Hip Hop veteran Cam’ron will drop a brand new project on September 23rd via Empire. The Harlem, New York representative teams with producer A-Trak for U Wasn’t There.
Cam’ron and A-Trak originally became friends after meeting through Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash in 2014. The duo’s early demos became Federal Reserve, an EP that never got released.
Federal Reserve was supposed to host the “Dipsh*ts” single. An official music video for the song did make it to YouTube eight years ago. “Dipsh*ts” will now live on U Wasn’t There as a bonus track.
https://youtu.be/qgfZgBpDzPM
U Wasn’t There will feature Conway The Machine, Jim Jones, Popcaan, Styles P, and Juelz Santana. Production will also be provided by Just Blaze, DJ Khalil, Lakim, !llmind, and more. Damon Dash appears on the album as well.
A-Trak, Beautiful Lou, and G Koop produced “All I Really Wanted” which serves as the lead single for U Wasn’t There. On the Harlem anthem, Cam’ron recalls his teenage years as a basketball player and growing up with fallen friends Big L and Bloodshed.
Cam’ron and A-Trak recorded U Wasn’t There in Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles. In addition, A-Trak commissioned original artwork by New York City-bred visual artist Kunle Martins for the forthcoming body of work.
The history between William “Ray J” Norwood and the Kardashian-Jenner family is very complicated. A case could be made that Ray J’s infamous sex tape with Kim Kardashian launched the billion-dollar Kardashian-Jenner empire.
Earlier this year, supposed unreleased footage from the Kim Kardashian, Superstar adult movie became a topic on The Kardashians reality show. Kim Kardashian claimed her estranged husband, Kanye “Ye” West, retrieved the tape from Ray J.
In response, Ray J accused Kim Kardashian of lying. It appears the R&B singer still has some animosity towards the Kardashian-Jenner clan. Ray got involved in a blowup between Kanye West and family matriarch Kris Jenner.
Kanye West shared a supposed text message exchange with one of Kris Jenner’s children that included a request for Ye to stop publicly mentioning Jenner because it causes the 66-year-old woman unnecessary stress. The Shade Room re-posted West’s Instagram post. Ray J then jumped into the comment section.
“What about my mom, Kris?” wrote Ray J. “[You’re] telling people false stories about me, making the Black man look horrible, for your gain, you introduced me to Steve HIRSH, you masterminded everything [for] your family, and tried to ruin mine at the same time smh.”
The Love & Hip Hop reality show star continued, “You don’t think all mothers get stressed? Or you special huh? – I know it’s old and I don’t care — this makes me sick – but God had my back and still does.”
The music industry is challenging, but Jake Silva has made it his mission to rise through the ranks. After just one year in the business, he’s playing at some of the top nightclubs in New York City, New Jersey, and Miami. How did he do it? It was all about an all-consuming work ethic and commitment to rise above the noise.
“I would wake up at 4 am to make music until 6 am every day before I started my day job in construction,” Silva shares. As an engineer by training, Silva believes there is a direct relationship between his studies and his music career. “I can think outside the box to solve real-world problems that would also apply to my music,” he says. This passion developed in childhood.
Silva learned music from his uncle, a former top DJ in Portugal and Spain. As an old-school performer, Silva’s uncle swore by vinyl, which he used to teach Silva. It taught him how to mix by ear, a skill that gives him an edge over DJs who look at the beat grid to mix.
Silva has been producing music for 5 years but is always willing to learn and adapt to the changing times. However, his music still retains its authenticity and charm.
“No one else has the exact edit, bootleg, or remix since I produce the music myself and most of the time don’t put it out,” Silva shares. “Often, I have DJs asking me, ‘Where’d you get your music from, and how can I get that track?’”
The artist has already accomplished important goals, like getting signed by Sony Music on his first track release. Some of Silva’s other dreams are to play the main stage at the biggest festivals worldwide, including Ultra, Tomorrowland, and Ezoo.
We already know the rising star of the music industry who is known by the name J J. He is known for the music he creates and the thought process he has applied to everything he has ever created.
We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview this talented young man. He is so down to earth and has also revealed many secrets behind his fame and shining career. He also shared advice he wants to give to young people planning to start a career in music. J J is an artist who debuted his first single at the beginning of January 2020.
J J’s project “My Way” is very dear and dear to his heart project. He has managed to move out of the shell and focus on himself and eventually did all the things that made him happy. He makes music after analyzing the storyline. The beat is based on emotions, giving him the vibe, and then he jumps right into the chorus, which is related to the plot of the story. He has been an introvert throughout his life and uses his music to convey his story to people.
Establishing a brand is not a one-day thing. One has to be consistent throughout. It takes a lot of patience and precision to establish a kingdom for yourself where you rule similarly in the musical industry. One has to build oneself so that one can rule over it.
Family and Friends are his biggest support system who have helped him in every phase of his career and he can’t thank them enough. During his free time, J J prefers to hang out with his Friends. Most of his friends have helped him launch the most important projects in his career.
“Outside of the accolades and physical results, I’m most proud of the person I’ve grown into. I have grown so much as an artist and it has affected not only my music but the type of person I am in a positive way. Whether it’s working on a project or carrying out my daily routine, music has played a big role in my life.”, J J quotes.
You can find his music on all streaming platforms but if you want the most immersive experience
When it comes to the music industry, it’s often easy for things to fall into an expected routine, and this can leave us struggling to find the most appropriate style for our own preferences. This is something that has always resonated particularly strongly with Ashley Francois, who has always dreamed of doing things a little differently.
Born April 9, 1996, is a professional rapper, singer & songwriter in Sarasota, FL.
Rather than just fitting in with the crowd, Ashley Francois has worked tirelessly to develop his skills, working at every opportunity to further his knowledge and follow a unique path. This can often seem like a challenge, but it shouldn’t necessarily have to be this way – which is why, at every opportunity, he works to bolster his repertoire and learn new things.
