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Mopreme Talks Biggie And Tupac, Death Row Records, And Being Outlawz

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Features
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Mopreme Shakur, Tupac’s brother and rap group mate, has seen so much. As a member of both Thug Life and Outlawz, he used to roll with Big Syke, Stretch, Rated R, Macadoshis, E.D.I. Mean, Young Noble, Kastro, Napoleon. But, what about Biggie Smalls? In part 2 of our conversation, he reveals that a young Christopher Wallace was almost a member of the iconic 90’s collective headed by ‘Pac.

Mopreme explains how as a young father, all of the tension and drama forced him to pull back from the game. He’d peeped the inner workings of Death Row Records and also experienced first-hand the duality of his life at that time. Just like the lyrics, there was violence, poverty, and struggle.

Mopreme’s involvement with both Thug Life and the Outlawz is connective tissue that links Tupac, father Mutulu Shakur, the streets, and the consciousness. Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur and the East/West OG discuss it.

AllHipHop: You were in Thug Life and you were also in The Outlawz, but you left. What made leave The Outlaws?

Mopreme Shakur: Well, originally we were Thug Life Outlaw Immortals, Outlaw Immortals, because it included me, Pac, and Syke, and there came a point where it was supposed to be a jump off for the Outlawz for the little homies, the young homies, to finally get they album, finally get they deals and spread wings and fly. We just felt we needed to be there for them a little bit, springboard, and then it was open for them to do they thing.

AllHipHop: Got you, so you didn’t feel like you needed to continue?

Mopreme Shakur: Well, we had completed a mission. We had springboarded them off, and they were still with Pac at Death Row on a daily. They were younger, they were teens. I’m a grown-ass man. My first child was about to be born, you know what I mean? I had things to do.

AllHipHop: Did you have a bad feeling about Death Row at all? Did that concern you at all?

Mopreme Shakur: Not initially, not initially. Coming from where we was coming from, this is another Black company, Black ownership. They doing they thing. We were pro-Black, and we felt like maybe they getting a bad shake over there. They are number one. It was still the number one rap label, but once you got over there, you see how things work. It wasn’t exactly my cup of tea.

AllHipHop: Understood. As far as Thug Life, so let me say this. I’ve always been fascinated by Tupac and also confused too. I won’t lie. I gravitated very, very heavily to the pro-Black part, that I considered the pro-Black. Then I started getting the thug… Thug Life started to be like, oh, now, it’s a different energy. To me, at least to me, it was a different energy. Did you feel a change in the energy, or you knowing him personally, did it stay consistent?

Mopreme Shakur: What we were going through, what the people were watching was a young man growing into be being a man, so it’s a journey. It’s education. As a young man turning into a man, you start experiencing things. You seeing the people around you go through things, and Pac was very intelligent. So, he’s questioning everything.

Our elders, they did their thing, but they not here for us right now. You know what I mean? Most of them had passed away, incarcerated and in the system, that’s destroyed them. So, here we are, and the only ones looking out for us is these good brothers in the streets where you could find them, the thug life. My favorite uncle was a heroin addict.

So, that’s what we were tapping into as well as dealing with, at that time, the [1994] crime bill. So all of us, we all thugs, we all hoodlums and thugs and gangsters, that’s all we are. Well, let’s stick together because they coming for us. You know what I mean? We talked about the project with my pops [Mutulu Shakur] and he was like, “What hell that mean, thug life? What the hell? Y’all going to knock a old lady over her head with a bat? What that mean? You better make it mean something.” And we worked on, “What does it mean?”

And Pac was like, “[Mutulu], you sitting up there in jail, write this for us. We got to do shows. We got to work.” And my Pops created Thug Code. He wrote it out and we put the project together. It was part of the whole movement.

AllHipHop: That’s dope. I love the thug code too, by the way. It’s something we need to bring it back.

Mopreme Shakur: Amongst ourselves, we need every tool we could get our hands on. We need every tool we could get our hands on, because I’m in LA. I know what it’s like out here and I’m seeing what it’s like around the country, so it is good to have some tools to work with.

AllHipHop: I had a question on the rumor side. Is there any truth to the rumor that Biggie Smalls was supposed to be a part of Thug Life?

Mopreme Shakur: There’s some validity to that before things fell apart. Before things fell apart, Pac was a uniter. We knew were from New York, we knew we were from the East Coast, and Pac liked to work with the best talent around. So there was a period, there was a time when we was all cool. There was a time where Pac wanted Biggie to be part of the East Coast faction of Thug Life, because we was kicking with each other anyway. Pac wasn’t just a hater just to be hating. He liked them. We liked him.

AllHipHop: They were tight. They were tight. Did you meet-

Mopreme Shakur: They did a song, they did “Runnin’ (Dying To Live)” with the album.

AllHipHop: Then they got that freestyle Funk Master Flex always plays, the one with Big Daddy Kane, Shyheim, they always cut those people out, but the whole thing is dope.

Mopreme Shakur: I was there that day.

AllHipHop: You were there that day?

Mopreme Shakur: That’s the Garden one?

AllHipHop: Yeah, man.

Mopreme Shakur: Yeah, that was massive. That was a massive scene.

AllHipHop: I hadn’t jumped off the porch by that time, man. I was still home with it. You know what I mean?

Mopreme Shakur: I knew Pac was cocked and ready. I like, “Pac is ready for this moment. Pac is ready for this moment.” He killed, he murdered it.

