On Monday (March 11), Meek Mill publicly shared his thoughts on Kanye West. The Philadelphia-born MC posted a self-described “random” social media post about the “Carnival” hitmaker.
“Random but: I think Yeezy smart but be off a lil but because I bought like 17 pair of Yeezys since we [have] been trading rap shots,” Meek Mill tweeted about 20 minutes before midnight ET.
The Heathenism EP creator also added, “And I listened to your music to get me through my bid. You a super legend. I was more confused of why you was going so hard to go at me in the beginning.”
Both Meek Mill and Kanye West have been at the center of controversies in recent years. Meek was alluded to in a sexual misconduct lawsuit against Diddy. West faced significant condemnation for antisemitic comments.
Despite the backlash, Ye continues to find commercial success as a recording artist. His “Carnival” collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, Playboi Carti and Rich The Kid rose to No. 1 on the latest Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Battle rap fan Chad Ochocinco Johnson is with all the smoke and wants to step into the arena with Loaded Lux after calling out some of the culture’s most gifted and respected names.
The former Bengals wide receiver believes he’s got what it takes to battle rap. Not only that, but he thinks he can beat the best in the game.
During an appearance in The Breakfast Club on Monday (March 11) Ochocinco challenged a roster of top names, including Loaded Lux, DNA, Charlie Clips, Hollow Da Don, Goodz and Aye Verb.
“Let them boys know I’m outside,” he said. “I’m a 3-0 all them n#####.”
Among the first to reply was Ultimate Rap League co-founder Smack White, who welcomed the challenge.
“I’m looking for him, let’s get to it,” he shared. “I want to see him Battle all of them. Do you think he can stand in front of them? Let’s bring some excitement back to the Culture.”
Everybody tell @ochocinco I’m looking for him, let’s get to it. I want to see him Battle all of them. Do you think he can stand in front of them? Let’s bring some excitement back to the Culture. 💯💯💯@smackwhitepic.twitter.com/FWdh9DVOMe
However, Harlem legend Loaded Lux replied with a face-palm emoji on the gram before pulling up to Nightcap with Ochocinco and Shannon Sharpe.
He dropped off a few bars, giving Ochocinco a taste of what’s in store, even taking a jab at him over his domestic abuse case.
“Don’t get me started,” Ochocinco replied. “I need to see you on stage, in front of the people, in front of the world.“
Lux told Ocho he could “get this work” after he battles Rum Nitty on URL later this spring. Despite highly rating Nitty and Lux, Ochocinco thinks he could face both battle rappers simultaneously.
Battle Rappers Respond To Ochocinco
Naturally, there were plenty of other responses from the veterans MCs who don’t duck wreck. Hollow Da Don said they can go “now,” while DNA said he would “smoke” Ochocinco on Club Shay Shay and Aye Verb accused the former athlete of “trippin.”
This isn’t Ochocinco’s first foray into battle rap and Loaded Lux wouldn’t technically be his first clash. He had a freestyle battle with DNA and Nu Jerzey Twork after talking smack online for months.
Rick Ross mercilessly mocked a YouTuber who accused him of flexing a knock-off watch, claiming that his emerald Audemars Piguet is a fake.
Nico Leonard, who brands himself “That Watch Guy from Youtube,” and has more that 1.5 million followers on the platform, spotted Rozay flexing his extensive collection of luxury timepieces in a recent feature from lifestyle magazine Robb Report.
Among the watches featured is an “an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak awash in 816 baguette-cut emeralds.”
However, Leonard said the piece is not real. “Why are you flaunting fake watches?” he asked in an Instagram video last week. “There’s only one of these watches in the world.”
He also showed off a photo purportedly of the genuine emerald Audemars Piguet insisting the owner sent it to him as proof. Leonard tagged Ross, refuting claims his watch is worth over $3 million. “It’s only worth Scrap Value,” he added.
The MMG founder took to Instagram to address “the little fat guy in the one cubicle office speaking on watches.”
“It’s unbelievable isn’t it, fat guy, little piglet?” he said before ridiculing Leonard. “Oh those emeralds are so rare. It would be so hard for a black man to obtain such a rare timepiece.”