One of four brothers raised by a single mother in his early childhood living in Brooklyn N.Y.
After graduating from high school, he then transitions to the University of Central Florida. He then soon realized that basketball wasn’t in the plans anymore and soon dropped out of college.
For Ashely, just fitting in isn’t the right way to take things. Instead, he works tirelessly to ensure that he works for new heights – not for an audience, but for himself, personally. After all, it’s not about attention; it’s a dream and a goal to reach his full potential.
Ashley Francois takes inspiration in his music from numerous different artists, incorporating sounds from Chris Bronw, XXXtentacion, 2Pac, Travis Scot, Drake, and Pop Smoke to create a sound that’s both delightfully familiar and yet undeniably his own. After all, no matter what goal he sets his mind to, be it for his music or personal development, he has always worked to reach new heights.
He was featured on a SoundCloud contest to create a hit record in under eight hours. His debut album Don’t Feel Entitled won the Independent Music Awards for best hip hop album and also achieved a noble prize credited on the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
Everything is done with unwavering passion – and that’s why, along with his brothers King Chad and Young Knight, Ashley Francois dreams not to fit in but to make his mark on the music industry and reach new heights. This is his path, after all – and he’ll be paving his own way rather than following in someone else’s footsteps.
While some people believe that drill music is on its way out, there are others with their ear to the street and finger of its pulse, that scoff at it. Drill isn’t over … it’s simply reinventing itself with a new feeling and a new voice.
Leading that charge is South Bronx native and Warner Music Group recording artist, Sha EK. The teen phenom has burst on everyone’s radar with chest-pounding confidence and an understanding of his art that rappers, specifically from the Boogie Down, the birthplace of Hip-Hop, usually have.
They create lanes … one of those lanes is being ready to pop off with anyone that wants smoke. Just ask Kodak Black. He and the new artist have been on fire for the last couple of days.
Still, that’s not distracting the one people say is up next. With his debut album, “Face of the What,” AllHipHop.com sat with the artist, on the eve of his big day, for an exclusive interview. Sha EK was filled with smiles bubbling with expectation. Even with the beef with Kodak brewing, the teen star seems cool, focused on his future, and is showing not one sign of anxiety.
AHH: There are a few people saying your name and saying you are one of the brightest stars to come out of the drill movement in a couple of years. So, what’s going on with you?
Sha EK: Thank you. I’m chilling. Just going up and taking everything day by day.
AHH: How long have you been rapping?
Sha EK: 2 years.
AHH: You made the decision to start rapping over the pandemic?
Sha EK: Yeah.
AHH: What sparked that passion for you?
Sha EK: It was boring. We were on lockdown. All I was doing was recording. At the time I was just doing the autotune, not the drill. But once the drill came in, I saw I could do it too. And it worked.
AHH: So, just like that. You started rapping two years ago and already got a deal with a major label? There are people that have been rapping all of their lives and are still stuck. What’s special about you?
Sha EK: My voice. What’s special about me is that I don’t’ sound like nobody.
AHH: How did you curate your sound? And what feedback have gotten from other artists?
Sha EK: Most artists tell me just to keep working, despite me going up faster than most would think I should. They also tell me that they love my music. I also get that I am going in the right direction.
AHH: And the direction of your wave of drill is different from the previous one. Why do you think it is different or you have evolved the subgenre?
Sha EK: The pain in my music is real. It is not difficult to find it. It is the energy in it, all that adds to it.
AHH: But isn’t it pain in all drill music?
Sha EK: Yes, but I take the pain and I balance it off with some softness.
AHH: You must rap for the ladies.
Sha EK: I do. I rap for them a lot.
AHH: So, what is the advantage you have being a drill rapper, that can rap for the streets and rap for the ladies?
Sha EK: You have to remember who gives you the most plays. Your sh#t gonna stay bumping forever if women are listening. I learned that by listening to females and I, not only like music, but I am learning the science behind it. Women make hits.
AHH: Are you a ladies’ man?
Sha EK: I used to be, but I settled down.
AHH: You’re so young and such a new artist … you’re out the gate letting everyone know you got a girl?
Sha EK: That’s a fact.
AHH: So, what’s the process for how you develop music?
Sha EK: I just go in the booth, when I am mad and just rap. I freestyle so everything on my tracks be off the head. Really, it is however the day is going. That’s what it’s going to be. That’s how I rap.
AHH: So, you’re from the Bronx. What part of the Bronx are you from?
Sha EK: I’m from the South Bronx.
AHH: Oh … where Hip-Hop was born. What is it like to have that type of legacy on your back?
Sha EK: It is exciting. I mean, I am bringing it back. We about the heat up and let people know the Bronx is in motion.
AHH: Have you met any of the O.G. rappers from the borough?
Sha EK: Not yet. I am still new to the game and haven’t met a lot of people yet. But I did a joint to Fat Joe’s “Lean Back.” I hope one day, I get to meet some of them.
AHH: What was it that got people talking about you?
Sha EK: It was organic. I was just talking sh#t. Rapping. Trolling people. It is also my energy. My personality be shining. People really seem to know me, and that relatability got me here today.
AHH: So, how did you get your deal?
Sha EK: My friends encouraged me to rap, and so, after everybody started getting signed, I watched. I learned. I figured it out. I was posting my own music on United Masters, Instagram, Apple, and YouTube.
I was getting millions of streams. On United Masters alone, I had eight million streams. But then my TikTok went crazy. When I dropped “D&D” and people started seeing me, my stock went up.
We dropped “D&D” and three months later, I saw mad people tagging me. It went viral.