AllHipHop: He killed that joint, oh my God, that was amazing. I can only imagine, I had never seen a video, I don’t think. But the audio is almost like a video. It’s almost like seeing it. It’s crazy.

Mopreme Shakur: There’s a video, but it’s from the back of the stage. Somebody on stage took it. I seen it once.

AllHipHop: That’s crazy. How did you feel when things started to change? And I won’t say fall apart, but I mean, myself as an observer, really. I mean, I was a fan of everything in Hip-Hop. But it bothered me, man, to see brothers at odds like that. It really hurt my heart, because I felt like we had fought really hard with stuff like “Self-Destruction” and “All In The Same Gang.” Where did you stand in that time? What was your position and what were you feeling?

Mopreme Shakur: My position is that I’m going to look out for my brother. I’m not going to try to question his authority. He had the authority at the time. He had the power at the time. I was going to support him and try to help him not make mistakes. It did not look good for me to ridicule and criticize him in public. So no, you ain’t going to see none of that. But I counseled him from home, and I did the best I could and went good for a few years, and then that young man growing into a man, things changed.

Tupac, Afeni, Mutulu And The Shakur Family Have Been Unfairly Treated By America, Says Mopreme

AllHipHop: Have you ever, I don’t know, there’s a lot of stuff around counseling and stuff nowadays. Have you ever gone through any sort of counseling or therapy or anything?

Mopreme Shakur: I think I need something though. Word is bond.

AllHipHop: Man, it’s a lot. I mean, seriously, bro. I, when I think about it, when I think about it, just me, I’m talking about myself personally. It’s traumatic. For real, for real. I’ll never forget the day Pac died and the day Big died. I mean, it was like I went home. You know what I’m saying? I cried, man. I went laid down and stuff. So being in your position, I can only imagine it’s infinitely more traumatic.

Mopreme Shakur: I’ve had to develop quite a thick skin, a lot of loss, a lot of loss. If you look at our whole crew, there are like 10, 12 of us gone. I talk to my friends. I never sought out counseling, but I get it out by talking to my friends and family. They say it’s action therapy. They say it’s talk therapy, great. I can do that. Let me scream, holler. But you got to keep it moving.

J. Cole & Lil Uzi Vert Collab Just The Start? Mike WiLL Made-It Says Another Banger Drops Soon

By: Devon Jefferson Updated Category: Rumors
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New details about Mike WiLL Made-It’s upcoming releases and his surprise “Blood Moon” collaboration featuring Lil Uzi Vert, co-headlined by J. Cole, are emerging.

For starters, it appears “Blood Moon” bares its name from Mike WiLL Made-It’s spontaneous creative relationship with Lil Uzi Vert. In fact, according to his recent interview with Apple Music, Mike WiLL Made-It and Lil Uzi Vert rarely schedule their studio sessions.

“Once we started doing music, every time me and Uzi do music, we’ll be randomly staying in the same hotel, maybe in New York or LA or somewhere—We’ll just run into each other and then be like, ‘Oh yeah, studio tonight,'” Mike WiLL Made-It said. “Then we go to the studio, knock out a couple joints—Our linkup is as rare as a blood moon, you know what I’m saying?. But it’s a big deal, you know what I’m saying?

:I feel like everybody going to run and try to look and see when it’s a blood moon or it’s an eclipse or whatever, people running outside trying to record that zoom in, trying to see how it looked.” I just was thinking about that like, “Man, our link-ups and our sightings is as rare as a blood moon type s###. Then I was like, ‘Man, yo, I’m going to name the track that s###, man. Blood Moon.'”

Also, in addition to remarking on the entire process of working with Lil Uzi Vert over the years, Mike WiLL Made-It explained how J. Cole actually helped put the battery in his back while he was creating “Blood Moon.”

“With me and Cole, it was just natural,” Mike WiLL Made-It said in part. “Literally, I made, that day I was in there with Cole, I made 10 beats that day. Know what I’m saying? One of the other beats that I made that day is actually coming out next Friday. I ain’t even going to tell you who on that one, but you all will see.”

I gotta admit, it’s definitely refreshing to see Milke WiLL Made-It is leaning into dropping high-powered collabs again—considering he last delivered one of his ear-ringing Ransom compilation albums more than six years ago.

As for what the next single will be, your guess is as good as ours! Fingers crossed we’re getting some toxic Future or vintage Rae Sremmurd.

Russ Reflects On Being “Hammered” During Interviews

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Rapper/producer Russ is best known for releasing commercially successful singles such as “Losin Control,” “Best on Earth,” and “Handsomer.” The Diemon collective member also made headlines for his controversial comments.

Back in January 2017, Russ blamed the current state of rap music on other producers “making wack s###.” Those remarks led to beatmakers like Metro Boomin, Frank Dukes, and Cardo Got Wings shooting back at the New Jersey-born entertainer on social media.

Russ also angered some fans and industry peers when he went on an anti-drug Twitter rant just days after Lil Peep (born Gustav Elijah Åhr) died from a drug overdose in November 2017. That caused bad blood with Lil Peep’s collaborator, Smokepurpp.

A new conversation with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 may shed some light on Russ’s state of mind around the time of his contentious quotes. The Santiago album creator revealed that alcohol consumption played a role in his actions during his career.