He told the watch expert to “stay out of grown folks business,” before continuing to mock him.
50 Cent said he will make multi-billion-dollar spirits brand Beam Suntory pay after allegedly discovering its role in an embezzlement scheme that cost him millions of dollars and nearly ended his Sire Spirits company.
50 Cent took to Instagram Monday evening (March 11) to warn Beam Suntory will “pay for what they did.
He added, “These big companies think they can get away with anything. It has cost me millions in legal fees. They are gonna find out I’m not the one you want to play with.”
The G-Unit founder filed a complaint with the New York State Supreme Court, per Fox5 News. In the filing, he accused Beam Suntory of being complicit in a kickback scheme. Fiddy claims the brand overcharged Sire Spirits for the liquor they supplied and split the difference – estimated to be in excess of $6 million – with the defendants.
Sire Spirits attorney Craig W##### told the outlet, “Beam Suntory’s role here is extraordinarily troubling.” He claimed the brand’s Chief Commercial Officer Julious Grant “facilitated the entire fraud.”
Mitchell Green, unscrupulous former director of Brand Management for 50 Cent’s Sire Spirits previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud for his role in the alleged scheme. Green embezzled over $2 million from his employers and was ordered to pay more than $6 million in damages. Fiddy warned Beam Suntory were next.
50 Cent Threatens To Detail Liquor Lawsuit Allegations In A Press Conference
Meanwhile, in a follow-up post, the Power creator shared the report from Fox5 News detailing the complaint. “I’m not the guy you want to get started. In nicest way I’m gonna need my money by Monday,” he captioned the post.
50 Cent returned a short time later to post an alleged letter from Beam Suntory boasting of their “longstanding relationship” with the rapper and Sire Spirits.
“This is the letter @beamsuntory sent without my knowledge to the people involved in the scheme that cost me millions,” he wrote. Fiddy then threatened to hold a press conference to expose the alleged co-conspirators. “This will make a great unscripted project,” he added.
It all started on Monday (March 11), when Rivera shared a quote on Instagram about jealousy “over a seat I had first.” Waka’s new boo, who he went Instagram official with in January, then shared an interesting quote of her own, prompting Rivera to call out Waka. She took to The Neighborhood Talk comment section to respond to a post featuring their quotes.
According to Rivera, she just spoke to Waka about “Big Mel” and warned him to talk to her before branding Mel a knockoff Tammy Rivera.
“Man I’m just waking up it’s 9am over where I’m at,” she began. “Waka we e literally just talked about this this last night (your morning) ..Waka get her please for I hurt this lil girl feelings. Oh btw that post wasn’t even about him nor you but hit dogs holla.. You f’king up your seat Sh ein Tammy.”
Mel then posted her own quote. “Being washed up and can’t let go of your past is type crazy,” the post read. She wrote on the post, “This is the one, cuz it’s givinig jealous and bitter.”
While the man at the center of the drama has been quiet, his mother and powerhouse industry manager, Debra Antney, wants them to stop airing their dirty laundry in public.
“Why are we doing this s### on the internet. We don’t do this s###,’ she replied to Rivera on Instagram.
While Rivera then shared another post asking to be left alone, Mel wrote about being wary of “who I love.”
Laaawwd, the viral rapper making Dubai’s music scene sizzle, has taken off with his latest hit single, “Cabin Crew.” The track has sky-rocketed to the #1 spot on Spotify’s charts in Dubai, amassing a jaw-dropping 200k streams within the first few days of its release.
Originally hailing from Killeen, Texas, Laaawwd has seamlessly blended into the cultural tapestry of Dubai, where he now calls home. Infused with the city’s vibrant energy, Laaawwd has fashioned a persona and musical theme centered around international travel and the elevated experiences associated with it. The term “Cabin Crew” in his lyrics isn’t just about reaching new heights; it cleverly doubles as a nod to soaring to new levels while being sky-high, resonating with audiences on a global scale.
“Cabin Crew is just me just telling people who I am, it’s a club banger that’s more than just a song, it’s a whole lifestyle – not to be cliché, but when guys try to fly girls out, this is what they should be listening to on the way to the airport. I want it to be something that you listen to in the gym, before you go out, it’s going to turn up your life,” Laaawwd explained.