Then, I met my son, Noodles and we started looking at labels. Actually, they started looking at us. I just picked Warner Bros. It seemed like the best fit for me. Plus, I can drop whenever I want.
I was getting paid independently, but now that I am signed, the money different.
AHH: How big was your deal with Warner Music Group?
Sha EK: It was a little big, a little bit. Especially for me. I just come out of the trenches. I never had nothing.
AHH: So, I am guessing you’ve moved from the South Bronx.
Sha EK: Yeah, I am in New Jersey now.
Getting signed, I was actually able to do something for my mom, my sister, my brother … everybody. My whole team. Everybody’s lives have been changed.
AHH: Warner Music Group seems to be life-changing. Consider the history. Bruh, Madonna was on Warner. What was it like, the day, when you got signed?
Sha EK: I was dumb-hyped. I was like, it’s over now. My mom was there. My sister was too. My girl.
AHH: With that big check, we hope you got a business manager and is not out here just spending money on gold and platinum (iced out) chains.
Sha EK: I don’t have no chains, but I did get a Cartier watch. I got me a ring and my girlfriend some earrings. I bought clothes. I bought a crib.
AHH: And how old were you?
Sha EK: I was 18 when I signed. I am 19 now.
AHH: Did you graduate from high school?
Sha EK: No … I stopped once I got signed.
AHH: So, COVID hits and you’re a student. So, you put all your energy into making music. You get signed to a big deal. You move out the hood. Why were you picked?
Sha EK: Because I believe. I got faith in God. God be on my side. So, I already know I am going to make it.
AHH: So, who are your “Top Five Rappers?”
Sha EK: Lil Durk, Chief Keef, NBA Youngboy, Roddy Ricch, and Lil Baby. I f### with them because they never stopped. They keep going and pushing through obstacles. So, I feel like I’m the same way.
AHH: No New York artists?
Sha EK: Lil TJay. I grew up with him.
AHH: What was Lil TJay like?
Sha EK: He was bad, running around, fighting all types of people. But he also helped me. Bro, helped me get to where I am today. Shout out to him and we hope he feels better.
AHH: What can we expect from you and your new project, “Facer of the What?”
Sha EK: Greatness. Expect Greatness. I am turning up and it is never going to stop. I’m about to change the world.
G. Simone is a well respected figure in Hip-Hop, in part for her close affiliation with KRS-One. In an era of figures in Hip-Hop, there is an aspect that that is missing. The spirituality is not readily present in music these days, especially on a commercial level. The other side of G. Simone is her own phenomenal singing ability. That talent rings out as she belts out “Hallelujah” on her latest song. The video, set in black and white, is a sobering reminder that there’s still some soul in R&B.
Kanye West has chosen violence! I don’t know what it is about September 1, but the Louis Vuitton Don has opted to cause chaos on our social media feeds.
First of all, Kanye has not posted anything on Twitter recently. So you must go to Instagram in order to see exactly what the hell is going on. As I write this, I am going to his social media.
And what do I see?! Violence!
First of all, this tirade starts off with a condemnation of Kim Kardashian. Basically, he says that his kids are going to his school named after his mother, Donda. Apparently he objects to the curriculum of the school that they are going to now and then name-checked Kwanzaa.
But this is all about the kids! Kanye West is at war with the Kardashians! He insists he is not crazy. He does admit he “was driven crazy before.”
Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears have been accused of coercing minors to perform sexually suggestive acts in comedy sketches.
According to multiplereports, two siblings sued the comedians for alleged abuse. Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears face allegations of intentional infliction of emotional distress, gross negligence, sexual battery, sexual harassment and sexual abuse of a minor.
The siblings, identified as 22-year-old Jane Doe and 15-year-old John Doe, said they were traumatized by videos filmed when they were younger. The lawsuit claims Tiffany Haddish recruited a then 14-year-old Jane Doe to mimic oral sex for a skit. Aries Spears allegedly molested a then 7-year-old John Doe for a video called “Through a Pedophile’s Eyes.’
Tiffany Haddish was a friend of the siblings’ mother, the lawsuit notes. The mother didn’t know what the comic was filming at the time but trusted her friend with the children.
“All the trauma, all the memories, all the anxiety and depression and guilt and shame and fear—I feel like all of those emotions were triggered when this video situation came to a head,” the mom told The Daily Beast. “To find out that she had violated such a sacred trust — I trusted her with my children. That is what pushed me over the edge.”
The siblings said their experiences with Tiffany Haddish and Aries Spears still affect them to this day. Jane Doe detailed a lasting impact on her love life while John Doe closed himself off from the world.
“I don’t got no friends,” John Doe revealed. “I don’t trust nobody. I’m scared of adults, I refuse to be recorded or take pictures because I am scared of weird-ass adults trying to do nasty stuff to me again. I spend all of my time in my room and do not go anywhere because I don’t trust anybody.”
The lawsuit was filed by Jane Doe on behalf of herself and her brother. Tiffany Haddish’s lawyer Andrew Brettler said the lawsuit is an attempt to extort his client. He accused the plaintiff’s mother of trying to push false claims for years.
“Plaintiff’s mother has been trying to assert these bogus claims against Ms. Haddish for several years,” Brettler told TMZ. “Every attorney who has initially taken on her case — and there were several — ultimately dropped the matter once it became clear that the claims were meritless and Ms. Haddish would not be shaken down. Now, [the mother] has her adult daughter representing herself in this lawsuit. The two of them will together face the consequences of pursuing this frivolous action.”
Kendrick Lamar released a short film for his song “We Cry Together” on Thursday (September 1).
The video stars Kendrick Lamar and actress Taylour Paige as the two reprise their roles from the memorable song. The short film depicts a couple involved in a domestic dispute, providing a visual component to the story of “We Cry Together.”