“I was drinking a lot, and it was just because when I first started making music, that’s what it was. The studio was a party. You’re smoking weed, you’re drinking. And so I would drink when I was in the studio. It just felt normal. It felt regular,” recalled Russ.

He continued, “But then I was drinking before interviews, and that’s how a lot of those interviews went left. I was pretty hammered in some of them. Because it’s all that’s coming out, but I never had a problem. I wasn’t waking up and like, ‘I need a drink.’ I would just drink in certain situations, but that in and of itself was an issue.”

“And it was easier to just do that than actually be authentic and be like, ‘You know what? I am nervous, I am feeling insecure, I am all these things.’ And now it’s, yeah. I’m not rigid to the point where it’s like, ‘I will not drink.’ It’s, ‘I’ll have a drink whenever I want to have a drink.’ It’s just now I don’t want to have a drink when I wanted to have a drink back then,” Russ explained to Zane Lowe.

Santiago by Russ came out today (August 18). The 13-track project, inspired by the book The Alchemist, follows more than a dozen previous studio LPs by the 30-year-old recording artist. He received a Platinum plaque from the RIAA for 2017’s There’s Really a Wolf. Plus, 2018’s Zoo and 2020’s Shake the Snow Globe went Gold.

Yo Gotti Talks Becoming Part Owner Of D.C. United Soccer Club

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Mario “Yo Gotti” Mims is not just a recording artist. The product of Memphis, Tennessee works as a record executive and entrepreneur too.

As the head of Collective Music Group, Yo Gotti oversees the careers of Moneybagg Yo, GloRilla, EST Gee, and others. The CMG label boss also serves as a co-owner of the D.C. United professional men’s soccer club in Washington.

“As D.C. United continue to grow it was important for us to add a diverse blend of experience and expertise to our ownership group to further elevate our business,” said Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, Co-Chairman of D.C. United in a 2021 press release.

The Co-Chairman added, “As we continue to evolve, we are confident that the expanded ownership group will help us to further engage our fanbase – both existing and new, create additional forms of entertainment, and ultimately deliver a pathway for success for our club both on the pitch and in the community.”

Fellow businessmen Adam Gerry, Jake Silverstein, and Joe Mamo also joined D.C. United’s ownership group alongside Yo Gotti in September 2021. Apple Music 1’s Ebro Darden spoke to Gotti about signing up for Major League Soccer’s Black-and-Red Family.

“It was a few years ago when I joined the club as an owner, part of the ownership club. I think diversifying growth as an entrepreneur, I mean, whoever thought we would own part of a professional sports team?” Yo Gotti told Darden.

Gotti also said, “I try to show to the young guys in my city by action, what we can do and what we can become if we stay determined and disciplined and on top of what we’re trying to do as young hustlers and entrepreneurs.”

Earlier this year, Yo Gotti teamed with First Lady Jill Biden and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber to take part in a youth clinic at the White House. He also helped promote the 2023 MLS All-Star Game in Washington, D.C.

When it comes to his music career, Gotti recently dropped the I Showed U So mixtape with DJ Drama. That Gangsta Grillz project is part of an extensive discography. Gotti’s catalog also contains albums like The Art of Hustle and CM10: Free Game.

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GloRilla & Sukihana Clap Back At Lil Duval Over “Marry, F###, Kill” Post

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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Lil Duval polled his social media followers about three contemporary female rappers. Memphis-raised rhymer GloRilla and Miami-based rhymer Sukihana had something to say about the 46-year-old entertainer as well.

“Out of Sukihana, Sexxy Redd, GloRilla……Marry, f###, kill,” posted Lil Duval on the afternoon of August 17. That tweet generated a lot of reactions on the platform, including from two of the women named.

Sukihana fired back, “Lick Lil Duval’s ass or go to jail for the rest of your life only gay men can answer.” In addition, GloRilla quoted Duval and added, “Granddad why you worrying about dese young hoes p####?????”

Lil Duval recently released his new single titled “Squeeze.” North Carolina rapper DaBaby directed the song’s official music video which racked up 283,000 views on YouTube in two days.

GloRilla heads into the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards with two nominations – Best New Artist and Best Hip Hop (“Tomorrow 2” with Cardi B). She won Best New Hip Hop Artist at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards.

“Casamigos (Pour It In My Cup)” performer Sukihana has become a reality TV show veteran with stints on Love & Hip Hop: Miami and Baddies. Plus, Suki just teamed up with Sexyy Red for the “Hood Rats” collaboration.

Polo G Teases Retiring From Music After ‘HOOD POET’ Album

By: Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) Updated Category: News
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HOOD POET by Polo G will arrive on DSPs next month. This week, the Chicago-bred rapper warned his fans about his potential retirement following the release of the album.

Polo G’s HOOD POET – which stands for “He Overcame Obstacles During Pain Or Emotional Trauma” – drops on September 15 via Columbia Records. It will be his fourth official studio LP.

Will HOOD POET be Polo’s final body of work? The chart-topper took to the X social media platform (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts on his possible future.

“Honestly, after my HOOD POET album I’m considering retiring from music.💜🫶🏾🫶🏾So I appreciate everybody ridin for me 10 fold🌪️,” posted Polo G on August 18.

The Columbia recording artist later added, “This rap s### got so lame and watered down it ain’t no fun in it no more.” At just 24 years of age, Polo has already been in the industry for over five years.

