s up, up.”
The New Jersey native also said, “I’m hearing this from people that can rap. So I want to come in here and say that speculation time is over. Debate time is over.”
Kendrick Lamar Kicked Off This Round With “Like That”
Many Hip-Hop fans have waited over a decade for a non-subliminal Drake versus Kendrick Lamar lyrical battle. The latest round in the longstanding feud began with Lamar directly aiming at Drake on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” single.
Joe Budden Confirms People Have Heard Drake’s Diss Track
After J. Cole bowed out of the contest, attention turned to Drake to see if the OVO leader would step into the rap ring with Kendrick Lamar. Some Hip-Hop followers have questioned if Drake can match up to the Pulitzer Prize winner.
“I’ve been saying for a few pods now that I’ve seen absolutely nothing from Drake to get me excited enough to think that he will be capable of doing what needs to be done against the likes of a Kendrick Lamar,” Joe Budden admitted.
However, Budden supposedly received information that changed his mind about a potential Drake diss record for Lamar. The retired MC added, “I’m here to say that there’s no need for me to instigate anything. We’re here. And apparently, he did it. And people heard it.”
Kevin Gates is quite the enigma, but he is talking so we understand.
The rapper shares insights into his latest album, The Ceremony, and also how he has transformed as a man. Backstage as a show in New York City, Gates shares his journey of self-accountability, discipline, and even addiction. He narrates his journey to Brandi Williams, which a fresh face, look and vibration.
Embracing the transformative power of ego-death, Gates expounds on lessons learned about sacred masculinity and the divine feminine, but also his committment to being supremely authentic.
He’s still a people’s champion, but he’s rapidly becoming beacon of hope, a proverbial catalyst for personal growth.
AllHipHop: So, word is this is your most vulnerable album yet, so I wanted to know what did that bring up for you? What new emotions have you experienced or what’s coming up new that you haven’t seen in your last previous albums?
Kevin Gates: It was always me, but I used to vent back then. Now I was just being super transparent, showing people my insecurities and the things that just as a man, you always taught to be tough. And like I said earlier, it takes more courage to show vulnerability than it does to be a tough guy. We all know you faking.
Also, I talking to myself though, when I say that I talk to myself a lot, that’s how I process things. Yeah…
AllHipHop: For sure. I mean, that’s a good way of processing things as well. Talking to yourself and being really…
Kevin Gates: Holding yourself accountable. I had to look at myself in the mirror and say, “Hey, you know, you a b#tch right now. You a b#tch. You not honoring the commitments that you made to yourself.” So how are you going to honor the commitments that you’re supposed to make to the universe and everybody else? You have to honor the commitments you make to yourself so you can respect yourself. Right. Discipline equals self-restraint, self-restraint equals self-respect.
AllHipHop: Exactly. Okay. So how would you advise anyone who’s going through any addiction or avoiding self-accountability? Do you have any advice for anyone going through that?
Kevin Gates: Which question?
AllHipHop: Self-accountability. How did you hold yourself accountable in the beginning?
Kevin Gates: Well, I had a way of, my ego was in a way, I had a way of making anything that I was doing seemed like the right thing and I had a way of flipping it and even lying to myself. It was kind of narcissistic in nature until you really realize that everything that goes on in your life is your fault. I’m held responsible for the places that I place myself, and that’s self-accountability. When you don’t lie to yourself and you be honest with yourself and you do the necessary things to remove the distractions, it’s going to be difficult. We love to just procrastinate and distract ourselves with nothingness. And then the other one was addiction.
Anything that you do, they say be conscious of your thoughts because your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions and your actions become your habits. I wouldn’t say go cold turkey from something that you love. If you say, if you’re drinking alcohol, you love it. It makes you feel good. It is social, it’s cool. I just say, every time that you get the craving or the urge to do that, you replace it with another habit. Don’t just go cold turkey. Replace those habits with healthy habits. It’s your choice in what you want to do. But I got a little trick. I do, like if I’m about to get on Instagram, I drop down and do 25 pushups, 30 pushups. And I do pushups, and then it became a habit. Now when I go places, people look at me like, you’re weird. You’re doing pushups, but look at my body and look at yours.
AllHipHop: So I wanted to know also about your ego-death, because I know that’s a big thing. Honestly, to experience ego death is a very hard…
Kevin Gates: I had my ass really kicked. That’s when I learned about sacred masculinity and the holy divine feminine. And it is a long story, but I’m going to just say I was humbled and I pray that God keeps me humble. So I never had to be humbled like that again. It was very humbling.
AllHipHop: That’s a real experience right there. Okay, and I have one more question for you. So I heard that you’ve never gotten a tattoo covered up. Is that true?
Kevin Gates: No, I never got a tattoo covered up. If I did it, I meant it.
AllHipHop: Right. So I want to know, so I know you’re going on this journey right now with yourself, where it’s like you have all of these new emotions coming up. You’re being more vulnerable and becoming divine masculine, like you mentioned before, sacred masculine. So I wanted to know, how do you deal with going through the process of life and avoiding that feeling of regret?
Kevin Gates: How do I go through the process of life and avoid the feeling of regret? Right? If you do have something that you regret, you go back and you add a positive feeling toward it, you think about it and process it, and honestly look at yourself like a baby. You’re nurturing yourself like, “It’s okay, you made a mistake. Just don’t do it again. It is okay.” I talk to myself like that almost like a baby, and then I go back and place a positive feeling toward it because if it didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be here.
Had this not have happened, this wouldn’t have happened. So look at all the positive and beautiful things that’s going on in my life right now. Those really not even negative things, they was just adversity. Adversity builds character. If it ain’t rough, it ain’t us. If you ain’t tested, it ain’t been through a test, you’re not going to have a testimony. So these was really beautiful things. Now that I look back, I just didn’t understand it when I was going through it. Now I welcome challenges and that’s where fitness come in because when you challenging yourself, you welcome challenges.