Kendrick Lamar directed the video with Dave Free and Jake Schreier. The short film was shot in March 2020.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “We Cry Together” is eligible for an Academy Award. The short film screened at a Los Angeles theater in June, allowing it to qualify for the Best Live Action Short category.
“We Cry Together” appeared on Kendrick Lamar’s latest album Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, which dropped in May. The LP was his final project for Top Dawg Entertainment.
Kendrick Lamar’s longtime collaborator Sounwave said the 35-year-old rapper has already begun working on his next album. The producer noted how K. Dot never slows down following the release of a new LP.
“We’re starting on the next one now,” Sounwave said. “That’s never going to change, all the way from the Kendrick Lamar EP. The next day, we started on Section.80. It’s just the ideas never stopped. That’s one of the main reasons I go on tour with him, is to create the next album. We can’t skip a beat. We have to just keep it going. There’s no breaks. There’s no such thing as a vacation when you’re doing what you love.”
One of the things that Hip-Hop does is create viable lanes for Black and Brown people to access the American dream without engaging in illegal activities. Numerous rappers and executives have been able to transform their lives through the culture and are now sitting at the table across from some of the world’s biggest corporate entities.
They get to sit there cause Hip-Hop is big money.
But despite the billions of dollars corporations use Hip-Hop and rap music in their ads and campaign ideation, the white-collar businesses often don’t respect those influencers making them hot.
Chamillionaire, who has recently partnered with CarMax on a new month-long return program, believes deals like these will inspire others to step into their own greatness.
When talking about his deal with business and money bible Forbes, he spoke about the agency it gives his community, “[The partnership with CarMax] is an example of the power of Hip-Hop because a lot of people in our community have to climb up from the bottom.”
“Every time we see one of our own having success,” he continues. “It inspires and motivates all the others that look up to us.”
But he also put on blast companies that will use the music created by these mostly Black artists but will not engage them in endorsement or investment deals. He says this also extends to other Black content creators on social media platforms.
He said, “I believe rap has always had a tight grip on the minds of young people, but now social media amplifies things so much that you can’t miss its impact. I think it’s harder for companies to ignore the power and reach of the Black community and Hip Hop.”
“The trending topics on Twitter, the viral moments on TikTok, and all the slang we see being used daily show the genre’s reach and power,” the D.C. native explained. “I remember the days when they were trying to ban Snoop Dogg’s music, and now you see him in multiple TV commercials every day.”
“Companies are in the business of giving consumers what they want, and the best companies know how to find creative ways to present their offerings,” he said.
The “Ridin’” artist said he also understands why artists and content creators are slow to work with corporations, saying, “As an artist, you always want to make sure you are doing things that are true to your values. We all know what the song “Ridin'” symbolizes, but we can’t ignore the impact that all of the viral content and internet memes have had on the life of the song.”
That’s why he believes his deal with CarMax is special.
The partnership between the artist and the company came out of another business exchange. The company licensed his song “Ridin’” for a commercial. But after talking with executives, there seemed to be a more expansive opportunity.
“I have seen a lot of the great content CarMax released with athletes like Steph Curry and Candace Parker, so it was really about trying to figure out how Ridin’ would fit into a campaign,” Chamillionaire told Forbes. “They told me they wanted me to physically appear in the commercial [and] I felt it was something worthy enough for me to participate in.”
He also believes the collaboration makes sense, stating, “It’s the perfect song to play when you’re riding around in your car, so a CarMax commercial made sense.”
In addition to this commercial, Chamillionaire will help CarMax commemorate its 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, where customers have 30 days and up to 1,500 miles, to decide if they want to keep their new whip based on how it has been incorporated in their lives and budget. If they don’t, they can return the car for a full refund.
Kanye West antagonized Kid Cudi and outgoing Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted in an Instagram post on Thursday (September 1).
‘Ye poked fun at Kasper Rorsted’s impending departure from Adidas by sharing a mock New York Times headline. The picture included a jab at Kanye West’s friend-turned-foe Kid Cudi.
“Kasper Rorsted Also Dead At 60,” the headline declared.
Kanye West insulted Kid Cudi in smaller print on the fake front page.
“I know what you’re thinking… who is Kasper? But even less importantly who is Kid Cudi?” the subheading read.
Last month, Kanye West posted a similar fake death headline after his ex-wife Kim Kardashian broke up with Pete Davidson. ‘Ye took the opportunity to throw a shot at Kid Cudi in that Instagram post too.
Kanye West, a business partner of Adidas, put the company on blast in 2022. He previously demanded a meeting with Kasper Rorsted, who’s leaving Adidas in 2023. The soon-to-be former CEO announced his exit in August.
“The past years have been marked by several external factors that disrupted our business significantly,” he said. “It required huge efforts to master these challenges. This is why enabling a restart in 2023 is the right thing to do – both for the company and me personally.”
Recording artist and author Lil Richye is making his mark across multiple industries as an artist, songwriter, entertainer, author, influencer and fashion trendsetter, and the young star has also officially become a brand ambassador for the Charlotte Hornets.
The talented and versatile artist has now returned with his latest single “Rotation.”
“The inspiration behind “Rotation” came from a group of friends and I talking about girls. One friend mentioned that a girl liked me, so I had him give me her number, and I text her “drop your location,” and the song goes from there,” said Lil Richye.
Lil Richye will also be releasing an album titled ‘Lone Wolf’ first quarter 2023.
“My mission on this project was to start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible and suddenly you find yourself doing the impossible. The worst thing I can be in life is the same as everyone else. When I realized this, that’s when I started making all types of music because I may wake up the next day and want to dance, and I make a bounce song or I may be talking to my girl on the phone and make a love song. I just do what I feel now while trying to be the best me that I can, and this will be evident on this project,” said Lil Richye.