Polo G earned a 2x-Platinum plaque for 2018’s “Finer Things” single. He later made it into the Top 20 region of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Pop Out” featuring Lil Tjay.

“Pop Out” received 8x-Platinum certification. Polo G then led the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the 6x-Platinum “Rapstar” in 2021. Juice Wrld’s “Hate the Other Side” featuring Polo was a Top 10 entry as well.

The new “Barely Holdin’ On” serves as the lead single from Polo’s HOOD POET album. A video for the track landed on YouTube today (August 18) and has already amassed more than 180,000 views.

HOOD POET follows 2019’s Die a Legend, 2020’s The Goat, and 2021’s Hall of Fame. The latter project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The RIAA certified all three projects as 2x-Platinum.

Logic Copies Ice Spice’s Signature Move, Twerks & Sniffs Belly Button In Onstage Dance 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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A shirtless Logic was feeling himself during a recent performance, gyrating his hips and twerking before bending over for the audience to copy the Ice Spice signature dance move. 

A video of his July performance resurfaced online Thursday with users on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Not only does he mimic the Ice Spice move, but the Maryland native also bizarrely poked a finger in his belly button. He then gives his finder a little wiggle before bringing it up to his nose for a little sniff.  

“Logic don’t got a single song where he need to be doing all this,” one user wrote sharing the video. 

https://twitter.com/rare1beatz/status/1692273195188187204?s=20

“I know logics joking but that ice spice move he did just ended his career,” another expressed. “Can never take him serious again lmao.” 

However, Logic also had his defenders. “Bro WHO GIVES A F### if he doing the ice spice signature move,” wrote one fan. “let this man be bruh . Logic hate is so corny.” 

Earlier this week, Logic took to social media with an exciting announcement for his fans. On Wednesday (August 16), he shared his plans to drop a free new mixtape called Inglorious Basterd alongside a snippet of the newly released intro track “Still Pushin.” The song is a remix of Lupe Fiasco’s early-career classic, “Kick Push.” Check out the album artwork in his post below.  

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwBhcnyKyQG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Meek Mill Calls Out “Culture Vulture” Labels, Claims Sole Ownership Of His Masters And Publishing 

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Meek Mill is continuing his war against the labels, accusing “culture vulture” record labels of scamming artists and taking their money. 

In a post on Threads, Instagram’s sister app, the Philly rapper claimed he can’t be duped as he owns 100 percent of his masters and publishing. However, he won’t stop calling out the major labels. He claimed labels profit from Black “murder and poverty” without contributing to the community.  

“F### these labels they operating without consequences in the biggest scheme to date!” Meek Mill declared. He also lashed out at lawyers who he says make young artists sign contracts they don’t understand, comparing it to “stealing.”  

“IF YOU LETTING LABELS TAKE YOUR MONEY HOW YOU BEEFING WITH N##### IN THE HOOD OVER NOTHING,” he questioned. “yes I own 100% of my masters and pub as we speak! We catch y’all stealing we in the streets with it.” 

However, he called for others to take a stand. According to Meek Mill, he is willing to lose his life and his freedom for his principles. “IF YOU BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE BY PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD REALLY MAKE CRY TAP IN THIS GOTTA STOP… I’ll die for this or go to jail but take from me shiddddd,” he added. “This is for all culture vultures eating off black murder and poverty with out giving back and taking advantage! Til my last [breath]!” Read his post in full below. 

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Ice Spice’s Mom Goes Viral As Fans Try To Track Down Her Socials  

By: London Jennn Updated Category: News
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Ice Spice may be the rap star in her family, but it was her “baddie” mom who went viral recently after sharing a video of her vibing to her daughter’s latest song. 

The Bronx-red rapper experienced a meteoric rise following her breakout song “Munch,” and has continued to rake in the hits. While fans love her music with cuts like the “Princess Diana” remix featuring Nicki Minaj and “Karma” with Taylor Swift, they also love her look. 

As social media recently discovered, Ice Spice got it from her mama. A video surfaced Thursday (Aug 17) and soon set social media ablaze with users gushing over Spice’s mom.  

In the clip, mama Spice poses up and storm and mimics her famous daughter’s signature pout while listening to “Deli.” Check out the video below.  

https://twitter.com/ViralMaterialz/status/1692229242375884919?s=20

“Ice Spice mom is so teaaa,” wrote one fan alongside a series of images of Spice’s mom. 

Many others turned internet sleuths, attempting to track down her Instagram account.  

“Ayoooo what’s Ice Spice’s Moms @ ?!” asked one. “Can yall stop gatekeeping Ice Spice mom,” wrote another. “whats her Instagram.” 

A different user said they found it, but they’re not sharing: “I just found ice spice mom instagram n i’m gatekeeping.”  

Ice Spice Admits Mom Is A “Baddie”

Not much is known about Ice Spice’s family, but she is reportedly the eldest of five children. She revealed her mother is Dominican and her underground rapper father is Black.  

“Subconsciously, I ended up becoming an artist because I saw my father be one first,” Ice Spice told Paper in April. “He’s a music lover himself. He’s a true Hip-Hop head, beyond me, honestly. He knows everything. He’s always educating me on Hip-Hop and s### like that.” 

She also admitted that her pops is not a fan of her raunchy signature pose. “I’m his baby girl,” she said during a February interview with Ebron Darden on Apple Music. However, her supportive mother understands. “Mom’s a baddie, so she knows what it is,” she added. 