“When I made Cabin Crew, I wanted it to be something that spikes your blood pressure, it’s like ear dopamine. It’s a follow up to my songs HIM and OML, and those were cool, but this is BANGER BANGER. I actually pushed some other songs back because this song puts you on a flight b*tch and it’s undeniable.”
A local sensation on Dubai’s club scene, Laaawwd has become a favorite among DJs and the city’s elite, creating waves amidst the mesmerizing desert landscape. His dynamic stage presence and infectious beats have propelled him to the forefront of the music scene, gaining traction not only in Dubai but also on social media platforms like Tik-Tok and streaming platforms like Spotify.
“Cabin Crew” isn’t just a song; it’s the epicenter of a movement that Laaawwd is pioneering with infectious passion and creativity. The single has garnered praise from major publications, solidifying Laaawwd’s standing as a rising star in the music industry.
“I’m happy for the feedback I’ve gotten, this is the most I’ve put into a single as far as the prep and the merch and the shirts and the Where’s Laaawwd? game we’ve been playing with fans. I’m extremely happy with the progress we’ve been making to do almost 200k plays over the weekend. It has been thrilling, the fans are really tapping in.”
As Laaawwd continues to ascend in his career, he remains committed to crafting music that transcends borders and resonates with a global audience. With “Cabin Crew,” he aims to further cement his status as a musical force, bringing his signature style and contagious energy to fans around the world.“I just want to thank all the fans, keep booking your flights on Laaawwd Airways, the plane is still taking passengers. We do have a separate plane that’s coming in a few weeks that will be the EDM version of Cabin Crew and I’ll continue to put out my ‘Where’s Laaawwd’ photos to keep the fans engaged. I’ll also continue giving out merch to DJs when they tap in and I’ll also be giving out merch to select fans who are winners of contests, but right now the merch is exclusive to celebrities and select DJ for this initial promo run.”
Bishop Lamor Whitehead, the blinged-out Brooklyn pastor who made headlines in 2022 when he got robbed during Sunday service, has reportedly been convicted in Manhattan federal court of defrauding a parishioner, among other counts.
On Monday (March 11), the self-proclaimed bishop and real estate investor was also found guilty of attempted extortion, wire fraud and lying to the F.B.I., per The New York Times. A jury took around three hours to reach a verdict after prosecutors argued he forced victims to give him money. In addition, he was accused of bragging about access to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
During the trial, the court heard that Whitehead persuaded a parishioner to invest around $90,000 with him to buy a house before spending the money on himself, paying for luxury goods and other items. In court, Whitehead tried to blame his parishioner’s son for the loss.
“He was a man of God,” victim Pauline Anderson said of Bishop Whitehead while sobbing. “I believed him as the leader of his church.”
Additionally, prosecutors claimed Whitehead misrepresented his relationship with the mayor to convince a local business owner to lend him $500,000.
“He was lying about the access, he was lying about the influence, he was lying about all of it,” the prosecutor said in his closing argument.
Judge Lorna G. Schofield is set to sentence Whitehead on July 1. He could face decades of prison time.
Meanwhile, Whitehead is also embroiled in a $360 million lawsuit with controversial YouTube personality Tasha K. In November, Whitehead’s lawyer asked a judge to remove him from the case, citing abuse and non-payment.
Saweetie, the celebrated rapper behind hits like “Icy Grl” and “My Type,” has candidly shared her past struggles with live performances, revealing steps she took to hone her craft following a tough 2021 concert.
In an interview with Allure, Saweetie opened up about the challenges she faced when she started performing live, including criticism of her dance moves and breath control during her appearance at the Triller Fight Club event with Doja Cat.
The criticism led the artist to seek improvement through what she calls a “work vacation,” involving a rigorous artist boot camp designed to sharpen her performance skills.
Saweetie admitted that multitasking on stage—dancing, rapping, and singing simultaneously—proved more challenging than anticipated.
“I always bite off more than I can chew. I had to push myself,” Saweetie reflected.
Discussing her approach to overcoming stage fright and performance anxieties, Saweetie shared, “That’s not my strength. And that’s okay because you’re supposed to turn your weaknesses into strengths.”