The Charlotte, N.C. native is already a performance veteran with over a decade of experience under his designer belt having ignited stages since the early age of 3. The child prodigy was rooted in church and grew up singing in the choir, which is where he developed his voice. Music has always been the family business as his parents founded Let’s Ride Records and ran much of the operation from home. As a result, Lil Richye was exposed to the creative process of the business and also the hard work it took to be successful.
Lil Richye’s appearance on Jermaine Dupri & Lifetime’s The Rap Game certainly served as a launching pad for his success, and now he shows no signs of slowing down.
Shia LaBeouf has been cast in Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming movie “Megalopolis.”
It was confirmed on Wednesday that the actor would join previously-announced stars Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, and Aubrey Plaza in “The Godfather” director’s long-gestating passion project.
The casting announcement includes five other actors – Coppola’s sister Talia Shire and nephew Jason Schwartzman as well as Grace VanderWaal, Kathryn Hunter, and James Remar were also revealed as newly-cast stars for the film.
According to Variety, the film’s official logline reads: “The fate of Rome haunts a modern world unable to solve its own social problems in this epic story of political ambition, genius, and conflicted love.”
Specific plot details about the movie have not been disclosed.
Coppola is directing from his own script and independently funding his dream film, which has a reported budget of nearly $100 million.
Production on “Megalopolis” is set to begin this autumn.
LaBeouf is currently on the comeback trail after taking almost two years out of the spotlight as a result of his ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs filing a lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress in December 2020.
The case goes to trial in April 2023.. The actor returned to the spotlight last week by giving several interviews.
Tyrese Gibson has been ordered to pay his estranged wife Samantha Lee more than $10,000 per month in child support.
A judge ruled in a Georgia court on Tuesday that the “Fast and the Furious” star will now have to pay $10,690 monthly in child support to Lee.
Tyrese and Samantha announced they were divorcing in December 2020 after almost four years of marriage. The pair share a three-year-old daughter Soraya Lee.
The judge also ruled that the two should split childcare, school, and health insurance costs for Soraya equally between them and that Tyrese should maintain a life insurance plan worth $1.9 million with Soraya as the beneficiary and Samantha as the trustee.
While announcing the ruling, the judge insisted the order was made in Soraya’s “best interest,” telling Tyrese they were “leveling the economic playing field.”
The judge continued, “I want you both to love your kid, and I want you both to tell your kid to love the other parent because that’s how we get successful human beings.
“Nobody won here, and nobody lost. The kid lost because she doesn’t have her parents together. Minimize the effects of that loss. Minimize it in every way, shape, and form you can.”
He further emphasized that child support payments are “not a punishment” for Tyrese, saying, “You’re going to see the dividends it pays in your child. Put that money where it belongs – in the child.”
Tyrese and Samantha Lee married in February 2017 and welcomed Soraya in October 2018.
The actor also shares a 15-year-old daughter named Shayla with his first wife Norma.
If you weren’t in New York City this past Saturday, you missed out on DJ Khaled bringing the heat with the release party for his new album “GOD DID”. The all-star party featured celebrities such as Shenseea, Giggs, Offset, Fabolous, Pastor Lamor Whitehead, and more who all came out the night before the VMAs! Dante was definitely in attendance and captured an amazing recap of the whole event like it was a cinematic film. Dante takes you from the streets to the arrival, to the venue, right to the turn-up and it definitely looked like the place to be! The recap is almost at 300k views, having been posted by DJ Khaled himself on his Instagram account.
This isn’t a first for Dante; a Bronx native, who continues to get booked to shoot some of the most exclusive events in entertainment. A brief glance at Dante’s Instagram or website and you’ll see big names like Micheal Rubin, Jay Z, Meek Mill, Lil Baby, Drake, and Mariah Carey, and the list continues on and on. The way Dante captures these videos makes you feel like you were there like you were actually a part of the experience and I believe that’s why he continues to get booked. His site’s tagline says “creating content that inspires emotion” and I can definitely say that he is delivering on that statement. Especially after his recaps of Michael Rubin’s star-studded 4th of July All White Party which has over 1 million views on Instagram.
Having recently covered the VMAs for Essence Magazine, and doing work for VH1, Reform, and Roc Nation, it’s pretty evident that Dante’s have a great 2022. He currently shoots music videos, commercials, recap videos, interviews, and more, but he has his sights set on the realm of feature films and tv in the coming year. He’s stated previously that he has films that he plans on starting production on soon, one being a horror film and the other being a teen drama.
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what those will entail and I’m sure many of his followers and supporters feel the same. That’s just one of Dante’s goals, he also stated that he wants to eventually own his own film studio like the likes of Tyler Perry; whom Dante stated is a big inspiration in terms of using your craft to build your own empire. I think that if he stays on this path and continues to deliver like he’s been, then he’ll definitely see that dream become his reality sooner than he thinks.
If you want to stay locked in with Dante and updated with his content, or if you’re interested in booking him; you can follow him on Instagram at @DanteFilmz, he also has a website located at TeamElitephoto.com, and you can subscribe to him on Youtube at Youtube.com/c/TeamEliteProductionsLLC.
Since its inception, Hip-Hop has been an industry dominated by men, where misogyny is rife, and women have to fight for equal footing.
None of that matters to Kelz, the petite yet powerhouse battle rap league owner, manager, talent scout, and all-around connoisseur of the culture.
Putting On For The DMV
Her DMV-based league OSBL (Our Society Battle League) has quickly established itself as the premier league in the region, while Kelz has made a name for herself as the no-nonsense honcho of a loyal roster of talented rappers, many of whom have been with her from the ground up.