Megan Thee Stallion Describes How Tory Lanez Tormented Her In Full Victim Statement

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Reporter Meghann Cuniff has obtained Megan Thee Stallion’s entire victim statement, which was read at Tory Lanez’s sentencing in Los Angeles. The statement urged Judge David Herriford to hand down a harsh punishment.

Megan Thee Stallion said she was “tormented and terrorized” by Tory Lanez. She criticized him for mocking her trauma, paying bloggers to spread false information and showing no remorse for his actions.

Earlier this month, Judge Herriford sentenced Tory Lanez to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. The Canadian rapper/singer received roughly 10 months of credit for time served.

Tory Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was convicted of three felony charges in December 2022. A jury found him guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, discharging a firearm with gross negligence and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle.

Cuniff also acquired Tory Lanez’s full statement from his sentencing. He begged the judge for leniency and said he still considered Megan Thee Stallion to be his friend.

“If I could turn back the series of events that night [of the 2020 shooting] and change them, as unfortunate as they were, I would, but I can’t, and I apologize,” he said. “I’m sorry that I did that. Sorry that I had those moments. And, again, if I could, I would — I would change them. But I can’t. But to think that I’m this callous individual that is some sort of victimizer or some sort of womanizer is just not true because the victim was my friend. The victim was somebody that I still care for dearly to this day regardless of what she may think about me after the media has made this spectacle that it’s been.”

He added, “Regardless of the fact, the victim’s my friend. She’s somebody that I sat there — and not to even touch on the subject — but we both lost our mothers. And we would sit there and drink and drink till it felt numb. That was what me and the victim had. We were friends that connected on various levels of deeper subjects than what has met the eye.”

Read Megan Thee Stallion’s victim statement below.

Dear Honorable Judge Herriford,

I struggled with being present today. I don’t want my absence to be interpreted as anything other than the preservation of my mental well-being. after everything that occurred, I simply can’t bring myself to be back in the same room with Tory once again.

I want you to know that since I was viciously shot by the defendant a little over three years ago, I have not experienced a single day of peace.

I have been tormented and terrorized in every degree by the defendant.

He not only shot me, he made a mockery of my trauma. He tried to position himself as a victim and set out to destroy my character and my soul.

He lied to anyone that would listen and paid bloggers to disseminate false information about the case on social media.

He released music videos and songs to damage my character and continue his crusade. He treated my trauma like a joke when I could have died that day.

Mercy can only be granted to those who accept responsibility for their actions. But not once has the defendant taken accountability.

At first, he tried to deny the shooting ever happened. Then he attempted to place the blame on my former best friend. In his tantrum of lies, he’s blamed the system. Blamed the press. And as of late, he’s using his childhood trauma to shield himself and avoid culpability.

For once, the defendant must be forced to face the full consequences of his heinous actions and face justice.

If the defendant would have spent a quarter of the past few years showing contrition for his crimes, perhaps I could have healed sooner. Instead, I spiraled into a dark and angry place where I thought my life was worthless and I felt loneliness and shame. Slowly but surely, I’m healing and coming back. But I will never be the same.

However, every day I think of the others across the world who are victims of violence and have survived. It is truly the most powerless feeling, especially when you question whether the justice system can truly protect you.

Fortunately, the District Attorney’s Office fought for me. I’m incredibly grateful to them and the jury for their attention to the evidence and siding with the truth. But if it can happen to me, imagine those who lack the resources and support system to help them.

Today I beg this court to send a message to every victim of violence and fully hold the defendant accountable for his criminal conduct.

This is a statement for all survivors that their lives matter and there is zero tolerance for the torture that accompanies violence. His crime warrants the full weight of the law.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Havoc Says He Was Almost Electrocuted To Death On Set Of Classic Mobb Deep Video

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Havoc luckily averted a near-death experience while filming Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones Pt. II” music video. The esteemed rapper/producer recalled a dangerous incident at the video shoot in the latest installment of Vevo’s Footnotes series.

“One shocking moment was when me and a guy from my block got into an argument because he felt he wasn’t getting enough shine in the video,” Havoc said. “We started fighting and we both fell into a puddle of water and one of the movie lights fell in it with us. We could have gotten electrocuted to death. That was wild.”

Havoc shared behind-the-scenes stories of “Shook Ones Pt. II” for Vevo’s celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary. The Mobb Deep member recounted the difficult shooting schedule for the video, which was filmed in Queensbridge.

“The most challenging part of making the video was staying awake because we shot non-stop from early that morning to 7 a.m. the next day,” he said.

Havoc loved the final product despite the long hours. He told Vevo he wouldn’t change a thing about the video if he was remaking it in 2023.

“My favorite scene is when we have the whole crew behind us, and Prodigy and myself have on the Hennessy jerseys,” he said. “I loved those shirts. Prodigy got them made.”

Watch the Vevo Footnotes version of Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones Pt. II” video below.

Brooklyn’s Own Nems Joins Forces with Goliath Music—A New Era of Artistry Unveiled

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: Exclusives
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“I just signed with Paul Rosenberg,” Gorilla Nems proudly exclaimed. The announcement marks the beginning of a partnership that’s been brewing for almost a year, culminating in a momentous signing in June. As the ink dries, anticipation builds for Nems’ forthcoming album, Rise of the Silverback, fully produced by Scram Jones, which hits Friday (August 18).