In addition to divulging details about her professional evolution, Saweetie also touched on her personal journey, particularly her decision to take a hiatus in 2022.
The “Best Friend” artist described this period as a spiritual journey prompted by online criticism and disrespect. Faced with negativity, Saweetie emphasized the importance of focusing on her path and growth rather than engaging in conflicts.
Saweetie remarked on this difficult period, stating, “A lot of people decided to disrespect me on a world stage… It was really hard for me to deal with being attacked so much by different people.”
Through these candid revelations, Saweetie not only showcases her dedication to personal and professional improvement but also her resolve to maintain positivity in the face of adversity.
Former Bad Boy artist and Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil Cease has spoken out amidst serious allegations against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The allegations against Combs have been grave and numerous, painting a troubling picture of his past actions. Combs has recently come under fire due to allegations of violence and sexual assault.
Among the accusations detailed, Combs was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie, an issue that was reportedly resolved quickly through a settlement.
Furthermore, Combs faces allegations of sexual assault against Joi Dickerson Neil. Even more disturbing are the claims of a woman identified only as Jane Doe, who alleges that in the early 1990s, Combs and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall committed egregious acts of sexual violence against her and a friend following an event at Uptown Records.
Finally, Diddy was hit with a $30 million lawsuit filed by a man named Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, who claimed the mogul sexually assaulted him, tried to cover up a shooting, and even taped celebrities during infamous “freak off parties.”
During an interview, Lil Cease, a long-time collaborator and friend of Diddy, seemed to play it safe. He didn’t defend Diddy but he didn’t trash him either.
“At the end of the day, a lot of things is accusations. We don’t know if it’s true or if it’s not. I’m not the one to say what’s true and what’s not. But I hope everyone finds comfort, finds peace. And that’s how I see it,” Lil Cease told TMZ.
Lil Cease rose to fame as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., a group put together by The Notorious B.I.G. in the early ’90s. The group included members such as himself, Lil’ Kim, Trife, Larceny of The Snakes, Capone, Bugz, Mc Klepto, Nino Brown, Chico Del Vec, and Banger.
The group hit big with the classics “Players Anthem” and “Get Money” featuring Notorious B.I.G. from their debut album Conspiracy in 1995. They disbanded after the murder of B.I.G. in March 1997.
This association with Hip-Hop royalty positioned Cease amid the genre’s golden era, not just as a witness but as an active participant.
Toward the end of the interview, Lil Cease revealed a documentary that will delve into Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s intricate history and behind-the-scenes stories is on the way, promising an enriching narrative on one of Hip-Hop’s most revered collectives.
“It’s a documentary we got to working on, a M.A.F.I.A documentary. It’s going to tell our trials and tribulations and our love for each other. We are [also] working on some things as far as the MAFIA the group,” Lil Cease revealed.
Kanye West is on a tear again—this time, he’s taking aim at Drake, adidas, The Daily Mail and Christians. The polarizing rapper took to Instagram on Monday night (March 11) with a profanity-laced rant as he continued to plug his forthcoming Vultures 2 album with Ty Dolla $ign and brag about Volume 1 topping the charts. In the caption, West unleashed a barrage of insults targeting everyone from fashion houses to international media outlets, while emphasizing his unwavering disdain for adidas in the process.
“Rich Ty Carti and the supporters that stood by us through everything,” he wrote. “This number #1 is for you it’s for the people who won’t be manipulated by the system and f### adidas and everybody who works there or with them Anyone who goes to school with anyone who’s parents work at adidas Just know they tried to destroy me and here we are with the number 1 song in the world Like the fake dude I saw in the lobby at the Ritz that works at Goat.
“You p###s don’t stand for s###, And f### everybody at the Dailey Mail And F### everybody at the fashion houses that sided with Gabby and Hailey Bieber. F### each and every single one of yall And f### every Christian that watched me have my kids taken out of my control That’s how I feel And it’s f### Drake for taking Durk right at the beginning of the Vultures role out I’ll come back to yall if I think of more f### you’s.”