Armed with a plan and a vision to develop unique local wordsmiths, Kelz recently celebrated her third year as a league owner. In that short time, OSBL has thrown countless successful events, pitting her squad against some of the best lyricists in the genre. Her most recent card, Double Dragons, saw stars like Chilla Jones, Jaz The Rapper, Lu Castro, Drugz, and Jakkboy Maine square off against the top names and up-and-comers on her league.
Not only is Kelz also a scout for URL (Ultimate Rap League), the NBA of battle rap, she’s one of the most successful ones from their talent-seeking The Crucible series. She has a keen eye for raw talent, and some of her picks have gone on to star in URL’s big money, big stage tournaments, the Ultimate Madness series battling for prizes of up to $100,000.
In addition to recruiting and developing many of the culture’s rising stars, Kelz also manages some of the most electrifying names in the scene, guiding their careers to success within the upper echelons of battle rap.
Kelz Murda Management
One of her earliest signings to KMM Kelz Murda Management was Maryland rapper Ace Amin. Once he stepped into the scene, his intricate wordplay and commanding stage presence caught the eye of URL. His captivating introductory battle against Fuse Da General impressed the league, and he would soon become a regular feature on URL cards and one of the rising stars of their “New Era” battlers.
Another of her clients, Sheed Happens, is one of the hottest new talents in the scene following a turn in URL’s UM5 tournament earlier this year. His win against fan favorite Nunn Nunn in a close rematch was labeled a robbery and made controversial due to some ambiguous judged decisions which had the culture in an uproar.
While the judges were impressed by his unorthodox style and unique delivery, it was his second-round win over Tru Foe (who had just knocked 3x Champion of the Year Geechi Gotti out of the competition), that swung the battle rap pendulum back in his favor ahead of his semi-finals clash with vet JC. He ultimately lost out to the Pontiac veteran, one of the best pens in the culture who would eventually win the tournament.
The Future For Kelz & OSBL
OSBL continues to be one of the most prolific local leagues throwing events most months, sometimes bi-monthly. Her next card, Active Duty, on September 9, sees the boss challenge her staff alongside her roster of battlers. Kelz and three staff members play team captains and pick three rookies to join their squad. The newbies must craft a universal round to spit at a random opponent. The team captains are responsible for helping develop and mold their team to ultimate victory.
At its core, OSBL is all about finding and building local talent at the grassroots level, grooming them for the biggest stages in the culture. It’s evident with Kelz and her loyal staff at the helm, OSBL will continue to make a substantial impact in the DMV and beyond.
2K Sports announced the inclusion of J. Cole as a character in the NBA 2K23 video game.
The 37-year-old rapper appears in NBA 2K23’s MyCAREER mode along with Dreamville artists Bas and Elite. J. Cole was also named cover star of the NBA 2K23 Dreamer Edition, which will be released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
“NBA 2K has long been a place to discover new musical talent through their game and continues to be a gold standard for showcasing all things basketball culture,” J. Cole said. “It’s been an amazing journey to not only appear on a cover of this year’s game, but to be part of the MyCAREER storyline, soundtrack and bring the DREAMER brand into NBA 2K. There’s also more to come, so watch out for all things Dreamville and DREAMER brand drops during Seasons and for Bas and Elite in this year’s MyCAREER story.”
2K Sports’ Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy Alfie Brody added, “The sheer scale, depth and talent featured in this year’s MyCAREER creates an unparalleled experience within NBA 2K23. At the top of that list of talent is our first cover star who truly sits at the intersection of basketball and music. Bringing a visionary like J. Cole and DREAMER into the creative process for both the game and the soundtrack showcases the pillar of culture that NBA 2K23 has become.”
NBA 2K23 launches on September 9. The Dreamer Edition drops as a GameStop exclusive in the fall.
When it comes to the intersection of hip-hop and cannabis, no one’s doing it like The Smoker’s Club. Founded in New York by Jonny Shipes, Smoke DZA and Bubz.
The Smoker’s Club is a lifestyle brand that came to life via an epic smoke session at Shipes’ crib in early 2010. Later that year in March, they had their first show at SXSW with an epic lineup: Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar, Devin The Dude, Big K.R.I.T.. Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Smoke DZA.
Suddenly, the demand for a Smoker’s Club show skyrocketed… and folks all across the country were asking for a Smoker’s Club show in their cities.
And with the legalization of cannabis across the States, Bubz knew he had to shift his focus from music to cannabis. You may recognize Bubz from his time mobbing with Jim Jones and The Diplomats during the “Purple City” era, but after a visit to California in 2009, Bubz encountered multiple grow facilities and knew he had to enter the game himself.
Bubz states, We matured into something else, something legal. Not just smoking in the crib with a bunch of artists, because we all were in the music industry. Most of our friends are artists, producers, engineers, or someone affiliated with the music industry. To a person who’s not involved in that, it seems like a pretty cool scene. We took our whole scene we had going on with that and made it a tour first.”
Every year since its inception, Smoker’s Club has gone on tour, covering over 100 cities in the states and over 20 countries worldwide. And according to Bubz, the ship has not slowed down in the slightest.
AllHipHop: I know Curren$y performed at Smoker’s Club’s first tour, you were recently with him at Rolling Loud.
Shiest Bubz: Yes, that’s bro for life. In this cannabis field of doing festivals and transitioning the audience, he’s one of the pioneers for that. Having him part of The Smoker’s Club movement helped us transition from just being a sesh and some hood s### to being more diverse. Then of course, Wiz Khalifa. He’s another person who added super value to the whole culture of doing festivals, cannabis-based.
AllHipHop: How did you and Shipes meet?
Shiest Bubz: Me and Shipes met through a weed deal, a pound sale. [laughs] It happened to be in the studio, so that’s how we met. He’s like, “yo, you got it? It’s a cool studio, that’s wassup.” I had a studio at the time too. We met up again, two years later. On some cool s###, we hit it off. “Yo, come work on these projects with me,” s### like that. From there, s### started taking off.