These days in the music industry, major breakthroughs are both rare and remarkable. For Nems, a Coney Island-born certified veteran, the journey has been one of relentless dedication. Paul Rosenberg‘s reputation has been firmly established through his involvement with Eminem and Shady Records, but his management has shaped and molded the careers of The Alchemist, blink-182, Cypress Hill, D12 and numerous others. Goliath Music starts with Nems, christening the next chapter with corporate backing by Virgin Records.

“I feel f##king validated, man,” he said. “Years of hard work… all this sh#t wasn’t in vain.” His partnership with Goliath Records not only validates his past efforts but also marks the beginning of a new era for Brooklyn’s vibrant Hip-Jop scene. In this exclusive interview with AllHipHop, Nems provides insight and inspiration into his burgeoning empire, creative process, and also the significance of this pivotal moment in his career. Brace for impact…

On How He Ruined His First Deal With Def Jam & Shady Records

I was at the bottom. I was homeless. I was addicted to wild, different drugs and I messed up. I had opportunities. My first kind of deal that I was supposed to f##k with was Def Jam with Spit Records. It was Stretch Armstrong’s label back in the day. It was supposed to be me and my partner, George Burns. That was one act. Then they had Joe Budden, that was another act. And then Jinx Da Juvy. So us three separate acts was supposed to be on Spit Records. Jinx, I don’t know what happened to him. Joe Budden, don’t know what’s up with him. And we f##### that one up. And then later it was Shady and I was talking with them. I was up there all the time. And then that didn’t pan out. And then just was like, man, I had my opportunities and I f##### them up. You know what I’m saying? Me.

How At 10,000 Hours Turns Into Self And Professional Mastery

If you are a f##king bus driver, put in 10,000 hours, and you’ll be swerving through the city streets like, [SKIRRRRRT]. You know what I’m saying? I put in way more than 10,000 hours in just Hip-Hop. My whole life is Hip-Hop. You know what I’m saying? Everything I do is Hip-Hop. You know what I’m saying? I’m not married and I don’t have children because I live a Hip-Hop lifestyle. Because I want to do what I need to do to pursue this dream and I don’t need anything holding me back. That’s how I lived my life all these years.

So the 10,000 hours been happening, but it’s like it’s, to answer your question now, I wasn’t just rap. It’s 10,000 hours, just life in general. A lot of these artists don’t know who the f##k they are. They don’t know who they are as people, let alone artists. And I feel like I got to this point because at this point in life, I know who I am as a person. I’m confident in who I am as a person and especially as an artist.

From Underground Rapper To Business Empire

I treat this s### like a business. The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning, I make myself some coffee and I sit in my f#king bed and I post on my four Instagram pages. I got the Nems, I got FYL brand, which is my clothing, my store in Coney Island. I post on that. Then I post on my “Outside with Gorilla Nems” page, which is my podcast page. And then I post on the, Don’t Ever Disrespect Me. That’s frivolous videos. If I’m outside f###### with people, I’ll post on that. But I treat that sh#t like a business where I do it… that’s the first thing I do in the morning. You know what I’m saying? Before anything else, before I take calls, before I look at my texts, because I treat this sh#t like a business.

F##k All That Lyrical Miracle Sh#t!

If you ain’t been through nothing and you ain’t got nothing to talk about, who gives a f#ck how nice you are, you could rap better? There’s a million rappers talking about how nice they are and how much better they are than other rappers that nobody gives a f#ck. Some of the illest rappers, nobody gives a f#ck about them because it’s just like, all right, bro, you saying a lot, but you ain’t saying nothing.

When it’s album time, f##k that lyrical, man. The real sh#t hits way more than lyrical all the time. All the time. I’d rather hear some real sh#t, ’cause people go through. You’re driving around, you might be going through a breakup. You’re driving around, your cousins might pass away. You know what I’m saying? You listen to some sh#t like that. Real sh#t beats lyrical all the time.

On The Possibility Of Doing Music With Eminem

If people are expecting that, I feel like when you come into sh#t, in any aspect of life, expectations lead to disappointment, you know what I’m saying? You build yourself up. And then with me, expectations lead to me getting angry, because if I expect you to do something and you don’t, I feel like you played me, and if you don’t do it, now, it’s f##k you. You know what I’m saying? So if Em gave me a verse, that would be next level sh#t. You know what I’m saying? At this point, I don’t even know if he knows who I am. I would assume he does. But if he don’t, Em’s one of the biggest artists in the world, you know what I’m saying?

That would be a dream come true. At this point of me being in the game this long, it’s just like I’m going to just keep going with my head down and if it happens, it happens. If not, so be it. If it’s supposed to happen, it’s going to.

Click here for more musical treats from Nems.

On The Evolution Of Nems…

I feel like I’m evolving definitely as a man, and I feel like the people that listened to me before have grown as well.

Forget Fat Joe’s Socks—Air Drake + 2Pac’s $1 Million Ring Were Gifted To Drizzy?

By: Devon Jefferson Updated Category: Rumors
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Hindsight has me believing that when Kanye West made “Real Friends” during the Saint Pablo era, it was likely about Drake—much like it’s giving me the foresight that Drizzy is now Fat Joe’s “Rich Friend.”