Kanye West seems to be particularly incensed that Lil Durk is performing at spot dates with Drake as the Toronto-based megastar wraps up his It’s All A Blur Tour. This dispute brings back memories of the reported tension between West and Drake, which has been characterized by a series of public jabs and subsequent—yet brief—reconciliations over the years.
West’s reaction to Durk’s association with Drake highlights what he perceives as betrayal, themes that have often surfaced in his previous disputes within the music industry. Despite these controversies, West’s ability to produce chart-topping music remains undiminished, as evidenced by the chart success of Vultures. West and Ty Dolla $ign’s single, “Carnival” featuring Playboi Carti, is currently No. 1 on the Spotify US chart and No. 4 at Spotify Global. It’s also No. 1 at Apple Music, something West is clearly milking.
As for Drake and Kanye West, their beef stretches back to 2016, when Pusha T revealed the OVO Sound boss had a “secret” child with former p### actress Sophie Brussaux.
Tensions began to brew when Pusha T released the Daytona album, which was produced by West. On the album’s last track, “Infrared,” the Clipse MC questioned Drake’s lyrical abilities and suggested Quentin Miller had been writing for Drake behind the scenes. Drake fired back with “Duppy Freestyle,” calling West a “leech and serpent” for resenting Virgil Abloh’s decision to become creative director of Louis Vuitton instead of staying at Yeezy.
Four days later, Pusha T unleashed “The Story of Adidon” over the instrumental to Jay-Z’s “The Story of O.J.,” mocking Drake’s alleged insecurities about his race, the relationship between Drake’s mother and father and Drake’s longtime producer Noah “40” Shebib having multiple sclerosis. He also revealed the scrapped adidas collaboration with Drake titled “Adidon” was named after Drake’s son, Adonis.
Of course, their relationship has been rocky ever since. Drake has yet to respond.
Hip-Hop artist Russ is set to dazzle fans across North America with his 2024 ‘It was you all along’ tour, featuring notable artists 6LACK and Melii.
The tour, announced today, will be brought to life by the live entertainment giant Live Nation and spans 10 cities. It commences on May 31 in Seattle at the Climate Pledge Arena and culminates on June 28 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The tour dates span several key locations in North America, including stops in Oakland, Inglewood, Denver, Toronto, and several others. They promise a widespread celebration of Russ’s newest album and his significant catalog of music that spans over a decade.
This much-anticipated tour promotes Russ’ latest musical project, SANTIAGO, which hit the shelves on August 23, 2023, and quickly soared to #12 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Fans attending the ‘It was you all along’ tour can expect a dynamic performance from Russ, 6LACK, and Melii, showcasing a mix of music from SANTIAGO, previous hits, and maybe even new unreleased tracks.
Tickets for the ‘It was you all along’ tour will be available starting March 11. An exclusive artist presale will be held at 1 PM ET, followed by additional presales leading up to the general onsale on March 15 at 10 AM local time.
Fans eager to snag a spot at one of these shows are encouraged to visit Live Nation’s website for purchase details.
The tour will offer fans a variety of VIP packages to enhance the concert experience. These packages include standout perks like premium tickets, pre-show photo ops, access to the VIP Lounge, and exclusive VIP merchandise.
Russ is a trailblazer in the music industry and has always carved his own path. In 2019, he was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list.
He is well known for his unique strategy of releasing new singles frequently and for being a strong advocate for independent artists.
By founding his indie label DIEMON, Russ continues to influence the industry, promoting self-belief and hard work as the keys to success.
DATES:
Fri May 31 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Sun Jun 02 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
Thu Jun 06 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Sat Jun 08 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
Thu Jun 13 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
JT will head out across the country for several concerts in March and April. One-half of the City Girls rap duo looks to break out as a solo star.
“Mwah! I’m on my way,” JT wrote as the caption for an Instagram post announcing her Coming To A City Near You tour. “Which city will I see you in?”
As of press time, the Miami, Florida native will travel to cities such as Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Baltimore and New York City. She also plans to perform in her hometown on two different dates.
“Y’all calm down & pull up! My official tour will be after my project. I’m going on the road to push myself & records I currently have!” JT posted in an Instagram comment section.
JT rose to prominence as a member of City Girls alongside Yung Miami. The Quality Control Music-backed act released three studio albums, including 2023’s RAW.