AllHipHop: How was cannabis back when you guys started, compared to now?
Shiest Bubz: That’s like asking “how was the last month to how is it this month?” It’s that new. It’s really that new to transition. Back then, it was the same thing, just with a stigma on it. Of course, police. Getting arrested for a small blunt could have a whole hundred inmates in one jail cell. Like the Brittney Grimer story: the same thing that she’s going through in Russia is the same thing that was happening every day here in uptown Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. For a crumb of marijuana in your pocket, you are going to jail.
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
Shiest Bubz: It was a series of events that led up to me naming myself. My name evolved in a three year period. First, my name is Shiest. Off rip, people think that means “he’s shiesty, he’s a shiester,” this and that. I can be what I want to, but that’s not what my name represents. It represents me being a shiest detective. It’s me seeing through the b#######, that’s what it really means. It’s me detecting all the shiest behavior.
The name Bubz came from a breakdown of two things. First, it was some 90’s rap s### with the two-part name: Shiest Bubbler. Because I get money, I’m bubbling. Street talk. I had this fascination with an addiction to Moet champagne, it’s cold and bubbly. I got that from the OGs. We were drinking champagne every night for damn near a decade, so they started calling me Bubbly. When I started rapping and getting to the music, I put a Bub-z like Jay-Z.
AllHipHop: Smoker’s Club has such a strong presence when it comes to the intersection of music and cannabis. Can you touch on that?
Shiest Bubz: DZA is another major factor into our trifecta, between me, Shipes, and DZA. Me being — I wouldn’t say retired, but off the scene as a rapper. And he’s younger than me, so he’s the one we put our energy into. Here you go, you take the course with that and you become the focal point of Smoker’s Club when it comes to being an artist and being a socialist. He’s had projects with Curren$y, everyone we love. I’m the face, DZA’s the voice, and Shipes is the brains over there.
AllHipHop: How often are you smoking?
Shiest Bubz: I smoke before meetings, during meetings, after meetings. If I can’t have it that way, I’m off.
AllHipHop: How does cannabis improve your life?
Shiest Bubz: Cannabis improves my life in many ways. Because without cannabis, when I’m straight sober — I haven’t been that in a long time. When I used to be straight sober sometimes, I’m very serious, very strict, and very judgmental. When I consume cannabis, it takes me to a place where I let those things go. I’m more laidback, I’m not as strict, and I’m not judgmental at all. Be yourself. I’m more than to be yourself at this point. Also cannabis helps me with my creativity aspect.
AllHipHop: I feel like that all the time!
Shiest Bubz: But it’s tricky though, because it’s not “oh I smoke and I get these creative ideas.” It’s that I smoke and I get a bunch of ideas. A lot of them be dumb as hell. A lot of them really be “damn I was high as hell, I was thinking the stupidest s### in the world.” But some of that s### is good.
It gives me the space to at least create a bunch of b#######, and take what I want out of it. The most consistent things that I feel are good or creative, that people can relate to and adapt to. That will be received well by my peers and young people, old people, old generations. Weed don’t really have an age limit on it. Once you’re past 16… you know?
AllHipHop: When did you start smoking?
Shiest Bubz: A little bit before that. I started at the bad boy age, which is 13. Most of us pot-dealing legacy operators started smoking at a young age. It wasn’t like I started smoking and I was smoking every day after that. I was experimenting with it.
AllHipHop: How much would you say you smoke daily?
Shiest Bubz: About an ounce, like 21 grams. If I had a movie, it’d be called 21 Grams: A Day In The Life.
AllHipHop: That’s more than the rappers I interview!
Shiest Bubz: I’m not a rapper. Listen, let me tell you something about rappers. Rappers are like advertisements. They don’t roll the weed, they don’t really got the weed. They just know what good weed is so they can advertise it. Try to say, “I got good weed.” A lot of them don’t even really smoke like that. There are a lot of them that do smoke heavy though. They smoke a lot, where I’m like “damn, you smoke a lot boy! You roll big blunts.” My blunts are usually about half an eighth.
AllHipHop: Talk about the Smoker’s Club festival this year in Orange County.
Shiest Bubz: It was in San Bernardino, 38,000 people. It was insane, I’m not going to lie, it was crazy. It was a good reflection of where our audience is, per market. It’s cool. This seems about right. We’re trying to make this festival tighter though, to where it’s not so spread out. Because walking from stage to stage, s### is rough on your legs. It’s dusty out there, so we’re trying to make it a little tighter. Keep it so people can see all the shows.
What else are you working on?
The podcast Heavy Smoke I launch every week, usually on Fridays. My guest tomorrow is Backpack Boyz, that’s going to be a good one. We have another festival coming up. We have merchandise dropping every month. DZA dropping new project after new project, he’s back outside.
AllHipHop: You and DZA have your own personal podcasts, right?
Shiest Bubz: Yes, DZA has his Personal Party podcast that’s now picked up on REVOLT. You can pick up that audio anytime you want. I’m just keeping all the legacy operators in a place where they can at least still have a voice in this cannabis industry. Because with this big highway that they’re making over this industry, which I call the little yellow brick road, we can get lost in that.
So my job being in the game for a long time, and if I do have any power in cannabis, it is to at least let my voice be heard and be the voice for others that are in the same position that I was. Maybe not now, but in the past, of trying to find their way and how to transition from selling weed to legally selling cannabis.
AllHipHop: Do you have a favorite memory? Maybe an epic story about a Smoker’s Club event in the past?
Shiest Bubz: Yeah, this was one of the first tours too. This is tour number one. This is me, Smoke DZA, and Big KRIT. We’re hungry as hell. We’re in some little town. I don’t remember what town it is because what happened after our event, would make it something I wouldn’t remember. What happened was we were hungry as hell. It was late night, so we had to get something to eat. We’re from New York, so we said “what’s Krystal?”