A wild take at face value, I know—especially given the fact Joey Crack’s A1-Day-One is DJ Khaled, and he’s also fairly tight with Ye, who was considered to be a billionaire up until last year. But believe it or not, these Stake-branded socks that Drake just gifted Fat Joe have me convinced the 6 God is the real breadwinner of the bunch. Trust me, I know wholesale brand socks embroidered with the phrase “Fat Joe’s Socks” aren’t truly breaking the bank. It’s more so about the manner in which the foot booties were given.

In case you hadn’t already seen it, the reason Drake even sent Fat Joe the socks in the first place is because the Terror Squad veteran essentially called Drizzy out on the lavish gifts he’s received during a recent rant on his live-streaming platform. “Bro they won’t give me a pack of socks,” Fat Joe exclaimed during the live while admitting to his jealousy of the way Drake is showered with gifts.

And honestly, I can’t say I blame Fat Joe, because he claims among the many gifts the Certified Lover Boy rapper has received over the years, the most namely living rent-free in Fat Joe’s head is Air Drake.

Yes, Fat Joe says that Drake was gifted the Boing 762-200ER-turned-luxury-private-aviation-vessel emblazoned with his label’s OVO branding—and if you were wondering, it’s reportedly valued at $185 million.

If that wasn’t a rich flex, 2Pac’s ultra-rare, iced-out one-million-dollar ring was also apparently presented to Drake on a silver platter by an anonymous Cryptocurrency millionaire for free-99.

And although I’m sure the Stake socks were sent in good fun to Fat Joe by Drake, I agree with the idea that the s### was mad disrespectful. I guess it’s kind of like a Catch-22 because the move definitely screams, “If nobody got you, I got you,” which is definitely a rich big homie move. It’s really chess and not checkers with these OVO cats(LOL SMH)!

Check out the clips below. And don’t worry, you’re not a hater, you’re just severely suffering from a case of acute jealousy poisoning courtesy of obscenely rich folks.

Rico Nasty Reveals How Eminem Inspired Her To Become A Rapper

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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Eminem’s classic single “Stan” played a key role in the life of Rico Nasty. She expounded on the song’s impact on her in an interview with PEOPLE.

“It was ‘Stan’ by Eminem that made me want to be a rapper,” she said. “I loved how it invoked every emotion. You felt scared, you felt excited, on the edge… It was almost like a horror movie. On the edge of your seat, waiting to see if this person was going to make the right decision. You almost feel bad for this person. It was very cinematic, that movie, it felt… that video was so cinematic.”

She added, “And then it also gave me a perspective that I never really had before, which was like, ‘Yeah, a lot of these people, they have fans, but some of these people have fans that are… They’re die hard, man.’ They wait for your responses. And that was… besides Tyler and Nicki Minaj, that was my first example of what a fan was, low key, just obsessive. He even looked like him. He even looked like him in the video. That was crazy.”

Rico Nasty also discussed how Tyler, the Creator and Nicki Minaj influenced her. She mentioned how Tyler and Odd Future helped her realize she “wasn’t weird.”

Last year, Rico Nasty’s “Smack a B####” became her first platinum record as a lead artist. She previously earned a platinum certification for a guest appearance on Doja Cat’s song “Tia Tamera.”

Watch Rico Nasty’s latest music video “Turn It Up” below.

Shy Glizzy’s DJ Debunks Rumor Of Rapper’s Death

By: Justin Ivey Updated Category: News
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DJ Flow, who works with Shy Glizzy, shut down baseless claims about the rapper dying. The DJ spoke out after the rumor surfaced on social media.

“SHY GLIZZY IS ALIVE F### IS WRONG WITH YALL,” DJ Flow wrote on Twitter.

DJ Flow also posted a screenshot of a text to prove his friend was alive. Shy Glizzy sent the DJ a photo to confirm he was fine.

“For the weirdos who need confirmation,” DJ Flow wrote.

Shy Glizzy seemingly became the subject of the death rumor due to a case of mistaken identity. An Instagram account focused on the Washington, D.C. area erroneously identified him as the victim of a shooting.

Earlier this year, the D.C. native was arrested after allegedly getting into an altercation with his ex-girlfriend in Los Angeles. He was charged with making criminal threats.

Authorities claimed the rapper pulled a gun on the woman. He denied threatening her.

Shy Glizzy was released after posting a $50,000 bond. His ex-girlfriend sought a restraining order. She accused him of threatening to kill her after she broke up with him.

A judge granted a temporary restraining order in May. The “White Girl’ creator was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from the woman and not contact her.

BET Media Group Reportedly No Longer Up For Sale: Sorry, Tyler Perry

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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BET is a lot more valuable than people thought, and after seeing all of the interest in acquiring the premier network covering African-American culture, Paramount apparently abandoned its plans to sell its BET Media Group stake.

According to Reuters, BET cable networks, BET streaming services and VH1 are no longer for sale. The announcement became public on Wednesday (August 16).

Paramount informed all potential buyers, including Tyler Perry, 50 Cent and Diddy, that the sale had been canceled.

As previously reported, Perry was in the running. Perry has already signed a multi-year joint venture between Tyler Perry Studios and the BET+ streaming service, having one of the top shows on the platform. Perry addressed the rumors and dismissed any doubt about how serious his intentions were.

“Rumor? No, it’s not a rumor, I’ve been there for four years now and had tremendous success,’” Perry said.

BET started in the 1980s when Robert L. Johnson launched the brand. The network has been home to programs such as 106 & Park, Video Soul, Teen Summit, Rap City, The Game, College Hill and The New Edition Story. Prior to halting the sale, Paramount had received bids spanning from approximately $2-3 billion.