In February, JT dropped the Danes Blood and Ben10k-produced “Sideways” single. That song arrived on DSPs after her RAW track “No Bars” came out in 2023.
“I’m excited about dropping solo music because I can focus more on my creativity. I love everything about being an artist!” JT stated. “I just wanna chill, look good and drop pretty cocky b#### music. I’m the City Cinderella!”
Chrisean Rock chastised Wack 100 for saying she lied about Blueface’s father being held at gunpoint at the incarcerated rapper’s home. Chrisean dared Wack 100 to kill her as she believed he had something to do with the incident.
“It’s crazy because people like [Wack 100] like for people to feel threatened n scared because you capable of making me disappear,” she wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “I DONT GIVE F### WHO U ARE BRO you don’t scare me fr im not scared of death or all dat high power s### you be on. If you want me gone go head n kill me go head n do it cuz putting fear in my heart ain’t doing s###. Saying you watched footage n that I’m lying about people pulling up to the crib sitting out from with weapons n holds blueface Dad at gun point. This ain’t the first time you trynna get me out the way. It’s sad bro this s### wild.”
Chrisean accused Wack 100 of sending men to rob her and Blueface’s dad. She assumed Wack 100 was upset with her staying in Blueface’s home while the father of her child was in jail.
“You must’ve been the m########### that sent them n##### to rob us,” she said on Instagram. “This n#### talking ‘bout it didn’t happen. Who the f### would play with some s### like that, bro? We got a kid, yo. You f###### weird as s###. You shoulda asked if we was good, do you need me to send protection over there. You over there trying act like—that’s why nobody like y’all. Y’all over there. Since Blue got locked up, everybody been mad about who’s in the house … So, y’all sending weird people to the house.”
Blueface landed in jail for a probation violation in January. He is scheduled to be released in July.
Detroit rapper and the first female artist signed to Def Jam West Bo$$—perhaps best known for her 1993 single “I Don’t Give a F###”—has died according to a post from Bun B.
The UGK legend shared a photo of Bo$$ to his Instagram account on Monday (March 11) and wrote in the caption, “Rest in peace to my big sis Lichelle Laws AKA Boss. One of the best female MCs and a dear friend. Give Rick Royal a hug for me. Long Live The Org!”
Several of Bun B’s peers chimed in, including 9th Wonder, Jermaine Dupri, The D.O.C., Goodie Mob’s Big Gipp, Mia X, Chuck D and Slim Thug.
While details on Bo$$’s passing remain scarce, her family set up a GoFundMe to pay for her medical bills in 2021. The description for the fundraiser explained she’d been suffering from renal disease since 2011, which left her in need of a kidney transplant. As a result, she had a major stroke and seizure in 2017.
“We are now trying to see if the family can get a specialised procedure for her,” the GoFundMe description read. “The procedure is costly and we wanted to reach out to her extended family, her friends and fans, to ask for assistance with helping her to be blessed with this procedure to help her to get back to her health. The funds are needed as soon as possible to set her up for the procedure.
“After this procedure she will be on the kidney list for a transplant from a donor, once we receive one. “We are humbly requesting your help, family. Please give whatever you can. We are grateful for anything that you can do.”
The GoFundMe page managed to collect more than $17,000 since it was put up. No further details on her death are available as of press time. This is a developing story.
Kanye West looked to the past as he plotted a tour for his Vulturesalbum trilogy. According to Billboard, Ye rehired his former manager John Monopoly.
Monopoly returned to the managerial role more than a decade after parting ways with Ye. The move gave Kanye a manager for the first time since 2018.
Kanye reunited with Monopoly amid efforts to arrange a world tour. Live Nation and AEG reportedly will not be involved in Kanye’s tour despite the success of his Vultures album listening parties. Ye remained a toxic figure in the music industry due to his antisemitism and other offensive remarks, which led to multiple brands cutting ties with him.
Controversy did not stop Kanye’s loyal fans from supporting him. Ye and Ty Dolla $ign’s single “Carnival” made it to No. 1 on the latest Hot 100 chart. The track became Kanye’s first No. 1 song in more than 12 years.