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Krystal, but Krystal is the South White Castle. If you know anything about a White Castle burger, you know that’s a murder burger. We’re hungry, we said “f### it, let’s just go there.” We order all types of dumb s###: wings, burgers and s###. We eat this s###. When I tell you: Burning Butts the group, yo! From there, we confirmed that fast food has been taken out of our regime..
AllHipHop: You all were on tour?
Shiest Bubz: On tour with the burning butts. Straight up, bad news. We had that story for the next week. Every time we see a Krystal, we said “no, keep going!” We didn’t even want to see the sign. It felt like Krystal was coming out of our organs.
AllHipHop: Obviously, cannabis is a hot button political issue in many states, countries. Does The Smoker’s Club plan on using its reputation and platform to get involved?
Shiest Bubz:In our eyes, we’re from the music industry. That’s like saying “are you going to the major label? Are you going to do this?” We represent freedom and independence, so we’re in the independent lane. We don’t play politics. Even though there’s always politics. Let me tell you something: I do not play politics. I do not have favorites, I just love who I love. And it’s most people, I deal with that first.
Sometimes people want to work with you, but the timing of the universe doesn’t allow it at the time when you want it. One thing about cannabis that helps me with is patience, and being patient for the right time, for the right thing. To everyone out there, be patient. Be patient with your business. Be patient with yourself. Be patient with people you love, because s### can end right now. Bad things happen all the time, so you gotta be humble.
I’m not trying to say “oh, this is right. This is wrong.” We’re going to always do what’s right, because we represent the culture and that’s all we have. It’s not something that we’re going to document and paper and say,
“I’m going to do this.” It’s about being honest with yourself and living the
right way.
AllHipHop: Shout out to Marvin Bing who as a perennial creative activist always brings us into social impact campaigns, I know you guys just did CannabisInCommon.org with Benny The Butcher, Al Harrington, Hitboy, and others – Why is it important to stand up and raise our voices?
Shiest Bubz: So many people are still incarcerated right now for cannabis crimes, which is insane. It doesn’t even make sense. The question arises when we’re getting into a space where it’s not federally legal, so there’s still factors that are going to hold us back from being successful in the cannabis space, that we’re never going to be able to bring.
It’s going to have to come to a time where it’s going to have to pass federally, so everyone who’s incarcerated for cannabis can get the hell out of jail. How can you watch someone make millions of dollars off of something that someone is sitting in jail for way less? Doesn’t even make sense, it’s crazy. It makes you not even happy, it makes you sad. The guilt is still there. You don’t want us to succeed, people are locked up and you’re out here living your best life.
AllHipHop: Where do you see the future of cannabis?
Shiest Bubz: I’ve been able to thus far see the future of it, but at this point, it’s been co-op. It’s not in the hands of the spirit realm, it’s in the hands of the lawmakers. Being that I don’t really participate in politics on that level, it’s hard for me to forecast where I see cannabis. But I tell you this, it’s a God-given tool. In the long run, it’s always going to come back to what it originally was. You can put the price on it. You can put it on our backs, make us work and show you the blueprint. Rip it away from us and take it, try to make it a cash cow for trust fund babies to spend their money back, invest their money in.
We don’t have the privilege of that, to be trust fund kids. Most neighborhoods in this country, not just any neighborhood that’s local. The future of cannabis: I can’t speak for the whole country, but I can because
I’m saying that I feel like it should be passed federally. With federal, it’s a whole new ball game. I’d be happy to be here to witness that happen, whether I’m involved in it or not. That’s my perspective.
AllHipHop: What’re you most excited for next?
Shiest Bubz: I’m just keeping it pumping every day, keeping the blunts rolling. Staying focused on our ideas that we’ve been manifesting for a very long time, and keep rolling out the red carpet everywhere we go.
The merch is available on thesmokersclub.com. You can find that anytime. Make sure you tap into our Instagram too, because unfortunately, that’s where we do a lot of our promotions at. We have another festival coming up this fall in October, look forward to that. It’s going to be a scary one, Spooky season has returned! It will be in the Sunshine State. It’s going to be warm. Pack your shorts, pack your short sleeves. Pack your bikinis, your thongs. Alright!
Becoming a very well-known personality or professional in any sector today can never be a walk in the park for anyone across the world. To be one, people have had to surrender to their dreams and utilize their utmost energy and potential to chase their goals and achieve them one by one. With tons of talented beings emerging from almost every part of the world, industries today offer competition the most, but all those who utilize their skills and optimize the many opportunities in front of them while also creating new ones go ahead in creating a unique niche for themselves. NASHEW (Nicky Taschew), the German rapper and music artist, has done that and gone even beyond constantly innovating in music as an ace musical talent.
People are already going crazy with the crazy tunes, lyrics, and singing by NASHEW for the latest rap song Money Monopoly, feat Prince Arija. They have made sure to create a foot-tapping song that can become the go-to favorite track for many music lovers out there. NASHEW is one of those rare rappers from Germany in the music scene who has never failed to take risks in the industry to come up with songs that can truly stand distinctive and help him stand unique in the music realm. This has also become his USP, to try new things and new beats and collaborate with incredible musical talents to create songs that can instantly strike a chord with the hearts of listeners.
Money Monopoly, feat Prince Arija with NASHEW, just like other songs of his, is gradually becoming one of the most loved songs of his career, thanks to his pure intent to touch the souls of people and make them feel compelled to keep listening to the same.
His other songs Hardcore Gang Member, Shadows, Dreams, and H### Jetzt Ab have attained so much love on streaming platforms, which has also turned NASHEW into a verified musical artist on Spotify:
Keep following him on Instagram @nickytaschew for more updates.