Takeoff’s Death Spawns New Lawsuit By Quavo’s Assistant Against Bowling Alley Owners

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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The tragic shooting that claimed the life of Grammy-nominated rapper Takeoff has spiraled into a legal battle against 810 Houston, its owners, and property managers.

Joshua Washington, injured during the November 2022 incident, alleges the venue’s negligence in providing adequate security measures and emergency assistance.

The unfortunate shooting took Takeoff’s life and injured three others, including Washington, who Quavo’s assistant.

In a parallel legal move, Titania Davenport, Takeoff’s mother, filed a lawsuit against 810 Houston.

She contends that the venue, allegedly a hotspot for violent crime, ignored prior warnings about the need for heightened security. However, the owners of 810 Billiards and Bowling have publicly denied any responsibility for the rapper’s death.

Their defense hinges on the actions of Patrick Xavier Clark and Cameron Joshua, both implicated in the incident, asserting that they acted independently.

810’s lawyers say they should not be held liable for the tragic events of that night.

Norfolk Rapper 23 Brazy Wanted By U.S. Marshalls For Allegedly Murdering A 10-year-old

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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The Department of Justice has issued a press release looking for a Virginia-based rapper who’s suspected of murdering a 10-year-old child. The rapper, whose real name is Tashawnda Nicole Drayton but goes by 23 Brazy, has been linked to the fatal shooting of a little boy in Franklin, Virginia.

The aspiring artist has only 139 subscribers on her YouTube channel with an overall total of 19,229 views since launching it in 2020.

According to the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, she’s currently on the run in an effort to evade punishment for the crime. Drayton is said to have also injured an adult male at the time she shot to the death the elementary school student.

Authorities are looking to charge her with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied dwelling (two counts), use of a firearm in commission of a felony, threat to burn or damage a building, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and discharge of a firearm in a public place. 

Marshals have dropped a description of 23 Brazy and asked the public to be on alert to help find her. Drayton is described as an African-American woman with brown eyes and black hair.

Authorities says she is about 5’11” and weighs around 250 pounds. They believe she is easily identifiable as she has a tattoo reading “only loyalty” above her left eyebrow and “23 Brazy” in red ink on her forehead. Marshalls also add that she has several tattoos on her face, neck, and on both her arms and hands.

Law enforcement wants anyone with any information regarding her location to please get in touch with authorities or reach out to the Franklin-Southampton Crime Solvers at 757-516-7100. Alternatively, the public is encouraged to provide tips using the USMS Tips app. The U.S. Marshals Service has announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to her apprehension.

Racist Trump MAGA Maniac Arrested For Threatening Black Judge Overseeing Case

By: AllHipHop Staff Updated Category: News
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A Texas woman, identified as Abigail Joe Schreiber, has been arrested and charged with threatening to kill a federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s election interference case in Washington, D.C.

The audacious threat was left on Judge Tanya Chutkan’s voicemail, sending shockwaves through the nation’s capital. Schreiber’s threats didn’t stop there.

She also brazenly threatened to kill Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, all Democrats in Washington, and members of the LGBTQ community.

The arrest comes at a time when security around the judge had already been heightened after Trump demanded her recusal.

Prosecutors have revealed the chilling content of the voicemail, where Schreiber stated that if Trump is not elected in 2024, they will come to kill the judge.

While Schreiber is currently behind bars, she has admitted to making the call but claims she had no intention of carrying out any harm.

Schreiber was apparently also mad that a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia indicted 19 individuals, including Trump and Rudy Giuliani, on charges related to a criminal conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The indictment, spanning 97 pages, includes 41 felony counts.

Addressing the gravity of the situation, Willis remarked, “The indictment alleges that rather than abide by Georgia’s legal process for election challenges, the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgia’s presidential election result.”

The former president is the Republican front-runner in the 2024 primary race and the political landscape is set for an unprecedented showdown.

Pioneering DJ Kool Herc Set To Be Honored In Jamaica With Highest National Honor

By: Kershaw St. Jawnson Updated Category: News
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Though the official 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop has passed, the world is continuing to honor the culture’s recognized progenitor. DJ Kool Herc, whose infamous Back to School Jam sparked Hip-Hop as a movement, will also be honored by his native land, Jamaica.

Also known as the “Big Island,” authorities within the country are set to bestow the nation’s most esteemed awards upon Herc and 125 other Jamaicans during the observance of National Heroes Day in October 2023. These recipients have all excelled in diverse arenas such as education, music, medicine, philanthropy, politics and more, according to Jamaicans.com.

DJ Herc co-hosted the Back To School Jam in 1973 party with his sister Cindy Campbell in the Bronx. What Herc did was ingeniously employed two turntables to manipulate an instrumental beat from James Brown’s “Sex Machine” album.

Herc would play the break on one side of the turntable and subsequently duplicate the same segment on the opposite side. Initially dubbed the “merry-go-round,” this approach eventually evolved into “breakbeat” deejaying. Following this breakthrough, he meticulously sifted through numerous crates to unearth the ideal breakbeats for the jams. Herc and the Herculoids, including Coke La Rock, the culture’s accredited first rapper, forever changed the worth by laying the foundation of Hip-Hop culture and rap culture.

In May, Campbell’s remarkable impact was acknowledged as he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the “Musical Influence Award” category.