Ye last reached the top of the Hot 100 with his Katy Perry collaboration “E.T.” in 2011. “Carnival” marked the fifth No. 1 song of his career. His other No. 1 hits were “Stronger,” “Gold Digger” and Twista’s “Slow Jamz.”
“Carnival” appeared on Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign’s Vultures 1 album, which dropped in February. The track featured Playboi Carti and Rich the Kid. “Carnival” generated 33.7 million streams over the March 1-7 tracking week. The song’s chart-topping performance included 3,000 downloads sold and 3.9 million radio airplay audience impressions.
Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign were originally supposed to release Vultures 2 on March 8. The album was delayed like most of Ye’s projects in recent years. The two did not reveal a new release date for Vultures 2. The follow-up Vultures 3 was due out on April 5, but it was presumably pushed back as well.
Star Brim, the best friend of globally renowned rapper Cardi B, has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison, followed by a three-year supervised release.
This comes after Brim pleaded guilty to involvement in criminal activities connected to the 5-9 Brims, a notorious faction of the Bloods street gang.
Star Brim, whose real name is Yonette Respass, faced charges under the RICO Act along with 17 other gang members, highlighting her deep involvement with the gang’s illegal operations.
Star Brim’s affiliation with Cardi B and the 5-9 Brims Blood gang has been well-documented. Prosecutors accused her of being the “Godmother” in the gang and highlighted her role in orchestrating various criminal activities, including fraud and assault.
The gang, notorious for its widespread influence and violent acts, has been a significant focus of law enforcement agencies aiming to curb gang-related crimes in New York.
The sentencing, handed down by Judge George B. Daniels, also includes stipulations aimed at preventing Brim from reverting to her gang-related past.
Upon her release, Star Brim will be under strict orders not to associate with the Bloods or any of its factions, including on the internet, and to avoid areas known for Bloods gang activity.
The conditions of her release further mandate her participation in an outpatient mental health treatment program and compliance with periodic drug testing.
In addition to her prison sentence and supervised release terms, Star Brim is required to pay a special assessment of $100 immediately.
Judge Daniels recommended that Brim serve her sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, with her surrender to the institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons scheduled before 2 p.m. on July 1, 2024.
PartyNextDoor blamed his love life for his relative lack of musical output. The OVO singer cited his past relationships as the reason why he went years between releasing new albums in a Billboard cover story.
“I get into relationships and then music becomes second,” he said. “I think I’m going to take a break from relationships, a long break, and just get back to making music.”
PartyNextDoor hasn’t dropped an album since 2020’s Partymobile. He is currently working on PartyNextDoor 4, his fourth studio album.
“This is the hardest I’ve ever worked on an album,” he said. “This is the proudest I’ve felt. I’m excited to grind even more for the next [one]. I’m in love with how hard you should work for it.”
Last year, PartyNextDoor dropped a single titled “Resentment.” Fans will get to hear him perform the song and popular tracks from his catalog at Rolling Loud California, among other festivals.
“I know Drake and people always tell me, ‘Bro, you have to come out more!’ I’m an introvert, I’m shy,” he said. “I’m focused on making classic music.”
PartyNextDoor admitted he gets very nervous before performing, but his mood changes once he’s in front of the crowd. He had no desire to step away from music despite his disinterest in the fame that comes with it.
“I have so much anxiety before a show, but I always tell my manager, ‘This is what I want to do for the rest of my life,’” he said. “I always forget that until I step on the stage.”
PartyNextDoor is scheduled to perform at Rolling Loud California on Friday (March 15). The event will be held at the Hollywood Park Grounds adjacent to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Nicki Minaj headlines Friday’s lineup, which includes Sexyy Red and YG.
Kanye West has major plans for the arrival and impact of he and Ty Dolla $ign’s forthcoming album. Vultures 2. On Monday (March 11), screenshots of direct messages sent by West to It’s Lit Mag detailing the rollout plan for the release of Vultures 2 began circulating on social media. In addition to launching new merch items, Ye plans to release Vultures 2 digitally on Yeezy.com for $20.
“When one vision is accomplished the next vision is unlocked,” West wrote in part in the message. “People were mad I didn’t rap on ‘808s and Heartbreak’ Then that album changed music. We are in a position to shift the music industry but our fans have to be with us to do it. I believe better work comes from better environments. The greatest visual artist work in warehouses or huge hotel rooms or in giant Barnes or lofts. We channel something that our community relates to. We will no longer allow streaming companies to pimp us.”
In another separate direct message, Kanye West referenced vocalist James Blake’s recent tweets concerning the skewed value of musicians and their art with regard to the current industry standard streaming business model.
“Like James Blake said, streaming devalues our music,” he wrote in part. “We sell albums on Yeezy.com. I got 20 million Instagram followers. When 5 % of my followers by an album that’s 1 million albums sold. That’s 300K more than the biggest album last year. We sold 1 million items on Yeezy.com on Super Bowl Sunday so we know it’s possible.”
In yet another separate direct message sent by West, the DONDA creator also revealed his tentative plans to hold off on the streaming releases of Vultures 2 for up to a month, in order to first sell broadcast rights to movie theaters first.
For additional information, check out the tweet below featuring the cover artwork for the album, which Ty Dolla $ign recently revealed has a highly personal connection to his family.
Chris Brown lashed out against his detractors, targeting the mainstream media and “fake celebrities.” The R&B singer declared he would never seek the public’s acceptance and boasted about his status in an Instagram Stories post.
“I don’t want to be accepted from none of the mainstream media and fake celebrities,” he wrote. “I am king in my own lane. Your fave ain’t got s### on me and they know it. Ain’t finna tap dance for approval. You will beg forgiveness of me. That I do know.”
Brown posted the rant weeks after he called out the NBA for removing him from the 2024 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. He claimed the NBA disinvited due to pressure from the event’s sponsor. Ruffles denied playing a role in Brown’s exclusion from the game.
“Ruffles sponsored [the] NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, however Ruffles did not have any involvement in, nor visibility to, any player decisions or celebrity invite discussions,” the brand said in a statement.
Brown responded by accusing Ruffles of lying. He said the brand was trying to avoid backlash from his fans.
“@RUFFLES,” he wrote. “I guess yall tryna save face now! STAND ON BUSINESS. Don’t try to make it look like I’m trippin. YOU AND THE NBA representatives know exactly what yall are doin!”
He added, “I HAVE NO REASON TO LIE. YALL KNOW I DON’T CHASE CLOUT! The only reason they responded is because of all the team breezy fans flooding they s###. Stop f###### playing with me! SEE HOW FAKE THIS S### IS… COWARDS!! YALL KNOW DAMN WELL I AIN’T LYING BECAUSE I NEVER BE ON THIS TYPE OF TIME. These b###### (@ruffles) tryna save face!”
Brown became a controversial figure after he beat his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. He pleaded guilty to one count of felony assault.
Cardi B stirred up more chatter about her beefing with fellow rappers on social media. The Atlantic Records artist admitted she had a run-in with “somebody” at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday night (March 10).
“I definitely ran into somebody,” she told someone over the phone while broadcasting on Instagram Live. “I’m practically on Live right now, so I can’t tell you. But I’m gonna tell you as soon as I get the f### off this phone. So far, it went smooth. It went smooth. It went smooth. I definitely ran into somebody. You know. You know me. I don’t play that s###. But I’ll call you later ‘cause I’m on Live. I’ll tell you all the tea later.”
Cardi B’s comments elicited wild speculation on gossip outlets and social media. Saweetie and Ice Spice also attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, which led to both women’s names getting dragged into the Cardi B-related rumors. Fans assumed Saweetie was the “somebody” due to a vague post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“im rlly just a bad btch that mind her business… if you don’t like me that’s on u & ya mama boo,” she wrote.
Saweetie quickly downplayed the situation when an X user questioned her about the “tea.”
“The gworls talmbout my twins,” she wrote, referencing her breasts.
The latest Cardi B drama emerged a little over a week after she dropped her song “Like What (Freestyle)” along with a music video directed by Offset. The video featured a teaser, which told fans to stay tuned because the track was “just the beginning” of her 2024 plans.
Cardi B vowed to finally release her sophomore album after the song’s release. Fans have been waiting years for the follow-up to 2018’s Invasion of Privacy, her Grammy-winning debut album.
